Whoever thought of Mother's Day

Mother's Day is simultaneously one of the best and most heartbreaking days of the year for me.  Every year.  It doesn't get easier.  I thought it was supposed to, but it doesn't.  Every year I adore the way my children try their best to make it special for me.  In the back of my mind though, I'm always thinking about my mom.  I miss her terribly.  There is nothing in the world that can make me feel better about it. Every year parts of my memory fade and I can't bring back her laugh or her smile.  Her smell not so vivid. Her voice distant and fuzzy.   I miss her terribly.

Matthew 12:34

 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. - Matthew 12:34


Have you ever listened to small children sing songs? Have you ever noticed their words? No matter the song, they sing what they know. They sing what is familiar, and what is in their heart. Here are some examples:

"I'm stinky and I know it"

"The snakes are high, the water's rough"



So much of my day even my past couple weeks comes back to this verse. I often wonder what is going on in someone's heart when I hear the things that come out of their mouths. I was just appalled and hurt and overwhelmed today by what I heard pouring out of the mouths of the people around me. Some Christian words worse than those that I heard from a stranger, but with what purpose? If our mouth speaks what is in our heart, then where are the words that Jesus would use? I can't presume to know someone's intent when they do or say things, but I think about how I would handle the situation and its always so different. By no means am I perfect, but I wake up each day hoping to do no harm and in an ideal world, have none done to me. So let's not push and bully and talk behind each other's backs. Let's lift each other up and let the words from our mouths be more innocent, less hurtful, and more encouraging.

I know for sure that when I'm thinking positive and feeling positive, I am way more apt to be speaking positively. I'm making a conscious effort to unearth the crappy stuff in my heart and get back to the good stuff.  I urge others to do the same despite unwelcoming circumstances.  Let go of the stink surrounding you and push forward to the good stuff.  Life is better that way.

Fro Yo!

No, I am not talking about yogurt, though that stuff is good too. So far 2 of my 3 children have their dad's crazy curly hair. I know, you are already thinking, oh, how cute. It is. The majority of the time it is anyway. But that being said, we tried to grow Miles' hair out. I was so hoping for that swoopy curl thing that's all the rage these days. Instead I got something more like this.



We got it chopped and now my sweet boy looks more presentable. But older. . .

Oh the nerves

Look at that silly girl? Is it any wonder that I'm fraught with nerves tonight as we prepare for her surgery tomorrow. Its minor surgery. So routine. And yet, I'm so on edge. My toughest little sprite. My challenging little girl. She tries my patience to the limit, but what would my world be like without her?! Anyway, she is getting tubes put in her ears tomorrow, and I pray repeatedly that the surgery goes without a hitch, as routine as getting tubes can be. But this moment, this night before a surgery reminds me of my dear friends that have to routinely hand their children over to doctors and to God. They worry and trust endlessly in the power of God's healing and the hands of surgeons. I take this moment to honor them and thank God for their inspiration in my life. I see your bravery, and the sweet way that you cherish your babies. I see the way your strong children endure all that they go through, and push through in a way that grown ups just can't fathom. As I say a prayer and sing an extra lullaby to my little girl tonight, I'm thinking of you and praying for your babes too. I love you all. I hope you know who you are.

Yum

The child pictured above is the PICKIEST eater. He pretty much lives on PBJ, some form of chips, and some select fruits. He also loves cheese of any sort. He is unlike most children in that he dislikes the following: hot dogs, lunch meat, nutrigrain bars, and hamburgers. I got him to eat something with a little more substance today. You might ask how. If you did, I would tell you by using logic and convincing him of the importance of healthy food choices. The truth is, I did it by making sure the good stuff was surrounded by plenty of chocolate. That being said, he did end up eating applesauce, bananas, and whole wheat flour in the process. Also, in my defense, the kid could use the extra calories made available to him in the chocolate. Plus I used semi sweet mini chocolate chips, mini means the bad stuff is smaller so not as bad. See the recipe below. Note that I left off the glaze as they were plenty sweet for our tastes without.

If you want an idea of the success of the muffins, I quote:

"These are the best muffins you ever made in your entire life. I want another."
- Five year old girl that lives in my house and will eat just about anything.

Thank you www.skinnytaste.com for this winner.

Chocolate Chocolate Banana Muffins by Gina at Skinnytaste.com

Return from the dead

I've decided to come back to where I feel most comfortable. I'm back blogging here at my first true love. My first blog. I don't have a lot to say at the moment, but I plan on spending some more time writing, and I think this is the place to do it. I'd tell you to be on the lookout, but I don't want to disappoint. In the meantime. Check out this kid. Hilarious.


He looks a bit like the villain that used to tie the girl to the track and wait for the train to run her over. LOVE it.

Hiatus

Taking a break from this blog for now. Check out my new one at www.traveltotstakeout.blogspot.com