I have avoided my blog lately. I feel like a bad mother because of the lack of pictures I've posted lately. So, I intentionally haven't blogged thinking, "I will get my next post on when I have a picture of Jonathan to put up." Sadly, instead of motivating me, it pushed me into self-wallowing and non communication. So, I'll give you the quick update and add another thing to the list that my children will take with them into counselling as an adult.....
Things here are fine. We've had a LOT of rain, sleet, snow, hail, and all-around cold weather. Yesterday got a little dicey in the afternoon, but the real loser in the weather department is my garden. We lost a cucumber plant in yesterday's storm, and it just hasn't been warm enough for the garden to produce much out of all the moisture. Such is life.
The kids are great. Naomi refuses to actually crawl, but I call what she does teleporting due to the rapid speed that she moves in between the glaces I give her. Jonathan continues to talk and talk and talk. He got a haircut this weekend for Smith Family pictures that makes him look much older. Naomi is pulling up on things now. It won't be long until trouble finds her. Avery the dog is doing quite well. We pull a small poodle in hair off of her twice a week, but she does great with playing with Naomi.
Nathan and I are doing well. I have been put in charge of VBS this year (the theme is "Everyday Superhero"... do you think I have a little boy at home?), and I am dragging many other people with me. We are doing three very simple days. I'll let you know how that works. Between summer league baseball once a week, men's softball, and our coed team, Nathan is staying busy. He is quite involved right now with taking care of details for our youth mission trip to Mexico. Please pray that all of those plans come together and we are able to finish all the fundraising for that.
Alright, I will let you back to your life. Look for pictures soon!
"For the Lord your God is He who goes before you, to fight against your enemies, to save you." Deuteronomy 20:4
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Barking Orders
Apparently, my two year old thinks that he commands the post around here. Yesterday, it took him five minutes to decide what to drink (as if we have more choices than Starbucks....dream on, kiddo!). He had to decide the color of the cup, and the kind of drink (water...no, milk....no, apple juice....no, milk mommy!....water!!!!). I fully expect to hear him spout of some 2% half-caff mochachino mumbo jumbo before long. What can I say, the kid knows what he wants (or explains it out loud until he decides). I suppose that it was my lot in life to parent a strong-willed child.
But, the funniest thing happened last night. We are at the dinner table, and Jonathan is eating his hamburger and applesauce next to me. Meg and Nathan are at the table witnessing the sight for the first time. Jonathan leans over to me and says, "Mommy, give me some..." as he extends his fist for me to pound. I thought Meg was going to swallow her tongue she was laughing so hard. It is really funny to see pop culture infiltrating a two year old.
We won our first softball game last night 18-11. A fun night all around. We bought the plants yesterday to start the garden. That is one of the best things to look forward to in summertime. Especially with the price of produce going up! Hope all is well with you and yours!
But, the funniest thing happened last night. We are at the dinner table, and Jonathan is eating his hamburger and applesauce next to me. Meg and Nathan are at the table witnessing the sight for the first time. Jonathan leans over to me and says, "Mommy, give me some..." as he extends his fist for me to pound. I thought Meg was going to swallow her tongue she was laughing so hard. It is really funny to see pop culture infiltrating a two year old.
We won our first softball game last night 18-11. A fun night all around. We bought the plants yesterday to start the garden. That is one of the best things to look forward to in summertime. Especially with the price of produce going up! Hope all is well with you and yours!
Friday, May 18, 2007
Where There's Smoke, There's Fire
Mom, I am really sorry that you had to put up with us during the days that nothing seemed to go your way. I now understand how many years this took off of your life, and I hope that the laughter and stories you gained from such occasions helped to replenish your lifeline.
My full grasp of this phenomenon came yesterday. It started the same, if not better, than any other day. Nathan left for work at 8:45 a.m. on the grounds that I would see him at the church just 45 short minutes later to tie up some loose ends before our moms group met. Who knew that in such a small span of time that life could take on such chaos?
Jonathan promptly walked out the unlocked front door. When confronted on why, he simply replied, "I'm going on a walk, Mom." (direct quote) He was unimpressed with my rebuttal that we don't go on walks by ourselves, but was more taken to chase the stray kitten running around our house. When I caught him to take him inside, I was greeted by Avery the dog running out of our house to join in the cat chasing fun (she is a sucker for a good cat chase, we've found). I got both of them wrangled into the house and seriously thought in my head, "That was fun...I guess now we have our fun story for the morning." How silly of me to dream of it being over.
Naomi needed new clothes. I took her upstairs, set her on her changing table, and watched as she kicked EVERYTHING off of it. I tried to keep her on it, pick up the mess, and find her an outfit. We took her downstairs (where I could keep an eye on both kids) and literally wrestled her into her clothes, taking small breaks to clean up the spit-up and referee Jonathan. He got in trouble for playing in the dog food, leading to the next episode.
I took him to the bathroom, where he didn't have to go repeatedly. Then he got a time out in his room. This leads to the token screaming, which gave me a chance to finish changing Naomi. However, the screaming stopped. And we all know, where there is smoke, there is fire (proverbial, of course). I went into his room only to find poop everywhere. Cleaning up the mess, I should have known that it would lead to a day with seven accidents and me quitting potty training. But, I held out hope for the day.
That led to the next mishap. I started smelling something strange. And we all know, where there is smoke, there is fire....literally this time. I found Jonathan's denim hat in a metal mixing bowl on the table that reflected the sunlight at just the right angle to burn a hole in the hat! (not kidding) Who would have thought. So, the morning completed itself by me trying to pop popcorn, only to burn the first bag, make a perfect bag, empty the good bag into a Ziploc bag, and culminating with the fact that hot kernels melt through plastic bag (who would have known?) and chasing the stupid stray cat out of our garage (cat starts with "c" and kitten starts with "k"...talk amongst yourselves).
All that, and I was only ten minutes late to my group. Mom, I understand that there are just days that go this way. Unfortunately, the day continued that way. Thank you for watching the kids through the afternoon so I could finish our errands. Only a mother who had fought through not having that ability could know that was exactly what I needed. I am so glad that you could rest on a Savior whose mercies are new every morning. How great is His faithfulness. Thanks for letting us build your character a bit. I am sure that we gave you more than your share!
With Love,
Your Favorite Daughter, Kendra
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ~Lamentations 3:22-23
My full grasp of this phenomenon came yesterday. It started the same, if not better, than any other day. Nathan left for work at 8:45 a.m. on the grounds that I would see him at the church just 45 short minutes later to tie up some loose ends before our moms group met. Who knew that in such a small span of time that life could take on such chaos?
Jonathan promptly walked out the unlocked front door. When confronted on why, he simply replied, "I'm going on a walk, Mom." (direct quote) He was unimpressed with my rebuttal that we don't go on walks by ourselves, but was more taken to chase the stray kitten running around our house. When I caught him to take him inside, I was greeted by Avery the dog running out of our house to join in the cat chasing fun (she is a sucker for a good cat chase, we've found). I got both of them wrangled into the house and seriously thought in my head, "That was fun...I guess now we have our fun story for the morning." How silly of me to dream of it being over.
Naomi needed new clothes. I took her upstairs, set her on her changing table, and watched as she kicked EVERYTHING off of it. I tried to keep her on it, pick up the mess, and find her an outfit. We took her downstairs (where I could keep an eye on both kids) and literally wrestled her into her clothes, taking small breaks to clean up the spit-up and referee Jonathan. He got in trouble for playing in the dog food, leading to the next episode.
I took him to the bathroom, where he didn't have to go repeatedly. Then he got a time out in his room. This leads to the token screaming, which gave me a chance to finish changing Naomi. However, the screaming stopped. And we all know, where there is smoke, there is fire (proverbial, of course). I went into his room only to find poop everywhere. Cleaning up the mess, I should have known that it would lead to a day with seven accidents and me quitting potty training. But, I held out hope for the day.
That led to the next mishap. I started smelling something strange. And we all know, where there is smoke, there is fire....literally this time. I found Jonathan's denim hat in a metal mixing bowl on the table that reflected the sunlight at just the right angle to burn a hole in the hat! (not kidding) Who would have thought. So, the morning completed itself by me trying to pop popcorn, only to burn the first bag, make a perfect bag, empty the good bag into a Ziploc bag, and culminating with the fact that hot kernels melt through plastic bag (who would have known?) and chasing the stupid stray cat out of our garage (cat starts with "c" and kitten starts with "k"...talk amongst yourselves).
All that, and I was only ten minutes late to my group. Mom, I understand that there are just days that go this way. Unfortunately, the day continued that way. Thank you for watching the kids through the afternoon so I could finish our errands. Only a mother who had fought through not having that ability could know that was exactly what I needed. I am so glad that you could rest on a Savior whose mercies are new every morning. How great is His faithfulness. Thanks for letting us build your character a bit. I am sure that we gave you more than your share!
With Love,
Your Favorite Daughter, Kendra
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ~Lamentations 3:22-23
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Death of a Vision
I realized something again this week. I love the feeling of realizing something that you've known all along, but it feels like it has new meaning. It is like hearing a joke for the twentieth time, only to realize that it means something different in adulthood than it did as a kid....and it's even funnier now.
I realize now as an adult that our visions of what we want and what we think is best must die. They must come to an end one way or another. These visions that we spend hours daydreaming about or delicately planning must either come to fruition or die. I used to think that when visions for our lives or futures died it was sad or tragic even. I now realize that, in the end, it doesn't matter how the vision ends...it really leads to the same place. For the death of a vision really births a new beginning. It causes you to come to a place where you dare to dream of what is really possible in life. We allow God to place new desires on our hearts and lead us places that we never thought of going.
Sometimes, we look forward to visions dying. My family has gone through a tremendous trial and legal battle that finally turned a closing page. What a blessing and burden to leave behind by saying goodbye to a chapter that none of us asked for. We are so thankful that God answered our prayers and let that chapter die. We can't wait to see the possibilities that unfold from that.
Other visions are sad to let go of. Nathan's baseball team lost in regionals last week. It was a tragic end to a stellar season. And, though it is nice to dream of him being home a little more in the evenings, it is sad to walk away from the season that he loved. I am so proud of the progress that he made with the boys that he worked with and the committment to growing their character that he and the head coach have.
But, when God says in Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart" He means that He will give us our desires, not that He will fulill the desires that we have for ourselves. I can't wait to see what fun things He has ahead for us. His plans are always bigger than I can dream for myself. It reminds me to teach my kids to dream big and have big faith!
I realize now as an adult that our visions of what we want and what we think is best must die. They must come to an end one way or another. These visions that we spend hours daydreaming about or delicately planning must either come to fruition or die. I used to think that when visions for our lives or futures died it was sad or tragic even. I now realize that, in the end, it doesn't matter how the vision ends...it really leads to the same place. For the death of a vision really births a new beginning. It causes you to come to a place where you dare to dream of what is really possible in life. We allow God to place new desires on our hearts and lead us places that we never thought of going.
Sometimes, we look forward to visions dying. My family has gone through a tremendous trial and legal battle that finally turned a closing page. What a blessing and burden to leave behind by saying goodbye to a chapter that none of us asked for. We are so thankful that God answered our prayers and let that chapter die. We can't wait to see the possibilities that unfold from that.
Other visions are sad to let go of. Nathan's baseball team lost in regionals last week. It was a tragic end to a stellar season. And, though it is nice to dream of him being home a little more in the evenings, it is sad to walk away from the season that he loved. I am so proud of the progress that he made with the boys that he worked with and the committment to growing their character that he and the head coach have.
But, when God says in Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart" He means that He will give us our desires, not that He will fulill the desires that we have for ourselves. I can't wait to see what fun things He has ahead for us. His plans are always bigger than I can dream for myself. It reminds me to teach my kids to dream big and have big faith!
Monday, May 7, 2007
Weekend Update
So, this won't be any award-winning writing noteworthy of Tina Fey, but here are a few of the highlights.
Nathan's team won both games on Saturday. Translation: Kiowa is the district champion, and they play next weekend in the regional tournament. They like their chances of moving on, but the team's focus is the two games on Saturday in Northglenn. We'll see how it goes. It is the first time they've gone this far since Nathan's brother played.
It has come to my attention that I don't have as many pictures posted of Jonathan on the site. Let me assure you that he is doing quite well, I just can't get him to be still enough for a picture. I hope to post another one soon.
As for everything else, unfortunately it is business as usual. The softball season gets underway next week. That is about all the excitement I have time for.
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17
Nathan's team won both games on Saturday. Translation: Kiowa is the district champion, and they play next weekend in the regional tournament. They like their chances of moving on, but the team's focus is the two games on Saturday in Northglenn. We'll see how it goes. It is the first time they've gone this far since Nathan's brother played.
It has come to my attention that I don't have as many pictures posted of Jonathan on the site. Let me assure you that he is doing quite well, I just can't get him to be still enough for a picture. I hope to post another one soon.
As for everything else, unfortunately it is business as usual. The softball season gets underway next week. That is about all the excitement I have time for.
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Our Deepest Fear
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I
to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest
the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,we unconsciously
give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
~Marianne Williamson
From A Return to Love
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NKJV
~Marianne Williamson
From A Return to Love
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NKJV
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
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