A Creative Quick Fix

My creativity is languishing in the land of priorities.  Hence the blog posting once a month, or less.

I could complain or list my to do’s, but that is such a drag and accomplishes nothing but prolonged self-pity.  My struggles are small, tiny, almost non existent in the light of God’s glory.  Am I right?  I like a good perspective.  It brightens the view.

ANYWAY……here is where my creative outlet has been used in the recent (yesterday) past.

I have mad Lego skills.  Want to know how long it took me to put that “rocket ship” together?

4 hours

I could have kept going.  I think it needs blasters on top.  Maybe a robotic arm to grab bad guys?

It will be destroyed in 2 days.  Most likely by an alien attack.

The Middle Son

This last week he turned 6.

He was always on the chubby side.  Then he was just big.

He was born with a birth defect that we were told was a miracle.  A miracle that he had no lasting effects.  A less than 1% chance that he is now perfectly normal.

He likes to laugh.  He really really likes to make you laugh.

He is particular and passionate, equally.  When things are not in his particular order he passionately lets you know.

He still hates to give kisses.  He says he is allergic to girls, except me.

His imagination will wow and frustrate you all at the same time.

He would rather be funny than right.

He looks the most like his father.  He acts the most like his father.  He is shy and sensitive, easily hurt but unable to tell me why.  Just like his father.

I pray I do what God will have me do for him.  I am humbled by the gift that is my middle son.  Six years seem to have flown by while I was busy being a mom.

I would like to say I wish I could have cherished them more.  But it is their brevity that makes them precious to me.  How they are all squished between diaper changes, laughter, and laundry makes them more amazing.

Happy Birthday Alex!

Works For Me Wednesday–Pine Shelves

I love these shelves.  Currently they hold toys in one of the boy’s rooms.  They are 10 years old and show no sign of wearing out.

I purchased them at Williams & Sonoma in 2001 for storage in my home office.  When we moved they were used for a makeshift pantry in our new apartment.  Next they were used for garage storage.  After that they were used in the playroom for the same thing they are doing now. 

The shelves are adjustable too.  I can’t find them anywhere else and I would highly recommend them even though they might be more expensive.  They will certainly last.

When we put them in the playroom we bolted them to the wall.  There are 3 L-brackets on each shelf weighted at 75 lbs each.  Most full grown adults could climb one of these things.  Did I mention I have busy boys?

3 boys, 3 moves, and countless bumps & bruises but still hangin’ on beautifully.  They SO work for me!

For more WFMW thoughts and ideas go to We Are That Family at the link below.

Super Bugs

We got sick.  It started 10 days ago with this one.

Then crept over to this one a few days later.

Next it latched onto me and the hubby.We have missed church 2 weeks in a row it moved so slow.  I am at 60% after 5 days, maybe.  The Netipot is my close BFF.

Yesterday it made its way to this one.

 

This is his “super sad sick face” he made for the camera.  I don’t think he understood what I wanted.

I guess it hasn’t finished because today they all took involuntary naps.  Their grumpiness got a group punishment of room time.  After 20 minutes of silence I got worried and found them passed out in bed.

Only a Super Bug can accomplish that.

God Is In The Details

 

Recently my grandmother passed away, somewhat unexpectedly, and we needed to head home.  We were unprepared and couldn’t afford the trip.

My family insisted we come home and offered to pay for the tickets and provide us with a car to drive.  Even with such a generous gift there are still many small things that need to be purchased on a trip with 3 small boys and 3 dogs to leave behind.

We had to get there quickly because DH had to come home right after the funeral.  We planned as best we could, still missing a few key things like how to unlock the front door for the dog sitter and accurate feeding instructions.   We lost one night of sleep, finally got confirmed tickets at 4:30 am, and boarded our plane at 6 am.  Everything was working very well for such short notice.  We were even able to find tickets from the airport here to our destination with only one layover and no body scanners.  A miracle!  And at half the price!  Another miracle.

On the flight we bought some snacks for the kids because I did not pack any food and we were all without breakfast.  Not a good combo for a 3 hour flight.

Our layover was at DFW in Dallas where there was a USO.  This meant free food and a safe place with cartoons to sit with the boys.  Perfect.  As we were checking in  with the USO the flight attendant from our flight walked up to us to give us our money back.  She said that military gets free snacks on flights and thanked my husband for his service.

On our second flight we were on a prop jet which the boys loved.  The little ones fell asleep almost immediately and our oldest was content to watch iTunes on the laptop.

I don’t remember much about the second flight.  I had been awake now for 28 hours.   We got off the plane with our usual chaos, the boys eager to see Nana and their cousins. 

As they all ran ahead a gentleman who was on the plane with us walked up beside me. He handed me a folded piece of money and simply said “God told me to give this to you.”  I took it because I honestly didn’t know what else to do and asked him to repeat what he said.  He repeated himself and said “You know?”  I said I did know and thanked him.

He walked on and I didn’t see him again.  As I finally caught up with my family at baggage claim I told my husband what just happened.  I pulled out the bill and unfolded it to finally see he had given me a $100.  We were surprised and very thankful.

After we returned home I realized I had taken a picture of our mysterious friend.  I was playing with my camera settings during that flight and taking pictures of anything interesting near me.

So thank you friend whoever you may be.  We don’t often see the results of how God uses us but many times we are the recipients of that faithful obedience.

Thank you Lord for caring for the birds of the field and our trip home.  Nothing is too small or impossible for You.  I am grateful for the reminder.

FOTO FRIDAY–Scenes from an airplane

 

This is what 3 boys excited to see their cousins and grandparents after 18 months looks like at 6 am.

On every airplane they read the emergency procedures THOROUGHLY.  I think it was the dramatic pictures.

USO in DFW Airport.  Free food and no fear of kids running off, at least not too far.  Leather Chairs and the freedom to change the channel to Disney or Nick Jr., so amazing.

Second plane.

After a week of cousins, 2 more plane rides without DH, at 10:30 pm they all 3 insisted I take a picture of them in front of this new Jeep by baggage claim.  BOYS!

Zach-Zach

He got the name after the fun character in "The Incredibles", Jack-Jack. He is my youngest of 3 boys. He was unexpected, only 15 months behind our middle son, but I knew he was exactly what God had planned. He is the one I understand least, even at the age of 3 (almost 4), I don't have a line on his soul and spirit.


My first son I connected with immediately. I KNEW him. He reflects me in many ways. My second son I immediately KNEW I was looking at his father. Zach appeared and I was confused.


I know you are thinking I am crazy. How can you possibly KNOW who a newborn is? How can you understand them and what they are thinking? Well I don't know but I did with those two. I DIDN'T with the third. He is definitely this amazing combination of both of us, a combination neither of us understand.

My love for him is unchanged, but my patience with him is regularly questioned. He refuses something he loved the day before. He screams when he can't get his pants on but refuses help. His recent assertion of independence is welcomed with the exception of the constant screaming (little girl ear piercing screams BTW). But then he climbs into bed with us EVERY night and refuses to fall asleep without me present. (Tried putting him back many times and I tell ya 3 am screaming is worse than day time screaming)

I pray I can be the Mom God needs me to be to him. I pray I can let him be the man God wants him to be. I pray that I don't ground him until he is 5 for all the screaming.