Living Lesson Books July 31, 2008

Romans 7:18-25 (The Message)

17-20But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

 21-23It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

 24I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?

 25The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

I am currently reading “The Power of a Positive Mom”by Karol Ladd and I want to share a portion that really stood out to me yesterday. This subject has been heavy on my mind lately as Axel is growing older and really becoming a little boy. I see him doing things that are recognizable as traits of mine or Andrew’s. Hopefully I can show him good lessons!

If you have not read this book I highly recommend it! It has really been an encouragement and inspiration to me in so many ways.

(excerpt from The Power of a Positive Momby Karol Ladd)

“Your kids are reading a book every day. Now wait a minute, you may be thinking, My kids aren’t even reading age yet. Or perhaps you are thinking, My kids don’t like to read that much. Let me assure you, your kids are reading a book every day. The title is Life’s Living Lessons and you are the author. Our children are watching our actions and hearing our words every day. They are learning how to act and how to live as they read us!

It is possibly the most influential book they will ever read, with the exception of the Bible. In fact, reading it is guaranteed to be life-changing!

What are some of the chapters in our Living Lessons saga? Hopefully, the table of contents reads something like this:

Chapter One: Maintaining Self-Control Even When You’re Tired and Frustrated

Chapter Two: Showing Patience in Traffic Jams and Grocery Store Lines

Chapter Three: Saying Kind Things About Others

Chapter Four: Telling the Truth, Even about the Little Things

Chapter Five: Helping Others When They Need a Hand

Chapter Six: Grumbling Less, Complimenting More

Chapter Seven: Using Table Manners and Other Forms of Good Etiquette

Chapter Eight: Obeying Traffic Rules and Laws

Chapter Nine: Praying about all Things, Worrying about Nothing

Unfortunately, many of our texts read a little differently. Can you relate to the following chapter titles?

Chapter One: Losing My Temper in a Frazzled Moment in Time

Chapter Two: Frustration and Anger in the Checkout Line

Chapter Three: Telling Juicy Stories about Friends and Foes

Chapter Four: A Few White Lies Go a Long Way

Chapter Five: No Time to Care, I Have Enough Challenges on My Own

Chapter Six: Grumbling Without Regret

Chapter Seven: Good Manners out the Window

Chapter Eight: Traffic Rules Were Made to Be Broken

Chapter Nine: Worry Now, Pray Later

Like it or not, our life is an open book, continually read by the little eyes in our homes. The lessons we deliver to our children verbally may be wise and good, but lasting lessons are caught, not taught. It is rather sobering to realize that all the “right stuff” that comes out of our mouths can be made null and void if our kids do not see good character qualities lived out in our day – to – day lives. An old Chinese proverb says, “Not the cry, but the flight of the wild duck, leads the flock to fly and follow.” Where are we leading our little flock by our example? How can we become better living lesson books for our children?”

Movie Moments July 28, 2008

Yesterday Axel and I planted our herb garden. It is so cute. I love it. Today Axel and I checked on it and he taste tested each of them. Except the basil because for some reason that just wasn’t appealing to him. Maybe it was the purple. I haven’t ever been one to keep plants alive so I’m praying that this works out for us.

Our Little Herb Garden

Andrew and I like to explain our relationship as a series of movie moments. You know the kind. When something is happening and it just feels like it could be a scene out of a movie. Our whole dating life was a movie. This morning was another scene from our best seller. Jack was with his grandma today so we could just lay back and relax. Axel’s eyes popped open and his first words were “Can we make pickles now?” So I got up with him and we made pickles. The next to awaken was Miracle and the three of us built a fort.

In Their House

I could not have made the two of them happier. Especially Miracle. She kept crawling in and out and laughing hysterically. Monster daddy woke up next and attacked from behind. Then Miracle knocked everything over. Mom isn’t the best fort maker so daddy made a new and improved house for them and mommy equipped it with a door and flashlights.

Much Bigger and Better

After the house was built Axel and I pretended we were dragon ’slavers’ and went off to ’slave’ us a dragon. Equipped with a feather duster we caught the daddy monster.

The Winner

And what could be better than ending the morning with the four of us dancing to Bob Marley in our pajamas? Movie moments! I am so blessed.

The issue most pressing on my mind this evening is something that happened while out running errands. I had a whole list of things to do. Bank, post office, return movies, grocery store, get pizza for dinner, and on the way home – Starbucks to reward myself. All very typical things to do. Now, most people complain about the post office and the long lines. I’ve found that if you don’t go over lunch or after four you can usually get in and out pretty quick. Not to mention the people at our post office are very friendly. Even so, it is a very everyday task that I have found myself doing more frequently because of my Etsy shop.

Today I had an extra large package and Axel was sleeping. Out cold. As I struggled to get him and the box out of the car someone ran up to me and offered to help. She was on her way in as well, explained to me that she was a mom too, and took my box and we walked in together making small talk. So, mental picture… I’m in line, in front of me is the nice lady, in front of her is a man and at the counter are two elderly people each at a register. The first elderly lady finishes her transaction and leaves, the next man in line finishes his transaction and leaves and the nice lady is next doing her transaction. Meanwhile I’m listening in on the conversation between the other elderly lady and the postal worker. She is asking lots of questions and both are being super nice. The lady thanks the worker for taking the time to help her out with everything and when the postal worker asks if she needs anything else the lady jokes about wanting a pack of gum. Probably more details than all of you care about, but I just wanted to involve you all in the story like I was. So, nice lady leaves and I am up next. As I’m working on my transaction someone behind me in line yells “No, not the old lady!” You see, the whole front of the post office is glass windows making for a front row seat to her getting hit by a truck.

Before I go on… I believe she is alright. I’m sure she broke something, but she was conscious and answering questions when I left. Here’s what has me thinking – all of the different responses to what happened along with my own reaction. The postal worker who was helping me just kept right on with my transaction. Calousness or calmness? The other postal worker was yelling at him “Where’s the phone?! Call 911″ One lady in line ran out to help. I grabbed for my phone, but just as I did the postal worker said “Oh they have a cell phone.”

Surprisingly, I was pretty shook up. You see it was the man in front of me that hit her and the nice lady behind him that ran out of her car to help. I felt involved. I’m not foolish enough to take blame or feel guilt but it is human nature to wonder. The situation keeps playing over and over in my head. What if the nice lady had not stopped to help me? Then she would have been in front of the man in line and therefore would have been out of the post office first giving the elderly lady time to cross the street before the man came out. Anyway I had Axel with me and was visibly shaken by the time we got to the car. On the way by I stopped and offered my phone to call family or to see if help was needed in any other way. There were plenty of people helping and so I figured it best to be out of the way since I really had nothing to offer. When Axel and I got to the car we prayed for her and I used it as an opportunity to show him why it is so important to use caution and listen while we are in the road and parking lot. As we traveled down the road we passed the emergency vehicles (a fire truck, 2 ambulances and a squad car!) and said a prayer of thanks for those service people.

How would you have responded? Especially with your three year old in tow? I tried my best to remain calm but even so we arrived home and he was unable to tell Andrew about it. He was upset too. We talked again and the reassurance from Daddy seemed to snap him out of it.

Praying blessings and safety on you and yours!

A Whole Day With Family July 26, 2008

Ahhh… I’m tired. But it has been a wonderful day. We started out the morning by meeting Josh and Elissa at the Black Dog Cafe for some coffee and tea before heading over to the Farmer’s Market. I love the Farmer’s Market. It is so fresh and full of people. Ironically that is one of the reasons Andrew does not enjoy it as much as I do. Axel loves it too and his one request was for corn on the cob. His all time favorite food I’m pretty sure. So, we picked up that along with some cucumbers to make pickles with, some amazing hummus and some herb plants. I am going to start a little herb garden in some pretty planters in our backyard. A little late in the season I know, but the herb man (literally his title, I’m not being insensitive) said that I would have to bring them in for the winter anyway so I’m good. Now we’ll have fresh cilantro, oregano, dill, parsly and basil – the purple kind so it looks pretty in my planter:)

 

When we got home Miracle took a super nap while Andrew played disc golf. Axel painted Ella a few birthday cards and I made her a tutu. I also made a hair clip for her and one for Mira. They now have matching tutu’s. We all went over to the Castillo’s for Ella’s birthday party and everyone had a great time. Well, except for Ella that is. Poor thing wasn’t feeling very well.

Miracle in her new tutu

The last few days have really been amazing. Miracle seems to be feeling a lot better after she was not herself for a bit last week. She is still really clingy but I think that comes with the age. She is a constant joy in my life with her sweet smile. I feel I am falling in love with her all over again.

The Smile That Stops Everything

And let me tell you, there is no doubt that she has her daddy wrapped around her pudgy little finger. Elissa caught this picture of the two of them smooching at Cate Fierro’s gig. Cate played on the patio at Eagle Street Grille Friday evening and it was a blast.

Going In For The Kiss

Axel has turned into a little learning machine. He is soaking everything up and is surprising me with some of the questions he comes up with at random times. “What do spiders eat?” “Do sharks swim?” He is fascinated by what other animals eat and do. His other big thing right now is about liquid. He was so curious that one day I finally got out a big tub of water and we played sink or float so I could teach him what a liquid is.

Spontaneous Facepainting

One thing that has been bothering me lately with Axel is that I seem to tell him we’ll do something and then we never do it. Simiple things like going outside or to the park. There is usually a decent reason for not doing them and he doesn’t normally fuss when it is explained to him but I am terrified that he will begin to lose faith in me. I have counteracted this by not telling him my plan until we are actually doing it so as not to disappoint him. The opposite end of the spectrum I know.  I want to be a mom who is true to her word. At our house a promise is a promise. We make sure not to ever say promise unless we really mean it. Sometimes I fear that backfires though. I want my family to trust my word without having to make me say I promise! Anyway, I came across a devotion that you mommies (and daddies) should check out. As for me, I’m off to bed!

One Weird Summer July 24, 2008

Here it is. A new beginning. I feel like my first post has to cover so much, or explain everything, or be just perfect. I think I’ll just dive right into it…

Summer has not been the same this time around. The first half of last summer was so amazing. We were out at the beach/park/zoo almost every day. The second half I had a newborn and well, pretty much stayed in the air conditioning. If you know me at all you know I love summer. I have threatened to move to California, and just love being outside enjoying the weather. The crazy weather in the spring threw me a curve ball this year, and now I just can’t get into it. I finally have been out a few times the last couple of weeks and feel like I am finally getting the most out of summer. (even though it is almost August)

We started a toddler playgroup at church and had a blast at our first meeting. Hopefully we can build some new friendships through that for me and the kids!

toddler playgroup

 Last Sunday we attended the church picnic and enjoyed the summer a little too much. Axel ended up with heat exhaustion and had a headache, fever and vomitting all night. Praise the Lord he is alright!

church picnic

 I am fortunate to have an amazing sister who I can entrust my children too, and on Tuesday she took Miracle for me and I took Axel, Jack and Ella to Como Town. We really had a great time and already have another trip back planned.

Como town teacups

Besides the rides, we love checking out the baby orangutan and the butterfly tent. It is fun to watch the babies as the butterflies are going right past their heads. They get so excited when one is close enough for them to get a good look. It helps that the tent is shaped and colored like a monarch caterpillar as well.

The Butterfly Tent

So, has the summer been weird for anyone else? Or do I just need to get with the program? Any great ideas for a one, two and three year old?

I’m off to make a tutu  

And clean my house:(