A week to go

It has been a crazy few weeks. The little side business that my friend Becca and I are running has been quite the hot item for Christmas gifts. WE had to make over 50 plaques in 2 weeks. so here I am now-- no wrapped presents under the tree, no Christmas cards out yet, no christmas cookies for my neighbors made, and I have missed just about every Christmas special there is--where are you Christmas? I am determined to make this weekend and next week a great one. We had Christmas parties at the kid's school today and it was quite the adventure. Eli had some sort of allergic reaction on the way to Aaron's party at 10:30. He was itching and crying all the way there. I just prayed--it was all I could do. I prayed God would "lead Eli beside quiet waters and restore his physical body as well as his little spirit," because momma had to teach arts and crafts and I couldn't bear to see Eli miserable--not to mention the kids probably would be a little distracted. Well, the Lord answered. I put Eli in a chair with a book, and I didn't hear a peep or see a scratch the entire craft. I took Eli to the chiropractor in between parties, and then we were off to Alexis' party. Aaron was playing with a buddy and a matchbox car on the floor, when a friend grabbed me and told me Aaron was bleeding. I turned around to see Aaron's face and hands covered in blood--no tears, just blood. I rushed over to see what had happened. Apparently he was trying to "flip" his car and it flipped right between his eyes and gave him a hole in the head. Literally, a hole! We got him some peroxide and a butterfly bandaid--and I think it will be okay. A matchbox car!? What in the world! When we got back to the party I gave a very hungry Eli some apple slices. He must have been pretty hungry because he stuffed one whole in his mouth and I turned around to see him choking. He choked for a solid half a minute before he got it all out. Needless to say, I was a bit frazzled when I left. But, we are all in one piece, except for that little hole of course.
I leave you with something I wanted to write down and remember. Remember, this is somewhat of a journal for me to reflect on later. The other day Alexis came home from school and let me know that there was no such thing as Santa Claus," isn't that right mom? " I knew this was coming, because Lexi has always asked many questions. She never could wrap her little mind around the idea of a big fat man jumping down a small chimney to deliver millions of presents to little girls and boys all over the world in one night, not to mention on a sleigh led by flying reindeers. She thinks too much. Wonder where she gets that? Anyway, I stared at her for a couple seconds and knew at that moment I could not lie to her. I said, "you're right." She clapped her hands and said "I knew it!" I asked her if she was upset. "No, mom, Christmas is about Jesus. I am just glad He was born." I cried for months when I LET myself believe there was no Santa, and I was like 20, okay maybe 11. Here is this 6 year old telling her mom that Christmas is about Jesus, not Santa. I was the sad one, so was Kevin. Will she still be excited about Christmas? Will she ruin it for everyone else? We are the ones with the hang ups. Not Lexi. She knows who to celebrate. She knows who the world needs. Maybe she will actually always enjoy Christmas? Maybe she will be like the kid in Polar Express and always hear the bell. Not to worry, all of you who's children are exposed to Alexis' new secret. She promises to keep it. Aaron is not yet ready for the news either.
Here'is a recent pic of the kiddos. Merry Christmas if I don't post again before then.


Here is one of the many plaques we made. I really like this one and thought it was appropriate for the post.

Pictures and food for thought

Eli and his new truck


Aaron and Uncle Ryan



Grandmommy and Eli

Alyssa and her family

Me and Kevin

me and the kids, Lexi got tickled

the family

Kevin and Eli

me and Aaron

I went to the mall today for the first time in a long time. Aaron needed new school shoes so we decided to go to Stride Rite in the mall. As I was walking around with Aaron and strolling Eli, I took notice of all the other moms walking around with their kids, and one thing really struck me--something that I never really thought of before now. I was walking through Penney's to get to the car and as I was walking through the aisles I came upon a 3 year old little girl, sitting in the middle of the aisle with a few toys around her. As I passed, I noticed her mom at the jewelry counter, talking on her cell phone. Her little girl was just sitting there having a conversation with her mommy, thinking she was listening, while her mom was having another conversation totally distracted away from her daughter. Now, I say this in full conviction, knowing I have spent a lot of time on my cell phone. I think just about every mom with a child I saw today had their cell phone glued to their ear, and I felt sad when I left. I just wonder how our need for immediate distraction, interaction, whatever you call it, will play out in our kids when they get older? How will it manifest itself in their lives? Think about it. I left my cell phone in the car accidentally today when I went in to the mall, and I listened to my son as he chatted my ear off, and let him stop at every little thing he wanted to see. I enjoyed Aaron. He enjoyed my attention. I think I'd like to accidentally leave my phone in the car more often.

Happy Thanksgiving

We traveled to NW Arkansas for this year's Thanksgiving with my family and step-family. We got back a bit ago, and I just thought I would close this day with 10 things I am thankful for:
10) 3 children who were absolutely wonderful today
9) a husband who makes me feel 100% comfortable and safe with going to sleep while he drives.
8) gluten-free turkey ( who knew they actually inject turkey with gluten? not me.)
7) the cost of a gallon of gas right now--$1.51!
6) the little red, flinstone-style car that kept Eli happy all day long
5) home and a really soft bed that is calling my name
4) Christmas music 24/7 from now til December 25th
3) great pictures of the family that I will post when I am not so tired
2) a step-family that is gracious to host us, love us and call us their own
1) A God who is merciful and blesses us abundantly more than we deserve. Thank you, Lord.

GUWL

Yesterday we went to the funeral of our friend, Barrett. It was a tearful goodbye. I must admit that I can't understand this one. Most of the funerals I have been to have been of ones who have lived a long, good life. Barrett's life was still in the beginning. I was about 5 rows back from the family and I watched his little girl, Ruby, the whole time. She looks so much like her daddy, especially in her eyes. She is about Eli's age--20 months or so. I watched and prayed that the Lord would calm her for her mommy. God answered in a different way. About half-way through she got down off of her mommy's lap and began to play with the flowers in front of her--just lightly touching each one so sweetly. And then, she began to twirl. She giggled and twirled around and around in front of her family. It was at that moment that I got a picture of Barrett with His Lord, like this child, twirling in delight and in freedom, and I longed for the day we dance with him. There are 5 Hebrew words for praise in the bible. "Guwl" is one of them. "Guwl" means to "spin around under the influence of strong emotion; to spin like a top; to rejoice and be glad." It is most often translated "rejoice." Amazing. Ruby was rejoicing! I don't understand why this happened to Barrett. I don't understand a lot of things. But I rest in the knowledge of what the Lord knows that I don't. I can't wait to see the bigger picture, to see what Barrett Lewis is seeing this very day. Towards the end of the funeral, Ruby walked toward the aisle and grinned at all of us, and somehow I felt a great deal of peace, as if the Lord was saying to all of us, "The Lord your God is with you. HE is mighty to save. HE will quiet you with His love, He will REJOICE over you with singing." Amen.

A Little Early?

No, life is too short to not decorate for Christmas early. So, last weekend we did! It didn't go quite as I had planned--ya know, carols, smiles, peppermint in the air, final Griswald light-up ceremony . Somebody didn't give the word to my kids that Christmas decorating is not a competition!!!! I think I was holding the baby Jesus when I yelled, "It doesn't matter who got to put out more sheep. It doesn't make you more special, for crying out loud!" Does anyone know a good book on sibling rivalry!? Seriously. I was always that kid that felt like Christmas decorating was sacred--you just didn't fight, way too jolly for that! I also was that kid (and still am) that could never listen to anything but Christmas music between Thanksgiving and Christmas! I think Aaron is going to be that kid, too. He loves to listen to Bing and sit with all the lights out staring at the lit-up Christmas tree, talking about the "shepharmints". But, he has to work on the "much-too-jolly-to-fight" Christmas decorating. Maybe next year (after I read the book).

Isn't he sweet?

Steady!

Lexi's favorite ornament--glass rudolph

Grandmommy stopped by on her way to see the new baby in St. Louis--btw--Congrats to my brother, Mike and his wife, Melissa, on baby Cole, who is a couple weeks old.

"For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows." 2 Cor. 1:5

We lost a good man yesterday. He was my allergist, he was a long-time friend to the Chism family, he was a brother and a son, he was a husband, and a father to 2 sweet girls--ages 20 months and 6. I can't help but speak of him today, my heart is so heavy for this family. 7 years ago his father died from a tragic car accident, his mother now must grieve the loss of her son, 34 years old. Unspeakable grief. I was sick with respiratory issues when I was pregnant with Eli, and he kept me afloat. He was so good to me, fitting me in when he was busy, and calling me to check on how I was doing. When Eli had an allergic reaction to eggs on the way to visit my family in Houston, it was Dr. Lewis who calmed me down and assured me that he would be okay. He was a great doctor-- he really did care about his patients. We still don't know what happened, only that he collapsed at work and they couldn't get him back. I ask for your prayers for the Lewis family. There are no words to describe the grief that they face--especially this mother of 2 small children and his mother who has allready suffered so much in this life--"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge." Psalm 91:4

I VOTED

***after writing this, Lexi came home from school very upset, begging me not to vote for Barack Obama because if he becomes our president he will kill all the firstborn babies!? Oh my!? After calming her fears by explaining that he has no intentions on doing such a thing, she asked question upon question about what this "little boy" told her at school. I explained it was a misunderstading, but had to go into explaining to her what I am sure the little boy meant. I could not believe I was having this conversation with my 6 year old. It broke my heart. Just a lesson to all of us that our children are listening, we must all be careful to not put fears into them, but to teach and train. I knew I would have to have this conversation eventually, just didn't think it would be at 6 years old.



Well, Eli and I voted today--took a mere 10 minutes, would have been less if I had been in the right line, oh well! Eli snacked on gold fish while I connected the arrows on the candidate I thought would be best suited to run the country. Actually, I voted for my children today. I think they will be most effected by what we do now as a country. So, for Alexis, Aaron and Eli I chose a candidate. I chose the best one I could, eventhough I have uncertainties and questions over both of them. I was reminded this morning in quiet that it is not John McCain or Barack Obama who will provide for me and my family, nor will they protect us, feed us, shelter us, give us "hope and a future," and guide us in our decisions and our choices. It isn't John McCain or Barack Obama who will hold us in the palm of their hand, and comort us in our troubles. No, it isn't either of these two men who will win my trust, just my vote. I love this country and I am thankful to live here and raise this family, and no matter who becomes president I know that the Lord will provide-- He always has, He always will. I may not be all that excited about where our money goes when we pay taxes, but I will give "to Ceasar's what is Ceasar's" and try to be good stewards of the rest. It will be up to Kevin and I to teach our children wrong from right, and raise them to be appreciative but not "entitled," help them to take care of and honor this beautiful planet and the life on it, show them how to care for the poor around the world, and be mindful of how we use our money to serve the Lord who gives to us. Rulers will come and go, kingdoms will rise and fall, but God is good and He is in control. So no matter who wins this crazy race, I will sleep peacefully knowing that God is with us and He reigns on high.