When Grace is a Baby Shower

Why, when grace appears, do I refuse it? Maybe it's because I fail to consider how Creative the grace-giver is. I didn't know grace looked like a mother-in-law busily cleaning, baking and preparing. And two lovely ladies brainstorming, decorating and planning. And a sister-in-law scouring stores for that perfect gift and driving 1 1/2 hours to be here. And a whole host of ladies bringing w/ them gift bags, smiles, cheerful chatter and laughter... No, I never pictured grace that way. Then too, I was much too busy thinking about Me to accept the free gift. *oh, they'll all be looking at me! *oh, I hate being fussed over! *oh, my baby will fuss all evening! *oh, I really don't need more stuff in my little house! And all the time there was Grace, loving and free, just waiting to be received. Sometimes the Grace-giver is very creative. Sometimes He uses earthen vessels to distribute His grace and bless with His love and all He wants from me is open handed acceptance. Because sometimes Grace is a Baby Shower!

Normal is just a setting on the dryer....

You certainly couldn't call life "normal" right now! Or could you? Is it just normal to grab bites of food between caring for little people? Normal to need a shower desperately and still not get one taken? Normal to have a 5 yr old throwing up and sick for 3 days? Normal to call washing clothes a big accomplishment? Normal to think carefully before you grab bites "will this affect the baby"? Normal to wonder if you'll ever be able to do anything 'fun' again? Normal to sleepily mumble "good night" and "good bye" to your husband and that's about it? Normal to have one child better and the next one struck down? Normal to make the difficult decision of what to do quickly when the baby finally naps? Normal to squeeze baby's sweetness one minute and the next wipe dripping tears over the craziness of life? Hmmm... somehow I didn't consider this life as normal. But who am I to say? Maybe it is? Seems to me I've been this way several times before. And, after all, I think normal is just a setting on the dryer!!

Charles elmer

On april 7 @ 11:24 pm and little 7lb 12oz 20 inch long bundle entered our lives. Small in size, but large in impact, our days since have been like none before. Before there were 4, now there are 5.efore there was "everyone to bed!" now there is walking the floor and bouncing and getting up every 2 hours. Before there was combing hair, fixing lunches, all the ordinary. Now, added, there is worry about jaundice and circumcisions and nursing. Before there were toys and games and playing dolls. Now there is "may i hold him??" before there was planning menus and cooking meals. Now there is seeing what the next person brings for our meal. Before there was running to town, driving school children, cleaning the shop. Now there is cozying up at home, snatching any chance for a nap. Before there was love, now there is love multiplied! God is good.

In Which I call an official "Time Out"

I am not going to be blogging for awhile. Right, I know I haven't been anyway but I'm officially not. See, it's always there in the back of my mind bugging me - "I should write something" "Why can't I think of anything to write??" type. delete. repeat...... So, I'm not gonna think about it anymore. I don't totally know why I can't get inspired to write right now and I don't suppose it really matters! Words will flow again someday and when they do, I'll be back. I have a feeling that might not be until baby makes it's appearance but whatever the case, no more guilt trips or fake attempts. Bye bye!

It takes someone special...

There's a saying that goes: "Any man can be a Father, but it takes someone special to be a Daddy." What makes the difference, you say, how can you tell? Well, you see, it takes a Daddy to play ball with his son, giving him pointers and tips as they go. It takes a Daddy to answer big questions, explaining whys and wonderings galore. It takes a Daddy to single out children for trips to town that bring sparkling eyes and happy smiles. It takes a Daddy to allow youngsters to help with projects, guiding them in just how to dip the paint brush and spread the paint. It takes a Daddy to teach skills, patiently explaining how to hold the utility knife so as not to cut oneself. And, perhaps the biggest clue of all? It takes a Daddy to say "I'm sorry" when he was wrong or has hurt small feelings. My heart is full tonight with the knowledge that I'm married to a man who is, indeed, a Daddy!

This morning is as dreary looking as yesterday was bright with sunshine. It seems like Winter just can't get done with it's "thing" around here! It's hard to imagine several sunny days strung in a row right now. But, the end of February is approaching and it can't last forever! Last week was school break, so this week we're trying to get back into the rythm of packing lunches, driving school children and having some schedule. (We're throwing in some extras, like flat tires, just for variety...) The time until Baby Comes is ticking down slowly but surely. By the end of this week our bedroom should be very close to ready for moving in and then! Then...I have lots and lots of things I want to accomplish yet before #5 makes it's appearance!! Sometimes I'm humbled when I stop to think of my problem free pregnancies and deliveries. I guess God thought I needed different kinds of lessons in life...like vehicle issues and driving embarrassing "badom badom" vans with flat tires... We all have our lessons, I guess!

Children are so funny. The latest "thing" around here is acting out stories. One evening chris divided us up and had us act out bible stories and ever since then they beg to do it again! This week is school vacation so chris told isaac and lillian they're a team and jasmine and jennifer are a team. Isaac and jasmine are supposed to come up with a bible story each day that the younger 2 don't know. They are to read it to them and then act it out for us each evening. Wow! You should have seen them searching the bible and bible story book :) yesterday they were all helping each other act out stories just for the fun of it. Can you figure out what bible story it is? :)