Date Night

We went to Chick Fil A, sipped on sweet tea and played Farkle for an hour.

It was perfect.

Do you celebrate date nights with your kids? How?

P.S. He's eight today and still the sweetest boy I know. Happy Birthday, son!

Bad Pictures are Good Posts

[I totally ripped off my fellow Compassion blogger, Ryan Detzel, for this great title]

My iPhone had 323 photos on it. I decided to clean it up a bit..........

only to discover it's those bad photos that make great pictures:

Because everyone needs googley eyes:

This is one of 14 photos of my fisherman hubby and a fish:

I married a hick (if the above picture didn't clarify that, the hat will):

Glazed over eyes=time to get off (also your toddler is taking pictures AGAIN):

Cousins on a shopping day for matching swimsuits (sisters sharing coupons):

What happens when your hubby tries to rub your headache away (bruising the next day!):

Deep thoughts:

Flying to Africa:

Appointment to the eye Dr. with your son turns date when you add dessert:

My oldest with her face smashed against my window:

It's those unplanned, spontaneous moments of living that make the best memories!

What She Taught Me This Week:

1. Falling down hurts, but that doesn't mean you stop trying ($3 garage sale skates and a big sister teacher).

2. Sometimes stuff just gets in the way (playing inside the empty toy box is better than playing with the toys).

3. A new view changes the way you look at the world (family hike, looking for Dora)

4. Don't be afraid to dream big and fly (I've tried this, it actually works. I dare you: tape purple tissue paper wings to your back and see if it doesn't give you a lift!)

P.S. I'm unplugging from Twitter, my computer and iPhone tomorrow (Monday) for some deep thoughts...see y'all Tuesday for a special Mother's Day post (hint: think photograph that defines motherhood to you). Also, I forgot to mention last week that THIS Wednesday, is a suggested themed edition of WFMW: Backwards Edition-ask your readers a question!

My Cluttered Heart

I've been home from Africa for nearly two months. I probably should be "over" my trip now, back to my old self. Living the life I left.

But I'm not the same. I don't ever want to be the same again. I don't really know where God is leading me (and my family), but it's far away from the person I was two months ago.

In Africa I witnessed the simplicity of pure hearts. People who had nothing and everything. I looked at my own life, in my own heart and I saw poverty.

It was a terrible discovery.

I returned to my easy American life, so weighted down with stuff, closets bursting with clothes and toys, walls and shelves crowded with dozens and dozens of things. 2,000 square feet crammed with enough home decor to decorate several houses, a hobby turned into a distraction of accumulating more stuff.

Stuff that cluttered my home, but worse, cluttered my heart.

I held tightly to these objects, things I bought to fill empty places. Things don't fill empty places, they just hide them.

For the first time, I understood the rich young ruler's choice in Mark 10: Jesus said, "There's one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me." The man's face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.

I looked at my own life, in my own heart and I saw poverty.

It was a beautiful discovery.

I decided to let go of the meaningless things that clutter my home and my heart:

(layer one)

I'm discovering that my materialism is like an onion...layer one has been removed, but I think I'm just getting started on clearing out the stuff (in my home and heart).

I thought I had stuff, it turns out it had me.

I want Christ. He is much greater than all the riches of the world. He fills empty places.

And cleans up cluttered hearts.

Rescued From Wealth

"I avoided coming to visit the poor for a long time. I was afraid my heart would be broken by their condition. Instead, today, I found my heart broken by my condition."

-a quote from the book Too Small to Ignore,

by Wess Stafford,

President of Compassion International

A little girl's dream of a refrigerator covered in faces is coming true:

Do you have room on your refrigerator for this face (an orphaned boy from Ethiopia)?

Tell me about your sponsored child....or your plans to sponsor one.....

The Post I've Been Dying to Write Since I Was in the 8th Grade

Mrs. Abernathy, my junior high teacher, inspired the emerging writer in me when I was a young girl. She looked past my insecurities and believed in me.

I grew up and my writing dream faltered with the demands of jobs, a grown-up life and the joy and busyness of motherhood.

But I married a man who inspired the emerging writer in me. He looked past my insecurities and believed in me.

I've wanted to write a book since I was in the eighth grade.

It's finally happening (with the help of a great big God).

My devotional for moms will be on the shelves Spring of 2011!

P.S. Want to help me pick a few favorite blog posts for the book? Become a Facebook Fan and share your opinion!

Sisters

I wanted my oldest child, a daughter, to have a sister. I know these things are determined by God, alone.

But sometimes, you get what you want.

Sister Baby Wearing

I grew up with one sister, a fraternal twin, as a matter of fact. We love each other deeply and also have learned the fine art of driving each other crazy. We're sisters.

I love the deep connection a sister brings. The laughter and The Ugly Cry conversations. The knowing eye contact and the unspoken looks.

My sister and I shared a room and clothes and even a term paper once (oops). We are both mothers, live within 5 miles of each other and share a love a chocolate and sweet tea.

We also share something else in common: a love for Africa. This far-away continent has changed both of our lives. God has used Africa to make us better people and drawn us into a deeper relationship with each other and with Himself.

My sister and her family traveled to Ethiopia less than a year ago to bring home this angel baby:

(My sister's daughters)

She lights up our lives.

But they didn't stop there, they were so moved by the forgotten street children of Ethiopia, the ones too old to be in orphanages or the ones that are sent to the streets by their parents to beg. They knew they had to do something: Into the Streets of Africa was born, with a vision to tackle poverty and loneliness, one child at a time.

Into the Streets of Africa partners with an amazing young man (they met thru their adoption agency) who currently feeds 19 street children, by himself. You can read more about him here.

Our family has decided to support their efforts by going with them....

Because that's what sisters do.

Will you go read about this amazing new ministry launching today?

When you're done visiting, will you come back and tell me about your sister (by blood, or just in your heart)?

I'm a "Homeschool" Mom

On a regular basis, I'm asked if I homeschool my children.

The answer is yes.

I've even received a Homeschool Award and been asked to speak at a Homeschool Conference.

The answer is also no.

Yes, I teach my children at home.

Yes, I send them off to be educated at school.

I'm a homeschool Mom who sends her kids to public school.

Recently, a new friend in my town (who I met thru my blog) asked me what homeschool curriculum I use. She was seriously shocked to learn that I have never traditionally homeschooled my kids.

"But on your blog, you always talk about teaching your kids and you have a parenting newsletter about teaching the Fruits of the Spirit to kids," she said.

"Yes," I answered.

I AM NOT AGAINST HOMESCHOOLING. I actually love that it's become a force in our world. It's just not for us right now. Occasionally, I feel condemned for not homeschooling my kids in the traditional sense. And sometimes, I'm around Moms who feel superior for educating their kids in public school. I think we all have to do what we are individually called to do, not making one right, the other wrong.

I like to think that my hubby and I parent our kids intentionally. We want our home to be a creative outlet for our kids to learn cool science projects. We want them to read their Bible cover-t0-cover, learn the books of the Bible, develop their own world view and relationship with Jesus.

A couple of years ago, we realized that we wanted our kids to know more than what was offered an hour a week in Sunday School and we certainly aren't going to leave evolution and sex up to the school system.

We buy a lot of books (a lot!) We try to have daily devotions. We read books at dinner and bedtime together each night. We pray with our children throughout the day (not just over meals), but on the way to school, when they are struggling, afraid or just have a need.

We tackle tough issues when they come up like my son reading his Bible and discovering Lot slept with his daughters (yuck). We tackle issues before they come up, like my nightly reading time with my oldest in the book Preparing Your Daughter for Every Woman's Battle.

We challenge our kids to greatness, taking time to read a few pages a night and discuss the book Do Hard Things.

We make mistakes and try our best to learn from them.

Am I a "homeschool" Mom?

You better believe it.

How about you?

Books we are currently working our way through (Amazon links):

The Bible

Operation World Prayer Book -we pray for a country each night at dinner
Do Hard Things -we read a few pages every other night as a family

Read with Me Bible for Toddlers -we read this before bed

Preparing Your Daughter for Every Woman's Battle - with my oldest daughter every other night. We love the object lessons, but it deals with very sensitive issues.

God's Little Devotional Book for Boys -my hubby reads from this book, when I read the above book with my oldest.

One Million Arrows: Raising Your Children to Change the World

Too Small to Ignore -waiting on it to arrive

Praise Factory-Free online Bible Curriculum-we're hoping to start this next

The Hole in Our Gospel-just finished this amazing book

What's on your list?

P.S. I didn't accept the Homeschool Award and the invitation to speak was withdrawn when they learned I send my kids to public school. But I was still honored.

*Updated to add* Please don't read between the lines here, I'm not implying that I work as hard educating my kids at home in Math and Social Studies like homeschool teachers do. (You guys rock!) I'm just encouraging ALL parents to get involved in what and how their kids learn. Parents are teachers! I wasn't trying to compare my workload or responsibility for my kid's education to that of homeschooling moms, I was sincerely comparing our hearts. We both care.

Proof That It's Spring

2008

2009

2010

We go to the Livestock show every Spring. We watch chicks hatch from eggs and we see how Mom's hair has changed through the years.

This year we arrived just in time to see a baby lamb born (oh, goody, sex eduction!) My son proclaimed loudly (due to shock, I'm sure),

"Did that baby lamb just come out of that sheep's _ _ _ _ ?????"

Awww.....Spring!

Big Plans for Our Refrigerator

I have a good life.

Everything is orderly (hello, Type A) and has a place--from things that fill a space to abstract emotions and concrete thoughts--there are appropriate compartments.

It's tidy and neat, just the way I like it.

But then I experienced Africa.

And nothing fits anymore.

Revamping your life is hard. It's uncomfortable.

Our family has decided to shave off the fluff, to remove some of the extra from our lives.

So, we taught our kids how to clean toilets. Confession: For the past 2 years, we've had our house cleaned twice a month. (It was the best 2 years). I've worked for my Dad's small business for several years, while at home with my kids. It's only a few hours a week, but I used a bit of the money to get my house cleaned. Totally justifiable since I work from home. But totally uncomfortable since I've returned from Africa.

You can judge me if you want to.

My daughter gagged a bit as I showed her the toilet cleaning technique. Further proof that this was good for all of us. "Why are we doing this again?" she asked. "We can sponsor more children each month if we clean it ourselves." (sidenote: Having your house cleaned twice a month doesn't mean you don't clean it yourselves. It only stayed "clean" for a precious 30 minutes!)

My children took this small change in stride. They didn't complain as we tackled room after room.

When we got to the kitchen, I carefully removed the pictures of our sponsored kids from the refrigerator, so I could clean it. (While I was in Africa, my hubby and kids moved the Compassion pictures from the box I stored them in, to the fridge.)

It was a change I loved and decided to keep.

"Mom?" my daughter said, as she wiped down the countertops. "Do you know what my dream is?"

I stopped and listened. I knew this was going to be big.

"To fill our refrigerator with pictures of sponsored kids."

I cried.

My kids get it. They really do.

(And then they told me what they wanted in their Easter baskets. So, they sort of get it.)

A Taste of My Own Medicine

An actual conversation that occurred in my minivan a few days ago:

"Honey, why are your dirty socks still in the car? I asked you yesterday to take them inside," I asked my daughter (in my mother tone) on our way to eat dinner at a friend's house.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I'll take care of them." [PAUSE.]

"But why is your bottle of stool softeners still on the floor of the van? I asked you yesterday to take them inside," she asked in the same tone, pointing to the bottle that had rolled out of my purse.

We laughed and laughed. And laughed some more.

But you're not allowed to laugh...all I can say is Africa is tough on a girl's constitution.

The Question I've Been Afraid to Ask

"Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering, and injustice when He could do something about it.”

“Well, why don’t you ask Him?”

“Because I’m afraid He would ask me the same question.”

(Anonymous) -a quote from A Hole in the Gospel, by Richard Stearn, President of World Vision.

----------------------------------------------------

God is changing me.

I haven't arrived at some super spiritual place or been given a blueprint to change the world. Frankly, I'm a mess on the inside.

(As is my house and, oh, the laundry, people. Apparently having your heart wrecked creates more housework).

But I've heard God specializes in messy people.

During the past week, I've experienced The Ugly Cry more than I'd like to admit. (I was tempted to even live in my garage, naked, like a friend of mine was after returning from one of his first overseas trips, but thought that might be scary for the neighbors and my children).

Instead, I've prayed and I've let Truth invade me. I can see clearly that I've become like my culture, living for myself, my family. Wasting a lot of time and money on things that simply don't matter to me anymore. Choosing ignorance over truth. Pretending poverty wasn't my problem or my responsibility.

I've asked God to reveal a new normal, to take this personal revelation and my everyday life and mix them together, creating something entirely different. And I've given Him the heavy burden that comes with such a revelation. His burden is easy and His yoke is light, so it's a pretty good exchange for me.

My husband? He was a mess while I was in Kenya, letting God do a good work in him. Turns out we just make a giant mess together!

What does all this look like practically?

Well. Less for us, more for others. We had a family meeting and talked openly with our kids. We asked their opinions, talked about Matthew 25:31 and what that might mean for our family. (It's also probably not a coincidence that after working diligently to be debt free, as of this week, we don't have a car payment anymore. We just didn't know God already had plans for that money.)

Children are amazing. They voiced their own ideas and concerns and thoughts. I think they naturally want to give, they just usually follow the lead of their parents. Ouch.

----------------------------------------------------------

So. This week, I got up the nerve and asked God, "Why do you allow poverty, suffering, and injustice when You could do something about it.”

And He asked me the same question.

I'm working on the answer.

**The Compassion Blog is such an outstanding resource for sponsors. I wanted to pass it along since I'm learning so much from all the articles!

Things I Say in A Day

It feels weird to hear my mother's words coming out of my own mouth.

I think they call it payback. (This might make my mother very happy).

There called Momisms, you know, things moms say.

And these are just a few of the things I say in a day:

Don't make me come up there (my children's rooms are upstairs, while mine is down and although I like to pretend they are clean, I randomly yell this up the stairs. The sound I hear is similar to a small herd of elephants).

Because I'm your mother that's why (well, I am).

This is why we can't have nice things (it's a surprise to get thru a day without hearing glass shatter in my house. Yet, I'm still shocked when things break. Clearly, I am slow.)

Be careful or you'll put an eye out (considering we spent the morning of my son's 7th birthday at the ER because he poked a remote control antenna into his eyeball, I think I'm allowed to use this expression without judgement).

There are dozens and dozens of momisms. I get them all, have said most of them and meant every word.

But there are other things I say on a regular basis that should probably be added to The Official List:

"Do not spit."

"Why are you naked?"

"No, you can't play a game on my iPhone"

"We do not spit."

"Please don't bark like a dog in my ear."

"Take the fight outside. Don't come back in unless you can get along or you're bleeding."

"If you spit again..."

What do you say everyday?

p.s. I'm giving away FIVE $5 Dollar Dinner Mom's Cookbooks! Make sure you enter, it ends tomorrow!

Well. That's Not Fun At All

[no laughing, chuckling or smiling allowed while reading this post.]

Do you know what's not fun?

Mattress shopping.

It ranks right there between shopping for a car transmission and someone to take out your gallbladder.

You know what else isn't fun?

Going to your in-law's farm (7 hours away) for three days and returning exhausted, only to discover your cat was locked in your daughter's room while you were gone.

THREE DAYS, y'all.

Not fun----

• daughter's bed (used as a litter box)
• a dehydrated, half-starved cat.
• shopping for a mattress (but it's cheaper than carpet)

(um, found out why Sam's has good deals on mattresses...

because you are the delivery service)

Alrighty then, I think I'm done now.

[please note: the kitty was harmed in the making of this post, but appears to be all better now]

Are you smiling?

On My Camera

Yesterday, I realized I hadn't taken any pictures in days (unusual for me). I hadn't downloaded my camera either. I laughed at the random goodness that awaited me and thought I'd share it with you.

Because sometimes random is enough:

And this is what my dining room table looked like before my hubby and I got it STUCK in the doorway at 12:30 in the A.M. this past weekend, while trying to convert my unused formal dining room into a home office.

I took a picture, so I could sell it. Price $100 Sale $50 (scratch/dent clearance).

I'll share pictures of my new home office project soon. (you know, as soon as I take them and let them sit on my camera for a week).

What's on your camera, right now?


Signup for my newsletter!