Queen of the "Last Minute"

I am becoming the Queen of the last minute projects.  This is not ever how I've approached anything in life... but lately, it's just the way things seem to flow.   I hope I grow out of it.  And soon.  It truly shows a lack of planning and preparing, which has not ever been my character, and nor do I want it to be.  But in my lack of planning, God blessed my night anyway.  Isn't He great???  (Amen!)

My church's children's ministry's Wednesday night program features a theme night once per month.  And tonight's the night.   It's been marked on my calendar for literally months.  (You know... because of the preparing and planning trait I try to implement??  Yeah...  it requires follow through of actually LOOKING at the calendar I plan things on.  But I digress).   Guess when I noticed it.  At 4:15 pm, after spending an entire day away from home (on a field trip - so the time away was worthwhile) and I'm prepping dinner to leave the house at 6pm.  YIKES! 

The theme tonight is "Holiday Night" - and I took the easy-way-out suggestion and pulled out Santa hats (perfect for a Christian holiday, no???)  and the CHRISTmas sweaters.   My kids looked at me like I had perfectly lost my mind.  Were we not wearing shorts, devouring fudge bars,  and playing with the hose in 80 degree weather just yesterday???   "Um, I don't prefer that idea, Mommy" - to quote one of my polite children verbatim.   The other child...  (air-i-ly)  "Mommy, I want to be a ballerina" as she twirls and whirls so elegantly around me.  Hmm.... ballerina.... holiday.... NUTCRACKER BALLET!   PERFECT!!!    Have I ever mentioned that "I'm not just another pretty face" lately??    Hold on... I'll prove it further.

So Polite Child desires to be something other than a sweater.  Thinking cap... tired Momma... oh, so very tired... this is hurting my head....  LIGHT BULB!!   Empty box, wrapping paper, packing tape, scissors.  

He's a Christmas Gift!   (I told you I was genius!) 

Cut the holes for the head and arms.  Then wrap packing tape around the edges so no scratching occurs.  Comfort is a very important factor in a gift.

Wrap the gift.  When opening the holes I cut a "pie" shape with a knife and folded the ends in.

Then I re-wrapped the edges with more packing tape so it didn't tear so easily. 

VOILA!  (I think I'll keep this gift)!!! 

Happy crafting!! 

Knocked My Socks Off

Every  morning before I drop my kids off to school I read a proverb (from the book Proverbs for Kids - I have the Kindle edition) to them and the correlating "story" to break down the understanding.  There are questions asked at the end of each proverb to promote discussion and to see how well they listened.   They typically listen quite well and are able to answer the questions without a problem.  Today was no exception, and we had a good discussion.  After our "devotion" time, it is someone's turn to pray - we each take a different day.  This morning, because Owen isn't feeling well, I was going to have Evie pray instead and Owen would take another day this week.  However, Owen insisted on taking his turn.  And I am beyond thankful that he did.  As a friend of ours says, "He blessed my socks off!"

"Dear Jesus, 

Thank you for today. 

Thank you that you are not a cloud or a toad or anything like that. 

Thank you that you are so much more." 

He did go on to finish the prayer with asking God to heal those we know who are ill, but the beginning of the prayer caused me to pause.  I have never discussed personally with him that God is NOT a cloud, nor is God NOT a toad.  But HE knew.   And he thanked God for it.  What a blessing to be taught something by my child this morning.  Humbled and blessed.  That's a pretty good start to the day.

"At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children." ~ Matthew 11:25

What's A Picture Really Worth?

Is a picture really worth a thousand words?   I suppose it depends mostly on two things:  1 - what the subject matter is, and 2 - how it relates to you, viewing it. 

I love this picture.  Really.  L-O-V-E .... La - OVE it.   It makes me laugh every time I see it.  A second in time... a memory forever.  

This photo truly depicts my children's relationship with each other right now.  Evie is all over Owen - arms wrapped around him, totally devoted and loving him.   Owen has dirty knees (a constant, every day occurrence in his 8 year old life... incredibly busy and BIG in almost every way, but the dirt reminds me that he is still little enough to get down on his knees to play... I know I'll miss those stains SOME day).  And he needs his space.  He's not exactly pushing her away... he's willing to have his "little sister" close, but not too close.   At least when it doesn't suit his needs at the moment.  He lives very moment-by-moment right now... which thoroughly irritates Evie because she doesn't.  (Yet).  

Hmm... did I reach a thousand words?  Probably not, but it doesn't matter to me because this picture is priceless in my eyes.  Totally cropable (that's a scrapbooking term).  Totally frameable.  I'm ordering an 8x10 for sure.  Do you want one, too, Mom?

Eight is Great

Eight is great - eight is fine - the only thing grander - would be to be nine!

Okay, so Owen didn't really say that, but he is already thinking he should be nine.  Why do children rush growing up so much?  Why did I?  I did wish it, but cannot answer it... but I often find my mother falling out of my mouth when I hear myself say things such as "Don't wish your life away..."

I have discovered that I am now in a group of parents who cannot fathom where time has gone.  I fully realize that I am not alone in wondering where time passes - wondering where it goes.  It is not a feeling that I solely appreciate.  Parents all over the world have this unique feeling dedicated to parenthood.  Days are long... but years are short.  Really short. 

So Owen turned eight on Saturday - and a Star Wars party with a few close friends was the wish to be granted.    There was thematic named food (Yoda Soda, Hans Rolos, Skywalker Sausages, Maul's Mess, Jar Jar Cakes, Wookie Cookies, Boba Fruit, etc).    A super-galactic light saber battle ensued on the front lawn; dads and kids alike.  Even a married couple had some fun getting some frustration out... this could be a good marital tool, no?  Thanks to my new love of Pinterest (aka: biggest-time-waster-since-Facebook) I came across this blog and was able to make 18 light sabers  to send home with all our fellow Jedi-loving friends (with some leftover for us).  Mine were not as detailed as hers were, but it wasn't necessary.  The kids knew exactly what they were upon first glance.  I regretted even doing these for a few moments.  I began their construction at 11 at night the very night before the celebration - first mistake.  I grumbled all the way upstairs at 1230am the next morning.  But upon hearing my birthday boy's exclamation "THANK YOU, MOMMY FOR MAKING LIGHT SABERS!" my fatigue became worth it.  To quote a Jedi-in-training, "Best. Party. EVER!"    Simply because of a pool noodle and some tape. (And some unseasonably warm spring weather).

I agree.  Best. Ever.