Jenny and her "goggles"(aka not so wordless Wed..part 2)

Here is the "goggles" I mentioned in my last post. You can't tell but they are colored purple on most of them. The duct tape hid some of that, but she is thrilled. She worked really hard on them. She is using them to look for vegetables for the dolls in her doll house. And is going to make them all dinner. She is very industrious

Oh and what is this toddler and preschool thing where they love to wear the same shirt, for a couple days.  I let her because, she really did not get to go out and play yesterday, it was too cool.  She really didn't get dirty. But she loves the dinosaur on her shirt.

Okay...so I am going to make a huge confession here:  (please keep in mind, this may be TMI)

When I was a child...not sure how old, I had Wonder Woman Underoos.

(Hmmm I think I just dated myself).  Anyway, I felt invincible in those panties and undershirt with the wonder woman stuff on it.  For surely when I wore them...I was all powerful and I WAS Wonder woman. I'd wear them for days if my mother didn't insist I took them off. I even......here comes the confession part....would sneak them out of the laundry when she wasn't looking and put them back on.  Now I say ewwwwwwww...but then I was innocent and didn't realize why this is so ewwwwwwwwwww.  

So now our day can continue with our "goggles" in tow.  Although the shirt...that is being changed before we leave the house.  She just doesn't know it yet. 

Not so wordless Wednesday

This is the face of a little girl who wants her brother and sister to be done with school for the summer.  She knows we are close to the end.  She longs for them to be home all day with her.  She was hoping it was today, but alas it was not.  This is the face I saw when she crawled up on my bed to relay her misery. 
I just want my Bro Bro and Sissy, that is all. said Jenny. When I asked her what was wrong. " They are my favorites."   Sweetness I tell you, pure sweetness.

Now she is busy making her some "goggles" (what she calls binoculars) out of empty toilet paper rolls. Apparently we are going on an adventure.  And going to play the bear went over the mountain to see what he could see. 

Imagination, it is a beautiful thing in a child.

I think we as adults need to use it more. 

Now that she is in a happier mood, I am enjoying watching her color away as she works on her craft.

These childhood moments, so quickly slip away.  They grow up so very fast.  Childhood is the time, that the biggest dramas seem small in comparison to real life, but I am thankful that my kids are innocent and protected.  I want their childhood to be filled with love and joy.  And the solution for their momentary angst to be solved simply, with a few crayons and some toilet paper rolls.  There are things they will face, that will not be solved so easily.  So I sit back and enjoy this while I can.

Tales of a PreK princess (aka what mommy thinks a 4 year old brain says)

Hello out there in blog land.  I have taken over Mommy's blog for the moment.  It seems to me Mommy does not talk enough about Elmo and Barney and such.  Surely, if she did, more people would read her blog.  Oh and lest we forget, there are always, Bob and Larry and the Veggie tale gang.  Those are really cool topics. After all they teach you things in a fun way.  I know cause I have learned a lot.  Like take Cookie Monster, he is smart.  He uses letters he can eat.  That is one smart guy. I think all alphabet letters should be made out of cookies.

Some things I have learned by being 4.

Mommies do not give you snacks EVERY TIME you want them.  When this happened today I went and hid behind the chair. I know I am not supposed to pout.  Perhaps, if Mommy doesn't seem me pout, she will not know I am pouting. 

Storms and toe nadoes and such. Those things are NOT fun.  They are down right scary and tear up stuff. It is like the sky had a temper tantrum. I think God needs to give the sky and the rain a time out.  Cause if I acted like that, I would most definitely get a time out!.

Although, Daddies are great during storms. They are strong and mine bought me my very own flashlight. Which is cool by the way.  It is very bright and it is PINK and PURPLE!  What more could you ask for?

I do have to say Mommy, was lots of fun when we didn't have lights.  She took us to the park and we played outside and made up some fun games.  I don't want to admit it, so here is my secret.  It was more fun than TV! 

I will soon be 5.  I think perhaps, I should try and talk Mommy into celebrating my birthday everyday from now until July 8th. Cause 5 that is a big number and after all 5 year olds can go to Kindergarten.

And, while we are on the subject of kindergarten.  Why can't I start when I want?  I mean, seriously, I am ready, like now.  I am not trying to be ugly but I could so ace kindergarten, probably in a week and be ready for 1st grade. 

Oh and having a brother and sister is really  cool. Even if I do get upset with them sometimes. They are so smart.  They know how to read and my brother can even do math with BIG BIG numbers.  My sister talks to me at night and gives me advice on all sorts of things.  She is so smart.  And my big brother is so brave.  He even will knock a bug off the swing if I need him too. That is Sooooooooooooooooo Brave!

I have been thinking lately, that vegetables are over-rated.  Then Mommy tricked me.  She put veggies in our tacos and it was so good.  I saw her do it and I doubted it. But when I tasted that...oh it was the best ever!  So maybe, I will try those vegetables sometimes.

I think I want to be a cowgirl and a teacher and a mommy when I grow up.  I can ride my babies to school on my horse and say giddy up a lot.  Then I will teach kids about a,b,c's and things.

I know lots of things.  Like that those caterpillar things laid eggs on a leaf and I wonder if they will come out.  Although, please don't laugh, at first I thought it was little chicken and it had laid eggs.  Because I really didn't know so many other things laid eggs besides chickens.  I told Mommy the chicken was going to be mad at us cause we moved the leaf so that the eggs wouldn't be stepped on. Mommy explained it to me.  But I was hoping for tiny baby chickens. I guess we will get caterpillars instead.  Maybe they will turn into butterflies.

Mommy used to write about things she thought I might think when I was a baby.  I thought she needed some input and to do this again. After all, as a 4 year old, I know so much more than I did then. 

Well, that is all for now from this 4 year old brain...I might pop back in sometime and post something else, when mommy isn't looking ;o).  Oh and what is it with these smilie things, you have to hold you head to the side to see it wink. Grownups can be so silly.

Childhood magic

All it takes is a warm afternoon, some colorful bubbles...

Add in some giggles and grins and you get magic.

Watching life through their eyes is seeing wonder and amazement

even in the simplest things.

Their eyes fill with wonder and joy at almost anything and everything

They love to talk to you and share their hopes and dreams.

Dreams of being like Mommy or Daddy

or like Christopher, one day, to preach the Word of God

and tell people that don't know Jesus, the truth of WHO Jesus is and how much

He loves them.

Hearing their laughter makes me think of the Father..

He loves to hear our voice just as our heart leaps in joy

at the sound of our children's laughter. 

The Heavenly Father's heart leaps in joy when we simply call out His name.

Abba Father, How I love you and know that you love me, more than

the I can even imagine.

Our Father in heaven feels as great a joy in watching over us, more in fact

than we have in seeing our kids faces light up, just because we took time

to play with them.

Or we let them get messy

or we let them pretend to be us, for a few moments.

Our Father in heaven adores us.

I adore my Father too.

He is a loving Father.

He is a Daddy to His children.

He loves us.

The Lord is my Shepherd and He is ALL I want!

Sometimes....life throws a curve ball at you.  Sometimes.....it seems as if you can't put one foot in front of the other.  But, you can always find one thing at least one, of which to be thankful. So today, I am counting my blessings.

I am thankful for my husband, in all his imperfections, because I know God is making him into something marvelous.  The good work He has started in him, will be completed.

I am thankful for my children.  I am thankful that they are normal and even though, they are not perfect, they are Promise with a capital P.  They are possibility with a capital P.  The future shines brightly in their eyes and God has given them a glorous destiny.

I am thankful for true friends.  Friends, who love who when the chips are down and when the chips are up.  Friends, who at a moments notice, will drop what they are doing and pray with you.

I am thankful for a Pastor who leads his church with God's love and mercy.  Who expects God's people to do what is right and doesn't just pat them on the back and say, it's allright, but says it WILL BE allright as long as you surrender to God and what your Lord wants to do in you.

I am thankful that on those days, that I feel like crying, and throwing in the towel, my Lord, finds a way to pick me up. He holds me close and loves me.  My Father, rocks me and whispers, sweet and low, "Do not fret my dear daughter.  I am yours and you are mine.  I love you.  You can not be destroyed because I am your Father.  I will go  with you through the storm, the flood and the fire.  You may have to go through it for a season, but I will never abandon you.  I am with you in the wilderness. I am with you in the oasis.  I am with you from the beginning until the end.  Where ever you go, I am with you.  I am yours and you belong to me.
I am so thankful for the cross of Calvary.  Where my Lord, my God and my King bled and died.  Where He gave His all that we might live.  I am thankful the grave did not win, but He AROSE!

I am thankful that despair is but for a moment but joy comes in the morning. 

I am thankful that even on the darkest day there is the promise the sun will rise and a new day will dawn.

I am thankful that in the storms there is always the promise of the rainbow. A promise of life and not destruction.

From
Psalm 23

Restoring what the locusts have eaten

It isn't an overly large creature, albeit and ugly one to most.  A locust can consume it's body weight in food per day.  As a single, solitary locust that is not much.  However and average swarm,

"a  very small part of an average swarm (or about one tonne of locusts) eats the same amount of food in one day as about 10 elephants or 25 camels or 2,500 people " from answers.com. 

That's a lot of destruction. 

In a Biblical sense, locusts can represent the effects of sin upon the lives of people.  It can be the sin a person committed themselves or they can be the victim of the sin, and it is the effects of what someone did that does the destruction. 

Locusts make wasteland out of the area they eat.  Sin or the effects of sin, make wasteland out of souls, lives and people's hearts.  This can cause bitterness in the heart of a victim or unrepentant sinner.  As the locusts eat away at the heart, destruction spreads.  Hurting people, hurt others.  The enemy uses this device to try and destroy hope, faith, love, lives and so much more.

However, there is a promise that our God gave us. When we turn to Him, when we rely on Him, when we let Him be the one to take care of it.
He said:

in Joel 2: 12 -13

12 "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity

and as the word discusses locusts and turning to God.  The scripture goes on to say: (Joel 2)

18 Then the LORD will be jealous for his land and take pity on his people. 19 The LORD will reply to them: "I am sending you grain, new wine and oil, enough to satisfy you fully; never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations.

It isn't about God being mean, or spiteful.  It is the natural consequences of the sin of mankind that allows the locusts to swarm.  But God has and always will have a plan.  He WANTS, longs for His people, to turn to Him.  He does not enjoy seeing the consequences of sin that hurts and destroys and annihilates people.  He loves the sinner.  He loves the victim of the sinner.  He loves us all.  Every last one of us.  That is why in His word we find this promise

23 Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. 24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil. 25 "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten-- the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm...

He will restore. He is in the restoration business. However, for restoration to take place we must go to the restorer. If you have a piece of art that has been damaged, it is taken to a craftsman trained in the restoration of art. The craftsman can't restore it, if it just sits in the attic. But when that art piece is brought to the craftsman he carefully and slowly but surely restores it. He does not rush but gently cleans it and restores it. He is carful not to cause further damage. Sometimes, he has to use some sand paper on areas of the art, before he applies the new but proper paint. He can't just slap any paint on there. If it is an aged painting he has to be carful to match the paint as closely as possible or it will not take to the painting. Then he carefully fills in missing spots but knowing what the piece of art was before and what he wants it to be after.

Our Lord is the craftsman of our souls.  Sometimes, he has to sand us down.   Sometimes, he has to replace parts are areas with totally new canvas that has been refined to fit into that part of our lives.  When He restores us, He does it lovingly.  However, sometimes it can be painful.  It can take time.  But He WILL restore what the locusts have eaten. He is able to do things no earthly craftsman can do. For if He needs to, He can create a whole new work of art out of the damaged clay or canvas and turn ashes into beauty.  He is not limited to time or space.  He is not limited the way we are limited.  He can do the impossible.  Therefore His restoration is beyond what we can ever imagine and His promise to restore us and the effects of what locusts have eaten is a beautiful thing. 

He is faithful. Go to Him......He will restore. 

Love in words



I know that I posted about this on facebook, so those that are on my facebook may see this as a rerun. However, this is a bloggable moment.

Today my 4 year old, Jenny Grace said"

 "your are a good Mommy. A good Mommy knows best,not like on Tangled where the bad mommy said she knows best. Only a good mommy knows best. You are a good Mommy"

I am floored...we watched tangled like 3 weeks ago and this is what she got from it. And I am blessed to be in her mind, a good mommy.

It is in these moments, we as parents know we are doing something right.  There are lots of thankless tasks when we parent. However, in just moments and a few words, we get paid beyond what any monetary value could ever be given. 

This also shows me how our children see us. They are more, like we should be.  They do not see all our faults and issues. They just see us as their Mommy or Daddy.  They see us more like God sees us.  They love us unconditionally.  Unconditional love, agape love, it has many names. It is a love that goes deep into the soul and spirit. This is how we should love others.  This is how we should see others. Through, the eyes of a child and through the eyes of Jesus.

Jesus said unless we come as a little child, this means, the faith and love a child has. It is  pure and undefiled.

We as adults have hangups and issues that get in the way of this type of love or view point.  Children see us as their heroes and heroines.  I pray that I will always be that in my children's eyes.  I pray that the mistakes I do make, they can see beyond and that those mistakes will be tempered with the grace and mercy of God because of love. 

It makes me realize how we must be diligent about the way our kids see us. We are their examples, primary examples to the love of the Father.

Lord, help me to live up to my daughter's words.



Praise is perfected in the mouths of babes

Internet fast days 2&3

Yesterday was a busy day and today has been also.  I registered Jenny for kindergarten yesterday. That is so bittersweet.  You are happy on one hand your baby is growing up but on the other hand, well, your baby is growing up too fast.  She was quite happy.  Although she was none to pleased, she could not start right away. Even though we had told her, it was just registration, for some reason, she held out hope she would get to do something in Kindergarten that very day. 

I also had a great Bible devotional with myself and the Lord during my prayer watch.  He ministered to me in such a special and gentle way.  It is hard to put into words really. But He gave me some assurances that I needed.  He is good that way.  He lets you know what to work on, but He also comforts you and encourages you in what you are doing well.

I did forget a couple times and on autopilot sit down to the computer, both yesterday and today.  But I am doing pretty well with it.  Didn't realize how much time goes by while on the computer until I wasn't on the computer. I hope that makes sense. 

That being said, my house is looking and smelling good. Now as a general rule, my house isn't bad, had a lived in look and such, but isn't dirty by any means. But with 2 days of limiting computer time; I have had gotten a lot more done.  I still have a good bit of spring cleaning to do that I have never "got around to". But I will get it done.

Jenny and I were eating our sandwiches at lunch.  She did everything I did.  If I took a drink she did.  If I wiped my mouth, she did.  I sneezed and she pretended to sneeze.  She said "Mommy, I want to be just like you".  Now that is both sweet AND scary. I am glad she loves me.  But I see myself warts and all.  She sees me more like Christ sees me.  She doesn't see my faults.  She just loves me.  That is how Jesus sees us.  He loves us just as we are.  We are covered by Him and that is what the Father sees.  Us covered by Jesus. 

The scary part is that I do not want her to learn bad things from me.  I have really worked this week on not "murmuring", grumbling, complaining. I do not want to be a "child of Israel in the wilderness".  Whether I am in the wilderness or not, murmuring needs to NOT be in my vocabulary.  I have been aware, this week, just how much we let the negative sneak out.  I am trying to speak positive and :

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Be what comes out of my mouth.  That scripture shouldn't be just about what we think but be about how we think and act.  This week I am working on that as a goal.  It is harder than one thinks.  We do just the opposite a little to often.  Some of us will admit it and some will not. But if we are honest with ourselves; we will realize that negative is easier to speak and think than the positive.

I want to be pleasing to my Lord.  Doing that means always having my armor on so I can stand and being like the Proverbs 31 woman.  However, if you think about it, in order for her to be that woman; she did not stay so busy she took no time to refuel. The ONLY way she could be that way was by spending time at the feet of Her Lord.  She had Martha action with a Mary heart.  She worked, she listened, she knew how to balance her time and life with the Lord.  Had she not been able to do that; she would have burned out.  Her lamp would never have been trimmed and ready.  She would have been to exhausted to keep going. For, it is only through refueling in the Lord that we can be all that He is calling us to be.  Unless we keep are armor cleaned, polished and sharpened through time with the Master, we can not fight and withstand against our enemy. 

So, I said all that to say...in your quest to be that woman, the one He has called you to be (or the man He has called men to be.  Do not forsake sitting at the feet of the Master.  He is the one that helps you stay prepared.  Do not worry about today or tomorrow.  But be busy about the Father's business. And remember that sometimes, the Father's business, means you take time to sit and soak in His presence in order to gain from Him what you need to better serve.

Internet fast...Day 1...well semi internet fast...see below

I may have to resort to this..LOL because:

I have found it quite difficult not to plop down and head on over to facebook, a message board, or one of the many games I usually play throughout the day. It has long been nagging at me that I spend more time “on and off through the day” doing this and that on the computer than is truly beneficial. Yes, it has its benefits, but it is also a time stealer.

Today I have accomplished:

• Laundry, I also do this, but now I am gaining ground on mount laundry.

• Dishes (I do this every day, but for now I am ahead of the game).

• Working on prepping Christopher’s recycling project.

• Making some grandma Mother’s day cards.

• Making some teacher appreciation cards.

I also had a very interesting conversation with Jenny. There is much wisdom in a 4 year old brain. We talked about tornadoes and how according to her the enemy sends them. She talked about Adam and Eve and how they should have just listened to Jesus. She talked about how Jesus lives in her heart and loves her. She talked about the cross and that Jesus died for all our sins. My, what I would have missed had we not had this talk. She is such a deep little thinker. Her thoughts blow my mind.

It makes me wonder, how much I do spend without even realizing it. Time slips away and before I know it; I am in a rush to complete something. I blame no one but myself. Is it a bad thing? Not necessarily. I haven’t really neglected my family. However, I confess; I CAN do better. As I blog about this imperfect wives 7 day fast; I will be open and honest. I want to be a better wife, mom, and friend. Yes, I will go back to a more frequent usage of the computer once it is over, however, I will go into it with more wisdom. I will be able to time myself better and not “lose time”.

I know that I am a good wife and mother. I do sow good things into my husband and children. But, this is showing me some areas I MUST work on.

So day 1, so far has been a success. I still have to get through homework and supper time before I am allowing myself back on for a bit. Hello, my name is Thelma…and I am addicted to Facebook. Said in jest, but it may hold a little more truth than I want to admit right now. I am writing down my thoughts and will transfer them to my blog during my evening allotment of computer time.

So, now I am off to the bus stop and then help the kids with homework, JBQ and fix our supper, give baths, etc, etc. Then I will post this to my blog. I will post it with my head held high, because I know I am not the only mom that struggles with these issues. I am not a neglectful mom, BUT I can do better. That is what we should all strive for…to do better.



Also for the next 30 days, I am doing the 30 days to encourage your husband, for no other reason but I love him. Here is the link: http://www.reviveourhearts.com/pdf/30DayChallenge.pdf

I challenge all of our imperfect wives to either do this, or find another way to incorporate this as you start your fast. By day 7, just maybe it will encourage us to complete 3o days. I bet, I just bet God will surprise you in what happens. (Now this will not be much of a surprise if my husband happens to read my blog. But one can try..LOL).

I must confess I have used the computer some today. Mostly for research to help Christopher with a project and some lists for household organization ; and the above mentioned challenge to encourage my husband. However, everything I have done has had a purpose to feed or nurture or do more for my family. The goal is building and nurturing what we have and growing it more.

As day 1 draws to a close. I feel good about what I have done. I am making progress. Now, off to help the kids some more. I will post this on my blog later after I am done and the kids are in bed and such.

Resting by the creek...after being sheltered from the storm.

I took the above photo in the power outage days after last week's devastating tornadoes.  Parts of our area were demolished and obliterated.  We were sheltered from the storm by the mighty hand of God as a tornado screamed over our neighborhood.  A neighbor saw it scream by and told us about it later.  It is not lost on me, just how grateful we should be. Countless people lost lives, homes, possessions.  Some of those things were priceless.  Family pictures, childhood momentos and the list goes on.  Yet, most people I have heard, regardless of what they lost have declared God as faithful.  Many are resting on the promises of God.  Those that do not have that comfort, surely, must have such heavy hearts. I pray someone, will be put in  their pathway to show them the answers.

I took the kids to a local park to get away from the house while we had no power.  At that park is a creek.  The kids wanted to play in it. I was not equipped, nor had I planned for this.  However, I realized the sheer joy of resting by the flowing creek, with their feet in the water, the terrors of the storm were in a way, being washed away.  Childhood innocence spoke to me, of us resting in the Savior's love. 

It reminds me that there is a river...that flows.  A river that cleanses us from all our sins. We need to rest in the Saviors love.  Even when life throws us storms.....whether we have to go through it or He speaks peace be still...He is there.

During the height of the storms, we huddled in our safe place, power out and sang praises to our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  We chased fear with praise to the One who holds us in His hands. 

He is our shelter and in Him I rest.  Whether it be a tornado or the storms of life; I rest in the river that is His love.  He holds us safely.  His promises are yes and amen. Though we may not understand it all, our God is sovereign. He never lets us down. 

We need to be like children and take the storms we have faced and find the cool brook to rest our feet in.  In doing that we have hope that tomorrow will be a  better day.  The brook keeps flowing and carries away debris and heartache.  Will there be hard days or maybe even some scary memories, sure there will. However, resting in  the Savior there is healing and restoration.

So find you a quiet place, pull out your Bible,  the Word of Life and rest in the stream of His promises.  He will never fail you.