The Nap

I have always loved Sunday afternoons.

Growing up, we had wonderful Sunday afternoons. There was church in the morning, Mamma's roast dinner or Mexican food for lunch, then several hours of pouring through the mammoth Sunday paper with football or golf commentators for background music. And of course, the icing on the cake, was always.....The Nap.

You know, the dozing--all is right with the world--peaceful--satisfying slumber. Ahhhhhh....

Since earning the rank of Mommy---naps have become a rare and priceless treasure. They are not just the restful moments I crave---but are also a feat of unprecedented planning and choregraphed timing.

Today was a banner day. After church and lunch...my three year old and one year old were ready for naps AT THE SAME TIME!!!! What a moment. My heartbeat quickened as we went through the napping rituals---stories, pacifiers, blankets. And then, in one breathless moment...they were out. A quick peak revealed the 7 year old and 5 year old engrossed in a video and with quick and silent (shhhhhhh!!!!!) steps, I tiptoed to my bed.

My pillow, suede throw, silence around me (can this be happening?!?!?) and then the moment of sheer delight---sllllleeeeeeeep. The last thing I heard as I drifted into that VERY GOOD PLACE was the sound of raindrops. Perfection.

TWO AND A HALF HOURS later, I was awakened by a sweet three year old hand patting my head.
"Hi Mommy. You were sweeping...."

Yes, my dear. I was.
And it was very good.

VICTORY!!!!!

Jeff Cash.

In the guest room.

With a broom handle.

The Rat Has Left the Building!!!!

Considering...

Definition: "to think about seriously" "to believe after deliberation" "to regard highly" "to think carefully".

I love to consider. To sit quietly and really think something through. The process of considering is peaceful to me. Satisfying. Filling.

Tonight I'm considering these things:

*head lice--after much internet reading I "believe after deliberation" that we may be near the end of our little epidemic. Kinley is clear of those pesky things...my bald males are clear and my obsessive washing of all the bedding wasn't completely necessary but since its done...nice.

*blog comments--- I love to hear from friends and family! I "regard highly" your love and encouragement

*Isaac's eye--our son is required to wear a patch at least two hours a day in order to train his weak eye to see. I "think seriously and carefully" on ways to actually make that happen. Tonight, I consider him a champ---he has worn the patch 5 of 7 days for the last several weeks.

*prayer--I "believe after deliberation" that prayer to God Jehovah is one of my most valued treasures. He is Safe. He is the welcoming place--ready to hear me. Whatever I have to say...

*need--I have been "thinking seriously and carefully" on needing. I don't personally enjoy "needing". I DELIGHT in "meeting needs"...but the actual "needing" myself. I'm not too good at it. Of course, I do have needs...but when asked about them...I often stare blankly ahead while my brain tries to formulate an acceptable answer. Why is that? I don't know. But needing is inherent in us...It is why we are with other people--- why we seek God.

I do love the considering of a thing...

God says : "Consider it pure joy....when you face trials and hardships of many kinds." James 1:2
and
"Consider how the lilies grow...they do not labor...yet...not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these." Luke 12: 27

What are you considering today?

Oh Rats!

Here we go again! The sound of scurrying feet...the unexplainable bumps and clunks from the kitchen....LOVELY telltale droppings of the not-so-welcome houseguest. A rat.
Stella spied him first behind my washing machine. Isaac and I spied him second when we turned the kitchen light on two mornings ago. Jeff spied him third during his 5 am study session. The kids and I all saw him today when he scurried over our feet (OOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!) as we walked to the kitchen for breakfast. Nice.
I have a lovely home. Comfy furniture. Color co-ordinated decor. We clean. And still that little nasty varmit has invaded.
I'll forgo the obvious spiritual applications and simply say, "I WANT HIM OUT!!!"
So, begins the process...the mad plugging and stuffing of old blankets and rags in any crack or crevice we can find. Strategically placing long sticks and broom handles to be grabbed at a seconds notice to pound a tiny beedy eyed head. The tenative first walk through the house in the morning (flip on the light, grit your teeth, search every corner and inch of floor space before you step...)
I'll let you know how it turns out. I'm sure we will be victorious. My husband, with all the masculine hunter/masacre-small-rodent instincts at play, will seek and destroy. Alex's big Rat Annhilator weapon ("its a BIG BIG stick mom that would SMASH 'em good!") has been carefully designed and stored. And my clean and tidy box of DCon has been placed on the highest shelf near the hole where he has been entering. One way or another, he will be escorted from the premises.
Preferably not by me.
Preferably, very soon.

Please and Thank You

Everyday, I repeat these words a thousand times as I teach and train my little charges to exist in the world in a pleasant and orderly way. "Silas, say please." "Kinley, don't forget to say thank you!"
Over the last week, I've been reminded why I spend so much time on those simple words. I'll tell you why...

We have been watching the catastrophe of Katrina escalate and ravage.
Unfortunately, we do not have choices for which American news network we can watch. We are forced to endure the politically biased messages of CNN (did I say that outloud?).
I am frustrated and dismayed over the angles and stories CNN reporters and producers continually choose and chase.

For days we (and the international community) have seen images and stories on CNN. People demanding help with curse words and accusing everyone under the sun for their pain. CNN and its reporters continually hammer the message "too little is being done", "work is too slow","chaos exists", "NO ONE is helping". We've often had to switch the TV off to protect our children and our own selves from the words being chosen as people plead for help.
Many people see these images and are fed only negative messages. And we wonder why people think badly of Americans. Could it be our own news agencies feed negative information to the world in their own efforts to get the "gritty story" (and the most viewers and thus the most money...). Just a question. Okay, I'll admit it. Its an accusation.

Occasionaly, a calm person is put on the screen. A person who asks for help and prayers,without offensive words. Someone who explains the situation and analyzes what needs to be done. That is a person we listen to. A person we can hear.
It is possible, and very admirable, to be calm in the face of disaster. And it saves lives over and over again.

Jeff and I have wondered about the stories not being told. Coast Guard rescuers, FEMA workers, superdomes opening up, churches providing food- shelter -clothes, a Weather prediction system that alerted us TWO DAYS ahead that the storm was coming, Lousiana citizens who drove out of New Orleans in an orderly fashion... we haven't been hearing very many thank you's on CNN.


Several years ago, Jeff and the church members here in Ft. Portal were involved in aiding catastrophe stricken people here. They spent days driving food, medical supplies and people to help those who had lost everything. The days were long and unbelievably, thankless.
I remember one evening in particular when Jeff dragged in exhausted and more emotionally spent than normal. He related some of the events of his day and at one point, his eyes filled with tears and his face lit up. In the midst of a chaotic mess of people, one woman approached their truck and said, "Thank you." He described the words she said, the look on her face...he remembered every detail.
At that time we remembered the story of 10 healed lepers. Men who because of a horible sickness, lost everything. And in one amazing moment, a man named Jesus, gave them everything back. Was he showered with overwhelming gratitude? No. Only one man came back to Jesus and said thank you. It was, apparently, a moment worthy of mention because it is included in holy scripture. A Thank You.

So, for today, in this cyber world I will use my space to say, "thank you." Thank you to all who are going without sleep and sacrificing their time, money and resources to help. Thank you to Louisiana and New Orleans citizens who showed kindness to each other as they evacuated. Thank you to the weather experts who gave warning in advance so lives could be saved. Thank you to the heroes who may never get airtime.
I know you are out there serving. Because it is America we are talking about. And my America is full of heroes.


I will continue on this quest for manners with my children. You never know in this big 'ole world what amazing circumstances may land my children in front of a camera or allow them an opportunity to speak to the world. I pray they will choose words that are effective and kind...and bring blessing to the hearers.

Freeze Tag

I got tagged to list my top ten favorite songs...and its not that I don't enjoy a good game of tag...I've just been a bit stumped. We have one radio station in town that boasts a variety of 80's greatest (or not so greatest) hits, Dolly Parton/Kenny Rogers duets and rap songs featuring offensive lyrics to disgust any English speaker around. So to choose my top ten, I am limited to our own CD collection--which I love but is definitely not exhaustive.

So currently in my CD player is Steven Curtis Chapman "All Things New", Casting Crowns, and Newsboys "Adoration".
Top favorite songs are:

*"What If His People Prayed" Casting Crowns
*"Your Love is Extravagant" Casting Crowns
*"Praise You with the Dance"Casting Crowns
*"Only Getting Started" Steven Curtis Chapman
*Unfailing Love" Chris Tomlin
*"The Way I Was Made" Chris Tomlin

I know that is only six...but I did my best. I am a big fan of Harry Connick Jr., Norah Jones, Mercy Me, Third Day, Rascal Flats, Kenny Chesney... and many more.

Thanks for including me in the game...