We're back from our alien adventure!

If you've felt like you haven't caught up with our life lately, it's because we haven't caught up with our life lately! Call it laziness, call it business, call it being sick too much, call it being sucked up on an alien adventure--I'm not really sure which wins. But, unless I have a deadline and am right up against it, sometimes it just doesn't get done! It's a good thing we have people over to our house every week so I have to make sure my house is in decent order!!

Here's a synopsis of our past months: new year's came and no one got sick--at least not on new year's--all the kids have seen the doctor more than once, I had the flu once, Kyra had the flu twice, Mark had the flu once, are boys escaped with only fevers and coughs and other fun stuff. The conversations around our house include: "mom, I goed" (potty); "knock, knock." "Who's there?" "Bobo." "Bobo who?''; "We've got the best of both worlds...."; "M-A-X"(you'd think he was part of this family); "Poo Poo and Pee Pee"(with lots of laughter); "Stop whining"; "Mom how bout we cuddle"; "I go to Bobo house sometime-I go Nonna and Grandpa's house sometime"; "Can I have a sheet of paper?"; "go Keagy, go Keagy..."; "Meow, Baaaa, elephant sound(for my son who has multiple animal personalities); "I fight you"; "Mom, be monster and chase us"; "Kleenex"; "Treat please"; "Cuz I do"; "I just being silly"; "Keagan-stop copying me!"

Let's hope I can get this blog thing working and actually post this thing. If I can, I'll try and be back soon!

Oh, the weather outside is delightful.....

Ok, it's just now starting to get cooler. I haven't blogged for so long because my seasonal clock has been off a bit. But, I checked the calendar today, and it said it was December 3rd. Wow! I've been running outside with shorts and a t-shirt up until a few days ago....and since I haven't ran since then, I can't give an update.

So, beyond keeping all the nasty spiders alive that should be dying off, I'll take it. I don't miss bitter cold. We'll see if I miss snow. The kids have asked for snow a few times, but I told them we could have it at their grandparents house.

We still hang out inside our home too. We've got three creative kids that always find something to do...

He demands It

My BSF teacher said something this past week that I think is worth consideration.

She said, "Knowing Jesus is King demands a response."

Since hearing that, I've been asking myself some questions(actually, I'm thinking of them as I write, so if I haven't been asking them, I am now) maybe you can ask yourself the same.

I have no stones in my hand here.

There is NO middle ground. None. If you know Jesus is King, then you are constantly responding to Him, one way or the other--He demands it.

Do I really love others well? Not just I say I do but certain things really get to me about that person or I only do because I feel obligated to type of love. I can fake actions, but I can't fake heart. He demands a response.

Do I really what to live out a life for Him? What does that mean? Am I uncomfortable? Because I'm pretty sure God doesn't want us to be comfortable. I'm pretty sure Paul wasn't comfortable while in prison. I'm pretty sure John the Baptist wasn't comfortable living on locust and honey. Comfort is Satan's plan--not Gods. If I am still in the same box, sitting with the same like minded people, not stretching myself to get out of it and meet the tax collectors of this world, then I'm pretty convinced I'm too comfortable. He demands a response.

Do I blame God or do I desire God? Am I living each day, with bitterness because I don't have the life like so and so. Am I tired and weary and taking that out on my family? Look--truth is, life is hard--it is messy. And I sure as I could name many names of those whose life looks better than mine, I could name more whose doesn't. Blaming God for my daily strife--my life-long strife--gets me only as far as that blame will take me. Desiring God--amidst it--well, that takes me to God. Who is bigger than me. Who can help me rise above it--or accept it--or understand it. He demands a response.

Am I really wanting love from God or seeking love from others to fulfill me? Don't get me wrong--having loving relationships is essential. I need it. And I struggle a lot with the feelings of failure in giving and failure in receiving love. But until I stop. Until I say He--He is enough--then it doesn't matter how loved or unloved I may feel by others. Bottom line--those who love me--really love me (like my hubby) will never be enough. And those who "don't" love like I'd hope they would, can not be a thermostat for me to live my life. I know this--so why do I go there? Who fulfills me? He demands a response.

I think I could continue, but it is way late and we have had a LONG week.

Whether you've known God is King for a long time--or are just beginning to understand what that means--remember (as I am trying to) that whatever you chose to do, is a response. Laziness, procrastination, non confrontation out of fear, staying safe, are still responses.

Let's be more real with one another--let's be more real with God. Knowing that Jesus is King demands a response.

Do the Words Mommy and Appreciate Go Together?

I've heard many moms say that one reason motherhood is hard is because the feeling of being appreciated, or maybe even "loved" by their children is well, rather sparse. Kids are basically on a "needs" based plan--I need it, you get it. I need a drink, I need my diaper changed, I need a new backpack for school, I need you to make cookies for my class, I need.... Sure, it may be followed by a "thank you" once done, but we don't count on it and often times, it may only come with prompting.
I have to admit, that does happen in my home. Maybe more than I realize. But to be completely honest, my kids are really good at helping me feel appreciated. My kids are in the "I'll stick with you club." Granted their benefits are great (they get fed, a bed, and an occasional treasure from Walmart). But, their loyalty it unfailing. When I'm tired, they still try to make me laugh. When I'm sad, they offer me hugs and kisses. When I'm frustrated, they still love me when it subsides. Whether it's Cayden's unsolicited hug and kiss, Kyra's kind words and pictures, or Keagan's "look" of love with a sweet smile, I have to say that I often feel those moments of appreciation.
Granted, I know that my children will continue to grow. And someday, this all will change. They won't "need" me anymore, and therefore, they will invest in different loves and relationships. The way I may or may not feel appreciated, will too, change.
But, I'm choosing to look at my now. I'm choosing to cling to what gift God has given me in this time. Tomorrow, as He says, will worry about itself. And it's when I consider these things that I remember how far a feeling of being appreciated can take you.

BOBOCYCLE

Bobo came to visit this weekend--decided to make the trip on his motorcycle(which the kids call Bobocylces) despite the great chances of rain. Bobo gave us all rides(mini, safe, and slow rides) on his bike. Cayden, who we had to wake up from a nap so he could have his turn, decided to be cranky instead of cooperative, so his chance will have to wait. But, we had about a 45 minute break in constant heavy rains in which to get it done. We sure miss having grandparents close. Cayden, in fact, has been crying for Bobo for days since. He will wake up much too early in the morning crying for his Bobo. Yesterday, he said, "Bobo hold me," and started crying when I told him Bobo wasn't here. Nice to know you're missed I guess, but sometimes even though great, a weekend is not quite enough....

By the way, if any of you are wondering, you can eat a 64 piece tray of Chick-fil-a nuggets in a short amount of time with only about 3 people participating in the feast. Some might claim they ate about 30 of them himself, but that is simply not true. Whoever claims that decided to begin eating while the more selfless individual was getting meals and such ready for the small children involved in the matter!

Cornheads Forvever!

No Hog mania here. Hog calls are for the well--hogs. Who eat slops. And have a big fat body and short legs.

The chanting has begun. The kids are being properly brought up. "Go......Big.....Red!" We are cornheads forever! Go HUSKERS!

Micky, and Ariel, and Cinderella, OH MY!

After a delayed plane ride, a 4:00 a.m."bedtime", and a 9:00 a.m. start, Aunt Tanya, Kyra, and I went into the VERY hot Florida sun to brave through the crowds just for the chance to enjoy the "Disney Experience." Despite the minor inconveniences, i.e., the heat, the discount days for Floridians which made it much busier, and the nearly 45 minute waits to see one princess, we had a great time. I could have stayed much longer than 2 days, and even though Kyra had 14 hours days and was tired, she too, was just beginning to catch the Disney fever. We ate at weird times, had snacks and slushes a lot to cool us off, never napped (although I desperately wanted to), and had no real agenda--except to see as much as we could. What could be better than that? We are very grateful to our "Aunt Tanya" for providing much of what was needed for this experience, and hope to do it up in a BIG way with the boys in the next 3-4 years. Just not in the really hot months! We saw every princess and got to meet almost everyone of them. Kyra got a kick out of the rides, but like her mommy, strayed away from the spinning ones(although I was missing not getting to go on Space Mt.). The performances and parades were awesome, and the fireworks were great. Kyra has been in "Disney World" ever since. If you come over to the house, she will get her photo album out and show you. She just recently took it to her class to show it off. She also announced yesterday that she no longer wants to be a doctor or a singer, but instead, wants to live at Disney World. I'm not so sure about that one, but since I found out in talking to an "off duty" staff member that there are about 80 different people that "play" one princess, I guess they have a big hiring load. I'd feel bad if I didn't mention that Kyra and I have discussed how grateful we are that God provided this trip for us. We know that there are many boys and girls who will never get to see and experience the fun we did over those few days.