Our Family Circus

I read a blog recently about jealousy. I have been so guilty of that. I allow myself to become jealous of others who have more money or those with family close by. They can go shopping with their sister and drop the kids off at mom's. I too see where others may look at me and think how easy I have it. We have adjusted our lives for me to be at home. We are abundantly blessed with friends that help with our children when needed and sometimes when we don't need it. What have I to be jealous of-NOTHING!! Our Lydia received a kite as a bithday gift. Conditions were perfect yesterday! The kids wanted to fly it so we did. I thought how carefree we must look in the front yard playing. People driving home from work or picking up kids from childcare- those peope who had been stuck inside all day while we were flying a kite. Those people do not know that inside our home is ripped apart as we prepare for a trip. Clothes and suitcases are scattered. The dishwasher was full of clean dishes ...

1. Put your signature on your work. 2. ENJOY~ squeeze the bag with a smile to get the most of your decorating experience. Layers of icing are GOOD! 3. Pile on the sugar in all of your favorite colors! It helps to let Momma's friend help you instead of Momma. Miss Jenny encourages creativity and has the coolest decorations. 4. Add edible pearls, sprinkles, white chocolate hearts and the letters of your name made of different colored chocolates. Adore your cake and talk about it for days. Put 5 candles on it and show it off to your adoring fans, (the pride of one precious little girl!) When mom is not looking pitch icing off the piles. She probably won't mind anyway cause a girl only turns 5 once!

One of the perks of being Mark's wife is meeting young people. One of the first churches we served in together had precious teens that are now precious adults! One of those is Molly. Molly married her high school sweetheart is now a new mommy and a military wife. Recently, I received a forward about an American Soldier and realized it was Molly's husband. I contacted Molly and she gave permission for me to reprint her sweet husband's note so the world (well, the few of you who read this blog!) can see what American Soldiers are doing! So here goes... March 4th 2009 So today was a good but long day in Baghdad. We were out on one of our normal patrols today in the new area we just took over. We were in a really poor part of Baghdad. The people that live in this particular part of Baghdad only make about 500,000 denar a month (thats 500 American dollars). So as we were walking through the neighborhood we stopped at this one house. In it was family of six. So as we were leavi...

On any given day, you can find: crumbs (okay, maybe an entire piece of) food on the floor by our kitchen table. a Lego in every room of our home. daddy hiding doing a Sudoku puzzle. mommy waiting for daddy to come out of hiding so she can grab her book and hide. baby dolls and stuffed animals snuggled into make shift beds with their bottles. mommy with one slipper on and asking Blake where the other is. piles-to go to the basement, church, recycling center, a friend who might be able to use it, the library....you get the idea! dancing. a blanket on the couch. dirty dishes in the sink and spilled out onto the counter. a desk piled high of ideas! Toby Mac CD blaring. Blake closing opened drawers or cabinets after she fishes something out of them. well worn AWANA books. debt countdown cards. wrestling with daddy. Matchbox/Hot Wheels cars on the floor and couch. laundry! Mom at the computer typing away and seeing how truly blessed she is!

Last week, we had a nice heavy rain. Mark had taken the big kids to PE class with him giving me time at home alone with a napping baby. When the gang returned home, the fellas came in but not our Little Miss Sunshine. You see the large amount of rain had flooded our driveway with probably 100 worms. Miss Lydia was out on the driveway, picking up one worm at a time and returning them to the soil. Sometimes there seems so much that needs to be taken care of. It can be overwhelming! Lydia did not look at what she could not accomplish, but looked at what she COULD accomplish-one little worm at a time.

We have lived in 2 states and I have heard it said in both places, "If you don't like the weather, stick around, it'll change." When we had warmer days this winter, the kids and I would head outside. I would hear people talking about the crazy weather but I have noticed it is exactly what we need! We need exercise, fresh air, and the great vitamins the sun gives us. Many of us need sunlight for our mental health. Call it "crazy weather" but I say it is just what the Great Physician prescribed! Today was another helping of just what the doctor ordered.