Monday, June 30, 2008

Little girls are sugar and spice and everything nice...


My Jasmine is just an amazing person. One minute she is goofy and silly, being a total spaz about some boy, or how wonderful mascara is, and the next minute she floors me with such a profound truth from God, I am humbled. She has such an easy understanding of who she is in Christ, and how to accept his grace and justice. I wish I could be more like Jasmine- so full of life, and love. Just a week ago, after being encouraged by Jasmine's words, I realized how awesome it is to know that no matter how many mistakes she will make in her life, her salvation and her future is secure- she has chosen Christ.
I have been worrying about her all day because she is currently sick with a flu, and it has just reminded me how much I really like her. I love her because she is my daughter, but I like her because of who she is. I can't imagine anyone not falling in love with her the minute they meet her, and I am not biased at all. :)

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Ask Calvin's dad

Calvin's dad answering questions, quoted from various Calvin and Hobbes books

Q. Why does the sky turn red as the sun sets?A. That's all the oxygen in the atmosphere catching fire.Q. Where does the sun go when it sets?A. The sun sets in the west. In Arizona actually, near Flagstaff. That's why the rocks there are so red.Q. Don't the people get burned up?A. No, the sun goes out as it sets. That's why it's dark at night.Q. Doesn't the sun crush the whole state as it lands?A. Ha ha, of course not. Hold a quarter up. See, the sun's just about the same size.Q. I thought I read that the sun was really big.A. You can't believe everything you read, I'm afraid.

Q. Why do my eyes shut when I sneeze?A. If your lids weren't closed, the force of the explosion would blow your eyeballs out and stretch the optic nerve, so your eyes would flop around and you'd have to point them with your hands to see anything.


Q. How do bank machines work?A. Well, let's say you want 25 dollars. You punch in the amount and behind the machine there's a guy with a printing press who makes the money and sticks it out this slot.
Q. What causes the wind?A. Trees sneezing.

Q. Why does ice float?A. Because it's cold. Ice wants to get warm, so it goes to the top of liquids to be nearer to the sun.

Q. How come you know so much?A. It's all in the book you get when you become a father.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Umbilical hernias...


I love that life is constantly reminding you how little you know, and how much more you could. I just love that. Such as today- I am taking my dad to an outpatient surgical procedure to repair a fairly large umbilical hernia that he states has been getting larger over the last year or so. Not so interesting you would think, lots of people have "outies", but in fact, as we age, these could become significant problems. When he first told me about it, I was interested, but as I starting reviewing some of my reference materials, and searching it on the internet, I was reminded of facts I had forgotten since nursing school, details I didn't know, and new technologies that have really advanced surgical procedures to the outpatient setting. Very cool, if you ask me. So- here is a little link for some general information about hernias (as 30 % of us will most likely have one someday because working out and strength training isn't a hobby of most Americans), and I encourage you to pick a topic you have always wondered about, and do a little research. From politics to gardening, there is a lot of stuff out there to learn!

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/MEDLINEPLUS/ency/article/000987.htm

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Unsure..


It is a frustrating feeling to be unsure. Unsure if your choices are good, if the direction you are headed is "right", or if you are even getting "warm". Some things in life I have no doubt about, that I love my family, that the God of the Universe is good and just, that there is a reason for our life, but the frustrating part is determining what God would have me do with all the minutes. The minutes of each day that roll by so fast, and yet count for so much. Our lives are so short here, so little time to glorify God, to encourage others to turn to Jesus, to let "my little light shine". I always joke that sleep is a disease, and if only I could find the cure, I might just have a chance at getting all the things done in a day that I put on my list each morning. What are the ones that matter to you, God? I look through your word, and I see the parts of your heart- that reaching out and touching people is your desire for us, but there are so many. And so much hurt. How would you have me choose where to be, and who to spend it with? Make it clear, my Lord. So someone as thick as me could understand it.

What a hunk...

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Great and noble tasks...


"I long to accomplish great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker." - Helen Keller

Amen, sister. Thanks for reminding me today that doing the dishes and hugging my kids is a great and noble task.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Your mama...


"Your mama" jokes- whoever made those up? I have been listening to my kids make jokes all morning, and they just keep getting more and more funny. Is that possible? I love that kids can tell great jokes without them getting raunchy. At least most kids! There are so many movies I would love to see, but the crude jokes ruin them. I know people like Will Farrell, Adam Sandler, etc could make hilarious movies, without getting gross, if they wanted to. Why won't they? I bet I can guess.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

I love the Northwest!



Hurray! I finally found the reason to live in the 'couv! Berries! Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, marionberries, boysenberries- every berry you can think of thrives here- and are just pleading with me to PICK them! And to EAT them! What a lovely time this morning, going to a berry patch with my good buddy, Karen, and my awesome kiddos- and reveling in the good treats from God. I am going to have to go again next weekend before work, and pick a few more before they are gone for the season. I will take all the congestion and sneezing for these wonderful growing "plants".

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Great things in little packages.


What a fun morning for us. Our little Iris had her first hoof trim, and she did wonderfully. It is so exciting to me to see a completely wild animal- which is what foals are- learning to be domesticated. Instead of freaking out, bucking, flipping herself over, she just stood quietly and patiently. Hurray for natural horsemanship!

Monday, June 16, 2008

Father's Day...(My dad's on the right!)


I have been pondering yesterday- this wonderful holiday called Father's Day, and wondering why we don't make it a bigger deal. I had the chance to go to lunch with my dad, and I must admit, I was so distracted by some other ugliness in our lives, that I didn't really take the time to celebrate my dad. I watched him eat his salad, talk with family, and I realized today how much I absolutely take him for granted. He's my dad, he's always been there, and I just assume he always will be. Nobody is perfect, and we all have our issues, but as I have been thinking about my dad, I can't help but smile and only remember all the things that make him fantastic. This man was born the second oldest of seven in a time of great upheaval in America, had a fairly difficult upbringing, drafted into the Vietnam war, has been in every war the US has participated in since Vietnam, he has raised three children, who were NOT what you would call pleasant wee-ones, loved a woman and stuck by her side through thick and thin for over 30 years, continues to work in sales after he is suppose to be retired, and lives and breathes for his children and grandchildren every day. I have never once thought if I needed something, my dad wouldn't find a way to make it happen. In fact, he is so amazing, so loving and generous, I avoid him when we are having trouble because he will take it upon himself to try and fix whatever the problem is- that is just the way he is. He is the most wonderful father in the world- and even though he was often flying missions, or working, when I was growing up, I never doubted that he loved me, and in fact, truly liked me as a person. That is a rare thing (if you knew me then, you would know why- I wouldn't say I was very easy to like sometimes hehehe). Which leads me to my concern- What to do about this neglect of his special day? Chose to celebrate my dad everyday? Buy him something? How do I express to a man of many talents, who never rests despite being weary, never forgets to give a hug, how do I remember to not take life's moments for granted? Thank you, Lord, for my Dad- thank you for picking him for me, and help me to honor my father as I should.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

So true...

If you can start the day without caffeine or pep pills,
If you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you time,
If you can overlook when people take things out on you when,
Through no fault of yours, something goes wrong,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can do all these things, ...
Then you are probably the family dog.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Chloe the Clever...

Well, got a call a little before 6 this morning asking if I could watch the "clever Chloe" because her little brother has croup. Mama has to head to the ER for some breathing treatments for him- more likely steroid injects. Poor Carson. Of course I said yes, and quickly thanked God that I was off today and able to do it. So here we sit, watching the movie,Robots, and I am stunned by the genius of little people. This Chloester knows what she wants and how she's gonna get it. Yet, her parents are training her so well, she is learning to "request" her desires, rather than demand them. The capacity that children have for learning is so awesome, I pray I can teach my kiddos to be life-long learners, there is so much good stuff out there! I want all of us to know about all of it! Have a good day, my friends- and hug a little person!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Test of blog email feature...

My favorite Arizona cowgirl...throw your ballet shoes down, grab your boots and blue jeans, and go rope that steer! Go Micayla! May 2008

First attempt...

Well, I haven't decided yet if this is my attempt to wash myself clean of the evil of myspace, or just a more interesting way to keep a journal. But regardless, it should be interesting for us... and hopefully for you. A couple of friends started doing blogs for their families, and I always loved looking at theirs, so I thought, why not do one for us? Plus- I love the convenience of technology, so hopefully you AZ buddies will use this to email us, and we can keep in touch even more. We haven't forgotten about you, I hope you haven't given up on us. We are coming back to visit soon- just waiting for it to hit 120 degrees....ahhhh.
Not a lot of time to chat tonight, as I need to figure out how to put my beautiful children's photos up for you all to see- but I must note that tonight was CYT's Spring Showcase and watching my two kiddos do their thing was absolutely amazing. Theatre was never something I was interested in or saw a use for, but watching Jordan and Jasmine get up in front of hundreds of people, and actually act, be funny, and be themselves is so wonderful. They both have learned a lot over the last year of acting, and I know it will translate somehow into the lives God has in store for them. They are hands down, the coolest kids I have ever been privileged enough to know. And I get to be their MOM. Thank you, JESUS!