Taking Time

Beautiful weather screaming to be enjoyed.

The piles of papers/bills/catalogs/magazines on the table can wait.
The clean dishes in the dishwasher begging to be put away... I think they've been in there for 3 days now... they can wait.
The toys scattered from here to there... pretty much everywhere... they can wait.

There are too many things - good things, great things, meaningful things - things that seem to be few and far between lately... things that were calling his name.

The beatiful light streaming through the trees.
The new markers and infatuation with drawing rainbows.
The trampoline piled high with pillows to jump on.
The enormous amount of leaves we now get to enjoy.

Why can't there be more times like this to enjoy the "great" things in life?

Maybe there is the time - it's probably been there all along... I just need to make sure I actually take the time before it's gone.

(not the best video... but my future photographer in the making) :)

Being "Human"

Stepping back into the full-time working mom~farmer/rancher wife mode has been interesting.
I'm learning a lot about myself.
I'm seeing things from a different view.
I'm smiling & appear to be doing "great" to the world around me, but am struggling with my attitude inside - especially at home.
I'm tired.
I'm searching for ways to be more efficient.
I'm human.

My habits aren't all they're cracked up to be.
The organizational skills I once had mastered are now fuzzy and jumbled.
I am still a professional multi-tasker & probably always will be.
I don't react in positive ways as often as I want to.
I expect perfectionism from my husband and children, but need to look in the mirror.
I'm a great friend to a lot of people, but still question who I really am.
I'm human.

I'm sitting here tonight - having some quiet time to reflect and think about me.
...and I can't help but wonder: What God is seeing when He looks at me?
Is He seeing what I'm seeing?
Is He wishing that he was seeing something else?
Is He watching me roll my eyes ?
Is He hearing the frustration in my voice?
Is He crying with me, for me, or because of me?
Is He hoping for more time with me?

My book of Lists to Live By is open yet once again.
My Max Lucado books are stacked about 2 feet high on the table next to me.
My Message Bible is open to James.
My heart is heavy, but I know that God is at work.

I have two lists to share with you. As I read them, I stopped... & pondered... & prayed... & re-read them at least 5 times.
These lists contain things I "know."
These lists contain things I do (sometimes).
These lists are now taped to my bathroom mirror.

TO BE A GOOD FRIEND
1. Smile often; laugh aloud now and then; giggle even.
2. Become aware of several things that you especially enjoy. Watch for others who enjoy those same things.
3. Identify an acquaintance who has a need you can supply. Offer yourself.
4. Learn to enjoy being alone with yourself. Identify what elements of living enrich your life. Incorporate them in your daily routines. If you are happy being with you, it's likely others will enjoy your company too!
5. Forget what you give, and remember what you receive.
6. Be the one who is there doing when others are asking "Is there anything I can do?"
7. Listen - even in the silence.
(from "Friends Through Thick & Thin")

WATCH WHAT YOU SAY
1. Never tell jokes that slander.
2. Never criticize in public unless you: have already expressed your disappointment with the other person in private, have already taken someone with you to discuss the grievance with the person, and are absolutely convinced that public reprimand is necessary and will be helpful.
3. Never say anything about anyone in their absence that you wouldn't say in their presence.
(from Max Lucado - "God Came Near")


Both lists are powerful.
Both lists are worthy of being followed.
Both lists convicted me.
Both lists reminded me of the person I need to strive to be... ALL the time.
Both lists are the desire of my heart.
Both lists are affirmations that I AM HUMAN and that I need to remind myself time and time again of these simple words:

~ Treat others the way you want to be treated.
~ Say things that you would want others to say.
~ Act in a way that is a reflection of God at work in you.
~ If it doesn't feel right - don't do it, don't say it, don't even think it.

I said some things this week I shouldn't have said.
I let frustrations take over.
I let things get to me & didn't want to let them go.
I thought I knew best when I really didn't.
I was human.

and now... as a NEW week begins, I'm going to do my very best to focus on, pray for, and radiate these things:

It's best to listen much, speak little. James 1:19 TLB

"The humble heart honors others." (Max)

"Try to treat people the way you want God to treat you." (Max)

The Beach

Where has the time gone?
When did my baby become a little boy?
Wasn't it just yesterday we were enjoying your first trip to the beach?

That first trip to the beach was amazing.
The weather was beautiful.
The beach was ours.
The magic & excitement was captured.

I'm so thankful that I have these pictures to remember the sparkle, the magic, the joy that radiated across the beach that day.
Those eyes - those beautiful, mischievous, captivating eyes - they melt my heart.
I love you sweet Mason - and I pray that you always, always, always have a love for the beach.
The sand.
The water.
The wind blowing in your face.
The smell of the salty air.
The waves crashing against the shore.
The dune grass blowing softly in the breeze.
The things that God has created, that we are so very fortunate to get to enjoy.

This "Mason & Mommy Memory" has been brought to you by The Pelican Pub, Pacific City, Oregon.

Two

Two beautiful afternoons.
Two trips to the pumpkin patch.
Two cans of Squirt.
Two smiling grandparents.
Two hayrides.
Two happy boys.
Two x two = 4 pumpkins on the porch.

The Lukes

So blessed by this family.
So thankful for their generous spirit, their kind hearts, and their amazing talent.

The time we spend with them is always treasured.
The efforts they put forth to make our life easier has always been admired.
The friendship we've built over the past several years is priceless.

They've captured us at our best - and we can't thank them enough!
Blessings to you Jason, Robert & Billie~
May the effort you make to bless others continue to be what sets you apart and makes you shine!

Check out their awesome talent here : Lukes

Take Mack Out of the Bathtub...

Take Mack out of the suds.
He's been here soaking since half past two
He feels all sudsy and wrinkly too
Oh, he's washed all over his body
His head, his toes in between
He used one, two, three bars of soap
Take him out - he's clean!!

Thank you Mor-Mor for singing this sweet little tune!

Mack's Weekend

It's not very often - especially since going back to work - that I have much time with just Mack.
It almost doesn't seem fair that the children that arrive after the first rarely get that one-on-one time with their parents that the first one did, but I know God knew from the very beginning that the world would be a better place with 2nd, 3rd, and even 9th born children.

This weekend has been focused on Mack - and he has deserved EVERY minute of it!!
I loved pushing him through the mall on Friday evening, searching for a cute little outfit for his dedication today.
I loved watching him stare in awe at the huge lights in Costco as we made our way through the aisles.
I loved giving him a bath that wasn't rushed - twice.
I loved taking him to the Baby & Me tea that our church puts on... what a great opportunity to let others love on your baby while you get pampered!
I loved watching him giggle and coo as his cousins played with him Saturday night.
I loved carrying him to the front of the church this morning - with my husband by my side - and acknowledging that this precious gift we've been given is really not ours, but HIS... and that we are dedicating our lives to raise this beautiful boy in honor of Him.
What an amazing responsibility we as parents have been given!

and so... Mack... may you know that you are loved, you are cherished, and that you sweet, sweet boy - you are a gift that we are blessed to call ours.
Grow strong beautiful boy.
Grow to love Jesus.
Grow to see that you make a difference - in all of our lives.
Grow, grow, grow - and bloom wherever you are planted!

My Last Day With You

Sometimes I wonder just what I would do
If I found out today was my last day with you
When you pull me from bed before the first morning light
Would I groan "Go away, it's the middle of the night
Or would I toss back the covers, and when my feet hit the floor
Say, "Hey it's a new day - let's go explore."

When you want so badly to do it yourself
But somehow it slips through your hands from the shelf
Rather than scold would it take you by surprise
If I said "I did that too when I was your size?"

When laundry and dishes are piling sky high
Would I see you as a nuisance to be pushed aside?
Or would I find a kind way to tell you the truth:
"There are some things each day that we don't like to do
but I'd much rather out swinging with you."

I wonder at night when I tuck you in bed
With the weight of the day pressing in my head
If you were to plead "Just one story more?"
Would I say "No, that's it" and then close the door?
Would I sigh with relief that your day was now through
If this really were my last day with you?

or...

Would I pause in the hallway just outside your door
and know that I just had to see you once more?
And as you lay sleeping I would lay by your side
And take your small hand gently in mine.
With tears I would pray you knew how much I cared
And thank the dear Lord for the time that we'd shared...

I wish I could say this was all just pretend
But I really must tell you the truth in the end...
My child it breaks my heart, but it's true
Today really was my last day with you.

My last day to know you just as you were
So joyful, precocious, so childlike... so pure.
For tomorrow you won't be the same as today
In each passing moment we change in some way.

And though day to day the changes seem few
Just look at me now, I was once small as you.
There's no turning back on words spoken each day
So I think that I'd like to change in this way
I pray that we might start life anew
And today I will cherish my last day with you.

~ Renee Riva