Monthly Archives: October 2008

October 31, 2008 · 6:00 am

Somebody needs to get his ears checked.


Remember this post?  A more recent conversation: 

Anna:  Mom, I want a Bratz doll on my birthday list.

Me:  No, Anna.  I don’t like Bratz dolls.

Anna:  Why?

Me:  They just don’t look like they have Jesus in them.  (Judgmental.   Pharasaical.  I know.  It’s all I could pull out on such short notice.)

After this conversation, Anna did what all children do when one parent says no.

Anna:  Dad, can I have a Bratz doll for my birthday?

Kris:  Sure, honey.

Upon hearing this discourse from the living room, I inquired:

Me:   Kris, what did Anna just ask you?

Kris:  She said she wanted a rat dog for her birthday, and I told her okay.

The fact that Anna wants a Bratz doll no longer concerns me  I’m now worried that her father would let her have a rat dog.

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October 30, 2008 · 6:00 am

And, I’m spent.


I’m not doing a very good job pacing myself lately.  And believe me, I like a good pace that includes enough time for Facebooking, General Hospital, and working out sitting on my sofa with a box of Cheez-its. 

I won’t bore you with my laundry list of items I’ve committed myself to. 

– Pre-School Committee Member

– School Auction Leader

– Donate this

– Donate that

– Weekly classroom help

– EWC

– Takle Management (a.k.a. Kris’ errand and project girl)

– Designing websites

– Expanding my cooking repertoire

– Mommy

-Wife

Seriously.  The list could go on. 

So, maybe I will bore you with my laundry list.

Don’t get me wrong.  I like doing all of these things.  I’m just not sure how to do them all well.

I am so overwhelmed with my to-do list that I am overwhelmed with forgetting my to-do list.

The real problem lies here…

I am void of passion in areas I am usually passionate about.  And, I have this performance issue that creeps up and bites me in the badonkadonk at times.  Not to mention not wanting to let people down.

That’s all I got.

I’m sure the spiritual insight has inspired you. 

I suppose I should have titled this post “Setting Boundaries.”  I just never took that dang “Boundaries” class.  Did you?

Are you good at setting boundaries?

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October 29, 2008 · 6:00 am

Confrontation


This is a tough one.  At some point in life, we are going to have to confront someone on something.  It’s never easy.  At least not for me.  Employers face confrontation often.  I’ve watched Kris address various situations with our pilots.  He’s pretty straight forward with them.  And, when the ball is put in my court, I’m more like “Oh, heyyyy.  You think maybe you could empty the coffee on the airplanes when your trip is over?  I know it’s a lot, but it would really help us out.” 

Kris is not so sugary.  Not.One.Bit.

I’ve had to teach my children, well, John Henry, how to use words to stand up for themselves.  I want them to feel empowered to guard their hearts.  When someone says or does hurtful things, I’ve told them to tell that person that they don’t like it when he or she does or says __________________. 

Anna does not struggle with confrontation.  She is like her daddy that way. 

Confrontation is not something we look forward to.  But, it is necessary.

How do you handle confrontation?
Have you talked to your children about confrontation?

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October 28, 2008 · 6:00 am

Rejoice My Peeps!


Today is the day the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24

I wish those were the first words out of my mouth every morning.  Instead of “why can’t I just make the coffee the night before like my mom?”  

As I was pulling into to Super Target today (that’s yesterday for you peeps), would you believe I quoted that scripture out loud?  Sure did.

Oh dear.  As I’m typing this I’m watching “Dancing With the Stars.”  Did you see them kicking it to Rob Bass’ “It Takes Two”?  I so used to be able to break it down like that.  Give me a little C&C Music Factory or  Young MC’s “Bust A Move,” and I had it.   I’ve got to get my groove back.  I’m just afraid that my groove is no longer cool.  This whole aging thing has its disadvantages.  What am I to do?  Wait until Anna is old enough to teach me the latest and greatest dance moves?  That’s just embarrassing. 

Oh, rejoice in the day.  Sorry.  That completely sidetracked me.  So, I said out loud, “Today is the day the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Our ability or willingness to rejoice is usually governed by our day meeting our expectations.  And, when we are let down, it’s hard to find our happy place and be glad in the day. 

Hopes can be deferred.  We may not see manifestations that we hope to see.  But, God is still on the throne.  Though you may be knocked down, you’re not out.  And, that is reason enough to rejoice. 

He has given us today.  It’s a gift. 

How do you rejoice in your day?

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October 27, 2008 · 6:20 am

My big fat weekend.


As if the splendor of HSM3 (that’s High School Musical 3 for all of those with children over 14) wasn’t enough, we took the weekend fun a step further and attended the Greek Festival. 

I’ve wanted to attend the festival every October that I have lived here.  This year, with the encouragement of my friend, Irene, the kids and I went.  Irene and I go to the same gym, except she actually looks like she goes.

As soon as we arrived, we seized the chance for these great photo ops.

Then, Anna had this beautiful Greek butterfly painted on her face.  Well, I don’t know that it was necessarily a Greek butterfly, but it was a Greek Festival.  So, one can only assume such.

I e-mailed this picture to Kris who is “working” in Vegas.  He asked me to explain his “daughter giving that pose.”

I just realized that when I squeezed working in between quotation marks above, it may have given off the impression that he is involved in a Vegas prostitution ring.  Not so.  He really is working.  It just seems that trying not to roll a seven is hardly work.

I purchased some Greek coffee from the festival’s store.  (Thanks, Kristen.)  It will be a little more labor-intensive to make since it’s not coffee-pot friendly.  You make it on the stove, and when it goes POOF, it’s ready.  At least, that’s what Irene told me.  I’ll keep you posted on that one.

And, this is why I am converting to the Greek Orthodox Church:

Not every day you see that in church.  Have a good Monday.

 

 

 

 

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October 24, 2008 · 6:00 am

The wardrobe saga continues.


Thirty-eight degrees outside.

And, this is what she put on.

“You’re going to freeze, Anna!  It’s very cold outside!”

“No, I won’t.  I’ll wear a jacket.”  She explained.

Glo-ree.

Watch your back and your over-sized shades, Rachel Zoe.  Anna Takle is hot on your trail.

 

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October 23, 2008 · 6:00 am

Doubting Dusty


“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16

I read this scripture yesterday.  I re-read it.  I read it again.  And again.  Just to make sure I believed it.

I really have no reason to not believe that God makes the rough places smooth.  That He never leaves us or forsakes us.  I’ve never experienced His abandonment in all my thirty-four years.

Still, I go through times where I have to say, “Lord, help me with my unbelief.” 

I stand.  I wait.  I trust.  Then, He takes too long. 

But, His timing is perfect.  And, in the meantime, when it seems the things around you are slowly crumbling, know that He holds all things together. 

So, when in doubt, read His word.  Re-read it.  Read it again.  And again.

He makes good on His promises.  And, He will never leave us.  As a matter of fact, He will never give up on us either.  I must wear Him out.

Except, He probably doesn’t get tired.  That IS scripture.  Right, Dad?

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October 22, 2008 · 6:00 am

I love my friends.


I got the best friends y’all.  Between my Facebookers, Myspacers, Twitterers, Bloggy Readers, E-mailers and Old-Fashioned Cell Phone Callers (since when is that one old-fashioned?), I had the biggest, bestest lovey birthday. 

It certainly wasn’t on account of my youngest.  Remember how I boasted on my favorite gifts yesterday?  Well, Miss Anna made sure I didn’t think the day was ALL ABOUT ME.  From the spanking correction before we left to go the mall to the “We’ve Arrived At The Mall Correction”, I knew it was not gonna be a pleasant “lunch date.” 

Nothing like carrying 33 pounds in a mall listening to background music that went something like this.

“I don’t want a spanking!  I don’t want a spanking!”

And, you know at this point, you have to evaluate the entire discipline situation.  One, the mall restrooms are never right around the corner.  And B, you just think it might be best to say, “If you stop yelling, I won’t spank you!”   I tried B but was forced to find that restroom.

The Lord liveth.

Back to me lovin’ my friends.

For real, y’all.  I am blessed.  Whoever findeth a friend findeth a good thing.  Is that scripture? I think so.  I can’t remember, and I’m too lazy to look it up right now. 

Nevertheless, God has placed within each of us a need for each other.  He never intended for us to do life alone.  A big part of His relationship with us is through one another. 

I love that.

I believe that.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 says “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, two can stand back-to-back and conquer.  Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

My braided cord is strong.  We can’t do life well without each other. 

I need you.  You are one of my favorite gifts, too. 

Thank you for being a friend. Travel down the road and back again.  Your heart is true.  You’re a pal and a confidant.  (Feel free to use that one.)

Can you imagine life without friendship?

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October 21, 2008 · 6:00 am

Today is kind of a big deal.


Today is my birthday.  And, well.  That’s kind of a big deal.  I’m not like all into myself or anything.  It’s just my favorite day of the year. 

Oh, Dusty.  You mean you enjoy it more than your own child’s birthday?  Of course, I do.  It’s MY birthday.  It’s apparently not that big of a deal to some other people.  I won’t go to namin’ names.  But, Kris has just been a little preoccupied lately.  And, to think his preoccupation has been around my entry into this world would lead me to one big letdown.  I’m not bitter or anything.  I just keep reminding him that my birthday is kind of a big deal.

Last night, I asked him if he wanted to do a guest blog and describe 34 things he loves about me.  (I’ve seen it done by some other bloggy husbands.)  Anyhoo, he was like, “I’ll do it after my meeting tomorrow morning.” 

As if my OCD would EVER let me post a blog that late in the day. 

N.E.V.E.R.M.I.N.D.  I said in the most understanding wifey voice. 

Later in the evening, he decided he needed to make a run to pick up some ink cartridges.  Uh huh.  I bet you are. 

You can bet he did.  Pick up ink cartridges, that is.

Not to worry.  I have no problemo going to buy my own birthday present. 

Truth be told.  Here are a few of my favorite gifts.

Getting aluminum up to two-five-o is kind of a big deal.  I have my own private pilot.  And an even better husband and dad.

Seriously.  Be still my heart.  And to think.  He lives down the hall from me. 

 

To never be short on pure joy?  Well, that’s a really big deal.

There you have it.  My three favorite gifts (and a few of my vacation pictures.) 

Happy Birthday to me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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October 20, 2008 · 6:00 am

Back to life. Back to reality.


Family vacation was oh so nice.  I usually leave the beach with aspirations to one day live there.  But then, I question.  Would I value that wonderment of God’s creation if I soaked it in every single day?  Or would it, like so many blessings in my life, be taken for granted?  Probably the latter.  Unfortunately. 

The comings and goings of vacations are similar to life.  In life, we experience good times and bad.  Scripture tells us that in this life, you will have trouble.  But, it’s in our trouble, in our pain, that God reveals a little more of Who He is.  And, as a result, we are better for it.  If not better for going through the trial in itself, but who we learn that God is in that trial.  When we choose to endure hard times God’s way, He makes Himself known in ways that we could not imagine.  It could be seeing God’s provision during a financially difficult time.  A friend calling you when you are feeling indescribably lonely.  Losing a child and waking up the next morning wondering how you are even breathing. 

I will never, ever forget sitting in my house on Sweetbriar Lane with my eight week old baby boy.  John Henry was asleep.  I was sitting in my living room chair sobbing.  I was lonely.  The despair I was feeling hurt so deeply.  I heard a knock at the door.  It was my friend, Stacey.  I yelled for her to come in.  She did.  And, she saw a young, single mother cradled up in a chair with tears soaking her shirt.  What does Jesus look like?  He looked a lot like Stacey Beheler that night.  She dropped in to give me some things for John Henry.  But, God used her to give me much more that night. 

The Bible says that His grace is sufficient.  A mother who has lost a child has a greater measure of grace than one who has not.  God gives his grace as we need it.  And, He measures it exactly right.

I don’t invite tough times.  But, I also know that without them, we take for granted the good.  During those times, we see and feel the love of God like no other time.  And, it forever changes who we are. 

I would like to be back in a beach chair with my toes in the sand.  I’m not.  But, when I am again, it will be oh so nice. 

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

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