Category Archives: Kid Stuff

October 5, 2009 · 6:00 am

Wish I Had A Clever Title For This Post.

I asked Kris last night if he’d guest blog today.  His creative juices were just all dried up after slaving in the kitchen all day.  Seriously.  All. Day.  He cooked lunch and dinner, and he made another batch of these sinful pastries in between:

Cinnamon rolls wp

Sorry ladies, he’s taken. 

Sooo, ya got me today.  Surprised?  I thought not.  It is my blog. 

Our weekend consisted of soccer games, church, cinnamon roll consumption, and lounging in PJ’s all day on Sunday.  Anna head-butted the same boy for a third time during her game.  Kris politely suggested to her coach that he not put the two of them on the field at the same time.  Kris also seems to think Anna isn’t getting enough play time on the field.  (Which, I’m pretty sure she’s getting equal time to her other teammates, but Kris lives in Daddyville.)  He expressed this to her coach as well.  “She is little domineering and intense on the field,” her coach responded.

Domineering?  My four year old?

Whatev’.

In better news, Anna has been wearing undies to school every day.  And, that’s somethin’, right?  We’ve also recovered from her using her “hitting hands” at school.  Oh, wait.  Did I fail to share that one?  Her teacher called a couple of weeks ago to inform us Anna was using her “hitting hands.” 

“Anna, who are you hitting at school?”  I asked her.

After naming one boy, she concludes with “And a bunch of other people.  I don’t know their names.”

Nice.

Kris and I did the appropriate sit down, talk it out, and work it out with her on the issue of “hitting hands.”  We are pleased to announce the Spirit has set her free. 

So far.

That’s our weekend and Anna Takle update.

Now to you!

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September 28, 2009 · 6:00 am

Our Weekend In Pictures.

I’m officially the mother of a seven year old.

JH - 7yo wp

Er, soccer is back.

Anna - weekend wp

Daddy Bryan came out to celebrate.

Bryan - JH weekend wp

So did Nan.

Mom - weekend wp

My husband rocks. 

Kris - JH weekend wp

But, he rocks every weekend.

And, this is what 15 ½ weeks looks like.

Pregnant 15 wks wp

Well, it’s what it looks like on me. 

Let’s be honest.  There are probably a few of Kris’ homemade cinnamon rolls in that picture, too. 

It was a fun weekend filled with a ton of love.  I am thankful for a Nan is who continues to be a great mom.  I am thankful for a daughter who lets her fun personality show in her pictures.  I am thankful for a son who makes my heart melt.  And, I’m thankful for two dads who love that one son so much that they even enjoy one another.

Oh, and I’m thankful for the littlest Takle.

That’s my weekend.

How was yours?

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September 24, 2009 · 6:00 am

What Does He See?

Every once and awhile, he commandeers my camera.  When I upload my pics, I’m sure to find one like this:

JH - 7yo blog

And this:

JH 7yo blog 2

I don’t dare delete them.  Not even the random pictures of a plant on my end table.  It gives me a peek into what captures his attention.  I’m sure he goes back and observes his photography on my digital camera.  And, I’m sure he sees his self-portraits. 

I wonder what he sees when he sees himself.

Does he notice how beautiful his eyes are?

How his gentle spirit emanates from him every time he smiles?

Does he see God’s grace in his reflection even though he doesn’t know what to call it?

Does he see how he was perfectly and wonderfully made?

Because, that’s what I sure see every time I look at him. 

That’s what I saw seven years ago today when I held him in my arms for the very first time.  He is my sweet reminder of God’s incredible presence in my life in the midst of joy and suffering.  He is my sweet reminder that no matter what season I am forced to endure, God’s grace is always sufficient.

Happy Birthday, John Henry. 

Love, love, love you.

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September 21, 2009 · 6:00 am

Time To Lock Up The Scissors Again.

Wow.  God is really birthing more in me than just a baby right now.  Just as this tot is growing by the day, I really feel that God is working some really cool things inside me.  Oh how I wish I could disclose all that incredible stuff right now, but, quite frankly, I haven’t the energy.  Not today.  Yes, it takes more energy to share from the deepest parts of me than it does to show you pictures like this.

Barbie horse

Anna loves to role play with her Barbies and their horses.  Of course, it IS her game, and she tells me exactly what my Barbie character should say when I play with her.  Her storyline began to concern me when she suggested that the Barbies pretend their parents were dead.

“Uh, Anna, I don’t like that story.  We’re not playing that,” I told her.

“Well, then.  Their parents are invisible,” she compromised.

I wasn’t certain where this thought pattern was coming from, but I ceded and let her live in Annaville.

We continued to play when I noticed she had gotten creative with the scissors again.  Notice the horse’s mane.  Or lack of mane.

Then, I saw noticed where she had cut one of the Barbie’s bangs.  This just settled the age old question within me of “should I cut bangs or not?” 

Um, not.

To be honest, I don’t LOVE playing Barbies.  Especially, when my Barbie never says the “right things.”  My four year old reminds me it is her game, and subsequently tells me everysingleword to say. 

But, I play anyway. 

I’m hoping that if I play with her now, she’ll come to me later. 

I have to deposit, deposit, deposit into my children.  I’m sure to make a withdrawal down the road and have to say “I was wrong.”  So, I need to invest as much as I can.

So, I become a safe place for her.

To come to me for anything.

And, with anything.

Know what I mean?

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go talk to my invisible parents.

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September 18, 2009 · 6:00 am

A Blast From The Past.

JH - airport chaos

Above are the items I retrieved from John Henry’s shorts pockets while going through airport security almost two years ago.  I recommend checking children’s pockets before walking through the metal detector.  This was the same trip where Anna, only moments before, pulled her pants down while walking through.  For no apparent reason. 

Because, she needs no reason.

So friends, you’ve been warned.

Have a great weekend and may your team win.

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September 11, 2009 · 6:00 am

Somebody, Please Pass The Geritol.

Earrrrlllly yesterday morning, we had an ultrasound of baby numba three.  I have somehow been labeled a geriatric pregnancy patient, thankyousokindly, so ultrasounds abound galore.  The littlest Takle thought it fun to kick off of my uterus over and over again.  He or she is an energetic one.  I don’t think we make them any other way. 

Which leads me to the 4 year old Takle.  Big brother, self-appointed sheriff of the family, alerted me yesterday that Anna is hitting his first grade friends in carpool.  I called the school to speak with Anna’s teacher who told me she is perfectly fine in her class (sans the panty-less day, of course.)  She did, however, tell me that Anna likes to tell her friends, “My name is _____________” and then fabricate a new name.  Her friends just cackle and call her by her new name.  Anna’s teacher requested she simply go by Anna. 

We instructed Anna on such, and to please, for all that is holy, stop hitting John Henry’s friends.  Or else.  She complied although she was highly disappointed that she could no longer be called “Miley” or “Melly.”

On a sweeter note, Anna completed an “All About Me” poster.  One item read “I am special because ____________________,” and she had to fill in the blank.  I expected a “because God made me” response.  Instead, she finished the sentenced:

“I’m special because my brother protects me.”

He’ll certainly sell her out on hitting his friends.  Because, what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong.  But he stands with a ready sword to keep her safe.  Well, with a blue light saber for sure. 

Man, I love those kids.  All three of ‘em.

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September 3, 2009 · 6:00 am

Phone Calls You’re Never Quite Prepared For.

Our lives are already so full, I can hardly imagine what life will look like when our third makes his or her debut.  The school year has started off well.  I mean, reasonably well.  John Henry’s teacher let me know that he is doing well, staying on task, and working hard.  Anna has been quick to tell me she is being a princess and “didn’t spit at any of my friends.”  Um, that’s good.

I did receive a phone call, however, from her teacher yesterday informing me that she arrived at school wearing no underwear under.her.dress.  Zilch.  Nada.  At first, I blamed her father, and I assured her it wouldn’t happen again.  It was fortunate (and a relief) to hear a laugh or three out of her teacher.  So, now our morning routines will look something like this:

Lunches – check.

Backpacks – check.

Teeth brushed – check.

Vitamins – check.

Underwear – check.

I can’t tell you how many times in my life I have dreamed of showing up at school without wearing underwear.  Mortified.  Not “unbothered” by it (to quote Anna’s teacher) like my four year old.  Of course, this dream was hardly as nightmarish as the time I dreamed the Incredible Hulk was chasing me in the church parking lot. 

For real.

Sometimes, I sit back and wonder how my mother felt at times raising a daughter.  Was she horrified when I used the display toilet at Cook’s department store in my hometown?  Was she embarrassed when she carried me out of church to spank me while I yelled to the congregation “PRAY!” and held onto the sanctuary doors for dear life?

I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say yes. 

Oh, the laws of reaping and sowing. 

“When you have children yourself, you begin to understand what you owe your parents.”  — Japanese Proverb

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August 27, 2009 · 8:13 am

Writing On A School Morning. What AM I Thinking?

Instead of pre-writing this post like I usually do.  I chose to wake up this morning with a clear head to write.  My clear head quickly became cloudy as I remembered I had to wake up school children, throw them in showers and baths, feed them, distribute vitamins, brush their teeth, and make Anna’s lunch.

Because, she insists on eating the same.thing.every.single.day.

I do hope she learns a little more about the Ark today.  When I noticed she studied this great Bible story yesterday at school, I inquired:

“I see you learned about the Ark today.  Who built the ark?”

Without delay, she replied, “I did.”

Well, of course.

So, in a mad dash now to get my two favorite little people to school on time and make it on time for a doctor’s appointment where I’ll hear my soon to be third favorite little person’s heartbeat….

I bid you all a wonderful Thursday.

How is your morning routine?  Relaxed?  Or mad?

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August 24, 2009 · 6:00 am

Our Real House.

Anna:  “Mom, this isn’t our real house.  Our real house is in heaven.”

I am still baffled as to why those words were uttered by my four year old.  It’s a topic yet to be discussed between the two of us.  And, to be honest, I didn’t seize the beautiful opportunity to elaborate on the subject any further than a simple, “Yes.  You’re right.”

So, I left it at that.

Two days passed, and I replayed her verbal observation in my head.  And, these scriptures came to mind:

19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.  20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.  21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.  Matthew 6:19-21

A good self check-up followed.  Am I investing more of my energy into my earthly, temporal home than I am into my “real house”? 

There are days I invest more generously into the Kingdom than my own material possessions.  Yet, there are days where I can become consumed with what makes Dusty happy.  And, I’m not just talking about money.  Although, finances are a big part of it.  I’m also referring to my time.  Time spent alone with my Father.  Time spent imparting Christ to my children.  Time spent serving the local church.  Time spent ministering to someone in need.  Time spent using my gifts for the Kingdom. 

I want to store up treasures in my real house.  Because, this temporal house is but a vapor. 

Isn’t it funny how God uses our children to speak to us?

Where are you storing your treasures?

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August 21, 2009 · 6:00 am

First Day For A First-Grader And A Princess.

First day school 1

First day of school. 

My first grader didn’t want me to walk him to his class.

But I did.

First day school 3

My pre-schooler didn’t want me to walk her to her class.

Whatev’.

First day school 2

She also requested that I braid half of her hair on one side of her head while the other side of her hair rests on her shoulders.

Not today.

Perhaps, tomorrow, Miss Banana. 

I had every intention in doing some deep cleaning and organization yesterday after dropping the kids off at school.  I made the mistake of sitting down to rest for a moment.

A moment that turned into a few or a hundred.

They both had a great first day.  Anna told me, “I didn’t do any bad stuff or say any bad words.”  She had documentation to prove it.  She smiled and gave me a certificate that announced, “Here Ye!  Here Ye!  The Royal Courts Declare Anna Takle was a Princess in Preschool Today!”

And, that, my friends, equals a successful day.

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