John Henry overheard me say, “When I was married to Bryan” to my mom. The rest went something like this.
John Henry: “You weren’t married to Daddy Bryan! You’re married to Daddy Kris!”
Me: “I was married to your Daddy Bryan.”
John Henry: “No, you weren’t.”
Me: “Yes, I was. For five years! That’s how you came along.”
John Henry: (Laughing with disbelief) No you weren’t.
Me: (Laughing, too) Okay.
Another day.
Good times.
Filed under divorce, Kid Stuff, Randomness
We’re not busy one single bit during the holiday season. Right. We do tend to make our rounds, but I love making those rounds.
Christmas morning, two little heads peeped in to see what the fat man in a red suit delivered. Santa was unprepared Christmas Eve for the ten million stickers and parts that made the Barbie Party Cruise possible. He, or SHE rather, was exhausted by the time she made her way back up the chimney.
Oh, how I love those sleepy faces on Christmas morning.
We enjoyed lunch with Bryan’s family {John Henry’s dad}. We like to say that we put the FUN into dysfunctional. Except, we don’t call it dysfunctional. Just our normal. And, we like our normal.
Above is Bryan’s dad. Look at sweet Paw-Paw lovin’ on both my children.
I am asked so often how we do what we do. In other words, how our blended family dines together, laughs together, does life together. Simplest answer?
LOVE.
Our Christmas. Well, it was special. And yours?
This little man, dear friends.
Has quite the heart. And, sometimes, he amazes me with the bits of wisdom that oozes out of his little spirit. He must get it from his momma. Or his daddy. Or his other daddy.
At the dinner table, John Henry asked, “It’s Jesus’ birthday. We have to get Him a present. But, He has everything. What do we get Him?”
I responded, prepared to give him Mommy’s wisdom, “Do you know what Jesus wants more than anything?”
And, before I could answer my own question, John Henry said, “He wants our heart.”
I was going to answer with “love one another.” He answered with the greatest commandment.
Our heart is where our treasure is. It’s where we invest the most time and energy. It’s where our first dollar goes. It’s in our daily routine.
There are times I am quite certain that Jesus has my whole heart. Other times, I give Him just a wee bit, because I’m busy with less important things like my recent Twilight Saga addiction. Which, of course, has been a catalyst for me asking Kris various questions about vampires, and Kris responding with “You do know that vampires aren’t real.” Then, me assuring Kris that if he were a vampire, I would want him to bite me so we could be together forever.
It’s all very sick. I love it.
Back to you, God.
But, He wants my whole heart.
More than anything.
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:37-38
Our children take turns saying the prayer before we dive into some, I’m sure, delicious meal I’ve prepared. John Henry not only blesses the food, but he also blesses every ailing person he knows and doesn’t know. He threw me off Wednesday night when he added this:
“And, I bless that God and Jesus have a good day today in Heaven.”
I feel purr-ty certain they did.
What funny things have your kiddos prayed for?
Today’s FAVORITE is a favorite kid story. Seriously, Kim. Just one? There is no doubt that in this adventure called parenting, dull moments are rare. And, really you all hear a big-sized portion of my children and their shenanigans. From John Henry peeing on our dog to Anna’s unending artistic expressions, it’s hard to pick just one. So, I thought I’d share an outrageous kid story and the links we went to for Moosie and Mimi.
Bloggy World, meet Moosie.
And, Mimi.
John Henry’s Swedish Uncle Olov gave him Moosie when he was ten months old. Mimi was a gift at a baby shower when I was prego with him. He hasn’t parted with either since. These are what we in parenting land refer to as his “lovies.” Bedtime is not complete without either one. They have traveled near and far with us. And, we neveh EVAH check them in, ‘cause that’s one bag that we just can’t afford to lose.
So on one trip to Cabo San Lucas, Moosie and Mimi were M.I.A. We left our car at the Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City. We did the usual TSA check which is always an adventure with children. Because, if Anna isn’t pulling her pants down to walk through the metal detector, then John Henry is up to his own covert operations trying to smuggle in Hot Wheels.
Once we boarded the plane, I took my seat. Then, it happened.
“Where are Moosie and Mimi?” I asked.
“I lost them.” John Henry told me with the saddest looking blue eyes I’ve ever seen.
I rushed up to the head flight attendant and told her my story. A mother herself, she understood my dilemma. At this point, even the Captain was involved. Next thing I hear is the Captain alerting a TSA agent asking if Moosie or Mimi were there. That’s right. He called them by name.
No Moosie or Mimi.
I called Falon, who cared for our kiddos, and asked her if she could drive to Will Rogers and search our Tahoe. Falon, knowing how vital these two bedtime lovies were headed straight for the airport. God bless Falon Barnes Yost. And, then, our plane took off for our connection in Dallas.
In Dallas, Falon informed that Moosie and Mimi were indeed safe and sound in her loving arms. She over-nighted them to my mother in GA, who in turn gave them to Kris’ dad who would be meeting us in Cabo. Whew.
The great Dr. Takle later gave us the “attachment” lecture. We just smiled and nodded. We didn’t really care at this point. Moosie and Mimi were enjoying Piña Coladas with the rest of us south of the border.
And, that’s all that mattered.
What’s your favorite kid story?
Filed under Favorite Things, Kid Stuff, parenting
Sunday was a reasonably productive day. We accomplished many household items that have been awaiting our attention for quite some time. Most of you know the effort it takes to achieve these self-inflicted projects while simultaneously insuring that the little people are occupied. Not so much an issue for little person number one.
But, you know little person number two.
You KNOW little person number two.
Kris thought Anna would best be suited for coloring in our bed while catching some flicks on Noggin. Daddy gave her the supply box.
And, later that evening, Kris discovered her creation.
Oh, I’m sorry. Can’t make out what this is?
Look again.
That would be what’s left of our comforter on our bed.
Kris called me into to see what our artist had crafted. And, suddenly I was ready to chase the Grey Goose instead of the Wild Goose, if you know what I mean. But, only for about a second. Or two.
You know what I did?
I laughed. {I can hardly believe it either.}
I couldn’t help myself. And, I certainly didn’t let Anna see or hear my reaction. Because, if she ever cuts my draperies I’ll be chasing more than Grey Goose.
I still love that girl just as much with my shredded bedding as I did before her encounter with a pair of scissors. The same way our heavenly Father loves us when we shred something He has given us or entrusted us with. He knows we are going to make a mess of things. Again. And, again. But, He keeps on loving us. He keeps on extending mercy. And, He continues to wait with arms wide open for us to run to Him and tell Him how sorry we are. Not because He needs to hear it or because He wants to see our shame. But, because He wants – He longs – to show us His unfailing love.
Later that evening I opened my arms wide to a broken-hearted little girl. And, I made sure she felt my love. I feel certain she did.
But seriously, have you ever seen such craziness?
For real.
Filed under God Stuff, Kid Stuff, Love, Motherhood
That’s right. Today is little Miss Takle’s 4th birthday. It seems just like yesterday she was tearing up the runway with this look:
And, if you look really close….closer….closer. Right there. You got it. You’ll see a little pink pacifier on the counter, or “boppy” as we called it. Kind of makes me tear up. Who am I kidding? A year of the two’s re-do? I’m just fine, thank you.
Then, there is my favorite one.
I mean, puh-leese. Does it get any cuter?
Although she doesn’t know it, Anna takes a lot of heat on mommy’s blog. From her crimes of fashion to the disclosure of family tales, her life is on display for all thousand ten of my readers.
So, on Banana Boat’s birthday, I thought it appropriate to share four reasons why I love this pumpkin pie so much.
1. She is stubborn persistent.
2. She is ONE.SMART.COOKIE. Sight words at 3? Easy fa sheezy.
3. FUN-NEE. She makes me laugh until I cry. Or almost pee in my pants. Wait a minute, is that just because I’m getting old?
And, number 4.
She turns my face to hers with her sweet little hands and tells me she loves me.
Happy Birthday Anna Marie Takle. You make life oh so fun.
Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood
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.
Filed under Kid Stuff
As I was putting John Henry to bed, I asked him what he was most excited about for vacation at the beach.
“I’m just gonna lay on my towel, practice my reading, and reeee-lax,” he said.
I’ll be sure he gets a good foot rub, too. You know, it’s hard out there for a Kindergartener.
I’ll be taking a bloggy break for the rest of the week as we head south for some much needed relaxation. A big shout out to Papa Joe and Linda (Mimi to my children) for the family invite.
I’ll be back next Monday.
With stories. I’m sure of it.
I’m taking “The Shack” and “In the Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day” with me.
What are you reading? Any book recommendations?
Love ya. Mean it.
wife, mother, pastor, writer
DustyTakle.com 
