Category Archives: Kid Stuff

February 22, 2010 · 6:00 am

It’s Girls’ Night Out.

Actually, it was Girls’ Day Out.  Y’all know I can’t stay out past 5:00 these days.  Momma gets tie-red.  Kris and I are trying to squeeze in some one on one time with our kiddos before their little brother gets here and consumes a lot of it.  So, Anna and I, well, Anna planned our Girls’ Day Out day.  And, John Henry and Kris had a Boys’ Afternoon Out.  I only have one picture of Kris and John Henry’s time together.  Boys just don’t take pictures like us girls do.

The boys went to Laser Quest to play laser tag, of course.  Kris came home quite enthused and insisted that he and I go back together after Jett is born.  Absolutely, that is the destination I was thinking.  It’s like we are constantly thinking the same thoughts.  Weird.

They left Laser Quest and picked up pizza to enjoy with an evening of Darth of Vader finally telling Luke, “I am your father!”  They had fun.  And, good conversation – the really added bonus of it all.

Anna knew exactly what our day should like from start to finish. 

Nothing begins a Girls’ Day Out quite like the short stack at Jimmy’s Egg.  We drive by Jimmy’s Egg daily.  And, daily I hear, “Momma, let’s go to Jimmy’s Egg!”  She got her wish.  Along with the next three hours spent at the Paint ‘N Station.

Yes.  THREE HOURS.  I had so much time on my hands, that I painted this little Easter platter using Anna’s handprint.  I’m hoping that once it’s fired, it’ll look a bit more presentable.  Anna could pick out ANYTHING in the store to paint.  Of all the options, she picked a sugar dish.  Because, every little girl dreams of having her own sugar dish.  I think I was so delirious from paint fumes or waiting THREE HOURS for her to finish that I just clearly forgot to take a picture of her finished product. 

We finished up at McDonald’s for ice cream.

It was not an unusually warm day in Oklahoma.  A tank top was just her attire of choice.  It was Girls’ Day, after all.

Kris and John Henry closed the weekend building John Henry’s Pinewood Derby car for Cub Scouts. 

Thank the good Lord Kris was around to help cut out this baby.  The only thing I can cut from a block of wood is…. 

Hmmm.  Well, I don’t think I can cut anything from a block of wood.

So, I’ll stick with pancakes, painting, and ice cream.  I am accomplished at eating.  That is for certain.

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February 15, 2010 · 6:00 am

Countdown to Jett Takle.

Thank heavens for mommas.  Mine was here for a few days to help me prepare for our baby boy’s arrival.  I’ve been motivated to get busy with his room.  However, my motivation had not exceeded calling a painter to paint his room. 

Here are a few pics of what we she accomplished:

I confiscated the biplane pic from our office.  Do you think Kris has noticed it missing yet?  I bet he does now.

As soon Jett arrives, we will fill this frame with a sweet little picture of him with his big bro and sis.  It’s low to the ground so he can see it….as are his hats.  Because, he is obviously going to be wondering where his hats are next month.

Of course, Anna Takle needed to make sure she was a part of the organizing process.  Or, at least, the photo ops.  What you don’t see in this picture is her third ponytail in the back.  And, don’t think I don’t have a picture of the back of her hair.  She insisted on it.

We are going to put a picture of Jett above his crib inscribed with a scripture.  I’ve been praying about that scripture, but I think I may have decided on one.  More to come later there.  And um, Jett will probably need to get here before I can complete that project. 

I’ll post more pics as soon as the room is completely finished.  Mom will probably be ready for a vacation when she gets back home today.  Between working hard on Jett’s room, doing my laundry, and entertaining John Henry and Anna, she insisted I rest.

I resisted every time for at least three seconds.  Then, she’d refill my water bottle, and I’d return to yelling loudly for Apolo Ohno. 

What would I ever do without her? 

I haven’t a clue. 

It’s been said that “a mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.” 

That is my mother.  I am blessed.  Very, very blessed.

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February 12, 2010 · 6:00 am

Her Ability To Make Me Laugh Is Often Redemptive.

I told her the brown leggings with the peach flowers looked hideous with her shirt.  She disagreed.  I told her to change pants.  She did.

Sort of.

So, when I picked her up from school, how in the name of all things Vogue, did she manage to have on the brown leggings again? 

Because, she wore them under the pants that won my stamp of approval. 

“Besides,” she said, “My teacher liked them.”

Any and all advice on raising a strong-willed little girl is appreciated.  As are prayers.  And boxes of chocolate.  And a vacation for two to the Caribbean. 

But, I do have hope.  You see, I was a very similar five-year old.  And, my mom still loves me today.

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February 5, 2010 · 6:00 am

Confessions Made Easy.

Confession is hard.  Especially when you’re five.  But, this time, I made it easy when I found old, dried grapes in our hallway coat closet.  Yes.  Grapes. 

Me:  Who put grapes in the closet?

John Henry:  It wasn’t me!

Me:  Anna?

Anna:  It wasn’t me!

Me:  Anna, just tell me now.  Did you put grapes in the closet?

Anna:  Hmmm.  Are you gonna be mad?

Me:  No.

Anna:  Am I gonna be in trouble?

Me:  (Smiling) No.

Anna:  Okayyy.  It was me.

I didn’t even want to know why.

Sometimes, our kids just need a break.  They need, well, the unmerited favor of their mom and dad, too. 

So, she got it. 

Do you need to show a little more mercy sometimes?

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February 1, 2010 · 6:00 am

Ice Storm Turns Snow Storm Turns I’m Not Sure What.

Well, it’s not like we weren’t warned or anything.  The great Oklahoma weather people told us an ice storm was a comin’ followed by a whole bunch of snow.  Kris headed out early Thursday morning to buy a generator.  It went unneeded.   But, we were ready.  Yes. We. Were.

See?  We had all of the Winter Storm One-Oh survival essentials.

Kids had a blast.  Of course.

Brew joined in on the fun, too. 

So did Dad.

Who built a fire.

That kept me outside an extra minute and a half.

By day three, we were getting creative with our indoor activities.

And, today?  My kitchen still looks like this.

We all really enjoyed being snowed in.  However, I’ve determined three days are plenty.  Four begins to push the limits.  Or, perhaps, just the limits of a girl growing a person.  But, the occasional forcing of a family to slow down is not a bad thing.

It reminds me how much I love my family.

 I love hearing my kids play together.  I love hearing Kris tell them to stop running in the house and Anna respond, “But, can we jog?”  I love hearing John Henry say something just to make me laugh and for no other reason. 

I love it that my husband buys a generator just in case.  I love it that he builds a fire anyway.  I love it that he takes such good care of us. 

And, I know that as much as my children’s earthly father takes care of them, they serve a heavenly Father who does so much more. 

Hard to imagine really.

But, I know it to be true.

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19

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January 27, 2010 · 6:00 am

Before You Were Born.

I really do need to be still.  And, apparently quiet.  I’m sure if you asked my husband and children, they’d bear witness.  Take last Thursday morning, for example.  I was certain my two children were hiding from me, and it was time to go to school.  I turned into Monster Mom and threw out a warning or three.  Kris immediately turned to me and pointed towards our family room. 

“They are sitting on the sofa,” he said softly. 

“Ohhhhh,” I replied lacking all ability to redeem to myself.

I then heard my husband tell the children, “Come on kids.  Let me take you to school where it’s safe.”

Hence, my theory that they would appreciate some stillness with a little quiet on top.  But, the unpredictable mood swings will all be a distant memory before we know it, yes?  We have finally begun to get ready for the arrival of Jett.  That’s his name, by the way.  We are in the process of turning our guest room into Jett’s nursery.  My other two little people refer to the guest room as “Nan’s room.”  Anna has thought it unfair that Jett gets Nan’s room.  Last night, she locked the guest bathroom door.  When, we questioned her about it, she said, “I don’t want Jett to come out and mess with Nan’s stuff.”

It’s a whirlwind here, folks.  But, it’s a good whirlwind.

Because, God is right in the middle of it. 

I’m growing this awesome baby boy. 

Who is going to bring so much joy to this family.

My prayer is that he knows how excited we are to meet him.  How much we love him.  And, more than anything else, how much his heavenly Father loves him…..Who already met him long ago.

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.  Before you were born, I set you apart…. Jeremiah 1:5

You see?  There are no accidents.  Because, God knew YOU before YOU were born, too.

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January 26, 2010 · 6:00 am

It’s Hard To Be Still. Anna Gets It Honest.

We lost internet yesterday for a whole twelve hours.  TWELVE.  I know.  It’s amazing we endured as well as we did.  Anyhoo, it was a good weekend, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t add a bit stressful.  Without delving into the details, I just flat out needed to feel the presence of God.  We all know with our heads that in difficult situations God will provide and direct us.  But, we, well, I, can easily become impatient and demand that I see the next chess move immediately.  What comes next?  Where do we go from here?  Do I do this?  Or, do I do that? 

I tend to share my “stuff” with my mom.  Mom prayed that God would give me some sort of wink over the weekend as a reminder of His presence….His providence.  When I woke up Sunday morning, John Henry came into my room with a plate of toast smothered with strawberry preserves.  He said, “I want to take care of you this morning.”  Anna followed suit with a bowl full of Wheat Thins. 

Um, I told her I save those for lunch. 

When I told Mom about the thoughtfulness of her grandchildren, she reminded me, “Out of the mouth of babes…..  God will take care of you.  Rest in His Word and His Promise.”

We went on to church and I heard a song I’ve heard a hundred times before.  It’s MercyMe’s Word of God Speak.  But, this time, I let the lyrics minister to me.  I thought they might minister to you, too. 

I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it’s okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say

Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You’re in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I’m finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice

I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it’s okay

Sometimes, when we are in a place of waiting and trusting, we just need to be still.  We need to trust in His Word.  We need to put it in the God box.  And, we need to rest in the arms of our Father who loves us more than we can comprehend.

Be still, and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10

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January 21, 2010 · 6:00 am

Questions That Catch Me By Surprise.

Anna:  Why does Johnry get to have two dads, and I only have one? 

Me:  Well, Anna……

John Henry:  Anna, it’s hard to explain.

John Henry was right.  It is hard to explain to a five year old.  But, I did explain why to her in the most effective way she could understand.  She went on about her day without mention of our conversation. 

It’s just her way.  She has always accepted our answers and explanations to deep questions and thoughts without  need for further discussion.  It’s the small stuff she struggles in.  Like why she can’t wear flip flops and shorts in a painful 10 degree wind chill.  Because, it isn’t cold.  To her. 

But, the big stuff?  She is my sponge.  “Mom, when we do something bad, God forgives us right away.” 

She knows this is true.  I’ve told her so.  And, she believes it. 

“No one is more powerful than God, Mom.”

And, my recent favorite:  “God can do a back flip better than anybody.”

Some questions catch me by surprise.  But, she listens to my answers.  Then, she’s okay.  She is learning to build her hope on nothing less than Jesus Christ.  She’s learning to filter every explanation through that hope. 

I love her acceptance.  I love her faith.  It doesn’t matter that she questions me on why wearing a purple bandana on her head is not appropriate all of the time. 

Having faith does matter. 

I tell her all of the time that she’s my favorite girl.

She really is.

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January 14, 2010 · 6:00 am

I Kind of Want to Break Out Rocky I-IV. But Not V.

Never Rocky V.

I did refrain from my awesome dance moves, while Anna Takle wasn’t about to give up her microphone. 

So, in honor of a new AI season, I give you my two favorite rock stars.

Those lyrics can be tricky.

These lyrics?  Even trickier. 

And, I have no good explanation as to why it looks like Christmas morning in my family room with all of the pillows, drums, and other paraphernalia lying around.  Except, Christmas was only a few mornings ago.  Or something. 

Whatev’.

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January 4, 2010 · 6:00 am

Don’t Make Noise. Make A Difference.

Why yes, of course, I missed you.  Did you miss me?  Taking the last week of the year to spend solely with my family just seemed like the right thing to do.  I’m glad I did.  But, I did miss talkin’ to y’all.

There are plenty of photos from this season I could post, but this one is my favorite.  It’s Anna Takle, day one, at my parents’ house, in search of gifts that read her name.  One day, I’m going to miss little bodies under a Christmas tree, shaking their presents with smiles planted across their face.  It really is the most wonderful time of the year.

But, I’d like to experience many wonderful times of this new year.  I heard my dad recently share on how many of us make New Year’s resolutions to work out, eat less – even though, it profits us little.  However, resolving to pursue Christ above all else, love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind profits us much.  I’m letting that be my New Year’s resolution. 

So often, we focus on things that bother us.  We let those things take up more space than our love for God.  How wrong is that?  A couple of days ago, Mark Batterson posted this on Twitter:

“quit criticizing and start creating.   don’t focus on what’s wrong.   do something right.   don’t make noise.   make a difference.”

Wow.  That’s what it’s all about.  The only way we are ever going to get to that point is to stop being so dang negative and start loving God.  Really loving God.  And, pursuing Him as relentlessly as Anna pursued her gifts. 

I bet we might just discover a few gifts, too. 

That’s my resolution. 

Yours?

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