Category Archives: Motherhood

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 13, 2010 · 6:00 am

Checks And Balances.

Some may think this picture is the result of fine parenting.  Most can probably figure out it’s the product of a good photographer.  Thankyousokindly, Janna Goodwin.

I have days where I, well, I pretty much rock as their mother.  Then, I have days where I fail them.

I don’t like those days.  I think yesterday was one of those days.  I’m a tad hormonal.  I mean, just a tad.  Recently, I have the tendency of being a little short with them.  And, I’m not talkin’ ‘bout my height.  I love God.  I love studying His Word.  I’m finding that this whole asking God to stretch me in ministry thing is a little more than I may have bargained for.  And, in this process of loving, growing, and stretching, I have noticed a few times where I put that in front of my children.

And, God’s not in that.  Because, they are my greatest mission field.  They shouldn’t have to compete with other things that can sometimes consume my life.  Sure, there will be times when those other things will need immediate attention.  There will be times where they cannot have 100 percent of my attention.  There will be times.  It’s finding that balance that’s important.  And, there have been a few days recently where I haven’t achieved that balance.  Not well. 

So, today, I’m going to ask them to forgive me.  They will.  Then, perhaps, today, I’ll rock as their mom again – sans the awesome dance moves that embarrass John Henry and time consumed on Anna’s microphone; because, clearly, any and all time on the mic belongs Anna Takle.

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December 10, 2009 · 6:00 am

A Girl Has To Keep Her Status Updated.

These days when I look at my mobile and notice the school calling, I immediately think, “Anna.”  Yesterday was no different.  And, my thinking was correct.

Anna’s teacher first wanted to let me know that she had “told a story” the day before.  According to her teacher, Anna had told her friends she had surgery on her pinky finger.  I let her teacher know we would address the importance of telling truthful stories.

She wasn’t really in trouble for this next little incident.  Her teacher just wanted to “make (me) aware” of Anna’s computer skills.

Anna’s Teacher:  “Anna was at the school computer, and I heard her saying, ‘Ugh!  I can’t log into my account!’”

When she went to view Anna’s computer screen, this is what she saw:

Anna’s Teacher:  “I was surprised she could find the Twitter web site!”

Me:  “Er, yes.  Me, too.”

Seriously.  Where did she acquire Twitter knowledge and those skills?  Probably her Dad.  I’m sure of it.

When I picked her up from school, I asked why she had told her friends she had surgery on her pinky finger.

Anna:  “What?  I didn’t tell them I had surgery on my pinky finger!  I told them I had surgery on this finger!”  She said, pointing to her index finger.

Being the mother of Anna Takle, friends, is why I should never be short on blog material.

Ever.

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November 25, 2009 · 6:00 am

Oh These Blessings.

Dear Mom,

I am glad that your haveing a baby.  I love you with all my hart.  Your the best mom ever.  You are my favrit mom.

Love

John Henry

Sorry, but the “best mom ever” title is taken.  John Henry said so.

I’m so thankful for a son who is thoughtful.

I’m thankful for a daughter who makes me laugh.

I’m thankful for a baby boy who kicks my ribs in the middle of the night.

I’m thankful for a husband who always strives to do what is right.

And, most of all, I’m thankful for a King who knows me by name.

Enjoy the people God has placed in your life this Thanksgiving holiday. 

I’m going to enjoy mine.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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November 10, 2009 · 6:00 am

Dancing With the Sister.

JH - Anna Lake Hefner

Anna:  Johnry, will you please dance with me?

John Henry:  No, Anna.

Me:  Come on, John Henry.  That’s a sweet big brother thing to do.

John Henry:  No video, okay?

Me:  No video. 

John Henry:  Okay.  Only for a little bit.

So, they commenced to dancing. 

And, it’s a memory that can only live in my heart. 

I mean, as if I would have videoed my children for the sole purpose of blog material. 

Right.

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November 6, 2009 · 8:28 am

What Will Five Look Like?

Anna - Supergirl

Dear Anna,

Tonight, when I gently tuck the covers around your small frame, it will be the last time I kiss my four-year old daughter goodnight. 

Because, when you awaken tomorrow morning, you will be five years old.

Five.

Will you still refuse to wear tennis shoes if they are dirty?

Will you insist on being Super Girl for Halloween for a third year in a row?

Will you continue to sing the majority of the thoughts that run through your mind?

What will five look like on you?

I do know that no matter what, you will continue to make me laugh.  You will continue to be one of my greatest sources of fun.  You will continue to know exactly what you like and what you don’t.  You will continue to ask questions. 

You will continue to grow in the knowledge of your King.

Anna Takle, I love the way you love your big brother.  I love your boldness.  I love your determination.  I love watching you learn to love God.  I love how you melt in your daddy’s arms.  I love the way you rub my growing belly and talk to a little brother you’ve yet to meet.

I love every single day with you. 

And, I can’t imagine one second without you.

You are joy illuminated.

I love you birthday girl.

Love,
Mom

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November 2, 2009 · 6:00 am

For Those Who Haven’t Heard…

Our little Takle baby is a

BOY. 

We are excited.

All of us.

Even Anna who wanted the “girl kind.” 

And, for those who have wondered where I vanished to last week.  Well, I tore a muscle in my right arm from strenuous housework.  And, yes, I call the WetJet strenuous activity.  It left me in too much agony to type, you see. 

It has become apparent I need a housekeeper and a personal assistant.  However, my budget says otherwise.  Budget Schmudget. 

I’ll be back with a little more substance tomorrow.  I’ll pick up from this post, and how God has been dealing with my stuff. 

He’s good y’all.

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October 8, 2009 · 6:00 am

Teachable Moments.

My sweet seven year old came home from school yesterday a little more solemn than usual.  His sober demeanor eventually turned into a seemingly sour attitude.  By this point, I was pretty much over his crabbiness that was even evident in his silence.  I addressed his current position and told him, “There is no reason for your sour attitude.”  After all, we leave for the beach in a few short days.  Life is good for him.  What gives?

As I watched him attempt to compose himself, the thought of asking him what he may be feeling occurred to me.  There ya go, Mom. 

“John Henry, is there something bothering you?”  I finally engaged him.

His response flowed so effortlessly.  A friend had “told a lie about (him).” 

“He said I told him to write on the smart board, and I didn’t.”  He went on to explain.  “He tried to make something he did all my fault.”

I loved on my son and sympathized with him.  I told him how I know that hurts. 

After bedtime readings, we prayed.  I told John Henry we needed to forgive his friend. 

“How do I forgive him?  What do I do?”  He asked.

“You choose to still love him and be his friend.”  This was the best way I knew how to explain such a powerful act to a seven year old.

I reinforced with him that it was okay to still feel hurt.  But, he couldn’t let that hurt affect his friendship.

What if I had never asked John Henry, “Is there something bothering you?”  Perhaps, it was the Spirit’s prompting.  No matter what, I’m glad I didn’t just let it go.  I’m thankful I engaged my son.

Otherwise, I would have failed to acknowledge that he was hurting.

 And, I would have missed a teachable moment on forgiveness.

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October 6, 2009 · 6:00 am

There Is No Vaccination For Moments Like These.

I had every intention on writing something deeply spiritual – a recent heart check, if you will.  But, the only words that seems to glide off of my fingertips are ones of PLEASE, DEAR JESUS, MAY I NEVER EXPERIENCE A MOMENT LIKE THAT EVER AGAIN WITH ONE ANNA TAKLE.

It’s no secret it’s flu season.  Believe me, it’s NO secret.  The entire state of Oklahoma has consumed the majority of the distributed flu vaccinations.  And, I’m not talkin’ H1N1.  Just the old rag-u-lah flu shot.  When my pediatrician’s office called yesterday to inform me they were cancelling my kids’ Wednesday appointment due to “We are slap out of ‘em,” I knew I had to take matters into my own hands. 

As it turned out, the local health department was hosting their first free clinic yesterday. 

Do you know what free means? 

It means everybody and their uncle would be in line for the vaccination.

So, I waited.

And, I waited.

With my two children.

In the misty rain.

And, I was not leaving there.

Without.

A.

Flu.

Shot.

John Henry was first up.  He sat calmly and never peeped.

Then, Anna.

Sweet Jesus, then Anna.

Put on a display that I could never describe….no actor could ever portray….no eye has seen…..no ear has heard….

What the entire city of Oklahoma and surrounding counties heard in those ten minutes.  TEN. 

Finally, the nurse offered an intra-nasal vaccination.  Quite frankly, I’m no fan of this method. 

But, I no longer had an opinion.  I just wanted to get out.  And run.  Far, far away. 

I let the very patient nurse administer the intra-nasal vaccine.  And, I ran.

To McDonalds.  Because, I promised.

It is moments like these I become so profoundly aware that motherhood is not for the faint of heart.  It’s hard.  It’s a constant questioning of a mother’s decisions.

It’s a mission to point my children toward Christ.

To cultivate character and respect.

To decide whether or not to call in reinforcements to hold down one four year old for a vaccination or choose another method.

It’s just hard sometimes, friends.

Are there days I would love to go back to my twenties and be childless and fancy free?

Not. A. One.

Besides, I would have never heard, “Mom, I don’t want a blue shot!”

Now, somebody pass a cinnamon roll, and y’all have a great day.

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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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