Category Archives: Motherhood

November 20, 2008 · 6:00 am

Proud Parenting Moments.


Some smart philosopher once said,

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle.”

Of all the lessons we teach our children, this is probably numero uno.  How we treat people comes up in conversation, in some shape or form, every day with my children {and usually between two siblings}.  I try to share Jesus with them, and how He walked out a life of being kind. 

As soon as John Henry got into the car the other day, he said, “Mom, there were some kids being mean to Hunter today.  So, I went and played with him.” 

Oh, how my heart leaped.  I could not have been more proud of my son.  I can’t imagine how our heavenly Father’s heart leaps every time we are kind to one of His children. 

It’s even greater than reading sight words in record time.

Later that evening, I told John Henry again how proud I was of him. 

“God is a good friend,” he responded.

I think he’s getting it. 

And, motherhood doesn’t get much better than that.

Share a moment when you were proud of your child being kind…..or just doing the right thing.

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November 10, 2008 · 6:00 am

I just have to know.


Do you teach your children to say “Yes Ma’am” and “No Sir?” 

Kris and I are strong believers in our children responding to adults in this manner.  I’m learning rather quickly that this form of respect that I grew up practicing is not shared by all other parents.

One mom told me after hearing me correct John Henry on “Yes Ma’am” that such manners were a southern practice.  Are they really?  As a matter of fact, most of the students in John Henry’s class use a simple “Yes” and “No” when responding to their teacher…..most, save John Henry.

I feel that when my children use good manners, they not only exhibit courtesy to others, but they also become aware of their own behavior. 

“Excuse me.”  They have been taught to say this to adults as well as their peers.  It is important that they learn to respect other human beings.

“May I be excused?”  My children never get down from the table without first asking this question.  EVER.

So, am I trying to practice a lost art or are such manners central to various parts of the country?

I just have to know.

What do you teach your children?

“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others.  If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter which fork you use.”  – Emily Post

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November 7, 2008 · 6:00 am

Supergirl turns 4.

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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:

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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.

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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.

 

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November 5, 2008 · 6:00 am

God Bless Barack Obama.


Perhaps, your candidate won.  Or, maybe he didn’t.  This is the not the post I had written for today.  But, I cannot in good conscience post anything else.

It’s 11:26 PM CST, 4 November 2008.  I am sitting up with the television on overflowing with so many different emotions. 

When I picked up John Henry from school today, I told him I needed to go vote.  He said, “John McCain already won!”  The school apparently held a mock election allowing him to circle his choice for president.   Upon hearing the talk of other Kindergarteners, he told me that “Barack Obama is a bad man.”  Later, he told me that another friend told him that “Barack Obama kills babies.”

You can imagine the necessary discussion with my six year old that ensued.  I assured him that Barack Obama was not a bad man.  And, that if elected president, we would pray for him and his family, always speaking blessings. 

So, John Henry sat down and wrote a letter to President Elect Barack Obama.  In that letter, he prayed for him.  “God bless Barack Obama and his family….,” he went on to read to me.  From that point on, he began pulling for Obama in the election.  And, although I was a McCain supporter, I supported my six year old’s choice. 

John Henry watched the polls with me.  He asked questions.  “Can I become president when I grow up?” 

“You can be anything you want.” I said, hearing my own mother’s voice.

“Or, I could be a cooker.  I’m a good cooker, too.”

“Yes, you are.”  I assured him.

What a day for the African-American race.  What a day for African-American mothers who can look at their sons and daughters and say with bold confidence, “You can be anything you want.”

I have read many responses to this country’s newly elected president.  Many are concerned for our country’s direction.  I don’t worry for one second about this great country.  We are a praying nation. 

Today is a day to unite as Americans.  To pray.  To bless  President Elect Barack Obama.  To speak life.  Let’s not forget the power of our words.  And, let’s not forget that God is on the throne. 

And, above all else, let’s teach our children to love one another – not matter what side of the aisle we’re on.

Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another.  Romans 13:8

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October 10, 2008 · 6:00 am

A Lunch Date.


There are days that going out to eat in public places with my three year old are as enjoyable as sitting through a presidential debate. Can I get an Amen?  Or if you’re Sarah Palin, a wink?

Bad joke.  Sorry.

The other day, I had the most enjoyable lunch date with Anna.  And Jenny. 

First of all, we dined at On the Border.  And, you know how much I love my chips and queso.  We talked about girlie things.  Anna commented on how “lovely” the day was and fed Jenny a few of her chips.  But not the queso upon my strong urging. 

There are just those days where the stars are aligned just right.  And, God’s grace seems a bit more abundant.  And, you walk out of a restaurant to the tune of a princess saying, “That was a nice lunch, Mom.”

I think Jenny even enjoyed it.  And, I’m sure she appreciated our respect for safe travel.

 

 

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September 25, 2008 · 6:00 am

How do you see the glass?

The other day, we were all in the car headed to Chick-fil-A.  John Henry kept asking, “How much longer until we get there?”  You see, he was ready to hurry and get home so he could play with his brand spankin’ new Batman house.  Eventually, I had enough.  ‘Cause all mommas eventually have enough.

“John Henry, if I hear one more time how you want the ride to hurry up, you will not be getting anything from Chick-fil-A.  You can make your own dinner at home.”  And, I meant it, too.

“Well, I’ll be lucky then.”  He responded.

“Lucky?  How will that make you lucky?” I asked.

“Because, I’ll be the only one eating food from the house.  So, I’ll be lucky.”  He explained.

I couldn’t help but laugh.  I looked at my mom who was riding with me and said, “Talk about seeing the glass half full!”

I wish I could always see life that way.  But, the truth is, I don’t.  I can fall into self-pity more easily than I care to admit.  Let’s be honest.  Self-pity is pretty dang convenient.  Kind of like when my back is hurting, and I wallow in my pain long enough for Kris to serve me.  That’s convenient.  But, when that pain becomes my focus, I fail to see the fact that I can still walk.  That I can still enjoy all five senses.  That my life is blessed. 

So, when life hands you lemons.  Enjoy those lemons.  My Uncle Ken says “lemons are the essence of life.”  I’m really not sure what he means by that, but I do know that he likes fresh-squeezed lemonade. 

I’m gonna really try harder to have John Henry’s attitude who also said after losing his first soccer game, “Was I great out there?”  Oh, yes he was.

How do you see the glass?

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September 18, 2008 · 6:00 am

Shot to the heart.


It’s no secret that I don’t shine in the kitchen.  But, when John Henry told me this, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Me:  John Henry, do you want me to make your Transformers birthday cake?

John Henry:  Can you?

Me:  I can try.

John Henry:  Well.  Okay, but get daddy to help you.  He’s good at making stuff.

It’s as if he’s never tasted my Kraft mac & cheese.

Of course, my cake would probably end up posted here.

I’ve had the pleasure to attend a bible study on Tuesday mornings with some really cool ladies.  She, like, makes breakfast treats for us from scratch.  Then, she brought cute, little homemade muffins this past Tuesday.  I hope they all still love me when I pick up bagels from the bagel shop one day.  ‘Cause they will be bought with love.  Just like Christ bought us with love.  Not to compare purchasing breakfast items with God’s redemption of mankind.  Anyhoo.

How are your skills in the kitchen?  Wanna share a favorite cool weather meal, treat, or recipe?

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August 28, 2008 · 6:00 am

My Momma is so smart y’all.


Obsessive.  Sometimes compulsive.   But never obsessive-compulsive.  This is me on occasion. 

I’ve been all consumed with John Henry’s Kindergarten experience.  Not only academically, but how he relates to others, how he feels about himself, and so on and so forth.  He’s adjusting pretty well.  But, he’s also having to learn how to adapt to structure, how to know when not to be funny, and how to know when to say “poop” (and never at a Christian private school….ever).

He is also trying to find his place in this brand new world.  And, we are trying to teach him that he is great just the way he is.  Yet, he has this need to be accepted.  I guess we all do.  But, he uses humor or exaggerated stories to prove to others his self-worth.  It frustrates me.  I worry about his emotional state.  Whatever his teacher tells me, good or bad, affects me.  Is this normal moms? 

I became so emotional and so stressed over what is best for my little boy, I began to question my decisions for him.  Perhaps, I should home-school him.  Maybe he needs me all day every day.  And, while I know that home-schooling is the right option for many, I just don’t think it’s what’s best for John Henry.  At least not for now. 

So I stressed. 

I even cried like the hormonal chick that I am.

To my momma.

You wanna know what my momma told me?  (I don’t know why I’m calling her “momma” when I’ve always called her “mom”, but we’ll just roll with it.)

She said, “Dusty, you have to trust God with John Henry’s life.  You have to trust that God has His hand on him.”

Oh, but here was the kicker.

“Dusty, don’t you know that God loves John Henry more than you do?”

Get back Jack!

I responded like any other girl brought up in faith, hope and love, “Oh!  You’re right!  I forget that stuff!”

I forget that He is in control.  I forget that I am not.

I forget that He who began a good work will be faithful to finish it.

I forget that He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  Oh, that’ll preach.

You see all things were created by Him.  All things are sustained by Him.  And, He works all things for our good. 

And, He loves my John Henry more than I do.  Sure does.  That’s a big honkin’ love.

Thanks, Mom.

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August 27, 2008 · 6:00 am

She said it. She really said it.


Nothing like those little girls.  Since John Henry has been in big kid school, Anna and I have been getting a lot of alone time together.  It’s always an adventure with some precious moments mingled in there.  Here is a recent dialogue:

Anna (Unprompted, I must add):  “I love you, Mom.  You’re so pretty.”

I know, I know.  Could it get any sweeter? 

Me:  “Thank you!  Thank you, Anna!”

I’ve apparently come a long way since being called “a monster.”  Of course tomorrow morning, I could very well be the antichrist.

She started Pre-K on Monday.  I picked out the cutest first day dress.  Now, I will only imagine how cute she might have looked, because she had other ideas.

Nothing like a Tinkerbell tee to accent an aqua skirt.  If only she could have look excited about her first day.

Her preschool teacher told me that she didn’t know our family had a pink pig that eats cat food.  “I’m excited about the stories she will tell”, her teacher said. 

Um.  Me, too.

Anna also just started gymnastics yesterday.  Since she first learned that she would begin training for the 2020 Summer Olympics, she has been begging every day, “Please, take me to gymnastics!”  Some things are better left told on the day of the event.  One would think I would have already learned this one.

She was all too excited about her fancy schmancy leotard.

“It sparkles!” she proclaimed to everyone who saw her.

She did love gymnastics.  She was so confident in her tumbling abilities at one point that she left her group and made herself at home on the uneven bars and later the tumbling mat.  I was so very proud – even if she had to be gently guided back to her group.

I love her confidence.  It’s my job to help her channel that confidence into who she is in Christ.  Then, there is no doubt that she can do anything. 

Nor is there any doubt that you and I can do anything.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:13

Do you ever forget who you are in Christ?  I sure do.

 

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August 14, 2008 · 6:00 am

I start Kindergarten today.

Well.  My little boy begins Kindergarten today.  I spent last weekend searching every Target store for the 8 count box of Crayola Crayons on John Henry’s supply list.  Four boxes requested.  None to be found.  Only the 64 counts and 2 million counts.  I finally went to a Walmart – a store I avoid like the plague.  Turns out, it was 8 count Crayola heaven.  And, I stocked up on them like it was Y2K.

I was also able to sort out the online uniform order debacle.  I ordered shirts that would fit Anna perfectly and pants that would fit me.  Okay, so me when I was like 10.  It was a stress point, nonetheless, and I worried that I was too late in working out my very poor guesstimate of John Henry’s sizes. 

All things were handled just fine.  Kind of made the stress of it all seem so petty.  But, stress is an entirely different post.

I’m pretty confident in the fact that John Henry is ready.  I just don’t know that I am.  I mean, sure, I’m ready for the welcomed mommy breaks like all moms who endure summers with school-aged children. 

 It’s the realization that “toddler” no longer describes him.  That his awareness to sometimes unkind children and injustice is about to be awakened.  That I’m going to have to sit at a table every afternoon and practice writing letters and telling time.  It’s not that we don’t work at the table anyway.  But, the pressure just isn’t there.

No more sleeping until whenever.  Or, being lazy lima beans until whenever.

School begins at 8:30 A.M.  Not 10:00 A.M.  This fact alone makes home-schooling that much more appealing.  But, we can do it.  Yes.We.Can.

Casey, could you please play, “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” by Boyz II Men?

Here is where you come in moms and dads.

Do you have any advice for this first-time mother of a Kindergartener?  Commenting will be open all year long.  For real.

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