Category Archives: parenting

March 11, 2009 · 6:00 am

Do you read chapter books?

I love reading to my kids. And, they love me reading to them. Partly because they love to hear a good story, and partly because it prolongs that kiss goodnight followed by their bedroom door closing gently. I’ve read everything from “Goodnight Moon” to them when they were infants, to every single Mercer Mayer book as toddlers. We’ve taken a pig to school and a mouse to the movies. Eric Carle made us appreciate the butterfly’s metamorphosis. David McPhail has charmed us with favorites like “Mole Music.”

“The Kissing Hand” saw my first-born off to his first day of Kindergarten. And, “The Giving Tree” still makes my eyes water.

We’ve progressed from me reading Dr. Seuss to John Henry reading Dr. Seuss. The book fair loves us. And, my Barnes and Noble member’s card has more than paid for itself.

When John Henry saw me reading my own book the other day, he queried, “Does your book have chapters?”

“Yes,” I told him.

“Wow! I want some chapter books!” He decided.

He didn’t have to ask for “chapter books” twice. So, off we went in search of new books. With chapters. And, I decided to begin reading chapter books to them at night. John Henry picked out his own to read himself. I chose the classic, “Charlotte’s Web” to read to both of them. Each night I read one chapter – sometimes two – to them. The anticipation that builds from night to night on what Wilbur is going to get into or what that wise, old spider is going teach is just plain fun. And, great bonding time.

We’ve planned a “Charlotte’s Web” party once we finish the book which includes the movie and popcorn. No party is complete without Junior Mint and Sour Patch Kids. Of course, you already knew that. Then, we’ll be onto our next chapter book. And, our next book party.

What are some of your favorite books you read to your kids?

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Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood, parenting

Tagged as Charlotte's Web, children's books, reading

March 9, 2009 · 6:00 am

I think I’m her favorite toy.

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. Bryan came out to visit John Henry. {That’s John Henry’s dad if you’re just tunin’ in to dusytakledotcom.} The kids had fun. Anna was quite certain that Bryan was here to visit her. One has to love her confidence. I set aside some time for just us girls on Sunday. After braiding her hair, she insisted that I braid mine as well. I tried to get away with just the little Jennifer Aniston braid she sported at The Oscars. That wasn’t what Anna had in mine.

“That’s not like mine!” She told me.

Sooooo, I did it.

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My transparency on this blog has apparently translated to my face as I am letting you see me. Like this. No make-up. Two braids. Hello, Laura Ingalls.

Every time I requested to take the braids out, Anna reminded me that the day wasn’t over. When we went to Wal-mart together, people seemed to smile at me. It’s as if they were saying, “gurl, you are bringing sexy back.” Or somethin’.

Dressing and undressing Barbies would consume the rest of our afternoon until Kris and John Henry rescued us for a little time at the park. It was a nice weekend. Braids and all. And, I was reminded of this quote by Vicki Lansky: “You will always be your child’s favorite toy.”

Have you ever sacrificed your own personal style to put a smile on your child’s face? Because, that’s exactly what this felt like J

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Filed under Motherhood, parenting

Tagged as Motherhood, playtime, weekend fun

February 25, 2009 · 6:00 am

The Negotiator

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Living with us is one little girl with some mad negotiating skills. We have to stand our ground – all tough-like. Anna, ahem, Angel can explain her way out of and into a lot.

But, we’re onto her.

And her subtly cunning nature.

Take last night for example. She futility attempted to talk her dad into letting her watch a movie while she “falls asleep.” Yeah. Whatev’.

Enters Mom. Before I begin her bedtime prayers, she says to Kris, “Dad, could you step into the hall, please?” In other words, can you get out so I can usurp your authority by asking mom what you just said no to? Or something like that.

Do you have a negotiator or sly one? {Or not so sly in this case.}
How do you handle their attempts at negotiation?

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Filed under parenting

Tagged as discipline, Kid Stuff, negotiation, parenting

February 19, 2009 · 7:00 am

A reminder that He is Immanuel.

I know I write about my experiences in parenting, well, far too often. But, it’s where I am. And, I learn just as much from those experiences as my children learn from me. I feel certain of this. I also realize that I tend to write more about John Henry’s seemingly spiritual insights and Anna’s crimes of fashion and occasional use of profanity. It’s not necessarily that one loves God more than the other. Hmmm. Well, maybe just a little. For now. Or perhaps, one just responds to His love more than the other. Look, I don’t have the answers here. I’m just figuring this thing out as I go, or in this case, as I type.

I write all of the above nonsense to say that my children teach something almost daily. And, if it’s not a new life lesson, it’s a reminder of how God has called us to live our life. Yesterday was one of those days.

Upon letting John Henry out of the car, I decided to pretend there was a bug around his feet. You know. To scare him. ‘Cause I’m a good mother who gets a kick out of frightening her children. Go ahead and send that Mother of the Year Award to Oklahoma, please.

So, the story went….

“John Henry! There is a bug crawling around your feet!” I said frantically in a voice worthy of a daytime Emmy.

He skirted a bit. Then, I said, “I scared you, didn’t I?”

“I don’t get scared,” he said. “God is always with me.”

I probably should’ve felt ashamed at this point. After all, I was trying to scare my son and he was basically rebuking me with the name of Jesus. {I blame my own father, because he tried those same antics with me.} But, I just felt proud. Then, I felt comforted. Because, my six-year old reminded me that:

No matter how grim things look….

No matter how desperate we become….

No matter how lonely we feel….

No matter how anxious we are….

No matter how scared we are…

God is with us. Always. When we walk through the waters, He will be there. When we walk through the flame, He will be there. He never leaves us. He never forsakes us. He goes with us all the way to the end. He goes with us to those terrifying doctor’s appointments. He goes with us when we drop our child off at her college dorm for the first time. He goes with when we start a new job. He goes with us when we walk down the aisle and say I do. In everything we do, in every place we go, He is with us.

So, wherever you are walking today, know that He is with you. And, you have nothing to fear.

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.'” Matthew 1:23

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Filed under God Stuff, life, Motherhood, parenting

Tagged as fear, God Stuff, Immanuel, Kid Stuff

February 12, 2009 · 6:00 am

This post is brought to you by the letter V.

Anna’s pre-school teachers backed me into a corner the other day interrogating me on what kind of language we are using in the Takle house.

They didn’t really. But, I bet they wondered after Anna’s little illustration.

Anna and her schoolmates are learning the letter “V”. Who can think of a word that begins with the letter “V”? Apparently, Anna can.

“I know! I know a word that starts with V!” She claimed.

Of course, her teachers obliged.

“VUCK! VUCK STARTS WITH V!”

Nice.

Her teachers assured me they did, indeed, hear the “V” sound. I suppose as long as she doesn’t say “What the” in front of it, we’ll be okay.

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Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood, parenting

Tagged as Kid Stuff, pre-school, profanity

February 6, 2009 · 6:00 am

I have two daddies.

*Originally posted April 15, 2008

Once upon a time at a wedding of my dear friend, Brittany, my son served as a ring bearer. Dressed to perfection, another overheard him say, “I have two daddies.” Brittany’s friend who heard this rather common phenomenon asked another, “Are his daddies gay?” I still laugh about this even today. As for Kris and Bryan (the daddies), well, they find it less comical.

John Henry has a daddy. And, before he turned one year, he was blessed with another daddy. We make it work. We really do. You see, we had this novel idea: John Henry comes first. We have dinners together, and we have even vacationed together. I realize how strange my life may seem to some, but for us, it is our “normal”. Of course, a situation like ours would never work without Kris. He has never been “territorial”, nor has he ever felt threatened. He loves John Henry. Period. And, because of John Henry, he loves Bryan.

Here are his two daddies. (Left: Bryan, Right: Kris, Center: A blessed boy) They are patient and kind. They are not jealous. They endure through every circumstance.

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4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

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Filed under divorce, Love, parenting

Tagged as divorce, forgiveness, Love, parenting, weddings

February 5, 2009 · 6:00 am

Wonder who will have the most eventful weekend?

I’m leavin’ on a jet plane. I don’t know when I’ll be back again. I really do know when I’ll be back. Sunday. Today, the little guy and I are headed south for one big wedding celebration. John Henry will be bearing some rings, and I’ll be…Well, I’ll be waving and smiling at him as he walks down that aisle with those baby blues wearing a tux. I really don’t have much of any consequence to write about today, not that this is any different from any other day. But, thank you for indulging me still.

Kris will be holding down the fort here in the great state of Oklahoma. With Anna Takle.

With Anna Takle.

Oh, what fun they are going to have. He has promised to take her out on a date to some fancy schmancy restaurant where she can wear a dress and all the trimmings. Why he seems to think he is going to win the fashion wars is nothing short of amusing, but he appears to be up for the challenge. This fancy schmancy restaurant is Mahogany Prime Steakhouse – our date night of choice. Anna, however, said that she prefers Mexican cuisine. The girl loves chips and queso. Can’t imagine where she gets that from, but it’s a trait I certainly admire.

I did offer to go ahead and make Anna’s lunch for pre-K on Friday, but Kris says he’s got it. What he doesn’t realize is that he’s going to find himself pressed for time on Friday morning after spending most of it in Anna’s closet bribing her. His choice. Have fun, babe. I do love you. And, please take notes.

Okay, that’s all I got. For real.

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Filed under Kid Stuff, parenting, Randomness

Tagged as date nights, fashion, Kid Stuff, Mahogany Prime Steakhouse, travel, weddings

February 3, 2009 · 6:00 am

The Bachelor got me thinkin’.

I haven’t been watching this season’s The Bachelor. I really haven’t watched it in a lot of seasons. But, I thought it necessary to tune in last night since it was sure to be the most dramatic rose ceremony ever.

I heard the poor guy call his son his “favorite person.” I always tell Anna she is my favorite girl. Kris seems to think I should refrain from calling her this due to the ‘what if’ factor.

‘What if’ factor?

What if we have another little girl?

Don’t go tellin’ tales out of school now. I’m not “P.” That’s what Bigmama calls it since saying *GASP* “pregnant” is not very polite of a Southern girl.

We’re kind of at that stage in life where I’m not getting any younger and Anna’s not getting any easier. At least, not in the fashion department. I could easily identify her lack of progress when she picked out these new skids.

annas-sneakers

But, hey. They’re shiny. They sparkle. They’ve got pizzazz. And, what else really matters to a four-year old girl? For real.

I’m really not sure what decision we’re going to make. Although, it could make for some good blog material. Hmm. So, ya got knocked up for blog material.

It sounds like Jason, um, the Bachelor, is open to more kids. Bless his heart. First, he has to make the most emotional decision of his life. Ever.

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Filed under Kid Stuff, parenting, Randomness

Tagged as fashion, kids, pregnancy, The Bachelor

January 30, 2009 · 6:00 am

What am I modeling for my children?

I FINALLY started reading Nancy Beach’s book, Gifted to Lead. This should make Judy really happy who bought me this book a few months back. The gurl even signed it! No. Not Nancy. Judy.

There aren’t a ton of revelations that scream at me in the book. It is still a wonderful read for women called to lead. But, one thing – one voice – has been gently whispering in my ear while I’ve been reading Nancy’s words.

“That’s you. Go lead.”

Over the past several months, I’ve been as careful as I know how to be in listening to those whispers. Now, the only way I know to answer is to ask Him, “What do You want me to do?” “Where do You want me to go?”

For a long time, I’ve considered my role as a mother my primary ministry. And, it is. But, that is not my “fundamental identity.” Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend write in their book, Boundaries with Kids, “Parents who do not have a life apart from their kids teach the kids that the universe revolves around them.” They continue saying, “Meet the child’s needs, then require him to meet his own while you meet yours.”

Throughout my childhood, my parents modeled this same theory. They nurtured me. But, they also gave of themselves to so many. Granted, they were in ministry. However, seeing them minister in our home, seeing them minister beyond the home – in the church, amongst the broken-hearted, in third world countries – those are things that stay with me. Those are things that clued me into the fact that the world does not revolve around me. What a gift my parents gave me.

This doesn’t mean that a parent must work outside the home to model these things. Nancy writes, “I believe when a child recognizes that Mom or Dad is crazy about them, but also has some other interests passions, and responsibilities, that child is well served….Rather than assuming Mom and Dad will always be there exclusively for them, kids understand that other people and their needs matter as well.”

Dang. That’s good stuff. And, what’s even greater is when our children begin serving along side of us. Giving WITH us. For me, I’m going to start by choosing an activity – a service – that my children can do with me. I hope that in doing so, I will give to them the gift my parents gave to me. For realz.

Are you asking God what HE wants you to do?

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Filed under giving, making an impact, Motherhood, parenting, Spiritual Journey

Tagged as Gifted to Lead, giving, modeling, Motherhood, Nancy Beach, parenting, serving

January 28, 2009 · 6:00 am

The initial thought of a snow day sounds nice.

Then, you have one. And, you pray and pray that school is open the next day. That’s today. It’s not. For the love.

I did my best to keep the little people entertained yesterday. I even let them make edible playdough.

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That would be blue food coloring that when mixed with tan colored dough looks like something that just came out of Shrek’s nose. Sorry. It’s true.

And, yes. I did taste it. Once.

Of course, after hearing all morning how they just had to play outside, I gave in, despite the arctic-like temperature. At least, arctic where I come from.

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It was co-oh-old. So, I wished them well and headed back in like a good mother. John Henry wasn’t too far behind me. “It is fa-fa-freezing out there,” he commented as he came back inside.

“Johnry!!!” That would be the littlest Takle still outside crying, because her brother was done with the cold. She’s a brave one. Much to her chagrin, she came back inside.

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And, ate the sleet off of her jeans.

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At this point, I had to make a decision if it was more dangerous braving the icy road conditions or staying cooped up at home with two little people.

So, we loaded up…. Okay, Kris came home, and we went to CVS. ‘Cause that’s how we roll.

Kris promised the kids he would take them back outside, because he knew mom was D-O-N-E. They made snow, pardon, sleet angels.

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Yes, Anna’s pants are on backwards. And, so were her underwear, but that’s another story. “I like them backwards!” She claims.

Today, we are getting out and going to the movies. I don’t care how much those Jr. Mints will cost. Must.Get.Out.

The sweet little fire and hot chocolate just aren’t cutting it any more. I’m entering my own personal state of emergency that only the Goose can cure.