I’m sorry folks. But, after this week, this is pretty much all I feel like doing:
Well, right after I take care of these roots of mine. (That’s hair talk, boys.)
I know. You came all this way for this?
Yep.
Hey. At least, you got a pic. And, one must admit, it is cute.
Be back next week with a little heart surgery God’s been doing on me.
Y’all have a fabulous weekend.
Filed under Kid Stuff, pregnancy, Randomness
Birthdays are just fun. I spent yesterday morning with my BS’ers, err, Bible Study girls. They are the bomb diggity and were certain to not let the day pass without a little celebration.
Even if the cookie cake turned out like this:
Cindy Beall has many talents. Decorating cakes is probably not one of them. Once she wrote “Happy” she quickly realized she’d have no room for “Birthday Dusty;” hence, “Happy Dusty.” Never mind the fact my friend, Janna, thought it said “Hoppy Dusty.” Cindy did learn, however, that cookie icing is not the best for writing text. So, I feel certain she’ll master the art next time.
Let’s just give her that. It was a quite tasty after all.
Janna and her youngins treated me to dinner. She is sweet like that. But not before Big Mama called me.
“I near ‘bout forgot your birthday ‘til Aunt Faye reminded me.” Big Mama admitted.
“Um, thanks, Big Mama?”
Then, I nearly busted a gut laughing when she told me, “I would sing you ‘Happy Birthday’, but there is one note I can never get on that song.”
Oh, how she brings joy to my life.
Thank you all for your wishes, blessings, and sweet messages. You all made me feel very special. For real.
Love y’all. Mean it!
Filed under Big Mama, Friendship, gratitude
Dad wanted to guest blog, and post this earlier. It just seemed it may appear, I don’t know, a little selfish on my part? Anyhoo. After several requests to read his gift and for posterity’s sake, here ya go. He’s a great dad. A really, great dad.
1. God gave you to your mother and me.
2. I love your laugh.
3. I love the way you interact with your children.
4. I love the way you love God.
5. I love your hair and how you wear it.
6. I love your Blogs.
7. I love talking with you.
8. I love seeing you with your bags and children at the airport.
9. I love the way you treat your mom and me.
10. I love how you worship God.
11. I love the way you treat your friends.
12. I love how generous you are.
13. I love the way you love the local church.
14. I love the way you encourage me.
15. I love the way you carry yourself with such dignity.
16. I love how you look at me when I’m preaching, as that’s not my dad but a man of God.
17. I love how you and your mom cherish each other.
18. I love how you stress out over the most trivial stuff sometimes.
19. I love going out to eat with you, especially at Red Rock and Chelinos.
20. I love how smart you are.
21. I love how you love Christmas.
22. I love how you talk about Big Mama.
23. I love how you uplift other people.
24. I love how you honor and respect your husband.
25. I love your honesty about yourself.
26. I love hearing other people say how much you mean to them.
27. I love being the most proud Dad on earth.
28. I love seeing you cry tears of compassion for people.
29. I love watching you buy someone else’s groceries when you are checking out.
30. I love how you love Dr. Takle and Christina.
31. I love playing Scrabble with you.
32. I love all the quality time you give us.
33. I love how much you have matured in OKC.
34. I love everything about you.
35. I love the fact that I could say a gazillion more things.
Love,
Dad
Filed under giving, parenting, Relationships
It’s true. I’m 35 years old today. I don’t feel a day older than 34 ½. When my mom was 35 years old, she had a sixteen year old. Wha? It appears I’ll be 40 with a 5 year old. I’ve heard having children a little later in life doesn’t keep you young, but it keeps you active.
Whatev’.
I’m chilling an expensive bottle of Welch’s Grape Juice to celebrate tonight. Should be a total blast. I’d invite you all to my party, except there isn’t one. I’m not bitter. And, don’t y’all run out and get me something….until, I get you my correct address.
Thirty-five. 35. THIRTY-FIVE!
Here are 35 random things I’ve learned in 35 years.
1. When a toilet appears clogged, don’t flush it just to see what happens.
2. Don’t spend money you don’t have unless you really can’t live without those Ugg boots. And, you can’t. Trust me. Wait, is that bad advice?
3. Take your sunglasses off when a police officer pulls you over for speeding. I’m just sayin’.
4. Put your preferred thing to do aside, and play Sorry! with your kids. Even if it does take FOR-EVER.
5. Suck it up. It’s not always about you.
6. Forgive. Immediately.
7. Go get your child out of bed on occasion, and put her in bed with you. Just because you want to snuggle. She is your child. And, the years do fly by.
8. Pride doesn’t work well in a marriage. Humble yourself, and speak kindly.
9. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lord knows, I can’t lean on my own understanding.
10. It’s usually not as bad as it seems.
11. My husband is a terrible mind-reader, but he can make some mean cinnamon rolls.
12. Surround yourself with positive people. Even funny people. They make life bearable.
13. Listen intently to your little ones now, so they’ll share their heart when they are older.
14. Mosquitoes are aggravatin’. Always.
15. Nothing good happens after midnight. Get to where you’re gonna get by 12am. (Thank @jburengoss for that one.)
16. Whenever you feel disconnected from your Creator, do whatever you’ve gotta do to reconnect. And fast.
17. Never say never. It’s a very long time.
18. Honor your mom and dad for as long as you live.
19. I never want to exercise. Ever. But, I’m always happy I did. *I need to remember this more often.*
20. Friends are great investments.
21. Junior Mints are always a good idea.
22. So is sweet tea.
23. And listening to Sting.
24. Meeting Sting is one of my favorite moments ever.
25. Right up there with graduating from college. For real.
26. My Big Mama makes the best biscuits. And, she makes me laugh. I wish I could spend more time with her.
27. Divorce is hell. Period.
28. Communicate, communicate, communicate with your spouse. But, learn how to communicate the right way.
29. In all my travels and life experiences, I’ve seen nothing more beautiful than the birth of my children.
30. Contentment is bliss.
31. Being with family is, too.
32. I love the local church. Love it. I’m so thankful for the Sunday experience with body of Christ. Nothing refills your tank quite like it.
33. My prayer life is essential.
34. So is living a life of gratitude. *Though, I need gentle reminders of this.*
35. And, I continue to learn how wide and long and high is the love of Christ.
I could add to this list. So could you.
Wanna share sumpin’ you’ve learned?
Filed under God Stuff, gratitude, life, Love, Relationships, Spiritual Journey
Few people make me laugh until I cry. My dad is one of those people. It might be intentional like the time he replaced my toilet paper holder with a trick one. When I rolled, a recorded, “scary” message from my dad played. That was pretty funny. Frightening, but funny. Or, it might be unintentional. Regardless, whenever I’m around him, I’m just sure to laugh.
This most recent family vacation was no different. Many laughs were had. But his attempt at booking a fishing boat nearly sent me into early labor. Not really. But, dang, it was fuh-nee.
Driving around the gulf coast, Dad pulled into a bay area where many boats sit waiting for someone to rent them. A few men were standing in front of one boat. Dad thought it a good idea to call on that particular one. He called and inquired. While speaking with the boat captain, he noticed a gentleman in front of the boat talking on the phone, too. Dad continued to collect information when he said to the boat captain:
“I think I’m lookin’ atcha right now.”
A moment of silence ensued.
Then, I heard Dad simply respond, “No? No.”
“Err, this boat is not available on that day,” the Captain told Dad.
Nor was it going to be available any other day seeing as how this Captain, who was probably resting soundly in his bed up to the point that he thinks some freak is spying in on him, more than likely felt…uneasy?
I laughed until I cried. I especially laughed when Dad hung up his phone only to find the gentleman in front of him was still talking on his.
He’s a funny man. A funny man who loves the scriptures more than any other person I know. A funny man who is more excited about Christ today than he was thirty-three years ago when he first entered ministry. A funny man who is real. Who never speaks ill of anyone. And loves those who don’t even return that love.
I may never be as funny as him. But, I sure hope I pursue Christ and love people like him.
Oh, and he did get himself another fishing boat. He just had someone else call. 🙂
Filed under God Stuff, Love, Randomness, Relationships
Hello! (Hello!) (Hello!)
Echo! (Echo!) (Echo!)
Pffst. Just hollerin’ at ya. It’s been a while. We had a great time at the el beach-o. Right up to this one getting sick.
But, here are some pics of happier moments.
The closing of the eyes was not accidental. No, no my friend. All a part of the art of picture posing. And, when she did open her eyes….well, just have a look.
We collected seashells.
Played in the sand.
And, jumped like mad.
John Henry had his first fishing trip experience. He got up early with all of the other real fishermen. I try not to get up so early that I can’t tell if it’s night or day.
Apparently, it was worth every early, groggy yawn.
Finally, here is one of my favorite pics.
It was fun. Back to the land of reality, which, I must say, isn’t so bad.
Not. At. All.
I’m thankful for time with my family. And, I’m thankful my boy is feeling a little better.
Still taking him to his doctor today.
Because, I’m his momma.
And, it’ll make me feel better.
Good to be home and back writing again. I’ve missed y’all.
This will be my view very soon.
It’s true. I’m looking forward to uninterrupted time with my family. I’m looking forward to waking up to the sound of ocean waves reminding me of how brilliant my Creator is. I’m looking forward to the absence of a schedule.
I’m looking forward to replenishing my spirit, soul, and body.
On that note, I’ll be taking next week off from the blogging world. However, I will be posting over on Swerve on Tuesday, October, 13th. So, y’all drop by.
Have a wonderful weekend. I’ll be back on October 19th with pictures and a story or three. I’m sure.
Love ya. Mean it.
Filed under life, Randomness
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.
Filed under Friendship, Kid Stuff, Motherhood, Spiritual Journey
I am a blessed girl. I don’t struggle with envy. I don’t covet my neighbors’ material goods. Because, I really have this understanding of God’s goodness in my own life.
Or do I?
Pastor Craig Groeschel of Lifechurch.tv shared this past weekend on how to be dissatisfied. I am pretty satisfied most days. But when he suggested that comparing what I have to people who have more is a step that leads to living a dissatisfied life?
I had a heart check.
To be honest. I mean really honest.
I have a nice home. But, I can go to an even nicer home and think, “Wow! I want one of these!” Then, I go back to my “shack” and fail to recognize my blessings.
Granted, I don’t live in a shack. But, that’s the attitude that can penetrate my heart.
I never resent God’s goodness and blessings in others’ lives. At least, I’ve got that goin’ for me. But when I want more, I ignore God’s goodness in my own life. And, what is holy about that?
We left that Saturday service and I confessed my conviction to Kris. An issue I didn’t even realize was there. I then told him, “Babe, my love doesn’t cost a thing.”
“Really?” He said with a little sheepish grin.
I laughed. He lightened my mood. However, the reality of my heart check remained.
Conviction.
I am so much farther from “considering everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ…..” I am so far from “considering them rubbish….” (Philippians 3:7-8) So, I’m letting God deal with it.
Do you ever compare what you have to people who have more?
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.
Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood, parenting
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