August 21, 2009 · 6:00 am

First Day For A First-Grader And A Princess.

First day school 1

First day of school. 

My first grader didn’t want me to walk him to his class.

But I did.

First day school 3

My pre-schooler didn’t want me to walk her to her class.

Whatev’.

First day school 2

She also requested that I braid half of her hair on one side of her head while the other side of her hair rests on her shoulders.

Not today.

Perhaps, tomorrow, Miss Banana. 

I had every intention in doing some deep cleaning and organization yesterday after dropping the kids off at school.  I made the mistake of sitting down to rest for a moment.

A moment that turned into a few or a hundred.

They both had a great first day.  Anna told me, “I didn’t do any bad stuff or say any bad words.”  She had documentation to prove it.  She smiled and gave me a certificate that announced, “Here Ye!  Here Ye!  The Royal Courts Declare Anna Takle was a Princess in Preschool Today!”

And, that, my friends, equals a successful day.

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August 20, 2009 · 6:00 am

What I’m Praying This School Year.

JH - 2004

Dear John Henry,

You begin first grade today.  I can hardly believe it.  Really, I can’t.  If it weren’t for the fact you’ve lost four teeth, grown another inch, and expanded your vocabulary, I’d swear you are still the little boy in this picture mesmerized by airplanes. 

Airplanes don’t capture your attention the way they used to.  I’m sure it’s due to the constant exposure and your Daddy Kris being a pilot.  Although, I know you still think that being a pilot is cool.  You do, right?

It’s okay if airplanes and other things begin to fade from your interest list.  What’s important is that your pursuit of Christ doesn’t fade.  That being in relationship with your Creator never grows stale.  Never gets old.

That He always captures your attention.

I prayed the usual prayer I always pray over you last night.  But, just before I said, “Amen,” I prayed something new for you.

I prayed you would begin to hear God’s voice. 

You know that feeling you sometimes get to make a good choice instead of a bad choice?  Or that feeling you sometimes get to give one of your toys to a friend?  Or that feeling you sometimes get to pray for someone?  That’s kind of what God’s voice sounds like at times.

I’m praying that His voice becomes clearer and clearer to you. 

Familiar.

Comfortable.

Natural.

That’s what I’m praying for you this school year. 

I can’t wait to hear what God tells you.  I know He will tell you what I tell you so often:

I love you, son.

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August 19, 2009 · 6:00 am

The Loudest Shoes Ever Created. Ever.

For those who don’t follow me on the Twitter, I thought you’d appreciate a picture of Anna’s wardrobe choice yesterday.

Anna - fashion wp

She thought a swimsuit cover-up accented with fluffy, pink heels would really make a statement while running errands with Mom and brother.  I stood my ground.  She changed into something a bit more presentable.  With the fluffy, pink heels, of course.  And, by the way, the basket of laundry is still strategically positioned right where you see it.  Strategic in that I can say, “These clothes are clean, kids.  Pick out something to wear.” 

I’m gettin’ to it.  Mkay?  The important lesson here is to next time allow the cover-up and ban the shoes. 

That I heard clippity clapping down every store aisle.

Her amusement knows no boundaries.  She later requested that I close my eyes while driving, so she could tell me where to go.  I didn’t, Dad.  We made it safely home with my eyes mostly open.  I’m a recoverin’ still, ya know.

I had to stay awake long enough to go to Parent Orientation at the kids’ school.  I was beyond thrilled to see that John Henry’s Kindergarten teacher moved up to first grade, and he will have her again.  And, I was reluctant in disclosing some of Anna’s more adventurous traits to her pre-school teacher.  I felt ignorance was truly bliss in that matter.   Don’t you agree?

Let’s just hope she’s never read this blog.

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August 18, 2009 · 8:14 am

Life After The Great Wolf.

You may or may not have noticed that I took the day off yesterday from the blogging world to recover from an exhausting, yet fun packed weekend.  On Thursday, we took the kids to the Great Wolf Lodge in Texas.  This hotel does not cater to rest and relaxation for adults.  Oh no.  Between the indoor and outdoor water park, arcade, and MagiQuest where kids take magic wands and complete quests all over the hotel, I was pretty much in a Great Wolf coma yesterday morning.  The ice cream cone I indulged in on Sunday night contributed to this coma, I am sure. 

I failed to take as many pictures as my mom, Nan, would like.  I attempted to explain to her that a water park does not compliment a non water-proof camera.  My kids did insist I take their picture with this guy.

Great Wolf 1

Anna evaluated the picture and was unimpressed with her pose.  So, she was adamant for a re-take.

Great Wolf 2

“Oh, yes.  That is definitely much better,” she said. 

And, when did she become such the diva?

We made it home yesterday afternoon, and I was beyond tired and irritated.  I could barely tolerate the sound of my little people’s voices.  Oh, how I love them.  But, oh, how I dreaded to hear “Mom” even one.more.time.  When I later saw John Henry laughing out loud at the entertainment his sister was providing for him, I couldn’t help but laugh a little myself.  It brought some relief to my annoyed, please don’t talk to me attitude. 

And, I remembered why I love being their Mom so much.

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August 14, 2009 · 6:00 am

Favorite Comment of the Week.

I love all of your comments on this here Randomness blog.  But, my favorite comment this week is courtesy of Judy.  For all you Twitter folk, that’s @judypyoung, mother of @thelanceyoung and @bonniespencer. 

In response to the post, “She Will As Soon As She Finishes Her Puzzle,” Judy comments:

“…when o when did I stop skating to my room????”

Seriously.  When did we stop skating to our room? 

Love her.

Happy Weekend!

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August 13, 2009 · 6:00 am

A Broken And A Contrite Heart.

I keep getting these e-mails about potential boarding schools.  I’ve yet to classify them as spam, you know, just in case.  Oh, I would never.  I could never. 

Could I?

No.  I love this insanely unpredictable saga I live with a husband, two kids, and a dog.  And, of course, baby number three forming as I type. 

Yesterday, I told you about our latest parenting issue with little Miss Takle.  But yesterday afternoon, I encountered a discipline issue with John Henry.  And, his response broke me.

He had mistreated his sister.  It was small stuff by most people’s terms.  But, we see treating each other the way Christ wants us to treat each other as big stuff. 

I sent him to his room.  I entered knowing that he would have to be disciplined.  After it was over, he fell in my arms, and wailed, “The things I did to my sister were wrong!”  His heartfelt repentance broke him.

It broke me.

I felt tears touching my shoulders, and I’m sure he felt tears touching his.  There are times when my children tell one another they are sorry, because we force it on them.  Then, there are moments like these where they are truly broken.  They experience true repentance. 

Later that evening, John Henry asked me to tell Kris what happened. 

“You want me to tell Dad?”  I asked him.

“Yes.  I want him to know,” he responded.

He doesn’t even understand the scripture of confessing your sins to one another, but he is already practicing it.  I couldn’t help but think.  When is the last time I felt that kind of repentance in my own heart?  Where I was really broken?  Am I that broken when I talk about someone behind their back?  When I mishandle someone?  When I sin against my Father? 

Lord, create in me a new heart.  Renew a right spirit within me.

Let me come before your throne with a heart of David.  And, understand, once again, the JOY of your salvation.   

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.  You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.  Psalm 51:17

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August 12, 2009 · 8:31 am

She Will As Soon As She Finishes Her Puzzle.

Had I typed a single word last night, it would have simply been “nauseated.”  Just as I was beginning to get over this ugly, ugly word, it resurfaced like that bitter, old aunt who won’t go back home fast enough.  I attempt to remind myself that of the miracle growing inside of me.  But, instead, I glare at my husband, because this is clearly his fault. 

I wake up this morning, and eat a piece of toast with raspberry preserves and drink a little caffeine free coke.  I feel better.  For now.  So, perhaps, now I can write something that won’t sound so, well, bitter?  Yes.

Here is our latest issue in parenting.  It concerns our funny and determined four year old.  Surprised?  I didn’t think so.  Anna has a reason for everything.  EVERYTHING.  You can also ask her to do something, and she has her very own way of getting to the task.  For example, Kris asked her to go put her shoes on.  She first puts on her skate, because she plans to skate to her room to where her shoes are. 

I got this.

Kris didn’t.

She had a talkin’ to.

I privately explained to Kris that her intent was to skate to her room, then she’d obey his instruction.  Kris explained to me that she should obey right away without excuse or delay.

I tend to agree.  But, it sure is hard, because really?  She has some pretty valid explanations.  I mean, wouldn’t you rather skate to your room than walk like normal people?  So, Kris, er, we, have been cracking down on her delayed obedience.  He’s right in doing so.  I just get her. 

Perhaps, I see myself in her little four-year old body? 

But still.  Delayed obedience really isn’t obedience is it?  Parenting is tough.  Especially when those funny girls are just so dang cute.

You can relate, yes?

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August 11, 2009 · 6:00 am

Meet Gobacho.

Since we don’t always have a conventional schedule, our family nights can land on any given day.  Like a Monday night.  Last night, the boys picked Star Wars to be the focus of snuggle time and brownies.  That’s when Anna informed us “Gobacho” is her favorite.

Friends, meet Gobacho:

Chewbacca wp

Oh, that girl makes my heart merry.  Not a single day can pass without her making me laugh.

A merry heart doeth good like medicine.  Proverbs 17:22

Who makes you laugh?

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August 10, 2009 · 6:00 am

We ARE The Church.

This weekend, Pastor Craig Groeschel explained that Christ-followers looking to the church to meet all of their needs is bad theology.  This wasn’t the first time I’ve heard this said, and I’ve always agreed with the statement.  But, God decided to mess me up with it about 2:00 am Sunday morning.  Not sure why we couldn’t talk at a more decent hour, but I’m not one for arguing with the giver of life.  At least, not on Sunday. 

At first, these thoughts started sweeping through my mind:

When did we become such consumers in our faith that we sit on the edges of our seats waiting for that one song to make us engage in worshipping our Creator?  Or that one message that would solidify our spiritual journey or give us that tingling feeling to make us go home feeling good about ourselves? 

As if the transforming power of “For God so loved the world that He gave” isn’t enough? 

I do not take for granted creative ways for reaching lost people.  I believe using whatever means we have to lead people to Christ.  And, while we as Christ-followers enjoy the media driven, smoke and lights presentation, it’s not really for us.

The church is not here for us.  We are the church.  And, we exist for the world.

After I began to process all of these thoughts, God began to talk to me about how I parent my children.  I love giving to my children.  I will continue to give to my children.  But not at the cost of them translating those gifts – or their needs being met – to how they view the church.  God showed me to instruct and inspire my children so they understand that THEY are the church.  THEY exist for the world.  So, I’m praying God will put before us opportunities where we can be just that.  The Church.  And, I know those opportunities are many. 

I don’t want to just go through the motions of life.  I don’t want my children to fail to recognize who they are.  The bride of Christ. 

Pastor Bill Hybels says, “the church is the hope of the world.”

I could not agree more.

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August 7, 2009 · 6:00 am

When Insecurities Strike.

I must be honest.  Really, I must.  I sort of feel silly for writing this post, because, I overcame the feelings I’m about to share with you about as quickly as they surfaced.  But, if I’m going to be transparent on this blog, then I should be transparent.  Right?

So, yesterday, I felt insecure.  Insecure in how I look.  Insecure in what I provide (or don’t provide) for my family….

Just insecure. 

Granted, I’m pregnant.  I’m hormonal.  Insecurities can happen to any woman – hormonal or not.  But, I don’t like that feeling.  I don’t like feeling “Oh heavens, if people could see me now with no make-up in my elastic waistband shorts and t-shirt that is fitting even more snug around the chest thanks to the growing size of my ta-tas and such.”  You know.  THAT feeling.  Of course, I’m not ashamed at all to show you my freshly highlighted hair.  That’s something, right? 

So, I was dealing with all of these yuck feelings.  Then, I’d wonder what in the Sam Hill Kris Takle could see in me now?  Except, I do clean up well and can be ridiculously funny.  But still.

After I put the kids to bed, I sat down on my sofa, and I thought about these feelings.  Then, it struck me.  At what point in my week did I begin making things all about me?  At what point in my week did I fail to recognize my Creator, and who He is in my life?  At what point did I fail to read His word?  At what point did I take my eyes off of Him and put them on me?

I am enough.  You are enough.  Because, of His grace.

I didn’t chastise myself.  I didn’t feel this huge urge to ask God for forgiveness.  Instead, I felt relief.  Relief knowing that all I have to do is look once again into my Savior’s eyes and see who I really am.  A girl in elastic waistband shorts who is loved by a King.

I remember I’m a temple of God, and His Spirit lives in me.  (1 Cor. 3:16)

And, again, I find my identity in Him.

Then, I’m okay.

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