My Mom.

Is the first person I call with any life-changing, gut-wrenching, or hair-raising news.

Will find any story about my children amusing.  Any.

Never has enough money to spend on herself, but is a dadgum millionaire if I want something.

Is relentless when it comes to trusting in God.

Loves my dad, and will still laugh at things he does.  Usually with me behind his back.  But still.

Is the best Easter Bunny EVER.

Makes the best cake in the entire gargantuan universe. 

Will still cry when she thinks about her mom and dad.

Loves to ride her Harley, and I will raise my fist if she ever gets a tattoo.  Raise it, I tell you!  No.  I wouldn’t raise my fist.  My brow, perhaps.

Thinks I’m funny.  I love to make her laugh.

Is the best mom.

Ever.

In the history.

Happy Birthday, Mom.

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Filed under Motherhood, Randomness

Finding New Ways To Connect.

I’m learning that how I connect with my children changes from year to year.  I used to always be able to connect with John Henry by simply snuggling with him on the sofa in front of a movie. 

Snuggling just isn’t cool.  Not always. 

When I read John Eldredge’s Wild At Heart almost seven years ago, I knew this day would come.  I knew one day, I would have to modify the way I nurture my son.  Because, he is a future warrior.  And, I want him to be comfortable being the man God created him to be.  So, I’ve had to find new ways to connect with him.

Here is one.

JH - Mom

Nothing says love like a fight with super soakers.

Especially for a six-year old boy.

JH - Mom 2

I’m pretty sure I won this round.  And, he can’t wait for a re-match. 

It’s my prayer that if I engage in things with him that he loves….in activities that make him feel good about being a young man, he will be comfortable sharing his heart. 

And, I want his heart more than I want his obedience.  Because, when I capture his heart, obedience simply follows. 

I am not a perfect mother to my son.  I fail often.  I think I probably fail far too often.  But, I don’t want to.  I want to take the time to put down my insignificant distractions and get soaked outside with my beautiful, blue-eyed boy.  God has entrusted me with John Henry.  And, I love him so, so very much.

What is one way you connect with your kids?

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Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood, parenting, Uncategorized

No Boys Allowed.

It’s been about a year since we discovered this on Anna’s bedroom wall.

Anna - wall wp

Kris decided that we should let her keep this sketch of her name.  But, not before a long discussion on why she was to never do it again.

Fast forward to yesterday evening.  In walks Anna into the family room.

“Mom, I need you to wet a towel for me.”

“Why?” I queried.

“Because, I did something I’m not supposed to do.”

I walked into her room, and this is what I saw on her door entrance:

Anna - door wp

With permanent marker.

If I know Kris, he’ll allow her to keep this work of art, too.  Because, after all, boys are NOT allowed in her room. 

Ever.

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Filed under Kid Stuff, parenting

Tooth Mishaps & Other Stuff.

Made it back to Oklahoma where the wind comes sweeping down the plain, or something like that.  The wind, it sweeps alright.  John Henry decided to lose pull his tooth just as we were boarding our flight home.  “I’m just trying to make money,” he explained.  Tooth Fairy was so completely exhausted by night time, she almost failed to pay up.  John Henry is so resolute about making money on his teeth, we fear he won’t have any teeth left very soon.  Perhaps, it makes sense to go ahead and introduce him to the workforce.  You know, to save him from pulling his permanent teeth, too.

Of course, I am not one to pass judgment on timely tooth matters.  I noticed on my flight home that my front tooth felt a bit odd.  And sharp in an area.  What?  I chipped my tooth?  How?  I had no idea how in the world I could have done this.  It’s not like I bite into foods with my front teeth.  It wasn’t until I was lying in bed that I remembered.

In an effort to reset my watch back to the central time zone, I used my front teeth to loosen up the little winder thingy.  Blast.  What was I thinking?  I’d make money from the Tooth Fairy?  Grrrr.

I have no dentist in Oklahoma.  So, I sent out a message on Twitter and Facebook asking for suggestions on a local dentist.  And, boy do people love their dentist!  How to choose between 50 of THE BEST dentists in the state? 

When we finally got home, it was pretty clear that there was nothing we were going to be eating in the Takle house, unless potatoes that turned into a massive tree branch sounded appetizing.  This disgusting adventure motivated me to clean out both refrigerator and pantry.  How, oh how, we do keep salad dressings from 2005?  I, embarrassingly, threw away 4 trash bags full of food.  Not the wisest of things to do for a woman still enduring her first trimester. 

For.The.Love.

I dismantled our entire refrigerator, scrubbing every nook and cranny.  Today, I am proud to say it is beautiful, friends.  Just beautiful.  Nothing feels quite as therapeutic as opening up your refrigerator door knowing you can eat ANYTHING inside. 

Anna decided to change clothes, again, before we trekked to the grocery store to restock our kitchen.  This is what she changed into to:

Anna - outfit wp

Nothing says you’re ready to take on Oklahoma’s sweltering temps like jeans and a sweater.  And, NOTHING says fashion like ripped floral jeans and dress shoes. 

Nothing.

She insisted on keeping her size sticker on her shirt.

Anna - size sticker wp

This way, it would “stay new.”

Makes perfect sense.  No chance you’ll see me sporting my size sticker.  Just sayin’.

It’s good to be home.  But, I do miss those Georgia Peaches.

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Filed under Kid Stuff, Randomness

The Bell Rings Again.

I was a teacher once.  It’s true.  I taught eighth grade my last four years of teaching.  Some think teaching middle schoolers would be hell.  Honestly, I loved my kids.  Some were funny.  Some were troubled.  And, quite frankly, some just pulled on my heart strings. 

And, most of them listened to me. 

What an opportunity teachers have that they can impart to young minds and hearts.  Even beyond academia. 

Thank you, thank you educators for giving up going out to lunch, high-paying salaries, and your own cash buying supplies for our children.

You are the real world changers. 

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”  – Henry Brooks Adams

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Time Travels So Fast.

Last night, I sat on the bed with Anna.  I demonstrated how tiny her feet used to be.  I showed her how I’d kiss them, and she’d giggle.  She loves hearing stories of things she did when she was a baby.  I love remembering them.

Kids 2006

Sometimes, I pause and marvel.

Where did the time go?

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I’ve Got Some Practicing To Do.

Well, my book, The Practice of the Presence of God, arrived yesterday, and I’m already halfway through.  No need to be impressed.  It’s an itty bitty book.

It’s principally about enjoying the presence of God while engaging in the routine things in life….like doing the dishes.  Or feeding the dog.  Or bathing your four-year old.  Or consuming a box of Junior Mints.  It’s the practice of recognizing His presence even outside the Sunday experience or your quiet devotional time.  This, Brother Lawrence says, takes practice.  But, living our life acknowledging the presence of God in the big and small things will not only bring us unbelievable joy, but it will sure us up in knowing that with Him, all things truly are possible. 

One key in practicing His presence is doing away with any thoughts or actions that do NOT lead us or point us toward Christ.  He writes, “the most important part resides in renouncing, once and for all, whatever does not lead to God.  This allows us to become involved in a continuous conversation with Him in a simple and unhindered manner….

All we have to do is recognize God as being intimately present within us.”

When I read this, I had to consider the feelings and thoughts that come up when certain situations arise.  Does that thought or does my action or response LEAD me to God?  I’d bet the envy that I feel over her six-pack abs does not lead me to God.  Nor does my judgment over how he handled a situation.  And, the way I over-react to my children, at times….well, I’d bet that’s not leading me to God.

And, the occasional pride issue that creeps up?  Well, let’s not even go there. 

But, actually, I must go there.

I must go to these things that hinder me from experiencing His presence in every single thing I do.  I have to catch myself when these thoughts that aren’t of Him rear their ugly heads.  And, denounce them.  Then, maybe I can experience Him the way He created me to experience Him. 

Oh, the conversations I’m sure we’ll have when I begin to practice His presence. 

 I think I’m going to like this book.  ‘Cause I sure like His presence.

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Filed under God Stuff, Spiritual Journey

What’s On Your Nightstand?

I had intended on writing this post last night, but I sat up and listened to some insightful, and sometimes funny, exchanges between my dad and his pastor friend of more than thirty years, Ron Gray.  And, then a little prego sickness postponed my morning writing.  Thankyousokindly, Caffeine-Free Coke.   I could not survive without your faithfulness.   

I usually read at night before I close my eyes.  Obviously, before I close my eyes.  I have a few books awaiting my attention.  Bill Hybel’s Axiom is one of them.  But, I’m most excited about today’s delivery of The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence.  Yes, Brother Lawrence.  It was originally published in 1982, so if you’ve been in the Church for a while, you’ve probably heard of it or even read it yourself. 

I enjoy books on leadership and the occasional novel.  However, right now, I feel compelled to read material that simply draws me closer to my Creator. 

What are you reading right now?
What is a book you’ve recently read that you highly recommend, fiction or non?

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That’s Not Fair!

There is no book or instruction manual that tells you how to handle every parenting quandary.  My lack of wisdom in dealing with various situations became even more evident last night.  I allowed John Henry and Anna to pick ONE movie to watch in their room together.  Of course, they picked two different movies.  And, of course, I thought out loud, “Hmmm. How can we handle this?”  John Henry suggested they pick a number between one and ten. 

Perfect.

They did.  He won.  She wailed.

It wasn’t very fair for Anna even if she would get her pick next time.  I could have told her the first shall be last, and the last shall be first, but I felt certain that wouldn’t have sped her recovery.  It was a hard lesson in life for a four year old.  A lesson we all learn if we live long enough.

Life is not fair.

It’s not fair that I’m only 5’3”.  It’s not fair that I have a digestive disease. 

It’s not fair that my very good friend, Josh, died at 27.  It’s not fair that there are children in India begging for food.  It’s not fair that a five year old little girl has a brain tumor. 

So many things in life aren’t fair.

But, if God was fair, we would all die and pay a price for our sins.  One of my favorite Cindy Beall lines on “God isn’t fair” is: “I’m glad He’s not.  I need His mercy.”  The promise of eternal life isn’t about God being fair.  It’s about His incomprehensible love and mercy.

Life may seem unfair sometimes.  But, God is full of mercy.  He IS mercy.  He IS just.  And, He is faithful to make all things work together for the good.

This, I know well.

As for Anna….well, her tender, sweet big brother parted her tears, and said, “Anna, we can watch your movie.”

Was that fair for John Henry?  Well, maybe he does have a grasp on the first shall be last truth.  Or, just maybe, he was being merciful to his little sister. 

Either way, I am so humbled to be that young man’s mother.

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Filed under God Stuff, life, Motherhood, parenting

What NOT To Say To Your Pregnant Wife.

Me:  “Kris, my pants are already getting a bit snug.  Do you think it’s because I’m pregnant with my third and pushing 35?”

Kris:  “Babe, you have to realize…you were in GREAT shape when you got pregnant with John Henry and Anna.”

Me:  “Do you ever say things and wish you hadn’t have said them?”

It’s a good thing I love him.  And, walk in forgiveness.

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Filed under Marriage, Say What?