March 13, 2009 · 6:00 am

Friday Funnies.


My kids make me laugh.  Here are some of their recent quotes.

John Henry:  “Everybody was born in a hospital except Jesus.”

Anna (When I told her Nan was on the phone to talk to her): “Tell her I’ll talk to her tomorrow.”

John Henry (In response to Anna telling him a boy at school bit her): “I don’t usually use my anger, but I will use it on him if he does it again.”

This next quote is courtesy of one of Anna’s pre-school teachers.   Here is the conversation that followed when Miss Audra informed Anna that her cat was pregnant:

Anna:  “Can I have one?”

Miss Audra:  “Sure!  What color?”

Anna:  “A rainbow sparkly kitty.”

Miss Audra:  “I don’t think my kitty will have rainbow sparkly babies.”

Anna told me that Miss Audra’s cats have not “hatched out yet.”  She has also invited her pre-school teachers to come to Cabo and Georgia with us.  They told me they are very excited. 

Aren’t kids the best ever?

8 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff

Tagged as

March 12, 2009 · 6:00 am

Letting go.


There are times that I tell God that I want whatever He wants for me.  Sometimes, I even mean it.  Other times, I’m afraid to tell Him I want what He wants, because…

Well, because, what if He doesn’t want what I want?  For real.

So, to play it safe, I steer clear of surrendering a thing or two.

But, that’s not playing it safe.

It might even be rebellion disguised as a “I’m not ready to give that part of me up just yet.”

I’ve had a little something something in my life like that.  This week, I gave it all to Him.  I said these words to God:

I want whatever You want for me. 

Wherever you want me to be.  Whatever you want me to do.  THAT’S what I want.

And, I meant it.

His ways are higher than our ways.

His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.

He even loves me more than my mama.  And, that’s sayin’ a lot, folks.

When is the last time you told Him you want whatever He wants?  And meant it?

5 Comments

Filed under Spiritual Journey

Tagged as ,

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?

10 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood, parenting

Tagged as , ,

March 10, 2009 · 6:00 am

The Secret of My Success.


Kris and I still watch that old movie every time it airs.  I’m sure you know the story. Kansas boy, Michael J. Fox, moves to New York City with a dream of making it big in business.  By the way, can you believe that movie came out twenty-two years ago?  Kind of makes me want to pull Top Gun and The Breakfast Club out of the family vault.   Where have all the good movies gone?

Anyhoo…

 Kris and I were talking about success recently.  We set family goals, financial goals, and personal goals.  But whether or not I get my own personal G-2 jet by the time I’m 40 years old remains to be seen.  Aim high, right?

But, none of those successes really matter.  Not really.  Any material possessions we accumulate can be gone tomorrow.  Hey.  I live in tornado alley.  An F-5 can wipe me out faster than I can down a box of Junior Mints.

The kind of success that matters is how I’ve grown spiritually.  How I’ve affected changed lives. 

I hope.  I HOPE that as I grow older, and I measure my own success, that I am able to say….

I know Christ more today than I did yesterday.

I am so much more aware of who Christ is in me.

I’ve allowed God to use me to make another’s life a little better.

The rest, as a good friend recently told me, is “fluff.”  Our spiritual success is what really matters.  I hope I’m investing more of myself into the things of the Kingdom than I am into the fluff. 

Because, I am nothing without Him. 

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ…Philippians 3:8

6 Comments

Filed under Spiritual Journey

Tagged as , ,

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. 

anna-mommy-braids-wp

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Comments

Filed under Motherhood, parenting

Tagged as , ,

March 6, 2009 · 6:00 am

I love y’all, but it’s been one of those nights/days.


This is post will be weak at best if I try to write something inspiring on my own.  Sorry for that.  It’s just been a little crazy ‘round the Takle house.  No, it’s not because I’m still sheddin’ tears.  Glo-ree.  I’m all cried out.  For the week. 

So, let me, if you will, take you to two fabulous posts I read yesterday.  Both are centered around marriage.

“If You Like Piña Coladas” – I liked this post for two reasons:  1) I finally learned what that song is all about, and 2) It was a nice little reminder to keep on pursuing…..my husband, that is J

“Nuggets” – Let’s just say you men will want to leave this post up on the screen for the wife to walk by and “just happen” to read it.  You’re welcome.

Have a fabulous weekend!

4 Comments

Filed under Marriage

Tagged as

March 5, 2009 · 6:00 am

It’s my party. I’ll cry if I want to.


So, I was sitting on my sofa, laptop in lap, my large canine friend in front of me, and incredibly hot husband to the right of me. 

“I’ve got nothin’.  I mean, I have nothing to write about.  Not when I’m feeling the way I’m feeling,” I blurted out to Kris. 

Whew.

That was hard to admit.  Not running on empty in the creative writing department part.  We all know “creative writing” and dustytakledotcom are not necessarily synonymous.  It was hard to admit that I was struggling inside with some emotions that I have withheld for, oh, about a week.  Ya see, I don’t suppress anything for long.  It’s just not my nature.  But, these feelings, for personal reasons, were just hard to uncover with Kris.  And, it wasn’t his stuff.  It was mine.  All mine. 

So, I told him.  And, I cried.  I cried some more.  Then, a little more. 

Every once in a while, I have an old issue that sneaks up on me.  And, I feel those feelings again.  An issue that I nailed to the cross long ago.  It’s an issue that tries to disguise itself as performance-minded or self-sufficiency.   But, when I tear away its mask, I see it for what it really is.

Insecurity.  A need for validation. 

I knew exactly what prompted those feelings.  Being honest with my feelings wrapped in a blanket of tears was what I needed.

Ahhh.  All better now.

If you’re having your own internal struggle right now, find a safe place and open your heart to him or her.  And, if you really want to get it all out, then cry, baby, cry.

Do you ever just need a good cry?

10 Comments

Filed under life, Marriage

Tagged as , , ,

March 4, 2009 · 6:00 am

Don’t drink the Kool-aid. Tee-hee.


Every once in a while, I do a little work.  Oh, settle down.   I don’t like get CRAZY with it or anything.  But, I do have a few responsibilities with my husband’s company.  And, sometimes, I do them J

Yesterday morning, Anna was begging to make Kool-aid.  The whole “in a bit” response just wasn’t satisfactory.  So, while I was on the phone with an aircraft financing guy (see? I’m kind of vital to our business) I peek into the kitchen and see this:

anna-koolaid-wp

I tried my darndest not to laugh while discussing biz-ness.  She used a little medicine cup to pour the sugar in.  Cutest evah.

Seriously.  I am in love with this girl.  Head over heels in love with her.  I love her determination.  I love her mad dancing skills.  I love her. 

Thank you, Jesus, for letting me be Anna Takle’s mommy.  You’re the best.

 

7 Comments

Filed under gratitude, Kid Stuff, Motherhood

Tagged as , ,

March 3, 2009 · 6:00 am

Who are you?


I could write about a lot of things right now, because there are many things going on in this little head of mine.  But, today, I just want to tell every one of my readers (as many or few as that might be) one thing:

You aren’t who people say you are.  You are who God says you are.

I know I’ve said this before, but I think it’s worth repeating time and time again, since the enemy would love to steal your identity away from you. 

Soooo, on that note…

God says I am more than a conqueror through Christ who loves me. (Romans 8:37)

Your turn.

Who does God say you are?

8 Comments

Filed under God Stuff

Tagged as ,

March 2, 2009 · 6:00 am

He stopped me in my tracks.


I was talking the other day with someone when another individual’s name came up.  {My apologies for my vagueness.  I’m sure you understand.}  I started in with comments like “the nerve,” “I can’t believe…,” “Puh-leese,” and even “he/she has some serious issues.” 

Brothers and sisters, Jesus was just pouring off my lips, wasn’t He?

Then, right in the middle of my compassionless spill, God spoke to me.

“See people the way I see people.”

Uh, you talkin’ to me?

He was.  So, I stopped right there, and gazed across at the person I was talking to, and said, “God is so good.  Do you know what He just told me?”

I went on to share with that person how God wants me to see people the way He sees them.  Then, I asked him/her to forgive me. 

It’s very hard to do sometimes.  Especially, when people do not live up to our expectations or behave in a way we deem inappropriate.  And, sometimes, these people hurt other people.  But, you know the saying:  “Hurting people hurt people.”

So, I just have to remind myself.  That person is a child of the Most High.  And, He loves him or her more than I can comprehend. 

God, let me see people the way you see them.  And, let me love them the way you do.

Do you ever struggle with this like me?

14 Comments

Filed under God Stuff, Love

Tagged as , , ,