Anna not only has some mad negotiating skills, but she also has some dangerous moves on a dance kitchen floor. All was going well in this dance number until it was interrupted by a minor wardrobe malfunction. And, well, she’s a perfectionist. She quickly ordered that I stop taping immediately. Actually, she just said, “Don’t click it yet!”
Just watch. You’ll see what I mean. And, you’ll see one of the many reasons I am so blessed.
Have a great weekend!
Filed under Kid Stuff
On Sunday, I made the ominous decision to eat healthier. ‘Cause let’s face it. These Valentine hearts and M&Ms aren’t going to jump off my hips all by themselves. So, instead of digging through the candy jar in search of some sort of satisfaction that only sugar can bring, I chose to inhale an entire carton of blueberries. Tart ones. And, they were almost as satisfying as those Dove Chocolates I lifted from Anna’s Valentine sack she so carefully decorated.
Fast forward to Monday where I was forced to make myself comfortable in the ladies’ room with a few magazines and games on my iPhone. Needless to say, Kris won’t have to tell me again to leave a few blueberries for the rest of the family.
Moving on.
I am blessed.
I go to a super awesome bible study with some super awesome gals. {Read as though you are back in Junior High.} Yesterday, we talked about what it means to be blessed. Well, “blessed” comes from the Greek word “makarios” which means “more than happy.” We all did that thing where you go around the room and share what “blessed” means to you. To me, it means that I have a peace in good times and in bad. Every situation that comes your way is not going to be a situation where you shout, “Wow, that was blessing, wasn’t’ it?” But, when you have the peace of God despite your circumstances, then you can keep on keepin’ on. Read me? That’s a blessing.
For example, I can have a really crappy day that may look something like this:
– Wake up, feel yuck about myself, and don’t feel good in anything I put on.
– Fashion wars with a 4 year old. Emotional breakdown with a 6 year old. Need I say more?
– Have a stupid argument with my husband.
– Money becomes even tighter.
Perhaps you can relate to one or all of the above. It’s the little, sometimes big, things than can make for a crappy day.
BUT then, I remember.
– I have a body that is whole. And, the last colonoscopy I had showed no signs of ulcerative colitis. I am blessed to live in this body.
– I have two very unique children. One makes my life so much dang fun. I laugh often because of her. The other is tender and gentle towards others. His compassion inspires me to love people even more.
– I am married to a warrior who fights hard for this family. He puts us first, and I am so emphatically in love with him.
– God has never forsaken me. He is my Jehovah Jirah.
You see? I am blessed. Even when things aren’t perfect. I am more than happy. Because, I have this peace of God that reminds me no matter what, everything is gonna be all right.
Oh, and the blueberry story? Well, that was just a little free advice. No need to thank me.
What does being blessed mean to you?
Filed under gratitude, Spiritual Journey
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?
Filed under parenting
I’m in a good place with Jesus right now. Er, as opposed to being in a bad place? I dunno. I’m just sayin’ I’m in a good place. I’ve been doing a lot of digging – both internally and externally. I have asked Jesus to take all of the stuff inside of me that’s not of Him, and smash it into the ground. Or something like that. Whenever I surrender all of me to Him – the good, the bad, and the ugly – He never fails to take it all, and pour into me everything Jesus.
And, folks, everything Jesus just feels good. Hence, the good place.
Every book and scripture I read is fresh. It’s full of life. And, it makes me fall in love with Jesus all over again. Ever have that feeling where you truly get back to your first love? That’s where I am. I am head over heels in love with my Father. Kind of makes me want to break out the old Mylon La Fevre and Petra albums. Oh, and God bless David Teems.
This past Sunday, I heard Craig Groeschel say, “If you want what you once had, you have to do what you once did.” Of course, he was referring to marital relationships, but you just might be able to apply that to your relationship with the One that matters most. So, if it takes Petra’s old “The Color Song” to bring you back to your knees, then by all means, listen to it.
For me, I’ve just needed a fresh surrender to Him. A dying of myself. It isn’t the first time I’ve had to die to me, and it certainly won’t be the last. Because, I am Dusty Takle. I have young children, and I heart Junior Mints. Actually, it’s because I am very imperfect. But, I’m pressing toward the mark… The word press here means to pursue. To go after Him with intensity. And, bury all that is Dusty Takle along the way. So, Christ can consume me.
This journey with Christ truly “gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by. Oh what a love between my Lord and I. I keep falling in love with Him. Over and over and over and over again.”
13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:13-14
Are you pressing toward Him?
Filed under Spiritual Journey
The Takles had a laid back weekend. We attended the Saturday evening service at Lifechurch.tv making for a lazier Sunday. I briefly felt like a heathen, because, well….old habits die hard, and my Sunday mornin’ church-attendin’ roots run deep.
It was nice having Kris home this weekend. John Henry had his last basketball game. Since John Henry’s idea of blocking the opposing team members includes some sort of dance, I’m pretty sure we’ll be retiring his Thunder jersey. Yes, his team was called the Thunder – just like Oklahoma City’s first ever professional team. Apparently, everyone was so excited to have a pro ball team, they decided to call ALL young basketball teams “Thunder.”
Clever.
Anna informed me that I was “wearing her out.” I haven’t a clue where she’s heard that one. She then insisted that we call her “Angel.” She failed to appreciate the humor I saw in her requested new name.
“It’s not funny, Mom!”
“You’re name is Anna, not Angel.” I told her.
“Not anymore,” she said.
Oh. Okay.
Later, I tuned into The Oscars. I avoided the red carpet this year due to not losing those last few pounds. Carolina Herrera will just have to wait until next year to dress me.
Kris did manage to watch the Oscar-nominated The Wrestler on a recent trip. “It was horrible.” His words. Not mine. Mickey Rourke is a strange one. But, I’m sort of fascinated by him. Of course, not nearly as much as I am by Hugh Jackman. He is, after all, Wolverine. And, if you don’t like the X-Men, who are you really?
And, that about sums up our weekend. Pretty rowdy, huh?
Did you watch the Academy Awards?
Filed under Randomness
Six years ago tomorrow, Kris Takle entered my life. No, it’s not our anniversary. But, it is a special day that we have acknowledged every year since. Because, since that day, my life has never been the same. Our commitment is based first and foremost on our commitment to Christ. To live a life fully devoted to Him. So, we can then be fully committed to one another. Believe me. We are well aware that when our “connective-ness” is out of whack, our relationship with Christ usually is, too.
Our journey together isn’t without challenges. We’ve faced difficulties and disappointments. But, we keep on pursuing Him. We keep on pursuing one another. Because, we know that in every situation, the goodness of God can always be found.
I can honestly say that I love him more today than I did the day I married him. Cliché, I know. But, it’s true. So very true. I hope fifty years from now we are still bringing glory to the One who saved us by His completely amazing, breath-taking grace.
And, I hope we’re watching our children and grandchildren do the same.
Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:3
Filed under Love, Marriage, Relationships
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
Filed under God Stuff, life, Motherhood, parenting
John Henry came home from school last week and told me, “people who don’t love God don’t know Him.” I’m pretty sure 1 John 4:8 is one of his memory verses. I thought it would be fun to interview my children on what they know about God. Here are their answers. The spelling and punctuation are courtesy of mom. Grammar and content are courtesy of a 6 year old and 4 year old.
John Henry
That He is our Father.
He sent His son Jesus to earth.
And, He made us. He made Brew, all these animals. The seventh day He rest.
I pray to talk to Him. We pray to Him anytime we want to.
We praise Him, and we celebrate His birthday.
Whenever you look up, you’re looking at Him.
He died on a cross to save our sins, and He loves us.
Anna
When God doesn’t know us or someone doesn’t know God, we have to pray to God so He’ll talk to us.
God praise us to bless our hearts to breathe.
God is in our hearts so He can hear us, ‘cause He’s so high when we pray.
He lives in heaven ‘cause heaven’s His favorite place to live.
He does lots of good stuff.
And, if we be bad we tell the truth.
And, He makes us by eating food to grow. If we don’t have food in our tummy, we die and go to heaven.
God bless us with rats to hold and cats to hold. Rats are like mouse. Rats are tiny, and they scratch.
And, there ya go.
What do you know about God?
The hubs works hard. No doubt about that. I wish I could do what he did, but I doubt I could ever land a plane quite as smoothly as he does. I also have a bad habit of giggling when I talk to air traffic controllers. And, if someone said “De-Ice”, I’d probably break out into something as ridiculous as “Ice, Ice Baby.” I’m just being honest.
He’s good at what he does. I’m usually decent at what I do. But, could we trade places? I found out in a recent conversation with Kris.
Me: “Do you think you could ever be a stay-at-home-dad while I was the income earner?”
The hubs: “Oh, you have no idea. Absolutely.”
Me: “No, you couldn’t. You could never stop looking at aircraft for sale on the internet or……”
The hubs: “I absolutely could. I would be the best SAHD ever. The kids would always be dressed so cute, er, except for Anna. You’d come home from work, and I’d show you the new clothes I bought them. Then, you’d be wondering, ‘How much did that cost?’ Then, I spend my free time planning vacations and talking to my friends on Facebook.”
Me: “Could you be any more subtle?”
It’s like he doesn’t even know me.
For the record, I’ve participated in practically zero shopping given the current state of the economy. And, I only spend a portion of my time on Facebook due to the, ahem, demands of writing and Twitter. Oh, and let’s not even begin with my volunteer commitments. So there ya go.
Okay. Please, excuse me while I get back to researching deals at Disney.
Filed under Marriage, Randomness
I’m coming down from a sugar high from the massive amounts of Valentine treats collected by my children. So, y’all bear with me. I’m going to pretend the Christmas holidays are just now ending and make a resolution to eat healthier; forsaking all sugars until pounds I do part. Selah and Amen.
It’s President’s Day.
What better way to honor our presidents than these completely respectable, life-like crafts?
I had to take a second look at George Washington there. It’s hard to distinguish if it’s Washington I’m seeing or my great-aunt Kate with rollers in her hair. In any case, I cannot tell a lie. I love those kids. I love this country.
Abraham Lincoln said, “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” While you or I may never be president of the United States, we can choose to live a life that is beyond ourselves. A life that is rich in service. A life that is rich in love. I would hate to know that I lived my life only concerned for my own needs and wants.
I pray the same prayer over my children every night. In part of that prayer, I ask God that they “may always be a blessing to people.” Because, I know that in living a life that is life-giving, that there will be life in their years.
Filed under Kid Stuff, life, making an impact
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