Who knows?

I know I haven't written for FOREVER!!! Life is busy and this is the first thing I end up giving up. Hopefully on Friday....

Anyway, I had to show this picture of Dillon. I don't know what to say.... he has a crib, but has opted to sleep in his frog tent he received for his birthday.... but I guess the novelty of sleeping in a tent has worn off... so his laundry bag was the next new thing??? Who knows??

fun moments to share....

Anna called me into the bathroom.

Look Mom, it is a cool statue!







God took my grumpy day and gave me a special encouragement!! Anna and Dillon wanted to sit and read books at her pre-school today, after Dillon and I came to pick her up. Ususally they want to play on the slides or swings. My friend was picking up her children and stopped and said "Oh, a Kodak moment!" I actually had my camera and so I am able to share this moment with you!!!

***Dillon wanted to bring the books home, and I had to explain that they were the pre-school's books... he was disappointed but reluctantly complied. I love that they love to read books!!! =)


Lately Dillon has really surprised me. He will be quiet for a moment, and then start reciting words from a book we haven't even read in a couple of days or even weeks. He will start singing a song that we may or may not have recently listened to. A few days ago he even quoted a verse they have taught him at church!!
Jesus is the Son of God
He was so proud of himself for remembering!!

I love watching how his brain is working, it is amazing that he can remember so much. I so wonder what he is thinking about as he recites the books and songs. Who knows???

His favorite saying lately is "Be like Anna!" Sometimes it takes us awhile to figure out what this means. Life with him can be a bit of a guessing game at times. Fun, fun fun!!! =) =)

"Trust me"

I was grumpy this morning... I wanted to go running and Anna and Dillon were not very cooperative. So I took Anna to pre-school and then just Dillon and I went running. I was very grumpy and not sure if I should run or do something else... clean or bills... something boring. I also love spending time with just Dillon.

So, I went running, and felt so much better!!! In the quiet of running I was able to release my frustrations, pray, and to once again "enjoy the story". Sometimes I wonder how I can enjoy this story God has written for me today, when I don't really like it a whole lot. I am glad that we serve a God who will listen to my frustrations, and then gently encourage me. Today it was... "Your children struggle with understanding that you love them even though you cannot or will not give them everything they want. You too are struggling right now. Yet that is ok, just like you will still love your children, and hope that they will one day understand, I still love you and know that you will one day understand. Trust me."

Thanks God!!!

one final note....

I am so thankful for Spring Break!!! =) Can you tell I have extra time on my hands!!! While running has been taking a back seat to sleepless nights and sick kids... again.... I hope to begin again. This time my goal is 3 miles, in 30 minutes, four times a week. I will let you know how it works out!!!

Our "Resurrection Day" celebration

Aren't pictures great!!! You can see the delight in Anna's face as she is tickled by her daddy, loving "daddy-time" on the slide, my craziness from having been cooped up with feverish children all week, and Todd's reluctance to be photographed. Though this was different than the traditional egg hunt and dinner with family and friends, we still enjoyed the day. God is good!!!

Happy Resurrection Day!!!

one more birthday story....

Anna picked out Funshine bear for Dillon, though we had suggested a different gift. She insisted that he would like it. We didn't get around to wrapping it, I didn't think it would be a big deal. Anna woke up on Saturday morning and found it unwrapped. She wrapped it and proudly presented it to Dillon when he woke up. His response...

I love it!! Thank you Anna!
...big smiles and a hug for Funshine Bear. =) =)

Our Nemo Party

“Playing Dress up**Ok, so the “costumes don'’t really work on Todd and I, but the plan was to have more children there!!! =)
“Nemo and friends

“Lights out!

“Through the Kelp forest

Nemo-Dory Toss

The bean-bags: a close-up

Planning...

Proper planning prevents poor performance.

How many times have you heard this, or this idea expressed? I used to think this meant that my planning would result in life working out according to my plan. I am finally getting the hint... that is not how life works!!!

I now am beginning to understand that performance does not always equal my plan. A true performer reacts to and works with their audience. A teacher will respond to the needs of her students. A parent responds to the needs of her children. What does this require? Flexibility, an ability to bend and react to the circumstances. When I am not flexible, I break. Thankfully, I am maturing in this area!!! Praise God!!!

So... what is this all about???

My Plan: A fun little party for Dillon for his third birthday, followed by a relaxing Easter dinner with friends.

Life? Sick and grumpy kids with fevers for a week, reducing Dillon's party to immediate family only (thankfully he has a sister!!), and our Easter dinner began with a trip to the park followed Claim Jumper's frozen dinners!!!

Oh well, the weekend was still fun, and I was able to work on Anna's Easter dress. It was not finished by Sunday... but is now!! Yipee!!! The amazing thing is that, although I was disappointed that we didn't get to really party, the day was still fun and unspoiled by any excessive pouting by the mommy that planned the party. Pictures will be posted soon... hopefully today!!!!

Enjoy!!!

An Appeal to Prayer

Todd leaves for SE Asia in a little over a week. We would covet your prayers. Join with me in praying Psalm 23 for Todd as we engage in this spiritual battle for lost souls.

Psalm 23

Heavenly Father, You are Todd's shepherd, he shall not want. Make him lie down in green pastures; lead him beside quiet waters, restore his soul; guide him in the paths of righteousness For Your name's sake. Even though he walks through the valley of the shadow of death, May he fear no evil, for You are with him; Your rod and Your staff, may they comfort him.

You prepare a table before him in the presence of his enemies; You have anointed his head with oil; His cup overflows. May goodness and lovingkindness follow him all the days of his life,
And he will dwell in Your house forever. Amen

Thank you!!!

My cute obstacles

Anna and Dillon giving the grass a "haircut"

"Stike a pose"

Fun new outfits, thanks Grammy and Poppy!!

Running as a metaphor for life...

So, I have been able to keep up with running... 3 miles on W, F, and M. I didn't get to go today... it was too dark this morning and I only have dark clothes to wear running... I discovered I am rather addicted to running... which is good and frustrating at the same time!!

I have been wanting to blog all week... so many thoughts simmering in my brain, wanting to be let out and expressed. Yet every time I sit down, my thoughts refuse to flow!!! My brain seems to require silence to express itself, and with Anna not really napping anymore... silence is a rare commodity!! Quiet time has not been going well either, in our house... but I refuse to give up!!!

Days like today, when I feel overwhelmed with all I have committed to... make me question my commitments. Life just isn't working today!!! Yet I am reminded of the lesson I am learning as I train my body to run.

When I run, I get to a point where I am out of breath and feel like I can't go on. Yet, if I am ok with this uncomfortable feeling, if I press on, I discover a rhythm in which I feel I could run for hours!! It is the same with life... if I just press on, perhaps needing to walk, but still moving forward, then suddenly life is easier, or at least, do-able, survive-able. It is that hanging on in the difficult times that is important. Maybe that is what I love about running, that feeling of accomplishing something that at times feels impossible. So perseverance is the first lesson.

The second is being ok without a routine. When I run with both Anna and Dillon, I have to stop often, letting one or both out, to keep peace among the ranks. So my run turns into an interval workout. Sometimes I am straining against the weight of two children and a stroller, barely able to keep running up the hill, other times running with ease, down hill, or running slowly waiting for one or both to keep up. (Anna and Dillon are more interested in looking at all the bugs, sticks and pine cones that line our route!!) I would prefer the predictable 3 mile run, I know how long it will take me and can set my own pace!!! Yet that is not always the run I get to run, and running with two is definitely more interesting!!! However, I will never establish a habit of running if I only run on my own terms.

Life works the same way. Sometimes it is hard to find a routine... and that is a struggle for me, one who thrives on routine. I have to be ok with this interval workout, sometimes struggling against obstacles that keep appearing... not always in the form of Anna and Dillon =)... and sometimes living life "down-hill" with everything moving smoothly and without incident.

So, I continue to run, to persevere, and to live life despite the interruptions. Isn't it the interruptions that make life interesting and fun?? :)

Hebrew 12: 1-2
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I love that the passage states "the run that is set before us". God gives each of us a run, a life, that is unique, in which He will equip us to run. I also love that God tells us how to run this race, to "fix our eyes on Jesus".

May you run with endurance the race that is set before you and fix your eyes on Jesus.

2.9 miles today!! Of course, I didn't get up early so I had to push both children... yikes!! so, 45 minutes later we finished the run at Anna's pre-school... (45 minutes because we had to stop several times... due to a difference of opinion about who was going to play with the bird and who was going to play with the little green man from toy story.) =) We eventually figured it out. Also, mommy made them run up the last hill.... pushing 60+ lbs of children and another 30+ lbs of stroller was a bit too much!!! I wonder what the neighbors thought when they heard our conversation...
"We are running today.... and you need to run. If you stop again, you will have to sit in the stroller... " etc, etc..... =) =)
Of course, I then had to walk/run the 1.8 miles back home to shower and change before picking her back up.... hmm.... definitely motivation to wake up earlier!!! =) =)

My progress and my plan.... am I nuts???

Running is something that must be done on a regular basis... I have always known this... I am just a little more familiar with this experiential knowledge!!

W: 2.3 miles in 25ish, though I had to walk a little... =(
F: 2.3 miles in 27ish... but I was pushing Anna... I need to wake up earlier so I can go alone!! =) =) Especially now when I am establishing consistency....

My plan is to run 3ish miles four times a week for a couple of weeks, and then to start training for a half marathon. I found a 12 week workout schedule online that seems doable. If I complete the first 8 weeks, then I think I might actually sign up for a half marathon!!! What fun!!! I need to be realistic, though... it does take quite a bit of time... but it is fun to think about!!! =) =)

My daughter... the mathematician!

Anna, counting one day...
(mumbling.... I was not paying attention until I heard..)
"one hundred and six, one hundred and seven, one hundred and eight, one hundred and nine...."
(she pauses... and I am not sure what I will hear next...)
"fifty one hundred! Wow... that is a big number... as big as....a cow!!!"

=) =)=)
What is even funnier... is that she has never actually counted to 100... that I have heard... she usually stops around fifty.... but she starts at one hundred occasionally... so maybe fifty one hundred is the biggest number she can think of???

Ok... now that I just wrote this... maybe it is even funnier that I would try to figure out why she thinks fifty one hundred is such a big number???

A "New" Normal

Yikes!! Sorry about my hiatus!! With wanting to be a good wife and mom and friend, and wanting to keep up with my Bible study, Biola prep, housekeeping and exercise... blogging seems to be the last on the list. Thus, it is the first to go when sickness visits our home!!! However, I am encouraged, because I am finally at the point where it feels weird to not be doing these things... they finally are my habit and, while I had to let them go while tending to sick kids, husband and myself, I was able to pick up this "new" normal routine again, and it didn't take so much effort... like it has all the other times that my routine was interrupted. So I am encouraged!! God is good!!!

The Lost Lamb

So, on Thursday night... I found myself driving the 10 minutes to "Auntie" Pat... to retrieve fogotten Lammy... again.... this has happened one or two other times?? This time Dillon came along, on our mission to "rescue" the lost lamb. He was so sweet... I brought Lammy back to the car and Dillon joyfully hugs Lammy and says "I love you!!". How sweet!!! In fact, quite often Dillon has been spontaneously telling those who love him... "I love you!!" mmmmmmm..... good moments to be treasured!!!!

Whenever we are looking for Lammy, especially when we have to take a lot of effort and time to find him, I can't help but recall the passage in Matthew about Christ looking for the lost lamb. The strong desire we have to find Lammy is such a faint shadow of God's desire to find us... It grieves me that so many do not understand this love... that God pursues us with a desire to find and bring home His lost lambs. Beautiful and amazing!!!

Friday and Monday...

F: same time... no children to blame it on... maybe the rain?? I would like to see my time improve... maybe I should start off at a faster pace?? Get more sleep?? =)

M: This time Anna wanted to go... that extra weight really makes a difference... I guess it is strength training and cardio at the same time... yippee!!! =) Still made it in under 25 minutes!! Some day I will try for 3 miles... maybe without A or D!!!

Why is bread so complicated??

My conversation at snack time...
Do you want raisin or regular?
Toasted or cold?
Honey or sugar?
Triangles or squares?

Anna knows what she wants... it is Dillon who takes forever to make up his mind, and then wants to change his order after the honey has been poured!! What happend to a simple piece of toast?? They make life so interesting.... thankfully today it made me laugh!!! =) =)

Wednesday...

2.3 miles in 25 minutes... but I was pushing Dillon... thus the slower time. oh well... it definately makes it a different work out!!

Monday...

2.3 miles in 21 min. Yippee!!! =)