Thursday, April 28, 2011

Easter

It never fails--the days around it can be gorgeous and sunny but most of the time Easter day turns out cloudy, cool or both!  That was the case this Sunday but we didn't let it ruin our day.  Actually, it was one of the best Easters we've had in a while.




That morning we went to church.  Our church has started a new tradition.  All the children and their families meet in the fellowship hall to eat breakfast and hunt Easter eggs.  It's a great time of fellowship, and it's a lot of fun to see all the kiddos in their Easter best!

In the afternoon, we decided to go shoot guns.  It had been a long time since I had done that but it was a lot of fun and the kids loved it.  Princess took her Daisy BB gun and Rman took his competition rifle and deer rifle.  They both got shooting lessons from Dad.


 Rman took some Easter eggs to use as targets.
 This was my target.  Not too shabby (in my opinion!)
 At the end of the day, Princess got upset because Rman took a stuffed blackbird and used it for target practice.  We had to bring it home and doctor it up!
 
It was a terrific day together as a family and also a great day to celebrate our risen Saviour!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Do I practice what I believe?

This morning I was presented with a situation that really tested whether I practiced what I preached.  As I was getting in my car at McD's, an older man came up to me to ask whether I could spare $.40.  There were other people around so I didn't feel in danger or anything but I acted as if I didn't hear him and got in my car. 

However, the whole time I was backing out, I could feel the guilt.  What if he was homeless?  What if he had mental issues?  What if he was a vet?  I had just decided to dig out $.50 and hand it to him when he approached another gentlemen and that man gave him money and talked with him.

As I pulled out onto the highway, I immediately started praying for forgiveness.  I could have spared the money.  Heck, I could have bought him breakfast and not "felt" it.  So why did I not?  Why did I freeze up? 

I'm not a big fan of panhandlers/street beggars.  While living in Baton Rouge for 2 years, I dealt with them quite a bit.  However, you don't see them often in Woodward and especially not at McDonalds.  When I left, the verse "Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me." kept running through my head.  You could tell by the way he was dressed and by his clothing that this man was one of "the least of these".  And I, by ignoring his request, failed miserably at doing for the least of these.

It's easy to talk about caring for those less fortunate and even easy to donate clothing and /or money for those causes.  Doing is sometimes another thing altogether.  I just hope that next time, I follow the Holy Spirit's lead instead of running the other direction.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

 I heard about this book several years ago. It's written from the perspective of a boy with high-functioning autism. That is really more the story of this book than the plot-line is.

Maybe it's because I have worked with autistic kids and have attended many seminars on the subject, but I found the book to be fascinating. It really gives insight on how the minds of autistic kids work.

 The main character, Christopher, is very literal and takes everything at face value. That is part of the charm of this book though. It begins with Christopher finding a dead dog on the neighbors front yard. He is determined to solve the mystery of who killed the dog and write a book about the experience.

The characters in the book are very real--full of fault and people who make mistakes, just as we all do. I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it for your next read.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

The Joy of Reading...

All my life I have loved reading.  There is no feeling like getting lost in a book and not wanting to do anything except read until you get the to end.  And if it's a good book, there is a sense of loss at the end--you want to follow the characters, find out what happens to them next, how their lives play out. 

I have always read to the kids and have tried to instill a love of reading in them as well.  With Wii's,  DS's, and computers to compete with their time, I feel it's a real struggle sometimes.  Time will tell if they will love reading as much as I do. 

Last week, however, while doing our nightly routine, RMan said, "Mom, let's have some silent reading time.  You go get your book that you're reading and I'll read mine."  (Princess was already in bed).  Sounded like a winning idea to me! 

The next day, he was so pumped about it and told Princess.  That night here she came with her book, ready for silent reading time as well.  We bought special lamps that clipped on to the bunk bed and have been doing silent reading ever since. 

I have to admit, it's one of my favorite times of the day.  And hopefully we are not only reading, but making good memories as well.  Great idea R!!




Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Parenting is....

Depending on what day of the week it is or, sometimes, even what hour of the day it is, I could complete that sentence many different ways.  It's fun, joyous, maddening, frustrating, confusing, disappointing, exhilarating, scary, sweet, beautiful....I could go on and on! 

I've heard it said that kids don't come with an instruction manual.  Situations arise and you just hope you are saying the right things, doing the right things for your child and their current situation.

This past week has been one where I've certainly felt many of the emotions listed above and also wished I had an instruction manual to help me out.  I've had to navigate my way through a tricky parenting situation.  It's been frustrating for me and I hope I'm helping my child through this in the best way I can.   Because I don't have the previously-mentioned instruction manual, however, I've had to rely heavily on my mother's example (and it's a great one) and lots of prayer!!  That hasn't made it easy but it has been easier. 

As my kids grow older, I know there will be many more situations that arise where I will feel as if I'm flying blind.  I hope that I guide them and help them navigate the trickiest parts of growing up.  And thankfully I know God will guide me through the crazy job of parenting.