Wet or Dry?

My first-born asked if there was anything he could do for me to be able to play the playstation and I said, "Of course!" I told him if he washed, dried, folded, and put away all the clothes, he could play. I knew it would take him all day and he would be distracted, yet he was very attentive to his loads and followed through to the end. Well, it was time for my shower last night and my little wash man had taken all the used towels and washcloths out of the bathroom and washed them. My goodness, he's good! I had to go to the hall closet to get one and what do I see? Towels and washcloths folded neatly and put away. I picked one up and guess what? IT WAS WET!! I touched a few more to make sure the one I chose was the only wet one and I was wrong. Every towel and wash cloth he put away was wet!! Not dripping wet, yet wet enough for him to KNOW they weren't ready to come out of the dryer! Sigh....I stood their holding the wet cloth wondering what I should do. Do I go off on him or do I give him a chance to explain himself? Do I wake him up at midnight and make him wash them all over again or do I let him sleep and snatch him up before dawn in the morning? Well, it's morning and I allowed him to sleep. The wet towels are on the sofa awaiting his presence, so he can wash them over and do the job correctly. I know exactly what happened. It was getting close to his bedtime and he couldn't wait to play the playstation, so he went ahead and put his last load away wet. Because I slept on my anger, I'm not as angry, yet disappointed - very disappointed. I'll be calm and show mercy, yet he will pay! Will he tell the truth or dare he lie to me about what happened? Will he tell me the clothes felt dry or will he admit his strong desire to satisfy his need to play the playstation? Well, I can hardly wait to hear what my preteen has to say. Is this the beginning of things to come? Whatever it is, I'm taking it as a reminder to stay at the feet of Jesus and PRAY!

It Happened

People said it would happen and I'm actually experiencing it. My first-born grew up. I'm sick to my stomach. He'll be 13 this year - a teenager. My baby is gone. I noticed his voice is changing. His attitude is more mature, yet still stinks at times. His concerns are greater. He's a big boy now and it really does seem like it happened overnight! Sigh...you really don't realize how short life is until you watch a child grow up. Wait a minute! Did I say teenager? Oh my goodness, I'm going to be the Mother of a teenager!! His birthday isn't until November, so I still have a few months to mentally prepare myself. It happened...it really happened.

Close The Gate!

Sometimes I wonder why simple matters around my home turn into major issues that only I seem to care about. For instance, when I wash dishes, which is quite frequently, I can see the gate leading to our backyard, through the kitchen window. The boys have made a habit of leaving this gate open – not just unlocked, but wide open. In spite of my teaching on family protection and safety, they insist on offering an open invitation to everyone to enter our backyard – party over here! I tried to find a clever way to express to my sons the importance of closing the gate, yet instead another Life Lesson for LaVender was in order. Yes, closing and locking the gate is important, yet there are other gates requiring my immediate attention. My temple also has gates needing to be protected from outside influences. My ear gates, eye gates, and especially the gate to my heart should be guarded at all times. These gates need to be closed to influences harmful to my family and to me. Who and what I choose to allow within my personal gates can affect my home environment. My needs, desires, and passions can also be swayed by who and what enters my gates, therefore, they must be safeguarded. The television, telephone, radio, Internet, books, and the company I keep have subtle ways to enter my gates and obscure my focus as a woman, wife, and Mother. We have a high calling and we must be protected and guarded, so close the gate!

Marriage is an Adventure!

I spoke with an older woman yesterday who shared she lost her husband in November. She was 79 years old and cute as a button. I asked her what she missed most about him after being married for over 30 years and companionship was her answer. "He was my best friend," she said. She had a huge smile on her face and there was no doubt her husband was truly her best friend. I couldn't imagine what she felt, yet I was happy she felt comfortable sharing with me. Of course I began to think of my best friend, my husband. I told her marriage was a job which required overtime. She agreed and also said, "Marriage is an adventure!' I've never heard it explained this way, yet I guess it is when you think about it. As she began to walk away, she told me to call my husband anything you want, yet also tell him you love him in the same sentence. I looked the word adventure up in the dictionary.
Adventure - A bold undertaking in which risks are to be run and chances taken. An unusual experience.
Yep! Marriage is an adventure!

I Can Walk!

I recently conversed with a Mother who hasn't walked in 15 years. She posed a question something like this...What would you do for the first time if you had not walked in fifteen years? Well, I don't know for sure what I would do, but I would hope I'd go somewhere to be alone and drop to my knees and thank God for the use of my legs. Then I'd probably jump and shout for joy as I walked myself to the bathroom to use it after getting myself so excited.

Last night, the family was together in my sons' room and as the oldest played his keyboard, Mama was putting on a show dancing up a storm. What a joy it is to have the activity of our limbs. My goodness, sometimes we don't think about it until we're reminded of how blessed we are. Some Mothers are not able to do simple tasks that I sometimes find myself complaining about. Some Mothers don't have custody of their children and yes, I get TIRED of mine from time to time. Some Mothers don't have good health and have to solicit help to care for their children. Yes, it's a whole world out there we're not aware of. It's a wonderful thing to know God will love us enough to use people and events to remind us of how grateful we should be.

The Good Ole Days

My car is out of commission and it feels good to not be able to go anywhere. We use to be a one car family for a couple of years and this is just a reminder of 'the good ole days.' I had to take my husband to work yesterday because a few things HAD to get done, yet today I'm locked inside. Am I getting lazy or do I truly enjoy the domestic blood running through my veins? Whatever it is, I'm enjoying it. I always told my husband that I wanted to stay home, be barefoot in the kitchen, and bake bread from scratch. Notice I didn't say pregnant (smile). I love the peaceful home environment and making my home a fun, loving dwelling place for my family. I love having dinner prepared when my husband comes home and the family eating dinner together. I love the smell of fresh baked brownies for my sons to share with their friends standing at the door panting. I love quiet evenings with candles burning and my favorite smell of liquid potpourri flowing through the house. Sooo nice and relaxing. Well, tomorrow may be a different story since my husband thinks the car will be back on the road and I'll be ripping and running like a mad momma on the highway again! Either way, I'm grateful for my family life and everyday is a 'good ole day.' These periodic moments when nothing is going on only prepares me for the busyness about to begin! On your mark, get ready, set, gooooo!

A Friend In Need

I fell asleep on the sofa last night while waiting for laundry to dry. At 11 p.m., I awoke, checked on the laundry, and peeked in my sons' room. My nine year old was in bed watching television which baffled me because he is usually the more obedient of my two seeds. I looked at him puzzled and asked why he had the television on and he said, “I don’t know.” Hmmm…I was waaay too tired to discipline in love, so I angrily told him to turn it off and go to sleep. I walked away and he began to cry saying he didn’t like sleeping alone – his older brother was at a sleepover. This only irritated my tired mind and body more because I was looking forward to getting in my own bed, yet there was a possibility I'd be sleeping in his dirty room. I again told him to go to sleep and I left to take a shower. I hesitated taking a shower because it’s my place of confession and conviction. Sure enough, while enjoying my hot shower, I was reminded of a discussion in Church School yesterday. We discussed whether we would help a friend in need no matter what the time or need was. Well, in class, I boldly said I would willingly help, yet here I was too selfish and tired to help my own child inside my own home. Good grief! Okay, so I finished my shower and grabbed my pillow with intentions of sleeping with my son, yet when I walked into his room, he was peacefully sleeping. I’m sure I’ll have many opportunities to help him and show compassion, yet I missed this one. I learned a valuable lesson also – don’t be so quick to say what I would do because actions are more valuable than words. Sometimes we are placed in situations to show us if our heart is in the right place. Are you ready to help a friend or neighbor in need? How about a family member? The opportunity to help may be before us today!

Luke 11:5-7 (NIV)

Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.'

What Happened?

I'm taking a four-week Cake Decorating class and last night I was not prepared. It was my second class and I had done no homework, my cake wasn't frosted and I left my book at home. I was thankful that the instructor was the only one in the room when I arrived, so I could apologize for not being a "good student." I told her I once was an organized person, yet didn't know what happened to me. Her reply was, "Oh, you're fine. You're just a working woman." Is that what it is? Yuck! When the other girls (much younger than I) came in, they were prepared and had everything they needed for class. I watched them place their frosted cakes and supplies on the table. I wondered if they had children, so I asked. Out of the three, only one did, which allowed me to exhale. I privately laughed at myself and the crazy, rushed day I was having that wasn't finished yet. The class went very well and I truly enjoyed it. So, is this my life as a working woman or are my time management and organization skills slipping because I'm turning into an OLDER woman? Either way, I'm glad it's Friday!