Dear Blog,

Don't think I don't love you.  Life is crazy. 

Life is very good.  But VERY crazy.  I have so many stories to share.  But they will have to wait until.....hmmmm????

Stay tuned.....

Sincerely,
Laundry Trenches Reporter

Birthday Letter

Dear BuhBuh,

Happy Birthday!!!!  A few days late....but I was having too much fun to write you a letter.

I hope you enjoyed waking up to the decorated house the morning of your birthday.  But did you HAVE to wake me up at 5 a.m.????  I know, you were excited.  It's really adorable.  I am glad that you enjoyed your new skate board.  It's been cute watching you "practice" in the living room.  You were not happy about me putting the rug back down because it took away your rolling space.

I had such a good day with you on Thursday going with you on a field trip.  You sat with me on the bus and held my hand and had no problem holding my hand while we walked around the county fair grounds.  Thank you sweet boy, that made my day.  We won't talk about how rough of an evening we had that night.  It broke my heart.  But I will always be more stubborn that you.  Don't forget.  OK???

We celebrated as always with a family dinner.  You asked for a "make your own" taco bar.  YUM!!!  Good call!!!  You also asked your Gma B to make her cherry meat balls, your Gma G to make deviled eggs and your GGma G to make cream puffs.  When I was going over the plans for the evening and telling you when we'd open presents, you very sweetly said, "That's only if I get presents mom.  I might not get any.  Maybe a card would be nice."  I loved that you weren't "expecting" anything.  BUT, you did get lots of good gifts.

As a 7 year old you played soccer, baseball and took two sessions of swimming lessons over the summer.  It is so much fun watching you play soccer.  You clearly understand the game.  During baseball you had the opportunity to play catcher a lot which you enjoyed.  You still haven't moved on to the next swimming level, but that's OK because I can tell you are getting really close!!!

You tend to make friends very easily.  Keeping up with YOUR social calendar some weeks makes me laugh but I'm glad that you are having fun with friends.  I fear that you are going to be one of those cool, popular kids.  I don't know if I'll know how to parent a cool, popular kid because that was NOT me in school!!!  You still crack us up with your wit and sense of humor.  I don't write as many of them down as I should. 

You love any one on one time that you get with mom and dad.  You are a great helper to us and to Gpa B when you want to be.  You and Little Dude are such good friends most of the time.  I love to watch you guys play and have fun with each other.  It makes me smile.  I hope the two of you can always be close.  You and The Boy have fewer good moments than I'd like.  But I am hopeful as you guys get older you too will be friends.

1st Grade was a little bit of a struggle.  You worked with both a speech teacher and the Title 1 teacher and did some other small group work.  It seems that working in a smaller group setting works better for you than in a large class setting.  Once you started in the Title 1 reading, it wasn't long until you came home saying "I LOVE READING!"  I was so happy to hear those words.  The teacher you have for that, also goes to our church, and I can understand why you like it so much.  You and I certainly have some hard times doing homework at night.  I really wish we didn't have to struggle like that, but we have to get the work done.  It's hard to come home and be tired and have to do more work when you just want to relax.  I know we will find our groove.  I know we will figure out what works best for you.  I know you will be just fine.

You are such a sweet blessing in my life.  I have enjoyed watching you grow.  But I wish that it didn't have to happen so fast.  Because I am wiser than I once was, I am soaking in the little moments that are precious.  Yes.  I do take a lot of pictures.  But I just don't want to forget.  Ever.  I even love the silly face pictures you make and the I love when you specifically ask for me to take your picture.  You were such a happy beginning to a new start in our life.  You are my daily reminder of just how big God's grace, love and forgiveness really is. 

I have a secret....I know you know it because I tell you the secret every night so I suppose it's not THAT much of a secret anymore, is it.  I LOVE YOU!  And, I have one more secret.  GOD LOVES YOU TOO!!!  OH!  I have ONE more secret.  Even though I love you soooo much, God loves YOU WAAAAY more than mommy or daddy or anyone else here ever could.  Don't forget OK.  And just to make sure, I will continue to remind you everyday before you go to school and every night before you go to bed.

8 is GREAT BuhBuh!!!!!  Let's have fun!!!!!  I can't wait to watch you grow and learn and love and play this next year.
I love you oooooddddles!!!  Happy Birthday!!
Mommy

*****I wrote this yesterday morning and decided not to post it.  Since then this man has decided not to follow through with what he said he was going to do, THANK GOD!!!  I posted a pretty "bold" statement on my facebook page today saying much of what this post says, so I decided to post it here afterall. ****

I'm sure you've heard.  On September 11th a man by the name of Terry Jones from Dove World's Church in Florida is planning to burn the Muslim Holy book, the Koran.

This has drawn a lot of media coverage, a lot of uproar with Christian leaders, in Washington and even in our Military.

I PRAY that people realize just how wrong this man is.

I PRAY that people who do not have a relationship with Jesus don't think that this man is in any way, shape or form a reflection of Christianity.

He.  Is.  Not.

He was asked in an ABC interview if he thought this was something Jesus would do.  His response?

"Absolutely"

He said Jesus was a radical; that Jesus wouldn't have necessarily gone around burning books but that he would have burned this one.

I agree with Terry Jones on one thing.

Jesus WAS a radical.

Jesus ate dinner with the despised Tax Collectors.  He spoke with and forgave the prostitutes and the adulterers.  He healed the lepers.  He didn't cast away the children.  He stood up to the religious leaders of the time who were not doing things the way God intended. 

But Jesus never would have demonstrated such an act of hatred toward any of God's children.

Ever.

This is something that has been stiring around in my head.  So I wanted more amo for this post so I did some googling.

The more I read and as I sat and watched a replay of the ABC interview online I found myself getting angrier and angrier.

Then I realized, if I keep getting angrier over this, then this man has just one upped me.

I walked away from the computer and heard, "You know the truth."


Being angry won't solve anything or make change anything.  But maybe my prayers can.


This man needs our prayers so that he can know the truth.  The congregation he leads need our prayers so they too can know the truth. 

Ephesians 5:1-2 says that we are to "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children ²and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us"

Terry Jones is not imitating God and is not living a life of love.

1 John 4:7-12 says,  ⁷Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹²No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

How to Survive....

....A Little Dude Tantrum

Step 1....Patient

Step 2.....The ability to ignore the behavior

Step 3....More Patient

Step 4.....Roll down all windows, turn music up LOUD, find nearest country road, take the "long" way home

Step 5.....Breathe.....this one is over

Homework

I just got done helping The Boy gather up some pictures for a PowerPoint he is putting together for school.  ***when I was his age....I had to cut pictures out of magazines and paste them onto cardboard"  HAHAHAHA....I digress.....

The project is and ABC project about him....for every letter he comes up with a word that relates to him, a brief paragraph explaining why he chose that word and he has to have a corresponding photo or graphic.

We get to the letter "E"

He tells me the word is evil and he'd like a picture of BuhBuh for his PowerPoint.

I read his paragraph at it says:

"E is for evil.  My younger brother BuhBuh practically defines evil.  He will do absolutely anything to annoy me such as when I start heading to the bathroom he runs straight in, locks the door and takes his famous half hour craps"

The Daddy and I quickly veto him from using a picture of BuhBuh with the title "E is for Evil" and the above paragraph from his project.  

We proceed down the line of letters, looking for pictures and after finishing a picture of H he tells me what he needs for J.  

I asked what happened to I.

He laughs....

I ask him what word he chose for I.

He says "intelligent" and we both laugh.

He's contemplating changing that one too.

Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the LORD's temple. In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."  As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth.  Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine."
 "Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD.  Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief."
  Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him."
 1She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes." Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.
  Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.  So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him."

Hannah Dedicates Samuel

 When the man Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vow, Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, "After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the LORD, and he will live there always."  word." So the woman stayed at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him.After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull,  an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh.  I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.  So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there. "Do what seems best to you," Elkanah her husband told her. "Stay here until you have weaned him; only may the LORD make good his When they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli, and she said to him, "As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD.   

1 Samuel 1:9-28

I read excerpts of this passage at Little Dude's baptisim.  It seemed fitting for as hard as it was for us to concieve him.  When we were in the hospital to deliver we had foud names....2 girl names and 2 boy names.  AS they showed me my baby boy My Sweetie asked "What are we going to name him?"  Without hesitation, I blurted out the name that had been on my heart for years prior.  As we arrived home with our newest little bundle, we found a card in the mailbox; a congratulations card with a scripture. 

"For this child, I prayed"  1 Samuel 1:20

His name was perfect.

Today I was drawn back to this passage that I read for Little Dude's baptism. Now, while Little Dude has indeed had his haircut and I am not handing him over to my Pastor, when we baptized him I WAS dedicating him to God for his whole life.

Today as I dropped off a very excited 3-year old for his first day of preschool,

I wondered how much it hurt Hannah to do what she did.  I wondered if she was sad.  I wondered if she cried.  I wondered just how quiet her home felt when she returned.  

The scripture doesn't say anything about her sadness, but as a mom I would only assume that her heart was hurting a little.  

1 Samuel 2:1 titled Hannah's Prayer does say,

  "The Lord has filled my heart with joy; how happy I am because of what He has done!"

Rather than wallowing in what she was loosing, she worshiped and rejoiced because of what God had given her.

This precious baby of mine isn't really mine afterall.  

He is a child of God.  

I thank God for the opportunity to have been entrusted to raise another one of HIS children. 

Little Dude has been given to me as a gift to love, care for, teach and help to grow.  

But it's in his Heavenly Father's hands that he is truly being held.  

Not mine.

"As long as he lives he will belong to the Lord"  

1 Samuel 1:28

Wordless Wednesday: Garden Fresh

Measuring UP

5 feet 9 inches

4 feet 4 inches

3 feet tall

So, I'm a little late....

My 8th grader on his first day of school.  Yes.  The shirt says "Loser"

No worries.  This is what the back of his shirt says.

My 2nd Grader on his first day of School

Showing off the new backpack....Star Wars, of course

And they are off!

School is back in full swing.  Football practice has started, soccer won't be too far behind.  Homework is already causing me stress and the temps are a little cooler today.  I can almost smell fall. 

I always have a hard time getting back into the swing of things.  Summer is always so good and so busy.  It is nice that we are back on "schedule" a little.  But I miss having them home with me every day.  

Praying for a year of learning and growing for my babes.  Praying for health and no broken bones. Praying for easy mornings and not too many tears during homework time in the evenings.

Perspective

Me:  (Stroking The Boys hair)

The Boy:  WHAT are you doing?

Me:  (nostalgic sigh)  Just looking at you...you're so handsome

The Boy:  (clearly annoyed) 

Me:  You're not the little babe in my arms anymore.  You've grown up so fast. 

The Boy:  Not to me.

Me:  13 years really isn't that long....

The Boy:  13 YEARS!?!?!?!  THAT'S my whole life!!!

Multi-Tasking Momma...FAILURE!!!!

Me:  (sitting on computer working on a talk for a women's retreat weekend)  BuhBuh, what is Little Dude doing?

Me:  (continuing to stare at computer screen, so intently that I missed his respones)

My Sweetie:  Hun, did you hear him???

Me:  What???  Huh???

My Sweetie:  Did you hear what BuhBuh said??? 

Me:  Um, no, sorry.....What did you say BuhBuh??  What is Little Dude doing....

BuhBuh:  He's mowing.....the lawn.....with the mower.....(mischievous grin)

The Boy

"By the time your children leave the nest, you have either basked in the essence of their lives or missed it."

                                                                                        ~Charlene Ann Baumbich

WHERE did my little boy go??

I went to wake The Boy today and it hit me.   

He is growing so fast.  

He is currently 4 inches taller than me. 

His voice is deepening.  

His legs are getting hairy.  

He NEEDS a daily shower.  

He needs to wash his face every day.  

He is learning what it feels like to have a crush and to be crushed.  

He is hungry for independence.  

He desires to fit in someplace.  

He has a love and knowledge of God's love and grace for him that I am sometimes envious of. 

He feels sheltered by his parents. 

Isn't as open to hugs from mom.  

Will be begining 8th grade in less than 2 weeks.  

Will be 14 in a little over 3 months.  

WHEN did this all happen???

Sadly, it all happened right before my eyes.

I wish I could hold on to him tighter because he feels like he is slipping away faster and faster every year.

But I can't.

I can only bask in the essence of him, give him the foundation that he needs to build his life on, be his number one supporter and take comfort in the fact that God is really in control not me.  **sigh**  

Serving in St Paul

In August of 2008 I found myself tearfully saying goodbye to My Sweetie, BuhBuh and Little Dude and setting off to serve on a youth mission trip with The Boy. I was going along for both the experience and as just one of the adult chaperons. I remember how affected I was by after the experience from both being with the youth and reaching out to helping someone in need of help.

The youth pastor at the time use to joke (well, maybe she WAS serious) that I was going to take over for her when she left. I would laugh, thinking she'd be around for awhile longer so that I could learn from her some more.

I remember when the announcement came that her and her husband, also a pastor, were being re-appointed. I choked back tears as I sat consoling one of the youth who had decided to come to church for the first time. I kept saying, "God, I'm not ready to take over"

Last Sunday I again found myself saying goodbye to my Sweetie, BuhBuh and Little Dude to head off to serve on another mission trip with The Boy. But this time, I climbed into the drivers seat of a 15-passenger van, this time as the leader not just a parent chaperon.

During our time in St Paul our group served in a variety of ways. Some of us helped serve at the Salvation Army Preschool and in Nursing Homes. Some of us helped our host church for the week prepare to hand out 400 backpacks of school supplies and organize 200+bags of groceries to send home with the kids who came to the church every afternoon so they'd be sure to have some food over the weekend.

We also helped with some yard work of some women who were no longer able to care for their yards themselves. We also spent our afternoons hanging out playing and reading with kids of the Boys and Girls Club East.

We all had to assist in meal prep and building clean-up a couple of times during the week.


In the evening there were activities unique to the St Paul area like a visit to the Cathedral,

and History Museum.
We listened to a speaker on poverty and did some eye opening activities. We had a community cook-out

and watched break dance and popping competition, in a church which removes the pews from the sanctuary to make it a dance floor once a week.

We also had a pizza picnic at Indian Mounds Park.


After our evening activities we had worship and sharing and heard a message.

We ended our evenings with small group time with our youth groups.

It was an exhausting schedule. Coffee was essential....


But, the work was rewarding and I saw God working through each one of my kids throughout the week.

I saw bonding between my kids and I saw new friendships with other youth who were on the trip from other churches as well.


I really looked forward to morning devotions where the only thing I needed to do was sit and be with God. I know, I can do that at home, but often times I don't make time for that....I'm working on that.

My favorite time during the trip was during the Thursday night foot-washing ceremony. The staff came out and washed each of the adult leaders feet and prayed over them. Then as adult leaders we washed our youth's feet and prayed over them. What a blessing it was to do that one-on-one with my kids. The kids were all pretty emotional after that so when we went into small group time I decided to literally throw the "pre-written" list of questions over my shoulder and just let them share whatever they wanted about their week.

As we got back in the van Friday morning to come back home, all of those kids expressed their sincere appreciation and gratitude for bringing them on this trip.


I may not have been ready to take over a year ago, but God has sure provided me with everything I've needed in order to do so.

Wordless Wednesday: Lego Creation

Moments

There are moments in life in which you wish time would freeze and stand still.

Moments in which you wish you could bottle up and save for another day.

Moments in which nothing else in the entire world matters other than the very second in which you stand.

You soak them in. You burn the images into your mind. You take photographs. But the moment always passes.


I love to escape with my family.

It doesn't matter where we go as long as we go. Life at home is full of work, school, sports, church, chores, that it's hard to enjoy the precious moments because life moves too fast.


But for me, when we get away from it all, it is refreshing.

It is peaceful.

It is relaxing.

It is re-energizing.

It's just perfect.

The only thing that matters in those moments is that we are together.


When we are able to get away from it all I feel connection between us as a family.

I feel connection between My Sweetie and I.

I feel at peace and calm and in those moments I am able to hear God's voice because life, for that moment, has slowed down.


It is in these moments that I hope and pray that we are creating memories for our children.

That we are setting an example of the importance of family.


Although I wish that I could string together an entire lifetime of moments like these I know it's not possible. For "if life were full of moments, you'd never know you'd had one" (Into the Woods)


I certainly appreciated, enjoyed and cherished every single moment we had together this past week. I hope to practice the fine art of slowing down just a little at home so that I don't miss the ones that are here also.