How to NOT Make Mud

The boys have been loving this warmer weather, which I do as well, because it means the mess moves OUTDOORS... and by mess, yes, I mean the boys. After all the rain we had earlier in the week, it was pretty muddy out, so I was doing my best to keep them out of the mud.  That is one difference between girl brain and boy brain.... we are predisposed to avoid mud, they are drawn to it like moths to flame.  When Kevin got home from work he gave them the green light to run through the yard barefoot so the mud could squish between their toes.  They were in heaven.

What happened next was both ingenious and horrifying, something that could only be conjured in the head of a small boy.  The mud was starting to dry throughout the yard, and they were finding it harder and harder to squish it between their toes.  Apparently at that exact moment, mother nature called with a plan to solve all their problems.... Pee in the mud.... and then JUMP in it?!?  Insta-mud!  Peeing outdoors is one of their more favorite pastimes, so watching that was nothing out of the ordinary.  It was when their feet left the ground, that I understood the rest of their plan, and that millisecond was not enough time to respond.  Gross.  I will NEVER understand boy brain.

That brought an immediate end to our muddy adventures and we decided it was time to rinse off and jump in the tub.  We got everyone clean, and I was out drying AJ off and getting his jammies on when this sweet lil stinker came out to greet me with another fun surprise....

What made it even funnier was that he didn't even acknowledge it when he walked up and asked me for a snack, as if he'd already forgotten his shenanigans, he probably had.  It's an infuriating skill that has likely driven parents mad for centuries, I remember pulling the same antics with mine.  After doing something mischievous, and getting caught in it, looking at my parents with the most innocent of faces and denying it up and down.  When the boys do it to me, it pulls me up short EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.  I can know that I know that I KNOW, they did it, and then they are so sweet and emphatic that they did NOT do anything, and every time they get me to doubt myself, even if just for a second.  Stinkers!

I mean, look at that face.  How could you suspect that face of wrong doing?   In all honesty, hair isn't that big of a deal to me, so I just laughed at this one.   Most people would have cleaned their kids head up by now.... not me.   He's still rocking it, and will likely do so all through the weekend.  Friends at church.... your welcome in advance for the laugh!

The Wilderness: Social Media Edition

My mom and dad would probably faint if they knew I'd legitimately given something up for lent.  I experience these parenting moments from time to time now, so I can relate.  When you've made the same request a thousand times, threatened consequence, yelled, bribed, all to no avail.... and then one day, out of nowhere, you see your kids doing exactly what you had asked, out of their own motivation.  Half of you wants to cry out of pure joy, the other part contemplates beating them for putting you through hell to get there.  In the end you walk away with a satisfied smile, faith restored that they MIGHT make it.

I went to a Catholic church every Sunday for 18 years, and EVERY. SINGLE. holy day of obligation that existed, it was just the way it went.  Once ya' get in that vein of repetition, its hard to remember to think about what you're actually doing.  We were told to give something up, so we did, and promptly 3 days later we'd figure out ways to start cheating, sneaking, and the game began for the next 37 days.... Why does forbidden fruit always taste so good?

If I'm being honest, I never really cared enough to understand the point of lent, but I stumbled across a definition this past Fat Tuesday that struck a chord with me.

"Lent.  Its the preparing the heart for Easter.  Like going with Jesus into the wilderness for forty day, that we might come face to ugly face with our enemy.  Our sacrificing that we might become more like Christ in His sacrifice."

I'm no saint, so the idea of giving up food again, after just finishing the Daniel Fast for 3 weeks in January, was not sounding super appealing.  However, one of the other points that stuck out to me in this blog I was reading was the following:

"One needs to be dispossessed, by the possessions that posses, before one can be possessed by God."

Facebook was the first thing that popped into my mind, so I decided to go with it.  Three days in this time, was way different than last time.  I'm not in withdrawals.  Not looking to score a hit.  I'm feeling free and loving it!  Sure I wonder what's going on, but I'm realizing when I spend so much time reading everyone else's words I never leave enough time to write my own.  Three says in, and it didn't take long for me me to come 'face to ugly face' with enemy.  Comparison.  How could I write in my blog when I'm so busy reading everyone else's and their words seem cooler, their topics seem more relevant, their experiences funnier, etc...  Which probably explains why I only write maybe 30-40 blogs a year.... I'm too busy reading everyone else's!

However, unplugging from one outlet has freed me up to focus on the one I truly enjoy.  I'm looking forward to seeing what other fun revelations I discover here in my 'wilderness', looking forward with great anticipation to an incredible Easter!

When it's O.K. to say "Go to Hell" on Valentines Day!

A little Wikipedia search revealed, much to my surprise, that Valentines Day wasn't originally contrived in the pocketbooks of Hallmark's finest.  Surprisingly, it was originally celebrated in honor of the Christian Saints that sacrificed much, in most cases their lives, for their faith.  Legend has it, that the name was derived from St. Valentine as he signed his last letter to his love before execution, 'with love, your Valentine'.  How it was wholly corrupted to pad the bottom line of card makers, flower shops, and chocolateirs around the world is beyond me.  Although, given the rather unsettling norm of our world, to corrupt what was once honorable and pure in an attempt to get rich quick, I shouldn't be entirely surprised.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a total curmudgeon...  The boys and I went on a fun date for breakfast, and I've got a few tricks up the sleeve for dinner tonight and a date tomorrow with my main man.

However, its not lost on me that I fall into a very blessed minority of happily married to the love of my life.  I'm just not able to make it through the day remaining blissfully ignorant of the majority, those that feel the absolute opposite of Love on this 'special' day.

A few of my fave bloggers have already commented on this: Jen Hatmaker & Glennon, and their words are always cooler than mine.  So for the single parent, or the unexpectedly separated, or the unhappily married.... look there for a little encouragement.  For me, there are so many incredible women whom I love so dearly that are still waiting on that one.... and I just wanted to add a few words of my own to celebrate how incredible I think they are!

These women are the REAL DEAL.... They could see the world we're living in, and they could choose to settle, to give up little pieces of what make them incredible, to try and conform to the expectations of another.... believing a lie that in doing so they'll find what they are looking for.  These women know better.  They are the smartest, most beautiful women I've ever met, simply because of that unshakable faith that they are created perfect and whole.  These women live out purpose filled lives, transforming the arenas they live their life in, simply by shining their light as bright as they can.  They brave the hard days with a grace and dignity that I have not seen surpassed by anyone.... They truly are the greatest!  I am believing in full faith with them, that there is a man worthy of their awesomeness, that won't challenge them to fade into a shadow so they can feel better, that won't ask them to compromise their beliefs, but will compliment them in all the best ways is on his way.... It's just one holy battle of epic proportions because this world is just not prepared for the game changers they'll be together!

In a world that says sacrifice just a little of yourself, and I'll give you everything you could ever want.... They stare unflinchingly back, and say Go To Hell!    Love you ladies!!!  Keep being the rock stars I know you to be!!  You are LOVED beyond measure!!

Psalm 37:4 "Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart"