little things.

I love the phrase "It's just a phase."  I've used it so much in the last ten years of my life.  It seems that being a parent leaves you with this longing to see certain phases pass away, coupled with a deep desire to freeze time in the more endearing moments.  I longed to be a mom for so long- even as a young girl with baby dolls scattered around my room.  I didn't foresee a future of infertility, adoption, or twin babies.  And despite this undeserved gift of four children, I can still find myself longing for a retreat from it all on the hard days.

My days are no less than a marathon.  Beginning with two early risers that don't wake up slowly, but rather at full speed and into everything.  Not long after, our full army joins the fun and it's on!  Meals, laundry, discipline, schooling, cleaning, discipline, encouragement, entertaining, more meals, more discipline, and more, more, more!  

Despite the craziness of what looks like utter chaos to the outsider, I love this little life.  It may not seem like much to some, or maybe it's too much to others, but for me-  it's a perfect mess!  I'd also be lying if I didn't admit that I am constantly reminding myself to love this little life.  My days are filled with all the junk that we all face.  But I have a choice of where I place my focus.  The last thing I do each night is ask my boys, "What was the best thing that happened today?"  It's always fun to me to know what specific thing stuck out as memorable and meaningful.  It's rarely anything big.  Often times something I didn't even notice.  Which reminds me that someone was right when they said, "It's the little things in life!"  

So because I'm stubborn, I want to be more intentional about celebrating "my little things."  Those sweet little blessings that the Lord sprinkles throughout my day to remind me just how much he loves me.  To be thankful for the "good days" and the "hard days" and the "I'll die if I have to live through another one of these days"!  To say that "He has blessed us" would be the greatest understatement.  We are sinking in His grace, love, and mercy.  

So here's to all the little things in my life... an on-going list of the little things that add up to mean EVERYTHING to me each day. 

1.  The missing front tooth phase and forgetful tooth fairies that scrounge up extra change on the third day of forgetting.

2.  The trains that all three boys have played with.  And reminders that this one is no longer a baby.

3.  Family worship on our back porch.  A place where you can literally "come as you are."

4.  Fathers who are worthy of imitating.



5.  Celebrating a new teenager.  And his graciousness to be okay with the only candle we could find in our house!



6.  Little girls who are too big to hold hands but will compromise at holding on to your shirt.  Always on her terms!



7.  Friends who offer to watch your kids while you enjoy a lunch with your husband.  Friends like this are priceless jewels.



8.  Pigtails.



9.  Big brothers and bull rides on a summer night.



 10.  A chair that is big enough to hold them all.



11.  And one girl in a houseful of boys.

when her no meant yes.

If I had to ere on one side, I'd say my parents were strict growing up.  Not in the Cinderella way.  I can rarely recall ever having consistent chores (although I did a few occasionally.)  But when I think back to the years when I started asking more permission for bigger things, my mother often answered with a very firm "No."  It wasn't a surprise.  Fortunately, my mother and daddy were pretty consistent.  They didn't change much based on other parents' decisions for their children.  If I felt a little leery in asking, I usually knew the answer before I asked.

But isn't growing up a funny little thing?  I read a quote recently that said, "By the time a daughter knows her mother was right, she has a daughter who thinks she's wrong."  This resonates so much with me as my children grow and begin to question me more.

As Jason and I seek to raise children that truly love the Lord, I often think about the choices my parents made for me.  The tough calls.  The "everybody else is doing it" pleas.  And most importantly the "Nos."  I recently told her that I never ever thought of her decisions for me as too harsh.  Somewhere along the way I learned to see her "nos" as more than that.  They were full of "yeses!

When I was in elementary school, Levi came out with their new "Button Your Fly" slogan.  All I wanted was a t-shirt with that plastered across the front.  She said, "No."  I even got one from a friend for my birthday.  She said, "Take it back."  But she also said, "Yes."  "Yes, I will teach you to choose words carefully.  Even when slang is not being used, I'll teach you that there are just better choices and what we wear [and say] matters."

When I was venturing out of elementary school, EVERYONE (and I still mean E.V.E.R.Y.O.N.E) went to movies on Friday nights.  My mom said, "No."  But she also said, "Yes."  "Yes, you can rent movies, invite friends over, stay up late, and whatever else makes a sixth grade girl happy.  But I'm here to protect you and that's what I'll do. Even if it makes you angry."

When I started junior high, a new crop of people entered my life.  I asked if I could spend the night with these "new friends."  She said "no."  But she also said "Yes."  "Yes, invite them over here.  Invite them into our home, to sit around a dinner table with us.  And know that we love these new friends of yours, but we love you more.  Our number one job is to guide you, until you are ready to make good choices for yourself!"

When I was in junior high, I wanted a tight-fitting mini skirt.  She said, "No."  I bought it myself.  She said "Take it back."  She won.  But she also said, "Yes."  She said, "Yes, you are beautiful and no doubt look cute!  But you are being looked at by more than me.  And our bodies aren't meant to show off.  We will wear clothes that honor ourselves and the boys around us.  Modest is always best."  

Off and on in these years, I looked for reasons not to go to church, because I was too tired and wanted to sleep in.  (I laugh even as I type that.)  She said, "No."  But she also said yes.  "Yes, you can stay home, but you'll spend the rest of the day in your bed.  (true story) Yes, we will make church a priority.  Yes, it will come first and if you are too tired from the previous nights, we can help you get to bed earlier by keeping you home!"  (I am probably most thankful for this "no" than any other.)

When I was fourteen, I crossed paths with a very cute guy in high school.  So cute I happened to marry him.  I asked if I could date him.  She said, "No."  I was probably mad.  But she also said, "Yes."  "Yes, I will let you be fourteen.  You'll never be this age again.  You'll have lots of dating years.  But now is not the time.  Be a young girl.  Spend time with friends.  Cheer.  Live the life of a fourteen-year-old."

When I was fifteen, I showed persistence, but this time that now senior boy asked her instead.  She said, "No. She may not go on dates with you."  But she also said "Yes."  "Yes, you may come to our home each weekend and sit in our family room with her.  You may show us that you will respect her and respect us.  And in time, when we are ready, maybe, just maybe, you can actually take her away from our home!"

When I was sixteen, I asked if I could stay out as late as everyone else.  Eleven seemed so early.  But she said, "No."  But she also said, "Yes."  "Yes, I'll trust you to be out longer than is probably necessary.  Yes, I'll give you a chance to make good choices.  Yes, we will give you a car that is too nice, more spending money than you need, and also, more privileges than you might be ready for.  But we are trusting you to use them all wisely and make good choices.  And to be home promptly at 11:00."

As I closed my bible this morning, I stopped at Proverbs and chapter 2 caught my attention.  "My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for the length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.  Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart."

My to-do list includes putting that verse where each of my children can see it daily.  So that when they hear the many "nos" I give out each day, they are consumed with all the "yeses" that are hidden behind them.  "Yeses" to pursue God, His love, His goodness, His ways.  "Yeses" to keep His commandments and grow into men and women who will one day say "no" to my grandchildren with full of intentions of saying "yes" to Him!

the c word.

Nineteen months ago, just three short weeks after Maggie and Gray were born, I left my house early one morning.  I hailed a taxi, checked myself into a local hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, and I awaited my turn for surgery.  While pregnant with Maggie and Gray, a technician noticed "something unusual" on my bladder during an ultrasound.  Even as they wheeled me into the operating room alone, I remained unconcerned.  But when that sweet Thai doctor stood over me in the recovery room and said, "It is looking like the cancer," my world shook slightly.  Fortunately, it was followed by words like "completely gone," "no treatments needed," and "low probability of recurrence."  In my mind, it seemed small.

But two weeks ago, I found myself on the other side of that conversation.  The boys and I were deep into a study of cells, drawing and labeling the parts, discussing our cells' amazing ability to decipher what belongs and what doesn't, and the phone rang.  It was both of my parents, and the conversation began with "We don't want to put a damper on your day but...."

They begin to replay the last few days of their lives.  "Doctors' appointments... mammogram... mass... biopsy... almost positive it's cancer."  The words just kept coming and none of them were lovely.  In those moments, all I could think of was what we didn't know.  

Two weeks later, we know more.  It's Stage 2 and will require chemotherapy for starters. Some sort of surgery will follow, but that has yet to be determined.  And while my earthly, sinful side wants to focus on the questions still at hand, the Lord is slowly reminding of all the things that I can be confident of.  He's softly whispered Isaiah 55:8-9 every day to me since that dreaded phone call: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.  "As the heavens are higher that the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  Though I don't understand why that spot showed up in her breast, I am confident that He does and He will use it for His glory.

He's shown His face in small and big ways already.  The sweet lady at the wig shop that asked my mom if she could pray for her before she left. The God-fearing doctor that had already prayed for God to direct His hand on the day that he placed the port, but also prayed with my mom before he even began the procedure to still her heart and her nerves.  Sweet prayers from my twelve year old for a "Gigi" that he loves dearly.  And reminders that life is short and to treasure every opportunity with her (and my dad!)

Most of you who read this have met my mom.  You know that she is one of the most generous people, always going out of her way to serve others and does it to the best of her ability.  If she's got it and you need it, she'll give it to you.  If you need help and she is able, she'll fix you up!  She's hard-working, caring, and loves people.  She's a gem, for sure.  But the thing about her that I've thought of the most since all this surfaced is that she loves Jesus.  And honestly, knowing that makes all the difference in how we face cancer.  It is not bigger than our God, it is not stronger than her salvation, and it is not going to thwart His plans for her!  In that I have confidence.

Today is Day 1 of a grueling couple of weeks for her, so I'm praying extra big prayers for her this morning- prayers of peace, prayers of healing, and prayers of comfort.  We go way back... 35 years and 6 months to be exact, and I'm planning on 35 more.  As I sit here hundreds of miles away, I can't do much physically to help.  But if you hear the faint sound of cheering and yelling, know that we Marlins are covering you in prayer and cheers today.  Here's to kicking cancer's behind!  I love you, Mama!

let them be little.

One week ago, I turned 35- an age I used to consider old.  My mother had me when she was 30 years old, and I've always told people, "She had me when she was older."  Funny how that feels different when those shoes are on my feet.  

  

This week, I pulled out my wedding album to show the boys that their daddy did in fact have hair once.  Jason and I enjoyed laughing and comparing our bodies then and now.  I chatted back and forth with my childhood best friend about it late that evening... wondering why my cheeks were so full, noticing that there were no bags under my eyes,  and that much had changed in those 15 years.  I'm aging.  And that's okay.  It's better than the alternative, right?

At 35, you're supposed to be mature, have scars to show for all your growing up, dig for gray hairs and pull them out quick before anyone notices them, and pull on your skin to see if plastic surgery really could get rid of those bags.  It's a natural progression of life.  And it's the reason that people are always trying to sell anti-aging cream to us! 

As I struggle to raise  four kids, I see that the world is sending them an entirely different message... not a message of "Reverse the effects of aging."  But a message of "Grow up, and do it quickly."  It's a heartbreaking, confusing message for our babies who just want to be little.

Each night I watch four kids hop in baths and hop out... some actually climb in and out against the wishes of their mother.  All four are at different stages of life.  Some standing outside the doors of puberty, using deodorant for the first time, and probably questioning everything about his eleven year old body.  Some with long, gangly legs that are not quite proportionate to his skinny little body.  Some wearing cellulite bottoms, adorned with rolls, and not worrying about how they look in their jeans yet or really caring if they have clothes on, for that matter!

But the world we live in is begging them to grow up.  It sends out advertisements for bikinis that will fit my 14 month old daughter.  It wants me to dress her as though her sweet, squishy little body should revealed like that of a Victoria's Secret supermodel.  It longs for my eleven year old to accidentally venture into pornography and camp out there as he matures.  It looks down upon the days where it was funny to watch Wile E. Coyote attempt to catch the Road Runner and replaces it with cartoons loaded with adult humor and topics that my eleven and seven year old just aren't ready to tackle.

Some call it "sheltering them" but I call it "allowing them to be little."  It's over so fast.  The days where your greatest worry is which cereal to choose.  The days where your most difficult job is making your bed. The days where your parents are there to help you make even the simplest decisions each day and there to catch you when your fall.

My favorite days are when my boys pretend and dress up, play late into the night on the trampoline, and belly laugh at the games they've made up that I don't understand.  And as much as I want them to stay innocent and small, I often let the world impact my actions.  Those contrary words come out of my mouth... "Please act your age."  "Please don't act like a baby."  "How old are you again?"  My mother once gave me some wise advice:  "Let them decide when they're too big for _________."  Does that mean one day my eleven year old will give up the occasional opportunity to dress up for fun?  Absolutely.  Does that mean my seven year old will one day quit carrying around the blanket that he sleeps with every single night?  For sure.   Can I assume that one day my babies will give up pacifiers, naps, sippy cups, and diapers?  All in due time, my friends.  Those wet, sloppy kisses straight on the mouth, the days of crawling up in your lap, and the days that they sit at your feet while you take your one bathroom break will all go, too.

Perhaps, one day they'll pull out their wedding album for their children to look through.  And they'll laugh at some of their physical changes and cringe at others.  But I hope that as they age, they'll have fond memories of their childhood.  The days where we made rules about which TV channels they could watch.  The days where we urged them to play outside and to turn off devices.  The days where we ate dinner every evening together and talked to each other between bites.  The days where they made sweet, sweet memories because we let them be little!

 

utter chaos.

The daily calendar had just been completed over the whines and cries of two 14 month old babies.  And the most important part of our day had begun.  The boys had their Bibles out and I was prepared to lay out those important Biblical foundations... the ones that, for us, trump learning Math and Reading.  And the first baby yanked on my leg.  In an effort to keep the older boys focused, I picked up that sticky-faced little girl, who really didn't want to be held at all.  She preferred crawling across the school table.  Her oh-so-sleepy brother wasn't far behind and was soon begging to be held, so while the boys found our Scripture for the day, I filled my lap with more chaos- Two babies, that wanted to be held, but didn't want to be held, but cried when you put them down.   And by this time, the oldest boy was in the floor petting our dog, and the youngest was serenading us on his ukulele.

Have you ever found that your norm is utter chaos?  That's the stage where I find myself.  I wake up and race to fix my cup of coffee before the first baby cries, because this mama can't be a mama without that piping hot miracle juice!  I balance reading my Bible with a game of "Fetch the Cheerios" to entertain Maggie and Gray.  At 7:30, I race out the door for the only silence I'll get all day, which involves exercising a body that is long overdue for some physical activity.  As I return home, I tag hands with Jason as he walks out the door and I'm back to reality... chaos!  

By now, the Huddle House is in full swing, as I prepare four different breakfast items and take a bite of each to sustain myself.  While they shovel food, I take a shower, because cleanliness is next to Godliness, right?  Maybe not, but I'm nicer when I'm clean.  By this time, the fearless four have finished eating, and I'm a multi-tasker at her best- drying my hair, encouraging boys to get dressed even though we aren't really going anywhere, reminding boys to brush their teeth that they seem to have forgotten for an unmentionable amount of days, and entertaining babies by blowing the hairdryer in their faces, handing out hair brushes as toys, and begging them to stay out of the toilet water!  And please don't lick the water off your hands.

You're already jealous, aren't you, and it's only 9:00 AM!  School starts at 9:00, and though it's not perfect, most days we actually get through EVERY subject.  It's a juggling act- give instructions, fill up sippy cups, listen to the youngest read, get the baby down from the table, check Math work, break up fights over pacifiers, and on and on and on.  Somewhere in there the babies actually take a nap, and the morning session of school is completed.  I now resume my second job as a short-order cook, creating masterpieces like PB&J, fish sticks, and some fresh fruits and veggies for my guilty conscience.  

The remainder of the day is equally as wild.  The babies take another nap, but that restful time is spent finishing school with Jack and Max, cleaning, or making plans for supper.  And once everyone is awake, there's a constant hum of commotion until bedtime:  fighting and making up, crying and giggling, "no-nos" and "good jobs", surface conversations and deep life-altering questions.  

At around 9:30 PM, they are all safely tucked in their beds, sleeping soundly or laying there pretending  at least!  And I find a dark corner to unwind silently and reflect on the the production of our day.  

The fact is our day is almost always categorized as "utter chaos."  From the time I run to grab that cup of coffee in the morning to the quiet, half sane moment I spend in the dark corner late at night, most of our days are crazy, unplanned, chaotic events that would drive an OCD person straight to the HaHa House.  

But it's the most beautiful chaos I've ever seen.  It's my chaos.  The one with the little boy from Ukraine that I prayed for harder than anything in my life.  It's filled with the green-eyed blond that puts a smile of the saddest face.  It's the babies after years of infertility that can scale sheetrock and give Houdini a run for his money!  It's the husband that demonstrates love and selflessness repeatedly each day.  

So this morning, amidst my desires to finish that darn Bible lesson and to juggle all that surrounded me, we just stopped.  The boy on the floor took a picture of the chaos.  The chaos that will all too soon be gone.  The chaos that I'll long for.  The chaos that was beautifully and perfectly planned for me!  So here's half of my chaos, half of my heart, and half of the reason that I fall asleep so quickly every night!  Utter chaos at its best! (And minus make-up because who has time for make-up!)

In thirty years I'm going look back at this blog and wonder where I was, why my postings cease and randomly show back up.  So to my sixty-five year old self:  You were enjoying your chaos!

38 reasons.

1. I love that he loves me so well.
2. I love his eyes and how they sparkle.
3. I love that our girl has those same eyes.
4. I love his heart for the Lord.
5. I love when he makes our children laugh.
6. I love when he wears a baseball cap.

7. I love that he makes me happy.
8. I love that I've celebrated birthdays with him since he was 17. 
9. I love when he laughs at movies he's watched a million times.
10. I love that he is wise with money.
11. I love that this family is his top priority.
12. I love when he wrestles with the big boys.

13. I love that we have such a rich history of struggles and triumphs together.
14. I love that I've lived on the other side of the world with him.
15. I love that he is passionate about the local church being on mission.

16. I love that he is well read and always has an answer to my questions.
17. I love that his interests are broad:  from sports to Broadway musicals.  
18. I love that he helps me cook dinner almost every night.
19. I love that he doesn't snore.
20. I love that he likes and appreciates good food.

21. I love that he studies marriage and constantly works on ours.
22. I love that he is a planner and big on punctuality.
23. I love when he holds a baby... particularly ours.

24. I love that he dreams big.
25. I love that he challenges people.
26. I love that he really could have been successful at ANY occupation, but he was chosen for this one.
27. I love that he listens without talking when I've had a long day.
28. I love that he never goes to bed alone.
29. I love that he sits in his chair and reads his Bible before work every morning.
30. I love when his face gets scruffy after a few days of not shaving.
31. I love that he loves traveling and dreams of new adventures.

32. I love that he kisses me every day before he walks out the door.

33. I love that he lays in the floor to play with the babies every afternoon when he returns home.

34. I love that he values my opinion.
35. I love when he asks, "What can I do to help you?"
36. I love that he chose me.
37. I love that he text me during the day.
38. I love that he's the first face and the last face I see each day.

And one to grow on... I love that each birthday with him just gets better and better.

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.  I hope I make you even one tenth as happy as you make me!  I love you.

lessons on snow from a southern girl.

I anticipated snow.  We knew it happened here, and we knew it was bigger than anything we were accustomed to.  I mean let's be honest- a Southern girl only experiences the white stuff on very rare occasions.  And it doesn't take many flakes to rock our world.  But last night, we prepared to awaken to  our first "real snow."  So in honor of that, here's a list of the lessons I learned today.



1.  It's okay.  Even the Northerners clean out the grocery store prior to a suspected snow event.  Go ahead and buy your milk and bread.  Just to be safe, we hit up Walmart and the grocery store.

2.  If you are considering canceling church, don't ask the Southern preacher.  The predicted flake on the weather report was enough for him!

3.  Remember that snow is very similar to Christmas for your children.  Be ready to drop everything and go outside the second they open their eyes.



4.  Under no circumstances should you ever put your 11-month-old babies on the ground for a picture.  One will most assuredly scream his head off, and the other will look at them with the "what's your problem" look!



5.  If three college kids come by and offer to shovel your driveway, throw hundred dollar bills at them, feed them breakfast, and offer to do their laundry just to be sure they stay and do the job.

6.  If your "other half" should balk at the idea of hiring the young, strong, college guys, ignore him and hire them anyway.

7.  If you find that you've failed on #4 and #5, grab a shovel, but with every scoop of snow, remind "the other half" that three college guys offered to do this horrible, degrading, painful job!





8.  Prior to winter, figure out which of your church members is hiding a machine that shovels snow.  And get to know them REALLY WELL!

9.  Even if a good friend suggest you take your children to sled down a popular hill in town, disregard this idea.  Remember you are a Southerner.  You've never driven over more than frost.  STAY HOME.

10.  If you fail on #9, throw hundred dollar bills at the very kind men that push your vehicle out of the snow so that you can return home, and promise them that you'll never drive in snow again.

11.  Buy kitty litter to keep in your vehicle, just in case you get stuck and there aren't nice people there to help you out! According to the nice man, it makes great gravel when you need some tread!

12.  Definitely make a snow man!



13.  If you went to the grocery store prior to the storm (#1) but somehow forgot your carrot to adorn the snowman, just jump in the car and drive to the grocery store to grab some.  And ask for forgiveness for breaking the promise you made to those very kind men earlier!

14.  As your return from the grocery store, take time to admire the driveway that you JUST shoveled and how it is now covered in fresh snow once again!

15.  But most of all, enjoy all that white stuff!  It's absolutely beautiful, and despite shoveling the driveway and getting stuck in the snow, it made for a pretty fantastic day!  Happy Snow Day, friends!