You Can't Make Me!

There are moments in every parent's life that make you just a little proud - that put a smile in your heart, not just on your face. Those are the moments that help you to forget about all those other moments... We experienced one of the former moments on a recent Saturday morning when Princess daughter joined us in bed.

As she was laying between us, she started singing praises to God. They weren't songs we had ever heard before, we weren't even sure (theologically) that the words went together, but there was no doubt they were from her heart. "That's beautiful," I said. "I know," she replied. "I like to make up songs and send them up to God, to show Him how much I love Him." "O my soul-l-l-l-l." "You're my king!" she belted out.

There are many things we make our children do: eat their peas before they can have ice cream, put their shoes on to go outside, blow their nose in a tissue rather than a shirtsleeve. But when they are young, we don't always expect them to do the right things because they want to, because it is their idea, because it is in their heart.

I shouldn't be surprised this desire has been put in her heart - or anyone else's. After all, that's what we were made for.

"Our LORD and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth! You let your glory be seen in the heavens above. With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless." Psalm 8:1-2

An Eclipse, Leap Year and Halley's Comet All Wrapped Into One!

Hubby and I are doing something unheard of. We are spending the day together...without Princess daughter...guilt-free. The stars must have collided -- hubby's employer is giving them the Friday before Labor Day off and I don't work on Fridays. However, Princess daughter will be at school. That means we have seven hours together to do whatever we want!

Furthermore, Princess daughter's gymnastics center is having a parents-night-out party, so there's another four hours of date-time. Wow - we might even get tired of each other! Before Princess daughter, this kind of day would have been no big deal, but those who have children -- particularly young children -- know that when a day like this lands in your lap, you feel like you've won the lottery!

I don't know what we plan to do, but it will be nice to share a conversation or two without being interrupted. It will be fun to have a laugh at interesting people who share our world without having to censor. And most of all, no spelling out words allowed!

Of course, we would not wish this to be a permanent state of life - we were fortunate to enjoy 14 years of coupleness before Princess daughter - but it is nice to look forward to some adult time just for us. I feel a little giddy.

"Kindergarteners, Lead the Way!"

(The real quote is "Rangers, Lead The Way!" stated by Colonel Francis W. Dawson on the occasion of the Normandy Invasion in 1944.)

It's just that Monday morning's events felt a little like an invasion. The school had already had a practice invasion last Thursday when the big kids had their first day of school. But they'd been there before. Today was the kindergarteners' first day, the real invasion into a whole new world, a whole new life.

I noticed there were many ways to handle this stressful event. Cheeks were stained with tears - on both parents and children. Some parents coaxed and cooed and sweet-talked. Others gave a quick hug, said their well wishes and were off. Others stayed and stayed and stayed...

I have to admit, it was not easy. Princess daughter has been going to parent-day-out and preschool programs since she was six months old, but there was a sense that this is the beginning of her moving further from us, the center of her orbit.

Just when it seemed like the invasion might not be successful, the capable and experienced teachers took things into their own hands, the students began to look like they belonged there, and we parents felt like the invaders. As we filed out of the classroom, we were torn between our reassurance that our little ones were adjusting just fine and the realization that the classroom would now be the center of their world, at least for seven hours a day. We hoped they would be glad to see us at 3:10. They were.

Reading is Rundamental

Princess daughter passed a big milestone last weekend. She celebrated having "read" 60 books this summer with an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen. We invited neighbor friends to make it a little more fun, and frankly, so 60 pieces of ice cream cake weren't calling hubby and my names from the freezer every day.

So she didn't actually read all of them, but she showed word recognition, even read a few sentences, in each of them. And she did sit down, pay attention to each page as we read to her and answer questions about the story following each book. That's quite a feat because, if you know Princess daughter, you know she doesn't sit with a book.

Ever since she could walk, she has had this habit of "running and reading" for which my husband coined the phrase "reading is rundamental" (which is why he's employed at an ad agency, I guess). Basically, as she runs full-speed across the room, she tells the story (as she sees it) on each page. Then she stops at one end of her lap, turns the page, and goes back from where she came "reading" the next page. The medium doesn't matter - I've seen her do this with magazines, brochures with interesting photos, sales flyers, even an underwear catologue.

It's an odd behavior, but one that gives her plenty of exercise, so my chief complaint is the pattern she's digging into the carpet and the wear-and-tear on the chairs at either end that receive the full-force brunt of the reading. She's even become aware of this activity by name, and requests time to do it each day. I think she also uses it as a way to process the day's events, as I often hear threads of conversations, recollection of events or regurtitation of scoldings (that one's always fun to hear thrown back in your face!). So I learn alot, too. Just not sure how this behavior will play out in the classroom once school starts...

My Brave MIL

There are many reasons to admire someone. We often choose those heroes who risk their life to protect or serve or maintain all the qualities of life we hold dear. But there also is another kind of bravery I admire - someone who chooses to make deliberate changes in his/her life based on what he/she believes is the next step in this great journey on earth.

My mother-in-law is in the midst of such a journey. She has chosen to move from her home of more than 35 years, leave its sale in the hands of God at His time of choosing, and live in a new state, city, house. Granted, she'll be a few doors from her daughter, son-in-law and two of her grandbabies, but this is a BIG change.

She has retired from her job, has sold, traded or trashed a houseful of belongings, and is starting anew. We are excited for her - it must feel like an adventure in so many ways - but we also know it is hard to leave familiar surroundings.

"It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power." Chicken Soup guy Alan Cohen

Who Are We Kitting?

If you haven't seen the new Kit Kitteredge movie, you either don't have a little girl at home or are extremely cynical, or both. But as an adult, you're missing out. I've seen the movie twice, first at my request; the second time, at Princess daughter's request. It proves Hollywood can make a decent family movie that is interesting for both parents and kids and doesn't easily offend (unless, possibly, you're a hobo).

The movie is a little scary. Not in a "Friday the 13th" kind of way, but in how close its message hits home to what our country is experiencing economically right now. The uncle's line about so many people losing their homes because they bought big fancy houses they couldn't afford is almost prophetic. The mother's comment that we're all just a few bad breaks away from being in the poorhouse is a sobering thought. And the idea that the dad could lose his job because car purchases became a luxury made me squirm. After all, hubby makes a living pushing product at an ad agency. And some of his biggest clients aren't in the business of things that one might put in the "must have" category right now.

The movie is a good reminder that when the economy is rough, except for the over-the-top wealthy, most of us are in the middle of a line of dominoes. Even if we work hard, make all the right financial decisions, and have balanced spending habits (okay, nobody really does ALL of those...) things can still go sour.

The movie also is a good reminder that despite the pitfalls - good and bad - that money can get us into, the most important things in life aren't things. They're people.

Blowing off Summer

Well it's August and summertime in the Midwest. We act surprised when the thermometer hits above 95 and humidity starts to build. (Of course, in January, we're baffled when the thermometer goes the other direction.) Which makes me wonder about the whole topic of weather and how much it occupies our daily life.

Personally, I HAVE to know what the weather is going to be. One of my top-five bookmarks is the local weather. Each quarter I DVR the extended seasonal forecast on the most accurate local news station (in my humble opionion - and theirs too). And I don't think it's just me who is nosy about this unpredictable subject...I don't think...

For one thing, it sets my whole wardrobe tone. Back in the spring, I donned capris the first day it looked safe enough for ankles to avoid frostbite. Those around me may have wished I made use of one of the many spray-tan products on the market, but I didn't care - it was capri weather! It's just like the thrill I get on that first really "fallish" day when the skies are perfectly blue, the clouds few, and the temps in the 60s. Sweater weather!

While Princess daughter and I were running errands one hot summer day, she said "I wish we could blow off summer." "What do you mean?" I asked, thinking it was somehow like blowing off school or work. "Like, when I blow on my soup, it cools off. I wish we could do that with summer." And she proceeded to blow and blow and blow. And just for a moment, it seemed to me it might have dropped a degree or two... :-)



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Ode to Midnight

I have a dog
He's finally made my blog.

This dog is so great, I'd even say grand
Why, he's the best dog in this whole land.

This dog is my boy and he is my bud
But I made right sure that he couldn't stud.

This dog is stubborn; he likes his way
I mean, how hard is it to understand "stay?!"

Got this dog as a pup, rescued him, too,
You'd think he'd show just a little more gratitude.

This dog is sweet and loves everyone
What more could you ask from a surrogate son?

This dog is quite lazy and he likes to sleep,
But there's no other dog that I'd rather keep.

Steven Curtis Chapman

Those who have followed the horrible tragedy in the family of Christian rocker Steven Curtis Chapman may also have heard the new version of his song "Yours" recently released for radio. I heard the song on KLOVE the other day, and having purchased the CD in the fall, thought the last verse didn't sound familiar. Wow, was it powerful.

Following the loss of his child, Maria, when she was hit in the family's driveway by a car driven by her brother, Steven added this last verse as a living testimony to what his family experienced following Maria's death. It's an amazing affirmation of faith and God's faithfulness. Just listen to it and see if it doesn't encourage and inspire.

I'm looking forward to the Chapman family appearing on Larry King Live Aug 7 to talk about this family tragedy and what's happened since. I also heard they are on ABC's GMA August 6.

Here Comes the Bride?

Princess daughter is getting married. At least, in her mind, she is. She's actually a flower girl in a wedding in December and we're hoping she doesn't decide it actually is her wedding and take over the whole affair.

We went to try on potential flower girl dresses recently, and you would have thought it was Style Week in Milan the way she strutted her stuff. Funny thing was, she knew exactly what to do! When the real bride handed her the basket that would contain the flower petals, Princess daughter put the basket over her right arm, reached in with her left, and gracefully tossed imaginary petals as if she had been doing it all her life. "See, this is how I throw the petals - so lovely and beautiful" she explained to us novices. After all, what did I know about flower-girling? It's been more than 19 years since my wedding and I didn't trust any little kids not to upstage me.

Actually, the little boy Princess daughter has wanted to marry since she was three has now been relegated to her "ring boy" with another potential groom taking his place. Sorry Ben - we always liked you!

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

I've been reading a couple of books lately about raising gifted kids cause I thinked I might have one. At the risk of sounding snobby (who doesn't think their kid is gifted?) I needed to understand a little more about my Princess daughter. (And after looking into OCD, ADD, ADHD and all the other child-related acronym diagnoses, I liked this one best.) Although she assured me she would still be my normal daughter even though she's decided she now likes Hannah Montana, I think there might be something more. After all, the girl understood the concept of zero at 2 years of age and was doing multiplication at 4. Of course, this gene came from hubby. How could it not from a man whose favorite TV show is "Numb3rs" and whose web site is all about HP scientific calculators?



I needed to know why she was doing some of the things she does, how best to parent a child with those tendancies, and how to advocate for her in the public school system. Mostly, I am learning a lot about my job as a parent. (Wow - if I had known it was this demanding...)

And mostly, it is confirming that my most important job is down on my knees, praying on her behalf to her Creator. No doubt there will continue to be struggles and tears (and that's just from me), but our Father who knows and loves us best is in control, and that gives me peace that everything that is supposed to happen in her life will.

These yet-to-be-invented words she's come up with surely signify her high level of brain power...

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If you think your child is in the same boat, the books I've been reading are:


"You Know Your Child Is Gifted When" by Judy Galbraith


"Parenting Gifted Kids" by James R. Delisle


"The Survival Guide for Parents of Gifted Children" by Sally Yahnke Walker

You Say You Want a Revelation?

Third Day's Revelation just came out. It's great (of course). If you know them, then it's probably on your list to download, purchase, whatever. If you don't know them, it's a great intro to Christian rock and what it can do in your life. Hubby and I saw them in concert this spring - what a fun time of worship!

Spirit West Coast is this weekend - a Shout Out to Alan & Ginger & gang. Thanks for all you do to reach hearts for Jesus through this ministry. You deserve that cruise for all your hard work! Looking forward to a September visit...

Too Much Time on My Hands

Dare I even type that statement? This spring, I changed jobs for a better work-family balance. I’m really enjoying being volunteer coordinator for a museum – it’s close-by, has a flexible schedule, helps me get to know people in the community, provides some mental stimulation and a little money. This summer it allowed me to be home with the Princess daughter a lot, but now she’s starting kindergarten and will be gone five days a week for seven hours each day, and I only work about 16 hours.

I’ve not had this kind of time since I became an adult. I’ve worked full-time since college, and once Princess daughter came, I started part-time, but she took the other part-time. Now life is changing and I’m looking forward to having some time; I’m just not sure I should be allowed to have it. I’m afraid if I don’t use it well, God will take it away.

Like Maria Shriver the other day on Oprah, I’m having to rediscover myself at almost 41 years of age. I’ve defined myself for so long by my career and since that has less importance these days, it forces me to ask what I want to be when I grow up. Oh sure, the messy closets, piles of laundry and stacks of unread books call my name, but once those things are done, they’re done. I’ll be volunteering in the Princess’ classroom, reading more books, actually sticking to an exercise routine, taking time for lunch with friends, and enjoying regular devotional times. No doubt school/community/church opportunities will come up. It’s just overwhelming, exciting and scary all at the same time to contemplate what lies ahead. I’m asking God not to take that time away, but to help me count my days and make every day matter for Him.