Things I am thankful for today

1. My iPod
2. My home
3. This beautiful cool and breezy weather
4. A new prospect
5. Hope

A Fine Art

For a few years I have been training in a very fine art. I am getting better but have not perfected it yet......and am only now starting to realize the importance of this art. You want to hear what it is? Well I am going to tell you anyway. To be blunt it is the art of keeping your mouth shut. To put it with more finesse: to know when it is appropriate to add your thoughts to a particular situation/conversation or to keep them to yourself. 

Words can be a powerful thing. They are remembered for a very long time, even if you apologize or offer to take them back. Especially if said to a person that respects and likes you. They are almost permanent. Thoughts and perspectives (especially judgements and opinions), though, change, pretty fleetingly, even when you are not expecting them too. 

Don't get me wrong there are sometimes things that need to be said, to help, for the best interest and care for others, but more often it's more important what you don't say than what you do. IMO. 

The great news is that this art reflects wonderfully on your relationships and on building those around you up. 

Anyway, that's my thoughts for the day and a few quotes ;-)

Preach the Gospel at all times and sometimes use words. 
Francis of Assisi 

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (NIV)

The Office

If anyone is dying for the season premiere of The Office like I am, here is a teaser (don't watch if you missed season 5, there are spoilers!):




Also, can't wait for Biggest Loser and So You Think You Can Dance. Oh no, I am going to turn into a couch potato.

Amen!

I tell people all the time, I work out consistently because it makes me feel good. So after reading this article in Parade this weekend, I had to pass it on, and say a wholehearted "Amen!" 

Get a better mood fast:

http://www.parade.com/health/2009/08/23-get-a-better-mood-fast.html

Which one am I today?

The optimist: Yay, T-man goes potty, flushes, and turns out the light!

The pessimist: Ugh, he forgets to wash his hands.

The optimist: Yah, Peanut pooped on the potty before nap!

The pessimist: Ugh, we had to ALL sit in the bathroom for a half hour. 

The optimist: Peace and quiet, the children are sleeping :-)

The pessimist: Why can't I be more productive when I have the chance???

Progress!

Now just waiting for fall and the mosquitos to take a hike!

I want to be clay

I am reading this cute book....it's called "All I Need is Jesus and a Good Pair of Jeans" by Susanna Foth Aughtmon. I actually read a little of this author's writing in a magazine and thought I would really like her book. It is great, easy to read, relatable, and spiritually practical (if that is even a thing). 

Here are some of the chapter titles: 1) I am oh so tired 2) I am not a supermodel 3) I have pride issues 4) I worry about things 5) I forget there is no more condemnation in Christ 6) I want chocolate to solve my problems.........17) I am not sure of my purpose in life. I skipped to 17 because it related to "I want to be clay". Chapter 17 talks about how Susanna, the author, struggled to find her calling, and even when she finally did, didn't really feel confident about it. However, it was because she wasn't asking God what He had planned. So finally she realized WHAT God really wants from us is for us to be clay.......to be moldable, flexible, and teachable. To listen and to put into action where he is calling us to be. Which, I think, sometimes can be very simple when we take our own agenda out of the equation. 

She is funny too. I laughed out loud at some of the things she said because I had been there, done that. There was one time I teared up when she said this: "I'm not sure how I became aware of all the sin in my life, but the craziest thing is the more I move toward God, the more I am in his presence, the more aware I am of how sinful I am." (Chapter 7 - I sin a lot). I teared up because it was a relief to hear someone else say that. I have had that run through my head, and think, "This stinks! Why does it have to be this way?" but then I remember the WHOLE point, Chapter 5) There is no more condemnation in Christ..........and as Susanna states too, it takes us a lot of times to get it and A LOT of forgiveness too. 

So I recommend this read (I am almost done, you can borrow mine if you call dibbs). I also highly recommend people getting on Good Reads so we can swap books or ask questions about good reads. 

Partners in Crime #6

two words.....dirt angels. 

Partners in Crime #5

It has been a while since I wrote about Partners in Crime and the reason is this, we have had a constant crime wave in our house. The good news again is that they enjoy each other, have lots of imaginative play, and are getting close. The bad news is their imaginative play means a BIG mess or they fight. 

So though I could write all day about their cohorts, and the overwhelming mess that is my house....I will tell you about the most recent off campus offense which happened at our favorite grocer Trader Joe's. 

So, you know those Kid Carts that make you think "How cute, my kids can help shop!", no no no, these, are a nightmare. Though being the naive mother at times, I let them EACH get a Kid Cart the last few times, and every time it ends in DISASTER. Even though each time we have a long talk about the laws of the Kid Cart, and how breaking them will result in NO Kid Cart, well what can I say, I am the queen of empty threats. 

So they are running, ramming the kid cart into each other, not watching where they are going, trying to stick non-approved items in the cart..... Basically raising my blood pressure at every turn to the point of boiling. You can picture it can't you? Say it with me "Been there, done that."

Sometimes I think the kids plot against me like when one doesn't take a nap one day and the other skips the next day. Yes, I think they are that smart. The point is, one of them, at any given time, was acting up in the store. The cherry on top was when they helped put the items on the conveyor for check out. Of course, the lady thinks my kids are angels and that I am nutty. She must have missed Abby biting a stranger kids head off in the Kid Corner. 

What was I thinking??? Or more importantly, what was the Kid Cart Inventor thinking, I'd like to talk to him or her. I bet they don't have kids. 

In short, the three of us are together ALL the time and though I wouldn't change that there are pitfalls. They know I break and have empty threats at times which is why they push the monster mommy button, over and over again. However, I know how they roll and that sometimes they play me (or gang up on me) to get what they want. 

Pass the discipline book and the tylenol please. Prayers are also welcome.