Let The Fun Begin

I currently go to a Baptist church.  If someone happens to ask me what denomination I am, I always cringe a little because I'm not sure what to say.  I go to a Baptist church, I don't necessarily consider myself to be a Baptist.  

Growing up we went to many different kinds of churches.  You name it, I've seen it.....except anything involving snakes.  We went to Baptist, Assembly of God, Presbyterian, Vineyard, Non-Denominational.......we were all over the place.  Our family never had a denominational "label", something many find somewhat disconcerting.

I love my church.  It is where God put us, but you better believe that if He wanted to uproot us tomorrow and send us to a Methodist church, we would go.  Please do not misunderstand me, I am not bashing any denomination.  I just know that God can teach me and use me in any Bible believing church He wants me to attend.  There are many aspects of a Baptist church that drive me crazy, and there are many aspects about me that drive a traditional Baptist crazy!  That's ok, as long as it doesn't cause dissension among believers.

All that to say,  I am stepping outside the Baptist box and am observing Lent this year.  I never have, but have always wanted to.  I even did research on it to make sure I understood the purpose and background behind it.  It represents the 40 days Jesus wandered in the desert facing unbelievable temptation from satan just prior to His death.  There is an incredible amount of history and belief surrounding Lent, but for me, it has become about sacrificing something I often prioritize above God Himself to place my entire focus on the gift of eternal life Jesus gave me through His death and resurrection.

After much deliberation, I decided to give up sweets.  I LOVE sweets - of all kinds.  Candy, ice cream, bakery cake - oh I do love me some bakery cake with buttercream frosting, cookies, etc. I get excited about eating sweets.......my marriage has suffered at times because of a promise that we'll "Split a dessert" just to be told by a certain someone (named Scot) at the end of the meal that he is "Too full for dessert, but you can still get one if you want to."  Which I don't because everyone in the kitchen will talk about me so I huff and puff my way out of the restaurant because Scot's "fullness" robbed me of my dessert option........I'm telling you, sweets make me downright delusional!

It is not going to be easy, in fact, it's probably going to get downright ugly at times.  My goal is to be reminded every time my sweet tooth rears its ugly head, that my sacrifice pales tremendously in comparison with the sacrifice Jesus made on my behalf.   I know I'll be a better person for going through it......I'll be healthier in every way.  I would also like to give up about 3 pairs of very comfortable sweats I've been wearing all winter - I'm hopeful the two will go hand in hand.  

The Magic Ring

G recently came home telling me that he had to write a composition and that his was the teacher's favorite.  I was skeptical because spelling and overall completing of a writing assignment are not G's forte, but I was excited for him and asked what he wrote about.

He told me that the whole class was supposed to write a paper on a "Magic Ring".  N, my 8 year old, just recently finished reading The Hobbit and is currently working his way, slowly, through the Lord of the Rings series.  Naturally I assumed G wrote a mystical story about a Magic Ring since that has been the theme around here lately.

"I wrote about your's and dad's wedding rings."

I was honestly in shock.  Amazed that he was able to think so outside the box to come up with the concept and touched that in his 10 year old way, he does not take his parent's marriage for granted.

Honestly, I wish our wedding rings were magical.  How fun would that be?  I could aim my magic ring at Scot and force him to do all sorts of things.  Stop snoring, clean up after himself, be a little more impulsive, demand I buy more shoes, etc.  I have no doubt AT ALL that he has a very long list of things he wishes his magic ring could change in me.  

It has been 13 years since we exchanged rings and it has not always been an easy road to travel - not very magical. We have fought, I have wanted to leave on more than one occasion.  We had to learn the hard way how to communicate and have had long periods of being out of sync.  That is our reality. 

Our reality is also that we made up and I didn't leave.  We did learn how to communicate and we became a team again.  We have made the decision to "Do Life" together with God being in control and our boys by our side.  

Are our rings magical?  No

But seeing evidence of our hard work through the eyes of our son.......that is magical. 

Tattle Tale

Last night I settled in on the couch upstairs with the boys to watch American Idol.  They had both just had bowls of ice cream - I did not join them becaues I'm in a constant battle with about 20 pounds and I happened to be having a strong moment.  I take advantage of those every chance I get.

I did, however, grab 2 Hersheys Miniatures as a treat thinking it was the lesser of two evils.  G watched me while I unwrapped one (I was determined to suck on the chocolate and not devour it so it would last a long, long, long time resulting in my forgetting the cartons of yummy, luscious ice cream downstairs........but I digress).  He then asked, "Are you on a diet or something?  I don't think you need to diet!"  

Yes, I am now taking applications for this sweet boy to marry your daughter someday.....he'll make a fine husband.

Then N popped in with "Don't get too carried away.  I don't want you to have chicken legs." Sorry, baby, Mama would LOVE me some chicken legs right about now......the figurative ones.  I don't eat meat that is still wrapped around a bone.......again, I digress.  

I wasn't sure how to respond.  You see, I'm in the midst of a major cleaning/re-organizing of our office area.  My mom kicked my hiney into gear with this project that has been hanging over my head for more than a year now.  In the process, I've been sorting through all the artwork and collectibles I've gathered from the boys.  I got completely lost in reminiscing about when they were little.....then I asked Scot if we could have another baby......he said no, but upped the ante from a hamster to a guinea pig!  

I came across many preschool projects from both boys where the teacher had them fill in the blanks about me.  You know, the project that we would like a little notice about so we can coach our kids.

"Now baby, when the teacher asks what Mommy's favorite food is, you say SALAD."

"Do NOT, I repeat, do NOT say margaritas or else you will have to go live with another

Mommy and Daddy who will make you eat asparagus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner."

One time, the "survey" actually asked G what his Mommy did when she was mad.  He said that I "go lay down on my bed", which, all things considered, wasn't as bad as it could have been!  I mean, what were they trying to do??  Is this a new screening process for CPS intervention??

So when faced with the diet issue last night, I knew that any response from me could end up in some kind of composition - 4th grade style.  So I said nothing, because honestly?  I still haven't recovered from my complete humiliation from this precious 5 year old Mommy survey.

Besides being special because "she loves me" and having my favorite food be "honey", apparently I am VERY GOOD at "pooting very smelly".    G's preschool career ended with this survery and I spent the rest of the Spring Cleaning my house because that's my favorite thing to do.

Looking Out

On my way to bed last night, I passed by the dining room and this is what I saw.  This is where G was sitting yesterday, unbeknownst to me, watching his friends all play outside.  It broke my heart a little bit...........he's been good about his limited activity because of his surgery and my fear that his ear could fall off.  

Do any of you ever feel this way?  That you are sitting by watching the world go on without you?  I many times feel like I'm on the inside looking out, fearful of what might happen if I leave my comfort zone.  But maybe that's just me.

Valentine's with Spicy Garlic Sauce

As you all know by now, my Valentine was nowhere near on V Day.  I think he was in Australia throwing some shrimp on the barbie, matey.  Actually, probably not, but I've always wanted an excuse to say that!

What do a weary mom, a rescuing grandmother, a 10 year old boy with an ear hanging on by a thread, and an 8 year old that has gotten away with who knows what while we've been distracted by older brother......do on Valentine's Day??

Go see Pink Panther 2 (boring with some very inappropriate inuendos for a PG rating) and then out to Buffalo Wild Wings to eat and watch Basketball.  No wait at all!  I guess not many men are willing to take their lives into their hands by recommending a glorified sports bar for Valentine's Day dinner.  For us??  It was perfect!

Miss Independent

I have learned some major lessons this last week.  First of all, if my pediatrician tells me that I may want to have something checked out in regards to my boy's health, I will do a better job of listening to him.  G and N can breathe a big sigh of relief....there will be a little less "Rub some dirt on it" around here.

Secondly, I'm not going to rob people any more.  I bet you didn't know that about me.....many of you may think twice before having me to your home.  "Baby, hide the china!!  Keri is on her way over!!"

I am the oldest of 5 kids and very much played the part.  I put myself through undergrad and grad school.  I married a man who has traveled extensively with every job since we were married.  I have listed and sold two homes by myself after my husband has already moved on to the next location (that REALLY went over well around here).  I am independent to a fault.

When the surgery thing was becoming a reality, I had some very sweet friends offer to help.  I told them "no"....I can handle it!  My mom offered to fly out...."No".  My husband offered to postpone his trip......"No".  I am woman - hear me roar!!  

Now, don't get me wrong.  I love nothing more than being a rescuer.  If you happen to be in any trouble, I throw the portable siren on my car and off I go.  I love swooping in to save the day.....my red and zebra print superhero cape is being altered right now, or I would show you a picture.  

I have learned this past week, that by telling everyone "No", I am robbing them of the opportunity and joy of being a rescuer.  I know personally the joy I get when I feel that I have helped out a friend in need, so that really hit home for me.  

Then I began to wonder how many times I've done the same thing to God.  He is there, waiting for me to ask Him to rescue me and Little Miss Independent over here is too stubborn to ask.  I am robbing Him of the opportunity to display His might in my life.  He's not going to force Himself on me......He will wait patiently until I realize I can't do it all myself and then He will take the situation and pour His grace and mercy all over it.  

So, I'm turning over a new leaf.  Rescue away..........this Miss Independent is going to become Miss Dependent on The One that is much better at being in control than I am.  

The Newest Fashion Trend

Oh, yeah.  We are rockin' the new head gear.  Looks like a cross between half a Princess Leah headpiece and a jock strap......sorry folks, I have boys which means we all tumble into immaturity at times and flat out think things like jock straps are really funny.

As you can see, my child that had his ear practically cut off, a drill through a bone, two other bones removed, and a titanium plate put in, looks like nothing at all happened to him today.  

I think my husband is in worse shape than any of the rest of us.  He has called all day which makes me wonder exactly when he is sleeping.  He is itching for me to tell him to come home.....he had bought a stuffed bear with G before he left on this trip and sprayed some of his cologne on it so when G woke up from surgery, he would have something to hold to remind him of his dad.  I'm thinking we should have gotten Scot a bear, rolled it in some dirt and nasty smelling football gear to remind him of G.  

I had two wonderful friends with me all day.....Joy and Dana.  They kept me entertained, patted my knee when it looked like I was going to lose it (a hug would have done me in), and provided food for this tired mama.  I will never be able to thank either one of these ladies enough for just being there for me.  I love you guys!!

One more thing......I specifically asked the doctor if G had had the surgery a year ago, would it have been less severe than it was today.  His answer??  Absolutely not.  Apparently this mass has been growing since birth and one year would not have made a difference.  I could feel the guilt rolling away........thank you Jesus!!