Captured memories

Posted by Mari Jo on January 9, 2012 about Family, 1 comment

Tonight as I was putting AA to bed, I laid and stroked her hair. I sang the 100th verse of some made up song us mommies are so good at composing. It was a song about virtues, character, and the sweet relationship between a mother and a daughter. As I finished the song, I spoke to AA about life. She asked me if she would some day be blessed with a daughter of her own. I wanted to tell her “yes”, I wanted to tell her that life always works out the way we dream when we are little girls. I wanted to tell her that her dreams of becoming a missionary and a mother are guaranteed. But the truth is, I can’t tell her that life will always be perfect. I think it was the first time that it truly ever dawned on me that my beloved little girl will someday experience the pains of this world, and there will be nothing I can do about it.

I told her that I prayed every night that one day, after she married a wonderful man who loves the Lord, that she would be blessed with children of her own. I explained to her that God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we want or expect him to, but that He is our God, and we can trust that He always knows what is best for us.

She asked me, “You mean the way you know what is best for me, and your mommy knows what is best for you?” Yes. Exactly that way.

I explained that God’s love is deeper than a Mother’s love for her own child. A love I simply cannot fathom, for the love of my children literally causes a deep ache down into the very depths of my soul. It can make me cry at any given moment, and it does, more often than I care to admit.

I explained that she had many many more moments to live before God made her a wife and mother, and that He was using those moments to form her into a beautiful, Godly woman. I explained that childhood was made to be enjoyed, soaked up, and cherished.

AA admitted to me, as she had many times before, that she wanted to stay little forever, and I admitted, as I had many times before, that I would like that too, but that I knew that God had plans for her, and that growing up was part of that incredible journey.

AA immediately began scheming about how she could avoid growing up. She suggested still having a birthday, but not growing a year older, simply staying 4 forever. I must admit the idea is rather tempting, but no. God has plans for her, and as sad as I am about her growing up, I can’t wait to see what it is that God has in store for her life.

So I suggested to AA that she took time everyday to capture a moment and make a memory. I told her to make the most of every opportunity to enjoy being a child. I told her to dance in the living room, to sing much too loudly, to giggle, to build forts, to prepare grand tea parties, to paint in the brightest colors, to swing so high she could nearly touch the stars.

As I went to bed, I couldn’t help but think to myself, “Am I taking the time to capture moments and make a memory?” I hope so. I never want to take for granted how short this life is, and furthermore, how short childhood is.

So what about you? Are taking the time each day to see your children as they truly are; the ultimate blessing worth cherishing? It is so easy to get caught up in the daily grind full of diapers, “whys”, toys, and the *occasional* fit, that we forget how truly blessed we are. One of my favorite parts of the Bible is when the Wise Men go to visit Mary. They all speak so highly of the new baby she had just been blessed with. The Bible says that “Mary cherished all these things in her heart”.

Lord, please help me to “cherish these things” inside my heart. Help me to use everyday moments to make memories of our children, everyday.

Speaking of captured memories, here is one now:

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Happy New Year! 2012

Posted by Mari Jo on January 2, 2012 about Family, No comments

It is New Year’s Eve. Every year comes to a close with its share of successes and failures. 2011 is not the exception. Every year provides me the opportunity to grow as a wife, mother, and follower of Christ. Every year provides me with the opportunity to shape my children into the people God created them to be. Every year I have the opportunity to choose God over self, to choose others over self.

So, as usual, I could choose to look back and reflect, but today, I would like to look forward. Look forward into the unknown. I won’t call it New Year’s Resolutions, because I really don’t like those, but I will call it my future hopes and prayers for myself and my family.

I pray that 2012 brings me:

Tired days, because I spent my night up laughing and chatting with my very chatty and hilarious hubby.

A sore jaw, from smiling too much.

Tired hands, from serving others instead of self.

An empty wallet, from giving too much.

A sore back, from playing on the ground and wrestling with the two cutest kids I know.

A headache, from teaching Aubrey Ann and Landon new concepts that may not always come easy.

Tired eyes, from reading God’s word. There is no substitute.

Lots of laundry, because I let my children play outside until they were absolutely filthy, and completely exhausted.

Dirty floors, because I neglected to clean them in order to steal precious moments with my family.

Dirty dishes, because I cooked a good meal.

Dirty aprons, because I had some helpers.

Sore knees, from all the time spent on them during prayer.

Bad hair days, because the way I look really doesn’t matter to anyone who loves me.

An empty gas tank, from taking my kids here and there to explore the next great adventure.

A Bible full of pencil marks, because every passage is THAT good.

A hoarse voice, from singing just one extra lullaby, one more silly song, or too loud in the shower.

A dusty computer, because I chose to spend more time on people and things that really matter.

A heavy heart, that grieves for the lost.

A burned out light bulb, from the many night time hours spent researching a good science project, reading that part of the History book just one more time, and putting together just one more art project.

A body completely spent in service to my family and my God. Time spent in service to others is always well spent, and never regretted.

May 2012 bring you and your family many blessings, even if they come in rather surprising packages. The next time you are frustrated by your lack of sleep, sore back, or never-ending pile of laundry, ask yourself if these minor annoyances are simply the side effect of some sort of wonderful blessing. God bless us all as we enter this new year!

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Should McDonald’s Change It’s Name?

Posted by Brandon on December 20, 2011 about Aubrey Ann, No comments

On the way home today we passed McDonald’s and Aubrey Ann told me (Brandon), “McDonald’s has been there too long. They should go somewhere else.”

Me: What would go into that building?

AA: Maybe a new store.

Me: Like what kind of store, what would the name be?

AA: Maybe, Donald World or Cheese Burrito King.

Me: What restaurant are you thinking about right now?

AA: Burrito King.

Her mind is very linear and it’s often fun to try to predict what she’s thinking based on what she’s talking about.

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Advent update #3

Posted by Mari Jo on December 15, 2011 about Family, No comments

Even though the kids have all been sick, we have still found a way to have fun with our advent activities. Here are some pics from a few of our advent activities this last week.

: Kisses for her prince

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Elfie Strikes Again! Days 6-8

Posted by Mari Jo on December 15, 2011 about Family, No comments

Elfie is definitely making himself at home. Check out these pictures!

: Candy cane zip line! Woo-hoo!

: A marshmallow bubble bath? I guess this is how they get clean in the North Pole!

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Elfie strikes again! Days 4-6

Posted by Mari Jo on December 12, 2011 about Family, No comments

Elfie has been up to his same old tricks. Check out the places we have found him this last week!

: Hey, Elfie’s Christmas tree looks awfully real…

: He left one for AA too. I think I need to check our Christmas tree for bald spots.

: All the stuff for AA to do the decorating!

: I think she likes him!

: Brother, sneaking a peek!

: Elfie brought breakfast! I guess he misses the North Pole, because he decided to spend the night in the freezer!

: She has only had them once before, but this girl LOVES Toaster Struedels.

: Looks like Landy likes them too.

: AA likes the frosting the best!

: And I wonder why the kids always share sicknesses. If they aren’t doing something like this, then they are kissing.

: Guess Who! It’s Elfie!

: Looks like he is really concentrating on this game!

: Elfie vs. Rex 2011

: Interesting place for Elfie to park.

: Oh I see, he is on a date!

For some reason, some of the pictures are cropped funny. I would ask my resident computer tech, but he is currently working on our Christmas cards. Thank you honey! Sorry if they don’t show up right.

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Advent Activities Update 2

Posted by Mari Jo on December 8, 2011 about Family, No comments

Here are some pictures from our recent advent activities. We have been having so much fun, and AA is truly enjoying everything about our advent calendar this year! Can’t wait till little Landon understands more. For now, he really enjoys taking the cards after AA reads them and running around the house with them. I think that is about the extent of his understanding.

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Our Nativity

Posted by Mari Jo on December 8, 2011 about Family, No comments

Landon is in the process of cutting his two bottom molars, and he is just not a happy camper. When Landon is teething or sick, his normal easy going personality totally disappears and he turns into what I have affectionately called, a teething monster. He is whiney, wants to be held almost constantly, and basically nothing makes him happy besides bananas.

Except being outside. Being outside cures all the teething fussiness. So out of desperation, we headed outside, and I decided it would be a good time to take some pictures of my yard Nativity. I have wanted one of these for years, but just have never found the right one. I wanted something easy to store, light weight, but nothing “blow up”. Finally, we found this set, and I am very pleased. The kids have really enjoyed “playing” with it, and it is fun to see the kids walking home from school stop and take a gander. I don’t even mind the neighbor kids all over our yard!

So here are some pictures of our much needed break from the teething monster.

: He had to check out our neighbors snowman!

: Even the teething monster is cute.

: Kisses for baby Jesus.

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Elfie Strikes Again! – Day 3

Posted by Brandon on December 8, 2011 about Family, No comments

In the middle of the night last night (while Elfie was living it up in the North Pole), AA woke up very sick. She was vomiting, and just generally feeling crummy. So I wasn’t sure how excited she would be to find Elfie in the morning. Well, I shouldn’t have wondered. AA was thrilled to go searching through the house to find our sneaky little friend. And boy did he ever have a surprise for us this morning!