Oh No!

May I begin by saying that I am a "Goodnight Moon" parent? I love that sweet little book. Since my trio were born 11 years ago, I have been a fan. All four of my kids and I have taken great pleasure in searching for the cute little mouse who hides his way through the entire book. Bedtime memories for me will forever be woven with memories of this sweet story.

However, Margaret Wise Brown's companion book to "Goodnight Moon" makes me cry. Have you read "The Runaway Bunny"? The little boy bunny wants to run away from home. His dear mother is steadfast and assures him that anywhere he runs, she will go...if he becomes a fish, she will become a fisherman; if he becomes a flower, she will become a gardener, etc...and the story of mother-love is not lost on me. But I can't help but always feel so sad that he wanted to run away in the first place. And yet, because I love the illustrations (Thank you Clement Hurd.), and yes, the Mother's persistence, we read it anyway.

A few minutes ago, Cate picked "The Runaway Bunny" for her nap time routine...and today, the story was not lost on her. Every time I turned the page and read "If you run after me, then I...", my beautiful two and a half-year-old would put her hands to her mouth and gasp, "Oh no!" in obvious discomfort that the boy is running away. And so today, we had a rite of passage...my little girl went from simply reading the story to processing the story -- and was as horrified as her Mommy that the bunny would want to leave!!

So yes, one day, she'll need to have wings to fly away from home. But today, I'm counting my blessings that she is at least appropriately dismayed by any such thought of leaving her Mommy!

Goodnight stars. Goodnight air. Goodnight noises everywhere.

Old McCate Had a Farm...

Yesterday was one of those days that are just pure joy for this mommy. By chance, I was reading the paper and saw that one of our local parks was having an "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" day for preschoolers. So with laundry sorted in piles, beds un-made, and dirty dishes on the counter, Cate and I donned her overalls as quickly as we could, gathered our friend, little Claire (so as not to confuse her with our sister! ha) and headed to the park! Granted, the morning would have been even more enjoyable if the temperatures had been below 106...BUT, we had a blast nonetheless!

Cate liked the corn...she kept smelling it to see if she recognized the scent. And admittedly, had to be bribed to smile for this picture (can you tell?!).

This picture was sentimental for Mommy -- I was able to get a picture of the triplets on the old tractor at my grandparents' farm years ago. My grandparents have since gone to their heavenly reward...and who knows what happened to the tractor. So, I was delighted to see this old tractor where I could get a picture of sweet Cate to match the one of her siblings!!

Cate wanted to see animals -- please! She stuck her head in every crook and crevice to find some. Unfortunately, there were no animals in this stall -- but she did excitedly tell me that she saw a glove!! Oh, to be two!!

The sun was getting the best of us...but my little pink-cheeked girl and her dirty knees were sad to call it a day. I have promised that we will try and find another farm soon -- preferably one with more animals (she only saw chickens, a rooster, and two baby calves here -- where were the horses, pigs, sheep and bunnies, Mommy?!)

Some of life's best blessings are found in being spontaneous -- and nothing is sweeter than seizing the moment with our children!! E-I-E-I-O!

Almost home...

The tea is sweet. The okra is fried. My friend's shoes are as cute as her blouse. I am almost back home, ya'll!

My hubbie and I are spending the week in downtown Atlanta -- the mission here is to attend a conference on Cerebral Palsy and movement disorders. So far the speakers have been wonderful -- I thoroughly enjoyed hearing Dr. Jan Brunstrum this morning. "Dr. Jan" is a neurologist in St. Louis who happens to have Cerebral Palsy. She is brilliant -- and such a role model for my kids, a source of hope for me as Mom, and an advocate for getting this country to stand up and pay attention to the needs of the Cerebral Palsy community both through awareness, advocacy and research dollars. She was amazing. (And afterwards, I was able to tell her about the article about her my girlfriend gave me when my trio were only 2 and I wasn't sure what the future held. The article was so encouraging and I've kept it all these years. We hugged, and we both cried. It was good!)

And speaking of that friend who gave me the article...ah, I met her in a little Georgia town yesterday for a sweet lunch date. We ate at Taste of Lemon -- this restaurant was located in an old church. You could smell the choir robes immediately upon entering! The place was packed but they fit us in and we had the most amazing lunch...at least for this transplanted Mississippi girl. My plate looked just like my Mama Clara had prepared it for me and my mouth was watering before I ever took a bite! I'll have pictures later -- but for now, just imagine, Salmon Croquettes, Fried Okra, Mashed Potatoes, Pineapple Casserole and Cornbread, ya'll. Doesn't that make you just want a big ole glass of sweet tea?! Ah, it was good. (And yeah, I had to go to the gym for a second time for the day afterwards...but it was worth it. Oh, it was so worth it!)

As we paid, the sweet little cashier was so excited to hear I lived in Arizona..."the home of our next president," she squealed! She shared her very intelligent views about politics and the conversation was delightful. Then we went over to the Square for a little shopping. Oh, how I love shopping on a square! We found the cutest shoes at...are you ready, "The Plaid Rabbit"! And believe me, the shop was as cute as the name!

We're here for a few more days. And while my hips won't endure the blessing that is Fried Okra and Cornbread every day...I'm sure a few more glasses of sweet tea won't hurt me....right?

Pretty in Pink

Because sometimes it is life's simplest blessings that are the sweetest...

Because we remember...

We'll wear red, white and blue today because we remember. We'll wear it because we are proud of our America -- a country that came together seven years ago and grieved the loss of so many.

We'll wear red, white and blue today because even at 11, 2 and 40, we hurt for the families who lost so much.

We'll wear red, white and blue today because we are so proud of the men and women who stand and fight for the freedoms we so enjoy in this great country of ours.

We'll wear red, white and blue today and pray that we continue to stand as a country FOR God and against terrorism. A country with leaders who believe in the power of prayer. A country willing to stand up against the evils of our world...even when those evils are not affecting us directly...and when they are.

We'll wear red, white and blue today because we remember -- and we don't want to ever forget.

Woo-Hoo!!

Just have to shout -- my sixth graders had Logic problems tonight for math homework. Can I just say "I CAN DO THIS!!" Ya-hoo!! Yipee!! We are doing back flips over here...they get it and I KNOW they do because I get it, too! (As opposed to Algebra...stay tuned...that's coming!) But we are counting those blessings tonight...and in a most-logical fashion!! hee hee

Stress, tests and hope

My children teach me more about God and his Grace than I ever imagined. And while many times, the lessons come in beautiful, moving ways. Sometimes, they are just painful.

This weekend was a painful one. We spent most of it urging, stressing, begging, one of our 11-year-olds to embrace obedience. It's a persistent problem. One that arises when this particular child's desires run counter to our's. Not big stuff mind you, this is a good kid. But rather like this: "Take out the dog." No response. "Take out the dog, now." No response. "I SAID TAKE OUT THE DOG RIGHT NOW!" "Why are you always yelling at me?!"

Get the picture? So this weekend as I screamed, yelled and stomped my feet, I felt the situation was hopeless. Never would I get through. Just when I thought we had reached a suitable solution, another situation would arise -- the need to unload the dishwasher, make a bed or something else equally displeasing to this child. And boom, we were at it again. Then finally this morning, a calm arrived, we had a long conversation -- me and all three 11-year-olds, just for good measure -- and an accord was reached. It is untested as of yet -- they left for school right after -- but I am hopeful.

But then guess what happened...I sat down to have my morning Quiet Time. As I worked through the Bible Study, I was directed to Proverbs 1: 22-26:

"If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your disaster..."

I had an instant picture of the rebuke -- since I had lived it all weekend. And an equally vivid picture of the rebuked, of the child that was rejecting God's wisdom and ignoring His advice...and the picture was not of my 11-year-old, but rather of me.

"Child, lay down your will and let me lead." No response. "Child, lay down your will now." No response. And then things go out of control, my plans run me ragged and leave no peace. "God, why are you always yelling at me?"

Hmm.

I've spent time with the One who can bring a peaceful accord this morning. It is yet untested...but I have His promise. And I am ever hopeful.

SOOC

Just joining Slurping Life 's Straight Out Of Camera Saturdays....what fun! This morning my girls and I were enjoying the joys of folding laundry in my bedroom. When between loads, I pulled out my book, I realized they BOTH joined me -- the ever-reader, Claire, was no surprise; but Little Cate and her book made us both smile! A love of books and photos...what could be better?!

Won't you join me? Post a link in the comments to your very own SOOC (No editing...no cleaning up...just straight out!)! Now that will be a blessing...

Fall's changing colors...

Well, we live in the desert. The trees are few. The fall foliage even less because the few trees we have stay the same year round! This is our third Fall without changing colors...so I decided to help it out a bit...

The highlights that I love, coupled with the strong desert sun and over-abundance of pool time chemicals had turned me blonder and blonder...and not a lovely shade...more a "yellow hair" look. Yuck.

So, a stressful week sent me straight to my hairstylist (all ya'll who know me, know that ANY stress sends me straight to my hairstylist...a definite side-effect of being raised by a beautician!) where I said "Do it!" and she asked if I was sure...and I said, "Quick, woman, quick! Before I change my mind!!" (Lots of exclamation points included!)

So...here's the final product...I still miss the leaves changing colors...but this helps a bit...


Blessings, ya'll!

Aw...hard days...

Cute kids. All maroon and white, even the dog. And still no W for the win column. In true bulldawg fashion -- there is always next week. Go Dawgs!

Until then...

I love a three-day weekend as much as anybody. But Labor Day is just NOT my favorite holiday. I am always loathe to bid farewell to my favorite season of all -- long lazy days of laying by the pool (or ocean) enjoying an engrossing novel and listening to my children's laughter -- ah, Summer!

So, I won't say good-bye...I'll simply say, until next time...the chairs will be waiting and so will the water!