#63-#65

1000 Gifts List continued:

#63: Indian Curry... got a hankering for curry after talking with an old friend that makes it splendidly and the only curry recipe I had was Indian. It is pretty good!

#64: "There was once a little daddy..." stories from Big Sis

#65: Little Man's 'raspberries' he blows when he refuses food...although frustrating it is quite hilarious.

Prioritizing...

Time is limited. And every moment births a choice. I can't do it all, so I must choose. Quite honestly, I'm just sick of choosing:

Do I take a shower this morning? Do I lay in bed just a minute longer? Which screaming child do I tend to first? Do I dare venture out to the store to get the pantry staples with two kids on the verge of a meltdown? Do I drop reading the story to rush and answer the cell phone? Do I take this moment to quickly start another load of laundry, do the dishes, wipe down the counters, go to the bathroom... which comes first? When both kids are down for their naps, do I take a nap myself or do the finances that are in desperate need of being done? Or do I take a moment to read the Scriptures and pray?

Why can't life just move slowly and without time? I just want to be able to do it all... but I can't. And a mad downpouring of choices abound. I'm left to choose.

Well, I missed my shower and nap today. Instead I choose to read a book called Praying the Scriptures for your Children.

It is a powerful book that uses God's mighty Word to guide and form prayers that hit topics like your child's Faith, Character, Safety, Relationships, and Future right on the nail. I realized as I was reading that I often view my actions with my children as the primary source as to whether they will grow up to be God-fearing, Christ-loving, Faithful Followers of God. And that I don't prioritize prayer where it should be. Prayer is such a mysteriously powerful tool that should not be underestimated. With all of my intentional efforts geared towards my children to bring them up in the Lord (which definitely has it's place), I must not forget the role of prayer. I have been enjoying this book every additional chapter I read and cannot emphasize how meaningful it is. For any who may be reading this blog entry, I have a selfish request... will you lift up a prayer for Zoe, Roman, & Baby Lee? Prayer is powerful.

With children in bed, I'm finally off to getting that shower. :)

First Steps on The Journey....

Snippity-Do-Da! The baby wisps were just getting to be a little much. I had held off long enough and finally concluded that it was time for Little Man to get his first step into manhood... his first haircut!

It turned out stellar. He looked like one handsome little blonde dude. Part of me was sad to see the untameable baby wisps gone... it was like I was giving up my baby boy and stepping into a new era... of little Tot.

Although the end of baby wisps... new beginnings abound. Little Man took his first step yesterday (Saturday) with many more to follow. His independence begins and my release must accompany that. It is hard and so I pray. I pray for him and Big Sis to Know God, to Walk with Him, and to Accompany others on the journey. Cause we are all on the journey...just at different points.

"Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." 1 john 2:6 

Lee Baby News...

Take a look at these expressions....These were the reactions that we captured when we informed our parents that they were going to have yet another grandbaby! Baby Lee #3 is on his/her way. Tentative due date is November 8th!

These Days are the Gift....

These days are filled with fun. With flowers on the verge of bloom and birds chirping in the promise of Spring, we truly have so much to be thankful for. Like a gift beckoning to be opened.... I try to do so slowly.... that is my new challenge.

My 1000 gifts list continues:

#56: Big Sis holding the hand of the Easter Bunny (Grandpa Lee) all around town. (As an aside... this week, Grandpa Lee dressed up as the Easter Bunny and went to local businesses with me to try and obtain some donations for our upcoming Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt... it was a trip!).

#57: Ice cream (Frozen Custard) before lunch :)

#58: The imagination of a child (Dr. Lee)

#59: The ripping open of the window blinds in the morning to unveil the beauty of a sunny day and blue skies!

 #60: A steamy hot dinner... chicken pot pie and mashed potatoes! Ah! Comfort foods!

#61: Happy baby in potato mash...

#62: A puppy soaking up the heat of the afternoon sun

Cross Eyes....

There are always things that catch our eye throughout the day and sometimes they bring focus and other times distraction. Some are of the doing type, some are of the being type. 

Recently one thing has been catching the eye of Big Sis. It's something that has been there all along, but she is seeing it for the first time. She's noticing and she's becoming more aware. I like to say she's becoming "cross eyed." :)

It started one morning a few days ago when lying in bed with her Daddy. She looked at the door.

"Look daddy, the cross is on the door. The cross that Jesus died on for our sins."

Later that day, she had constructed some blocks to make a cross. She came bounding around the corner so delighted at her creation. 

She has pointed out several other times the crosses she sees around her. She is beginning to live Hebrews 12:2 in a literal sense:

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

I decided to try and take the same challenge that Big Sis was doing. I wanted to try and find crosses that have been around me all along... and fix my eyes on Jesus. These were the crosses I found among many more.

There is something about the cross that transforms us. It is a miracle of incomparable understanding. 

¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17

This verse brought on so much meaning when I heard it the other day. I learned of a substance called laminin that is the basis for most of our cells and organs. It is the substance that holds them all together... like glue. This substance that holds us together looks like this:

I am continually amazed at the cross that is all around us and in us. Jesus is our source... the source that literally holds us together. Praise God!

¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17

Like playdough in my hand....

It's late and the Preacher is not home yet....making a late night trip to Columbus Airport to drop off Grandma Lee after a great visit. 

I'm here doing dishes, finances, baking rolls for tomorrow's lunch, and preparing for Sunday Sabbath so that it can truly be Sabbath "Rest". 


As I try to clear the dough clinging to the side of the bread bowl in the sudsy water, I focus my thoughts reflectively on the day's activities... so much done today with it being Grandma Lee's last day. We met up with an old friend for a tour of the town and got some great photos of Zoe taken in an heirloom dress from 1950 that came from a Great, Great Aunt in Norway.

Dinner at Cici's wrapped up the day and Big Sis and Little Man were tuckered out.

One comment from Big Sis still lingers... she said it mid-day, but I can't get it out of my mind. She looked up at me staring me straight in the eyes and said "Mommy, you need to be careful with me. You need to be careful because you can hurt my feelings."

The words sank deeply into my heart. I am shaping her. I hold so much power in how I interact with her. Like a fragile lump of clay in my hand. But neither she nor her Little Brother are my own. I act like it most days, but they do not belong to me. They are purely a gift from God. I wonder... how am I stewarding these little ones? I recently came across this article titled  "A Child's Ten Commandments for Parents". I was convicted in many areas.


Ten Commandments for Parents:

1. My hands are small; please don’t expect perfection whenever I make my bed, draw a picture or throw a ball. My legs are short; please slow down so that I can keep up with you.

2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please let me explore safely; don’t restrict me unnecessarily.

3. Housework will always be there. I’m only little for such a short time-please take the time to explain things to me about this wonderful world and do so willingly.

4. My feelings are tender; please be sensitive to my needs; don’t nag me all day long. (You wouldn’t want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness). Treat me as you would like to be treated.

5. I am a special gift; please treasure me as my Creator intended you to do, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by and disciplining me in a loving manner.

6. I need your encouragement, not just your praise to grow. Please go easy on the criticism; you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.

7. Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail, so that I can learn from my own mistakes. Then someday I will be prepared to make the kind of decisions life will require of me.

8. Please don’t do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts didn’t quite measure to your expectations. I know it’s hard, but please don’t try to compare me to my brother or sister.

9. Please don’t be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need a vacation from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids. Besides it’s a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very special.

10. Please set a good example for me to follow in all the ways of life. I enjoy watching the things you do and want to do them just like you do.

Lord, help me to bring Zoe and Roman up in ways that are gracious and Christ-centered. Amen

 Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Psalm 127:3