For This Season

{fireproof}

Date night......thank you First Baptist Greenwood for having such a heart for marriage and family.  The childcare provision is much appreciated!

Last night was a rarity for Scott and I.  I think it was the first movie we have seen together since the accident in a theater.  He did have to wear his earplugs (one got stuck, it was a few minutes of panic) and his headset, but he made it through.  The movie was wonderful.  We both laughed and cried.  I cannot remember laughing that hard in a very long time.  Very nice.

The story behind the movie is phenomenal!  I just can't say that enough.  I wish every single couple (oxymoron, sorry, I got side tracked) could see it.  I walked away with a lot.   So many areas to work on as a wife as well as a friend.  I was convicted in many ways last night.   Now, I look forward to the next three weeks of topics at church utilizing Fireproof as the theme as well as taking the Love Dare challenge.  I'm working on Day One right now, and it's going well.  And, for the purpose of full discolsure - poor Scott has been asleep all morning - so that may be lending to the ease of the task. ;) Grab a friend and take them to this movie - it truly can be life changing.

You can view the trailer to the movie at Fireproof.   

{all about me....according to e}

Evan FINALLY got to return to MDO/Preschool this morning...he was actually very excited.  Thankfully.

I collected his "work" that would have been sent home in his absence.  Here is one in particular that made me laugh (and a couple gasps)!

"My Feelings" by Evan Walker

I feel happy when I play with my bunny.

I wish I could climb a wall.

I would like to be Spiderman.

I have a good time when I'm swimming

I wish someone would help me jump in the pool.

I worry about my dad knocking on the wall.  (ok, that sounds really bad.  But, Scott will "knock" on the walls to........scare the kiddos.  It doesn't phase Noah, but Evan does NOT like it!)

Today I feel great.

I get angry or mad when I don't get to go outside.

I feel bad when Daddy spanks me.

I'm afraid when I put on a blindfold and I can't see where I'm going. (?) 

Very cute. :)

{another note to self}

Over the past several weeks and in the weeks to come, our pastor is focusing on marriage and parenting as both are such huge issues.   In a recent HomeLife I picked up in SS class, I stumbled upon the following.  Maybe in only applies to me, but, others may possibly benefit.  At times, I even shock myself with my own selfishness in my marriage and my role as a mother.  It is rather long, so I will type it in an "installment" nature. 

The Sting of Selfishness

by Marden Philips

Diana looked at me in the same way she might look at a tarantula crawling up her leg - with horror and fear and a huge expression of angry panic.  

We were at a local coffee shop, and there wasn't a tarantula in sight.  Therefore, I assumed it was my answer to her question that had caused the painful expression on my young friend's face. 

Diana and David had been married for eight years, and the honeymoon was definitely over.  Gone were the days when he was a made-in-heaven husband and she was an adore princess.  David's attentiveness was now limited to his job and the TV, and  Diana's princess days had faded into housework, kids, and a full-time job.  Infatuation had turned to irritation.  He annoyed her and she annoyed him.  

Diana wanted a quick, easy answer to a long, difficult relationship problem:  "How did this happen?"  The fact that I have been married to the same man for 38 years qualified me a marriage expert in her eyes.  I assumed she wanted an honest answer.  "Selfishness," I said. "Selfishness?" she asked incredulously.  "Yes, it's when your 'ishness' is all about your 'self'".  She wasn't laughing.  Neither was I. 

The dictionary defines selfishness this way:  "when personal needs and wishes are thought to be more important than those of other people."  Hard to skirt that implication.

But, Diana had no interest in discussing anything but her feelings about David's actions.  So I read to her James 4:1 - "What is the source of the wars and the fights among you?  Doesn't it come from the love within?:  You give something even if you don't get it - so you give and give some more."

God's Word makes an analogy between marriage and how Jesus loves the church, so I continued my straightforward conversation with my friend. "Diana, having you is all the reward Jesus needs.  This is heaven's example to us of the foundation of a marriage that will happily survive.  Your spouse is all the reward you need for being married.  Being able to give love is reward enough." 

"But", she said, "why do I have to be he one who gives?"  

Installment II tomorrow.  That is enough to digest for today.  I know with our new found situation following the accident, on numerous days, I feel stretched to the point of breaking from "giving".  I will not say it's always easy, and I am human enough to admit that it's sometimes hard not to keep score....but, I do not have that right.  It''s quite easy for me to keep a list of how I feel "wronged" in our relationship, not so easy to keep giving in the midst of that.  It is truly difficult!  But, a necessary part of the marriage equation.   From the simple of DH not helping me fold the laundry by choice or not feeling well, to the those incidents of harsh words that are not so easily forgotten.  And, in all fairness, Scott could say the same of me.  There are days when we are both tired, irritable and short-tempered.  Given,  the effects of the accident have compounded that in a way that even I am still shocked at.  But, the sting is the same.  

Here is a little quiz that was included in the article.......

Here's Looking at You - Quiz Your True Self

I am often impatient

I am often unkind to my spouse and others.

I boast about my importance.

I hate to admit when I am wrong.

I am often rude.

I am more interested in what I can get out of my marriage than what I can give to it.

I am easily angered.

I keep a mental list of everything my partner has done wrong. 

I cannot handle the truth and won't allow anyone to speak it to me. 

I don't trust anyone.

I hope for and in nothing. 

I rarely protect my spouse in any way, from anyone or anything.

I don't persevere with my marriage relationship.  When it's problematic, I want to be gone.

The source for this quiz is 1 Cor 13:4-8 which clearly describes love.  This test simply lists the opposite of every description of love, which gives us the perfect description of selfishness. 

I can be pretty selfish, as ugly as that is.  Now, let me work on intentionally on being aware and changing that. 

{actual diagnosis}

just a virus.  Thankfully!  I will tell you when I discovered a multitude of extremely swollen lymph nodes on this neck and back of his head last night......of course, I panicked.  Even though I KNEW his little body was launching an attack against whatever histamines/virus was causing the rash.  All common sense flew out the window.  As soon as Dr. Fred's office opened this morning,  I was on the phone.  He was very reassuring.  And, apparently whatever viral infection it is has hit several other little ones with typically just a rash and fever.   And, thankfully, he is not contagious.  Only have to return if a fever returns or he just doesn't feel well.   Now, I am ready for both boys to be well and stay well for longer than a week.  Please.   

{update}

ok, now the rash has really resurfaced.  MD appointment tomorrow.   He slept all afternoon and so far, no further tummy troubles.  

{happy birthday}

Today would have been my grandmother's birthday.  I can't believe it's been so long since she has been gone.  I remember driving her to the hospital the day of her stoke; we never got to bring her home.   I actually lived with her through my first couple years of college; it was interesting to say the least.  I am forever grateful that she opened her home to me.  But, she had been alone for so many years that having a teenager under her roof was not she had anticipated.  I can't say that I blame her.  I was either at work, at school, with Scott or had my nose in a book.  So, in looking back, we didn't have the opportunity for a lot of quality time, which is regretable.   I loved her belly laugh and got to hear it alot.  I think I must get my stubborn streak in part from her. :)   I look at my boys today.....and so wish she could have met them.   Happy Birthday, Grandma.......

{to my bible study sistas}

Okay........I hope you're sitting.   A child of mine could NOT possibly be sick again.  That could never happen.  Especially on a church night.   To a class I am realllllllllly wanting to attend.  But, I am pretty certain that Noah shared the little tummy bug he had over the weekend with his little brother.  We want them to share, right?  Ugh........   So, Erin, if you are reading this, I am hoping we did not share the wealth last night!  I'm thinking we just need to live in a bubble.  And, to my poor aunt in Ok City who I know is worried that we are sick yet again....I promise, it's nothing to be concerned over.   We are just more than normal susceptible.  The positive in all of this is Noahs was about a 24-hour bug.  So, hopefully......    I may return to the by the time the study ends?  Hopefully!   But, I'm not going to hold my breath.   I just might die.  I really don't need that. 

{diagnosis}

well, without the medical degree I need to make an accurate diagnosis, the mommy degree is diagnosing...  hand, foot and mouth aka coxsackievirus.  It is what I suspected this morning, but I finally got a good look at the back of his throat.  :(  

{infirmary}

You know it's NEVER a good thing when you hear "Mommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" at 4 am.  Noah has a stomach bug.  He is back asleep.  And, you know, we can't just do this one at a time.  Evan is COVERED in some sort of rash.   I hate rashes.  I hate them as a mom and even as a nurse - because they could be from so many different things.  It's an itchy rash and literally there is no pattern to it - it's pretty much everywhere but his face.  Poor thing.  So, he is about to get  sleepy on Benadryl.  And, then I will have to debate myself on whether or not we go to the MD to have the discussion of laundry detergent changes (negative),  eating new foods (negative), any accompanying problems such as sore throat, hands, feet (negative), new soaps (negative) only to be sent home with instructions to take Benadryl and watch it.   And, you know me, we always pick up something worse while in the doctor's office.  

Moms - any thoughts out there?  Anything going around in our area?  Oh......I may see all of you in a few months at this rate!  We did actually make it to church last week, I would be shocked it we could make it twice in a row.  :( 

{there's no going back!!!!!!!}

I finally did it!  I walked in my kitchen and ripped a huge piece of wallpaper off the wall.  You know, "the rip it quick, pain is over quicker" method.  So......for the past SEVERAL years I have so wanted to do it.  Now, the long tedious process is underway.  Yea!   On a very positive note, at least I put up cheap wallpaper, because, thus far - it is coming off shockingly easily.   Given, I've only taken a 4x4 chuck out and the remaining walls are endless.  But, so far, so good. 

Any thoughts on texture - our entire house is the typical knock-down - would you go the same route or do something a little different?  Comments please.........