Have you heard the new, hot music that's out? No? Well, here's a sampling of the lyrics.
Rain, rain, rain!
It's good to see you again.
Drip-drop, pitter-pat, splash, and swishin.
Rain!
We love the rain!
Or, my favorite.
Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog.
Now we got ears, it's time for cheers.
Hot dog, hot dog, our problem's solved!
Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog!
If you haven't heard these one-hit wonders, maybe it's because you listen to adult music. But these, my friends are the kid hits of today. And, the best part? Because I'm a mom, I go to bed singing them, and wake up humming them. Sigh.... :)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Remodels and Remixes
We have been busy, busy, busy remodeling our master bathroom with a walk-in shower, gearing up for a remodel on our kitchen, growing a garden. Yes, we are crazy. Kameen is such a trooper, and he is always willing and ready to "help." He measures, hammers, drills, and uses the screwdriver on anything and everything he can find! He is a real handy little man. And while our lives at home are still in flux, we found the time this month to go visit our family for a weekend, which, despite the COLD RAIN (in May!) was quite a treat. So, without further ado, here are pics of the last few weeks around the Smith household. Enjoy!
Before, we had a huge sitting area in our master bedroom. It was really too much.
Before, we had a tiny shower room, with an extremely gross prefab shower/tub combo.
Now, we have a very stylish, walk-in shower, with two showerheads! That's plenty of space for me and the hubby!
We had lots of fun with our cousins in D-town.
Cousin Andy turned 6! We celebrated with a campout.
Kameen had a great visit with Ms. Willa. They are 9 days apart, and they liked practicing kissing during our playdate. Too cute!
Before, we had a huge sitting area in our master bedroom. It was really too much.
Before, we had a tiny shower room, with an extremely gross prefab shower/tub combo.
Now, we have a very stylish, walk-in shower, with two showerheads! That's plenty of space for me and the hubby!
We had lots of fun with our cousins in D-town.
Cousin Andy turned 6! We celebrated with a campout.
Kameen had a great visit with Ms. Willa. They are 9 days apart, and they liked practicing kissing during our playdate. Too cute!Monday, May 4, 2009
Measuring Success
Proverbs 31:28
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
How do we measure the success of our mothering? How will we know we are doing for our children what is right, true, and according to God’s plan? When I was in 11th grade, my English teacher taught all the boys in the class to stand when a lady entered the room or when a lady stood. This classic etiquette rule that was widely observed in the 19th century along with opening doors and offering a seat to a lady, is unfortunately long gone due to movements such as Women’s Lib. But, the idea behind it is not so different from what the Bible says about how children should treat the lady of the house. One translation reads, “Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her.”
So, are we to expect our children to stand every time we enter a room? Certainly it doesn’t hurt to teach our sons such respect of a woman. But, this verse seems to be speaking more into the future. The Proverbs 31 woman does so much for her family day in and day out, and she does it graciously, as we can see in the verses that precede this one. In that time, we don’t see or hear from her children, but we know they’re there and that she serves them well. Now, fast forward 20 or 30 years, and we see the product of her diligence and loving attitude. Her children have grown up (“rise up”) and their lives have become a reflection of her success as a mother, and in their success she is blessed. I imagine an 80th birthday party where all her friends and family have gathered and her children each make a statement about what their mom means to them. Her husband too. And, this mother beams with pride that her children love the Lord and are successful members of society.
It’s easy to get bogged down in the day to day troubles that being a mother brings. It’s easy to feel like a failure when our children throw tantrums in public, get in trouble at school, or wake us with fever and chills on Mother’s Day instead of French toast and coffee. But, if we are following the instruction of God’s Word and pointing our children to Him daily in our actions and in our servant hood, we can be assured that one day our children will also rise up and bless us through their lives.
Prayer: Lord, help me remember today that even though I may not always feel like a successful mother, your Word promises blessings through my children’s lives if I will keep striving to be the mother You have called me to be. Help me remember that it is through You that I have the strength to lead my children on a path that is holy and pleasing to You. Thank you for your grace and mercy, and thank you for being the best parenting example of all.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
How do we measure the success of our mothering? How will we know we are doing for our children what is right, true, and according to God’s plan? When I was in 11th grade, my English teacher taught all the boys in the class to stand when a lady entered the room or when a lady stood. This classic etiquette rule that was widely observed in the 19th century along with opening doors and offering a seat to a lady, is unfortunately long gone due to movements such as Women’s Lib. But, the idea behind it is not so different from what the Bible says about how children should treat the lady of the house. One translation reads, “Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her.”
So, are we to expect our children to stand every time we enter a room? Certainly it doesn’t hurt to teach our sons such respect of a woman. But, this verse seems to be speaking more into the future. The Proverbs 31 woman does so much for her family day in and day out, and she does it graciously, as we can see in the verses that precede this one. In that time, we don’t see or hear from her children, but we know they’re there and that she serves them well. Now, fast forward 20 or 30 years, and we see the product of her diligence and loving attitude. Her children have grown up (“rise up”) and their lives have become a reflection of her success as a mother, and in their success she is blessed. I imagine an 80th birthday party where all her friends and family have gathered and her children each make a statement about what their mom means to them. Her husband too. And, this mother beams with pride that her children love the Lord and are successful members of society.
It’s easy to get bogged down in the day to day troubles that being a mother brings. It’s easy to feel like a failure when our children throw tantrums in public, get in trouble at school, or wake us with fever and chills on Mother’s Day instead of French toast and coffee. But, if we are following the instruction of God’s Word and pointing our children to Him daily in our actions and in our servant hood, we can be assured that one day our children will also rise up and bless us through their lives.
Prayer: Lord, help me remember today that even though I may not always feel like a successful mother, your Word promises blessings through my children’s lives if I will keep striving to be the mother You have called me to be. Help me remember that it is through You that I have the strength to lead my children on a path that is holy and pleasing to You. Thank you for your grace and mercy, and thank you for being the best parenting example of all.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
I'm You: You Are Me and We Are You
We have just finished breakfast and are heading out the door to take Daddy to work. The Honda is being maintenanced, and I'm suddenly very grateful we now have two cars. Busying myself with breakfast dishes, I vaguely hear Chris in the background playing the say game. "Say Isaac." "Say Daddy." And then I hear him. "Isaac," Kameen says. Of course it's not clear or pronounced, but it's definitely "Isaac." Just yesterday he learned to say "Daddy." Up to now it has always been "Dada." And today, his own name, "Isaac."
In Hebrew, Isaac means "laughter" or "he laughs." It is a play on the reaction that Sarah had when she, at the age of 90, conceived a son (Genesis 21:1-7). If there is one thing our Isaac does, it's laugh. When I hear him say his own name, I realize, I'm him, he's me, and we are one, all three. It's fun to think that from two comes one, and soforth. Perhaps I think too deeply, and so I finish the dishes. Perhaps tomorrow he'll say "Mama."
In Hebrew, Isaac means "laughter" or "he laughs." It is a play on the reaction that Sarah had when she, at the age of 90, conceived a son (Genesis 21:1-7). If there is one thing our Isaac does, it's laugh. When I hear him say his own name, I realize, I'm him, he's me, and we are one, all three. It's fun to think that from two comes one, and soforth. Perhaps I think too deeply, and so I finish the dishes. Perhaps tomorrow he'll say "Mama."
Monday, April 13, 2009
EGG-stravaganza!
I glance around the room, wondering why it's full and yet I have spoken to no one. It's Thursday, and we are at the Northland Rec Center where they have set out mats, balls, and other play things for the children to entertain themselves while we wait for the big moment...the egg hunt. I'm amazed that so many adults can be in one room together and yet stay completely distracted with their child(ren) so as not to have to socialize. Then I realize, I haven't spoken to anyone either, and I determine I'm no better than them. Kameen is busying himself with the balls and running on the mats. He is as tall as a lot of other kids, and I am amazed at how big he is and how he is growing up so fast.
Finally, the moment arrives. The egg hunt begins with the Easter Bunny greeting the kids and rallying them to the great outdoors. There is a sense of competition in the air, and I try to ignore it. There are plenty of eggs for all. Kameen loves picking up the eggs and putting them in our H-E-B (Happy Easter Bunny) grocery bag, once I show him how. He is distracted by the playscape, as are most of the little ones. We sit under a tree and open the eggs, and I stuff cheap candy in my purse while he plays with the plastic spheres. It's a great day.
Repeat similar story on Saturday morning. Include Daddy, Grandmama, Grandpapa, facepainting, and bunny ears!
Finally, the moment arrives. The egg hunt begins with the Easter Bunny greeting the kids and rallying them to the great outdoors. There is a sense of competition in the air, and I try to ignore it. There are plenty of eggs for all. Kameen loves picking up the eggs and putting them in our H-E-B (Happy Easter Bunny) grocery bag, once I show him how. He is distracted by the playscape, as are most of the little ones. We sit under a tree and open the eggs, and I stuff cheap candy in my purse while he plays with the plastic spheres. It's a great day.
Repeat similar story on Saturday morning. Include Daddy, Grandmama, Grandpapa, facepainting, and bunny ears!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
He is Risen!
This Easter, let us remember why we celebrate. He IS Risen!
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"Matthew 27:50-54
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."Matthew 28:1-10
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Taking Root
I am glancing out my kitchen window, admiring the Live Oaks that grace our new backyard with shade and adventure and promise. The season is not quite Spring, but Winter is bowing gracefully out. And, I see it. Yesterday, it was not there, but today....
On a rainy Monday morning, two months ago, the movers arrived. Two miles down the road, our new house sat waiting for us to make it home. Not quite the dream we originally envisioned, it was God-given and God-inspired nevertheless. We were grateful....for the extra space, the low mortgage, the fresh start. My prayer, my promise was, "Lord, I will make the best of it. I will make it wonderful, no matter what."
First it was the movers - the broken gas grill handle, the grime down an entire side of our $4000 tempurpedic mattress, the rain. Then, it was every technician who came out to install our lives, and came out again and again to fix it - the cable, the internet, the security system - for the next 3 weeks. Then, it was work that came knocking at the wrong time keeping me from unpacking a single box. Then, a nasty stomach virus that ravished my son's little body and withered him. And, it was even the things we WANTED, the improvements to the house that we chose to make. It was everything - every opportunity to make the most of it, and I finally lost it, one month in.
Down on my knees, I prayed. "I don't want this burden. Change my heart, O God."
On a rainy Monday morning, two months ago, the movers arrived. Two miles down the road, our new house sat waiting for us to make it home. Not quite the dream we originally envisioned, it was God-given and God-inspired nevertheless. We were grateful....for the extra space, the low mortgage, the fresh start. My prayer, my promise was, "Lord, I will make the best of it. I will make it wonderful, no matter what."
Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.-Ephesians 5:15-16
First it was the movers - the broken gas grill handle, the grime down an entire side of our $4000 tempurpedic mattress, the rain. Then, it was every technician who came out to install our lives, and came out again and again to fix it - the cable, the internet, the security system - for the next 3 weeks. Then, it was work that came knocking at the wrong time keeping me from unpacking a single box. Then, a nasty stomach virus that ravished my son's little body and withered him. And, it was even the things we WANTED, the improvements to the house that we chose to make. It was everything - every opportunity to make the most of it, and I finally lost it, one month in.
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.-Ephesians 5:19b
Down on my knees, I prayed. "I don't want this burden. Change my heart, O God."
Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.Yesterday, it was not there. But, today, there is a pink and yellow rose blooming on the thorny bush that I was considering uprooting. Afterall, thorns and toddlers don't mix. A single, tiny rosebud presents itself to a world that is still bare from Winter's chill. Seeing the beauty of this tiny flower, my heart is changed. I will keep the rosebush. I will plant my garden. I will bring in the roses to decorate this house...this becoming, home.-Matthew 11:28-30
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
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