Yesterday, the shopping was needing to be done and it was my week to do so. Heather and I alternate weeks, and so I prepared to go to the grocery store as Heather was finishing the list. Since it was getting to be late in the morning and Heather was depending on what I brought home for the children's lunches, I could not waste any time dawdling about. As I slipped on my shoes, Tommy ran up to me and said, "Goo! Please play Lego's?"
Tommy has recently discovered the magical power of the word Please! This word has opened up a whole new world for him, so he is convinced that Goo will stop what she is doing and immediately bend to his request. It was heart wrenching to have to tell Tommy that I could not play. He followed me to my room with such a sad face and looked up at me and again said, "Play Lego's. Please Goo!" My heart melted into a puddle on the floor for this is the first time he has ever invited me to play his with his favored Lego's.
After arriving home from the grocery store and getting everything upstairs and put away, I became involved in projects around the house and Tommy had forgotten about his request. The rest of the day was taken up by the various things that one does on a lazy Saturday afternoon and "Goo" did not play with Tommy and his prized Lego's.
Today after church, Tommy ate lunch and took his nap. The afternoon was a lazy afternoon with the children watching a Pippi Longstocking movie. After the movie, I found myself changing a load of laundry from washer to dryer and then reloading the washer with yet another load. Tommy came to me and asked, "Goo! Please play Lego's?"
The world stopped at this point in time. The washer sat half full for the next hour as Tommy and I sat on the floor and built train overpasses and tunnels and light sabers and cars and . . . Tommy is now downstairs playing with his beloved Buzz Lightyear, and I sit content to hear his little voice as he and Pippi play together. The washer is now whirling and doing the job it was enlisted to do.
All is right in our world.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
The Meadow
"Look! Granddad, there are beautiful flowers in our meadow" Pippi says with glee. Her eyes dance as Granddad and she settle into their favorite spot in the meadow.
"Yes, Pippi, they are wonderful and smell so sweet. Look! There are juicy berries waiting to be picked" says Granddad in his deep base voice.
"Yes Granddad. We need a basket to pick them." Pippi exclaims. She quickly finds a basket and they pick berries until the basket is overflowing. "Blackberries are so sweet. The juice is all over my face."
"Do you see the clouds in the sky? They are fluffy and look like cotton candy Granddad!" Pippi says as she lazily takes her place by Granddad cuddling up with his strong protective arm around her.
Granddad and Pippi are spending the afternoon in their special meadow. They lay in the tall sweet smelling grass and feel the cool breeze on their faces. They see some rather unusual wildlife and plant life as they hold hands and explore their special world.
"Pippi! See the deer? It just hopped across the meadow. Now it's standing under the apple tree." Granddad points in the direction of the white tailed deer so Pippi can get a glimpse of the soft cotton tail before it disappears into the wooded area just beyond the meadow.
"Yes Granddad, I see the deer. Maybe she is going to see her baby. Wow! Granddad, see the monkey? He is swinging through the trees!" Pippi says, giggling with excitement.
"Yes, I see him. He is so funny" Granddad says laughing. "Oh! I hear a lion roaring in the woods. Be careful! Come closer and I'll protect you." Granddad says with an urgency in his voice.
"I see him. Let's be very still and maybe he will not know we are here." Pippi whispers in Granddads ear, her hand a little tighter around his.
The freedom and excitement of being out in the meadow with the wild flowers and wild animals surrounding them, is a delicious treat for them both.
"Pippi! Granddad! It's time for dinner!" Mommy calls from the kitchen.
"We'll be right there!" says Granddad as Pippi and he get up from the floor and fold up the blanket they have been lying on in the living room.
"Granddad can we go back to the meadow tomorrow? What do you think we will see then?" Pippi asked Granddad excitedly.
"We'll go back again tomorrow!" Granddad said as they sat down at the table with the rest of the family.
So goes an afternoon in our home.
Find your "meadow" with the little ones in your home. It is simple, does not take extreme amounts of time, and the children will have memories of you that will last a lifetime.
"Yes, Pippi, they are wonderful and smell so sweet. Look! There are juicy berries waiting to be picked" says Granddad in his deep base voice.
"Yes Granddad. We need a basket to pick them." Pippi exclaims. She quickly finds a basket and they pick berries until the basket is overflowing. "Blackberries are so sweet. The juice is all over my face."
"Do you see the clouds in the sky? They are fluffy and look like cotton candy Granddad!" Pippi says as she lazily takes her place by Granddad cuddling up with his strong protective arm around her.
Granddad and Pippi are spending the afternoon in their special meadow. They lay in the tall sweet smelling grass and feel the cool breeze on their faces. They see some rather unusual wildlife and plant life as they hold hands and explore their special world.
"Pippi! See the deer? It just hopped across the meadow. Now it's standing under the apple tree." Granddad points in the direction of the white tailed deer so Pippi can get a glimpse of the soft cotton tail before it disappears into the wooded area just beyond the meadow.
"Yes Granddad, I see the deer. Maybe she is going to see her baby. Wow! Granddad, see the monkey? He is swinging through the trees!" Pippi says, giggling with excitement.
"Yes, I see him. He is so funny" Granddad says laughing. "Oh! I hear a lion roaring in the woods. Be careful! Come closer and I'll protect you." Granddad says with an urgency in his voice.
"I see him. Let's be very still and maybe he will not know we are here." Pippi whispers in Granddads ear, her hand a little tighter around his.
The freedom and excitement of being out in the meadow with the wild flowers and wild animals surrounding them, is a delicious treat for them both.
"Pippi! Granddad! It's time for dinner!" Mommy calls from the kitchen.
"We'll be right there!" says Granddad as Pippi and he get up from the floor and fold up the blanket they have been lying on in the living room.
"Granddad can we go back to the meadow tomorrow? What do you think we will see then?" Pippi asked Granddad excitedly.
"We'll go back again tomorrow!" Granddad said as they sat down at the table with the rest of the family.
So goes an afternoon in our home.
Find your "meadow" with the little ones in your home. It is simple, does not take extreme amounts of time, and the children will have memories of you that will last a lifetime.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Generational Reading
Breakfast is served and Heather has eaten and is now reading to the children as they eat. Her voice has a wonderful cadence. Anyone will want to sit and listen to the soothing assuring voice as the story she is spinning from the pages of the book unfolds. The proper mixture of the words on the page and her voice cause the characters to jump off the page and perform better than any man made movie can ever produce. She is able to awaken the imagination of even an adult as she uses accents and inflections of the characters themselves.
Bible stories take on a new dimension. Instead of telling only the facts of a Bible event, Heather strives to capture the imagination of the listener and take them to the very place with all the sounds, smells and sights that can very well be a part of the story. Adding dimension to the beloved Bible stories without sacrificing the truth in the stories is done with great care. The style of sharing Bible stories this way comes about because Pippi is asking questions such as;
"What are they wearing?"
"Is the sun shining?"
"Is it a pretty day?"
"Is it cold or hot outside?"
"What are they eating?"
"What color is Jesus' robe?"
"What does the trumpet sound like?"
Thankful for the investment of time that Heather is pouring into her children through the reading of the written word and bringing it to life, I praise our God that she is such a devoted mother. Opening up the world to her children through the books she reads gives them the ability to use their imagination in ways that we may never understand.
Many years ago as I sat and read the limited library of books in our home to the children over and over again with my feeble attempts at voices and action, I never dreamed that one day, my children would return the blessing back to me one thousand fold with their enthusiasm and love for the written word. Mesmerised, I sit full of joy knowing that the time spent those years ago produced such a rich world of imagination. At that point in time, I could have never begun to understand that the simple reading over and over of the favorite books of my children would have a part in producing what I witness daily in our home.
Bible stories take on a new dimension. Instead of telling only the facts of a Bible event, Heather strives to capture the imagination of the listener and take them to the very place with all the sounds, smells and sights that can very well be a part of the story. Adding dimension to the beloved Bible stories without sacrificing the truth in the stories is done with great care. The style of sharing Bible stories this way comes about because Pippi is asking questions such as;
"What are they wearing?"
"Is the sun shining?"
"Is it a pretty day?"
"Is it cold or hot outside?"
"What are they eating?"
"What color is Jesus' robe?"
"What does the trumpet sound like?"
Thankful for the investment of time that Heather is pouring into her children through the reading of the written word and bringing it to life, I praise our God that she is such a devoted mother. Opening up the world to her children through the books she reads gives them the ability to use their imagination in ways that we may never understand.
Many years ago as I sat and read the limited library of books in our home to the children over and over again with my feeble attempts at voices and action, I never dreamed that one day, my children would return the blessing back to me one thousand fold with their enthusiasm and love for the written word. Mesmerised, I sit full of joy knowing that the time spent those years ago produced such a rich world of imagination. At that point in time, I could have never begun to understand that the simple reading over and over of the favorite books of my children would have a part in producing what I witness daily in our home.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Goo Magic!
"Pippi, do you want to go to the library with me?" her mommy asked.
"Yes Mommy, but I am so busy with my story!" Pippi exclaimed.
Heather decided to take Pippi's story along with them to the library so she could work on it at one of the tables there. She left sleeping Tommy with Goo.
About ten minutes after Heather and Pippi left, Tommy began sobbing and saying, "Mommy! Mommy!"
When Goo entered the room, Tommy turned his face to the wall and the volume of his cry escalated. Goo sat in the chair by his bed and began singing. He grew quiet for a while. When Goo stopped singing Tommy stood up and wanted out of bed. With Goo holding him close, he sobbed some more and lamented the fact that Mommy was not present. After properly snotting up Goo's shirt, Tommy finally reluctantly agreed to go upstairs to the kitchen and living area.
As Goo closed the gate that protects Tommy from falling downstairs, Tommy continued to agonize over Mommy being gone. Goo asked Tommy if he wanted a POP POP, which is a frozen yogurt push up. He turned it down with much gusto. Then Goo asked the ever important question of Tommy. "Do you want some chocolate?" Certain of the response, Goo knew that would divert Tommy's attention and cause him to reset his mood. Upon chocolate being refused, Goo became a bit perplexed. Then she remembered that there was magic in the refrigerator.
"Tommy, would you like some Jello?" Wow! What a response! He does not get Jello often and that was just the right treat to divert him. Goo opened the Jello cup and Tommy and she planted themselves on the sofa and set in for a good eating. Tommy commented, "Good Jello! Red! Good Jello! Um! Red! More! Good Jello!" and finally, "All gone."
Afterward he sat with a truck and let Goo cut vegetables for the pot of beans Heather had started earlier. He played peek a boo on the sofa and then made his way to the kitchen with his truck. Goo's leg became the roadway.
When Tommy started lamenting about Mommy once again, Goo suggested a movie. His response was "Cloudy". Pippi would be so proud. When Goo could not find Cloudy, she showed him "Monsters Inc." Tommy's response was "Monsters! Grrrrrrr!!!"
So as Goo sits and writes, Tommy is happy with Monsters.
Goo magic is a wonderful thing to have when Mommy is away.
"Yes Mommy, but I am so busy with my story!" Pippi exclaimed.
Heather decided to take Pippi's story along with them to the library so she could work on it at one of the tables there. She left sleeping Tommy with Goo.
About ten minutes after Heather and Pippi left, Tommy began sobbing and saying, "Mommy! Mommy!"
When Goo entered the room, Tommy turned his face to the wall and the volume of his cry escalated. Goo sat in the chair by his bed and began singing. He grew quiet for a while. When Goo stopped singing Tommy stood up and wanted out of bed. With Goo holding him close, he sobbed some more and lamented the fact that Mommy was not present. After properly snotting up Goo's shirt, Tommy finally reluctantly agreed to go upstairs to the kitchen and living area.
As Goo closed the gate that protects Tommy from falling downstairs, Tommy continued to agonize over Mommy being gone. Goo asked Tommy if he wanted a POP POP, which is a frozen yogurt push up. He turned it down with much gusto. Then Goo asked the ever important question of Tommy. "Do you want some chocolate?" Certain of the response, Goo knew that would divert Tommy's attention and cause him to reset his mood. Upon chocolate being refused, Goo became a bit perplexed. Then she remembered that there was magic in the refrigerator.
"Tommy, would you like some Jello?" Wow! What a response! He does not get Jello often and that was just the right treat to divert him. Goo opened the Jello cup and Tommy and she planted themselves on the sofa and set in for a good eating. Tommy commented, "Good Jello! Red! Good Jello! Um! Red! More! Good Jello!" and finally, "All gone."
Afterward he sat with a truck and let Goo cut vegetables for the pot of beans Heather had started earlier. He played peek a boo on the sofa and then made his way to the kitchen with his truck. Goo's leg became the roadway.
When Tommy started lamenting about Mommy once again, Goo suggested a movie. His response was "Cloudy". Pippi would be so proud. When Goo could not find Cloudy, she showed him "Monsters Inc." Tommy's response was "Monsters! Grrrrrrr!!!"
So as Goo sits and writes, Tommy is happy with Monsters.
Goo magic is a wonderful thing to have when Mommy is away.
Neat Verses Clutter
Living with four adults and two children can be quite a challenge. It is work to say the least to have only two adults in the house let alone four. Everyone has their own ideas of neat and clutter. What is one man's clutter is another man's security blanket. The pieces of paper that stack up on a desk, or the yarn in a basket in the bedroom can pose as comfort to one and stress to another. Working together toward all being relaxed and content with their surroundings can prove-well-stressful at times.
Junk mail is one of the items that Heather has a three second rule about. If it is not needed to be looked at more than three seconds, then it belongs in the trash can. Please do not think I am being hard on the one who clutters, for I am she. It was amazing this afternoon to enact the three second rule on the junk mail. Wow! It is rather liberating. I will not have to make a decision as to what pile or drawer to put it in now and to linger over later when purging. Purging usually happens when I cannot find a very important document such as a bill that is due tomorrow. Or maybe it is the directions to the doctor's appointment that will be taking place next week. "I know I put it in this drawer", I can hear myself saying. The document manages to stay hidden until some serious lightening of the paper takes place. The smiles from Mike and Heather as they see the pages that are now ripped and being thrown into a bag gives me cause for wonder.
Thankfully, Heather is patient with me as well as Mike. The two of them are the neat people in our family. They function much better without the clutter. It is amazing to me how quickly they can find places for things even after I have sat in frustration as to where to put the same objects. I must admit the room looks much better when they are done.
Whether you find yourself to be the one who clutters or the one who is neat, please remember to be patient and loving with one another. If you are all believers in Christ, He is truly the Lord of you all. His grace covers a multitude of sin, frustrations, and habits. Both parties can learn from one anther. As the one who clutters, I must, out of love, put forth a greater effort to bring comfort and peace to those who enjoy a neat and orderly house.
Neatness verses clutter is an important issue that needs to be addressed in most families. Working together and having a healthy balance is the key. How we go about developing the healthy balance is important. When living under one roof, we must know that the relationships that we develop with our loved ones should be foremost on our hearts and minds. The house will always be there, whether cluttered or neat, but those whom you love are here but for a moment. Relish and soak up the fragrance of the lives that God has so graciously entrusted you to pour your heart and soul into. Celebrate one anther and be full of joy.
May God Bless!!!
Junk mail is one of the items that Heather has a three second rule about. If it is not needed to be looked at more than three seconds, then it belongs in the trash can. Please do not think I am being hard on the one who clutters, for I am she. It was amazing this afternoon to enact the three second rule on the junk mail. Wow! It is rather liberating. I will not have to make a decision as to what pile or drawer to put it in now and to linger over later when purging. Purging usually happens when I cannot find a very important document such as a bill that is due tomorrow. Or maybe it is the directions to the doctor's appointment that will be taking place next week. "I know I put it in this drawer", I can hear myself saying. The document manages to stay hidden until some serious lightening of the paper takes place. The smiles from Mike and Heather as they see the pages that are now ripped and being thrown into a bag gives me cause for wonder.
Thankfully, Heather is patient with me as well as Mike. The two of them are the neat people in our family. They function much better without the clutter. It is amazing to me how quickly they can find places for things even after I have sat in frustration as to where to put the same objects. I must admit the room looks much better when they are done.
Whether you find yourself to be the one who clutters or the one who is neat, please remember to be patient and loving with one another. If you are all believers in Christ, He is truly the Lord of you all. His grace covers a multitude of sin, frustrations, and habits. Both parties can learn from one anther. As the one who clutters, I must, out of love, put forth a greater effort to bring comfort and peace to those who enjoy a neat and orderly house.
Neatness verses clutter is an important issue that needs to be addressed in most families. Working together and having a healthy balance is the key. How we go about developing the healthy balance is important. When living under one roof, we must know that the relationships that we develop with our loved ones should be foremost on our hearts and minds. The house will always be there, whether cluttered or neat, but those whom you love are here but for a moment. Relish and soak up the fragrance of the lives that God has so graciously entrusted you to pour your heart and soul into. Celebrate one anther and be full of joy.
May God Bless!!!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Not Once, But Twice!
When our granddaughter, Pipi, was 2 months old, my husband, Mike, and I moved in with our oldest daughter, Heather and her husband Chris. We lived with them for 2 1/2 years and had the most delightful time watching Pipi grow and mature. The family unity was strong. We thank God for the time we had with them.
At the 2 1/2 year mark our grandson, Tommy, was born. He was then and still is so precious. When he was one month old I had a heart attack. At the age of fifty, I found myself in the ER hearing shouts of MI and Heparin. Less then an hour after I arrived at the hospital I was in the cath lab and a stint was inserted. I had a complete blockage of the right coronary artery. Wow! I never would have thought. Fortunately the heart attack was mild. After two weeks of recovery at home, I returned to work.
After many talks and prayer, Mike and I decided to get our own place. Although the unity was still very strong between all of us, we felt it was time for the kids to have the house to themselves.
The Lord blessed us with a home. We quickly became first time home buyers and God blessed us with a wonderful realtor. He helped us through all the needed paperwork and all the things a home buyer needs to know.
We have been in our home for a little over two years now and we love it. The back yard was baren and in need of help when we moved in. Now it is full of fruit, vegetable and flower gardens. With a big live oak tree in the center of the yard, we enjoy wonderful shade.
About October, Heather was discussing with us the possible need to go to work. The economy has struck their family and they desire to get out of debt. Since she had made a commitment to home school her children, going to work at this point in her life seemed so wrong. Mike and I agreed instantly that the solution would be to have them move in with us. After much prayer they agreed and decided to sell their house.
So now, for approximately 7 months, we are back together living in unity all under one roof. Adjustments needed to be made by all. Everything that had to be done was well worth doing.
What have we lost? Space! Both families had to give up the space each was use to having.
What have we gained? More than any of us will ever be able to imagine.
Teaching Pipi, now 4 1/2 years old, how to knit and having Goo time. (My name to the grandchildren is Goo). Showing her where middle C is on the piano and explaining what an octave is and then watching her find all of the Cs on the piano keyboard. Listening to her read her first book by herself with little coaching. Telling stories and listening to them. Watching Tommy, now two, with the biggest smile on his face as he sees his trains and reading train books. Watching him playing with snails and anything else that rings boy. Goo popping popcorn for movie night and observing the children dig out all the hidden candy treasures and leaving most of the popcorn behind. Watching Heather and Chris loving one anther and their children and teaching them about Jesus.
We are not sure whether or not our living together will be permanent or not. For now, we relish the time we have with one another. We thank God for the relationships we are building with one anther. We all are richer for it.
Many families are choosing to live together under one roof.
This blog is dedicated to those who make such a decision to improve the lives of all. It is not easy. It is hard work, compromise, love and prayer.
God bless you all in your endeavors.
At the 2 1/2 year mark our grandson, Tommy, was born. He was then and still is so precious. When he was one month old I had a heart attack. At the age of fifty, I found myself in the ER hearing shouts of MI and Heparin. Less then an hour after I arrived at the hospital I was in the cath lab and a stint was inserted. I had a complete blockage of the right coronary artery. Wow! I never would have thought. Fortunately the heart attack was mild. After two weeks of recovery at home, I returned to work.
After many talks and prayer, Mike and I decided to get our own place. Although the unity was still very strong between all of us, we felt it was time for the kids to have the house to themselves.
The Lord blessed us with a home. We quickly became first time home buyers and God blessed us with a wonderful realtor. He helped us through all the needed paperwork and all the things a home buyer needs to know.
We have been in our home for a little over two years now and we love it. The back yard was baren and in need of help when we moved in. Now it is full of fruit, vegetable and flower gardens. With a big live oak tree in the center of the yard, we enjoy wonderful shade.
About October, Heather was discussing with us the possible need to go to work. The economy has struck their family and they desire to get out of debt. Since she had made a commitment to home school her children, going to work at this point in her life seemed so wrong. Mike and I agreed instantly that the solution would be to have them move in with us. After much prayer they agreed and decided to sell their house.
So now, for approximately 7 months, we are back together living in unity all under one roof. Adjustments needed to be made by all. Everything that had to be done was well worth doing.
What have we lost? Space! Both families had to give up the space each was use to having.
What have we gained? More than any of us will ever be able to imagine.
Teaching Pipi, now 4 1/2 years old, how to knit and having Goo time. (My name to the grandchildren is Goo). Showing her where middle C is on the piano and explaining what an octave is and then watching her find all of the Cs on the piano keyboard. Listening to her read her first book by herself with little coaching. Telling stories and listening to them. Watching Tommy, now two, with the biggest smile on his face as he sees his trains and reading train books. Watching him playing with snails and anything else that rings boy. Goo popping popcorn for movie night and observing the children dig out all the hidden candy treasures and leaving most of the popcorn behind. Watching Heather and Chris loving one anther and their children and teaching them about Jesus.
We are not sure whether or not our living together will be permanent or not. For now, we relish the time we have with one another. We thank God for the relationships we are building with one anther. We all are richer for it.
Many families are choosing to live together under one roof.
This blog is dedicated to those who make such a decision to improve the lives of all. It is not easy. It is hard work, compromise, love and prayer.
God bless you all in your endeavors.
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