Silly Cookie!

One of my favorite parts about being a mom of four is when they start cracking jokes at dinner. The gut-busting giggling that follows is just priceless! Last night, Wyatt said out of the blue, "Mom, why did the cookie go to the doctor?", I said, "I don't know." He replied, "Because he was feeling kinda crummy!"

Wrapping up "Captivating" by Jon and Staci Eldredge

We finished up "Captivating" last week and I took some time to reflect on it this morning. I have never been so changed in my daily life by a book study before. I feel like I have a new branch with tender green leaves emerging that represent a new understanding and confidence in why God made me a woman - what his intention and purpose is. We learned how Eve was created in God's image, therefore He has a feminine side and created women to radiate it. Too often, as a mom, it gets pushed to the back burner. Who has time to "primp and prime" when lunches need packing, homework needs assisting, and I'm running on less than 5 hours of sleep? This week I had a lighter schedule and was able to linger a little longer getting ready. I painted my nails a few times, soaked in the tub - twice, bought some casual skirts instead of shorts (at Goodwill-frugal me) got a haircut, and picked the frilliest teacup from my mother-in-law's collection. Why not indulge a little in the gift God has been waiting for me to open - my femininity. I hope that my sons can see the difference between what a man was meant to reflect and what a woman was meant to reflect. Jon and Staci say in their book that in the ways of society, "women are taught to be men" how sad is that? If God intended for us women to show his feminine side then why not? It will only bring out the best in us and the men in our lives.

Spring Break - Parent's Gone Wild!

After 12 1/2 years of parenthood, Chris and I will be "child-free" for two half-days and one whole day. Can we say, "YAAAAHOOOO!!" As much as we love them and enjoy the funny side of parenthood we all need a break now and then. Here's what's in store...During my 30 hours I am going to:

• put a cup on the coffee table and go back to find it still upright
• use the toilet without putting the lid DOWN or wiping it off first
• watch a movie that doesn't start with PIXAR logos
• play music loudly without being told I need to shut it off so he can watch "WALL-E"
• wake up and drink an entire cup of coffee without jumping up to retrieve cereal bowls, etc.
• eat a sandwich at 10:30 am without being asked, "can you make me one, too" three more times
• take a bath without being asked to get out and settle a fight or find someone's shoes
• put on make up without asking the boys, "could you please get out of my make-up drawer?"
• steal a kiss from my husband without hearing, "ewwwww"
• get in the car and go to the store, without potty stops, run in and buy ONE thing and dash home.
• then we are going to join them for the weekend at Grandmas!

What would you do in that short amount of time alone?

Sharkeyes!

Monopoly Jr. I always more fun through the eyes of a shark!

Did you cut your hair?

Dakota came out of the bathroom and my neighbor asked him, "Dakota, did you cut your hair?". He answered, "No." What do you think? Later he said, "Well, Wyatt did it and then I did!"

Love Notes

Who doesn't love a "Love Note"? Remember getting them in junior high? Remember the anticipation of writing one, unsure if you had the courage to deliver it? Do you recognize the ones that God sends to you every day? I'm not referring directly to the Bible this time - that's the obvious one.What about all that you enjoy, seeing, smelling, hearing, tasting, feeling? Once again in the way John and Stasi Eldredge get my attention in the very beginning of a chapter, they have done it again in Chapter 7 of "Captivating". John tells about having a quiet time at the beach and seeing a whale all by himself. He felt that was a note from God just for him. Staci tells of asking for a whale too but receiving a beautiful starfish, marvelling at it and then seeing Zillions of them! All by herself - she felt she was just delivered a very special love note from God. I think of these moments often in my own life, do you? Here are the things I easily notice are from Him saying , "Hello Leah!," and shouting, "I love you!" :

The sunrise over the snow-covered, Bridger mountains all pink and purple

The stars that twinkle and zoom when I grudgingly walk my dog before bedtime

The sparkle on the snow when the moon is full

A quiet moment at Hyalite Lake (preferrably in the canoe)

The excitement of catching a trout

Chocolate, not just any, the good stuff....why do you think they named it "Dove"?

A pretty girly-girl bookmark

Green tea with honey

A trusting snuggle from our timid guinea-pig "Marshmallow"

The sparkle of a diamond, no matter how small

The scent of lavender

The gut-busting laughter of my sons

One of the boys getting my attention and telling me, "I love you, Mom"

Coffee-talk with my husband, Chris

A hug from a friend

A hot bath

The Vanilla lip balm my friend helped me make

The gift of time to say "I love you, see you soon" to my Grandma before she went to live with Him. (see my blog portrait, that's a crop of my favorite photo of me sitting with her)

The song, "Something Beautiful", by Need to Breathe (click the link below, then the grayscale arrow to listen) http://www.needtobreathe.net/music/something-beautiful/

How are your "Love Notes" delivered to you? Please share, I look forward to learning how He speaks differently to each of us.

The Scott's have kilts and we've got ?

Okay, so we are at that midway point between 5 months of winter and one month of Spring when we experience sun shining on glistening, melting snow (and don't forget the minor flooding every year). How do we respond to this? We show our true Montana colors. I just walked the dog out back in flip-flops in the snow....well, what do you expect, I just painted my toenails because Spring is coming! And my dear, wild, Wyatt came home from school wearing his (zip-off-pant) shorts and snowboots! If only I had the camera handy.....

Poor Lil' Buddy!

My computer is about to go into a coma - WAAAHAAA! BooHOOOOOO! My version of Windows needs to be upgraded before it expires and I only have a few hours left. My husband is the techie of the house and won't be able to get to it until he gets home from work - AFTER the expiration. Although I backed up my files, still I'm so sad to think my little buddy Dell is gonna be sick.......