Angels

I believe in angels. Yup, sure do.

One appeared to me in the form of a friend named Amanda. There I was, doing the grocery shopping thang at Meijer with my girls (boys were in school---I'm not neglectful in that way!). Noel wanted to carry her snack with her.

***As an aside in regards to the snack*** I heard from my friend Julia at church awhile ago that she brought along a snack when she went grocery shopping with her young kids. When they purchased a particular item (in our case: milk), then it was time for the snack. This my friends is a brilliant idea. First-the kids have a goal. Second--it keeps them occupied for the rest of the shopping trip because they are eating their snack. Third---I don't end up breaking open a box of crackers. Finally----it has been used as leverage. For example: "you need to stop touching the clocks or you are going to lose your snack." or "If you try to pick out the dead fish from the tank again you are going to lose your snack."

So, Noel is carrying her snack and skipping along, as she rarely walks. She almost runs into a cart as she is distracted by all the Halloween candy. The snack bag breaks open and her snack, minus one gummy bear, three Cheerios, and a Craisen scatter all over the floor. So, I have a daughter crying (wailing is more like it), snack mix all over the floor, and a woman who things she hit my kid with her cart. After assuring the woman that she did not in any way hit Noel, I turn my attention to the messes: Noel and snack mix littering the floor.

Amanda flies in. She must have as she is the angel in the story. She does three amazing things for us. First, she offers to watch Penny so that I can console Noel. We step aside into the clothing racks and have a heart to heart. Second, Amanda gives Noel a dollar. A whole dollar! She suggests that Noel, with her mommy's help (see--she is an angel to add this to the equation) pick out a new snack while we shop. Finally, she sends me on my way and announces that she is going to find someone to clean up this mess.

I'm on my way. Noel picks out some bulk cookies which she shares with her brothers without my even suggesting it. The mess is cleaned up when I return to the front of the store with a cart loaded with food. It was a good trip.

I don't see Amanda again. I hope God gives me the opportunity to play angel someday. For now. . . thanks to God for sending my dear friend Amanda at exactly the right time.

Cool Car

In our van today, Garrison made this comment.

"Mom, I want a different car."

"Why?"

"I don't like this car. It isn't cool."

"What kind of car would be cool?"

"If we put silver stickers on this car, then it would be cool. Then I would like it."

It made me laugh. I'm not sure that my adorable husband would like to have silver stickers all over our mini-van.

Part of me thinks that Garrison's comment is very kid-like. . . and it is. It is easy for me to dismiss it, to laugh, to blog about it. I realized that I often think the very same thing. Oh, I'm not up for putting stickers on the car. . . but I do often think about getting another car. I have NO reason to get another car. Our mini-van is perfect for our family. It holds all of us. It is reliable. It travels well. One of the doors is automatic. I really like it. I do find myself looking at other vehicles, dreaming about the options that I don't have. . . . If I were really honest, I'd say that about my house, my clothes, my dishes, my deck, my carpet. . . .

Overall I'm very content, but little things can "sneak in". Little thoughts that make me ungrateful perhaps. Last night I went to see Reparando with my friend Nancy. It showed some of the history of Guatemala as well as the hope of Jesus that is being lived in the slums. When I see those images I think--I have so very much! Thank you Lord for putting me in this place. I'm going to work harder to push those "if only. . . " thoughts out of my head. Maybe I'll need to buy some silver stickers as a reminder. :)

invitation

I'd like to invite you to church this Sunday. In particular, I'd like to invite you to Holland Heights Church this Sunday. Although every Sunday is special at HHCRC, this Sunday there is something very unique happening.

Jim Terpstra is coming to speak. He is a recovering addict--to prescription medication. He has experienced so much of what dad has experienced (and is experiencing). The difference is that he has come out on the other side. Every day is difficult, but every day is sober. His marriage is back in tact--with lots and lots of work. His feet are firmly planted on the solid rock of our Lord.

He has been such an encouragement to our family, in particular to my mom. He and his wife Kathy have spoken on numerous occasions to her and have given her wonderful advice and lots of hope. I haven't had the chance to talk with him, so I'm especially eager to hear, to learn, and to thank him.

If you'd like to learn more about addiction (something I think God's people need to do desperately!) then feel free to come. Our service is at 10:00. There is even great coffee (so I'm told--I don't drink coffee--sad I know. . . perhaps another post on another day!) and cookies after the service.

Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions. Maybe I'll see you there.

Silliness

"Once upon a time there was a baby and he put corn on his head. The End."

"Once upon a time there was a pumpkin and the pumpkin ate a marker and he said there is a baby in my mouth."

"These cranberries need to go to time out." 5x

"poopy head" (I'm still struggling with the whole potty talk thing. . . what is allowed and when if ever?)

"Banana boat" 112x

"Eat my meatballs. Simon. . . where is Simon? Simon--eat my meatballs! Daddy---eat my meatballs."

My kids are in a silly stage. I say silly stage because I am just hoping so very much that this is just a STAGE. Please let it be! They say silly things. . . they laugh at each other. . . they do it every time they are in the car, at the table, around each other at all! They outdo each other. They laugh. They giggle. In fact, as I'm writing this, Garrison walked up to me and said, "Get this baby out of my mouth!" and then laughed and laughed. You laughed didn't you? Didn't you think it was funny? Oh. . . Simon is at the table and just repeated it. Garrison did too. It is one big echo in here.

Inevitably, one of three things happen. 1. They continue and ramp it up in volume. 2. They fight about someone who didn't do it right, who interrupted, or who did both. 3. I get fed up with it.

There are times when I can see the humor. I can laugh (very silently!) at how they are trying out new words and combinations. [Part of me wants to just start typing their conversation right now. . . silly I tell you!] Other times. . . I want to pull my hair out.

I am confident that I never did such things. . . certainly not with my sister Tricia . . . in the back of the station wagon (may he rest in peace) . . . on the way home from church. Amen.

Cornbread vs. Saltines

When I moved to Miami, I rented out a room from the one and only Janet Rose. She was the school secretary. For my rent, I received a room with a bed, dresser, and closet. . . parking in the driveway. . . dinner almost every night. . . and one of my dearest friends (Janet!).

Janet is a southern girl and I enjoyed some foods for the first time: succotash, grits, and chili with homemade cornbread. She'd heat up a cast iron skillet in the oven, throw way too much butter in it, and then put the batter in the pan. It would sizzle something fierce. Back in the oven and then. . . . It was so yummy and we enjoyed it with more butter or dunked in the chili. Karen (my best friend and roommate) and I continued the tradition of cornbread with chili in the years that followed.

Today I wish I could make cornbread every time I make chili. I used to do it more, but "losing weight" events have led me to cease this delicious combination over the past few years. I still make chili about every other week during the winter, but we have saltines. I like them. . . but not the same.

Then. . . TODAY! Gary went to Aldi on an errand for me and came home with cornbread crackers. They taste like cornbread. They crunch like crackers. They are low calorie. Guess what will be on our menu next week?

Where has my mind gone?

"Hey honey. What's up?"
"Hi Gary. I think our car got towed."

Shanda takes her sons to the Pumpkin Parade. She certainly feels the zeel.
Shanda parks the van on "Wall and Lincoln". She carefully paralell parks. Yes.
Shanda walks with her sons to their float and loads them up.
Shanda finds a spot with her cousin (thanks Becky!) and enjoys watching the parade.
Shanda cheers for her sons, takes pictures, and greets some friends on the other side of the street.
Shanda picks up her sons and returns to her spot to finish watching the parade.
Shanda makes sure all their belonging are picked up at the end of the parade.
Shanda leads her sons back to their parking spot.
Her car is gone.

She calls Gary.
Friends pull up and invite her and her children to load up. (3 adults and 6 children!)
They drive around and find her car.
She parked on "Park and Lincoln."

The perfect picture

While in Branson last spring Grandpa Larry bought all the kids Bass Pro Shop shirts. That was the easy part. Trying to get a great picture of the kids. . . . a little more difficult. Enjoy!

Penny is a little sad.

Noel and Penny are a little sad. Garrison wanted you to see the top of his head.


Noel--snap out of it. Thanks Simon!

"Maybe if I touch Penny's head I'll feel better?"

Lots of squishy love for Penny.

Perhaps a new pose will help. Nope.

The boys are still bending over. What is that about?

At least Penny isn't crying now.

Ah. . . Sprick love!