Monday, May 31, 2010

Legacy

While listening to Pastor Matt preach a wonderful and challenging message* at church this morning, I was reminded of the song
"Legacy" by Nichole Nordeman:

"I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
And you can take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all the "who's who's" and so-and-so's
That used to be the best at such and such
It wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an "atta boy" or "atta girl"
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace
Who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy


I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon
enough destroy

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace
Who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legac
y

Not well-traveled, not well-read
Not well-to-do, or well-bred
I just want to hear instead
Well done, good and faithful one

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace
Who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy
"

* If you want to listen to Pastor Matt's message, go to www.temple-baptist.org and click on "recent message"...the message was "12 Stones" Joshua 4.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Wonderful Weekend

Where do I begin??
Thursday was a picture-perfect day - the weather was sunny and warm, there was a Dream Ponies petting zoo at preschool and KBH and NJH got to ride ponies and pet goats, sheep and rabbits.




Later, I brought CAH, KBH and NJH to the park to meet up with friends for a picnic. While we were there, the kids had a ball, and they also got to see the tree guys take down an enormous old pine tree!

Friday, KBH did a tremendous job at gymnastics - almost kicking over into a back walkover, independent pullover on the bar, real cartwheels - and she's loving it! Later, all four kids enjoyed some time cooling down in the pool. The older three can jump in and swim anywhere in the pool now, and NJH is our most timid one. At age 2, the others would fearlessly jump (with vests on) and swim all over. NJH, however, won't step off the second stair! He will only jump to me if he is holding BOTH of my hands (and wearing the vest). When I do let go a little, he sinks right down, mouth open wide! Thankfully, he's not interested in jumping in on his own, and he is content splashing around on the top two stairs! This is actually the "easiest" life guarding season for me ever! I will enjoy it while it lasts. Friday night, we headed out to an AWANA leader appreciation dinner. The kids had a ball in their classrooms while hubby and I enjoyed a leisurely and delicious dinner, visiting with other adults. It was a lovely night!
Saturday, I took the girls to my sister Amy's baby shower. My other sister, Kara, hosted in her beautiful home, and she and our mom got an early start, getting things set up. I absolutely loved my hour-plus ride to her house: the girls and I sang along to an old Christmas cantata CD...it was truly an hour of worship and it was amazing!
"He made a way in a manger
A way to the cross
Messiah the promised
Before time had begun;
For God so loved this world
Though he knew what love would cost
He made a way in a manger
To make a way to the cross."

"Princes and paupers
Sons and daughters
Kneel at the throne of grace
Losers and winners
Saints and sinners
One day will see His face

And we'll all bow down
Kings will surrender their crowns
And worship Jesus
He is the Love of God

Summer and winter
The mountains and the rivers
Whisper the Savior's name
Awesome and Holy
A friend to the lonely
Forever His love will reign

And we'll all bow down
Kings will surrender their crowns
And worship Jesus
For He is the love, unfailing love
He is the Love of God"

The rest of the day flew by as we set up chairs and set out food, greeted guests, enjoyed the spread of family favorite foods, played some silly games, and oohed and aaahed over the most ADORABLE tiny pink outfits and baby paraphernalia!! After getting things back in place, we headed up to Amy's house to celebrate her hubby's birthday. I finally got to see Baby's nursery and it is GORGEOUS!! Words wouldn't do it justice - Amy has such the decorating gift! As we ate pizza at 8:30 at night, I realized: "Wow, I've relaxed! My kids are usually in bed by now, but here we are, eating dinner and we're all ok!" They finally got tucked into bed around 10pm (how unlike me!) and then hubby and I had the most lovely time talking and later laughing hysterically at two comedy sitcoms - "The Middle" and "Modern Family."
Today, we actually made to Sunday School (a little late) and the late service for church. Afterwards, we got some Country Drive-In take out and the kids swam for a bit. Before too long, it was time to head out to AWANA Awards night and I couldn't have been more proud of my kiddos! KBH memorized 36 verses in her Cubbies class this year, and she finished her book. CAH memorized 27 verses in her Sparks class this year, and she finished her book and started her extra credit book (which she hopes to finish this summer.) And NCH memorized 47 verses in his Sparks class this year, finished Book Two, and was named "Sparky of the Year"!!!


Like I said, what a wonderful weekend!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Blessings and Burdens

Life has been so wonderfully busy that I haven't had much time to update my blog. Many thoughts have been flying around my mind. I guess I'll just start listing them...
Blessings -
1) we've been healthy!!
2) kids are loving school, preschool, gymnastics, soccer, tball
3) the pool is open! the older 2 got in yesterday for a little swim (before hubby needed a dry pool deck for etching and painting)...soon we'll be swimming the days away!
4) my sister's baby shower is on Saturday and I'm SO excited! I never really bought baby items for my own children, so shopping for my niece (due in July) has been super fun!
5) I've been able to get out and run 5K three times a week and my time is (slightly) better...still trying to improve, but happy to just get out there!
6) I'm really enjoying my time with my children. I'm doing less "me stuff" outside the home than ever before (no MOPS, no worship team, no bible study, reduced CASHA) and I'm loving it!
7) I'm enjoying planning our meals and trying new recipes. Having kids who will try anything makes it even more fun!

Burdens -
[Ok, so these aren't really burdens, but I wanted a catchy "b-word" to fill in here!]
1) Potty training is getting old. NJH has been #2 trained since January, but has #1 accidents 10 times (or more) a day! He never initiates going, no matter what "plan" I try. Hubby got so tired of the puddles, he actually put pullups on NJH, and, sure enough, NJH has had #2 accidents for 3 days in a row! Grrr! I know "this too shall pass" but it's getting frustrating.
2) Bedtime pullups are getting old. CAH and KBH both still SOAK their pullups every night. I really want to stop buying pullups, and I would love to get the girls into twin beds (rather than toddler beds with crib mattresses/sheets). I feel like we've been trying forever to have them drink very little after dinner, get them up to go again before we go to bed, etc., but nothing has worked. The pediatrician said it's not "an issue" until age 7, so we wait...
3) For the most part, my children are good sleepers, but from time to time, NJH doesn't nap or cries at bedtime. This can be so frustrating!
4) I feel like my house never stays clean. I just get one area spic'n'span when another mess happens somewhere else!

Ok, that's enough whining. Now to put a positive spin back on my complaints,
1) NJH is our last baby and this is my last potty training time period.
2) Eventually, the girls WILL stay dry all night and they will be in their pretty big girl beds. At least they're not falling out of bed at night!
3) As I said, the kids USUALLY sleep well, and I am grateful for that!
4) Someday, the kids will be off to college and on their own, and my house can be as neat as I like. In the meantime, a perfectly clean house does not equal happiness!

Saturday, May 1, 2010

1st Day of May was Made for Play!

Today was CAH's opening ceremony and first day of softball/t-ball. The weather couldn't have been better! KBH and I enjoyed watching the girls practice throwing, catching and hitting.

(CAH, aka "Cookie" waiting for her turn to bat)


(CAH at bat: swing batter!!)

Hubby and the boys met us at the field towards the end of the game. Afterwards, we "tailgated" with a picnic lunch made by hubby! Lunch was delicious and we all enjoyed the adventure. When lunch was over, I took the younger three home for naps while hubby and NCH stayed for NCH's soccer game. I savored the peace and quiet as I finished the grocery list while basking in the glorious sunshine. It got so warm that I actually wished we had opened the pool...I would have been in today!

When hubby and NCH returned, naptime was about over and we enjoyed some family yard time: NCH rehung the swings (hubby had repainted the swingset earlier in the day), hubby sanded and restained the deck rail, and the others spent the late afternoon swinging and playing. I had time to squeeze in a run - unfortunately, all I had to drink all day was a cup of coffee and a Diet Dr. Pepper! Midway through my run, I had to stop and walk for a bit...86 degrees + not much to drink = fatigue and dehydration! Yikes! Oh well, it felt good to be out for a bit nonetheless.

We tried a new recipe for dinner - a layered chicken salad which was pretty tasty, although a bit too heavy on the mayo/dressing. That reminds me, I took a picture of a dinner we all enjoyed a few nights ago - Shrimp Florentine Stir Fry (photo below):


After dinner, the kids enjoyed ice cream cones in the backyard while I cleaned up the kitchen. Then it was time for some serious scrub-in-the-tub-time for some seriously dirty kids!

Now's it's just after 9pm and all is quiet. I am eager to indulge in a little chocolate peanut butter ice cream treat and catch up on a little TV. Tomorrow will be another busy day - early church, another t-ball game for CAH, AWANA and grocery shopping!