Heaven, Clouds and Throwing Up (don't ask...just read)

Our house has held lots of conversations on Heaven lately. Largely due to the Heaven book I read recently (to which I can now respond to questions much more excitedly and with assurance of what Heaven will be like) and also, just because life (and death) happens on this Earth. I have tried to turn things that have made my heart ache into positive ways to teach my children about the place where Jesus lives...and the place He doesn't.

I want to share our most recent conversation on Heaven that happened this morning, but first some background information...

Starting with Summer and then Shawn, then Chloe and Summer again and now still Chloe and Summer again...we have had a nice cycle of sick in our house since Christmas Day. I am hoping this week was the grand finale...if so, it went out with a bang! Normally, on Saturday morning, we would be up and out of the house by 8:30 to go to Summer's game. This morning, due to her being under the weather, and the rainy weather...we stayed home and slept. All of us except Daddy who, was up and out to work before anyone else was awake. When the kids and I got up we lounged around on the couch together. Pretty soon, Summer started this conversation...

Summer: "Mommy, have you ever thrown up?"

Me: "Yes, many times"

Summer: (disappointed) "Oh, I never want to do that again!"

Me: "I know. In Heaven you won't have to worry about that...you won't even get sick"

Summer: "Right! Jesus won't want us to throw up on the clouds!"

Possibly one of the reasons there will be no more sickness (however small it may seem) is that it really does make a mess! :)

And yes, I know and she knows too, that Heaven isn't in the clouds. It is interesting to me that I never taught her this, she just assumed it. When I tried to correct her, she was so disappointed to not be able to hold Jesus' hand and walk in the clouds, that I quickly said, "I am sure you will be able to walk in the clouds with Jesus if you want to." This brought big smiles and claps as she exclaimed, "Oh! I can't wait!!"

Smile. "Me either, my sweet girl, me either!"

"A Cutter Girl!"

Two weeks ago, I met Tara for coffee at the Starbucks up the street. When I left, Connor and Chloe were already in bed, but Summer (who had been running a fever and slept most of the day, was now wide awake) was left to have Daddy time. It is good for them...they are two peas in a pod, after all.

Anyway, I arrive home a little later and Summer meets me at the door - so exited about something. She rattles excitedly, "Mommy, you know how my hair was sticky right here? (She got a tad bit of medicine in it earlier that day). Well, I cut it off!"

My mouth drops open at the realization that she indeed had just told me she cut her hair!

"Honey," I say to my husband busy ("busy" is relative) on the computer, "Did you know Summer cut her hair?"

He hardly looks up, "Oh, no, I noticed she disappeared for awhile and just when I was going to go check on her, she came back." Nice...

I follow Summer to the bathroom, where in the trash lies a pretty good chunk (not just the sticky parts) of hair.

However, my shock had no effect on Summer's excitement. She is nearly bursting to continue on, "And you know what else, Mommy?!" Uh oh...

"I know what I want to be when I grow up!"

"Really?"

"Yes!!! A cutter girl!"

Though I would appreciate her complying with our new rules about hair cutting and scissors, I must admit, I am quite impressed with her technique. She took off a good amount of hair, but pretty much equal on both sides...looks more tapered than it was before, but workable for now. Who knows, maybe cutting hair is in her future? She used to want to be a squirrel when she grew up (so she could climb trees really good)...we are progressing.

Everything

A dear friend shared this with me and I have to pass it along. It is amazing...real...and just what I needed this week. It makes me love Jesus all the more. I am so thankful He sticks with us...

It's a 5 minute Lifehouse song/skit on You Tube that has been viewed by over 6 million people. A must see!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA

I am not even going to try to embed it...sorry, you have to follow links at this blog. :)

The Cross

I have always loved hymns, but so many of these old songs recently starting hitting me fresh. I hope you don't mind if I share a few more brilliantly penned lyrics...

At the Cross
Isaac Watts

Alas, and did my Saviour bleed,
And did my Sov'reign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I?

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity, grace unknown
And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide,
And shut his glories in,
When Christ the mighty Maker died
For man, the creature's sin.

But drops of grief can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give myself away,
'Tis all that I can do!


When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Isaac Watts

When I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And poor contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ, my God
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Goooooo Summer!!!!!

Today was Summer's first game! She is cheering for little guys playing flag football...and they are quite good I might add. They won their first game! Summer would tell you it is all because of the cheerleaders!

Here she is during practice... (can you find her?) Team meeting...her coach is a previous Jaguar cheerleader and great with the girls! Even when there was no cheer to do the girls were still cheering their hearts out - so cute!
There she is! Her favorite cheer : "We're cute! We're fun! We cheer for the team that is number 1!"
Her little brother was so proud of her! And he can't wait until he is big enough to be a "footballer"As happy as Summer was to have her first game day arrive, she did have a few disappointments, which is very typical of Summer. Her first let down was that the news media wasn't there filming. Second, when her game was over, she couldn't figure out why no one picked her up and carried her off the field. Finally, we went to "celebrate" at Moe's afterwards, since it was only 11:00 we pretty much had the place to ourselves (which Shawn and I like), but Summer was sad that nobody was there to celebrate with her. I guess she expected a party?

Here she is "celebrating" nonetheless...

Motivated Moms

Have you heard of this? www.motivatedmoms.com It is a chore planning system that has helped my daily routine tremendously!

This was part of my new year resolutions last year. I wanted to better keep up with my housework. I had created a similar system myself several times, but it was much more confusing and I rarely stuck with it. This however is so easy. Just print it out, do your work for the day and check it off as you go. (Who knew it was so motivating to check off little boxes?) I would always have a plan for the day and even if I feel behind (which I did often) I could still pick up and continue on. There is even a version with daily Bible reading scheduled in. It has helped my house feel cleaner on a daily basis, stay organized and still have time for myself. Which means a much happier mommy and "if mommy is happy"...well, you know! :)

If you haven't already go check it out! I just printed mine for 2008. Well worth the $8 download fee...I promise!

Happy New Year!

I know I am late (what's new?) but I am excited nonetheless!

My first post in 2008! How fun is that?? Last year at this time I never thought I would have a blog. Last year at this time, I thought "never" about a lot of things that happened...but I will spare you the details.

The New Year rolled in (we spent it with Shawn's family - great fun! - pictures coming) and we have been B-U-S-Y! After almost two weeks off, Shawn's crazy time at work kicked in full swing. As deadlines approach for me at the church, I have been a little frantic. And then somewhere in there we have three BUSY kids (one now a cheerleader with a game every Saturday - pictures coming) and a home to take care of. But busy seems to be our "normal" (whatever normal is?) and so the return to routine is nice.

I have so many blog posts in my head...we will see if I can find the time so they can actually make it here. I fully expect this year to be a big one. By then end of it, I will have two kids in school (what will I do with myself?? NOTE: I am really NOT worried about this). I will become the mom of a six, four and two year old (HOW is THAT possible? Some days, I don't even feel old enough to be a mom!) Speaking of age, this year I will also hit the big 3-0! But Shawn goes first, so I have time to freak out about that later... For now, I will just leave it at that and bast in my "first post of the year" glory.

Happy New Year, everyone! May this year bring you unending joy that is only found in Jesus!