Kris' Blogorama

Some good-goods about this stage in life

So, as I was driving the kiddos to school today I started thinking about how FAST time is passing by. HOW THE HECK did I wake up this morning w/10 and 7 year olds?? HOW, I ask? But as I lamented (only briefly) for the days of strollers and Dora the Explorer, I stopped and realized that SOONER than later I'll look back at this stage and be sad that its gone, too. So...I need to take it all in...I need to think thru the greatness that is the elementary school days and be thankful for the NOW.

Here are 10 reasons I love this time...

1) Overhearing this, "So...Bub, pretend that I'm Gabriella and I'm in the spring musical..." and hearing him actually DO IT. They still play together everyday...he still plays along...she still things he hung the moon.

2) On the way to school is still FUN. This is their current musical request...complete w/hand-clappin' and fake banjo playin' (and the occasional 'air snap', Aunt Robin):

3) Getting to see her sing in the children's choir on Mother's Day - better wear the waterproof mascara, eh?

4) He's not too cool to lay with me on the couch and watch American Idol...we intensely judge, discuss, and analyze all things AI together. All while she usually has Brent in the other room dancing or reading or something fun.

5) THEY BATHE THEMSELVES AND DRESS THEMSELVES.

6) They pray the coolest prayers ever...and pray with 100% expectation of His answers. No skeptics at 10 and 7. I want that.

7) Although he is tettering btw growing up/being too cool, he still thinks being at home w/us is the best night ever. Sigh. I dread the change.

8) She still plays babydolls more often that "teenager".

9) He loves to watch sports now and really understands it.

10) They say "i love u" way too often...AS IF there was ever a 'way too often'

Every stage is cool in its own way. Just thought I better jot this down...bc time is moving too fast.

Jesus HEARTS Halloween

For those of you who wondered what Jesus REALLY thinks of Halloween...

That's Him...right beside Amy Whinehouse! (I'm the Red Raider and hubby is mtn biker getting attacked by mtn lion - kids are tech football player and 60s girl next to me!)

"becoming"

I just finished a pretty good book about raising girls (see full title, etc. in left column)...I wouldnt say I LOVED every second of this book, but I will say...it did bring me some insight that I am BEGGING God to use to change me...to make me a better mommy to my sweet girl (and my son, too).

As I was sitting in carpool finishing the book, I thought, "if I'm going to READ this stuff, then I HAVE to walk away w/some things that I 'got' from it...that are concrete enough to remember." So, I stopped at that moment and wrote down 4 things about this book that were pretty earth-shattering-cool to me:

1 - she is "becoming" - that is, she is always turning into the girl/lady/woman that God is intending...always becoming who she is to be. NO moment wasted...no experience not important to that ultimate 'becoming'. In fact, she will never stop becoming...not until she is in heaven. Wow.

2 - What do I "name" her? - Hmmm. This one was huge for me. Throughout her life she is constantly 'named' by those close to her AND strangers. "Oh, arent you smart!" "She sure is MOODY in the morning." "You are so shy arent you?" "You are being grumpy and rude to your brother." NAMED. Some accurate, some not - all meaningful. What do I name her? Do I seek opportunities to put MY priorities aside and realize that I have the opportunity to name her...to apply a label to her that she will come to believe is true. Do I give her the name that God desires her to live up to? Wow again. The cool thing, He has already named her...He already knows the purposes for her life experiences/circumstances and He's just sitting back to watch. I want to name her what He DESIRES. I get to name her...I love that.

3 - Listen for God's name for her - sometimes I may know His name for her, sometimes not. I cant imagine reading that thought when you are watching your young daughter suffer. I'm sure it was excrutiating for my mom to see me suffer when I lost my dad...I cannot imagine. Did He intend for part of my name to be 'suffering'? Maybe...but just maybe, His name was to be "comforter" or "compassionate one". How else could I be one of those names if not for the suffering. Today I cried thinking of my mom and how she had to watch God "name" us in that time...I'd never thought of that before. Key is, asking God...and quietly listening (not TELLING Him) to what His name for her is...as hard as it may be. Trust - harder when its to trust your kids' hearts to His plan.

4 - I cannot and will not  solely shape/form the woman she will be...as much as I try - I'm not going to be in control of that. i cannot TELL her how to have self-love. I cannot TEACH her everything. So many things she'll have to experience...and be shaped by others and by circumstances. My job is to prepare her as best as I can. That is where asking Him for help is key. 

And so, as I type I'm listening to my 6 year old practice her constantant sounds...she is awesome. "Lord, what can I name her today? Help me AID You in her 'becoming'. Thank You for her...she rocks"

some pix from paradise

          

weirdest summer ever

well. well. well.

I'm better - not quite 100%. Fever thing hung on for just over 24 hours and then the fever-hangover stayed for another day or so. But for the most part, I'm back in action. Thurs in bible study day - always a mixture of awesomeness and awfulness. Always always always get bad headaches on Thurs. Always. Usually have some major issue or distraction to contend with, but I've grown accustomed to what Thurs brings. Afterall, I know that Bible study is a major stumbling block to that satan guy and he likes to try and "steal, kill, and destroy" in the wise words of my pastor. I'm used to what Thurs brings...bc it is always WORTH IT. Always. I've never loved what God is doing in that room of women quite as much as this year...I cant explain it really, but it is a privlege to be there and get to be a part of it.

But, on to the "weirdest summer ever" part. We have been SICK in some way for-stinkin-EVER! I kid you not. Today after BS we went to our new neighborhood community pool (it rocked) and kids had a blast. I even got to play canasta w/my 2 pals (yes...we are THAT old now bc we were playing CARDS poolside - classic, truly) while the kids played! So, it shouldve been no surprise when we got home and Braedo-potato said he felt sick. Yes. Sick. Killer headache (he tends to get those) and then the puking started. As I type, hubby and Maya are at her "Keyboard Kamp" finale and I'm typing next to a sweaty, sleeping, sicko. Poor guy.

So, the summer of 08 will forever be remembered as the SICKO SUMMER. One more bites the dust. Who's next??? The doggies? Argh.

Stay healthy. Go wash your hands. And stay in your clean, sanitized homes (shout out AJ!).

My freaky peeps

Just thought you'd enjoy...

thought you might enjoy...

I looked back and realized I've not posted many photos lately...thought you might enjoy these.

OK...I just spent 45 min or so on my bike trainer and THIS is where Duke sat the entire time...most of the time his nose was just gracing my foot on the pedal...he was wigged out by the trainer, I think. I had to grab the camera and try to capture the moment...

This was my attempt at a darlin lil shot of kids/dogs in front of Christmas tree. This is my reality, people.

I dunno...I just love this one so much. Cousins reading the Christmas story. My kid #1 is on the far left.

I decided that its MY blog - surely I can find ONE picture of ME to put up that is farely recent. Well, er, uh, this is ALL I could find. Sheesh. NY resolution for 2008 - MORE PIX OF MOMMY. But, you have to admit - that Ragdoll costume was worth seeing again, right?

Have a great thurs...

tri-ing hard

Woooeee - what a day! HE DID GREAT! No medal stand this year (last year he got 2nd by 5 seconds in his age group - which he's spent the last year reminding us every time we DONT place in our races!)...but a great race regardless.

Our big day started around 5a...when we nervous parents got up...then we hit the road (about 40mins away) for the race site...still dark when we entered/setup transition area.  

Of course, as with all races - you get there early and get set up and then WAIT...

AND WAIT...finding ways to entertain ourselves as we waited...

MORE WAITING...

And then, his turn to start the swim.

As he leaped in I was in constant state of prayer - as he's never done a race with a swim THIS long before...and honestly, since school starting, flag football, etc. we havent done much swimming...I was nervous. He was NOT.

He rocked his swim...took it easy, paced himself, lots of breast stroking when he got tired and exited in the middle of the pack of his heat of 8 boys.

For fans of his triathlon career you'll surely remember the "GREAT TRANSITION 1 OF 2006" when he spent a good 5 minutes putting on his socks...straigthening the seam...drying his legs...well, this year, he rocked his T1. Socks ON and shoes (yes, Yankz were a big reason) ON and he was off!   

His bike was great...Daddy took over the camera and we dont have LOTS of shots bc I suspect he was MUCH more anxiety-ridden than he'll admit. I could tell he was tired when I saw him. No getupandgo in his eyes, but a NEVER GIVE Up attitude that defines the kind of kid he is.

And then, after a superfast T2 and almost running out of transition area w/his helmit on - he was off on the .9 mile run. As a mommy, I was praying w/o ceasing for his energy...but most of all, that he'd feel good about his race. He was BACK faster than I realized! He had a great run. In his usual style - FULL sprint and then walk a few paces, then FULL sprint again.

He was bummed to miss the medal stand...but OH the life lessons we all learned today. More than ever we were reminded that "whether you eat, drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1st Cor 10.31. So true. The medal stand can be for the hardcore folks, we're there to "do you best...and have fun" - and if we make it up there again soon, then so be it. I'm sure the other parents thought I was NUTS as I screamed to him as he came down the final shoot...

"HAVE FUN...HAVE FUN...HAVE FUN"

And he did - he picked it up, gave me a smile and sprinted right thru that finish chute.

So, tonite, we'll tack another number on our garage wall - our motivation to keep LIVING this life...not just watching it pass us by...what a kid...what a life.

be inspired

Race night.

Well...if you've read this blog over the yrs, you know that hubby and I are a bit addicted to triathlon. In fact, it started years ago when hubby's mom did a marathon. We thought "what on EARTH is she thinking" as we flew out to Cali to watch her run 26.2 and raise $$ for Team in Training. On the plane ride home...we were deciding when we'd sign up. That was our first taste of the racing bug. You could say SHE started all of this...

OR you could say it was my big brother who years ago was a competitve tri guy before the sport was even considered a sport. He raced alongside a young kid named LANCE all over TX - and I went and watched many of his impressive races saying..."he's NUTS - I'd NEVER!! Who should EVER don that much lycra?!".

Well, after baby #1 we started with a marathon. Then after baby #2 - I tried a tri. Then, hubby caught the bug. And, LOTS of drifit clothing, running shoes, yankz laces, bike tubes, and swim caps later - we are hooked. He's even trying to get me to set a NEW BIG race goal for 2008...stay tuned on that insane possible endeavor.

But I digress. This blog was NOT going to be about me.

Tonite, its about kid #1 and his 3rd triathlon. Tomorrow we go watch him race against himself...fight thru a long 100m swim...slam the pedals down on 3.1 miles of bike, and run a full-out 8 yr old sprint for 1 mile to cross a finish line it took me 30-some-odd years to cross. He's amazing.

I wrote this week about being inspired...he inspires me.

So as I type, he's in there battling the pre-race jitters...trying to fall asleep, only to wake up in just a few hours and get movin' before the sun is up. He rocks. And the coolest part was, as we walked up to survey the scene as registration today kid #2 said "yea...I'm ready to do my first triathlon, too Mommy". She rocks.

Say a prayer tomorrow for him as works hard and learns a lot about himself...but for now, enjoy the excitement of our house tonite...

           

wordless wednesday...cap'n crunch edition