Sweet things indeed

Ha Ha my students know this is my favorite font. Well, today had brought with it many realizations. I went to the mall tonight and while my husband was being proded at the dentist, my kids and I went out in search of shoes. Lexie and I were triumphant. Owen was out of luck. My jubilation of finding great looking, dare I say cool shoes at a wonderful price (I still have most of my birthday money left) my children's behavior, and the fact that my husband's appointment went longer than expected changed my mood drastically. I left the mall frustrated and annoyed. And so you have it, for those of you who think I am always upbeat and happy...it happens to all of us...that knot in your stomach that makes you say 'who cares that there is laundry to be done or the dishes to finish (although I did do them when I got home despite my fowl mood)'. And then something much more important than your mood happens...

In the middle of his snack, while I'm brooding at the kitchen sinking wiping cruds off dirty dishes, Owen makes a funny (not so ha ha) sound mid bite a sausage. Owen started choking! Not hard and fast, but you could hear it in his throat when he tried to talk, he started coughing and crying, and eventually tried to throw it up, all to no avail. I brought him to the kitchen to lean over the garbage can. I was reassuring him that he was okay and that he should keep trying to cough. In my head however, I'm thinking "NO! Where's my dad?!" I actually sent my husband to get my father, a nice thing about being neighbors with one's parents. My dad came over and did a mini Heimlich maneuver with Owen and the sausage bite passed along the appropriate route.

I was scared and relieved. I later found myself sitting on the front step praying. Ironically, I didn't thank God for the fact that Owen hadn't choked. Rather, I was asking God for strength. I am one woman. Huh, there's a new one. Each day I find myself trying to do the work of many more than one woman, and everyday I am frustrated when I fall short. Having coffee with a dear friend today she asked me when I was going to break down. God is saving me from that, I'm sure. My time spent with him give me strength, and encouragement and my conversations with friends, and especially with friends who also believe in God's amazing powers to see us through situations are a great comfort.

After my conversation with God on the front step I decided to update my blog. As I was waiting for the computer to start up I found myself looking at Owen back at the table finishing off his sausages. He sat there quietly chewing, mouth shut, with a very innocent look on his face. He made me giggle when he whispered under his breath "excuse me" when he burped, holding the knife and fork that were made for adult hands, swinging his legs, complete content with the situation, having moved on from what had happened less than an hour prior with another sausage. Grown ups should learn to move on like this.

A crazy night filled with a plethora of feelings. Good night.

All Terrain Tires

Have you ever been driving down the road, riding your bike down a steep hill, or roller blading a simple path and whamo! Something unexpected happens, your tires leave the ground, and you end up sprawled out for everyone to see you failed? If life has shown me nothing lately it's that no matter what type of car, bike or roller blades you have things will happen that you couldn't have anticipated. The question is...do you have all terrain tires?



Speaking metaphorically, the tires are what get you through the circumstance, the unexpected event. If you go cheap with the tires you'll be on the ground looking up pretending that you are okay. However if you invest in your tires, you'll get through the rough patches in life and you will be able to proclaim loudly to the world that you are okay, without trying to convince yourself.



Investing in these 'tires', the thing(s) that get you through life, doesn't mean having a lot of money in the bank, building walls around yourself to protect your feelings or watching out for everything that might go wrong. It's making sure you're right with God. Are you walking a path that will see you through to the end or is it one where you are constantly second guessing your actions?



In a conversation I had with my daughter just today about trusting in God, His plan for our lives, and His works, I was able to confess to her that I don't understand it all but I trust in Him always. My blog is entitled 'who needs an umbrella' for a reason. Mercy Me wrote a song called 'Bring the rain'. It's chorus is: "...I know there'll be days /when this life brings me pain/ but if that's what it takes to praise You/ Jesus bring the rain..." My hope is that throughout my life my children will see me struggle with my decisions and situations that test my faith always seeing God's faithfulness to our family and our trust in Him. God is the brand of tire I'm investing in, and we're on the ultimate road trip!