Polly Pockets, Popcorn, and Pacifier

This past Friday, my brother, sister-in-law, and niece came for dinner. Afterwards, the adults conversed over a game of cards while the kids ran off to play elsewhere. Amberly and Chloe played Polly Pockets in the bathroom for a long time then decided they wanted to dress up. During this, Brantley was getting restless, so I put him to bed. After the card game, there were hugs all around as brother and sister-in-law left. I set to getting the kids dressed and ready for bed. Chloe and Amberly both asked for popcorn as they settled in to watch a movie. I told them it was too late, but that we could have popcorn for breakfast. Shelby said, "Are you serious?!" I said, "Sure, why not? It's okay to silly every now and then."

The next morning around 5:30, Brantley wakes up whining because he couldn't find his pacifier. So, I sleep walk to his bedroom, feel around in the crib, find the pacifier, and take him to my bed to go back to sleep. After what seemed like minutes of sleep, I could hear the three musketeers playing in the bedroom. All of a sudden, I here a slight crash and Chloe starts to cry. The next thing I heard was Amberly saying, "You can't get mad at me! It was an accident. You can't blame somebody every time something happens!" And then a little while later this exchange:

Amberly: "We can't always do what you want. It's our house and our chair!"

Chloe: "But, you invited me over to visit!"

Ahh, the joys of being the only girl in each respective household. I think they both learned a lesson. In what, I'm not sure, but they never said anything about it and were playing the computer together minutes later.

I finally decided to get out of bed and fulfill my promise of breakfast. Yes, we actually had popcorn for breakfast. Sprinkled with marshmallows and caramel seasoning, of course. And don't forget the hot chocolate to wash it all down.

So, on Saturdays, smile, be silly, and don't forget the popcorn!

Help Clearly Needed

"A few choice words were exchanged when I placed a want ad in our local newspaper. The clerk and I resolved our differences, and I thought nothing of it, until I opened the paper the next day. There was my ad all by itself under a brand-new category: "Help Clearly Needed.""-Readers Digest, September 2007

Help Clearly Needed-maybe I ought to place an ad! Somedays, I just don't know if I can make it another step, and when I finally do get to crawl under the covers it's usually way past my bedtime. These days are busy shuffling Shelby and Amberly to basketball and cheerleading practices and games, not to mention the daily trip to school and daycare. Then, there's church and the occasional trips to Walmart. No wonder I don't sleep much!

But, God provides the rest I need, even when I don't do it on my own. We have truly been blessed since moving to the mountains. It is special place here and I'm already regretting having to leave in just a couple short years. This really feels like home, but I know God has something different for us down the road. He hasn't shown us yet, but we probably couldn't imagine it right now anyway.

I have so many things I want to say and write. My mind is a jumbled mess. So, until I can sort and categorize, I'll sign off for now. I hope all is well with my friends and family-physically, mentally, and spiritually. I love you all.