Absolute Forgiveness

Yes-it's been forever since I "wrote"anything down here, but I just have to journal about one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. I understand that many of you (if anybody really reads this)may not struggle with TRUE forgiveness---not the "oh, it's fine but in the back of my brain I'll never forget you did that " type forgiveness, but the forgiveness that truly forgives. I certainly do, and my better half might be saying AMEN as I type this.

Anyway, tonight our youngest (19 months) was walking around the living room in my high heels (quite a common occurrence around here :) ) She was prancing and stepped on E's toes by accident, and REALLY hurt her (I know this not by the volume of E's cries-DRAMA-, but the red marks left across her foot. ) J just looked at her then the beautiful thing happened. I told J to say "I'm sorry" to E (which she isn't able to verbalize yet) and she reached up to stroke E's arm very gently. She then leaned in to hug Elizabeth and so delicately patted her on the back.
I melted for three main reasons-
1)When J first came here 4 months ago, she bit E several times,pulled hair often, and would pinch when angry. That certainly has lessened, but we still talk about how hands are for loving, softly touch the other person's arm,etc, every time it DOES happen. This time she did it on her own! Such a blessing to me to tangibly see more of the tender fruits from precious baby girl! She is being transformed by His love TO love others.
2)It was also beautiful so see forgiveness sought and offered. What a great reminder to us grown ups, too.
3) I loved the way E forgives! So earnestly, so quickly, without conditions, and very generously. She doesn't need to point out how she's been wronged, the gravity of the error, or the extent to which she was hurt. Forgiveness asked, forgiveness given. So simple, yet how often I make it so difficult.

Thank you Jesus for paying the ultimate price for my hope. Thank you for making it possible for my sins to be forgiven, to stand before the Father because of your great love. Please help me not make it so complicated, between you and I and myself and others. Thank you!

Dad's Point of View

I have been silent in this forum since the initial posting, but it seemed like the time was right to aid in the effort to keep this site up to date. I will endeavor not to be profound, but just cover the basics.



As I am writing this Amy is in a ministry team meeting at church. The kids are playing with a friend from church and we are all headed that way for evening programs/services shortly. How blessed we are to live so close!



Last Sunday Clark prayed (on his own) to recieve Christ. I was thankfully in earshot and it was a beautiful and simple prayer. My first reaction was to discount the event since he is only five. However, after listening to some of the wise counsel we are surrounded with, I have come to believe that his desire was sincere. Praise the Lord!!!!!



This past week was an object lesson about how Christians are only forgiven, but not free of sin. To understate it completely, the same child who amazed me with his prayer has struggled several times with explosive anger. It was a reminder that all who call upon the name of Christ will come under attack. Yet we will perservere.



It was all brought home for me as I prepared a Sunday School lesson around Genesis 22:1-19. Though I have read those verses many times in my life, it has not been since becomming a father. The picture in my mind of Issac in tears as his father binds him to the alter. How thankful I am for the sacrifice our Heavenly Father made with His Son on a cross. Lord prepare my family for the sacrifices we will be called to make...

I Spend Half of My Life...

I frequently think "I spend half of my life..."doing whatever the task is at the moment. While I know no more than 2 "halves" can REALLY make up my "whole" life, it seems appropriate to continue the drama that frequently appears in my home. Here are a few of my recent thoughts.

I SPEND HALF OF MY LIFE:

• finding the treasures my children (and husband) have deemed necessary to accumulate ,but not empty, from their pants' pockets. Change, chapstick, kleenex, rocks, toys, etc.
• looking for the OH SO IMPORTANT "Limbola" (E's lovey, the polar bear), C and F's light sabers (realize that there are probably 10 of them around here and the SPECIFIC ones they want change every night----yoda's, Luke's, Mace windu's, etc.) They "need" this every night before they go to bed.
• saying that if this stuff was so important ,you need to be keeping up with it/you need to get this before you get in the bed/keep it ONLY in your bed if it is so necessary (All the while still looking for them 4-5 nights per week)
• spraying SHOUT on stains (no wonder Clark is thin---does ANYTHING really get in his mouth?)
• in a bathroom (wiping, snapping britches, brushing teeth, wiping, wiping, wiping, wiping, wiping, washing hands, reminding not to turn the water on full force, saying "did you flush")
• biting my tongue so I don't bust out laughing at many a funny question/dance movement/statement/wardrobe choice/fall/expression
• wondering how I explain some really good questions like--c-Mom, will God ever ask Dad to sac-wi-fice me like Abwaham and Isaac?, e--when Jesus was a baby, his name was Jesus but as He gwew up, his name was God da' Father, wight Mom? Jesus is really God's son but He's God, too----wight? f--Are we flying over Iowa right now Mom? (He asked this as we were flying to Minnesota b/c they had just been talking about missionaries in Iowa.)

While I AM laughing at my simple, yet quite busy life, I wouldn't trade places with anyone else on the planet (well, at least not for more than a few hours :) )

Snow vs SNOW

We were supposed to leave B'ham at 6 am to go to Atlanta on Saturday. From Atlanta, we were to catch a direct flight to Minneapolis. Quite ironic that Delta cancelled everything due to SNOW in Atlanta. Oh well. We made the most of it and trust the Lord in his provision. Although it looks like there is heavy snow, Matt is behind them shaking the tree :)
GET MAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm under attack :)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE NEXT DAY in the REAL SNOW!

Foster sleds with Sarah down the HUGE hill! He was quite a brave champion!

MINNESOTA fun with REAL SNOW!!!!!! Temps ranged from -10'F to 7'F during our 5 days there. Although our original flight out was cancelled due to "snow", we still made it to Minneapolis a day late but with high spirits. We had a BLAST playing with all of our family---you betcha'! Skunky Clark decides to help shovel some of the snow----what is it with kids and digging?



Big kid "aka Daddy" rolls around in it, too. He and Uncle Danny have a great light saber battle in the snow, but there were too many flakes on my lense to really capture it.

Tales From the Table

There's been a lot of talk around here lately about GAS. If any of you know my husband, there's ALWAYS talk/laughter about the subject, but the conversations about it have increased drastically, PEAKING tonight at the table. The disappointing thing is that the boys initiated it on their own without Matt's assistance.

They were talking about a little boy in their class that uses "potty words", but "we're not allowed to say potty words, right Mama?" "Right Foster." F-"but Mom, I like using the 'b word' and the 'f word' in my head, but I don't say it out loud."
C chimes in---"Yeah, the 'f word' isn't appwopwiate, right Mom. We can't say that. Other people say the f word, but we can't. I think the 'f word' is funny, but I don't really say it."
F-"Me, too. What does the f word really spell Mom?"

I know what 'f word' they're talking about, but how can I answer his question (AND put an end to all of this) while not dying laughing? I can't even look at Matt b/c I know he's about to loose it (literally---we're in the middle of eating dinner!!!!!!!) I explain that they are talking about the word "fart", and while it IS silly, it is still not okay to talk about at the table.

As Matt adds to my very self controlled parental statement that this talk is not okay outside of our immediate family, Foster leans over to one side (one cheek that is :) ) and lets the toots RAPID fire. Like on command over and over again!!!!!!! (and just so you know, deep down I know Matt is EXTREMELY proud)

Matt tries to correct him but is quickly belly laughing when Clark says, "Hey bro! Did you just bust a grumpy????" Sheer, total,uncontrolable laughter erupts at the table. My bbq sandwich "escapes" my mouth, Matt has to push back from the table to bend over laughing, and of course BOTH F and C have to repeat their funnies. It was hilarious!!!!! "Busting a grumpy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Where in the world did that come from?

I'm sure I should be bigger/more mature than giggling like a 4 year old about the 'f word'/toots/rapid fire/busting a grumpy/breaking wind/etc, but it still makes me laugh!

Funny Phrases!

This will not be anything deep, moving, or even funny to some. However, they are some phrases I've heard around here that crack me up and I don't want to forget.

F-"Please stop that, E. You're getting IN my nerves."

C-"Mom, I'm weally, WEALLY hungry. I can't wait for suppa. I think I need an appetiza."

E-"F, do you like my BEAUTIFUL finger nails? (after we just painted them pink :) ) They're lovely aren't they? My husband will like them someday (very matter factly)." Thank goodness the boys both complimented her---just makes life easier. :)

E- I said no more candy. "OK Mom. (very emphatically) I've got a GWEAT idea! (pointer finger up in the air) We can just eat tons of junk tomorrow instead. That way our teef won't wot out tonight!)

F- "Mom, are we going to have 'bracelets' like Emily and Amy Thorington one day?" The actual word is BRACES!

E-"Heaven will be such a wonderful place! We'll see Jesus, sing songs, and maybe even snuggle up to God. Maybe Timmy would like to snuggle with God, too. He's in heaven you know----he's up there not being sick anymore."

C-"Hold on mom. I forgot to swirggle. I just love swirggling, mom. It makes your mouth taste so fwesh." translate---gargle

E-"I think I'll just save the bike Santa gave me until I get a little older. That way I'll be safe!"

F-"Hold on a second, Mom. I've gotta 'chap' my lips." Santa brought him a tube of chapstick and he frequently slowed down the moving along process to "chap" his lips. (translate "lips" to whole lower face)

NOT so funny----Clark came to me yesterday afternoon and TOTALLY out of the blue(like we hadn't talked about him all day) said--"Mom, I have to tell you something. I think I'm wesponsible for Timmy being dead. I dwopped him, dwopped him on the floor---on accident---when he was only three days old. I made him die, Mom. I just know it." For anyone that knows Clark, you know his hands were waving the whole time he was talking. Pensive. Pitiful. I quickly reassured him that turtles fall off of things all the time and that I was sure that wasn't it. It was more likely that he had a virus before he got here that he brought from California----I mean the North Pole. :)
I am purposing to be more aware of the wheels that are turning/processing when I don't even realize.

By the way, spell check loved this. :)

The Tale of Timmy

Me----C, what 3 things do you want for Christmas?
Clark---a cat, a bike, and a jedi costume
Me--Clark, you're allergic to cats. You can't have something that's not healthy for you.
C---Mom, I'm not asking you, I'm asking Santa.
Me--I know honey, but Santa has to get permission for pets. He wants you to be healthy, too.
C---OKAY, Mom (drawn out like I'm sure I never did). I'll just get a tortoise instead.

That's how it all started. Matt and I thought "no biggie." Great first pet, CHEAP, easy to handle, great for responsibility. Boy we were wrong on SO many levels (except great for responsibility.)

Unfortunately we waited until mid Dec to begin researching this thing. Really we thought--go to local pet store, buy a turtle (excuse me---C kept correcting me that he wanted a tortoise.) Well you CAN do that, but it would be $100+ bucks and be a Russian something or other tortoise. Anyway, LONG STORY SHORT, we spent many hours of research/conversations and purchased a tortoise over the internet for only $40. (GREAT price, but the shipping from CALIFORNIA was $50. UGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm turning red with embarassment as I type this, but it was getting down to the wire to get this for C and it was ALL he was talking about.)Blah, blah, blah....get the tortoise, terrarium, special lights, food, etc---lots of time/effort/money and Matt and I fell in love with the little guy several days before Christmas. In fact, I kept wondering where Matt was and he kept sneaking down to the office to "check on" (translate talk to) Timmy. He kinda stole my heart, too b/c when I'd talk to him, he'd crawl towards my voice. (I should be embarrassed about typing THAT.)

Christmas morning---Clark had a FIT over Timmy! This is the best present ever, he's just what I wanted, thank you Santa, I bet you were cold in the north pole, oh you're so cute, etc., etc.,etc. He couldn't wait to tell everyone about his new best buddy. Overjoyed! In fact, when we told the kids that we'd have a foster child coming the next day, C said, "Oh, mom. If I can take care of a turtle, I can surely take care of a foster child." (like duh, I can handle this.)

Things are seemingly going well. No real issues. Until Tues Jan 1st. Timmy doesn't want to eat much. We figure, hibernating?/yuckky food?/who knows with turtles.

I get a message from Matt Friday while I'm in Baltimore. "Gaga's in the hospital, etc, etc, etc. and oh, by the way...I think Timmy is dead."
"WHAT??????????? Why would you think that? " I say when I get to talk to him later.
Matt--he didn't move when I fed him this morning or returned him to his cage.
Me--sounds like he's dead. What did you tell Clark?
Matt--nothing yet. Let's see if we can "hibernate" him and just move him around the tank until the reptile show this month. Hopefully it's next weekend.
Me--might work. Let's try it.

Well, I get home Sunday and we check out the reptile show. None until Jan 19th. Holy Cow! I can't lie/trick that long AND Timmy will SMELL soon!
Sure enough--I got a whiff of a stinch as I walked by his "home" Monday and thought quite certain I had to tell Clark. Poor C had a fever of 103 and I couldn't stand to break his heart while he was coughing his lungs out. Tomorrow. We just "distracted" him (translate "lied") when he'd ask/look at Timmy.

Tuesday came---E has pneumonia, C still has a fever, but the tortoise is stinking. The truth must be told. I honestly couldn't lie to him anymore either. I told him the truth, he cried/coughed his heart out, and talked about missing him all day.

I'll finish the rest of the story---which is precious, tomorrow. Life lessons at such a young age.

The plague continues....

A little update----
Clark has been up, yes---AWAKE----since 2:30 this morning with continuous coughing. Everytime he moves around (which is CONSTANTLY) he coughs. The albuterol inhaler ("my wes-cue") doesn't seem to help at all so off to the doctor we went again. (Our sweet pediatrician takes Wednesdays off but called to check on us this morning. I wish I had just let him call in the steroids like he offered, but I was afraid C's cough was worsening to pneumonia level. There aren't many times that I love being wrong, but this is one of them :)) As if he weren't wired for sound enough, now we are on steroids for 5 days. Joy. I wish that was as contagious as the plague :). As I said before, IT COULD BE A MILLION TIMES WORSE.

Foster---no fever or other symptoms, just coughing lots. "Could be going down the croup path, we'll just have to watch," says the doc. Joy. "Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2

And persevere we will as we cough our way into 2008. I look forward to this past week being but a blur in the memories of the month :)as I know He has some wonderful plans for our family this year.