As the children like to say

Since 2013 began, it seems like we have experienced winter, spring, and winter again, and it's only January 17.  The first week in January was cold but not cold enough for snow.  The next week was warm with temperatures in the 70s.  I donned shorts and flip flops and soaked in some sun.  Over the past few days, it has grown colder, and the forecast is calling for anywhere between two and six inches of snow tonight.  Tomorrow (Friday), the temperature will climb into the upper 40s, and by Saturday we should be back into the 50s again.

Our daughter is gearing up for cooler temps.  Do you think four blankets will be enough? 

This photo makes my eyes hurt with all those bright colors piled on top of her adding even more visual noise to her already mismatched pajamas.

During cold winter days, instead of sitting by the hearth listening to the crackling of the fire, we stand next to our gas logs listening to the crackling sound of all the nails popping out of the walls as our children stampede through the house with "crashings and thrashings" like a herd of wild buffalo. We need a bigger, more durable house to contain all their energy or at least a gymnasium with padded walls.

One calmer creative outlet for our kids has been Reader's Theater.  The kids enjoy the play acting, but our daughter is picky about which part she gets.  When doling out roles for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, she said, "I want to be Tom because he has more sense than Huck Finn".   I wouldn't exactly call Tom discerning, but compared to Huck, I guess he's okay.

Our 6-year-old has a more easy going temperament than his sister.   He's more like his daddy overall, but he has my high hunger for hugs.  I love our goodnight hugs and the way he tries to keep me from leaving his room after I tuck him in at night.  After I tucked him into bed recently, he attempted to strap me down so I would not leave his room by placing his arms tightly around me.  He exclaimed, "I am your seat belt! I will hold you in place."  That seat belt sure does loosen up when tickled.

When I told my son goodnight on another night, he held me down with all his might and said with a tone of authority, "You aren't leaving! You will stay here with me all night long."

So I asked, "Is that so?"

He answered, "Yes...but you probably need to check with Daddy first."

At least he knows who is the head of our household!

 
^{Another evening, he and I had the following conversation:}

<sup>Boy: Mom, please hug me now!

Me: (While giving him a great big hug) Some day you'll no longer want to climb into my lap for hugs like this.</sup>

<sup>Boy: But why, Mommy?

Me: Because you'll want to spend most of your time with Daddy since he's the one who can best show you how to become a man.

Boy: I'll still come to you for hugs, though, Mom.

Me: Do you promise?

Boy: I'll try.

Me: Well, that's a wise answer, my boy. Did you know that Jesus taught us that we must always keep our promises, but since we don't know if we will always be able to keep our promises, it's often safest just not to make promises at all.  So avoid making promises when you can, but when you do make a promise, never break it.

Boy: Like our President does so often?</sup>

Mommy and Daddy need to discuss government affairs more discreetly, because that comment stabbed me.

I love our bedtime hugs, but I also really enjoy our bedtime conversations.

Me:    So what did you learn today?

Boy:   I learned that Enoch walked with God so closely that he got to walk right up to Heaven without dying first. I want to be like Enoch and walk right up to Heaven. Did you know there wasn't any death at all on earth until Adam and Eve sinned?

Me:   That's exactly right. So if there was no death, could there be survival of the fittest or evolution? Some try to merge the truths of the Bible with the theory of evolution (which is taught as if it were true in public schools & universities) into something called theistic evolution, but if there was no death before Adam and Eve sinned, then theistic evolution simply could not be true. So tell me, what happened after Adam and Eve sinned?

Boy: (bored and drifting to sleep by now)  The Big Bang?

So I tend to get over zealous and forget that he is only six, and he thinks that the Big Bang was a loud noise God made in frustration when Adam and Eve sinned.

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The political, economic, and moral state of our nation continues to vex me.  I'm trying harder not to vocalize those frustrations as much, especially on a platform where I might stir up anger.  

James 1:19-20

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;  for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

^{It is somewhat therapeutic, however, to discuss government issues with my kids.  One recent exchange went like this:}

^{Me:     What do all corrupt human rulers since time began have in common?}

^{Them:  Desire for more power.}

^{Me:      So would you prefer our government to have more power or less?} 

^{Them:  Less.}

^{Me:      What about those wise rulers we read about in the Bible who had lots of power but avoided corruption?    What made them different?}

^{Them:  They loved God more than power!}

<sup>That's music to my ears!

I think God sent our daughter into our family to refine us.   When I was feeling especially exasperated with all the government corruption, she said to me, "Mother (in a very snooty voice), I think God is allowing all this political mess to stretch your faith."

My faith....and that of 70% of Americans. 


At times, my little girl sounds much older than she really is.  When she received the photo shown below (lower photo taken in November 2012) from an 8-year-old friend,  I realized that she is growing up much more quickly than I thought.  It's amazing how much little girls can change in just six months.</sup>

 
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Fortunately, our family does not get sick often.  With so many visits to the chiropractor for my neck, back, knees, ankles, and feet each week, it's been nice not to have to deal with viruses, colds, and infections.  However, with the flu at an epidemic level across the country, we were more susceptible this year. 

My son complained of stomach pains last week, so I asked him to describe his bowel movements.  Ever fond of figurative language, he replied,  "It's like a machine gun firing off rounds."

I guess whatever was ailing his stomach lowered his resistance because when he woke up this past Monday morning, he had a headache, fever, cough, and achy limbs.  During breakfast he said, "I don't feel like shaving today."

 

What?  That was my clue that something was not right with him.

I  took him to the pediatrician's office that morning, and my boy tested positive for the flu.  That's the first instance of flu ever in our family.  After dragging him all over town in search of a pharmacy that did not have his RX out of stock, I sent him to bed.  By the time I had prepared a huge pot of  homemade "Flu Bustin' Chicken Noodle Soup", he was already feeling much better.  He was fine the next day with no fever and no aches or pains.  So, he went back to school on Wednesday.   We obviously didn't offer the flu much hospitality because it didn't stay here long.

When I picked him up from school on Wednesday, I asked him if anyone missed him while he was out with the flu.  He softly mumbled this reply, "I think so. Two of the girls in my class made me a blanket with my name on it. I'll bring it home when it's finished."

He has already received a stuffed Christmas tree from a girl at school.  He loves that tree. So, I can't wait to see this next token of endearment.