Batteries not included

In Seth's words, my "batteries" have been replaced.  In adult terms, my surgery went well.  I pray that me and hospitals are through  with one another for while.  I have been getting some good laughs at myself over the last 24 hours.  I keep dozing off in 5-10 minute intervals and I'll have the funniest little dreams.  In one dream I was drinking out of an Ozarka bottle water.  When I woke up, I was holding my pretend water with my lips puckered to take a drink.  Oh my...I am glad no one has a video camera to capture this insanity on. :0  

Well, I think it is safe to say that I will not be doing much of this for awhile...

  

...or this...

...or this.

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and my speedy recovery.  It means the world to me to have such great family and friends.  And although, "batteries" are not included, I am on my way to a healthier me.  

Inches away.

Well, I am inching closer and closer to what will hopefully be my last surgery "post-triplets."  Seth asked me if the doctor was going to "replace my batteries."  Hmmm...batteries, now that is a novel idea.  Wouldn't that be nice?  Tired of changing wet sheets; go get some more batteries.  Filled up your last juice cup of the day; go get some more batteries.  If only it were that easy in "mommy world" where the dishes pile up, the juice cups don't fill themselves, and you wake up in what feels like an incubator of sweaty toddlers.  And speaking of that...

These children are a lot of fun. And their "fun" tends to begin in the wee hours of the morning.  If you know me personally, you know that me + wee hours usually equals some delirious behavior of some sort.  I don't rationalize well in the mornings. I don't react well in the mornings. You can find me pounding away on my blog, listening to music, and unwinding from my day from the hours of 10 pm - midnight.  These are my hours of "awareness."  But, I suppose God has a sense of humor, for I birthed early birds (minus Leyton).  And in keeping with the tradition of the last year, my early birds like to pile into my bed after Robb's alarm has gone off atleast 1,000 times and usually to some annoying song from the 80's.   They file into my bed, two by two.  Leyton and his boots, Seth and his puppy, and Laci and her Baby Jaguar.  And if they were still this size...

...things would not get so crowded.  But, remember, they are four now! This morning I woke up hot! I felt like I was sleeping on a heating pad.  And for this polar bear, the delirium set in quick.  I began pleading for them to "let me up," "move over before I suffocate!" I think I remember saying.  And then this one...

...says, "Mom, it looks like you are in need of some wind. Don't worry, I will help you cool off."  And with all his might, a long wind of toddler morning breath knocked me over and made me forget how hot I was under the dog pile of sweaty toddlers.  Thanks Leyton, I can always count on you.  

This is how we roll

Today, my babies turned four years old (officially).  And this is how we rolled on our birthday...

...cause we are four; that's why!

Happy Birthday Seth, Laci, and Leyton! 

Quit Wallowing

Today, I am in the mud-hole. I am not sure how I got here, but I am here. Bathing myself in the mud of self pity. I've smeared it all over, trust me. And the reason I am here, you ask? Well although I would like to blame the girl next door. Although I would love to shout it from the rooftop that I was mistreated, spied on, and talked about...I cannot. Because the truth of the matter is that I am here because I thought a second too long on what the enemy wanted me to think about. And to top it all off, I talked with the horse, the sheep, and the cow about the other pig I was mad at. And of course they all agreed that I was right. I ate the hook. Took the bait. I was swiped by Swiper and I promise it just did not happen overnight. Instead of wallowing when things don't go your way; maybe we would be best served by following a few simple truths.

1. Let the Lord help us dwell on what is pure, lovely, and right.
2. Don't talk with the other animals in the barn about the matter.
2. Remember that even when you take a step back, God is comitted to walking you forward.
3. Pray in the calm, not just the storm.
5. Pray for your enemies, not just for yourself.
6. Confess your sins so as to not give Satan a foothold.

The Nanny Chronicles

She came into my house as an acquaintance and if we ever allow her to leave; she will leave as family. A whimsical, gray haired, belly-laughing country girl with Mary Poppin's tendencies was about to transform our family. At the time, I knew I was hiring someone that would be able to watch over my kids and keep them from harm.

My 3 year old triplets were getting a great caregiver who loved the Lord. I had to go back to work. The financial pressures of providing for our trio had become too much for a single income. I needed to be able to bring in some extra cash. The responsibility of hiring someone to care for your children is stressful to say the least. Becoming a new mother of multiples brings with it added emotional, financial, and often physical difficulties. When they told me I was having triplets my first thought was "I am going to die" and my second thought was "I need to grow more arms!" And when that third arm started to grow...okay I won't take that any further. Actually, I did not get to be the woman on Ripley's as the woman who willed herself an additional arm, but God actually did provide for me an extra pair of hands.

She thinks she is a nanny. And, she is. But, as she has been busy helping me raise my kids; I have been learning a thing or two from her. There might be a daycare on every corner, but not everyone gets the pleasure of living with a true Proverbs 31 woman. Here's some things I have learned from my practically perfect, Mary Poppin's that make this mom beam with pride:

"She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."

Proverbs 31:26

She speaks...

...a LOT! But, with as much zeal as she tells stories, she also listens to mine. She encourages my endeavors. She builds my self-esteem. She defends me like she's my momma. And if I were a bear cub and she were the angry Bear Momma...well, you might just want to tuck your tail and run. She has taught me to not hold in my feelings until I explode, but talk about them.

"Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value, she brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." Proverbs 31:11

She beams...

...With pride:About her husband actually. I figure if she can love a clown, then I can love one too (okay, hers is actually a real rodeo clown, mine just acts like one from time to time). Truly, if my love for Robb is a fraction of what hers is for her husband; I think we will be doing just fine 20 years from now.

"She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands." Proverbs 31: 13

She is Eager to Work...

I will never forget the time I left the house at 10:00 am. I did not just leave the house, I left it a disaster area. So much so, that I probably should have put some caution tape up over the door as I departed. The Christmas decorations were in boxes all over the living room. The dishes were piled high as Jacob's ladder and I was off. "And good luck with that!" I thought as I pushed the door shut. At 2:00, a mere four hours later, I returned. The Christmas tree was assembled and decorated. The children were sound asleep and the kitchen was spotless. The smell of cookies emanated from one counter, while dessert #2 was cooling on the opposite side. Some might call it magic, but I call that diligence (and a little bit of crazy in there too! :0).

"She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls." Proverbs 31:15

She bakes...

...mostly food that is gluten free in nature. I am not a baker. I like to cook, but not bake. And my gluten sensitivity can be a real challenge in the baking department. But, not for her. She has been determined to experiment on my behalf. And has even learned a few tricks to making my G-Free favorites taste better than the manufacturer themselves could. While most mommy's are running out of the house stressed in the mornings, she has taught me to slow down and enjoy my mornings with my kids. And what used to be the most dreaded part of my day because of my illness, has actually become my most treasured.

"She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks." Proverbs 31:17

She knows how to work it...

...and put in work orders. I believe that our nanny is the most persuasive individual I have ever met. The Bible says that we "have not, because we ask not," and I have witnessed this firsthand. Apparently, if you tack on the words "love you to the moon and back" all sorts of things get accomplished. We rent from my parents and our nanny isn't afraid of telling the Landlord what is needed around the house. I have new floors and a storage building on the way that I would have never had the courage to ask for. And because of this; I love HER (and my parent's) to the moon and back.

"She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." Proverbs 31:20

She organizes...

I am not one for organization. Okay, that is an understatement. If awards were given I might receive ones such as "ultimate procrastinator," "most number of years without pictures being hung on the walls," or "bill hoarder." And we wonder where Laci gets her hoarding tendencies? :0 It is a pure miracle that not only do I have someone to care for my kids and take care of housework, but the BIGGER miracle is that God sent me someone that enjoys my pitiful ability to organize. My downfall is actually her delight. And trust me when I say, I do not understand it. But, she is good at it! God makes rivers in the desert and Susie helps me find the carpet in my bedroom. And yes, I know what color the carpet is (only because of her though).

"She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes."

Proverbs 31:24

And don't forget tutus. She makes those too!

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."

Proverbs 31:25

She knows how to have a good time. She sings. She dances. And she jumps on trampolines to the detriment of her neck at times (her chiropractor says to stop, but does she really listen to anyone?)

I know that one day, God will "give her the reward she has earned and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." Psalm 31:31

For "many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

Psalm 31:29

Love you to the moon and back.

One Desperate Housewife

Most girls dream of their fairy-tale wedding.  Swans waddling around the tulip border, lace, flowers, and a to die for groom.  Sounds pretty good, right?  Well, here is one scandalous story you will never forget.  Wisked away from her family to marry a man named Er, this girl's honeymoon would be no fairy-tale.  Er was an evil man, not exactly the GQ guy a girl dreams of.  Er was so wicked actually that the Lord puts him to death.  Grab a cup of coffee it gets better.   

So, in those days, it was the obligation of the next eldest son to take his brother's wife.  So Tamar, was a "hand me down" bride to Er's brother Onan.  So, Onan's father Judah, told him to lay with Tamar so that she could become pregnant.  But, Onan, knowing that the child would technically give Er a "win" per say, decided he would "spill his semen on the ground" against Tamar's knowledge.  In those days, you were only as good as the amount of children you bore.  Scary thought, isn't it?  The Lord saw what Onan had done and he killed him too. So, big daddy Judah, decides to send Tamar back to her family.  He promises her that when his youngest son is old enough to marry, then Tamar can marry him.  Can you imagine being a part of this family?  The sons are dying off left and right and the daughter-in-law is being borrowed like a good blouse.  But, Judah never really intended to allow his youngest son to marry her.  And after some time, Judah's wife died.  And after he grieved for her, he and a friend went to Timnah.  Well, our scorned girl Tamar heard that her father-in-law was coming to town.  Okay, get ready for this...

Tamar takes off her widow's clothes, covers her face with a veil, and sits down on the road to Timnah. She knew that Shelah was obviously not going to be her husband and she was desperate to conceive. You would think that men would wise up and realize there is nothing more dangerous than a woman scorned! Judah comes across Tamar on the road and thinks she is a prostitute.  And since her face is covered, he has no idea it's really his daughter-in-law.  So, he propositions her, "Come now, let me sleep with you."  But Tamar has learned a lesson or two in deception from these boys and says "And what will you give me to sleep with you?" Well, there is nothing like a goat to melt a girl's heart.  That's right, he promises her a young goat from his flock, but she asks that he leave something with her as a pledge until the goat is delivered.  So, Judah leaves his seal and its cord and his staff.  So Judah sleeps with his daughter-in-law and she becomes pregnant with twins.  

Three months pass. When Judah hears that his Tamar is pregnant; he is furious! He hears that she has defiled herself as a prostitute and that is why she was able to conceive.  Judah decides the best punishment for such behavior is to burn her to death.  So, Tamar sends a message to her father-in-law and says "the man who owns this staff and cord is the father of my child."  Judah recognizes his belongings and says, "She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah."  Now that is one family of dirty old men and a tale of one desperate housewife!  Talk about scandalous!

Think. Think. Think.

Winnie the pooh said it best: "Think, think, think."  I have a lot of decisions to make over the next few months.  Important decisions that might very well alter my career and our families focus.  While prayerfully considering these decisions, God keeps bringing my mind back to the story of Noah.

A wicked generation.
A regretful God.
One man found favor in His eyes.
Not a cloud in the sky.
A plan to save.
Gopher wood would become an ark.
Designed from the mouth of the Lord.

Approximately 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high.

Estimated to hold more than 43,000 tons.  

And then the floodwaters came.

Noah was 600 years old.

Fulfillment.

Blind faith is never easy.  I think about Noah.  I imagine him sweating in the hot sun.  He did not have a local Lowe's to run buy supplies from or a convenient store to run grab a Coke.  There is no mention of anyone assisting him.  I see him out there laboring.  Board by board.  But, Noah must have had incredible faith.  It would be the first and last time God would flood the Earth.  I am sure even Noah could have given in to doubt and desensitization. Instead of asking a bunch of questions like I would have been tempted to, Noah just obeyed.  He did not wait until his ankles were covered in water before he acted.   Hebrews 11: 7 says, "By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith."  So, what does this mean for me and you?

Call me a product of my mother's *end times* raising, but I believe that time is very short for us.  I feel honored to live in this time.  I am ashamed at all the hours I have wasted and want to be a better steward of what God has given me.  Like Noah, I see the floodwaters rising. 

"See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying 'I am Christ,' and will mislead many.  And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.  For nation will rise against nation, and kindgdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.  But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs."  Matthew 24:4-8

God only told Noah once of His plans before Noah began to prepare for the flood.  I believe the Lord.  He does not lie.  The promises made by him in Genesis are still in tact.  His word is alive.  His conviction is real.  And His plans for this Earth and us will happen.  His plan is unfolding and I believe at any moment Jesus will come back for His own.  I hope that you will pray with me.  I hope that your family will prayerfully consider your place in these last days.  Most importantly, have you made Jesus your Lord?  If so, what are you doing with your time?  

"For if you confess with your mouth, Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9-10

No better time than the present to think, think, think.

Twas the night before the party...

Twas the night before the party and all through the house;

the children were waiting like a little, quiet mouse.

The bicycles were parked in the Big Shop with care.

And the bounce house was hopping and filled up with air.

The slide was waiting for children to climb.

To slide down like monkey's; three at a time.

And though a little early, the presents came in.

Puzzles, and clothes, trinkets and slinkies.

Sandals, and stickers, and new Toy Story "binkies."

When out on the breezeway, there arose such a clatter, 

they flung open the door to see what was the matter.

Not reindeer hoofs, but squeals of glee.

Cause we got new bikes like Lightning McQueen!

Now Leyton!

Now Seth! 

Now Laci too!

To the top of the slide! To the bottom they fall!

Tomorrow we turn FOUR, come one and come all!

Happy Birthday!

Birth Order and Bluebonnets