Confessions of an Insane Woman

What is it that drives a person to compel oneself onto a large rotating band of rubber while staring out a window for 30 minutes?

I am, of course referring to the insane pursuit of jogging. Some call it running, some call it just plain stupid. I was one of the latter until recently.

To be exact, just 3 short weeks ago, I was fantasizing about running down a beach in slow motion, hair beads flying back and forth.....oh! Wrong picture...

Actually, I was wishing I had what it takes to be a runner. I have always wanted to get past the "I hate this, when can I stop" stage and reach the euphoria that so many of my friends have reached.

Now I am part of the pack.

Well, more like I am in the back of the pack. So far back you can't really see me unless you use a telescope. But trust me, I am there.

I haven't hit that magic point when I can say that I actually love it, but I like it a lot more than I ever thought I would. In fact, I ran for 3 straight minutes today.

Don't laugh!! I know you're laughing out there...

But just 2 weeks ago, I couldn't even run for 60 seconds.

Now if I can just live through my training sessions, I'll be ready to run 5K races in the spring. I have no idea where I'll be in the pack at that point, but again, I'll be there.

Sick Day

Today we are taking a sick day.

O.K. so we're actually taking a "Mommy feels like she's been hit by a truck" day. We have canceled all "fun" activities this week, and are hunkering down at home with hot tea, crackers and a few movies the kids can watch while Mommy lies comatose on the couch praying that nobody asks her for anything they can't get for themselves.

I noticed with some guilt this morning that I'm not so sympathetic when my kids are sick.

"Just because you have pneumonia, doesn't mean you can't do long division!" feels a bit cheep at the moment. Well, to be fair, it wasn't pneumonia, just a cold. But I bet it felt like it to her.

I know that when the kids are sick, I expect them to do a little bit of what they usually do, even if it isn't up to the same standard. But when I'm sick all I want to do is lie in bed and to be left alone. Don't talk to me, ask me for anything, and whatever you do DO NOT ARGUE!

When Hubby was sick last week, he came home from work, and took a nap. When I'm sick, I can't stay home from work.There is something not right about that!

I know I am whining. I am so blessed to be at home with with my four wonderful children that I adore more than life. I wouldn't trade my life for anything!

But can I just take a nap?

New Obama care

Here is an excellent article I came across that discloses exactly why I am against the health care reform. It is not because I am better off than anyone else, or because I am a conservative. It is because of the same reason that I wouldn't have my "female exams" done by my doctor employer. There are some things that should remain private!


article at Morningstar Ministries.

Happy reading,
Brandie

Which One Are You?

Something very interesting happened today. The drought is finally over in Georgia (yeah!) and with the temperatures soaring, it felt like a sauna. Yuck! So I had a choice. Take my four kids (three of which cannot swim on their own) to the pool or let them run in the sprinklers. Hmmm...

So I'm turning on the sprinklers by hand because the wires going to the timer aren't working (long story, all about a rat. I'll tell you sometime). Then I spy movement in the hole.

Now, you have to understand, I'm extremely afraid of putting my hand down dark holes in the ground to begin with. Black widow spiders abound around here, no need to say more. But I didn't expect to see what I saw.

A snake.

Yes, a snake. Not very big, but a snake none the less! I was poking my stick in the hole trying to weed out any potential spiders when I saw movement in the bottom. We just stared at each other, too surprised by the other's presence to do anything.

It was at this moment that I thought about who I resemble more: Steve Irwin or Jeff Corwin?

Steve Irwin (RIP) was known to take crazy chances and grab the snake by the tail with his hand. He was spit on, bit and squeezed purple on more than one occasion.

Jeff Corwin, on the other hand, always uses a snake stick. Jeff is much more careful and calculated.

Both can be flashy and daring, but one is planned and one could be careless.

My husband is definitely Jeff Corwin. He is calculated, logical and careful. He has an immaculate driving record (and is handsome to boot).

I, on the other hand, tend to be impulsive and shoot from the hip. Yes, I'm lots of fun and can be very entertaining, and the two personalities can compliment each other very well, but I'm not very logical at times!!!

So what do you think I did?

Well, I'm also a homeschooling mom, so I yelled for my kids to come out and see the cool snake. They all came and got to witness it going deeper into the hole away from the likes of us. Then I did my Steve Irwin thing and turned on the sprinklers (yes, I put my hand down the hole and turned it on by hand).

Fortunately, it was just a rat snake. I didn't know what it was at first, but I knew it wasn't poisonous.

Sometimes, I just gotta be me!

Still two handed,
Brandie

P.S. Remind me next time to tell you the story about the rat that I blame for having to turn on the sprinklers by hand in the first place.

Interesting article

I have posted a letter here from Newt Gingrich regarding the Supreme Court Nominee Sotomayor. I know that Newt spoke very quickly in calling her a racist, and he even admits this in his letter. I found it to be very fair in dealing with the questions arising from this nomination. You read below and then decide.

June 3, 2009 | Vol. 4, No. 22

Supreme Court Nominee Sotomayor:
You Read, You Decide

by Newt Gingrich

Shortly after President Obama nominated her to a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, I read Judge Sonia Sotomayor's now famous words:

"I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life."

My initial reaction was strong and direct - perhaps too strong and too direct. The sentiment struck me as racist and I said so. Since then, some who want to have an open and honest consideration of Judge Sotomayor's fitness to serve on the nation's highest court have been critical of my word choice.

With these critics who want to have an honest conversation, I agree. The word "racist" should not have been applied to Judge Sotomayor as a person, even if her words themselves are unacceptable (a fact which both President Obama and his Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs, have since admitted).

So it is to her words - the ones quoted above and others - to which we should turn, for they show that the issue here is not racial identity politics. Sotomayor's words reveal a betrayal of a fundamental principle of the American system - that everyone is equal before the law.

The Central Question: Is American Justice No Longer Blindfolded?

The fundamental issue at stake in the Sotomayor discussion or nomination is not her background or her gender but an issue that has implications far beyond this judge and this nomination: Is judicial impartiality no longer a quality we can and should demand from our Supreme Court Justices?

President Obama apparently thinks so. Other presidents, Republican and Democrat, have considered race and gender in making judicial appointments in the past. But none have explicitly advocated the notion that judges should substitute their personal experiences for impartiality in deciding cases. And certainly none have asserted that their ethnicity, race or gender would make them a better judge over a judge from a different background.

Here is how President Obama explained his criteria for appointing judges earlier this year:

"We need somebody who's got the heart, the empathy, to recognize what it's like to be a young teenage mom, the empathy to understand what it's like to be poor or African-American or gay or disabled or old - and that's the criterion by which I'll be selecting my judges."

No Group Has Benefited More From Impartial Justice Than the Less Fortunate

With these words, President Obama is cleverly inviting his critics to come out swinging against empathy for the less fortunate among us. But Americans are smarter than this.

We understand that the job of a justice is to enforce the law, not the rule of empathy. And we understand that when a judge substitutes his or her personal experiences for the law, the law becomes what he or she wants it to be, not what the people, through their elected representatives, have decided it should be.

Most tragically, it is this principle of judicial impartiality - of justice, not just for the rich and the powerful, but for all - that has most benefited the vulnerable and the downtrodden in America.

No group has needed or continues to need justice - that can't be predetermined by wealth or privilege - as much as the less privileged. President Obama doesn't seem to grasp that, by weakening judges' adherence to the rule of law, he is also weakening the very foundation of equal justice for the less fortunate Americans he wants to help.

The "Court of Appeals is Where Policy Is Made"

How does Judge Sotomayor come down on the issue of a judge's fidelity to the law?

Here is what she told a Duke University Law School audience in 2005 (emphasis mine):

"All of the legal defense funds out there, they're looking for people with Court of Appeals experience. Because it is - Court of Appeals is where policy is made. And I know, and I know, that this is on tape, and I should never say that. Because we don't 'make law,' I know. [laughter] Okay, I know. I know. I'm not promoting it, and I'm not advocating it. I'm, you know. [laughter] Having said that, the Court of Appeals is where, before the Supreme Court makes the final decision, the law is percolating."

Is Judge Sotomayor Being Quoted Out of Context? You Read, You Decide

If Judge Sotomayor, by her own words, believes the judge's bench is "where policy is made," what kind of law can we expect her to make as a Supreme Court Justice?

The Berkeley Law School speech in which Judge Sotomayor made the comments that I quoted at the outset of this newsletter - that a "wise Latina" would make a better judge than a white male - has been widely cited.

The White House is now claiming that critics are taking Judge Sotomayor's comments in that speech out of context. So in the spirit of "you read, you decide" I am linking here to Judge Sotomayor's speech in full.

As you read it, see if you agree with those respected legal scholars who have concluded that the speech as a whole isn't as damaging as the Judge's "wise Latina" comment - it's worse.

"Our Gender and National Origins May and
Will Make a Difference in Our Judging"

Here are some excerpts from the speech (emphasis mine):

• "I further accept that our experiences as women and people of color affect our decisions. The aspiration to impartiality is just that."

• "Whether born from experience or inherent psychological or cultural differences...our gender and national origins may and will make a difference in our judging."

• "Justice O'Connor has often been cited as saying that a wise old man and wise old woman will reach the same conclusion in deciding cases....I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life."

Again, you read, you decide. Read Judge Sotomayor's speech in full here. Then let me know what you think at Newt.org.

"Equal Justice Under Law" Is Chiseled in Stone on the Supreme Court

The central principle of American justice - and perhaps the single, great idea of America - is equal justice before the law.

This idea is expressed in the words "all men (and today we would say all men and women) are created equal." It means that Americans stand before the law, not as members of groups, but as individuals.

"Equal justice under law" is in fact chiseled in stone on the front of the Supreme Court building - and for good reason.

When a judge disregards the rule of law and applies a different standard to certain groups - or, as the President would say, shows "empathy" - he or she violates this central American principle.

One Group's "Empathy" is Another Group's Injustice. Ask Frank Ricci.

When a judge views Americans as members of groups and not individuals, one group's "empathy" becomes another group's injustice.

Nowhere is the injustice that results from judging Americans as members of groups and not as individuals more evident than in Judge Sotomayor's ruling in the case involving Frank Ricci, a New Haven, Conn., firefighter.

Ricci quit his second job and studied 13 hours a day in 2003 for a civil service exam he hoped would earn him a promotion to lieutenant in the New Haven Fire Department. And when Ricci took the exam, all his hard work seemed to pay off. He got one of the highest scores. But because no African-Americans scored high enough on the exam to be promoted, the city of New Haven threw out the results of the test and promoted no one.

Frank Ricci, 16 other white firefighters, and one Hispanic firefighter sued the city, claiming they were denied promotions on the basis of their race. A district judge dismissed the case, and a three- judge panel of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal. One of those judges was Judge Sotomayor.

An Opportunity to Have a Debate About
Equal Justice for Americans Like Frank Ricci

The Supreme Court is currently hearing the Ricci case, and a ruling is expected next month, likely in the midst of hearings on Judge Sotomayor's nomination.

Legal experts expect the Supreme Court to reverse Judge Sotomayor's ruling. But however the high court rules, this is a moment for America to have a full, honest and open debate, not just about the impartiality of our judges, but about equal justice before the law for Americans like Frank Ricci.

Which Judge Sotomayor Will Show Up on the Supreme Court?

In fairness to the judge, many of her rulings as a court of appeals judge do not match the radicalism of her speeches and statements. She has shown more caution and moderation in her rulings than in her words.

So the question we need to ask ourselves in considering Judge Sotomayor's confirmation is this: Which judge will show up on the Supreme Court, the radical from her speeches or the convention liberal from her rulings?

It's no small question. Judge Sotomayor is 54 years old. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens is 89. Judge Sotomayor has the potential to spend more than 30 years on the Supreme Court. There, unlike on the court of appeals, she will have no reason to show caution. On the high court, Judge Sotomayor will not have to worry about a higher court overturning her rulings. As a Supreme Court Justice, she will do the overturning.

The stakes are very high with this nomination. Has President Obama nominated a conventionally liberal judge to a lifetime tenure on our highest court? Or a radical liberal activist who will cast aside the rule of law in favor of the narrow, divisive politics of race and gender identity?

You read, you decide.

Joel Rosenberg Part 2

By Joel C. Rosenberg

(Washington, D.C., June 8, 2009) -- To be honest, it's taken me several days to process President Obama's speech in Cairo. But let me offer a bit of analysis now that I've had a little more time to think about it carefully.

First, the good news:

* It was important for the President of the United States to reach out to moderate Muslims -- to the Reformers, as I describe them in Inside The Revolution -- and explain America's desire to understand them, encourage them, and help them succeed. The vast, vast majority of the world's 1.3 billion-plus Muslims are not Radicals. They may not necessarily love the U.S., or Israel or the West, but they are not jihadists. They don't want their children to be suicide bombers. They don't believe in genocide. They want to live in peace and freedom. They want the opportunity to carve out a better life for themselves and their children. This is empirically true. And it should be acknowledged by President Obama as it was repeatedly by President Bush.

* It was important for the President of the United States to speak out on religious freedom and the fundamental human right for all people everywhere to be free to choose their religion for themselves. He did so, and it was good.

* It was also important for the President of the United States -- especially one now openly acknowledging his Muslim roots and his upbringing in the Muslim world -- to stand before a Muslim audience in an Arab capital and defend Israel's right to exist and explain the horrors of the Holocaust. He did so. And then, of course, he went on to the Nazi death camp at Buchenwald with Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel and German Chancellor Angela Merkel to denounce such evil against Jews and against humanity, and vow never to let it happen again. "We've seen genocide," President Obama said at Buchenwald, a speech that was written as a corollary to Cairo. "We've seen mass graves and the ashes of villages burned to the ground; children used as soldiers and rape used as a weapon of war. This places teaches us that we must be ever vigilant about the spread of evil in our own time, that we must reject the false comfort that others' suffering is not our problem and commit ourselves to resisting those who would subjugate others to serve their own interests." This was good.

Now, the bad news....

[To read the rest of this analysis of the President's Cairo speech -- as well as to read analysis of yesterday's elections in Lebanon -- please go to the weblog by clicking here.]

Interesting Political Quote

From Joel Rosenberg, author of, "The Last Jihad." This is from his flash traffic email. Click here for the entire article.

"The Saudis -- home of the Sunni brand of Islam -- are absolutely terrified at the prospect of Iranian Shia Muslims (whom they consider heretics) going nuclear. They don't believe the U.S. has the will to stop Tehran in time, or perhaps even the true desire. They fear the White House may have made the calculation that a nuclear Iran is inevitable (like North Korea) and maybe not so bad after all. They are not alone. Egyptian leaders and numerous Gulf state leaders feel the same way. They are nearly panic-stricken that the U.S. will cut them loose and allow a nuclear-armed Persia, their historic enemy, to dominate the epicenter. Interestingly, there is an historic and unprecedented convergence of self-interest forming between Israel, Egypt, the Saudis and the Gulf state Arabs against Iran. They want Washington on their side against the apocalyptic, genocidal death cult that is currently running Iran. But thus far, President Obama appears to be convinced that he can sit down with the Iranian leadership, have a few carmel lattes with them, and convince them to give up their atomic ambitions. That's what worries these Arab leaders, as it should. Should be an interesting week."

Interesting in deed!

Islam Day?

On Wednesday, Hawaii's State Senate overwhelming approved a bill to celebrate "Islam Day" on September 24th.

Hmmm...

Is it just me, or does this seem bizarre? My own beliefs notwithstanding, I don't understand why any state entity would approve a day to celebrate one particular religion over another, especially given the furor over so-called "separation of church and state" that seems to only be applied to Christianity.

I mean, you would never hear of a "Christian Day" or "Jewish Day" or "Buddhist Day". What about "Voodoo Day", or "Hindu Day"? I could go on, but I think you get the point.

The bill seeks to recognize "the rich religious, scientific, cultural and artistic contributions" that Islam and the Islamic world have made. It does not call for any spending or organized celebration of Islam Day.

Then what's the point?

People generally get all bent out of shape and inside out over the idea that we are a Christian nation with Christian foundations. They argue that government shouldn't have anything to do with religion.

Apparently not Hawaii.

Get Yours Today

In my hands I hold two of the greatest statements of human liberty ever written: The Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.

As a practical matter, the Declaration of Independence, adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776, publicly announced to the world the unanimous decision of the American colonies to declare themselves free and independent states, absolved from any allegiance to Great Britain. Yet it is also the definitive American statement of the conditions of legitimate political authority, the ends of government, and the sovereignty of the people. James Madison, the Father of the Constitution, called it "the fundamental Act of Union of these States."

To this day, some 200+ years after the American revolution, the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution serve not only as powerful beacons to all those who strive for liberty and seek to vindicate the principles of self-government, but also as a warning to tyrants and despots everywhere. They are the highest achievements of our political tradition; they still define us as a people and a nation. Taken together, these great documents represent the heritage of our Country.

taken from the forward of the "Pocket Constitution" from the Heritage Foundation. Get your free copy here.

Freedom isn't free.

Quiet Time

What is quiet time, you say? Well, it's supposed to be a time to wind down during the day. A time when the chaos dims, when you can reconnect with God or just plain take a nap.

Needless to say, that doesn't happen very often around here. Here's what quiet time looks like at my house.

Stage 1. When my kids are too young to climb out of the crib, I can just put them in bed and walk away. That works well until the inevitable day when I hear a "thump" and wailing coming from the baby monitor. They have learned how to climb out of the crib but have not learned about gravity yet. We then progress to stage 2.

Stage 2. I let them play in their rooms and shut the door. Of course I have to do damage control in their rooms which takes all the next day until quiet time again...*sigh*... Now, I can keep them in there until they learn how to turn the knob on the door, or until they can dismantle a baby gate, whichever comes first. Then they come down every five minutes asking me if they can get up yet. That's when we get to stage 3.

Stage 3. At this point, I give them the remote control and tell them I'm going to take a nap. This works well because They have a pre-determined list of shows they can watch, and I get a little sleep. Of course by the time I get to this point it's time to get up and make dinner...

This is my Life

I know it's been a long time since I've posted, and I'm not really posting here, just giving you Todd Wilson's latest post from his web site, familymanweb.com

I have so much to catch you all up on, dear readers. It's been so hectic around here since the holidays. hubby's been layed off, I'm going back to school.

*sigh*

There just isn't enough time in the day to chronicle everything right now, so it will have to wait.

In the meantime, enjoy Todd's latest post. It's very near and dear to my heart.

Ann Landers Meets Her Match
March 21, 2009

Trying to bring order and harmony to the Wilson home, I decided it was time to consult Ann Landers about the problem. Here is her answer:

If you open it, close it.
If you turn it on, turn it off.
If you unlock it, lock it up.
If you break it, admit it.
If you can’t fix it, call someone who can.
If you borrow it, return it.
If you value it, take care of it.
If you make a mess, clean it up.
If you move it, put it back.
If it belongs to someone else, get permission to use it.
If you don’t know how to operate it, leave it alone.

NOT Bad…but not want I wanted, so I decided to write my own. So here is the Familyman List designed to bring order to your home:

If it looks like you could break it, cut it, or rip it, don’t TRY to break it, cut it, or rip it.

If it’s shiny, don’t touch it.

If it’s growing in the yard, don’t cut it down.

If the family room floor is cover in toys, don’t bring out more.

Throwing a wrapper on the floor is not the same as throwing it in the trash.

If you’ve eaten the last waffle, Pop-tart, or slice of bread don’t put the box or wrapper back in the pantry…don’t leave it on the counter…don’t drop it in the floor…go crazy, and throw it away!!!!

If it needs a key to start it, open it, or use it, back away from it slowly.

If the game has more than two pieces, don’t play with it.

Just because MY computer has a keyboard doesn’t mean you should touch it.

When in doubt…go to your room.

An Old Draft I Thought Worth Rehashing

I may have won the battle, but I think I'm losing the war.

Remember my first post? I thought I was being a sensitive mother who decided to love my kid rather than the "thing" (her wall). She had drawn all over it, and being the sensitive mother that I was, I didn't chastise her for her "creativity". Instead I chose to overlook an offense, and talk to her about it later.

Well, I did that and felt very good at the time. Unfortunately, I don't think I made that much of an impression on her.

Since then she has drawn on her dresser, her sister's bed and the back of her door. So I take away all forms of writing implements and I think I've won.

Not in the least! The next time I caught her in her closet with a jar full of honey. The day after, it was a bottle of baby powder (I didn't even know we had baby powder).

I have tried every approach I can think of to get her to stop being destructive. I have tried loving, chastising, lecturing, hugging, even a techniques I have heard called "tomato staking" (long story).

Nothing!

She seems bent on living "wild and free" as it were. Then when I finally think I got through to her, littlest one started. We are still in the midst of trying to reign in all the artistic creativity in this house...

The End of a Nation

I know it's been a while, but I wanted to give everybody a chance to enter in my book giveaway.

I will also say that I never intended this blog to be political and, therefore, I will try to keep my political commentary short here. Here is a wonderful quote that a friend of mine posted on his Facebook page. It bears thinking about.

"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation.

"You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."

~~~ The late Dr. Adrian Rogers , 1931 to 2005 ~~~

If "con" is the opposite of "pro", then is congress the opposite of progress?

I say this because I have been watching CNN on occasion (I was forced), and saw how hypocritical many members of congress are being. For instance:

I watched as a female congress woman (don't know who) called the executives on Wall Street "Idiots" (those were her exact words) that couldn't handle money and didn't have any character with the funds that were given to them.

This is the same congress that voted themselves raises this year, despite the massive economic slow down.

I also watched a bit of the congressional hearing where a question was posed to the bank execs, asking them which companies owned or leased private planes. All hands went up except for one.

Let it be known by all that Nancy Pelosi has her own private jet.

Hypocrisy is acting in a manner contradictory to one's professed beliefs and feelings, or conversely, expressing false beliefs and opinions in order to conceal one's real feelings or motives.

And by the way, does it not bother anyone that the President's appointees all evade their taxes?

Am I alone in being concerned about this?

One last thought. Here is an excellent and timely article written in a biography about Davey Crockett when he served in congress. A very good read.

Mid-Winter Blues and Book Giveaway Reminder

Just a reminder that if you want to receive a free copy of my new book, you have one week left to enter the drawing. If you refer someone to the site and they tell me you referred them, you'll be entered twice!

Now, who out there is having the mid-year winter blues? I'm not talking about the emotional condition that is commonly associated with the season we are in. I am talking about the "it's too cold to send the kids outside to play and they're jumping off the walls" kind of attitude.

Now, I live in Georgia. Many of the wonderful nature readers and storybooks we read to the kids refer to my state as the "Sunny Southland".

Yes, it was sunny this morning.

19 degrees.

A few flakes of snow.

My apologies to all you Yankees, I know it's a bit frigid up there. But it's not supposed to be here!!

It's supposed to be cold, but glory be! People from up North move down here to get away from the cold! Not drive into it!!

...Sigh...

The real reason I'm tired of the cold is I want to send the children outside. But as we wimpy homeschoolers down South have no parkas, they cannot go outside. I have no desire to see my children turn blue from the cold. Strange, I know.

Two more months. I can do this!

In the meantime, make sure you get signed up for the giveaway!

God Bless,
Brandie

OK. Time for a giveaway! Blogging is all about readership, and I want to increase mine, as well as get the word out about my new historical fiction novella, "The Time Has Come." You want to know more? Setting? Plot? Aha! Read on...

I have posted the first chapter in my other blog, where I am holding the giveaway. I want to hear what you think about it. If you post a comment on the other blog, you will be automatically entered into a drawing to receive a PDF copy of the whole book.

Increase your chances of winning by referring someone! (Reader must also post a comment and site your name to be eligible).

The deadline to enter will be February 13th at midnight. The winner will be chosen at random by monkey ninjas and announced on February 23rd.

Here's the link. Thanks!

Yes, Jesus Loves Me...

This has been a hard weekend.

Hubby got laid off on Friday, and though I know in my head everything will be alright, it's been easy to be a bit nervous.

But as I was in church today, I was reminded a passage from one of one of my favorite books, "The Basket of Flowers."

"But God, who chastens even is best-loved children, will not suffer them to become too deeply attached to the things of earth. Afflictions (troubles) are sent to remind them that this world is not their rest-to wean their affections from earth, and fix them securely above."

In other words, God in His mercy allows to be taken away from us things that may distract us from depending on Him.

Things like a job.

Then at dinner, I was tidying and watching Lady bug, who is almost two, play after getting down from the table. She started singing:

"Yes, Jesus loves me. The bible tells me so."

Yes, Lord, I hear You. These words from my toddler hit home and I remember that You are in control.

Hubby's work is not my anchor or my security.

You are.

Thank you.

Good Things Come in Small Packages

Superhero is an enigma.

On one hand, he is a super-kinetic ball of energy that tends to use the walls in the house to change his trajectory, rather than slowing down.

The other day I was trimming his nails, and he wouldn't quit moving. I cautioned him several times to hold still or he was going to get hurt, but he just couldn't do it. Finally I raised my voice so he knew I was very serious, and he managed to keep his body still.

However, all his energy went out his mouth. He babbled almost incomprehensibly the entire time he was still. As soon as I gave him the OK to move, his mouth closed and the never-ending movement started again.

But that's not what I came here to tell you.

On the other hand, there is another side to him that frankly freaks me out a bit. I've been told it's a boy thing, and I hope so.

Superhero is completely obsessed with all things villain. The only acceptable hero for him at the moment is the dark knight, and he doesn't even know what that is!! He's never seen the movie, heck I've never seen the movie, but it's dark and therefore somehow cool!!!

But that's not what I came here to tell you either.

On the other hand (yes, that's 3 hands), Superhero is the most generous, sweet and thoughtful person you could ever meet.

Tonight we were in the car and Princess asked what "shiny" meant. So we talked about the different things that were shiny, like metal, glass, gold, silver, the moon, sun, God, and then Superhero said, "Ponygirl's eyes are shiny. They light up when she smiles."

Well, that made more than Ponygirls's night. I was so touched, I just had to soak in the moment. It's so easy to get overwhelmed in day-to-day details of raising children that it's nice to experience a true heart exposure.

In reality, even though Superhero is rough, gruff and sometimes spiteful, he treasures his sisters. All of them. When he wants someone to play with, the first one he seeks out is Princess. He can be so gentle with Ladybug, and he dotes over her. He gets the "protection of sisters" thing with her.

And he adores his older sister. Truly.

One of my favorite songs has a chorus that says:
"I will look at You (God) and say it's gonna be worth it, it's gonna be worth it all."


It's worth it. It really is.