Pure Silliness

These pictures really don't need much explanation beyond the title to this blog post.  

I get a kick out of my silly kiddos!

(P.S. Mic was independant wardrobe designer for this playtime)

...I will say that the children's toy industry has us wrapped around their little finger.  Society as a general whole will buy about anything that we think might make our little tykes "happy".  And it is easy to forget that good, clean fun and healthy entertainment is often the least expensive and most ecological.  The list of household items that can help entertain (and educate) the children for hours at a time is almost endless.

Here's a partial list just to kindle your creativity: buckets, plastic tubs and basins, cardboard boxes of all sizes, kitchen utensils, soap, sponge, rags, hats, mittens, scarves, clothes and shoes from mom and dad's closet, scrap paper, scissors, spools, string or yarn, egg shells, raw rice or lentils, water, cotton balls, junk mail, plastic containers and lids from the kitchen, empty plastic bottles, empty egg cartons, muffin tin, pillows, blankets, tape, glue, cardboard tubes from TP, paper towels and wrapping paper, rocks, leaves, scrap wood, flowers, weeds, dirt, tin cans with or without lids, books, map or atlas, empty flower pots, magnets, hand lotion, measuring cups and spoons... ...and much, much more.  Then of course there could be an even longer list about the infinite ways of combining and using said material for learning and play...but for now I'll leave that creative process untainted for you by my ideas. Happy playing!!! ; )

Beyond Grateful

There are many times in my life when I am too caught up in the tangible and so unaware of the "other" reality.  The invisible. Spiritual forces at work.  GOD.  The last several weeks the opposite has been true.  I can sense that the hand of the Lord, His mercy and favor has permeated every area of my reality.  I can't descibe it.  Words aren't quite enough to explain His enveloping presence, invisble, yet REAL, in every detail.  No, things aren't perfect, in fact some things are down right hard.  Its not about a rose colored lense.  Its about consuming consciencness of the Lord's presence.  I am so thankful to Him.
Its all been quite a whirlwind.  Mom was released to come home on  Tues. June 28.  I spent most of that day at the airport trying to get my hands on a ticket.  It turns out that Portland must be a popular summer destination.  There literally were no seats left to be had at a reasonable price on any airline to Portland.  Anywhere else you'de like to go in the world, no problem. Portland, "I'm sorry, we are booked solid".  But the Lord most certainly knew I longed to go and backed my longing.  I did finally get a seat I could afford!  On both flights going I had DJ on my lap and there was not one single unoccupied seat in the entire plane.  It was interesting, to say the least.  And got a little bit hairy when she started her piercing scream. I was so thankful to be sitting next to gracious, kind people, and will never again so judge that other person with the screaming child on my flight.  Sometimes there really truly is just nothing a body can do about it.
My week with Mom was a gift from God.  One that I will forever treasure in my memory.  It was a blessing for everyone involved.
Mom is "past the worst" yet still with a very long road ahead.  A tough spot to occupy in this "hurry up" world that we live in.  She continues to deal with extreme exhaustion, dizziness and nausia at times.  There is little she can do to hurry this recovery as much as she would love to.  So we mostly spent the week, trying to help make the waiting a little more enjoyable and less tedious.  A worthy task, and also some much needed rest for my own soul. Ahhhhhhh.
I cannot mention Mom's recovery without expressing gratitude for one very special person.  Bob.  Bob, I want to publically thank and honor you for sticking by Mom's side and offering her the care she needs night and day.  I am so thankful that God brought you into her/our lives.