Walk with me, if you dare

Being able to walk to the school to pick up my kids is something that I look forward to with great anticipation, as do they. Recently the weather made that first opportunity present itself, and after days of the kids asking if 'today was the day', I was finally able to commit to a walk-home-from-school-request. Everyone was excited as they headed out to school that day.

I awakened Ms. Elli from her nap, loaded her into the jogging stroller along with a consolatory sippy of chocolate milk for disturbing her peaceful sleep, and leashed up the hound for what promised to be an interesting walk/jog to the school.

Bobbi (the hound) was electrified with excitement. She seemed to sense that we were on our way to gather the children and most importantly 'her boy'. I fought the urge to just leave her behind, as I realized that holding her leash while maintaining proper 'walking training' along with the pushing of the stroller was going to be tricky....to say the least. But off we went. The 12 or so block trip over was speedy and uneventful. To keep up with Bobbi's enthusiasm we found it easiest to jog.

The bell rang. Seconds passed and four very happy faces came bounding through the doorway as they realized that mom had indeed remembered, today was the day. "Did you bring me a sweatshirt?" one inquired. To which I replied, "No hon, I don't think you will even need it, but if you do you can wear mine." Face sours. "Everyone put on your tennis shoes, you won't need your snow boots to walk home." I ordered. Excitedly they complied.

As I stood visiting with a teacher as she admired the hound, the sour faced child somehow found a way to slip and fall while standing perfectly still behind me. No injuries to body incurred and she quickly leaped up and nodded her head in assurance to the inquires as to whether or not she was okay. As she walked away from the gathering of people around the circus tent of our life, I noticed the slumped shoulders and stiff chin.

I excused my brood and headed out. As I walked nearer to her, I realized that while her body was not injured her pride seemed a bit bruised. Adding to the tears streaming down her pinched up face was the fact that her pants now were wet from the fall. In an encouraging tone I said, "It's okay babe, as long as you aren't hurt, your pants will dry long before we get home. Let's walk!" It was obvious my optimism wasn't being felt. But on we trundled.

Boy with hound, sister and brother dragging sticks through mud and remaining snow piles, baby in stroller, and Sour Puss lagging behind. "I NEED NEW SHOES! These ones are all wet!" Deep sigh. "Try not to walk in the puddles if wet shoes bother you." "How can I NOT walk in puddles? That's what they are there for?" Good point, even if a bit irrational.

The walk continued. The Boy was growing ever impatient with hound's lack of cooperation on the leash and has started to border on frantic and explosive. Sister Sour Puss' constant whining and moaning of wet feet add to his anxiety and cause him to fling less than kind comments back and forth between the restless pooch and annoying sister. Thus making the sister cry and moan all the more. Baby in stroller, and brother and sister with sticks are oblivious.

"I thought that everyone was excited about a walk home from school today. I know everything isn't easy but could we try and enjoy it and stop complaining and picking on one another? (directed at frustrated son) I will walk the dog for you, and you can push the stroller." We swapped rolls and continued on.

The mindless hound still refused to cooperate without causing herself great discomfort, but I said nothing and carried on. Son however grew increasingly annoyed with his devoted companion and expresses his disgust with her stupidity at every possible opportunity. Sour Puss sister is growing increasingly angry with her wet feet, loud brother, stupid dog and long walk. "I want to put my boots back on!" She demands. Done. Boots on. Carrying on.

Upon seeing the hound appear to be settling, son requested ownership of his beloved yet deeply despised pet and continued on walking. I waited as patiently as possible for me, for Sour Puss to catch up but realized quickly that she intended to lag behind for dramatic purposes. Tolerating only so much I asked, "Why do you suppose that five children are out for a walk home with their mom and only one is finding a reason to cry and complain about everything?" (Momentarily forgetting son's issues with hound) To which the only response I was given was a louder wail.

Deeper sigh. I leaned in closely to her face trying with all my might to see the sunshine that usually resided there despite the deep frustration I felt at her unwarranted attitude. "Do you have any idea how ridiculous we must look to the people passing us by?" "I DON'T CARE!" "Well, I have to be honest....I kind of do." I admitted. And on we walked.

Not much in the way of conversation transpired between Sour Puss and the others during the remaining blocks of our trip. Sometimes a complete ignoring of the behavior is the only silencer of it. But as the final two blocks came into view the tears were still streaming down the face and the moaning and groaning had only ceased for brief seconds of re-energizing. The others raced on ahead, equally as exited to be done with their walk as they were upon starting it.

With stroller stopped I waited for her to join me. Not wanting to bring this into our home, I knelt down and took her face in my hand. "Please tell mom why you are crying and what causes you to get this way when I can not think of any reason that you may have to be so upset. You are such a joy in school and would never behave like this there." Between sobs, "I don't even KNOW why I'm crying!" "Okay, that's okay. Then let's just be done with it." Exclaiming loudly, "But mom, I don't ever get to cry in school. My tears just needed to get out."

A long hug followed as her body seemed to relax a bit. I looked into her face and asked, "Are they gone now? Are the smiles ready to come back?" Only the grin through her tear streaked face was my response.

So what do you think, anyone up for a walk with me?

The wonders of the Magic Eraser

So sometimes a woman, especially a woman with a full quiver, needs to multitask.

I leave it up to you to disclose in the comment section some of your more unusual forms of multitasking...for the rest of us to admire, steal the idea, laugh at with you, or be totally judgemental about.

There are many ways in which I multitask, however, most of them prove to be totally ineffective.

My latest attempt was when I grabbed the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser right before jumping into the shower. You see, I had noticed upon the last visit I had in there, that the tiles were collecting far more than a few water droplets. And yet, I still had not made the time to tackle the project.

So what better use of time while waiting for the darn conditioner to do its thing, than to incorporate a little cleaning, other than my body parts, while in the shower?

I have to be completely honest when I say that as I marvelled yet again (I'm a simple woman) at the cleaning power and pure 'magic' in that little sponge, I was more than a wee bit tempted to give my thighs and stomach region a good scrubbin' with the magic eraser.

I have seen it remove soap scum, crayon, marker, nail polish, mildew, mold, etc. etc. etc. Do you have any idea how much the stock price would go up if they could add stretch marks and cellulite to the list of evils it can erase? Profits would soar within minutes, I guarantee.

No, I did not. I resisted the urge assuming that the chemicals necessary to remove nail polish may just leave my delicate skin rather angry. But I'm telling you, it was tempting.

Covered in Spring

I apologize teachers. I really do. I know that my children must arrive at school looking like dirty street urchins. Their usually neat and tidy coats now wear the grime of thawing ground and melting snow. And yes, a mother much better than I, would certainly feel obligated to wash them daily. But times are tough. And Tide is not cheap. And the battle is a losing one. Please forgive me.

I mean not to complain, honestly. I love all that Spring has to offer....so to speak, the warming temperatures, the promise of new life and growth, sunshine and warm winds. It is the uglier parts of Spring that leave me a bit annoyed. Of all the seasons Spring is the only one that insists on bringing it's dirty self right into my living room carpet. Every trip outdoors results in wet, often muddy shoes, gloves, pant legs and if you are one of my children...often a wet and muddy tushie. Seems they can not feel the seepage until it has done its damage, and then what the heck---may as well sit a spell and enjoy it.

So look not disapprovingly on my mothering skills because my children are filthy. We are choosing a more optimistic approach and just thinking of ourselves covered in Spring.

Randomly speaking

I have not been very good at posting pictures on here as of late. Well, I should be honest....I have not been very good about posting anything on here as of late. Life, ya know?

But here is a very random, or to sound a bit more artisic and intentional, ECLECTIC assortment and sampling of what my life has been focused upon lately.

Isn't she lovely? I am continually amazed at how time is changing her.

The absence of television has brought out creativity in massive doses. And I simply could not be any happier. And yes, that is the play-dough that I made. See, I can be creative too.

A rare opportunity to get a picture of my brood...all sitting down....all together....all without ketchup on their faces....all smiling....without trying to pull anyone's hair....or slap a little brother's head...YES people, I think I will get a shot of that!

Kate sharing her mad mapping skills to her classmates. Her map was titled, "Lake Herman: My familily's favorite place."

Holdin' a friend's baby. YAY! When is that ever not an amazing thing?

All of the kids were over the moon for Baby Mason. Yes, even Elli.

They even gave him up for a moment so that this Mama could hold him.

Check out her form? Kate is a natural.

Remember the guy in the middle. Noah celebrated his 6th birthday folks. Simply miraculous.

Elizabeth had to get in on the bowling action. Not sure if I am helping her push it or trying to keep her from following it down the alley.

Of course, Dad had a better solution.

Me and my girl in our hats. Or should I say, in Elli's hats! Can anyone say....CHEESY?

Craving the Son

For some, Lent may seem to come at such an odd time in the seasonal calendar. Just when we are coming out of the doldrums of Winter, embracing the beauty of Spring, we spiritually are called back into a desert.

Not exactly a time when we want to be taking ourselves through a bleak, empty and deserted place. Not when we most want to be refraining, abstaining and going within. We are so ready to throw open the shades, adorn ourselves in bright color and perhaps be a bit extravagant.

For me, Lent comes at the perfect time, seasonally. As the cold of Winter begins to warm, and the bright suns of Spring remain for longer periods of the day, I feel the need to not only physically shed my winter coat, but spiritually as well. Just as the dead skin cells on my feet need a good exfoliation about now, so does my Spirit.

As I head into Spring a bit weary from the darkness of Winter and this world, I am fully expectant of the beauty that is the Son, to shine brightly down on me.

Dang you Nutella!

Just another ordinary day here in the household of Encouragement & Reassurance. Or perhaps more accurately, Truth & Honesty.

While running some errands with my girls, I felt a soft hand casually make its way to my belly region and rest gently there for a moment or two. Seeing this as a tad bit odd, I looked down into the brown eyes of my nine-year old, who had a curious expression upon her beautiful face. "What, may I ask, are you doing?" I inquired. "Nothing, just checking." She innocently responded.

Fast forward three or four hours. Upon sitting down for family reading time, my oldest walks across the room to snag a blanket before cozying in for a long read, and in the process shares this nugget: "Mom, you look pregnant today."

Dang you Nutella. Dang you!

The next forty days

How will what I choose to give up (or take on) benefit others?

That is the message that has stuck with me these days heading into Lent. It is so easy to start an evaluation of self and come up with a list a mile long of things that I could and should do (always) but have been lax on, and use Lent as an opportunity to get 'back in shape'...so to speak. Stop eating sweets, exercise more, drink less soda, read more scripture...etc. etc. etc.

But in an encouraging message from an insightful priest, I was challenged to think beyond that. Certainly healthy lifestyle habits do benefit others, especially my family. But is that the motivation behind my goal?

Instead, if giving up soda is my goal for Lent....what will I do with the money I save in purchasing it? Will I just spend it on some Diet Green Tea instead? Or place it into a rice bowl to be given to missions overseas, for those who have not such luxuries?

As I think on these things, I am looking at areas that I can truly give up something for the betterment of others, or take on something for the very same reason.

Giving up television for the forty days of Lent has been a tradition for our family for ten years now. This year I will be thinking about those hours spent doing other things, and really analyze how I am using that new found time for someone other than myself.

I encourage you, just as I was encouraged, to think about what you want to refrain from and what you want to indulge in over the forty days of Lent.

Giving up criticism, taking on encouragement. Giving up pride, taking on humility. Giving up anger, taking on forgiveness. Giving up worry, taking on hope. Giving up the need to be right, taking on understanding. Giving up excess, taking on poverty.

How will what I give up benefit others?

Lent is more than just an introspective retreat of one. It is a journey as a body of Christ.

A month long celebration

Olivia's birth month always comes at the perfect time to serve as distraction from the cold and dreary days of winter. And while we do celebrate the other children's birthday's in many special ways, hers always seems like more of a month long celebration than a day! Here are just a 'few' of the snapshots of her fun!