Hotdogs for breakfast

Mommy, me three hot dog....


Hmmm, having to regulate the amount of hotdogs eaten in any given day was a new experience for me.


Other things have been very much the same, in any culture or any language.


"Mommy, lookameeeee!" is Vilnis' number one useful English expression. Jumping in the pool 100 times in a row without ever losing the desire to have each jump be celebrated and noticed.


"Mommy, me pretty?", nine year old Natalija wonders. "Yes, Natalija. You are very pretty."
"Me hair?"
"Yes, I like your hair-do. I think it's cute and spunky."
"Me too."


Thank you, God, for a normal day of normal things.
Thank you, Grandmama and Granddaddy for loving on Laurel and Brennan at sailing camp this week. Three kids now seems like a breeze.
Perspective.

Psalm 121

"Run for the hills" was the advice given to my husband by a well-meaning Christian friend...a male friend...a pastor friend, when venting about the anger management issues we have been dealing with.


To which, this verse popped into my head in defense: Psalm 121:1-3, 7


I lift my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip-
He who watches over you will not slumber....
He will watch over your life


Safety is not in self-preservation, but in obedience to the loving hands of God, our Father.


This may be an obedience journey in the beginning, but I can already see so many blessings that may come, not just for them, but for us all.


Sweet hugs, smiles, thank yous, and a safe place to grow up and learn of the one who LOVES them.


May our love not grow tired and weary.
May our compassions never fail, the very way that you love us.
May faithfulness never leave us.


God, only You can love like that.
Please teach us.

237 times

My name "Mama, Mommy, mamu, MOM!!!! was called 237 times today. Two hundred and thirty-seven times that I counted. I reached a desperate point around mid-day...not sure that I can do this.

Tears at bedtime (not mine).
Smiles and hugs.
Stories shared.
Swimming in the pool.
Playdough swept off the floor.
Bone weary.

Why is five exponentially harder than three?

Psalm 55:22a, “Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you.” (NLT)

John 13:35, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (NLT)