Mr. Smackdown Has a New Pair of Shoes

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Proverbs 18:10

In the 1940's, George de Mestral went on a walk with his dog. That walk lead to the discovery of Velcro. When the man and his best friend arrived home, he discovered their legs covered in burdock. This thistle gift found in nature hastened children being able to put shoes on without help and a lack of tripping from laces hanging like spaghetti of their feet.

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

I've come a long way. As a teacher, I disdained Velcro on my students. Why? I felt that a 5 year old should be able to tie their shoe. It was a necessary fine motor skill.

I wasn't a parent in my teaching days. Now I know why Velcro shoes are so helpful to a parent. I have always had my children in Velcro, until now.

"I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I
feel His pleasure." Eric Liddell in the movie, Chariots of Fire

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

1 Corinthians 9: 24-27

This picture represents yet another rite of passage that we have made this Spring. Mr. Smackdown got his first pair of lace up running shoes.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Hebrews 12:1

I find myself being pretty sentimental about this purchase. It is yet another step of teaching my child how to be independent, of me letting go. My hope and prayer is that as he gains independence, grows, and learns, that he will run with perseverance the race God has for him.

Read this ONLY if you like Poop!

This is Bapu's Bathroom. This is the bathroom that Gandhi used when he was alive. We lived in India and it wasn't uncommon to see men urinating along the side of the road or people squatting in a field as the train rumbled by.

It isn't unusual for people to use the bathroom. It is a comforting place that provides relief and a potentially hygienic outlet to empty yourself.

We have three flushing toilets in our house, and they are all used quite frequently, though not quite so clean due to little boys learning how to use the potty correctly. Even when we camp, we designate a particular spot to pee and poop. If you have to go #2, you simply dig a hole and cover up #2 with the recently moved dirt.

All of this is to say that I never thought anyone older than 4 would use my backyard to go to the bathroom. I will spare you the details. But as I sat down to enjoy some solitude with the Lord this morning, I looked up only to see someone relieving themselves (pooping) in the back of our yard--thinking that the trees hid him.

Nope. It didn't work. I could see him.

I am in shock. And I had gotten to the point of talking myself out of walking to Subway and the park. (It has been a rough day.) We would stay home.

But I just couldn't do it after this turn of events. I felt slightly contaminated and too grossed out to go play near the poop.

I comprised. I hastily made lunch and we drove to the state park.

I didn't have the park pass. I think God knew that I was about ready to break down into tears. The kind woman working waved us through.

It should have been fun.

But it wasn't.But I did get some good pictures.

Tot School 2

"The main part of intellectual education is not the acquisition of facts but learning how to make facts live." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes

Tot School created a lot of excitement last week. The boys were anxious to see what I had been cutting out and coloring. Envelopes are a favorite "toy" in our house. They were amazed that I had made an envelope! So when you combine Tot Time and envelopes you are asking for FUN!

We started by organizing Unifix Cubes from smallest to tallest. Then, the boys worked on sorting dinosaurs and apples from smallest to largest. Now, please don't think that I created these cool dinosaurs and apples. They were compliments of a great website called www.filefolderfun.com. If time allowed we would have found household objects and sorted them, too. But Grandma arrived with Starbucks, so Tot Time ended ended in our Coffee Time tradition!

Storms, Swing Sets, Red Box, and God's Word

The anniversary of the day our swing set flew is approaching. It was a crazy night. A night I don't wish to repeat. Our trees still lean from the submissive wind beating they took.

Let me just mention that soon after that swing set had been built (the first time), the hotty husband had remarked, "Nothing will ever move this heavy thing." I agree, Rainbow Play Sets are built to last.

But not to withstand a tornado.

I am not superstitious. His statement did not cause the wind storm. But it did serve as a reminder that only eternal things will remain.

While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

At one point during this nerve wracking rain event, we gathered up one-week old Mr. Smiley and his two older brothers. We discovered that our tiny downstairs bathroom could contain two adults, a toddler, one preschooler and a large panting dog with bad breath. Any attempt to look out our windows proved futile. The wind was so strong that the rain looked like bullets with strings attached as they screamed down from the heavens. Almost as quickly as the storm started it dissipated.

In the wee-hours of the morning our neighbors ventured out. Everyone was cautious, as if our street was suffering the aftermaths of a nuclear attack. We saw more neighbors that night than normally seen during the day. You could hear fire sirens rushing from one call to the next in that soaked silence.

The hubby, always looking for adventure, went out. He discovered that the swing set had been picked up and dropped 20 feet.

My immediate self-less thought, of course was, "What on earth am I going to do without a swing set to entertain two children with a new baby in the house?" OK . . . it wasn't one of my finer or profound or spiritual comments. I am human.

This natural disaster taught me many things.

But today God showed me a new thing.

The boys and I have been trying to memorize scripture and I find I am consistent to do it as long as I have my cool Memory Cross Scripture cards. One of our current verses is:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

I always hope that somehow God will allow the boys to see Scripture in action and to see how God keeps His promises. I know that God's Word doesn't return void. But they are 2 and 4 years old.

So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me
empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

God used our trip to Red Box tonight to show me that He is at work in my children's lives. We passed by the local store that entices children with their massive collection of deluxe swing sets. Mr. Smackdown looks out the Loser Cruiser window and says, "Oh, that's the place where we got our new swing set. I like that place. I want another storm so that we can get a new swing set."

Mr. Smackdown doesn't remember how Mommy and Daddy had to work hard cleaning up the damage. He doesn't remember hearing us call the insurance company countless times. He remembers a new kiddy pool created by our twisted slide. He remembers having a picnic in his bedroom with Nana while Daddy worked. He remembers good times while hammering with Daddy. He remembers God giving us back something good from something bad. Our swing set was restored and in the process we had great times of fellowship together.

All things work for the good of those who love Him. Do you love God? I'm not promising that you will always have good come your way. God doesn't work like a Jeanie in a bottle. But He does love His children. He loves you.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

I must admit, I am so thankful that Mr. Smiley had been born the week before. Though Mr. Smiley came into the world surrounded by candle-light, it was by my choice, not due to a storm.!

It Takes a Village to Raise a Child

Mr. Smiley will be turning one very soon. However, we just got him dedicated.

Luke 2 tells us how Jesus was dedicated in Jerusalem by His parents. Now, I am not quite sure how many weeks Jesus would have been by that point--as the "time of purification" had to be completed first before Jesus was dedicated.

If Hottie Husband were around, I would ask him. But I guess we will all have to wait for his post for this answer or he could leave a comment. Anyway, I doubt Jesus was three weeks shy of turning one.

But it was very cool.

Four children from our Home Fellowship (a.k.a. small group, bible study, etc.) were dedicated. It was neat to stand up there with this group of people. Fine fellow Adrian made a cool comment. We were making a statement by dedicating our children together last Sunday (and nearly breaking the stage by all of our weight). We showed our commitment to helping each other raise our children in the knowledge of the Lord.

We are living life together and it feels good. We might be in-laws. So we had better get used to living life together!

Train up a child in the way he should go,

And when he is old he will not depart from it

Proverbs 22: 6