Claire is the one in the center, with dark clothes.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Scamming the Tooth Fairy
As I was driving the girls to school the other day my oldest (Claire) said to me that her tooth was so loose she thought she could pull it out. I told that was fine if she wanted to do that. Secretly, I was glad she wanted to do it herself because the thought of pulling it out for her made my knees buckle (I am not sure how I ever was able to loose my own baby teeth). Claire decided she would wait until she got to school so then she could get a “tooth badge” or maybe it was a “tooth bag”. Either way, it was good because I didn’t have to get involved!!!
I zoned out again for awhile only to tune in later and hear my youngest (Gwen) convincing Claire to put the tooth under her pillow. Claire pleasantly said “Okay and you can get the money”. I tell you, my future is looking scary; I have one budding scam artist and another innocently, trusting one just waiting to be scammed and cheerfully at that!
However, Claire is not unintelligent, as she did think to tell her sister that she better not smile in her dreams or the Tooth Fairy would know that it was not her tooth. She then began to ponder deeper and stated in an inquiring way “The Tooth Fairy doesn’t see us, right mom?” I assume this was to mean like God or Santa Claus. So Claire then deduced that the Tooth Fairy must visit every child’s bed every night and check under each pillow for teeth that have fallen out. And if the whole conversation wasn’t crazy or humorous enough, I found myself thinking that this is terribly inefficient and there must be some way to send alerts to the tooth fairy only from beds with teeth in them!!!
I zoned out again for awhile only to tune in later and hear my youngest (Gwen) convincing Claire to put the tooth under her pillow. Claire pleasantly said “Okay and you can get the money”. I tell you, my future is looking scary; I have one budding scam artist and another innocently, trusting one just waiting to be scammed and cheerfully at that!
However, Claire is not unintelligent, as she did think to tell her sister that she better not smile in her dreams or the Tooth Fairy would know that it was not her tooth. She then began to ponder deeper and stated in an inquiring way “The Tooth Fairy doesn’t see us, right mom?” I assume this was to mean like God or Santa Claus. So Claire then deduced that the Tooth Fairy must visit every child’s bed every night and check under each pillow for teeth that have fallen out. And if the whole conversation wasn’t crazy or humorous enough, I found myself thinking that this is terribly inefficient and there must be some way to send alerts to the tooth fairy only from beds with teeth in them!!!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Raising Claire and Gwen
There have been a number of things the girls have said lately that I keep meaning to get down but seem to never find the time. Here are some of them.
Claire and Gwen are taking part in this Junior Acolyte program and soon they will be carrying in the cross during one of the morning services. The leader had explained to them, that the one carrying the cross was not to be the center of attention, that at church God is the most important one. Later that night as I was laying in Claire's bed saying prayers with her, I asked her if she knew why we worship God and why He is most important. Claire (who has been feeling quite slighted by any attention her sister gets lately) answered grumpily "Because He always wants to be the center of attention!"
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Gwen told me the other day she met the boy she was going to marry! There is a little boy named Jacob who she sees on the playground at school. She had told me how they had played in the sand together and how he says hi to her. Thinking how cute and innocent this all was, I was sharing the news with my niece Meghan (in front of Claire and Gwen) and how Gwen plays with Jacob in the sand box. Then Claire real serious says "only Mom, there is no sand box!". My mind is quicky flashing back to one of my teenage sisters excuses she used to secretly meet up with her boyfriend, arrrggghhh! "Claire, what do you mean there is no sandbox?!" "Well mom, there is a sand pile, but no sandbox". Whew! I still have a few years!!!!
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Yesterday Gwen did not want to go to school. When she woke up she told me she needed to stay home with Grandma because she believed she had diarrhea, though trust me that is something mom's do not usually miss noticing! Next, she decided her throat was scratchy and insisted I take her temperature. Normal temperature (she has not learned the light bulb trick yet). So I inform her she needs to go to school and to go get dressed. I hear Claire and her mulling around in their bedroom and pretty soon Claire, who is dressed for school, comes to inform me that "sister says she is going to throw up in 30 minutes. Really, she is not making it up!" As I glance down the hall I see Gwen has put on fresh pajamas and her bathrobe. I had to laugh though I did tell her that she would look pretty funny being the only one at school with her PJ's on!
Claire and Gwen are taking part in this Junior Acolyte program and soon they will be carrying in the cross during one of the morning services. The leader had explained to them, that the one carrying the cross was not to be the center of attention, that at church God is the most important one. Later that night as I was laying in Claire's bed saying prayers with her, I asked her if she knew why we worship God and why He is most important. Claire (who has been feeling quite slighted by any attention her sister gets lately) answered grumpily "Because He always wants to be the center of attention!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gwen told me the other day she met the boy she was going to marry! There is a little boy named Jacob who she sees on the playground at school. She had told me how they had played in the sand together and how he says hi to her. Thinking how cute and innocent this all was, I was sharing the news with my niece Meghan (in front of Claire and Gwen) and how Gwen plays with Jacob in the sand box. Then Claire real serious says "only Mom, there is no sand box!". My mind is quicky flashing back to one of my teenage sisters excuses she used to secretly meet up with her boyfriend, arrrggghhh! "Claire, what do you mean there is no sandbox?!" "Well mom, there is a sand pile, but no sandbox". Whew! I still have a few years!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yesterday Gwen did not want to go to school. When she woke up she told me she needed to stay home with Grandma because she believed she had diarrhea, though trust me that is something mom's do not usually miss noticing! Next, she decided her throat was scratchy and insisted I take her temperature. Normal temperature (she has not learned the light bulb trick yet). So I inform her she needs to go to school and to go get dressed. I hear Claire and her mulling around in their bedroom and pretty soon Claire, who is dressed for school, comes to inform me that "sister says she is going to throw up in 30 minutes. Really, she is not making it up!" As I glance down the hall I see Gwen has put on fresh pajamas and her bathrobe. I had to laugh though I did tell her that she would look pretty funny being the only one at school with her PJ's on!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Rich and Ageless
Rich and Ageless ... I am definitely not talking about myself! It is just how I would describe a certain few old hymns that I like. Here is one of my favorites that I heard on a Celtic Music CD I was listening to today. Any of you have a favorite?
Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee, Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight,
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.
Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tower.
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns Son!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.
Ancient Irish hymn, possibly from the 8th Century, tr. by Mary E. Byrne
Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee, Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight,
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.
Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tower.
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns Son!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.
Ancient Irish hymn, possibly from the 8th Century, tr. by Mary E. Byrne
Friday, April 20, 2007
Healing Words
This has been a rough week. There is just too much hate and hurt in this world. Some of this hatred and hurt begins and is spread through our words to others. Things we say or maybe don't say. I have been the recipient of some unkind words this week, but I know too well that I have also been the source of some hurtful words. I hope to do less and less of that in my life.
I have been also been touched this week by a different kind of words. Words that have brought healing and strength. We can do much destruction with our words but we can also bring about a lot of healing. Sometimes we should not speak. Silence, not words is what is needed. But there are moments, opportunities, we all have to bring comfort, encouragement and life with our words. Here are some of the words which were spoken to me this week which I want to pass on:
"I have a smile for everyone" quoting my mom
"Sometimes I get on my knees and bow my head and allow Jesus to straighten me. I am weak and he is strong.'' quoting my cousin Fred
"Remember, I have your back!" quoting a friend
And most of all the words "I Love You!!!" quoting family and friends
Peace
I have been also been touched this week by a different kind of words. Words that have brought healing and strength. We can do much destruction with our words but we can also bring about a lot of healing. Sometimes we should not speak. Silence, not words is what is needed. But there are moments, opportunities, we all have to bring comfort, encouragement and life with our words. Here are some of the words which were spoken to me this week which I want to pass on:
"I have a smile for everyone" quoting my mom
"Sometimes I get on my knees and bow my head and allow Jesus to straighten me. I am weak and he is strong.'' quoting my cousin Fred
"Remember, I have your back!" quoting a friend
And most of all the words "I Love You!!!" quoting family and friends
Peace
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Quoting my Kids
"Life is something you go through ... right mom?" (this was in response to one of my more meaningful mom answers of "that's the way life is honey")
"Mom, you could be President of the United States!" (I guess since everyone seems to be running these days Claire figured why not her mom)
"Sister is freaking me up!" (freaking me out crossed with cracking me up)
"Mom, when I was a baby I drank milk from a bottle, not from your butt ... right mom?" (this statement occurred several hours after a visit to Jeff's cousin's farm where she observed a baby calf nursing from it's mother)
"Mom, you could be President of the United States!" (I guess since everyone seems to be running these days Claire figured why not her mom)
"Sister is freaking me up!" (freaking me out crossed with cracking me up)
"Mom, when I was a baby I drank milk from a bottle, not from your butt ... right mom?" (this statement occurred several hours after a visit to Jeff's cousin's farm where she observed a baby calf nursing from it's mother)
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Another Quote Worth Sharing ...
"Systems, institutions, ideologies resist questions, forbid questions, for fear the obvious answers undermine the authority of what has always been. But real faith demands questions. Real faith looks under every rock, looks behind every facade, looks through every pallid formula and its pretense at persuasion to find the real face of God and the Jesus who questioned, questioned, questioned everything." Seeing With Our Souls by Joan Chittister, O.S.B.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Back to the Center
This past year has been crazy, many changes have occurred and it doesn't look like that pattern is going to let up anytime soon. Lately, I really miss the closeness and fellowship of some of my old friends, the familiarity of established community and am overwhelmed at times by uncertainties ahead. I have been feeling empty and lost. Yet, after reading an encouraging email from a friend it occurred to me that God's love for me and relationship with me has not changed. God is as close as ever, if I would but slow down, be still and "know". There is much comfort and rest in that.
Beyond Ourselves
In my studies lately, I have been reading about various people's thoughts and investigations concerning the scripture's claims of the miracles performed by Christ and his resurrection from the dead. While it is, in my opinion, important to seriously investigate matters of such significance to see if they are true or not, I have been struck with sadness at what appears to be scholars who limit their ability to accept things to only what they can comprehend.
It seems to me that to limit the possibility of something being true to one's ability to understand it, explain it or "scientifically" prove it, denies the possibility that there exists anything greater than ourselves. It denies the possibility of God, or at the very least, believes that either God is as limited as we are, or that we can know that God chooses to limit his/her or interactions with the world to some set of comprehendible laws which he/she never violates. It seems to me that this is great arrogance and this says faith and hope do not exist.
It seems to me that to limit the possibility of something being true to one's ability to understand it, explain it or "scientifically" prove it, denies the possibility that there exists anything greater than ourselves. It denies the possibility of God, or at the very least, believes that either God is as limited as we are, or that we can know that God chooses to limit his/her or interactions with the world to some set of comprehendible laws which he/she never violates. It seems to me that this is great arrogance and this says faith and hope do not exist.
Friday, November 10, 2006
If Only I Had a Magic Wand!
I took the girls to see a magic show last night. The performers pulled off some amazing tricks and we all enjoyed it. On the way home we were talking about the show and I asked the girls how they thought the magicians made those things happen? Gwen replied "Because they have a magic wand." To which Claire responded "I wish I had a magic wand, then I could make golf balls appear in my hand!" Gwen thought about this and then declared "If I had a magic wand, I could make kids at school disappear!" Now there's a thought!
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
This is My Body ...
Awhile ago at church my four year old daughter Gwen asked me, "Mom, is it time to eat the body of Christ?". Ewwwww! It sounded so barbaric spoken that way. Adults don't usually refer to it so bluntly. We talk about it as receiving communion or the bread. And we can quickly translate to something symbolic, but children don't do that, so it must sound crazy to them. I also know that in John 6 Christ's talk of eating his flesh tripped up some of his followers and caused them to walk away.
So what of all this? Is it only symbolic? Some believe it actually becomes the body and blood of Christ. Should we soften how we talk about it so that it doesn't sound like we are being cannibals or should it make us uncomfortable? I keep meaning to spend some time reflecting on this because I think there is meaning to be had here. I thought maybe instead I would throw it out for feedback from others. Do any of you have any thoughts on this?
So what of all this? Is it only symbolic? Some believe it actually becomes the body and blood of Christ. Should we soften how we talk about it so that it doesn't sound like we are being cannibals or should it make us uncomfortable? I keep meaning to spend some time reflecting on this because I think there is meaning to be had here. I thought maybe instead I would throw it out for feedback from others. Do any of you have any thoughts on this?
Friday, May 06, 2005
I exist in the realm of stupid people :o)
I saw a movie, the other night, about quatum physics which was pretty thought-provoking and full of things probably beyond my realm of intelligence. It did provide some pretty cool things to think about and I am sure there is truth in there, though some of the conclusions people seem to draw off of it were hard for me to buy (for more reasons than just an offense to basic christian thought).
One thing in the movie that I have been thinking about is a lady at the end said something to the effect that we are not good or bad, we are god, there no judgment for things done wrong, etc. etc. Nice thoughts ,and for me, I believe, there are strong elements of the truth in there, but if there is no price to pay for bad things then why did Christ have to suffer and die?
I suppose this movie might say that he only had to suffer and die in the realm of the reality of people who need that or choose that. And "I am sure" those realities are less evolved (i.e. realms of stupid people). Or maybe the history of Christ's followers just misunderstood and got it all wrong. Maybe his death wasn't a sacrifice but that is just how they interpreted it to fit their needs. Hmmm. And of course I won't try to go see what Christ (or his followers) said about his own death in scriptures because that's going to bring about a whole lot more for me to blog about.
I guess for now I will suffice to say that I exist in the realm of stupid people and need a savior for my shortcomings and need a god to make me whole. It would be nice if there is no hell but I myself, in my realm, cannot throw that concept out just because it is uncomfortable and is hard to reconcile with a god who is love. I am sure I do not fully understand it and I am okay to be uncomfortable with it and still be convinced god is very loving!!! Cheers!
One thing in the movie that I have been thinking about is a lady at the end said something to the effect that we are not good or bad, we are god, there no judgment for things done wrong, etc. etc. Nice thoughts ,and for me, I believe, there are strong elements of the truth in there, but if there is no price to pay for bad things then why did Christ have to suffer and die?
I suppose this movie might say that he only had to suffer and die in the realm of the reality of people who need that or choose that. And "I am sure" those realities are less evolved (i.e. realms of stupid people). Or maybe the history of Christ's followers just misunderstood and got it all wrong. Maybe his death wasn't a sacrifice but that is just how they interpreted it to fit their needs. Hmmm. And of course I won't try to go see what Christ (or his followers) said about his own death in scriptures because that's going to bring about a whole lot more for me to blog about.
I guess for now I will suffice to say that I exist in the realm of stupid people and need a savior for my shortcomings and need a god to make me whole. It would be nice if there is no hell but I myself, in my realm, cannot throw that concept out just because it is uncomfortable and is hard to reconcile with a god who is love. I am sure I do not fully understand it and I am okay to be uncomfortable with it and still be convinced god is very loving!!! Cheers!
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