Freeze Dance

As the kids and I danced a jig during one of our favorite shows, we paused with every mention of the word freeze.  As we moved and laughed, I took a mental snap shot.  You know the moments; full of laughter and playing and then the thought occurs that this instance cannot be repeated.  That particular moment... once in a lifetime.  The only condolence is to take a mental snapshot and store it in the file of Things to Recall Often. 

As I twirl and dip and stagger in my life's dance, I can't forget to freeze.


I'll do it in order to take a mental snapshot. And remember.


If I could, I would freeze the days when my laundry basket is filled with princess dresses, footed pajamas, and baseball socks.  And the days when a blanket solves the world's troubles.

I would freeze the days when more tears are shed over the mention of unwanted nap times and bedtimes than over broken hearts, failed reports or hurt feelings. Or the days when everyone in our family could pile comfortably into one bed.

I would freeze the day that Kayt decided that if she couldn't marry Daddy, she would marry Bubba.
And the days when I brushed tangles out of matted, dark hair only to brush new tangles out minutes later.

I would freeze the days when riding a bike on two wheels was deserving of a family celebration, when the sidewalk was covered with chalk, and the yard colored by Play-Do. And the ones when my throat felt sore from all the books read aloud.

I would freeze the days when sippie cups filled the top drawer of my dishwasher and colorful spoons my silverware slots.  And the days when talk of 'school adventures' was merely talk, not a reality.

I would freeze the days when dirty feet clouded the bath water as all three of my lil' loves easily fit into one tub.  And especially the days when the sight of my face made little legs run to my arms.


If I could pause the music, just for awhile, I would include a day just like today.  Ordinary, simple and special.  I would freeze the giggles that are common sounds, the footsteps that still pitter-patter, and the messes that are strewn with adventure and imagination.

But as we danced that fun day, I realized that the song built with each new note.  The frozen poses became funnier and the excitement grew.  The final freeze was better than the first.

And for that reason, I'll let that time go by knowing that each day and month and year will build upon the last.  The memories will grow and the mental snapshots will accumulate.


But while we dance our lives away, I'll continue to take moments to freeze.

Because if we are going to dance, we might as well Freeze Dance!

Kayt Captured

I was browsing through pictures and these made me laugh. 

I took them on my phone during our early morning flight to Disney World, per Kayt's request.  

She would say, "Take my picture!"

Then, "Let me see." 

Finally... lots of giggles.

Kayt is such a silly girl.  She doesn't take anything too seriously, she is as easy going as they come.  

I laughed that her eyes are closed in each picture and at the fun we had that morning while all of the other passengers lulled in a state of sleepiness.

My early-riser was ready for the fun to begin. 

And so she initiated it before the sun came up.

I know that as she gets older, everyone will want to be Kayt's friend.  She will be so much fun to be around... she already is! 

If Not You, Then Who?

As a mother, as a wife, as a friend, as a daughter, as an attender, as a leader, as a member, as a follower...

I have a calling.

I pray for my husband and children in ongoing, raw, needy ways.  I ask the Lord for the small details of their life to be worked out.  I ask the Lord for the big, obstacles to fade in light of him.  I ask for clarity. I ask the Lord for friendships and relationships that will build them up.  I ask for their healing.  I ask for their hearts and eyes to be protected.  I ask for Jesus to speak in radical ways during their days.  I ask for their hearts to be drawn to him.  I ask for their rest to be good.  I ask that their dreams would be from Him.  I ask for their laughter to be plentiful.  I ask for future events.  I ask for everything.

I ask, because if not me, then who?

That's why I petition.

I pray for my husband as a pastor, a shepherd, an employee.  I ask that the Lord would work through him.  If not me asking, then who?

Who else has my husband and children on their hearts as often as me?

This life is tough and this world is mean.  Satan is prowling.  Our battles are NOT against flesh and blood.  They are bigger. They are spiritual.  Just read Ephesians 6.  If our battle is in the spiritual realm, than our defense must be, as well.  How do we battle in the spiritual?  We pray. We wage war.  We speak truth.  We claim scripture.  We trust Jesus.

Knowing this, I want life for my family.  I want Jesus to be powerful in them.  I want unity among us.  I want to make an impact in the lives of people, everyone we encounter.  People matter to Jesus.  I pray for them.  I ask for hearts of stone to be replaced with new hearts.  I ask for days of bitterness to be redeemed with joy.  I ask for marriages to be restored. I ask for healing, knowing that it is a mere glimpse of the power that we will one day experience in heaven.

But I pray most for my family.
Brad
Noah
Kayt
Emery

If I don't fight for them in the spiritual, then who will?
It's my calling as a wife and mother.  It's my joy as a lover of Jesus.
I pray short prayers.  I speak one word prayers.  I pray lengthy prayers coupled with tears.  I pray repetitive prayers.

It's not the format that matters,  it's the heart of one that knows their calling, understands that our struggles and battles are real, and realizes that victory lies in Jesus.  My prayers may not be answered as I would choose, but I never want it to be for a lack of asking.  And through my prayers, my heart is drawn to the Lord's faithfulness and the fact that he hears me.  "But as for me, the NEARNESS of God is MY GOOD." 

Who prays for your husband everyday?
Who prays for you everyday?
Who prays for your children everyday?
Your mother? Your father?
Your grandparents? Your friends?
Your church? Your leaders?  Your students?

If not you, then who?

My Only Son

Spring is approaching and that means one thing in our house... baseball.

You see friends, I am a woman of many trades.  Laundry connoisseur, master pb&j chef, speedy bed maker, baby doll barber, house keeper, sock matching enthusiast, AND pitcher.

Not to brag on myself, but I am a force to be reckoned with on the pitching mound.  And the neighbors know that I mean business when I take my position wearing my pajama pants and house shoes.

Move over, Cliff Lee.

This morning, Noah and I were playing baseball while Emery napped and Kayt tended to her babies in the fort.  All was good until a threw a wild pitch and accidentally hit Noah square in the shoulder.  If I could have captured his face in a picture I would have something worth money.   He was completely dumbfounded and crushed and confused all at the same time.

In the most sincere, sympathetic voice he said, "What in the world are you thinking, Mom? You just hit me with the ball.  Have you forgotten that I'm your only son?  It's fine and I forgive you, but think about that next time.  Okay?"

I didn't really know how to respond.

So I laughed.
Like any good mother would do.

And then apologized.

So, to my only son: forgive this wild woman.

And to Cliff Lee: don't go anywhere.  You stay on the pitching mound and I'll stay home in my pjs.