Cliche: "It goes so fast". Truth: "It goes so fast".

David 1st grade. Jenny Pre-K.I've been looking through a lot of old memorabilia lately, as I try to clean and organize all our pictures and junk that needs to be scrapped (in a book), or s.c.r.a.p.p.e.d (into the trash). I know I have many parenting years ahead of me. Possibly the hardest? Who knows? Those sleepless infant nights were no picnic. And I'm sure the sleepless "he's got the car tonight" nights will also be hard. But the in-between times. Those times between correcting, rebuking, and all the "chore" parts--priceless. Times like:

• pumpkin carving
• watching TV shows together in our big blue bed (yes, at 11 and 13, we still call it this)
• listening to stories as mom reads aloud
• listening as a disappointed 11 year old girl pours out her heart about the trials of middle school
• listening to an elated 11 year old girl's stories of faith and fun as we drive home from camp
• listening (in the van, again) and discussing bass line rhythms in music with my teenage son
• watching my husband speak ever so gently to my kids when I can't seem to find my nice words
• praying over each kid as they head out of the van and into school--that they be salt and light and Jesus in skin. That they be safe and bless others and what He would have them learn
• eating our Friday night pizza together (and anything else--especially brownies, cookies, donuts, etc).
• going to the gym and working out with my son--who does his best, even though it's hard to make his body go exactly how and where he wants it to go.
• appreciating my daughter's most excellent effort at math--a subject that really should not be included in heaven. Just sayin.
• wondering...just where in the world all the time has gone.

And I'm finding...even those hard times. The correcting and rebuking and dealing with eye-rolling times? They go fast, too. Note to self: Praise loudly, and blame softly.

GladiTuesday

Howdy! I hope this week has started off well for you, and if it has been a bumpy one, I pray that you'll be given some peace and grace. Here are some gladdies that came to mind this week:

1. Ten years ago this month, my husband and I embarked on an stupid amazing adventure. We decided to do a home exchange with another couple between our home in Castle Rock, CO and their home in Oisterwijk, The Netherlands. However, we seemed to forget that we were married with 2 little kids. Be that as it may, we headed for Holland, and spent about 2 weeks, living in someone else's home, driving their car, and riding their bikes. I will not lie: there were times when I was so homesick, I wanted to fly home that day--mostly because of the comforts and familiarity for the babies. And, it got a little old always looking for the kid side of these charming European towns. My mindset hadn't fully changed from that of young married traveler to young married traveler with 2 children, 2 large suitcases, 2 car seats, 1 stroller, and carry-on baggage. You understand. When all was said and done though...it was worth it, and I'd do it again. The fond memories of these babies so small makes me glad. And a wee bit sad. If you're wondering why I'm lying down...Well, the camera's timer only had so much time--10 sec?--and I had to fly back to the brick wall and hurl myself into position. That is as far as I got.

2. Glad that Christmas is less than 2 months away! Woo hoo. I'm a counter downer, and the count down is officially ON! :) What better time to get ye to amazon.com or cbd.com and order ye yer newest work from our friend John, c/o The Dirty Shame. Also...please always remember and don't ever forget--he's having weekly drawings over at his site. Go! And tell all your friends. Please.

3. Glad for our play rehearsal for our Christmas Dessert Theater. We're at that time when none of us can believe it will actually materialize into a play, but it will.

4. Glad that the rain stopped today--after downpouring on and off for a couple of days--and I could walk the hounds. Further glad that I saw my most excellent friend whilst walking the dogs and caught up with her for a few minutes.

5. Glad no one got anything of real value when pilfering through Big's car last night. We have a house alarm, but it's always scary to know that someone is outside your house, messing around. We do lock our cars fairly religiously--I think perhaps one of the kids or one of us went back into the car to get something and forgot to lock it. Here's an object lesson in taking care of what we have and in forgiving others.

6. Glad for a nice Sunday night. Big and I took the kids to a jewelry store to find a gift for his mom. We found a piece which celebrates all 3 of her grandchildren, and I think she'll be pleased. Then we all went to the Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner, and browsing at Barnes and Noble and Old Navy after dinner. Well, the girls walked over to ON. The boys stuck to the books. Actually let David skip his church service for the first time in a while. Since he observed the morning service (learning about running the media), I didn't feel too guilty. ;) Sometimes, it's just nice to relax together.

7. Glad for a new DVD player for our bedroom. Yes, we watch TV and DVDs in bed. Haters to the left and judgers to the right, please. For the grand total of $40.00, we have movies again! Our portable DVD player was serving as our 2ndary DVD player, and it finally bit the dust.

8. Oh, so gladdy for my Friday morning Bible study time with my wonderful friend, V.

9. Even tho I'm a bit saddy about not being here for Christmas, I'm gladdy about Thanksgiving here at home. Trying to think of some fun ideas and new traditions for our family for both holidays. This is such a great time of year to craft, plan, and scheme. Even if nothing comes of the planning. It's just fun to look at pictures and ideas and...and...

10. Glad I am finished with 1 of 3 gym work outs this week. It's a start, anyway. David and i are signed up for an appt with a personal trainer on Wednesday a.m. We'll covet your prayers. She's half price this week. Wonder how we'll do. I count it as joy that her name isn't Nadia.

Let the Wild Rumpus Start

I got that title from my friend, Cheryl. Her 5 year old daughter, Sydney (a.k.a. Scout) is randomly saying that about the house these days. And I know this information because I happened to read Cheryl's Random Tuesday Questions. On a Thursday evening.

Don't we need a little light and fluffy right now? I thought so, too, so I'm stealing her meme, changing the Random Tuesday to Random Thursday, and going with it.

I'm not normally this laid-back about things. But this is how I'm rolling today. Please feel free to join in on your blog or in my comments. Or not. It's really your call. See? Flexible again.

Random Tuesday Thursday Questions:

1. What's the last state you visited other than your own? I'll go ahead and write this one in a super small font, so as not to "lollybrag" (thank you Tiff). Maui, HI (last February).

2. What's your middle name? Jane, after my mom. Incidentally, my Grum is Phyllis Jane and my grandpa was Guy Christopher. Doing the middle name mash, they came up with Jane Christine. A pretty name, I think. And she (my mom) went by Janie when she was really young. And since I'm on this tangent, I'll say that I have a Jenny, and I always thought it was cool that her Grandmas were Ginny and Jan(ie), respectively.

3. What is something you don't like...even though everyone else seems to? Hmm...(first, I'll tell Cheryl that we can still be friends, even though she doesn't like Grey's Anatomy) I don't care for much of anything in the way of homecaring tasks. I read some blogs and really feel like folks get into making a home. I like the fun part of this (e.g. candles and decorating), but if I could give up meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking, and making dinners, I would. I dearly love making breakfast, but dinner is not my thing. I also TRY to be a good sport about it, but I really don't care too much about our local college football teams. Holler if I have any friends left.

4. What's the first costume you remember dressing up in for Halloween? I remember dressing as a ghost with a witch's mask. I was sick, and I vaguely remember my Grum coming over to my house to cheer me up. Apparently I was quite the crabby 3 year old. Very much remember the gypsy I dressed as for Halloween of 3rd grade. Fun getting all my mom's makeup put on and getting to wear big hoop earrings.

5. Have you ever played a sport? My nickname is Grace, because I tend to have none. But I had enough to play goalie on a soccer team for several seasons. And I did try basketball in t5th and 6th grades. Nothing in HS, though. I think I.just.knew.

6. What is a talent you have that people might not know about? I have no hidden talents, are you kidding me?! I tell everyone what I can do, for I need words of affirmation. One talent that I have that might surprise CPQ Meredith folks is that I'm a pretty organized administrator. Ahem. Well, I am. It's a splinter skill. One semi-talent is that I like to do accents and dialects.

7. What's the last thing that made you laugh out loud? Seeing a Youtube spot with a comedienne talking about her nail salon.

8. Are you an oldest, middle, or youngest child? I'm the oldest living child (raised as an only) of my mom and dad's, but the oldest of 3 living children of my dad's. I fit the only stereotype, as well as the oldest stereotype. Basically, I'm bossy and insecure. ;)

9. What's the best thing you've had someone say to you lately? Trite as it may sound, hearing my husband and kids tell me they love me--even in a quick g'bye is precious to my ears. One of the nicest things I've heard in the last week is when a friend gave me a hug and told me how I was the perfect mother for my kids. I paid her well, but it was worth it.

10. What are you wearing right now? Blue jeans which somehow have s.h.r.u.n.k. despite my working out...a grey sweater, beige bra and panties (boring! but NO holes!!!), glasses, wedding ring, R hand ring, 18" necklace, grey (fake) pearl earrings, and a winning smile.

Gladacious Tuesday

You might've seen a picture like this on my Facebook page. But now you get the goods. The backstory, as it were. The skinny. The deal.


At 7:43 a.m. on Sunday, I received a text from Alisa (cute blonde to my right, on your left) asking if I would like to come to the pre-game (Seahawks v. Cardinals) with her to go onto the field and watch her sign the National Anthem. And my answer--hello Jack Black--"Chuh!" After some last minute scrambling with kids and hubs, not only was I able to go to the pre-game events/practice with Alisa, but Big was invited to use her hubby's ticket to watch the game, while Alisa gave me her ticket. Her hubby was home with their 1.5 year old son, Sweet Boy, since SB was snuffly. She was interpreting for one of her former (deaf) students. The student got the honor of signing the Anthem, while watching Alisa interpret the pace and phrasing from the sideline. All that make sense?

Okay...so let me be frank. The best part of the whole day was being on the field and having hurry-up-and-wait time with my friend. The game? Well, it pretty much blew. However, it was an NFL game, gifted to me. I got some much appreciated date time with my hubby, and garlic fries might've been consumed. So other than the score, I had no complaints. :)

Though the field time was awesome, I think I might be most gladdy for the hurry-up-and-wait-time in the green room and wandering the stadium prior to the game.


Because we got to catch up.


And be friends. Who happen also to be moms.


Moms who aren't perfect, and moms who get so sick (channeling Bill Cosby here: "and tired") of putting on that fascade of "Hi, howareyou?I'mfine!Everything'sgreat!Don'tyouwishyouwereputtogetherjustlikeme?", and able to be real.


Real sharing about how motherhood is the best imaginable thing in our worlds--and also rocks it the hardest.


Real sharing about how we try to stand firmly on the foundation of living for and pleasing God, caring only about what He thinks, while we teeter toward the edges of (and often fall into) the sin of comparing ourselves to others, believing lies about performance and how it relates to our worth as moms and as human beings. And realizing how hard it is NOT to do this, since often, we are in community with other moms. Or at least we read about them or watch them on TV.


Sharing about how we feel guilty about that. And that we really want to do a good job. But that, Lord, God--sometimes, we're tired.


So, I'm terrifically glad about Sunday. Because even though I wasn't at church, I had observed a Sabbath in many ways. We played. We laughed. We got a little teary. And God lifted our heads for another day. We rested in him. Both the mother of the pubescent angsters and the mother of the toddler. Together. In His peace.

On another post, I'll tell you all about how Alisa sings like Amy Grant an angel. That we've been in choir for about 3 years on and off together, and what an awesome experience it's been getting to know her and her fam. But I'm savoring this for now.

Treading Water or Juggling. You Pick.

If you've read this blog for any length of time, you realize that i loathe dislike avoid dread prefer to do without exercise. Any exercise. Oh, I try to have a good attitude whilst pounding my flesh into shape. I do. But I think I've figured out what I'm really avoiding, besides, you know...sweat. Which I do not care for (in a box, with a fox). Oopsie daisy--digressing already.



Hello. My name is Gretchen, and I'm a discipline avoider.



It's that simple, really.



And these past 2 weeks or so have been full of discipline opportunities. I will not pretend that I have a life so difficult or uncommon. That's not the case. The deal is, the past two weeks of treading water just to get everything done have given me a renewed perspective regarding seasons of life, how I need to spend my time, and, well...discipline.



So, why haven't I been blogging? Gladdy you asked. I haven't been blogging because I've been busy. Not monumentally so. Just, juggling. Going from this volleyball game to that. Dragging my soon-to-be-pumped-up buttocks to the gym (and those of my son, as well--I hope that didn't sound tawdry). Taking care of Big as he recovered from a nasty, but-we-think-it-will-be-great-in-the-long-run surgery. Getting little sleep. Helping with homework. Meal planning. Bible study. Play rehearsal. Laundry. And really, after doing all that, I haven't had much to say. Nothing new, nothing edifying for anyone to read (hello, that was pretty indulgent), nothing for which I wanted to sit down and give the 45 minutes to an hour to process and type.

I'm glad for times like these--sort of thinky times--where i don't blog, but am fed by others' blogs. I'm also glad for times when I don't read anyone's blog and allow the silence to envelope me, such that I give Him space to speak into my life. I'm glad that I felt like writing something today. And though I am a consumate discipline avoider, I'm thankful for His new mercies each day such that I can repent of slacking, and focus on Him and His plans for me. Moment by moment. Whether sweating on the elliptical or making dinner for "those people". ;)

This is my life. This is my season. And I consider it joy.

10 on the 10th!

Howdy,

This month's 10 on the 10th topic is the number 10. ;) Thanks, Mer for hosting the reindeer games. Pls feel free to participate and hook up with Mr. Linky on her blog. I realize that previous sentence could've sounded a little tawdry, but I'm leaving it. A little tawdry never hurt anybody.

1. 10=The size I wore in high school when I was "fat" and weighed 125 lbs. Yeah...a little self acceptance, please, teenage girls. And momma girls, for that matter.

2. 10=The amount of minutes I feel I'm always behind. Lucky, it's usually just 1/2 that. But timeliness hasn't been my strongsuit since I went forth and multiplied.

3. 10=Number of weeks until our Christmas production at church. Or is it...gasp...8? Anyhoo, I'm very excited. In the show, I play a ditzy, cute, Betty Boop-ish, blonde from New Jersey. Hilarious lines. But an object lesson in humility. Part of me wants to wear a sign around my neck stating that I have a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's from CU. I feel like Chrissy Snow on 3's Company. The show we previously picked out refused licensure b/c it's being performed in Seattle (and we KNOW how much a church production compares with off Broadway), so this has been a scramble, but God has opened lots of doors. It's a show about a USO group, performing on Christmas Eve in Piedmont, PA in 1944. Can you say "fun costumes?".

4. 10=The number to which I've been counting as I've battled a bit of cabin fever, resentment, and fatigue this week. Lord knows I have so much for which to be thankful. Many more than 10x10, in fact. Still. The energy is low, Maynard.

5. 10=Miles to his school 10=Miles to her school.

6. Psalm 51:10: A daily life verse--see #4. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

7. 10=Books I've been wanting to read: Olive Kitteredge, Same Kind of Different as Me, The Help, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Have a Little Faith: A True Story, Half-Broke Horses: A True Life Novel, The Lacuna: A Novel, Return to Sullivans Island, Driftwood Summer, and Handle with Care.

8. 10=Reasons I can always think of to avoid mopping the floor. For whatever reason, I just do not like to mop!

9. 10=The number of recipes I seem to keep recycling through at dinner time. I try to vary things, but we tend to just fall back into the comfort of our ruts. My goal is to keep changing it up, though--perhaps one new recipe each week, or every other week.

10. 10=The number of unfinished craft projects I have to do. This is the time of year to get cracking, so I'm looking forward to finishing them and starting some more.

Giveaway

Get ye tail feathers to The Dirty Shame for some good reading and a zippy giveaway. And that's all I have to say about that...except this: Tell all your friends.

GladiTuesday

Today, I am glad:

• That my husband is home from surgery and an overnight in the hospital.
• That he's going to be okay.
• For pain medication. For him. ;)
• For a mighty, healing God.
• For the many folks who prayed over him and our family. When I was anxious, I had to only look in my Bible or bow my head.
• For my husband's voiced gratitude for the prayers. God is so good.

Your Breast Friends

Hi,


In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, I'm keeping my background pink. Ladies: Please check your breasticles each month for lumps and bumps which are unusual. Men: Remember that you can get breast cancer, too. Also, be sure and give the wife a once over every so often. My uncle is the one who saw a lump on my aunt's ribcage before she noticed it. He probably saved her life, since the lump happened to be breast cancer.

Also, i know that some of you may be approaching "that age" wherein a mammogram is not only just suggested, but FIRMLY suggested. Go forth. Get squeezed. It's really not that big a deal, and I am a wimp. And in honor of one of my favorite breast cancer survivors, Jenster, go treat yourself to a white chocolate mocha from Starbucks afterwards.

And the winner is...#9

Congrats to Denise, from Shortybear's Place. If you'll email me your address, I'll be sure and get the Starbucks card to you.

Thank you, everyone for joining in!