Todd Funny

Todd is such a literal child. This quality makes him hilarious at times. 2 years ago you may remember that the staph infection made it's debut. Everyone was going crazy that we would all die from it. the school had sent out numerous sheets explaining how they were sterilizing and keeping things clean. I was teaching this year so I was able to hear all of the conversations taking place at school. They were encouraging ridiculous amount of hand washing and sterilization. It had become such an ordeal that the central office ran out of paper towels. They became a hot item. So, the new spill was keep your hands sanitized but use only one paper towel because they have to cut down trees to make those. Now, fast forward 2 years to yesterday. As I pulled up to the patio to drop Todd off, I commented that they had chopped down the shrubs. Now, I wish I had a picture of before and after of these shrubs. They were huge and now they are a stub. At this point, Todd is quiet. He is a nature loving soul that hates to think of any animal or tree being destroyed. Suddenly, very matter-of-fact, he says, "The school must have needed paper towels". Then, we pull up to see the shrubs on the other side of the porch look the same. He groans and says, "The must have REALLY needed paper towels". Inside I was cracking up but he was as serious as he could be. I admit, I didn't say anything because if I had told him the truth he would have been very upset. Literal children are so much fun!

New Look

I wanted a new look for the blog. As I looked at the different choices, I saw the pretty pinks and greens. I was going to do one of those because I don't get to use those colors in my house. It was then that I saw this background. I immediately thought of my boys. They are my little monkeys that are everywhere. Jackson is walking everywhere and Todd has always been busy. So, I will keep my little monkey's on here for a while. I hope you like them!

Humble

Humble.. that is not an easy word for many of us. I have always considered myself a pretty humble person until recently. God has opened my eyes to the truth about humility.
The dictionary describes humble as the following:
1 : not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive
2 : reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission
3 : ranking low in a hierarchy or scale

I guess I have always looked at humility like the first definition. I am not assertive by nature nor am I arrogant (most of the time). It was the second definition that really caught me: offered in a spirit of defence or SUBMISSION. Whoa! You mean submission has something to do with being humble?

This is how the dictionary describes submissive:
1. a : to yield oneself to the authority or will of another : surrender b : to permit oneself to be subjected to something
2 : to defer to or consent to abide by the opinion or authority of another

I don't struggle with being submissive to Brad. I am blessed with a wonderful, loving man. His spiritual leading is amazing. He follows God's leading in his decisions.


However, can I say I am always submissive to God? Absolutely not! I have doubted Him. I have questioned Him often and quite frankly, I have been angry with Him and have chosen my own way. Why? When will I ever learn? Will I ever let go of that control completely? Many times I find myself going to God in times of trials. I will say, "If it is Your will". But many times I am really meaning, "Make Your will the same as mine and then things will be good". I am trying to get to a point where I can accept all of the things in my life as HIS will. That can be so hard! I came across this chapter. I do not often put an entire chapter on here, but it all spoke to me.

Psalm 25 (New Living Translation)

1 O Lord, I give my life to you. 2 I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. 3 No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
4 Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. 5 Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. 6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. 7 Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.
8 The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. 9 He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. 10 The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.
11 For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins. 12 Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose. 13 They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the land. 14 The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. 15 My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.
16 Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. 17 My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! 18 Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins. 19 See how many enemies I have and how viciously they hate me! 20 Protect me! Rescue my life from them! Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge. 21 May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.
22 O God, ransom Israel from all its troubles.

So many times, I have felt verse number 17. It is verse 5 I need to do.. ALL DAY LONG. I am so thankful that I am given mercy!
I could not write on being humble without adding James 4:10. This is a great scripture that I can't read but sing!
James 4:10 (New International Version)
10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Well, I will stop my personal sermon. I am really working on being humble to God!

various thoughts

Okay, so it has been a while. I have really been in deep thought lately. I have found myself really searching what God wants me to do on several things. I will post on that later. For now here is what is going on..

Jackson turned 10 months and I can't believe it. Time is moving so much quicker with him than Todd. He is officially walking. It cracks me up. Todd did not walk until 13 months but he skipped the teetering stage. I am trying to get video of him to post b/c it is so cute! He is full of energy and is very determined. I am going to have my hands full.

Todd started 2nd grade. I can't believe I have a 2nd grader. To all of my high school friends.. Didn't we just wear ugly chorus dresses and eat outside for lunch 2 years ago? It has not really been 14 years ago!! I am really starting to think I am getting old.

Anyway, Todd does not like school. He never has. If given the choice, he would be homeschooled so that he could stay home and work on challenging work. He is smart and gets bored. On the way to school this is the discussion we had..

T: When did you start school each year?

M: We started either late August or early September.

T: Why do we have to start so early?

M: That is just the way it is now.

T: Why? All we do is start by reviewing what we did last year. Couldn't we just start later and skip that?

M: (Silence at first) Good point, Todd.

Finally: I was going to share a sweet picture of the 2 sweet boys that God has blessed me with.