More Car Conversations...

These two were playing some game with their action figure/fairy each had brought along for the car ride:

Princess: "That's impossible"

Brother: "Nothing is impossible with God"

Princess: "Well then why did someone invent 'impossible'?"

Brother: (giggling) "Ma, you don't invent words"

Princess: "Well SOMEONE had to come up with the word and if nothing is impossible with God.....well...why did someone make up the word impossible if everything is possible if God wants it to be......like if he wanted us to fly, he would have just spoken it and it we would all be able to fly....no need for special stuff"

Brother: "Huh, special stuff?"

Princess: "You know, no need for capes or special rocket booster shoes or anything....the sky might be a bit busy though."

I love listening to these two talk and play, they have such a unique bond. Unfortunately, they also know how to argue and bicker like any good sibling ;-)

(this picture was from a camping trip where he was teaching her how to shoot his toy gun)

My Brain...

Thank goodness for calendars, especially the kind that link to each other, the kind that I can carry in my pocket, the kind that let you set alarm reminders, and for a brain that has learned to put almost everything in it! I am not sure if it is 'mommy brain', my four darlings sucking my brain totally dry of the ability to remember, juggling their schedules, work, volunteering and subbing at their school-whatever the cause-I CANT REMEMBER things. I would love to share a list of things/events I have forgotten just in the last 2 weeks, but for some of you who read this I would be throwing myself under the bus (maybe for the second time) and I probably can't recall all I have forgotten!

This week and next is quite crazy in our house. On top of the usual holiday craziness-Big Sister is performing in Ballet Oklahoma's Nutcracker (which means 4 hour rehearsals on stage three nights this week and three nights next along with four performances-good thing she loves this and has such a wonderful attitude about being tired and missing out on other things), Big Sister also will be celebrating a birthday and is oh so excited about finally having a room/house big enough for a slumber party ('I'm only inviting 7 girls, Mom'), working at a church means lots of extra activities to prepare and be at the church for, and just to throw a bit more chaos into the next few weeks......J's anniversary (and all the 'fun' that comes with that-for those of you who read this and don't know about the 'fun' that comes along with celebrating an anniversary...feel free to ask me, but especially pray for us).

So my goal for the next few weeks is to remember to get the right kid to the right place and more importantly pick them up, finish the present shopping, enjoy the fun and fellowship of all the Christmas get togethers but most importantly to be still and prepare my heart for the arrival of the Christ child-providing both opportunities and being a model for my children to experience Christmas with their eyes focused on our Father.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Our 'we have moved/here is our new address/Happy Thanksgiving' card all in one (of course minus the address part for the blog-if you need it send me an email or comment)

A Sweet Smile....

Brother was sitting at my computer watching the screen saver scrolling through all the pictures. He was enjoying all the memories, seeing faces of friends who have moved away, remembering fun had on vacations, etc. I was enjoying watching his many expressions and giggles. I was cleaning the kitchen and he was giving me a running commentary of the pictures. He became silent, so I turned to see why-he had the sweetest smile on his face. I asked him what picture he was looking at. He said "This little boy Momma" as he pointed to the screen. The picture was of a boy I had captured a picture of during a trip to Ghana. "Why does that picture make you smile?" I asked. So sincerely he said "I was thinking about what it would be like if he was my brother.....I really wish I had a brother." He has been asking for a brother for quite some time, he reminds me to pray about it, he is. The last trip to Ghana, he said "Momma, I know you are not going to 'get' a brother, but could you please just be on the lookout for one. I have some baseballs and things I would like for you to take to some boys for me please." Upon my return after a big hug and a few stories shared, he asked "So....did God tell you that there was a little boy who needed to be a part of the Waggoner family?"

This little guy continues to amaze me with his incredible sweet spirit, his love for life and his ability to live every moment to the fullest.

Sad news...

This little girl's story was so incredibly heart breaking, as I learned what she had had to endure at such a young age, I was both sad and angry. As I looked back thru my pictures of her, I thought about the first time I met her. She could be described as quiet, a bit reserved and a bit 'empty'.....this precious child was brought to J's orphanage after being found alone, next to her mother's dead body. I cannot even begin to imagine all of the emotions this small child has endured, the stress, the heartache, the loneliness, the overwhelming fear.....I got word today that Hannah is no longer enduring any of these feelings. She has passed away, from an illness that was treatable if she had received the medical attention she needed. Once again, hearing her story makes me both sad and angry. Sad her life has ended so young, angry that if she had received the proper medical attention she would still be alive. So many thoughts and questions have flooded my mind today-one I would like to share-the thought that perhaps once again she can be found in her mother's arms, together forever.

Definitely struggling knowing Hannah's story is not unique-there are too many hurting children in our world, too many sick, too many who are parentless, too many who are forgotten.

Something to get stuck in your head...

Saw this video courtesy of another blog (thanks Corey) and wanted to share it, even if your kiddos have outgrown watching the show, none of us have outgrown the need to hear we are special.

Car Conversations....

Been a long week around here with little Princess having a fever since Sunday, but figured if I needed to take the time to post a little something so here are bits and pieces of some of the conversations taking place in our car (where we spend a minimum of an hour a day).

Princess: talking about a trip to the store "the isle was temporarily closed....only employees were allowed to go in it"

Brother: "Wow....you used some big words.....must be from all that reading you are doing now"

Big Sister: "You are working really hard at annoying me and ruining my day, and I am not going to let you....so stop talking 'cause I am not listening to you" (I will let you figure out who that statement was directed to)

Brother: (venting about his frustration with missions being cancelled due to the violence in Mexico) The people in Mexico who are hurting and shooting people for no reason better stop before I grow up"

Me: "Why is that?"

Brother: "Because I am going to serve in the army and I will tell everyone that is not fair....or ok.....they better watch out because when I come over there they will have to listen to me when I tell them to put their guns down..........there are people that want to help Mexico and these crazy people are in the way"

J:"Will you read this book to me?"

Brother: "Ummm....it has fairies on it"

J: "It's a comic book....just like the ones you like"

Brother: "Well...I guess I will read a page, but if it's too girlie you are on your own"

Now headed to bed and hoping for a full night's sleep........

Veterans Day...

Ya I know, should have put this up yesterday, better late than never. Papa (my Dad) came to the kids' school assembly honoring veterans. The picture, taken with my phone, doesn't really show the joy all five of them had. Thank you Dad for serving!

Why Am I Not Getting it?!

Ever have one of those days when no matter where you look, what you hear, what you read, conversations had- all have the same 'theme'. I am having one of those days, actually one of those weeks. So apparently, God is trying to teach me something and I am being a really slower learner in acquiring/receiving the knowledge. I am trying to be still and make time to seek and listen to Him, trying to have an open heart and willing ears to hear but am struggling. Struggling to make the time, struggling to keep my mind focused, struggling to learn what God is throwing at me thru friends, strangers, songs, scriptures, writings, etc. I guess as a mother of four, I am so used to multitasking my brain can't seem to function while focusing on just one thing. Why oh why am I not 'getting it'? Praise God that He is ever faithful and doesn't give up on us and He will continue using anything and everything to get my attention. I often wonder what would happen if I heard His voice saying the words I say to my children-"Look at my eyes, hear my words.....listen and obey" You think I would 'get it' then?!?

From Reading Other Blogs....

Sometimes I laugh, other times I cry, at times I would like to scream at my computer scream, I am often encouraged, I am challenged, I get great ideas....but perhaps the best feeling I 'get' from reading blogs is the feeling that I am not alone in this parenting journey of trying to balance life for all my children. A feeling that there are others who are struggling to be the very best mom to each and every child who calls them Mom. The following is an excerpt passed along to me from a friend who, thankfully, shares her 'finds' in blogs with me :-) Hopefully these words, written by a mother of a special needs child, will offer encouragement to you or make you think twice before you pass judgement on someone.....

She also has a brain that just malfunctions sometimes. When you see us in the store and she is in total meltdown don't give me nasty looks. Don't tell me that all she needs is a little discipline....
When I am out in public don't tell me I am "too hard" on her, that she is "just a kid." She is not just a kid. She needs boundaries at all times. Yes, I parent my children differently. My boys had the privilege of a healthy start in life. Their brains are healthy and normal. I don't love her less because I am stricter with her. I love her enough to parent her in the way that is best for her. Even if it goes against my normal style of parenting.
Have some patience with us in public. Don't assume you know a situation. Maybe when you see a Mom with a kid in total meltdown in public, instead of judging, give her a smile. It may make her day! It may give her the strength to keep helping her child grow to be her best!

You don't have to understand why a parent is parenting their children differently, just know that in most cases it is WAY HARDER to do so, but we choose to because every child deserves to be parented in the very best way for them. So offer a smile instead of a glare of judgement, it might just be the very thing that parent needs to get thru the moment.

Cleaning 101

WARNING: This post is about toilets, so if you don't want to read about ours then return another day ;-)

Oh the joys of multiple potties!!!!! We no longer have to stand in line for one, have our shower interrupted by someone (adding a not so 'clean' odor to the room), panic if the plunger doesn't seem to fix the clog, have to endure long nights of multiple sick ones crashing all on the tiny bathroom floor.......all these are a thing of the past and I am still only cleaning one toilet! Our new home has multiple toilets (AMAZING!) We are blessed beyond measure! Tonight the kiddos were assigned the task of cleaning their bathrooms, while under the watchful eyes of Momma. Our children have always helped clean, but never the toilet because I am using it and I want it clean to my standard ;-) Now that they are all upstairs and Momma has her own toilet, they get the privilege of cleaning their own. So over the last few weeks they have been asked to clean them but I haven't 'inspected' them. I figured since we have now been living here over a month, they might need a little adult attention. There must be something wrong with me but I enjoyed it-the comments they made, the questions they asked, the 'style' they used to clean...it was a new kind of Friday night entertainment. And I think Mom is a bit more appreciated for all the years I have cleaned their toilet. Without naming names....I think there might be a bit more daily attention paid to the happenings in the bathroom.

Friday night entertainment also included another rematch of swiffer hockey. The best $ spent to purchase more 'hockey sticks' Clean, dog hair free floors and happy, tired kids by the end of the game. A wonderful evening spent home as a family and I get to spend my Saturday enjoying the day instead of cleaning -laundry doesn't really count towards cleaning, or does it?......

Halloween Fun

A few pics of our Halloween fun, enjoy!

Hmmm......What to Post......

Well I could give you all a thousand reasons why I have not posted but they can all be lumped together in one word-laziness. Not that I have been sitting around being lazy, but life happens and the blog goes by the way side. However, this week especially I have been reminded of the power of words...their ability to encourage, to give hope, to lift another up, to keep in touch and to get to know another. The ladies bible study I am in is studying a book 'The Weight of Your Words'. It's as if God is using everything and everybody to get my attention right now about 'words'. Yeah, I am sometimes a bit of a slow learner and need to be hit upside the head or given a rainbow across the sky to get my attention (God is oh so faithful to this slow learner and has supplied these). In Ephesians, Paul writes: let no unwholesome talk come from your mouth, but only what is good for building another up......may they give grace to those that hear, encouragement for the moment. I have been challenged especially with the 'grace for the moment' part of this verse. The last few weeks have been challenging and I stopped counting the times that I can recall being anything but full of grace.

This week, I have been beyond blessed by the words of others, encouraged to know I am not alone on this journey of parenting (especially one with RAD), and I know my own writing can even be helpful to me.......so I am going to see if I can be a bit better at posting more than once a month or once every other month (think I have said that before). So if you have a topic/idea/thought for a post please share...if not plan to see some more pics of my kiddos.

To all those of you who have continued to check the blog despite the lack of posts-hope I brightened your day to see a post finally....to all of my new friends whom I will be meeting in person in a few short months welcome and I am looking forward to getting to know you! :-)