Listen to the Mustn'ts

Listen to the MUSTN'TS, child

Listen to the DON'TS

Listen to the SHOULDN'TS

The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON'TS

Listen to the NEVER HAVES

Then listen close to me--

Anything can happen, child,

ANYTHING can be.

      Shel Silverstein 

      Where the Sidewalk Ends

Gee. I really love my kids. I hope I don't mess them up too much. This poem makes cry. I pray that my children always know how dearly and whole-heartedly they are loved and that I believe in them. I think that is the key to parenting. I know my parents love me and are proud of me (at least last time I checked) and that has, I'm pretty sure, made me a better mother, a better wife, a better friend. Good parenting goes a really long way, and bad parenting probably goes even further. I'll be sure to let you know, I teeter between the two on a daily basis. I guess we probably all dip into both sides at some point along the parenting journey. I do know this, though, I am blessed beyond what I deserve. Thanks be to God for His Grace, no?

Still Around

So, it's been awhile since I've posted anything. I think it must have something to do with the fact that sometime between my last post and today, all hell has broken loose on several different occasions. We've had all kinds of sicknesses, Paul's been on a rotation that doesn't leave much time for family, I turned 30, Ava Belle turned 3, and Miss Meriweather continues to tease us with a day in the 70s and the next day brings snow. On the bright side, Emmett is totally precious and is now crawling and says, "Ma.....Ma!" His smile is unbelievably contagious and he continues to live up to his nickname, 'creamcheese.' Ava Belle is an absolute mess, but, a great source of entertainment (especially, it seems, for Emmett). The other day I looked in her purse that she often carries. In it I found two things: a small hand-held mirror and a little water gun. Yikes. Paul has only six more days of this rotation so, I should be getting my husband back soon. And, I read one of the most lovely books of all time, Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry. It's about a lot of things, but has most profoundly impacted my thoughts regarding my current 'job.' I'm making the beds everyday now. For those of you that know me, this is a pretty big deal. This weekend is Easter and we are celebrating with some of our dear friends....a little egg decorating, some lavender cupcakes and a very, very intimidating lamb shoulder. I'll have to post pictures of our upcoming celebrations later next week. Anyway, this post is just to say that we are still around. Hope all is well and Happy, Happy Easter.