What was your name again?

I've always said that I have a bad memory, but I'm realizing that's not quite true. My brain is just very selective. It holds onto useless pieces of information I'll never use again and lets go of all the important stuff.

Things I can't remember without LOTS of help:

• Names of people I see and talk to regularly
• Birthdays of friends and family members
• Appointments
• Commitments
• State capitals
• The current day or date

Things I can't seem to forget:

• The French names of all my friends in high school French class
• Random "beauty" tips from teeny mags I read in the 7th grade
• How to ask where the trashcan is in Spanish
• Way too many facts about the history of the British monarchy
• A squared * B squared = C squared (who cares?)
• The lyrics from every song in Phantom of the Opera and Les Mis (okay, and Annie, too)
• The plots (but not the titles) of just about every short story I ever had to read in lit classes
• Commercial songs and catch phrases from past decades (Where's the beef?)

Joining the 21st Century

Until yesterday, I had an old-fashioned, antiquated cell phone (2 years old) that couldn't do anything but call people and take pictures. I thought that was all I needed, but now I know better. I need a Smart Phone that can accommodate my unlimited texting, function as an mp3 player, check my email, update my Facebook status....and call people and take pictures. Of course, I can't figure out how to get the camera feature to work, and I may have to fork over more cash to download the Facebook application. But I love my cute little green Palm Centro. No condescending remarks from all you iPhone addicts. There ARE other cool phones in the world.

It's Not About Me

I love it when I make myself do something that I don't want to do, and then it turns out to be a totally fulfilling experience. I've been avoiding Awanas at our church for over a year and was (honestly) not happy a few months ago when I got roped (guilted) into helping. It was a nightmare for a few weeks, but we kept going because Carter absolutely LOVES his Puggles class. He knows that Wednesday means Puggles, and he's not a happy camper if he misses. Long story short...I really like helping in Mason's Sparks class now. And I love seeing him get excited when he learns new Bible verses. Just goes to show how much God can accomplish in our hearts when we get out of the way and let His will take over.

Galations 6:9

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

O'er and O'er Again

I'm looking into hiring a staff for the following:

- Laundry
- Sweeping cereal and rice off the kitchen floor

- Cleaning the toothpaste out of the sink after Carter "washes his hands" (?)

- Buying new toothpaste

- Picking up Hungry Hungry Hippo marbles off the floor

- Wiping little, lotion-y handprints off the TV screen

- Retrieving sippie cups from under the couch and dumping out old juice/milk/etc.

- Reminding Mason that "But I was just..." IS arguing

- Reminding Carter that he can't sit on the TV cabinet to watch TV

- Pushing in the bottom drawer of Jas's dresser

- Turning off every light between the living room and bathroom

- Throwing away empty boxes that have been left in the pantry

- Cutting the boys' hair and clipping their nails

- Putting on Carter's Pull Up and pajama pants ten times after he gets out of bed to "go potty"

- Laundry

Applicants should send a resume and references to my email address
(Note: The list above is not a complete job description, but a small sample of required duties.)

Let Me Hold You Longer

When I was strolling through Drug Warehouse today, I discovered the poem I was trying to describe a few posts ago. Actually, Carter discovered it when he reached out and grabbed a children's book by Karen Kingsbury...my favorite Christian contemporary author. The book is called Let Me Hold You Longer, and in usual KK style, you can't read it without a box of tissues handy. Here's page 1, courtesy of Amazon.com:

Long ago you came to me,
a miracle of firsts:

First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away
and leave me to your past,
And I will be left thinking of
a lifetime of your lasts.

Sniff, sniff...

Here are some pictures of our memories (hopefully not "lasts") from the past few weeks.

(a) Mason and Carter on Valentine's Day before school

(b) Carter and his super cute friend Jordan on her 3rd birthday

(c) Mason at the park on a gorgeous February day

(d) Kaelan, Mason, Carter, Kendall, Kolson, and two of Kendall's friends at Bounce U during one of the snow day bounce sessions - a HUGE lifesaver on the third day in a row that the kids were home from school because of icy roads

Bad Boys

When Mason got in the car today after school, he was bursting with excitement about a new song he learned on the playground. He couldn't wait to sing it for me.

Bad boys, bad boys
Whatcha gonna' do?
Whatcha gonna' do
When they come for you?

He had to sing loud, though, because Carter was telling me over and over again that he wanted to go to "Ma Mart" and get some "Rice Christmas Trees." We didn't go to Wal Mart to get Rice Krispies, but I did laugh out loud at my 6-year-old singing the Cops theme at the top of his lungs, like it was the latest cool hit song.

Beauty from Ashes

The boys and I traveled to Borger for Gran Hanna's funeral and just got back yesterday. It always amazes me how God can take a sad day and turn it into a blessing. It's hard to say good bye, but it's good to see loved ones that we never get to see. Carter couldn't get enough of his Grandad, and he was not too happy when Grandad paid attention to Baby Isaac. I got to spend some quality time with Isaac -what a sweet little guy! Mason made fast friends with Grandad's super cool cousin, Priscilla, also known as Ooh Hoo. It's a good thing she has grandkids because she was our housemate for 3 days. Anyone who's not used to kids would probably opt for a hotel room instead. I have pictures to post...just as soon as I find my camera...