(The day we found this leaf, it was so pretty with the green strips in the blazing orange. Today it is a little more curled and the green isn't as vibrant.) We didn't have trees like this growing up, so it still fascinates me!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Being Creative
This is no news flash, but I have realized once again that I would much rather be creative than domestic. (I know, you're thinking...duh!) It doesn't matter if it is something simple like stamping gift tags, or working on a scrapbook--I just enjoy being creative! Then I see things like this leaf and I realize again that my God is so creative. It doesn't matter if it is something simple like a leaf or designing a person and her life story.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Papa & Sweet Boy’s Concoction
I have been looking through picture albums for a project and came accross this story that makes me laugh every time I see it!
It was Mother’s Day. Not just any Mother’s Day—the day we had Sweet Doll’s Baby Dedication at church! So Granny and Papa came down, and all SweetHeart’s family were coming over to our house for lunch. I was trying to get as much prepared the night before as I could, so lunch for that big crowd would come together quick and smooth. Sweet Boy and Papa were chopping pecans for me to put in a salad. They finished the amount I needed, and Sweet Boy asked, “Mom, can I chop up some chips?”
“Sure. Why not,” I replied. I could see it in their eyes Sweet Boy and Papa had an experiment going! Being the scientist that he is, Papa kept track of all that went into their concoction. Sweet Boy thought it was pretty cool the way those four Sour Cream ‘n’ Onion Baked Lays Potato Chips ground up in the nut chopper. Then they added 6 pecans. They poured that mixture into one of the kid-sized Tuperware mixing bowls I used to play with and added lemonade until it was just the right consistency—150 ml according to Papa! Now you and I both know that is not an inviting combination, but to this almost 4-year-old it sounded like the most delicious treat that he wanted to share with everyone! The whole time they were mixing and adding a little more lemonade to make it just right, Sweet Boy kept talking about how he wanted Uncle R and Cousin C, especially, to taste it. And it was going to be great!
Then the taste testing moment arrived. Papa poured some of the juice into a small cup, and I got the camera ready for the reaction. Sweet Boy was oblivious to mine and Papa’s grins that were just waiting to laugh out loud as he took a sip. You could tell he wanted to sell it and say it was yummy! But then reality hit all those taste buds and the optimistic expression on his face changed to...
This is Yuck!
I promised you would laugh! Hope you have a good day!
Remembering Shanna
November 29th, the Monday after Thanksgiving 25 years ago. For some reason, this year I didn't want this day to be a big deal. I acknowledged the day my sister died with my mom, but I didn't want to be emotional about it. When a tragedy happens in your life, it affects they way you react to situations, and yesterday was one of those times.
Let me preface the story with this year is a little more difficult for me because I was 7 when Shanna died, and she was 4. My oldest is 7, and my daughter is 4. I can't imagine trying to help a 7 year old cope with death. And I can't imagine loosing my 4 year old.
Yesterday, I made a minor decision that my SweetDoll did not agree with. To which she said, "I wish I didn't hava a mom or dad with stinky rules." Saying things like that just breaks my heart because I don't remember if I had a fight with Shanna the day before, or if I gave her a hug. And today I decided to talk with Heather about saying such things. So I sat her on the stool infront of me and looked her in the eye.
"SweetDoll, you really don't need to say things like that."
"Why?"
"Because if something really bad happened to momma, you would feel bad. And I don't want you to feel bad. I don't want you to get into a habit of talking to people like that."
"Why?"
"I'm going to tell you something and I might cry, but it is ok. I don't remember if I was mean to my sister or if I told her I loved her and then she died and went to live with Jesus. So we need to speak kind words to each other because we don't know what will happen tomorrow."
She knew about Shanna before, so that was not a bombshell for her. Then she asked to see a picture of her. We got out the picture album and looked at pictures. She called my brother, Sweet Boy. "No, that is Uncle J!" Then she asked to see a picture of Shanna when she was big like me. I told her that there weren't any because she died when she was four. She looked at me with that understanding look--that is how old I am. Then she asked if it made me sad to think about Shanna. I told her it did a little, but that is ok. Then she said something very sweet. "Momma, when I get big, I'll be your sister." In many ways, I look forward to the time when we can do things as friends.
Needless to say, I didn't make it through this week without all the emotions! I'm sorry to share the tears, but thanks for letting me remember my sister. The next post will make you laugh. I promise!
Let me preface the story with this year is a little more difficult for me because I was 7 when Shanna died, and she was 4. My oldest is 7, and my daughter is 4. I can't imagine trying to help a 7 year old cope with death. And I can't imagine loosing my 4 year old.
Yesterday, I made a minor decision that my SweetDoll did not agree with. To which she said, "I wish I didn't hava a mom or dad with stinky rules." Saying things like that just breaks my heart because I don't remember if I had a fight with Shanna the day before, or if I gave her a hug. And today I decided to talk with Heather about saying such things. So I sat her on the stool infront of me and looked her in the eye.
"SweetDoll, you really don't need to say things like that."
"Why?"
"Because if something really bad happened to momma, you would feel bad. And I don't want you to feel bad. I don't want you to get into a habit of talking to people like that."
"Why?"
"I'm going to tell you something and I might cry, but it is ok. I don't remember if I was mean to my sister or if I told her I loved her and then she died and went to live with Jesus. So we need to speak kind words to each other because we don't know what will happen tomorrow."
She knew about Shanna before, so that was not a bombshell for her. Then she asked to see a picture of her. We got out the picture album and looked at pictures. She called my brother, Sweet Boy. "No, that is Uncle J!" Then she asked to see a picture of Shanna when she was big like me. I told her that there weren't any because she died when she was four. She looked at me with that understanding look--that is how old I am. Then she asked if it made me sad to think about Shanna. I told her it did a little, but that is ok. Then she said something very sweet. "Momma, when I get big, I'll be your sister." In many ways, I look forward to the time when we can do things as friends.
Needless to say, I didn't make it through this week without all the emotions! I'm sorry to share the tears, but thanks for letting me remember my sister. The next post will make you laugh. I promise!
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