"Fix it, Mommy!"

To say that my sweet, precious Anna Beth is a difficult child is quite the understatement.  It's kind of like saying that water is wet.  She is headstrong, stubborn as a herd of mules, and won't do anything unless she thinks that she thought of it first.  That said, she has a loving heart and a giving spirit that I wouldn't trade for 10 obedient, reasonable, submissive toddlers.

Last week she came running up to me with a sad look on her face.  "Fix it, Mommy!"  "Fix what?" I questioned.  "I bwoked it.  Fix it, Mommy!"  I looked in her tiny hand.  In it, she cradled a broken blue jumbo crayon.

My initial reaction:  "I'm sorry, sweetie, Mommy can't..."  I trailed off as she looked me squarely in the eyes. "Fix it, Mommy," she said with just as much passion and total belief as she had the first two times.  It hit me then.  This was one of those moments where I could justify that innocent, trusting faith that she had in me, or I could say no and disappoint her.  I have no illusions of being a SuperMom, but this was one of those times where I knew that not trying would be more damaging than trying and maybe failing.

With a grin, I said, "Okay, baby.  Let's get some tape and fix it."  We dug out some Scotch tape and wound and wound and wound it around the crayon until it (sort of) stayed together.  Anna Beth gleefully shouted, "Yaaaaaaaay!  You did it!  You fixed it, Mommy!"

As she ran off to play, I thought about how she won't always think that Mommy can fix anything.  My older two are well in that stage.  They know to ask for help when they need it, but they know that Mom can't do everything.  Thankfully, they know that God is capable of doing everything.  I am blessed that they know how imperfect I am and how perfectly perfect that God loves me (and them) in spite of our flaws.

While I can't do everything, I can do something.  I can teach my kids about how our sin has broken us.  It has reduced us to useless garbage that no man with any amount of tape can fix.  God knew in His wisdom that we could be fixed.  We can be bound back together with the healing blood of Jesus Christ.  It heals our brokenness, it washes away our sin, and it restores our lives.  All God asks in return is total belief...the innocent, trusting faith of a child to believe that He is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do.  I am grateful to be His child.

Back to blogging?

Blogging, oh yes.  I forgot about blogging.  It seems like I just use Facebook these days to tell my little funny stories about the kids or I just write the posts in my head and don't share them with anyone.  How sad is that?!?  So, I'm going to give it another shot, just for old time's sake.

I noticed I had 16 unmoderated comments on some of my blog posts.  It seems that my posts REALLY inspire people to want to sell me pharmaceuticals, get me to look at their "gorgeous pictures," or play their "AWESOME" games.  I was pretty disappointed there were no actual comments, but I haven't been commenting much either, so I can't blame anyone but myself...and the pharmaceutical companies.

Anyhow, this happened:

I've lost 30 pounds since January 6--and have NEVER felt better!  Well, except for the part where everyone in my family just had the stomach virus.  ICK!  We are over that now, so I'm going back to the feeling waaaay better part.

And this happened:

My beautiful girls are growing up!  Emma was just inducted into the Jr. National Honor Society.  We are so proud of her accomplishments.  She just started taking piano lessons and is doing GREAT in beginner band, playing the flute.  Anna Beth has mastered the art of the temper tantrum.  No, really.  She will be 3 in May...and that can't get here soon enough if it means the end of the terrible twos.  We've made many attempts with potty training, but at the rate we are going, we may have her trained before she graduates high school.  (And just for you, Rachel,  I included my unmade bed in the background of this picture.  You're welcome.)

And this happened:

We went to the beach in January.  It was a make-up trip for our miserable Christmas.  I had pneumonia and was a sad, sick mess the whole time the kids were out of school.  It was a wonderful trip!

Oh, and this happened:

My super-smart, super-tall son, Luke won his classroom spelling bee and came in 4th runner up in the school spelling bee.  He gets smarter every day!

I am determined to do a better job keeping the ol' blog alive and kicking.  Y'all don't give up on me yet!