Bribes

There was a time when Matt would approach me for a hug or kiss. Without a word from me he would snuggle up and stay there for a good amount of time. He was always willing to show me affection.

Times have changed. Mr. Independent and Cool prefers to watch "Pokemon" on the couch with s p a c e. I try to sit next to him, but the other day he said, "Mom, your breathing is bugging me." (I KNOW!) He wakes me in the morning with "Mom, can I go watch TV?" No morning kiss. No welcome. Just something he wants. Sometimes I'll grab him and he'll push away and go back to the main question, "Mom, can I watch TV?"

This morning when he asked for more Trix, I replied, "Can you give me a kiss for more milk?" He did and I soaked in every moment! Then he went back to the main question, "Can I have my Trix now?"

So this what our relationship has boiled down to? Bribes! Seems like the only way to gain his affection. Don't get me wrong. I get a kiss when I tuck him in at night. We have conversations about our day. About sports. About friends and life. About which Power Ranger is stronger: green or red????? (Even I am lost with that one!!) I love that part of our relationship. But there areas in our relationship that are slowly starting to disappear. Seems like I have to find the exact time to ask about Matt's day in order to get a full answer. I thank God I have the opportunity to rediscover these moments with Mark, but it's not the same. Mark isn't Matt. I just love my son and pray when he's graduating high school he takes a few seconds to hug me and say: "Mom, thanks for everything. I love you."

This got me thinking: Do I exercise my relationship with my Lord on a daily basis? Do I only give Him time when He offers something in return? Do I aprroach His throne when things are going well or only when I am in need? Oh boy, did I have a heart check with this one!

As I long for these moments with Matt, I pray they remind me to pick up God's Word and learn more and more about His character. To stay in relationship with Him. Consistently. No matter how my life's journey is at the moment.

COMING FRIDAY: "The Family Table"!! Where does your family frequently eat their meals? Is it a regular table? An island w. barstools? The living room couch? Get your cameras ready and snap a shot of your "family table". I can't wait to see and share!!

Feelin' HOT HOT HOT

The temps sky-rocketed this weekend! Mid-90's and humid. We brought out our Slip 'n' Slide (for the first time this season if you can believe it) and quickly our backyard became the "in" place to be. Matt's neighborhood buddies came over for most of Saturday and part of Sunday. I was on filling-the-water-balloons duty and I think I filled that Gladware container so many times I lost count. Mark camped out by the Slip 'n' Slide filling cups of water and dumping them. Toddlers are so easily amused!

What do you think happened next? You guessed right -- they turned on me! I was drenched several times! (No photo of that -- sorry everyone!)

So overall I think we went through 10 CapriSuns, two large bowls of popcorn and a gallon of floor cleaner!

Also, Saturday night I was surprised when Baseballs and Bows randomly selected me to receive a copy of Holy Discontent. I believe all things happen for a reason and I anticipate how God speaks through this. (Thanks, Lauren!!)

REMEMBER: Coming soon....."The Family Table"!! Where does your family frequently eat their meals? Is it a regular table? An island w. barstools? The living room couch? Get your cameras ready and snap a shot of your "family table". I can't wait to see and share!!

"You are so yummy!"

I say this every morning to Mark. He is all smiles when I walk into his bedroom. I kiss his head before changing the first diaper of the day. He lets me know exactly what I'll find: "poo poo" or "pee pee"

I say this when he runs to me. We sit on the floor. I kiss his plump feet. Tickle his neck. Make him laugh hard, you know, that "belly laugh".

I say this when he makes his usual teethy grin. He always stops for a quick snapshot!

I say this after dinner when ketchup is smeared around his lips. Applesauce in his hair. Mark has never been a neat eater. I take him to the sink to wash up. He loves the feel of foam soap between his fingers.

I say this after a bath. He dances naked and refuses to put his PJ's on. He requests many books to be read. I don't have to elborate on how much I love that fresh-out-of-the-bath scent. Moms know.

I say this while we sit together on the couch before "night night". He grabs a fleece blanket and leans on my side. I eat this time up, even though he's picking his nose or passing gas then quickly acknowledging "me!"

I say this before bedtime. He loves to brush his teeth and drink from a Dixie Cup. Sometimes his spit hits the sink. Most of the time he misses. He grabs the towel to clean up his minor mess. Off he goes to his crib and gives me a good night kiss. The day is done. And then I greet him the next morning......

"Mark, you are so yummy!"

COMING SOON: "The Family Table" Where does your family frequently eat their meals? Is it a regular table? An island w. barstools? The living room couch? Get your cameras ready and snap a shot of your "family table". I can't wait to see and share!!

Same Old Same Old

Another holiday without plans. I started laundry. Made pancakes and forgot about a set of them. Yep, one side golden brown. The other burned black! (Thanks cup of coffee and newspaper.) And you all thought I had my act together, right? The jig is up!

Steve went into the office to work on his studies. I worked on my grocery list. Watched The Wiggles with Mark. Listened to Lego Star Wars while posting this.

Grilled steaks, tomatoes and zucchini. Let the boys consume too much sugar. (We allow pop consumption on holidays.) After dinner we took a family walk around the neighborhood. Visited next-door friends. Then to my shock Mark thought he could just climb out of the wagon while in motion. What is he thinking?

Watched fireworks go off above the trees while sitting on our deck. It sounded like a war zone. Played soccer with Matt in the pitch black. Took a ball to the head. OUCH!

Counting down the days until swimming lessons start again. (Monday)

Wordless Wednesday: Camped Out

Slam-Dunks

Sunday on our way home from church we stopped at our local farmer's market. I like supporting local growers and you can't beat that fresh-picked taste. We left with yummy sweet corn, zucchini, tomatoes and green beans. Did I also mention you can't beat the price? So visit your town's farmers market and find great deals and delicious eats!

Mark loves basketball! He points out every hoop on the block. He tribbles any ball -- big, small, hard or soft. I am already impressed that he can make shots when our Fisher Price hoop is at the highest setting. Like Matt pitch-hitting a baseball by 2-1/2, this kid is showing some talent!!

And something that makes my showers even better -- besides just having the time to take one -- is Method's Bloq Body Bar. The price is great, the smell is fresh and you can find all varieties at Target. If you like mint, you have to try Green Mint. And the OMop.....well.....I'll save that for another post! (Another great find)

Since our country is focusing on our found freedom this week, let me leave you with a promise from the Lord:

"Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you." Galatians 5:1 (The Message)

Go in peace and live in the freedom God gave us in Jesus!