It all starts with me.

One of the first recommendations I received when moving, was that I should really take the Mom's Class here.  Apparently, it's been around for 30 years and the woman who teaches it is a real gem. I checked it out the first week...and almost left since I felt like the new girl all over again. (yuck!) But I'm really glad I stuck it out. I am meeting some really sweet women and I just know that this is where I am supposed to be.

So much of my normal routine includes telling little people what to do and what not to do.  So much of my griping includes what they didn't do and how many times I have to repeat over and over...and over what I'm trying to teach them.  I can get pretty good at focusing on them and their weaknesses and inflating myself.  It's very easy for me to totally neglect my own growth because I'm so focused on them.

Anyone with me?

I loved hearing this week the simple reminder that my growth is a priority. I'm still in process. I have much to learn. And as I grow and change, my littles will get to see & experience that too.  As I model a good attitude in all circumstances (even when the grocery clerk looks annoyingly at me as I let my kids help unload my cart)...they will see that. As I ask forgiveness for my harsh tone of voice, they will experience that. And, prayerfully, they will begin to learn that we cannot change ourselves---that only God can change our ugly sinfulness. Over time. Lots of times. with lots of grace.

A letter from Zoe

To all my friends & family,

I can't believe that I am 7 months old already.  Things have happened really fast for me.  I took a LONG drive in a car with only mommy & daddy.  That was such a special treat for me. I got all of their attention.  I quickly discovered that Mom could hold my hand whenever I wanted: all I had to do was scream loudly and there she was.  Ahhh. Much better.  

We got to some place called Arizona and I had a lot of fun swimming in the pool.  I also got tons of hugs & kisses from my grandparents, cousins, sisters, brother...and lots of people.  I love people. I can't really go to sleep or anything if people are around. It's too exciting. oh! And I discovered that I could sit up by myself and grab my paci.  No thanks, mom & dad, I got it.  I'm very proud to show off my new skills.

I share a room with my sisters now which is ok. They like for me to sit on their beds and "play". I don't really understand why because every time I try to eat their beads or Littlest Pets they rip them out of my hands.  It's so mean.  Even my brother does that with his legos. Hm....I'll have to figure out why later.

A few weeks ago, I decided that sitting was boring so I learned how to crawl. Now, we're talking! I can get anywhere I want. Freedom!  I really like those long twisty cord-things that are attached to walls, but Mom gets this nervous look on her face when I go near them and then she whisks me away as I try to bite it and pull it out of the wall.  Again, I don't get it.  It's an even weirder face when I try to crawl up those other things that go to my bedroom. Everyone else does it, so I figure I should too..right? And while I'm at it, I might as well tell you that I like to pull myself up. It's a much better view than that whole sitting business.

The last exciting thing is that I get to sit at the table now.  I get fed this orange stuff from a plastic thing and it feels weird on my gums but I like it.  Really like it. Must have more!  Everyone gets so happy when I eat the stuff...it's pretty awesome.  My mouth even starts to say "Ma-ma" which gives my Mom complete joy.

Oops! I've spent too much time being quiet. Mom will be coming for sure. Thanks for all the love!

Zoe

Green beans, coffee & sleeping queens.

If you could've been a fly on our wall last night, you would've witnessed quite a scene. I mean, really.  It couldn't have gotten more entertaining if I tried.  There are those moments when, looking back, you have to just shake your head and KNOW that you will remember this day for the REST OF YOUR LIFE.  That was my night.

The day started with a bang. Triplet #3 was finally struck with the fever & puking business that her little cohort had the previous week.  I hate seeing them so sick.  Tugs at Mama's heart strings, that's for sure. But, my day was hijacked from a morning at Bible study to taking care of my babies.  By 11am, we had exhausted our usual routines and it was time for operation: leave the house.  Our 6 month old had a doctor visit.  So we all piled in the minivan and went across town.  Of course, we were early (um, that never happens). The office was locked for lunch. We had to wait in the car, playing hangman and talking with some lady who commented on what a "full car" I had. She then proceeded to say that one of my triplets looked older than the other 2 (that created quite a debate later).  Sigh.

Anywho, the kiddos were fabulous during the two hours we were there.  I actually stopped for a treat from Starbucks for myself (the baby DID get shots, after all).  Then we got home.  I'm not sure what exactly happened but something went spiraling downhill. fast.

The baby's leg got stuck in the crib. Kids decided it was imperative that all 3 wear swimsuits while the baby was crying.  I forgot the rice on the stove and was reminded when I smelled the delightful burning from upstairs.  Got baby calm and realized that I had no more sweet potato left for her.  Make green bean puree (what was I thinking!?).  Baby spits out green beans like I have officially violated her taste buds.  Quickly give avocado.  Same thing. Screaming ensues and I let her drink milk happily from a bottle that her 5 yr. old siblings feed her---while fighting over whose turn it is.

Before dinner can get on the table, it is decided that a rousing card game of Sleeping Queens should be played exactly where I was going to put the plates of food.  Of course! Why not?! It is one of those nights, after all.  I convince the trio to wait for the game until after dinner and we all sit down to eat a meal of saved rice with some chicken.  Must read certain Bible story about Prodigal Son. Lots of questions to field.  Is it bed time yet?

After dinner, comes cleaning and finally playing 2 rounds of Sleeping Queens ( I had to at least win 1 game).  Bed time followed.  Thankful for new day tomorrow.

Why am I sharing this?? Cause it got ugly. I mean, U G L Y. And not just "it".  ME.  I did not execute self-control, patience, kindness or gentleness very well.  I was a wreck.  I mean, it was stressful!!  But as I think back to last night, the story of the Prodigal son hit me like a ton of bricks.  They were asking why the older brother got so angry that the father would throw a party for the younger one.  I explained that the older brother had followed ALL the rules, had stayed close to his dad and had worked hard.  The younger brother didn't do any of those things yet the Father loved them both equally.  My kids were not so convinced. Until I reminded them of Jesus.  I told them we ALL make mistakes, we all can be unloving...but we can also be prideful.  We can think we deserve something when we really don't.  Which makes Jesus so wonderful. He is the only person who is perfect.  He is the only reason that I am fully loved by my Father in Heaven.  Thank goodness that when I placed my trust in Him, God sees Jesus' perfect record and not my ugliness.  Jesus and His perfect life covers my sin and makes me clean.
And for that, I am grateful.  For that, I can wake up today ready for a new start!

And maybe...just maybe...my baby will eat those green beans I made for her :)

Triplets Turn 5!

Alright, alright. Better late than never. Here's a quick recap of the triplets 5th birthday party before we left California. They had a BLAST at our community center gymnasium. Even without a/c.  I cannot believe these little beauties...are now kindergarten-age. Where does time go?!

Anyway, we had a great time celebrating them with their friends.  Here are some pics to share with you!

Funfetti pancakes to start the day!

Paisley's Captain America cake

Cooper's R2D2

Ellie's purple butterfly

Parachute ride

Obstacle course

Lessons from the Southwest.

Greetings, officially, from the Southwest!  We are settling in nicely to our new Arizona home (the adage "happy renters" is true. When something is broken = call the landlord)!  Besides hanging pictures on our walls, which are a glaring white (yuck)...we are unpacked. Phew. That was quite a feat, but we did it. 

As we have moved back to this part of the country, we are learning some new lessons over here that I thought I'd pass along: 

• Popsicles really do help us stay cool. 
• All the cacti we see are REAL. not fake. 
• The aforementioned word "cactus" is when there is 1..."cacti" is when there is more than 1. (grammar lessons, you know!?)
• There are crazy awesome summer storms called "monsoons" and "haboobs". it's okay to giggle. we do. 
• Bring water with you at all times when running errands. 
• Tucson has Eegee's (a yummy, slushy treat)
• Our new house has STAIRS. Fun for kids. Tiring for moms :) 
• Grass is a total luxury. Rocks/gravel are standard. No slip and slides on rocks. 

Pretty educational, right?! I'll be posting some more family updates soon and things we're dealing with. But for now, we are enjoying our new city and new church! 

Still here. Going there.

It's been over a month since my last post. Yikes! We have been busy. I mean, Bih-zee. So, the blog got stuck on the back burner for awhile.

But I'm dusting off the cobwebs for one final post from our NorCal home. We are moving. Moving to a new place, a new job, a new (rented) home.  The triplets are already in AZ with my parents, enjoying a little vacation while we finish the details of cleaning and saying goodbye to dear friends here.

"How are you feeling?"

This is a very popular question I'm being asked recently.  For a professed "feeler" like me (Meyers-Briggs, anyone?!), it's a difficult question to answer. Lots of conflicting emotions are swirling around. I have sadness. Fear. Wonder. Joy. Hope. Excitement. 

We are answering a call to start a church. We are moving forward and are encouraged by what God is doing in our hearts and are excited about what He can do in the future.  Saying goodbye is never easy and tears will be shed. But I know that these friendships will last and we will see each other again. 

I'll probably be offline for a few weeks, until we are settled. But until then, please pray for our family as we transition and move! Thanks so much! 

Setting the Tone.

"Mom! we have done SUCH a good job. We haven't had any consequences in so long!"

My sweet little girl joyfully shouted this at me last week.

It had been a rough week a couple of weeks ago. My sweet little miss in the picture above has really high highs...and really low lows.  We have been hammering in the truth of self-control and how God can help us not to over-react. But sometimes, she just gives in to the fits.  She can go from being the most joyful bubbly spirited girl to the 4-almost-5 year old lying completely face-down screaming her cute little head off.  Because someone barely. touched. her. barely. :) 

So when she told me this, I immediately rejoiced with her! She had done a good job. It was true. There were not many consequences being thrown out in our house.  But as I praised her effort, I couldn't help but notice this tiny, nagging feeling in my tummy.  What was it!?

I began to really think about the following week of improvement.  It hit me like a ton of bricks. That was the week when I started committing to wake up 1 hour early to spend time reading my Bible, journalling, praying, planning my meals, etc.  It was the week where I was diving into Scripture passages and really letting them sink in.  I had turned off tv shows at night and read more books.  Slept more. 

Hmmm...maybe she wasn't the only one having a problem with self-control. 

God gently showed me how my attitude had changed, too. My fuse was a lot longer that week.  I was able to engage in activities with my kids, rely on His strength more and enjoy them.  I wasn't easily angered, frustrated or bitter.  He had set a different tone. 

As a  mom, I have a great responsibility to teach and train my kids. But I can't do this by myself. I need to fully surrender to God and invite Him to give me the power & energy I need.  And when He shows up, everyone can tell!  I am so thankful that He is a God who is near and able to give us what we need.  We can set the tone in our homes, women. Let's encourage each other to do that all the more!

"..let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;  for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." James 1:19-21

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