Lesson Learned

Compassion.  How do you teach it?  My parents ensured, somehow, that I was steeped in it to the point that I cry at commercials if they're too "mushy."  I can't pass by an animal that appears lost, and I surely cannot stand to see anyone else cry. 

But I have always worried about how I could teach it to my own children...you know, the lesson BEYOND words.

God gave me an opportunity this weekend that still makes me smile...

We attended a swim party for one of my Little Hummingbird's schoolmates - silly sounding in an Oklahoma December but thank the Lord for the Salvation Army pool and its indoor steam spa...er...I mean...pool.

About half way into the party I noticed a girl who had been trying to communicate an insecurity to her mother about sliding into the pool only to be told to "quit being a baby and just do it."  I winced, but minded my own business.

A few minutes later, the girl emerged from the pool without sliding down that scary slide...so nervous she was chewing on her thumbnail and approached her mother again...again the mother berated her and when the girl turned to leave, the mom grabbed the little girl's arm and let her have another couple lines of venom...to which the girl shrieked and jumped in the pool...

Oh...what words to say!?  I know we all "have our days", but the times I remember so well are the ones that ended with some wise woman who approached me with gentle words of wisdom in some public place...some as simple as "It's hard to remember to cherish our children when they act that way, isn't it...?"  Gentle rebuke.  Sweet wisdom. 

Where were the words?...

And then I looked into the pool.  My Little Hummingbird, who was in between me and the little girl sobbing in the water, looked at me with a questioning frown...I could tell instantly what she was looking for - and my heart lept. 

I smiled, and nodded.  My Little Hummingbird slowly waded toward to girl and as she was about to put her hand on that shaking shoulder...she turned to look at me again - as if to ask, "like this?" 

And I smiled, and nodded again. 

My Little Hummingbird's hand lowered slowly and as soon as it touched, the girl turned and embraced my daughter, who stroked her hair and said words I couldn't hear.  And that little girl smiled through her hurt.

And I cried, out loud, in front of complete strangers when my Little Hummingbird turned to face me and gave me a "thumbs up" sign and grin.

Lesson learned...<sigh>...for both of us.

Onward and Forward!

My Favorite Things

I now have proof that this one-time city girl does, indeed, have a bit of "old-timey" in her.  Last week, I bartered (yes- BARTERED!!) with my favorite folk artist; she got some much wanted wood for those chilly nights we've been having.  In return, I got these...

...my own custom-made owl mugs to go with my new favorite tea!! I LOVE BARTERING!!  : }  And to show one of the many reasons why she's my favorite folk artist...tah-dah!!:



Not only is she talented...but she's witty too, making up her own verses for the backs!  I think she gave me a pair with the idea being that I have one to use and one to share...but...ha ha ha....that's just silly!  I'm thinking one for Monday, the other for Tuesday...I'll wash the other and use it on Wednesday, and then...

: } Nahh...just kidding!...sorta...

Onward and Forward!

Change

The weather has changed and so has my mood.  I seem to seek out comfort...in warm, filling foods, thick, comfy clothes, and anything that contains down in it. With The Conductor away on his first train ride, I sat in the sunshine under a snuggly comforter I bought ages ago, sipping on a good book and a cup of Pomegranate Black Tea (my new fave.)

"...Thank you, God, for simple pleasures and sunny windowsills..."

Along with the change in feelings has come a small change to the blog.  I'm hoping that as I find time to write, you'll be able to "snuggle up" in my words (and the new background) with your own steaming cup of something...

Loving my friends and family immeasurably today.

Onward and Forward!

Name Change

I just have enough time to get on here and change names...from "Mr." to "The Conductor". 

It's official.

Monday's Mantra

Daily Devotionals

I try to read a devotional every morning as the girls eat breakfast to fill their hearts throughout the day, but I must admit, the silence and chewing I hear when I'm done has made me wonder multiple times if any of it is sinking in.  I try to ask questions...you know, get them involved...but I still wonder.

A couple of weeks ago, I sensed that my little hummingbird felt insecure, a bit "off"...so I read a devotional about God understanding her more than she could imagine; with so much love, so much completeness that he knew every hair on her head - so she should never feel that she's alone or totally misunderstood.  I had tears in my eyes at the end of our talk...but she just sighed, and then walked away.

<sigh>
Epic failure...

The other night, returning from our precious Queen's birthday party, the girls and I were talking to stay awake.  My sweet bluebird thinks that sixty (which IS NOT how old Queen is... : }) is practically ancient and I chuckled to myself as she pondered how it would feel to be that old.

She then commented that she wondered how she would die (interesting subject change, I know, but I just went with it), and added that she hoped it was peaceful.  I jumped in saying that I hoped my death wasn't horrible, and I didn't waste away to a horrible disease, and it was after I had met my children's children...my sweet bluebird adding that she wanted her great-grandchildren to really know her. ...precious...

The whole time my little hummingbird sat silent...

..but, then...quietly, she stated, (I could almost see her brows furrowed in the dark...)
         "Momma, you know what I'm going to ask God when I die? ..."

"No, my little hummingbird, what?"

         "I'm going to ask Him how many hairs I have on my head."

                                         !!!!


...Gift idea for Christmas? A 2012 devotional for the girls...

Onward and Forward!

Fall Fun

Part of Tink's birthday celebration was a trip to the Pumpkin Patch with our Forever Friends...

I think our little driver's expression says it all...can you see that grin!?  : }

She was so proud...and so ready for sister to find hers!



Much thought and consideration went into her "pick"!!

A wonderful memory made with friends we cherish...

Onward and Forward!!

Do Over!

I'm quite obviously new to so many things in life right now - my faith is "new", my marriage is "new" (despite the 14 years its actually been "legal" - I'm talking in counseling terms)...even my journey with blogging is "new".  And it seems the more involved I get with any one thing, and the happier and more confident I become - that's precisely the moment when it all falls apart.

We've all been there, I know. It happened to me (again) today. 

All of the posts on this blog were deleted by accident after my computer froze from work being done on the lines...and then the "bad" just kept piling on after that; bad grade on a midterm, disagreement with Mr., having to rearrange my entire afternoon ( I DO NOT deal well with that...) and that eternal struggle with money...

But for some reason, today it hit me especially hard.  I was truly tempted to have a complete meltdown...I felt attacked, frustrated, angry, and hopeless...

In complete and utter honesty, the only thing that saved me was a little whisper:

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12

Ahhh...thank you...

Frozen computers (can be fixed - or thrown to alleviate pent-up anger), empty blogs (can be a fresh beginning), hurt feelings (can be forgiven), rearranged schedules (can be...rearranged), money will just continue to be a struggle...

DO OVER!!!!

 Spiritual warfare battle score:
 GOD & KIM: 4,057  (that I've recognized, anyway...)
 THAT BAD GUY: 0

Onward and Forward!