Why is God Fluddering the Earth Again?

Linking up with "From the Aisle to Aloha."

This is a little thing that really brought so much joy to my week.

I won't lie, it has been a rough one, but my two boys really keep things in perspective. I want to hold on to each fleeting moment.  The good, the bad, and the ugly . . . because with them there is always greatness. God really shows up in my boys.  He uses them everyday to teach me so many things. Now, on to our story . . .  

 George must be learning about rainbows and God flooding the Earth in Sunday school because it has been a constant stream of questions and discussions over the last few days. He keeps asking me what a rainbow means? And who got to go in the ark? And why did God fludder (aka flood) the Earth? And why were the people making bad decisions? We have tried to explain the story to him a number of times, but when he gets something in his head that he can't quite grasp he does not let it go.  He wants all the answers, and I mean all of them. 

 So . . . tonight we went to a high school football game, and as we were leaving it began to rain. It started out as a trickle, but by the time we got to the car it was a downpour. We got into the car as fast as we could and were thankful we didn't get totally soaked. George proceeded to ask, "Mom, why is God fluddering the Earth again?" How would you answer that question? 

(All photography done by the lovely Teale Dvornik.)

The Little Things . . .

Hi Friends,Today I am linking up at "From the Aisle to Aloha."  Is that a cute blog title or what?Anyways, she hosts a little link-up party on Fridays about the little things that got us through our week.

Think of it as a new spin on "Friday Favorites."  These are favorites that actually mean something.  How about them apples?

So . . . this is my first installment of my little things that help me cope in the midst of this crazy life.

1.  CBS Bible study:

On Wednesday mornings I go to a Community Bible Study. 

We are studying First Peter right now, and WOW . . . I. am. learning. a. lot. 

We have only been studying for five weeks, but topics like - how to be a servant, how to submit to leadership, how to truly love your brother, why we suffer, how to deal with suffering . . . have been a part of the discussion. 

Are you kidding me?  Talk about hitting you right between the eyes.  God is speaking.  And I am listening.

It definitely helps me get through my week.

2.  The Husband.

I don't talk a whole lot about my husband on the blog, and I don't really know why.

Maybe because my kids take up so much of my brain space that it is difficult to think about much else on a daily basis.

I know that is so backward, and I need to work harder at giving my husband more of my time and brain power.

But back to him . . . He is wonderful.

I caught a cold this week, and with my lifestyle colds just don't fit.  I am too busy to take a day off, so I have to push through. 

Last night before I fell asleep Tim was so sweet to ask me how I was feeling and to let him know if I had a fever or felt terrible.  I am not really sure what he was going to do about it, but he knew that I would feel love just from the asking. 

He is super sweet, even when I am not. What a guy.

3.  Pumpkin cookies.

I don't really have to explain a whole lot with this one.

These are the best cookies ever. period.

I got the recipe from one of Peter (my brother)'s old girlfriend's mom.  They are simply the best piece of a pumpkin baked good to ever grace these lips . . . or anyone else's for that matter.

So . . . what little things have helped you get through your week?  This little exercise was F. U. N.

Friday Favorites - 9/8/11

I haven't done a "Friday Favorites" post in a while, so I thought I would share this week.

Here is what I am loving:
1. Favorite Fall Decoration:

via Pinterest

I haven't started decorating for Fall quite yet (unlike some of those other crazy people I have seen on the internet lately:). In Florida we are lucky to get in the 80's before Thanksgiving. I usually begin the decorations around October 1st. I also don't decorate for Halloween specifically. I just use all Fall decorations, so I can leave them out through Thanksgiving until I put up the Christmas ones. I love the way this picture captures the warm and cozy feelings of Fall. I will have to keep it mind when I break out the bins I have waiting for me in the garage.

2. Favorite Quote of the week:

via Pinterest

Have you seen "The Help?" I read the book, and I usually never like movies as much as books. I do have to say that this movie was excellent. I really, really enjoyed it. Although I am an English teacher and do have to admit the complete incorrectness of this quote, the message is beautiful. This maid wanted this little girl to feel like she could do anything. Don't we all need someone to tell us this truth?

3. Favorite Moment of the week:
No picture, but my baby has been sick this week. I don't like that at all, but I do like the cuddles. He never sits on my lap for more than 2 seconds usually. All this week he has just laid with me and cuddled for minutes at a time:) Pure bliss!

That is what I am liking this week.

Friday Favorites 8/18

This will be the "Friday Favorites: Awkward Edition."

1. Favorite Style of the week:

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I got this image from Pinterest after searching under the title, "style." Seriously? Is this for real? I can appreciate style that is "out of the ordinary" as much as the next person, but this is taking it too far in my humble opinion.

2. Favorite awkward moment of the week:
I was using the bathroom, and my four year old begins to ask me questions about the difference in the way boys and girls go number one. You know how I get with "those" types of questions. We have had conversations before about the difference in private parts, but he was asking about specifics. I will leave it at this . . . I had to end the conversation by telling him to never show anyone his private parts except his immediate family, and if he had anymore questions to ask his father. Ahem.

And I am deeply sorry, but there will be no pictures of this momentous conversation. First of all, I couldn't get to my camera in that state, and secondly, I think your imagination will do the trick on this one.

3. Favorite (or least favorite) poltergeist evidence of the week:
Now, let me start by saying I. DO. NOT. BELIVE. IN. GHOSTS. Yes, read it again because it is in all caps. I just couldn't think of another way to describe what happened to us this week. Two days in a row, our heat (yes, HEAT) came on for ten minutes in the middle of the day. We have no idea why, and it hasn't happened since. It would be blowing hot air until the thermostat read 82 degrees, and then it would kick back to cold. Weird? I think yes.

Awkward favorites can be fun, too. You see:)

Friday Favorites - 8/12

Welcome to another edition of "Friday Favorites." I try to send some inspiration your way each week when I pick my favorite moments/crafts/whatever else I can come up with to post. Hope you enjoy!

1. Favorite moment of the week.
My brother and his wife lived with us this summer (as I may have mentioned one or two times before). We really enjoyed having them around. We get along with them as couples really well, so fun times are always had when we are together. They left this week, and I knew that my oldest was going to have a hard time with it. He loves Uncle Peter so much (it may or may not have something to do with their shared love of all things video game related). Last night George sat basically on Peter's lap the entire night, just soaking up every last minute with his beloved uncle. It was so sweet to watch, and I just love that they have such a bond. I hope it carries out through George's entire life because I can't imagine any better role model for him than my brother.


2. Favorite Thing I Did This Week:
I registered for my first two graduate school classes. I. Am. So. Excited. I am starting a masters in Educational Leadership this Fall, and I am really looking forward to using my academic brain again. I have really missed adult conversation and academic competition while being home with my boys. I wouldn't trade my mom job for anything in the world, but I think I am going to love getting out one or two nights a week to concentrate on exercising my brain. I will keep you updated on how it is going.


3. Favorite Idea of the Week:
I have started reading this blog, I am Momma - Hear Me Roar. She is another mom of two boys, so I feel an instant connection to her. She had a post a while back about "Gunny." It is basically an easy sowing project that teaches a big lesson. I love the idea of a visual to help my young children learn to pick up after themselves. In my humble opinion, this idea is truly genius. Now I just need to break out the sewing machine I got for Christmas (yes, Christmas, and no I haven't used it once), so I can make a "Gunny" for us.

Laundry & Friday Favorites

I don't have too much time to write today. This is what I have been doing all morning and what I will be doing for most of the rest of the day.

The pathetic part is that I took the picture after I already put away a load of towels and sheets. I also still have about half a load in the boys' hamper and a full load of darks and whites for Tim and I. So is the life of a mom, right?

Now on to the fun stuff . . . Friday Favorites:
1. Favorite Hairstyle of the week. I don't love this hairstyle because it is so beautiful (it is cute, but that is not the point). I love it because it seems to work best for coarse, curly hair. That is my kind of style. It also looks easy, which is something I desperately need at this stage of my life. My most favorite thing about the style is that it keeps all the hair up, which is a must for the blistering heat we have here in Florida 9 months out of the year.

2. Favorite moment of the week. Ethan is officially walking. I know I am in for it now, but there is something so sweet about a walking baby. He is pretty steady for a beginner, but it is so funny to watch him shift his weight with each step and concentrate so hard for each inch he moves. He has been such a blessing in every way, and I can't believe how fast he is growing up.

3. Favorite outfit of the week.
Can you tell I am sick of the hot weather? I like the comfortable look of this outfit, but I love the yellow pop of color in the tights.


Have a great weekend!

Friday Favorites

Things I am LOVING right now . . .

1. Prayer Pail
Have you gone on "Pinterest" yet? If not, you need to. I recently saw a "pin" of a prayer pail. I loved the idea. You just put together a small pail with craft sticks inside. On each craft stick you write one prayer request. (We let George pick ours). Each night George picks out one stick, and he prays for the request with our dinner prayer. It is really sweet, and I am LOVING this new tradition.

2. Disney World
We used to take George to Disney World almost every month until he turned three. He was free until then, and we had Ethan around that time. It is definitely a lot harder to take two kids to a theme park, and we didn't really want to pay all that extra money. Needless to say we haven't been in a year (besides Mickey's Christmas Party in December). We are finally going this weekend to celebrate a few milestones. WE. ARE. SO. EXCITED. George is sleeping with the notebook I bought him for the characters to autograph.


3. An Almost Walking Baby (this is a love/hate relationship)
Little Ethan took 8 steps today. He used one leg for six of them and went in a circle, but they were steps all the same. I feel a little bad because I am not as eager for him to walk as I was George. I couldn't wait for George to walk because I was just so excited for each milestone. Now I realize how fast they grow, and I want time to slow down. I am not sure how many more babies I will have and each minute brings me closer to them growing up. I know it is inevitable, but I can't help but wish they could stay my babies forever:)