the mom cry. it's about balance.

It starts in the morning, right after the morning light seeps over the frozen country horizon. For a brief moment it's quiet here in the house. Strangely quiet. I sit on the couch watching the earth wake up while savoring the last moment of complete and utter silence.

Mom.
Mom.
Mom.
Mom.
Mom.
Mom.
Mom.
Mom.
Mom.
Mom.
Mom.
Mom.

It starts. The endless breath of mom's leaving my children's mouths. Breakfast needs, clothing helps, whose turn it is to unload the dishwasher questions, where's my sock, it's not fairs, I don't get this math problem, and on and on and on and on.

Before long I can't even sit down. I move around, like a clock, from child to child answering the unending barrage of questions. The cry for me keeps coming. Loud, irritated, questioning, needing help, a story and more. I find myself beginning to crave that strange silence found in the morning. It's only 10:18 and I've answered to my name more times than I could count. Throughout the morning, and through lunch, the mom cry remains.

Mom.

I try to just ignore this one little mom.

Mom.
Mom.

Mom.

This time it's Caleb.

What now, Caleb?

It comes out crosser than I like. Sharp, irritated. After all, I had just helped him find a Star Wars shirt, and make a pbj for snack, and read a story. What could it be now?

Turning from the sink where I was finishing our second load of dishes I glance to the island with a sigh. Then I see his face. Beaming. And behind him? This amazing, large, intricate structure that he had made with some Cuisenaire Rods that I pulled from the garage in the morning. There it was towering, barely balanced, reaching high above the island.

So many rods, resting on each other, balancing each other out.

Oh, Caleb, it's magnificent.

My heart, my prideful heart is humbled. I had simply let my own needs, my own agenda, out-balance the real needs of my home. I threw my piece right on the day's structure and almost sent the day crashing down to the ground in a mess of beautiful moments potentially lost.

Caleb, I'm really proud of you. I can see how hard you worked on that tower.

Little sentences, adding support. Reinforcing the good.

Balance, balance, balance.

Why, oh why, do I let the irritations of the day determine my mood? What if I switched my perspective? After all, the dishes have to be done no matter what. They're blessings instead of a chore. Or those endless questions about how to spell words? Grateful for the opportunity to teach my children. Laundry? We are clothed. Books to read the millionth time? Thankful for little ones to sit in my lap. Spills to wipe up? They create a clean floor. Markers all over the table? Creativity. Bedrooms to clean? Thankful for the blessings. Those mom cries? Oh my. Gifts. Simple, beautiful lovely priceless gifts.

Balance.

Mom.
Mom.
Mom.

They're all sleeping. It's quiet again. I sit here resting, reflecting on the day. There are still remnants of learning scattered about -- a book, letter tiles on the door, pictures pasted on the fridge.

I love those little voices who cry mom.

All day long.

it's not about me. one verse can change lives.

I saw a video at Relevant that changed my perspective on true need. The compelling video was put together by One Verse, which is part of the Seed Company. And in that video I witnessed the Gamo people in Africa hearing about our Savior for the first time ever.

It brought tears to my eyes.
It inspired me.
It motivated to me to be involved with getting the Word translated.
It humbled me.

It's not about me.
It's not about my blog or numbers or stats.

It's about eternal stats.
It's about life.
Eternal life.

Those are the only stats that truly matter.


And that is where One Verse comes in. I've joined with a group of bloggers who've decided that - We are Not Okay With That -- and that means we're not okay with people lacking true life -- the Bible. I can type in Bible and pages of options are available. I look around my home and can see the NIV, the ESV, and commentaries sitting around.

There are people in this world who do not even have one verse.

Not even one.

Watch this video. Your heart simply won't be the same.
{and please note -- this video is a youtube link}

Consider joining the One Verse movement. The group of bloggers that I am partnering with are working together to get the New Testament translated for the Vidunda people of Tanzania. Population? 56,000. All without a verse. But, that can end, and in fact, right now translators are working hard to have the New Testament translate by 2015.  And friends, prayer is a key part of it. If you can't sponsor a verse right now, consider praying for this company and for those that hear His true Word.

Thank you, my dear friends, for hearing my plea.

And click -->> HERE to read other testimonies from other One Verse Bloggers.

Dear Food Manufacturers,

I have some thoughts for you regarding food labeling. Important ideas, and ideas that if you implemented them would benefit you as a company.

Please label your food.


I know it sounds simple, but food labeling is critical for me, a mother of a two year old boy who has Celiac Disease. If you label your food gluten free I am much more apt to purchase it. If you ignore your labeling, or do not make an effort to label your food clearly, I simply cannot purchase your items even if there is no gluten in them.

And please, if I call, please have available your food ingredient lists. It's crucial that if I sit on hold for over five minutes trying to verify if an item is gluten free that you have taught your employees about your products and if they have gluten in them. For my son, he simply cannot eat gluten. For me, as his mother and protector, I simply must know beyond a shadow of a doubt if or if not your product contains gluten.

I want to buy your products. I really do. But, I cannot purchase your products if you use terms like natural flavors -- what does that mean, what ingredients did you use to make those natural flavors? If I see that on your item I will not purchase it.

There are companies that are ahead of the curve in food labeling. I will buy food from that company. Learn from them, learn from General Mills, and recognize that there is a percentage of the population that will buy your food if you take the extra time to invest on getting your labeling done correctly.

It's not for ease.

It's a matter of life.

I implore you to look at your products and what you produce and to decide to go the extra steps and label clearly. You can produce excellent and flavorful gluten free food and we will buy it. Do you need a face for Celiac Disease, someone to fight for while you produce quality food?

Look at his {messy} face.

He's worth you labeling your food well.

Please consider hitting the like button so that word can get out regarding this important issue. thank you. 

words from the weekend for monday

Resolute. It's fascinating to me how much a word can shape how one thinks. I've only focused on the idea of being resolute for a day and already I can feel this shift in thinking -- it's in those moments where I want to say it will never change or does it really matter or in a minute that I remember that I am striving to be resolute in heart and mind. I'm working on changing those thoughts to hope for the future and it matters and right now. 

Wind. I know for the last weeks I've been lamenting to you all about how we, up here in Minnesota, have absolutely no snow. Well, on New Year's Eve that shifted. We had a winter storm {I think it earned that classification due to the initial rain that froze and changed to snow} and we woke up on January 1 to a winter wonderland. A very cold winter wonderland. Yesterday we were experiencing wind gust upwards of 40 mph. With temps below freezing. And that equals cold. Why, oh why, was I ever complaining about 40 degree temps? Samuel? He thought the snow was beautiful.

Wonder. My baby sister gave Samuel this fishtank night light { in the pictures} that he absolutely loves. He'll stand in his room watching those little faux fish swim on by for long chunks of toddler time. It's actually very sweet -- he still has such a spirit of wonder about him. Innocent. Enthralled by the simplest things. I love that about him, about childhood -- which makes me very determined to embrace these years with my children. I'll remind myself -- Be aware, be awake -- so that the joy in now can be remembered.

Goals. This year, I'm aiming for simple, reasonable, and fewer goals. I tend to be one of those planner type people that decides that this time we're changing all of this at once. Then I burn out. For the kids and myself I'm choosing a couple things -- one behavior that I want to see changed and one good habit that I want to adopt. I'm just going to keep working on those goals consistently -- two at a time, not burning out, and focusing on good.

Routine. I am simply excited about the routine of January. I know, I know, I write about my flexible schedule and all, but even I love the anticipated normalcy that January can bring. Why anticipated? Last January was when Samuel was diagnosed with Celiac Disease and my craving for routine was automatically stopped as I moved from routine to complete survival mode. But, for now, I will be looking forward to spending some intentional time with my children on academics and normal every day things. Besides, with the above mentioned below-zero windchills we probably won't be outside too much. ;)

Busy. That's the rest of today. Off to put away all those decorations, plan for January, organize my school supplies, get some groceries, and search for dryers {yes, I said dryers...mine broke...sigh...not good...}. If it wasn't this ridiculously cold I would just hang those clothes outside. Now, ha ha ha, they'd freeze in an instant. Recommendations?

Carissa. I'm linking with my sweet friend today.

resolute

That's my word.

For 2012.

I've been mulling
over words
and directions
and what
and where
I feel the Lord is calling me this year.

In that thinking
I came to the realization
that there are things I need
to let go of
and not let define me
for the future.

I also recognized the need
for courage
and purpose
and boldness
and being strong
and steadfast
and being tenacious
and persevering
and being true.

And that,
that
is being
resolute.

So this year
I want to live
with a resolute heart
to live for Jesus
to love my children more
to love my husband more
to spend my time wisely
to embrace the day
to be aware, awake
to do the real important
to believe in the future
to embrace the smallest things
to live life
intentionally.

And that
will be with  a
resolute heart
seeking
and
finding joy.

Do you have a word to define your year?
If so, please do share.

All the synonyms used for resolute were pulled from thesaurus.com