Housework ADD

I have housework ADD. If any of you suffer from this, you'll understand what I'm about say. It starts out in the living room, I start picking stuff up and I see a cup. So, I take it to the kitchen, where I see other things on the counter that needs to be put away. So, I put the cup in the sink and take the hairbow to the bathroom, where there's toothpaste on the sink. So, I go get the bathroom cleaner from the laundry room. As I step over the pile of clothes to get the cleaner, I think "While I'm in here, I just put this load in the washer." I do, but forget the cleaner and start to do something else on the other side of the house! I'm frustrated just writing it, so I know its stressful to read too! This is my day, everyday. Like Groundhog Day. Over and over and over and over... So, at the end of the day, I have a messy house with pockets of clean. And I'm exhausted because I've run myself ragged all day "cleaning".

How does this happen? Is it real ADD? Am I just dehydrated? I am, I learned that at the retreat. I don't drink enough water, so I have a bad memory and headaches. But, I start to get a glass of water and get sidetracked. Imagine that.

I started leaving reminders for myself around the house of what I was doing, so I don't forget. For instance, if I stepped out of the bathroom after I put the cleaner in, I'll leave the light on in the bathroom. My logic for that is I will always go and turn off a light, cause I'm so cheap! I'll turn off the light, but will smell the cleaner and remember I was cleaning the toilet. Sad, I know.

Ok, I'm bored with this blog. I must clean something, so I can tell myself and others I cleaned, even though they wouldn't believe me if they saw my house.

"What Happens at Hargis, Stays at Hargis"

On this beautiful Sabbath day, I really would like to take a nap. My eyes are heavy, belly full and baby is sleeping, but I really want to share about our fantastic women's retreat this weekend! We headed to the Hargis retreat center Friday at noon, leaving behind all responsibility! It felt good! Mimi came to care for the babies until Trace came home, then they had a good Daddy/Kids weekend. Kim, Heather and I got our clothes and snack, turned up the radio loud and laughed the whole way!

We studied about Spiritual Mothering, from Titus where older ladies teach and encourage the younger ladies and it was fantastic! It really excited me to see the great mix of ages and seasons of life together, really connecting and enjoying each other. We had lots of free time and good food, and I was able to spend time with some ladies I don't normally see and learn lots about them. Some good, some sad and some down right shocking!(Ahem..."What happens at Hargis stays at Hargis"). I have felt for awhile now that the two generations in our church are too separated. Us younger women can truly benefit from the ladies who are in the next season of life and also us young mothers can encourage the young married ladies. Discipleship is so important in the body of believers! Sharing our pain, knowledge and experiences to help a sister is what its all about! I hope this openness between all the ladies at church continues and we can really develop some Spiritual Mother/Daughter relationships.

It was awesome, well planned retreat. We all laughed and talked, like we were in high school! Fun times! We had a bonfire and Saturday we went canoeing and I got to go hiking in my Clarks mules. My footwear sucked, but it was entertaining for others. Wow! I cannot express how I love the ladies in our church! We have an incredible family in Christ and I am truly thankful he put me here in this time of my life!

Going Home

This past weekend me and kids took a little road trip to my hometown, Woodbury, TN. Population: 2,400 or so. It was a nice visit. The drive up there was beautiful, got to see mountains and turning leaves. Had a nice visit with my cousin Cheryl. She brought her son Cason over to play and we had some interesting conversations. Friday night we went to my old high school's football game, my cousin Tyler plays. Cully was decked out in Cannon County Lions sweatshirt, hat and cow bell. He loves Tyler and was so excited to see him play. They won like 35-0, so it was exciting!
I'm always a little afraid to run into people I haven't seen in a long time. I ran into a lot of family and aquaintences, but no old friends. Kind of bummed, kind of relieved. However, when we were outside playing before the game, my high school/college sweetheart drove by. I kind of wish that happened in reverse-that I could see him and see what he looks like and how he is when he can't see me, instead of him driving by and waving and I couldn't see him. Silly, I guess. Well, Cheryl-if you're reading this-tell Brian I said "Hello" next time you see him!

Saturday we walked around town with my Grandmother. That was fun, looking in antique shops and getting Cully's hair cut. My GM had surgery on her foot Tuesday, so that was her last hooray for a while. That night, she kept the kids while my mom & I went furniture shopping for her new house. We shopped around and ate out. Fun times.

Sunday I got to take Granny Ruth (my dad's mom) to her church for Founder's Day. She hasn't been back to church since her broken hip in March, so she was glad I could drive her and she could show off the babies. I haven't been there in years-old, country church with such a warm family atmosphere. My granny spoke, along with others, then a good potluck lunch and singing afterward. We opted out of the singing-the kids (and me) were getting kind of tired and cranky. So, we made it back home just in time for Community group at the Davis's. What fun!

Faith Like a Child

My heart is full tonight, as the children are nestled all snug in their beds, I reflect on them. We have some sweet babies. Its so neat to see what all they can absorb, like learning about God. At our church, we teach the Westminster Shorter Catechism for Children starting at age 2. Ansley can answer the first three questions after only a month in Wed night classes! For those of you who aren't familiar with it:

1. Who made you? A: GOD!
2. What else did God make? A: EVERYTHING!
3. Why did God make you and all things? A: FOR HIS OWN GLORY!

Ansy's answer for #3 is "God...Glory!" Close enough! I'm amazed that a tiny little wisp of a girl at age 2 can tell me that! Cully can go up to like #25 or something! More than I can do!

By God's goodness and grace, I was brought up in a home where there was never a doubt God was real and He loves me. My children, being Covenant children, are experiencing the same. I am so excited that they are getting such a great foundation! Cullen thinks about spiritual things quite a bit. The other day he prayed for the folks in England and Scotland who don't know Jesus, so he's getting a bit of a clue to what we've been doing. And last night, with a heavy heart, he asked if a family we know "will go to where Satan lives". He just notices differences in them from his own family. I love to hear them pray for others.

If it sounds like I'm bragging on my kids, well, maybe I am a little. But, really, I'm bragging on my God because He is so awesome to instill in small children such a faith and love of Him. They have fallen parents and I'm still not sure why He's entrusted us to His little children. Sometimes I think its to show me my own sin, because unfortunately they are little mirrors. I'm just thankful He let us have a hand in bringing up two of His precious ones.

But Jesus said" Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 19:14