Its done!

It's been a crazy week or so. We've been working hard to get our house ready to be sold. It is now officially for sale. Hard to believe our five years of residency have passed so quickly. While I was trying to get things done, we had some sort of stomach bug running through the house. Just as one kid seemed to be all better, we'd get together with someone and that night another one would get sick. Our youngest didn't get it, and Liam's bout only last a very short time. But for a good portion of the week, two of our kids were out of commission. It actually enabled me to get a lot done inside and outside the house, especially with the incredibly awesome weather we've been having.

We got to meet a nice family from England, staying here for just a short time. (I love British accents!) Liam thought they were just so cool! Saturday afternoon we took them out to Oxbow Park and Zolmann Zoo, one of my favorite places nearby. It was a beautiful day, like June in March.

 

Sarena's friend from England

Later Saturday night Sarena decided to join Liam in the tub. Silly little goose.

Da Vinci or Picasso

Thursday we had a painting afternoon. I wasn't really in the mood. But, when your 4 year old comes running to you with arms full of painting stuff and that cheesy, happy grin on his face - you can't help but say yes. Even Sarena got in on the action- which I think is actually her first time.

Here are some of our masterpieces:

Some of us like more paint than others.

Kieran's work of art. The little red house he says is a dog house.

 

 

My drawing and watercolor.

A little blurry, but Sarena's masterpiece.

Random Thoughts

I got my hair cut last week. Nothing too exciting, more like a trim. But, it feels better.

What feels even better is doing a henna treatment on my hair. My kids think it's mud, and it looks like it. I still had one box left from our trip overseas, so I used half of it yesterday. My hair feels soo good afterwards. It gives it a hint of red, but not much.

One of my kids asked me, "Why do you put mud on your hair?"
Me- "Oh, just because. It makes my hair healthier."
Different child- "Does Daddy do it?"
Me- "No."
First kid again- "Mommies put mud in their hair, but Daddies don't."  Yep, pretty much. :o)

For some reason today I found myself think about my mountain - Mt. Rainier. We used to live so close to it in my younger years. When I close my eyes, I can barely see it though. Makes me a bit sad. I miss the mountains, the gorgeous green forests, the Puget Sound, and the fresh smell of rain. I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to live on the West Coast.

Things are moving along towards our long-term plans. Time needs to slow down a bit though- it's already March?!!?

I am giving a talk tomorrow at my Bible study to the "large group"- maybe 80-100 ladies. It's personal, and I'm nervous. So, if you think about it pray for me. And, no I'm not posting my talk to the blog- way too long. If you want to know what I said, you'll have to be there.  :o)

Funny picture of the day:

Mario and Luigi

Can I Quit?

This morning was a little on the rough side. Mess after mess, meltdown after meltdown - and that included my own. By the time the milk incident happened I was ready to quit. As I got down on my knees to clean I thought, "What am I, a slave? All I do is pick up after others and clean their messes. Such a waste of my time and where's the thanks?"

About as soon as those not-so nice thoughts ran through my head, an image flashed through my mind.

                Christ
                               Bended low
                                                        With a towel 
                                                                                  Washing dirty feet.

Outrage from the disciples! Peter says "No way will you wash my feet, Lord!" And yet, Jesus insists and says, "Don't you know what I am doing? You call me teacher and Lord, for so I am. If I then, your teacher and Lord, wash your feet then you ought to do the same for one another." This dirty job for the lowest servant- Jesus stooped down willingly to do for others.

Another longer thought broke in after that. I remembered this incredible post I read from a blog called Kisses From Katie. Although her exacts words didn't come to mind, the intent of them did. Here is just a portion:

"I bend to sweep crumbs and I bend to wipe vomit and I bend to pick up little ones and wipe away tears. I bend over a big pot of stew and I bend to fold endless laundry and I bend over math books and spelling sentences and history quiz corrections. And at the end of these days I bend next to the bed and I ask only that I could bend more, bend lower.

Because I serve a Savior who came to be a servant. He lived bent low. And bent down here is where I see His face.

He lived, only to die.

Could I?

Die to self and just break open for love.

This Savior, His one purpose to spend Himself on behalf of messy us. Will I spend myself on behalf of those in front of me?" ~Katie Davis

And so, humbled by my Savior, I ask forgiveness and strength to live as He did- giving myself for those in front of me.

A few years ago a friend gave me some cds from Songs for Saplings. One of my favorite songs is on the Volume 3 cd, on Philippians 2. It is an excellent reminder to me and I love to listen to it over and over. Here is just a portion of that song: 

"Do not be selfish, don't try to impress. Don't think of yourself as better than the rest. Care about others, not only yourself. Let the mind of Christ be in you, that's best. Let the mind of Christ be in you, who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to grasp. Christ humbled himself, he became a servant. Born in the likeness of men, he became a servant."

So, am I a servant, a slave? Am I here to impress everyone and do all the important things, and be in the spotlight? No, I'm here to serve, to empty myself just as Christ did. So, bring on the milk spills and the tons of laundry and piles of paper and everything and everyone else that is screaming for my attention.

God grant me this same mind of Christ!