Ticketed

A little over a week ago we headed down to Tennessee for the second time in just over a few months. Unfortunately, not to enjoy the state we have grown to love, but again for my, in very ill health, father. His wife had mentioned some symptoms that were very concerning to us so we made some reservations, took the dog to my in-laws, packed up the car and drove the, what normally is 6 hours, but when you have kids, much longer, journey to get there.

We got there Saturday evening and dad kept insisting he was fine and wanted at least one day to enjoy the kids. So, we told him we'd be back in the morning and, after church, to the hospital we would go. Saturday night brought many problems so church was skipped and off to the hospital, after much prodding, we went.

Once we got there we were shocked to find out just how sick dad was. His kidneys had shut down, his potassium through the roof and his heart slowed to a very dangerous rate. The doctor informed us he had been just hours away from dieing, had we not brought him in.

At that time we extended our reservations and did all that we could, picking up things from the house, talking to the doctor, making sure things were taken care of that needed to be. We were honestly happy that we were able to do something, but of course had to go back eventually as work beckons and money runs out.

Dad is now back at home, and he is feeling the slightest bit better, by the way.

But, I digress, yesterday I picked up a mail to find a note from a small town we had been in in TN. It was a ticket. Somehow I had kind of rolled through a turn on a red light, which now I know is illegal, and they had caught it on film.

When I first opened it, I was so mad. I just couldn't believe how God would be punishing me when I had gone down there to do good. Was God real? Didn't He love me enough to not have something like that happen? I was so angry and upset. I even kept imagining ways to get out of it. Playing scenarios in my mind.

Immediately following this outburst I had started reading the Biblical counseling book we are assigned to for class. As I'm reading about restoring people to God's will and God's work, I started thinking about this situation.

I suddenly realized how foolish I had been. First of all, I broke the law. So, I got a ticket. But like any sin, we want to push blame on others, not take responsibility and do what we can, sometimes to the point of killing, to hide it. How could I even suggest that God did not love me because he allowed me to get a ticket for breaking a law? That is honestly, blasphemy against a God I say I love.

So, the check is in the mail. And, more importantly, this lesson is in my heart. Thank you Lord, for loving me enough to teach it to me.

The big kid sled

Sugar and Spice

When I was a little girl I used to love to quote the children's verse, "Sugar and spice and everything nice, that's what little girls are made of." Of course at the time, I was just thinking of cinnamon rolls and hot cocoa, not the pure heart and soul of a precious girl.

Now, I am a mother. A mother to two of those beings so filled with everything lovely and wonderful in the world.

One of those precious beings just turned two. My Anna. And so, I wanted to share a little about this two foot toe headed ball of fire that has turned our lives upside down since she entered it.

Anna has the bluest eyes and the blondest hair. People are always asking me where she got it. Her complexion is all her own too, so soft and smooth, such fair skin. She has chubby little arms and when her legs get moving, you think that her body is not going to be able to catch up with them. She has the cutest run ever as she waddles and wiggles to and fro.

She has got the best laugh too, that is so contagious, you'd have to be cold hearted to not just jump on the bandwagon with her and wholeheartedly laugh. My heart feels joy as I draw it forth in my mind.

Anna is the prototype second born. There are few people I can think that could hold a candle to Anna's stubborn nature. She gets so frustrated when you can't understand what she wants, she starts stomping and her eyebrows draw downward. She then starts backing up, usually until she runs into something. Which, just gets us all laughing again.

Anna gives the very best hugs. She loves to cuddle and cozy up on our laps. Whenever I'm sitting on the floor she stands backward in front of me, starts backing up, and then uses my lap for a chair. It's too adorable!

Ms. Anna is not much for talking yet, although lately she's repeating more and more. She does say, "Peeeeeeze" when she wants something or she'll hand you a cup and say, "Here you go." She calls Lilla, "Sissy" and us "Mama" and "Dada". Anna babbles a lot too and always looks at you as if to say, "Seriously, can you not understand what I just said?" Hilarious!

Her favorite things are the dog, which she insists on hugging very first thing in the morning, much to Ellie's dismay, and books. She so loves to read and her handheld Leapfrog Tag reader had to be her favorite Christmas present.

Anna loves stuffed animals. She almost always has one or more in her hand. Sometimes she even takes them in the bathtub with her! To her dismay, they wind up wet but boy is she happy when we put them in the dryer for her!

Speaking of Bathtubs, Anna also loves baths and one of her clearest words is, "Bubble!"

And, you can't mention Anna without Dora in there somewhere. Oh, how she loves Dora. The show makes her smile and say, "Dora the Explorer!"

Anna loves to get "Yummies!" She loves pizza and spaghetti, popsicles and lollipops, peas and bologna. She loves her milk but also gets so excited over a juicebox.

Anna is all girl as she loves to get dressed up. She always wants to wear towels and blankets over her head and wrapped up in them. She puts on headbands and jewelry, dress up clothes, hats and wigs. She just loves it all!

There are just so many things about Anna that we love, how do you even put that into a post? She is certainly sugar and spice and everything nice and we are so thankful to have her!