Growing up with Friends

I was recently sitting in the hairstylists chair talking with a very young stylist... about her friends. She was referring to her closest of close friends. Talking about how important it is to be around those friends you've known for life, and how those are the friends that can complete your thoughts for you and know you better than you know yourself. I was telling her about you all. I said "We may not necessarily have known each other since we were little, but we've grown up together"

College
Marriage
Flight school
The first, second, third deployment
Having Kids

We've weathered it together

I was just laughing with Tammy, a dear friend, as we realized.... It's almost like now, we might, just maybe might have a little inkling of a clue what we're doing, finally.

So here's to all of you, the growing up we have left to do, and the unfinished chapters ahead.

"God chooses us less for our strengths than for our weaknesses, for they amplify our need for Him."

Sarah Young
"Jesus Calling"

Our Gentle Shepherd

It says in Isaiah that "He gently leads those who have young." A friend showed me that verse a few years ago. I have forever been changed by it (Thanks, Maggie). I cannot tell you how many times just in this last week I have felt absolutely overwhelmed by the task of parenting. It's a constant bombardment of what it feels like are pop quizzes on how to be a good parent, responding to your children with love and discipline, reflecting the attributes of God in a way they can relate. But I'm learning that God does just what he promises He'll do in His word. No matter the promise, He will fulfill it. In this case, "He gently leads those who have young."

And this is how He did it for me the other day.

Oftentimes, when we are getting ready to go someplace, Tink will exert her will by saying "I don't want to go." I've always tried reverse psychology, ignoring the behavior and acting like I'm leaving with or without her. The other day, we rehearsed the scene again. However, this time as I started to walk away a check in my spirit urged me to try something different.

I turned around went over to her got down at her eye level, and said...
"Tink, you're a Kaiser, I am a Kaiser, we're Kaisers. We are a family. We do fun things together as a family, and I want you to come with me, because we are a team and I want to be with you."

I paused waiting for her response.

Her eyes filled with unspeakable joy and relief. She stood up and threw her arms around me, and her entire demeanor changed.

I had been sending her a subtle message, I would be fine with or without her. She so needed to feel wanted and loved. That episode also was key in revealing that it seems quality time is her language of love. A very helpful insight to have in parenting her.

All of this wrapped up in a precious moment brought to us by the Shepherd who "Gently leads those who have young."

Smoke Signals

The three year old that lives at my house makes it her mission to keep my life interesting every day.

Her interesting mission of the week:
In her words, "Making clouds" by puffing the baby powder around the living room until it was all gone.

Now to those of you who may think much like my dad, that that must mean I am not attending to her, that is incorrect. I am just busy putting out the last fire she's started... in this case it was putting the care packages back together I was sending to her father... Meanwhile she's sending smoke signals to him... or was it distress signals? Regardless, despite the fact an ocean and multiple continents separate us, I think he got the message: She used enough baby powder for him to get the signal.

Life's Simple Pleasures

This is a public service announcement: Ben and Jerry's is now selling their Limited Batch of Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream in a freezer section near you. Okay, I am not sure where the cheesecake part of that comes in, all I know is that that stuff is . . . well, let's just say I ate 6 cartons last year, and I've started even earlier this year so who knows how many I will have! It's complete with graham cracker crust chunks swirled inside to add just one more dimension to that super awesome ice cream.

Ace Kickers, #19 "Bueller"

Okay so maybe we didn't exactly win... but I still got it, baby!!!!! Who cares that my hands were sweating and stomach had butterflies. Who cares that I didn't make it past first. I caught the ball got two people out, and made it to first. That is something, people!! And yes, those shoes need to go!! (The intervention can begin tomorrow, Hilary)