He's a Keeper.

Lately I've become kind of sneaky around the boys, but I'm feeling a twinge of guilt for it. They both love to craft, play play-doh, use stickers...all that stuff.

But more-so, Braden LOVES to draw. He draws, cuts and creates all sorts of pictures. He likes to hang them in different places, hide them in his bed or in his toys...wherever. (He's always been one to keep even the smallest "precious" toy in the most secure place.) He's definitely a "keeper."

However, there's a point when I finally get tired of them lying around or looking at them on the walls/mirrors. We started asking him to pick out a few of them to keep and we'd have to throw some away. He knows that we just can't keep EVERYTHING! But asking him to part with them didn't work so well. He didn't want to get rid of any of them, regardless of whether he remembered them!
So the sneakiness sets in...
I have to "discard" them as best I can without him knowing. I try to keep the ones that seem important, but once in a while he's found the others in the trash. I can't lie, but I do try to act surprised to see them in the trash, so I don't hurt his feelings. Thankfully, he's not good at using the recycle bin yet. :-)
We want to foster his love for creating, but I'm tired of finding the remains everywhere...and I'm tired of feeling guilty for throwing away his "precious" work. I don't mind getting rid of things. (We're starting to do that with toys too, as they take over so rapidly!!!) But I could use a little help in figuring out the best way to do it, with the least opposition! Anyone been there and have some suggestions?

Spots

Brent has had some spots appear on his face within the last couple of years. I'm sure it's just age, but we wanted to rule out any skin cancer possibilities, b/c they kind of looked like sunspots. He willingly let me schedule him an appointment with the dermatologist. Wow...that was amazing. I didn't have to argue with him over it. Men just love going to the dentist & doctor don't they? I think Brent has softened to the idea over the past years. He seems to have gotten over the fear of them...until today.

When I scheduled the appointment, I clearly stated that the spots were on his FACE. When he came home today, I asked him how it went.

"Did YOU schedule me for a full-body check?!?"

Ha, ha, ha!!!!! That was so funny. When the P.A. came in and handed him the paper robe, he said "I just need you to look at my face."

"You SHOULD do this once a year," she responded.

I don't think he cared what he SHOULD or SHOULDN'T do at that point. Thankfully, he knew he SHOULDN'T run out of the office at that moment. He endured it and the spots are enlarged oil glands. Phew!

We'll see if I get fired from my scheduling duties though!

I'm the biggest loser

Things have been up and down for me, emotionally, for the last few weeks. The hormone & other physical changes haven't been horrible, but slowed me down. We got away for a few days and it was a very refreshing break.

I had kind of a humbling experience while we were gone though...
We dyed eggs before Easter and Brent helped me measure out the water. I asked him to fill each mug with 1/2 cup water and I measured the vinegar and put the tablets in. After a while, we wanted more dye, so I filled one more mug with the mix. My mug had much less mix in it than all the others. We realized that Brent had measured 1/2 pint of water, rather than 1/2 cup. Oops! No biggie...but I had to make fun of him for sure!

Well, Brooks has been on amoxicillan for a few days. Instructions: 1 tsp twice a day for 10 days. Today, I realized we were running out of medicine. I also realized that I have been giving him 2 tsp. twice a day...for about 3 days. Oops!!! That made Brent feel much better about his measuring mistake and humbled me (and scared me for a minute) for sure!

I don't know what I was thinking in giving him that much. I will say I haven't been working with a full brain though. Don't try that at home...I'll be using much more caution in dosing my kids next time!

Another message

Real quick explanation: (Actually I never say anything quickly. :-) I don't have email addys for a few people that I know keep up with our lives on here, so I haven't been able to explain about the last few posts. God has sent another message that His plans are different for this time in our lives, and He took His/our baby to Heaven. We learned of this last Friday during an ultrasound. After a second ultrasound/opinion, it was clear that our baby's life on Earth had ceased. We are all claiming God's promises and believe that we'll meet that child in Heaven someday.

I feel led to be very open about this loss, as I feel this is how God will allow us to heal. Because we have been able to share our immense need for people's prayers, we have felt so loved, comforted and carried by the Spirit during this time.

The Next Message:
After the D&C procedure on Tuesday, I was wheeled out of the hospital by a volunteer. The last 2 times I was wheeled out, I carried a baby in my arms and it was pure joy. This time, they were obviously empty. We passed the gift shop and I glanced in the window to see some Willow Tree figurines lined up. "I would love to have one of those to take home with me," I thought as we passed by. Since the man was obviously on a mission to get me to the van, I decided to look for one at another gift shop someday. Things moved too fast to mention that thought to anyone else.

On Wednesday, a sweet friend called and said she was coming over to drop some things off. She has shared this same experience, but above that, has been here for Brent and me for years! (She was instrumental in hooking Brent and me up!) When she left, I was pulling the food out of the bag and felt some tissue paper in the bag also. As I grabbed it, I immediately knew what was wrapped up in the tissue. I started crying and unwrapped it to find a Willow Tree figurine. It is called "Angel's Embrace."

I actually couldn't have picked it out myself. We have a true visual of the hope of Heaven that we have and as I've said before, we're holding tightly to that hope.

Another message of love from straight from God...through the amazing kindness of a friend.

Rest

Today went so much better than expected..other than the drive to the hospital.
Late start + Rain + rush hour + Brent's overly-cautious driving = Grrrrrr!
The dr. asked me what kind of allergic reaction occurs when I have a certain drug.
"It makes her mean!" Brent said.
"So then, we should give her some?" the dr. laughed.
"Actually, morning traffic already did that trick." I said.
All in all the experience was so smooth and very uneventful. Thanks to lots of prayers being answered.
I believe it's a pretty minor surgery, but I was a little anxious about anesthesia. That wore off perfectly and I felt so rested when I woke up. I told the nurse that women really don't need massages, we just need a good amount of sedation every now and then. Works for me!
Brent assumed the caretaker role for the boys and I went straight to bed once we got home. I woke up rested (and hungry) and a sweet friend from church stopped over 10 minutes later with my favorite...chicken and noodles, veggies and Boston creme pie. She needs to market her food for sure! Oh nevermind, then her price would be too high for us!(She fed us many times while Brent and I were in the singles group at church...awesome to be served by her still today.)
Able to watch an Ellen rerun this afternoon...she's not my favorite as far as values, but I'm on the fence with Oprah right now. Anywho...Ellen seems to showcase talent of young people often and this girl warmed my heart today. I'll figure out how to add videos soon, but for now...check out Emily Bear. She's a child prodigy and will amaze you and steal your heart too.

Peace

The last few days, I've found myself singing a song taught "to the kids" when I was a counselor at Camp Forest Springs, in Wisconsin. That was nearly 15 years ago but it stuck for me! John & Diane Windle are a neat couple that are offering their talent & lives to share God's word through music at this camp and around the world! The song in my head is straight from the Bible. But it wouldn't still be there, were it not for their creativity. I can't imagine the number of kids that have God's word tucked in their hearts still today because of their fun songs.

The song: (no sound clips for you...sorry!)
"Peace I leave with you;
my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:27

Jesus gave this promise to His disciples before He died and left this world physically. But Jesus is actually here, being our peace and what I can cling to today. He gives a unique and unexplainable peace...the world we live in is not going to offer it. So I'm claiming His promise today.
A cliche saying...God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. Today, I'm believing it.
Thanks John & Diane for helping me hide that verse in my heart!