Midnight Playdates

"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him" Psalm 127:3 (NLT)

Being a mother has been the most wonderful, yet most challenging experience in my life.
After two years of trying to conceive, my husband and I were blessed with a beautiful daughter. Watching Chicken Little grow everyday is amazing. I realize that I take her for granted some days. Working full time, and getting home late in the evening leaves little time for play. Most nights she's ready for bed by 7:30 (if not earlier), giving us only an hour together. And most nights when she's up and down (we still don't sleep through the night), I must admit, that I tend to get very frustrated.
Now that I'm expecting again, I find myself very fatigued. That fatigue turned to exhaustion, then frustration, then to anger Tuesday night as Chicken Little awoke for the 5th time between the hours of 8:30 and 11pm. In my frustration/anger I decided to just move her to our bed, so that maybe--just maybe--I could get some much needed rest.
At 11:15pm I moved her into our bed, laying her gently between her daddy and me, she pops her little head up. (I swear at the time it was horned...lol) Her daddy receives a "Hey there", as she rolls back to me and nuzzles in close. Her little foot rested on my stomach--just under my belly button--creating just a tiny bit of pressure. Evidently it was just enough pressure to stimulate her "Bubba". I began to feel the baby moving toward her foot, rolling and swimming around. Just like that, any frustration I'd felt before was completely washed away. In that moment, God showed me just how precious my children were. For the child in my womb to respond to his/her sister was simply amazing. I held Chicken Little close, and she and "Bubba" played for an hour and a half. Chicken Little asleep the whole time, but "Bubba" was still playing with her.
This morning when Chicken Little woke up at 1:30am, I wasn't angry--I wasn't even frustrated. I simply went in, picked up my whining little girl and rocked her until she was sound asleep again. Kissing her on the head, I lay her down, and even lingered for a moment as she tucked her teddy bear under her arm and settled in.
This is my life. Mother, Wife, Sister, Daughter--Child of God. I felt His presence as I walked back to my own bed. Settling back in for the night I realized that most nights wouldn't be easy--especially with a second child on the way. Most nights I will probably be exhausted, and on those given nights my child(ren) will most likely be up and down. But even during those nights, I'll simply have to remind myself of the midnight playdate and the blessings that have been bestowed upon me and my beautiful little family!

Prayer

Yesterday when I dropped Chicken Little off at daycare, I witnessed the most beautiful act of love. Chicken Little's daycare provider was sending her husband off to work through the back door as we entered through the front.

As she shut the door behind him, she called "I love you and hope you have a blessed day." She closed the door, as as she was locking it, with her eyes closed she began to pray. "Keep him safe and bless him today. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."
I was touched. I can see her doing this each morning as she sends him off. I can even see her doing the same for each child as she sends them home in the evening.

We couldn't ask for anyone better to care for our child.

Pray for your loved one's today!!!!

Chicken Scratchings

It's been a while since my last post, so while I had a few minutes this morning, I figured I'd catch you all up on what's been going on over in the chicken coop.

Chicken Little had an appointment with an ENT yesterday. The appointment couldn't have come at a better time. Her daycare provider Miss "P" called Monday because she was acting different (constant crying and screaming out). Those of you who know our little princess know that she's not one to carry one like that--especially in a crowd...lol. Miss P even called Monday night to check on Chicken Little. That meant so much to me. I felt she was loved at daycare and well cared for, but now I KNOW!!
Anyway, I was very impressed with the ENT. I saw Dr. "N" when I was a child and liked him, but now that I'm a mother, he was even more appealing. :) I did not realize what a devout Christian Dr. N was.
As we were walking down the hallway to the exam room, there was a painting that caught my eye. It depicted a doctor preforming surgery and the image of Jesus Christ behind him, hand on his shoulder, guiding him through the surgery. I thought WOW!! A doctor who would allow such. So many doctors today have a "God complex", that I guess I was surprised to see such in an office.
When Dr. N came in, we talked about the multiple ear infections. Chicken Little has alot of fluid build up in her right ear. I was so glad that the doctor wasn't "TUBES, TUBES, TUBES!!" He wanted to try her on a stronger round of antibiotics to see how she reacted, before we discussed surgery. He even made comment (and I wish I could remember his EXACT words) about the Lord working through him and in his office. He said something in the way of not making decisions in haste, that he waited and God would guide his decisions. I WAS AMAZED!!! I felt such at ease. We go back on the 7th of Dec for another check-up!

I feel like I'm rambling along here but so much has been going on lately. Papa Rooster and I have been closed lately than "normal". I wake up every morning feeling so loved!!!!--I go to bed that way too!!! :) <3
I'm in the process of planing Chicken Little's 1st birthday party. Can you believe she's almost 1?!?! It's so hard to believe that a year ago I was anxiously awaiting her arrival. Now she's here and since she's growing up, baby fever has set in again.

Part of me feels like I should just stick with what I have. Working full time, and not getting home until late, leaves me feeling like she doesn't get enough of my time. What would I do with two!?!? :) But then I look back at all the baby pictures and I miss being pregnant and miss holding that sweet little baby. So we're "TALKING" about it. One day we're both on board with the idea. The next day we say let's wait until Chicken Little is 18mos or so, then Papa Rooster says it took almost 2 years to conceive Chicken Little, and maybe we should start trying now... We just can't make up our minds--but then again it's not up to us. I guess it'll happen in God's timing!

Enough scratchings for now! Everyone have a good day. Hope to see some of you tonight!!!

White Lie Cake

Have you ever told a white lie? You are going to love this, especially all of the ladies who bake for church events:

Emily was to bake a cake for the Church Ladies, but forgot to do it until the last minute. She remembered it the morning of the bake sale and after rummaging through cabinets, found an angel food cake mix and quickly make it while drying her hair, dressing, and helping her son pack up for church camp.
When she took the cake from the oven, the center had dropped flat and the cake was horribly disfigured and she exclaimed, "Oh dear, there is not time to bake another cake!" This cake was so important to Emily because she did so want to fit in at her new church, and in her community of friends. So, being inventive, she looked around the house for something to build up the center of the cake. She found it in the bathroom--a roll of toilet paper. She plunked it in and then covered it with icing. Not only did the finished product look beautiful, it looked perfect. And, before she left the house to drop the cake by the church and head for work, Emily woke her daughter and gave her some money and specific instructions to be at the bake sale the moment it opened at 9:30 and to buy the cake and bring it home.
When the daughter arrived at the sale, she found the attractive, perfect cake had already been sold. Mary grabbed her cell phone and called her mom. Emily was horrified--she was beside herself! Everyone would know! What would they think? She would be ostracized, talked about, ridiculed!!!
All night Emily lay awake in bed thinking about people pointing fingers at her and talking about her behind her back.
The next day, she promised herself she would try not to think about the cake and would attend the fancy luncheon/bridal shower at the home of a fellow church member and try to have a good time. She did not really want to attend because the hostess was a snob who more than once looked down her nose at the fact that Emily was a single parent and not from the founding families of the church, but having already RSVP'd, she couldn't think of a believable excuse to stay home.
The meal was elegant, the company was definitely upper crust old south and to Emily's horror, the cake in question was presented for dessert! Emily felt the blood drain from her body when she saw the cake! She started out of her chair to tell the hostess all about it, but before she could get to her feet, the Mayor's wife said, "what a beautiful cake!"
Emily, still stunned, sat back in her chair when she heard the hostess (who was a prominent church member) say, "Why thank you. I baked it myself."


Little white lies can get us in trouble as well as embarrass us!!!!

What mother taught me...

Ran across this on a website and just had to share. Have a great day!!!



25 THINGS MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME

1. My mother taught me: TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me: RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me: TIME TRAVEL .
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle ofnext week!"

4. My mother taught me: LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me: MORE LOGIC .
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not goingto the store with me."

6. My mother taught me: FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me: IRONY
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS .
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me: CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me: WEATHER .
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me: HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me: THE CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me: ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don'thave
wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me: RECEIVING .
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me: MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

19. My mother taught me: ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me: HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me: HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me: GENETICS.
"I swear you're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me: WISDOM ..
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. And my favorite: My MOTHER TAUGHT ME ABOUT JUSTICE
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"




Just thought everyone could use a good laugh....

FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES

After reading a post by "PEACEFUL LIVES" earlier today, I came across this. Children have a way of understand things in a different way than adults.

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want more kids. --Lori, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.--Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure

One the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.--Martin, age 10

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?
I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.--Craig, age 9

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they're rich.--Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be 18, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.--Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.--Harry, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.--Anita, age 9

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there? --Kelvin, age 8

And the #1 Favorite is.......

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck. --Ricky, age 10 (wise beyond his years)