Being a mom is the "best, hardest, most fufilling, depleting, longest, but goes-by-in-a-blink" job in the world. With other careers or endevors there are ladders climbed, corporate advancements, accolades, and acheivement awards. In the last 8 years the only ladders I have climbed have been at the playground and I consider it an advancement that I haven't bought diapers for a year! The awards...well, they come in random ways and not at all when you expect. This week I noted a couple of those awards:
A suspicious grin...a uncontainable boyish giggle...a request... "Mom, I have a surprise for you in my pocket." Out jumps a toad!! Uproarious laughter... a feigned response of shock and horor...more laughter! Twinkling eyes...glowing with glee. "I got-cha that time mommy!"
Quite in the basement...still quite...w-a-y too quite in the basement. Down the stairs...thump...thump..thump... Smiling daughter. "Hi, Mommy! Guess what I've been doing?" "Ummm...I really have no idea, honey." mild trepidation....open the door...five year old pride..."Look what I did!"...relief....confusion... little blonde girl, big grin...wanting to please... "I cleaned your room for you Mommy! It sure was messy!"
Little boy...sunny bed-head...the morning groogies...wiggle into my bed. "Dood morning, mommy! I wuv you."
Can't hang them on the wall or place them on the mantle, but I've got a room full of treasures. Gleaming, shining like jewels on the dark days... priceless trophies of motherhood.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Culture Collsion
It happends all the time... You live in another culture long enough that you momentarily forget what is normal in your own culture.
I was flying last week and was seated next to a young mom and her 15 month old baby. She was nervous because the baby was really fussy. When the child began to wail I really wanted to help. That is when it happened...I thought to my self, "I know! I have a chocolate bar in my purse!" Yes... I really contemplated giving chocolate to an 15 month old who I don't even know!!! Just how many American cultural rules does this break?!! Then I started laughing at how horrified I had been for at least a year in Bosnia as strangers offered my children candy....even my littlest...who was barely one year old. I'm still chuckling about this culture collision.
In America a "good" mom protects her child from any possible or theoretical danger... including not permitting chocolate at very young ages.
In Bosnia a "good" mom does nearly anything to keep a child happy...including permitting chocolate at very young ages.
And the search continues... how to be a "good" mom...
I was flying last week and was seated next to a young mom and her 15 month old baby. She was nervous because the baby was really fussy. When the child began to wail I really wanted to help. That is when it happened...I thought to my self, "I know! I have a chocolate bar in my purse!" Yes... I really contemplated giving chocolate to an 15 month old who I don't even know!!! Just how many American cultural rules does this break?!! Then I started laughing at how horrified I had been for at least a year in Bosnia as strangers offered my children candy....even my littlest...who was barely one year old. I'm still chuckling about this culture collision.
In America a "good" mom protects her child from any possible or theoretical danger... including not permitting chocolate at very young ages.
In Bosnia a "good" mom does nearly anything to keep a child happy...including permitting chocolate at very young ages.
And the search continues... how to be a "good" mom...
Monday, June 9, 2008
Homeless
A few days ago little Jacob sat at the counter in my parents kitchen and inquisitivley asked my dad..."Papa, why do you live here?" My dad replied, "...because this is my home." To which Jacob pondered, "Then where MY home?"
Good question Jacob. I wish I had an answer to that one. Meanwhile we bounce from one place to the next....9 States, 12 Beds,.... 100's of questions that still seem unanswerable. The future still seems blury and I can't seem to get it to come into focus. For now I will just keep listening to His "still, quiet voice"....one step at a time toward the Sheperd, trusting that what I cannot see He sees clearly.
Good question Jacob. I wish I had an answer to that one. Meanwhile we bounce from one place to the next....9 States, 12 Beds,.... 100's of questions that still seem unanswerable. The future still seems blury and I can't seem to get it to come into focus. For now I will just keep listening to His "still, quiet voice"....one step at a time toward the Sheperd, trusting that what I cannot see He sees clearly.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Girl's Sleep Over
What a blast! Nail polish, rice krispie treats, pizza, movies, balloons, tickles & giggles.... Rachel was so thrilled that her local "aunties" included her in girl's night. She even stayed up 'till midnight!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Doors & Windows
I have heard it said that "when God closes a door, He opens a window". In my experience, when God closes a door... you hang out in the "waiting room" until He thinks you're READY to see what is behind door number two.
I think I'm gonna find the coziest chair in the waiting room, grab a magazine, and wait to hear the door creak open.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Moja Bosna!!
You know you are in Bosnia when....
...you go wedding dress shopping with your friend and the women working there are filling the little shop and all the dresses with their chain smoking!
...the police man pulls you over, looks at your passport, and asks if both of the women are yours. When he finds out only one is, he asks if the other is available.
...the cashier runs out of change so she gives you a gum ball for the difference.
...you see someone at the store ripping a battery out of the package right in front of an employee, only to realize that this is a normal practice. (What is strange is to buy the whole package here!)
...when the medical emergency team runs out of the clinic for a call, but must all smoke a cigarette before loading into the ambulance.
...you go wedding dress shopping with your friend and the women working there are filling the little shop and all the dresses with their chain smoking!
...the police man pulls you over, looks at your passport, and asks if both of the women are yours. When he finds out only one is, he asks if the other is available.
...the cashier runs out of change so she gives you a gum ball for the difference.
...you see someone at the store ripping a battery out of the package right in front of an employee, only to realize that this is a normal practice. (What is strange is to buy the whole package here!)
...when the medical emergency team runs out of the clinic for a call, but must all smoke a cigarette before loading into the ambulance.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Days in Dubrovnik
Ahh!! The Adriatic Sea.... How I love it!
Many like to feed the pigeons...our kids like to chase them!We enjoyed a picnic with Genai on the rocks bellow the great wall. The view of the Adriatic made me feel small. God amazes me.
It was a nice time to reconnect with my dear friend Tracee and to say good bye to my newer friend, Genai who was headed back to California. We enjoyed good pizza and even better laughs.
It was a nice time to reconnect with my dear friend Tracee and to say good bye to my newer friend, Genai who was headed back to California. We enjoyed good pizza and even better laughs.
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