I So Appreciate the Benefits of Caffeine...

With caffeine, I leave my very laid back, calm, unimaginative and unmotivated self behind.

With caffeine, I am cheerfully chattery with my children. I get sewing, mending, grading, dishes, laundry, school, cleaning, ebay, and closets cleaned out. Array of other odds and ends projects done. My body does not appreciate my caffeine source. Coffee is not my source. Ewww, is all I can think of when I think of it. I have tried a frapucchino. But even with the sugar, chocolate and yumminess added, there is that dreadful after taste. My source is Pepsi. I love the bubbles, the taste, the hiss when a new bottle is open and most of all, the caffeine.

I kicked my habit about 4 years ago. Six dreadfully long months of withdrawal.

The last month or so, I have been testing the waters...or more like the Pepsi's.
I can't get addicted again. Withdrawal was horrible and lasted for months. But I do like the way the bubbly makes me bubbly. It is sooo bad for me too. It does horrible things to bones. It is dehydrating if I don't drink enough water. It can keep me awake way too late at night, especially when Fun Mom accidently adds a little to my drink. But a little bitty cup of it during the early afternoon slump, is just the perfect boost to keep me from napping when there are things to be done.

Oh, what is a girl to do? ! ?

Sin Buster Night according to Daddy's Buddy

So last night at Awana was "Stories from a Sin Buster" night.
The kids listened to stories from out very own Sin Busters, aka our pastors.
Daddy's Buddy was telling Flutter Nutter about last night.
DB: We had a very important person last night.
DB: He was a pastor.
DB and FM: What is a pastor?
Mom: Someone who shares God's word with other people.
DB: Do you know which one came to our room?
MOM: No
DB: He has dark hair.
Mom: I list pastor names, Ken Cooper, Greg, Chris and DB tells me no to all of them.
Mom: Oh you mean Ken Cooper.
DB: No, not him.
DB: He is kind of like Grandpa, just not as old.
DB: Where is that paper?
DB goes to his room and finds the paper with the church's sinbusters on it. Pictures with names underneath. Kind of like the old western days with sheriffs and thier names below their pictures. Or the Wanted dead or alive posters.
DB: It was this pastor he points.
So I was right, it was Ken Cooper. He just couldn't remember the name.
But I am so tickled about his description. He is like Grandpa, just not as old.
I wonder how my boys would describe me?

One of those days....

I am in the midst of a Beth Moore Bible Study. Esther, It's Tough Being A Woman.

This past week there was a lesson that dealt with annoyances vs. agonies.
"Here's the trap, however: If we distance ourselves long enough from real needs, we replace them with those that aren't. Pretense becomes the new real and suddenly a delay in the delivery of our new couch becomes a terrible upset. We are wise to force ourselves to keep differentiating between simple inconveniences and authentic tribulations. The more detached and self-absorbed we become, the more we mistake annoyances for agonies. It happens to all of us. "

She goes on to write, "I often have to tell myself to get a grip and downsize how I've blown up a comparatively small problem."

Since I did this lesson, it has been a resounding echo in the back of my mind. I can reflect back on real true agonies in my life and how I have responded.

Then I start to think about the comfortable life I have and how far I am from having "real needs" in my life.

Then my children start being children. And let me tell you, the annoyances pile up. I mean the pile is huge. The annoyances are great and unending. A 4 year old that just won't stop disobeying and laughs when you discipline him. A 13 yr. old who is getting rather perturbed that her test has been interrupted and would like to finish. A 6 year old, who just has to have a particular green bag, in spite of the fact, the two bags are identical. An 8 and 10 year old, enjoying all the chaos because they can escape school work and mess around. The pressure in my chest and head is increasing. I feel like I am going to explode. I rename the pile from annoyances to agonies. I struggle to get through the moment wishing for a vacation or simply Calgon to take me away. I chase my brood through the routine of dinner and then to the car. All so I can enjoy some peace at church while they are at their activities. The pressure in my head and chest resides. I am laughing again.

And then...

My little "angels" sleep, and I remember the lesson again. I wonder when will I pause to recognize the pile for what it is. Minor annoyances that won't last and that I can quickly turn into teaching opportunities with the right attitude. Instead of blowing up and/or pushing through the muck till bedtime, I need to tell myself to get a grip and see the situations for what they are, small problems or better yet teaching opportunities, . Then, with a peace not my own, address each situation accordingly.

Conversations with Hockey Player,

As I left to go help with MOPS at our church, I was reminded by the many trash bins at the curb what day of the week it was. A quick call home. I asked to talk to Hockey Player.
Mom: What is today?
HP: March 2
Mom: What day of the week? (thought this would help him remember)
HP: Tuesday
Mom: What happens on Tuesday? (really thought this would jog his memory cells)
HP: English class (hmm, so he is thinking on his English paper and playtime with a friend.)
Mom: What else?
HP: Hockey ! (That's more like my boy)
Mom: What else?
HP: MOPS
I gave up
Mom: Trash and Recycling!
HP: oh, that's right.
Mom: let me talk to dad....

Mom: What's today?
Dad: Hockey Player get the trash and recycling out to the curb.

HP's sweet aunt, got to hear the story first thing. Her very quick response was. Wow, what a neat perspective on what is going on in Hockey Player's mind. All too true. He is a very sweet kid. Kind and tenderhearted.
It is heartwarming to reflect on what his mind turned to first and foremost. How wonderful it was when he quickly responded to the task at hand and took care of it.
Then I switch gears and think how humorous it is to know what my husband thought of first. Or better yet, marvel at how much we think alike now after 15 years of marriage.

Super Cheap Gum at Walgreens!

At Walgreens today picking up a script I had transferred over. Was also turning in my "check" for $25 when you transfer a prescription to Walgreens.
Stopped in the candy aisle to see what sales they had on gum.
I don't like to pay for gum, so I stock up when I can get it free or almost free.

Eclipse Breeze is on "clearance" sale for 69 cents a pack.
Walgreens March coupon book at the front of the store has a coupon for $1 off 2 packs of Eclipse.
19 cents a pack of gum. About what I paid for gum when I was a kid. Now those were the days. I can even remember getting Jolly Ranchers and Tootsie rolls for 3 cents.
How I loved finding pennies on the ground when walking home from school.

The answer is....

So Little Princess is taking a history test....
the question is: Who wrote the book of Psalms and Ecclesiastes?
Fun Mom: "Who danced through the streets naked?"
Little Princess: Not me!
I am ever so glad it was not her.

A few of my favorite things...

Listening to my children practice the piano.
Snuggles in bed in the morning first thing.
Snuggles in bed while watching a movie.
Laughter of children.
Belly giggles of the littlest ones.
Watching and listening to my children play and be each other's best friend.
Little Princess wanting broccoli more than anything else.
Hearing "Mommy I wuv you" with no prompting.
Fresh from the oven cranberry bread.
Clean and toasty warm sheets and blankets right from the dryer!
The sweet knowing that my God loves me just the way I am.
Listening to my children recite Bible verses. They know so many more than I do.