We went to a nearby park to feed ducks today. I mostly chose this outing because I have been saving the last little bits of bread for months now and it was starting to take over my freezer. So, out we went to experience God's creation.
On the way, I needed to stop and get gas. I say to my daughter, "I sure hope there is a gas station on the way because we really need gas." She responds with, "Well, there might not be one for your car, but there might be one for your body." "What do you mean, one for your body?" I ask. She says, "You know your tummy has gas too." lol
While feeding the ducks, she wants all the ducks to have equal shares. When we are finished handing out all the bread, she notices a duck that didn't get any. "Get in the water, Duck, then you can have some bread. See, get in over there where the bread is..go on." These are her comments to the little duck that wants some bread, but he doesn't seem to listen. :)
Lilly remembers this park from previous trips and recalls that there is a gazebo there, so she asks to go over to it. When we get to the gazebo, we notice a grandfather and his grandson fishing. What a wonderful thing for her to see - she was enthralled by all of it - the fish, the worms, the action of the grandfather catching the fish and letting her touch them, the action of the little boy falling into the water while trying to put water in a container, the fish flopping on the gazebo floor because he escaped from the water, and the little boy being scared to touch any of the fish. It was all very entertaining for her and she didn't want to leave.
Memories were made and things were learned just by a simple little outing that was meant only to empty some space in my freezer. This was definitely what they call a "teachable moment" and I'm glad I took advantage of it.
My family belongs to a great baptist church here in Texas. I would say it is a medium sized church - not too big, but not really small either. We live about 30 minutes away from the church which makes it a little difficult when it comes to being involved. Being a stay at home makes me a minority at my church - there aren't a lot of them.
Because of its size, our distance from the church and the lack of stay at home moms there aren't a lot of programs at our church that are geared towards me, so for the past year or so I have been attending programs at a bigger, closer church. They have a Tuesday morning women's Bible study class which I have been looking forward to all summer long. The past 2 studies I have been a part of have been wonderful - I have learned a lot and plus they have a great class for my daughter to go to while I'm in the study. Also, they have a program once a quarter where moms of older children (mentor moms) get together with moms or younger children and discuss things that are going on. It is great to get advice from wiser moms, but also to hear that I am not alone in my struggles.
My "problem" with attending these things at another church is that I feel like I am cheating on my church. I don't hear of other people at my church going to other programs hosted by another church and I feel as though I have to keep in quiet. My motives aren't wrong in going to these things because I am growing and getting fed and getting together with other ladies, so why do I feel as though I am doing something wrong?
Here in Texas, we haven't gotten much rain in the last 6 or 7 months. People around here get excited when just a sprinkle comes down. I read in the paper the other day that we may have to go into phase 2 of the water conservation plan which would allow us to only water our yards on certain days and between certain times. Makes sense...I appreciate that there are people out there who calculate this stuff and let us know when it is time to take some serious measures.
In the paper this morning, I read about a drought in Somalia where people were evacuating to other areas because the lack of water was so bad. The article told about one mom who made the decision to leave her young son behind to die - she tried to get help from other travelers passing by, but nobody was willing. Can you imagine? Having to choose between waiting there with your son and most likely your whole family perishes or leaving him behind? Talk about heart breaking.
I guess it gives a whole new meaning to the word drought and what we are experiencing here in Texas.
For the next week, we are taking care of our neighbor's pets and house while they are away on vacation. They have 2 boys so as you can probably imagine their toys are a little different than ours - lots of cars, trucks, balls, etc. Today we went over there to let the dog out and do our duties, I go about seeing that everything gets done and I don't see or hear my duaghter. When I finally venture upstairs to their playroom, I realize she is sitting there at the pretend tool bench with all the tools out and she is fixing "something". "Are you ready to go home?" I ask her. She says, "Not yet, I"m still fixing this." So, I wait. About 20 minutes goes by and finally she says, "Okay, I'm finished, we can go."
Her daddy would be so proud! :)
Recently, my daughter has learned that God is everywhere. As we are driving in the car, she asks, "Is God the road?" or "Is God that sign?" To which I reply, "He isn't everything, He is everywhere!" So, now she asks, as she is pointing in the air, "Is God there and there and there?" I reply, "yes, God is everywhere, always!"
The other day we were reading about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the book of Daniel. We were talking about how King Nebachadnezzer wanted people to bow down and worship a golden statue and the 3 men wouldn't because God is the only True God! Lilly says, with a big smile, "That is so silly, God isn't that statue" Then, she thinks about it some more and laughs, "That statue can't help you!"
I smile and thank God for allowing her to understand this concept.
My mom started it, when we went to visit her in January, we had a tea party. She really went all out. It was a wonderful event with special teas and decorated cupcakes.
Then, on our visit in July, it happened again. Another tea party, this one more fancy than the last. :) We had name plates and honey sticks.
When we got home, I wanted to have one with Lilly and her friends. I wanted to make use of the tea set that our neighbor had given us after Lilly was born - I think she thought it was plastic, but it was porcelain. Also, I wanted to practice manners and putting others before yourself. So, today we had a tea party and Lilly invited one of her friends over. Before her friend arrived, we talked about how we would offer everything to our guest first before taking anything for ourself.
There were several things I need to do before my tea parties will match up to my mom's beautiful events - practice making the butter cream frosting for the cupcakes fluffy instead of soupy and getting a tea set that is actually functional instead of for show and lastly making name plates and other beautiful decorations. All in all it was a great little party and I think the girls had a great time.
FYI - The cupcakes were a recipe my cousin taught us - you use a small package of instant pudding mix and make it like the directions say. Then, add a box cake mix. Stir and bake as the cake box says. They turn out really moist and yummy!
So, I did it. I deleted the account, I feel like I just lost a friend. However, I felt this same way whenever we moved to Houston and decided not to pay for TV channels. It is a time of withdrawal and just like any other addiction, it will take time for me to get over it, but I will get over it.
One of my friends was concerned because she wouldn't be able to see updates on Lilly or pictures anymore and so I plan to start using my blog as a way to share those things. Those of you who read my blog will be able to see the pictures and the updates. :)
Now, what to do with all this free time I'm going to have? I thought the same thing about getting rid of TV - what will I do with all my time - it is amazing how I have filled the days. I can't even imagine having time to watch it even if we had it now. :)
