No comments, No Christmas Cards

People within my kin and friendship network, if you are reading this blog and not responding to them, then I don't know that you're reading them + you're not e-mailing me because the blog page is updating you on our lives (that was and is the purpose of it all), which in turnmaeks me feel like you're ignoring me because you're not doing your part.
Then no Christmas card for you, no well wishes, no tidings of joy, no bannanna bread in the mail, and certainly there will be no visits during our travels. Let my warnings be heard;
your Christmas is on the line.
Leave your comments. Thank you very much foryour time and typing.
All in tough love,
LaShay

Serenity NOW

Thanks to my artist friend Joel I can experience serenity any time of day.
So LaShay is in one terrible mood, so much so, that she has decided to speak of herself in the third person (people it's a defense mechanism).
Forgiveness is easy when a) you like the people wronging you.
b) you can relate to their position , you just don't agree with it.
and
c) a common good happened due to the wronging, meaning at least everybody wins in the end.

But when you don't like the person, their ways are always an enigma because they are inept and self serving 8 out of 10 times, and they allow the bad guy to win, I don't want to forgive at ALL. My stubborn head keeps justifying my position, and my heart keeps on harping on the whole issue, simply because it's unresolved. I certainly become the loser in the end because now my weekend is restless and I still am mad.
Serenity now!
Being mad hasn't solved the problem, talking about it never helps, because it still leaves the person inept and selfish. There is only one thing left to do, forgive them and mean it. The forgiveness part is easy, the meaning it part is the hardest. Every time I forgive someone who really makes me mad, I sincerely forgive them, but Satan and his sneaky minions bring my mind to the fault over and over again. It takes a while to mean it, but when I say it out loud I forgive them,... Eventually I mean it.
Here it goes... Selfish, inept person that I don't like and who wronged me... I forgive you. I'll let Jesus deal with you, because He looks out for me and nothing I could do will ever get me even, so here's my fire, I forgive you. I do, so keep wronging me, and keep doing what you're doing, because I'll just forgive you again and tell Jesus about you, and eventually I'll pray for you so much you'll lose sleep. And the truth is, I've already done that a half dozen times. Know that when you lose sleep it's because I'm praying for you. I don't pray about getting even but rather that your eyes would be open to the sin and the emptiness that you have created for yourself. My prayers are affective. I forgive you. I forgive you!

A writer's block

It is quite obvious what and who the inspiration for my thoughts are, but I am quite determined to become more than a mother with a few witty thoughts. Here are my near future goals ( I just was at a seminar discussing goals, it got me thinking). I'm already a teacher, I teach grammar and reading skills, so I've accomplished that; CHECK! Wife; Check. I'm a mother, CHECK. Now for the rest of my goals God centered and directed.
Goal 1: Young adolescent novel writer extrodinaire person
Goal 2: Homeschooler turned administrator of private academy of really really intelligent learners.
Goal 3: Not to become a soccer mom still "exploring" an idealistic career of fashion design for toddlers, or PTSA super star organizer while drinking coffee in a $30 tumbler while balancing a toddler and a cell phone as she walks a 3 wheeled stroller around the block of her next target (no child in her stroller, SUV in the parking lot).

My challenge is this, do I leave an unprofessional job of teaching underprivileged children that is somewhat rewarding, when the headaches have passed, to pursue goals that are a constant character building struggle to achieve? Or, do I settle for mediocre and keep signing that one year contract because the next year isn't guaranteed, to me or anyone else for that matter, for the sake of dreams that get bigger and bigger the more I ponder them? To be or not to be? I sit typing this as my 4 year old adds numbers a 6 year old is just mastering.
I conjure these dreams while my heart aches and bursts with anticipation for the unknown.
Onward Christian soldiers, the best is yet to come...

Baby Jeff -vs- Baby Ava

Here it is folks all mysteries regarding the origin of baby Ava's looks put to rest...
I need some votes here. IF, you think baby Ava looks just like my unc;e Jeff as a baby leave a comment for me. I say kinda, my mom and dad argue absolutely... and you SAY...

Coke Baby!

A brother's love

Gabe's perspective on life is very percise and calculated. The questions he asks need a very specific respeonse, because he thinks about it and contimplates life on his own alot!
Mom and dad have to be very careful not to give conflicting stories, because he will catch us and question our parental wisdom.
So here are a few of his conversations between him and dad.
"When I get older can I sleep in mommy's bed more?"
"No, when you get older you will actually sleep in mom's bed less."
"Why?"
"Because Mom's my wife and I need to sleep in her bed, not you!"
"Well then I want to get married. How old do I have to be to get married?"
"25"
"25? Mom said 30 years old."
"No you can be 25 to get married.
"Well, is that how old I have to be to marry Azariah (4.5 years old)?
"Yup!"
How old do I have to be to marry Jasmine (11 years old)?"
"25 as well, but you can only marry 1 person."
"well then I 'd marry Azariah."
We were at our Fall Festival at church and I was in charge of the color wheel a Christian's way of gamblng, Guess a color and pray that it lands on that color, the prizes were very rewarding. Joe decided to help and we were the liveliest color wheel hosts around! We were cheering and owwing and awwing with the crowd, I chanted colors better than any colligiate cheerleader.
I believe Gabe was impressed. Although it was a mini carnival, it must have looked huge and amazing to a 4 year old. Oh how life beats the child out of an adult.
Gabe was in a 4 year old's wonderland!
Dad and Gabe's convo coming back from the fall festival
"Dad, is mommy changing her job now?"
"No, she just likes helping people."
"I like helping people, I want to be a hander-outer toy-boy too!"
"You're not going to be a police officer now?"
" I'm going to be a police officer, a toy-boy, and a teacher. Like mommy"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, mommy is a teacher, a helper, and a houser."
"Oh, okay!"
"Yeah you can't be more than 3 things!"
"Oh I see."
All conversations were translated from Joe to me. All conversations were relayed as accurately as possible. Due to time lapses, some comversations were edited for content. All stutterings were edited out as well.