Just a lil' tip...

There is a haunting phrase that has been following me since I went from just one child to two. Now that I am a mother of three children age 4 and under, this grating phrase is the most common comment I hear when out and about with my beautiful cherubs. In all number of public places I have heard it. It has been uttered in varying tones from disgust to that all too familiar high pitched Texan tone that people use when they say "bless his heart" and really mean, "what a poor stupid soul". Some of you mommies reading this are already seething, knowing fully the provocative and boringly common phrase. For those of you still in the dark, scratching your head and wondering, here it is:

"Wow....you've got your hands full!"

So, what do I say to that? Literally speaking, with just ONE child both of your hands are full. So, are we not to have more than one child and go out in public? How am I to respond to a question like that without correcting them by saying that my hands are FULL of blessing and thus creating an awkward interaction? That's like telling a disgruntled teenage that he/she has a pimple on their nose. Don't do it--it's an obvious statement and is unhelpful to the receiver's state of mind!

Now, I know that my little family has crossed the normal threshold in more ways than one--particularly in how many kids we have and how close they are in age--but it is not like I am Mrs. Duggar--with my 19 kids trailing behind me at the grocery store (and even if I was, so what!!) Although, if you were in my shoes today, you would have thought that was the case. Almost every person who spoke to my children and I made a comment about my full hands and if they didn't say it, they thought it as they shook their head at me or glared in confusion as to my reality of a cartful of children who were less than happy to be confined to a shopping cart. I will admit that my little angels were acting more like little devils so I understand how I was ruining their grocery shopping experience. However, saying "Wow, you've got your hands full" is just a polite, unhelpful, passive aggressive way of telling someone that they have one too many kids. If that's not what the sender means to communicate then I suggest they come up with a better phrase. If engagement with a young mom and her many kids at the grocery store is what is intended, then how about this alternative phrase, "Wow...your children are (insert any positive superlative)!"

Whew! Glad to get that off my chest. To end on a more uplifting note, read over the beautiful, life-giving lyrics to the song copied below:

When this passing world is done,
When has sunk yon glaring sun,
When we stand with Christ in glory,
Looking o'er life's finished story,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

All I owe you paid for me
From all I owe I’ve been set free
And all I owe proves your great mercy to me

When I stand before your throne,
Dressed in beauty not my own,
When I see you as you are
Love you with unsinning heart,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

All I owe you paid for me
From all I owe I’ve been set free
And all I owe proves your great mercy to me

Chosen not for good in me,
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Savior's side,
By the Spirit sanctified,
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe.

All I owe you paid for me
From all I owe I’ve been set free
And all I owe proves your great mercy to me

All I Owe, by Matthew Smith

A little conviction for the day...

“The nearest place to the gate of heaven is the throne of the heavenly grace. Much alone, and you will have much assurance; little alone with Jesus, your religion will be shallow, polluted with many doubts and fears, and not sparkling with the joy of the Lord. Since the soul-enriching path of prayer is open to the very weakest saint; since no high attainments are required; since you are not bidden to come because you are an advanced saint, but freely invited if you be a saint at all; see to it, dear reader, that you are often in the way of private devotion. Be much on your knees, for so Elijah drew the rain upon famished Israel’s fields.”

- Charles Spurgeon, Morning & Evening

It's Time...

Peace out, Summer!

Hello, Fall!!!!

Dear Fall,

There's just something about you that makes me want to fully indulge in your season.

At the first burst of coolness, I am immediately invigorated mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically.

I have burning desires to bake spiced pumpkin treats, simmer hot cider all day and sip it all evening, and decorate with all the warm, brilliant Autumn colors (ones we hardly see in Texas) found in the wreath above.

There's no season like it.

Welcome and please make yourself at home in Bryan-College Station.

Me too! Me too!

Roger Cohen on super happy thoughts

I have happy thoughts too. Some of them are super happy.

Ridiculousness never looked this ridiculous

I received the following in an email today. I read it. Then I promptly went into the backyard where I laughed and cried like a hysterical madman*. After that I came inside to write this blog post. For those of you who might still have some part of your mind committed to the belief that politics can be a serious engagement of the mind and heart regarding the future of a community exercised by thoughtful people committed to free enquiry and dialogue, do not read anything further. Just tell yourself that Santa Claus actually does exist (your parents were lying the SECOND time when they said that he didn't actually exist and tried to take credit for giving you all those presents over the years), keep on believing that the political conversation is serious and worthwhile, and send all of your money to to the political party of your choice or me. If you want to take a step further into the abyss of madness, read the following.

*I didn't actually do this. I wrote it here to communicate a point. I'm writing my memoirs and calling it something like "A Thousand Big Pieces." Anyways, I digress. Finish reading the rest of the post now.

Trey --

In many ways, the fight for health insurance reform comes down to a battle over information. The more people know about how broken the system is and the President's plan to fix it, the more they want change. But there are an awful lot of lies to cut through, and a whole lot of truth to get out.

So today, we're proud to announce a powerful new way for you to help: Organizing for America's Health Reform Video Challenge.

This is your chance -- you ingenious, insightful, funny people out there -- to make a 30-second ad telling the story about why the status quo has got to go, or explaining how the Obama plan will ensure we get the secure, quality care we need without breaking the budget.

The top submissions will be voted on by the public and a panel of experts, with the winning ad aired on national television. This is your opportunity to add your voice and creativity to the debate, get some great exposure for your work, and make a huge difference.

Click here to get started.

No experience is needed -- if you have an idea, we want you to give it a shot. And if you know someone who is especially handy with a camera, please forward this note along right away. Just make sure you submit your ad by October 18th.

Your video could be as simple as you talking straight into the camera, as complex as a full-blown production with a script and special effects, or anything in between.

We're looking for serious videos: You can tell your personal story about how the broken health insurance system has affected you. You can illustrate the big picture about what's wrong now and how the President's plan will help with animations, charts, and facts.

We're looking for funny videos: You can parody those trying to scare us into inaction (between the lying pundits and the insurance company spin doctors, they've given us some good stuff to work with).

And we're looking for new ideas we never would have thought of but we know will blow us all away.

We know that compelling videos can touch people in a way that words alone simply cannot. The messages that regular people put together will make a bigger difference than any false smears or slick ads the other side can dream up. And who knows -- your creative, powerful, or touching video could help tip the balance in favor of health reform.

So go get started today!

http://my.barackobama.com/videochallenge

I can't wait to see what you come up with,

Natalie

Natalie Foster
New Media Director

A nap plus an imagination are like water and oil

Some really wise older parents have referred to the parental role in the first five or six years as being "in the trenches." Warfare terminology. That is EXACTLY how I have been feeling about naptime lately. Every single day I battle with my Ethan. We are two opposing forces and every day one of us wins. Most days, Mommy overcomes and he sacks out for two hours (finally!). Today, I was not the victor. After reading the exchange below, you'll see why.

Me: "Ethan, why are you not taking a nap like I told you to?"

E: "Uh...because I was looking for fishes."

Me: "Why were you looking for fish in your bed?"

E: "Well, I was hungry...and....(takes a deep, excitable breath and hands begin to gesture) I was a tiger and....."

Me: "Sigh."

Usually when I ask him that question he just tells me "I don't know." Today I told him that answer wasn't acceptable. Then he told me about the fishes. Poor guy. He can't turn his brain off. And, he can't write yet to empty out all those fantastic stories he's brewing in that little mind. What a predicament he's in.

Anyone else have a hyper-imaginative child and know how to direct it (at age 4)???

Their Irresistible Side ...

Be warned, excessive bragging to follow! I only include the bragging, because, well, who wants to hear about potty training failures, toddler tantrums, and preschool chaos?? It's like any meal, we really only care about dessert....wink!

Our E-man is such a little bookworm and as a result, has a fantastic time acting out all the stories he is downloading to his little mind. In case you couldn't figure it out, he is Prince Philip in the picture above, off to rescue his Sleeping Beauty, not a pirate with a superman complex, as the outfit seems to show. We will start doing some learning readiness activities soon and I think he can hardly wait...he is always asking me "Mommy, I am ready for homeschool!"

At 8 weeks of life, our Natty V is getting very plump, as you can see, and looking prettier in pink every day! She also has started smiling and cooing at us. To add a cherry on top of all this sweetness, she has been sleeping through the night (10PM-6AM) for one whole week! This sweet little face is busy stealing hearts in the Arbuckle home. Watch out, you might be next!

Our girls are really warming up to each other, as evidenced by their happy faces. That's about all that can be said about that pair. Wink.

A match made in Heaven. I think it's because they look so much a like. Ethan enjoys talking to Natalie, holding her, kissing her, and taking care of her. Just today he giggled, "Mommy, I just kissed her on her nose." That's a sure sign of his complete infatuation.

Meir is keeping up with her older brother--going on big adventures and imagining strange, new worlds! She is also quite content to be girly--picking which dress to wear each day and making sure that her nails--fingers and toes--are painted. Once dressed, which she wants to do right after waking up in the morning, she runs to find her Daddy to show him "how pretty I am." She has somehow already learned how to flirt and is constantly making eyes at her Daddy. I've said it before...are we in trouble or what?!?