Today is Wednesday

I've been sick this week and I have basically have hung out in my bed since Sunday. I had strep throat--it's nasty stuff and made me feel pretty awful. I'm feeling better today. I'm not 100% but I'm better. I can swallow, I'm not running a fever and my body doesn't ache to it's core. I am grateful!

Today is Wednesday. It's an absolutely beautiful day here in Kansas. The sky is bright blue, the air is crisp and the sun is warming my living room. The trees . . . man, the trees are gorgeous. Reds, oranges, yellows, golds . . . fall is grand!

Here are some highlights and thoughts for today:
1. We all overslept. I love sleeping in but not on a school day--it makes for a hectic morning.
2. At my doctor's appointment this morning the nurse said that I am 5 feet 4 inches. Really? I've shrunk an inch. Is that possible? My blood pressure is thankfully normal. Other stats don't need to be mentioned.
3. The receptionist at the Dr's office called me, "kiddo." I haven't been called that in a long time.
4. I realized how messy and out of control our house looks. When mommy is sick things get a little crazy. All is well though--I'm not freaking out about it.
5. This should top my list--I'm grateful for my Darlin'--he is a faithful, patient and kind man. He reflects the heart of Jesus to me.
6. I'm going to take Lia on a little Mommy daughter date--she hasn't had much time with me this week.
7. I miss my friends in Columbia and cry when I think of the church. Though I know we are where we need to be, my heart aches sometimes.

row, row, row your boat

This morning at breakfast Lia and I were reading the daily calendar we have on our table. It's a prayer calendar for China. Each day will show a picture and a city or people group of China to pray for. Lia loves to flip the calendar to the new day. This morning the picture was of a beautiful area in the city of Guilin (Gway-Lin).

Me: I would love to go to that city.
Lia: Me too. I want to sail a boat through those waters. Or maybe I could row a boat.
Me: That would be so cool. I think rowing might be better since there are so many cliffs and rocks.
Lia: Yes, I'm a good rower. I could row you, Daddy and Zach.
Me: That would be awesome.
Lia: I'm a Chinese Rower!
Me: Smile.

She has been very interested in the fact that she is Chinese. We've had a lot of conversations lately about this. After our mentioned conversation, she started talking about being a gymnist and that last night she had a dream that she was. She really loved watching the Olympics. Often she would comment on the girls that "look just like her."

Anger

We have had a wonderful day. It's been a lazy day. Zach is off school so we all slept in, ate a late breakfast, played a few games of Candy Land and watched a movie. It's been a peaceful day. I just made dinner and soon will head off to work. Just moments ago the quiet, lazy day took a turn. It went something like this . . .

Lia: Mom, I'm going outside to ride my bike.
Me: Well, you need to get some pants on, tennis shoes and a jacket. (she is currently wearing tights, a leotard and sandals--it is drizzling and about 50 degrees)
Lia: Mom, I don't need to.
Me: If you want to play outside then you have to do what I ask you.
Lia: I hate this day.
Me: Lia, this has been a great day. All you need to do is put on some clothes.
Lia: I'm just fine. I don't need to.
Me: I guess you will stay in side then.
Lia: Put my door back on! (we took her door off because she was slamming it when she was angry)
Me: Sorry, I can't do that. You lay down in your bed and when you calm down we can talk. (she follows me down the hall)
Lia: I'm not going to.
Me: Lia, you are being disrespectful. Go to your bed and calm down or I will need to give you a swat.
Lia: Make me a hot dog! (I just made one for Zach)
Me: You are making a choice to be disrespectful and disobey . . .
Lia: Why am I angry again?

Seriously, that is what she said-why am I angry. I tried not to laugh. We have these moments in our day often. I say no to something or give direction and she decides that she doesn't want to follow--she clearly knows better in her mind. Her door has been off for about a week. She was regularly stomping down the hallway and slamming her door during these moments of anger/frustration. When we took her door off she said, "my room looks different without the door. I want my door back." When I again explained why we took the door off she said, "well, I slam it because I don't want to talk to you." I'm constantly praying for wisdom, understanding and stamina to teach and train her.

She is in her room calming down. It's always wonderful when peace is restored and all is made well again.

confusion

Lia woke up this morning, stumbled to the kitchen and said,

"Hey, what's going on in here! It's still night time!"

Smiling, I say, "No honey, it's morning time."

Somewhat confused, "Well, I'm going back to bed!"

I wish you could have seen her--dragging her big pink, hair sticking up all over, eyes barely open . . . so cute! She's back in bed and man, how I would love to be too!

Pumpkin Patch

We had a wonderful trip to the Pumpkin Farm Saturday afternoon.

Angels

It's a beautiful cool and rainy afternoon. Perfect for a short nap. I asked Lia to lay down with me. She is always cranky after school and I thought some down time might be good for her and honestly for me too! We lay down in our bed and she starts talking about ghost. She gets this amazing expression on her face, squeals and tells me she can't sleep because there are ghost everywhere. I'm really starting to feel cozy in my bed, there is a cool breeze coming through the window and I'm starting to relax. I somewhat mumble that there are no ghost in our home, only angels. Lia starts asking me where they are. She insist that I find some for her to see. I quietly say some things about how we can't always see them but God does send angels . . . dozing off to sleep . . .

Lia says, "well, pray to God and tell Him we want to see angels."
I simply reply with, "Sure, you can pray for that Lia."
She insistent, "No! You start praying."

So, I pray. It's quiet for about 30 seconds and Lia shouts, "The angels aren't here yet. What's taking so long."

I never got my short nap. Lia kept talking about the angels and about how she knows everything while climbing on my back.

October

Fall is probably my favorite season. I am thankful that we live in a part of the country where we get to enjoy every season because each in their own way are magnificent. But Fall is especially fantastic. The month of October is not disappointing. The temperatures have been perfect, the trees are beginning to change and we've already made a pile of leaves to play in.

A little more than a year ago we were living with our dear friends Bill and Bonnie in Columbia. I will never be able to say how fantastic this time was for our family--we love and are incredibly thankful for Grandpa Bill and Grandma Bonnie.

I thought about these dear friends yesterday when Zach and Lia were raking leaves in the front yard. Lia began directing Zach on where to put the leaves. "Move them this way." "Bring more over here!" I started to laugh because I remembered Bill one evening commenting on Lia's potential future as a "Project Manager." I think he was right. Lia is constantly telling us what could be done better, how it should be done and how she really, really does know everything.

Zach was not impressed with his sister's leadership abilities and simply said, "Lia, just help me pile leaves and stop talking."