___ Pass love notes in the library
___ sneak away for a moonlit swim
___ snuggle
___ walk arm in arm on a foggy night
___ list and record your favorite songs
___ make s'mores over a campfire
___ walk through the woods
___ visit a national park together
___ have a sunrise picnic
___ go grocery shopping at 3:00 am
___ enjoy a romantic moonlit picnic
___ play a complete game of monopoly
___ request "your song" on the radio
___ whisper sweet nothings
___ host/attend a "christmas in july" party
___ play twister
___ get away for a day trip
___ celebrate friday the 13th
___ make a meal out of grocery store samples
___ flip a coin to decide what to do
___ play an April Fools Day Prank
___ Crash a large family reunion then eat and run
___ Play jacks
___ enter a lip sync contest
___ play a competitive game of marbles
___ go to a demolition derby
___ explore the countryside on horseback
___ go to the zoo
___ go bowling
___ have an indoor picnic
___ stay at home for a date
___ build a hosue of cards
___ take an IQ test
___ critique the movie you saw over a late dinner
___ go to homecoming
___ dress up and dance at home by candlelight
___ read old cards and letters from each other to each other
___ write a poem for someone
___ steal a kiss while under the mistletoe
___ play Hide and Seek
___ host a romantic new year's eve party for two
___ dance cheek to cheek
___ drift off as you gaze into the one you love's eyes
___ play name that tune
___ discuss your musical likes and dislikes
___ host an indoor beach party during the winter
___ sit side by side on a park bench and watch the world go by
___ have a bum night date: jeans, tshirt and no more than $5
___ play a game of hearts
___ in your spare time go miniature golfing
___ decorate your hosue for autumn and make a scarecrow
___ try a different kids of kiss, share a bag of hershey kisses
___ watch the olympic games
___ play a game of "Life"
___ Host an anniversary party for your folks
___ learn to drive a standard car
___ snuggle on a hayride
___ roast marshmellows over the fire
___ explore a spooky ghost town or haunted house
___ tell knock-knock jokes to someone you love
___ after the movie stop for a milkshake (or icecream)
___ go mountain biking or hiking
___ go repelling down a cliff
___ go rock climbing
___ visit your old school playground
___ offer a shoulder to lean on during a hard time
___ play the "what if..." game
___ play 20 questions
___ to satisfy your sweet tooth, make candy
___ be lazy w/someone you love
___ run barefoot through the park
___ celebrate December 21, the shortest day of the year
___ go star-gazing
___ dance at home to the radio
___ get into the holiday spirit by listening to christmas music
___ share your memories of past holidays with someone you love
___ split a banana split
___ explore an unknown path through the woods
___ chase rainbows together
___ wish upon a shooting star
___ watch the clouds and pick out formations
___ watch a solar eclipse
___ have a conversation in a foreign language
___ take a calligraphy class
___ have a snowball fight
___ Have a grass fight
___ Challenge each other at nintendo
___ dream of what you would do with a million dollars in one week
___ Have a late night walk after a snowfall
___ Kidnap your date from work
___ Go trick-or-treating
___ Be silly in a photo booth
___ Share a bag of gummy bears (or other junk food)
___ Watch saturday morning cartoons and share a box of donuts
___ Watch the academy awards
___ Host/Attend a Friday 13th Party
___
Thursday, August 28, 2008
A Candymaker's Witness
A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.
He began with a stick of pure white hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God.
The candy maker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. It could also represent the staff of the "Good Shepherd" with which He reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray.
Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the Cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life.
Unfortunately, the candy became known as a candy cane—a meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time. But the meaning is still there for those who "have eyes to see and ears to hear."
I pray that this symbol will again be used to witness to the wonder of Jesus and his great love that came down at Christmas and remains the ultimate and dominate force in the universe today.
He began with a stick of pure white hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God.
The candy maker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. It could also represent the staff of the "Good Shepherd" with which He reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray.
Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the Cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life.
Unfortunately, the candy became known as a candy cane—a meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time. But the meaning is still there for those who "have eyes to see and ears to hear."
I pray that this symbol will again be used to witness to the wonder of Jesus and his great love that came down at Christmas and remains the ultimate and dominate force in the universe today.
Birth Order of Children
Your Clothes:
1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy.
2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes. -love this one
_____________________________________________________
Preparing for the Birth:
1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.
2nd baby: You don’t bother because you remember that last time, breathing didn’t do a thing.
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month
______________________________________________________
The Baby clothes:
1st baby: You pre-wash newborn’s clothes, colour co-ordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby’s little bureau.
2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains.
3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can’t they?
______________________________________________________
Worries:
1st baby: At the first sign of distress–a whimper, a frown–you pick up the baby.
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your three-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing
______________________________________________________
Dummies:
1st baby: If the dummy falls on the floor, you put it away until you can go home and wash and sterilise it.
2nd baby: When the dummy falls on the floor, you squirt it off with some juice from the baby’s bottle.
3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.
______________________________________________________
Nappy changing:
1st baby: You change your baby’s nappies every hour, whether they need it or not.
2nd baby: You change their nappy every two to three hours, if needed.
3rd baby: You try to change their nappy before others start to complain about the smell or you see it sagging to their knees.
______________________________________________________
Activities:
1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, and Baby Story Hour.
2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.
3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.
______________________________________________________
Going Out:
1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home five times.
2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.
______________________________________________________
At Home:
1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend a bit of everyday watching to be sure your older child isn’t squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children.
______________________________________________________
Swallowing Coins:
1st child: When first child swallows a coin, you rush the child to the hospital and demand x-rays.
2nd child: When second child swallows a coin, you carefully watch for the coin to pass.
3rd child: When third child swallows a coin you deduct it from his allowance!
1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy.
2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes. -love this one
_____________________________________________________
Preparing for the Birth:
1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.
2nd baby: You don’t bother because you remember that last time, breathing didn’t do a thing.
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month
______________________________________________________
The Baby clothes:
1st baby: You pre-wash newborn’s clothes, colour co-ordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby’s little bureau.
2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains.
3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can’t they?
______________________________________________________
Worries:
1st baby: At the first sign of distress–a whimper, a frown–you pick up the baby.
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your three-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing
______________________________________________________
Dummies:
1st baby: If the dummy falls on the floor, you put it away until you can go home and wash and sterilise it.
2nd baby: When the dummy falls on the floor, you squirt it off with some juice from the baby’s bottle.
3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.
______________________________________________________
Nappy changing:
1st baby: You change your baby’s nappies every hour, whether they need it or not.
2nd baby: You change their nappy every two to three hours, if needed.
3rd baby: You try to change their nappy before others start to complain about the smell or you see it sagging to their knees.
______________________________________________________
Activities:
1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, and Baby Story Hour.
2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.
3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.
______________________________________________________
Going Out:
1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home five times.
2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.
______________________________________________________
At Home:
1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend a bit of everyday watching to be sure your older child isn’t squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children.
______________________________________________________
Swallowing Coins:
1st child: When first child swallows a coin, you rush the child to the hospital and demand x-rays.
2nd child: When second child swallows a coin, you carefully watch for the coin to pass.
3rd child: When third child swallows a coin you deduct it from his allowance!
I Know Where My God Was
How many of us have heard that question, "Where was your God when the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked?" Well, I know where my God was the morning of September 11, 2001, and He was very busy.
He was trying to discourage anyone from taking these flights. Those four flights held over 1000 passengers and there were only 266 aboard. On one of the flights he was giving strength to passengers to try to overtake the hijackers.
He was on four commercial flights giving terrified passengers the ability to stay calm. Not one of the family members who were called by a loved one on one of the hijacked planes said that passengers were screaming in the background.
On one of the flights he was giving strength to passengers to try to overtake the hijackers.
He was busy trying to create obstacles for employees at the World Trade Center. After all, only around 20,000 were at the towers when the first jet hit. Since the buildings held over 50,000 workers, this was a miracle in itself. How many of the people who were employed at the World Trade Center told the media that they were late for work or they had traffic delays.
He was holding up two 110 story buildings so that two-thirds of the workers could get out. I was so amazed that the top of the towers didn't topple when the jets impacted. And when they did fall, they fell inward. God didn't allow them to topple over, as many more lives would have been lost.
And when the buildings went down, my God picked up almost 6,000 of his children and carried them home with him. Reassuring his frightened children that the worst was over and the best was yet to come.
He sat down and cried that 19 of his children could have so much hate in their hearts. That they didn't choose him, and now they are lost forever.
He sent his children that are best trained for this disaster and had them save the few that were still alive, but unable to help themselves. And then sent many others to help in any way they were needed.
He still isn't finished though, He held the loved ones that were left behind in His arms. He comforts them daily. His other children are given the strength to reach out to them and help them in any way they can.
And I believe He will continue to help us in what is to come. He will give the people in charge of this great nation the strength and the wisdom to do the right thing. He would never leave us in our time of need.
So, when anyone asks, "Where was your God on September 11th?", you can say "Everywhere!" And yes, although this is without a doubt the worst thing I have seen in my life, I see God's miracles in every bit of it.
He was trying to discourage anyone from taking these flights. Those four flights held over 1000 passengers and there were only 266 aboard. On one of the flights he was giving strength to passengers to try to overtake the hijackers.
He was on four commercial flights giving terrified passengers the ability to stay calm. Not one of the family members who were called by a loved one on one of the hijacked planes said that passengers were screaming in the background.
On one of the flights he was giving strength to passengers to try to overtake the hijackers.
He was busy trying to create obstacles for employees at the World Trade Center. After all, only around 20,000 were at the towers when the first jet hit. Since the buildings held over 50,000 workers, this was a miracle in itself. How many of the people who were employed at the World Trade Center told the media that they were late for work or they had traffic delays.
He was holding up two 110 story buildings so that two-thirds of the workers could get out. I was so amazed that the top of the towers didn't topple when the jets impacted. And when they did fall, they fell inward. God didn't allow them to topple over, as many more lives would have been lost.
And when the buildings went down, my God picked up almost 6,000 of his children and carried them home with him. Reassuring his frightened children that the worst was over and the best was yet to come.
He sat down and cried that 19 of his children could have so much hate in their hearts. That they didn't choose him, and now they are lost forever.
He sent his children that are best trained for this disaster and had them save the few that were still alive, but unable to help themselves. And then sent many others to help in any way they were needed.
He still isn't finished though, He held the loved ones that were left behind in His arms. He comforts them daily. His other children are given the strength to reach out to them and help them in any way they can.
And I believe He will continue to help us in what is to come. He will give the people in charge of this great nation the strength and the wisdom to do the right thing. He would never leave us in our time of need.
So, when anyone asks, "Where was your God on September 11th?", you can say "Everywhere!" And yes, although this is without a doubt the worst thing I have seen in my life, I see God's miracles in every bit of it.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Life Cycle of a Birth Board
Here's the life cycle of a birth board:
It starts 10 months before babies are due, with about 10 people who have been going from birth board to birth board as they TTC. This is a very weird phenomenon to me.
People find out they're pregnant and suddenly there are a million intro threads.
Someone takes the bull by the horns and recommends one intro thread so that things aren't so cluttered.
Everyone thanks her. Many smilies.
There are a million threads about people who are so thankful to find this birth board. Lots of hyperbole about how this is the best bunch of ladies EVER.
Someone posts a question about morning sickness. Lots of "Me too!!'s.
People start posting lots of pregnancy related questions, concerns, worries, happinesses. Other people have answers. Lots of support and help. Life is good.
A few people get the blood tests to determine gender. Others decry them as stupid/wasteful. Debates ensue.
20 weeks into the pregnancies, everyone gets their big ultrasounds and there are daily updates. No one keeps track of who's having what, but there are "pink/blue team" score cards kept, and some people become hyper INTO those.
About 6 months into the pregnancies, someone asks "So what do you think about inductions/C-sections/natural birth?" Drama ensues. Flames are flung from both directions.
"Who's going to breastfeed?"
"If you're having a boy, will you circumcise?"
etc.
A couple months of high drama. Hosts step in, remind people of the guidelines, no personal attacks, keep it nice, etc. There is reminiscing of how nice the board was when everyone was finding out they were pregnant, how supportive everyone was.
People calm down, become more comfortable with their own decisions.
Someone goes into labor very early and there is an onslaught of support and daily updates on the kid in the NICU. Donations are made, baby items sent. Someone points out that in light of such things, all the drama is very out of place.
Insert three trillion name polls.
36-ish weeks into it, babies are born and don't stop coming. Lots of "Micah Steven is HERE!" threads. Everyone is thrilled for everyone.
Lots of castor oil threads here.
39-ish weeks into it, people are hurt that they're not getting as many responses and congrats on their birth story threads as the 36-week people.
After the babies arrive, there are a ton more questions that everyone has. Everyone bonds again, and is too tired to argue anyway. Sleep issues, reflux issues, poop issues, umbilical cord issues, penile readhesion issues, etc., etc., etc.
Everyone swaps formula coupons with everyone else, and some just keep asking for coupons.
What kind of diapers do you use? This is the hot question.
Drama issues switch to sleeping arrangements, how long people plan to breastfeed.
Photo Uno begins.
Some moms experience PPD, everyone bands around to help them and make suggestions.
Someone makes the comment that this board has by FAR the cutest babies of any of the other birth boards.
Someone comments that the board seems a little slow, and starts fun polls to keep things interesting.
The board experiences its first troll (or at least finds out that they've been experiencing one). People delete their Photobucket accounts, post warnings about posting photos and personal information on the board, and go on rampages to uncover all of the information on the troll.
For the first time, personal drama between members erupts over something entirely non-related to babies.
Mods are called in, things cool off.
Insert vaccination debates.
Around 11 months, someone asks "How long will your child stay rear-facing?" Drama erupts. YouTube videos are posted daily. People are, by now, much more comfortable in their own parenting skins, and respond to drama by saying things like "Rear-facing? I thought it was OK to pull them in a wagon behind the car!"
80% of the threads are now entirely unrelated to parenting.
Latent drama (over any of the previous issues) that has festered between 4 or 5 of the more outspoken posters comes to a head. Groups band around each side, with a large third group telling everyone to get along and play nice.
A private board is created. People on the birth board find out. Another private board is created. The birth board resembles a ghost town except for 6 people who have no freaking clue what is going on.
People start threads on the birth board aimed at people on the opposite private board. Uninformed posters are sucked in unwittingly to the drama.
Hosts warn about bringing off-board drama on to the board. People figure out how to do it anyway.
People leave the birth board with big fanfare and lots of "Noooo! Don't goooo!". They decide to stay, and post a thread telling everyone.
People get sick of the "I'm leaving" threads and take pot shots at those posting them.
Things calm down, people leave for good and some stay and quit talking about leaving.
People want to make things better on the board, and decide the way to do that is to initiate all kinds of new fun polls. The "kill this thread" thread is started.
It starts 10 months before babies are due, with about 10 people who have been going from birth board to birth board as they TTC. This is a very weird phenomenon to me.
People find out they're pregnant and suddenly there are a million intro threads.
Someone takes the bull by the horns and recommends one intro thread so that things aren't so cluttered.
Everyone thanks her. Many smilies.
There are a million threads about people who are so thankful to find this birth board. Lots of hyperbole about how this is the best bunch of ladies EVER.
Someone posts a question about morning sickness. Lots of "Me too!!'s.
People start posting lots of pregnancy related questions, concerns, worries, happinesses. Other people have answers. Lots of support and help. Life is good.
A few people get the blood tests to determine gender. Others decry them as stupid/wasteful. Debates ensue.
20 weeks into the pregnancies, everyone gets their big ultrasounds and there are daily updates. No one keeps track of who's having what, but there are "pink/blue team" score cards kept, and some people become hyper INTO those.
About 6 months into the pregnancies, someone asks "So what do you think about inductions/C-sections/natural birth?" Drama ensues. Flames are flung from both directions.
"Who's going to breastfeed?"
"If you're having a boy, will you circumcise?"
etc.
A couple months of high drama. Hosts step in, remind people of the guidelines, no personal attacks, keep it nice, etc. There is reminiscing of how nice the board was when everyone was finding out they were pregnant, how supportive everyone was.
People calm down, become more comfortable with their own decisions.
Someone goes into labor very early and there is an onslaught of support and daily updates on the kid in the NICU. Donations are made, baby items sent. Someone points out that in light of such things, all the drama is very out of place.
Insert three trillion name polls.
36-ish weeks into it, babies are born and don't stop coming. Lots of "Micah Steven is HERE!" threads. Everyone is thrilled for everyone.
Lots of castor oil threads here.
39-ish weeks into it, people are hurt that they're not getting as many responses and congrats on their birth story threads as the 36-week people.
After the babies arrive, there are a ton more questions that everyone has. Everyone bonds again, and is too tired to argue anyway. Sleep issues, reflux issues, poop issues, umbilical cord issues, penile readhesion issues, etc., etc., etc.
Everyone swaps formula coupons with everyone else, and some just keep asking for coupons.
What kind of diapers do you use? This is the hot question.
Drama issues switch to sleeping arrangements, how long people plan to breastfeed.
Photo Uno begins.
Some moms experience PPD, everyone bands around to help them and make suggestions.
Someone makes the comment that this board has by FAR the cutest babies of any of the other birth boards.
Someone comments that the board seems a little slow, and starts fun polls to keep things interesting.
The board experiences its first troll (or at least finds out that they've been experiencing one). People delete their Photobucket accounts, post warnings about posting photos and personal information on the board, and go on rampages to uncover all of the information on the troll.
For the first time, personal drama between members erupts over something entirely non-related to babies.
Mods are called in, things cool off.
Insert vaccination debates.
Around 11 months, someone asks "How long will your child stay rear-facing?" Drama erupts. YouTube videos are posted daily. People are, by now, much more comfortable in their own parenting skins, and respond to drama by saying things like "Rear-facing? I thought it was OK to pull them in a wagon behind the car!"
80% of the threads are now entirely unrelated to parenting.
Latent drama (over any of the previous issues) that has festered between 4 or 5 of the more outspoken posters comes to a head. Groups band around each side, with a large third group telling everyone to get along and play nice.
A private board is created. People on the birth board find out. Another private board is created. The birth board resembles a ghost town except for 6 people who have no freaking clue what is going on.
People start threads on the birth board aimed at people on the opposite private board. Uninformed posters are sucked in unwittingly to the drama.
Hosts warn about bringing off-board drama on to the board. People figure out how to do it anyway.
People leave the birth board with big fanfare and lots of "Noooo! Don't goooo!". They decide to stay, and post a thread telling everyone.
People get sick of the "I'm leaving" threads and take pot shots at those posting them.
Things calm down, people leave for good and some stay and quit talking about leaving.
People want to make things better on the board, and decide the way to do that is to initiate all kinds of new fun polls. The "kill this thread" thread is started.
Loving Two
walk along holding your 1-year old hand, basking in the glow of our magical relationship.
Suddenly, I feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited.
And I wonder, how could I love another child as I love you?
Then she is born and I watch you.
I watch at the pain you feel at having to share me as you have never shared me before.
I hear you telling me in your own way, "Please love only me," and I hear myself telling you in mine..."I can't."
Knowing, in fact, that I never can again.
You cry, I cry with you.
I almost see our baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared.
A relationship we can never have again.
But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being and feeling almost guilty.
I'm afraid to let you see me enjoying her -- as though I am betraying you.
But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity...then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection.
More days pass and we are settling into a new routine.
The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.
But something is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just us two.
There are new times -- only now we are three.
I watch the love between you grow.
The way you look at each other, touch each other.
I watch how she adores you, as I have for so long.
I see how excited you are by each of her new accomplishments.
I begin to realize that I haven't taken something from you, I've given something to you.
I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you.
I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong.
And my answer is finally answered to my amazement.
Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you, only differently.
And although I realize that you have to share my time, I know you'll never share my love.
There's enough of that for both of you -- you each have your own supply.
I love and thank you both for blessing my life.
Suddenly, I feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited.
And I wonder, how could I love another child as I love you?
Then she is born and I watch you.
I watch at the pain you feel at having to share me as you have never shared me before.
I hear you telling me in your own way, "Please love only me," and I hear myself telling you in mine..."I can't."
Knowing, in fact, that I never can again.
You cry, I cry with you.
I almost see our baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared.
A relationship we can never have again.
But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being and feeling almost guilty.
I'm afraid to let you see me enjoying her -- as though I am betraying you.
But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity...then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection.
More days pass and we are settling into a new routine.
The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.
But something is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just us two.
There are new times -- only now we are three.
I watch the love between you grow.
The way you look at each other, touch each other.
I watch how she adores you, as I have for so long.
I see how excited you are by each of her new accomplishments.
I begin to realize that I haven't taken something from you, I've given something to you.
I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you.
I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong.
And my answer is finally answered to my amazement.
Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you, only differently.
And although I realize that you have to share my time, I know you'll never share my love.
There's enough of that for both of you -- you each have your own supply.
I love and thank you both for blessing my life.
I'm Thinking of You
Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.
Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.
Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.
Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles...
Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.
Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.
Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.
Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys..
Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.
Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.
Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.
Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favourite TV shows.
Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.
I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.
And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day...
Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.
Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.
Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles...
Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.
Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.
Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.
Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys..
Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.
Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.
Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.
Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favourite TV shows.
Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.
I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.
And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day...
My Sweet Little Angel
I look at you now, my sweet little angel,
and I cannot believe what i see.
You're looking back, my sweet little angel,
looking back and smiling at me.
It is such a surprise, my sweet little angel,
how happy you seem to be.
Because I was so scared, my sweet little angel,
at what kind of mother I'd be
But you've taught me how, my sweet little angel,
to know exactly what you need
I'm not always right, my sweet little angel,
but you are so patient with me.
I am your teacher, my sweet little angel,
but you're more a teacher to me.
You are now growing, my sweet little angel,
and growing together are we.
~ Ashley Phillips ~
and I cannot believe what i see.
You're looking back, my sweet little angel,
looking back and smiling at me.
It is such a surprise, my sweet little angel,
how happy you seem to be.
Because I was so scared, my sweet little angel,
at what kind of mother I'd be
But you've taught me how, my sweet little angel,
to know exactly what you need
I'm not always right, my sweet little angel,
but you are so patient with me.
I am your teacher, my sweet little angel,
but you're more a teacher to me.
You are now growing, my sweet little angel,
and growing together are we.
~ Ashley Phillips ~
Mother's Day Prayer
Gracious God, This prayer is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, saying, “It’s okay honey, Mommy’s here.”
Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can’t be comforted.
This is for all the mothers who show up at work with stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.
For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes.
And all those mothers who don’t.
This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they’ll never see.
And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.
This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.
And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked, “Did you see me, Mom?” they could say, “Of course, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” and mean it.
This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner.
And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.
This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies.
And for all the (grand)mothers who wanted to, but just couldn’t find the words.
This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.
For all the mothers who read “Goodnight, Moon” twice a night for a year. And then read it again. “Just one more time.”
This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school.
And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.
This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.
This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls “Mom?” in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home–or even away at college.
This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they’d be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.
This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can’t find the words to reach them.
For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.
For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.
For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.
This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.
Gracious God, we thank you for mothering, for all those women and men who nourish, nurture, care for and mother–For without this blessed act, our lives would be poorer.
We thank you for mothering us, O God of all creation.
Amen.
Rev. Denise D. Tracy
Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can’t be comforted.
This is for all the mothers who show up at work with stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.
For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes.
And all those mothers who don’t.
This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they’ll never see.
And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.
This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.
And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked, “Did you see me, Mom?” they could say, “Of course, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” and mean it.
This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner.
And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.
This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies.
And for all the (grand)mothers who wanted to, but just couldn’t find the words.
This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.
For all the mothers who read “Goodnight, Moon” twice a night for a year. And then read it again. “Just one more time.”
This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school.
And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.
This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.
This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls “Mom?” in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home–or even away at college.
This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they’d be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.
This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can’t find the words to reach them.
For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.
For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.
For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.
This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.
Gracious God, we thank you for mothering, for all those women and men who nourish, nurture, care for and mother–For without this blessed act, our lives would be poorer.
We thank you for mothering us, O God of all creation.
Amen.
Rev. Denise D. Tracy
A Mother's Prayer
Oh, Lord.
I need your help today.
I want to care
for those you've sent into my life,
to help them develop the special gifts
you've given them.
But I also want to free them
to follow their own paths
and to bring their loving wisdom
to the world.
Help me
to embrace them without clutching,
to support them without suffocating,
to correct them without crushing.
And help me
to live joyfully and playfully, myself,
so they can see your life in me
and find their way to you.
Amen.
found at:
http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/special/mother.html
I need your help today.
I want to care
for those you've sent into my life,
to help them develop the special gifts
you've given them.
But I also want to free them
to follow their own paths
and to bring their loving wisdom
to the world.
Help me
to embrace them without clutching,
to support them without suffocating,
to correct them without crushing.
And help me
to live joyfully and playfully, myself,
so they can see your life in me
and find their way to you.
Amen.
found at:
http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/special/mother.html
Song for a Fifth Child
(AKA Babies Don't Keep)
Mother, oh Mother,
come shake out your cloth,
empty the dustpan,
poison the moth,
hang out the washing
and butter the bread,
sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house
is so shocking?
She's up in the nursery,
blissfully rocking.
Oh, I've grown shiftless as Little
Boy Blue (lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
The shopping's not done
and there's nothing for stew
and out in the yard there's a hullabaloo
but I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren't her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
The cleaning and scrubbing
will wait till tomorrow,
for children grow up,
as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs.
Dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep'
by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton
Mother, oh Mother,
come shake out your cloth,
empty the dustpan,
poison the moth,
hang out the washing
and butter the bread,
sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house
is so shocking?
She's up in the nursery,
blissfully rocking.
Oh, I've grown shiftless as Little
Boy Blue (lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
The shopping's not done
and there's nothing for stew
and out in the yard there's a hullabaloo
but I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren't her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
The cleaning and scrubbing
will wait till tomorrow,
for children grow up,
as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs.
Dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep'
by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton
Welcome
Welcome to this blog. I've created it to keep a collection of poems I love. Feel free to look around and browse all you'd like. I'm continually adding poems so make sure to come again!
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