Brown Crayon...1 Cor. 13...

When The Handwriting On The Wall Is In Brown Crayon
by Susan L. Lenzkes

Though I lecture and harp at my children and have not love, I will be background noise to rebellious thoughts.

And though I wisely warn them not to use the street as a playground, or they'll be killed; and though I patiently explain why snails live in mobile homes, and I give endless answers to life's other mysteries; and though I have faith that can remove mountains of ignorance - yet never hug my children - I have taught nothing.

And though I slave over a steaming stove with balanced diets and complicated recipes and even burn my fingers - yet never smile as I serve - I have not really fed them.

A truly loving mother suffers through unfinished sentences, clutter, nicks on furniture, sleepless nights and adolescent insults, and is kind enough to think her kids are the greatest.
A loving mother tries not to resent her children for being free like she used to be, and she doesn't brag about how she never talked to her mom that way.

Real love considers a childish nightmare more urgent than her need for sleep; is not shattered by the title "Meanest Mom"; doesn't shame a toddler who breaks training or a teen who still spills milk; steadfastly refuses to entertain visions of escape; and does not smirk as her child trips over the toy he refused to put away (but with silent wisdom rejoices in the effective lessons of experience).

Mother love has arms strong from lifting, a heart large with believing, a mind stretched with hoping, shoulders soft with enduring and knees bent with committing.True mother-love never fails to point her child to the Author of Love.

D is for mean Ducks...

On Tuesday nights I have ladies Bible study. I left a craft all set up for Loverbrains...thought he'd enjoy doing the letter of the week with the kids. D is for Duck. Well, I sort of failed to tell him the story of the "attack ducks" and when I got home he had all sorts of questions about why the kids think ducks are mean! HA!!
We've decided Emmer girl really has style! He said she insisted on adding that one black feather...woowoo! What a pretty duckie!

Dear Neighbors...

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in our neighborhood for allowing my nature loving duo to jump in all your neatly raked leaves. We did try very hard to kick them back up to the curb in a neat pile as we left each and every curbside pile up we found.
The colors were bright yesterday!! We hope you could take an opportunity to look up from your raking and leaf blowing to see the glorious colors in God's creation this year.
The quince bushes in this neighborhood just glow. Have you ever noticed? You can even tell they're red even at night!!
Thank you for your many warm smiles and waves to my adorable tots as they march along with their gift bags. They just love leaf collecting. Thank you for letting them march onto your lawns in the search of a perfect leaf.
I'd like to point out this "WOW" tree to everyone. In case you haven't seen it...it's the one between the two houses no one lives in...and it's trying to attract home buyers! *smile*
For anyone of you sweet neighbors who got a kick out of our fountain side rest....
...and the shrieks and screams at the approach of the "attack ducks." It's okay that you laughed...we know you were laughing with us and not at us! Man, those ducks are aggressive! We will indeed remember to bring bread next time...or walk on the other side of the street.
Thank you to the friendly man who came home from work to find two toddlers talking excitedly about his Jack Russell...and then took the time to introduce us to his dog, Penny! I also love the huge rust Maple tree next door! If you look closely you can see Penny in this picture too!
And finally, thanks for letting me take pictures around the neighborhood. It's true I'm really focused on the trees and my kiddos...but some of ya'll have the cutest decorations. We loved this house with it's ORANGE trees and matching pumpkin decor. Next time we go for a walk we're doing a pumpkin count...they're EVERYWHERE!!
Very Sincerely Yours, MomE

Ya gotta love it...

Check out our new rain gutter bookshelves! I love them. I found the tutorial at Raising Olives while blurfing (blog surfing) one day...and knew I had to try it. We put them up in Little Man's room first...for all his board books. I loved it so we put some up in Sweet Girl's room for her paperback books too! Wonderful...and easy! Much cheaper than a floating shelf or crown molding...ugh! It's almost like Christmas...now that we can see the books there's soooo much more to read now! Ha ha ha!

Sunny Nature Walks and Rainy Light Bright Days...

Yesterday I took my dynamic duo for a nature walk. We gathered many bags of gorgeous leaves and acorns...oooooo! We used many big words like...orange, beautiful, pretty, splendorous, and amazing...hehehe...
During naptime MomE heated up the paraffin wax and dunked some leaves. Remember...don't get the wax too hot. Pretty much once it's melted...turn it off...and dunk fast!
I have decided that beech tree leaves don't like dunking...they spit something fierce...so beware if wax dunking with children about. That's the big reason why I don't do this with them yet.
Some pretty real leaf wax displays around our house!
Yes, those are Christmas present packages all ready to go in the mail after Thanksgiving! It's okay...you can hate me if you want to...but I'm very very happy!!!
Here are our happy Caterpillars...for the letter C this week!
Today is dark and rainy...so I shut the lights off in Emmy girl's room and they played light bright. Funtimes! Anyone know how to turn the flash off on my camera...argh...grrr!?

Letter B...I'm Beehind!

Wanted to share our Letter B from last week. They are B utterflies! Awww! Letter C from this week is drying...so...pictures to come! Funtimes!!

Tube Tuesday: Pink Hawaiian Vowel Boot Camp

When I was 8 months pregnant with my daughter...I decided to do six semester hours in a week's time as a part of a special program called ECSTI. Why you may ask? Well, cuz I'm crazy...and had no idea how my ankles would swell but also because I needed to renew my license. Of course, if I'd known I was going to let it lapse after the birth of my second child, I might not have gone to the trouble. My Mom and girlfriend Emily were also taking the same class...and we had a fun week. It was ALOT of work...all day, every day...and all evenings doing homework and projects.

It was a literacy course...and for my final project where we taught to a large class of our peers...I chose an idea from Between the Lions...called vowel boot camp. It was one of my favorite educational shows, notice even before kids! As you can see they have all sorts of neat marches to remember vowel rules. You can also tell what sort of zany teacher I am in the classroom too!

Anyhew, the big day came and I wore one of my most comfortable maternity shirts (cuz I was great with child)...a bright pink Hawaiian print. I borrowed on of my Dad's hunting jackets and a camo cap...and had made finger puppets and poster board to teach the rule to the class. I'm usually hyper prepared...but I failed to try the jacket on before hand...and it wouldn't close over my big belly. Oh, what a sight I must have been...all pregnant, portly five feet of me... all camo and Hawaiian print. The prof was surprised at the whole approach...and as I got the class to participate in the march there was also a mix of snickers and giggles too.

The head of the entire program happened to be walking by our basement classroom...and being an old Army man couldn't resist popping in to see what the marching hubbub was about. He lowered himself into our open classroom window...and the prof (in surprise) then erupted into hilarious laughter. It was a fun day...one of my last professional days. Every time I hear vowel boot camp I smile ...and think of crazy pink Hawaiian camo!

I love Lawrence Welk!

We happened to catch the kids dancing to Lawrence Welk on Saturday Night.

I've always loved watching the Lawrence Welk show. Many times, I've jokingly said, that I thought I'd been born at the wrong time...cuz I would have loved to have been a beautiful champagne lady for Lawrence Welk. I love all the songs and dresses...*sigh*

I love watching Bobby Burgess and his partners (he had several over the years due to them getting married and moving). I usually enjoy Cissy the best...but found this fun clip to share. This is by far Emmy-girl's favorite part of the show.

I have often wished to be a Lennon sister...and I love this song.

Myron is one of my favorites...and definitely my favorite Happy Norwegian...as LW calls him! Hehehe! I have many favorites...but anyhew...if you haven't ever given it a watch...try something new. It's on PBS at 7 on Saturday Nights!

He cares...about the BIG things and the little things.

"I lift my eyes to the hills~where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2

I used this verse for Word-filled Wednesday where I'm Blogging Along...and I was meditating on it...that's the whole idea, right?

I got to thinking that generally I think of this verse in connection with BIG life issues. Truthfully, I think of it in connection to the Sound of Music where the Rev. Mother sings her grandiose song to Maria who is about to face difficult life challenges...eventually going over the "hills" to safety from the Nazis. Totally, a BIG life issue.

My sweet Emma hasn't changed a whole lot from the picture above...almost two years ago. Like all of us, she really really wants her own way...and she'll cry and have a fit to manipulate the situation. Do I "lift my eyes to the hills" out my city kitchen window and seek help from the LORD? It might seem to be a little thing but hey, He's The Maker of Heaven and Earth...He can totally help me deal with my anger and frustration so I'll be the best MomE to her I can be...for His glory.

When my sweet Lubby starts rubbing his eyes and getting all congested and allergicy...do I "lift my eyes to the hills" and ask the Lord to comfort my heart and direct my steps to be the best nurse/mome to my sick little guy? In addition to being the Maker of Heaven and Earth...He is the Great Physician too! When I stop to bring things before Him...I can remember all the things He IS to those who love Him!

It would appear that my husband's job isn't going to ease off anytime soon. When I am wishing he hadn't brought work home or I'm upset that he's late...do I "lift my eyes to the hills" and seek help from the LORD? He can ease my anxiety and give me a loving heart and attitude. He can help me be a Proverbs 31 kind of wife.

I'm going to work on remembering that The Maker of Heaven and Earth...cares not just about the BIG things in my life...but also about the every day little things too.

Tube Tuesday: 1, 2, 3, 4...

I've been hearing a lot of Leslie Feist songs lately..and thought it was a hoot when she was on Sesame Street with a monster rendition of her hit 1234! HA!

1234 - Feist

October Owls, Alligators and shaving cream...OH MY!!!

Last week, the letter of the week was A! A is for Alligator!

I recently found No Time For Flashcards...and I'm loving how Allie openly shares her crafty ideas. Being sick so often...there are times my "zany" fails me. She's super organized and you can find a plethora of activities in her alphabetized list!
We made owl puppets...and had a great time with our chair turned puppet stage! Use what you've got, right?
Emmy girl spaced her owl eyes out...looks super cute!
Then MomE lost her mind and broke out the shaving cream! Hahaha! Oh, how they love it!
The house and the kids smelled fresh and clean! *Sigh*
Funtimes...relatively cheap too! Can't beat that with a stick. Where do these sayings come from? I mean, really! Who would beat something with a stick? A snake...maybe...

Phavorite Photos of all time!

This is our first family picture with the little Lubby man! This is the goofy one with Emma laughing...I love it!
He's such a serious man. It says, "I'm a genius!" Ha ha ha!!
Look at her...awww...little toes peaking out!
Her fluffy duck hair...her little apron...we had such a fun day. She pretended to do everything I did. She cooked and vacuumed! Precious moments...precious memories!
See the two little toofers!? HEhehe!
Look at his baby belly! He's getting all long and lean...not baby like anymore. Sniff, sniff!
Two cell phones, pink heels, dress off the shoulder...oh, dear!
I love love love this picture of loving on DadE! Makes me happy!!!
Look at his round portly baby self...awwww! He was being a big boy...pretending to drink out of his cup all by himself.
I know this is sort of like yesterday's "remember when" post...but I've been looking through pictures and drooling...and thought I'd share some love with ya'll too!

Remember when...