We have the ability to soar!

As I am often subjected to watch children's shows and movies, I must find some purpose to them. There has to be some underlying story line that would interests the parents that take their children to see these movies. While the girls are in our care, George and I have decided to expose them to as many great experiences, culture and Christ and we possibly can. Dorian is also enjoying this sudden influx of activities as well (although he has many experiences spread out over the course of his 7 years). I desperately wanted to see "Despicable Me" and I found it playing at a drive in along with "The Legends of the Guardians." I'm not a fan of movies with talking animals, however both movies were playing together. Without telling you the entire plot of the movie (in case you decide you actually want to go see the movie), there was a basic yet meaningful underlying message. There was one owl who had made false promises to a specific group of owls who agreed to follow her and advance her kingdom. Those owls were permitted to learn to fly in order to grab the attention of the other owls so that their side looked more appealing. Those who could fly were considered more powerful and better respected. So it is in the world. We allow the outward appearance of success of others allow us to think they are superior to us. We stop striving and pushing to do better because we think we are not entitled to it. We consider selling out to the wrong side, or the wrong things simply for success and worst, we forget we have the same capability as others to fly. There were a few owls who were the exception. They refused to sell out to the wrong side and recognized their own abilities to fly. Once they flew away, no one ever watched them fly and became empowered to do so themselves. However those exceptional owls never stopped to encourage others to fly either. They simply went away for help, never realizing their own talents and bravery was all the help the other owls needed. Perhaps I would have rewritten the movie, but it was a wake up call to me. How often are people willing to sell out to the wrong side? How often do we, who refuse to sell out, often look at those who have sold out, and wonder is the grass truly greener over there. We were not given wings to simply walk around and look at others flying, lets put them to use. Unwrap the gifts and talents that are in you and move some mountains... or better yet, just fly over them.

Inside Access to the Joneses

George and I are very practical in most areas of our life. We understand the importance of God in our lives and marriage, and we also understand that we are both human. Though George is a licensed auto mechanic and has a degree in electronic engineering, he never relies on technology. He says it's faulty and largely due to human error. We try hard not to place each other on too high of a pedastal, as we both have our challenges with hight. The one thing we can agree on and are committed to is our marriage. As with any relationship we've had dry patches, however we know the satisfaction we now experience with our union is based on our willingness to work on maintaining. While we continue to get on each other's nerves, it's more important to be happy, than to be right. The truth always surfaces, and the other person will be able to see you were right, chances are they see it in the moment but may not want to admit to it. Recently, George and I attended a workshop, where the facilitator admitted that he told his wife she was always right, simply because having a peaceful home was more important to him. George says out loud "I don't think so." Our Pastor, who was sitting at the same table as us, said "George, you're still young." I laughed and told him (as I always do) when you get 50, you will be awesome and unstoppable. A few moments later he leans over and whispers to me "I'm still right." I laugh and rub his knee and whisper back, "yes, baby, you certainly are." We do not have examples of a perfect marriage to look at. Neither of our mothers and fathers remain married, or were ever married for that matter. Neither of us grew up in homes where there was both parents (or even step parents) in the home. We are both products of single women. However we work because we waited on God to send us each other, and we continue to understand that God is a big part of our marriage. I was once told by a church member, who had been married to his wife for over 25 years. People often look at their marriage as a two sided coin, a head and a tail. He said the problem with that analogy is that the wife is never considered to be the tail, and there are three sides of a coin, the side you don't really see is what keeps the coin rolling. The same is true with a marriage. There are three sides, him, her and God. You may not always see God, but he is what keeps your marriage rolling. I'm so blessed to be married to a man who understands that.

Memorable Moments with Mom

I love fires! Before you pick up your phone to call the proper authorities to warn them of my pyrotechnic tendencies I mean a controlled fire that one makes in the safety of a fireplace or outside fire pit. There is something about the warmth of the fire on a cold day or night that lulls the emotions to rest. As much as I enjoy fires, and while I have both a fireplace and an outside fire pit, I'm ashamed to say I have only used the fire pit once, and have just recently put the fireplace to use. In June we had an AC unit installed, and the contractor must have crossed wires and disconnected the heater. We often experience extreme temperatures on the hill, as there are no shade trees, only brush. It hasn't been extremely cold in the evenings, but it has dipped down to lower 60's. As a source of heat, we decided to put to use the piles of firewood and kindling we have stockpiled at the back of our property along the fence line. I refuse to place in a television in our sitting room where the fireplace is located, so the children had no choice but to enjoy the fire while listening to me read aloud. They loved it so much they decided to have a camp out in our sitting room. My goal for the girls while they are in our home, is to expose them to as much God as possible, to create meaningful experiences and memories, and to educate them as much as possible. All of us, except George who is only home on the weekends, have come down with some type of cold. While I'm unable to hold four children in my lap and rock them to comfort, I believe they felt that love last night and the fire was able to capture their woes as a substitute for my all too small lap. I look forward to the holidays as we travel with the girls. They have never experienced traveling, staying in hotels, or a real vacation. Our goals as parents should stay consistent with our own children. They will have the rest of their lives to be adults and be independent, yet they will only have a few years to build memories from their childhood. Let's help them build all they can.