Toddler Birthday Parties?

Austin is turning the big 2 in a few weeks here and we are really excited. Now we can offiicially blame the fits and destruction on the "terrible 2's". No, I am kidding. I love it that he is getting older, bigger, more independent, and who God has made him to be shines through more each day. So July 3rd is fast approaching and I am wondering birthday party with friends, balloons, games, the whole sha-bang, or the family party bar-b-que one more time. What does one do at a toddlers party? I have two visions. The first one, and I am dreaming here folks, is balloons, hot dogs (or pizza?), babypools, maybe a little bounce house and lots of bubbles with all the little tikes running around in pure joy. Time for cake and presents and then usher them out the door before the sugar high kicks in. The second, which I am afraid may be reality, is toddler meltdowns, fights over toys, kids bouncing out of the bounce house onto their heads, tears galore, and just maybe the kiddos will see the oppertunity for a revolt against the parents. I don't know, it's a toss up. Any experienced toddler party hosts out there?

I'm not looking back.

Right now is one of the best times of the day. The kids are in bed, the house is picked up (somewhat) and right now Tony just happens to be asleep in Austin's bed. Total peace. It's nice just to take a breath and know that the hard work of the day lies behind me. I was reading today in Hebrews 10. It was talking about how Abraham on God's command picked up and left in search of the promised land. He lived in tents with his family and existed as a foreigner. He left his home, maybe his parents, friends, and all that was familier. The cool thing about this story recap is that he never once looked back. He never thought about what he might be losing. He just had an immense amount of faith that what God had in store for him was that much better. Later God commanded him to kill his son Issac, the promised son that would make Abraham "Father Abraham" and bear him nations. Now did Abraham plead with God not to take his only son? No! He just assumed that well, God made me this promise that Issac would carry on my name, so, God must be planning on bringing him back from the dead. What faith! How I pray that my faith would grow to know with every possible part of my being that God has something that much better for me and that He will keep His promises to me. I love it! I love it that God is huge and amazing and so beyond words and understanding. In that I can find comfort and peace. Even when my day seems to be so tiresome and wearing, or frustrating or if I am hurting; God's promises are eternal and this moment that I live in right now will pass. Whew!

Widows, housework, humor and keeping the devil at bay

So funny thing I ran across while reading my Bible yesterday. I just thought I would share it for fun. Normally the Bible does not make me laugh out loud but this one sure did. I was reading in 1 Timothy 5:11- 15. It is talking about how a Church should be organized and in chapter 5 it talks about widows and what the church should do for them and what some of the attributes of a widow is and how to honor them. It says that if a widow was essentially a "good" widow then put her on "the list" (what list, I am not sure) but in verse 11 it says;

But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard to Christ, they want to get married, thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge. At the same time they learn to be idle, as they go from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. Therefore, I want younger widows to get married bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach; for some have already turned aside to follow satan.

So there you go folks. If anyone thought that being a married stay at home mom was easy here is our biblical proof that being a SAHM keeps us SO busy that it keeps the devil at bay. Ha! So, the combination of my dear husband, lovely children and never ending housework may be an essential key to my salvation. I love it! Never say that humor doesn't exist in the Bible.