Soap Box Thursday

I didn’t do a soap box Sunday this week so I’m doing a soap box Thursday instead. A few weeks ago my mom gave me some really good advice to pray for my “enemies.” I kind of took the advice tongue and cheek but I’ve been thinking about it since she said it.

The word enemy in and of itself is pretty strong, according to websters.com an enemy is “a person who feels hatred for, fosters harmful designs against, or engages in antagonistic activities against another; an adversary or opponent.” In flashes of anger I have at times felt hatred for others, and have even felt like getting even. Thankfully reason kicks in and these are just fleeting thoughts, part of my human idiocy factor I guess. I also know there are others who have felt this way toward me. I have been taught that it is a sin to feel this way, and as I have become an adult I know this to be true – these feelings are toxic.

In Matthew 5:44 it says “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” I decided I would try an experiment and take my mother’s advice and pray for my enemies. As I did this, I learned in this process that it is not enough to pray that your enemy’s hearts will be softened, that they will see things your way, or that they will come around. We must come to the Lord in all sincerity for this person and pray for this person independently of ourselves. We must pray to see these individuals as the Lord does, to love them as he does, and to pray for their happiness and well being.

This has been one of the most liberating and humbling experiences of my life. I suddenly felt compassion for someone whom I resented. I suddenly felt an appreciation for their set of circumstances. All feelings of hate and anger completely dissipated, and I suddenly felt peace.

I realize that this is an ongoing process that I must constantly be praying for my “enemies” day and night. It is not just a onetime ordeal. It is a difficult thing to do when you feel anger but the Lord wisely commands it. He does this for us, for our well being, so that we can feel peace so that we can move on.

Look who’s talking too!!



Mathew is starting to talk a lot more and the things he has to say are soooo cute!!

Mathew loves Scooby doo! If you ask him about Scooby doo, he’ll say “Scooby Doo!!” Or he’ll break out into song singing “scooby dooby doo where are you...."

He loves to pretend! This weekend he chased his shadow as he made monster movements shouting “Monsta!, Monsta!”

He loves his baby brother whom he affectionately refers to as “Den Dee”

When he is hungry he says “I want dinner!” regardless of what meal time it actually is

While playing in the park he missed the ball that was rolled to him and he says “oh man!!”

Happy Birthday Aiden!!

Yesterday we celebrated Aiden’s 3rd birthday!! We had a Spiderman party and invited all of Aiden’s aunts, uncles, and cousins! We had quite the crowd, 17 in total!!



The cousins all dressed up as Spiderman, it was so adorable! They ran around the house using their “punching whistles” as Adam called them and pretended to throw spider webs at each other!



Aiden was completely spoiled and had an absolute ball! I was absolutely thrilled because it was so important for to have this day be special and memorable for Aiden. After all, we were celebrating his birth!!



Now for the sappy part! I am truly blessed to have this little angle in my life. Having Aiden has been my single greatest accomplishment! He has completely changed my life in a way I never could have imagined or hoped for. He inspires me to be a better person every day. When I saw Aiden it was love at first sight! When I first brought him home I used to watch him sleep and would often cry out of pure joy! I truly believe that motherhood is the closest thing we have to Godliness. I am so grateful to have Aiden in my life and I pray that the Lord will continue to guide me as I strive to raise a valiant young man who will grow to serve and love the Lord! Most of all I pray that Aiden will have Joy in his life!

Happy Birthday Angle Baby!!

Slumber Party!!

A couple weeks ago I promised Bear he could have a sleep over with Aiden at my house. Tonight was the big night. Rose wasn’t sure I could hack it especially with Michael out of town but I assured her I was up for that task. Then I guilted Sam into hanging out so I would have back up just in case.

This is their first official sleep over because there was no babysitting required. The boys have been anticipating this big day ever since I mentioned it, so I went out of my way to make sure it was everything they hoped it would be.

When Bear arrived I explained that we were going to eat pizza, popcorn, candy, and lemonade aka pooh pooh drink! Bear brought cheetos and moon pies as well. I explained that we were going to get belly aches to which bear responded “AWESOME! Mom We’re going to get belly aches!”



After pizza the boys decided to play football, a favorite past time. Bear brought his helmet special for this occasion. The boys grabbed an over sized stuffed bunny and took turns charging and tackling it.





After a while they were tired and told me to bring out the big bed! (air mattress). We made up the bed and popped in Dumbo. We ate popcorn, sour patch watermelons, and candy corn, and lemonade of course.



Soon the boys tired from this and wanted to play toys, so they dumped out Aiden’s basket of toys and took turns throwing them on the bed. Aiden jumped off the bed and landed on a car which cut his foot pretty good. I took him into my room to doctor him up. Bear came in to inspect the damage and said “oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I don’t like blood!”

Once we got that taken care of they decided to play superheroes! Aiden insisted that bear wear his “Spiderman jamy-jams with wings!” The boys played superhero fight – throwing webs at each other, flying and such. In their “fighting” Bear says “Oh Crap!” Aiden explained to Bear that “We don’t say oh crap, we say oh darnet!”



Bear then got an “ouie” on his foot and informed me he would need his socks on. Rose left some of Phils socks here so I put them on Bear. The boys thought that was pretty “awesome” and Aiden wanted some of Michael’s socks to wear. He went running as fast as he could into my bedroom and exclaimed “I’m gonna ware my daddy’s socks!!”



Finally the boys tired and we put on Toy Story and they both eventually fell asleep. Here’s crossing my fingers they sleep through the night!!

Before and After

I love before and after pictures! Especially when you can see marked improvement. I mentioned in an earlier post that we were putting shutters up to give the house more curb appeal. This made a HUGE difference in how the house looks and it only cost $20!



Last weekend we harvested our garden, pulled up our annuals and planted tulips!! It is hard to believe winter is just around the corner!!

Another Tag

I am......strong
I miss.....MICHAEL!
I think.... there for I am
I know.....that my redeemer lives
I want..... to know all things
I search..... for truth and knowledge
I wish..... to make the world a better place
I hate.....that word
I am..... tired
I fear..... germs
I always.....brush my teeth
I love..... my family
I feel..... happy
I hear..... music
I smell..... popcorn
I don't.... like to be cold
I wonder.....what my darling is doing now
I care..... about people
I regret..... too many things
I am..... a mother, lover, and wife
I believe..... in dreams
I dance..... for fun
I sing..... all the time
I write..... for my children
I win..... uhhh….??
I lose..... time
I never..... have time for everything I want to accomplish
I listen..... to everything
I can.....do anything I put my mind to
I tag..... Amanda and Janessa!

Aiden-isms



When I call Aiden "honey" he promptly tells me "I'm not honey, Michael is honey!"

I was watching Work and the Glory and Aiden says, “That movie is not appropriate mom!”

While driving home from Grandma’s Aiden says “mommy! I need my cell phone!”

Saturday morning Aiden knocks at my door and says “Mommy it’s 10:00 in the morning! It’s time to wake up.”

While carving pumpkins I pulled the "guts" out of mine and Aiden said “that’s disgusting mom!”

We were driving by a house that was decorated with Halloween things and Aiden says “Mommy that’s Smookey!” instead of spooky

Last night Aiden was telling me “Halloween’s not scary, it’s make believe.”

When Aiden talks on his cell phone with Spiderman he’ll explain “mommy can’t come to the phone right now she is busy!”