"I'm thwee!"

What is better than cake and icecream?  What is better than hotdogs, macaroni & cheese and che-tohs?  What is even better than a backyard full of friends and sidewalk chalk?

Firetrucks!

Jason and I couldn't be happier with Charlie's birthday party.  Despite a day full of emergencies, the firetrucks pulled up right on time and after an hour of climbing and driving and posing, Charlie and his buddies had to be pulled from the trucks in order to join us for dinner.  And the firemen even stayed for cake and icecream!  It really doesn't get any cooler than that when you're "thwee"!

Plus, our wonderfully generous friends and neighbors helped us raise over $400 for the Carolina Childrens' Charity...which just may push Old Fort Station #5 over the top and win them a home cooked meal during their fundraising drive next week.

There are no words to express how grateful we are for a healthy child, generous friends, safe neighborhood, free country and overwhelmingly loving God.  Life is good!

Worth every second!

Coming Through!

Buckled and Ready

Fun with Friends

I break for candy!

Nothing else to wish for

Loving his new "fire-shotter"

Fifteen Minutes of Fun

So I walk into Charlie's daycare to pick him up and as I make my way down the hall three little girls from the three year old class (to which Charlie will be moving when there is a vacancy) come in from the playground.

Anna Brooks:  Charlie!
Unknown Little Girl:  You Charlie's Mom?
Clara:  Charlie's in there (pointing to the Older Twos Room)

Then I walk into his classroom and Charlie and Kara are holding hands and dancing while he sings "We Will, We Will Rock N Roll..." and he proceeds to fall to the floor and roll around...

Then as we walk out the front door he informsme that Lucy the Leprechaun is coming and "leaves stinky footprints" and let's out his biggest belly laugh...

Then after he chooses a 6 foot stick to bring home (his latest hobby/obsession) and is climbing into the car, I notice that he has blue highlights in his hair, and I ask, "How did your hair turn blue?!"

He responds, "Micah.  And it's purple.  You should get me a purple shirt!" Then he promptly dissolves into giggles...

Finally, as we round the bend towards our house and I straighten my glasses to keep the bright sun out of my eyes, gigantic raindrops start to pelt the car, pouring down from the blue sky.

Who knew that fifteen minutes could be so wonderful?

Getting Better Every Day

Just a glimpse as to why...

Mommy:  How old are you?
Charlie: Three!!!
Mommy: Wow, three?!  Do you feel bigger?
Charlie: Yes!  See if you can still lift me!!!

Later...while with a special Mickey Mouse pancake on his plate (made by Daddy)...
Charlie: Will you cut Mickey for me please?
Mommy: Of course (reaches for his plate and starts to cut)
Charlie:  No, no!  Don't cut him...he'll be so sad...

And it's only 9:00 AM.  No wonder the past three years have been so awesome!!!

Leappads and Tigers and Boats, Oh My!

As everyone knows, Charlie is an all-around happy kid, but bring his grandparents to town and he reaches another level.  He just adores visits from BaBa & PaPa and Grandma & Grandpa, and this past weekend he had BaBa and PaPa at his beck and call for three days.  I'm starting to realize that it really doesn't get much better than that when you're (almost) 3!

After a quiet(ish) dinner at home Thursday night we kicked off our adventures with Charlie's first ever trip to the circus.  Once he kind of figured out what we were talking about, he was extremely excited, then he got an icee, then the elephants walked in and he was in absolute heaven. 

While he may not have sat still, he more-or-less sat for two hours -- if I hadn't been there to see it, I wouldn't have believed it!  The tigers were Charlie's favorite act, most likely because his favorite part of the whole thing was his icee in a tiger cup (which we managed to lose in Georgetown that afternoon), but the flying, flaming man was definitely the highlight for the adults.

Following the Circus, Charlie napped en route to Georgetown, where we toured an off-shore fishing boat, enjoyed an early dinner on the pier, and picked up a helmsman so Charlie can safely sail his bunkbeds through the seven seas.

I am fairly sure we have never seen as much rain as came down Saturday, so soccer was cancelled, but we spent a fun afternoon shopping and riding rides at the outlet mall, then enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Cypress downtown -- definitely not a kid-friendly restaurant, but we had an amazing waiter, and I dare you to find one kid out there who wouldn't just adore the deep-fried mac n cheese and lemon cheesecake icecream!

Finally on Sunday we relaxed a bit in the morning then toured around IOP looking for a beach house for this summer's family vacation.  Due to a crazy-busy summer, we couldn't be more excited and grateful that BaBa, PaPa, aunts, uncles and cousins will all be back in the Lowcountry in July!

Sadly, BaBa and PaPa had to go back to KC Sunday evening, but Charlie is already making plans for when he sees them in May!

The Best Part of the Greatest Show on Earth

Wow!

Armed and Dangerous!

Tigers!

All aboard!

Rootbeer Floats all around

No rain is going to dampen our fun!

After Mama's Own Heart

Jason walks into the living room while Charlie and Mommy are sitting on the couch watching the news...

Charlie: Guess what, Daddy?!
Daddy: What, Buddy?
Charlie: We made it to my Birthday Month!
Daddy: We what?
Charlie: We made it to my Birthday Month!!
Daddy looks at Mommy and rolls his eyes:  Yes, Charlie, apparently you and Mommy get Birthday Months.

Mommy grins.

BFFs

What do you get when combine a 7 hour drive each way, possible severe storms, and a stubborn, potty-training, almost 3 year old?  Would you believe an absolutely FABULOUS mini-vacation????

I will be the first to admit that there are times that my son drives me absolutely insane, and that despite the fact that part of me thinks he's perfect (at least perfect for me!) he can be an absolute terror.  Aware of this, I was somewhat petrified when I started to fully understand what I was getting myself into when I chose to take a Mother-Son trip to Norfolk, VA to visit Lakely, Lea & Tony while Jason was at Daytona.

Just as stubborn as Charlie though, (and really excited to see our good friends), I loaded up the Yukon with enough snacks for an Arctic expedition, a wide variety of books and toys, Daddy's iPad and the Fireman Umbrella -- plus I dangled a special pancake lunch at Cracker Barrel in front of Charlie -- and we were in business.

Yes, my car is full of crumbs.  Yes, Charlie went through the entire toy bag before we hit the NC line.  No, the movies on the iPad didn't entertain him for more than 20 minutes at a stretch.  Yes, we got stuck in tunnel and drawbridge traffic on the way there and heavy rains on the way home.  No, Charlie wouldn't use the gas station or South of the Border restrooms..

Nevertheless, Charlie and I had some of the most hilarious and interesting conversations we'd ever had while we were on the road, he napped each afternoon while we were there, he slept in bed with me two of the nights, and we made it home alive! 

So you might be thinking that the best part of the trip was our Mother-Son bonding, right?  Nope!  The best part was Charlie & Lakely's blossoming friendship.  It's hard to describe -- they are just 2 after all, but they had an absolute ball together.  They laughed and chased and ran and roller-skated and snacked and hugged and played hide-and-seek together for two plus days.

Both Lea and I are convinced that not only will they be friends forever, but they will be that oh-so-critical opposite sex friend for each other (and yes, both Tony and Jason rolled their eyes at this). You know, though, the one that can tell her when the boy she likes is a jerk and offer to beat him up or tell him that even though his girlfriend is cute, she's superficial and not good enough for him or let her know that even though she and her "true love" broke up, there are way better guys out there (just not any of his friends) or gently buy effectively convince him that girls do not think bodily noises are cool...

And the icing on the cake? While Charlie and Lakely were building their life-long friendship, Lea and I were catching up on old times, talking about all her plans for baby Cashton, and relaxing to HGTV...in many ways it was the perfect vacation (if only Daddy had been in on the fun).

We can't wait to see them again...but until then we have some amazingly precious memories...

Driving away from Lakely's house...
Mommy: So Buddy, what was your favorite part of our trip?  What are you going to tell Daddy about?
Charlie:  Just a minute.  I have a hangnail... ... ...  Ok.  I got it.
Mommy: Ok then...so what was your favorite part of our trip?
Charlie: Lakely.

Back inside, following a super-sweet hug and kiss on the cheek...
Lakely (hand to her cheek): More.
Lea: More what?
Lakely: More kisses.

Not sure if he's more excited about the trip or his McMuffin at this point...

Saturday Morning Cartoons

What could be sweeter than turning around to this?

Bumper Carts!

Maxxed-Out!

Roller Babies

Yes...we actually stopped here...

The Best Saturday Ever

Eight years ago today was a Saturday, and I spent the day surrounded by my family and closest friends, being pampered, enjoying a celebratory lunch, donning the most beautiful dress I'll ever own (that I hope I get to wear in heaven...if we have clothes) and posing for hundreds of pictures, all while filled with an incredible joy and anticipation. 

Then right about 6:20 in the evening I found myself alone for the first time all day, and right there in the Mulligan Room, I started to cry.  I was completely overwhelmed by the love and excitement knowing that the church was filling up with hundreds of people who had come just to see Jason and I pledge to spend the rest of our lives together.

Thankfully, Dad walked in after just a few minutes, and the mood quickly shifted to childish glee as we tried to spy through the window at the last-minute arrivals without being seen ourselves.  Then the music crescendoed and the mean church lady came and escorted us into the lobby for the most glorious walk of my entire life...

Following the ceremony, my new husband and I spent the next 5 hours dancing and laughing and dining and hugging and drinking champagne.  I had never felt more beautiful, more joyful or more absolutely certain about my life.  I just knew that no Saturday would ever live up to this one, and I spent the next few years trying to convince Jason that we should do it all over again.

Fast forward to this past Saturday evening...after a day spent at the soccer field, re-mulching the yard and visiting the library, we settled in to make panini sandwiches and play Hide the Sock Monkey and Uno Moo for game night.

At 7:30 Jason took Charlie up for his bath, and finding myself alone for the first time all day,  I finished the dishes, gathered up the dog toys and poured a glass of "affordable" wine.  Then I joined the boys upstairs for the stories, prayers and songs of Charlie's bedtime routine.  Once Charlie was tucked away, Jason took a shower and I nestled into the couch, only to cuddle up and fall asleep within about 10 minutes of him joining me and turning on the NASCAR race.

Then, rather than jetting off to Hawaii Sunday morning, we frantically shushed and distracted Charlie during church, Jason did his best to corral him while I attended a meeting for Mission Charleston 2102,  then we hustled him home for a quick nap before the Congregational Meeting that evening.

Clearly I didn't spend 20+ years of dreaming, 7 months planning and thousands of dollars on this past Saturday night, which makes it all the more amazing and beautiful to realize that I loved it so much more than that perfect night 8 years ago and nothing could convince me to trade one for the other...not even the chance to wear my fabulous dress again...

Bend it Like Batliner

I never thought that standing in a muddy field at 9:00 AM on a Saturday morning could be so much fun...  Of course, when you add the gaggle of 2 & 3 year olds, gigantic socks, way too many soccer balls and Chee-tohs, how could it be anything but?!?!

Unsurprisingly, despite the fact that Charlie got to spend the morning running around in circles, despite the fact that two of his good buddies, Philip and Landon, are on his team, despite the fact that he got a Capri Sun and Chee-tohs at 9:45 in the morning...can you guess what his first question was when we got in the car?

"Daddy, what was the little blond girl's name?"  That's our boy...

Checking out his Warm-Ups

Excited to see friend and teammate, Philip!

Pregrame Prayer

So...is this really what we're here to do?

Anybody know what we do with the red ball?

This is more like it!

Whew!  What a Practice!

Proud Mama

So sweet...

At school Tuesday afternoon...

Miss Chelsea: Charlie, will you be my Valentine?
Charlie: No.
Miss Chelsea: Why not?
Charlie: I'm my Mommy's Valentine.

It really doesn't get any better, does it?

My Valentines

I absolutely adore "Consumer" holidays.  I know, I know...Valentine's Day is just a scam to get us to spend ridiculous amounts of money on cards we'll throw away, candy we don't need and cheap pink stuffed animals, but I love it anyway!

In fact, we started celebrating over the weekend, decorating and delivering Valentine's to a few of our fabulous neighbors.  Then we kicked off this morning with way too much candy, leading up to a cupcake-filled day of parties at school, and unless all of this excitement and sugar turns our little monster into one of the Wild Things, we're going to finish up with a family date at Tomatoes.

Jason definitely made some of our pre-Charlie Valentine's Days memorable (I mean, what could be better than a Brita water pitcher and the opening night of Hannibal??? (love you!)), but I have to say having two Valentine's to shower with kisses and hugs and candy is way more fun than one!

Getting in the spirit

"Decorating" our Valentine Cookies

Our favorite Valentine

Off to make deliveries

First Delivery -- Success! 

Making the rounds...

Happy Kiss You So Much Day!

I did not grow up in a very huggy family.  We love each other, but were not the kind of family to give hugs anytime anyone left the room, left for school, etc, so I've always been pretty big on personal space.  In fact, back in my office cube days, someone could ruin a relationship right off the bat by standing too close in my cube.

Anyway, fast forward to early motherhood when I had an infant attached (quite literally) to me for hours each day and if anything, I think I got worse.  Just ask Jason.  By the time he came home from work in the early days he was lucky to get a high-five, I was feeling so claustrophobic and over-touched some days.

Slowly things began to change, though.  First Charlie weaned himself, then he started to walk, then he started to run, then climb in and out of the car, then do pretty much everything on his own, and I realized something.

It may have been trial by fire, but I have absolutely, positively, without a doubt become a huggy person -- and most days my baby is too busy to be hugged.  Every once in a while, though, if he's feeling sleepy or sad or just extra cuddly, he'll say to me, "Mommy, you can hug me so much."  And boy do I!

In fact, I've recently started requesting to "hug you so much," and while sometimes Charlie agrees, sometimes he tells me that "No.  Today is not 'hug you so much day', tomorrow is"...or Tuesday or Saturday or just about any other day that comes to mind...so it has of course become our favorite game.

Based on Tuesday's requests, yesterday became "Hug You So Much Day," then caught up in the fun, Charlie also declared it "Tickle You So Much Day" and today "Kiss You So Much Day" and next Tuesday "Cuddle You So Much Day".

And while I have always loved holidays, I have to say these are my absolute favorite, so Happy Kiss You So Much Day to one and all!

Another Bible Study

So Charlie is crazy as ever, but time is tight this week (a bit of meeting overload), so here is the Bible Study we did Monday night.  Right now we're focusing on the characteristics/qualities of God, according to the Bible (interesting place to look to get to know Him, huh?) and why it matters to know who He really is, rather than who the world wants Him to be...

One True God
Psalm 135:1-21

• Who:
• Psalmist (possibly David)
• To Israel (135:1b, 135:19-20a)
• To all believers (135:2, 135:20b)
• About God
• What
• Command to Praise Him (135:1,3)
• Command to Bless Him (135:19-21)
• When
• No boundaries
• Implication of repeatedly, continuously by repetition of commands
• Where - No boundaries
• Why
• He is good (135:3a)
• His name is lovely (135:3b)
• He chose Israel (135:4)
• He is great (135:5a)
• He is above all other gods (135:5b)
• He is all powerful (135:6-7)
• He is the protector/defender of His people (135:9-11)
• He is the provider for His people (135:12)
• He is eternal (no beginning or end) (135:13)
• He is just and therefore judges (135:14a)
• He has compassion on His people (135:14b)
• He was not created (135:15)
• He is not mute (135:16a)
• He is not blind (135:16b)
• He is not deaf (135:17a)
• He is not lifeless (135:17b)
• He does not bring death (135:18)
• How
• Song (135:3b)
• Knowing Him (135:4-18)
• Proclaiming Him to others (135:1-21)

Psalm 135:15-18

• Who
• Psalmist (possibly David)
• To Israel (135:1b, 135:19-20a)
• To all belieers (135:2, 135:20b)
• About false gods, idols
• What: warning that "those who make (trust) them will be like them" (135:18
• When: No boundaries
• Where: No boundaries
• Why:
• Idols are less than God (135:5)
• Idols are made by man (135:15)
• Idols are senseless (135:16-17a)
• Idols are lifeless (135:17b)
• How: God forbids them (Exodus 20:3-5)

What is an idol?

• Anything that we instill with power
• "Mother Nature"
• Astrology
• Luck/Superstition/Fate/Destiny
• Anything that we put before or equal to God
• Prophets, teachers
• Family, friends
• Dreams, goals, plans
• Money, success, acheievement

God works in mysterious ways...

Charlie is almost 3!  It's hard to believe, but he, at least, is more than ready...Jason and I on the other hand aren't so sure.

Unable to prevent the inevitable, though, we have realized that it's time to start preparing him for some changes.  The first of which will be the transition from the nursery to Sunday school at church.  We know Charlie is ready for the coloring sheets and fun lessons...but we're not so sure about the 30 or so minutes in actual "church" before they release the kids to Sunday school.  We tried once a couple months ago, but gave up after about 10 minutes, then Charlie notified us that he doesn't want to try again.

You see, while he isn't exactly "bad," we haven't done a good job of teaching Charlie to sit still, be quiet, etc...and we both absolutely hate having the disruptive kid, so it's time to practice.

Our plan was to gradually increase the amount of time he was in there with us over the next few weeks.  Yesterday was day one -- and absolutely everything went our way!

First off, Charlie's beloved Jennifer was playing the piano.  Then her dad, our pastor Darien, just so happened to incorporate Charlie's memory verse for this week, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and all your soul and all your mind," (Matthew 22:37) in the opening prayer, before leading us all in the Lord's Prayer, the first verse of which was Charlie's memory verse over Christmas.

Next, Jennifer's sister, Samantha, who also works in the nursery and is our favorite Chick-Fil-A employee, stood up to read a passage from the Bible.  And if that weren't enough, for the first time since we've been attending GCF, one of the opening songs was Jesus Loves Me, which the three of us sing every night before bed.

Finally, Mr. Terry, who kindly allows Charlie to play in the trailer, get in his way and pepper him with a barrage of questions every Sunday afternoon during tear-down, stood up to speak to Charlie's delight, then released the kids to Sunday school.

I can't imagine a more tailor-made introduction to "big church" for our little man.  Then to top it all off, Charlie arrived in the nursery just in time for snacks.  Maybe "mysterious" ways was a misnomer, God works in perfect ways...

Daddy-Charlie Time

As of today, it appears that a Fireman theme for Charlie's birthday was the right idea...let's just hope he's not over it by March!

He and Daddy spent yesterday evening building fire stations and putting out fires...who knew it could be so much fun?!

Even Louie decided to help

Don't forget the Sound Effects!

Closing the Garage Doors 

Off to the Fire!

Ladder's Up!  Let's get that kitty out of that tree!

Stumped

Charlie and Mommy are discussing this week's focal point over breakfast: the new peanut butter maker.

Mommy: Your Daddy has some good ideas, doesn't he?  It never would have crossed Mommy's mind to get a peanut butter maker.

Charlie: Where did you get it?

Mommy: Well, we ordered it over the internet.

Charlie: What's the internet?

Mommy: Well... you know how you talk to BaBa and Grandma on the phone?  Your voice goes over long wires in the ground to their house, so they can hear you.  The internet is kind of the same, but it can send pictures and words and movies and songs and all sorts of stuff.

Charlie:  Why?

Hmmm....good question.  We seemed to survive just fine 20+ years ago...and had a lot more free-time, face-time, me-time, etc...The kid makes a good point...

Speaking of the Peanut Butter machine

Mmmmm.....

Time to Celebrate

It's no secret that I'm something of a birthday addict...I can honestly think of nothing better than to spend an entire day just celebrating the fact that someone was born...so yesterday was one of my favorite days of the entire year -- Jason's birthday!

And I think that this year I finally found a card that explained exactly why I love birthdays so much...

"Your life gives me reason to celebrate...

Every day with you

is a day to celebrate God's goodness,

and especially on your birthday

I thank Him for creating you."

How could we not make it a big deal???

So, we actually dragged it out through the weekend as we like to do, celebrating with friends Friday night at Ivory Moon (which we found out used to have dueling pianos, but now just has a fun band), then Jason spent Saturday oystering with his buddy Robert in preparation for an Oyster Roast down in West Ashley that night.  We saved the best for last though, celebrating dinner with our favorite little man at 82 Queen downtown.  Dinner was fabulous and Charlie was well-behaved...we really couldn't have asked for more.

Of course, my "best for last" may be different from Jason and Charlie's -- they are both beside themselves with anticipation for trying out Jason's "new" 1970 Salton Peanut Butter maker that he found on eBay...like father like son...

Staying Warm

2 year old Photographer

"Sharing" Daddy's Key Lime Pie

The good life

Strike 2?

It started exactly the same.  I walked into Charlie's classroom and Miss Chelsea said, "Charlie had a great day except..."

Immediately my mind was racing -- how could this have happened again?  We talked to him.  We made him apologize.  We took away a star on the chalkboard (he was at 4 on his way to 5 before yesterday's incident).  How could he have done it again?

All of a sudden I tuned back in to what Miss Chelsea was saying "I caught him and a bunch of his friends showing their noodles on the playground."

"What?"  Maybe I'd misheard.  I thought kids did that at 5 or 6, not 2 years old!

"I caught them with their pants down, made them pull them up and put them all against the fence."

Nooo....not another time out.  I was really hoping he'd earn back the star he lost yesterday, not lose another one...Is my son a delinquent?

Miss Chelsea continued, "I explained that we don't show our noodles at school.  It's not polite.  Charlie was so upset.  He kept apologizing over and over and asking not to be sent to time out.  I felt bad for him."

Suddenly, I felt bad for him, too.   After all, I don't think we've ever explicitly told him he can't "show his noodle," and he appears to have learned his lesson.  

After a quick quiz on the way to the car, it was clear Charlie had learned his lesson.  I was so relieved not to have to be the stern mom a second day in a row, and not to have to take away another star.  At five stars he gets to go the petting zoo this Saturday, and he's already down to three.

So, relieved that Charlie may not be on the slippery slope to juvie, I texted Jason to share the story. 

His response?  "Is that a two star day?"

The Bad Seed?

Ok...perhaps that is a bit harsh, but Charlie had his first time out at school yesterday.  I know!  I'm not sure what is more shocking -- the fact that he's never had one before, or the fact that one of his many teachers (who happen to be wrapped more tightly around his little pinkie than even I am) finally gave him one.

As anyone who knows Charlie knows, he averages 1 to 2 timeouts a day here at home, but up until recently he was a perfect angel in public.  I guess he has decided that he's spent enough time laying that foundation, and now he can dive into his master plan...what that may be?  I have no idea.

Anyway, the offense happened during the morning shift, so I didn't get to speak to Miss Alisha about it directly when I picked up Charlie after school, but Miss Chelsea assured me that despite the note on his sheet, Charlie had had a "great afternoon." 

And the note itself?  Typical Charlie:

"He had a bit of a time with listening ears today.  I know he will have a better morning tomorrow.  :o)  I love Charlie."

Yes.  That is how my son gets in trouble.  In fact, this morning when Charlie apologized to Miss Alisha, she assured me that it was probably harder on her than on him. 

And the offense, itself?  He pushed a little kid down, the little bully.

And what, you may be asking, was Daddy's response to it all?  Regarding the push he was clearly disappointed and stern.  Regarding the note though, he smirked.  Yep.  That's right.  He thinks it's great that Charlie has grown women falling at his feet...I think we're doomed.

But yes...deep down inside I am thrilled that Charlie's teachers love him so much...how could a mother not be.  Don't tell him, though.  I'm firmly taking the hard line on this one.

Draw near with confidence...

So, I've had a range of different maladies this week, starting with the return of my childhood asthma (yuck!) and ending with an emphysema like cough.  Of course, wouldn't you know Tuesday, the day I actually went to the doctor and had a chest xray, I was fine...figures...

Anyway, I have been more or less half-aware this week, so I don't have any great stories -- other than on Tuesday night Charlie curled up next to me on the couch for at least 4 or 5 minutes to "make [me] all better."

So, I figured I would go ahead and post my last project prior to being struck with my ailments.  Below is this week's Ladies' Bible Study.  As part of our "Life of Jesus" series, we concluded with where He is and what He's doing now...and I just can't tell you how much I learn putting this stuff together.

This is for anyone out there who sometimes feels unworthy/uncertain/afraid of approaching God...once you look at the facts, that's just plain silly (as Charlie would say).

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  (Hebrews 4:16)

Jesus is Fully God (John 1:1; Hebrews 1:3)

Jesus is Fully Man

• His birth (Luke 2)
• His Soul (Matthew 26:38)
• His Spirit (Mark 2:8)
• His Limitations
• Hunger (Matthew 4:2)
• Thirst (John 19:28)
• Weariness (John 4:6)
• Knowledge (Mark 13:32)
• Death

Jesus was Resurrected in a Human Body (John 20:27)

Jesus Ascended in a Human Body (Acts 1:9)

Jesus will return in a Human Body (Acts 1:11)

His Current Place - At the Right Hand of God (Hebrews 1:3)

His Current Role - Intercessor/Mediator

• For Us (Romans 8:34)
• Sinners (Isaiah 52:12b)
• Believers (John 17:9)

His Qualification - Unique/Only Begotten/One and Only

• His Sacrifice (I Timothy 2:5-6)
• His Human Experience (Hebrews 4:14-16)
• His Perfection (Hebrews 9:11-14)
• The Spirit intercedes within us (Romans 8:26-27) the Son intercedes with God for us (Romans 8:34)

His Purpose

• Bear our burdens (Psalm 68:18-19)
• Advocate for us (I John 2:1)

His Timing

• Until the resurrection (Acts 3:20-21)

Our Commanded Response 

• Draw near to God with confidence (Hebrews 4:16)
• Continually Praise (Hebrews 13:15)
• Intercede/Pray for others (I Timothy 4:1)
• Even our enemies (Matthew 5:44)

Difference of opinion...

I have realized that I really don't like maintenance of any kind:  car maintenance, home maintenance, personal maintenance, etc.  I think my tires should last forever, paint shouldn't chip and my hair just shouldn't get ratty at the ends no matter how long I wait between cuts...  I think that we should be able to do things once and be done.

Clearly, what I think doesn't matter, but I believe that this theory of mine somewhat explains the near despair I was in yesterday morning when Jason and I realized that something was leaking somewhere because the carpet at the door of our bathroom was soaked and a spot was growing by the second in the living room ceiling.  Ughhh...

I know that in the scope of disasters, this is small-scale, but it honestly ruined my whole morning.  Once we'd turned the water off, we pretty much just left the dishes in the sink, thanked God that we'd found the leak after our showers and headed off to church...and I was quietly hoping that we'd get home and find it had all been a nightmare.

Having delayed as long as possible over lunch, we finally returned home, put Charlie down for his nap and Jason got to work.  At this point I was convinced we were going to be cutting huge holes in both the ceiling and the floor, both of which would bring huge bills and huge pains in my neck.

Since Jason and I are much like other married couples in that "projects" tend to be best handled by one or the other of us, I quietly read on the couch while he pondered and banged and peered and wondered upstairs.  Finally, hopeful that the leak was not in fact in the floor, he told me that he would be cutting a hole in the wall.  Preferring this to the floor or ceiling, I cheered him on and turned the page...then I heard Charlie calling from his room (and yes, we are so amazingly blessed that he still waits for us to come get him out of his big boy bed!)

So I walked in, opened his shutters and watched him slowly come around.  Then I asked him, "Hey buddy, do you want to watch Daddy cut a whole in the wall?"

Charlie's eyes rounded to the size of dinner plates, "What, Mommy?"

"Daddy's going to cut a hole in the wall...do you want to watch?"

"Oh, yes, Mommy!  I do!" he shouted, scrambling off the bed and racing into our room.

Over the next half hour Jason found the leak and confirmed that Charlie's love for playing in our tub and pulling up the stopper was the culprit, all the while serenaded with the chants, "This is so cool, Daddy.  What you doing, Daddy?  This is so cool!"

This morning I am thankful for a very handy husband and praying that nothing new happens to entertain our son anytime soon...

Let me see!

This is so cool, Daddy!