Love this kid...

En route to lunch with Daddy on a cloudy, gloomy day...

Charlie: What is that gray thing?
Mommy:  What gray thing?  You mean the tall chimney-like thing?  It's a smokestack.
Charlie: What does it do?
Mommy: Well...you see...they are burning something in that building and just like a chimney, that tall gray thing let's out the smoke and--
Charlie: No!  It lets out the clouds!  It's a cloud-letter-out!!!


Who could argue with that??

Alive and kicking...(literally)

As a few readers may have noticed, it's been quite a while since I've posted a Charlie update.  Never fear -- he is as healthy as a horse (well...as far as we can tell, at least...we actually missed his 3 year check-up and decided to forgo it since he wasn't going to get any shots, he's roughly the height of his friends and he's clearly smarter than Jason or me.  We took all that to mean he's fine).

So why the silence?  Well, to be frank, we're in the midst of a war -- not a battle of wills this time, but a full out war.  In fact, to return to the horse metaphor, it feels like Jason and I have been charged with taking a wild horse and breaking him for show...and we are flat out exhausted.

Yes, we still adore Charlie so much it makes our hearts hurt from time to time, but his stubborn little spirit just might be the death of us.  I'm not talking about a sassy word here or there, a sprinkling of "Nos" through the week or even a random bout of tears.  I am talking about an angelic looking three year old who will burst into tears and start throwing punches at the first sign of the word "No."

In truth, Charlie has always been a bit stubborn like his Mommy and easily frustrated like his Daddy, but the past few weeks have been mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting for all three of us.

I truly believe that the root of the problem lies in a combination of the greater sense of self he seemed to develop the instant he turned three with our stricter expectations upon realizing just how much he does understand. 

That said,we know in our hearts that the only way we'll get through this is to maintain a united, consistent front, refuse to compromise on the critical issues (No back talk, No hitting,  No spitting, No bad words, Do your chores, Treat everyone with love),  pick our battles (if we're not willing to ruin the next 20 minutes for something, don't even go there) and most importantly, pray.

Still though, there has been more than one instance in which Jason and I have been ready to just give in and let Charlie be a sassy little spoiled brat.  Honestly, it would be so much easier to just let him have his way...

But relax, Mom and Dad, we haven't caved in yet and don't intend to for two primary reasons.

1. The Selfish Reason: In the event that Charlie remains an only child, Jason's and my pride couldn't handle being the parents of the stereotypical only child who treats his parents like dirt and annoys everyone else who comes in contact with him.
2. The Good Reason: If Charlie never learns to submit to authority, not only will his life be difficult, but he will struggle to ever truly put his faith in God through Jesus Christ, because if he can't accept authority, he can't accept that alone he has no hope and his only hope is in the realization that God is sovereign, Charlie is a sinner and Charlie's only hope is in accepting God's authority and trusting in His Son for salvation.

So....clearly giving up isn't an optin, and while each day is something of a minefield, we still have wonderfully fun moments together full of laughter, hugs and love.  And of course, Charlie is still the cutest, sweetest, most wonderful thing that's ever happened to us.

But please pray for me and Jason that we may maintain our high expectations of Charlie, but temper them with patience, mercy and love...after all, over dinner the other night (while trying to ignore shrieks of "I hate tomatoes!  They are disgusting!") Jason and I realized together that our own stubbornness, temper tantrums and selfishness certainly frustrate and disappointment God more than Charlie ever could us...

Some recent fun...

Dying Eggs with Daddy

Our Little Rockstar

"I Survived Soccer" Party with Philip and friends

Tractor Rides with Carter

No hard hats at the table!

Resurrection Day

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared.  And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  And it happened that while they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling apparel; and the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead?  He is not here, but He has risen.  Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and the third day rise again?"
And they remembered His words and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.  Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles.  And these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them.
But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; stopping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at that which had happened.

And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem.  And they were conversing with each other about all these things which had taken place.  And it came about that while they were conversing and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them.  But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.
And He said to them, "What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?"
And they stood still, looking sad.  And one of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, "Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?"
And He said to them, "What things?"
And they said to Him, "The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him up to the sentence of death and crucified Him.  But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.  Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened.  But also some women among us amazed us.  When they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive.  And some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see."
And He said to them, "O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!  Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffered these things and to enter into His glory?"
And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself and the Scriptures.  And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He would go farther. 
And they urged Him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over."  And He went in to stay with them.
And it came about that when He reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it and breaking it, He began giving it to them.  And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.
And they said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?" 
And they arose that very hour and returned to Jerusalem and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, saying, "The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon."
And they began to relate their experience on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of bread.

And while they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst.  But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit.  And He said to them, "Why are you troubled and why do doubts arise in your hearts?  See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have."  And when He said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
And while they still could not believe it for joy and were marveling, He said to them, "Have you anything to eat?"  And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; and He took it and ate it before them.

Luke 24:1-43

Other References
Genesis 3:15
Deuteronomy 18:15
II Samuel 7:12-16
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 9:1
Isaiah 42:1
Isaiah 53:4
Daniel 7:13
Micah 5:2
Zechariah 9:9

Matthew 28:1-15
Mark 16:2-14
John 20:1-23
Acts 1:1-3

Saturday

Now on the next day, which is the one after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, and said, "Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I am to rise again.' Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, lest the disciples come and steal Him away and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead,' and the last deception will be worse than the first."
Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how."
And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone.

Matthew 27:62-66


Other References
Daniel 6:17
Luke 23:56

"Good" Friday

Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death; and they bound Him and led Him away and delivered Him up to Pilate the governor.

Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." 
But they said, "What is that to us?  See to that yourself!"
And he threw the pieces of silver into the sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.  And the chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, "It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood."  And they counseled together and with the money bought the Potter's Field as a burial place for strangers.  For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.  Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one whose price had been set by the sons of Israel; and they gave them for the Potter's Field, as the Lord directed me."

Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" 
And Jesus said to him, "It is as you say."  And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He made no answer.
Then Pilate said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?"
And He did not answer him with regard to a even a single charge, so that the governor was quite amazed.  Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the multitude any one prisoner who they wanted.  And they were holding at that time a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas.  When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you?  Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ?"  For he knew that because of envy they had delivered Him up.
And while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him."
But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death.
But the governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?"
And they said, "Barabbas."
Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" And he said, "Why, what evil has he done?"
But they kept shouting all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!"
And when Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing,k but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of this Man's blood; see to that yourselves."
And all the people answered and said, "His blood be on us and on our children!"
Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he delivered Him to be crucified.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him.  And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.  And after weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on His head and a reed in His right hand; and they kneeled down before Him and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"  And they spat on him and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head.  And after they had mocked Him, they took His robe off and put His garments on Him and led Him away to crucify Him.

And as they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross.

And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, they gave Him wine to drink mingled with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink.  And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves, casting lots; and sitting down, they began to keep watch over Him there.  And they put up above His head the charge against Him which read, "This is Jesus The King of the Jews."
At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. 
And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads and saying, "You are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself!  If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross."
In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, "He saved others; He cannot save Himself.  He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we shall believe in Him.  He trusts in God; let Him deliver Him now, if He takes pleasure in Him; for He said, 'I am the Son of God.'"
And the robbers also who had been crucified with Him were casting the same insult at Him.

Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour.  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani?"  that is, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"
And some of those who were standing there when they heard it began saying, "This man is calling for Elijah."

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.  And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook, and the rocks were split, and the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many.
Now the centurion and those who were keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!"
And many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, among whom was Mary Magdalene, along with Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

And when it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then Pilate ordered it to be given over to him.  And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away.  And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave.


Matthew 27:1-61


Other References
Zechariah 11:12-13
Genesis 20:6; 31:11
Joshua 2:19
Psalm 69:21
Psalm 22:18
Psalm 22:7
Psalm 22:8
Psalm 22:1
Exodus 26:31

Thursday

Then came the first day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. And He sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it."
And they said to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare it?"
And He said to them, "Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house that he enters. And you shall say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?"' And he will show you a large furnished upper room; prepare it there. "
And they departed and found everything just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

And when the hour had come He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. And He said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, "Take this and share it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes."
And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Me on the table. For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!"
And they began discussing among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing.

And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called 'Benefactors.' But not so with you, but let him who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves. And you are those who have stood by Me in My trials; and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."
And He said to Him, "Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!"
And He said, "I say to you, Peter, the cock will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me."

And He said to them, "When I sent you out without purse and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?"
And they said, "No, nothing."
And He said to them, "But now let him who has a purse take it along, likewise also a bag, and let him who has no sword sell his robe and buy one. For I tell you, that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, 'And He was numbered with Transgressors'; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment."
And they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords."
And He said to them, "It is enough."

And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. And when He arrived at the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, "Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done."
Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. And when He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, and said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation."

While He was still speaking, behold, a multitude came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was preceding them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him.
But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"
And when those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"
And a certain one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
But Jesus answered and said, "Stop! No more of this." And He touched his ear and healed him.
And Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, "Have you come out with swords and clubs as against a robber? While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours."

And having arrested HIm, they led Him away, and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. And after they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter was sitting among them. And a certain servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight, and looking intently at him, said, "This man was with Him too."
But he denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him."
And a little later, another saw him and said, "You are one of them too!"
But Peter said, "Man I am not!"
And after about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, saying, "Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is Galilean too."
But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." And immediately, while he was still speaking, a cock crowed.

And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, "Before a cock crows today, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.

And the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking Him and beating Him and they blindfolded Him and were asking Him, saying, "Prophesy, who is the one who hit You?" And they were saying many other things against Him, blaspheming.

Luke 22:7-65


Other References
Exodus 24:8
Jeremiah 31:31
Psalm 41:9
Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6
Amos 9:9
Isaiah 53:3

Matthew 26:17-75
Mark 14:12-72
John 13:1 - 18:27

Wednesday

Interestingly, the gospels don't tell us what happened on Wednesday, or as the theologians put it, "the record is silent."

Recognizing that Jesus was fully aware of what was about to happen, I have to wonder what was going through His mind...what was He feeling? After all, He is just as much man as He is God, susceptible to all of the same emotions as I am...

Dread of the torture?
Hurt by the denials that were sure to come?
Disappointed in the lack of faith all around Him?
Fear for His disciples?
Anticipation of fulfilling His purpose?
Excitement at the thought of returning to His Father?
Peace in the knowledge that God's plan is perfect and "all things work together for good for those who love Him"?


I imagine He spent Wednesday praying (or "talking to God" as Charlie understands it) in preparation for the worst and the best days of His life...

Tuesday

And as they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. And being reminded, Peter said to Him, "Rabbi, behold, the fig tree which You cursed has withered."

And Jesus answered saying to them, "Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received hem, and they shall be granted you. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions. [But if you do not forgive neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.]

And they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, and scribes, and elders came to Him, and began saying to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do these things?"

And Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one question, and you answer Me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Answer Me."

And they began reasoning among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?' But shall we say, 'From men'?" -- they were afraid of the multitude, for all considered John to have been a prophet indeed. And answering Jesus, they said, "We do not know."

And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

And He began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard, and put a wall around it, and dug a vat under the wine press, and built a tower, and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey. And at harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, in order to receive some of the produce of the vineyard from the vine-growers. And they took him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. And again he sent them another slave, and they wounded him in the head, and treated him shamefully. And he sent another and that one they killed; and so with many others, beating some and killing others.

He had one more to send, a beloved son; he sent him last of all to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.'

"But those vine-growers said to one another, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!'

"And they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

"What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vine-growers and will give the vineyard to others. Have you not even read the Scripture: 'The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief corner stone; this came about from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?"

And they were seeking to seize Him; and yet they feared the multitude; for they understood that He spoke the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away.

And they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him, in order to trap Him in a statement. And they came and said to Him, "Teacher, we know that You are truthful and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar or not? Shall we pay or shall we not pay?"

But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, "Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at."

And they brought one. And He said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?"

And they said to Him, "Caesar's."

And Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's."

And they were amazed at Him.

And some Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection) came to Him and began questioning Him, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves behind a wife and leaved no child, his brother should take the wife and raise up offspring to his brother. There were seven brothers; and the first took a wifeand died, leaving no offspring. And the second one took her and died, leaving behind no offspring; and the third likewise; and so all seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman died also. In the resurrection, when they rise again, which one's wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife."

Jesus said to them, "Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. But regarding the fact that the dead rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob?' He is not theGod of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken."

And one of the scribes came and heard them arguing and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, "What commandment is the foremost of all?"

Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

And the scribe said to Him, "Right, Teacher, You have truly stated that He is one; and there is no one else beside Him; and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

And when Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And after that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.

And Jesus answering began to say, as He taught in the temple "How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself said in the Holy Spirit, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, until I put Thine enemies beneath Thy feet.'" David himself calls Him 'Lord'; and so in what sense is He his son?"

And the great crowd enjoyed listening to Him.

And in His teaching He was saying: "Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes and like respectful greetings in the market places and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows' houses, and for appearance's sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation."

And He sat down opposite the treasury and began observing how the multitude were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. And calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on."

And as He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, "Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!"

And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another which will not be torn down."

And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?"

And Jesus began to say to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. Many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He!' and will mislead many. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. For nation will arise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

"But be on your guard for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. And when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not be anxious beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.

"And brother will deliver brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.

"But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. And let him who is on the housetop not go down or enter in to get anything out of his house; and let him who is in the field not turn back to get his cloak. But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babes in those days! But pray that it may not happen in the winter. For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created, until now and never shall. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect whom He chose, He shortened those days.

"And then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ'; or, 'Behold, He is there'; do not believe him; for false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show signs and wonders, in order, if possible, to lead the elect astray.

"But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance."

"But in those days, after the tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send forth the angels and will gather together His elect from the four winds, form the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.

"Now learn the parable from the fig tree; when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But of the day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in the heaven nor the Son, but the Father alone.

"Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time is. It is like a man, away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. Therefore, be on the alert -- for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, at cock-crowing or in the morning -- lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert!'"

Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread was two days off; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth, and kill Him; for they were saying, "Not during the festival, lest there be a riot of the people."

And Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. And they were glad when they heard this and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time.

Mark 11:20 - 14:2,10,11

Other References

Isaiah 5:1-2

Psalm 118:22-23

Deuteronomy 25:5

Exodus 3:6

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Leviticus 19:18

Deuteronomy 4:35

Deuteronomy 6:5

I Samuel 15:22

Hosea 6:6

Micah 6:6-8

Psalm 110:1

Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11

Daniel 12:1

Isaiah 13:10

Ezekiel 32:7

Joel 2:10, 31; 3:15

Isaiah 34:4

Daniel 7:13

Deuteronomy 30:4

Zechariah 2:6

Exodus 12:1-27

Matthew 21:20 - 26:5,14-16

Luke 20:1 - 22:6

John 12:20 - 17:26

Monday

And on the next day, when they had departed from Bethany, He became hungry. And seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And He answered and said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again!" And His disciples were listening.

And they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to cast out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not permit anyone to carry goods through the temple. And He began to teach and say to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a robbers' den."
And the chief prests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for all the multitude was astonished at His teaching.

And when evening came, they would go out of the city.

Mark 11:11-19


Other References
Isaiah 56:7
Jeremiah 7:11
Matthew 21:12-19
Luke 19:45-48

Palm Sunday

And after He had said these things, He was going on ahead, ascending to Jerusalem.
And it came about that when He approached Bethpage and Bethany, near the mount that is called Olivet, He sent two disciples, saying, "Go into the village opposite you, in which as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one yet has ever sate; untie it, and bring it here. And if anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' thus shall you speak, 'The Lord has need of it.'"
And those who were sent went away and found it just as He had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying the colt?"
And they said, "The Lord has need of it."
And they brought it to Jesus, and they threw their garments on the colt, and put Jesus on it. And as He was going, they were spreading their garments in the road. And as He was now approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
And some of the Pharisees in the multitude said to Him, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples."
And He answered and said, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!"

And when He approached, He saw the city and wept over it, saying "If you had known in this day; even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. For the days shall come upon you when your enemies will throw up a bank before you, and surround you, and hem you in on every side, and will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation."

Luke 19:28-44

Other references of note:
Psalm 118:26
Zechariah 9:9
Mark 11:1-11
John 12:12-19

Not the mom I thought I was...

I always thought I was that Mom.  You know, the "fun" one.  Clearly not the "cool" one (everyone who reads this knows me far too well), but along the same lines -- the mom who is up for anything, who participates, laughs mud in the face, etc...

Well, tonight I learned differently. 

For months we've been talking about taking Charlie camping -- first in the backyard, then a nearby park, then the world!  And Charlie, who absolutely adores his tepee and camping gear, talks about it all the time, so this evening when he mentioned doing it "sometime soon" (what we always tell him), Jason said, "Why not t-o-n-i-g-h-t?" (What on earth will we do when the kid learns to spell?!?)

And I said, "Because..."  Then I had Jason check the weather and when there was a 30% chance of intermittent storms, I thought I was safe.  When he pointed out that there is always a 30% chance of intermittent storms in South Carolina, I decided,  "If you want it to be a Daddy-Son night, that's fine."

What?  Did those words come out of my mouth?  Why??  I love to camp.  I can sleep anywhere comfortably.  I scooped the yard just this afternoon.  I'm still not sure I understand it.

At first, Jason was concerned that I would feel left out, but while I might not understand my motivation, I am completely behind my decision.  I will be sleeping inside tonight.

So, I helped set up the tent, gathered the necessary camping gear (sleeping bags, lantern, Bella, Myrtle, jammies, water, scotch and the iPad), said goodnight and came inside.

Now, when it comes time for the first actual camping trip nothing will keep me away, but tonight while they "sleep" under the stars, I'll be enjoying a glass of wine, Say Yes to the Dress and Girl Scout Cookies on the couch...and as much as I feel like that should bother me, I wouldn't have it any other way!

Thankfully, Daddy was an Eagle Scout!

...or maybe not!

Grudging smile, because I promised to leave...

apparently I wasn't the only one that thought

a "Daddy-Son" campout was a good idea!

Like Mother Like Son?

It's no secret that I'm a bit of a "nerd".  My favorite game is Trivial Pursuit.  My favorite hobby is reading.  My favorite TV channel is the History channel. So, yes, I'm a nerd.

And to be honest, it's been kind of fun for me to see some of these same "bookish" traits start to develop in Charlie, but this past weekend was a pretty strong lesson along the lines of "be careful what you wish for..."

So, with Spring having sprung a bit early here in SC, Jason hit the harbor for sheepshead this Saturday and I took Charlie to his first official soccer game solo.  We were the first ones there (again, a bit of my nerdiness), and Charlie had a ball running around the field scoring goals by himself and then with his good friend Landon.

Everything was going well as the rest of the team arrived and the game started.  Yes, Charlie did seem to be following Addison around the field a bit more than the ball, but he was on the field and moving (most of the time). 

Then, since it's 4 on 4 soccer, Charlie was subbed out for a teammate and he enjoyed his break on the sidelines.  In fact, he enjoyed it so much that he refused to be subbed back in. 

I tried to be stern and convince him to go back in, but that resulted in him running across the middle of the field mid-game towards the playground equipment...with me trailing behind him.  Three times.

After the second time I put him in time out and threatened to cancel our promised trip to the library if he did it again.  He did it again, so I told him we were no longer going to the library, therein leading to quite possibly the most amusing and most embarrasing moment of my adult life.  Wallowing in the muddy sidelines, my son wailed, "Nooooooo!  I want to go the LIBARY!"  Over and over again...

Thankfully, my fellow parents were dealing with would-be players who were playing in the dirt, watching airplanes and picking flowers, so while amused, they could picture themselves in my shoes and I received plenty of compassion.

Nonetheless, I fully plan on bringing this up at opportune moments over the next 30 years...just for fun!

Having a Ball

On the Field!

Time Out

Miraculously, he did make it back to the field for one last play

"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