Bugged Out!!

Now that spring is here, all the bugs are out exploring and finding their way into my house!! I’m not much of a bug person, but with two boys and a girl (she especially likes bugs and creatures) I’ve developed more of a tolerance for them. First come the tiny ants into my kitchen in the beginning of April. Then the spiders come and show up mostly anywhere. This year the bees decided to build a nest in a bench right outside my front door, so every time the kids leave the front door open we have bees inside!! The carpenter ants are a concern when they arrive because they eat my house! They’ve been enjoying eating my house for two weeks now. Sure, we exterminate and do our best to get rid of these various pests, but there are some that just manage to weather the chemical storm and hang around. Maybe they like us!! We named one of the spiders in the family room “Albert.” You know what they say, once you give anything a name, it becomes part of the family!! It wasn’t my idea to name the spider, but now I can’t kill it!!

We all have our different ways of managing the “bug level.” Steve is the exterminator, so he is busy spraying the bugs to kill them. I either zap them with Windex, or walk around the house with a tissue to crush them. Emeline tapes the bugs down to whatever surface it is on, and then kills it! Sam feels bad for the bugs, calling them “God’s Creation”, and doesn’t think we should be hurting them at all! I thought it was an odd scene the other day when Sam’s toad needed bugs to eat, and my son came inside to catch the bugs!! To add to the confusion Sam needed help, so there I was chasing ants with Sam! As for Zachary, he just has nightmares about the bugs!!

Sam has also been studying bugs in school so I’ve learned more than I need to know about bugs. "Did you know that a Praying Mantis can spit?" and, "tarantula females eat the males if they don’t want to mate with them?” So, I’m feeling “Bugged Out”!

The one thing that does fascinate me is that God thinks highly of these little creatures, because He makes mention of them in scripture. “The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer”. Proverbs 30:24. So, I guess we should have more respect for bugs, especially the ants. I just wish they were busy preparing their food in the summer by eating someone else’s house!!

HAPPY SPRING!!!!

Blessings,

Debbie

"Mommy, Why Do You Have Salad All Over Your Back?"

I was on my way home from after a long day and got a call from Emeline, “Mommy when will you be home?” “Soon” was my reply. “Oh good”, she said, “I have something special for you!” I was secretly hoping it was a large piece of chocolate! When I arrived home, Emeline immediately called me to my bedroom. On my bedroom floor were towels nicely laid with a pillow at the top. It was my guess that I was to lay down and get a massage. Emeline confirmed this was indeed the plan. Since I was freezing from being out in the cold, I was hoping to just crawl into my snuggly PJ’s. There was a bowl next to the towels with what looked like spinach dip in it. Emeline assured me it was not spinach dip, but a special lotion she made just for me for my back massage. In my head I kept hearing the words “Be still Debbie and let your daughter bless you.” The next thing I felt were freezing cold-hands on my back as she slapped her special concoction on me. I was desperately trying to enjoy this very kind act by my daughter. As I fought back “Goose bumps” and thoughts of wanting it to be over soon so I could take a warm shower, Zachary walked in and asked “Mommy, why do you have salad all over your back?” Now I was starting to get the giggles-but could not let on to Emeline! She confidently explained to Zachary that it was not a salad on my back but spearmint leaves and lotion! So... there I was, freezing cold, but trying to appreciate the thoughtfulness of my daughter. Tears came to my eyes as I realized how quickly time goes by with these little ones. They want to bless the ones they love! I pray we recognize those times when our kids are reaching out to us, that we would have patience and grace to bless their hearts as they want to please and bless us. May we see Christ through our children as we teach and learn from them! “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives me……..” Mark 9:37

May the grace of Jesus be with you!

Blessings,

Debbie

They Just Left Me!!

It was our usual Friday night going out with “Mom Mom” and “Pop Pop” for a bite to eat. We like to go to loud place because WE’RE LOUD!! Sam was going home with my mom and dad to spend the night at their house. Being the bargain shopper I am I decided last night was the night we should take the boys to the local ski shop and purchase their winter coats for next year. 80% off sale on some items!! Steve needed to go to the pet store because yesterday morning when I went to feed the dog I realized he had no food so I gave him some pretzels and then he threw up the pretzels (ugh!!). As usual we decided to divide and conquer but realized we only had one car. I asked my mom and dad if they would take Sam, Zachary and I to the ski shop, Steve would go get dog food and then meet up with us. Well, Zachary had to go “potty” before we left and when we came out side my mother was pulling out of the parking lot without us! We started running down the road after them but they were faster then us. I called my mom and she turned around to come get us. Steve left to take Emeline to the pet store. Meanwhile we go to the ski shop and it is closed (bummer!). I then ask mom to take me to the pet store where I can meet up with Steve to take me home. We go to the pet store and there we see Emeline and Steve walking toward the pet store with coffees in their hands, they had gone to Starbucks!! Since the Book Store was right next to the pet store I decided to go buy Sam some books so I passed Zachary off to Emeline and Steve and took Sam inside Barnes and Noble. Once I purchased a few books for Sam and bribed him to now read them I said goodbye to Sam, mom, and dad and walked to the pet store to meet Steve, Emeline and Zachary. I blew kisses to Sam as he drove off for the night. As I entered the pet store I immediately saw “ICE’S” (our black lab) obedient school teacher, said hello and let her know I was looking for my family. Off I went looking down each aisle. Then I realized I don’t hear them!! That’s unusual, but maybe they were looking at the exotic fish QUIETLY! Nope, not there. I was starting to realize I was all alone, the store was closing, THEY JUST LEFT ME! Now, we’ve left our kids places, but I’ve never been left! Just last week we were getting ready to leave school after a concert not realizing we did not have Emeline with us. Then there was last summer when Emeline had a broken foot, in a cast. I asked her to wait for me on a bench at the pool while I took the boys to get the car. I was going to swing around and get her. I left the parking lot completely forgetting her!! Apparently she was running in the parking lot after me and I didn’t see her. I was looking and feeling like a great mom that day!!

So.. I called Steve to tell him he left me at the pet store but he did not answer his phone. I had to call my parents who had already left me once that night to come back and take me home!! Turns out that Steve thought I was at the ski shop and went there looking for me. But he SAW ME AT THE PET STORE!! I TOLD HIM I WAS GOING TO BARNES AND NOBLE WITH SAM!! I EVEN DROPPED ZACHARY WITH HIM SO HE DEFINITELY SAW ME!! Now I know what it feels like to be left and no one notice you’re gone!!

How many times in life do we find ourselves all alone? Sometimes we’re alone because we choose to be, other times it is because God chooses it for us. I actually enjoy being alone by myself, it is a rarity for me with little kids. But the times in life when God chooses it for me can be painful. I’ve found it is in those times He is trying to teach me something or get my attention. God promises us He “will never leave us or forsake us”. No matter where we are or what life is throwing at us, God is there for us! Before Jesus died on the cross He told His disciples the hour was coming, they would be scattered….”and will leave me alone. And yet I am not alone because the Father is with me” John 16:32. Jesus knew and wants us to know WE ARE NOT ALONE! We haven’t been forgotten! If we pray and ask Him, He is faithful to come along side us and help us.

I couldn’t help but laugh over the “utterly chaotic” night we had that turned into me standing alone in a pet store hearing an announcement “It is 8:55 PM, the store will be closing in five minutes”!!

I made it home and Steve was shocked to hear it was his responsibility to pick me up!! Gotta love the guy!!

Have a blessed weekend!

Debbie