Slurping Life

When Harry Met Sally At Our House

It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. 

After the mating ritual on this very spot Sally single-handedly single-beakedly built their home.

She gave birth to their children and awaits their emergence into the world.

While Harry watches, pacing fluttering to and fro, ever the protector.

And each morning they greet our family with cheerful songs.

Thank you, Harry and Sally, for choosing to make your home with us.  For bringing chirping, a reminder of instinctive love and renewal to our hearts.  We needed that here...in our home...where the days have been a bit trying for weeks.

We can hardly wait to see the babies.

Screaming In The Storm

Michelle has chosen me as one of the first recipients of her Singing In The Rain award.

One, I am surprised. 

Two, I am honored. 

Three, I am glad she cannot hear daily life in my house.  It is way more like screaming in the storm rather than singing in the rain. 

Michelle, thank you for honoring me.

With admiration and love, I pass the Singing In The Rain award to Tammy.  If she isn't THE epitome  of singing in the rain...well, I just quit.  Take a few moments to browse her blog, and please, say a prayer.

This Busy Mom Wins

After ignoring two comments that were not eligible and inputting information at random.org, the winner of the giveaway for a copy of The Busy Mom's Devotional is Stacey of Not For Profit, But For Joy.

Congratulations, Stacey!  And thanks to all who read and commented.

Finding Courage Through Sharing And Sometimes Cheating

Today I am cheating.  I cheat lots of days, but please don't tell my boys...it would totally blow the umph of most of my lectures.

My friend Michelle of In The Life Of A Child begins her monthly blog carnival today...Finding Courage Through Sharing...and I had to participate.  But I also had to cheat.  See, my Bipolar/ADHD son (one of three special needs sons...one of four total sons) is rocking our world.  So please consider this my introduction in a nutshell, just for now.  I promise to do better later.

I'll meet you over at In The Life Of A Child for the links to the first participants...heaven knows I need a hunk of courage and inspiration right now...or the chocolate stash, nor the wine, will last through the hour.

Found On Dad's Cell Phone

Visit Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom.

A Boy Kind Of Day

With my boys every day is Earth Day.  They play in dirt and water and sunshine and ask, "Mom, why do grown-ups pollute the Earth?'

 

Enjoy our planet....love our planet...respect our planet.

Sitting On A Blanket Beneath The Trees

How much longer might I hold onto them?  Time grows short for...

...snuggling with stories

...going for ice cream

...lying in the grass

...blowing bubbles

...skipping stones

...holding hands in public

...believing mom knows everything

...sitting on a blanket beneath the trees.

Yesterday the doorbell rang.  I opened the door and was face to face with a beautiful green-eyed brown-hair girl of twelve and her two friends.

"Hi.  Are the boys home?"  she asked with a smile that would melt the heart of any tween-teen boy.

The green monster of jealously popped up for just a moment, but then I smiled and embraced the reality that these young ladies were asking for my sons.  My sons...raised to light the world and to flutter the hearts of many girls yet to come. 

"Yes they are." I said as I turned and called each boy by name.

The boys arrived promptly at my side with wide smiles, dancing eyes and the question, "Mom, may we go outside?"

Barely waiting for my "yes" they bounded through the doorway and followed the girls.  I have done this before...watched a son grow up...but three at one time feels so much harder than did the one. 

I slowly closed the door wondering what might greet me with the next ringing of the doorbell.

What...or who...is stirring your heart, your thoughts this Best Shot Monday?

Looking For A Busy Mom, Know One?

Busy mom, is that you?  Stop it. Stop that hysterical laughter...I knew the answer before asking the question.  Seriously, stop laughing and listen.  Will you listen if I tell you there is a giveaway?

Recently I decided to do better with devotional readings -as in actually doing them again- and The Busy Mom's Devotional was tossed to me like a lifeline to a drowning  woman.

Think it's impossible to have a spiritual life AND manage family life? There are many days that plainly feel like an exercise of survival. But living a life of devotion means seeing Christ in everything--from changing a diaper to a husband's tender kiss. Join Lisa for a year of "been there" devotions--readings from a mom who lives like you do, in the trenches, but strives to see Jesus beside her, through it all. Do just one devotional a day (or a week!), and you'll begin to see life with more depth and clarity than ever before.

Each devotional uses a simple format...

• Begin with emptying your mind of your to-do list.  There is a place to jot down those little concerns that need to leave your whirring brain.
• Read the scripture which begins each devotion.  With the scripture being included, this book is easy to carry anywhere in the house -where ever you may find a quiet moment- or even take it with you for after school car pool line-up and read before the kids invade the car.
• The scripture's message is related through Lisa's stories from her day-to-day life as a busy mom. Stories with which all moms can connect.
• Additional blank writing space is provided to script your thoughts of what God is saying to you and you are encouraged to reread the scripture and "make it yours".
• Lisa provides her personal prayer with each devotion and quite honestly, these have jump-started my thoughts to prayer with each devotion I have studied.

The Busy Mom's Devotional, 10 Minutes A Week To A Life Of Devotion, truly provides busy moms a doable resource to begin reconnecting with their spiritual life.  You may choose to read one devotional a day.  You may choose to read one devotional per week taking time to return to the same devotional several times to complete your thoughts in order to reveal what God is saying to you.  Either way, it works.

Lisa has written a devotional in a manageable format with relevant stories for busy moms.  She captured me with devotional title number four..."Chocolate Intensity Prayer". 

LISA T. BERGREN is the author of twenty-eight books that have sold many more than she ever believed. She writes a lot from the heart and in whatever category that currently interests her–-from gift and children’s books to medieval fiction and Bible studies. She is a wife to Tim, an artist, and mother to three phenomenal children–Olivia, Emma and Jack.

The contest had ended.

Giveaway...Win a copy of The Busy Mom's Devotional.  Simply leave a comment on this post by midnight EST Friday, April 25. (open to U.S. residents only)  Be sure I have an email to contact you should you win.  Winner will be chosen via random.org and posted here on Saturday, April 26.  Thanks for reading and commenting.

When We Can Help Others, We Should

If you have been a reader of Slurping Life during the past year, you probably know I have a soft spot in my heart for Parker.  Parker is an adorable little boy with Down Syndrome, but that isn't an issue.  He has life-threatening medical problems. 

Parker has another surgery scheduled for May 16 with a variety of tests and procedures in the interim. Parker's family insurance does not cover the majority of his medical expenses. I cannot begin to compose a coherent explanation of Parker's fragile medical state.  Please visit his blog where his mom, Tammy, posts updates regularly.

If only a mother's love and determination were enough.  Costly medical interventions are a constant necessity, and sadly, insurance is not enough.  Medicaid is not available to the family.  Every entity they approach for assistance issues the same reply...sorry, you don't qualify.

A mother should not tuck her child into bed each night worrying where the funds will come for the next medical procedure which will sustain his young life.  Nor should she spend her days begging an insurance company for coverage and fighting red tape. 

Parker is a blessing to his family and countless others.  His family daily fights the difficult battles to fulfill Parker's potential for a healthy life.  It is an extremely expensive war.  Through May 10th, Michelle of Big Blueberry Eyes is donating all commissions from any sales at her Discovery Toys site to Parker's medical fund...

Parker's next surgery is scheduled for May 16 (which is also my dear husband's birthday, so I'm guessing this is a good date for a successful surgery!) I'll donate commissions from any sales from now until May 10th (so I have time to send them the funds before his surgery).

Need some toys for your child?  Need gifts for other children's birthdays? Want to buy a fun little something to entertain Parker during recovery from his upcoming surgery...he double wins by receiving a toy and a donation.  Please, visit Michelle's Discovery Toys store through May 10 and make a purchase to love on Parker.

If you choose, you may make a direct donation to Parker's medical fund.  The donation button is also at Praying for Parker on the right-hand side beneath the cute photo slide show.  Just click the button to donate using Paypal.

Above all, Parker's family requests and appreciates your prayers.

As your circumstances allow, please love on Parker...

...because when we can help others, we should.

Winner, We Have A Winner

And random.org says she is Rhonda of A Mother's Heart. 

Waving to you, Rhonda.  Pop me an email with your mailing address and the book is yours.

Thanks to all who participated.  Another blog tour/giveaway goes up Saturday.

Just Breathe

Spring is here.

Therapy appointments, canceled.

Reading, 'riting, 'rithmetic, canceled.

"Go.  Take these bags.  Gather nature.  Pick up hints of spring.  Be happy."  Yesterday those were my words to the boys

Afterward I spread a blanket beneath the shadows of trees, and I saw delight spread across their faces.  This was a day of grace.  No requirements...learning not measured by quizzes or essays.

For as surely is the brain, the heart is an organ of learning.  It must be nurtured.

You have permission...to enjoy a day of grace.  And please, come back and share it with me.

    

Boy Treasure ~ Wordless Wednesday

Been missing the photography fun of Wordless Wednesday...thought I would join in again.

The Young Man Was (somehow) Raised Right

Despite being a lab experiment of young parents, it appears our oldest son turned out to be quite the well-adjusted, romantic man.  You may have heard that last week he and his girlfriend went to Disney World where A's intention was to propose marriage.  He did...

...in the rose garden of Cinderella's Castle.

She, of course, said "yes".  How could she refuse a handsome prince on one knee waiting to slide a shimmering diamond upon her finger in the rose garden of Cinderella's Castle. 

They are happy.  We (parents) are happy.

All I have to add is he way out did his dad's proposal to me.

Shedding

Little boys' springtime heaven...

fishing with dad

shedding shirts

and boots

running

screaming

into the lake...

What is springtime heaven in your world?

Eight Hours On A Golf Course With Boys Bearing Weapons

"Hi.  My name is Wil.  I'm our team's adaptive golfer." 

 

That is how Wil greeted each and every person he came face to face with at Monday's golf tournament.  An adaptive golf tournament is held annually in our city with teams comprising a mix of physically challenged and non-challenged golfers.  The boys and their dad were a team. I was the photographer, driver of the second golf cart and official ball locater.

A woman has not lived until she has spent EIGHT HOURS on a golf course with her husband and three of her four sons. (Our oldest was at Disney World proposing to his girlfriend.)  Please remember that the three sons on the course live with a mix of ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and PDD NOS.  You had to be there.  I'll share just a few photos from the day...but seriously...you had to be there.

"Mac.I.Said.Keep.Your.Foot.Off.The.Accelerator."  Yes, that is dad in the photo admonishing Mac before the tournament even began and not for the first time, but I bet you guessed that.

Check out the straight legs and flat feet below.  Many surgeries resulting in months of wearing casts from the groin down..another surgery expected at next growth spurt, maybe more...intense rehabilitation following each surgery...physical therapy since infancy and ongoing...occupational therapy for upper body, sensory integration and functional skills since infancy and ongoing...speech therapy since age 18 months.  Those surgeries and aftermath were worth every tortuous moment of pain.  And Wil smiled through almost all of it.  Wil is SO (one of) my heroes!

One of the most heard phrases of the day, "I'm hungry."  How could that be?  They were given snacks and drinks constantly.  The boys literally ate their way through 18 holes of golf.  They were also fed lunch and dinner.  Still we had to take them out to eat after the tournament.

I was out of the cart, back turned for a few seconds when I heard Mac whisper, "Psst.  Lee.  Do you think mom will notice if I press the accelerator?"

Club selection is serious business for Lee requiring much concentration...

...not so much for Wil.  Grab a club and whack the ball...or a brother...no need to ponder. 

There are no photos of the sword fighting incidents because being an intelligent woman, I was running for cover at the time.

Second in frequency to "I'm hungry" was the phrase, "Does that count?  Can I have a do-over?"  Notice this shot of Mac's follow-through...the ball is still on the tee.  I think Tiger Woods is secure in his number one ranking for at least a few more years.

A chunk of time was spent searching for balls.  I was driving that cart all over the course...through the woods...by the bunkers...along the water hazards...while the boys walked and searched.

Watching Wil's putt.

   

Most of the day was absolutely freezing and windy, finally for the last three or four holes the sun shone and the guys did remove their jackets.  Trying to get a good shot of these goofs together on the golf course was futile.  But here you go...look at those sharp-dressed golfers.  I went shopping with all four of them...at the same time...[do I hear applause]...to buy those clothes for the tournament.  Didn't play so good, but they looked the part.

By the way, the third most often spoken phrase of the day was "Mac.Keep.Your.Foot.Off.The.Accelerator."

There you have a overview of our eight hours on a golf course.  I survived.  The guys let me sleep in Tuesday morning.

If you have never watched physically challenged athletes compete in any sport, do yourself a favor and attend an event.  It was amazing and inspiring to watch golfers in wheelchairs, with one arm, with one leg, with two artificial legs, with cerebral palsy and a blind golfer.  We played behind the blind golfer...phenomenal.

My guys finished last.  However, it must be noted they were the only kids in the tournament.  All other entrants were seasoned, adult golfers.  But no one beat my dudes when it came to fun...they took the fun trophy hands down.

Talking About Marriage and A Giveaway

 

Tricia Goyer is the author of twelve books including From Dust and Ashes, My Life UnScripted, and the children's book, 10 Minutes to Showtime. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like Today's Christian Woman and Focus on the Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions.  She and her family make their home in the mountains of Montana.

The first chapter of Tricia's book, Generation NeXt Marriage, includes the statement:

To be truthful the last seventeen years haven't been all cupcakes and sprinkles.  To put it bluntly, John and I were young and dumb when we got married (or at least I was).  And we've made a lot of mistakes (mostly me).  But we made a commitment to see this thing through.  To work for our marriage.  To love the other person even when he or she seems unlovely.

I can honestly say that both my husband and I were young and dumb.  Having gotten married at the age of eighteen, we literally grew up together and that included a period of growing apart.  Fortunately, we survived a near divorce...tearing up the papers rather than signing them...and lived to love and appreciate each other deeply.  But it never has and never will be a romantic fantasy. 

Marriage is work.  Tricia reminded me of this fact.  Lately, I have not been working diligently for our marriage.  While I could have chosen any chapter topic to discuss...intimacy, everyday stuff, different by design, communication, dirty laundry, romancing your spouse (I fall short with each of these)...taking care of yourself caught me completely off guard.

Tricia reminds me...

• My spouse is visual, and he appreciates it when I look good.
• When I'm exercising, eating right and resting, I enjoy better health, peace of mind, energy for all my tasks.
• If I do not meet my needs in healthy ways, then I will meet them--even if unintentionally--in unhealthy ways.

I exercise diligently and eat healthy, but there is another aspect which is sorely neglected by me.  I have been a frumpy dump for a year.  Rarely giving any attention to my appearance while around the house, and as a homeschooling mom I am always around the house.  When my husband comes home he is greeted by an unattractive mess.  Yet, he smiles, kisses me and says "I love you".  If I were him, I would look the other way and gag.

"When I look at myself, my first inclination is to identify my faults."  Thanks again, Tricia.  My husband regularly looks at me with complete love and adoration.  He compliments me with his eyes, his touch, his words...yet, I deflect every comment.  The conversations go something like this...

Donning baggy sweat pants, a holey faded t-shirt, barefoot, hair tangled while shoveling wet clothes from the washer to the dryer.  Enter sweet husband smiling lovingly at me.

"Hi, beautiful."

Me, looking up rolling eyes, "Yeah, sure.  Where are your glasses?"
~~~
Chasing the boys around the house during a frantic moment of wild-frenzy-freaking, probably wearing the same aforementioned outfit,  enter same husband smiling lovingly at me.

"You have a great butt" he says grabbing a handful.

Stopping in my tracks, sweating from the chase, I blurt, "Right.  Did you not feel the flab?"
~~~
Me, sitting on the sofa reading a book after putting the boys to bed.  You guessed it, wearing the same attractive outfit.  The adoring husband sits beside me, puts his arms around me and kisses my neck.

"Melody, you are more beautiful every day.  I love you."

"I love you, too.  You deserve a sweet, beautiful wife.  Not an aging, grumpy old woman" comes my reply.
~~~
I have issues.  And my husband is tired of hearing me put myself down.  Tricia's book has brought this to the forefront of my thinking and steps have been taken to improve my at-home appearance and view of myself.  Think good thoughts for me.  I need them.

Generation NeXt Marriage is written about real marriage in a real manner.  I love that Tricia uses songs of the 80's as well as books and movies to bring home her points.  In doing so she brings back a ton of almost forgotten memories.  Tricia has written a creative, Biblically-based book on the challenges of marriage which offers realistic help while sharing her own tribulations and joys.  She reminds me of the intimate bond that God intends my marriage to be.

(This giveaway has ended.)

Want a chance to win a copy of Generation NeXt Marriage? Simply leave a comment on this post by midnight EST Wednesday, April 16.  The winner will be chosen via random.org and announced on Thursday, April 17.  Please be sure to leave your email so that you can be contacted should you win.  And...

Would you like to win $50 for a romantic dinner to your favorite restaurant?  Click over to Tricia’s Gen X blog and read all about her contest.  Just tell her how you met your hubby.  The stories will be printed on her site, and the one with the most comments will win. It’s open to bloggers and non-bloggers alike.

Read Chapter One. 

Go ahead, buy the book.

A Baby, A Golf Tournament and Disney World

No real reason why this was chosen as my Best Shot Monday.  Maybe because it is all I have.

This week we are on spring break.  Here's the scoop...

• We will not be adopting the baby girl of our dreams as hoped.  We're good with that.
• The boys and their dad are in a golf tournament today, and I am the official photographer/cart driver.  It will be way more fun than The Masters.
  
• This week our oldest son is at Disney World with his girlfriend and will be popping the question.

Loving life...looking for adventures...will catch you later.

How about you?  Do you have some fun planned this week?

Awareness ~ Autism and Child Abuse

April is Child Abuse Awareness and Autism Awareness Month.  Both issues have deeply affected our family.  My boys are beautiful children with loving spirits, and I cherish who they are...all things included.  While I do not often speak clinically regarding the special needs of my sons, I do want to spotlight autism and child abuse.  Be aware.  Be informed.  Be willing.

Child Abuse Awareness Month links:

Identifying Child Abuse and Neglect

Protect children

Child Welfare Information Gateway

Prevent Child Abuse America

Child Abuse Prevention Programs

Be Aware

Autism Awareness links:

Autism:  The Musical - an HBO film online.

The Miracle Project

NASCAR races for autism.

Drive a Chevy for autism.

Autism Society of America

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Autism Speaks

These links are by no means all inclusive of the information available online regarding child abuse and autism, but they are places to begin if you are seeking information and inspiration.  Additionally, by posting these links I am not in agreement with or in support of everything you may find at the sites.

Pen and Paper Addiction

The pen must feel just so within the grasp of my fingers.  It must glide smoothly, interrupted across recycled paper.  The paper must reflect a beauty of soft tints.  Nothing, nothing sparks my thoughts...sets my words free like the feel of holding pen against paper and executing the strokes ingrained into my being by Mrs. Minter.

Mrs. Minter was my fifth grade teacher.  Slender, straight and tall.  She carried herself with an air of sophistication the likes of which I have never seen the rival.  She was stern and had high expectations for each of her pupils.  Gosh, my posture improves just remembering her.  I loved her.  She expected attentiveness and quality from each of us and you know what, we did not disappoint.  It was not out of fear, but rather from respect and appreciation that we shone our best work.  Mrs. Minter taught us to put forth our best for our own sake.

Penmanship was a big thing with Mrs. Minter.  Fifth grade was the last time I can remember any teacher giving note to such detail...patiently having us practice slanted circles and loopy loops on paper.  Each time my f's or g's or y's had the perfect below baseline loop...my t's stood tall, straight and crossed...my o's and a's voluptuously circled...oh, what a feeling. 

I remain hopelessly addicted.  Pen and paper...got to have it.  It is not a restrictive addiction, but a freeing expression of creativity.  Oh, I can scribble as horribly as the next person, and often do.  But I have always loved writing pretty with pen on paper.

The love has been neglected over the last several weeks.  I have forgotten how easily my thoughts flow into print when pen is in hand, gliding across my journal pages.  Hopefully, with the addiction once again being fed the posts will begin to mesh here at Slurping Life.  The inspiration for words or photos has not been sparked for sometime.  I've missed the feeling of loving to post here.  Holding my camera and capturing life on a daily basis...quite a lot of things have been missed lately. 

Often memories of seemingly small importance yet clearly formative moments surface within my cluttered brain.  Do you have such epiphanies...moments from the past that return unexpectedly, revealing how they were a defining part of you?