In His Image

I know you’re cold…

Amy — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:48:00 +0000

I picked up Meredith from school after I had worked all day. She hopped in the car, hot and sweaty from basketball practice.

Meredith: You look nice today, Mom. I like that jacket.

Me: Thanks! ( I love compliments….especially from my kids!)

Meredith: But I think it would look better with a short-sleeve shirt. But it’s ok. I know you probably put that on because you were cold.

Me: Hahahaha…..

Yikes! I have turned into that kind of old lady? The ones that don’t match because matching is way down on the list now that they’ve aged and have sub par circulation. Is that how I dress? People hardly give a second glance….”Don’t mind her. She’s just cold.”

Well, it could be worse….I could be cold.

They Aren’t Like Us

Amy — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:24:42 +0000

Finally a weekend to have my son’s friends over. He spends lots of time in town at other people’s houses. It was high time we have the bunch over to our house! We live far enough out to make the drive really inconvenient. But today would be perfect for a cookout. We would get to host a teen party and spend some time with our teenager’s friends. We would be the perfect, cool parents. I’d buy all the right foods. We would get the horses out to ride. Crank up the old jeep. What could be better? In the country ……on a crisp autumn day…..with the coolest parents in charge of fun. My son will be so proud!

———

Son: Do you have marshmallows for s’mores?

Mom: Yes, I do! (so proud)

Son: How are we going to roast them?

Me: We will get a stick or something and sharpen the end.

Son: …..pause…..ummmm…….They won’t do that. …….They aren’t like us….

I’m sorry…did he just say…”they aren’t like us”? Really? What in the world does that mean? I have probably passed the age of understanding exactly what that might mean… I’ll just have to live with it. I’m just glad “they aren’t like US.” At least he still includes himself in our strange, oddball family!

Don’t Quit

Amy — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:22:17 +0000

This is my new exercise goal. Just don’t quit. I use to have goals like:

“Run 2 miles without stopping.”
“Run 3 miles in 30 minutes.”
“Run every single day.”
“Lose ___ lbs. by ____.”

Now…with the wisdom of my years…I’ve resorted to…Just Don’t Quit. Don’t give up on the “life of one who exercises regularly.” Don’t ask me to define “regularly”. I just want to be able to remember the last time I exercised.

Sometimes it’s not about doing something spectacularly, but just doing it. Sometimes it’s about not giving up.

I am not giving up. I’m not…!

What Do I Know

Amy — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 21:59:58 +0000

Like many parents, my husband and I spent a lot of time picking out our children’s names. We searched through family history and heroes of ours as well as Biblical names that had particular significance to us. We have always been pleased with our name selections for our children. They each have names that they can be proud of, help them to make sense of who they are, and build an identity from strength and grace.

But, what do I know…

On a hot summer afternoon, the children and I had been traveling for several hours to visit my parents. The road was long and there wasn’t a lot to entertain the children along the way. My five year old, Locke, had his forehead pressed against the window, fogging up the glass, watching the road signs. He asked me several times what the signs said.

I was glad he was noticing print. I was pleased that he was in the beginning stages of learning to read.

I heard that sweet little voice again,

“Mom?”

“Yes?”

“What does that say?”

“Winfield.”

Silence………more silence…..

“I wish I was called Winfield.”

Well….okay. What do I know?

On occasion he gets his wish and we call him Winfield.

Timing is Everything

Amy — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:19:10 +0000

June 2011

Meredith was on her first international mission trip. I sent her a text to find out how she was doing. She was only 14. I couldn’t wait to hear about all of her exciting adventures. She had never been out of the country before. She would be full of stories and details about her trip.

This is how our conversation went:

———————Hey, hon, how r u

good

——————–R u having fun

yes

——————–How r u feeling

again good

——————–r u busy? u sound busy

yep cards

——————–ok i’ll talk to u later 143

1432

Never mind the stories and tales of adventure. Those would have to wait till later. The card game was in process. She had things to do. I’d drag those stories and tales out of her when she got home and couldn’t find a enough people to play cards. Till then, by all means play cards!

Running Scared

Amy — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:46:02 +0000

a little big
good smelling
lots of cushion
dirt free
brand spanking new

Now if these shoes can keep me on my running schedule….

It has been 6 years since I ran regularly. A lot has happened during those 6 years. I want my running life back! I love to run. I love the challenge every day of finishing what I’ve started. I love the blood pumping through my veins so hard I can feel every pulse. I love putting on new shoes. I love being done with my run for the day. I love the knowledge that I am doing what I can to stay healthy and strong. I love that running is just about me and my will to get up and get my shoes on. I love sweating so hard, it’s dripping off my nose. I love being done for the day . I love making my heart happy. I love being done.

When I see myself as a runner, I see myself as one who is strong, young (I know, but I SEE myself as young), and fit. I see someone who is disciplined and full of life, brave… I feel more alive and optimistic.

I started running again on Saturday, July 16. I have run every day since then, except today. Today is a day to rest so my muscles can recoup. Today is hard because I have to believe that I will get up and run tomorrow even though I didn’t run today. Today I am scared that my desire to run will wane before I wake up. And if that happens, if I don’t run tomorrow, does that mean that I am I not who I thought I was?

I’m not sure running scared is the highest motivation for exercise, but I’ll take whatever motivation I can scrape up!

Modern Cowgirl

Amy — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:37:40 +0000

Modern Cowgirl

I love this take on our life these days. Horses and technology. Love it!

Wishful Thinking

Amy — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:51:26 +0000

I know how he feels!

Breeze

Amy — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 19:36:54 +0000

Zeus

Of course we brought this out for Zeus. He was hot. Everyone please step away….Zeus needs some air.

Music

Amy — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 22:00:29 +0000

I love country music. I have listened to country music since I can remember. In high school, I knew the words to every country song. I couldn’t tell you the artist, but I knew the words. Some country songs are full of hope and simple pleasures. Some are not…

but Christian music is always positive, always full of hope, always pointing to grace, forgiveness, and strength in the Lord.

Shouldn’t I be as hopeful and positive as the music that claims to be Christ-centered? Don’t I have the assurance that all things are working together for good to them that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose? I have the promise that God will never leave me nor forsake me. I am going to resolve to be as positive as the music that I listen to with my daughter.