June 2013

I haven’t been cruising the world wide web like I used to before a violent disease called exhaustion invaded my life. However, that just means the links I love are that much more lovable because they’re rare!

Here they are, links to things for Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and all sorts of other good stuff, including a few places to go buys stuff if you’re so inclined.

1. Top 16 Worship Music Typos. Jon Acuff nails humor right on the head so very many times, and this post that shares reader submissions of the worst typos they’ve seen at church, well, it had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion.

2. How to Raise a Child Who Isn’t Whiney or Annoying. This post made me think about the First World Problems of my every day life. Good stuff.

3. One Thing Your Daughter Doesn’t Need You To Say. As a perfectionist who is the child of a perfectionist, giving myself grace has been a task I don’t manage well. I appreciated the tack this post took as I think about my parenting style. In counterpoint to that post, read 12 Things Your Daughter Needs You To Say. I bet my son will appreciate hearing them, too!

4. Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Explains Why He Hates Fat Chicks. I wasn’t a fan of this company anyway, mostly because I think it’s terribly wrong to market adolescents as soft porn and call it selling a t-shirt, but this article made me even more disgusted with the company and its founding values.

5. I Love Moms or Something. Pretty sure this is going to go down as my very favorite song ever. It’s great – just watch. You’ll see!

6. The Important Thing About Yelling. This post caught me square between the eyes. I’ve heard it said yelling is the new spanking. That may or may not be true, but most every parent I know raises their voice more than they prefer – and this post is a beautiful take on an ugly subject.

7. 10 Famous Women on “Having It All.” Quite simply, this is quotes from women who may seem to “have it all” on “having it all.” I thought the age difference of those quoted was interesting as well; I think generations have something to do with their perspective.

8. 6 Words You Should Say Today. I’ve been practicing these six words with our kids – and I like the results a lot!

9. Awkward Fathers. The photos on Awkward Family Photos never disappoint – bu this Father’s Day tribute made me laugh and laugh and laugh!

10. A Father’s Letter of Apology to His Boys (For Father’s Day). I really, really appreciate Dr. Kelly Flanigan’s perspective on relationships and this post about what fatherhood means to him was just inspiring.

I have two links as a bonus to the “Me Likee” Link Up. Both are opportunities for you to take your hard-earned cash and direct it toward something local and reasonable.

1. Reconnect with Agriculture. I follow several blogs about urban homesteading and one, The Tiny Homesteaders, has caught my attention thoroughly. They recently had a rabbit sickness sweep their herd and they lost all of their rabbits to it, through no fault of their own. Anyone buying one of their bumper stickers will be helping them rebuild their rabbit herd. And that’s a cool thing.

2. Colorado Mama Naturals. Erin with Colorado Mama Naturals was kind enough to send me some sample products from her store – and they were great! I know her personally and believe in the products she’s selling and find her values of family, healthy living, and putting first things first align pretty thoroughly with my own. You might like what she has to offer – go check her out!

What links would you like to share this month in the “Me Likee” Link Up?

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Copyright © StealingFaith.com 2010-2013 | All rights reserved

Mexican Jumping Beans

Last night we went to dinner to celebrate Father’s Day. In a restaurant. Yes, folks, we actually went into public with all of our children.

Since dinnertime at home typically resembles a case of Mexican Jumping Beans, I knew the smart move would be to prepare for the event. It took awhile, but I finally figured out what to do beside the traditional coloring pages:   Would you rather.

Yes, the game that, as college students, involved asking inappropriate, sometimes risqué questions where there’s really no good option but a choice must be made.

I tamed it down a bit for the youngsters and broke the questions out right after we ordered. It captured the attention of the 5-year-old and 7-year-old for the rest of the night, with the 3-year-old chiming in when she felt particularly inspired.

I’ve created a .pdf with more than 50 Would You Rather…? questions and you can get it right here: Would You Rather…? 50+ Questions to Engage Your Kids.   To whet your interest, Would You Rather…

• Be forced to hop everywhere like a bunny or crawl like a slug?
• Play Hungry, Hungry Hippos or tag as the only game for the rest of your life?
• Put your hands in vomit or poop?
• Be blind or deaf?
• Be a giant hamster or tiny rhino?

Grab the whole list by clicking here and hitting print!

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Copyright © StealingFaith.com 2010-2013 | All rights reserved

Medal of Honor

In honor of Father’s Day, I have composed a silly Ode. Let this not be confused with a Father’s Day Odor, which can be addressed with a shower and fresh application of deodorant.

Let us begin:

Blessed is the man who wallows in the bounty of children, for such a man need never fear old age.

 

His children shall rise up and provide for his creature comforts, encompassing toilet paper when he is stranded and hugs if he is burdened.

 

Honored is the man who shrinketh not from the foulest of parenting tasks, for lo, tho the diarrhea diapers shall come in an unceasing torrent, so shall the appreciation from his wife.

 

The man who changeth the diapers shall find his children remember he hath loved on them at their ugliest and thus shall be a stalwart companion in all circumstances.

 

Envied is the man who putteth his muscles to household chores, for thy garbage repeatedly accumulates and thy dishes don’t dirty themselves.

 

Yet a man who applyeth himself to these tasks shall be heralded amongst Bunco groups unnumbered and appreciated in all domestic dominions.

 

Glorious is the man who maintaineth his thirst for adventure and includes his progeny in such endeavors; indeed, the fondest memories are often of those experiences that resemble Murphy’s Law more than Pinterest.

 

Reminiscing of those devilish times shall be the cement of family unity and provide a basis for camaraderie for decades.

 

Powerful is the man who gentles his might to cradle a babe; who exposes vulnerability to his wife.

 

He shall be an example of greatness to his colleagues.

 

Desired fully is the man who labors at a job that respecteth not, payeth little, and frustrates much in order to provide for the care of his family. He shall receive opportunity aplenty to grow in character and perseverance.

 

Respected is the man who turnest his attention to his household, for he shall be adored and emulated by generations untold, he shall be honored with monikers, peace, and fame amongst his family.

 

Wisdom is the name of the man who loves as a fierce warrior; protecting those who need protection, sheltering this progeny under his leadership. His discernment shall be limitless.

 

All of this to say, thanks, dads, for being stand up guys who stick around, make us laugh, help out, and lead. We appreciate you!

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Copyright © StealingFaith.com 2010-2013 | All rights reserved

Richard Simmons, sporting the man tank.

I’ve talked about my fashion prejudice in the past, about how I feel the pajama jean is the ultimate symbol of “I give up,” that the Forever Lazy is a disgrace, and that I think it’s always wise to keep clothing on while pole dancing for Jesus.

Despite my ridiculous prejudice, I’ve always left the men’s fashions alone. Until tonight.

Now that summer is in full swing it’s time to mention something I simply hate: tank tops on men.

I can only think of three places a tank top is vaguely appropriate for men – as a sleep shirt, at the creek as a swim shirt, and possibly - maybe - while working out.

Just like the skinny jean for men, the tank top is not an ok fashion statement to make. Last night we went to dinner and were seated by a person with chin length, gently curled hair pulled back in a headband, gray skinny jean cut off shorts, a tightly fitted tank, and those creepy shoes with all your toes separated out.

My first instinct with this person was to thank her for her hospitality – and then I realized she was also sporting a goatee and it wasn’t the kind you get thanks to menopausal hormones.

She was a he. Wearing very feminine attire.

I admit it – I stared. I didn’t want to stare because I want to believe I’m more cultured than that. But I’m not. I stared. Every time he walked briskly by our table I stared some more.

Some things belong to women and other things belong to men.

Men get pretty much exclusive access to certain items of apparel like athletic supporters, banana slings, and suits of armor. Women get sole ownership of panty hose, brassieres, and tank tops.

Everyone can share the boxer shorts, socks, and t-shirt. No harm, no foul. There are lots of other things they can share too, like toothpaste, hair gel, and hand lotion.

The tank top – men, keep your head out of them. I have as much interest in seeing your pit hair as you have in seeing mine. By virtue of your flowing armpit wool you also have deodorant balls. Not a pretty sight!

Men, if you start wearing tank tops I’m going to have to request you begin shaving your armpits and I think you know you don’t want to start that funky business. Just think of the vast amount of razors you’ll be going through then!

Are there any other items of clothing you’d like to classify as exclusively one gender or the other?

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Copyright © StealingFaith.com 2010-2013 | All rights reserved

Fry2k / stock.xchng

Let’s take a moment to talk about a little promoted parenting skill – hiding things from your children.

Back in the early parenting days, where things were rosy and I didn’t want to plug my ears to avoid waking up in the middle of the night when the baby cried, I promised myself I would be the kind of parent who always told their child the truth. I would answer the hard questions with honesty and no topic would be off limits.

This was before I learned the depth of despair that can come over you when your child says:

“What’s in your mouth, Mommy?”

Oh! How I long for the opportunity to finish a bag of potato chips without sharing! Or keep my own pack of chewing gum and not be put to the test with suspicious questions from the peanut gallery of children I’ve produced.

Lizard and I have become gifted at hiding our food choices, particularly in the car. We smuggle pieces of Twix to one another like we’re performing some covert drug deal, hoping no one squeals and we don’t get caught with the contraband.

They catch us, though. They see our mouths moving, masticating food, and then come the chirps from the back seats: “What’s that?” “Can I have some of that?” “What’s in your mouth?” “I want some!”

They don’t even know what we’re eating, but they assume it’s good. And usually… they’re right. It’s the good stuff that adds pounds to our middles and gives us delirious sugar shock. It’s the stuff they only get as a treat or if they finish all their food and it’s a dessert night.

They know.

And we continue to hone our stealthy skills, hoping that one day, one blissful day in the future, we’ll be able to eat our treats without coming under attack…

Do you have to sneak food from your kids?

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Copyright © StealingFaith.com 2010-2013 | All rights reserved

Etsy / Vintage Library Cards

We’ve crossed a threshold of child rearing today – Uno and Dos got their very own library cards.

Today kicked off the summer reading program in our town and, instead of participating in the Harkin’s Summer Fun program, we decided to head toward the library and commit to do our best to get in about an hour of reading each day.

I have some concerns about this plan, but I’m going to go with it.

I’m a recovering bookworm. I’d still be deep in the throes of book love if I didn’t have children, but somehow the kids have derailed my plans to read and read and read. Meh. It’s a season of life – and the books are waiting for me, calling my name, on the other end!

What I will say is that, despite my love of the written word, I CANNOT STAND the scent of pages of old books. I think this has to do with the fact I have a bloodhound mixed up somewhere in my ancestry, but the smell of old pages on my fingers makes me nauseous.

What I do LOVE is my memories of time in the library as a kid, of reading every single book in the Wizard of Oz series, of the little envelopes and the stamps for due dates. I have great memories of the library as a kid, and still have my first library card tucked away with other important items like my birth certificate and marriage license.

We’ve always talked to our kids about the importance of reading, the freedom of a good story, of how you can travel anywhere or do anything when you can imagine a story in your head. Of course, for many years the most significant use they had for a book was as a teething toy.

It’s gross and disrespectful to the authors, but… it’s life.

Now that they’re a little older and working on improving their reading skills, however, the books are beckoning them. Today Uno picked out a book on drawing horses and a chapter book while Dos chose a book on rabbit care and a story about a bunny. They’re predictable, those kiddos.

I downloaded their first Nancy Drew, Harriet the Spy, and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle on Audible.com. We’ll be listening to books after dinner, I think. And during rest time.

Since it’s been years and years since I was wandering the youth stacks at the library myself, I’d curious if any of you have suggestions for some great books for the girls? Either read-aloud or simple chapter books would be appropriate for us right now.

What are your favorites children’s books? Can you remember your first library card?

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Copyright © StealingFaith.com 2010-2013 | All rights reserved

summer lovin’

It’s summer time. Summer time is a special season, filled with burning the backs of your legs on the car seats, watermelon seed spitting contests, and quick underarm sniff to reassure yourself that, yes, you did actually apply the antiperspirants/deodorant today.

In honor of this glorious season, a list of a few things I love about summer (and I’d love to hear your favorites in the comments!):

• freshly shaven legs sliding into clean bed sheets
• early morning sunshine
• birds chirping
• squirrels chasing one another in the age-old love scramble
• late nights with friends
• cold, bubbly refreshing beverages
• water in your ears from swimming
• attitude of possibilities
• freedom from responsibilities
• free time for family time
• Chacos
• pony tails and sunglasses
• camping
• swimming in creeks and lakes and rivers
• mud pies
• blackberry picking
• family reunions
• hearing the corn grow
• Sonic cherry limeade
• the smell of camp fires
• dirt

What are your favorites?

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Copyright © StealingFaith.com 2010-2013 | All rights reserved

porah / stock.xchng

I’ve just finished putting the kids to bed and Dos is crying because she’s not allowed to sleep outside tonight.

The side effects of a successful backyard campout.

You see, several weeks ago I had a bit of a hissy fit and decided we needed to make family time a priority this summer. Time spent away from our computers and phones, really paying attention to the kids and being present in the moment.

Distraction Free.

That’s seemed to be an impossibility for us many times. We are always available to friends via an electronic device. And I don’t think this is healthiest for our family. (I’ve been highly influenced by this post on Hands Free Parenting.)

During this hissy fit I laid down the law: we would go camping at least twice a month and have a family game night (not movie night!) at least once a week. We put it on the calendar and we’ve had a few rousing games of charades, Old Maid, and dominos. I’m hoping we can get gin rummy and spades down before too long!

This weekend was our first scheduled camping weekend and for one reason after another it just wasn’t going to be possible to actually leave and head to a camp ground. Our next best bet? Just setting up the tent in the backyard!

It’s not glamorous and it’s definitely dirty, but we put the tent in the trampoline, pulled the fire pit next to the swing set and settled down. All electronics had to be left inside (the exception was my phone and I was only allowed to take photos) and we did our best to spend quality time together.

Our simple campout dinner was roasted corn and hot dogs.

Dinner was pure finger foods; hotdogs and corn on the cob roasted over the fire pit with grapes. Dessert was an ice cream cone s’mores: peanut butter, chocolate, banana, marshmallow and caramel melted into a big glob in a sugar cone.

Ice cream cone s’mores: peanut butter, marshmallows, chocolate, banana, and caramel wrapped in tin foil to heat in the coals.

We sang A Boom Chicka Boom, Sippin’ Cider Through a Straw, Jesus Loves Me, and Kum Ba Yah. The girls got a chance to burn sparklers, then we told spooky stories around the fire pit, with everyone taking a turn and Tres coming up with the best story about a coyote eating us all up!

Dos loved her sparkler!

The Pinterest fail was trying to make a lantern using the goo inside a glow stick and a jar, but the next time we do it I think I’m going to plan ahead to make the glow stick hopscotch board. We also didn’t get a chance to play Ghost in the Graveyard so we’ll have to slate that for some time in the future.

It was full dark when we all crept inside the tent, a mass of dirty, smelly bodies cuddled together. The night started sweaty and ended freezing! We were all spooning by dawn just trying to stay warm!

Lizard got up early and made a warming fire while the kids consumed the apple strudel I picked up from the store for breakfast. We played around a bit more, came inside, took showers, and went about our day.

It was so simple! And it cost us nothing except a little pre-planning, which is another plan I really, really like!

Maybe this is your summer to go backyard camping? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

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Copyright © StealingFaith.com 2010-2013 | All rights reserved

shed / stock.xchng

I have a bruise on my thigh that’s about two inches long and one inch wide. It’s purple and blue and green and yellow all over. Quite impressive, actually.

I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to it anymore because it’s been present on my thigh almost constantly for six years.

Why?

That bruise is from running into the foot board of our bed. I drive my leg into the corner of the bed at least once a week. Sometimes more frequently – my current bruise is worse than usual because I hit the bed twice in one day, two days in a row – but often enough that a sore spot on my thigh is my normal.

I have run into that bed countless times – it has little to do with the room, as we’ve had the bed in three different homes since we bought it. I just keep hitting it, getting mad, and finally deciding to just live with the bruising and accept that I’ll have a black and blue circle for as long as we have the bed.

This is really dumb when you think about it. Why accept the wound from an inanimate object? I don’t know. But it seems easier.

The more I think about it, the more ridiculous that bruise gets. It doesn’t make sense to keep doing the same thing over and over and not learn something about how to change it for the better!

And think about this from a larger perspective. Are there things in your own life that are really dumb, hurt you, and could be circumvented but you’ve decided to just live with it? I bet there are!

I keep uncovering this lazy, “no change” thinking in my life. A perfect example involves church. We’re involved in a church plant that’s meeting in a high school each week. My husband goes early on Sundays to help set up and stays late to break everything down. The first year we attended I didn’t help with the set up or break down. The second year I haven’t helped because I’m holding a baby and chasing kids.

The way my kids run wild before and after church has been driving me crazy for two years. It’s not that they (or any of the kids) are being particularly bad… it’s just highly UN-structured time in a building with lots of crooks and crannies that I’d prefer them to stay out of.

Over time this has become a problem that has made me not even want to go to church. I hate that I feel like I’m always yelling at them, that trying to keep all four kids in check is a Herculean task that I can’t complete.

Then, about three weeks ago, it hit me – why are we doing this at all? Why not flip the switch and do something else completely?

I talked with Lizard and we decided to drive to church separately  Instead of waiting before and after for him to complete his work I gather the kids and we go grocery shopping. They enjoy the outing and I enjoy not having to yell at them for running amuck. It’s flawless!

And it took me two years to figure out.

I’m on a kick not of looking at the things that are frustrations… but not really deal breakers, and trying to see if I can “flip the switch.” Sometimes a simple change can do an awful lot in the way of improving your mental attitude and increasing your ability to meet adversity with grace.

I’d love to hear your stories of little changes that make a huge difference!

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Copyright © StealingFaith.com 2010-2013 | All rights reserved

Don Gato. Was a Cat.

I saw a YouTube video today of a dramatic reenactment of Señor Don Gato and it gave me so much ridiculous joy I decided tonight’s post had to feature poor, love struck Dan Gato.

I don’t know about you, but Señor Don Gato was a major part of my elementary years. I adored singing the “Meow, Meow, Meow” parts at the top of my lungs, rivaling the 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Shirley, who can only be described as “having a set of pipes on her.”

It’s a song of longing, a song of love, a song of tragedy. It’s simply… meow, meow, meow!

Oh, Señor Don Gato was a cat
On a high red roof Don Gato sat
He went there to read a letter,
(Meow, meow, meow)
Where the reading light was better,
(Meow, meow, meow)
‘Twas a love note for Don Gato.

“I adore you!” wrote the lady cat
Who was fluffy, white and nice and fat
There was not a sweeter kitty,
(Meow, meow, meow)
In the country or the city,
(Meow, meow, meow)
And she said she’d wed Don Gato!

Oh, Don Gato jumped so happily
He fell off the roof and broke his knee
Broke his ribs and all his whiskers,
(Meow, meow, meow)
And his little solar plexus,
(Meow, meow, meow)
“Ay, Caramba!” cried Don Gato.

Then the doctors all came on the run
Just to see if something could be done
And they held a consultation,
(Meow, meow, meow)
About how to save their patient,
(Meow, meow, meow)
How to save Señor Don Gato?

But in spite of everything they tried
Poor Señor Don Gato up and died!
And it wasn’t very merry,
(Meow, meow, meow)
Going to the cemetery,
(Meow, meow, meow)
For the ending of Don Gato.

When the funeral passed the market square
Such a smell of fish was in the air
Though his burial was slated,
(Meow, meow, meow)
He became reanimated,
(Meow, meow, meow)
He came back to life, Don Gato.

 

Isn’t that the most beautiful song? Imagine it re-enacted by a young child – or perhaps you have a memory of acting it out yourself! – and your day will simply be brighter.

According to Wikipedia, which is not an acceptable source in many college classes but in my mind is second only to Google searches in accuracy, the English version of  Señor Don Gato is familiar to generations of school-age children in North America due to its inclusion in several common elementary school songbooks in the second half of the 20th century. Additionally, the lyrics are loosely translated from the traditional Spanish song “Estaba el señor Don Gato”, but the melody is from a different song, “Ahora Que Vamos Despacio”. There is also a French version of “Estaba el señor Don Gato” called “Monsieur le Chat”.

And now you know a little bit more about the dear Don Gato with nine lives! Enjoy meow, meow, meow-ing yourself until bed tonight!

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Copyright © StealingFaith.com 2010-2013 | All rights reserved