Two Bits

Nicaragua!

2011-05-18T14:33:00.002-04:00

Dear Friends,

As some of you know, I am traveling to Nicaragua this summer. I have wanted to go since our church went on the first trip two years ago, but pregnancy and then a young baby prevented me. Chris has gone both years (and will be going this year as well) and the growth I have seen in him, the continued coordination with the ministry down there, as well as the stories of the time spent down there all have increased my desire to work down there.

Honestly, I have struggled with the idea of asking for financial assistance in any form. I think all of us have that part of us that does not want to ask for help or depend on other people. However, I know that God has designed us as a body and that we all need support and encouragement from each other. So, in light of this, I first ask each of you to pray for me (and my family) as I prepare to take this step. I would also ask you to consider supporting me financially. With three children and both Chris and I going, we do need some assistance and even small gifts will help! All monetary gifts will go towards our airfare, and housing and food in Nicaragua.

I know God will provide, so please do not feel like you have to give financially, but if you want to, the information you need is at the bottom of the letter.

While in Nicaragua, our church will continue in its partnership with a ministry that is based in the town of Leon. We want to show God’s love in practical, meaningful ways. During each trip we help feed children in many of the small communities in the area. “Carried on Eagle’s Wings” ministry, working with local churches, feeds close to 10,000 children each day! For many of these children, this is the only meal they will receive that day, but it is designed to provide the nutrients they need. I am truly excited about the opportunity to work with some of these children and their families, build shelters for feeding stations (so that they can cook and feed even on rainy days!), as well as (as a group) have deeper interaction with one specific pastor and congregation, whom our church will be mentoring. Other opportunities the teams have had in the past include visiting the Contras and providing food and clothing for them, and going into the hospital’s “NICU” ward to encourage families and even pass out baby blankets.

In addition to food and clothing, we want to give the children things just to make them smile. Small stuffed animals (“beanie baby” size) or toys, hair ties for girls, socks, and crayons have all been big hits in the past. If you have items you would like us to take down there, just let us know and we will get all that information to you!

If you would like to contribute financially, please leave a comment, email, or call me and I will provide you with all the donation info. (I just don't want to post that here for all the world to read!)

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support,

Meghann

Seeing the Savior Face to Face

2011-04-08T08:02:00.005-04:00

My legs feel weak,

My heart slows down,

But even with my last few breaths,

I praise the Lord.

For He gave me strength when I had none.

He gave me hope when there was none.

He made music when no harps or lyres could be heard.

He set us free when the strongest chains were on

our arms and feet.

Let us dance for the glory of God.

(Lil Bit, February 2011)

Last night, my husband's grandfather, Ol' Pappy, met God face to face. He was an incredible man who lived 90 years on this earth. His integrity, sense of humor, and devotion to his family were evident throughout his life.

But more than that, his legacy as a servant and child of God, as a faithful ambassador of Jesus Christ, will live on both in the memories we have of him and in the lives that he has touched.

I see this rich heritage lived out in the life of my husband daily.

I see the quiet faithfulness in my mother-in-law each time I talk to her.

I see an authentic faith developing in my daughters.

And I pray that my son, who is Ol Pappy's namesake, will follow this same road.

If you are not a Christ-follower, the idea of truly knowing you will live in heaven may seem arrogant or absurd. But the Bible says that "if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation." (Romans 10:9-10) A few pages earlier, we are told everyone sins and that what we get from sin is death--we cannot get to heaven by our own behavior because none of us are good enough--but that what God FREELY gives us through Jesus is eternal life. (Romans 3:23 and 6:23)

I am so thankful to have known this man, to be a part of his family, to share in his legacy. And even though he will be deeply missed, I can rejoice in the fact that he is now home, he is healed, he is whole. And one day I will join him there and I, too, will see not only my loved ones, but my Savior face to face.

What a day that will be!

This Explains a Lot

2011-03-18T11:38:00.002-04:00

If anyone was wondering why Drill Bit constantly has bloody lips and the like, this video will explain it:

Boys are weird.

(I did move the stool he was standing on so as to save the 100 year old window and Drill Bit's head.)

All Boy

2011-03-16T11:59:00.004-04:00

My Handsome Engineer and I were having a conversation the other day. And as we listened to Lil Bit (2nd grade) chat on the phone with a friend ("If every year gets more exciting, can you imagine how awesome THIRD grade is going to be?!?! We will get to write whole stories in cursive!!" she is a nerd, but we love her to death), we watched Drill Bit push his wagon around the room, slamming it into walls and furniture at every opportunity.

And two universal truths were made evident in our home:

Girls like to talk.

and

Boys like to crash things.

I have also learned that boys like to fall down or jump off of things.

This means that Drill Bit has, in less than a year and a half of existence had more bloody lips than his sisters together have in their combined 12 years.

They don't seem to bother him, much though.

TamiFlu Tastes Nasty

2011-02-15T07:28:00.002-05:00

So says Drill Bit.

Luckily, it also seems to be effective. Bitty only had a fever for two days and the rest of us seem to have given Influenza a miss.

We will still torture the kids with Tamiflu for a few more days, though.

Real Love

2011-02-14T13:53:00.002-05:00

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

And when hard times come, Love dances . . .

I am so thankful for my valentine of over 14 years now. He shows me real love every day even when (especially when!) I was thoroughly unloveable.

We have danced through a minefield or two and definitely sailed through some storms. And I have loved him more deeply after each hard time.

And I am even more thankful for a loving God who has seen just how unloveable I am, and still calls me His!

I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with lovingkindness! (Jeremiah 31:3)

House of Ill (Reputedly)

2011-02-11T15:07:00.002-05:00

That is where I seem to live this winter.

Now it is influenza A. Bitty Bit is the most pitiful little brown-eyed girl you have ever seen. She barely musters the energy to get the spoon to her mouth to eat broth or applesauce.

I started to wonder if I should have had us all vaccinated after all but when I asked the pediatrician if we should still do TamiFlu for Drill Bit (the only one who actually got the flu vaccine) he said he wouldn't trust the efficacy of the vaccine.

Hmmm.

So now, in between the dr visit and the Rx for everyone to treat or prevent flu, I am out almost enough money to buy that Dyson vacuum I wanted (that is a post for another day).

Still, it is cheaper than everyone getting the flu and the time Mr Q would have to take off work to take care of the kids (if I get it) or to be sick himself.

They Are Not Dogs

2011-02-07T10:43:00.002-05:00

They are Jedi Masters . . .

They are Jedi Masters who just got baths and wished I would stop taking photos and blow-dry them already--it is COLD.

Now they are both dry, warm, and POOFY!

By tomorrow, they will be filthy again because, hey, we live on a farm. They smell nice right now, though.

How He Loves Us

2011-01-30T17:03:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite songs right now

Here is the "official" video, if you are interested. I actually found it a little distracting from the words, though.

Snow Ponies & Snow Birds

2011-01-28T14:11:00.007-05:00

While that nasty white stuff was falling from the sky, our horses were less than amused.

Jazzy is thinking, "where is spring?"

I don't know, Jazzy, but I wish it would show up soon, too.

Chivalry, who has always reminded me of a 9 year old boy, thought that the snow was GREAT fun!

I took these from inside my kitchen.

Oh, he was having fun. He rolled back and forth for a few minutes.

And then enjoyed the sun.

Jazzy thought that looked like a great idea . . .

I have always thought horses looked hysterical with their legs up in the air.

Annie, being Annie, was rather above all that nonsense.

Really, she rolled too, I saw her; but as soon as she saw me about to take a picture, she stood up. She is a bit snobby (but VERY loyal) and doesn't like people to see her in such an undignified act. (and that isn't a sore on her nose--it was something in the lens)

Our chickens didn't appreciate the snow when it was falling, or when it was on the ground.

Send help!

Or, at least snow boots!

Love These Days

2011-01-27T10:55:00.004-05:00

There is something I treasure about snow days. The surprise time I get with Lil Bit, the different adventures we can have, the insane layers of clothes I have to dress my children in. Ok, so the last part I don't enjoy . . .

. . . Especially since immediately after I changed Drill Bit's diaper and got him dressed in layers of clothes, I realized he kind of stunk. Yeah, THAT smell.

Me, being the loving, caring mother I am, debated my course of action for a few moments and then stuck him in the stroller anyway so we could play outside for a bit. (I didn't leave him in such a neglected state for long, I promise.)

We tried to make a snowman, but the snow was too dry. So we made snow angels and I pulled the girls around on their sleds.

And then we came in for some hot chocolate.

I really love these days.

That Girl Has a Violent Streak

2011-01-25T13:28:00.003-05:00

I know she looks sweet and innocent . . .

But don't let her fool you.

This is my same sweet child who, after my Handsome Engineer shot a deer asked "I stomp on guts now?"

And the same sweet child who, after being warned that handling baby chicks too much could stress them out and kill them, said, "I will hold them. I will love them and they will die."

And my same sweet child who, last night after I read her a story about David and Goliath said, "if a giant comes to our house, I will throw a rock at him and he will fall down. dead."

And then her sweet older sister leans over from the top bunk and says, "in the real story, David cuts off Goliath's head and takes it to the king."

Heaven help me.

Pride

2011-01-23T07:27:00.001-05:00

I have been learning a lot about what true humbleness looks like lately. And conversely, what pride does. This is a poem I heard that challenged me . . .

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

I cheat you of your God-given destiny…

because you demand your own way.

I cheat you of contentment…

because you “deserve better than this.”

I cheat you of knowledge…

because you already know it all.

I cheat you of healing…

because you are too full of you to forgive.

I cheat you of holiness…

because you refuse to admit when you are wrong.

I cheat you of vision…

because you’d rather look in the mirror than out a window.

I cheat you of genuine friendship…

because nobody’s going to know the real you.

I cheat you of love…

because real romance demands sacrifice.

I cheat you of greatness in heaven…

because you refuse to wash another’s feet on earth.

I cheat you of God’s glory…

because I convinced you to seek your own.

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

You like me because you think I’m always looking out for you.

Untrue.

I’m looking to make a fool of you.

God has so much for you, I admit, but don’t worry…

If you stick with me you’ll never know.

From Beth Moore's book, Praying God's Word

The Things We Say

2011-01-18T11:26:00.003-05:00

Any parent can testify that things they never thought they would say pop out of our mouths multiple times a day.

"please don't fold your brother in half"

"you may not take a bath in the dog bowl"

And that things that used to seem benign now terrify us. Like trees, glass, window blind cords, pencils, hot dogs, bouncy balls, melty beads (any beads), bookshelves . . . Well, you get the picture.

And other things just have to be taken in stride. Like legos on the floor, floods in the bathroom, goldfish in the car, shoes all over the floor, never-ending streams of conversation.

Those pictures were taken within minutes of each other. While I was putting shoes back in the back hall closet, he went to the front living room and pulled books off the shelves.

This morning, my Handsome Engineer and I were having coffee and just enjoying some time with each other. Drill Bit was up, but the girls were still sleeping.

After being pulled away from an electrical outlet at least 10 times, Drill Bit was zooming back towards it, his little fingers wiggling in anticipation as he neared his destination.

My Handsome Engineer looked at me as he saved Drill (again) and said, "you know he is going to try to stick something in a socket at some point."

I sighed and agreed. There is no doubt in my mind that Drill Bit will learn to pull off the outlet covers and that he will attempt to electrocute himself.

And then out of my husband's mouth popped one of those statements. Calm and nonchalantly.

"The good news is, 120 volts probably won't kill him."

Just like that.

If Drill complains one day that we are weird, I am going to blame it on the fact that I had to contemplate things like what voltage would kill him.

Bluetooth

2011-01-12T13:11:00.002-05:00

So, several months ago, while straightening up around the house, I mislaid a bluetooth. I had it for a couple years, but it still worked quite well. I assumed it would turn up eventually, but I have seen neither hide nor hair (or, rather, blue light or plastic body) since. My Handsome Engineer gave me his because he didn't use it.

Then, on Friday, a friend showed up and I set the bluetooth down to chat with her (cell reception isn't great inside my house, so I tend to use my bluetooth indoors).

It has disappeared.

I could have sworn I just set it on the kitchen counter and am quite perplexed as to what could have happened to it.

I have searched all my drawers. I have checked under the stove, and in the cabinets, and under the fridge. I took all the couch cushions off the couch and literally turned it on end. I cut open the lining to get to where the springs are.

I found 6 random puzzle pieces, 4 pencils, two bookmarks, a dress up necklace, a dress up earring, and a pretzel.

But no bluetooth.

I have searched the bathroom, the laundry room, and my bedroom.

I am truly and thoroughly at a loss.

And although I am not the most organized person in the world, I don't actually lose things very frequently. I still have all the matches to my earrings, I am not missing any rings or necklaces or bracelets. I can tell you where all the controllers for various electronics are (at least, most of the time).

I think I will blame it on the Bits. One of the girls must have knocked if off the counter and Drill Bit hid it somewhere. Or possibly ate it.
Yeah, I'll go with that.

In the meantime, if you have a spare bluetooth that you no longer want, I am accepting donations.

Are YOU Ready for Kids?

2011-01-08T14:28:00.005-05:00

I have seen a similar list before, but this still cracks me up.
(at the end, I have added a few of my own thoughts)

Lesson 1
1. Go to the grocery store.
2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
3. Go home.
4. Pick up the paper.
5. Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2
Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...
1. Methods of discipline.
2. Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run wild.
5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.

Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3
A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...
1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly. (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner)
2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.
3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.
4. Set the alarm for 3AM.
5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.
6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.
7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.
8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.
9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)
Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together.

Lesson 4
Can you stand the mess children make? To find out...
1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.
2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed then rub them on the clean walls.
4. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.
5. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5
Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.
1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.
Time allowed for this - all morning.

Lesson 6
Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.
1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment.
2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.
3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.
4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 7
Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice). If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 8

1. Hollow out a melon.
2. Make a small hole in the side.
3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.
4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.
5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.
6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.
You are now ready to feed a nine- month-old baby.

Lesson 9
Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you're thinking What's 'Noggin'?) Exactly the point.

Lesson 10
Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 11

Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape made from Lesson 10 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

And now for my OWN version of these:

I don't have a minivan--but I do want one (particularly my mom's Honda Odyssey--hint hint)

There is no chocolate ice cream in my vehicle. There are however, french fries and goldfish. And maybe some coffee stains (can't blame that one on the kids)
There is no peanut butter or chicken in my living room. There is however, probably quite a bit of popcorn in my couch. (that cannot all be blamed on the kids, either. stove-popped popcorn is my addiction.)

I can make it through the grocery store without my children eating or damaging anything in the store. But not without making at least one trip to the potty (Bitty Bit has a weird obsession with public restrooms).

I would also add in that you should volunteer to do the laundry for the local high school football team.
And soccer team.
And baseball team.
If you can catch up on all that laundry, you should probably add in the basketball team, field hockey team, and softball team.

The Other Bedhead.

2011-01-07T09:05:00.003-05:00

I dare you to walk towards this sweet, smiling face with a brush.

It is a terrifying transformation.

Bed Head

2011-01-05T07:01:00.003-05:00

Drill Bit really takes "bad hair day" to a whole new level:

He is thoroughly a morning person, though, despite the hair.

I am not a morning person.

But his mischievous little grin always makes my day!

(And the adrenaline rush from the subsequent wiggling out of the high-chair straps and attempted evel knievel leap to the floor definitely wakes me up!)

One Word

2011-01-04T11:05:00.002-05:00

I found out about this site last year and am going to use this instead of a list of "resolutions" again this year. The site is called "My One Word." Check it out!

My word is "focus." Those who know me well will not be surprised that I picked this! Focusing has never been a strength of mine.

But by "focus" I do not refer only to staying-on-the-task-at-hand, but also to focusing on what is important, prioritizing well. Not letting unimportant things get in the way of those things (and people) that really matter.

Keeping Up With the Bitses

2010-12-30T07:25:00.004-05:00

Because I KNOW you guys want to hear all about Lil Bit, Bitty Bit, and Drill Bit's little moments and sayings . . .

I started a Twitter. Some things are just not big enough to warrant an entire blog, so there will be a running feed on the right side. If you already use Twitter (I didn't until I set that up), you can follow there. Or you can just read updates here on the blog. I will post "bit-isms" and amusing moments from our Bitty World as they occur. With each tweet, I will try to indicate which Bit I am talking about.

Right now I am having a little trouble with the feed, but hopefully will have the kinks worked out soon.

Our3Bits on Twitter

White Christmas Meets . . . Tractor Pull?

2010-12-29T06:16:00.008-05:00

I love spending time at my in-laws.

That probably sounds odd to many people, but my Handsome Engineer really has an incredible family. Time with them is always filled with laughter. Lots and lots of laughter.

This Christmas was spent at their home, which is an incredible place. The setting is so peaceful and tranquil.

(Well, tranquil until the peals of laughter begin. Tears-in-your-eyes kind of laughter.)

Although the snow did start on Christmas day, it was the day after Christmas that we really got to enjoy it.

And boy did we have snow to enjoy!!

Lil Bit and Bitty Bit received sleds for Christmas--what perfect timing!

However, being on the water, there are no hills at my in-laws.

None.

It is COMPLETELY flat.

So, my father in law brought out the tractor.

And we had a snow-day tractor pull

The Bits sure did enjoy themselves!

So did everyone else!

And some videos of everyone "sledding"

The Bits:

My Handsome Engineer and His brother:

My nieces, with my brother-in-law's girlfriend and me (on the left):

White Christmas (Almost)

2010-12-28T09:34:00.004-05:00

It did start snowing around dinnertime on Christmas day. We never expected it to accumulate like it did, though. Especially at my Handsome Engineer's parent's farm--they just don't get that kind of snow!

I will post more pictures tomorrow, today I have to do laundry and clean and all those REALLY FUN post-holiday chores.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T07:57:00.004-05:00

Merry Christmas!

May your Christmas be filled with love and joy

and your New Year be richly blessed

Santa Is Contemplating a Career Change

2010-12-23T08:32:00.002-05:00

So, if he doesn't show up at your house tomorrow night, I apologize for the fact that Drill Bit put him over the edge.

Happy Birthday Drill Bit!!

2010-12-22T09:51:00.005-05:00

I cannot believe it has been a year since Drill Bit surprised us with his early arrival.

Since then it has been a full year. First smiles, first laughs, first steps . . .

First hikes . . .

First horseback rides . . .

First waves . . .

First haircut . . .

Each moment has been a blessing, each day has brought new challenges and joys.

And with each new milestone you reach

each new skill you gain . . .

I realize that keeping you from harm is going to consume a lot of my time and energy.

and I look forward to every second, hour, day, month, and year.