Thou Shalt Not Condemn

Today I had to stop by a fabric store to buy some plastic to cover my new (okay 7 months old) bar stools. I had the two older boys with me thankfully because the bolt of plastic was HEAVY.

They helped me tote the thing up to the gigantic cutting counter and then we waited several minutes to be served. Being boys, they were very inventive in their efforts to entertain themselves. By the time the lady came to cut the piece for me they were in the process of shoving the wooden pole back and forth through the bolt to each other.

They were not being loud. They were not hurting anyone. They were being boys and quite frankly, I was happy with that. Suddenly, the employee working next to ours walked over and literally grabbed the pole out one of the boy's hands and gave them and me a look that sent chills down my spine. I hate to say it but it was a truly evil look.

That was it. There were no words, no warnings, no explanations. The lady that was working with me finally finished and we got out of there as quick as we could. Fortunately, the boys were totally unaware that the lady had given them the look of death and were unfazed. I however, could not get that look out of my mind.

Later, as I was covering my chairs the face came back to me and I shuddered. I was so unpeaceful. Finally I picked up the phone and had a very logical conversation with the manager. I basically told her what happened and that I would have appreciated a warning of some kind - a few words like, "Could you please stop that?" The manager was very apologetic and agreed with me and I hung up the phone feeling very glad that I had made the call.

I felt better, but I continued to think about it. Condemnation is not a good method of getting your point across (even if you are right). Instead of motivating a person to change, you aggravate them into wanting to do whatever they can to make you pay for how you made them feel - not good for either party.

Share Your Wisdom

Since I've started training again I have discovered (actually, I think I've always known and have just chosen to ignore it) that early mornings are the best time to run. Down here in the hot, hot South, it is a lot cooler at 6 AM than 7 PM. I find it's safer to run alone at this time because most trouble makers are going to bed about the time I head out. The kids and Nelson are all in bed when I leave so I don't miss anything and don't need a sitter. It also feels great to get it out of the way for the day.

Unfortunately, all of these reasons, although they are logical and true, do not turn me into a morning person. It is a struggle for me to get out of bed every morning. Since I've started raising these little angels, I am always tired. Of course this is largely due to the fact that I can't manage to get myself into bed before midnight (I think of 11 PM as a personal victory).

Even though I am getting up much earlier than normal most mornings, I still can not find enough hours in the day to get everything done. Most nights by the time I get the kitchen in order and fold the laundry (or whatever chore), it's after 10. And I don't even work outside of the home.

Besides the fact that I'm absolutely exhausted on a regular basis, I'm loving the early morning starts. I just need some suggestions/ideas/discipline for how to get myself to bed earlier before I end up permanently sleep deprived and grouchy.

Anyone?

Times are a Changin'

At the dentist this afternoon I realized that I had reached a new milestone. Today, instead of us going back as one big group, stroller and everything, the hygienist took each child back one at a time while the rest of us hung out in the waiting room, which, by the way is a kid's dream.

Even though Aiden had to get x-rays, even though Dawson is only 4, even though I was more nervous than any of them that something terrible would happen, they all did great. It truly is a new season.

Now if I can just get Max a little more independent, I might actually be able to enjoy a magazine while I'm there waiting.

Reality Check

It's killing me to still have our home computer out. Of course I'm very grateful to have access to Nelson's laptop but it means my time is cut short, my programs are not available, I have no access to my hard drive and ... GASP, I have yet to upload a photo. It can probably be done here but I need Nelson's help to find my editing program and somehow connect this thing to my external hard drive. Computer savvy I am not!

I have loads of great vacation moments to share, as well as memories from Aiden's birthday, that I can't do right now. Ah, patience has never been one of my strong points.

Right now, it's probably just as well because I am suffering from adjustment to the real world that does not include a pool in my backyard and a beach down the road. It does however include 4 dental appointments and one pediatric check-up. Talk about a reality check.

Vacation Discovery

We've returned from our week at the beach and I've decided that being at the beach with your kids is so much more fun than being there by yourself or with other adults.

It's not more relaxing, but DEFINITELY more fun!

In the Right Place at the Right Time

As I was packing for the beach yesterday I put the Magnifikids in the backpacks for Mackenzie and Aiden. The verse on the front was "Come away with me and rest awhile."

Happy Birthday Aiden!

Last night as I was tucking you in I said goodnight to my 5 year old for the last time. When that thought hit me I swooped in and smothered you with kisses (much to your chagrin!).

Today you stand before me as a new 6 year old. Something about that number sounds so big. Of course you have grown over an inch and a half this year so that probably has something to do with it. In fact it's been a year of growth of all kinds.

You went off to school for the first time and loved every minute of it. You learned to read, which I always consider to be nothing short of a miraculous accomplishment. It was so fun to watch the whole process. You played on a soccer team for the very first time and even though you didn't win a single game, you managed to come away with a love of the sport and a willingness to do it again next year. You learned to do a flip on the trampoline and also into the pool, neither which I'm crazy about watching but I do anyway because I'm so amazed that you're doing it.

Your inquisitiveness is never ending but it doesn't bother me because you are so intent on learning from your questions. You have a genuine concern for others and a true desire to do what God wants you to do.

I love you so much buddy. I am so grateful that God put you in this family right where He did, with your orange hair, freckles and dimples. I look forward to watching you grow some more.

Happy Birthday Aiden. I love you more than you love me :)

Strength in Numbers

When I started running last year I did it all by myself. Sure I knew that there were other runners out there but I ran at times and in places where I was fairly certain I could avoid those people. I didn't want to see any runners and I definitely did not want them to see me. I knew I was slow and I was embarrassed to even tell anyone other than my immediate family members that I was taking up this new hobby.

When I finally found the guts to join the running group to train for the half marathon, I met some of these runners I was so scared of and realized that I had them all wrong. They are really nice, encouraging and supportive people.

What's more, when we went on those early Saturday long runs, I ran past lots of fairly happy people out exercising. For the first time I began to see the bigger picture. I was not alone in my quest. I found a great deal of comfort on those runs. Even when I was running alone, I was not alone at all. Not only that but I discovered that surrounding myself with people with the same goal as me made the journey much more enjoyable.

In the end the accomplishment was mine and mine alone. No one could cross that line for me. But let me tell you, if left to do all that training and racing on my own, I think I would have quit. Even the simple pleasure of hearing my name called out as I neared the finish of the half, made me feel good. I was very, very grateful for all the support I received along the way.

The same holds true for Christianity. You can walk the walk on your own. You can build your faith. And of course, you have to walk, fly(whatever) into Heaven on your own. You can...but really, why would you want to?

Wealth of a Different Kind

Tonight we had the pleasure of dining out with some dear friends. We don't get together with either couple very often but when we do we really have fun. We sat around a table and talked deep, laughed loud and shared personally.

I found myself very grateful for the quality of friends I have in my life. The greatest part is that I have so many friends like this. No matter what we have materially, they make us truly rich.

Seems It's True What They Say About a Man's Stomach

Honoring me tonight at my birthday Dawson said, "I love you because you're a good cook, and...you make things I like, and...you cook good things, and...that's all."

Go Figure

"Mama does 8+5=10?" Dawson asked as he sat on the floor staring at his fingers.

"No buddy," I answered hoping he'd figure out the answer on his own.

"What about 5+6? Is that 10? Wait, no, 5+5 is 10," he arrived at triumphantly. "So what is 8+5?"

"13."

"Oh, is that the one that comes after 12?"

Simply the Best!

Here at the House of Parris we are having a really good summer. It's not that summers of the past have been terrible, it's just that this one has been most excellent.

At the end of the school year I had one goal for the summer - to take it slower. I wanted to stop saying, "Hurry up," to the kids and rushing around everywhere I go.

For the most part, I have been successful, which in turn has led to one of our best summers ever. Instead of rushing to get to the pool every day, we take our time and get there when it's convenient. We go to the library when we have time to spare and we sit on the floor and go through stacks of books. When we get home, we read the stories. We go to the free movies when we feel like it.

I've realized through this process that over half of my stress is self-induced. I'm always in a hurry. Now that it's summer time, I'm wondering what all the hurry was about. Of course, not having school in the mix helps things out. Bed times are more relaxed. The mornings are less rushed.

In some respects the summer has been nothing special. We're just playing, swimming, hanging out, and spending time together. On the other hand, it's been the best summer ever!

Technical Difficulties

Our computer has been spotty to say the least lately. Thus explains my silence around here. It has left me feeling a little disconnected. It's amazing how much I have come to rely on this piece of machinery. All my running training is communicated via email and my running log is online. My brothers share pictures through Facebook. My recipes are on the hard drive. My thoughts and memories are recorded here.

I often wonder what life would be like without conveniences we take for granted like cell phones and computers. I'm pretty sure I would get to bed a lot sooner most nights. I'm also certain I wouldn't keep in touch with friends as well as I can via the Internet and text messaging.

Hopefully we'll be up and running soon.

Honesty

I went for an early run this morning and got back in time to feed the kids and get them ready for Vacation Bible School. As I walked past Mackenzie to pick up Max she noticed, "Mom you stink!"

"Really?" I asked, knowing full well that a 6 mile run does not do much for one's bodily odor.

"Aren't you going to take a shower before we go?" she prodded hopefully.

"Well, if I take a shower, we'll be late."

"Oh, then do you think you can just drop us off at the door like you did yesterday?"