Can You Drink the Cup?

First, I am actually doing a post that has NOTHING to do with my kids. That has to be progress.

I was a part of a Women's Bible study small group on Wed mornings for the whole school year. When the study ended, the group wanted to still get together over the summer. SO, we decided to do 3 book discussions and some play dates. I, the non-avid reader, very much enjoyed taking the time to read the first selection and enjoyed even more the time discussing it.

The book is by Henri Nouwen "Can You Drink the Cup?". It was a very quick read and packed FULL of great thoughts.
He encourages us to Hold our Cup of Life (which he describes as examining our life and knowing what is in our life- the sorrow and the joy), Lifting Our Cup of Life (which he equates to sharing with others what is in our cup, the good, the bad and the ugly- living life in a community of believers and not in isolation) and finally Drinking Our Cup of Life(which he equates to salvation and fulfilled life) His 3 spiritual disciplines are silence, the word (by which he means sharing with others our thoughts/life) and actions.

The action one is important I believe to really be able to "drink our cup". In the action discipline he encourages us to know our call and live out of that versus just pleasing every whim or every thing around us. How counter cultural is it to really live what we feel is our call and not get caught up in what other's feel is our call or doing things because it seems to be the vogue thing to do. Really a book that makes you think. I feel blessed to have had 5 great godly women to discuss these thoughts with tonight. They spur me on to good thoughts and are treasures in my life right now.

Next book: The Note by Angela Hunt

Big Girl Bed

Grandpa Tom and Grandma Sharon painted my other twin bed from my growing up years for Allison and delivered it this weekend. Kyle has the other one painted in Navy. She was SO excited and went to bed perfectly tonight. Anything that puts her in big girl status is a hit!

Hair Drama

Well, I'm certain that title will be on many of my posts over the years with a girl in the house. The drama that happened this time resulted in a new hairdo for Allison. I had been thinking of getting it cut into a shorter style for the summer. That issue was forced about 2 weeks ago while playing at a friend's house in a Bounce house. Allison decided to look into the blower that blew air into the house and it sucked her hair into it and was quite a mess. Lots of screaming and then a HUGE mess of knots in her hair. We had to cut her hair to get her loose from the blower and then I got all the tangles out but one at home. The stylist got out the final and very large dreadlock type tangle but I had decided it was going to get cut anyway. I should have taken a picture of the tangles mess but she was traumatized enough by the event! When I relayed the incident to Damon he mentioned he has heard of kids being scalped in similiar situations. Don't Dads say all the right things!

End of Year Programs

Kyle had Muffins with Mom at preschool early in May to celebrate Mother's day (just getting to pics)and Kyle had his end of preschool program last week. I can't believe he'll be five this summer (and then six and in Kindergarten as he likes to remind me) He insisted he needed to have a tie for his end of the year program. He was the only one in a shirt and tie for sure. I should be thankful for the day he wants to look nice. I'm sure there will come a day when putting on khaki's will seem like a life sentence!

If Life Came with Tivo.....

... I would have liked to rewind exiting the parking lot at church Mon pm and have a do over! I was parked by a light pole with a concrete base thing. I saw the pole and would have cleared it with no problem BUT, from where I sat in the van I didn't see the concrete thing (you can let your imagination finish the scenario) Don't worry, the concrete base was fine-- the van was NOT! Bumper was hanging, fender bent, headlight broken and hood crinkled. You would have thought I was exiting the parking space at about 70 mph. I wasn't and I wasn't even on the phone (another bad habit lately)

So, the damage was $2361.00-- thank goodness for insurance but what a pain. The rental company only had a van so that was nice- they will adjust the rate so it matches what insurance allows. The kids think that is a big adventure- driving a RED! van. Every day they say "can we drive the new van, Mommy?" and while we were waiting on an estimate, Kyle was sleeping, Allison must have been surveying the dealer lot/situation and says "don't worry mommy, we can just buy a new van."

Lesson learned: NEVER will I park by one of those light poles again!!

Long Time, No Post

Well, Life has been hectic to say the least. I'll highlight a few things:

* Allison is potty trained!!! (except at night)
* I have been spending endless hours on the computer at night doing GKCamp stuff (thus no desire to be on longer to blog)
* Vera Bradley trunk show for the first time- a bit disappointed in the prices but still came home with some goodies and gifts.
* Kyle is almost done with his first year of preschool and I can't wait!! I'm ready for some days to just stay in PJ's until 10 and then hit the pool!
* Allison has learned to ride a tricycle when her short little legs will let her reach the pedals, say her ABC's and count to at least 10.
* Kyle is cruising on his big bike with training wheels.
* The few nice days have allowed trips to he park and everyone is so good on the equipment that I might actually get to finish a conversation with my Mom friends this summer!

Allison is awake and I'm off to church..... hopefully not so long until my next blog. :)