what was I thinking?

I went garage saling with a friend. We followed the signs and ended up in front of a cardboard box. It wiggled. It purred. It meowed. I held one. Then two.

I walked into our home with another creature to care for. It poops. It cries. It demands things of me. It was "free." Yeah, right. What was I thinking?

Did I mention it is unbelievably adorable? Did I mention my children are rising up and calling me blessed?

And who could resist a face like this?

After much debate, we have named our newest addition "Musa." Musa is Swahili for Moses, and is the name of a young man in Swaziland that is laying down his life for the orphans there. He loves the children unconditionally and teaches them about Jesus. And in the face of incredible poverty and pain, he is filled with more joy than I have ever experienced in another human being. That's quite a name to live up to. And now we have a constant reminder in our home to lift Musa in prayer, as he fights the good fight on the other side of the world.

let me hold you longer...

Let Me Hold You Longer

By: Karen Kingsbury

"Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts:
First smiles and teeth and baby steps, a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away and leave to me your past,
And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts.
~~~~~
The last time that I held a bottle to your baby lips.
The last time that I lifted you and held you on my hip.
The last time when you woke up crying needing to be walked.
When last you crawled up with your blanket, wanting to be rocked.
~~~~~
The last time that you ran to me still small enough to hold,
The last time when you said you'd marry me when you grew old.
Precious, simple moments and bright flashes from the past -
Would I have held you longer if I'd known they were the last?
~~~~~
Our last adventure to the park, your final midday nap,
The last time when you wore your favorite faded baseball cap.
Your last few hours of kindergarten, last days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League, last colored picture made.
~~~~~
I never said goodbye to all your yesterdays long past.
So what about tomorrow -- will I recognize your lasts?
~~~~~
The last time that you catch a frog in that old backyard pond.
The last time that you run barefoot across our fresh-cut lawn.
Silly, scattered images will represent your past.
I keep on taking pictures, never quite sure of your lasts...
~~~~~
The last time that I comb your hair or stop a pillow fight.
The last that I pray with you and tuck you in at night.
The last time that we cuddle with a book, just me and you.
The last time you jump in our bed and sleep between us two.
~~~~~
The last piano lesson, last vacation to the lake.
Your last few weeks of middle school, last soccer goal you make.
I look ahead and dream of days that haven't come to pass.
But as I do, I sometimes miss today's sweet, precious lasts...
~~~~~
The last time that I help you with a math or spelling test.
The last time when I shout that yes, your room is still a mess.
The last time that you need me for a ride from here to there.
The last time that you spend the night with your old tattered bear.
~~~~~
My life keeps moving faster, stealing precious days that pass.
I want to hold on longer -- want to recognize your lasts...
~~~~~
The last time that you need my help with details of a dance.
The last time that you ask me for advice about romance.
The last time that you talk to me about your hopes and dreams.
The last time that you wear a jersey for your high school team.
~~~~~
I've watched you grow and barely noticed seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time, I'd hold on to your lasts.
For come some bright fall morning you'll be going far away.
College life will beckon in a brilliant sort of way.
~~~~~
One last hug, one last good-bye, one quick and hurried kiss.
One last time to understand just how much you will be missed.
I'll watch you leave and think how fast our times together passed.
Let me hold on longer God, to every precious last.

sniff... I'm going to go hug my little punks now.

not me monday

I'm joining in the fun that McMama started with telling y'all what I did not, would not ever do! It's "Not Me!" Monday... And I would not post this a day early!

I did get a free ticket to the Women of Faith conference this weekend. But, I most definitely did not only go to the morning sessions, then head downtown with a friend, ditching the rest of the conference so we could go to Starbucks and walk around downtown!

I did not hide in the basement this week while my husband answered the door to our very talkative neighbor, so she wouldn't know I was home and catch me in a conversation for the next 45 minutes! Not me, that would be so rude!

There is absolutely no way that I watched "The Biggest Loser" this week while eating a bowl of ice cream. Like I would ever do that! Geez.

Finally, you can be sure that I did not take the clean clothes that were covering my bed at 11:00 at night, still in an unfolded heap, and transfer them directly to the floor to be folded the next day. I mean, I was definitely tired and wanted to climb directly into bed for some much needed sleep, but I would never put off until tomorrow what still needed to be done today!

this and that

1. It is chilly here! We are expecting a high of 57 degrees. It's cloudy, the leaves are showing signs of changing color, and I'm drinking chai tea! Ah fall... my favorite time of year!

2. Football is going great for N! He has won his first two games by a lot (can't remember the scores). He even sacked the quarterback in the last game. Their last game was an away game (an hour bus ride!) and he was still pumped when he got home. Couldn't stop talking!

3. M is doing great on the violin. We are taking private lessons now, and her teacher is very pleased with how she is doing. I must say, I really thought she would play for a month or two, then get tired of it and want to quit. But this really seems to be "her thing."

4. Jingle Jam... Our church is doing a huge family production for Christmas this year, something we've never done before. It's going to be an awesome outreach opportunity, and we have so many people involved and excited! There's nothing like having Christmas songs stuck in your brain in September!

5. More football... M will start flag football next week. It's been a while since he's been on a team of any kind, so he is super excited. Mom's just glad it's flag...

6. New school year...new schools. So far, so good. Everyone seems to be adjusting well and making friends quickly. I was most concerned about C, but he's doing much better than I anticipated. He seems to have the most homework at this point, but I have a feeling he isn't getting things done at school like he could. He has a hard time staying focused because his mind is racing about 10 times as fast as mine does!

7. Job possibility... B is applying for a job with Agilent Technologies. A good friend of his works there and gave him a referral for the job. The position is in security, and would be a change for B, but one that he welcomes. Please pray for this. We just found out Friday that his current company is struggling and had to cut his hours. We'll keep you posted!