Soapbox (chivalry IS dead)

Leaving the mall today a well dressed lady held the door for us (the kids and I).  There were two sets of doors to walk through and Sam was already holding the other door so I encouraged Henry to take the door from the kind woman and allow her to walk through.

She let go of the door and walked two doors down, proceeded to open her own door and walk through completely ignoring Henry and Sam's attempts to be courteous. 

If the expectation of any gentlemanly behavior, from our young men, is gone it completely undermines my attempts, as a mother, to teach my sons such behavior.

And then chivalry really is dead. 

But then...

About 14 years ago, in Atlanta... on the MARTA... I watched a young man give up his seat for an elderly lady...  And that is when I knew I would marry him.

So we will keep at it.  If you see us out, you'll see my boys opening doors, giving up their seats for ladies and even girls,  letting ladies and girls go first and even walking on the outside of us {and yes that does include their sisters}!  Not because they get thanked, but because that is how men should treat ladies.

And so here on Team Babetz...

Chivalry is NOT dead!!!

The Wandering Mind (it's almost school time)

Well shoot, I thought I was ready. But I'm not!

I was fine at the end of last year when teachers would say, "Next year you'll be here." to him.

I was fine when we ordered his back pack.

I was fine when he made me attach his Lego Chewbacca key chain to said back pack like his siblings all have...

But then he picked out his lunch box and I was not fine anymore.

He's ready...

Well, he's ready in the sense that he wants to go. And lets face it, the boy's been up at the school with me so much he'll be giving tours to new students. He knows all there is to know about being up there.

But did I mention that he's my least prepared child to enter school. Um, and by least prepared I mean ehem, we are still working on writing his name... so sad. I can't believe I'm actually admitting this to the 10's of people who read this, but he's seriously unprepared. Actually it's a pride thing for me. He'll be fine, he knows his numbers past 20 and all his letters (he just can't write them all). He'll be behind some of the kids, but he'll be ahead of most and it won't take long for him to grasp the basics so I'm technically not worried...

Just officially embarrassed...

Mother guilt!!!!

But can I tell you how excited I am to get me some one on one with Maggie. I've not had consistent one on one any of my kids (except Maggie in the NICU) since Sam was 13 months old and Claire was born. I'm looking forward to enjoying time with her.

And I'll admit it...

I'm looking forward to grocery shopping with just one rather than... 5.    There I said it.

Anyone who knows me well knows I love being with my kids. LOVE IT!  But I do look forward to the days of NOT taking up an entire isle in the store... and not having to say things like:

"Line up behind me by age like a train."

Or
"Son if I have to tell you again to put your hand on the cart..."
Or

"No, I don't have room in the freezer for more ice cream."

Or
"Face forward when you're walking."
Or
"Please don't make her scream."
Or
"We don't need candy."
Or
"Son, you have to look where your going when pushing the cart."

I could go on... but I won't.

At any rate school is approaching like a speeding locomotive and the old familiar dread is starting to hit.

It's more a dread over the loss of this free as a bird summer life style where we have no schedule at all then it is over them actually going back to school. So it will pass and we'll all get excited about being back in the swing of things again soon. Until then we'll just enjoy being cooped up inside b/c it's too hot to go out together having fun and maybe even take a little vacation...

One can never tell about these things...

The Young Padawan...

2003

Son, "I am not afraid."

Father, "Ah, you will be... you will be."

July of 2010...

Father, "Much to learn, you still have."

The Twirl Skirt

My friend Beth... aka Super Woman... living out the last few weeks of her 8th pregnancy in this ridiculous heat in Oklahoma... sent me this awesome twirl skirt for Maggie Ann.

You can take a walk in it...

You can play the piano in it...

You can ride a bike in it...

You can have a snack in it...

You can cook in it...

You can even play the Wii in it...

You should really go by Beth's site and check out her handiwork. From bow ties to personalized pillows... and of coarse the twirl skirts.

And thanks so much Beth. We love our owly twirly skirt!!!

Using Their Powers for Good

2 girls
Completely different.

One lives in a fairy land with all her best girl friends, who are transformed into flying horses who fight off evil horses to keep said fairy land peaceful and happy.

The other wants to swaddle her Bity Baby and rock her to sleep, help me clean or bake some cookies. Her world is grounded in the reality of a mom's job.

One craves affection, words of praise and attention.

The other doesn't care so much for hugs and stuff like that. It just slows her down.

One has a great little group of girl friends. They giggle and do all things girly.

The others best friend is a boy.

One likes to think or day dream... you can sometimes see the wheels turning.

The other never stops talking.

They are both stubborn.

They are both funny

And they both love Jesus.

Together we are learning to use the natural bent God has put in each of them in a positive way.

We call it "Using your powers for good."

Because we all know how easy it is for girls to use their powers for... not so good.

By nature we are bossy and moody.

Manipulative and snide.

So we choose to correct the above nastiness when it arises and channel that energy into the lovely blueprint God laid out within each of their colorful personalities.

You know... Use their powers for good.

And when I think about it... it's so simple. Why try and reinvent the wheel. God knew what he was doing when they were created.... so differently.

And I am humbled.

And thankful.

It's not you, it's me...

The above statement always makes me laugh...

But today I was thinking about how true that statement really is in my marriage.

All marriages, even the good ones, have ebbs and flows. Times when married life is easier and we connect well. And then there are the times when we are... out of step with one another... and forgetful of the fact that we play for the same team.

In my marriage it is then, when we don't seem to quite land on the same page, that I open the door for Satan to waltz in and plant seeds of frustration. I'm easily irritated and it's harder for me to love or respect him the way I ought to. I'm quick to rationalize that it's all his fault. And quick to pick out all the flaws that make me feel such irritation.

{Um, excuse me while I pull the HUGE LOG out of my own eye...}

I have a prayer list that I follow for Gregg every day. I didn't always use this but recently found it on my cousins blog. It's been a huge help and I use it daily.

But I start by praying for me.

How selfish, I know...

But I have to rid my mind of my own selfish desires for Gregg and my marriage first, and humbly ask forgiveness for my not so respectful attitude. Then I feel free to ask God for His guidance in Gregg's life...

So Honey, it's not you... it really is me...

40's lookin better all the time...

Today is my last day in my 30's.

It's good, I'm ready for the change...

I like even numbers.

{I know, I'm weird.}

My husband asked me what I was going to do today...

You know to usher out the old and ring in the new.

"I'm taking 6 kids to the DMV to get my license renewed." I said.

Makes 40 look really good.

Committing our Ways...

Summer is never very long and I've already started thinking and praying about next year. Of coarse I began praying about the next school year as soon as school lets out. Mainly that God would begin to prepare our hearts for His choice of teachers for next year. And for those teachers, although I don't know who they are... He does.

This year I decided to have a little meeting with each school aged child and set some goals for the year. We talked and set some goals together and then picked out verses that they can claim for the year.

10 year old, 5th grade: wants to get straight A's and be more diligent about doing his homework (he's a dawdler). He wants to be a good leader to his fellow students and a help to his teachers. Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.


9 year old, 4th grade: also wants to get straight A's and she is going to work on doing her homework without complaining. And doing her very best work. She is going to be kind to everyone and set a good example for her classmates. She also wants to be a help to her teachers. I Cor. 10:31 So, whether you eat of drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.


7 year old, 2nd grade: is striving for A's and B's this year and is going to work on a more positive attitude (she's my 'debbie doubter' always saying she can't do this or that). She wants to set a good example and encourage her classmates, and like the others, be a help to her teacher. We choose Deut. 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

5 year old, K5: not having been in school before we talked things over and felt that 2 goals would be appropriate for this little guy. 1. To obey his teachers. 2. To do his very best. Eccl. 9:10a Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.
As this next year looms off in the distance I can't help but feel that all to familiar fear rise up in me. There are so many 'what if's'. So many things that could happen. My desire to protect my kids is strong. But then I am reminded that God loves my kids better than I ever could. He will protect them. And although classes no longer begin with prayer and His commandments are not still lining the walls, He is there. Try as they might they cannot remove God. He is bigger and stronger and still there working through every Christian teacher and parent. And through the students who love Him and shine His light by setting good examples, doing their best work and being an encouragement to fellow students.
Our verse for this 2010-11 school year is Phil. 2:14 - 15 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.


***UPDATE***
Sept. 1, 2010
We've been in school for 3 weeks now and it's going great.  I put a copy of the kids goals in each of their notebooks and we've referred to them more than once already.  We will be memorizing each verse as a way to 'stir up one another to love and good works.' Heb. 10:24