I Can't Believe This is My Life

We were letting the boys play on our small balcony before bath time the other day and in no time they were naked. Granted, it is hot here, but sans clothes is how they prefer to be. And they must be talking about body parts. Always. I heard, "I see your [fill in the blank]" several times.

I had to use a phrase the other day that I never could have imagined would come out of my mouth. Especially after having grown up with only a sister. I'll tell you it had to do with their boy parts. Of course it did, right?

I CANNOT believe how much they talk about potty stuff at this age. And my sweet husband says it won't stop until they're...well, it probably won't ever stop. If I have to hear "poop" one more time, it might be the last straw that sends momma to the loony bin. I've come very near being sent there on multiple occasions.

This morning the boys have been gathering things from their playroom, putting them in bags, singing me Happy Birthday, and presenting me with presents. It's so sweet! (My birthday isn't until December, however! And, FYI, I'd like something other than a scratched Thomas DVD.)

This phase of our lives is not an easy one. It involves so much training and discipline, and we are tired most of the time.

But, this phase of our lives is also a very tender one. The spontaneous hugs and "I love yous" are precious.

Here are a few pictures from my parents' trip here. Maybe one day I'll have the energy to blog about all we did while they were here, but maybe not. I'm still tired.

Verse Seven

Forgot to put up this verse since we're having so much fun with my parents being here in Singapore!

"Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts." ~Isaiah 26:8b NIV

Which one have you chosen? Let's keep it up, ladies!! Even if you've missed one or more, just pick back up. There's no condemnation!

8 Weeks Post-Surgery Update

Today marks 8 weeks since I fractured my ankle and had surgery to repair it. I can't believe it's been that long; it really has gone by quickly, which is most definitely a testament to the grace of God.

I had 6 weeks of crutches and walking on one leg only, then two weeks of being able to stand on two legs and slowly "load weight" onto my right ankle. Today is the first day I can walk on two legs. I would be more excited about this, but it HURTS!! It's quite a slow process, this healing thing. :-)

Today I had to go to the bank, and while someone watched the boys, I went by myself. As I was walking from the bank to the grocery store, a lady came up behind me and said, "I recognized you by your crutches and your backpack." :-) I sort of recognized her, but had to ask her name (she didn't know my name, either). Apparently she goes to our church because she was headed to the Ladies Retreat today. Good to know I'm recognizable these days! I am so grateful for my little backpack purse that my parents and sister gave me, since it's the only way I can carry around the things I need while I'm out.

My parents arrive in Singapore in LESS THAN TWO DAYS!!! I cannot tell you how excited we are to see them! I haven't said much about it in the last few weeks because the whole thing has been up in the air since my grandmother fell a couple of weeks ago and broke her pelvis. She lives with my parents, and my mom was not sure they would be able to leave her. My Nana is in a skilled nursing facility right now until she can walk well enough to return home. My mom's cousin, Kathy, graciously offered to drive down from Missouri and stay with my Nana while my parents are here! This is such an answer to our prayers because my Nana and Kathy have a great relationship, and my Nana feels comfortable with her. Thank you, Kathy and Jim! We love you so much and are so grateful you have allowed Mom and Dad to come and see us!! What a blessing!

So, starting Sunday and for the next 12 days, we will be soaking up every second of time with my parents. It will be so fun to see Singapore through their eyes. There are so many things that are normal to us now that I know will seem very different to them. We are going to have lots of fun. I rented a wheelchair to be able to have more freedom to go places that require more walking. Singapore is really not wheelchair-friendly (or stroller-friendly, for that matter), so I'll still be using my crutches quite often. Just getting out today I had to navigate probably 15 steps, and that was just in a short distance and not going to the second level of a building or anything. I'm always amazed at how many stairs there are in this country. ;-)

And here's how my kids amused themselves this morning...by watching the laundry in the machine.

Egg Hunting

On Saturday we had an Easter egg hunt here at our place. It was so fun to have our friends over and party! Caleb had on normal clothes before the party started, but before the egg hunt, he went into the bathroom and changed into his Superman Halloween costume and refused to take it off. So, that's why he's wearing it in the videos below. Crazy kid. ;-)

I apologize that my kids were running around in circles...watching the video camera follow them might make you a little nauseated. ;-)

Singapore Easter Egg Hunt 1 from Jennifer ReflectingHim on Vimeo.

Singapore Easter Egg Hunt 2 from Jennifer ReflectingHim on Vimeo.

Happy Easter!

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!" ~Luke 24:1-6

Camille has a great post about our Easter egg hunt yesterday. Go read it!

Verse Six

I'll admit I haven't been working on memorizing my last Scripture as much lately. But I press on and read them all and meditate on them. It goes in waves like that throughout the year. This is a marathon, not a sprint. I've added so many Scriptures to my spiral as I've come across ones that are speaking to my current situations and things God is working on in me (pride, etc.). The one I've picked for this time is 1 Peter 5:8-9.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.

I've told so many friends lately that I feel like last year was an emotional beating from life and this year seems to be a physical beating. I've had more illnesses than I can remember already this year, and my stomach problems are fired up again. And, of course, my ankle.

But, I'm remembering that, "he gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." (Isaiah 40:29)

Let's see your Scriptures!!