Homeward Bound

2006-01-17T05:26:00.000-08:00

A Typical Conversation

The conversation between an adult and 4 year old:

Kaleb: (Looking in the pantry for breakfast food) "Where's the octopus?"

Mom: (Thinking-octopus???) "I'm not sure what you mean about an octopus."

Kaleb: "You know, the octopus."

Mom: (Remembering, vaguely, I cereal box with a picture of an octopus on it) "If you mean the marshmellow cereal, I threw the box away but the cereal is right there in its sack."

Kaleb: "I don't want the marshmellows in it."

Mom: "But that's why you wanted me to buy it!"

Kaleb: "I don't like them anymore. Just the cereal part."

Mom: "You could pick them out and give them to someone else."

Kaleb: "I want it with no milk."

Mom: "You want it dry? No milk?"

Kaleb: "Yes, I want dry milk."

Mom: "Milk is wet but the cereal is dry if you don't put milk on it."

Kaleb: (Thinking) "I made up my mind: I want it with marshmellows and milk."

Mom: "AAAAAHHHHHH!"

2006-01-13T06:11:00.000-08:00

GPS Systems

GPS navigational systems were # 5 on Americans' Christmas lists. There's Magellan, Garmin, Naveman, Lowrance and Tom Tom just to name a few. My dh really wants one. Just punch in where you want to go and you get clear directions right there in your car. I'm not really into things like TomTom but no question about the fact I could definitely use help when it comes to directions. I am undoubtedly directionally challenged. TomTom speaks my dh's language: "Go North 4.2 miles to Main St.; turn left heading West-Northwest for .9miles etc." I would need something in my language: "Go towards Krogers by your house, when you see Krogers look to your left for a bright red sign next to the enormous oak tree, turn at the entrance just after the tree etc." I could use some help choosing a quality system; any recommendations will be appreciated. I'm just thankful that I know without a doubt one GPS system that speaks a host of languages i.e. male, female, adult, child, every personality type, English, French, Spanish etc. It's The Word--God's Positioning System. It makes clear who He is, who we are and how we are in relation to Him. So if you don't have The Word GPS system--get one! Use it! Hear it! Do it!

2 Timothy 2:20-22
20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.
21Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

"The more we follow that which is good, the faster and the further we shall flee from that which is evil." Matthew Henry

2006-01-12T14:36:00.000-08:00

My Favorite Baby Blue

I found my favorite Mommyhood comic strip online. I have had this strip posted on my refrigerator for years. I could not upload it to my site with the clarity I wanted so just click on the link and enjoy: Baby Blues

2006-01-12T14:11:00.000-08:00

Still Gettin Back

I just got through reading several posts about the new year surge to diet and exercise and saw this on Odie's kennel newspaper and thought it was cute:

Oh to have that kind of metabolism!

2006-01-10T04:32:00.000-08:00

Barely Back

What do you say first when you have waited so long to post anything? So much has happened I couldn't possibly blog it all so I'll just add more significant updates and recent thoughts.

Update: Puppy has had a name change. The dh who insisted on Koegie as the name did a woman thing and changed his mind!! That poor puppy has gone through a zillion names in his first few weeks of life; it's a wonder if he doesn't have PPD (puppy personality disorder). His current name (has been for 3wks now) is Odie. Don't ask me how it got to that, the explanation is too long. The good news is my hubby has had no more hormonal episodes and Odie is still a wonderful, quickly growing puppy.

Update: The lava flow diaper eruptions, projectile vomit, sneezing, coughing, and faucet noses are ending!!! Health seems right around the corner. Thank you Lord. Thanks to those who have been praying for us.

Thoughts: Getting back into the swing of things is so difficult but rewarding. It is the motivation to get there that seems so insurmountable. The good news is that the Lord has an immeasurable supply of grace to give and He gives it when I ask and even when I fail to ask. I have not blogged but have kept up with reading others, especially ChoosingHome. Jenna wrote in Losing the Wait these edifying words:

“Whether it’s something like vowing to finally eat in a healthy manner, or promising to read to the youngest child every night, we don’t have to wait for January 1 st to fix the inevitable “oops”. Eating a bowl of ice cream for breakfast doesn’t have to mean brownies for lunch. Likewise, a harsh word or moment of neglect does not have to equal a day of tension or a week of “in a minute”. Change can happen at ANY moment, and not just at the first day of the week, or the first day of a year.”

and in today's post Empowerment Against Gluttony,

"The strength of God is on your side. He is not standing over you, shaking his head with disappointment. Instead, He says, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"

I'll wrap it up with these two verses that God spoke again to me this morning:

Proverbs 3:6 "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths."

and

Psalm 37:5 "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act."

To the man with leprosy who beseeched Jesus, "falling on his knees before Him, and saying, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." (Mark 1:40-41)

2005-12-07T11:51:00.000-08:00

Homeschooled Puppy

We have a new family member.

The little guy, named by our 20 month old daughter, is Koegie. I chose the spelling so it would look like our last name (Boedecker) but for those who know us, it is not pronounced the same. "Koegie" follows our local Texas rules of pronunciation--the "o" is a long sound, making him 'Ko'- gee". Boedecker follows the German rule making the "o" silent and the "e" a short sound. I guess that makes him a Texas German. Now begins all that wonderful bonding and training (do not ask anyone that knows me well about my lousy track record with dogs). Dog books, the vet, the internet etc. are full of what to do and not to do for training your new loved one. The one that struck me as funny had to do with socialization do's and don'ts. Here are some of them:

Do:

Invite people over to meet puppy--IMPORTANT: include different age groups, genders and ethnicities.
Take puppy to a variety of places for interaction ie. the park, shopping centers, etc.
Take puppy for rides in the car to see new things and places.

Don't:

Don't put your puppy on the ground when unsure of the other animals present.
Don't force or rush your puppy; let him preform at his own pace.
Don't do too much-allow rest time

You may wonder what struck me so funny about these. It's the fact that this socialization sounds pretty much like this puppy is to be homeschooled. Otherwise, I think the do's and don'ts would be something like this:

Do:

Put puppy in a large group with other untrained puppies
Expect puppy to preform according to his puppy peers
Keep puppy in the same room and/or building for eight hours at least 5 days a week

Don't:

Don't leave your puppy alone, rather put him in with whatever other puppies are present
Don't let your puppy fall behind; push him to meet the "standard".
Don't allow your puppy to dawdle; keep him busy, busy, busy.

The animal experts agree regarding what is healthy socialization. I guess that is why I plan on homeschooling this one too.

2005-11-23T04:01:00.000-08:00

Camping at Tyler State Park

We went camping last week with our friends and it was wonderful. Tyler was just far enough north of Houston that we got to experience a little bit of Fall ( in Houston we only have two seasons: Really Hot & Humid and Not As Hot & Humid). The park was beautiful. Blacktoped roads outlined with a blanket of golden leaves and canopied by multicolored trees beckoned you to follow where they may lead. We went hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, paddle boating, and even swimming in the lake's clear cold water. We had delicious food (why does bacon and eggs taste so awesome when cooked while camping?). We even had bisquits and rolls prepared in a cardboard oven (this was thanks to our older, wiserer, seasoned camper friend who taught the boys how to build this "cool" contraption). We saw so much beauty, all declaring the Father's handiwork. I love being in these settings; they make worship so effortless. Below are just a few pictures (I took many more on my new digital camera):

Hannah netted a turtle.

Mom plopped Sally in the leaves for this shot.

Kaleb caught a perch. Sarah perched in a tree.

Kyle and Timothy catching their breath after a big hill.I can't wait until we get to go again.

2005-11-21T05:11:00.001-08:00

Darkness and Light

I find myself always saying "oh that is my favorite Psalm!" The whole idea with the word favorite means it is better than the rest; but it is so hard to think of which Psalm is better than the rest. The psalms speak to so many seasons of life that they naturally become favorites in relation to those times. So today I will talk a little about one of my favorite psalms; it is Psalm 139. Oh so much can be written about it, but just a couple this time.

1. This was the first Psalm I ever memorized; I was 12 or 13 yo. My favorite part to recite was verse 9 because it just seemed to roll off my tongue:

"If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
or settle on the far side of the sea,"

2. Verses11-12 :

"If I say, 'Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
and the light around me will be night.'
Even the darkness is not dark to Thee,
and the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to Thee."

I've always tended to think of the light spoken of here as God's glorious light visually speaking and of His sovereignty from the aspect that as Sovereign He knows all things. However when reading this psalm yet again, the light this time spoke to me of His sovereignty but in reference to His providential care and His tender mercies. Darkness and light are the same to Him; they both are actually light. What may look like overwhelming darkness to me is truly light, only I may not be able to clearly see it in the circumstances but see it through faith and hope in God. The Lord loves His children perfectly and ALL His ways are good and upright. He makes ALL things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. I see in part; He sees in whole. I see dimly; He sees clearly. I see darkness; He sees light. May I trust you Lord--may I call the darkness light through the eyes of faith in You, my God, and follow your call to walk in the light as You are in the light.

2005-11-16T20:30:00.000-08:00

Google Needs Meme

I got this meme a while back while reading Marla's blog. Nobody knows me to tag me and I don't know anyone well enough to tag so I just tagged myself. If you read this and want to do something silly go to Google and "[insert first name] needs" (Ex. I put in "Lisa needs") and then post the first ten results. The following are my "needs":

1. Lisa needs HELP in the kitchen-- Oh so true.

2. Lisa needs a family that can provide love, structure and stability for her—already got it.

3. Lisa needs to thread tools—maybe my new home business.

4. Lisa needs a tree—as long as it’s not a pine tree.

5. Lisa needs braces—I did my time; neckgear and prongs to boot.

6. Lisa needs to handle lower conditions—I don’t have a clue what this means.

7. Lisa needs a bigger grin and lots more warmth—this would apply most specifically on the homefront and while driving in Houston, TX.

8. Lisa needs HELP!—bring it on!

9. Lisa needs prayer—double bring it on!!

10. Lisa needs to more clearly communicate to clients about LISA membership—hey, it must be all about me ( readers please don’t forget #9).

2005-11-15T04:49:00.000-08:00

Endurance

The hills at Tyler State Park need yellow caution signs to alert out-of shape bikers: Endurance Needed. Talk about wanting to give up more than once! But endure I did and all for the simple pleasure of knowing I didn't quit and I got to zoom on the other side. So why do I not endure in the things that really matter? Why do I quit or slack regarding the daily spiritual hill climbing? Why can't I remember that God does not quit on me and that enduring produces character on the other side? The bad news is I have not spiritually endured these past two weeks. I've focused on the temporary and not the Eternal. The good news is God's steadfast love endures forever. What an awesome God to belong to and endure for!

Psalm 136:1, 16, 23, & 26

1. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
for his steadfast love endures
forever.
16. to him who led his people
through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures
forever.
23. It is he who remembered us in
our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures
forever.
26. Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures
forever.

2005-11-04T05:09:00.000-08:00

Quote

"Belly buttons are like bagels." Kaleb B., 4yo

2005-11-03T05:17:00.000-08:00

Fall Shopping

We're going on vacation next week, camping at Tyler State Park in northeast Texas. The weather has finally gotten cool enough to put on pants; the only problem is nobody except Mom and Dad have any. Pants and shoes in my home never make it to the hand-me-down stage just the trash. So with time running out ( lots of unexpecteds this week like yellow mold coated everywhere on everything in the travel trailer, 12yo son with strep throat, 4yo son with ear infection, doctors appointments, etc.) we went shopping in the morning. I love my kids and I like shopping but I don't like shopping with my children. It goes something like this:

12yo ds, "I have to try it on!?"

10yo dd, "Are we ever going to look in my section?"

6yo dd, "I gotta go really bad!"

4yo ds, "How much longa are we gonna be here?"

1yo dd, "Whaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!"

So what does one do when fall shopping with all the children-- Fall down and pray.....

Dear Lord,

I pray for wisdom to understand my children;
Patience regarding their attitudes;
Joy to smile;
And love to forgive.
Because, Lord, if I pray for strength,
I'll beat them to death (just kidding of course).

Okay, it wasn't that bad; well sorta.

God is good and has blessed us with good!

2005-11-02T04:31:00.000-08:00

Put Your Eyes On Mommy

Look right here (mom pointing between eyes while talking to child). Keep your eyes on me (mom with a sweet face). But oh how hard that seems to be for children to do. Not just my young ones but me. God says "put your eyes on Jesus"; "fix" them on Him "the Author and Perfector of our faith who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the Father." How much I want to keep my eyes on Him; and the good news is that He gives the grace to do it and forgiveness when I fail. But it requires a daily fixing of heart, mind and strength on Him. Laying aside encumberances, those things that are not sinful in and of themselves but that weigh me down and weaken my faith versus strengthen it. And putting away the sin that so easily entangles--running with my shoeslaces tied in knots is only going to have me on the ground in pain. I must run with purpose, but to do that I need to determine ahead of time (like the prophet Daniel did when carried away as a captive to Babylon) what I will do: that is the nitty gritty of daily training. I need intentional living. Marla has an excellent post regarding this intentional living. It is the type of living that aims our focus on its Author and Perfector. And what a sweet, sweet face to look at!

2005-11-01T05:42:00.000-08:00

Leftovers

This is my first ever post in the blogosphere. I've hesitated stepping into this world for many reasons yet oh so wanting to join in with other like-minded, encouraging, informative people. The biggest holdback was "I don't have anything exciting or different to share?!" But after reading a post by Coffee and a Muffin, I was reminded of leftovers. When my best friend lived close by we used to have lunch together by exchanging each others leftovers; she thought my food was great and I couldn't get enough of hers. My leftovers are just that--the same ole boring thing again. But someone else's leftovers, now that's a whole new meal to enjoy. So hopefully joining this realm and adding my leftovers will prove to be an epicurean delight :) or at least better than yesterday's dinner.