Spice of Life

We just finished reading The Chronicles of Narnia to Kieren and even now, days later I'm still thinking about how The Last Battle ended and how amazing the imagery is.  The last time I read these books was about 11 or 12 years ago when we went to Thailand (for my first time).  There was a lot of travel time that I had to read and I saw them much differently then I had as a child when my Mom read them to me.  Years later, reading them to Kieren I have seen things I hadn't noticed before.  Just a warning in case you haven't read the Narnia books, spoilers ahead... In The Last Battle the children and the Professor and Polly had gathered together and were visited by King Tirian.  They realize that they are needed in Narnia and make a plan to get back but they don't go back the way they used to, there was a train accident and they die.  This isn't something they realize fully until the end of the book.  This book is mostly about Puzzle and Shift, a well m...

I was at home on a Thursday late morning, getting ready to go to work and my phone rang.  It was the principal of the kid’s school and she said, “Unfortunately I have to tell you about something that happened today”.  Of course my heart fell to my stomach and I said, “okay…”.  You never know what you’re going to hear.  She went on to tell me that Zoe had been in art class and told her teacher that a boy “touched her butt”.  When the principal talked to Zoe she asked, “Now what do you mean when you say ‘butt’?  Do you mean here (pointing to the back) or here (pointing to the front zipper area)?”  Zoe pointed to the front.  She then asked Zoe if she had told the teacher right away and said that Zoe said yes and looked at her with a “duh, of course I did” look on her face.  She also told me that they wanted us to know they would be following district procedure and discipline immediately.  I was enraged.  My first thought was wow I...

I’ve been saying for a while now that the 30’s are awesome.  I always heard people talking about “leaving their 20’s” like it was going to be the end of the world, that things would just start going “downhill” from there.  I don’t know, maybe it’s because my 20’s weren’t as exciting as other peoples but for me, the 30’s have been awesome so far.  I think it’s because in recent years and especially in the past year I have learned so much about myself, I feel like I’ve really grown into who I am…maybe because I’ve realized that for a while there I had lost myself. I got married when I was 22, not even done with college yet.  Before meeting Norm I had sort of dated a few people but I wouldn’t say I had much experience in romantic relationships.  Like I said I hadn’t even graduated college yet, I don’t think I really knew quite who I was yet.  I had always wanted to get married and have kids so when we said “I do” on August 13 th 2005, I dived in head fir...

Last winter my dear friend Bri told me about her idea to have a “word” for the year, rather than a resolution.   It’s the idea that instead of some unattainable goals (that after the first week you will likely forget or give up) you have a theme to focus on throughout the entire year.   She knew that hers would be love so I started to think about what mine should be.   Well, months later we were discussing our “words” and ironically I had completely forgotten what mine was.   “I want to say it had something to do with time?” I said giggling.   I had been contemplating being present quite often and decided that whatever my word had been in December, I was pretty sure it had something to do with time and that’s close enough so moving forward it would be “present”. This word and this concept is something that I have been challenged with a lot recently.   We came to Michigan almost one year ago and time has really flown by.   With starting a new job, ...

i·dol ˈīdl/ noun noun:  idol ; plural noun:  idols 1.     an image or representation of a god used as an object of worship. synonyms: icon , representation of a god,  image ,  effigy ,  statue ,  figure ,  figurine ,  fetish ,  totem ; More 2.     a person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered. "movie idol Robert Redford" synonyms: o      Exodus 20:4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.  You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God..." 1 Cor. 10:14 "Therefore my beloved, flee from idolatry. When we think of the word "idol", what usually comes to mind is Moses and the Israelites wandering in the desert, losing sight of why and creating images out of gold jewelry.  Although...

This weekend I had the privilege of going on a short retreat with some women from church.  Our pastor asked if I would be interested in going to a "Hermitage"...I had no idea what that meant, but a short retreat where silence is involved?  YES PLEASE!  We arrived late Friday afternoon to a beautiful country setting and as soon as we got there I saw I had no cell service.  Not a problem and something I am perfectly fine letting go of but I had left a sick child at home and wanted to check in and of course let Norm I had arrived safely.  At one point I walked back to the road to see if I could send a quick text, but nope, no service.  Eventually I sent one from my pastors phone and heard that all was well at home.  Phew, sigh of relief. Anyhow, about the hermitage...we enter to find our names have been placed on our rooms and what cute rooms they were.  In mine was a small bed, desk and chair and on my pillow a chocolate bar with a note that read ...

Being a mother is such an amazing, special and priceless gift we are given.  It also does not look the same for everyone.  For a time I was at home with my kids and it always bothered me when other women would say "I'm just a stay at home mom" in response to the question of what they did for work.  The word just implied that it wasn't much or not enough.  Taking care of your home and your children is no little thing, it is hard work.  I have gone through seasons where I have been full time at home, part time at home and full time at work.  A couple weeks ago I was at my small group, a wonderful group of women made up of Calvin Seminary wives (and wives that are also students).  We had just read a chapter in our book about the Proverbs 31 woman and were discussing our thoughts.  I mentioned that it had helped me see her in a different light than I had before, that she was a working woman and not just at home with her kids.  It dawned on me a f...

The following verses have been on my heart lately.  You might think they are out of context, some are from the NT and some from the OT but I think they are just as relevant right now as they were then.  They're long so bear with me and please continue on to read the rest of my blog... Matthew 25:34 "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothes Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?  And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?  When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? ...

I am not really one for new years resolutions, never have been.  I want to get back into jogging but I'm not going to set a goal other than "I want to get back into jogging".  I'm interested in doing a detox or cleanse at some point but I'm not going to begin the year with it.  Do I have low expectations for myself?  Maybe.  Instead I have been inspired by a couple friends to come up with a word for the year.  I've been thinking about it over the past few days and decided on Time.   Last summer we moved out here to Michigan and it has felt like time literally raced by beginning the moment we arrived.  As soon as we landed in our hotel I was searching for jobs and interviewing.  I was hired within the first couple weeks and started work.  Not long after that the kids started at their new school.  Norm has had reading, papers and finals...then repeat.  Freija learned to walk and is now racing all over the house and discovering t...