The amount of food on your plate does not reflect the amount of love I have for you!

Not to names names, but a couple kids in our house have some food issues. One way we work on this is that every night when we serve them dinner we say, "the amount of food on your plate does not reflect how much I love you."

 At first it went unheeded. Then "why do you always say that?" "I say that," I said, "because if I happen to put three meatballs on your plate and four on your brother's you feel like I like him more than I like you." Right off the cuff they denied it, but then it sunk in and they realized it was true. 

So, every meal, same saying. The weeks passed and it got old and they got annoyed and would say it before I could say it. "We know, we know, the amount of food you put on our plates does not reflect how much you love us! When are you going to stop saying that?" I said, "when I'm convinced that you truly believe it,"

Well, tonight I made the "Shamrock floats" and gave them to the boys and one had a little more soda that the other. One boy said, "hey, I think he has more"...then laughed sheepishly knowing how silly he sounded.

I replied in a matter of fact tone, "I know! It's because I like him better!"

"No you don't!!!" came a fast reply, "you love us both the same!"

"Yup, I sure do! Now, drink up" 

🍀🍀 #theirishdonthavealltheluck 🍀🍀

Dibs, Dabs, Globs, and Clots.

You know how it is; Ooh that piece of cake has the most frosting. “I call dibs!”

 

In our house when we call “dibs” we get creative.  Just because you called dibs doesn’t mean it’s yours – the most creative one “takes the cake!”  I usually get it because I come out with CLOTS and it grosses everyone out and they miss a beat! 👍😜

 

We play this game often when we see something cool.  Just for fun we call dibs or dabs on whatever the coveted item is whether that be a car, a billboard announcing the amount to be won in the latest lottery, the house with the most Christmas lights, whatever…it’s just yet another strange things we do! 

 

Last night I had a moment of pride.  Hubby was talking about various desserts and our oldest boy started in, “I call dabs on dessert.” To which the younger countered, “I call dubs” this typically escalates to “dubs times infinity, ” “I call dubs times infinity plus….” and also typically ends in an argument about how there is no such thing as infinity plus anything.

 

Last night the oldest, instead of going through the typical ritual and un-phased by my calling “clots,” shouted out, “I call God.”  This sent the youngest over the edge, “you can't call God, that’s not right. God….” He could not think of how to put into words but I could tell it bothered him on a spiritual level.”  The oldest doesn’t skip a beat but said, “Yes I can because, (breaking into song by the Monkeys) ‘I’m a believer…’!”

 

Working in a song by the Monkeys!! And we have a winner! 

Kinda silly, but it's our silly and I call "clots times infinity plus a million" on it!! 

 

 

My Helper!

How would you be judged?

Strong in Christ

To my struggling friend...

Christmas Miracle?!?

We've been doing church at home until we can "keep ourselves together" at church. Thankfully, Ada has an amazing live feed! Tonight we actually went to church; anxieties and excitement were high! We did several (subtle) calming exercises throughout the service but for the most part did amazingly well! 

When we left one boy, with much pride and excitement, declared, "I was really good in there" 

We praised back "yes, you were. You should be so proud!" 

Happy reply: "I am, I was really good, I didn't even steal anything!" 

"Right on, nice job Bud!" (Both Hubby and I suppressing a giggle!) 

#babysteps

Healthcare Holiday...

The holidays are tough for so many...I see this over and over in the hospital. Tomorrow...well, today actually....Christmas Eve and I'll be talking to people about, among other things, end of life decisions...while most are gearing up for fun and family, others are dying. Although I'm practiced at handling emotions that well up....it weighs on me.

Yet I wouldn't trade it. I get to be the "Jesus with skin on" to people who are broken, hurting, sick, scared, confused, &/or lonely. The knowledge of that mission is strength and the knowledge that He is in control is peace! 

I pray again this season for the Lord to use me in the lives of others...to bring empathy, understanding, a smile, education, comfort, and His love. That He will speak through my actions the message I'm often not at liberty to verbalize.