Maybe they are jealous.

So anybody who is anybody has heard all of the talk surrounding the pick for the VP spot on the Republican ticket. It ranges from 'how great she is' to 'who does she think she is' and quite frankly, it amazes me that she is being scrutinized for having children and a career. I mean, how dare that woman.

Today I was in the midst of a group of women who all agreed there was no way Sarah could accomplish the job of VP and have a family. They actually said: "You can't have it all". Funny thing was, the conversation started when they found out I had four kids and began comparing that to Sarah's five. Quickly, I jumped in and stated I could handle the position and my family.

Funny thing, I don't think they even heard me.

On and on these women went about her "poor" children who be raised by numerous nannies (not sure why they think there would be so many??). And that even though they were working moms, the demand of her job would be much greater and therefore was not acceptable.

Let me ask, since when did we measure each person to the same degree? I would assert to say some people are just more capable than others. We are are all created equal, but are all very, very different from one another.

There may be men who can't handle a wife or let alone children. There may be a man who puts in his forty hours and desires nothing more out of life. There may be a mother who can't imagine trying to raise more than one child and run a house. There may be a women who has seven children and is the CEO of her own company.

Are you getting the point? Every person has their own degree of comfortable and that includes how comfortable they are with the challenges in their life. Having four kids and "handling" them has made me feel like I am capable of many things. Being a mom is an occupation that, more than any other, requires selflessness and learning to put others and their needs before your own.

God gives us strength and also provides us opportunities to use it.

Don't short change someone based on their gender and family size. Just because some people may not be capable of the duty doesn't mean someone else is not. Let's not let lack of personal self confidence and jealousy get in the way of another individual's accomplishments.

Notice: The following is a re-dramatization.......

Randy and I were running some errands with the kids the other day. As often happens in the car, a little fight broke out between Ashlynn and Ryder. In attempts to figure out what happened, I was asking each one what was going on. Ryder sits in the way back so sometimes it's really hard to hear him so Ashlynn usually interprets for me.

This time I got more than I bargained for.

Ashlynn started to whisper to Ryder, turned to me and said "Ok mom, just watch us, we'll show you what happened."

Suddenly the fight started again and I could see what was going on, only it wasn't the real thing. It was merely a re-enactment of what took place.

Now you have it, my four year old and six year old can "act out" scenarios that have taken place so we can determine who was at fault. All I ask is: "What next?"

Something to think about.

Last night I was reading a book to Ashlynn that Aunt Betty gave to her several years ago titled "God's Wisdom for Little Girls". It is a sweet book that breaks down Proverbs 31 and applies it to her life.

Can I say, it really hit home for me too.

Page 5 read:

Being good to others is so hard to do!
But this is exactly what God asks of you.
So do what you can to be kind to others,
And that includes your sisters and brothers!

"Her husband trusts her completely.
With her, he has everything he needs.
She does him good and not harm
for as long as she lives.

Proverbs 31:11,12 (The International Children's Bible, New Century Version)

(Here's the NIV Version also:

"Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value,
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life."

Proverbs 31:11,12)

How often, I wonder, am I good to others? Is it for my personal gain or from my heart with the love of Christ and His commands? Also, am I truly a wife that is bringing only good and not harm into our family life?

Thankfully, I know Randy trusts me completely, but I want to strive to do more. To give up what I want and think of others first (especially Randy). To bring joy, peace and love to my household (not the goofy "la la land type" of stuff), but true goodness from following God's Word.

To lack nothing of value in Christ, yes, that's what I want.

The bug kit.

Grandma Linda gave the kids an insect kit with all kinds of molded critters that are a larger and very authentic looking version of the real thing.

The kit is supposed to teach and inspire kids about the lives of various insects. Here is what my kids were inspired to do with it:




Makes you want to whip a salad, doesn't it?

Look who's three months old today:

Evidently her age is getting to her already.

Attempting.

To get things back to "normal" that is.

I keep staying up until the wee hours of the night cleaning and organizing, only to have it seemingly all undone the next day. Why do I even bother??

The basement was the major project, seeingashow that's where Ashlynn does her schoolwork. What's a few cobwebs across the desk or some dead spiders in the corner? Surely we could use them as some sort of science experiment as evidence of radon gas in the basement.

Ashlynn and Ryder are keeping careful count of their toys. In my clean-up craze I announced that we would be eliminating 80% of their stuff. They have absolutely no concept of what that means except mom was "real serious" when she said it and she really likes to throw *cough* give things away.

Thankfully Addie is still averaging ten hours a night, so if I don't get a full night's sleep, it's really my own fault. No wait, I blaming that on the Olympics. The good stuff doesn't even start until ten and it's not as if you can just walk away from 'no commercial interruption live gold medal match beach volleyball'. Maybe next week........

Photo, photo

Here are some pictures of our trip!


The kids in the car, gotta love road food paraphernalia:




Havin' some fun in the lake:



My little fisherman:



Walking with Uncle Reuben to check out the awesome ships:






The kids with Grandma Larson (Gigi):



My little monkey boy:



The fam:



Gage hamming it up:




Sunroofs, gotta love 'em (and the country roads you can actually do this on!):




Addie's first campfire at the lake:




No, Ryde is not on fire, just the crazy way the picture came out (I'm sure James could explain why):



Gage and Daddy by the fire:



A favorite hang out:




Jeff's gi-normous fish:



The kids and I playing in the lake:



Baby wearing at its finest (and pretty much how Addie spent her vaca)





Gage having a seat in the lake:


What we woke up to early one morning: