A warm cup of coffee

This morning, right before he left for work, I watched my husband pour his unfinished coffee into my cup of coffee.

He didn't know I saw him.

It was... icky.

I cringed and laughed internally.

It is wonderful, despite the fact that it irked me. He didn't even hesitate. He just did that.

So, it's sort of wonderful.

I think.

We've been married a long time. 20 years.

So, I think there's a beauty in that moment... somewhere.

What was he thinking? 'Don't waste warm coffee?' 'I'll warm up her cup?'

Was it an endearing gesture of love, even though he didn't think I saw him? Was it a be wise with a precious resource moment?

And, I wonder, Was this the first time? Does he do this and I don't know it?!

Ah, married life.
It is the most wonderful thing. Really, really.

He better not be using my toothbrush. I would have to draw the line right there.

Monday Moment

My Monday Moments describe special moments of motherhood. Sometimes they are moments that make me laugh. Sometimes these moments make me cringe. Other times, they make me do both!



This past Friday I had MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). I am on the leadership team. I stayed afterward just a little bit to help clean-up. After MOPS, instead of heading directly home, I drove around a bit. It was a beautiful sunny day and I felt like enjoying the sunshine for a few minutes.

Once I got home, I began to make lunch. It was at that time that my youngest son (my 3 year-old) said something to me that was really cute. I leaned down to give him a hug.

Whoa! The stench of him nearly knocked me over. I checked his pants and it was not pleasant- not in the slightest way.

"Oh my! What in world?!!"
"You have poop in your pants!!"

It had been there a long time.

"WHY didn't you tell someone at MOPS?! (deep breath) Sweetie, why didn't you ask them to get your mom?"

There was a small pause. He looked up at me with his innocent eyes and then said,

"I thought about it... but every time I thought about it, I almost threw up."

Monday Moment

It's somewhat late on Monday night and I want to share something with you.

Be sure to note that the bottom of the socks that were inside the shoes are black with mud.



Two weeks ago in my Thursday Thanks Tank, I was thankful for muddy shoes. Tonight, when my son walked in, I grimaced, held my breath, and clenched my teeth. Oh, those thankful thoughts were not there.

If you look back at the photo- and look carefully- you might notice a Nike symbol. My husband and I accidentally paid too much for my son's shoes. (Long story... goes something like this: My 3 year-old has to wear Double E shoes [extra wide] so when we were shopping for his shoes we grabbed some for my 7 year-old.) It was not a wise decision. Let me tell you why.

My 7 year-old was a bit confused by my reaction to his muddy shoes tonight (since it was almost the opposite reaction from 2 weeks ago). I told him, "These are your GOOD shoes." To which he said, "No, they are not. I like my white ones better." The white ones were $15 at Wal-mart.

A few minutes later at dinner my son said, "Mom, I am all boy, right?"
Oh, how my words come back to haunt me!

That was my Monday moment. It was a moment of self-reflection. Two situations that were exactly the same and my reaction was totally different. It was a moment of self-assessment: just because I am really picky about my shoes and my 3rd son has serious shoe needs, not everyone needs nice shoes. I think cheap shoes might work just dandy for my 7 year-old!

I cannot stop thinking..."Two weeks ago, I was thankful for these muddy shoes!??!"

Monday Moment: Googly Eyes

The other day my 2nd son David was curious, asked questions, and, of course, got an exceptional answer from his bigger brother.

David: Momma, are you wearing something on your boobies?
Momma: Um, yes, David, I am.
David: What is it called?
Momma: A bra
David: Do you always wear it?
Momma: Yep.
David: Why?
Momma: (Thinking: oh boy, this is getting interesting) I wear my bra for support.
David: What is support?
Momma: Um, hmmm... Support is helping... um.... my boobs are a bit heavy and my bra holds them in the right place.
Jonathan: I KNOW!! Without your bra, your boobs would be like googly eye glasses!!


You know, there really wasn't much I could say after that. I was in tears laughing.

(Ironically, my third son had a conversation about daddy's boobies yesterday. If you need another laugh, you should check that out.)

Monday Moment

Content Warning: I am not sure if this crosses some kind of line. I have been debating posting this humorous story for a couple of weeks. If you are easily offended or if you are not a mom of boys, please stop reading now.

My boys love to tell jokes. They tell all kinds of jokes, most of which don't make any sense. A few months ago, David cleverly came up with a Nut joke. He said, "Guess what is the only kind of nut I can touch?" The answer was: "Doughnuts."

We were really caught off guard recently when his brother changed the punch line.

5 year-old David: What is the only kind of nut I can touch?
7 year-old Jonathan: I know, I know- YOUR nuts!!

David got this funny look on his face. Seth and I tried not to laugh. It was hysterical as it dawned on David what Jonathan meant. (And, yes, we moved on from that joke rather quickly.)

Life with boys- always entertaining!

Monday Moment

One day early last week, the boys were playing in the front yard as I was getting stuff out of the back of the van. It was only a matter of minutes before they were doing some yard work. I was unaware until they proudly proclaimed, "MOMMA! MOMMA! Look what we did."

I turned to see this:

And that is how I got to re-plant some of my neighbors bulbs!

Monday Moment

My favorite moment of last week occured when I took the kids to the post office. I had 2 packages to mail (one large one and one small one). I had one baby to carry in. And, I had three very "busy" boys in-tow. I got the stroller out of the back of the car and I attempted to put the large package in the back of the stroller. I knew from before I even tried that there was no way it was going to fit. Then, I got Elisabeth out and started putting her in the stroller. This sweet, grandmother-type lady (who I had noticed watching me from her car) came over and asked if she could help me carry the package in. I was relieved. She sweet talked Elisbeth and then took a step or two toward the post office. I said, "Just a minute." Then, I proceeded to get all of the boys out of the car. The sweet lady looked stunned.
Then, she said: Are they ALL YOURS??

I sort of felt like superwoman and a freak of nature all at the same time! It didn't matter, though. I could have hugged that women for helping me get in the post office.

Monday Moment

This Monday Moment is inspired by my son David. He is 4 (but constantly thinking about turning 5 in a couple months). He is so cute-- full of funny things to say.

One day last week I was working on memorizing a Bible Verse when David wanted to know what it was all about. I shared it with him and asked him what he thought it meant. The conversation went a little bit like this:

David: "Momma, what are you writing?"
Momma: "I am writing a Bible verse over and over so I can remember it."
David: "What is it?"
Momma: "Set your mind on things above, not earthly things. Colossians 3:2"
Momma: "Do you know what it means?"
David: "Uh... it is like when you are walking down the street getting ready to punch someone and instead of that, you think about it and decide not to do it."

I don't think I will run into that situation myself... but I also won't forget the verse now.