Silly Bunnies

My parents visited us for Christmas this year. My mom told the story of the tangle bunnies to Sarah, who sat on her lap after breakfast with tangly –hair. It went something like this,

“Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful little princess named Sarah with beautiful long hair. In the mornings, Sarah always woke up with tangles in the back of her hair. You see, while she was sleeping, the tangle bunnies would come. Teeny-tiny bunnies would hop to her door. Then one would peek inside to make sure she was asleep. Next those little tangle bunnies would jump and hop and dance and even make little nests in her beautiful hair all night long. When the first light appeared in the sky, they would hop away. The princess would wake up with tangles in her hair.”

This morning Sarah had some tangles and I said, “Looks like the tangle-bunnies have been busy.” Her response was, “Oh, mama, can we write the story and draw pictures? I want to call them the silly bunnies.” Before I could even smile, she had her markers and paper out. “How do you spell, “once upon a time” ?” Later she proudly showed me her finished story with a slightly different ending…”and the silly bunnies hopped in Sarah’s hair and the silly bunnies got spanked. The End.”

Five things to love about Christmas

1. Celebrating the savior's birth
2. Time with family and friends
3. Yummy treats --fudge, banana bread, homemade oreo truffles
4. Christmas lights
5. Did I mention the truffles?

Church Practice

church practice

These are my kids, during “church practice”? During what? I see that confused look. I actually borrowed this idea from a wonderful woman of God, Cindy S. She had many little ones at the time, including a young boy in cowboy boots who liked to climb under the folding chairs our church used and army crawl through the tunnel. So she had “practice” at home.

Here are my children, each with their “bible”, while my kitchen timer is set for 15 minutes, and we listen to our pastor’s sermon on CD. This way, Mama can “train” and “correct” misbehavior ahead of time, without disturbing anyone’s worship. We did this Monday through Friday this week so I was all ready for Sunday morning.

But Sunday morning, I looked out the window, and what, to my wondering eyes, did appear? But a winter storm warning and weather so drear.

Yes, our beloved service was cancelled this morning. So much for implementing the lessons learned during “church practice”. Since it is Christmas this week and Ryan has time off, I don’t think we will be “practicing” much this week.

On a side note, Do you think the winter weather would keep my husband home? Not to be daunted by a mere “Severe winter weather storm warning”, my fearless husband, was soon out on the roads, delivering cinnamon rolls to some of our church friends. Geesh!

Mommy-teary-eyed feeling

Have you ever had that Mommy-teary-eyed feeling when you see the kids you love loving the man you love or the man you love loving the kids you love? You watch your husband read a book to the kids or hug them. You know the feeling. Or your son brings Daddy a glass of water with an “I love you” note attached. That feeling. I watched Ryan build the kids a huge snow pile in the backyard today and was filled with that happy feeling. The man I love, loving the kids I love, and the kids I love, loving the man I love.

Later in the day, we were playing some music and one of Sarah’s favorites came on, “God of wonders, beyond our galaxy…you are HOLY…you are HOLY.” She learned this song at a vacation bible school this summer and loved it. Whenever it comes up on our kids play list, she runs to the living room and begins to dance, belting out “You are HOLY” in her best little singing voice. And my heart fills up with that Mommy-tery-eyed feeling. Only the feeling is bigger. Because this is my daughter, whom I love, loving the God that I love….

and what Joy must fill God’s heart when we worship him…

Christmas Letter 2008

Welcome to the 16th. annual Westphal Christmas letter (I think it’s 16…we got married in 93 so first letter was 94, plus ten is 2004….is that ten or eleven ? Plus another…nevermind.)

Twas the night before Christmas
And in the Westphal house
Mama frantically typed the Christmas letter
And did not hear a mouse (Thankfully. However, those sticky traps really work.)

Tim and Sarah have grown this year
He is a smart seven-year-old and she’s on her way to six. (and they keep interrupting mama’s typing…I’ll get back to this later.)
They do school with their mama
And love to dance and make brownie mix (Poor Marc does not like brownies at all. He gets a small pile of chocolate chips instead).

Marc and Luc have their learning moments.
They are very active three year olds.
They break and lose their glasses
And always do as they are told (and if you believe that, I have some swampland….seriously, we are working at consistency, active-- not reactive parenting, and patience and prayer as they learn to obey right away, all the way, and with a good heart. Also many trips to the eye doctor.)

And Ryan snoring away and I, with a hot cocoa night cap.
Lie exhausted each night for a few hours nap.

Then it’s back to our lives; we live, work, and play
Following the Good Book and praying each day (Ryan turned 40 this year, will be starting school in January and is an awesome Dad to his kids, and a wonderful husband. He is doing more sales at work and is a man of his word.)

My eyesight has deteriorated at a nice slow pace
Close to the front, and close to the light is my place
These days, I love large print, chocolate, and sitting close to TV.
I know God is in control of everything that happens to me. (Chocolate has nothing to do with vision, but it tastes yummy. Especially those Christmas m and m’s. I think the red ones taste best. Or is it green? I better try some more. Mmm..)

We want to put others first, our family’s goal is ministry.
We pray to obey God and join in his work that we see.
That we all make a difference (go mad) in people’s lives everyday,
Whether we know them well or saw them for the first time today.

For more info and picture proof of our exploits,
Visit my blog and discover (nothing really rhymes with “Exploits”, but it’s a cool sounding word, isn’t it?)

May your life never be too busy but blessed as you share
Your savior, Jesus, with others, as you show your care
For people have problems, perfection’s a myth,
But eternity is good when the savior you walk with.
(Did I just end that with a preposition? Yikes. Merry Christmas everyone. We love you.)
Tracey, Ryan, Timothy, Sarah, Lucas, and Marcus

God's Kids

It’s finally happening. My crew is gaining independence to the point where I can read again. Not entire books like I used to, but I actually checked two books out of the library that were not Easy Readers, Board Books, Drawing Books, Simple Machines, Weather,….you get the idea. Granted, I will not finish these books before the twice-renewed due date, but I will have read parts of them.

Here is what is currently on the end-table. Madman by Tracy Grout –a fictionalized account of the madman at the tombs by the Gadarenes whom Jesus healed from demon possession (several thousand pigs and unhappy farmers were involved). The Minivan Years by Olivia Bruner, Celebrating the Hectic Joys of Motherhood. Here is just a bit of encouragement from Bruner’s book:

“Every mother needs to come to the place of recognizing that her children are not, in fact, her children. They are God’s. Sure, we have the privilege of bearing them, feeding them, comforting them, teaching them, and eventually, releasing them. But we do not own them. Our overprotective impulse, while perfectly natural, is profoundly misguided. I believe God wired moms to keep His kids safe so that we would nurture them toward life, not worry ourselves to death.
The apostle Paul gave valuable perspective to Moms when he wrote the following: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who Love Him, who have been called according to His purpose…..For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:28, 38-39, NIV

So when (not if) mishaps occur, we can rest in the knowledge that God uses all things—even imperfect moms—to accomplish his purposes in the lives of our children. Correction—His children.”

Ever notice that when you watch someone else’s kid, you are more patient, more careful, and more quick to react. Granted, you don’t know these kids as well as the ones you live with, but someone has trusted you with their care. I like to remind myself that God has trusted me to be the mom of these kids. Not only that, but He will provide me with what I need to parent, train, direct their steps, and guide their hearts. He has joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.

My daughter has a new best friend. I actually bought this Raggedy Ann at a garage sale for 25 cents! As much as I hate to add to all the toys my children really don’t need, it was Raggedy Ann, for a quarter.

She looked so clean and unloved in between old coffee cups and baby bibs. So I bought her. My daughter was not that impressed and Raggedy Ann just became one of the toys. That is, until Mark started to undress her one day. Sarah rescued her and wanted to know why she had a heart on her. I quickly explained that Raggedy Ann was a special dolly.

Later, I realized Sarah hadn’t let go of “Ann” all day. Now, Ann is no longer unloved (and no longer clean) but very loved, and accompanies Sarah most places. We’ve also had a few frantic searches for “Ann” before bedtime. (My sister will be pleased to read this as she also LOVED an Ann doll).

Yes, Sarah was even Raggedy Ann for Halloween. Ryan liked to watch people’s reactions, “Oh, a raggedy ann. I haven’t seen a Raggedy Ann in years! How cute! You can have two treats, honey!” (And he thought working the “It’s my birthday” angle was the only way to get extra treats). A special thanks to my grandma for the Raggedy Ann costume.

Things Kids Say

“There’s windy-wind out there, Mom.” To which we added rainy rain, and snowy snow.

Another Markism. “My tummy’s thinkin’ about an apple, mom.”
Luc’s version, “My stomach is WORRIED about an orange.”

Our microwave flashes “End” when the time is up, and Sarah has noticed this. Tonight she told me that when her snack was finished, she would be “E-n-d, done.” She was so smug that I couldn’t even tell her “E-n-d” spells “End.” Maybe tomorrow.

Luc coughs this morning and announces, “I have a frog in my chest.” “Don’t you mean in your throat?” “Nope. In my chest. There’s two of them in there.”

Tim’s new response to any good news is “NICE!” It seems such a teenage response to
me.

God's choice

Have you heard those Christmas songs that seem to depict Mary and Joseph as completely unprepared for parenthood, as if labor pain caught them by surprise.

I tend to think of Mary as an expecially prepared young woman. She KNEW she was pregnant. It wasn’t uncommon for girls her age to wed and have children. She was WILLING. She told the angel, let it be to me as you have said. She knew this child was from God. She was probably studying parenting before the angel left.

I have known a few very smart 14 year old girls. In today’s age, they would get books from the library, and google labor and delivery. They would also do what Mary did, seek out information and advice. She went to see her cousin Elizabeth, a woman who was further along in her pregnancy. Mary may have even been present at the labor and delivery of baby John, taking mental notes, and making a list of what she needed. And she continually praised God….She experienced the Holy Spirit…wow..

Now she may not have imagined a birth in a stable, but I am certain she imagined the birth. After all, God chose this remarkable young woman. The Bible also says that she treasured these things in her heart. I think she was a woman who thought about things. She was there at the savior’s birth and she was there at his death. I can’t even imagine such a thing. Let’s give her a little credit, shall we?

A plus B equals C?

Has anyone else noticed the a plus b equals c mentality that seems to be shaping parts of the church today? There seems to be this underlying principle that if you give, go, and do, God will bless you. There’s no untruth in that. It’s the definintion of the blessing that I struggle with.

God wants you to be healthy…okay…it sounds good, but what if I’m not? What if I’ve raised my kids “right” and they still make bad, life changing decisions? Can I thank God for that blessing?

I just think there’s too much of this—Follow God and it will be well with you.
On the surface it is true . .Does “well” mean my house is paid off, the van is paid off, and the college fund for the four kids is growing? Does “well” mean no one is sick? Or does “well” mean that if all my kids are missionaries in Africa, my husband’s gone and I’m alone at night in 40 years? Is that well?

Yes, God has blessed us, but rejoice if God calls you or your kid to be a garbage collector in India. Send them off willingly and know it is “well”.
We will struggle on this earth. You can’t appreciate the rainbow if not for the rain, right?

A Typical Afternoon, and You?

I deecided to go to the store after lunch. Tim needs gloves. He keeps outgrowing everything. I called Grandma to see if she needed anything. Papertowels. After lunch, everyone wants to go outside Perfect. We will be leaving for the store in a few minutes, everyone. Of course, it’s 23 degrees and snowing like a banshee..

Luke wants help with his socks. He can do this himself, a fact of which I remind him. Mark is already working on it. I am trying to find Sarah her mittens, which are the tote in the laundry room. She heads that way. Tim’s zipper split, but is a quick fix. Marc and Luc are freaking out because they each have one sock on and their brother is wearing the other sock. This is quickly fixed by getting out one more pair and dividing it between them. They look at me as if I have performed a magic trick.

Sarah is almost crying because she can’t open the tote. Remind her to ask nicely for help. Go to laundry room, open tote. See toy car on the floor, put in basket to go up stairs. Marc is going “beeps” and needs to be wiped. Done. Tell him not to run in socks. Wham. Hugs for hurt. Remember your walking feet. Wash hands, where’s the towel? On the floor. Put that back on rack. Find wet washcloth, marble, and doll under the towel. Hang up washcloth, put doll and marble in basket to go upstairs.

Try to convince Marc and Luc to put on their own boots. Much talk and sharing of boots. Start clearing cups and plates from lunch. Finally put boots on boys while praying for patience. Send Marc outside. Send Luc for his coat. Luc dumps tin of popcorn on floor. Sorry mom. Get out broom. Marc is back, he needs a hat. In the tote. Realize contents of tote are covering laundry room floor. Toss stuff in tote, including two marbles and a doll. Weren’t those in the basket?

Okay, all four are outside, with coats, hats, mittens and boots. (except for Tim, who needs bigger gloves.) Whew. Only 1:30…Didn’t we have lunch at noon? Grab my coat, boots, run to the bathroom. Realize I haven’t brushed teeth yer. Thirty second brush job. Out the door. Gather kids. Get to store. Store is stifling. Cart is so stuffed with coats, there’s no room for Grandma’s papertowels. Tim will carry them. Wow thank you Tim.

Where’s Luc? We lost Luc again. I check the next two aisles. I find him trying on boots. He tried on boots last time he was here. Wow, he has a great memory. Only one of his boots is visible. Sarah finds it one aisle over. I put boots on Luc and overhear Tim say, “Watch how far I can throw these papertowels up and catch them!”

Luc is not happy about being dragged back to the cart. Stay by your mom. I calmly explain to Tim about the inappropriate behavior of tossing papertowels. Take deep breath. Sarah is crying. Apparently Marc has hurt her feelings. Luc is also crying. Something about boots. Head for the checkout. Wait in line. Cashier smiles sympathetically, too sympathetically.

This is when I realized I am wearing my shrug in public. The shrug is that quilted flannel shirt from 1987 with the frayed edges, missing buttons, and rolled up sleeves. It’s not pretty, but its the warmest thing I own. I love to wear it around the house. However, it’s really NOT supposed to leave the house. Smile back. Mention that I brushed my teeth today. Cashier stops smiling.

Make way to door. Put everyone’s coats on. Lucas is crying because he is wearing Marc’s coat. Marc is crying for the opposite reason. Switch coats. Sarah is crying. Apparently Lucas has hurt her feelings. I resist the temptation to tell Sarah that more than her feelings are going to be hurt soon. A quick hug instead. She decides to stop crying. Where are Tim’s gloves? Oh, that’s what we came here for….maybe Ryan can get some later.

Back to the van. Buckle Marc and Luc. Time on the clock 2:45. Didn’t we have lunch at noon? Yikes. Drop papertowels at Grandma’s. No, we can’t stay today, Grandma. Arrive home by 4:00. Ever wonder where the day went?