What A Legacy

Sitting between my sister closest in age to me and my husband I listened as God's word was read and folks stood up to share their special memories of my uncle.  Tears of sadness and tears of laughter were intermingling down my cheek while a chorus of sniffles could be heard throughout the church.
In beginning the eulogy he was about to deliver, my cousin told us how he had run an off-color joke by his wife asking if he should say it in honor of our uncle at the service.  His wife wisely advised him, 'not at church'.  He then said he'd be happy to share it at the collation.  Uncle Kenny would have loved that!
He then went on to the standard, "What can I say about.."  But then what he shared next was anything but ordinary.  For you see, my uncle was not an 'ordinary' man.  As my cousin said many times, he was 'larger than life'.
The heart of his message was about the kind of legacy this 'larger than life' character had left to us.  He was not a man who strove for wealth or status.  He didn't care to brag or try to impress others with what he had, what he had done, where he had gone and so forth.  He didn't spend his time trying to accumulate material possessions.
No, that was not him.  He was about people.  He befriended folks.  He was the first to help anyone who needed a hand.  He loved deeply; especially his wife of 54 years.  And boy oh boy, he loved to make folks laugh!!  His gift of humor was so much the more enjoyable because he was not one who needed to be mean to be funny.
What a legacy, huh?  He gave wonderful examples of each of these points that caused a wave of nodding heads in the pews as everyone was able to insert their own personal stories in their minds to attest to Kenny's legacy.
We were then all challenged to think about what kind of legacy we are currently striving toward verses maybe what we would like to leave.  Since my oldest son was 9 months old I have been a stay-at-home-mom.  I have loved this life and wouldn't change it for anything! What a blessing!!  But the truth is that there have been times, and times now when I've wondered if I had made the right choice.  As bills get tighter and the 'bare bones' gets even more bare I think, "Shouldn't I just send the kids to daycare and earn some money so we can get new cars and go to Disney and buy the kids more toys and..." (Please do not misread this to think I am putting anyone down who has their kids in daycare.  Every situation is different and what is right for one is not for another.  This is solely my life experience and our situation, no judgement.)
But then I think about what we have been able to do because of this choice we made.  I was able to visit with my mother regularly, especially once she was diagnosed with cancer.  If I had had to worry about work, I wouldn't have been able to spend that time with her.  I wouldn't have been there to share every moment with my boys like first steps, first words, school assemblies and help my son who was non-verbal until 3.  I wouldn't have been able to study God's word so that I could be the coordinator of Women's Ministry at our church and lead Bible study and prepare for talks with the women.  These are but a few of the things that I was blessed to experience by choosing a life far more valuable than money and possessions.
I pray that as life changes and God takes me down new roads that I will always choose as my uncle did to invest my life in people and not 'things', status or bragging.  I hope I always remember to share a laugh, even at my own expense regularly with others.  My hope is that my legacy will be one of caring, loving, hopefully giving a laugh to folks and pray that I'll be a light of the love of Christ and His faithful servant.
Listening to the eulogy, I couldn't (and still can't) help but think his legacy is a pretty gosh darn good one!  I love you Uncle Kenny, thank you!

Now I'll pose the question to you.

What kind of legacy do you wish to leave?

The Things They Say!

Just a few funny things my guys have said/done recently.
I hope they give you as much of a giggle as they have me.

1. 5 year old is standing on the top of the stairs just outside the kitchen back door.  I'm in the kitchen folding laundry.  Child tells (YELLS) to me that he has picked a 'wishing flower' (you know those things that look like dandilions but they're white and fluffy) and is now going to make a wish.  In the loudest voice he could muster (and boy can this child be loud!) he bellows out his wish...
"I wish my mummy was beautiful!"
I LOST it!!!!  I threw my head back and screamed of laughing with tears freely flowing.
My son looks through the window positively baffled.  "Mummy, what's so funny?  Why are you laughing?"
Without waiting for a reply, he looks back to his flower stem and then back at me and gasps, "Oh look! It worked!!"  Mind you, this 'punch line' he says in a quiet voice, so all the neighbors must have been thinking, "This poor kid is sick of looking at his ugly mother."
Isn't that fabulous?!!  I have had laugh over laugh over that one.  Great stuff!!

2.  8 year old is playing a Star Wars computer game as I huff and puff my way through 3 miles of aerobics.  When I stop and shut off the DVD player, son turns around and says, "How much did you do today Mum?"
I answered, "Three miles today."
Son - "Oh.  Well I think you could have done better than that." said with the most dismissive of voices and looks on his face.  But then again, he has every reason to critique as he sits there giving his pointer finger a workout as he protects the galaxy with the mouse!!! 
Can you believe it?  Too funny!  He really is the sweetest kid though!

3. Playing "guys" with my younger son.  I'm waiting as he assembles his Lego Buzz Lightyear.  I make my guy say, "Hey Buzz, how come you're not put together?"
My son, oops, I mean 'Buzz' answers, "Well you know I always say I come in peace."
LOL - isn't that great!! I come in peace - like, I come in pieces!!  I thought that was so clever for a little guy that only turned 5 this summer.  Ahh.. they amuse me so!

4.  Last Thursday I was gathering my notes together and son #1 asked what I was doing.  I told him that I was preparing for the talk I'd be giving that evening for the ladies at church.  He says, "Oh, and do you feel a  little shy about being up in front of everyone?" 
"Yes, a little." I answered.
"Wait a minute." he tells me.  He then emerges from his room with a stuffed Spiderman tucked under one arm, a Serta sheep under the other and hands filled with Star Wars guys and plastic pirates.  "Here you go Mum.  I'll put everyone down stairs so they can be your audience.  You can practice your talk in front of them and then you'll feel good for tonight."
How bloody cute is that???  See, I told you he is sweet.

Ok, that's enough of that.

Actually, no it's not.  I have a video!
My 5 year old could not get enough of "This Little Piggie" for some reason the other day.  Enjoy!!

You've Got A Job - Get To It!

So there I was two nights ago sitting on my couch watching heavens knows what, for it really didn't matter what was on the screen as I was so wrapped up in my thoughts.  I was consumed with thoughts of worry and self-l.. no, not that extream.. not feeling very productive.

I began to pray and ask God to give me a job or some more kids for my day care. "Please help me to provide for my family Lord.  The cars aren't in great shape, the house needs some repairs, we are barely scraping by and I'm just so tired of job hunting and sending out applications and resumes with nothing in return."  Then God spoke to me (yes, God is still in the business of speaking to us if we are quiet enough to listen).  He reminded me that I already have a job.  Several actually.  I am to care for my husband, my children and my home.  He impressed on me that those are the jobs that I am to see to at this point in time and that I need to do them to the best of my ability.  He also reminded me that the second point of the talk I'll be giving in just over a week is how we can trust God's word.  So am I going to trust His word, or not?  The Bible says if He cares for the little sparrow, how much more does He care for us?  If He sees to their needs won't He see to mine?  Of course He will!! And how many times in the Bible does He tell us to "fear not"?  Over 300 times!!  I can't just say I trust, I've got to live it!

So up I got off of the couch and began to iron the clothes I had piled waiting for pressing.  Then as the dryer buzzed I pulled out the next batch in need of de-wrinklization!
Next I headed up stairs (it's now about midnight) and made everyone's lunches for the next day and had hubbys breakfast out and ready for him in the a.m.
The next morning I got up and went right downstairs to get in my 2 mile workout before tackeling the morning routine with the boys.  Once my little cherubs were out and on their way to school I then decided to tackle a project that I've wanted to get to and was inspired between last nights prayer jam with God and having read a great post by the Domestic Engineer.  I cleaned my cabinets!
This was seriously labor intensive and not pretty.  Below you will see what I was dealing with and what the end results were.

These are the cabinets above the stove and microwave.  As you can see, this is a hodge-podge of market goods.  Exactly why do I have sugar and salad dressing and rice and Rice Crispy Treats and Vinegar and... in the same cabinet?

Now this space is used for side dishes (mostly).  I had found a box in this cupboard with approximately 3 grains of rice.  And I was keeping that for...????

Unfortunately I did not snag a 'before' shot of this one.  But let me assure you the spices were in sad shape.  I found a bottle of celery salt that had expired in 2006!  Better yet, my husband asked me why I threw it out?!!! Men!  Please note the little bowl of meds on the top shelf.  The Domestic Engineer had suggested keeping those meds you take at meal time in the kitchen. Brilliant!

Wow!  This cluttered disaster is otherwise known as my baking cupboard.  I am a baker.  Love to bake.  I am amazed looking at this now that I was ever able to find what I needed.  I was expecting to find Whitey Bulger behind the light corn syrup (too much of a Boston reference?), but alas, the coast was clear and in code.

SWEET!  Now I can easily access my numerous flavorings, theres a spot for my chocolate chips and a seperate container for nuts.  My boys were super impressed by the extensive array of sprinkles!

DANGER!  Enter this cabinet at your own risk!

I was frequently pelted with tea bags, overcome by an avalanch of snack crackers and occassionally knocked into dizziness (more than normal) by Pam!

Sniff sniff.. It's a thing of beauty, is it not?

Look at how elegantly the tea bags are displayed in the glass jar!  Look at how the healthy cereals are lined up ever so neatly.  It's been a day and still nothing has tried to assault me from this cabinet.  Amazing!

My oldest son came home from school and noticed the neatened cabinets and then looked at the bottom ones. "Hugh.  So when are you going to get to these?"  Seriously?!  I had best set this boy straight withing the next 15 years or so if he plans on getting married some day.  Geesh!

The bottom cabinets will be next week.

So thank you again to the Domestic Engineer!!  Please go visit her blog - she has some really wonderful posts!!

Unabashed Family Plug

After a few years hiatus (sort of) my sister-in-law Paula is back selling Pampered Chef.  I say 'sort of' because even though she hasn't been a consultant for years she has still been 'in the business' by assisting her director.
For those who don't know, Pampered Chef is a home sales company that sells amazing cooking supplies!!  Paula's whole kitchen (ok, not the appliances) is Pampered Chef, so no one knows the product better than she!  And (I still feel guilty using 'and' at the begining of a sentence! Hope Mrs. Peletier doesn't read this.) she is a great cook!!
So if you are in need of some kitchen supplies (baking stones, utensils, knives, hostess sets, etc...) please visit her site.  PC ships direct to you, so no worries if you don't live in Maine.
Some of my personal favorites:
Pizza Stone
Cutting Boards
Mix n' Scraper (the best!)
Classic Batter Bowl
Stainless Whisk  (another best!)
Small, Medium and Large Scoops
And although I don't own any (there I go with 'and' again... hanging head low) I've used their knives and they're great!!!
These are just a few favs.

Happy cooking!!

The New Mr & Mrs

This past weekend we had the joy of celebrating the wedding of my niece with family and friends.  It was a perfect, allbeit HOT day and the bride was exquisit!!  The whole wedding party looked beautiful and not only did the groom look handsome, but also cool-calm and collected.

Many happy tears were shed as we listened to them exchange vows, have their first dance, mother/son & father/daughter dances and so on.  It was an absolutely delightful day and I couldn't be happier for my niece nor more pleased to welcome a new nephew into the family!  We will even have the pleasure of having them over for a special dinner on their return from their honeymoon.  Can't wait!

Still, my mind can't help but wander back to the days of the little girl who loved to come with me to plays, sleep overs and on shopping excursions.  Every weekend she and my younger niece would head out on the same  route - Dunkin Donuts, Christmas Tree Shop, Herritage House Christian Book Store and Dempsey's Village Barn.  It really doesn't seem like that could be so many years ago.. but alas, it was.

Now as I hear my own boys having a light saber duel in the backgrounds as I type, I am reminded that this time with my guys is short.  Before I know it they'll be heading out with friends and have no time for mum.  Then it will be off to games and later to college.  Then... there will be a girl.  I pray even now that the Lord would be preparing just the right young ladies for each of them.  Ones that would love the Lord, be kind hearted, faithful and true.  Be good natured and funny.  And I pray that I would have a wonderful relationship with them as my mum had with her sons and daughter-in-laws and as my sister-in-law, who is more like a sister, does with her new son-in-law and his family.

This post has taken on a different tone than I had originally intended.  I guess I can't keep from getting a little sentimental.  Another post will be required to address my original intent.

For now, I'll just say - Love and Best Wishes to the new couple.  I pray the Lord will bring them as few trials as He sees fit, the grace and strength to stand together under them and remind them to whom they need to give thanks for the many many blessings they will enjoy!

I love you both!!