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I have decided that for me, blogging is sorta like fashion. I am never really quite sure that it works for me, and I am always certain that I will look ridiculous. Nevertheless....
I returned Friday from a week-long trip to Denver. I was apparently missed by my kids. I am sure that Kim missed me as well, but the kids were definitely more giddy than she was at my return. Anyway, while saying goodnight to Tyler tonight, I picked him up and gave him a big bear-hug.
Tyler: "Dad, I am so glad that you are home."
JD: "Thanks, buddy! It's good to be wanted!"
Tyler: "But, not by the police."
JD: "Good point. Goodnight son."
Monday, February 25, 2008
JOY
A morning in the life of a Joy filled 3 year old
So, I tried to catch up on some of my Bible Study this morning while Tanner just ran around and played. Here is the what I found ......................
So, I tried to catch up on some of my Bible Study this morning while Tanner just ran around and played. Here is the what I found ......................
I want to have a picnic 
I just lookin for sumpin
I just lookin for sumpin
I want to play dominos (also notice where Tanner "drums" on my table with his fork at dinner)
This box looks like fun
I want to play drums for a while
I want to play drums for a while
Didn't ask, don't know ?????
I want Noodles for lunch !!
I am ready for my nap ! (yes he said this) woohoo :)
As he was doing this I was finishing up my Bible Study chapter on JOY..... Here is what it says. The Greek word for Joy is Chara. Chara is the most common word translated Joy in the English New Testament. It means "joy, rejoicing, gladness- enjoyment, bliss" In many ways, Chara means to celebrate. I think that Tanner was living by the fruit of the spirit his morning, what a wonderful gift God gives us ...... JOY !!!! True Chara !!
Friday, February 15, 2008
I'M INVISIBLE
I did not write this story, but received it as an email a few months ago, from a good friend. I saved it because I often go back and read it when I am feeling defeated. Who knows if it is a true story, probably not. But it is inspiring and it does make me feel like I am doing good even if God is the only who sees me. This is for all of you Mom's that feel like I do on many days, and those of you who do will know, especially after reading this. It is long, but worth it, please read!
I'm invisible.....
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Pick me up right around 5:30, please." I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going . she's going . she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this." It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees."
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no sickness you've treated, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand- bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there."
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
I'm invisible.....
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Pick me up right around 5:30, please." I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going . she's going . she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this." It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees."
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no sickness you've treated, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand- bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there."
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Toxic Memories
Well, I dont know whether to be proud or sad. Tyler has decided lately that he likes writing songs. He has always been interested in music, but definitely not like Tanner. He has an electric guitar and plays it often and would like to take lessons. Well, he came home from school yesterday and said "Mom, I wrote a new song" I said " you did, wow, well let me read it"
I will have to tell you that as sad as the song made me , I thought to myself, "wow, how creative and deep is this, where did this come from"? It almost sounds more like a poem to me? Oh, and he doesnt really write a whole song...... So here it is, Enjoy !!
I will have to tell you that as sad as the song made me , I thought to myself, "wow, how creative and deep is this, where did this come from"? It almost sounds more like a poem to me? Oh, and he doesnt really write a whole song...... So here it is, Enjoy !!
Toxic Memories
Toxic memories fly by like the wind on a roller coaster ride
toxic old memories,
when you look up in the sky you can almost remember good times
Toxic old memories fly by like the wind on a roller coaster ride
Toxic old memories, toxic old memories, toxic old memories.
Can you believe that this came from a 7 year old, I am just really amazed at my sweet little boy.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Crumrine House Rules
How many times a day do we tell our children to be nice, respectful, honest, dont hit your brother( or sister), we dont say that word, we have to love each other, quit arguing, dont hit your brother just because he hit you. How many times a day do we kick ourselves because we werent as patient, loving, kind, peaceful, or as gentle as we should be or that we had no self control. Andi and I are doing a Beth Moore bible study every Tuesday, " Living Beyond Yourself" , Exploring The Fruit of the Spirit. I will tell you that I LOVE Beth Moore, but I have to be in the mood to really do some homeowork when we start. I was pretty down when we started, just dreading all of the work. I will have to say to you that four weeks into it now, I am amazed. I am amazed at what I am learning, I am amazed at what I am teaching my children and I am mostly amazed at the slow transformation of ME !! I have never been so excited to sit down with my workbook and bible, as I have been the last three weeks. I cant wait to see what the next video, workbook page or scripture says to me. I know with all of my heart that it is not me doing this work, it is definitely the Holy Spirit working thru me and working on me. I came across a passage in 1Peter, in week 2, that kind of made me have a lightbulb moment. I thought "well how perfect is that, there you have it". We try to make up "the house rules" well we always seem to change them, or leave something really important out. Of course the kids think we are just being mean by having all these rules. So, I see this passage and immediately thought, "this needs to be our house rules" How much more perfect can you get than this.( and for the kids to know that these are Gods rules, not just ours) So here it is......
CRUMRINE HOUSE RULES
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For,
“Whoever would love life and
see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are in the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
1Peter 3:8-12
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For,
“Whoever would love life and
see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are in the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
1Peter 3:8-12
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