"Your house is always perfection", she said.

I got a text this morning from someone. She had this scary idea for me. Take pictures of my house as-is. And post them. Oh, the horrors. I did NOT want to do that. Then she replies with "In my mind your house is always perfection." I'm always up for proving someone wrong. (Yes, that suitcase on my bedroom floor is from two weekends ago. Judge away.) Good old human nature prevails:

As all you mothers know, the outcome below will last approximately 1 hour. Maybe a bit more if there are children missing from the home. All three of our rugrats will be spending the night at their Great Auntie's tonight so I will get to enjoy my clean house for a bit! Whooohoo!

Inspire me

The time of year is approaching where it's easy to waste away hours in front of the computer. My posts have been severely lacking. I think I used to be interesting and/or amusing. Now I only post if I can manage to take a cute picture of my children. Yay. Thrilling. I've been enjoying Lani's posts but really don't think I could commit to answering some of those questions! Sooo, on a whim I'm leaving it up to my readers. Those of you who are left. What should I write about?

• Bought myself a present today with my birthday gift cards. Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything. I'm psyched. I'll dig up some spare time somewhere in the next 10 years to read it.
• Avrie is currently throwing a massive fit of rage because I won't buy her an Ariel beauty salon setup.
• Nolan refused to participate in Wacky Wednesday at school today. Anyone else have kids who think such things are ridiculous? I had to practically pay him to wear his pajamas to school last year.
• Cole will randomly throw out full sentences. Other than "owwie, ow and no" he has no language. Aside from those full sentences. Did I mention those? "I don't know. I'll be right back." But, he's pretty darned stinkin' cute. He manages to get his way 99% of the time because I'm a sucker. Sure, I'll spank his behind if he's being naughty...but it's followed by kisses. Hmmm...not sure it's so effective that way.

See how much I need inspiration? Zzzzz. I even put myself to sleep.

Dressin' it up!

The best holiday of the year is fast approaching! Well, it was always my favorite holiday. Dressing up to get free candy? Can't get much better than that! Avrie is set on Cinderella, Nolan is going to be a scientist and Cole is up for whatever his mother finds. Unless he decides to talk and tell us. So here's the rundown of previous years:

Nolan, 1 - Pea pod

Nolan, 2 - Cowboy

Nolan, 3 - Bumble Bee

Avrie, 1 - Ladybug

Nolan, 4 - Eyore

Avrie, 2 - Fairy

Nolan, 5 - Box Monster

Avrie, 3 - Ariel

Cole, 1 - Himself

What are your offspring dressing up as this year? Favorites from years past? Ideas for my wee one?

Soul Food

So, so many wonderful thoughts. I don't know where to begin. I think I'll just flip through my notes and bullet the things that really struck a chord.

• The smallness of quietness is big.

• We don't have to run home and read Galations 5 to see all the things we need to be. Just trust God and he'll put those things into us.

• What destroys fellowship? When we slip something in that isn't of God.

• If we keep our testimonies to ourselves they have x-value. If we share it with others it's much more valuable.

• Man can make waves but God moves the tide.

• Feeding of God's people is miraculous but not dramatic.

• When we pray for others we need to be content without knowing the outcome or seeing the prayer answered. Have faith that God will do in His time.

• If royalty doesn't act with dignity, it's revolting.

• The way up is the way down and the way down is the way up.

• Seek him early. God can do miracles at the last minute but, oh, so much better if we seek him early.

• The raven nature. It's not hard to find the raven in someone else but very difficult to see it in ourselves. A sign of progress when we see it. Gen 8:6-8 - God included the raven in salvation. 1 Kings 17:4-6 - God commanded the raven to do something against its nature. God puts something stronger than our selfish human nature in us and gives us the strength to do what is against our nature. Regarding our nature: we may be born that way but we don't have to die that way.

• Sometimes it seems like our prayers aren't effective - it's not because they aren't long enough - they need to be deeper.

• God is faithful whether we believe it or not. But whether we believe it or not determines our outcome.

• We'll be saying one of two things on Judgement Day: "I almost missed it" or "I just missed it."

• God has entrusted us with a little baby Jesus. Take care of Him or we are a child neglecter. We may not be on the front page of the paper but we may not be in eternity either.

• If you could go to college or read Proverbs but could only do one - read Proverbs.

• Wise and Foolish Virgins - the oil represents submission.

• Let us be so familiar with the genuine that we recognize the counterfeit.

• How many ways can you follow one man?

• If we're praying but also feeding the human we're just creating conflict.

• Regardless of how we wrap ourselves our substance will come out.

• God's way will function outside of liberty. We can always pray.

• When the going gets tough the tenderhearted get steadfast.

• Our life will be poured out toward something - let the Lord pick up the flask and pour out the wine so that it's poured out toward the Kingdom.

• We're all dust. So why do we feel like our little pile of dust is better than your little pile of dust?

• So, I'm just realizing that this list is super, duper long when I get to this note: Convention thoughts can be very overwhelming - just pick one thing to do.