Gracious and a Lucky Duck

Payton pointed out to me the other day that I say "gracious" a lot lately and asked why...I told him a lot of times people have a word that gets stuck in their head and when they do not know what else to say, they say that word...It appears gracious is what is stuck in mine. He said, "why is your word Gracious, what does it even mean?" I told him that until now I had not given it a lot of thought, but now every time I say it I am wanting to remind myself of how gracious the Lord has been...He has given to us even when we have not asked for it...Sometimes I say Gracious out of thankfulness, other times it is a plea for more of the Lord in my life..."what do you think about that Payton? (feeling pretty good about my impromptu lesson) His response..."Can we stop at Sonic?" I think I really touched his heart.

1. Each student in 1st grade gets the chance to be star student. On Monday of your week you get to bring your 3 favorite things to school. Payton chose to bring his sister, his brother and a wii remote...(He said he actually liked Tony and I better than the wii remote but did not want to hurt any ones feelings by choosing one of us.) This picture shows Payton introducing 2 of his favorite things...This picture reveals so much about every one's personalities...



2. Payton continues to be Payton...Mercy. There is no one else like him. Our conversation the other night went like this:

Becky: Boys, its 5:15 time to start getting things picked up before your dad gets home.
Payton: Can I speak with you alone?
(Every time Payton asks this I know I am about to receive one of his finest talks or questions...Last night this questions was followed with, "Are you sure you really want to leave dad in charge of Eden?" But I digress...)
Becky: Yes, Go ahead...

Payton: "I have been hoping we would not have to have this conversation, now I see its unavoidable...My entire life I have been picking up the house at 5:15 so when dad gets home he can relax after he has worked hard for our family. Well, I go to school now and I work hard. Just once, I want to come home from school and relax. I am tired of picking up Eden's toys. Benjamin seems to make it his goal to get out everything while I am at school and I am worn out with it all. I cannot do it a day longer...long pause while staring for effect (he has this mastered) Now, what can you and I do together to solve this problem?"

Becky: You can start picking up Eden's toys.

3. Eden is part mountain goat. She has found her way onto table tops, cabinets, and shelves. She loves to climb and she loves to try to squeeze into tight places. One of her favorite new games is to squeeze herself into a Tupperware dish and have Benjamin push her at a high rate of speed on the wood floors. She is so much fun. She also has the most unique habit. When she starts getting irritated she rolls her tongue quickly and makes a rattlesnake like sound. Like a rattlesnake, it is a warning, she is about to strike. We love every bit about this baby girl.

4. Benjamin's personality brings us so much laughter. The other night the boys were playing in the backyard when I heard a distinct shattering sound...turned out it was our massive back window. Payton immediately started saying how sad he was, "We should of been more responsible." etc...Benjamin walked in with a huge grin and said, "I just hit the most amazing line drive." Our second born is all about the journey...He and his father did have a discussion about hitting line drives towards windows...

5. Benjamin's got quite an arm on him. During the family snow ball fight he broke out the back window of my dad's truck. Scared him to death...I believe some of this fear came from the fact that he had actually listened to his father's speech on baseballs and windows.

6. Benjamin opened a present that contained a watch on Christmas morning. He was so excited. Payton promptly lost it and said, "I cannot believe this. I forgot to ask for a watch and now I have to live 364 more days wanting one..."So much drama...

Do not worry, Aunt Kelly stepped in and saved the day and he actually got a watch in the cousin gift exchange...which lead him to say "this very well might be the best year of his life."

7. I hope 2010 sees my updating this blog more often...not making any promises, just a little challenge to myself.

8. This weekend I am speaking at a women's retreat. I am excited to do it. I have had a list of the attendees and have been praying for them by name for a month now...I am so excited to see what the Lord does. The scripture that He has put on my heart for the weekend is this....I have been reading it multiple times daily, thanking the Lord for new years and fresh starts...I am so thankful for Him!

Psalm 32

1 Count yourself blessed, how happy you must be— you get a fresh start,
your slate's wiped clean.

2 Count yourself blessed—
God holds nothing against you
and you're holding nothing back from him.

3 When I kept it all inside,
my bones turned to powder,
my words became daylong groans.

4 The pressure never let up;
all the juices of my life dried up.

5 Then I let it all out;
I said, "I'll make a clean breast of my failures to God."
Suddenly the pressure was gone—
my guilt dissolved,
my sin disappeared.

6 These things add up. Every one of us needs to pray;
when all hell breaks loose and the dam bursts
we'll be on high ground, untouched.

7 God's my island hideaway,
keeps danger far from the shore,
throws garlands of hosannas around my neck.

8 Let me give you some good advice;
I'm looking you in the eye
and giving it to you straight:

9 "Don't be ornery like a horse or mule
that needs bit and bridle
to stay on track."

10 God-defiers are always in trouble;
God-affirmers find themselves loved
every time they turn around.

11 Celebrate God.
Sing together—everyone!
All you honest hearts, raise the roof!

9. Yesterday I ran a red light...not a casual red light running...traffic was already in motion and I just happened to enter the intersection between two cars. Eden was screaming, I was feeling around for a pacifier in her diaper bag, I was completely not paying attention to my driving. Everyone slammed on their breaks, made angry gestures at me, I nodded and said I know, and then everyone went on about their lives...but I was greatly shaken and still am. I could of forever changed another families life. I could of forever changed my family. I have thought a lot about how all I could say was I am sorry and how empty that would of felt...and I have thanked the Lord for our safety and the safety of those I do not even know, even in my absent-mindedness. Last night as a family I was telling the boys about this and Payton said, "Sounds like you were a lucky duck." I said, "Well, I don't think I would call it luck...the Lord shielded us from what could of been a disaster for a lot of people. He did it even when He did not have to. He was gracious." To which Payton said, "Exactly, He made you a lucky duck."

10. May you feel the graciousness of the Lord at every turn as 2010 progresses.