Then God said "Duh."

Actually, God is too polite to use that exact terminology, but He had every right.

For the past 14+ years, each morning upon waking, reflexively, I offer up prayers of gratitude for the blessing of life with my husband. The simple things like rolling over to see his face, hearing his drowsy rhythmic breathing, and the sharing of under-blanket warmth have been appreciated exponentially more in these recent months.

Cancer, the Great Clarifier, has polished my perceptions of day-to-day life---igniting a new spark illuminating everyday elements that merit profound thanksgiving.

Yesterday, watching Scott's chest rise and fall, I offered upwards, "God, please make sure my man knows how very much I love him, today and everyday."

Before you could say Jiminy Cricket, my very loud inner voice shouted, "That's your job."

Sometimes, God says, "Duh"---- and in such instances, it's as wise a word as ever heard.

Don't forget: Tomorrow is Makes My Monday, and the post will go live in the morning. Be sure and link up for March Monday Making fun!

Saturday Snapshot: Brewmistress

One of the very first "chores" we asked of Darren and Sarah was to "help Mommy count the scoops." Each morning from their high chair perches they'd chirp in unison, "One! Two! Three! Four! Five! Six! Seven! Eight!" as I doled the spoonfuls into the coffee filter.

This morning as we were still lazing in the bed, Double Daddy jokingly heckled Sarah, "We need to teach you how to make coffee!"

No more incentive was needed!

How's your weekend looking---or sounding---so far?

Post a picture...or two, or three...and share a peek!



Providing opportunities for growing kids to feel empowered might be easier than you think! Check out some empowering activity suggestions at FishfulThinking.com!

Today's Specials

Since a very early age, Sarah has long-displayed entrepreneurial tendencies. From hawking her no-longer-loved wares in front of the house on a hot summer day, to selling her skills a la a portraitist working an amusement park, she's ever-contemplating her next move as a true adherent to the capitalist mindset.

For a few months now, she's been developing her future restaurant, "Food Castle." On occasion, she's prepared us some of the gastronomical offerings she plans to feature.

Last night, after having us copy a cover-worthy illustration from her math book (fractions merit pictures), she designed this season's new menu:

As evidenced below, she clearly knows what does NOT belong on a "Kids' Menu..."

Way Back When-esday: Happy Hijinks

Dateline: October 2006
Twins' Age: 5 Years Old

Waiting for their BBQ sandwiches at Pierce's Pitt Barbecue on the way home from vacation, Darren and Sarah seem to have been milking each remaining fun-filled minute.

How I love discovering pictures passed over in the past!

Why not play along with Way Back When-esday?

Dive into those digital photos or scan a scrapbook find. Tell the tale and place a post on your blog. Be sure and link back to participate in the web-wide reverie...and leave a comment when you do!

Nuts

Looking out the window to the back yard, as both made the morning climb-down/dismount from their lofts...

Sarah: "Sometimes I really wish I was a squirrel."

Mommy: "I don't know, Sarah. There's a lot you can do that squirrels can't."

Darren: "People would probably chase you with a broom if you were a squirrel." [Unsure quite where that visual came from in He-Twin's mind's eye.]

Sarah: "If I were a squirrel, I could do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted to." [Apparently, Double Daddy and I are great parental oppressors.]

Makes My Monday: Sukodu Son

Assigned an oversized sudoku board as a special class homework project, Darren was tasked with a challenge far more intense than his average handout--one that definitely required a bit of maternal assistance. After a particularly satisfying batch of fill-ins....

Mommy: "Darren! Isn't this fun?"

Darren: (laughing, but serious) "No, Mommy. It really isn't!"

Challenges---and chugging through them---Make My Monday.

New to Makes My Monday? Share on your blog what warms your week's beginning: Post a picture and tell the tale. After you do, be sure to link back here to share in the web-wide Monday fun. Don't forget to leave a comment for others...comments are always Monday makers!

Saturday Snapshot: Foiled Again!

Such is the aftermath when Double Daddy overhears She-Twin calling He-Twin a "Dumb-A**" amidst an early morning playtime spat.

How's your weekend looking---or sounding---so far?

Post a picture...or two, or three...and share a peek!

Giving Up the Giving Up

Born a religious mutt---my father was Catholic, my mother Southern Baptist---the bloodhound in me has always sought a spirituality wherein I can practice with poignance. The season of Lent, with its annual appeal to elective abstinence offers superlative opportunity.

Too many years, Ash Wednesday's page in the DayPlanner has flipped to front and center with woefully inadequate pre-game deliberation. Shrove Tuesday's two-minute warning bell sounds, and lazily I fall back on my Old Faithfuls of "no chocolate," "no hootch," "no salty language." Sure, all are less-than-ideal personal shortcomings that occasionally segue into gluttony, but does the fleeting few days of deprivation draw me any closer to God? Even a single accidental lapse leaves an aftertaste of full-season failure.

What of the philosophically appealling, less restrictive, more pro-active "Do the Right Thing" approach? Take up exercise. Volunteer. Read the Bible daily. Eat healthier foods---after all, New Year's Eve resolutions tend to be history by winter's end. Even so, the idea of inserting a post-Mardi Gras call to self-improvement seems a bit too convenient. To me, the strategic scheduling of a decision to go do-gooder becomes temptingly more self-congratulatory than Christ-serving.

So what's my Lenten answer? What effort is worthy of my 40-day, pre-Easter endeavor?

This year, I'm going to seek. I'm going to listen. I'm going to acknowledge. I'm going to celebrate.

And for good measure, I'll do it all without Diet Coke.

Way Back When-esday: The Present Day

Dateline: September 5, 2006
Twins' Age: Exactly 5 Years Old

Darren's glee with his new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and Sarah's with her new My Little Pony brings a nostalgic smile. The turtles and ponies so beloved at 5 have long been passed along, but remembering that joy of "a new one!" warms my heart this Way Back When-esday.

Play along with Way Back When-esday!

Dive into those digital photos or scan a scrapbook find. Tell the tale and place a post on your blog. Be sure and link back to participate in the web-wide reverie...and leave a comment when you do!

Anarchy in the U.S.A.

We've a pistol on our hands. She's not Rotten. She's not Vicious. She's Sarah...saying whatever is going on in her a mile-a-minute mind.

Morsels from her recent monologues:

Sarah: "Guess what kind of Christian I am...and it's not Disciples of Christ (our church)."

Mom: "What kind of Christian are you?"

Sarah: "Episcopalian."

Mom: "What is it that Episcopalians believe that you identify with?"

Sarah: "All I know is that George Washington was Episcopalian and we agree on a lot."


As she was showing me a picture of the Iwo Jima statue...

Sarah: "So Japan was against us in a war?"

Mom: "Yes, in World War II."

Sarah: "I would've been on Japan's side."


From the backseat, as we pulled up to our house...

Sarah: "Mom, our family has three Christians and a Hindu."

Mom: (waiting for it....)

Sarah: "I'm the Hindu. Don't tell Grandma."
God save the queen, indeed.


Joining in a bit belatedly to play along with the adorable Missy at Two Little Monkeys' Say What??! Wednesday! Go check out the funny things kids say web-wide!

Makes My Monday: Our Outkast

He--ee--eey Ya....
All right, all right, all right, all right, all right....

Shake it like a Polaroid picture!

Our Valentine's Day karaoke cut-ups Make My Monday.

New to Makes My Monday? Share on your blog what warms your week's beginning: Post a picture and tell the tale. After you do, be sure to link back here to share in the web-wide Monday fun. Don't forget to leave a comment for others...comments are always Monday makers!




Also a Monday Maker: Twinspiration has been nominated for TWO DUBBE (Double Up Books' Book Excellence) Awards! If you read it and liked it and have a spare moment click on the logo in the left sidebar and vote. While you're at Double Up Books, shop around! Shelby has a great reading resource for multiple moms (and dads)!

Soulfood from Sunday Morning

From this morning's Gospel reading---not at all lost on me:

"And all were astounded at the greatness of God."-Luke 9:43

Amen.

Saturday Snapshots: The Three R's

No, not readin', writin' (always perplexed by that "r") and 'rithmetic.

This weekend, we're looking at a healthy dose of Recuperation, RedBox and Romance!
(Cuddling with a healing honey qualifies.)

His hospital bed self-portrait of this morning is this week's Saturday Snapshot.
Now, just a few hours later, he's sleeping comfortably upstairs in his own bed; don't think I could be any more thankful.

How's your weekend looking so far?

Post a picture...or two, or three...and share a glimpse!

Bad Haiku: Valentine Violations

Oh, the marketing
For February 14th-
Such a lot of junk.

Don't want to offend---
Each woman's taste is her own
Take with grain of salt

Vermont Teddy Bears?
Victoria's Secret fluff?
Guess you don't love me.

How about a hug?
A sentiment in a card?
That would mean much more.

For now, just get well,
My beloved Valentine---
The best gift of all.

Wishing you all a wondrous weekend of love!
[Cancer's getting kicked to the curb surgically again today; keep a good thought and send prayer aloft for my love!]

Be sure an compose your own poor poetry and play along with Laura at Catholic Teacher Musings!

Way Back When-esday: The Cutest Cupcake

Sarah's* Age: 2
Dateline: Valentine's Day, 2004

(*and Darren's)

People often comment on the resemblance between Sarah and me. While I don't always see it, her expression of anticipatory sugary glee in this picture is just like her Mama's.

Play along with Way Back When-esday!

Dive into those digital photos or scan a scrapbook find. Tell the tale and place a post on your blog. Be sure and link back to participate in the web-wide reverie...and leave a comment when you do!





Chiming in with wonderful Angie's Wordful Wednesday on Seven Clown Circus, too this week!
(She's a sweetie with a cake theme this week...how can I resist?)

Pieces of Presidential Trivia...

...courtesy of Darren.

Composed 110+ laws.

Enjoys barbeque.*


Much like his Doris Kearns Goodwin-wannabe sister, Darren has a penchant for presidential history. After surprising him with a fandeck of trivia tidbits, he's promised me an executive office fact of the day for the foreseeable future.

Do believe my He-Twin is en route to a Mastery Moment.
[Find out some ways to empower your kids at FishfulThinking.com!]

[*Not intended as a negative indication of underachievement. Even though Clinton wasn't my personal favorite commander in chief, Darren appreciated the fact President Clinton enjoys the BBQ.]

Makes My Monday: The Muffin Man

With snowfall and ice cancelling church the second Sunday in a row, we had the time to bake up a batch of Cinnamon Doughnut muffins---recipe courtesy of one of my favorite bloggers, Noble Pig.

Darren consumed six. Do you know the muffin man? I do---I birthed him.

His pleasure with a new morning meal Makes My Monday.

New to Makes My Monday? Share on your blog what warms your week's beginning: Post a picture and tell the tale. After you do, be sure to link back here to share in the web-wide Monday fun. Don't forget to leave a comment for others...comments are always Monday makers!

Saturday Snapshots: Frightful

The weather outside...
...and Sarah's subject matter.

*Please do note the inclusion of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's iconic, unrestrained by tank top chest hair.

Such are a few glimspes of our weekend---how's yours looking so far?

Post a picture...or two, or three...and share a peek!

Bad Haiku Friday: Morning Glory

Still dark. Look to clock.
Is it six? Blink. No, it's five!
Another hour!

Back when I was young,
Snow rarely canceled school days.
My, how times have changed!
Compose a couple 5-7-5 lines and play along with Laura at Catholic Teacher Musings!

Finished for Friday: Purple Pastime

Last weekend's snow motivated a perusal of the free online crochet patterns at Lion Brand Yarn. (No, I've not received any compensation for the mention---just a fantastic resource I like to frequent.)

When I saw the "Claudette" ruffled scarf, thought it was worth a try:

Quick. Easy. One skein. More snow this weekend. Have yarn, will crochet!

Now go see other productivity on parade at Lit & Laundry's Finished for Friday!

Notes from the Knob

Cute...

Crabby...


Oooh, I know it's only Thursday, but I'm playing these photos in Cecily's amazing weekly carnival, Photo Story Friday. Play along!

Hosted by Cecily and Robyn