I love having a boy.
Dirtied toes, fire trucks, ambitiousness, any variety of ball, collecting leaves, the need to rough-play on the floor, fearlessness, catching insects. I could go on and on. The little boy spirit is adorable to me, and I hope to encourage it in Sam.
This verse has been my portion of strength lately:
“Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline.” Proverbs 13:24
Although I never got to meet Scott’s dad, a part of me feels like I knew him just from listening to Scott speak so vividly about him. I’m amazed at the tiniest details that Scott can recall from his childhood, especially those memories that involve his dad. Story upon story can fill his mouth in an instant.
The admiration and respect Scott has for his dad is obvious. You can see it when gazing at him intently as he’s reliving some of the precious moments spent with his father. I don’t know if it’s the melody of Scott’s voice or the sweetness in his eyes, but one thing is for sure: Scott loved his dad immensely.
One of the many admirable attributes of Mr. Dudley was his work ethic. According to Scott, he cherished his job and did it well. Providing for his family was not an option. Sick days weren’t used unless absolutely necessary---which Scott claims was defined as can’t-get-out-of-the-bed kind of sickness. I’ll never forget the story of Scott calling his dad from school sick with a fever. “He met me in the school office, felt my forehead, gave me a pat on the rear, and told me to head back to class…I’d be just fine.”
To this day, I can hardly get Scott to stay home from work when he’s sick. (And, secretly, it’s really attractive.)
I could go on and on. Mr. Dudley was a friend to many. He adored his wife and boys. He instilled invaluable lessons into Scott that I am beyond grateful for. My heart swells with thankfulness that my husband got to learn from a man who not only taught with his words, but, more importantly, taught with his deeds.
Today, the 17th of November, would have been Mr. Dudley’s 62nd birthday. He passed away two and a half years ago from a tragic disease called ALS (many of us know it as Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Thinking about Mr. Dudley, Scott, and life in general has left me pondering the fragility of life---how fleeting and short it really is. Verse 4 of Psalm 39 has replayed over and over in my mind this morning:
“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath.”
The brevity of life is something I so often take for granted. And remembering that God---the holy, glorious, infinite God---could accomplish His will without mankind is a humbling thought, as well. He didn’t have to grant life on earth (as short as it may be) as His means of glorifying Himself. Yet He has chosen to give me and you this “measure of days” filled with breaths of blessings and sweetness. What I don’t deserve, He showers freely and abundantly. What a blessed thought.
Happy Birthday to a man that I am proud to call my father-in-law. May we all have thoughts of thankfulness for the rich mercy that, for those who cast themselves on Christ, sustains our every moment of every day...and into eternity.
because I’m about to ramble about Christmas gifts. I know, I know---it’s 80 degrees outside, and most of us still have pumpkins outside our front doors. But working on a budget requires thinking these things through and preparing for the months ahead, you know what I’m $aying?
After some website-hopping last night, the idea of making homemade gifts this year isn’t sounding so bad. Here’s a few handmade gift ideas that are being contemplated:
Coasters from lifeingraceblog.com
Trivet made with a 6x6 tile (that’s my idea)
Do any of you make your own Christmas gifts for family and friends? Ideas?
In my imaginary Beaver Cleaver world, daydreams of Dudley children making each other Christmas gifts puts a grin on this Momma’s face. I’m sure it’s not quite as flowery as I’ve imagined it to be, but it sure would be fun, I think.
On a not-so-unrelated note, the Husband and I are thinking about celebrating Advent this year. It starts four Sundays before Christmas, which is November 28th this year. Honestly, I wasn’t even 100 percent sure I understood what Advent even was until this past week!
In a nutshell, the word Advent means coming, so for four weeks, we remember and anticipate the coming of Christ. Prior to Jesus’ birth, God’s people longed and waited thousands of years for this salvation, this Baby. So, basically, Advent is like a re-enactment of that longing and anticipation. Of course, being on this side of Jesus’ birth, there is no waiting. Salvation has come. Praise the Lord! But, because Christmas is a season with many distractions, hopefully Advent will help this easily consumed family become more worshipful and meditative as we approach Christmas day.
I guess every family is different in how they go about celebrating Advent. If you’ve got any ideas or suggestions, I’ll take ‘em.
This Advent calendar is from Sew, Mama, Sew! and I think I’d like to try to make one myself??? If you happen to be a professional fabric calendar maker, I’d love any advice you have to offer, too.
It’s almost Friday, friends. Can I get a “whoop whoop?”
Our October weekends have been busy lately. Good busy, but busy. I particularly enjoyed this past weekend spent with family. There’s nothing like family who loves you unconditionally---despite our quirks and flaws. I am thankful for them.
Friday night, being the geriatrics we are, Scott and I ate leftovers and stayed up way past our 10:00 bed time. It was quite enjoyable.
I made Little Bit some britches with 1/2 yard of fabric I snatched up from Joann’s this summer. They’re slightly flared a tad more than I had hoped, but, hey, they cost me $4.00 to make, so what’s a little flare?
dusted off his guitar serenaded me with a little Hank Williams and old hymns. It was lovely background music and made my many seam-rippings not so bad.
Saturday morning, we had a Community Missions Day, and while Scott’s crew did yard work, my job was to take pictures of the guys at work.
Afterwards, my mom, grandmother, Fred, and me took off to Birmingham to visit my aunt, uncle, and cousins.
While there, I got to snap a few pictures of my cousins---Molly and Robby---for their family Christmas card. It was a blast!
We somehow, someway managed to swing by the Galleria while we were there. :) We all (including Fred) got new shoes. Oh, happy day!
Whew! What a weekend. A neighborhood strollin’, friend makin’, movie watchin’, fine china usin’, half-marathon runnin’, good eatin’ kind of weekend!
Friday night, ten ladies from church came over to watch Jane Austen’s Persuasion and eat scones and drink coffee. It was fun to have ten women in one room who have some level of love for Jane. I don’t know that I would say I love her novels, but I do really like the ones I’ve read. If you’ve never read a Jane Austen book, you must. She’s witty, prudent, romantically inclined in every way--- and it leaks into her writing.
I took a Jane Austen literature class as an English elective when I was in college, and my greatest memory from the class was a 15-page paper that drifted into space the day it was due. I went to print it out a few hours before class, and it just wasn’t there. Maybe this is why it’s more of a “like” than a “love” for Jane and her books.
Having this little function at my house was a great excuse to pull out the fine china and give it a good cleaning and using. I’m sorry to say it collects dust in my china cabinet.
We indulged in Pumpkin Spice brewed coffee grounds from The Coffee Bean. I’m not much into making plugs, but I highly recommend it, if you’re a pumpkiny kind of person.
Saturday morning, I was up by 5:30---nervous, excited, and giddy. Scott ran his first half-marathon, and me, Sam, and my mom loaded up and headed downtown to cheer him on. I was a proud wifey. I seriously teared up when he ran past us (but then again, it doesn’t take much to make me cry---post-pregnancy hormones, sheesh). He ran the 13.1 miles in one hour and 50 minutes, which put him at a 8:35 mile pace. It made me tired just watching.
I hope you, too, had a great weekend!
Sam and me…we’ve had quite a day. We took a little field trip this mornin’.
Lula is my dad’s chicken. He’s raised her since she was a wee little chick and has grown very fond of her. Me and Sam have been anxious to put a name with a face, so we meandered over to my dad’s office to meet this woman my dad speaks so sweetly about.
Beautiful, aren’t they?! My mom has baked with and scrambled Lula’s eggs, and she says there’s a good difference between these and the store bought. “They aren’t slimy and runny,” she says, “but easily cracked with perfectly round, plump yolks.”
I ever so quickly turn my glance to Sam, as if to reply, “We already have a chicken. His name is Fred. He lays more than an egg a day.”
And that settles that.
Happy Monday!
I have a sacrificial love for my husband.
Scott won.
I don’t blame you, Baby Boy. It’s going to be a long year.
