i have been reading a fascinating book, called the tipping point.
it would have been such help to me when i was raising my children,
because one of the premises is that little ones pay attention to what
they understand not just things that excite them.
ph.d's studied pre-schoolers while they were watching "sesame street"
to monitor when they became distracted. they assumed that the kids
would look away if the show couldn't keep their attention, or if an
outside stimulus beguiled them.
what they discovered, instead, was that the children attended to what
they could understand, but looked away when something didn't make
sense to them.
think of all the things we say to our children: "keep your eyes peeled,
don't count your chickens before they hatch, what goes around-comes
around." it's no wonder they aren't paying attention to us!
they can't understand us. "give me understanding, that i may keep
Your law . . . " psalm 119:34
love,
lea
Monday, May 17, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
a cuss word saved my daughter's life
before i tell my scandalous story, i have to give vickie at sandflat farms
all the credit for my disclaimers. she penned a 'tail' about a vicious vole
that still makes me chuckle.
please be advised that you will encounter some graphic language in my
tale today, so please have the kiddies move away from the computer. if
you are squeamish, sunday schoolish, or school marmish, you might
want to go with them.
we had just finished a delicious feast of mexican enchiladas, all eight
children were safely seat belted into my stretch suburban, and i was
checking one more time in the rear view mirror before backing out of
the parking lot.
laughter and happy chatter filled the car, as i caught a glimpse of four
year old hailey in the very back row. she was choking on one of the
after dinner mints.
"ok, everybody out!" i couldn't have possibly reached her without
crushing the four little bodies in the middle row of seats.
no one even heard me. they just kept giggling and squealing, and i
felt panic rising in my throat.
"i mean it, get out!" again, no response.
by now, i was out and opening the back seat door.
"get out of the damn car!!!" seven pairs of little jaws dropped open
and legs scampered out just in time for me to pull hailey over the
seat and perform the heimlich maneuver on her.
out popped the mint, and before i could say, "thank you, Lord,"
five little voices said, "mom, you said a bad word!" i'm sure they
were enjoying cheerful visions of soap in my mouth.
here's the moral of the story: because my children had never heard
me use coarse language, the shock of that cuss word saved my baby
girl's life.
love,
lea
"let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that
which is good to the use of edifying . . ." (or saving lives :)
ephesians 4:29
all the credit for my disclaimers. she penned a 'tail' about a vicious vole
that still makes me chuckle.
please be advised that you will encounter some graphic language in my
tale today, so please have the kiddies move away from the computer. if
you are squeamish, sunday schoolish, or school marmish, you might
want to go with them.
we had just finished a delicious feast of mexican enchiladas, all eight
children were safely seat belted into my stretch suburban, and i was
checking one more time in the rear view mirror before backing out of
the parking lot.
laughter and happy chatter filled the car, as i caught a glimpse of four
year old hailey in the very back row. she was choking on one of the
after dinner mints.
"ok, everybody out!" i couldn't have possibly reached her without
crushing the four little bodies in the middle row of seats.
no one even heard me. they just kept giggling and squealing, and i
felt panic rising in my throat.
"i mean it, get out!" again, no response.
by now, i was out and opening the back seat door.
"get out of the damn car!!!" seven pairs of little jaws dropped open
and legs scampered out just in time for me to pull hailey over the
seat and perform the heimlich maneuver on her.
out popped the mint, and before i could say, "thank you, Lord,"
five little voices said, "mom, you said a bad word!" i'm sure they
were enjoying cheerful visions of soap in my mouth.
here's the moral of the story: because my children had never heard
me use coarse language, the shock of that cuss word saved my baby
girl's life.
love,
lea
"let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that
which is good to the use of edifying . . ." (or saving lives :)
ephesians 4:29
Thursday, May 13, 2010
together we save
http://togetherwesave.blogspot.com/
i remember the early days of our marriage, when we were poor
as little church mice but just as happy. we celebrated the end of
each week by splitting a fried clam dinner at howard johnson's
in white plains, vermont. woo hoo!
our dear friends, the only other married couple at dartmouth,
were even poorer than we were. it used to break my heart to
go to the grocery store with her, because she had to be so very
careful with her nickels and dimes. one time she just burst into
tears as we pulled out of the parking lot.
i have noticed some sweet young brides in blog land who
could use a little boost, too, so here is the magic solution to
help you pinch those pennies.
just click on the link above for the"togetherwesave" blogsite, and
you will be amazed at all the savings this precious and industrious
young woman has made available to us. if you follow her site,
you will be informed 3-4 times daily of happy ways to stretch your
dollars.
"her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value."
proverbs 31:11
love,
lea
i remember the early days of our marriage, when we were poor
as little church mice but just as happy. we celebrated the end of
each week by splitting a fried clam dinner at howard johnson's
in white plains, vermont. woo hoo!
our dear friends, the only other married couple at dartmouth,
were even poorer than we were. it used to break my heart to
go to the grocery store with her, because she had to be so very
careful with her nickels and dimes. one time she just burst into
tears as we pulled out of the parking lot.
i have noticed some sweet young brides in blog land who
could use a little boost, too, so here is the magic solution to
help you pinch those pennies.
just click on the link above for the"togetherwesave" blogsite, and
you will be amazed at all the savings this precious and industrious
young woman has made available to us. if you follow her site,
you will be informed 3-4 times daily of happy ways to stretch your
dollars.
"her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value."
proverbs 31:11
love,
lea
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
an inkling from thistle cove farm
well, i just can't believe that i won something and not just
anything, but the most lovely of all things. a book! my
family has accused me of loving books more than people,
which is a terrible indictment and NOT true, well maybe
a wee bit true.
anyway, sweet sandra of thistle cove farm just sent me the
inklings by jeschke, and i am so excited to dive into
it!
if you haven't visited sandra's lovely farm, you are in for a
treat. it is worth it for the exquisite view that greets you, but
the real treat is the many wonderful things you will learn.
she's a sheepherding, horse ranching, business woman, who
is devoted to plain, simple, and elegant living.
her rich quotes and inspiring messages are a delight for the
soul, and her beautiful photos a feast for the eyes.
thank you, sandra, for my new treasure. your blog has been
a treasure chest!
love,
lea
"every good thing and every perfect gift is from above."
james 1:17
Monday, May 10, 2010
"scarletted"
have you ever received one of those back handed compliments
like this?
"lea, you're hair looks so pretty . . ."
then, before you can say, "why, thank you very much!"
"i mean, it's not nearly as frizzy as usual !"
yep. yesterday.
the way i see it, there are a few responses to what i call having
been "scarletted."
the first is the "respond in kind" reply and has many variations
of this:
"well, fiddle dee dee! scarlett, i thought you were about to give
a sincere compliment for a change. silly old me." this one is very
tempting.
another tried and true reply is the "gomer pyle":
"for shame, for shame, for shame! didn't your mama never tell
you? 'if you cain't say somethin' nice, don't say nuthin' at all!' "
this one might be fun for some, but most people don't like to be
'for shamed.'
the one i recommend though, is the one all of our mothers taught
us, taking the high road:
"oh . . ." it's important to leave a pregnant pause, because you
want scarlett to know you perceived the slight. after all, you're
not stupid. then follow that with:
"well, i always think your hair looks pretty."
love,
lea
ps. "in doing this you will heap burning coals on his (her) head."
proverbs 25:22
like this?
"lea, you're hair looks so pretty . . ."
then, before you can say, "why, thank you very much!"
"i mean, it's not nearly as frizzy as usual !"
yep. yesterday.
the way i see it, there are a few responses to what i call having
been "scarletted."
the first is the "respond in kind" reply and has many variations
of this:
"well, fiddle dee dee! scarlett, i thought you were about to give
a sincere compliment for a change. silly old me." this one is very
tempting.
another tried and true reply is the "gomer pyle":
"for shame, for shame, for shame! didn't your mama never tell
you? 'if you cain't say somethin' nice, don't say nuthin' at all!' "
this one might be fun for some, but most people don't like to be
'for shamed.'
the one i recommend though, is the one all of our mothers taught
us, taking the high road:
"oh . . ." it's important to leave a pregnant pause, because you
want scarlett to know you perceived the slight. after all, you're
not stupid. then follow that with:
"well, i always think your hair looks pretty."
love,
lea
ps. "in doing this you will heap burning coals on his (her) head."
proverbs 25:22
isaac
my water broke almost a month early with our firstborn. my labor
was remarkably unremarkable and before we knew it, we heard our
first baby's cry.
when the nurse placed him in my arms, i said some inconsequential
mommy thing, like, "hey there, sweet boy . . ." and he immediately
grew very still and turned to me.
that he knew me was the defining moment of my life.
it seemed horribly unfair of the nurse to whisk him away again to
clean him up and do some unpleasant things to me. i kept looking
expectantly to the door each time someone came in. doctor, doctor,
nurse, nurse, and then my dad, who was also a doctor.
he, at least, would tell them to hurry up and give me back my baby.
but instead he was painfully somber and said, "honey, something is
wrong with the baby, and they have taken him up to the NICU."
my dad, in fact, was the first to notice our baby's shallow, panting
breathing pattern.
that was the second defining moment of my life.
what followed were terrifying talks with neo-natal doctors who told
us that our baby had a life threatening infection and they offered little
hope they could save him. they would, however, perform surgery
and let us know how he progressed.
hans and i clung to each other and the Lord like never before and felt
Him say, "just trust Me." we truly did not have the faith to claim a
healing or the strength to do more than lean on Him. we named him
isaac, as we felt that we were "abraham" trusting the Lord to provide.
today isaac is 26 years old, 6'7'' tall, incredibly handsome, charming,
and kind. he won't be able to know how much we love him, until he
has his first son.
the only thing i worry about is whether he, as a lawyer, will sue me
someday for writing this.
love,
lea
"sons are a heritage of the Lord." psalm 127:3
was remarkably unremarkable and before we knew it, we heard our
first baby's cry.
when the nurse placed him in my arms, i said some inconsequential
mommy thing, like, "hey there, sweet boy . . ." and he immediately
grew very still and turned to me.
that he knew me was the defining moment of my life.
it seemed horribly unfair of the nurse to whisk him away again to
clean him up and do some unpleasant things to me. i kept looking
expectantly to the door each time someone came in. doctor, doctor,
nurse, nurse, and then my dad, who was also a doctor.
he, at least, would tell them to hurry up and give me back my baby.
but instead he was painfully somber and said, "honey, something is
wrong with the baby, and they have taken him up to the NICU."
my dad, in fact, was the first to notice our baby's shallow, panting
breathing pattern.
that was the second defining moment of my life.
what followed were terrifying talks with neo-natal doctors who told
us that our baby had a life threatening infection and they offered little
hope they could save him. they would, however, perform surgery
and let us know how he progressed.
hans and i clung to each other and the Lord like never before and felt
Him say, "just trust Me." we truly did not have the faith to claim a
healing or the strength to do more than lean on Him. we named him
isaac, as we felt that we were "abraham" trusting the Lord to provide.
today isaac is 26 years old, 6'7'' tall, incredibly handsome, charming,
and kind. he won't be able to know how much we love him, until he
has his first son.
the only thing i worry about is whether he, as a lawyer, will sue me
someday for writing this.
love,
lea
"sons are a heritage of the Lord." psalm 127:3
Saturday, May 8, 2010
i just read sonja's tribute to her mother and realized that i could
never write one that inspiring, but that doesn't mean i won't try!
my mom was by far the prettiest and youngest of all the mothers
of my classmates . hans says that when he was a little boy, he used
to hang out around the choir room just to see her walk by.
just for perspective and lest you think he had an older, washed out
mother, his was a movie star! (peggy dow)
though my mom was lovely, her real beauty radiated from within
her kind and giving heart. i have watched her bake countless pies,
cobblers, and homemade cinnamon rolls for sick friends and spend
endless hours consoling them.
she was the chaperone for the 5,000 choir trips i took, attended any
concert in which i sang, and made my beautiful dresses for each
event. she also created all my formal gowns and prom dresses. i'm
surprised she didn't make my wedding dress!
but her greatest feat was in cherishing her own mother in law. some
of you may have tough ones, but they couldn't be more difficult than
the one my mom had. when grandma moved to our town, all the
aunts from other cities sent their condolences.
my mother purposed in her heart to love her, and therefore, had her
to our house for dinner at least once a week, took her to the store, to
many doctors' appointments, and hair salons.
the most loving gift she gave, though, was a birthday party each year,
at which my grandmother would give a recitation of scripture or a poem
she had written. my own future mother in law attended many of these
lovely parties.
at the end of my grandmother's life, she and my mother had the most
wonderful loving relationship that i will always cherish.
happy mother's day, mom!
love,
lea
"therefore, i urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your
bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God." romans 12:1
never write one that inspiring, but that doesn't mean i won't try!
my mom was by far the prettiest and youngest of all the mothers
of my classmates . hans says that when he was a little boy, he used
to hang out around the choir room just to see her walk by.
just for perspective and lest you think he had an older, washed out
mother, his was a movie star! (peggy dow)
though my mom was lovely, her real beauty radiated from within
her kind and giving heart. i have watched her bake countless pies,
cobblers, and homemade cinnamon rolls for sick friends and spend
endless hours consoling them.
she was the chaperone for the 5,000 choir trips i took, attended any
concert in which i sang, and made my beautiful dresses for each
event. she also created all my formal gowns and prom dresses. i'm
surprised she didn't make my wedding dress!
but her greatest feat was in cherishing her own mother in law. some
of you may have tough ones, but they couldn't be more difficult than
the one my mom had. when grandma moved to our town, all the
aunts from other cities sent their condolences.
my mother purposed in her heart to love her, and therefore, had her
to our house for dinner at least once a week, took her to the store, to
many doctors' appointments, and hair salons.
the most loving gift she gave, though, was a birthday party each year,
at which my grandmother would give a recitation of scripture or a poem
she had written. my own future mother in law attended many of these
lovely parties.
at the end of my grandmother's life, she and my mother had the most
wonderful loving relationship that i will always cherish.
happy mother's day, mom!
love,
lea
"therefore, i urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your
bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God." romans 12:1
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