How Many Towels?

This is a journal entry from when our son was in pre-kindergarten.

Last night we got to use up almost all of the towels in our house - including the old ones for camping, clean-up and the dog. You guessed it - somebody was throwing up. Regularly and consistently.

I should have paid more attention when an exhausted mom at the Teddy Bear Making Field Trip told me her son wasn't in attendance because he had spent the prior night being sick. Ooops, forgot to make the mental note.

Surprise at our house.

Our son had climbed in bed with us, and we were all fast asleep. Suddenly, he turned in his sleep, sat up and became violently ill. His new teddy bear, many pillows, the bedding and my nightgown all needed to be cleaned. I wondered how many other field trip teddy bears were also already being washed. Would his still be as soft?

Unfortunately, our sweetie wasn't done being sick with that first erruption. His tummy bothered him every half hour until about 5:00 a.m. Just long enough between episodes for Mommie and Daddy to clean him up, flop down a clean towel and begin to dream. No wonder my dreams were odder than ever! Have you ever dreamed you were the cursor on your laptop? I did last night for a couple of minutes.

Each time he would wake up to throw up, he would ask us when God was going to be done "letting my tummy be sick" and we'd tell him, "soon, honey, soon." Our eyes, limbs and fatigue were heavy. We'd clean him up with another towel, pray a short prayer and drop exhausted back into bed. Somehow our night turned into day, but nothing was as planned. Minimal sleep during a night with a cloudy sunrise.

In the midst of this unexpected night was a small boy who trusted God. He didn't whine. He didn't complain. He looked to God for the answer and waited. Time after time, towel after towel. He continued to look to God for the answer to his experience even when it didn't feel good and took awhile.

I wonder. How many times in the midst of my "surprises" in life do I not only hang on to God's planned outcome, but grip him tightly with my trust in the darker and unclear times? Our son did that last night. He clearly didn't like being sick. Who would? But in the midst of it, he knew enough to look to God and wait. He waited with a sick tummy, but he waited without worrying. Sure he wondered when it would stop and was acutely uncomfortable. But he knew to trust the God who was with him no matter what he was experiencing.

Contrast that with my response last night. I trusted God, but had side commentary in my head each time a new towel was necessary because I had plans for the next day. I ended up learning to rest and wait upon God along with our son. In a way, we were both experiencing the same thing - waiting for someone more powerful than us to make it all better. God used me and his Daddy as instruments and taught me something at the same time.

May I always have trust like this five-year-old boy. Even on the days when the old camping towels stay in their box.

A refreshing read for me today some years later and a good reminder never to let go of trusting God's plan.

Are You a 'Belieber'?

I've been a mom long enough to have gone through the negative kid pop role models from Madonna to Brittany and Miley and now Justin. Brittany, Miley and Justin started out innocently enough but their image-bearers thought they needed ah...more sizzle. Time to toggle the MP3 player "off" if you want your little ones not to grow up too fast.

With Madonna, we knew what we were getting up front. Give her credit for dressing an entire generation in lacy underwear and at least being honest about her desire to shock. I have to say she's got a pretty good set of pipes.

With the girls following in her footsteps, they jack-knifed off their starter paths much to the dismay of parents who hoped their kids could enjoy some simple 'teeny bopper' music. Brittany nearly killed herself trying to find her identity and became a regular mention on national news for awhile. Miley decided she was grown up and sultry by the age of 15 with the support of her parents and disappointed another batch of kids and parents who had hoped she might remain untainted by celebrity.

Along comes this kid on You Tube. Squeaky clean who makes it so big so fast we couldn't even blink. I wondered how long he would last or when he would trip. Sadly, it has come too soon. He isn't 'bringing sexy back' like the girls, but he is bringing back the sagging 80's pants. I saw a picture of him recently and his belt was around his upper thighs, his boxers hugging his fully exposed tush.

This boy-man is now captured screaming at the very press that made him famous, getting in trouble and we hear stories of his entitled public behavior more than anything else. (Except for that very odd, very studded yellow hat.)

Like the others mentioned in this missive, he too has a great voice. He might even be a good entertainer. (Oh wait, I think I saw him grabbing his crotch over and over during a performance on TV. Urg.)

With entertainers, isn't what they do when they are off the stage what really impacts us? For me, that can make or break whether I can watch or listen again...depending on what they are doing. Are they giving to others? Do they have a mission? Or are they just about themselves? We are all clumsy humans, but if someone is in any way trying to make one small corner of the world better for others, I'm going to applaud.

Recently Justin visited the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam. Anne Frank was a teen who hid from the Nazis for two years during the Holocaust before being captured and killed in a concentration camp along with six others also in hiding. Justin was in-between performances, visited the museum and then wrote something like "Hopefully she would've been a belieber" in the guest book. Since it was this rich young man, the comment went viral once the museum published this on its Facebook page. He was dissed world-wide. (The first part of his comment read, "Truly inspiring to be able to come here. Anne was a great girl.")

Jewish author Yvette Alt Miller published comments to the effect saying that at least he was attempting to better himself by even going to the museum. She has a point. Justin didn't have to do that. He put himself in a place of expanding his knowledge base. The second part of the comment is immature, certainly. But what if he was uncomfortable and didn't know what to do? After all, this guy hasn't had the luxury of staying a kid or being parented into adulthood. He's been a figure, not a person. He's been shorted a number of developmental years at home in exchange for fame and wealth. Now he has to figure out some of the basics in front of the entire world. I don't know about you, but when I've done my stupid things it's been in front of a much smaller and more forgiving audience.

Hey, I might even be a belieber myself. If he can just sing and stop trying to be a combination of Michael Jackson and Vanilla Ice and try being...Justin.

What to Tell Kids About the Boston Terrorist Attack

No matter how histroy or the media will refer to the attack on Boston the day of the infamous marathon, it was an act of terror. As of this writing, no entity has claimed credit but there are two suspects. Inflicting death and fear on innocent, unsuspecting people gathered for a celebratory event is terrorism - even if it comes from within our own country. The very definition of terrorism is to terrify. And that it did. Not only those present, but with the images we continue to see repeated around the world, we can all be terrified. We can all cry for what has destroyed lives and families in a country that is supposed to be great. Great and safe.

As I visited articles on the web, I was forced to see photo after photo capturing the hundreds of stories and conditions of the victims. At first I was sickened at the sight of so much blood. So much destruction. Faces captured writhing in pain or stunned in shock. It is a horror that has only begun the first chapter in what comes next for all these people. And our nation.

But as I tapped through the pictures something else became clear. For every one person on a stretcher or collapsed on the ground, one or more passersby or neon-vested emergency official was also there. It wasn't just one person pushing a gurney toward an ambulance, it was a handful! There is a photo of a half-dozen police men unholstering their guns at the sound of the second explosion. There is a picture of a woman laying face down on the sidewalk with a man who had thrown his body over her.

No one was alone that day.

The city had prepared. When the unthinkable happened,the emergency plan was enacted and the officers, troopers, emergency crews went to work. They were aided by regular people. The ones on the side lines and the ones in the street. Everyone worked together instantaneously. That gives me chills and restores my faith in human nature.

God was there in the midst of the blood and debris and horror. He was there under a vest, in a wheelchair, in a blanket. In the arms of a stranger helping another stranger. He was already there before the marathon started. He was with all the contingency planners and emergency training. Our runners were never alone. He was there when three innocent people lost their lives. He was there while other people lost their legs. He was there as every piece of metal hurled itself into unsuscepcting bodies. He was there with each turn of the ambulance wheels racing toward emergency rooms.

He is there now, comforting the families and nursing damaged souls and bodies. He is there now as law enforcement agencies work round the clock to unearth every detail about those responsible. He is the hands and equipment being used to bring healing.

He doesn't wear a bright neon vest or carry a sign, so we can't always see him. But we can always see evidence of him. Just like one season transitioning into another. He is always here. Evil happens, but it is not more powerful than God.

Seeing those determined faces of bystanders and emergency workers affirmed to me that God is good.

Many people were hurt that day, but many more remained safe. Many people who didn't know each other before the marathon are now being helped and prayed for. That is the testimony of God's goodness.

It was supposed to be a fun day that gave participants bragging rights. Instead it became another day we will never forget reminding us that we cannot take anything for granted. It can also become a day that reminds us that God never leaves us, not ever.

What would I tell kids? Aside from limiting their exposure to repeated media images...That help was there in the midst of horror. That God was with every single person and that no one was or is ever alone. In the happy and sad times God is God. God is bigger than evil. Goodness and evil are not equal. Goodness is greater. God did not cause that horror, he rescued it. Just like he rescued us through his Son Jesus Christ.

Thinking Ahead

When I was in high school, the state I lived in legally allowed you to drink at the age of 18. Even though I was several years younger than my peers, I attended parties in their homes. Sometimes the parents were there, sometimes they weren't. Sometimes the parents even bought the keg. I am certain I was not the only illegal drinker. There were other things going on in back rooms or outside. I naively stayed near the largest group of people inside. I had read novels, so I could guess what was being smoked or otherwise inbibed.

I didn't go to that many parties, but one surely stands out in my memory. Two boys from one of my classes were really, really out of it. One of them I suspected accurately as having taken some illegal substances combined with booze and was really whacked. Slurring and stumbling, he decided that he just wanted to lay down and sleep. Alarmed, I forced him to go outside and walked him around the large yard. He was hard to hold up and was furiously insisting he just needed to sleep. I figured if he passed out he'd never wake up. So we kept limping around the yard til the other buddy relieved me and at my insistence, kept walking him around. At school on Monday, the first guy somberly thanked me for saving his life. I do not recall any adults noticing any of this.

My parents never knew about this incident, and had not prepared me for what to do. Even though I didn't know God at the time, he knew me and was acting in my life. And I just remembered there were times when people should not go to sleep.

The other day I heard that the three boys who raped an unconscious 15-year-old girl last fall at a party were finally arrested. It seems that there was a co-ed slumber party and sweet Audrie drank until she passed out. Then three different boys each took a turn with her while other classmates looked on and took pictures. Audrie did not know what had happened until she saw the pictures online a few days later. Her friends had turned against her and she believed her life was ruined. Within the week she had hanged herself. Ever since then, her parents have been putting the pieces together trying to learn why their bright, beautiful, loving girl with her whole life ahead of her would suddenly take her life. The arrests are a huge step in some form of justice. Her parents want her name and picture public so that others can see and learn and stop another such horror.

I cannot fathom the behavior in that room - from the boys commiting such acts with no conscience - to the audience so intrigued they felt justified to capture this depravity for more to see. If these acts would have had an odor, it would have been so dank and insidious the entire street would have needed to be evacuated. In my mind they all go to jail. The onlookers might not have touched Audrie, but to watch and do nothing is criminal. They could have stopped what the boys were doing! But no, being part of a crowd watching and enjoying the torture of another human being was more important at the time.

And... What parent hosts a slumber party for both sexes? What parent lets their child attend such a party? We don't know what Audrie's parents knew. But you have to think at the very least the host home knew a number of people were there. The media will probably never fill us in on this part of the story because the rest of the story is so sensational.

Forgetting the parents for a minute, what has become of people who will watch a horror, treating another human as a disposable commodity of no value? People who will keep their mouths shut out of self preservation?

One of the hallmarks of maturity is the ability to move from concrete to abstract thinking. By the time our teens hit the age of 18, we hope they can navigate life in a balanced manner. Part of getting them there is to teach them to think ahead about what they might do in unexpected circumstances.

My parents did not prepare me ahead of time for the situations that required more wisdom than I possessed. It would have helped even more. I began to prepare my kids once they were about 4 to be stranger-wary. We even practiced what to say if someone said they had a puppy in the car or they had a little child their age. Next came what to do if they were at a friend's house and the dad's gun was brought out or an unacceptable video game or video was shown. By 13, we added details about alchohol, prescription drugs and sexual actions. In addition, we hit the whole "crowd mentality" thing pretty hard. We wanted our kids to think ahead and devise a plan so that if the unforeseen happened, they had an idea of what they would do. Rather than have them overcome with bewilderment or fear, we wanted them to have some sort of predetermined opinion along with an escape plan.

Both of our kids were very uncomfortable with these later discussions and I can be very graphic. I wanted them alive and safe more than anything and I think some of the imagery helped warn them. They knew they could make us the "baddest guys" ever in order to get out of any situation. We always told them they could call at any time, and we would come and get them no questions asked til morning.

I have never come even close to what Audrie's parents have experienced, although in my years of coaching parents have heard some scary stories - but the kids lived. My heart breaks for any parent who walks through such horrors on any level because if the child lives, a part of them has died. And if they die, a part of the parents dies with them.

This is a wake up cry to teach the next generation what it means to have a moral compass and what that looks like in every situation. We can't pick and choose as if life is some de-personalized video game or we will stand for nothing. And then we'll be just like those empty teens in the room that horrible night. Doing nothing.

How to Tell if a Church Values Kids

Combining 14 years experience in 5 churches in various stages, sizes, denominations and locations with my personal experience as a parent before becomng iinvolved in children's ministry, I have some candid observations. These observations are directed to families coming in the door looking for a church home.

For me it's a given that you select a church that values kids regardless of whether or not you have kids, or if your kids have aged out of any programs, and whether or not you are even married. A heathly church recognizes the next generarions on the way and affirms Christ's mandate to love children.

Let's define "children". For me, that is anyone in the womb up to highschool graduation. The current buzz word refers to these groups as "Next Gen".

It goes without saying that everyone who works with a child from birth-18 must have a background check. No one should be allowed near a child without this screening. Additionally, no worker should ever be left alone with a child. Furthermore, workers must be interviewed and trained and regularly encouraged.

Church growth studies state that young families will come to a church that has a great nursery and preschool and clean restrooms. They will stay based on their experiences in service.

So first of all, notice the condition of the nursery. The littlest ones. Do they have proper leader-to-baby ratios? Is there an adult in the room? How many children constitute a "nursery" at this venue and what is the age range? Is the area clean and safe? Do you have a method of checking your child in or out? Where are the doors? Is the equipment new and clean? Are age-appropriate toys available? What is their parent contact plan? How long will they allow your child to be in distress before they contact you? What is the well-child policy? How are the workers trained? And finally, do they have a curriculum they are using or are they just babysitting?

Yes, there are curriculums out there for babies. They include a take-home CD for parents to play the very same music at home their child hears at church as well as monthly parent pages providing tips of things to do at home. These curriculums also provide a short "lesson" for each month with simple graphics. Class time at this age obviously doesn't invlove sitting around a table, but while they are held and played with the leaders are telling them and showing them how God loves them.

Don't attend a church that doesn't honor children from infancy on up.

For toddlers and preschoolers, check again for the adult-to-child ratios. Note how the church divides these age groups. Linger or stay in the class the first time your child is there. Note how each child is welcomed and how the hour is scheduled. Is there an intentional plan or are the children merely roaming for an hour? What curriculum is being used? Are the leaders outgoing, engaging and nurturing? What is the policy for parent contact should a child need comfort or is misbehaving? It is common for snacks to be served at these ages, and usually it is a mini cup of cheerios. Find out what the snack/alergy policy is, especially if your child has any alergy. Will the whole class wash their hands before and after eating? How often are the toys sanitized?

Don't attend a church that doesn't sanitize the nursery, toddler and preschool area after each use.

Kindergarters may have their own class or be combined with kids a year younger or older depending on the size of the church. They should never be combined with babies or young preschoolers because their developmental capabilities are not a match. Again check out how welcoming the leaders are, what is going on in the room to capture your child's immediate interest and what the room looks like. At this age, your child can understand some basic theological prinicples and curriculum and activities should be structured to explain God's love. There should be less play and more teaching going on at this level.

Don't attend a church that expects your child to sit and listen for an hour, they need to move and their attention spans are one minute for every year of age.

Early elementary kids should be kept separate from middle and upper elementary age kids. The larger the church, the greater the chance that they can provide enough leaders to accomplish this. Ask how music, drama, art and videos are used in the teaching. Stick around for the opening portion of the class to see how the weekly point is introduced. Are there take-home resources for the parents either via hand out or online? How are parents communicated with?

Don't attend a church that doesn't provide you with at-home resources (at least through elementary grades) and merely views themselves as a once-a-week stop in your schedule.

Children are growing older younger. What is the church doing to acknowledge your 5th and 6th graders? Are your older elementary kids and middle schoolers given an opportunity to train in an area of service? (Tech, drama, nursery to name a few) What about mentoring high schoolers? Is there a break-out group honoring the in-between kids and what is it? Do they teach to all learning styles? Who are the teachers?

Don't attend a church that doesn't have regular, recognizable volunteers who will get to know your kids. They don't need to see a parade of 'warm bodies' each week. The lack of regular volunteers tells you that the message from the stage does not support next gen ministry and leaves those areas to fend for themselves.

You can easily find out what the church thinks about kids upon your first visit by noting how you are welcomed and where you have to go to drop your kids off. Or if they are even welcome in the service with you! Pick up the bulletin and notice the words used to describe ministry to kids. If you see the word "childcare", that is code for babysitting and represents a stunted mind set. That church will not know how to coach you in your most important role in life much less provide strong lesson plans, but your kid will get a sucker. The wording for all age levels should use active verbs that compell you to enthusiastically offer your child that experience.

Note how much print space, announcement space or power point graphics are regularly devoted to the next generation in the weekly services and web presence. If you see endless studies, projects, prayer groups and tryouts for choir, you will see what is valued most. If you are told there is only one way to be a fully devoted member of the church, be wary. If the one way is a spiritual growth plan, fine. If the one way is to care more about say, small groups than anything else... find that in the Bible first before continuing on.

If you see more PR for all-church events than for kids, that means the money and manpower is also forced there. Volunteers for kids will step away from their regular area in order to help with what they perceive is the really big and important thing, leaving gaps and thus undervaluing kids. Do you want your kids valued whole-heartedly or intermittantly?

Have a child with special needs or a special circumstance? Contact the head of that department ahead of time. Effective people in these roles have the time to meet with you and learn your story and can partner with you to make the experience positive. Are you new to town or new to church? Again, contact the pastors/directors over the ministries for your kids and share with them! I remember giving one family a tour of the church, showing them where everything happened for each age. Until that day they had never set foot in a church and appreciated knowing what was to be expected. They ended up developing relationships with Christ and becoming very active members.

Don't attend a church that doesn't celebrate children.

Several years ago I heard about a 1,000-member church in Southern California that made a radical decision. The members were largly comprised of adults no longer having children left at home. A new Senior Pastor stood on stage and told the people that they were going to be about one thing: developing the next generation for Christ. If they wanted to stay and be part of this focus, great. If they didn't like this, they were welcome to find another place to worship. Guess what? Most of the people stayed to make a difference! And yes, a by-product was an influx of families with kids. I admire his guts and wish there were more people like that in ministry. People who put truth before budget and numbers. People who don't try to please everyone and thus net nothing in the long run. People who confidentally define themselves and go for it 1000%. Bet you this pastor wasn't following someone else's book!

Recently I was asked by someone attending a church for six months if they should pursue membership yet. Knowing that this church did not value the next gen the way I have described above, I encouraged her to watch and wait.

Don't rush to "get married" to a church. Give it time and seasons as you observe and experience who they are.

The Proverbs 31 Woman

Ever heard about this amazing woman? You can read about her in most of chapter 31 in book of Proverbs in the Bible. There we read incredible character traits to aim for. They are pretty lofty, but inspiring. I love the one about her being a prudent business woman in addition to nobley nurturing her family. Check out a few verses:

10 [b]Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her,
and she will greatly enrich his life
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She finds wool and flax
and busily spins it.
14 She is like a merchant’s ship,
bringing her food from afar.

And

16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She is energetic and strong,
a hard worker.
18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
her lamp burns late into the night.
19 Her hands are busy spinning thread,
her fingers twisting fiber.
20 She extends a helping hand to the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.

And

22 She makes her own bedspreads.
She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
23 Her husband is well known at the city gates,
where he sits with the other civic leaders.
24 She makes belted linen garments
and sashes to sell to the merchants.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.

I wanted to teach my little girl these wonderful attributes. How a woman can be both a leader and a supporter, wise and trusting. How central she is to her family, and how far-reaching her influence was. One of the things I found to help me teach this was a lovely children's book called When I'm a Mommy, by Ginger Fulton. It was charmingly illustrated and communicated the Proverbs examples in contemporary language with simple language perfect for a preschooler.

We nestled together on the couch to read our new book. She eagerly listened and absorbed each illustration with wide eyes. I loved reading with her in my arms when I could look at her profile and see those sweet cheeks and rosebud lips focused on the pages. Soon we came to the part paraphrasing verse 15: "She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls."

Somberly, my four-year-old turned and looked up into my eyes. "Well, you're not a Proverbs 31 Mommy because you don't get up that early."

Okay, so I like to sleep in. These verses are still worth some refreshed inspiration!

Let's Pray

I see and hear lots of prayer requests in many forms. There isn't a day that someone on Facebook isn't asking people to pray for a co-worker, baby or body part. A few days later I sometimes even see a jubilant "thank you" to all those who were praying because the prayer worked.

Okay, that's not why they were thankful, it was because they experienced a positive outcome. They got a "yes" to the question they had asked the Creator of the universe. Therefore, they were rejoicing in their answer to prayer.

I think it is a mistake to teach children that a "yes" from God = answered prayer because that leads to the thinking that a "no" must mean unanswered prayer.

How often do we all entrust the deepest desires of our hearts to God and wait with baited breath for him to say yes? Note that I did not say wait for him to answer, because if we are all honest don't we want him to always say yes? My family has been waiting over five years for God to make clear our paths. The fog has lifted here and there but none of us can say at this point that God has answered our biggest and longest-prayed prayer.

What we need to teach children is that prayer is not about the answer we get or when we get the answer. Prayer is about releasing our need into God and stepped back in trust. I will say this again because I really need to hear this today: prayer is about entrusting God no matter what with all of our needs. Letting him know that we agree that we don't know what he knows and that we trust him. Our desired "yes" may look good in our eyes, but God's "no" or "wait" may have broader impact than we can see from our human vantage point.

God always answers prayer. He either says "yes", "no" or "wait". I think we should dance as delightedly for each answer because they are all the same -- from our loving God who is active in our lives whether we think so or not. Each answer is an answer, yippie! That is what I try to teach children.

We surely don't want kids to think God is some kind of magical Santa-being, reduced to passing out lollipops and sugar plums. We don't want to teach our kids that we ask, ask, ask and that's prayer. Kids need to know that asking is but a fragment of a complete prayer. Sometimes it's understandable or necessary to shoot out a "help" prayer, but part of our prayer life should include four components:

A - Adore God for who he is and what he does for the world

C - Confess our mess-ups: the things we have done that we shouldn't have done; and the things we have not done that we should have done (sin)

T - Thank God specifically for what he is doing in your life and world (make a list!)

A - Ask God for help - for people, for yourself, behavior, needs, etc.

When teaching young kids, keep it short and simple. I like to make it realistic by talking about all the places and times we can pray in order for children to understand that we can and should be praying at any time. While brushing teeth, in the middle of a test, on your bike, when you pick up scissors. There isn't a time in our everyday lives that we don't need to talk and listen to God.

Speaking of listening, one of my favorite things to teach is to make a list of all the wonderful things (attributes) about God and sit still. Sit and think of just those things. Talk about a perspective adjustment!

If we can teach our kids that prayer goes both ways, we will have some strong followers of Christ ebbing into adulthood. Then they can pass on their trust to the next generation, and the next to the next and the next.

That's my prayer for my family.

All in a Baby's Day

This is an excerpt from an article I wrote when our son was six months old - born 10 years after his sister - and I was learning and re-learning newborn parenting skills. Laugh again with me...


5:00 a.m. After hearing the 'call of the wild' and responding with a fresh diaper and early morning feeing, parents fall back asleep.

6:30 a.m. Realize that Baby kicking is a call to arms, at least one parent rises and heads for the shower. The other one sips warm water from the glass next to the bed, consoling Baby.

6:45 a.m. Exit shower and attempt to convince Baby that this dripping being is still you just wet and wrapped in towels.

7:10 a.m. Attempt to dress in front of Baby. Stumble to his room and provide him with a new diaper. Realize too late that the wood blinds are being sprinkled and will require a special cleaning procedure.

7:12 - 7:19 a.m. Clean off the window, blinds, changing table and wall as Baby lays shrieking in his crib.

7:29 a.m. Attempt to hold a brief family devotion in the kitchen. Feel relieved that God deeply understands people.

7:45 a.m. Feed Baby breakfast. Watch him practice pull-up exercises on your forearm. Return Baby to his seat after each bite. Wipe off your face, arm, chest and Baby's tray.

8:00 a.m. Pour a glass of water as you attempt to clean up the kitchen. Nibble on a cold bagel as you empty the dishwasher.

8:45 a.m. Baby's floor time! Put toys in front of Baby to discover. Put toys back when you see he would rather reach for the threads on your old couch.

9:00 - 9:40 a.m. Attempt to convince Baby it is time for morning nap. Once he has cried himself into a sweat, carefully place him in the swing and attempt to finish wiping off kitchen counter and table.

9:50 - 11:00 a.m. Laundry time. So much crying occurs as you are swapping loads you drop clean, wet clothes on dirty laundry room floor and forget what you were doing. Accidentally spill entire box of detergent into washer while trying to tune out Baby's shrieks.

11:05 a.m. Pour a glass of water and take 2 sips.

11:17 a.m. Receive a phone call from a friend who wonders why you never call them anymore.

11:23 a.m. Baby lets you know it is time to be fed again while you are still on the phone. He keeps letting you know until he has finished feasting, you have hung up and given him his 'Bink'.

11:36 a.m. Carefully carry a full and tired Baby across his room. You are about to put him down in the lovely crib you just had to have that he rarely sleeps in. As you bend down, hear Baby belch. Notice he has burped all over your shirt.

11:38 a.m. While changing your shirt, Baby notices you are no longer there and begins to shriek. Proceed to shove your head in an armhole.

11:47 a.m. Give up trying to stay home with Baby. Drive all over town for several hours trying to lull him back to sleep. He only listens to jazz music cranked loud enough to drown out his voice. Pray for green lights because he snaps awake the instant the gas guzzling SUV stops moving.

1:45 p.m. Arrive home tired and out of gas. Leave Baby in carseat in car and tiptoe into the house. Pour a glass of water and flip through the mail, unable to concentrate. Begin to play phone messages from more people who wonder why they don't hear from you.

1:48 p.m. Baby wakes up commanding attention.

1:55 - 2:45 p.m. Repeat morning routine. Take five bites of a banana. Pour a glass of water. Place Baby in cradle (another item you had to have) and sit down.

2:45 p.m. Begin to doze off watching an old 'Andy Griffith' rerun. The phone rings, you startle and answer it. Someone is offering you a dry cleaning discount.

3:02 p.m. Baby is asleep. A miracle! Your eyes are heavy. The world is quiet... Suddenly you realize you drive carpool and must get to school to pick up your older child. Drive to school with cool jazz blaring. Ignore stares of other parents wondering why someone your age still listens to music so loudly. Since your rear windows are tinted, no one sees Baby thrashing in the back seat.

3:25 p.m. Take Big Sister and Un-napped Baby to grocery store, the place where you keep all your food. Wander aimlessly up and down aisles, wondering what to make for dinner. Rely on the wisdom of a 10-year-old. Buy an extra package of Parmesan cheese, just in case.

3:50 p.m. While in the check out lane, growl at the latest cover of People featuring another celebrity mom with a baby the same age as yours looking more fabulous than ever. Mutter complaints to God about why your workout of lifting a 15-lb. baby in an 8-lb. car seat all day is not toning your arms like the picture. What about not even sitting down?

4:19 p.m. Big sister changes Baby while you put away the groceries and pour a glass of water. Wonder why you now have five packages of Parmesan cheese, Oreos and Popsicles but nothing for dinner.

4:30 p.m. Sister saunters into room. "Oh Mom, I forgot to tell you that something is wrong with my toilet and I need black shoes for my class play tomorrow."

4:48 p.m. Baby must eat right now. Feed him in ten minutes and clean up for twenty.

5:20 p.m. Ask Sister to mind Baby while you go upstairs to the bathroom. Hear Baby's screams reverberating through the floor. Rush downstairs without zipping jeans to find Sister blowing into Baby's face like a window fan - her technique to quiet him. Carry red-faced, sobbing Baby to safety and pour yourself a glass of water.

5:30 p.m. Call your husband on his cell and find out he is on his way home from work. Wait for him at the end of the driveway.

6:20 p.m. Remember the glass of water in the kitchen and discover it is warm.

6:30 p.m. Remember the laundry you left in the washer all day. Throw it it in the dryer. Even your new top with Big Sister's clothes. Later on, discover how many pieces of gum she had in her pocket.

7:05 p.m. Run over to Wal-Mart for the shoes and some Tylenol.

7:40 p.m. Somehow cook a family dinner. Baby notices everyone focused on their food and demands to be fed. Nurse Baby while eating. Watch in dismay as he yanks your placement out from underneath your plate of spaghetti.

8:20 p.m. The family takes Baby for a short walk. It takes 15 minutes to locate shoes, keys and the dog's leash.

9:00 p.m. After the walk, your Hubby tells you to take some time for yourself while he puts the kids to bed. Tip-toe upstairs to put away laundry. Find a warm glass of water on the bathroom counter.

9:07 p.m. You miss Baby on your hip and Sister chatting away. Tip-toe downstairs to peek. Hubby smiles and shakes his head at you.

9:11 p.m. While in Baby's room laying out his outfit for tomorrow, notice a warm glass of water on his upper closet shelf.

9:12 - 10:15 p.m. Big Sis goes back to bed. And back to bed. And back to bed.

10:20 p.m. Time for Baby's last feeding of the day. Throw on an old T-shirt and cuddle with him.

10:35 p.m. Sister is asleep. Baby is asleep. The dog is in her crate and the dishwasher is on. You hurry to fall asleep before someone needs you again. You've never been more tired or felt more complete.

10:37 p.m. Kiss Hubby good nite. Fall asleep thanking God for this ever-changing and wonderful season of nurturing your precious children - His gifts. Smile. Take a deep breath. While snuggling into your pillow, tell yourself you really must remember to wash your sheets tomorrow.

Technology at Warp Speed

The other day my adult, married daughter texted me from her grandmother's asking if I would teach her how to learn the technology of a typewriter. It seems that grandma had found an old typewriter and had given it to our girl. She laughed and told me she had been trying to use it for 10 minutes, had typed one line that contained four errors and no idea what to do next.

I replied that you either start all over or use the crappy white-out stuff that makes your work look like a bad make-up job. Several LOL's and texts later, she seriously wanted a lesson from me when she visits later this week. When I texted back "imagine writing a 150 page paper on one of those?", she replied that she has a whole new appreciation for me.

I'm valued! I'm valued! I'm truly valued! Being asked to share my expertise of the non-tech days at long last is a parenting milestone.

Sure, I told my then four-year-old girl watching a VIDEO that when I was little, movies were only in movie theaters and you could only see then once unless you paid to watch it again.

I told that same girl that when I was little and you wanted to change the TV channel, you got up and walked across the room to do it.

When DVDs came along ten years later, I told our son that there used to be video tapes that got tangled or stuck in the players.

We were able to pass on big sister's audio tapes to younger brother for about a year until cassette recorders became extinct.

Our son cannot imagine television without DVRs, Netflix or Roku. Every once in awhile just to drag some appreciation out of him, I remind him that when I was little, TV shows were on twice a year. Once when we knew it would be on, and once as a rerun in the summer. If you wanted to watch, you needed to stay home and watch it...or wait all summer and hope.

Don't even get me started on my first shoe-sized cell phone the weight of an anvil, or the pagers all 10-year-olds once used to have before their first phone.

A year ago I heard someone say there is more technology in an iPhone than was in the entire Apollo spacecraft that first landed on the moon!

And now I get to do a tutorial about my long suffering use of a typewriter!! Woot-woot!! I remember the piles of library books and periodicals spread out all over my desk and floor while working on research papers. Today's researcher needs only a laptop and access to Wi-Fi. With software now available, even the weakest paper can at least format well.

Today's student can produce a great-looking product yet have poor content. Yesterday's students got marked down for too many corrections on that old onion skin paper even while having good content.

Technology has made efforts less calorie-burning or milage-requiring and yields impressive formatting. Our challenge as parents and guardians is to continue to hold the bar high and encourage that good ol' true effort. It can be the best of both worlds.