Coffee CubBuster

I recently read an article from a mom who argued against the popular notion: my kids better take care of me when I'm old because they'll owe me big time! I must say after considering both sides, despite my hope that at least one of my boys will call me regularly after they've all married and moved, I agree with Gabrielle Blair (who, to my knowledge, is not related to me in any way)- I chose to bring children into this world (whether you think you have control over that feet of humanity or not, when you learn about the birds and bees, you make a choice). My kids didn't ask if they could please be a part of a broken and beautiful world full of chaos and calamity. They were put into my arms at some point, and my husband and I brought them into my world with the help of an Omnipotent God. They owe me nothing , but I have an opportunity to grace them with everything I possess. Remembering that they are gifts not guarantees helps me on the hard days. Believe you, me, the &

"It was I who taught them to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. For I led them with cords of human kindness and ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them." - Hosea 11:3-4 I recently heard a woman say that she became Muslim because the church of Isalm was "obligated" to help her financially when she  could not afford to care for herself and her child. Often times we experience God's love when life is most difficult because people around us reach their arms out to help. It's a natural act of compassion and human kindness.  However, if it's an obligation then is it really an act of love? This sweet woman found out I was a Christian and said when she was young none of the "christians" she knew were very compassionate or helpful to her. While many of us steer clear of labels that have rubbed us roughly, we should be careful not to make sticker generalizations. I'

Just to give you a reminder of how hard this little man has worked to thrive in this life for four years, and how beautifully far he's traveled.... Here's Little Levi at 3 months old... Here he is at 9 months (Luca's current age)... And here he is at 2 (Roman's age)... And here he is now... 4 years big! We just saw our GI doc to check on Levi's weight progress, and even without his extra milk calories (and my scare tactics) Levi gained weight. The doc said we could graduate and simply be monitored by our pediatrician!!!! I can't tell you how anticlimactic this was for the kids, and how much my heart was screaming for joy simultaneously! This is a huge deal! For four years we've been climbing an uphill battle to get Levi to eat and grow normally, and now in the almost 5th percentile for his size, the docs think he "looks good!" My cup runneth over and over! Thank you for all the prayers. We will continue with our therapies and our Ort

Scare tactic : "a strategy intended to manipulate public opinion about a particular issue by arousing fear or alarm" I'm ashamed to say that when pushed to desperate levels I resort to such strategies that I myself abhor. Desperate times should never push us to desperate levels, but they often do. Some of the things we claim are "desperate" times are really just personal desires rather than dire straights.  If you've ever seen the great boxing drama, Cinderella Man , recall the scene when the eldest son resorts to stealing food during the Great Depression in order to avoid his fear of being sent away from parents who might not otherwise be able to provide.  After his father made him humbly return the meat, he precedes to remind him that no matter what, "they never ever steal." Even in this family's destitute position, the calm dad never scares his son into obedience.  I can't say that I'm always as calm as I hope... As Levi approaches