Coffee CubBuster

My OFF switch was disabled long ago. Yes having four boys in five years may have added to my maimed button, but I was never good at turning that switch from full throttle to sleep mode. I could blame it on genetics, but then again, many see having full battery power as a positive thing. These days I have no trouble going from bright lights to "sleep mode" with the blink of an eye (literally); it's a different kind of "off" function that is the problem now. I've seen parents oblivious to their children's whereabouts in a crowded, kid-friendly arenas, trusting the fifty other parents to notice any falls or folly with their young. This may simply be a different parenting style, but I struggle to keep both eyes in an adult conversation when my boys are not within reach. Maybe it stems from my time working in a spinal cord and brain injury hospital; maybe it comes from the innate desire to stay one step ahead of disaster, or maybe I just lack trust in others...

When my best friend moved to Italy permanently, it changed her; more specifically, it changed her palate. Some would argue for the better, while others would say providing her a meal became more perplexing as her palate became more "sophisticated." When we get a taste of something real, we tend to gravitate towards it. Whether it's food or friends, there's an increasing trend towards searching frantically for authenticity. Strolling through a super market or retail shop proves this new phenomenon as our western culture tries to match Western Europe's natural way of living. It's easier now than in the past to purchase products labeled, organic, natural, local, or sustainable. Paradoxically, social media sensations have left people yearning for lost legitimacy. Perfect photos and premeditated poses cause a distance between human nature and connectivity. Yet, when we get used to a taste, it can be a hard habit to break. One palate prefers McDonalds as truthfully ...

I recently experienced NBC comedy,  Parks and Rec , for the first time. Actor Rob Lowe's played, Chris Traeger, an overtly optimistic person who spins everything to an upbeat positive note, to an annoying fabricated level. Through him I saw the caricatures drawn for Christians who always want to see the sunny side of life. I'm sure I've been viewed through such a lens by my own family from time to time because I see that same zeal in my eldest child. I think optimism and positivity go a long way to change outcomes, attitudes, and even cultures for the better, but I think it's critical we don't gloss over our dark days. Often when people only see someone as carefree, they begin to hide their own turmoil because they feel isolated in their despair. Having someone you can honestly ask for prayer for you darkest moments is essential to moving from dark to light. Jesus had multiple friends sit with him during his darkest hours in the Garden of Gethsemane the day before ...

I can't wait to give my boys a taste of dirty water. NO typo here. I really hope and pray they get to see a world outside their own for the sake of their souls, and that may mean they drink dirty, unfiltered, H2O. Silas informed me the other day (as I was kindly refilling his reusable water bottle) that I should be using the water that comes from the fridge, not the sink (which is where I've always filled my own cup). To which I responded, there's nothing wrong with our sink water. We live in a blessed country with an abundance of clean drinking water; other places in the world lack any water, let alone clean water in their home. It is certainly possible to comprehend and care for the lost and hurting without ever leaving your hometown, but it is increasingly hard to understand our plague of plethora in the western world without experiencing real poverty. I didn't see any real poverty until I was in Haiti after my Honeymoon, but thankfully (and I am very thankful) my p...

My love of alliteration has officially been passed to my eldest son. When I became a Smith, I loved the Big S, and he was so excited this week to excel at using it too: Silas C. Smith the Super Star Student with a Six Stinker Cake! Here's how I'd describe my boys pros and cons- Silas - Sassy, Smart and Sensitive Levi - Simple, Strong and Silly (extra Special too!) Roman - Sweet, Spicy and Sly Luca - Sunny, steady, and somewhat spoiled ;) In keeping the S's going, Silas turned six and decided he wants to be a Spy when he grows up!  The strong willed first born is beyond a gift to our family. He fiercely loves his family and friends, and he'll seek assurance of all things good in this world! Happy Birthday Si-man! We have three new members of our family, Orca, Webby and Cake (a Beta fish and two snails respectively) I found out my hubby never ever had a pet! I think all these boys could have stared at our new friends all night! Southeaste...