Keep-Away

This week was the last week of T-ball and Coach Pitch baseball for 2 of my boys. It was a quick season since we were out of town for a couple of weeks. Earlier this week, my son had an end of the season party after the last game at a local park. Hot dogs were grilled, side dishes and desserts were brought and the kids had a blast playing on the playground.

As I was waiting for the hot dogs to be grilled, I watched the kids playing. I noticed that the kids were playing keep-away from my son. They had his baseball hat and they were running and passing it to each other while my son tried to catch up with them. I wondered if my son was having fun or getting frustrated. It pained me to watch the game. (I found out later from my husband that my son had played the game the other way around, playing keep away from another kid. He was not innocently being picked on. His game just went on a lot longer because he wasn't as fast as the other kids. But, I didn't know that as I watched.)

My son couldn't keep up and the keep-away game kept going on and on. It seemed like forever to his mom. My 19 month old daughter started making her way to the playground and I followed her. As I got closer to the kids, I quickly realized my son was getting upset. He looked like he was about to cry.

I said his name and stopped him with my hand. I said his name again, stronger. I told him that if he was tired of playing, he should stop running. I said, 'They will not keep running if you stop chasing them.' In a matter of moments, as he was looking at me in desperation, the kids dropped his hat. The game was over. My son was relieved.

After dinner, my son went and played with the other kids like nothing ever happened.

I couldn't stop thinking about the game and how it ended.

A parallel jumped to my mind. Why is it that I often chase (or long for) things that I don't have? I run after them (at least in my mind) with great enthusiasm. I strive for one more thing. I push for it. I get frustrated because it takes time to earn what I want. I keep on struggling to get it, even though I don't need it. It's like the keep-away game. When I see others with something I don't have, I want it. I forget what I have and I long for more and more.

Once I recognize that I have what I need, my discontentment will disappear.

It seems simple when I listen to the thoughts in my mind. It is difficult when I am the kid watching the others play. It is only possible when I depend on a God that reaches my heart with a strong hand and a quiet voice.

Thursday Thanks Tank #95

Every week I take time to make a thankful list. This list is my Thanks Tank.

I am thankful for:

Vacation: I have admit that I probably said something about wanting a "real" vacation before we went on our vacation to visit family. My vacation proved itself to be much more than I expected. It was relaxing (yes, we had some down time), refreshing (southern food and family - need I say more?), and exciting (it was incredible to see the cousins playing together). We had a fabulous time with our families.

Family: This goes hand-in-hand with the last item. I am thankful for all of the family that I got to spend time with on our vacation. The time was precious.

Friends: I am thankful for my friends. I had friends that lent me portable DVD players (we had two, which proved to be perfect for our plane rides). Friends of ours got our mail and watered our garden (yes, folks, we have our very first vegetables growing!). Friends of ours got together to see us when we were in TN. Friends of ours in the NW made us feel loved and missed. I am blessed by my friends.

Cherry Limeades: Oh my, I was addicted to these when I was in TN. I am thankful for them because they were quite the treat at the end of a hot day. I must have had 4 or 5 of these on our trip.

Benedryl: I am thankful for Benedryl. We had to use it on more than one occassion on our trip. I am not happy about that but I am thankful for this medicine that treats allergies.

Video games: My boys often drive me crazy playing video games or wanting to play them. However, when planned carefully (like today), you can get your children to complete chores and save their "screen time" until their sister's naptime. For today, anyway, I am thankful for video games and the quiet they have provided me.

Books: I took time to read a bit this afternoon while the boys were playing and the little one was napping. I love reading and I often forget to make time for it. Righ tnow I am reading The Secret Life of Bees. I finished My Sister's Keeper on the plane (yep, Elsie slept some!). It isn't Jodi Piccolt's best book but I enjoyed it and I will most likely see the movie sometime.

Cookies: I am thankful for cookies... not for eating them (which is quite enjoyable) but for how much I enjoy making them. The day before we left for our trip, I was packing and organizing like a mad women. I was begginning to stress so... I made a batch of cookies (yes, yes, from scratch). After that, I felt wonderful. There is nothing like baking to make me happy. (OK- Starbucks makes me really happy, too.) Just for the record, I baked about 3 batches of cookies (2 different kinds) on our trip and another batch of cookies yesterday.

Everyday Lessons: I am constantly learning. I love it when I recognize a lesson in an ordinary situation. I am thankful for a few things I have learned this past week. I am thankful for how God reveals something to me in a situation, in something I read, or in something I see my kids doing.

These things and many others are filling up my grateful heart. Take time to be thankful today. You will benefit from it.

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Like Mother Like Daugher (+Giveaway)

She grabbed my latte, I grabbed my camera. My husband laughed.
Who could blame her? You have to get coffee when you can.
Who could blame me? She's so adorable.




Doesn't coffee sound good right now?!
Wouldn't you love for someone to buy you Starbucks?
You need a new necklace, too.

My friend Jill (she's a sweet friend that lives in the same town as me) is celebrating her blog anniversary by giving away Starbucks and a necklace. Hop over to her blog and enter. All you have to do is leave a comment on her blog: Jill’s Blogiversary Giveaway

Tasty Tuesday: Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love to bake. I also love cookies. I have tried many chocolate chip recipes and this recipe is my favorite. With many of the other recipes I tried,I had mixed results: fantastic cookies one time and flat cookies the next. This recipe provides "perfect" cookies every time. They are wonderful.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter (best if softened)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 12 ouce package (2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a mixing bowl beat the shortening and butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add 1 and 1/2 cups of the flour, the brown sugar, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and baking soda. Beat the mixture until thoroughly combined. Beat in remaining 1 cup of flour. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack.