the liddle blog

Hello world!

amyliddle — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:20:00 +0000

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Three Weeks

amyliddle — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:09:00 +0000

Three weeks ago, Jason went on a ski trip with some friends.

When he returned, he gave brought me back a bouquet of flowers.

I took this picture yesterday, three weeks from the day I received the flowers.

They are still beautiful…even after three weeks!

Hope

amyliddle — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:09:00 +0000

A few months ago, my brother gave us a plant that had set on his shaded deck during the summer. It’s an indoor plant, and it sat in our garage for a while, though I had intentions of bringing it in “soon” (do you know how that is?).

One fall night (it was closer to winter), it got very cold. The plant sat in the cold garage all night.

I finally brought the plant in.

The plant died a slow death. The leaves began to wilt, and then they became dry. What was once a beautiful, thriving plant had become a brown, dry eyesore.

And eyesore it was. I don’t know what is with me, but I let the dead plant hang out in our dining room for several weeks. Even when we had visitors who had never been to our home, I still did not remove the plant.

Why? I don’t know!!! Probably for the same reason it took me so long to get the plant inside!

Anyway, a few weeks ago, I spotted something incredible. I saw green on the plant. It was trying to grow back! (Perhaps if you have a green thumb, you may not find this incredible. I do NOT have a green thumb and did not expect to see this!) I got my pruning shears and cut back all the dead that was there…basically every bit of foliage there was.

Now, the plant is thriving and is becoming beautiful again.

When I think of the spiritual application of this, one word comes to mind.

Hope.

When all looks to be dead, there is Hope. His name is Jesus Christ.

He was dead, and now He lives.

I was dead, and now I live.

Thank You, Lord, for Hope.

The Word War

amyliddle — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:26:00 +0000

I don’t consider myself to be the most outspoken person in the world, but there are, undeniably, words that slip from my lips that should have never even been formed in my heart to begin with.

Words of hurt. Words of anger. Words of sarcasm. Words that bring no goodness whatsoever to anyone.

It breaks my heart to think that many of the times when those words are actually spoken, they are aimed at my children or my husband–the people I love more than anyone in the world.

Why is that?

I don’t think it’s as important to know the answer to that as it is to actually realize how damaging my words can be. I mean, it doesn’t happen all the time. Many times I don’t actually say what I’m thinking (especially when I’m angry). But also many times I do. Sometimes I am more harsh with my kids than I realize (like if there was a hidden camera I would be so embarrassed). Sometimes I spew words of hurt towards my husband when I think he deserves it. Since when did I become judge?

The past couple of days I read, as I do sometimes, the chapters of Proverbs which correspond with the date. Yesterday I read chapter fifteen and today, sixteen. These words pierced my heart:

Proverbs 15:1 – A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:28 – The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

My words can make a difference, and a soft, well-thought-out answer can turn the tide in the midst of conflict.

Proverbs 15:2 – The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly.

Proverbs 16:21 – The wise in heart will be called understanding, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

Proverbs 16:23 – The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

Listening is good. We are wise when we instruct our mouths.

Finally, here was our family’s memory verse for last week:

Proverbs 16:24 – Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Not only do pleasant words foster an atmosphere of understanding and forgiveness, but they also yield the fruit of love, self-control and kindness. Our words can bring healing to others, and when we have the kind of heart and attitude that brings about pleasant words, healing comes to us as well.

These are many thoughts to ponder, and just a few of many Bible verses pertaining to our speech. I will ponder them, and pray that I can make my words count for goodness and edification, especially to the ones I love the most.

Yay for New Life!

amyliddle — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:18:00 +0000

Emma, me and my little bro.

My sweet new niece was born this past Thursday! She weighed only one ounce less than Evan did, but now Evan looks HUGE next to her!

It’s amazing how fast they grow.

She is named Emma Elizabeth, after her mother, and both of them are doing great!

Why We Like Thursdays

amyliddle — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 03:04:00 +0000

Today, on the way home from co-op, I asked Jake, “So what did you learn in co-op today?”

Without hesitation, he replied, “I learned about snacks.”

I laughed, because I know my kids, and I know how much they love snacks. So of course it is only natural that snacktime is what stood out to him!

Jake loves going to co-op. So does Emily. So does Ashlyn. So do I.

It’s a great break from the normal routine, and for them, a great chance to see their friends and learn about things that perhaps I am not so good at teaching. Things like art.

For me, it’s a chance to get to know other moms who are in the same stage of life as me, facing similar challenges and experiencing similar joys. It’s a chance to check myself against other homeschooling methods, curricula and schedules, not to compare, but to gain insight and ideas (I need plenty of those). It’s a good chance for me to just enjoy having conversations, knowing that my children are in good hands– learning, playing, and of course…..snacking.

Thank you, my co-op friends. You are a blessing!

The Face of Love

amyliddle — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:58:00 +0000

Lately, feeding Evan has been…sweet.

Not that it hasn’t always been sweet. As a nursing mom, and especially knowing that this (barring a miracle) is my last child, I have a particular fondness for Evan’s mealtimes. But the little guy is stealing my heart even more these days.

He seems to be having trouble focusing on his need for nourishment.
Instead, he wants to focus on my face.

It takes me twice as long to nurse, because I can’t deny myself–I spend as much time gazing back as he seems to desire.

Yeah, I know that all babies love faces. But still, he’s studying me. He’s getting to know me. I like to think that he’s telling me he loves me.

There’s something about looking directly into someone’s eyes, isn’t there? There’s an intimacy, a manifestation of the desire to really know someone.

It reminds me of my need to constantly seek Someone’s face. Someone who loves me with a love even greater than mine for my children (though hard to imagine). Someone who will give me all the nourishment I need to live in this love-starved world. Someone whom I desperately long to know better.

“Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.”
Psalm 27:8

Blessings

amyliddle — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:47:00 +0000

As I sit here and write this morning, I am holding a precious child in my arms. He is growing so quickly, and when I gaze at him, I wonder, “What will he look like when he is bigger? What sorts of things will he like to do? What kind of personality will he have?” I look upon him and I say a silent “thank you” to God for yet another blessing that has been bestowed upon our family.

BLESSING. Do I deserve it? No. Have I earned it? Absolutely not. If God were not so gracious and if He gave me what I deserved, I would have no salvation, let alone all of the other good things in life I have. Even in the midst of any adversity I might face, He graciously gives me strength.

Sometimes we look at things a little backwards, thinking that life is supposed to be filled with great things and that when we come upon hard times, then “it’s not fair”. I have thought it many times! We have this sense of entitlement, where we think (perhaps even on a sub-conscious level) that we deserve only good. But one thing that encourages me when I do face difficult circumstances is knowing that it is only because of God and His goodness that I am blessed.

I believe in the complete sovereignty of God the Father. However, I also believe that we are not puppets and that He gives us choices. I don’t have to “understand” Him to love and trust Him, any more than I have to understand exactly how this writing reaches your computer from mine. Not understanding doesn’t keep me from using the internet and writing this blog!

In Isaiah 1:19-20, a choice is offered. It reads, “If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land. But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” The Israelites were offered that choice in Deuteronomy 28 too, and God even gave specific blessings and curses that would be received, depending on the choice that was made. For us, salvation is obviously the most important “choice” we can make. But then, after salvation, we still live our lives and must daily decide whether or not we will live out the teachings of Jesus or whether we will be stubborn and live according to our “rights” (Luke 9:23).

Each day, we are faced with making choices of blessing or cursing. To follow Christ (forgiving, showing compassion) leads to blessing. To deny His teachings and follow what “feels right” as humans (harboring anger, refusing to forgive), leads to a life of sorrow and regret. Are there hardships in the “blessed” life? Absolutely. But there is blessing and growth, even in the pain, therefore, the blessed life will even consider adversity rewarding (James 1:2-4). On the other hand, when we (as Christians) choose to walk in our own way, we will only grow in our stubbornness and pride, which brings misery to ourselves and shame to our walk with Christ.

God desires to bless us. He rewards the faithful and brings much life and light to those who are wholly devoted to Him!

Messes

amyliddle — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 02:17:00 +0000

Tonight my kitchen floor is really dirty. Like, it’s really crummy (as in it is covered in crumbs). It doesn’t matter how often I clean it, it seems that there are always crumbs lying around (that’s what I get for having darker hardwood that shows everything). All day today I knew that my floor needed cleaning, but I just haven’t had time!

Tonight, Jake reached for his cup of milk on the counter–forgetting, apparently, that he had asked for it to be in a cup that was not a sippy cup–and spilled it all over my already filthy kitchen floor! He thought he was in big trouble, but we don’t cry over spilled milk, right? I resisted the urge to scold him (since it was merely an accident) and started cleaning it up. He eagerly grabbed a towel and offered to help, so we cleaned the mess together!

When we were finally finished, I realized that my floor was way cleaner now than it had been before–at least in that area!!

Allow me to paraphrase. My floor was already a mess, but not messy enough for me to take the time to clean it. Then a major spill happened, which forced me to clean it thoroughly. In the end, the floor was clean, crumbs and all. The spilled milk served a purpose, didn’t it?

This is my blog, and I can post whatever I want, right? But all I will say is this: to a certain group of people reading this (you know who you are), let’s remember this analogy. Sometimes a bad situation, although discouraging (to put it very mildly), can open our eyes, and then in the end, we find ourselves in a place that is more beautiful than ever before.

She Cracks Me Up

amyliddle — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:38:00 +0000

My kids make me laugh.

Here was the dialogue from the other night:

Me: Emily, what would you like on your burger?

Emily: Um, that round thing….

Me: A tomato?

Emily: No! It’s round….it’s like ham or something?

Me: Hmmm…an onion?

Emily: (getting increasingly frustrated) No! It’s like…it’s round!! I have one upstairs [in her play food box]. I’ll go get it.

She comes back downstairs with a play pancake.

Well, I couldn’t find it, but it looks like this [she is circling the pancake with her finger]. It’s ROUND like this. But it’s like….it’s like deer meat or something.

I pick up a burger to place it on the bread (we were having frisco melts).

Emily: That!!! That’s what I want on my burger…that brown round thing you’re picking up!

Problem solved. Emily wanted a burger on her burger. Good one Em!