Self-Control has been the topic of many a conversation at my home lately. It also happens to be the virtue Jett is studying this month in KidzWorld. The parenting curriculum he brought home from class dropped right into my lap at the perfect time, since recently he’s been a little impatient with his younger brothers.

My eldest thought the best solution for his lack of patience was to let me know when he was getting impatient with his brothers so maybe I could “make them leave him alone” or redirect them as I like to say. Hopefully, redirection will help prevent Jett from “going nutso on them”. He independently created a card system to indiscreetly handle the “Little Brother Factor.”

This is the card that shows me he’s enjoying Gage…

This is the card that shows me he’s getting close to “nutso” with Gage…

I was quite impressed with his problem solving innovation. We’ll see how it works out!

Maybe I should come up with a card system for handling the “Fifth Street Factor.”

I had hoped seven nights of co-sleeping with me in different places might help Gage forget the “issues” he was having sleeping in his own room.

What a rookie parent thought, I should have know there would be no such luck!

We both agree putting him to sleep in the hallway is the best solution for now! Nighty-night and sleep tight…

Gage came down from his nap dressed like this….

He was so proud of his outfit choice. I asked why he’d chosen to put on a tie and he responded, “I want to dress just like Daddy.”

I think he did pretty well…

See this….

 

It is a pile of dog hair.  It might not look like much, except it is the 4th pile of dog hair I’ve gotten off of Tucker this week.  Thanks to this little gem.

The FURMINATOR…. doesn’t that name scream effectiveness?  I’d heard about this gadget for about a year then when my cousins visited this spring and raved about it.  So, of course I ordered one, when it comes to positive reviews on products that make my life easier, I’m a total follower.

It came in last week and I will have to say I’m quite impressed.  It delivers exactly what it promises.  I kinda doubted it would be worth the hype and who wants to spend $45 on a dogbrush for crying out loud!  But this baby… worth every dime!

What’s the last product you bought that was worth the hype?  Seriously, tell me, you know I’ll be heading to the store to get one!

We REALLY miss him.  Here’s a shout-out for Daddy!

Come home soon….

We’re in the bluegrass state for a few days… also known as God’s Country! 

My favorite thing about Kentucky in the summer (besides my family, of course) is fresh corn on the cob!  Oh my stars, there’s nothing like it!  I ate three ears last night for supper, well, two of my own and then finished off all of the kids, so that adds up to at least another ear! 

My dear boys must have inherited my adoration for the stuff.  I think it is the only vegetable all three of them love, unless you count ketchup as a vegetable!

By the way, our pediatrician totally counts ketchup as a vegetable!

Oh, my youngest…. you’ve heard me call him the ‘Wildcard’ many times. That kid has the most extreme personality I’ve ever seen.

Actually, I’ve seen a very similar personality in a 34 year-old man I happen to share a home with, but I’ve never witnessed such an extreme personality on a toddler.

Brewer is either so happy and loving that I want to kiss him to pieces or he’s so ticked that I want to close him in a room and walk away (not that I’ve ever done that)!

A few weeks ago we were on a road trip and while traveling the Wildcard wants constant attention. He wants his cup, a snack, his lovie, his blanket, his paci, a new movie, my hand to hold, a toy, another snack, more milk, and you get the picture. And he only sleeps for about 25 minutes….. of an 8 hour trip!

Here’s a rarity, a video of him actually entertaining himself. It’s only 51 seconds, watch it until the end…. I promise you’ll laugh!

See these two men?

At first glance you probably don’t see much they would have in common.

Two men from two different nationalities; one American and one Haitian. One raised in a middle class home. The other fled from his home at a young age. One opens his fridge or pantry and has many choices of food at his availability. The other lives on very meager diet. One takes a shower whenever he chooses. The other lives in a country where the government turns off water for days at a time. One can access his laptop, cellphone, and wifi with the touch of a button. The other spends some evenings on electricity provided by a car battery and some evenings in total darkness.

Could these two have anything in common?

Yes, they are brothers in Christ. Men who have both been called by God to spread his word to those who have never heard. Men who believe that the church has the power to change the world. Men who see each other once a year, but connect like old friends. Both pastors who dedicate their lives investing in others for the greater good of all. Brothers in Christ…

We are not called on this journey alone, we are called to serve together. An ocean separates these two on a daily basis, but God connects them heart to heart.

For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Ephesians 2:18

Please remember to keep our CrossPoint mission team in your prayers as well as our Haitian pastor, Moise.

About two weeks ago I mentioned Gage’s little sleep problem. Well, it’s intensified.

The journey has been quite entertaining and exhausting. I thought during one middle of the night “we’ve sprayed monster spray in your room three times” rally sessions, that I should at least make something creative out of all the odd places we find him sleeping.

So, here ya have it, a full week’s worth of Gage’s sleep journal. You saw it here first. Enjoy!

Sunday Night - Hallway between kid’s bedrooms…

Monday Night - Sleeping outside his bedroom doorway…

Tuesday Night - In the doorway of Jett’s room… this is the night we decided as long as he isn’t in our bed, we’d let him sleep where he feels most comfortable and safe. Oh the joy of a full night’s sleep!

Wednesday Night - Hallway again…

Thursday Night - Sleeping in the middle of the woods in a tent was more manageable than sleeping in our own home. Go figure!

Friday Night - He almost got stepped on during my middle of the night bathroom run when I found here, beside and under our bed.

Saturday Night - Some nights we just give up and he joins us!

Notice, although the location of sleep changes nightly, (sometimes several times a night) there is always the consistency of “blankie”!

Just because I know you’re dying to know, Gage’s paranoia is caused by two things. First, his ceiling fan, creepy how those blades spin around and around keeping you cool during a humid night. And secondly, in his words…

“the little man outside my bedroom who stands by the wall, he’s all black like batman, with only a face and a big belly, he has no eyes and no mouth, but does have a nose”

This little man is also known as….. a shadow. I tried to take a picture of this “little man” because his description is quite accurate, but have no clue how to photograph a shadow, so just use your imagination!

We’ll see how long this phase of bedtime fears last. I have a feeling he’ll grow out of it just as Brewer is entering in.

And so were the nights of our lives…..

Read the following statement…..

Several leaders contributed “Second Opinions” to the book (their own thoughts on aspects of burning out and restoration) including Bill Hybels, Wayne Cordeiro, Perry Noble, Mike Foster, Gary Kinnaman, Brandi Wilson, Matt Carter, Shawn Wood, and Craig Groeschel wrote the foreword.

Notice anything? Like MY NAME thrown in the middle of all those amazing Christian leaders from across the country. No worries, it really is suppose to say B-r-a-n-d-i as opposed to P-e-t-e, I’m amazed too! I think this is the first time I’ve one-upped my husband in the church world, and he’s been so excited about it!

I have a friend, one I’m sure you’ve all heard of… her name is Anne, you also know her as Flowerdust. She’s written a really great book focusing on burnout and restoration in ministry.

My “second opinion” in the book focuses on what it is like to be married to a man in ministry. Keeping my opinion to a few paragraphs was tougher than I realized. Ended up I had enough opinions I could have written my own book, who knew??

Anne was the first blog friend whom I met in person, and what a friend to make. This girl has already taught me more than I can tell you, it is a whole blog post on its own! Her pureness of heart is inspirational as well as challenging.

Check out the book! You can pre-order your copy now for only $11.55 from Amazon. That’s a steal! Keep your ears open, I’ll guarantee you’ll be hearing more about this book as the release date nears. Learn more about “Mad Church Disease” on this website. So, go forth and pre-order, I have!

PS - Dear family and friends, please act surprised when you receive a copy of this book as a future gift. I have no doubt you will all want to own your own copy of a book where I have a few published paragraphs!