Remembering and Multi-Tasking....

When Marc's around for the day (not working on weekends), he typically puts this outside our front door....



Yes, the American flag -- something to be oh so proud of....Marc typically doesn't put the flag out when he's working because Marc is very particular of the USA flag "code." He just doesn't want to have to work late, have it get dark, and then, not have the flag properly lit.

I just really should start putting it out daily since I am around home full-time now. I can get it in before dark.

But, even though he was working today, he put it out. Today, it is 9/11 -- a day that will always be remembered in our country. Eight years ago today, there were some senseless attacks on our country -- both in New York City and in Washington, D.C.

Just for my benefit, I must write what I remember about that day.

I was 25 years old. I was single, living alone in an apartment in Wichita. I was working for International Dairy Queen and traveling quite a bit with that job. I had not yet met Marc.

That particular Tuesday, I had taken off work for some reason. I happened to be driving down Rock Rd. (a major road) in Wichita, running an errand, when I heard of the first plane hitting one of the Twin Towers -- I heard this news on the car radio. I remember thinking, "Whoa -- that is really weird." -- I thought this in a sense of, "What's going on? That is sooooo not right."

When I got home, I turned on my TV and saw the other plane hit the other towers as well as the plane hit the Pentagon. I just sat there the rest of the day, watching the coverage, shedding a few tears, asking MANY questions. I really don't know of any other time that I was soooo glued to the TV.

The next day (Wednesday), in the evening, I was at church, working with the Jr. High kids (I was a Jr. High sponsor back then -- where did I get that patience?).

The kids were asking so many questions. To this day, I prayed I answered their questions in the best way possible -- as a Christian.

Why did God do this? Well, God definitely did not do this, but He did allow it to happen.

Are we going to be O.K. here in Kansas? I don't know that for sure, but we must trust God that He will take care of us.

Will we go to war over this? That's an answer I don't know. Again, we're going to trust God that He will help our country's leaders with that decision.

Why?
Why?
Why?

I certainly don't know all of the answers. But God, I know, always has a plan. We must trust Him. Perhaps someday, we can ask him all of the questions in heaven. But then, I have a feeling I'll be enjoying the beauty of heaven so much that I won't care about the answers to life's toughest questions :) In the meantime, I am thankful that I have a Savior and that because I have repented and trusted in Him, I will be going to heaven.

*******

On to a bit more lighter of a subject (sort of)....

Today, I started one of my stay-at-home jobs of watching two wonderful little children -- Oliver and Lily.

Admittedly, I was a bit nervous about having a 2 year-old (Oliver), a 1 year-old (Luke), and an 8 month-old (Lily) in our home all at once. I used to baby-sit multiple children when I was a teenager, but for some reason, this scenario was going to be different.

I learned several things this morning --

a) This set-up will be very good for Luke. He will definitely need to learn that his mommy can't always run to him anytime he whines or cries.

b) This set-up will be very good for me. I need to learn that I can't go running to Luke each and every time he whines or cries. I realize that's an obvious statement, but when you only have one child, that's hard NOT to do.

c) I won't plan on getting anything done in my own home when I have all three children here. I wasn't planning on that anyways, but I know FOR SURE now.

d) Two year-olds are busy people.

e) This set-up will be great at teaching me to be a better multi-tasker.

After about an hour or so of being here -- Lily went down for a nap. She went right down, and I was oh so impressed. Luke doesn't do well sleeping other places. Lily acted like she'd been here a bunch of times.

Oliver, Luke, and I went outside at that point (we only did that when Lily was sleeping as I really don't want to take a 2 year-old and two other children who aren't walking yet outside by myself). Oliver played with a few toys we have in our garage, and he also wanted to do some sidewalk chalk drawing.

He merely drew some squiggly lines. I asked him if he wanted me to write his name. He said, "No, write 'Luke.'" So, I did....Here's all we ended up with.



Then, quickly on to other things. We played with bubbles for a bit...Don't have a photo of that one.

Then, we went back inside and had a little snack.



I have a booster seat for Ollie. It must have been new and exciting. He got in and out of it -- probably close to 10 times. I finally had to say, "Ollie -- either get in or get out." I'm sure the newness of the chair will eventually rub off.



I did turn on the Praise Baby DVD for a bit. Luke loves watching that, and Ollie really wanted a "video." I figured that was O.K. Luke just sat and watched part of it (until he got bored and moved onto something else). I'm posting this photo also because Luke wore his flag shirt today -- in honor of those who lost their lives on 09/11.



Ollie and I built a few things with the Duplo's. He wanted me to help him build an airplane with steps, a building, and a lion's den (presumeably from the Daniel and the Lion's Den story from the Old Testament). Later, Lily destroyed that one. Fortunately, Ollie was on to bigger and better things, and I don't think he even realized the den was destroyed.



Lily is the most layed back baby I personally have ever been around. She was a challenge at all. After her nap, I gave her a bottle. Then, she sat in Luke's chair and ate a few Cheerios. Fortunately, Luke didn't see her do this. Therefore, he didn't get too jealous that somebody else was in his chair.



BUT, the most precious part of the morning was with this little magnet....



It's a magnet on our refrigerator. It's a red van -- advertising a local HVAC company here in town (we don't even use this company anymore).

But, Ollie found it. He was calling it a firetruck. I just let him use his imagination on this one.

Here's what he said -- "If we were inside this firetruck because of a fire, we shouldn't be scared because Jesus would be sitting right beside us."

I said, "Ollie, you are exactly right. Jesus will take care of us."

Oh how, at that point, I realized that I do have too much nervousness and worry on this earth. I need to remember that Jesus is walking right beside us. He will take care of us.

Jesus wants us to have faith like a child....There are so many verses in the Bible about that. Here are two of them....

But Jesus called the children to Him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs tosuch as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdome of God like a little child will never enter it." Luke 18:16-17

Ahhhh....the brilliance of a 2 year-old!