Random ramblings...

First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! This year might qualify you for the worst gift-getting ever, as I just mailed your birthday card yesterday (no chance of it getting there by tomorrow unless the postman flies all night to deliver it for only 49 cents...) and I still have yet to finish your present. What do I do with myself all day? I'll try to be more on the ball next year, but for now, hope your day is great!!

I have been reading some awesome stuff lately and, not that I have any brilliant insight to add, wanted to share. I grabbed a book at the Christian book store the other week called "Found Faithful" by Elizabeth Skoglund. It is a compilation of stories about Christian heroes like Charles Spurgeon, Amy Carmichael, C.S. Lewis, and Ruth Bell Graham. I found myself reading the part on Spurgeon, not because I wanted to be some big shot intellectual, but just because I wanted a little light reading to help me fall asleep (sorry, Chuck!). But, what I read kept me up a lot longer than I had planned, pondering over how God uses terrible, inadequate, miserable people to do His awesome and mighty will. The man who was called the prince of preachers was so overcome by depression and anxiety that he would spend weeks in bed and was physically ill with worry and loneliness. My favorite quote that I read was "'The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy.'" I realized that God might have given Spurgeon this cross to bear so that he would never be able to fully rely on himself and pat himself on the back at all that he had accomplished. Rather, it would keep him with one eye on the world and one eye on his Lord, without whom he could so obviously do nothing.

I'm also reading a book by Stormie Omartian, the author of "The Power of a Praying Wife". This one is called "Just Enough Light For the Step I'm On"...a long title but pretty self-explanatory. One quote grabbed me so much that I am stuck at that point in the book - I can't read another word until I get my puny little brain around these..."Even if you are certain God has given you a vision or dream for your future, He will still ask you to surrender it to Him so thoroughly that you will think it's as good as dead." Now, I don't know what that means to you, but that thought kind of scares me! Good as dead? Yikes! How about stable, doing well, or even "kicked in the rear but still breathing!". The more I think about that statement, though, the more freedom I see in it. Hope it means something to you, too.

Well, since I have left myself with no room to hide, guess I'd better get cracking on that present for my dear old madre. Hang on, Billings...spring has to be right around the corner...right?

Cherishing every minute,
Brooke

Dancing in her birthday suit...

Ni-Hao, Kai Lan

Weird title, I know, but I am watching this very strange show with Juliana before she goes to bed. I can tell she's getting older...she used to wind down with books before bed and now it's "Can I please watch a show?" At least all the shows she loves are on safe channels so far, like Noggin and Sprout. (By the way, Ni-Hao means "Hi" in Chinese...aren't we so multicultural?) She still does love to read, though. Today I had to read her a book ("Pinkalicious"...yes, that really is the title!) three times in a row, and when I refused to submit for a fourth she picked up the book and started "reading" it to herself, making up the words by looking at the pictures. Ahh, a girl after my own heart. I remember getting in trouble at school for having my Nancy Drew book stuffed inside my math book, and reading it during class when we were supposed to be doing homework (if you're reading this, sorry mom!)

I have started trying to get back into the gym, since the last time I dragged myself to a scale (sneaking into a friend's bathroom while we were at lunch last Sunday) I was amazed at the pounds I still have left to lose after Landon. I really thought all of those midnight milkshakes and chocolate chip cookie bakes with Juliana were adding to my overall nutrition, calcium and all!! Guess the older you get the harder it is to keep the spare tire at bay...I remember in high school not giving a thought to calories, fat content, or sodium! (I'll miss you, Salt and Vinegar potato chips!) Please don't send me emails telling me not to worry or fret, or how spare tires ARE actually coming back in style...I guarantee I will not starve myself or do anything crazy like give up chocolate. I just feel better when I try to get some exercise, and as an added bonus, an hour to myself every other day. Montana isn't exactly famous for being a bathing suit state (unless you count three weeks out of July) but our trip home to NC in June looms in front of me, full of opportunities to showcase my extra 10 pounds. :)

That seems to be all my little brain can muster up for now. I'll leave you with my top five ways you know you have become a Super Mom...

5. When you ask your husband "What's that white crusty stuff all over your shirt?" you already know the answer is dried snot, but it doesn't gross you out in the least.
4. After putting the kids to bed, when given the choice between doing the dishes or goofing around on the web, you choose to update your blog...
3. While at the mall, you find yourself admiring not the latest style and fashion, but the awesome new stroller parked beside yours...must be the first kid because there is not a dent, scratch, or spit-up stain to be found on the whole travel system.
2. When your toddler says "Daba daba doot do" you know that translates into "I love you Mom!"
1. Instead of fixing yourself some breakfast, you eagerly await the leftovers from your kids plates! Half eaten blueberry pancakes and two bites from a carton of yogurt...HEAVEN!

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Love and miss ya'll!