Do some good

One of the hymns we sing at church is called  "Have I done any good?" It is one of my absolute favorite hymns. The message just touches my heart. I have had it running through my head the last few days. I can't find a version that is exactly what I would like to share with you, but this is the closest I can find.

My kids love it. It is a bit more dramatic than I was looking for.


Here are the lyrics-

1. Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?

[Chorus]
Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love.

2. There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”
But go and do something today.
’Tis noble of man to work and to give;
Love’s labor has merit alone.
Only he who does something helps others to live.
To God each good work will be known.

I love this song.

The chain of logic

This morning Phebe "woke" me up at 6:30 to tell me she had a tick in her hair. Being the good mom that I am I touched her head in a vain effort to find it and informed her I would get to it later when I was actually conscious.

Ethan got up a bit later and I found them in the kitchen wrapping a wood tick up in tape that had indeed come off of her head. I gave her a high five for telling us she had a tick. Then she gave us this monologue.

"Yea, we have to get the tick out of my head or all my hair would fall out. And then I would turn into a boy.                  And then I would have to wear boy clothes."

I guess the threat of wearing boy clothes was a pretty serious issue weighing on her mind. She seemed genuinely concerned about the prospect. Luckily the crisis was averted.

The deepest fear.

Last night we were having a discussion based on the principle " if ye prepare ye shall not fear". So we started by asking if the kids had ever felt fear, have you ever been afraid.
Of course they have all been afraid at some point and could relate to the feeling. The older three discussed specific situations with Ethan. Phebe was sitting on my lap and turned to tell me about her fear.

Phebe: know what I'm afraid of Mom?
Me: no Phebe, what are you afraid of?
Phebe: porcupines.
Me: oh, I didn't know that.
Phebe : are you afraid of porcupines?
Me: I can't say I am afraid of them, no.
Phebe : Well, I am. I am afraid of porcupines.



And no, I have no explanation as to why she has singled out porcupines to be scary.

Corn

We all know how incredibly useful corn is. They use it in so many products. Tonight I will share with you the three new things my children used corn cobs for.

"Catch", well sort of. I don't know if it is their skill level that is lacking or their desire to actually catch. But they threw corn cobs at each other for a while and called it a game.

"Karate corn" It is an even better game where you throw the cob in the air and attempt to karate chop it. It kind of morphed into a weird volley ball variation.

"Sidewalk chalk eraser". Bet you didn't think of using a corn cob for erasing the parts you didn't like on your sidewalk mural.

There you have it. New uses for corn cobs. I am sure if they had had more time the list would be even longer.

Little Lady Eyebrawl

Conversation with Phebe-

She had done something very mature.
Me: You are a very serious young lady today.
Phebe: I'm not a lady.
Me: Well than what are you?
Phebe: I'm Phebe.
Me: Well, OK. What are you going to be when you grow up? What will you become?
Phebe: ....Eyebrawl.



Here is a picture of Eyebrawl since most of you are probably unfamiliar with it. Apparently this is what Phebe is going to grow up to be.

Those "i" words

While studying  the book of Revelations-

Caleb :(Randomly interrupting mid-verse.) I can't believe how long Jesus has been alive. And that he is still alive! That is a long time!
Naomi: That's because he's invincible.
Victor: The word is immortal.
Naomi : He is invincible too.
Caleb : I think that's bad because that means we can't see him and we might crash right into him because we couldn't see him.

Naomi and Victor just sat there stunned.

Me:  Naomi said invincible.That is invisible Caleb.

The ninja princess

Tonight the dinner conversation included this bit-

Naomi : I don't think I would ever want to be a princess.
Me: Why is that?
N: They have to use good manners all the time. And they wear dresses all the time.
Me: You don't like wearing dresses?
N: No. It is too hard to do cartwheels in them. ( This kid literally cartwheels through the house on a consistent basis.)
Me: You don't like using good manners?
N: Well, sometimes. But I don't want to do it all the time. I think I would end up being the Ninja Princess or something. I would sneak around all the time. And then leave my home and decide I am NOT GOING TO BE THE PRINCESS! (She requested large lettering there.)


Some of you may have little girls who dress up in frilly dresses and enjoy Disney Princess play. Mine seems to have come from a different mold.


I'm OK with that.