Farewell Old Friend!

Ok, I'll admit it. I am addicted to Dr. Pepper. It is, and has been my friend for many years. I've tried giving it up before and was successful at different times, but then when times got stressful again, I lost all control. I don't just drink one a day. No, it is way more than that. In more recent years, any attempt to give it up has been a futile effort. Things have been a little harried with the kids and school and life, and that was my one out. I don't drink coffee, and rarely have a glass of wine, so I reasoned that this was a small thing. In all honesty, though, I know I reach for it as an emotional comfort. When my blood pressure rises, I walk out to the garage and grab a "cold one!" I am really glad I never started smoking, because no telling how many packs I'd be up to by now. It started being a bigger problem when I realized that my kids are watching how much soda I drink. I also know all that sugar and caffeine and some other ingredient that I can't remember are really bad for me. Not to mention all those extra calories. (And I wonder why I can't lose 10 pounds!) It also is expensive ( I only like the bottles). But even knowing all that, it seemed beyond me, more than I could do. "Come on God, don't ask for that too," I found myself whining. I know this silly drink is an obstacle in my walk with Christ though, because I turn to it for comfort, instead of Him.

I started seriously contemplating giving Dr.Pepper up for Lent this year a few weeks ago. I didn't think I'd be able to do it, so I started telling people that I was going to do it. I think a lot of sacrificial stuff should stay private, but I knew that if I wasn't held accountable it wouldn't happen. I especially had to tell my kids so that failing wouldn't and couldn't be an option. God is good, and just by sharing with a few people, He encouraged me through their words. My new brother-in-law shared that when we think we can't do it, aren't we saying that we think God can't give us the power to do it? That was powerful, don't I think God created the world, certainly He can give me the courage and strength to let this go. Also, our Deacon at church said when we give something up it is hard, but that is how we grow. He said Lent is like Winter for our soul, but when Lent is over and we rejoice on Easter Sunday, we will have Spring on the Earth and in our souls!

So the Ash Wednesday headache that stretched into Thursday is better. I still am craving a Dr. Pepper and I'm not saying that on Easter Sunday I won't rejoice with a refreshing "cold one!" But for now, God is helping me and it is good.

A Dot Does A Lot

We are still working on that concept!

Hidden Treasures

If I had a nickel for every stray sock I found lying around this house, I would not be worried about college funds. This particular sock of Luke's intrigued me though...
When I removed the ponytail holder, I discovered that we had been holding Cinderella prisoner.

Who knew?

Slippery Slope

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have entered into the realm of letting kids stay home alone sometimes. It is quite liberating to have a teenager and very responsible 11 year old in the house who can watch their younger siblings for an hour while I run to get the groceries!

My friends and I laugh sometimes at how the slope can become a little slippery. I didn't let Josh watch any Disney but Bambi (and I fast forwarded through the Mother Deer dying scene) or Pooh (and I fast forwarded through the heffalumps and woosles nightmare) until he was 5 or so. Even then, it was very guarded with a lot of fast forwarding. On the other hand, some of Hannah's first words were "Dart Bader," and Sophia has seen more "Suite Life of Zach and Cody" than I care to mention.

Still, the other day when Sophia (3) said, "Mom, I don't need to go to Target with you, I can stay home by myself," I am glad that I didn't pause too long before saying, "Not yet honey, wait a few years."