OH to be a blunt Deaf child

I have a couple of kids that keep me on my toes. . . here is this mornings conversation:

M: Miss Michelle, you do not look like yourself again. You are not wearing make-up again.

Miss Michelle: You're right. I am not wearing make-up again. I forgot.

M: You forgot? How?

M: I had to hurry to get to school

M: Oh.

ABOUT ONE HOUR LATER out of nowhere

M: Does Adam like it when you don't wear make-up?

Miss Michelle: *Laughing* Actually, Adam does not like make-up.

M: Why?

Miss Michelle: Well, some boys don't like it when girls wear make-up

M: Well, I like make-up.

Miss Michelle: Thanks, good to know.

How can you not wish you were that observant? I love my kiddos! And, just for the record, I only wear mascara on the days that I do wear make-up.

Think before you speak? Really?!?

I am in a Wednesday night Bible study that is currently doing a book study. I am usually not a fan of the book study or even a topical Bible study. I want the good stuff. I want to go through books of the Bible exegetically (verse by verse). However, the book we are studying resonates with my soul's desire to be a Godly woman. The book is called By Design by Susan Hunt.

Thus far, the book has been about how Biblical womanhood has been distorted by the past/sin and how many terms such as submission and authority are not accurately defined in the public's mind. The first part of the book explains what actions the church/elders should take to ensure a women's ministry can effectively mentor and protect women.

I am excited to get into the next part of the book that defines the role of a woman as a helper or ezer. I know the Lord has been working on me this past year by teaching me about putting a leash on my tongue. He has taken me through a journey of evaluating the words that come out of my big fat mouth. I have seen how shutting the yapper has enhanced my marriage. I have learned that the things I say to my husband really do effect him strongly and that I should be using those words to give life instead of take it. It applies outside of marriage too, though. How much do I say everyday (at work, at the gym, even at church) that really doesn't give life to those situations. I feel like thinking before I speak is easier to do if I am spending time in the Word and in prayer. I am slower to speak and much quicker to see the conversation for what it truly is . . . a chance to share my love for Jesus and what He did for me on the cross through my response to or initiation of conversations.

If you know me, hold me to it. Heck, if you don't know me but are reading, hold me to it. :) These are my ramblings after a full day of evaluating Bible study last night.

Things I Learned This Week

*I don't like change much (even if it is for the better)

*Training another human being to be your aide is not an easy task

*Common sense is not always used

*Play-Doh can get stuck in the weirdest places

*I know how to get Play-Doh out of the weirdest places (if a paper clip is too big a staple or needle never is!)

*Don't trust a three year old to listen to directions (ie.-pretend you are using the tongue depressor- don't put it in anyones mouth)

*Being jabbed in the back of your throat by a three your old hurts

*Some deaf preschoolers really would grow up to be excellent doctors. Maybe they'll remember me then.

*Any game played with toliet paper will be hilarious.

*The wound of losing someone dear still hurts after two years

*The Lord is sooo sovereign over all and he knows my pain

*I am jealous of those who are already partying with Jesus

*I have the best husband in the world. No really, I will fight you on this one.

*I've grown accustomed to Arizona storms and when a Texas type storm blows through, I freak out.

*People in Arizona can't drive in the rain

*I miss my family and wish I had money so I could go see all of them!

My Funny Valentine

My day started with my husband jumping out of bed (which is unusual) and much to my surprise when I came downstairs there was a vase of red roses and a really sweet card. Adam was making me breakfast and I just got to sit and chat with him which was nice. I could tell that I was rubbing off on him; my preschool ways have taken over! He puts up with me stealing weird things from the pantry or our home to make lessons work, calling the bathroom a "potty," and talking to him like he is 4. Well this morning when he made my toast he used a heart shaped cookie cutter to make my toast extra special. I couldn't help but laugh. My funny Valentine!

School was organized chaos. I actually welcomed it today. It started with Sara coming in with her older kids to have a nice language experience. They gave my kids chocolate (SUGAR in teacher lingo) at 8:30 and the rest of the day kind of escalated in energy from there! I didn't know passing out Valentines would be so dramatic. Lots of little ones not understanding the concept of giving to others or what Valentines was. If I had a dollar for everytime I heard "Birthday party?" yesterday, I would be a rich woman! OH, my funny Valentine!

My day ended with my amazing husband cooking me and excellent dinner! My taste buds were overwhelmed with wonderful manicotti, asparagus and bread! It was delicious. I married an excellent God-fearing man and I would tell you that any day of the year! He's my funny Valentine!

Preschool Funnies

Favorite preschool quote of the week:

Tony: "Miss Michelle, where the grocery store?"
Miss Michelle: "The grocery store is gone! Now we have a post office!!!!"
Tony: "Miss Michelle ate all the food?"
Miss Michelle: *uncontrollable laughter* "NO! Miss Michelle did not eat all the food!"

This was our Monday morning conversation when after a 2 and 1/2 week unit on the grocery store, the kids came in and realized it was no longer there. For the last three weeks I was saving all the empty containers from our eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt, cake mixes, oatmeal, etc. and adding them to the grocery store. Some of the kids noticed they were empty containers and would ask where the food was. . .so I always told them that I had eaten it. I guess this was Tony's understanding of that!

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

It is my favorite day of the week! In the last couple of years it has truly turned into a day of rest for us. We get up and go to church and then we have a nice lunch and a relaxing afternoon. I usually try to steal a nap which I find to be just what I need most Sundays. Sundays really recharge us for the week.

What we learned today:

1. The importance of the sacraments: baptism and the Lord's Supper; how they relate to the sacraments in the Old Testament and how they bond us to the community of believers today. In the service we had a real life example as little Owen was baptized! I pray the children in our church and our own children will have a real relationship with Jesus Christ at a young age.

2. We are looking for love in all the wrong places! Just like the Samaritan woman at the well, we need to replace the idols in our life with Jesus. He does not rebuke her or correct her for her bad choices/sin but gives her a better love to chase after. He offers her eternal life through a relationship with Himself. I pondered today what I need to replace with Jesus. Is it my comforts, my relationship with my husband, or maybe my own pride in asking for help. The first two aren't bad things in and of themselves but when they become more important than my Savior, they have become idols. My pride is just a sin issue that can be solved when I finally know that I offer nothing to God but He is the one that fills my life with grace and mercy.

3. Old school Nintendo still rules and I will forever be the Queen of Dr. Mario!!!!

Hope your Sunday was just as refreshing!

Back in Action

I think we are going to try this again! Ha ha! I blogged once in October of 2005 (literally once). It just seems like such a great way to keep up with the lives of the people we care about (i.e. sisters, cousins, friends with babies!) We are the Cains. We got married on June 26, 2004. We lived in Waxahachie (loveingly called Waxacrapie), Texas for a year before moving to Phoenix. We are learning to chase after our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ together and are having a fun time doing so. We love our life and love growing together! We have an awesome church family that we enjoy getting to know! We are excited to share our joys as well as our dips in life with you!

I am supposed to be helping my husband paint one of our spare rooms and weeding the front yard so I will go do that! More to follow about the Cains!