Tag: Spectacle

Spectacle

Ever get that feeling that everyone in the vicinity is watching you with rapt attention? I felt that way three times in one morning.

Let’s just begin with… I am so done with that double stroller. For years it has been a saving grace. But now that it has weathered two sets of twins and the girls are sufficient walkers, I have started ditching that squeaky old stroller and walking all the kids into stores and buildings.

And let me tell you- we are the immediate entertainment for all to see. The first time was perfect. Everyone cooperated and it went so smoothly. The second time not so much. You see, Grace has this independent streak where she sometimes refuses to hold my hand. She’s a big girl you know. She likes to do it all by herself. So, in protest of this new “big girl” status she flung herself to the floor in a classic almost-two-year-old tantrum. Right in the middle of MOPS children pickup. Of course, I couldn’t have asked for a more empathetic crowd.

The third time I was unloading at a store for a quick Christmas kids gift exchange hunt. I needed five small things and I was going to the Dollar store to let the kids pick for themselves. Unfortunately, there was a guy in his big white duly pickup parked right beside me watching the fascinating scene of getting them all out of the car and rounded up in a safe-like fashion.

First I unbuckled them all which meant my backside was right in his face. Then I got the girls out and waited for the rest to climb over the groceries and car seats obstacles.

Micah found a donut from yesterday that he distractedly began munching. Gabe got his feet wrapped up in the girls blankets and began scooting out of the car like an inch worm. When Esther was finally ready to jump down, Micah was too absorbed in his donut ecstasy that he wouldn’t make room for her. He also had his name tag stuck to the bottom of his shoe.

Finally with all feet on the ground, we began the game of follow the leader into the store. Micah in his distraction had gotten in line backwards and backed his whole way up to the door tripping over everything he couldn’t see.

Then, once inside I saw the shopping cart and literally heard angels singing in my head. That’s about the time Esther made a swift case for why she should be the one to ride in it. Unfortunately her request fell on the deaf ears of Momma’s iron will. I had plans to stuff those girls into something safer and restore our group to relative order before the chaos of the toy isle began.

And then we did it all over again. Round and round we go. It became glaringly clear that it’s time to pull out those little stuffed animal backpacks I have with little leashes on them. It’s perfect for toddler independence and keeping them close too. I have found them to be indispensable. Especially in airports or theme parks where there is just too many people and they can get away too fast. We name them too.

Meet George.

Pray For Them

Did you know that all the prayers on my blog are from the FREE BiblicalPrayers mobile app? I needed something to pray over my kids when I had only one minute and one hand to spare. It offers a full year of daily prayers that take less than 60 seconds of your time to pray. Show your loved ones how much you care by praying scripture over them personally. Send it to ten of your closest friends and see how the power of prayer can change even the most impossible situations.

Lord, you said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Teach (Name) to walk in your ways and how to follow the leading of the Father. May (Name) be counted as “one who does the will of [our] Father who is in heaven.” In your name I pray, amen. – Matthew 7:21

Prayers taken from the daily prayer on the BiblicalPrayers mobile app. Download today on the App Store or Google Play store.

BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Short and Sweet. That’s how I like my dinners to come together.

  • 1 bottle of your favorite BBQ Sauce
  • 1/2 cup Apple Jelly (or preferance)
  • 1/4 cup Orange Juice
  • 15 Chicken Legs
  • Garlic Salt

Season fresh chicken legs with garlic salt to taste. I recommend you do it thoroughly. Line a baking sheet with greased foil for easy clean up and bake them at 350 degrees for one hour. Meanwhile, in a small sauce pan combine BBQ sauce with jelly and orange juice and let it simmer until the jelly is fully melted. Set aside.

When chicken is ready, pull them out and let them rest for about 5-10 minutes. Then coat them in the prepared sauce and serve hot.

Tip: Pour a portion of the sauce into a bowl and simply roll the chicken around in it. The rest of the sauce can be used as extra or for other dishes too. Serve with garlic cheddar mashed potatoes.