Dreams

I rarely dream, but when I do my dreams are long and very vivid. 

I have had only two reoccurring dreams that began in middle school and continued throughout high school.  I have only had one of these reoccurring dreams since college.  That made it sound like I have never dreamed of anything else, but I have.

I like to hear about other people's dreams and ponder on the meaning and what parts of the dream are significant to the person's life at the time.

Last night I had a dream.  It was a wonderful dream and I feel strongly about writing it down so that I remember it.  As you know with dreams, I'm already a little frustrated because I can't remember all of the details.  I'll try my best to capture as much as I can. 

God's Boat Dream

I was walking through a field with my family (mom, dad, sisters and Mike).  It was a place that felt comfortable. Somewhere that we had spent lots of time together laughing, playing and enjoying each other's company.

All of a sudden, I look up and we are standing immediately in front of a gigantic boat.  It was the biggest boat I have ever seen.  At first I wondered if we had found Noah's ark, but then I realized this was not that boat.

It was made of the most magnificent, regal wood (if wood can be regal, this was) I have ever seen.  It was so beautiful that it had a bluish glow.  I reached up to feel it, so smooth and soft.  I couldn't get over its beauty.

I then noticed in awe that whoever left a boat in this field was a miracle worker because the top of the boat had only a foot of clearance from the ceiling.  (Yes, I know a ceiling in a field, just hang with me here!)

When I turned back to my family, they were gone and standing in their place were men dressed in uniform.  I'm assuming they were some sort of police because they scooped me up and carried me away.

The next thing I remember, I'm sitting next to my mother wherever the men had taken us.  I asked her about the boat.  She told me that the men were scared of it.  I asked her why.  And she told me this story...

Long, long ago the boat belonged to two women who sailed it around the world.  They were adventurous and courageous.  They spent their entire lives on the boat.

While she was telling me these things, I could see the boat in its glory with the women aboard.  But it was not just a normal boat in water.  It looked more like something out of a Dr. Suess book.  Lots of colorful sails and flags blowing in the wind.  Below the boat were gadgets and gizmos that made the boat fly.

My mom finished her story by telling me she had always thought the story was a fable someone had told her, but now after seeing the boat she was excited to know that the story was true.

"Why did we find the boat?" I asked her.  She gave me a warm hug and said, "Maybe God is using you to let people know that the impossible is still happening, to have a little faith in the unknown and unseen."

I woke up.

I had goose bumps and a strong feeling of pride and peace knowing that God was using me for showing His grace and awesomeness to the people He surrounds me with daily. 

I have to admit that the past six months have been a struggle for me.  I have felt like I was giving up so much to move back to the community I grew up in.  So much has happened in my life since we have lived in the city we are moving from and there are so many wonderful people we will be leaving behind.  It has been hard to make my head listen to my heart - the move was the right thing for our family.

Through this tough time for me emotionally, I have known deep inside that God wants this to happen.  I have had to remember to trust Him. 

I think this dream signifies a new journey that is embarking in my life, and the realization that I have finally let go and let Christ take over once again.

The Superwomen of the Galaxy

This is dedicated to all the single mommies of our world. 

Single Mommy = Superwoman.

I have always had SO much respect for the single women whom I have had the privilege to know or meet.  But all that respect changed when six months ago, I technically became a single mother in my own right.  Mike had taken a job in other town almost 2 hours away.  I stayed put with the boys and my full time job while our house was on the market.  The past six months have been an emotional roller coaster for everyone.  But I feel like Andrew really was affected the most by the separation, even though he was being told it was only temporary and Mike and I were burning rubber on the road both ways as much as possible.

S.U.P.E.R.W.O.M.E.N. I don't care what the circumstance is, but living life as a single mom is hard and rewarding all at the same time.  It is draining and exhilarating in one breath.  On one hand you are loving and caring for these little people in your life, and on the other you are attempting to meet the demands of the grown-up world (house payment, car maintenance, extracurricular activities for the kids, etc.)  I don't claim to be an expert since my situation is not even close to the super mommy that I have had the privilege of living next door to for the past three years, but my dose of single mommy-hood has increased my respect for single mothers times 1,000.

I will never forget the first night that we were at home after Mike began his new job (the day before our anniversary).  We started adding one step to our nightly routine...bath, pjs, brush teeth, two books...call daddy.  On the third night, same routine, but daddy didn't answer the phone.  Andrew left this message, "Daddy, I love you sooooo much.  Why did you leave us? I want you to come home."  Heart.Breaking.  Mike and I were both in tears.  But we would be together again soon, right?

Well, six months later, yes.  We are finally moving this weekend and I want to shout on top of a mountain that we will be a family all under one roof, together at last.  That got me thinking about all the single mothers I was going to leave behind.  It made me cry. 

These women are of the strongest kind.  They fight battles daily at work and at home, and they win some too.  They keep a household, a family and a full time job together with just their love and determination as glue.  Amazing. 

If you know a single mother, I challenge you to be her cheerleader.  Send her flowers and a note of encouragement just because, she deserves them more than anyone I know.  Offer to watch her children so she can go to a movie or grocery shopping by herself or so she can simply stay at home and paint her nails.

Tell her how much you admire her, because she is truly amazing.

To all the Superwomen I know, you are extraordinary.  I pray for blessings beyond measure for you and yours.  Love always...

The Best Christmas EVER!

How glorious it is to see Christmas through the eyes of a 5 year-old!  We have made so many wonderful memories to cherish this Christmas season.  Andrew (the 5 year-old) thinks that Christmas never ends!  (And he is right!)

We started off our Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve, Eve.  Mike and I took the boys to see Santa Claus and then out for a family dinner at a wonderful urban BBQ restaurant.  We didn't go to the big "commercial" Santa Claus this year, but chose to support the local Rotary Club by visiting their Santa.  He was wonderful!

Ryan was not so sure of Santa this year - the picture will tell a thousand words.  Unlike his very cordial older brother who thinks he is a celebrity who everyone likes (sorry Ashton... you broke Demi's heart, and I will never think of you the same!), Ryan is very much the cautious one.  He is very friendly as long as he is in mommy or daddy's arms, safe and sound. 

Andrew (did I mention he would talk the wood off a fence post?) jumped right up on Santa's knee and proceeded to share with him the two page letter he had written to him the week before giving specific details of each wish he had for Christmas.  Mostly things that could fly, like helicopters and airplanes, things that go fast, like cars and bikes with two wheels...count them TWO, and everything the fabulous color of red.  When writing this letter, he began to go right in for the kill and asked me "How do you spell 'I want a...'?" "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" was my reply.  "First of all, you always start a letter with 'Dear' and then the name of the person you are writing, and after that don't you want to butter Santa up a little bit? Ask him about his reindeer or Mrs. Claus? You know, start off with a nice conversation opener?"  Andrew looked at me with a big blank stare and then said, "Nah, I only have this much room and reindeer is a pretty big word." 

While sitting on Santa's lap, Andrew did mention leaving Santa milk and cookies.  Santa looked at him and said, "Well, I'm not feeling so good this year.  How about you leave me some broccoli and ranch dressing instead?"  "Oh no, Santa! I'm so sorry you aren't feeling so well.  We can do that, right mom?  She said yes!  Well, how's Mrs. Claus doing?"  "Oh good, well I'll leave some milk and cookies for her so she can come with you since you aren't feeling well."  Too funny.  And yes, we did leave Santa a healthy snack of celery and ranch dressing, three cookies for Mrs. Claus (she really needs to watch her figure!), a carrot for the reindeer and two glasses of milk.

Mike has been joking that Christmas Eve started our own version of Christmas at the Griswold's.  Mike's parents got to our house in the early afternoon.  We decided to attend the early Christmas Eve service at church since it was geared towards families with children.  It was a memorable service.  Ryan talked/sang/two year-old babble throughout the entire service.  Andrew stabbed Grandpa Ray in the nostril with a pencil.  Yes, there was blood. And Ryan head-butted me in the mouth.  And yes, more blood.  We did make it through "Silent Night" sung by candlelight unscorched.  Then, on home to set the Christmas tree on fire and light a match near the septic tank.

Christmas morning came with lots of excitement.  Everyone did sleep until 7am or just after.  Andrew and Ryan ran into the living room and exploded with excitement over what Santa left them.  Andrew kept saying in amazement, "He really did it!  He didn't leave me coal!  This is so awesome, baby!"  He really was astonished the entire time that there was not a single piece of coal to be found.  Mike and I thought this was pretty funny since we had not said anything about Andrew receiving coal.  Although, I did threaten a couple of times that Santa was going to have to send a shelf elf to our house to report his good and bad choices.

We had a couple of days of down time and then headed to my parent's house for round two.  We celebrated Christmas on New Year's Eve.  It was a great time filled with helicopters, basketball, side splitting laughter while watching my mom and dad get down with the Smurfs on the Smurf Dance Party game for the Wii. (If you have not played this game, you have to go find it now!  It is seriously good clean fun for all ages!) 

On the way home from my parents' house, Andrew asked from the back seat "Christmas is not over right mom? Right?  I mean, Jesus still lives today!"

Couldn't have been a better celebration of Jesus, family and togetherness!