Love

You know what I think people
don't realize?
You have to love people.

You don't have to make them be like you...
You don't have to be who they want you to be...
You don't always have to give them your opinion...
You just have to love them.

If people know you love them
they will listen to what you have to say.

No one was ever changed by
someone else's self righteousness.
Love is what changed the world.

"For God so loved the world..."

Boy Mommy/Girl Grammy

When I was pregnant with my first child
I was certain I was going to have a girl.
After all, my sister was a girl...
why would I have a boy?

When Adam was born
I was in shock.
I told Dr. Waldman,
"But, I don't know what to do with a boy!"

"You do the same things you do with a girl."
"But, I don't know what to do with his little thing
when I change his diaper???"
Panic welling within me!!!

So when I was pregnant with the second one
which, by the way, was ridiculously close to the first one,
after I was done crying...
(You'd have to have known Adam as a one year old!)
I knew it would be a girl.
After all, my sister was a girl...
and I had already had one boy.
Certainly I wouldn't have another one.

When Alex was born
I was a little less shocked.
Perhaps a little disappointed
that I didn't have a girl.
But he was healthy and happy,
and I was thankful for that.

When I got pregnant with the third child,
I did not even consider having a girl.
I just assumed it would be a boy.
All Hoovers are boys...
and mine are no different.

I love boys
and have since come to grips with the fact
that I was a boy Mommy.
And I'm good with that.

When my daughter-in-law first said she was pregnant
I told her she was gonna have a boy.
"Don't even expect a girl."
"It'll never happen."

There she is

But secretly inside, I was hoping beyond hope
for a girl.
I long to buy frilly, lacey dresses.
Pink...anythings!

Today we found out that Feather is gonna have a girl.

See ya later...
I'm going shopping!

How Did I Forget How to Fly

I read something beautiful today.
From the site www.aholyexperience.com

"I used to fly; I remember this.
How to unfold winged hope
and enfold the wind
in free falling trust."

"I remember thinking the sky
all empty space.
This can make a sparrow brave."

"I remember thinking that the wind
 and faith were enough.
How did I forget?"

"How is it possible-
that fear can make you forget
how to fly?"

"How do you remember joy
when some life sliver
pierces through your wild pulse?"

"How does a small sparrow in a wide world
extend the brief span of her wings
and let go...
to climb higher."

Wished I would have written that.
I love it...
It speaks to me today.

Sometimes in the midst of earthly troubles
I forget the joy I once knew...
I focus on the circumstances of life...
Instead of the wonder of God.

She goes on to say,
that the world's not meant to be a mirror,
where I focus on myself.

Instead it's a clear pane of glass,
that we look through
to see God high and lifted up.


How did I forget how to fly?

$5 Glue

So I bought this broom
at a store that will remain nameless
because someone I know and love
works there, and I don't want to dis his employers.

They had 2 brooms that looked identical.
One was $5 and one was $10.
I checked them out thoroughly,
because I'm such a thorough shopper,
and found that they were the same.

So naturally, being the thrifty housewife that I am,
I bought the $5 one...Duh...

I now know the difference between the two:
I can sweep exactly three times
before the head begins to swirl around
worse than the little girl on the exorcist.
(Sorry, flashback to before I got saved!)

Apparently, someone at the factory had a great idea:
"Hey, know what we should do?
Let's sell two of these exactly alike.
One with glue and one without.
And the cheapskates that don't want to spend $10
for a broom will buy the $5 one
and wish they would have got the $10 one!"

Yep, that's me, the thrifty housewife cheapskate.

Wish I would've bought the $10 one!

Kids

Me: (While telling the story of Jonah) How do you think you
would feel if you were in the belly of a whale all by yourself?

Katelyn: I would be lonely and miss my Mommy!

Camden: Me too. I wouldn't like it!

Me: I think I would be scared and cry!

Candace: (Looking straight into my eyes, while touching my face)
I wouldn't be afraid if I was with you, Mrs. Hoover.

melt...melt...

That's what I like about kids.
Kids aren't afraid to say they love you.

And if they don't like you, they tell you.

They don't act like your best friend
and then talk about you to everyone who will listen.

They're brutally honest...to a fault...

But, I'd rather be honest to a fault...
than be a hypocrite...to a fault.

Dad

Once there was a lady and a little girl.
All alone.
They had each other and it was good.
But someone was missing.

The little girl spent much time in the hospital.
With the lady by her side.
And it was ok cause life is good, regardless the circumstances.
But someone was missing.

Then one day the lady met a man.
Who came into their lives...
and changed everything.
Everything which had been good...
now was better.
And no one was missing.

The little girl learned how to fish.
She learned how to eat different kinds of foods.
She learned corny jokes which were stolen from Laurel and Hardy.
She learned what it was like to have a Father
who loved her even when she was bad.

So one day when she was told about the Heavenly Father
she had a point of reference.
She understood the love of a Father...
because she had experienced it in her life.

Thanks, Dad, for being a good example of love!

I love you. Thanks for saving our lives!

The G/C Gene

How is it that boys just naturally know about...

1. cars

2. guns

I don't ever remember my husband
sitting down with them and teaching them these things.
I remember sitting them down and teaching them spelling
for hours on end...
and they still can't do that!

When did they learn these things.
I've been with them every hour of their life...
(Well, except when they went to men and boys campout with their Dad)
Maybe that's what they do at those campouts.
They have intense workshops on guns and cars.
OK...that's a scary thought.

Maybe they call each other on the phone, secretly
and share gun facts...discuss car modifications.
(I've heard them use this word in car conversations, so I know it's OK).

It's like it comes with the package.
A boy has an inborn knowledge of these things.

I noticed this last night.
We were watching a western with the guys and JJ.
These bad cowboys tried to kill a good cowboy.
Couldn't see their guns...
Yet, every guy in the room knew what they were using
based on the way it sounded.

How is this possible?
Am I missing something?
Apparently I'm missing a g/c gene
that boys are born with.

God knew they would need this knowledge
In order to protect...
and...uh...well...drive fast?
Not really sure how that fits in.

I guess I'll just have to rest in the fact...
that guys are born with these inate abilities...
for some reason or another...

which escapes me completely!