A Hero...

Was watching Spider Man 2 tonight (got it for Christmas and it's taken me this long to get to watching it) and remembered why I loved this movie (well at least some of it, some was long and boring but that's besides the point).

It's because of this quote...long quote but worth reading...

"He knows a hero when he sees one. Too few characters out there, flying around like that saving old girls like me. And Lord knows, kids like Henry need a hero—courageous, self-sacrificing people setting examples for all of us. Everybody loves a hero. People line up for them…cheer them...scream their names. And years later, they’ll tell how they stood in the rain for hours just to get a glimpse of the one who taught them to hold on a second longer. I believe there’s a hero in all of us…that keeps us honest…gives us strength…makes us noble…and finally allows us to die with pride, even though sometimes we have to be steady and give up the thing we want the most – even our dreams. Spider-Man did that for Henry and he wonders where he’s gone. He needs him."

I highlighted the part about giving up our dreams rather than the part about a hero in all of us, because I think this is the part of being an everyday hero that is tough.

I believe I am a hero to my son when I give up "my time" to play legos...again. (Jeremy does this the best, true Dad hero right there.) Or give up my expectations, my plans, my money, my "mys". All these sacrifices are what heroes are. Real heroes. Which come to think of it I really doubt Jesus went into his life saying...man it would be great to be betrayed and to die brutally on a cross. (He did it though. I think sometimes we get so caught up with knowing that he did it out of his love for us that we forget how much it wasn't what he wanted to do, rather it was what he chose to do out of sacrifice.)

And so when we choose give up our dreams...to have a perfect kitchen, to go on dream vacations, to go back to school, to...to sacrifice that which we desire. We exchange them for playing the steady part of the hero ...which sometimes, wait...never, is very glamorous. But I believe that's what God wants for us. I believe Spiderman isn't all theologically correct (in case you were wondering) but it did get me thinking. And I know I have a long way to go before I release all the "mys" in my life. But I hope I can stay steady. For my husband, for my boys, for what which I am called to right now to be a hero to.

A couple theological questions...

So we are reading Aidan's Bible at night before bed and here are some questions that came up just tonight. If you have some insight on these let me know...

1. Is Jesus going to take us to the rainbow?

2. How does he fly? Does he have a cape?

3. How do all the children get there? Do they have capes too?

4. Does little Jesus or big Jesus live in our hearts? Because our tummys are small.

And yep, we are still thankful for Santa (he's still going strong, Christmas or not) and that Jesus is going to make us taller so that we reach our legos without dumping them over.

Gotta love a child's heart. Hope your night is filled with deep thoughts and thankfulness for the wonders of life.

Inspiration at Target

So I saw this today and thought it was a good quote...

"Wouldn't it be great if we all lived a little everyday?"

(Also...I did it! I didn't get suckered for clearance junk that I didn't need. I returned some stuff that didn't fit and had a gift card burning in my pocket from Christmas. And yeah, I walked out with nothing. Ha! Go me!)

And thanks for all the sympathy today after a very sad night at the Porier house yesterday. What can I say? It's painful to be a Packer fan.

Special Treat?

So lately we (Jeremy and I) have been talking about entitlement...ours, our boys. Things that used to be special are now deserved or expected. Getting a shake at McDonalds, riding the toys at the mall, getting presents, shopping clearance (that's mine, obviously), etc. We see this creeping up in Aidan and we want to nip it right away, but how do we nip it if we are the ones that go through the drive-thru because it's easier? What has happened to discipline?

So that's it...that's our word for 2008, discipline. We are going with the word thing rather than the resolution thing. Because that's a lifestyle to change. And it's not going to be easy. Discipline in money, fitness, choices... It means saying no just because. It means being obedient to a lifestyle that is against what the world says. "You deserve it, you earned it, you had a bad day, treat yourself." We strive so much to give our kids more than we had but what happens when the more just leads to more?

Making things special again. Starbucks isn't special if you get it everyday (sorry guys, true). I really realized this at Christmas time...Christmas is special because it's not there everyday.

And the cool thing is discipline can be good...it means things will be special again and that's something worth working towards. (Yes honey, you can bring this post up when I'm really wanting things done NOW instead of waiting :))

So I ask, will you join me on this adventure?

All four of Us.

In one picture, can you believe it? Merry Christmas 2007.

Wag More, Bark Less...

Saw this on a bumper sticker during our Christmas travels (which always seem to be an adventure, more to come once I catch up, hah!) and made me think. What a great approach to life. I know this is the whole "new year resolution and goals" time of the year, which I'm not super hype about. I'm more about the whole year/life change that you can start March 12th or November 9th or December 1st...(so you get the idea). Because I believe life is now. So I'm going to stop barking (yelling, complaining, whining) and start wagging (smile, sing, laugh)

So yeah, on a daily basis I hope I wag more and bark less. More to come. I'm trying to upload my 155 pictures I took.