Have you or any of your children ever experienced poison ivy?  Up until last week, we hadn't. We made it through the first 11 years of parenthood without encountering this plant even with our long walks (not necessarily hikes) down trails filled with brush and unknown vegetation.  

I often cringe when I am in an environment where selfish behavior is running rabid whether it's my own or another person's.  One thing I learned as a transient child is that I did want to be the type of adult I often saw. My desire to not be selfish was one of my greatest gifts from a not so great childhood.  This doesn't mean that I always get it right, but it does mean I am more aware of my behavior and the behavior of those around me.

After celebrating eight birthdays as a family, one would assume that birthdays would be a cinch in our home, but too be honest they have been anything but that for the past three or so years.  I dreaded birthdays.  Not because everyone was aging or that they represent time passing.  I dreaded them because as the girls aged birthdays became a source of contention in our home.  Why, you may ask?  Well, we have one summer birthday and one winter birthday.  This caused our winter child to feel cheated. If we are honest, summer birthdays seem to represent fun!  It's hot outside and opportunities to do things are endless.

Many of my friends are expecting.  There's great anticipation for the arrival of the new little lives. When I hear about the new person who will soon join us, I am just as excited as the one who is expecting.  This may be caused by the fact that I am not experiencing the symptoms of pregnancy or because of His truth.