God hasn't been letting me get away with much of anything lately. As un-fun as it is to be "called out" every other day, I'm glad of it. 'Cause I know that Someone infinitely greater and worthier than I has enough interest in me to be working hard on developing my character. Clearly, this Someone is super (or shall we say supernaturally?) ambitious, and patient, to take Project Anita on. One thing He's calling me to do is to have more compassion and love for the people I find the most difficult, hurtful, irritating, or sometimes enviable, the ones I'd rather avoid or who avoid me, the ones … [Read more...]
Ode to the Dads In My Life: Happy Father’s Day
As Father's Day comes to a close, I just can't let it end without thanking the 3 "dads" in my life who've taught me more than I could ever say. First, my heavenly Father. Even if I had not been blessed with a good earthly dad, I would still have had the perfect parent in You. My God and my Creator, You've loved me even before I was. You chose me, knowing all the while the countless ways I'd disappoint, disobey or fail You. You've loved me unconditionally through rebellion, selfishness, pride, sin, lack of remorse or contrition. When I wouldn't give You a second of my time or a fleeting … [Read more...]
Smart Girls, Brave Girls Win.
"Listen up, baby girl. Pretty girls have fun but smart girls have everything. So be smart. Ok?" These priceless words of wisdom were imparted to my 7-year-old by two "smart, sassy and a little smart @ss-y" twenty-something “nieces” whom I’ve watched grow since birth. Their mum, my cousin-in-law and 15 years my senior, was the older sister I never had -- my confidante and adviser. I, in turn, aimed to be "the cool aunt" and confidante to them, chaperoning their birthday parties, kidnapping them for outings to the beach or movies, and when they grew older, hearing them out on topics that … [Read more...]
Kids Are So Embarrassing, Part 1
Just moments ago, my husband walked in the door with our preschooler, whom he'd picked up on his way home from work. "Honey, guess how many checks your son got today. (FYI, a perfect day earns three checks.) "Uh-oh. That doesn't sound good. How many? Two? One?" "ZERO." "Zero?! What? Why?!" (Is zero even possible?) Apparently, earlier in the day, our four-year-old rascal decided to drop his pants Full-Monty style, place his hands behind his heads, elbows out, and rotate his bare hips in a grand circular gesture, ensuring that everyone in the class got a good glimpse of the … [Read more...]
7 Going on 17 – The Kids are Definitely Growing Up Too Fast
There are conversations that, in the deepest recesses of my heart, I'm sort of preparing myself to have with my sweet l'il girl when she's older. And folks, I'm not even talking "the birds and the bees" - a hilarious version of which my immigrant mother thought to try to imbue upon me at AGE 25 (but that's a whole other story to share another time). I'm talking navigating the world of "mean girls" in secondary school, avoiding gossip (or at least trying one's best to), crushes and heartbreaks - that sort of "fun", lighthearted talk. Ugh. Well, recently I got smacked upside the head by … [Read more...]