Stuff happens when you’re two. Because everything is fascinating and new.

Such as the little bottle of “sho-shun” that was on mama’s nightstand.

She left me on her bed — SILLY MAMA! — and went into the bathroom one morning.

I believe she thought I was still asleep. HA!!!

I immediately stripped off my pajamas, then grabbed the lotion.

I love pouring things. I love splashing in the things I’ve poured, and rubbing my body with them.

(I wonder if I put the cap back on, if she won’t notice?)

(Nah. This particular mess is pretty obvious.)

And once again, I am SOOOO cute that mama could only laugh at me, and strip the bed.

The column that ran on our 21st wedding anniversary, January 15th.

Twenty one years ago today, I stood before a handful of friends and family in a little church and said, “I do” to the man of my dreams.

Except, he wasn’t exactly the man of my dreams. That guy I fantasized about for so long was a filthy rich businessman with a professional athlete’s physique. The guy I thought I wanted would give me everything I ever desired. He would spoil me and take me on fancy vacations and bring me roses and bottles of fine wine. He’d hire me a maid and a nanny, and buy me a new car every year.

For the longest time, that is what I thought I wanted.

Read the rest of this entry »

…when you’re two. Because when you’re two, you’re learning how everything works and you just can’t STOP YOURSELF from getting into mischief.

When Dad put away the Christmas stockings, he left all the goodies on the dining room sideboard.

Silly Daddy.

Doesn’t he know I’ve become a pro at unwrapping candy?

Even complicated Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups! NUMMY!

If you look closely, you’ll see I reached the candy by dragging over a plastic bin to climb upon. I usually use my chair, but mom and dad had it shut up in the laundry room after I pulled this stunt too many times in one day:

So I’m a little OCD about wanting to wash my hands all day long. Is that so wrong?

The other day, I got in trouble for brushing my teeth! How crazy is that?

I think maybe it was the fact that I was IN the sink, with my pajamas on, that made Mom do that, “Oh, Jonah, NO!” thing she exclaims quite often…

Oh well. As I said, Stuff Happens when you’re two. But Mom says it’s OK, because I’m so darn cute!

1. Discussions about politics are already getting old. And it’s only January.
2. And yet I still feel compelled to say that this time next year, I hope we get to wish the Obama administration a hearty goodbye.
3. I think it’s time for me to have a couple of days alone.
4. Because having some refreshing downtime alone always puts a smile on my face.
5. Maybe sometime I’ll get to visit Uganda and the sweet orphans at Blood of Jesus Ministries.
6. God alone gives me strength.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to (I have no clue), tomorrow my plans include things yet to be determined and Sunday, I want to figure out what the heck I’m doing!

For more Friday Fill-ins, click here.

Not to start the New Year off on a downer, but I just read the first blog post I made in 2011 and realized how poorly I did at meeting the goals I set for myself 12 months ago. Someone once said that New Year Resolutions were just a “to-do” list for the first week of January. I’m not sure I even made it a whole week on some of these goals.

I didn’t lose 50 pounds—I did lose ten pounds, a couple of times, but found them again the moment I fell off the dieting wagon. I did not start any new book manuscripts, nor did I follow a successful writer friend’s advice and directly contact the editors of a couple of national magazines and convince them to publish my work.

I meant to do that one. I really did.

Read the rest of this entry »