"Today is not tomorrow & tomorrow is not today" -Nate age 3

What is it about kids that make them so....random? I think lately my blogs have been on the mellow side....contemplative and almost kinda....sad. But today I think I'll blog on someone who makes my life happy. Nathan. Age 8. Full of spunk, quirks and randomness....

But how does he stay happy like that day after day? I just closed my devos. book and Bible and the message today was on staying present in "today" and staying disciplined enough to fix my eyes on the Lord who carries me through each and has tomorrow all planned out for me already. It sounds great, but I must confess, I often worry about things that I can only do tomorrow. So I observed Nathan carefully today. And I must say, I am humbled.

Nate's Day:
7 a.m.: wake up and say good morning to mommy....and Olive.
7:15: dilly-dallying with putting clothes on
7:30: brush teeth and mumble a scene from Phineas & Ferb
7:35: go downstairs, put together lunch, eat vitamins, make oatmeal  (make a bowl for mommy, put on a plate and add her multivitamins)
7:40: run upstairs and present breakfast to mommy with HUGE grin; Olive picks up on his high energy and follows him downstairs
7:42: read devo. book "Jesus Calling", look up scriptures in Bible
7:45: Mommy comes down with half eaten oatmeal, put on shoes and grab backpack
7:50: getting in the car speaking with a swedish accent (don't ask)

(On the way to school)....
"Mommy..... play that song....One Thing I Know or something like that...."
Sings along with me all the way to school....

(In my classroom)....
Nate pulls out my laptop, plugs it in (he loves doing techy things like that...wonder where he gets that from)
Gives me a hug and runs out the door to his classroom.... I whisper a daily prayer for the Lord to watch over my sweet boy....

(After school).......
3:00: homework (along with random things that happen during school and recess)
4:15: getting in the car to leave school....speaks with swedish accent again.
On the way home, we discuss the "fabulous 4's" again : homework, feed Olive, shower, & practice piano. He reminds me he doesn't need me to remind him. We'll see.
4:30: Mommy keeps working....Nate strives to complete his Fabulous-ness.
5:00: Paper airplane flies down the balcony into the living room.
5:15: Mommy does yoga...more paper airplanes in various origami shapes hit mommy in the livingroom.
I yell...."You forgot the 4th thing! PIANO!" (Asian mom moment)

(Dinner)....
"Mommy, did you do your devos yet today?" (gulp, no not yet but thanks for reminding me. )
"Just doin' my job" he says.
Nate helps clear the table after dinner.....talking AGAIN in his newfound swedish accent (something about a "man goes up the hill and comes back down...") He repeats the phrase over and over again just like an 8 year old would when someone is laughing.

(Playing UNO Attack)...
Swedish accent continues but this time.....it's a swedish lady! In his falsetto swedish voice he's chiming, "A lady went up the hill and brought back down a sweet mango...." *sigh* Jay finally puts an end to it. But he forgets and almost played an entire game of UNO in swedish.

(In pajamas bouncing down the stairs to say goodnight)....
"*Sigh* Mommy, here.... let me get your devos book and Bible for you..." (I thank him for keeping me accountable.)
"I do my best, darling mommy." Where does he get this stuff?
(I kiss my baby and say, "see you in the morning, dude....")
He bounces up the stairs with such joy, I wonder HOW is he going to fall asleep within the hour? I am exhausted from the day..... and I flip open my devo. book and is immediately pulled to an excerpt that I truly think Nate and most kids abide by....

"Your gravest danger is worrying about tomorrow. If you try to carry tomorrow's burdens today, you will stagger under the load and eventually fall flat. You must discipline yourself to live within the boundaries of today. It is in the present moment that I walk close to you, helping you carry your burdens. Keep your focus on My Presence in the present." (from Jesus Calling)


"Nevertheless, I am continually WITH you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory." (Ps 73:23)

One Thing I Desire (Hillsong)

One thing
One thing I desire
One thing I seek
To gaze upon Your beauty
Your majesty

In the day of trouble
You cover me
In the secret place of refuge
Lord I will sing

So I pray to You
So I pray to You

Lord Your Name is higher than the heavens
Lord Your Name is higher than all created things
Higher than hope
Higher than dreams
The Name of the Lord

All I want is You
All I want is You
Jesus