This Little Knucklehead is Protected by Law

I live in a tan painted cedar sided house.  There are a couple of small grey & white wood pecking birdsthat are pecking holes into my house siding in two or three different places. How do I stop them?

From what we can tell, there are no bugs where they are pecking into the house but they keep it up (except for in the bitterest part of winter).  It seems like the best advice I have found is to cover the hole, which we have done, and they just find a new place a few inches over.  However, in my reading up on this I was shocked to find out that disturbing a woodpecker den or killing one is a federal offense.  What?! Not that I plan on killing them, but disturbing them?  I want to disturb them!

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 prohibits the removal of all listed species or their parts (feathers, eggs, nests, etc.) from such property. However, in extreme circumstances, a federal permit might be obtained for the relocation of listed species (in some states a state permit is required in addition to a federal permit). Pursuant to the spirit of the treaty, it is not trivial to obtain a permit; the applicant must meet a certain criteria as outlined in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, 21.27, Special Purpose Permits.

And wouldn't you know that the downy woodpecker, the little knucklehead that is making holes in my house, is protected under that treaty.  For crying out loud...

Madeline Learns to Pray

So let me tell you a little story (because I never do that right?) lol.  The other day I was having a bad-mommy day.  That means my patience was a bit thin and the circumstances of the day were not helping.  I was sure that I had just come down with a UTI and we spent nap time at the hospital lab and dinner time at Target picking up medication.  That kind of upset in our schedule was enough to send the kiddos off the rails and the kiddos being kooky was enough to send me off. By the time I was in the parking lot at Target talking to a nurse on the phone I had pretty much hit my limit.  Both kids were screaming and crying in the car and so I stepped outside and shut the doors so I could hear.  After I finished my conversation I got back inside and heard Beatrice (the older daughter) praying.  "What were you praying about?" I asked her.  Her response almost made me cry.  "Madeline was really upset, so I just thought I should teach her how to talk to Jesus."  On queue, Madeline started her little prayer that she had just learned.

I have been trying to catch it on tape since the other day (mostly for my sister since Madeline always includes 'fia' or Sophia in her prayers - because Beatrice taught her too).  Then when I thought of the story behind it I realized I really wanted to share this video with you all as well.  Our kids are always watching and always learning, but it is really amazing when they can be even better than their mommy on a tough day.  I am learning from my kiddos.  Here is the text from the video above, in case you need a translator: 

Me: Hey Madeline, do you want to show us how you learned how to pray?  Can you show us how you learned how to pray?

Madeline: Dear Jesus, thank you for Mommy and Beatrice.  Thank you for Mommy and Fia and baby.  Amen. (burp)

Me: Good job!

The Kiddos Explain Our 20 Week Ultrasound

Text of video (for the parts that are hard to understand):

Me: Hey Beatrice, do you want to tell me what all those pictures are?
Beatrice: Uh, ummm... a kitty cat, Uncle Jonny's shoe, daddy's umbrella, and my kitty cat.  There.
Me: Are any of those pictures of baby Claudia?
Beatrice: Baby Claudia!  This is baby Claudia from my kitty cat.
Me: Yeah?
Beatrice: Yeah.
Madeline: Mommy!
Me: What Madeline?  Did you bonk your ear?
Madeline: No mommy.
Me: Do you want to see the pictures?
Madeline: I want to see pictures mommy!
Me: Can you show them to Madeline?  Madeline look, there they are!
Madeline: That's a picture of my monkey!
Beatrice: But this, my...
Madeline: That's a picture of my monkey!
Me: Can you show us a picture of Claudia again?
Beatrice: Uh, Claudia!
Me: Right there?
Beatrice: And this is my kitty cat!  Madeline's monkey, daddy's umbrella and Uncle Jonny's shoe.  See?  Both pictures.
Me: Alright.  Say bye.
Beatrice: Bye!

St. Francis and the Birds

Have you heard any good stories lately?  I have!  Here is one that makes me smile from ear to ear whenever I hear it.  Maybe because I am an English Lit gal (who loves God & animals) but for whatever reason it makes me smile. So let me share it with you.  Have you ever heard the story about the time that St. Francis stopped and preached to the birds?  Such a great Romans 10 illustration and a beautiful story really, and since it is not very long (and because I would probably retell it badly) I will copy it here for you to read: 

• • •

Father Francis and his companions were making a trip through the Spoleto Valley near the town of Bevagna. Suddenly, Francis spotted a great number of birds of all varieties. There were doves, crows and all sorts of birds. Swept up in the moment, Francis left his friends in the road and ran after the birds, who patiently waited for him. He greeted them in his usual way, expecting them to scurry off into the air as he spoke. But they moved not. Filled with awe, he asked them if they would stay awhile and listen to the Word of God. He said to them: “My brother and sister birds, you should praise your Creator and always love him: He gave you feathers for clothes, wings to fly and all other things that you need. It is God who made you noble among all creatures, making your home in thin, pure air. Without sowing or reaping, you receive God’s guidance and protection.” At this the birds began to spread their wings, stretch their necks and gaze at Francis, rejoicing and praising God in a wonderful way according to their nature. Francis then walked right through the middle of them, turned around and came back, touching their heads and bodies with his tunic. Then he gave them his blessing, making the sign of the cross over them. At that they flew off and Francis, rejoicing and giving thanks to God, went on his way. Later, Francis wondered aloud to his companions why he had never preached to birds before. And from that day on, Francis made it his habit to solicitously invoke all birds, all animals and reptiles to praise and love their Creator. And many times during Francis’ life there were remarkable events of Francis speaking to the animals. There was even a time when St. Francis quieted a flock of noisy birds that were interrupting a religious ceremony! Much to the wonder of all present, the birds remained quiet until Francis’ sermon was complete. 

• • •

See?  I'm smiling, and I hope you are too.  I like the story so much that I am working on teaching "the birds upon the tree tops" to my kiddos.  Click the link if you need to jog your memory on the tune but I'm sure you know the song:

♪ The birds upon the tree tops sing their song ♪

♫ The angels chant their chorus all day long ♫

♩ The flowers in the garden blend their hue ♩

 ♬ So why shouldn't I, why shouldn't you praise Him too? ♬

So there you have it, my thoughts about birds and kids and God and singing all wrapped up together, but mostly I guess I am trying to say this: take time to enjoy a story that makes you smile and take time to hear a song that makes your heart happy.  Even if just for a moment.  Oh, and why not read Romans 10:14-17 too while you're at it. Here, I typed it up just for you:

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (ESV)