A Mommy Moment

Fall pics

2008-10-22T17:34:00.004-04:00

I've been a lazy blogger lately, but have been wanting to at least post some recent pics. It's been a great fall!

Homeschool Memoirs#4: Something new

2008-09-10T06:17:00.004-04:00

I blogged about our general plans in week 2 here. You can also see a pretty comprehensive list of our resources and curricula in my sidebar. In this our second year of homeschooling I'm using several resources which are new to us. Most of these are working out well. I'm very grateful for the seasoned advice that I've received IRL from some local moms as well as the variety of information available on the net at places like homeschoolreviews. Since we're leaning towards the classical way of doing things my virtual friends at the Well Trained Mind forums have been most helpful of all.

I've always found in depth grammar study to be quite frustrating. Last year we trudged our way through Abeka's grade 5 level worktext. It was certainly a comprehensive course, but we all began dreading it. So I spent much of the summer in search of something that would be a better fit for our family and we thankfully found Easy Grammar.

This is the way that I wish I'd been taught! Their method of identifying prepositional phrases first makes it much easier to find the subjects, verbs, and other sentence parts. It's easy on the teacher also with small, concise lessons that are well scripted. While Abeka often seemed to overload us with explanation and exercises, Easy Grammar seems to have just the right amount of practice for us. I love it when I find something so simple that works so well. We strongly considered some other options such as Analytical Grammar and Winston Grammar, but I'm confident that we made the right choice in the end.

I'm looking forward to reading about other's gems. It's fun to explore something new.

Love and boundaries

2008-09-01T20:11:00.006-04:00

I've been spending much of my quiet time lately in a devotional study on love. I've also been reading a book called "Boundaries" during this same time. Both have spoken strongly to my heart...

Like many I often feel emptied and drained by loving others sacrificially. We hear often about the sufficiency of God's grace for us sinners, but we fail to remind ourselves that His love is sufficient also (at least I do). When I give and give... and give some more, but expect others to fill me back up I am so often disappointed. They don't give enough or they don't give in the way that I want them to.

I've been reminded lately that God IS love. In fact He is perfect and complete love (1 John4:8-12). For Him it is not a choice or a feeling it is an undeniable part of Him. He can't help loving us. He will never forget us (Isaiah 49:15-16). He loves us so much that He has engraved us into the palms of His hands. He sent His son to die for us while we were still sinners. Nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39).

As sons and daughters of Christ we are also blessed to have His spirit within us. Part of that "package deal" is an unendless supply of His love. We can rely on His love in all places and at all times (1John 4:13, John15:9). One of the fruits of the spirit is love (Gal. 5:22). When we ask the Lord to fill us He is so happy to do so(to Romans 5:5). We can rest and abide in this love (1John 4:16) and when we choose to do so we find ourselves filled to the point of overflow. I've begun to think of my heart like a sponge that God is willing to completely saturate, I can't seem to help but drip my excess onto others.

When I'm filled this way I don't have the same expectations of those around me. I do want to be treated nicely (and I'm entitled to be treated this way) but I realize that they are not responsible for my happiness or spiritual well being and I'm not responsible for theirs either. Because perfect love is without fear (1 John 4:18) and in fact, casts out fear, I find myself navigating relationships more confidently and securely. I will never be without love and I need not operate out of guilt or fear.

When I am truly plugged in to God's outlet of love I'm able to love others around me with a Christlike heart. When I choose to serve or give I am doing so willingly. My 'yes' is yes and my 'no' is no (Matt. 5:37).

Better understanding and receiving God's love for me has been an incredible gift. Allowing myself to set loving boundaries with others has been freeing as well. I am humbled by my Savior's love for me and grateful to Him for showing me how to share that love with others without losing myself in the process.

Homeschool memoirs: Agenda

2008-08-27T12:59:00.009-04:00

I am such a planner and I spent many months this spring and summer choosing curriculum for this our first, full year of homeschool. Last year, when we began in January, the process was much simpler. I went with a simple textbook approach (mostly Abeka) that I could find available used at a reasonable price. For History and Science I placed them mostly based on what topics matched most closely to what they'd been studying in public school. This year though we wanted to use a more classical approach that included lots of literature.

You can find a list of our current curricula in the sidebar. We're using many literature recommendations from Susan Wise Bauer's The Well Trained Mind to round things out. Our students are ages 12 (7th grade), 10 (5th grade), and 6 (first grade). For the most part I'm quite pleased with our choices. I'll categorize a few of the standouts for you based on our opinions so far (third week of school).

Happiest with:

Easy Grammar: (7th and 5th graders) This was a 'eureka' for our older girls. We love the prepositional phrase method. I also appreciate how little teacher prep. is involved.

Draw and Write through History:(all) Our 7th grader is technically studying the Renaissance, not ancients, this year but she's begged to join in on this one. Art has become one of the week's most anticipated events this year. This curriculum would also be great for cursive practice for an upper elementary student although we don't use it that way.

AVKO Spelling: (1st) We're modifying this a bit by breaking the daily lists into even smaller chunks for her, but we are seeing fabulous results so far. She also thinks that doing spelling daily on a whiteboard is much more exciting than the weekly paper/pencil tests she sees her big sisters do.

MCP Plaid Phonics: (1st) This is perfect for reinforcement and a bit of seat work for dd.

Mystery of History:(5th) We're studying Ancients with our younger two using Biblioplan as a rough schedule and for it's scheduled reading list. This text is awesome! I find it quite engaging ad readable, with just the perfect amount of information. I like most of all how the Christian worldview is emphasized. I almost wish that I was using it exclusively with both students. But now we'll have something to look forward to with our younger ones on their second trip through the history cycle.

Victor's Journey Through the Bible is also a great resource. We're referring to it almost daily. It really adds a lot to our readings from Vos' Story Bible.

Doing the job:

Saxon Algebra 1 w/DIVE:(7th) A good fit for my mathematically advanced student. I think it's a great, solid program overall but the text is unwieldy, the fonts too small (IMO), and the pages crowded. But it's working and dd is happy with it. She's been doing Saxon right along so we'll be sticking with it.

Latina Christiana 1:(5th and 7th) This text is also dry and I wish a few more practice/reinforcement exercises were included. I often find myself making my own and that's honestly dangerous. A Latin scholar I am not! But, like Saxon math above, we chose this based on scope and sequence. It's working, just not exciting anyone around here.

Wordly Wise 3000 book 7:(7th) I love this, dd doesn't. We're using it as both a spelling and a vocabulary program. We'll be sticking with it, at least for this year.

Disappointed with:

Story of the World Vol.1:(5th and 1st) I wanted to love this one, and fully expected to based on the many glowing recommendations it's received. Perhaps my expectations were too high. I can say that I did not realize quite how secular it was. As young earth creationists we don't agree with many of the dates thus far, so time lining has been complicated. Some of the literature recommendations don't suit our taste either. As we're following the BP schedule we are jumping around a lot, that could be part of the problem. Some of the map activities in the activity guide have been great. My 1st grader also enjoys the coloring pages. I hope that as we progress forward historically these conflicts won't be such an issue.

Singapore Math: (5th and 1st) This could really be posted in two categories... It's working great for my 1st grader. She's using 1B as she tested out of 1A prior to the start. We are coming to this program from Saxon. We made the switch for our younger students because they were not happy with Saxon and wanted something different. We chose Singapore as they often need less review than average for a given concept and we were impressed with their word problems. It's not working out nearly so well for our 5th grader. We are both highly frustrated. I didn't anticipate the handicap that we'd have starting the program at level 4A. We just don't have enough understanding of their method at times. Thus we're often unable to do many of the word problems (at least non-algebraically) which was one of the major selling points of the program for us in the first place! I'm hoping perseverance will pay off here, but if it doesn't get better within a few weeks we may be dusting off the Saxon for her.

Those are the items that are our standouts so far. Adding time lining and mapping this year in History has also been great. We made our own timeline binders based on a suggestion I found here. For our first grader we're using a mix of SOTW review cards and MOH tidbits to help her assemble a smaller and more manageable 4x6 index card binder. We're drawing some of our own figures in art class and using a variety of other freebies. It's like scrapbooking and history rolled into one. We're really enjoying it!

I don't know that there's a specific scripture I'd reference for planning in particular. But I often find myself referring to several verses in Proverbs 3 ...

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.

-Proverbs 3: 3, 5, 13

Then, of course, there is Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

All in all we're off to a great start. 2008-2009 should be a great year for our family!

A bloggy makeover 101

2008-08-25T14:13:00.004-04:00

I'd been feeling for awhile that this blog was in dire need of a makeover. I finally had the time to tend to it this past weekend. There are loads of sites with free templates that you can use. I chose one from here. The tricky bit honestly was in not losing my widgets, those nifty little gadgets and signs in the right hand column. I found great instructions for doing that here, but in the end, being the simplistic type, I chose to copy and paste each one into a word pad file in the order that I wanted to place them back. Then once the new page was up and running I recreated each one relatively quickly.

Hmmm, perhaps I'll end up rearranging things more often around here. Anyhow I'd appreciate feedback on the new look. Let me know what you think...

Homeschool Memoirs

2008-08-20T16:43:00.008-04:00

I'm excited to start this weekly meme and excited to meet some fellow homeschool mommy blogggers as well. This week's assignment asks us to share a bit about ourselves. I can talk forever about my family, but I had to think a bit about this one. Isn't the first assignment supposed to be an easy one?

Well, I've been married to my dh for around a dozen years now, though it often does seem like just yesterday that we met. God's ways are perfect and it is so evident in His choice to match us together. We are vastly different in some ways, each with our unique strengths and weakness, but on the big things we see eye to eye. When we first married our relationship with the Lord was honestly a much more casual and compartmentalized one (of the every once in a while on a Sunday variety). As years passed and our family grew, He led us to realize that we were missing the boat... big time. Christ's amazing mercy and unfailing love are so evident in His desire to reclaim His wandering sheep. How wonderful that the all powerful God of this universe truly wants to have a close relationship with each and every one of us!

When we began to truly seek after His will for our lives again, we made some cursory changes. We spent more time in daily prayer, saturated our hearts with His word, sought fellowship with like-minded believers, got involved in serving our church (and attending a bit more often :-) ), etc. These were all positive changes, but pretty easy ones. But when we really began listening to the Lord's whispers we found He was always calling us further, out of our comfort zones, to follow Him to places we'd never dreamed we'd go.

First, a few years ago, He called us to leave our home, family, and friends in New England and to begin life in another place. Then He almost immediately blessed us with our fourth child- one we'd long given up expecting. He also let me know, in no uncertain terms, that I was to make my home my primary ministry, giving up my position in our church's preschool as a teacher.

By early 2007 the Lord began whispering to us about our children's education. Until then they'd attended both public and Christian schools at various times. They were academically successful, quite happy, and generally well liked by both children and adults. On the surface all was well.=Thankfully, when we don't listen to His quiet leadings, the Lord often will take more drastic measures to get make us take notice. He did so in this case with an escalating series of attention grabbers that ultimately led to our decision to begin homeschooling. The decision itself came after an extended time of prayer and really wrestling with God. Oh, we knew at this point what He wanted us to do, but we didn't like the idea, at least not at first. Dh teaches Chemistry in a public high school. I, too, had spent several years in the classrooms of public and private schools. Hey, we were both products of the public school system and we turned out alright?!? Plus, I had all these 'ideas' about homeschooling and homeschooled kids for that matter.

So, why did we take the plunge?

Well first and foremost because God told us to. In that process He convinced us a few things:

1)The importance of training our children's hearts and not just their minds.

2)The fact that few things are truly neutral. Life cannot exist in a vacuum. When we remove something, it is inevitably replaced. We feel that to the extent that Biblical values and teachings have been removed from our schools they have been replaced by secular humanism and atheism. We realized this was both counter productive and potentially dangerous.

3)How much easier it is to live as Christian when you have a truly Biblical worldview.

4)That the responsibility to disciple our children rests firmly on our shoulders.

I'd like to clarify and state that we are not convinced or 'convicted' as many would say that homeschooling is the only, or even the best way, to accomplish this. It is simply the best way for our family to accomplish this at this time.

I absolutely believe that there are families led to send their children to both public and private schools. I also believe that we are blessed to have many wonderful and incredible Christian teachers who reach and teach many young people in these schools. Children who might never know the Lord otherwise. I am proud to count my dh amongst these. I attend an incredible church which provides my children with invaluable fellowship and teachings. Still, the Lord led us to believe that we needed to take a more personal and active role in the education of our girls.

The Lord has greatly rewarded our obedience. I'm often asked by friends and family members how I'm able to 'handle' homeschooling. They imply that I'm either some breed of super mom or just plain crazy. We'd often heard folks say, "When the Lord calls you to do something. He equips you for it." We've seen the evidence of that first hand this year. As with our move a few years back, it's clearly evident when the Lord is working in your midst. He brought together all the pieces necessary for us to begin this new chapter in our lives- the hearts of our children were prepared, the materials available, and the support folks who mentored us appeared in our lives.

This year, our second year of homeschooling, is shaping up to be an exciting one. Our daughters are in 7th, 5th, and 1st grade. We also have a 15mth old precious one who keeps us on our toes. We've begun to lean toward the 'classical' way of doing things around here. You'll find our curricula list on my sidebar as well as additional information about our family. We post photo updates often so feel free to browse and take a peek into our lives.

I appreciate the opportunity to share my heart with you.

Foto Friday- New England Trip

2008-08-15T17:05:00.002-04:00

It was a whirlwind trip and the weather wasn't very cooperative but it was great to catch up with friends and family. Here are a few pics...

Back to school

2008-08-13T08:03:00.004-04:00

I know. I know. I've been a bit lax about posting lately. Between our whirlwind trip to New England (stay tuned for pics on Friday) and getting ready for school I've been otherwise occupied. That's putting it mildly.

We're trying to get back into a routine on several additional fronts also, as church is ramping back up to a full schedule, our homeschool PE/social group is starting, and we haven't been making it to the gym regularly. I am getting a good deal of exercise by chasing littlest these days though. She's quite the busy bee at 15mths and is into everything! But I'd like to add more regular blogging to the fall routine as well.

S. is adding another Bible study as well as some youth group activities to her schedule (and mine :-) ). C. auditioned this week for a role in the Homeschool Theater Company's production of the Wizard of Oz. P. will also audition for a non-speaking role, but that process begins after the holidays. Soccer season is delayed this year due to flag football, but we'll be tackling that later in the season.

For those interested watch for links to our curriculum list and basic school schedules to appear sometime soon. We get lots of questions from our fellow homeschoolers and others about just what we're up to these days. We're taking a more classical approach this year and we're all enjoying it so far.

Finding peace

2008-07-15T13:23:00.003-04:00

I'm not sure if we've hit the mid summer doldrums or whether preparations for our trip north are making things chaotic, but either way we seem to be a little short on peace around here lately. We seem short with one another and there have been too many sibling quarrels to count.

I've often found myself hiding (quite literally) from the masses and seeking to find snatches of personal time and space. It's rare that I need to take a break from the family, but I finding myself wishing for some solitude and quiet time that is purely my own.

I know that I should be down on my knees thanking the Lord that life here in our home is usually quite peaceful. We're often busy, but generally well purposed and serene. There tends to be a calm and predictable order to our lives, and its comforting.

These verses spoke to me today as I'm seeking the Lord's help in restoring a sense of peace here at home.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 (NIV)

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing..
He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
1Peter 3:8-9a, 11 (NIV)

P.S.: I hope we're all in better spirits come Thursday night as we depart for New England. A less than peaceful car trip of 17 hours would be most unpleasant!

The girls

2008-07-06T22:15:00.002-04:00

Here are a couple of shots from our recent photo shoot. Everyone is sporting a true summer glow. We've had many happy days at the pool lately. It's been a fun summer.

Trust

2008-06-20T20:08:00.002-04:00

I've been meditating a lot on Psalm 31 lately. I know that there are a few areas of my life that I still have yet to completely give over to the Lord, at least consistently. As a result I often flounder and worry needlessly. To truly rest in Him, I must completely trust in Him. He wants my will, my desires, my plans, my future, and most of all my heart.

I've studied several versions of this passage, but the New King James version has particularly resonated with my spirit, as I seek to commit it to Him more fully.

1 In You, O LORD, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness.
2 Bow down Your ear to me,
Deliver me speedily;
Be my rock of refuge,
A fortress of defense to save me.
3 For You are my rock and my fortress;
Therefore, for Your name’s sake,
Lead me and guide me.
4 Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,
For You are my strength.
5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit;
You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
Psalm 31:1-5 NKJV

A great week!

2008-06-13T13:36:00.002-04:00

Just had to pop on quickly and thank the many who prayed for our VBS (and for me) this week. I was blessed with an incredible bunch of 'littles' and some super support staff in my room. From what I saw of other spots it was a good week all around. Our older three girls all had a wonderful time and made some new friends. Littlest is a bit tired out though. I think the peak attendance this week was just shy of 800. God is good!

Off to Outrigger Island...

2008-06-09T05:50:00.000-04:00

It's VBS time again! It's always a busy and fun week. As usual I'm a bit frantic, making sure I have all my details taken care of. I'll be leading a group of worker's children who are older two's/younger three's. These little children are always so full of joy and it's contagious! Whenever the Lord allows me to interact with and lead a group of children I always learn as much, if not more than, they do.

Please join me in praying for our VBS and for the many others that will take place this week and throughout the summer. Dear friends in New Hampshire, please know that I am already praying for your week as well.

Father,

We seek to glorify you in all that we say and do. We can never thank you enough for the love and grace you've given to us freely in your Son. Please enable us to reflect your love in our words and actions to all the children and adults we'll encounter during Vacation Bible School. Help us to be instruments in expanding your kingdom. We ask for your protection over the children you'll place in our care and ask that you'll continue to uphold and uplift us physically and emotionally as we seek to do your work. I pray that your Spirit will work mightily in our midst and that many hearts will be sealed for you, Lord, during these days. We'll continue to give you all of the glory!

In Jesus' name, Amen.

One day in your courts...

2008-06-08T18:28:00.003-04:00

How lovely is your dwelling place,

O Lord almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints,

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and flesh cry out

for the living God.

Better is one day in your courts

than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather be a doorkeep in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

~Psalm 84:1, 2, 10NIV

Back to the beach!

2008-05-31T07:51:00.003-04:00

We were blessed with an opportunity to head back to the beach this past Memorial Day weekend, this time with Dad and Grandad in tow. We had a wonderful time. The kids enjoyed boogie boarding in the pretty rough surf, played lots in the sand, and swam in the pool. We were visited by a beautiful Great Blue Heron each morning. He anxiously eyed the fisherman who'd fish in the surf each day and hoped they'd drop one. 'Twas a wonderful way to usher in the summer.

It's official!

2008-05-30T08:07:00.002-04:00

We've finished our first year of homeschooling! It continues to amaze me how well the transition has gone. I know that the credit for that belongs to the Lord. He's worked mightily in our midst this spring.

We really had some great, productive days. Writing year end progress reports and compiling portfolios was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our time and bask in the glow of accomplishment. I know the kids learned a lot and I think this mommy may have learned even more. Truly this has been one of the hardest, but most rewarding tasks I've ever taken on. Aside from all of the academic knowledge gained, we're experiencing a greater sense of family unity and are relishing our freedom from the external schedules and pressures that used to control so much of our time. I feel so much more connected to each of the girls, so immersed in their lives. Perhaps the greatest joy has been training their hearts, not only teaching their minds.

We won't be formally schooling this summer, but all three girls will be reading and journaling. We'll also do a few bits of math here and there in preparation for next year. We've chosen courses of study for each child for next year and plans are underway to begin in the second week of August when dh heads back to school.

Today I thank the Lord for his unfailing love and perfect guidance. I thank Him for leading us to be more completely present in our children's lives and education. I thank Him for equipping us as parents for the job He's entrusted us with.

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk upon the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
~Deut. 6:6-9 NIV

Beach birthday

2008-05-08T06:38:00.002-04:00

We enjoyed a wonderful few days at Hilton Head this week. The weather was amazing and it was a great way to celebrate the little one's birthday.

Find Your Wings - Mark Harris

2008-05-05T09:28:00.002-04:00

Here's some birthday browsing music to complement today's post.

Cupcakes and Candles

2008-05-05T08:57:00.004-04:00

Wow! It truly seems like only yesterday that Brian and I brought home a tiny, fragile baby from the NICU. She came home with lists of instructions and her own alarm system, its colored wires trailed down through her the outfits that we had to rush out and buy, preemie size.

She's grown so much this year. You'd never know she started out so very little. She's exploring her world with excitement and careful, bow-legged steps and she's beginning to say new words each day. I've really had to share this baby too. Her older sisters are so eager to help and enjoy spending lots of time with her. The feeling is very mutual. She's even named them all. Calls of, "Bub, Did-did, and Pap" punctuate our days.

I'm honestly not ready to celebrate this birthday yet. For this mommy it's bittersweet. I know firsthand how quickly little ones grow, yet it still seems to catch me by surprise. It happens quickly and quietly amidst the daily grind of life as we know it.

I'm posting a day early, but we'll be celebrating her special day at the beach. Hopefully the serenity of the waves and the sound of my children's laughter will make the day joyful and comfort my mother's heart. I know that I need to savor this milestone as soon it too shall be a memory.

We'll return home later this week, renewed and ready for cupcakes and candles.

Holier than thou?

2008-04-23T08:14:00.004-04:00

Call me a Christian. Call me a Believer. Or, if you must, you may even call me by my denomination's name, a Bible thumper, holy roller, overly religious, or even a Jesus freak. You get the picture. But please, please, please don't call me 'holier than thou'.

It truly makes me sad when people view Christians that way. I've been told far too often that the reason that someone won't attend church is that they see them as filled with lots of perfect people. People who will judge them and look down at them. It's a shame if they see things that way and even more of a shame if we've caused them to do so. I don't belong on a pedestal. I don't have on a halo. I do stumble, trip, and fall each and every day.

From the outside it's hard to grasp the fact that the reason many of us get on our knees each day and show up on a Sunday is because we are so far from perfect. It's hard to convey the fact that I am way too busy to judge others when I can't bear to look in the mirror myself some days.

When I share my faith with you it's not to point out how 'bad' you are and how 'great' I am. It's simply because I believe in my heart of hearts that you have one simple choice to make- death or life. And that I like you enough to want you there with me at the big party. :-)

I was thinking on some of this when I came across these words today. Carol Wimmer's poem speaks to me so powerfully. It's been a while since I'd seen it, but it blessed me again.

Of course God says all of this way better than I ever could...

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...
Romans 3:22-23NIV

Foto Friday (Tennesse)

2008-04-18T20:00:00.003-04:00

As I alluded to the other day we had a wonderful vacation last week. Here are a few more photos.

Bottles and Bibles?!?

2008-04-16T21:07:00.002-04:00

What do you think about holding church services in a bar?

http://www.daytondailynews.com/search/content/oh/story/business/2008/04/14/ddn041408churchbarweb.html

A de-tressing problem

2008-04-15T06:38:00.002-04:00

What happens when you mix a long hair, a blow dryer, a round brush, and a bit of carelessness? A mess! Yesterday we got to experience this first hand. One of the girls ended up tangled with said brush from roots to tips! It was quite a large section, right in the front of her hair.

We worked at it for an hour or so to no avail, trying conditioner, water, and (at the suggestion of a hairdresser) mayonnaise. Finally, on the verge of total panic, we piled into the car and headed across town to the salon. Forty minutes later with the help of a pick, long-tailed comb, and a whole lot more patience than this mom had left, the brush finally unwound and was promptly disposed of.

We returned home on a mission to seek and destroy all of its similar shaped relatives, having learned an important lesson: round brushes and young girls with long hair don't mix well.

The smokies

2008-04-12T21:08:00.004-04:00

We enjoyed a much needed vacation in the mountains this week. It was refreshing to have a break from the daily grind and we enjoyed catching up with dh's folks. Our girls miss them lots (and we do too). The views were astounding and the weather simply perfect. We miss the mountains of New England which were a daily backdrop of our lives for so long. We swam, climbed, and played at Dollywood. We discovered eldest has a real love of roller-coasters and that her mom and dad are not as fond of them as we used to be! Here's a picture tease- will post the rest sometime soon!

Weekly Blog Challenge

2008-04-02T06:53:00.002-04:00

I've enjoyed participating in this weekly challenge with some of my online buddies. This week's question is:
What is one area in your spiritual life that you want to grow in or change?

Wow, there are so many things that I need to address! I do know that I worry WAY too much, particularly about my precious girls. As babies I concerned myself mostly with their health and safety, certainly no small matter. As they've grown the worry has become more about their education, their spiritual health, and the choices they make. The statement little kids- little problems, big kids- big problems seems to feel overwhelmingly true for me some days.

I realize that I need to worry less and pray more, fear less and trust more. I cannot possibly protect my children from every danger they will encounter. How blessed I am to have a relationship with someone who can!

I was really encouraged after doing some reading in, "Quiet Moments for Busy Moms" recently. I'll share just a snippet of it here:

"From the beginning (of motherhood) I've known little control, but I've been far from powerless. I've known the power of being well acquainted with the Ruler of the universe. He commands the angels who guard my children, and he rules over every event in their lives. No, I don't worry- though it could come quite naturally for my mother's heart. Instead I remind myself of the One who is in control, the One who loves my children even more than I do, the One who knows what is best." (Rebecca Mulvaney)

The only thing to do when confronted by matters too great for me is to pray.

"I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore." Psalm131 :1b-3 (NIV)

This verse speaks to my mothers heart and gives me strength to try and worry less.

Unfailing Love by Chris Tomlin

2008-03-24T13:36:00.002-04:00

I'm often able to embed a piece of music directly here but seem to be having trouble doing so today :-(. Kindly follow the link below if you care to take a listen...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_MyC6kJzPg

I've always enjoyed a good 'love' song and that could be why I like this one so much. It never fails to speak to my heart and uplift my spirit. How comforting to know that even in my most unlovable moments (and believe me I have many) I am still loved completely by my perfect Lord and Savior! Talk about unconditional love in its purest form!

Scriptural references to love abound but a few of my favorites are found in 1 John. Here are a couple:

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
1 John 3:1

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:10

Some of my other favorite love songs are Casting Crown's "East to West" and Third Day's "I've Always Loved You". A version of the former can be found way back in my archives here along with a great video. Tomlin's "Unfailing Love" is on his album entitled Arriving. He does it as a duet with Stephen Curtis Chapman.

Hope it blesses you today!

Foto Friday (school days)

2008-02-29T08:30:00.003-05:00

Here's what we've been up to lately. We've had some busy and fun days here at home. Tomorrow we're venturing out to explore Savannah. Hopefully we'll have some nice photos of that to share with you next week.

Answers continued

2008-02-26T12:36:00.002-05:00

What about dinosaurs? Don't archaeologists dig up all those old fossils? Did Noah's flood really happen? I thought it's been proven that the earth is like millions and millions of years old?

These are just some of the very important questions that my children were interested in asking. They came away from the talks with some great answers. Yes, dinosaurs are actually mentioned in the Bible. I recommend that you go on an exhibition in Job. Again it's important to remember that science has limits, so with that in mind- what do fossils really tell us? Many people assume that it means the objects or organisms lived and/or died together. Really all they tell us though is that the objects were at some point buried together. This is a key difference. There is also lots of geological evidence of the flood, for instance fossilized shellfish found as high as the Himilayas. Carbon dating is not reliable, although many scientists pretend it is. It is reliant on a perfectly constant rate of decay and it has been absolutely proven that many conditions have dramatically accelerated the rate of decay in the observable past alone. It also affected by atmospheric levels of carbon which are not constant either.

Evolution as a belief system is problematic. I won't even begin to go there, but would encourage anyone interested to do some reading, it's readily available. In short, there just really isn't an scientific evidence to support it. Where are all those transistional species anyway?!? Macro evolution (the kind which transforms say an ameoba into a frog over time) simply does not exist. It is true that though that micro evolution, species adapation, does occur. We can clearly see that at work in around us today, take for instance dog or horse breeding.

Finally, questions of race and family origin can sometimes be confusing for children and adults alike. Why do we have 'races' at all if we're all descended from Adam and Eve? Quite simply we are all different shades of the same color- brown. As we spread outward after the flood our skin color changed as a result of climate. It's also confusing for children to realize that we are all descended from a brother/sister pair. This did not create genetic havoc simply because the very first people were absolutely genetically perfect. God made them that way! In fact the further we are from the fall the more genetic flaws we have, making it highly dangerous genetically to marry a close relative today as this would greatly magnify our genetic imperfections.

Like with most every issue I consider this all chiefly from the mother point of view. I believe that equipping my children with these answers is so very important. It's both unkind and unwise to send them out into the world unprepared to refute the false information that will surround them. Even more importantly they came home last weekend not just excited about dinosaurs, rocks, and floods but truly on fire for God! In my opinion this area is a powerful and often overlooked evangelism tool.

Okay, enough said. I had planned to post a reading list, but won't get a chance to do so today. If your interested, drop me a line and I'll share my personal faves and do check out the answers website I linked to yesterday, they'll certainly point you in the right direction as well.

Got answers?

2008-02-25T07:12:00.004-05:00

My girls and their Dad went to hear Ken Ham from the Answers ministry speak locally last Friday. I think their ministry really is an important one. I do believe that Christianity truly is under assault and the creation vs. evolution issue is a key battle in this larger war. I also think it's important to realize that the debate is not about science versus religion either. The reality of the situation is that evolution is an atheist religion and is not based on science at all. True science involves making observations about the world and being able to replicate those results. This simply isn't possible in the case of evolution. Science has limits and I think that if students and all people understood this it would eliminate much of the confusion around this issue. Evolution is a belief system based on suppositions and personal opinions about the past, and is simply incorrect.

In my humble opinion it's also important to remember that once we begin to place our faith in the words of men, rather than the word of God (the only one who was there, by the way) we begin speeding down a dangerous road. Once you question Genesis' literal account of creation you can easily make the leap to doubting other parts of scripture including the Gospel itself.

Yes, I realize that creationism can be divisive, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't discuss it. In some cases true neutrality just isn't possible! I hope we've learned by watching society degrade over the past several decades that we do not live in a vacumn. We cannot remove God and religion from our lives without letting something else seep in. That something else has been secular humanism at best and atheism at worst. We are just now beginning to see the 'fruit' of that.

My girls got some great information and received answers to a lot of very important questions. I think it's important to be able to discuss such specifics with your children and I 'll touch on those briefly tomorrow. I'm also going to list a few reading materials we've found helpful. So feel free to tune-out if you're not interested, I promise to be off my 'soapbox' and on to other subjects after that. In the meantime I'd invite you to check out Answers in Genesis, they say it way better than I ever could.

Houston, we have lift off!

2008-02-23T14:48:00.004-05:00

I know, there have been way too many 'Foto-less Fridays' lately. We've had a few camera glitches around here. Littlest has been pulling up and cruising around for weeks, but is has recently progressed to standing on her own and attempting to take some steps. Hopefully they'll be more photo updates soon.

The gift of time

2008-02-22T13:58:00.001-05:00

I came across this short video today and it blessed me. Feel free to check out the rest of their site as well, great stuff.

http://www.tacmovie.com/

Hide your woks!

2008-02-19T10:52:00.002-05:00

Some days I need a bit of humor and my girls always seem to step up and provide it.

This morning we were working on P.'s picture journal where each day she draws a picture and then writes a description of it. It's been helping her learn to put words and sentences together. Anyway, she draws this really sweet scene, all of us outside together in a flower filled field and adds the following caption...

"Paige and her family like to take woks."

I know, she certainly meant "walks" and it all makes sense phonetically as well. We're surely making progress on that front. But, just in case, I'd hide my wok if I were you. With 6 wok takers on the lose it just might not be safe :-).

Cooperation

2008-02-18T10:35:00.004-05:00

Ever wonder what would happen if we sincerely started cooperating with God?

I'll confess that I'm a complainer sometimes, even in my prayers *blushes*. I'll sometimes pray things like, "Oh God, things would have been easier if you had just let it happen this way... (read my way)." Or even better, "God are you sure that I have to do this?" My favorite of all goes, "God, why does this have to be so hard?"

During a talk with a friend the other day they pointed out the wise, but obvious answer to the whole issue of cooperation versus complaining. It was a truth I needed to hear. Here it is in a nutshell:

If you work and cooperate with God, you can then pray that he'll do something through you, rather than simply for you.

Point taken.

Post Script!

2008-02-14T19:42:00.003-05:00

Okay, I think this is a first as I don't post more than once a day here.

But I had to let you know that I did get a very sweet, and VERY unexpected gift from dh this evening! And a beautifully touching, hand drawn card to boot! Yep, I'm a lucky lady for sure.

My valentine...

2008-02-14T10:50:00.004-05:00

did not bring me flowers, candy, or a card. He did run out, barefooted and in his p.j's, at 4:45 AM this morning to start my car for me as I was getting ready to head to the gym. A warm car on this 23 degree morning surprised me and made me appreciate the simple acts of love that he shows me 365 days a year.

The Arithmetic of Worry

2008-02-12T07:55:00.000-05:00

Thought I'd pass this along today...

The arithmetic of worry
After years of studying the tough stuff of anxiety (and yielding to it more times than I want to remember), I've distilled what I've learned about its destructive power into four practical principles. I'll make them easy to remember by giving them to you in simple math—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

1. We worry when we add unnecessary pressure to an already full plate. Trying to meet everyone's expectations adds unnecessary pressure.

2. We worry when we subtract God's presence from our crises. Adversity minus God's presence equals doubt and fear.

3. We worry when we multiply our problems by inserting our solutions prematurely. Anxiety grips us when we insist on finding our own way out of the tough stretches in life instead of walking with God through them.

4. We worry when we divide life into the secular and the sacred. God doesn't want to compartmentalize our lives. He wants every aspect to be under His control.

Quoted from Chuck Swindoll Getting through the tough stuff:It's always something

Have a blessed day!

I can't remember...

2008-02-07T06:31:00.000-05:00

Now I know what's wrong with me, hee hee. Science has finally confirmed what many women already knew...

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/02/05/pregnancy.memory/index.html

Six tomorrow!

2008-02-06T07:28:00.000-05:00

It's hard for me to believe that P. will have another birthday tomorrow! I sat with her yesterday listening as she started reading slowly, her confidence and proficiency building page after page. I smile as I see her interact with the our littlest. She hides her softer side sometimes, but all her love and patience shows through in quiet moments with her sister. Her wish list this year was a small one: a new pair of jeans, another Barbie, and a necklace (something pretty with a butterfly on it). She's also looking forward to getting her ears pierced soon. It's become a tradition around here at each sixth birthday and she's pretty excited. For the first time she's been able to write her own thank you notes for some of the gifts she's already received. She worked slowly, but diligently on them yesterday.

P. is a leader and has taught me lots over these last few years. She's not one to blindly follow. While this is at times frustrating for me as a parent, I think it will serve her well as she grows. She's quick witted and a great negotiator (sometimes a bit too good). She certainly keeps me on my toes! She, like all of my girls, is so unique. I've been blessed to watch her grow and I can't wait to see what God has in store for her next!

What can one man do for God?

2008-01-29T07:58:00.001-05:00

This powerful testimony amazed me. Enjoy!

Ora et labora

2008-01-28T07:20:00.000-05:00

We began a study of Latin with the older girls last week. "Ora et labora" means pray and work and is a fitting motto for us these days.

Way back in the 5th century barbarians were ravaging Rome and violence and chaos prevailed. St. Benedict and a small band of monks established a monastery just outside of Rome at Monte Cassino. Monasteries became oases of peace, learning, and prayer during the dark ages. It is these cells of resistance that some people feel preserved the Christian faith itself until the dark ages ended.

I'm certainly no St. Benedict, but I do endeavor daily to make our home a peaceful sanctuary of prayer and learning for our family. We feel it's an important part of preserving and passing along our Christian heritage to the girls.

So with this in mind we're off to begin a new week of work and prayer. May you also have a blessed one!

Valete,
(good bye)

A classroom door

2008-01-23T10:50:00.000-05:00

Our days are beginning to fall into a bit of a rhythm. We're enjoying a renewed sense of family unity, a more flexible schedule, and are having some very productive school days. For the first time in a few years I feel intimately involved with the girls and their studies again.

One of the biggest adjustments has been mental for sure. I was trying to figure out this week why our days seem to run quite smoothly until about 2:30 or so each day. Then it clicked. In all my working years I had only to make it the conclusion of the school day and my students would leave. Well these little pupils don't! Sounds simple- but it hasn't been for me. I need time to transition back to being a mommy. I need a classroom door that shuts. I'm planning to implement a small block of quiet time each afternoon. The only rules being to seperate and participate in a quiet activity for a bit. We'll see if that does the trick.

Finding my strength

2008-01-22T08:20:00.000-05:00

It's so nice to know that we don't have to 'go it alone'. Some mornings I'm overwhelmed before my feet even hit the bedroom floor. This verse crossed my path this week and really encouraged me. It comes from the book of John and begins so blessedly simply...

By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgement is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. John 5:30 (NIV)

I lean so heavily on His strength and judgement. Thankfully His supply is endless.

Finding my stride...

2008-01-21T15:20:00.000-05:00

I feel a bit like I'm catching my breath this long weekend. The last few weeks have been wonderful, but hectic. It's definitely taken a few weeks to regain my stride. I've missed my writing time and am hoping to reclaim it. School with the girls is taking up large chunks of my schedule, but I think it's also important to be determined to find time for myself. To that end I've begun an ambitious scripture reading 'challenge' with some online friends and also plan to post more here in the blogosphere. See you again soon!

Reading, writing, and arithmetic

2008-01-11T14:48:00.000-05:00

Well things are starting off this year with more changes around here. After months and months of talking with God (well, more like arguing at first) we've decided to have the girls begin homeschooling. It's taken us a while to be ready to make the leap and we still have some fears. In spite of that we know from experience that when we are obedient to the Lord He both blesses and equips us. We trust Him to do just that as we begin on this journey.

Things are starting off smoothly. We've had a productive couple of days, though it will take a while to get into a true rhythm. I'm also certain that there may well be a 'honeymoon' period with this. I've assured the girls that we'll lean on the Lord and take our days (good ones and bad ones) as they come.

I'm sure that I'll have lots more to reflect on in the days and weeks that follow.

Putting down roots

2008-01-07T09:41:00.000-05:00

I've been away for a bit I know. Since our return from New England last week I've been blessed to have had some serious time to reflect and reposition as we head into a another new year.

As I look back at the last few years it's easy to see the changes that have happened in our lives, some painful and some so filled with joy. What has been lacking during this time of transition has been a sense of permanency. I've realized lately that we've been rootless for far too long and that has indeed stifled our growth. This is evidenced in many areas of our lives, both physically and spiritually. We have yet to make a permanent home here in Georgia. Although we regularly attend church services, we also have yet to align ourselves with a church family. Although on the surface we've said, "Yes, Lord." we've kept back a piece of ourselves and, more importantly, our hearts.

It's both painful and scary to truly accept that our lives have moved into a new season. We've needed an escape clause, a foot in the past. To truly embrace the Lord's plan for us I know that we need to say goodbye to our former lives and realize that while wonderful, their time has past.

I pray that this year will be marked by growth. I pray that we'll have the courage to follow Him whole heartedly. I pray that we'll trust Him enough to put down roots.

A Merry Christmas indeed...

2007-12-25T17:18:00.000-05:00

I took a break this afternoon from the hustle and bustle of the holiday to take a long, cold walk down at a frozen lake near where we're staying. It was frigid and blissfully quiet. As DH and I walked along I realized how nice it is sometimes not to need to say anything at all. We had no real worries today, it's nice just to be together and enjoy our time in New England.

I hope your Christmas was a merry and peaceful one as well.

Greensleeves

2007-12-24T10:16:00.001-05:00

Hard to believe it's Christmas Eve already. Have a blessed day!

Jesus and Santa

2007-12-22T14:18:00.001-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/user/IgniterMedia

Hmmmm.....

It's a snowy Foto Friday

2007-12-21T08:37:00.000-05:00

I thought the kids had acclimated to our warmer weather climate as well, turns out it's just dh and I that are wimps. They've been outside in the snow every chance they've gotten since our arrival on Wednesday.

We made it!

2007-12-20T09:45:00.000-05:00

Our trip was long but blessedly uneventful. We're settling in here and catching up on a bit of sleep as we ended up leaving on Tuesday evening at 7pm and driving straight through the night to beat in some bad weather.

Tomorrow will be a very snowy foto Friday....

Headed towards a white Christmas

2007-12-18T06:40:00.000-05:00

On your mark, get set, go! We're heading out tonight. The bags are FINALLY packed and the girls can barely contain their excitement at seeing all of our northern family and friends. We're praying for safe and peaceful travel and for a meaningful Christmas where the wonderful gift of the Christ child resonates above all of the background distractions.

We're bracing for the cold and the snow. Wonderfully beautiful to look at, but not so fun to drive in. We hope to make time to visit with lots of folks, but if the weather doesn't cooperate they'll just have to come to us.

I plan to do some blogging while we're up. If the wind blows properly I can pirate a signal from my sil's next door. If I don't make it on much we plan to return to ring in the New Year here in Georgia.

The girls look forward to car trips because they get to watch a bunch of movies on DVD. Funny, but they seem to choose the same ones over and over and over again. Thank goodness for headphones. Hubby and I usually listen to something a bit heavier, this time Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace. He's graciously allowed audio files of his 13 part series to be downloaded and shared. I've heard his methods are sound and practical. Will let you know what I think after the holidays.

Finally, many of my readers bless my life in very personal ways. I thank you all. I wish you a truly blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with the all the riches that only Christ's love can provide.

O Come O Come Emmanuel

2007-12-17T06:19:00.001-05:00

An Advent favorite of mine from childhood, Enjoy!

A journey

2007-12-14T18:45:00.000-05:00

I've been scarce again this week as I've begun preparing in earnest for our trip north. I continue to be a bit overwhelmed by all the preparations required for travel and Christmas. With a new family member this year it's a bit harder to get it all done. I've begun to worry less about getting packed and more about making it safely and sanely. I worry about the weather we might encounter and about entertaining a baby who now wants to move about on a long, sixteen hour car drive.

That's when I began to remember that others before me have made journeys of their own. How worried must Mary have been as the birth of her special child approached? How scary to make a long and dangerous trek to Bethlehem so close to the end of her pregnancy? What fear must have gripped her when she realized that there was no place for them to stay and that she would in fact give birth to the Lord in a stable?

We watched the movie "The Nativity Story" this past weekend with the older girls. I heartily recommend it to those who haven't seen it yet. There are such stark contrasts between Mary's journey and ours. Lord willing we will make it in one long day. Mary's journey was much more arduous, lasting many days. We'll also be blessed with plentiful food, drink, and even t.v. as we travel. And finally, unlike Mary and Joseph, who arrived with little fanfare and no accomodations, we'll be greeted with celebration by many when we arrive and welcomed into comfort.

We are blessed indeed to make a journey to our own hometowns this Christmas.

Shopping, and wrapping, and packing- Oh my!

2007-12-11T09:24:00.001-05:00

I can't get that song from the Wizard of Oz out of my head these last few days. You know-"Lions and Tigers and Bears-Oh my" Yep, I'm feeling just a wee bit frenzied as I try to pull things all together around here.
It's been beautifully warm here in Georgia, but in the northeast- not so much. I seriously hope we all don't freeze during our trip. I've begun a scavenger hunt around here for coats, hats, and mittens. We also need to dig out lots of long pants and sweaters too. This year packing a myriad of baby equipment has thrown me as well. I don't know why I'm almost terrified that I'll forget something important each time we travel? They do have stores in southern New Hampshire and guess what? They don't even charge sales tax!!! Hmm... so why is it that I'm bringing everything but the kitchen sink?
Presents, I do wish I could forget about packing those. I may have to if I don't get them wrapped! Definitely not one of my favorite activities. I'm a pretty crafty person and I'll happily spend hours knitting, sewing, or even stamping a beautiful card. But I just can't get into spending time and money on something designed to be torn into and quickly discarded.
That's all I have time for today. More to come as soon as I get out from under the wrapping paper and suitcases and get my check book re-balanced after all that spending.

T'was the month before Christmas

2007-12-07T14:14:00.000-05:00

I thought I was done with my "Happy Holidays" rant this year. That was until I attended a Christmas chorus concert at the elementary school tonight though. Now I'm climbing back up on my soapbox...

My daughter looked beautiful in her Christmas best, and the singing was sweet and on key. She's worked very hard this semester preparing. They sang about Santa, about snow, about the north pole and the elves, and ended by wishing us a swingin' holiday. They even sang a beautiful song somewhere in the middle about Hanukkah. Not once though, during the 30 minute program was Christmas mentioned. I just don't understand when that word became so dangerous.

I thought I'd pass on what a friend shared with me this week.

Twas the month before Christmas

When all through our land,

Not a Christian was praying

Nor taking a stand.

Why the Politically Correct Police had taken away,

The reason for Christmas - no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing,

About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say

December 25th is just a ‘Holiday ‘.

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit

Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod

Something was changing, something quite odd!

Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa

In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down

At Lowe’s the word Christmas - was no where to be found.

At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears

You won’t hear the word Christmas;

it won’t touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty

Are words that were used to intimidate me.

Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf BlitzenOn Boxer,

on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter

To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word,

as they took away our faith.

Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded

The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your‘Dream Tree’

Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say

Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday !

Foto Friday (get elfed)

2007-12-07T07:55:00.000-05:00

Have you been elfed yet? It'll take a minute to load but click below to see ours.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1200988762

Quite silly, but still lots of fun. See you next week!

Can you sleep when the wind blows?

2007-12-05T08:02:00.000-05:00

Saw this post on a Christian board I frequent online...

Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast.He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops .As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received a steady stream of refusals. Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. "Are you a good farm hand?" the farmer asked him."Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man. Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help,hired him.

The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work. Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled, "Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!"The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows." Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.

When you're prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically, you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life?The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm.We secure ourselves against the storms of life by grounding ourselves in the Word of God.We don't need to understand, we just need to hold His hand to have peace in the middle of storms. A friend of mine sent this to me today, and I enjoyed it so much, that I wanted to send it to you.I hope you enjoy your day and you sleep well.

Making room for Christmas

2007-12-04T11:45:00.000-05:00

Those of you who know me well realize how truly compulsive I can be about certain things.:-) Not that I'm proud of it, but it's who I am. Clutter is definitely one of those things. It drives me simply batty. I love clean, bare surfaces and wide open spaces. For me it's peaceful and calming. I'm constantly cleaning out and sometimes even discarding things that I'll need to re-acquire at later date.

This can be particularly problematic at Christmas. The thought of making room for all those decorations pains me. If my husband and children didn't take over our decorations would be small scale, very small scale. Don't even get me started on the gifts! I instituted a mandatory pre-Christmas cleanout several years ago. While many children make a long Christmas list, mine face a different decision, which possessions to part with first. Who needs twenty Barbie dolls without enough clothes for them all and a puzzle with a missing piece anyway? See in my mind there just isn't room for it all. Crowding more in just simply isn't an option. I'll admit that even as the gifts are opened I'm already thinking and just where am I supposed to put that?

One of the girls made a great point this week as I was urging them to begin the annual purge. She said, "Mom, I think you should be less worried about making room in the house and more concerned about making room in your heart." Ouch, but so true!
I'm forever reminding them that Christmas is about Christ, not presents. Yet in truth I'm the one who's focused intently on the material things and losing out on Christmas joy in the process.

So... I've decided not to follow through on the big clean up this year and the decorations are all up! Even though we'll be 1,000 miles north come the big day. I'm going to focus on my own personal clutter instead. Yikes, that is a daunting task!

It's About the Cross - Christmas Music Video

2007-12-03T15:54:00.001-05:00

This group (Go Fish) also sings another song that is catching on entitled "Christmas with a capital C". While I appreciate their point of view, I like the gentle and thoroughly Christian message in this one a bit better. Hope it blesses you today.

So many reasons....

2007-12-01T19:16:00.000-05:00

Since today is my wedding anniversary I just couldn't let the day go by without a few words about my hubby. I've been blessed in this area with a wonderful friend, partner, and co-parent. Here are the top 10 reasons I'm happy to be married to my wonderful man:

1) He cooks for me (yup, tonight he's preparing a special dinner and molten chocolate cake for dessert), yumm.
2) He loves me at my best AND at my worst.
3) He's kind (to everyone, but especially to me).
4) He's a truly devoted father ( I mean a REALLY in the trenches kind of Dad).
5) He's committed to his job, but always maintains a sense of balance between work and family.
6) He is always up for an adventure, but also knows how to relax.
7) He rarely ever complains about anything! (REALLY)
8) He often knows me better than I know myself.
9) He has a superb sense of direction (handy since I have almost none)
10) He knows the Lord and is always anxious to introduce Him to others.

AND- he waited for me when I was late to my very own wedding.

Foto Friday 4 (biggest and littlest)

2007-11-30T08:33:00.000-05:00

S.'s band concert was a highlight of this week. She's playing her flute beautifully these days. Littlest also mastered sitting on her own. She's now quite content to play on the floor for a bit surrounded by her favorite things. This makes for a happy mommy :-)

Next week the other two girls both have singing roles of their own, P. at church and C. in her school chorus concert. See you then!

Christmas thoughts

2007-11-28T08:28:00.000-05:00

Some of my favorite Christmas holidays have come when we've been blessed to have a young baby in the house. A wee child in my arms brings about feelings of true joy, love, and wonderful anticipation of what's to come. Dwelling on this gets me back in touch with the true importance of Christmas, allowing me to push some of the extras and excess aside. Little ones are not yet aware of the preparations and presents, the decorating and planning, and so much of what I must pull together to make Christmas a 'success' around here. I believe that what Z. wants for Christmas is not a shiny new toy with music and lights, not the biggest tree ever, not the perfect Christmas card picture, but simply to be surrounded by those who love and treasure her. I'd guess that's what our Savior wants most this year too.

Still icky :-(

2007-11-27T09:14:00.000-05:00

I've been a bit scarce these past couple of weeks as the entire family has been battling various illnesses. I started things off some three weeks ago with a sinus infection that progressed down into a mild pnemonia/bronchitis. Two different courses of anti-biotics later I'm feeling somewhat better but still not nearly myself. Our oldest had a strep. throat last week and I was back at the docs again with littlest yesterday. Her cough had gotten a bit 'barky' which made me nervous. Doc assures me hers is viral and should get better soon.

I feel a bit whiny for complaining about it all when I know of many who are truly ill. I often forget to thank God for his blessing of health for my family. He looks after us and provides for us in so many ways that go unnoticed.

Foto Friday (late)

2007-11-24T14:17:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know it's Saturday but I'm running a bit behind this week. Here's a sneak peek for my loyal readers... a preview of our Christmas card picture. We've resorted to making our own snow this year since we're not expecting to see any of the real stuff until we head north to celebrate the holidays.

Cassie's Comments

2007-11-22T09:52:00.000-05:00

Happy Turkey Day!!! My mom is cooking the desserts . My dad is cooking the turkey, the veggies, and the stuffin. MMMM.. I can't wait to eat the feast! I also can't wait to say what we're thankful for. I'm thankful for a lot of things, to tell you the truth all of us are. Well, the thing I'm most thankful for is my parents. My parents always care about me. They will always love me. I'm also thankful for teachers. Teachers teach us new skills every day. They even help us with problems. I'm also thankful for friends and brothers and sisters. I only have sisters, but I do have friends that are boys. Anyway friends and siblings always spend time with you. I just can't imagine a world without friends and siblings. I really am thankful for a lot more things, but I am only going to share one more thing. I'm thankful for volunteers. Volunteers help people because they care. Alot of people care, but they get paid for it. Volunteers don't. I hope you think of something your thankful for. HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!!!!

Paige's Thanks

2007-11-21T11:48:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving is coming. It's one of my favorite holidays. And I have a lot more favorite holidays too. I'm thankful for America because without America the Pilgrims and the Indians wouldn't be friends. The Indians and the Pilgrims helped each other. Then they had a feast. That's why we have Thanksgiving. I'm also thankful or my mommy and daddy and my whole family and for my friends. I'm thankful for our country. I'm thankful for Jesus and the food he gave us so we can live. I'm thankful for my home. I'm thankful for trees and nature. I'm also thankful for our pets.

I eat turkey on Thanksgiving. We have stuffing for too. We have pies. I'm thankful for pudding and banana pies. That's it.

Love,
Paige- I am 5 years old

A New England Holiday

2007-11-20T14:34:00.000-05:00

I find myself missing New England most during the fall. It's a balmy 76 here today and as I look out my window I see many trees still wearing their muted colored leaves. The Thanksgivings of my childhood were rather different....

I often visited Plimoth Plantation. This place is the real deal, a 1627 Pilgrim village where the surroundings are so authentic and the villagers speak and act completely in character. You can also visit a Wampanoag homesite and board the Mayflower II, a scaled down version of the original. While in Plymouth, MA we always had to go see the rock which is actually a bit anti-climactic after all that 'living history'. click here to see a pic of the rock

By mid October the leaves were changing, and frosty evenings foretold a winter not far off. By Thanksgiving time silvery tree branches were all too visible, and the cold had crept in permanently. In New Hampshire Thanksgiving was often synonomous with snow. I remember sitting at the bottom of a huge hill two holidays ago and praying that the van would make it safely up. I thought that we might not make it to dinner at all that year as the snow went from 0-6+inches by noon time. Once you start up a long snowy hill, you'd best not slow down or you'll lose precious traction and never make it to the table. The song "Over the River and Through the Woods" often takes on a whole different meaning in New England!

I'll also admit to being a bit picky regarding my Thanksgiving menu. I grew up with the classics: roast turkey with stuffing (in the bird please), mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, peas, and pumpkin pie. I hear lots of talk here about macaroni and cheese, ham, and potato salad, amongst other dishes. Sure they might be tasty, but to me they just don't belong on my holiday table. Check out a quintessential New England menu here . Think cranberries, lots of cranberries folks. Incidentally they flood the bogs to harvest them and those bogs made for some of my best childhood ice skating shortly after turkey day.

We have so very much to be thankful for this year, and of course that's what matters most. At the top of my list are the many friends and family we're missing up north. We've developed a new level of appreciation for you all and can't wait to see you over the Christmas holidays. We're also so thankful for the friends and family that we have here in Georgia- the faces which color our daily lives here with laughter and love. We wish you and yours a blessed Thanksgiving, no matter how or where you celebrate.

I'm going to let the girls take over the blog during this school holiday so they can let you know what's on their hearts as we gather this year. Stay tuned...

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1

Foto Friday 3 (proud mommy)

2007-11-16T07:36:00.000-05:00

Despite my persistant sinus infection it's been a good week around here. Progress reports came out this week and the older two aced theirs. They always look good, but this quarter things are looking great! S. had a 95 or above in each class and C.'s lowest grade was a 96! I'm so very proud of them for all the work they put in at school and hope it speaks of good things to come.

Our school doesn't issue progress reports in Kindergarten, but I'm pretty proud of P. this week too. I need to get around to buying a scanner, but a photo taken of her drawing will have to do. It makes my heart happy when she proudly brings home pictures like these. This is definitely one of my faves. Her Dad and I are holding her hands, all of us wearing big smiles. The sun is shining, the cross is above us, and there's an American flag blowing in the wind off to the side. I wish more of us could see the world that way.

Life looks pretty good from where I sit. Sometimes I'm simply awed by it all.

Father today I thank you for the wonderful gifts of my children. Please continue to watch over them as they grow. Keep molding their hearts and mine. In your name I pray, Amen.

Unavailable

2007-11-15T17:11:00.001-05:00

Okay, confession time...

Sometimes I hate being so available. Communication is so fast and convenient nowadays, but it can all be a bit intrusive. I've been interrupted way too often lately by the chimes of one phone or another and feel compelled to answer an email or letter once I open it. I often shut the ringers off on the telephones, put the cell on vibrate, and resolve to check email only once every day or so. I'm trying to pull back a bit and focus on the more important things, God and my family. So much of the rest is just that- the rest. Most of that stuff can wait. The kids can't. The Lord shouldn't have to.

I think that's why I'm enjoying blogging so much. It perfectly fits my schedule, never interrupts my day, and once I've got you here you're a pretty captive audience. Selfish, I know :-).

So if you find yourself "leaving a message after the beep" these days please understand that I'll get back to you, when I can. A girl's got to prioritize.

21 Rules

2007-11-14T09:27:00.001-05:00

I like to keep things simple when possible. I came across these a while back and shared them with my own family. They've been remarkably effective. So check out The 21 rules of this house here. The rest of the site if pretty cool too.

Taking care of mommy

2007-11-13T09:34:00.001-05:00

I certainly don't procrastinate when it comes to getting my kids to the doc. I can't say the same for myself however :-(. I started last Wednesday night with a few aches and a scratchy throat and things quickly went downhill from there. After a long weekend filled with fever, chills, and no sign of an end in sight, I finally got myself in yesterday to get checked out. Turns out I had a sinus infection all along and it had gotten, well, a bit out of hand. Today I'm feeling ever so slightly better thanks to an antibiotic but the doc had warned it would take a couple of days to see some marked improvement. Thankfully hubby had a long weekend thanks to Veteran's Day so he was able to help out with the kids quite a bit. The household chores and my mega to-do list are piling up quick though. Personally I know I'm sick when the house is a mess and I don't care!

Hopefully I'll continue to recover and will get things back in order sometime in the near future. I would certainly do well to remember that I can't take care of everyone else when I don't take care of myself. Being sick always makes me miss my own mommy.

Praying for Paris

2007-11-12T19:21:00.000-05:00

This week my church is again sending a team of five women to Paris. They'll be working with a team of established missionaries affiliated with the International Mission Board who work to build relationships with immigrant Muslim women in Paris. Specifically they'll minister personally to women at a community center started by the missionaries through teaching of the biblical story of Esther.

Muslim women who come to Christ face tremendous persecution from their friends and family. A dear friend recommended the book The Torn Veil: The True Story of Gulshan Esther . This is a compelling story of the freedom and healing that this young woman experiences as she embraces Christianity. There are many, many more women like Gulshan Esther living in Paris that need to meet Jesus too.

The mission team left on November 9th and will return home on the 17th. Please join me this week in praying for them and the families that they are leaving at home this week. Please pray for the spiritual growth of the team members and that they'll be brought into an even deeper relationship with the Lord as they work as His hands and feet. Please pray also for the women that they will encounter and for potential relationships they'll make there. Pray that many Muslim women will see and feel the love of Christ in tangible ways through this ministry.

Thank you.

Foto Friday 2

2007-11-09T06:38:00.000-05:00

Well here are the results of my sewing project. I've enjoyed making these jumpers for P. and Z. and am almost done with a second set. I'm going to tackle some applique pieces next. We're all spending a bit of time on the computer lately, even little one wants to get in on the act. The girls' current fave is penguin baseball. A sure fire time waster! Let us know how far you can hit. C. holds the record at our house.

Brrrr...

2007-11-08T11:06:00.000-05:00

It amazes me how quickly our bodies have acclimated to the Georgia climate. I quickly developed a much higher tolerance for heat and have now realized that I'm losing my ability to cope with cold weather as well. The last few days the temps have dipped into the low 30's overnight and have warmed only to the low 60's during the day. I am downright cold! We're excited to head north for Christmas and have been missing our northern folk lots, but I'm sure hoping that the weather is kind to us while we're up. I'll admit that the thought of sub freezing temperatures or driving in the snow is not a welcome one anymore.

On an unrelated note, I've been working hard lately on a sewing project. My knitting needles and stamps have been gathering dust for a while. I'm pretty proud of my results, so tune in tomorrow for some pics!

Oh, and kindly keep your cold weather north of the Mason-Dixon line, or at least ship me down some wool socks! :-)

Family Arithmetic

2007-11-07T08:43:00.000-05:00

Have you ever thought about the simple math involved as God grows our families? First there's addition. We marry (that's a +1 for sure) and then he sometimes sees fit to bless us with children. I thank Him each day that I'm a +5, just in my own immediate family. He continues this growth by multiplication. I've seen Him at work in the families of our parents. My husband and I were the first on both sides of the family to marry and to have children. In just over a decade he's multiplied our families with 3 additional marriages and the blessing of nine children!

The flip side of this would division, and while I wish it weren't so, it does exist. I believe this comes not from our heavenly father, but is the unfortunate result of sinful individuals living in a fallen world. At times we're incapable or unwilling to do the things we should to promote peace and prevent conflict, myself included. God gave us the gift of free will, so I think that conflict within our families will always exist to varying degrees. While he does not prevent division, he does prevent subtraction and I thank Him for that. Even if family members become estranged and eventually when they pass away, they are not gone from us. They live on in our hearts and memories.

As much as conflict pains me it's often an opportunity for growth. An argument within my own extended family has troubled me lately, but serves as a reminder that my happiness is not determined by the people or circumstances that surround me. My fulfillment comes from above. He will fill me to the point of overflowing if I let him. I can always find peace by looking up, even when I'm surrounded by strife.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

Lord please help me to act in ways that will promote peace and temper anger. I wish for my family to be marked by growth and not division. I ask this in your name. Amen.

Six months?

2007-11-06T06:59:00.000-05:00

Ican hardly believe that our little one is six months old. It feels like she was just born yesterday. I remember trying to take care of our older girls at home while running back and forth to the NICU to be with her as much as possible. She was so fragile when she came home. I'd watch her breathe and live in fear that her apnea alarm would sound if I looked away- even for a moment. How wonderful it was to introduce her to her friends and family up north this summer and then to return to the peace and quiet of home here in Georgia. Don't let her know, but I almost miss those early weeks where I'd find myself rocking to her and singing softly at 3AM. I recall first baths, first walks, first trips to church, first smiles, and first giggles. I thank the Lord for you each day and ask Him to be with us as we celebrate many, many more firsts together. Happy 1/2 birthday, little one. I love you!

I Am By Mark Shultz

2007-11-05T07:15:00.001-05:00

Here's another favorite of ours. Enjoy!

Love

2007-11-03T10:47:00.000-04:00

1 Corinthians 13
Love
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
(NIV emphasis mine)

This chapter of scripture is such a gift, it has always spoken to my heart. The people that God has surrounded me with, my family and friends, are truly blessings to me. I hope that they know that whether we agree or disagree, whether or not I may "like" them at a given point in time, I always love them. I belive that I always will. I believe that love never fails.

Foto Friday 1

2007-11-02T14:01:00.000-04:00

Here's our oldest two sporting face paint from the end of the season soccer celebration and littlest from her command center, aka excersaucer. She loves standing up in it and enjoying a better view of everyone. "See" you next week!

Stuck...

2007-11-01T14:14:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite childhood books is "Where the Red Fern Grows". It's a story about animals, growing up, love, and loss. A young boy wants to learn to coon hunt with his dogs. First he goes on a journey to raise money and purchase his pups and then he sets about training them as hunters. In order to do so he needs a coon hide for them to chase. His wise grandpa suggests a deceptively simple trap: a wooden box with an opening just large enough for a coon stick his hand through with some shiny metal 'bait' inside. The boy is skeptical, all the coon would need to do is let go of his metal prize and he'd be able to remove his hand. Grandpa proves right when he traps his first coon using this method.

I'm more like that simple raccoon than I'd like to admit. I often find myself stuck simply because I refuse to let go. Sometimes I'm holding on to something that I truly believe is important, but all too often I'm holding on to something that's just, well stuff. All that holding on can definitely hold me back.

Jesus spoke about this several times during his ministry, a few of my favorites are the ninth chapter of Luke and the parable of the rich young man. My prayer today is a simple one...

Lord please help me to let go of anything which is holding back. In your name, I pray. Amen

The mommy gap

2007-10-31T06:36:00.000-04:00

I'm noticing a widening gap amongst my mommy friends. As I've mentioned before, I sometimes long for the days when things seemed simpler. My fellow mommys all had pretty much the same rules back then. First and foremost, were big on safety and peace. We all encouraged sharing and no one let our kids play in the street or bonk someone else over the head. :-)

Now we often see things differently. While some of us routinely leave the kids home alone for short periods or drop them off at the movie or football game, others still allow parties and sleepovers only at the home of truly trusted friends. Some have allowed their girls to wear makeup, heels, and string bikinis while others are trying to keep their girls dressing, well, girlish. Some kids have cell phones and IM at will, while others are allowed on the net only for school work. And why am I getting the feeling that things will only get stickier from here on out?

It's definitely not always about right and wrong anymore, it's more about figuring out what's right for my girls. That's why I am so glad to be able to lean on the Lord. I find myself doing so more and more about lots of things, but parenting my 'tweens in particular. I know that I couldn't begin to figure it all out without him.

Thank you Lord for continuing to provide us with the wisdom and discernment to make the right choices for our girls. In your name I pray, Amen.

Teach me in your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path.

Psalm 27:11 (NIV

It doesn't have to be good...

2007-10-30T06:56:00.000-04:00

It's extraordinary just how much "stuff'" my kids require on any given week! We had three birthday presents to buy this past weekend, one apple for science class, a foam board for art, a children's book and matching costume for the kindergarten book parade, two baseball hats for cap day, and two dozen cookies to bake for a good behavior party at school. Last night, just as we had FINALLY settled down on the couch, our 5 year old came to us with yet another item request. My hubby sighed as he got up and wandered over to the cabinets in search of a food item to contribute to the school's drive and P. hopped anxiously around the kitchen. It was slim pickings in our pantry as I'm due to head to the store for our big monthly shopping trip at the end of the week. Getting impatient P. tried to help, "It doesn't have to be good Dad. It only has to be in a can. If we bring in the most cans we get an ice cream party!"

Maybe I was just way overtired, but that struck me as so funny. Yup, any old can will do. I'm thinking I'll be hunting for sprinkles and nuts for said ice cream next week.

East to West by Casting Crowns

2007-10-29T10:41:00.001-04:00

I'm toying with the idea of "Musical Mondays". Here's one of my current favorites, enjoy.

Now Hiring: Parents

2007-10-27T08:04:00.000-04:00

A friend shared the below with me, enjoy!

Position(s) Available:
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

Job Description:
Long term team players needed for challenging, permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings, weekends, and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

Responsibilities:
A lifelong commitment. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from 0-60mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not just someone crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets, and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars, and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have the ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute and an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Other responsibilities include floor maintenance and general janitorial work throughout the facility.

Possibility for promotion or advancement:
None! Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

Previous Experience:
None required, unfortunately!
On-the-job training offered on a continually, exhaustive basis.

Wages and Compensation:
Get this! You pay them!
Offering frequent raises and bonus. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse salary scheme is that you'll actually enjoy it and wish you could give more!

Benefits:
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays, and no stock options are offered this job does supply limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life. If you play your cards right.

Important Disclosure:
There is NO RETIREMENT, EVER!!!

What an exciting career opportunity... ummm.. calling. Thank you God for accepting my application.

Foto Friday 4

2007-10-26T19:04:00.000-04:00

Here are a few of our favorite local sites for those of you who haven't visited us yet (hint, hint). We love walking along the Savannah river and haven't seen a gator yet. We also enjoy Stone Mountain. Lake Thurmond is just gi-normous and a great place to kayak. Amicalola falls, the highest water fall east of the Mississippi, may be the prettiest of all.

A letter to God...

2007-10-25T10:35:00.000-04:00

As a proud mommy I just had to share with you what one of my girls penned yesterday...

Dear God,
I hope Suzy doesn't feel sad. Well, Suzy is a new girl in our mission zone class at church. She and her family were missionaries in a far away country for a couple of years. She seems sad leaving her friends there. I was in the same position when I moved from New Hampshire. I lived there for half of my life, five years! I had to leave my friends too. People here helped me to feel welcome, so I want to make her feel welcome. Can you please help me God?!?
Love,
C.

I'm reminded once again what an awesome gift I've been given by the Lord. Witnessing the faith of my children never feels to inspire me and uplift my spirits. You get the picture....

That's all for today. I'm off to write my own letter to God.

*Although I didn't edit this letter for content I did change the names and places to protect the privacy of both girls and got C's permission to share.*

On forgiveness

2007-10-24T08:02:00.000-04:00

The Lord has shown me that I still have lots of work to do in this area. I personally turned a corner when I finally realized that forgiveness is not a feeling, it is a choice. To that end peacemaker ministries has some really great resources for anyone looking to work on this themselves (and who doesn't need to), particularly their 4 promises of forgiveness. I share these because they were so transforming for me, allowing me to make forgiveness choices everyday and providing concrete benchmarks along the way.

I will not dwell on this incident.

I will not bring up this incident again and use it against you.

I will not talk to others about this incident.

I will not let this incident stand between us and hinder our personal relationship

Now I won't pretend that putting these steps into action is easy, but it provided a great starting point for me. This is exactly the forgiveness that God gave to us and continues to dole out daily. We are asked by Him to do the same for others. He's pretty clear on that. In fact, when I took a look at the concordance in my Bible I found more than 80 references! One that's been on my heart today keeps it simple...

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV emphasis mine)

Praying for rain...

2007-10-23T06:37:00.000-04:00

It's hard not to take certain things for granted these days. I often forget to thank God for the basics: my home, my food, my health, and yes... my water. I knew it was a dry year here. Last year was too, but it's somehow different when there's a number attached to it. Our brothers and sisters in north Georgia our facing that number now... 90 days. Just three or four months of water are left in Lake Lanier and we have to wonder how far behind our own reservoir can be.

The Bible tells us repeatedly to pray about our needs. This passage in James has been on my heart:

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and annoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
James 5:13-14 (NIV)

There's a bit of rain potential in the forecast this week, and I think it's time to turn our faces heavenward and pray. Please join me in praying for much needed rain, for the wisdom and discernment of our government officials as they decide how to allocate the resevoir's existing water, and that we'll all be better stewards of the water resources which God has already provided.

And, if you read a bit further in James you'll find that rain is specifically mentioned.

Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
James 5:17-18(NIV)

You'll find more information about Georgia's drought here .

Thank you for your prayers.

A Yankee?

2007-10-22T08:38:00.000-04:00

Don't get me wrong, we truly enjoy most aspects of making our home here in Georgia. One thing that's been a bit of an adjustment though is often being referred to as yankees. I was recently rather embarrased when our doctor, himself a New Yorker, commented to our five year old that he was a yankee too. It was one of our first visits to him, so I was taken aback when she responded with hands on hips, stamping her feet, and a bit red faced that she was absolutely NOT A YANKEE! Thankfully our doc has children of his own, a great sense of humor, and as a New Yorker immediately realized his faux pas.

We do take our baseball rather seriously in New England. We like to have something to complain and worry about besides the weather. We've passed along our membership in Red Sox nation to our children and they have an extreme distaste for all things Yankee. So while all northerners may be yankees, we are most definitely not Yankees! That's why I couldn't let today go by without saying ...

GO SOX!!!

Back to serious ramblings tomorrow, but for today I'm going to catch up on my sleep, savor the sweet taste of victory, and enjoy my heritage as a New Englander.

Marathon motherhood

2007-10-20T08:05:00.000-04:00

Okay, so I am definitely not a runner! I have realized though that motherhood often resembles running. I'm betting this is why I'm always so tired?!?

I've learned over the years that the race I run daily more closely resembles a marathon than a sprint. It's become much more about endurance and less about reaching the finish line. Be warned, this is kind of a follow-up to Thursday's post, guess I'm feeling particularly reflective this week...

I once thought that when my girls reached a certain age, they'd need me less. Each milestone would bring independence and I'd be phased out, for better or for worse. As with so many things I've found that I had it all wrong. My older girls don't need me any less, it's just that their needs have evolved over time. I remember fondly the days when everything was so clear cut. Yes, you can play with play dough. No, you can't play with the stove!

Now it seems like we're entering murky waters. Should they wear those particular clothes, see that movie, spend time with that certain friend? Nothing seems quite so clear anymore, but the stakes seem somehow higher. At least I don't need to worry about not being needed :-).

Thankfully, I know that I can rely on the Lord to help me to both navigate through this motherhood maze and to give me the energy to keep on running. I know that this is one race that I intend to finish well...

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me...

Acts 20:24(NIV)

Foto Friday 3

2007-10-19T07:30:00.000-04:00

This week it's short and sweet. As you can see littlest is growing up fast and is drooling... A LOT! Enjoy!

Milestones

2007-10-18T06:38:00.000-04:00

Childhood and mommyhood are both full of firsts. I remember that with my oldest girls I eagerly anticipated some of those milestones. I couldn't wait for them to take their first steps, say their first words, etc.

It's funny how things can change! I'll admit that with our younger ones I have a much different attitude. While I do my best to cheer them on, those same milestones are just as likely to bring tears these days. Sure, everyone told me that time would fly, but until I had actually experienced it I just didn't quite get it. I've tried to hurry less and enjoy more these last few years and, for the most part, I've been successful.

I've never been the type to keep up with baby books either. I admire those of you who do, but I've just never found the time. I was thinking this week though about all the firsts I've been blessed to be involved in just this year. Here are a few...

Our first set of braces went on and off (that could have been our priciest first)
Our first school dances (Yikes!)
Our five year old tied her shoes and rode the big bus for the first time
Our nine year old auditioned for her first singing part (and got it)
And yes, littlest is cutting a tooth and sleeping through the night

Well, from where I sit that's a pretty impressive list! It reminds me of just how blessed I am to be in the midst of all of this. I have a church friend with two young children under five who is struggling with a severe illness right now. She worries that she might not be present for her little ones someday. I often take it all for granted, but I do realize that each and every day, each and every milestone is truly a gift from Him.

Thank you Lord for granting me so many mommy moments...

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

What next?

2007-10-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

Some days I just want to put the girls into a proverbial bubble and hide... today is one of those days. A friend forwarded the below to me, it's pretty scary stuff.

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=140910&ac=PHnws

I hope I'm not alone here, but I am saddened and a bit, well,... ill at the thought of us making contraception more widely available to middle schoolers!!! I also wonder when it was that we as a society decided that a child's right to privacy trumped our parental duty to keep our children safe!

Releasing Beauty

2007-10-15T14:10:00.001-04:00

My older girls are participating in a great Bible study with this name. It got me thinking this week about just what releasing beauty means, and how it relates to my role as a mother. For some insight I peeked at an online dictionary and found the following:

release

1. to free from confinement, bondage, obligation, pain, etc.; let go

2. to free from anything that restrains, fastens, etc.

3. to allow to be known, issued, done, or exhibited

beauty

1. the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).

Most Christians know that God is in control of their lives, yet we often allow fears and anxieties to cripple us. Though I worry daily about the fallen world that my girls are subjected to, I must resolve to trust that God is BIG enough to handle their futures. He has a plan for them, a plan to release their beauty. I'm here to help them learn to trust in His perfect plan for their lives.

I don't know yet what specific roles they will play in His plan, but I can't wait to find out! Until God someday reveals the big picture I hope that they'll live each day reflecting and releasing their beauty to the world as a powerful testimony to His love for them and for us all.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity."
~Jeremiah 29:11-14a (NIV)

Buckled In

2007-10-13T06:26:00.000-04:00

Like many moms of today I'm pretty safety conscious. I'm big on bike helmets, life jackets, baby monitors, and internet filters, just to name a few. I take my carseats pretty seriously too. When we were expecting our little one last spring I spent lots of time comparing the various infant seats, checking their softness, reading online safety reviews, and finally have it checked by a certified carseat technician once it was installed. Now I'm getting tendinitis (from lugging said seat with baby in it) and we're ready to begin shopping again for a larger variety. Here we go again!

I was thinking a bit about my compulsion to protect and cradle my girls. I find it comforting to remember that God goes to great lengths to do the same for me. How wonderful to know that he holds us just as securely as any carseat. In fact, I think he's the one that taught me how mommies hold hands in the first place. I don't ever worry that my child is going to let go of my hand in a busy parking lot, because I'm not concerned about their grip. I've got them and I know I won't let go, even if the unexpected happens.

Thank you Lord for keeping me "buckled in".

Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.

Deuteronomy 33:12 (NIV)

Foto Friday 2

2007-10-12T06:22:00.000-04:00

As promised, here is another round of pictures. Don't forget to leave a comment and let me know you visited. The last few weeks have still been pretty warm here in the sunny south, but it has finally started to cool off a bit. Still lots of time to play outside as you can see. See you next week!

Making a statement

2007-10-11T07:38:00.000-04:00

I was out and about with littlest the other day and someone noticed her fuzzibunz as I was changing her. She asked me if I was making an "environmental statement". Hhhmmm, well... no. I think I was diapering my child! :-)I politely said that we just liked using them, asked if she had any questions, and left it at that.

If you're lost (or even mildly interested) check out
fuzzibunz here. They can tell you why lots of people choose to use them. As for me, I think they are just too cute, seem oh so comfy, save us a few bucks, and I quite simply have the time this go around.

Oh, and just for the record... If I was going to make a "statement" it wouldn't be on a piece of cloth secured to my baby's bottom. I think I'd at least opt for a t-shirt or even a bumper sticker. Here's a cute slogan I saw recently...

"Life's short, pray hard" Eph. 6:18

Honestly I care much more deeply about the spiritual state of the world my children will someday inherit. Global warming... not so much.

Wrestling

2007-10-10T08:39:00.000-04:00

I'm tired. My life lately feels like one big wrestling match. I hate it when that happens! I've really been struggling with a few things. It all starts out gently enough. God speaks... first in the quietest of whispers. "Did I really hear that at all?" Then he nudges me, just a little. As a seasoned mom and wife I'm good at tuning out when I want to. My kids and hubby are experts and they've trained me well! I've found out the hard way that God doesn't like to be ignored. Who does? So, he turns up the volume a little. Covering my ears like a two year old I begin to yell, "I still can't hear you!" What were once little pokes have graduated to pushes now, knocking me off balance. Till once again I find myself in the thick of it, wrestling with Him. I'll be honest- I'll resort to any diversionary tactic sometimes. See I'm comfortable and happy where I'm at. Not sure at all I want to go where he's leading me.

The specifics of this battle aren't important. Suffice it to say that here I am again, kicking and screaming. Wonder if I'll ever learn. He's starting to get the better of me, I'll admit reluctantly. He'll actually drag me if He needs to. He's done it before. I wonder when I'll give in to His will. One thing I'm sure of, He's not going to let up until I say "Uncle!". I don't know where I'd be if He wasn't so gosh darn persistent!

Okay, I take that back. I know exactly where I would be... stuck. Stuck in patterns that where once "good enough" but just don't work any more. Stuck in the rut of living for myself and others instead of for Him. I'm so glad he gave me a mustard seed worth of faith, but sometimes it's still hard to actually put this faith into practice. It seems so much easier to wrap it in a pretty box, tie it with a bow, and stick it up to be admired. Do I really have to DO something with it? Something that may be uncomfortable, scary, or even a bit sacrificial? This whole process of sanctification can really be a bit messy, and well... tiring.

Additional thoughts on wrestling...

"Faith is not getting man's will done on heaven. It is getting God's will done on earth." -Adrian Rogers

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2(NIV)

On Technology

2007-10-09T06:52:00.000-04:00

Have I told you lately how much I dig Ebay? Go ahead, think of some random item. Maybe something you saw today in Target or some long lost favorite toy from your childhood. Got it?Okay, now hit Ebay. Nine times out of ten you'll find it! It's like the whole world at your fingertips. I've bought and sold way too many strange things there myself. Here are just a few:
1)fertile duck eggs (for a 4-H incubation project)
2)baby clothes(well- not so random)
3)a concert video from 1988 that DH found buried in the garage(someone paid us a whole $12 for it)

Well, you get the picture...

How about ordering a pizza online? How cool is that? Ditto for mapquest- on a recent vacation we took the trusty notebook pc with us and figured out what we wanted to do AND how to get there! Google and the other search engines just amaze me. Heck, I never really have to visit the bank anymore with direct deposit and online banking. I often don't carry cash either! For that matter, I don't use many stamps now a days. Email and online bill pay cover most all my correspondance needs. Don't even get me started on You Tube. I could even log in to read my Bible and hear a mighty fine sermon from my church. Do I ever need to leave the house?!?

Well yes, I can log onto Web MD or the like, but once in a while we might need to visit a real, old fashioned doc. We headed in last week for littlest's well baby check-up. And what do you know? Their computer system was down. Since they do ENTIRELY computerized charting now (who needs those bulky folders anyway) they were... well... in trouble, to say the least. They had no idea which patients were coming in as they have a handy dandy computerized appointment system. Gee, did mighty mite gain any weight? Well, our poor frazzled doc just didn't have a clue... literally. The nurse didn't even know what developmental questions to ask. Thank goodness mommy was there to fill in some of the blanks!

Now, we have great docs. I'm sure they have all their records "backed up" and "archived" and all that good stuff. But they just weren't very handy. Thank goodness it was just a well baby check up, ya know?

By the way.... Have you googled yourself lately? You may want to try typing in your name or your even your phone number. You may be surprised by what you find!

Thank you God for technology... I think.

E.G.G. Hunts

2007-10-08T07:35:00.000-04:00

Thought I'd share one of our new family traditions with you all. It's a year round tradition, not a holiday one, which makes it even better as far as I'm concerned. We've begun hunting for E.G.Gs. No, not the Easter variety. It's a bit late in the year for that. We've been hunting for Evidences of God's Grace. These E.G.G.s can be found in most places, most any time. It just takes a bit of looking...

I found one this morning as a matter of fact. My E.G.G was in the telephone. I had woken up this morning feeling tired and a little homesick. It's happened to all of us from time to time since our move. Well, the phone rang and it was a wonderful old friend. After some catching up I was ready to face the day with a smile.

When you choose to begin your own hunt I'll bet that you find lots of your own. I've met E.G.G's at soccer games, encountered them while driving, and even found them in my sugar bowl (please don't ask). The kids find them too, in the classroom and on the playground. E.G.G's are hiding everywhere. And, if you're really stumped don't forget about the biggest E.G.G of all... His love for us, even when we don't deserve it. (Eph 2:8-9) Yup, that's my favorite one too.

When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

Acts 11:23 (NIV)