Earthmuffin Manor

She's Here

2011-03-11T21:52:00.000-08:00

Blossom And Branches Birth Announcement

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Traditions!

2010-12-04T21:31:00.000-08:00

Traditions....

I still don't even feel old enough to have traditions that are my very own! Nonetheless, after 14 years of marriage and nearly 11 years of parenting, they have snuck in without me even noticing. I'm so very fond of them! Here are a few of my very favorite Christmas traditions:

* 'Twas the Night Before Christmas:

Actually, for us, it usually falls on the eve of Christmas Eve and it began long before we had children. Craig and I began sleeping underneath the Christmas tree, snuggled up beneath warm sleeping bags, truly the coziest place in the house. As children came along, we nestled them down with us. As MORE children came along, they squeezed us out of our original spots and claimed the place underneath the evergreen as their own.....We now fall asleep near them, cherishing the soft glow of the Christmas lights on their cherub-like faces. This remains one of my very favorite of all traditions. Someday when we live in a bigger house, or we have less children in our home, Craig and I will return to our original places underneath the tree. But for now, its one of the most precious sights I see all year long, my children lined up in a row, nestled down in their sleeping bags beneath the Christmas tree. You really ought to try it sometime! That place beneath the tree....its nearly magical.* Our Christmas Books:

I'm not even sure how this tradition began but over the years, we have collected a handful of children's books related to Christmas in some fashion. I keep these books in a basket and they ONLY come out at Christmas time. The children have so much fun looking at and reading these books. Often, they have forgotten about them and so its like opening up a new gift each year. We've got "Hannah and the Manger" (one of Hannah's personal favorites), Eloise Wilkins' "The Christmas Story", Jan Brett's "Gingerbread Friends", Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman's "Mortimer's Christmas Manger" and another by the same authors, "Bear Stays Up for Christmas", Susan Wojciechowski's "The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey", and even an I Spy Christmas. Some of them have been given as gifts, some of them were scores at the local Goodwill and some of them just seemed to appear. I have tried hard to weed out 'silly' books and keep my stash limited to books that really pertain to the birth of Jesus (though I must admit that "Spot's First Christmas", a book given to Kaleb when he was 2 years old, has kept its spot in the Christmas book basket if for no other reason than sentimentality). I enjoy this tradition along with the children, their little (and not so little, these days) bodies snuggled up next to me, reading the stories they've heard for years now and cracking open a new one here and there that has earned its place in the beloved basket.

*The Christmas Parade:

Complete with hot chocolate and a yummy snack of some sort, bundled up almost to the point of uncomfortable, I line them up on a curb downtown and we watch the Christmas Parade go by. Always at night, the lights and the music are spectacular and we do our best to stay until either gloved hands are finally frozen or Santa wraps it up with a mighty "Ho, ho, ho" that echos against the dark, winter sky. The children look forward to this every year, and I will readily admit that I DON'T because almost every year Craig has to work that evening and its a lot of hard work to get the gang bundled, loaded, unloaded, shuffled, nourished, safe, loaded, unloaded, and unbundled all by myself but I do it, nonetheless, because who could say no to these beautiful faces?!?! (Sadly, for them anyway, we had to miss it this year because Noah had a whopping headache and you just can't do something like the Christmas Parade when you're down a player.)

* O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree:

One last tradition, and truly one of my very favorites, and then its your turn. Our parents have continued a tradition that they both started with us when we were children. Each year, they give each of us a Christmas ornament often pertaining to something eventful that happened within that particular year. When one of them learned to ride a bike, they received a bike ornament. When one of them took ballet, played soccer, showed a chicken in the county fair, etc, they received a coordinating ornament. One year, Sarah got a goose because one of her nicknames is Goose. The year our first daughter was born, Craig got a cigar with pink details on it. When I was the mother of just two small male children I received an ornament that said, "Mothers of boys work from son up 'til son down!". Opening up the ornament bin and placing them on our tree is truly like reading the pages of a family journal. Memories come flooding in, not only for me, but now also for the children. The little girls wonder where 'this one came from' and the big boys smile with delight, "Oh I remember THIS one!" It is my hope that these historical accounts in the shapes of motorcycles and little rubber boots and turtles and ballerinas will be passed down, along with their stories, to generations to come.

So there are just a few of my favorite Christmas traditions. I'd love to hear some of yours! I really would! Either share a few of them with me in the comments or better yet, use this as fodder for your own blog post and leave me a note telling me that you've blogged about them and I'll go read it! Its always fun to hear other families' traditions and it'll warm your heart to ponder on them for a few minutes!

A Short Explanation

2010-12-01T14:35:00.001-08:00

Well, now that things are officially private, I'll clue you in on my reason for making the change. A few weeks ago, I noticed that two new readers were 'following' my blog. I didn't recognize their names as friends of mine, thus checked out their profiles which led to checking out their blogs. One reader was from Malaysia, one was from the UK and both appeared to be Islamic extremist women who made it clear that they felt very strongly about their beliefs, one of them being that Americans, specifically Christian Americans, were an insult to their faith. Um....yeah. So maybe the TSA isn't into profiling but I AM! I have no idea how they found my blog or why they were interested in following it and I wasn't going to stick around to find out. Call me paranoid, but I suddenly became very uncomfortable with Islamic extremists from half way around the world knowing my children's names, my husband's name, what they looked like, etc. The "Pollyanna" part of me wonders if just maybe they were interested in Christianity and were there out of curiosity. But the large majority of me just felt very uncomfortable.

So there you have it! Now things are private and I can continue as before:).

Going Private

2010-11-21T11:11:00.001-08:00

I'm going to go private with this blog so if you would like to continue reading it, please send me your email! Thanks:)

Recent Adventures

2010-11-12T21:41:00.000-08:00

The boys had a WONDERFUL time recently at Tree to Tree Adventure Park. This was a birthday gift to my husband, who can be very difficult to shop for. After all, you can't really expect your mother-in-law to go to the local U-Pull-It to find some funky part of a transmission for your Suburban, can you? These are the types of things that would be on Craig's wish list, if he had one! Anyway, the gift was a HIT and Noah and Kaleb enjoyed it as well. They are all planning and dreaming about the next time we can go! And just for the record, us girls kept our feet firmly planted on the ground:).

And just for your viewing pleasure, I present to you a nearly 8 month old Jacob! If we loved this little Bubba-Stinky any more, we all just might explode.

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending an Above Rubies retreat in Turner, Oregon. Nancy Campbell's message was more timely than you could even know. She spoke about the tactics the enemy used to try to deter the people from rebuilding the temple (from Ezra and Nehemiah) and how the enemy uses the same tactics today to try to prevent Christians from building families that seek to glorify Christ. Things like discouragement and fear and accusations and doubts. The list of 10 things was so very applicable to life as a wife and mother. Satan hates families, he really does. This weekend encouraged me to recognize the tactics of my enemy. He is sly and cunning but when exposed to the light of Christ, he is also powerless! Anyway, my friend took some sweet pictures from the retreat but I can't figure out how to download them so if you'd like to see them, you'll have to visit my friend Emily's blog!

And just a quick update: I'm now 22 weeks along and I cannot believe how fast this pregnancy is going. Just had a prenatal last week and Sweet Baby was doing wonderfully! I often look at Jacob and am amazed that at this time next year, I'll have another baby (Lord willing) the very same age as he is now! And you'd think by now I'd have this figured out, but I can't believe I will be able to love this new little one as much as I do the Fantastic Five! It just blows my mind! I love all of them so VERY much and it seems impossible that I could ever love anyone else as much as I love them. But then.... that precious life emerges and I hold him/her close and there I go again, falling wildly and madly in love. It truly is amazing! A mother's heart really is never full!

A VERY Thought-Provoking Post

2010-10-22T11:46:00.000-07:00

If you are not familiar with the blog, Generation Cedar, you're missing out! This post, especially, has my wheels spinning. Very, VERY thought- provoking.....

Divine Appointment: Babies are a Part of the Gospel Picture

No Time for Bon-Bons Today!

2010-10-21T18:25:00.000-07:00

Helping Momma wash jars...

Apple seconds from Hood River: $0.25/lb! Makes me smile...

The simple beauty of sparkling clean canning jars...

Thelma is doing what Thelma loves most: cookin' up a storm...

I know my grandma would be tickled pink to know that I'm STILL using her Foley Food Mill...

And 17 quarts later...

But no Bon-bons yet! Craig's birthday dinner: Manicotti...

Yummy, says the whole crew...

No birthday for Craig is complete without an apple pie! I'll never make them as perfect as his mom's, but then again, a wife should NEVER make apple pie better than her husband's mother...

And after such a day, Jacob wonders if he can come out now...

Jacob's First Autumn

2010-10-19T11:08:00.000-07:00

Convicted or Condemned

2010-10-14T15:45:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about the difference between condemnation and conviction lately. A house is condemned; a criminal is convicted. These are the situations where we hear these words used most frequently. I am neither a house (though ask me in about 4 more months and I may tell you that I feel like one) nor am I a criminal. But condemnation and conviction effect me on a daily basis. So what's the difference between the two?

It seems to me, for starters, that conviction occurs with the purpose of repenting and restoring while condemnation occurs with the purpose of destroying and obliterating. We convict a criminal of a crime with the hope of punishing him in such a way that he will regret his actions and choose not to repeat them ever again, thus restoring him to the status of law-abiding citizen. We condemn a structure because it is no longer deemed safe and thus must be destroyed. There is hope for the criminal but all hope is lost for the house. I think I'd rather be the criminal:).

So then, who does the condemning and who does the convicting in my life? Well, the obvious answer is that Satan condemns and Jesus convicts. There's more to it than that, though, as I am discovering while digging into the treasure chest that God's Word is. But alas, the baby is wanting some attention. Perhaps a Part 2 will be necessary!

Sarah Grace: A Snapshot

2010-10-09T21:02:00.000-07:00

Sarah Gracie, with salsa on your mug, look at your momma!

Gracie, I wanted to take a NICE picture of you!!!

You're ornery through and through, Girlie!!!!

This girl of ours is something else! She was a perfect angel for the first three months of her life; every mother's dream come true baby! Easy going, hardly ever cried, put herself to sleep when she was tired and cute as a button. And then..... We're still looking for the individual who flipped her switch! From about 4 months to about 15 months the girl drove us batty!!!!! She cried, whined, complained, fussed, wailed and sobbed and she did it all very, very loudly. She wanted to be held, BY ME, all the time and so I did, simply to provide our home with a little peace and quiet. Praise the Lord, and I really, really do mean that, we all lived through her first year. Now, here she is, three years old and what we've got is that perfect angel mixed with that little stinkpot all in one incredibly delightful package. She's sweet as can be and ornerier than all get out.

Our very latest talker, we still can't understand about 1/4 of what she says (which is a vast improvement, believe me). We constantly wonder what we've agreed to as she rattles on and on about who knows what and we politely nod our heads in consent. She'll attempt any word under the sun (today she tried her linguistics out on the word 'competition') but oh, how we wish she would have been born with an interpreter. In fact, for quite some time my mother described her as the foreign exchange student:). And it was the perfect description.

Around here she's known as the Chicken Whisperer. She can cuddle and pet nearly any bird in the flock of 22 with seemingly little effort while they run for their lives from the rest of us. She is fascinated with horses and is certain that every single one is "Spir-dit", the horse from her very favorite movie by a similar name ("Spirit"). She grosses us out on a regular basis by holding pet slugs and other various outdoor creatures. We all laid down the law, however, when she marched in the house with a daddy long leg in her hand!

Sounding a bit on the tom-boyish side, isn't she? Don't be fooled. The girl LOVES anything that smells pretty, can be found on a daily basis nursing her wee little babies, and is the first of my children to inherit my ability to cry at the same movie over and over again! She and Hannah love to play "House" and Sarah always gets the role of "Christy", the young daughter.

Miss Sarah Grace is busy from the moment she rises until the moment she crashes and yet still, her very favorite place to be in the whole wide world is snuggled up on my lap with a lock of my hair in her little hand. She keeps me on my toes (and I have a hunch its only just begun!) and I simply cannot imagine my life without her.

Nicknames

2010-09-23T16:13:00.000-07:00

I'm not quite sure how it happens, this metamorphose of names. We don't ever intend to come up with these crazy nicknames! They just happen....

That being said, I'd like to introduce you to Bubba! Of course, his full name is Bubba Stinky, also known as Bubbsie-Boy or Bubbsie, for short. Occasionally, Bubba morphs into Bubbaloni which then causes us all to break out into song:

"My Bubbaloni has a first name

Its J-A-C-O-B

My Bubbaloni has a second name

Its A-A-R-O-N

We love to eat him every day

And if you ask us while we'll saaaaayyyyyy.....

Jacob Aaron is the sweetest boyyyyyyyyyyyy"

Sometimes, Bubba evolves into Bubba-Rootsie, a name born from Daddy's song that goes something like this( sung to the tune of "Allouette"):

"Bubba-Rootsie

Stinky, stinky tootsie

Bubba-Rootsie

Stinky, stinky toots"

Once in a blue moon, if he's lucky, we simply call him "Jacobeeee" or "Jakey-Poo".

Now he really isn't stinky; in fact, I think he smells delicious right down to his (stinky) little toes. And I'm sure we won't call him Bubba-Stinky when he's 18. But for now, he's our sweet Bubbsie-Boy....and that's just how it is!

A Fancy for Forts

2010-09-18T14:55:00.000-07:00

Blankets and chairs; couch cushions and pillows; clothes pins, sleeping bags, tea sets and imaginations. That's all one really needs to transform my living room into some form of organized chaos! It will do nothing for the editors of the latest Pottery Barn catalog but it does WONDERS for the Fantastic Five!

The only time you'll ever catch Kaleb with a pink blanket over his head!

Always the hospitable one, Hannah was prepared to tend to the hungry builders.

Smiling eyes...Oh, the delight of a fort!

She was mid-sentence. A conversation with the make-believer.

You are NEVER too old to build a fort! In fact, at this point, you are engineering a masterpiece!

Little Boy Blue Eyes was busy building, too!

Chip of the Ol' Block

2010-09-14T21:08:00.000-07:00

She's a chip off the ol' block, I guess. Does anybody recall this event? Last night for dinner I made a lovely Chicken and Biscuits Casserole, complete with biscuits made containing cream cheese! How could you go wrong? My sweet, darling little Hannah came in from outside just as I was pulling dinner from the oven. She turned up her petite little freckled nose and announced with great concern: "Mom, something smells like poo-poo!" Yes, dear Girl, that would be your dinner......

I thought it smelled rather comfort-foodish! Should have just stuck with Mac and Cheese, I guess.

Here Comes My Dad!!!

2010-09-12T15:43:00.000-07:00

I was recently reading Psalm 18 in a snippet of time that I had between changing diapers and teaching fractions. Have you read it recently? It may have just been my mood that day, but it actually made me laugh right out loud. David is in the midst of anguish, going so far as to say that the sorrow of Hell surround him. It is obvious that his enemy (who just happens to be the same enemy that we have today) was having a hay-day with him. In verse 6 he says, "In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God". It goes on to say that God heard his voice all the way from His temple and that his cry came before Him, even to His ears. And then the fun begins! God gets MAD!!!!! He's so mad He's breathing smoke (I think I may have felt nearly that mad once or twice) and fire is coming from His mouth. But He doesn't just stay up there in His temple, steaming. Oh, no! He comes on down and takes care of business. He sends hailstones and fire and arrows. The earth shook, the hills quaked...all because God was angry! He swoops down from His temple and He rescues this one that He loves so very much. Its a beautiful, powerful, amazing Psalm.

The day I read it, I had this brief 'vision' (doesn't that sound lofty? Don't be impressed! I think it came to me in the bathroom:) ) of this little boy being tormented by the playground bully. Truly, terribly tormented. Picked on and belittled and ridiculed and tortured until finally the little boy calls out, "Daaaaddddddyyyyyy!!!!!!!! Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!". Suddenly an unsettling silence envelopes the playground followed by the distant sound of thunder growing closer at an alarming rate. The little boy looks up with a new found courage and looks straight into the scowling eyes of the bully. "You've had it now. Here comes my dad!"

Isn't that how it is with our Abba Father? Oh, that I could have the daring confidence that David did and the little boy in my vision did! Next time Satan is tormenting me, dragging me lower than low, I hope I remember this and cry out, "Daaaaadddddyyyyyy!!!! Help!!!! and then, with confidence and expectation, say to my enemy, "You better watch out NOW! Here comes my Dad!!!!!"

The Real Education

2010-09-08T06:59:00.000-07:00

"Remember, the Word of God prepares us for every good work-

the periodic table won't help a bit"

I really love this quote by R.C. Sproul Jr. from his book, "When You Rise Up". It has reminded me again, or shall I say "convicted" me again, of where my focus really needs to be in educating my children.

You can feel the excitement in the air this time of year, whether your children compute their math at your dining room table or amongst 20 other desks in a tidy schoolroom. Brand new backpacks, pencils with erasers still intact, notebooks that have yet to be dog-eared and softened by use. Garage doors opening in unison at approximately 8:23am. A certain chill in the mornings tells us that its school time.

But what's it all about? We get excited to crack open the new textbook, or try out the new science curriculum, or meet the new teacher. Our hearts race just a bit as we introduce the new letter for the day or listen to our child recant the poem they learned or watch them do long division for the first time.

Kevin Swanson (http://www.generationswithvision.com/) says that if our children know Saxon Math better than they do Proverbs, they are not being properly educated. Ouch! He's so very right, though! Regardless of where our children receive their education, discipling our children MUST be our very top priority, above all other things! Voddie Baucham (http://www.voddiebaucham.org/vbm/home.html), a pastor whom we have learned much from, and respect greatly, made one of the most convicting statements I have ever heard regarding my goal as a parent. He says that he is not preparing his children for college. He's preparing them for Eternity!

In educating our children, we cannot be short-sighted. We cannot forget that a high school diploma and a college education are not the goal. They aren't! If that's what we're striving for in our hearts, with our time and with our pocket books, we are failing our children and the God who entrusted them to us. Even in their education, we must be so careful to not get wrapped around the axle storing up treasures that moth and rust (or a down turn of the economy) can destroy at the expense of storing up eternal treasures that are INDESTRUCTIBLE (Matt. 6:19).

Littlest Love

2010-09-05T18:46:00.000-07:00

The Endless Pursuit

2010-09-04T20:38:00.000-07:00

An unsatisfied pursuit. It always starts there, this break down. Every story that shares the same ending starts there. A chasing after that which can never be caught. It becomes a relentless, addictive chase. The further one runs, the more distorted the past becomes until finally, the runner is convinced that..... "I never loved you". The chasing after "me". One cannot serve two masters. One cannot serve self and others. The burden of service becomes too heavy in the shadow of "me". The grass becomes greener. In the pursuit of happiness and satisfaction, one turns their back on all that could ever quench such a thirst. A child's smile, a husband's safe embrace, a wife's tender touch, the peaceful routine, it ceases to become enough. It IS enough but "me" casts a shadow once more, distorts the joy and tranquility and security and delight. Eyes begin to search beyond the Home's walls for something to satisfy "me". The unsatisfied pursuit. "Me" is greedy, a hunger that can never be made full. An empty belly that only becomes emptier in the pursuit. It will never be enough. The pursuit becomes desperate, unreasonable even. One sheds anything, maybe everything, to chase satisfaction. Leaves them broken, shattered, along the way........in this unsatisfied, Endless Pursuit.

His Word says it 5 times. His life lived it innumerably. "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it...". He knew. He knew that His Way offered freedom and joy everlasting. And yet still, we choose the endless pursuit. We let the pursuit break our hearts and break our homes. We chase after it until we have run so far from everything we ever knew that we loose our way back. Our enemy throws his wicked head back and laughs.

Fold the laundry one more time. Pick up the toys one more time. Pack his lunch one more time. Lift your chin up and smile one more time. Wipe the fevered brow, tickle the tender belly, rise out of bed in the mid of the night, chop the onion, play the game, read the story, listen to the days' events with keen interest, and on and on the list goes. Each time, deliberately and with passion, do it. Turn your back on the Endless Pursuit.

Don't shed them.........

Shed YOU.

If you have run so far from everything you knew that you've lost your way back, there is a Way. He loves you, He longs to lead you home. He has already poured His blood out for this Endless Pursuit. Let His blood cover your chasing after that which will never satisfy. Let His blood wash you and make you clean.

Hannah Joy...

2010-09-03T20:29:00.000-07:00

First she did this...

Hannah turns five on a warm summer day,

The day her long awaited sunflower burst open to face the sun,

Full of joy,

Like our Hannah Joy...

Then she did this...

After much anticipation

And waiting for the mail to bring her books;

After gathering her supplies and tucking them neatly in their box;

After a few years of watching The Brothers

Read and Write and Compute....

Its HER turn.

At 6:30 this morning, her little sleepy body was perched on the couch

Greeting me as I stumbled for the shower.

"Can we start school now, Momma?"

I held her off until chores were complete

And breakfast was fed

And Baby was napping.

Then we dove in....

With delight!

What Its Like...

2010-09-02T13:02:00.000-07:00

Would you like to know what its like to be three months pregnant and nearly 6 months postpartum all at the same time? Well, in a nutshell, its wonderful!!! I'm not making that up, either!!!!!

One of my biggest 'concerns' about being pregnant so soon after being pregnant was how I would handle feeling crummy while mothering an infant. I was so sick with Jacob, as in lay-in-bed-for-a-few-months sick with 24 hour nausea, every.single.day. The thought of having a baby to care for while feeling that way was overwhelming, to say the least. I went before the throne of the One who loves me so and I presented a request for an easy pregnancy to Him. I knew full well that He could have very well said "No" for reasons I may not have understood but could trust in, nonetheless. I hope with all my heart that I would, indeed, have trusted Him fully had He said no. But He said yes, and I am so grateful!!!!

I have even been without some of my very usual early pregnancy complaints! Heartburn seems to be my nemesis almost from conception. Not an ounce of it! Sciatic pain also seems to announce its presence from early on. Not even a mention of it, so far! And as for the nausea? Oh, its been there but its been so much more manageable, visiting me only in the mornings (as morning sickness should!) and behaving itself if I'm sure to eat often and eat enough. I am now 12 weeks and the nausea is making its departure, unlike my past two pregnancies where it lingered well into my 4th month.

I have discovered something else in the midst of this pregnancy. I have found a lovely, wonderfully sweet, perfectly effective therapy for morning sickness and first trimester blahs. Its this:

How in the world could I feel too miserable when THIS is the sweet face I have to look at? Even the nausea relents a bit when I have THIS constant reminder, not too far from the womb himself, of what its all for? I'm not making this stuff up! Of all the herbs, teas, homeopathics, vitamins, etc. that I've taken over the course of 6 pregnancies, THIS sweet face has proven to be the most effective!

So, that's what its like to be 3 months pregnant while mothering a 5 1/2 month old! God is so very good!

Trust....

2010-08-21T13:15:00.000-07:00

We trusted the Lord. We admitted that we are not wise enough, nor do we have good enough eye-sight (eternal eye-sight), to determine who should get the chance to live and who shouldn't. We confessed, by our actions not just our words, that He is God and we are not. We trusted....

In March of 2011, Lord willing, the Scarbrough family will rejoice over another sweet baby, a gift from the Lord, a treasure beyond measure.

The children are thrilled, so very excited to have another little person to delight in. Oh, how they bless me! I expected them to be a bit indifferent about our news, for some reason. Instead, they whooped and hollered and couldn't wait to announce it from the roof tops.

Thank you for letting me share my news with you!

Sarah Grace Gets a New 'Do

2010-04-27T23:21:00.000-07:00

Due to a relentless hair-knotting habit, Sarah got a new 'do! We think it suits her just fine!

If I Could Choose....

2010-03-22T18:00:00.000-07:00

If I could choose any baby in the whole wide world....

I'd choose this one.

The After Picture

2010-03-21T16:07:00.000-07:00

I am so very thrilled and delighted to introduce to you....

Jacob Aaron

Born at 4:05pm on Monday, March 15, 2010

Weighing 9 lbs even and measuring 20 1/2 in long

He is SUCH an incredible blessing for our entire family! The Lord was so very gracious to give him to us! He came quickly, deciding to take make his entrance about 25 minutes before our midwife arrived! We are so very grateful to the Lord for a safe birth and a healthy baby. We are all so very smitten with this little guy! Praise the Lord!!!!

The Before Picture

2010-03-12T13:03:00.000-08:00

Wanna see my belly? I'm going to assume you said yes. Here's my attempt at a self-portrait:).My due date is in six, count 'em SIX, days so we really are down to "any day" (both Hannah and Kaleb were born by now and Sarah was born 'tomorrow', respectively). I'm looking forward to meeting this little one so very much. I can't wait to see those little feet and those little clenched fists. I can't wait to stroke that soft, downy hair. I can't wait to feel that curled up bundle in my arms! In fact, I'm so excited to meet this little one that I've finally decided I'm even willing to endure labor and birth to accomplish such a meeting!!! I've been a bit on the fence about that (as if I had a way out! Ha!!!!). So hopefully this 'before picture' will soon be followed by an 'after picture', revealing the sweet occupant of that bulge!!!! We appreciate your prayers for a safe and uncomplicated birth as well as a healthy baby! Thank you!!!

Children: The Spice of Life

2010-02-24T21:24:00.000-08:00

Children really are the spice of life. Last week, Craig and I were planning a day out and about with the children. The weather was beautiful and we were all suffering from a little late pregnancy cabin fever. As we were contemplating our options, it dawned on me that our children make our life more exciting. As they are getting older, they are each developing their own passions and interests and, as a family, we embrace these and run with them!
So first on our list of activities was a visit to the Mima Mounds, near Olympia, Washington. Go read about them if you get a chance! Pretty interesting! Anyway, there's not a one of us in the bunch who doesn't love to hike (or, as Craig sweetly reminded me, 'waddle', as the case may be) so that was a passion we all share! The day was beautiful, the fresh air invigorating, complete with rosy cheeks and wind-blown blonde heads!
Next on the agenda was a stop in at a new nursery (that ended up being a flop, but nonetheless, part of the "spice of life"). You see, we have a budding botanist in our midst. Noah has become truly passionate about plants! He has, I do believe, around 10 houseplants that he carefully and meticulously tends to, along with seed starts and a shade garden outside. He is learning SO much about the care and keeping of all types of vegetation and can readily identify more plants than I can even name. He pours over seed catalogs like most children poor over toy magazines. He loves it and he's good at it! It is a passion of his that we are all embracing. We were all excited to visit this nursery.... because of him!
After that, we headed to a terrific coffee shop in Olympia because, after all, who ISN'T passionate about coffee (and hot chocolate if you're a little on the short side). Just around the block sits the toy store, which the little girls could have spent hours and hours in. And who doesn't LOVE to watch little girls lost in their own little world of make believe. Then it was Kaleb's turn! This boy is passionate, and I mean passionate, about music. More specifically, guitar. So we ventured in to the local guitar shop there in Olympia where he spent quite some time studying and admiring every guitar, mandolin, banjo and ukulele in the store. Music stores and the such have become a passion for our entire family, simply because they are a passion of Kaleb's.

We then ended our day with a trip to Cabela's, which, as you might guess, is a passion of Craig's! On the drive home, I contemplated our day and treasured the truth that our children really do add so much to our lives. Their passions and interests become ours as we endeavor to fan them, encourage them, and foster them. Our children, each unique and individual, add so much to this unit we call family! We would not be who WE are without each and every one of them. What a joy to get to be part of a such a passion-filled adventure!!! And I have a hunch that it's only going to get better!

Bibadee Bobadee Boo

2010-01-10T15:00:00.000-08:00

With perplexity she asks me, "So how did God put the baby in your tummy?" Hmmm...she's only four. I chew on my answer but she forges ahead. "Is it like magic, Mom?" I answer carefully. "Well, magic is pretend but God is real, honey. And He created our baby." She looks at me with those clear, blue eyes, taking in the wonder of it all. She nods as if to tell me that she understands. And then, in clear acceptance of my answer, she skips away, hollering over her shoulder, "So God just said 'Bibadee, bobadee, boo' and there was our baby!!!". Well, yes, I guess so.

"By the word of the Lord the heavens were made and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth" ~Ps. 33:6

"Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created" ~Ps. 148:5

A Quick Christmas Recap

2010-01-03T12:34:00.000-08:00

The Fabulous Four find the perfect treeWe have a family tradition of sleeping under the Christmas tree the night before we celebrate our family Christmas. Either our living room is getting smaller or the number of sleeping bags is getting larger!

Getting ready to dive in to their stockings! Children make Christmas incredibly joy-filled!

And so we have tucked away the last of the Christmas decorations and are doing our best to get back into some sort of routine around here. Such a busy, wonderful season full of family and friends, lovely music, delightful food and sweet "Happy Birthday, Jesus" voices . Noah has already begun counting down to Christmas, 2010!

Let the Christmas Season Begin!!!

2009-11-28T12:43:00.000-08:00

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Well...all depends on what I have on hand.
2. Real tree or artificial?
I will never, in my life, own an artificial tree. I'd forgo the Christmas tree before I'd go artificial. I know, not very "green" but that's just how it is!!!
3. When do you put up the tree?
As soon as we can convince the Scrooge (aka Craig) to let us!
4. When do you take the tree down?
As soon after Christmas as possible!
5. Do you like eggnog?
Yes Sirree!!! But I cut mine with some milk, otherwise it's just too sweet. And I love Eggnog lattes!
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
You know, I really have a terrible memory. Probably the only Christmas gift I remember receiveing as a child was my Cabbage Patch Doll, and I only remember that because I peeked on my mom's list and saw that I was getting it. She discovered my discovery and did not give it to me for Christmas. Lesson learned! I did get it for my January birthday, though, and have been very careful to avoid peeking at Christmas lists since!
7. Do you have a Nativity scene?
Yes, Craig's grandparents gave it to us soon after we were married. It's the highlight of our Christmas decorations.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
Craig's dad, who has nearly everything:)
9. Easiest person to buy for?
It changes every year but this year, I think it's Noah. He just has so many interests this year! Makes it very fun!
10. Worst Christmas Gift you ever received?
Now I would be incriminating myself if I confessed!!!
11. Mail or email Christmas cards?
I've given up on Christmas cards all together! In another season of life, I will return to this tradition but for now, neither!!!!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Honestly, the Charlie Brown Christmas just brings with it the coziest of feelings!!! Good thing I have children so I have a good excuse!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Veries every year! This year, we started at the end of October.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I don't think so.
15. Favorite things to eat at Christmas?
My grandma's Cranberry Salad (my Grandma now spends Christmas celebrating in Heaven with Jesus, but one of us still makes this salad) and Amy's warm artichoke dip (she says she gets it from Costco but she should really keep this a secret and I'd just go on thinking that she makes the best Artichoke dip in the world!!!!)
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Either is fine with me, just so long as there are lights!
17. Favorite Christmas song?
"Christmas Canon Rock" and "Mary, Did You Know?"
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We always travel, but thankfully not too far!
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and....Rudolph!!!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
We do both!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Um...I can't really think of anything that annoys me. However, my husband's list for annoying things about this time of yearis so long that it makes up for the lack of items on my list.
23. Ugliest Christmas Decoration ever invented?
Those blue metal-ish trees, hands down!!! Sorry to those of you who have them. I'm sure they look lovely in YOUR home :).
24. Which looks best, theme trees or homey trees?
Homey trees
25. Do you like Fruitcake?
About as much as I like Mincemeat Pie and Suet Pudding

Love

2009-11-17T16:06:00.000-08:00

Kaleb says to me, "Mom, I just know that lady was a Christian". "Really? What makes you think that she was a Christian?" He, in his wise old age of seven responds, "I could just tell by the way that she loved children that she was a Christian".

"They will know we are Christians by our love...by our love

They will know we are Christians by our love"

The TRUE Pandemic

2009-10-27T12:50:00.000-07:00

So far in 2009, 5,000 deaths worldwide from H1N1 have been reported to WHO (WHO Pandemic Update 71).

So far in 2009, 37,779,567 babies have been murdered in their mothers' wombs, with this number increasing by about 1 little life lost a second (Abortions this year).

There is a pandemic raging through our world, which is deserving of a state of emergency declaration from the Oval Office, but it has nothing to do with the H1N1 virus, nor can it be curbed with a vaccine.

Hannah-isms

2009-09-24T17:16:00.000-07:00

There was a loose pit bull in the neighborhood recently. Hannah came to report this to me: "Mom, Daddy said there is a stray Pinch Bullet in the neighborhood".

For some time now she has been excited to be eating "Cum-cubers".

And last but certainly not least, when informed that it would not be appropriate for her to kiss any boys but Daddy on the lips, she thought for a moment and then sweetly asked if it would be okay with me if she kissed her husband on the lips. Of course I told her that would be fine:).

Photographic Catch-Up

2009-09-19T20:21:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful to get to report that my world is looking less and less green and my couch and bed becoming more and more foreign to me. I am fourteen weeks and feeling so, so much better. It was truly a rough first trimester (plus a few weeks) for all of us. When momma is out of commission, it really throws everyone off their axis. We're all glad to be resuming some sort of normalcy again. And our reward?!?! A sweet heartbeat announcing that all was not in vain. Praise the Lord!!!

So before I jump back into blogging, I thought I would do a bit (or a lot) of photographic catch-up! Despite feeling pretty miserable, summer, with all it's fun, treated us to many lovely memories. Here's a peek into our last few months:

Sarah Grace, on her 2nd birthday

A Hello, Kitty cake made by Daddy

The day we found out that we were expecting, we left for Alaska to visit Craig's parents. We spent the first three days camped along a BEAUTIFUL remote lake. We enjoyed kayaking and canoeing around the lake, listening to the loons and watching the sun go down around 11pm!!!
Kaleb would have spent the entire time kayaking! He loved it!

Craig's dad, Craig and the girls. I think Sarah nearly fell asleep kayaking around that peaceful lake. Who could blame her?!?!

Sweet Sarah, preparing "Grass Soup"

The boys took a nice hike WAY up into the mountains.

Upon our return home, Noah found this in his garden, snapped the picture himself, and chose the border. I think it is a marvelous picture, don't you?

Not long after returning home from Alaska, we loaded up once again for a camping trip at Silver Creek State Park with several families from our church in Newberg. There's nothing quite like camping when you are a child. The Fabulous Four had so much fun!!!!

Noah is looking so grown up to me these days. I have only a few more months in the single digits with this one. Where has the time gone? His interests and conversations are becoming more mature in nature. I am really enjoying and treasuring my time with Noah.

Our Hannah Joy...

(Just for the record, I did not ask her to pose! This was all her own doing! If she added a "Please" to that face, I'm most certain we'd give her the world!!!)

I think my husband should get an award of some sort. Like the "Sherpa Award" or something! Little legs get tired going uphill and Daddy legs get very strong.

In August, Hannah celebrated her 4th Birthday with a trip to the zoo and a picnic dinner with grandparents.

Rounding out our summer involved lots and lots of fishing. When so many other foods found themselves on my "Gag me with a pitchfork" list, grilled salmon never failed to hit the spot!!! Craig has found himself one dedicated fishing companion! Though both boys went out many times with Craig, it was Kaleb who eagerly rose every single morning at o'dark thirty to join his daddy on the river.

I am looking forward to blogging again, when time permits. Thanks for taking a journey through our summer with me!

The Latest Knitting Project

2009-08-01T22:16:00.000-07:00

I have had good reason to be away! You see, there is a wee one being knit together in my womb by an extraordinary Creator!!! Yes, for those who do not know yet, the Fabulous Four will become the Fantastic Five in March (Lord willing). We are so very grateful for this little one, so humbled and delighted that the Lord would chose to allow us to love and raise one more for Him. The reason for my absence, however, has been the EXTREME nausea I have experienced this time around. I am trying all sorts of things to make it more bearable but have not had much success yet. I welcome any and all suggestions! Until I get a better handle on this thorn in my flesh known as nausea, I likely will continue to be a bit sporadic in my postings. Be assured, though, that all is well here and we are enjoying our summer immensely!!!

The Home Warrior

2009-07-07T23:23:00.000-07:00

As arrows in the hand of a mighty warrior, so are children of the youth.

~Psalm 127:4

Did you catch that? Our children....they are arrows.

Not just harmless arrows, but like arrows in the hands of a warrior.A mighty warrior.

Are you believing the lie from the depths of hell that you are nothing more than a housewife, a maid, a server of all but yourself? Are you settling for nothing more than children who walk a straight line, stay out of trouble, and get good grades? Do you view your husband as simply the man who brings home the bacon and changes the oil in the car? If you must honestly answer "Yes" to any of these questions, than stop! Stop believing the lies and start believing the Word of God.

You, as well as your mate, are a warrior, a person ENGAGED in warfare. Who is your enemy? The Bible tells us quite clearly who our enemy is, if we are believers and followers of Christ: "your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). What is your greatest weapon? Your children! The ones who leave fingerprints on your windows, who bicker with their siblings, who scrape their knees and bang their shins. They are our greatest weapon!!!! They are arrows and they're going to be used to fight against somebody's enemy, either God's enemy or the devil's. We MUST not be complacent! The devil, our adversary, IS walking about, seeking whom he may devour and you know who he wants the most? Our children, because he knows God's Word is true (better than many of us Christians do)! He knows what dangerous weapons our children are! If the devil knows it and believes it, shouldn't we?

Love your children, treasure them for what they are (arrows in the hands of a warrior), pray for them and over them, and get on your knees before the Commander and ask Him, beg Him, plead with Him to make you and your husband warriors equipped and able to raise these arrows for Him. You will find me there, on my knees, too, petitioning the Lord to take our feeble, miserable attempts at raising our children and make it something powerful for the glory of His kingdom.

The next time I have to fill in the blank "Occupation" on a form, I wonder what would happen if, instead of writing 'homemaker', I wrote 'Home Warrior'? I think I'll give it a shot!

P.S. The bow and arrows in these pictures were beautifully crafted by Craig's father and given to him just recently. Such a treasure!

Whirlwind Days

2009-07-07T22:53:00.000-07:00

Oh, its been a whirlwind of days. Camera-less days, at that. I have no proof that I've been doing what I've been doing so you'll just have to trust me!

Friday was spent enjoying a Civil War Reenactment provided by the NWCWC. It was a host of fun, though the very warm weather caused us to pity those in wool attire and ushered us sooner than we had planned to the comfort of our air conditioned vehicles. We are looking forward to attending another reenactment when the opportunity arises.

Saturday, not only did we get to enjoy the company of my sister-in-law and my adorable niece and charming nephews two, but also the city's annual 4th of July parade complete with too much candy! The rest of the day was spent slip-sliding (all 50 ft of it!!!), eating, chit-chatting and watching fireworks with 27 children and their parents. Tons of fun, I tell ya! Tons!!!

We continued to enjoy our visit with my sil and children through out the weekend, saying goodbye to them yesterday afternoon. Laundry beckoned, naps enticed, and quiet enveloped the busy-ness of us all.

Which takes us to the present, looking forward to celebrating in just a few days Sarah Grace's arrival into the world two years ago, visiting Craig's parents in Alaska, and soon an anniversary. And thus continues the whirlwind: a grand and blessed whirlwind!

The New-born Babe

2009-06-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

" The new-born babe is a fresh act of God.

He is the latest revelation of God's creative handiwork.

The babe's presence so fresh and pure says all anew "God is faithful"."

"Here is the latest impress of the wondrous image of God.....

No thoughtful man can study his own baby, and in his heart doubt the existence of God"

~S.D. Gordon

"Quiet Talks on Home Ideals"

Photo: These are the precious feet of a Gift from the Father to some dear friends of ours.

A Pictoral Update

2009-06-28T12:32:00.000-07:00

Little painted toe nails...too cute for words!

"C'Mere, Tucker... c'mere..." She calls out to her doggie, beckons him to his bed, snuggles in beside him, borrows a lock of his hair and snags her thumb. For her, it is pure bliss. This girl and her dog...

A beautiful trip to Pacific City with my parents, complete with the lowest tide of the year. Treasures abound!

Hunting and searching...

Hundreds of starfish: purple, orange and pink, feasting on the mussel-coated rocks

My Dream-Come-True and our Fabulous Four! Oh, how I love these people!!!

Worth it!!!

2009-06-20T13:38:00.001-07:00

"Sacrifice is the a and the z, and all the vowels and consonants in between of motherhood. Sacrifice is love at its best.

There is no other spirit for motherhood; no other key to unlock its doors; no other solution of its tangling problems; no other sure weapon to lay its foes low in the dust." ~S.D. Gordon

This quote above was on my mind this morning when Craig took us out to breakfast. We piled our modest-in-number family into a booth and chit chatted about various happenings and the such. The hostess, a young gal looking to be in her early 20s, came to take our drink order. She glanced around our table at Craig and I and the Fabulous Four and then back at me in shock, "Are these all yours?" As I looked around the same table, I joyfully announced, "Yes!!!". Her next question was so fitting: "Isn't it hard?" There was a look of disbelief and perhaps of feeling overwhelmed at the very thought of said children being all hers. I don't criticize her for that question or the look that went with it. There are days when I must look the same way and that same question is written all over MY face. How do you answer such a question? If I answer "No, its not hard", I'm down-right lying. If I say "Yes, it's terribly hard", one would question why its not the Fabulous One instead of the Fabulous Four that sit around our table, with room for more. A thousand thoughts went through my mind as she stood there, looking at me with expectation. There were a million things I would have liked to tell her. But time does not stand still long enough. There wasn't time to tell her that those little people looking back at her have given so much more than they have taken, that I am not the person I was pre-children (and the world is grateful for that!!!) and that life is full of hard work (for goodness sakes, I wouldn't call waitressing an easy job!!!). There wasn't time to tell her that life is not about taking the easy way and doing our best to get out of hard work. There wasn't time to tell her that these children were actually flesh-wrapped gifts from the Creator of the universe with the potential to worship at the feet of Jesus Christ for all of eternity. There just wasn't time....So I looked at my table full of gifts and said to her, "Yep, its hard but it's so worth it".

And it is! It is so worth it!

Preparing...

2009-06-19T19:18:00.001-07:00

"I am not preparing my children for college...

I am preparing them for Heaven."

~Voddie Baucham Jr.

Did Your Husband Take You to Church Today?

2009-06-14T12:25:00.000-07:00

Did your husband take you to church this morning? Did he sit beside you in the pew, stand with you as you worshipped the Lord, closed his eyes beside you during prayer? Or perhaps he led your family in worship some other time this week, prayed with you before a meal, or read God's Word to you and your children? Have you thanked him? Have you told him lately how much you appreciate him taking your family to church? If not, please do it... today. I know many women who love the Lord but sit alone every Sunday. Both my husband's mom and my own mom took their families to church, with no husband beside them. On behalf of these women, thank your husband today.

Did you leave the house grouchy this morning? Did your husband take too long drinking his coffee, reading the paper, checking his emails? Did he not help you enough with the children this morning? Did he drive too fast or park in the wrong spot or wear that shirt that you just can't stand? Instead of thanking your lucky stars that you have a husband who will take his family to church, did you sit there in that pew grumbling inside about all the things your husband is not? Then please repent before the Lord and then before your husband and count your blessings instead of his faults.

And when you're finished with your counting, on behalf of all the women who sat alone today, wrap your arms around your husband and, even if it feels awkward, thank him for taking you to church today.

If you are one of those women who had to sit alone today, please know that you were on my heart this morning. May you feel the Lord's presence in an undeniable way each and every time you sit in that pew alone. And may the Lord reach into the heart of your husband in a way that only He can, and bring your man to his knees. You are brave women and I admire you greatly.

Sarah Discovers

2009-06-12T14:02:00.000-07:00

Sarah Discovers...

...Birds in flight

...Mountain lupine's sweet aroma...Life wrapped around Daddy's finger...Belly Buttons!!!...Shadows in the dust

If This Table Could Talk...

2009-06-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

A repost from a few seasons ago...

You know the saying, "If these walls could talk..."? Today I was thinking about my kitchen table. I call it a kitchen table because it is in the kitchen. It could be a dining room table except for the fact that we have never lived in a house big enough to have a dining room. Thus it is a kitchen table. Well, if my kitchen table could talk, oh the stories it would tell. In fact, it just might be the hub of our entire home life.

It is where we share our meals together: nice, homecooked meals made with thoughtfulness and love; after-thought meals made with rice and leftovers; quick meals made with pb&j. It is where we start the day as a family and it is where we end the day as a family.

It is where I expand my role as mother by teaching the ABCs and the 123s. It is where my son first learned to write, add, subtract and read. It is also one of the places my children learn manners.

It is where miscellaneous objects become art, where miscellaneous ingredients become cookies and where miscellaneous activities become memories.

It is where God often meets me when the house is quiet and the children tucked soundly into their beds.

It is where my father sat, waiting to hear the cries of his newborn granddaughter from the bedroom.

It is where I've layed my head in my hands and cried and it is where I've raised my hands to Heaven and praised.

Oh, if this table could talk, oh the stories it could tell!

A Field Trip

2009-06-04T22:21:00.000-07:00

I took my USHCs (UnSocialized Home school Children, of course!) to a children's museum in our area the other day. While they played and learned, I captured.

My Littlest Love

2009-06-01T23:46:00.000-07:00

I love this little girl. She is our fourth child and I really don't know how I ever lived without her. She's feisty as all get out, louder than the other three combined, can't hold still to save her soul and as sweet as honey. Those eyes and that sweet nose and those kissable lips and her wispy hair... I could go on and on. Sometimes I get lost in her, watching her every move, listening to her sing-song chatter, soaking her in. Smitten, I tell you. Hook-line-and-sinker-in-love. You wouldn't think that you'd be so head over heels about the fourth one. I mean, doesn't that baby love start to get old after four of 'em? Guess not, because I've got stars in my eyes for this one, too. How is it that a mother's heart keeps from exploding?

Socialization

2009-05-31T18:22:00.000-07:00

This is the bumper sticker that now dons our vehicle.

Why?

In short, it is a tongue-in-cheek 'If you can't beat 'em, join 'em'!

Want the long version? Well, here it is!

Most critics of homeschooling used to site academics as their main complaint against this particular method of education. However, that argument has died down as the test scores have come in and the colleges and universities are speaking. With that 'concern' tossed aside, the next big one on the list is SOCIALIZATION. If parents educate their children at home, those children will miss out on the opportunity to socialize with their peers and inevitably will become nerds, social outcasts and rejects of society. They won't fit in well with a group of children their own age, they won't look like the other children, and they won't talk like them. In a group of same-aged individuals, they will stick out. And this concern alone causes many to take an adamant stance against home education.

Would you like to know MY thoughts on socialization? If not, please stop reading lest I mistakenly offend you.

Socialization means "The process of learning interpersonal and interactional skills that are in conformity with the values of one's society." Wow! Really???? So, by definition and because we home school, my children are missing out on the process of learning interpersonal and interactional skills that are in conformity with the values of one's society. And to that I say, "Hallelujah and Praise the Lord!!!" Romans 12:2 says " And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God". The critics tell me I should be assuring that my children are learning the necessary skills that are in conformity with the values of their society but God's Word says that's the very thing I should be avoiding.

But what if my children won't fit in? What if they don't dress the same and talk the same as other children their age? What if they become.....(gasp!!!)..... NERDS?!?!?! This may surprise you but I really don't give a hoot if they end up being nerds! I don't care a lick if they fit in with their peers. But I'll tell you this: I am passionate about doing all I can to help them fit in with their Lord and Savior in Heaven and to conform to His values and His values ALONE. And if they enter the heavenly gates with horn-rimmed glasses and a pocket protector, I guess you'll know they were home schooled!!!

Perhaps homeschooling is not for everyone, but if socialization is the hook that hangs you up, it is a poorly grounded argument, especially for the Christian.

And by the way, go to any public or private school and I guarantee you a nerd will be found. Hmmmm.... must have some homeschooling in his family tree. Poor kid!

A Campin' We Went

2009-05-29T18:03:00.000-07:00

Destination: Clear LakeThis boy looks so OLD to me!!!

When camping, Kaleb only takes his helmet off to sleep! One must be ready to mountain bike at any given moment, you know!

A donut in one hand and hot chocoalate in the other! The very essence of camping!!!

Please notice the hot chocolate on the forehead!

A very patient and faithful fisherman, this boy has become!

Sisters on the rocks...

Very seriously contemplating why his rod was fishless...

Beautiful, beautiful baby...

Hannah caught her first fish and the look of pride on her little face pales in comparison to the look of pride that was on her daddy's face!!!!

This is the before shot:

And this is the after shot!!! Yummy!!!

Upon arriving home, we were blessed with the news of the arrival of a little nephew (Jesse and Rebecca's third little one) in the wee hours of Thursday morn. Safe and sound and as cute as can be, so I've heard. Countin' the hours until my eyes can behold him and my arms can snuggle him. Praise the Lord!!!

Pre-summer Days

2009-05-25T09:15:00.000-07:00

Busy, pre-summer days, these days have been. Handfuls of love-laden bouquets for the window sill. I've been thrilled with a surprise patch of lupine, one of my all-time favorite flowers, that is thriving without any assistance from me. A gracious gift from the Creator, to be certain.I had given up all hope of putting in any sort of a garden this year. Craig cut down a tree in the back, falling it across our garden as oppossed to the fence (good call, wouldn't you say?!?!). This, along with the continuing kitchen remodel, occupied both the garden and my husband. Some seasons in life make a garden more conducive then others and I had chalked this up as a non-garden season. But the blessing of several sunny days in a row along with the even bigger blessings of a 9 year old boy with increasingly stronger arms and a joyful, willing heart, and a 7 year old boy willing to run hither and yon, gathering this supply and that, and two little girls, providing hours of giggles and laughter to serenade me as I worked, has made my garden a dream come true!!! Last night, I thanked Craig for giving me such wonderful helpers to assist me while he's away at work and I meant it!!!!!

All this outside labor can wear a girl out and this girl found a nice resting place beneath the shade of the mighty maple that canopies part of our backyard in the late hours of afternoon. This blanket, lovingly quilted and embroidered by her great-grandmother, snuck it's way outside, a place usually off limits to such lovelies. But alas, there it is, snuggled around Resting Girl.

Who could want more than a warm breeze, a good book and a prime seat in the wheelbarrow? Barrel-chest, lanky arms, bruised up legs soaking in the sun, this boy would happily live outside, from sun up until sundown and beyond, if only he could tote his guitar out there.

And so we continue on, busy days full of wrapping up school and digging in dirt and soaking in sunshine and growing and learning and loving and praising. God is good, so very good!!!

A Hummock Hike

2009-05-15T21:10:00.000-07:00

Wee little hiker, arms full of treasures;

Touching, holding, feeling, experiencing.

Learning Legs that run and jump and bound get awfully tired

Daddy's legs carry her, strong and steady
Even strength must pause...to view the Toutle River, of course
Hiker extraordinaire
"When can we go again, Dad? Tomorrow?"
It never fails. Every hike ends with such a question.

"This has been a GREAT homeschool lesson!"
This isn't school, Son. This is LIFE!!!!!
Breath it in! Touch it, study it, let it become part of who you are.
The Fabulous Four
My Fabulous Four
Our Fabulous Four
Oh, my soul does sing!!!

Pictures courtesy of the Hummock Trail in the Mt. St. Helens region. Lovely, lovely hike! What an incredible opportunity to witness the Creator's handiwork!

The Bible and PMS

2009-05-08T15:40:00.001-07:00

Did you know the Bible addresses PMS???? Me, neither!

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to steal away for a few hours. I found myself, cup of coffee in hand, sitting at one of the glass-topped tables at our local library. It's one of my favorite places to be. Sky blue walls reaching up high to patterned, creamy white ceilings. Tall, multi-paned windows looking out onto old oaks and maples. The smell of book-lined shelves, some old, some new. The hushed stillness of library etiquette echoing off ancient walls. A Bible, a concordance, a pencil, a notebook. A retreat.

It is here that I am drawn to Titus 2. The verses are so familiar. Familiarity threatens to dull the words. The concordance makes them a bit the sharper. The Spirit makes them sharper still.

Titus 2:4 "That they may teach the young women to be sober..." The Message, the NIV, the NLT, the ESV, the NASB, the ASV, and many more, leave this part out. I'd like to leave it out, too. But the original text does not leave it out. In fact, it puts it first! Before grabbing my concordance, I ponder the word. Sober. One who is not drunk. A solemn, serious face. Perhaps even boring. These are the pictures of sober that come to my mind.

I thumb through the "S" words until I come to 'sober'. It happens to be the same Greek word used for "teach" in the same verse but not the same word used for sober later in the chapter in reference to older men (that one really does pertain to the consumption of wine!!!).
'Sophronizo/Sophron'. It means "to make of sound mind, self-controlled, moderate as to opinion or passion, temperate".

It would be easier if it meant serious or boring. I might be able to pull that off. A walk in the park if it meant "not drunk". No problem. But a sound-mind? Moderate as to opinion and passion? Temperate? Did my Creator forget that He made me with a UTERUS, for Pete's sake?

I asked Craig not long ago about habits. I asked him specifically what habits he would like to see me spend my energy in forming. I already had some ideas of my own. But I thought it only wise, as I am HIS help meet, to ask him. I was hoping he'd say something like, "Make apple pies once a week" or "Knit for one hour a day" (hee hee hee). Instead, he said he would love it if I had the habit of being more even-keeled. Hmmmmm..... Are you sure you don't want apple pies instead?

Well, when you've heard it from your husband and you've heard it from the Lord, you are pretty much without excuse! And now I'm pulling you in with me. Now you've heard it, too. So go ahead! Ask your husbands if they would like you to be more even-keeled. Then you can be without excuse, too!!!!!

He Speaks...

2009-05-02T21:38:00.001-07:00

"Mom, you know how going to Heaven is the hard way but once you get there it's really good?"

"Yes..."

"And going to hell is like going the easy way but once you get there, it's awful and terrible?"

"Yes..."

"And you know how, even though it's not really true, they say that Heaven is up and hell is down, under the ground?"

"Yes..."

"It's like gravity pulls you to hell, making it the easy way.......
But then God sends down a ladder"

He smiles cautiously. I see the hope in his eyes, the question "If I tell her this, will she get it?" I smile back, trying hard to fight back tears. He's taller today, his voice maybe just a twinge deeper today. But it is not that growth that swells my heart over its banks. It's THIS growth, its bright green shoots sprouting fresh and full of life. We, his father and I, cannot take any credit, none at all. He grows in spite of our failings. He grows in the light of Christ! My heart, oh how it sings! Humble, joyful thankfulness.

Lord, thank You that you speak into the heart of a nine year old in ways that I understand so clearly! I get it, God! I get it...

But God doesn't just stop there. From the bottom bunk alight by night light's glow:
"Mom, its like we are the messengers. We are God's messengers."

And God opens the hearts of mother and sons and pours out truth and teaching, shines down light and salvation. We are leveled at the Cross, mother and sons becoming children together before His throne. Words pour out of human mouths but it is the Holy Spirit, the Teacher, taking just a snippet of pre-slumber moments to fill our hearts with His truth. Unscheduled, unplanned epiphanies!
(And I didn't even have to get wet!!!!)

Cardboard Ministries

2009-05-02T13:19:00.000-07:00

I have so much to share with you. Hopefully this afternoon I will have a chance. But for now, I wanted to share this YouTube video with you. Maybe you have seen it already, but talk about a powerful depiction of the saving grace of Christ! Praise God!!!!
Cardboard Ministries

Off We Go!!!

2009-04-23T11:02:00.000-07:00

The daily grind can dull even the most zealous passions. It is for this reason that I am very excited to be heading off tomorrow morning, alongside my husband, to the Christian Heritage Conference. We had the privilege of attending it a few years ago, when Hannah was a baby, and it was so very wonderful! This year's theme is "Passing on Faith in a Faithless World". I am looking forward to my fervor being renewed and my devotion to homeschooling our Fabulous Four refreshed. I am looking forward to learning and listening. I am anticipating being challenged... and I can't wait! Having two days of time with Craig is the delicious, thick, homemade, cream cheese frosting on the cake!!!! If you think of it, I sure would appreciate your prayers, that the Lord would use this time to accomplish HIS will in our family. Thank you!!!!

Seasons

2009-04-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

In the current issue (March/April, '09) of Homeschooling Today, Shonda Parker wrote an excellent article titled, "The Appointed Time", drawing a wonderful parallel between seasons of a mother's life and the yearly seasons. If you can get your hands on a copy, or read it on line, it is a worthy read. Just a few points that especially encouraged me and hit home...

* "During the spring of childhood, we must work the ground and plant the seeds, watching for those first tender green shoots bursting forth with promise."

* "In the garden, we find that plants thrive in environments of consistent care of watering, feeding, and weeding; so our children need consistency of care in nurturing, teaching and guarding.
A day does not pass when we do not have work to do, repeating the same work day after day. This season can be particularly tiring and a time for growth in patience for us. We cannot yet see the full reward of our daily work. Take encouragement from each blessing that comes from your daily faithfulness when you see the tilled ground begin to part, the tiny plant begin to rise up, the unfurling of the sprout, the tender shoot, the first putting on of leaves, and the upward thrust toward maturity."

* "Though spring seems busy, early summer intensifies as our seedlings grow tall and strong, preparing to flower. Under such rapid growth, our children need intensive training to yield a mature plant capable of producing good fruit. Spring years, focused on training and instruction, turn to summer years of granting increasing freedom to our children as we watch them grow, while we continue to instruct and intensively train on the right path."

* "There are various methods of training a plant for maturity and abundant fruit production. We do not need to worry over someone else’s method; we simply need to remain faithful in our own, as we daily seek to glorify God with our child-rearing."

Good stuff, huh? I'm so thankful that I get to be in the midst of a couple of different seasons at the same time. A little spring here, the beginnings of summer there. God is so good to use it all not only to grow up these seedlings He's blessed us with, but to grow me up, too!!! Praise be to the Master Gardener:)

Discovering Tree Swings

2009-04-21T13:14:00.000-07:00

How do you like to go up in a swing
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing

Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
Rivers and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside—

Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown—
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!

~The Swing, by Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)

This and That

2009-04-18T18:45:00.000-07:00

We've been doing a little of this....

And a little bit of that...

Dirty Dishes

2009-04-11T14:44:00.000-07:00

Life is like a camera lens: it's all about perspective.

Isn't it true? I was pondering this while tackling a sink full of dirty dishes just this afternoon. With the right angle, aperture, lighting and lens, my sink full of those blasted things could be a thought-provoking, eye-catching piece of art. (Of course, in order for MY sink full of dirty dishes to be considered art, a good photographer would also be a necessity!!! )

Want to know something else? With the right attitude, angle, Light, and perspective, my sink full of dirty dishes can also be proof of God's blessing. My sink was full because I had an angel food cake cooling on the counter for an Easter dessert at my parent's house; I had a 1/2 gallon mason jar full of strawberries, sliced to perfection by two handsome boys; I had Cowboy Cookies (Craig's very favorite cookies of all) baking in the belly of Thelma for our Spring Break trip in a few days, and I had four tummies full of peanut butter and honey sandwiches, complete with sticky smiles.

My friend, Sharon, reminded me of the value of perspective in this blog post.

Just something to think about...

On the Bedside Table

2009-04-09T15:26:00.000-07:00

A new find from the library, one of the best parenting books EVER, a gift from my mom, who knows me so very well, an old friend in a new body, and one of the most beautiful flowers I have ever been given.

Sleeping Beauty

2009-04-06T21:54:00.001-07:00

Sweet...

2009-04-05T22:04:00.000-07:00

A girl and her dog...Can you tell this girl loves her dog? "Tucker" was the first word, next to 'Mommy' and 'Daddy', that Sarah has spoken very clearly. Many a time I've found her standing quietly beside him, twirling the long hair on his belly or tail like she twirls her own. She assures him of her love by giving him treats and hand-feeding him whenever possible. I found them yesterday, snuggled on the couch, soaking in the sunshine streaming through the window. Sweet....

The Fine Art of Spinning Plates

2009-04-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

Before delving any further into the subject of habits, I am compelled to ponder the fine art of spinning plates. Wikipedia defines plate spinning as "a circus manipulation art where a person spins plates, bowls and other flat objects on poles, without them falling off. Plate spinning relies on the gyroscopic effect, in the same way a top stays upright while spinning." It also states that the unbroken world record for spinning plates was 108 simultaneously spinning plates. Pretty impressive, if you ask me.

Well I, along with throngs of mothers world wide, would like to challenge that world record. In fact, we DO challenge that world record every single day. And I would like to state that there is no gyroscopic effect that keeps my plates spinning. If I don't spin them myself, they come crashing to the ground.

When considering habits, there are hoards of habits I would like to develop and hoards more that I would like to get rid of. I would like to habitually bake my own bread, cloth diaper the baby, visit my family, line dry my clothes, prepare nourishing meals, grow a spectacular garden, raise a thriving flock of chickens, play the piano, keep in touch with friends, sew to wear and sell, keep my floors spotless, pack lunches for my husband, train children flawlessly, make yogurt and kefir, educate The Fabulous Four in the 3R's as well as geography, history, science, a second language, music, social studies, and art, volunteer at the homeless shelter, attend a bible study, take nature walks with the children, bake, drink 64 oz. of water a day, read, pray for Craig, launder for a family of six, dust, exercise, groom the dogs, grow beautiful flower beds, knit, take my vitamins, pray for my children's future spouses, read God's Word, clean the bathroom, have tea parties with my daughters, listen to praise music, water my houseplants, visit the elderly neighbors, take the dogs for a walk, .....

Okay, okay, do you get my point? My list of appealing habits is endless but my ability to spin countless plates isn't. The truth of the matter is I only have 24 hours in my day and I can only spin so many plates simultaneously. So when considering the habits I would really like to develop and/or maintain, I need some direction. Otherwise, my plates will come crashing down in an overwhelming heap before I even get started.

Ready for some encouragement? Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with my eye". Oh wonderful!!!!! That is exactly what I desperately need when considering my habits. So before I fashion my own lofty list of habits I want to develop, before I go tossing spinning plates up into the air, I need to come before the very One who knows how many hairs are on my head and simply ask, "Lord, what habits would YOU like to develop in me?" In Psalm 32:8 lies a promise: God will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go. And by the way, did you know that the word "eye" in Hebrew is translated "presence". God is so good!

I know I'm getting a bit long-winded, but if you are pondering your habits along with me, would you join me in asking the Lord to show us what habits He would like to develop in us, instead of us just willy nilly pulling desirable habits out of a hat? If we seek His direction first, I am most certain that the plates we do spin, the habits that will become our character, will do much more than get the laundry done. I believe they will bring glory to God!!!

Genetic Ingenuity

2009-04-03T21:54:00.000-07:00

In the midst of remodeling mayhem, we discover genetic ingenuity.

P.S. Do YOU see those sweet toes peeking out from underneath that dress? Yep, down right delicious:).

Book-Reading Habit

2009-04-03T21:07:00.000-07:00

"There is no finer mental training that can be done than to teach the child the reading habit, a good intelligent book-reading habit.""The books may be few, but they can be chosen, and be choice."
"To teach a child to read a book thoughtfully is one of the greatest services that can be rendered."

"The thoughtful mastering of one good book will frequently train and transform the whole life."

"And, more, it fixes the reading habit which makes all books your helpers and servants."

~Quotes taken from one of my very favorite books, "Quiet Talks on Home Ideals", by S.D. Gordon.

Nails

2009-03-31T23:01:00.000-07:00

The first step to remodeling our kitchen was demolition. We stripped the kitchen of its cupboards and its dry-wall-like material. This brought about many encounters with nails, lots of nails. Big, strong nails that required strength and power to remove. Tiny nails that came out all too easily. Rusted nails that were once mighty but weakened when compromised by the elements. Misguided nails that, due to their off-course ventures, became impossible to remove and had to be either pounded further in until they were absorbed by the wood surrounding it or permanently cut off so as to appear as if it never existed.

The next step was rebuilding, which also brought about many encounters with nails. Many a man can attest to the fact that nails do not go in on their own. They must be repetitively pounded until they have found their rightful place between the grains of the wood. They provide such strength and structure. So much so that without them, the crafted would crumble.

Desiderius Erasmus, a Catholic Christian theologian from the 1400's said, "A nail is driven out by another nail. Habit is overcome by habit." I would agree with him and would add that a nail is much like a habit in many ways. They are driven into place by repetition, they provide structure to the created thing and the strongest ones also require the most power to remove.

As I gear up to sort out some habits (like the chaff from the wheat), this visual of the nail is worth holding on to.

Character and The Second Law of Thermodynamics

2009-03-31T07:07:00.000-07:00

I say that habit's but a long practice, friend, and this becomes men's nature in the end.

~Aristotle

Our character is basically a composite of our habits. Because they are consistent, often unconscious patterns, they constantly, daily, express our character.

~Stephen Covey, Author of "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People"

Sow a thought, and you reap an act;

Sow an act, and you reap a habit;

Sow a habit, and you reap a character;

Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.

~Charles Reade, 1814-1884, English Writer

It is no small wonder that the Lord is pressing His thumb down firm on the pressure point called "Habit". A habit "becomes men's nature in the end". My character is "bascially a composite of" my habits and constantly express my character. "Sow a habit, and you reap a character". In other words, its not that I am what I eat, but that I am what I habitually do. Much conviction lies here.

I have been thinking about physics lately, a subject I try, almost at all costs, to avoid thinking about! Specifically, I have been thinking about The Second Law of Thermodynamics, which, in my words, states that things left to themselves will increase in entropy, or disorder. Habits, my habits, have not found themselves immune to this law. As I have become busier and busier, and have not been very intentional about my habits, many of them have succombed to that Second Law of Thermodynamics. I do believe this is why the Lord has seen fit to love me enough to press hard on that pressure point and for that, I am so thankful!

Now, I know the Lord is gracious, and that second rock in my dryer, the one I will blog on very soon, also come into play here. If you have any thoughts about habits, any thoughts at all, I would love to hear from you. How has the Lord helped you to develop good habits?

Lastly, I'll leave you with another photo! Impressive, huh?

Rocks, Gongs, and Habits

2009-03-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

The subject of habits has been knocking around in my head more like a resounding gong than a mere rock in the dryer lately. Actually, the time frame "lately" isn't very accurate! It's been months that God has been flashing this word across the billboard of my life.

Habit, according to Webster's 1828 dictionary is "A disposition or condition of the mind or body acquired by custom or a frequent repetition of the same act. Habit is that which is held or retained, the effect of custom or frequent repetition. Hence we speak of good habits and bad habits."

Isn't the framework of life really built with such a material as habit? We function according to our habits, both the good and the bad, and when we respond to others, it is usually their habits that we are responding to.

As a parent, I center much of my time around the building up of good habits and the breaking down of bad habits. As a home-manager, my day is dictated by my habits, both the virtuous habits and the unfavorable ones. As a follower of Christ, much of my fruit is displayed in my habits.

I have been increasingly convicted of my habits lately. I see the gravitational pull they seem to have on not just myself but also my husband and my children. I feel the heat of the Refiner's Fire (Malachi 3: 2,3), as if He's piled more wood on and stoked it up good. A little intimidating? Yes! But I'm excited to see what the Potter (Isaiah 64:8) can do with this vessel of mercy (Romans 9:22-24). I hope you won't mind if I share a few travel notes from this journey I am finally ready to begin!

Finally, the other rock in my dryer of late has to do with this:

But lunch preparation is calling! More to come:)

My Fabulous Four

2009-03-27T16:49:00.000-07:00

If you've seen KungFu Panda, you're familiar with The Furious Five. Well, The Furious Five have got nothin' on my Fabulous Four!!!! Love 'em, from the tops of their heads to the tips of their toes, each one of 'em! Could eat 'em right up, I really could. And could someone please tell me how to stop Noah from getting so big and old?!?!?! For cryin' in a bucket, it's getting ridiculous! I simply cannot be old enough to have a child who looks so.....OLD!!!! Sheesh!!!!!!

P.S. Like that police car in the background? Either testament to the crime rate in our town or proof that we have great law enforcement. Just depends on whether you're a pessimist or an optimist, I guess!!!!

You're All That!

2009-03-24T09:03:00.001-07:00

How would you feel if your husband came home from work today, wrapped you up in his arms and genuinely and sincerely whispered into your ear that he truly believed you were the mother of all mothers, the wife of all wives, the woman of all women? Would you not grow weak in the knees a bit? Would your heart not swell with his adoration of you? Just imagine if your husband really thought you were all that?!?!

Yesterday morning I was taking a shower (I'm tellin' ya! That's when God always seems to speak the loudest! Maybe because that's when it's the quietest!), and I was 'praying', if that's what you'd like to call it. Just sending up simple thank you's, unflowery "I love You, Lord"s, and unlofty "You are so good, God"s. The phrase "King of kings; Lord of lords" popped into my head and immediately after, that still small voice. "In all of history, there have been 100's of thousands of kings, both literal kings and figurative kings (surely YOU have put something on the throne of YOUR heart a time or two). And there have been just as many, if not more, lords, again both literal and figurative (as I have placed things on the throne of my heart, I have also served unworthy lords, usually titled "Lord Self"). But of all the kings and all the lords of the world, both past, present, and future, some good, some grand, some wretchedly evil, NONE compare to Me." You know when your spirit nods it's head in agreement? Mine was nodding vigorously at this point! He really is King of all kings and Lord of all lords. The kindest of kings, the wisest of lords, they just cannot even compare to Him.
When I say, from my heart, that phrase to the Lord, "You are King of kings and Lord of lords", it does not come to Him as some Christian cliche, some phrase from a worn out worship song. It comes to Him just as if Craig were to come home to me and tell me that in all the world, in all of history, he could not find a wife/mother/woman like me. When I adore the Lord with such words, "You are King of kings and Lord of lords", His royal heart swells with my love and reverence and praise. Duh! Why haven't I realized that before!!!!
Well, Lord, You really are King of kings and Lord of lords! With all my heart, I really know that You are all that....and more!

P.S. Someday, in my spare time (hee hee), I'm going to write a book, a collection of all the insights God gives me in the shower. I'm going to title the book, "Water-Soaked Epiphanies". Want a signed copy? :)

Everything but the Kitchen Sink

2009-03-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

When your kitchen sink is here: You must take your kitchen duties to other corners of the house.
Any one wanna come over for dinner? If so, you're on dish duty!!!!

P.S. The kitchen sink is actually in place now but you don't get to see those pictures until it's all done!!! Hee hee hee:)

Rainy Day Dance

2009-03-21T14:38:00.000-07:00

Happy #7, Kaleb!!!

2009-03-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

On March 20, 2002, a beautiful little boy was born...

His momma kissed his soft little cheeks and fell in love...

And his daddy wipped smitten tears from his eyes...

And then they blinked:

Happy Birthday, Kaleb! I have never been so thankful to celebrate a birthday in my entire life. Son, I love you more than you'll ever know. May the Lord BLESS this next year of your life with His love, grace, and mercy! May He keep you healthy and strong! May He use your life for HIS glory! With so much love....

A Lesson on Faith from the Paris Dakar

2009-03-07T21:03:00.000-08:00

So my husband was showing the boys video clips of the Paris Dakar this morning. For those who don't know what that is, as I didn't, it is an off-road automobile endurance race where drivers put the pedal to the metal in the middle of barren deserts and the such. I was watching over boy shoulders at these crazy people bouncing their rally cars over dunes and deserts, canyons and crevices at speeds that would absolutely cause me to die right there in my seat. One of the clips showed the inside of the rally car as it was racing and I noticed not just the driver but also a passenger, being whipped and bounced about inside the vehicle. "Why do they have a passenger?" I asked Craig. "He gives the driver directions. He is giving him directions the entire time, telling him when there's a turn, which way the turn is, even what degree the turn is.". Wow! "Really?" I asked. "Boy, you'd sure have to trust your co-pilot!"

And isn't it just like that with God? There He sits, on His heavenly throne and yet right at our side, too. In His infinite wisdom, He's guiding us constantly,directing us to turn here, stay on course there, warning us of danger ahead. But what good is His guiding if we don't trust Him enough to follow His directions? What good is the co-pilot if the driver doesn't trust him enough to turn when he says turn, stay straight when he says stay straight, etc.?

Hmmmm... A new word picture for faith. You know how I love word pictures (smile)!!!

In Sickness and in Health

2009-03-06T15:45:00.000-08:00

In Sickness...

And in Health...

Sarah Gracie Goo is feeling much better these days! I tell ya, this girl's a hoot. Ornery as all get out and sweet as a Georgia peach, all wrapped up in one half-pint sized body.

The Housewife

2009-03-03T22:50:00.000-08:00

"It is my belief that the housewife makes the home,
...and the home makes the nation"
~Mrs. Caroline Dunwoody
Mrs. Dunwoody's Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping

I Hope You Dance

2009-03-03T14:00:00.000-08:00

"I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean..."

"Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance..."

"And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance...
I hope you dance"

(Lyrics from "I Hope You Dance", by Lee Ann Womack)

Another Miscellaneous Post

2009-03-01T21:22:00.000-08:00

Are you all familiar with Pandora? Our computer is our media center so this online radio station(s) is right up our alley. Just plug in your favorite artist and they create a play list for you with that artist as well as others like him/her/them. Wonderful!!!

Yesterday I participated in my first ever bazaar, of sorts. A community-wide baby shower sponsored by our local hospital, I offered slings and hooded bath towels and clothespin aprons (renamed "Momma Apron" in honor of the event) at my booth. It was fun but the day was spent counting the minutes until I could get back to my feverish little Sarah. My mom and dad held her close while I was gone, which I was so grateful for, but really, I could not breath easy until it was my arms holding her. Life's timing is interesting, isn't it?

Last night, while rocking my wee one, I watched the documentary, "A Walk to Beautiful". You can watch it instantly on Netflix. Here is the summary from Netflix: "In Ethiopia, a country with few hospitals and even fewer roads that lead to them, five women are on a journey to rebuild their lives after suffering devastating losses in childbirth. When the women survive but their babies do not, they are summarily shunned by their families. Now, they must make their way to a hospital in Addis Ababa, where they hope to receive treatment for fistula, a condition caused by obstructed labor during childbirth." It lasts less than an hour and was well worth my time, as an ignorant American woman surrounded by so many obstetric and gynecological options it isn't even funny.

This week continues the kitchen remodel, with drills and jigsaws becoming neighbors with pots and pans. Our kitchen sink is visiting in the living room, some lower kitchen cupboards greet us at the foot of our bed in the morning and dishes are done in the bathtub, with two little girls delighted to assist in their cleansing. Remodeling anything in a small house is an adventure!!! I'm so grateful for a husband so willing and able! He continues to blame it all on Thelma (yes, I named her!!!! Of course! Anyone who knows me will not be surprised at all. Those who are surprised ought to get to know me a bit better!!!!), though I know this remodel has been in the works in the back rooms of his mind for quite some time. While he works hard, I will continue to be adaptable and grateful and will find my crock pot even more handy than before! I'd post pictures except that I am too lazy this evening! Soon....

Hope all is well for each of you! God is good and He loves you so very much! I hope you KNOW that; really, really know that.

20,000

2009-02-23T19:20:00.000-08:00

I have but a minute. However...
Word has it that women use about 20,000 words a day. How would our day as wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends be different if we managed our 20,000 words as if they were $20,000 instead? How would we invest them and spend them and save them if they were 20,000 dollar bills instead of 20,000 groups of letters pouring forth from our lips? For don't our words have the potential to have a greater impact on eternity than $20,000 ever could?

Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Matthew 12:37,38
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Sure has me thinkin'!

He's Reading!!!!!!

2009-02-13T21:57:00.000-08:00

It happened!!!! The switch flipped and Kaleb is reading! Like, really and truly reading!!!!!! I backed off, slowed down and lightened up on the outside while I sweated bullets on the inside (because backing off, slowing down and lightening up SO goes against the norm). And it happened! Almost overnight!!!! Suddenly he was reading the first page of Snipp, Snapp, Snurr and the Red Shoes. Then the first few sentences from Psalm 13. And now, just now, he came out of his bedroom, where he is supposed to be sleeping, Bible in hand and a huge grin on his face and said, "Mom, listen to this: "In the beginning God created the sky and the earth. The earth was empty and had no form..." His voice trails off as he looks at me with those gigantically huge blue eyes, toothless grin seeking my praise. "Wow, Kaleb!!! That's terrific, Son!" I say, fighting those foolish motherly tears that crop up so unannounced! "I'm going to start in Genesis 1, Mom, and then I'll read right into Genesis 2!!!" Enthusiasm and an awed sense of accomplishment encapsulates each word. It happened. Just as my mom said it would and just as those veteran homeschool moms said it would and just as my heart said it would. He's reading...and loving it!!!!!!!!!

A Bit of This and That

2009-02-12T14:17:00.001-08:00

Things have been unseasonably (or rather, unreasonably!!!) busy lately. We had a bout of sickness plow through, hitting little Sarah the hardest. We're on the tail end of that, praise the Lord. Yesterday began the remodeling of the kitchen (it's the stove's fault, I tell ya!!!) so the busy-ness appears to refuse to relent, however self-induced it may be. Nonetheless, I am not too prideful to admit that I've longed for a few Calgon moments lately! If you find any up for grabs, would you mind sending them my way? Thanks!

A ballerina? A knight? Your guess is as good as mine!

I absolutely love the old timer on my stove. Love it!!!

This is what 50 years of grease looks like!

Two peas in a pod; er, basket!

In other news, I recently discovered Libera, a boys' choir from South London. In truth, perhaps it was a God-ordained Calgon moment for me when I stumbled upon them playing on the radio late one night driving home from Mom and Dad's. Oh, how their music soothes and melts. Just thought I'd share!

Also had a moment to take a Toothbrush Rug class with my mom. It was so fun and felt fabulous to learn and create. I'll have to post a picture of my 'trivet' when I get a moment!

AND...when I fall to my nightly resting place, it has been with Cheaper by the Dozen, bound in an old library spine, that lulls me to sleep. What a terrifically humorous and delightful read! Just what I've needed lately!

Okay, back to laundry and school and kitchen cabinets and dinner prep and .....

A Sequential Event

2009-01-30T15:34:00.001-08:00

With bliss and excitement, Hannah relishes in the moment...

Only an ounce of concern as the count down begins...

Actually, that hurt!!!

But it's all better now...

Beautiful pink daisies, beautiful little ears, beautiful girl...

My New Possession

2009-01-24T11:46:00.001-08:00

I am so very, very elated to be the new owner of this old stove!!! After hunting, researching, and drooling over a plethora of pictures of various vintage stoves, I found this one on craigslist.My very sweet husband, my amazingly tolerant children and I tumbled out of the house at 5:30 this morning to travel north and scope this thing out! I offered the previous owner $150.00 and did a little jig as as it was loaded up in our truck. SIX, count them, SIX burners, three of which are large!!!!! And two, yes I said TWO ovens!!! Could I be more tickled pink? I sometimes think I was born in the wrong era. Honestly, if someone gave me $5,000.00 to spend on any stove I wanted, I would have chosen one just like this! Sometimes it just doesn't take much to make a girl happy. Know what I mean?

Pee on a Heater Bean Soup

2009-01-23T07:57:00.000-08:00

So lately we've had some unpleasant experiences with children and poo-poo. This provides somewhat of a disclaimer for the event I'm about to recant for you. Yesterday, Craig and I and the children ran some errands in the morning. Before we left, I had put a pot of beans on to simmer and soften. Upon returning from our morning errands, Craig opened the front door with his four little ducks trailing right behind him. He suddenly stopped and announced with fear and trembling that something smelled awful and that the children should stay right there while he went and investigated. He said that it either smelled like one of the dogs had pooed in the house or that someone had peed on a heater (I'm not sure where that one came from! How often does someone pee on a heater in YOUR house?!?!). As I entered the house behind him, listening to his proclamations of stinkiness, I realized what it was he was smelling! "Craig,", I announced, "what you are smelling is your dinner! Yes, that smell that smells like dog poop or pee on a heater is your dinner!". What a compliment, huh? Craig laughed so hard I thought he was going to stop breathing and for dinner last night, we had "Pee on a Heater Bean Soup" or if you'd rather, "Dog Poop Soup". I bet you're sad you missed it!
P.S. Craig would like me to add that the soup was very good (I do believe this is his attempt to dig himself out of a hole)!

Busy and Blessed

2009-01-09T21:14:00.000-08:00

We've been busy......

Celebrating Birthdays
Snuggling Christmas-clad Beauties...

Drawing Out the Surprise...

Revealing...

And Wiping Thankful Tears...

Noticing Winter's Wonder...

Donning Hats of All Kinds...

Enjoying Warm Baths...

Harassing the Wildlife...

Getting Up Close and Personal with the Pine Siskins...

Seeking Forgiveness for Harassing the Wildlife...

And watching Cinderella Read "Snipp, Snapp and Snurr"...

Falling back into the post-holiday routine, settling into a new shift with Craig's work, and continuing to pray for complete healing for my mother.

Busy and Blessed

A Mother Report

2008-12-31T07:30:00.000-08:00

Thank you so very much to each one who prayed for my dear mother. The surgery on Monday morning went really well. However, in preparing her for surgery (which included being intubated) they were required to put her very arthritic neck in positions known to cause her intense headaches. Following surgery, she struggled so very much with an awful headache that, despite the wealth of narcotics available, would not relent. It is NEVER fun nor easy to watch someone you love so much struggle with pain like that. Thankfully, the headache has fallen to a more manageable level now and she is home! My wonderful, wonderful, wonderful husband (have I mentioned how WONDERFUL my husband is?) is tending the home front so that I can be with my mom, serving and tending to her as she has to me so very many times. I would never wish ill for my mom but it's such a gift to get to return just a drop in the bucket of love and care that she has poured out on me.

Craig sent a text message to me yesterday that simply stated: "We are playing Cinderella. I'm the stepmother...". See, he really is wonderful!!!!!!!

Thank you again for your prayers. Such a blessing they are!

My Mother

2008-12-28T14:43:00.000-08:00

My sweet mother is going in for surgery tomorrow morning to repair a herniated disc in her back. I would covet your prayers! She especially is anxious about any nausea associated with the anesthetics (and the repercussions of that!) as well as the typical worries that go along with any sort of surgery. Please pray for this lovely momma of mine. Thank you so very much!

Wrinkled Faith

2008-12-26T23:00:00.000-08:00

Spiders, snakes, roller coasters, the dark, needles, heights, enclosed places, the dentist, and the list goes on. These are just a few things that people fear. Things that make the adrenal system kick in to gear. Things that nightmares are made of. I've been thinking about one of my fears lately. DEATH. I am afraid of death. I can remember being afraid of death even as a small child, just being terrified that the Lord would take my momma home. Then I grew up. And the Lord allowed me to keep my momma, as well as a my dad. But He added to my stash of potential losses: a man, two sons, and two daughters. More fear. And then He took my Grandma home to her mansion in Heaven. The reality of death stung. It's permanence was as hot as a branding iron and left its mark, too. Oh, I know she went to Heaven, and I know I will be with her, and all other believers, in Gloryland someday. But it still stung. Other people's death-stings made their way to me: husbands losing wives, wives losing husbands, little children losing mommas, mommas losing their babies. And fear's grip gets tighter. When will my shoe drop? When will death sting me, paralyze me, take my breath away? Normally an optimistic personality (Craig and my mother nicknamed me Pollyanna, for Pete's sake!), this fear is a bump in the road that I struggle to get over. I know in my head that God will take care of me, that He will not allow me to walk a road I am unable to walk, that no valley can swallow me from His loving care, that I am not to worry about tomorrow, that all things work together for good. I know that I would breath again. Still, death scares the ever livin' tar out of me!

One of the many wrinkles in my faith. A deficiency in my knowledge of Christ's sufficiency. He presses His mighty thumb on this pressure point. My pulse honestly quickens. I ask Him to help me have faith for that road without having to walk it. I hope He will oblige. For how do you hold losely those very ones who hold your heart?

He promises to finish the good work He has started in me and that's good because this fear is proof that I remain under construction.

Room

2008-12-23T21:40:00.000-08:00

As I was preparing the girls for bedtime tonight, I heard Hannah softly singing, "Joy to the World". I began to sing along with her, the words to the beautiful carol blending in with her sweet mispronuciations. Those words were like well-prescribed medicine to my busy-ness infected soul.

"Let every heart

Prepare Him room..."

When His mother and father sought a place for His birth, there were no rooms to be found. But God had prepared His birth place long before Bethlehem even made it on the map. And so He longs to do in my heart. He longs to prepare a place for Jesus' LIFE.
May our hearts have room for the King.

Merry, merry Christmas...

Born First

2008-12-19T20:47:00.000-08:00

Nine years ago right now, I was snuggled in bed, having just birthed the one born first. He opened my womb, this 10 lb son, and I became both teacher and student.

God chose this one to be born first. God knew just what He was doing. Tender heart, strong will, inquisitive mind. God's classroom wrapped up in blonde hair and blue eyes.A baby boy...for just a moment. Just a breath and he's running, talking, wondering...His strengths, his weaknesses, his bents, his passions, his victories, his failures....they mold me as I mold him. This one, born first. Born before brother and sisters. God's choice, God's order.

Boyhood, stand still! Please! Slow your pace, don't rush, don't usher him away. Let him linger here, in this place, but just for a moment longer. This mother's heart wishes for just a moment more.

He's 9. Today he is 9. Born first.

Wintertime Birds

2008-12-19T13:21:00.000-08:00

The birds may not know that it's Christmas

But YOU do- and that's a good thing.

So be very nice to wintertime birds,

And on Christmas they'll bless you and sing!

~Holly Hobbie

Snow Day Joy

2008-12-19T12:25:00.000-08:00

The Memory Lane called Christmas Tree

2008-12-14T06:06:00.000-08:00

The ornaments on our Christmas tree are like a walk down memory lane. When both Craig and I were growing up, our mothers each gave us an ornament every Christmas from babyhood on up. When we began having children, they both continued the tradition for Noah, Kaleb, Hannah and Sarah. I invite you to join me for a short jaunt down my memory lane!

For Hannah, who loved horses in 2007

For Kaleb's first Christmas in 2002

A four year old Cubbie Bear

For Noah, who has loved turtles since he was three

One of Craig's treasures from childhood:)

A new ornament this year, engineered by Kaleb

Given to Craig by his mom and dad in 1976

I don't know when I received this ornament but I can't remember ever NOT having it on our Christmas tree

Given to Craig on the Christmas after Hannah was born

Like his father, my husband is an aircraft mechanic. This plane was from his childhood

There are SO many more! A pregnant momma, a princess crown, a rocking horse with the year "1978" on it, a boat engine, a pair of skis, a blown chicken egg from Mrs. Chicken with "1984" painted on it, a few Noah's Arks, a Snoopy dog, a corn husk mouse with a red checkered dress that I have had since I was little tiny, and the list goes on and on! Can you imagine how fun it is to decorate the tree every year, not just for me, but now also for my children as they remember receiving the different ornaments and why?

Synonyms

2008-12-12T12:16:00.001-08:00

Sweet Baby Asleep

Sweet Baby Awake

(but just barely)

Want to Win an Ergo?!?!?

2008-12-12T07:04:00.001-08:00

I don't usually pass along contests. Afterall, if I pass it along to you and you enter, it reduces my chances of winning, you know!!!! But because I am such a HUGE fan of The Ergo, I'll pass this one along! Go to this link for your chance to win!

The Reflection of the Heart

2008-12-11T05:53:00.000-08:00

The other day, while shopping with the Fabulous Four, I received one of the nicest compliments I've ever been given. An older lady stopped me at my car as I was loading groceries and little ones and asked if I was 'the lady with all the children' (I really don't think four children qualifies for 'all the children' statements, but alas, I digress) that just came out of Fred Meyer. I admitted to coming out of the store with my children and she said, "I was watching you with your gang and you just have the most peaceful countenance". I tried to deflect the compliment (why do we do that? Why can't we just say, "Thank you") and she responded by saying, "I don't know. You just look like you LOVE your children!" By then, I was about in tears, not just because of her nice, encouraging words to me, but also because I was terribly humbled. You see, just that morning, one of my children was behaving in a far less virtuous manner than how said child had been raised to behave. I do believe in my dealings with this particular child, I looked more like this:
and less like the mother with the peaceful countenance that just "looked like she loved her children". Now I don't expect to be smiling every second of every day, especially when behaviours and misbehaviours must be dealt with. But such a compliment encouraged me to consider who I set my best foot forward for. I'm glad that nice lady could tell that I love my children. But do you know who I want that to be REALLY apparent to? My children and my husband and the Lord who gifted them to me! Her compliment, as nice as it was, presented a challenge to me, one I notice the Lord refreshing quite often. I know our countenance reflects our heart. What do my children see reflected there? Just something to think about!
As a bit of a side note, usually when we are in the grocery store, I will have Sarah in the Ergo, Hannah in the seat of the cart and both boys at my sides. I'm sure we look like an entourage. The comment I get most often is "Boy, you sure have your hands full". It is usually said in passing and thus I rarely have time to let the commenter know that I am so thankful for full hands, that the fillers of my hands are some of the greatest blessings I have ever had bestowed on me!!! Instead, I have begun to say, "Yes, it keeps me from those soap operas and bon-bons"! Hee hee:)

Oh, Christmas Tree...

2008-12-11T05:14:00.000-08:00

Our Sarah Grace has found the ornaments on the tree nearly irresistible, which has provided many... shall I say "Training Opportunities". Yesterday I was feeling pretty good about the progress I had made with her. She was doing a fine job of standing at the tree and gazing longingly, with her hands at her side rather than man-handling every single ornament! However, my feelings of pride didn't last long as I watched the wheels in her little mind begin to turn. Uh oh! She carefully and deliberately lifted one foot (which is hard to do when you're a mere 17 months old) and touched it gingerly to an ornament. It's true: where there's a will, there's a way!!!!

"Oh Christmas Tree, oh Christmas Tree...

You provide some many Training Opportunities"

Caption, Anyone?

2008-12-06T14:31:00.000-08:00

This picture is crying out for a caption!!! Any suggestions?

Birth Language

2008-12-06T14:21:00.001-08:00

I have always marveled at the birth process. The births of my own four children, as well as the numerous births I have had the honor and privilege of attending, have been some of the most beautiful, joyous moments of my life thus far. My husband, on the other hand, loves to refer to birth with somewhat colorful terms. It is, then, his fault that my sweet, feminine daughter came to me last night, with a lump underneath her shirt in the shape of her doll, and said, in a gentle, quiet voice, "Mommy, I am pumping out a baby. See, here I go!"....silence, as she quietly works through what I presume to be her last and final contraction...."There, Mommy! I pumped out another baby!!!" Do you see me rolling my eyes in my husband's general direction?!?!?

The Family Ecosystem

2008-12-04T07:18:00.000-08:00

Have you ever noticed that your home life, your family and it's members, have their own unique ecosystem. Its like this fine balance, perhaps a bit of a pecking order. The last couple of days, Noah has been hunting with Craig, gone from o'dark thirty (as they describe it) until dinner's on the table. Noah's absence has made me keenly aware of our ecosystem. While he was gone, I noticed Kaleb proudly shouldering more responsibility. At one point, after bringing the garbage cans up from the street, he asked me, "Mom, when Dad's gone AND Noah's gone, am I the man of the house?" I looked down into a face of hopeful wonder, a 6 1/2 year old wanting very much to be crowned King for a moment. "Oh, you most definitely are! Mommas and sisters need a man of the house and when Daddy and Noah are gone, you're it, Buddy!" His chest puffed out a bit, I'm almost certain, and his gait gained a bit of a strut as he walked purposefully away. I also noticed that he and Hannah became inseparable, playing lots of imaginary games (something Noah has never been interested in!). Kaleb took Hannah right under his wing, welcoming any chance to assist her. Now that Noah is back, I do believe Hannah is going to miss the attention she received from her Kaleb! Of course, Hannah's companionship, though enjoyed by Kaleb, was missed by Sarah then. And the shift continued. It's all very interesting to me!

A 'Huntin' We Will Go

2008-12-01T07:37:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time, there was a hunter. He had not one...

Not two...

But three hunting assitants. (Actually, he had a fourth assistant strapped to the back of the hunter's lovely photographer, doing her best impression of an elk call)

Though his assitants, with their semi-quiet whispers and far from quiet rubber boots may not have assisted anything but the hunter's prey, they made a delightful group.

Uh oh! We've lost an assitant to the allure of a mudpuddle!

She has been caught and reprimended. Can't you tell?

"Do Not be Moved Away..."

2008-12-01T07:06:00.000-08:00

I've been pondering the arising busy-ness that this time of year offers. Not only pondering it, but strategizing how to resist it as well. Longing to savor the gift of a Babe, the victory not just of the cross but of the manger, and the journey, MY journey, that began at Bethlehem. And then my eyes stumble across this verse by morning's light: "...and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven..." (Col. 1:23b). That's what busy-ness threatens to do! It threatens, tempts, beckons me to be 'moved away from the hope of the gospel', to be moved away from the awestruck wonder of a manger-birthed, vernix-coated Savior of the World. He came by His choosing and His birth was the world's greatest sermon, preached to every creature. Oh, how I long to savor the incredible mystery of it all, even in the midst of sparkling lights and evergreen trees and festive events.

Adventures on a Horse Farm

2008-11-26T10:27:00.000-08:00

We enjoyed a beautiful fall afternoon visiting some friends of my dear momma's. There were barns to explore and horses to ride, sunshine to stroll in and fresh air to breath. This all made for some very happy children as well a delighted mother and grandmother.