my prayer for today

As Summer ends, and Autumn begins, we are busy.

Busy with Ballet, and Cub Scouts, and Nutcracker rehearsal, and rigorous school work, and more responsibility, out of town guests, and training...and the list goes on.

Add to the list of busyness: finding a Church Home...

The stress of it all, is sitting heavily on my shoulders. I'm fatigued and moody and boring.

Today, I am trying to focus on what is important.

God is important.
So prayer is important, and time spent reading the Bible is important...Family Worship is important.

My Husband is important.
So communicating (not just talking), and understanding (because we are so different), and helping him is important (because we're in this together).

The Children are important.
So Mothering: eye contact, listening, touching are important. Their growing Faith is important, their Hearts are important, their Education is important. Having fun (making Memories) is important.

Home is important.
So keeping Home is important. Tidiness is important, so is being cozy and comfortable. Clean clothes are important (but not having ALL the laundry done each day). Good Food is important (but a Tuna Casserole never hurt anyone, ). Sweep the floor. Light a candle. Smile.

I pray that God gives me the energy to follow this Order of Things, and I will feel rested, and happy, and full of life.

Amen.

daybook, september 7th

Outside my Window...a little warmer than I would like, and overcast


What We're Learning...relationship is more important than academics. Specifically, our relationship with God


I am thankful for...my Dad's surgery going well


From the kitchen...traditional Back to School meals: coffee cake for breakfast, chili for dinner


I am wearing...black capris, Reds tee, black and white flip-flops, and a pen in my hair (back to school, indeed)


I am reading...gracious...more like what am I not reading...Hosea, Redeeming Love, Mission of Motherhood, Wheelock's Latin guide, The Long Winter, ... ... ...


I am praying...that my Dad's surgical pain goes away very soon


I am creating...lesson plans, they make my military-minded hubby happy. Me...not so much...


I am hearing...Judah crying, he just woke up from his nap, and is still getting used to his scary crib :( ...Sissy saved him, they are now Rocking...


I am remembering...(trying to remember) to lower my voice to a whisper instead of yelling...have I mentioned I'm very forgetful?


I am going...probably nowhere this week...Brian has Battle Assembly this weekend, I'm trying to decide whether to go to church without him Sunday or not...


On my mind...my Dad, dinner, puffy toddler eyes due to forgetful Momma forgetting allergy meds last night, my nephew (first day of first grade = all day school = scary for his Momma = worried Aunt)


Noticing that...Quiet Time is the shortest part of our day...


One of my favorite things...listening to my kids narrate our Bible and History Lessons, and hearing, "Just one more chapter Mom...pleeeaaase," when I read Little House to them


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...school, chores, following a schedule/routine, ballet, first Nutcracker rehearsals, Battle Assembly, maybe church

children's book monday: a tree is nice

A Tree Is Nice

By Janice May Udry

Pictures By Mark Simont

 

This week, we are continuing our 26 reviews of the Literature selections from TJ's Kindergarten Curriculum.

:: This week we will study "Ll", Leaf, I will live and grow in Jesus ::

First of all, you should read this book outside, either under or in a tree. Because trees are very nice. They make the woods. Their leaves whisper in the breeze all summer, and come down to play with you in fall. You can play pirate ship in trees, and pick apples from trees. You can hang a swing from a tree. Cows and babies can nap in the shade of trees. You can also plant a tree, watch it grow (after you put the shovel back in the garage) for years, and tell people , "I planted that tree."

This is a simply written and illustrated Caldecott Medal Book, perfect for 5 year olds. It introduces children to the beauty of nature, which they see everyday, but may not have noticed just yet.

We are just beginning our "Ll" study this week, but I remember reading this book to the boys, back when Connor was doing K. They got quite a kick out of some of the illustrations...the children "playing pirate" in the tree was a favorite, *AND* one of the last pages, when the "dog's tiny, little tree" doesn't do a very good job of protecting the "doghouse roof" from blowing off during a windstorm, made them laugh out loud.

One of the suggested activities for A Tree Is Nice, is to have your Kindergartner illustrate his own version of the book (by their name, of course), to show a few different ways they think a tree is nice. This will give TJ something to really think about, and I'm excited to see what he comes up with. Maybe I'll add it to his Art Gallery later this week!

You can read all of my My Father's World Kindergarten Literature reviews here.

:: Happy Reading! ::

marking our home as God's

"You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." - Deuteronomy 6:9

My favorite chapter of Voddie Baucham's Family Driven Faith is Chapter 7, Mark The Home As God's Territory. In it, he talks about how a Christian family's home should look different from the homes of others. I want to share just a few things that we do in our own home, that set it apart from just any house. We'll break this down, just like the book does, with our 5 Senses:

SIGHT: What can we see in our homes, that mark them as God's?

We have Scripture all over our home. A great place to start with this, is with Watchwords. I don't have all of them hanging up right now, but I do have most of them framed in various rooms throughout our home. We have the same verse hanging in our Kitchen, that my Mother had hanging in her's. We have Jesus and His Disciples eating The Last Supper in our Dining Room, and we have God's Laws hanging in our Family Room. In our bedroom, hangs a Wedding Picture of our Marriage being Prayed over. And my favorite verse, Jeremiah 29:11 also hangs in our room. Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (the exact same picture that hung in the hallway when I was a child) hangs in the Hallway that leads to the Children's Rooms. The Golden Rule is framed and hanging in our School Room. And, I have long wanted to Write and Frame, "Come, follow Me, and I will make you Fishers of Men," and hang it in the Kid's Fishy Bathroom.

We have a Cross hanging.

I've felt heartsick for Jesus' parents looking at Destiny, and hope to hang it in my own home before long, and have meant to make this for our bathroom for months.

This is a sure way to mark our home's as God's. Your children and guests will remember your home as a place where they saw Jesus' face, or God's Word. I know, because I can still see Philippians 4:13, written in my Dad's handwriting, in a little photo cube sitting on his workbench out in his garage. I see and remember it, just like it was yesterday.

HEAR: What do we hear in our home's that mark them as God's?

We study the Hymns. We sing them, and play them. We read the Bible aloud to our Children, their Father and I both. We teach them the Bible Songs, and sing along with them, as we do the motions. KLOVE plays in our van. Audiobibles are the norm. And this is on my wishlist for my sweet babies.

This will mark our home's as God's as well. You'll know it and hear for yourself, when your children start to sing praises to Him while they're playing, doing chores, or finishing schoolwork.

TASTE AND SMELL: What meal can we prepare each Sunday, that when our Children smell and taste these foods years down the road, they will be reminded of the Lord's Day?

I recently switched from making Cinnamon Rolls to making Cinnamon Toast each Sunday for Breakfast. If ever there is a morning when I make these two meals on a whim, my younger children will ask me, "Is it a Church Day?"

We also have our Sunday Afternoon Barbeque each Sunday for Lunch.

TOUCH: What can we feel with our own hands that reminds us of God in our Homes?

I don't know about you, but when I've experienced a few "dark" times in my Walk With Jesus, and haven't been in The Word for a while, it always feels so nice to hold my own Bible in my hands. My Bible that I've had for years, that I've underlined, and bookmarked, and read to my Children, and desperately searched over.

All of our Children have their own Bible. I hope their's mean as much to them, as mine does to me. I see this a little each night, when we get ready for Family Worship, and they search out each other's Bibles, wanting only their own.

Which brings us to what Voddie Baucham calls a Multi-Sensory Expression of Faith, The Family Altar. Next week, I hope to share what we do for Family Worship.

children's book monday: little bear goes to the moon

Little Bear Goes to the Moon (from Little Bear)

By Else Holmelund Minarik

Pictures By Maurice Sendak.

 

This week, we are continuing our 26 reviews of the Literature selections from TJ's Kindergarten Curriculum.

 

:: We studied "Mm", Moon, We are the light of the world ::

 

In our book, Little Bear wants to fly to the moon. But Mother Bear explains that he is not a bird, and he cannot fly. Little Bear decides he will make a Space Helmet, and try anyway. He lands on the moon, which appears to be just like Earth. He wonders off to a house, that appears to be just like his house. He finds a lunch, that would be a great lunch for a little bear...Mother Bear is playing along at this point, and says, "My little bear did the same thing. He put on his space helmet and flew to Earth. So I guess you can have his lunch." But Little Bear hugs Mother Bear, and asks her to, "Stop fooling." So Mother Bear does (because children need reassurance that all is well), and tells him he may eat his lunch, and then have his nap (because children under age 6 need a nap).

 

I do not enjoy Sendak's illustration style (Where The Wild Things Are), but the story of Little Bear and his relationship with his Mother are so sweet, that I've been easily able to overlook the illustrations, and really fall in love with this series.

One of the Activities to go along with Little Bear Goes to the Moon, are for the Kindergartner to act out the story (Narration) wearing his newly constructed (foil) Space Helmet. We have not done this yet, but TJ is anxiously awaiting the fun!

To read all of my My Father's World Kindergarten Literature Selection reviews, click here.

 

:: Happy Reading! ::

daybook, august 3rd

Outside my Window...so very hot and humid...the Boys don't even want to go out and play

What We're Learning...just math, english, and spelling this week...and Kylie and Brian working on Omnibus I (Genesis and Chosen by God right now...Exodus and Till We Have Faces at the end of the week)

I am thankful for...the heads up and TJ's new allergy Rx, thanks Jennifer (if anyone has any experience giving their children Singulair...please let me know how it went)

From the kitchen...ohhh, I made Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti last night, and it was G-O-O-D!

I am wearing...OSU tee and black capri sweats and my Brighton flip-flops

I am reading...M.O.M, The Excellent Wife, the Book of John, and a Biography on Tasha Tudor

I am praying...for wellness for all my Rowdy Little Boys, for my Dad, and for my Grandma

I am creating...sweet memories of a loving home for my children

I am hearing...the fan upstairs...the AC is on 70, and it's still 76 up there...it's ruining naptime lately!

I am remembering...to stop and play more

I am going...nowhere...but that's OK with me

On my mind...my Mom, TJ's allergist appt, church, breastfeeding (it's World Breastfeeding Week)

Noticing that...when it's too hot, kids are grouchy

One of my favorite things...sharpie markers

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...we have no plans whatsoever, and Brian has Drill AGAIN this weekend, so we have no plans whatsoever for then either...

children's book monday: bear shadow

Bear Shadow

by Frank Asch

 

I thought I would spend the next 26 (schooling) weeks reviewing the Literature selection from TJ's Kindergarten Curriculum.

 

:: This week we studied letter "Ss", Sun, Jesus is the light of the world ::

Our Literature selection this week was Bear Shadow by Frank Asch. In our book, Bear tries to get rid of his shadow he finds while fishing. He tries running away, hiding, climbing, hammering, digging...which finally works, because it's noontime, and the sun is high in the sky (hence no shadow). And then Bear gets tired and is ready for nap (very good for Kindergartner's who so desperately STILL NEED THEIR NAP). But when Bear wakes up, there is Shadow again! So they make a deal...and while Bear is nodding his head (of course) Shadow is nodding his head too! They both go fishing again...and each of them catch a fish!

The illustrations are great for explaining and discussing shadows, and then you can go outside and do the easiest Science Experiment ever!

***We also read My Shadow by R.L. Stevenson out of our brand new version illustrated by Tasha Tudor!***

To read all of my My Father's World Kindergarten Literature Selection reviews, click here.

:: Happy Reading! ::

recipe for a military wife

Recipe for a Military Wife:

-1 C Patience

-2 T Elbow Grease

-1 lb. Courage

-1 C Tolerance

-Dash of Adventure

-Endless Prayer

-marinate frequently with salty tears and pour off excess fat (please)! Sprinkle ever so lightly with money, kneading dough WELL until payday. Season with international spices (or the kind from Arkansas). Bake for 20 years OR until done. Serve with pride.

I will soon be creating a Family Readiness Group for Brian's Unit. We currently have 30 of our soldiers overseas in Afghanistan, and no support network set up for their families. My heart goes out to them, and I intend on making things right. Please pray for me...being the Leader of anything is stepping waaay out of the box for me. And I need lots of time (that I don't have) in order for me to do this right.

daybook, june 30th

Outside my Window...an absolutely gorgeous day...85 and Sunny and very low humidity

What We're Learning...Shakespeare and Math

I am thankful for...good kids

From the kitchen...I made Ro*Tel's salsa recipe for lunch...sooo good, having Big Boy Platter for dinner...even better!

I am wearing...Brian's 391st EN Co tee, navy yoga pants, super messy hair, no makeup (and Rin took my picture)

I am reading...all I can about the FIC MOVEMENT

I am praying...my heart can handle July

I am creating...vacation plans

I am hearing...the dishwasher, the fan

I am remembering...to love

I am going...to take Kylie to Youth Group tonight

On my mind...Judah sleeping through the night last night

Noticing that...I'm not ready for Judah to sleep through the night

One of my favorite things...sharing a bed with my Love and our Babies

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...celebrating our Great Country's Birthday with my Soldier Husband and our Patriotic Kiddos

how to be a magic momma

. let them play outside in the rain

. melt Velveeta in the microwave and add salsa and serve it with warm-from-the-oven tortilla chips and give it to them for morning snack... "Where'd ya get this recipe Momma?" ... "Oh, the places I had to go to get this one Darlings" ...

. lay on the floor with them while they're playing with their choo choo trains, or littlest pet shops, or cars

. bake them brownies

. look at them when they talk to you (I guess I don't do this, because it's really surprising them...they seem confused by my full attention)

. hand out "juicy gum" aka Juicy Fruit Gum upon their request

. get completely overwhelmed with the amount of paper drawings they create, spend an hour going through them and separating them into piles: Dinosaurs - Sharks - Military - Animals - Baseball - Fat Stick People, staple them together, and present them as Books while declaring that a Book is not finished until every square inch of it is drawn on (and Heaven knows we don't start a new Book without finishing one first)...I had no idea the sheer JOY this would bring...Magic Momma Indeed...

. say YES to them

. turn off the computer

i complete him. he completes me.

I have decided not to take part in the Completing Him Challenge. For many reasons. (None of which have anything to do with me not wanting to complete my husband)...time and effort that I don't have to put into it...the private nature of some of it...AND...

 

I just don't think we "fit" the idea behind this. Brian and I work more as a team when he is home. I worried about this last fall, when a friend was posting about Becoming a Godly Wife. I worried for days, and then I just asked him about it.

He told me to stop worrying. And that he liked being a team. And that I couldn't possibly do it all. And that I needed his help more than most wives need their husband's help, because we have like a zillion kids...

 

I liked that answer.

We are a good team.

I suppose we complete each other, and we don't need another challenge...it's a challenge just making it through a day here (but one I'm glad to take on).

Our Dating Story is super short anyway. We dated for 4 weeks. He asked me to marry him. He left for Basic Training. We got married. He left for Korea for a year (that seems like such a long time ago)...

children's book monday: snip snap croc

Snip Snap Croc

by Caroline Castle

Illustrated by Andrew Crowson

This is a Picture Book that was specifically written for sharing with Little Ones. There is even a page in the back to help parents create the perfect Storytime atmosphere. Ideas for rhyming and poetry, discussing animals from another land, and studying a map of the Nile River.

The text is simple, and the pictures are very colorful. The story is easily read aloud using different voices, one big, loud voice for Snip Snap Croc, and one smaller and softer for all the other animal Mommas.

As the story starts, Snip Snap Croc is shouting to everyone about her big, sharp teeth...and Mommas Baboon, Meerkat, and Lion are warning their precious babies to stay away.

Then Snip Snap Croc hears a humming sound and feels the ground begin to move, and discovers eggs. And the 23 things that "hammer" their way out of these eggs is very fascinating.

As the other animal babies are watching safely from the riverbank, Snip Snap Croc suddenly snip snaps each of her 23 babies up, and eats them! But the other animal Mommas know what is really going on.

And you'll just have to read the Story to find out for yourself.

This is a very different, but fun story, that helps express to children the kind of special love that is between a Momma and her Baby. TJ has requested it almost everyday since we've brought it home from the Library.

:: Happy Reading! ::

daybook, june 8th

Outside my Window...

gray...we're expecting thunderstorms

 

What We're Learning...

1 John 5, Christopher Columbus

I am thankful for...

hot coffee that my hubby made before he left for Bible Study, we're drinking Starbuck's Verona right now, and IT IS YUMMY!!!

From the kitchen

...we had cheerios for breakfast, ham sandwiches for lunch, and we're going to have something with chicken in it for dinner

I am wearing...

my Chipotle Reds tee, black capris, tan flip flops (we miss Chipotle)

 

I am reading...

anything I can about Classical Christian Education, it seems Brian and I were miscommunicating on our Family's Education Goals, he thought we were Classical, I thought we were Charlotte Mason, he is now INTERESTED...so we are now CLASSICAL (which is fine with me, I started off back in 2007 with a second edition copy of The Well Trained Mind, and Veritas Press' Genesis through Joshua Cards...and somewhere lost my way...)

 

I am praying...

for my Grandma Faye who is having an operation June 22, and I will not be able to be Home for it

 

I am hearing...

the fan, the dryer, the AC unit dripping outside, Connor flipping the pages of Secret in the Maple Tr

I am remembering...

how cute Ben was, clapping and singing at VBS last night

I am going...

Connor has a Baseball Game tonight, but if it rains, we'll be heading back to VBS

 

On my mind...

too many things to list

Noticing that...

I'm always deleting the " I am creating" part of my daybook, how I wish I was creative...

 

One of my favorite things...having ALL the laundry washed, dried, folded (nicely), separated, and PUT AWAY...there's almost Nothing Better!!!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week..

VBS and Baseball Games

children's book monday: prayer for a child

Prayer for a Child

By Rachel Field

Illustrated by Elizabeth Orton Jones

 

This sweet poem/prayer was written for the author's little daughter, Hannah. It is a prayer asking for blessing, protection, peace and health. It has all the simple, little, everyday things within it, that are cozy and comfortable to a child.

 

"Bless my little painted chair.

Bless the lamplight, bless the fire,

Bless the hands that never tire

In their loving care of me."

 

I adore this little book because it expresses how safety, routine, love, and care affect a small child. My girls love it, and TJ loves it, he calls it "The Blessing Book".

:: Happy Reading! ::

daybook, may 24th

Benjamin Richard Bailey's 2nd Birthday

Happy Birthday Benny Boo

Outside my Window...there was quite a windy storm this afternoon, but the Sun came back out, it's dark and calm and quiet now

 

What We're Learning...Philippians 2, the Ottoman Turks, Planet Earth, multiplication tables (still), and how to not be jealous of others on their Birthdays...or stingy with your Birthday Presents

I am thankful for...Benjamin's health

 

From the kitchen...we had Ben's favorite tonight, Chicken Nuggets and French Fries. I felt like I was cheating him, but Brian reminded me that he won't always want the easy stuff, so I should enjoy it while I can. He wanted a "blue" cake, so I just made a Hershey's Chocolate Cake, dyed some Vanilla Icing Blue, threw on some Sprinkles, Dirt-Track Lightning McQueen, and a Number Two Candle...Happiness...

I am wearing...khaki capri pants, Liberty University tee

I am reading...The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace

 

I am praying...for my Dad

I am creating...plans for our Summer

 

I am hearing...the dishwasher

 

I am remembering...the day Ben was born, Thank You

I am going...Bubba has a game tomorrow night, other than that, we will be Home Sweet Home

On my mind...Homeschooling...I Love Kimberly's 6 Distinctives, and Tamara's Educational Philosophy

 

Noticing that...I'm glad I let the kids play outside a lot these last few months...because it's already Super Humid and Swarming with Skeeter Bugs here...boo...I bet West Palm Beach is Lovely this time of year...boo hoo...

 

One of my favorite things...food coloring. I know it's SOOO bad for you, but it makes things so nice and pretty and special

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...ball games

great books for girls: a list

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

The Orange Shoes by Trinka Hakes Noble

Sarah, Plain and Tall Series by Patricia MacLachlan

Racketty-Packetty House and A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher

Anne of Green Gables Series by L.M. Montgomery

The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill

Little House on the Prairie Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Mother by Kathleen Norris

Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Treasures of the Snow by Patricia St. John

American Girl Books (esp. Felicity, Kirsten, and Addy)

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Before I was Your Mother by Kathryn Lasky

All-of-a-Kind-Family by Sydney Taylor, read by Suzanne Toren (the girls have read this series, but listening to Miss Toren is the BEST)

The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh

Prayer for a Child by Rachel Field

 

AND, for any ***Ballerinas***

Steps in Ballet: Basic Exercises at the Barre, Basic Center Exercises, Basic Allegro Steps by Thalia Mara

The Barefoot Book of Ballet Stories by Jane Yolen

Ballet Flashcards

daybook, may 21st

Outside my Window...the night sky, but it was beautiful and sunny today

What We're Learning...planet Earth, Joan of Arc

I am thankful for...it all, really, I am blessed

From the kitchen...grilled BBQ chicken, broccoli, and rice pilaf for dinner

I am wearing...yellow top, gray capris

I am reading...On The Banks of Plum Creek and Story of the World 2 aloud to the kids

I am praying...for JP and a family back home

I am creating...a plan for Ben's special day Monday...hoping WalMart still has that Radiator Springs rug, and a Car or two that he DOESN'T already have

I am hearing...the AC, Brian flipping the pages of his Book of John notebook

I am remembering...that 12 years ago today, I was still a Single Lady

I am going...to the grocery and the library in the AM

On my mind...how much different right now is than I thought it would be back in 1998

Noticing that...Summer weather makes for sleepy boys...and happy Daddies and Mommas

One of my favorite things...being outside in the yard with the blow up pool, and bikes, and flower bouquets, and fisher price mowers, and mud, and water hoses, and the sandbox, and the camera, and the grill, and lawn chairs, and tonka trucks

A Few Plans For The Weekend...celebrating 12 years, Olive Garden TO GO, church, hanging out as a family

daybook, may 11th

Outside my Window...heavy rain (last night), this morning: wet and NO SunShine :(

What We're Learning...Genghis Khan, 10 Commandments, Venus

I am thankful for...coffee and vanilla creamer, and my glasses...what did people do who couldn't see before glasses were invented?

From the kitchen...coffee (and chocolate milk:)

I am wearing...my blue moon and star jammies, Brian's socks, my (used to be) lilac housecoat, and my glasses

I am reading...Veritas Press' new catalog, obsessively, we got 3 in the mail yesterday

I am praying...for Miss Nellie, Hannah, J, and our family

I am creating...a Proverbs 21 Study for 2010, join me Thursday to see what I've learned so far

I am hearing...the furnace just kicked on...did I mention it's "cold" heavy rain...who turns on their heat in the middle of May...I bet no one in West Palm Beach does...sniff, sniff (last night...I'm done whining...the Sun is waking up now)

I am remembering...to be a Super Mom ...thanks Tara!

I am going...Bubba has a Baseball game tonight, as long as the fields aren't flooded...GO GEORGIA BULLDOGS!!!

On my mind...Sunday School ...and Youth Group... and College Ministry... and Giving...

Noticing that...it's not cold outside this morning (but it was last night)

One of my favorite things...Clinique's Happy...guess what I got for Mother's Day :)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...just Baseball...Ballet is sadly over until August (whatever will we do?)

children's book monday: before i was your mother

Before I Was Your Mother

By: Kathryn Lasky

Illustrated By: LeUyen Pham

I bought this book for the Girls for Christmas back in 2003, and we have read it many times over 7 years. It's always fun for children to find out that, believe it or not, their parents were little once just like them. And I know, from my own childhood, how important your parents' stories become to you. This book reminds me to share *MY* stories with my children.

 

Little Katie finds out her Momma wasn't always making lists and wearing pencils in her hair (which I SOOO do). She also finds out her Momma "stood perfectly still in first position" (and we all know how much we love BALLET in our home).

 

She finds out that her Momma had a special place, with special things, an imaginary friend, and a doll, a teddy bear, a fuzzy duck and a velvet seal named Katie.

This book is Very Sweet with Very Pretty watercolorish-illustrations. I recommend it especially for Happy Mommas with their own Sweet Little Girls.

pouring

“Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children” - Lamentations 2:19



As a Mother needing all the help I can get, I have begun to take this verse very literally. And it has become an important part of my relationship with God. A time to reflect on what exactly the day held for me and the children, and what I think could have been different, better.

We have a Bedtime Routine. Brian and I tuck the kids in, say that well-known Bedtime Prayer (Now I lay me…), and give good-night kisses all around.

But I always return to their rooms before I lay down to go to sleep. I walk quietly to each child’s bed, straighten rumpled, twisted covers, watch for that gentle up and down of their tummies as they breathe, lay my hand on warm, sweaty foreheads and Pray. I make each Prayer specific to the child, really trying to remember discussions, playtimes, and boo boos. I may ask for something as simple as healing from seasonal allergies, or I might ask for guidance on how to deal with a certain behavior, or how to get over a learning difficulty. I’ve asked God, more than a time or two, “Please give me more time, one more day to be with them, to be their Mother.” I’ve also had nights where my prayers have not been easy prayers. They’ve been prayers asking forgiveness for something shameful I did. Something the child and I battled over, and I took it too far.

Whatever the prayer may be, late at night when our home is quiet and asleep, has become a much needed and looked forward to time for me. A time when I beg for His blessing on my children, who are not really mine at all, but His. How could I care for them well enough without seeking Him, without pouring out my broken heart like water, lifting up my full hands to Him for the precious lives of my seven beautiful children He has entrusted me with, through my whispered Bedtime Prayers?

daybook, april 29th

Outside my Window...Sunshine

 

A Life of Learning...Mercury and Manna

I am thankful for...My Mom and Grandma

From the kitchen...3 Ways tonight

I am wearing...navy yoga pants, gray tee

 

I am reading...Ella Enchanted

I am praying...for a safe trip for my Mom and Grandma

I am creating...plans, lots of plans, for lots of things

 

I am hearing...trees blowing and birds chirping

I am remembering...that we must be ready for a busy night, it's 2:30...better start now

 

I am going...the girls have their last Ballet class tonight, Connor has his first Baseball game tonight

 

On my mind...my home

Noticing that...Sunshine makes me nicer

 

One of my favorite things...Amazon

 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...a wonderful visit with Nana and Grandma Dutchie

ten things we love about korinne (who's ten)

Thing Number One We Love about You, Korinne :: You are Such a Girly Girl...pink, skipping, fairies, paper flowers, purple, your Punky Brewster style, hula hoops, mermaids, sunshine, beads, roller skates, tutus, dress up gowns, princesses, jump ropes, rainbows...

Thing Number Two We LOVE about You, Korinne :: You LOVE to Read (OK, so it's mostly Mommy that LOVES this part of You:), but you can get completely lost in a Book. And You want to be Laura Ingalls Wilder from Little House on the Prairie when you grow up (but you were afraid to wear the clothes that hung on the line to dry, "There might be bugs on them!")

Thing Number Three We LOVE about You, Korinne :: You are So Sweet, and Romantic...You can repeat, verbatim, the lines from Anne of Green Gables (is it Book 3?) where Anne and Gilbert finally kiss, Your Favorite Little House Book is where Laura and Almanzo get Married, Your Favorite Star Wars is where Anakin and Padme fall in Love, You get Super Excited when the Library has one of the Love Comes Softly DVDs in...

Thing Number Four We Love about You, Korinne :: You are Super Witty (OK, so this is not Kylie's Favorite part about You :), "I don't know what to do...I've been following Kylie all my life, and I just found out she's a NERD!" )

Thing Number Five We LOVE about You, Korinne :: your Daddy is Your Heroe and You are your Mother's Daughter (you get Elbowed with Knees, I get cold just thinking of the WindShield Factor *sigh* Mommy's so sorry Rin :)

Thing Number Six We LOVE about You, Korinne :: You want Twenty Children, even though you have FIVE Little Brothers

Thing Number Seven We LOVE about You, Korinne :: You do things like plan Family Fun Weekends, and FairyTale Puppet Shows, and Crafts to do with your Brothers, and Special Things to do for Anyone who will let you

Thing Number Eight We LOVE about You, Korinne :: Your Beautiful Smile...and Your Laugh, it's so Genuine and Big and Full

Thing Number Nine We LOVE about You, Korinne :: Your Imagination. You will Play anything, all the time. You go All Over this World, and you take your Little Brothers with you. The Nile River, where you have found Baby Moses (Judah), the Jungle, where you are finding injured Jungle Animals (Ben and Wesley), the WWII Battlefield where your Big Brothers (TJ and Connor) are fighting, and have left you to care for the Little Brothers still at home (Ben and Wesley), the Dugout at Plum Creek, on a Fishing boat in the Ocean, the ClassRoom where you are the Teacher, the Doctor's Office where you are the Mommy bringing in your Sick Children, the Grocery Store, the Library...

AND

Thing Number Ten We LOVE about You, Korinne :: That God gave You to Us. You are Ours, and You make our Life Happier, and Cozier, and Softer, and Prettier, and Smiley-er

my gift of service to you

I've needed a little help lately, and my friend, Cathy, kindly offered it. My response to her was, "But I do nothing for you. I can't ever come up with a way to pay you back, and I don't understand why you help us at all?" And she lovingly assured me, "It's my Ministry to you." So I accepted her much needed and appreciated help.

But I've fretted over it for the last few weeks. The "not being able to pay her back" part. And as I fretted and worried and fretted and thought...I began to see that my Life, my Children's Lives, my Husband's Life, Our Family...is indeed a Gift of Service, a Sacrifice of sorts for others. The sacrifice becomes *very clear*, after being an Army-made, "single Mom" to Seven Children for 12 1/2 days...

We *are* a Military Family, every time my Husband packs his bag to go, we are paying you back (or forward) for the help you offer us, while he is gone.

 

The last few weeks have been a challenge for me, to put it lightly. For those of you who do not know, my husband, Brian, is in the Army. He is in the AGR Program (Active Guard Reserves...which means he works full time for the Army Reserve Center here in town, and NO he is not a Recruiter). He is away at Army Schools, Training, and the likes, often. It stinks. I don't know how I manage to get through them (or the 3 months he was at Basic Training, or the year he was in Korea, or the 16 months he served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan).

 

I'm quick to miss him. I will tell my Mom, "I'm so lonely without him here." And she will say, "How can you be lonely with Seven Kids?" (She is joking, she knows how). I missed him the moment our lips met outside the airport, dropping him off. I knew we would not kiss again for 12 days. My heart ached for him as he told the Children good-bye, and I saw the look on their faces. I missed him that first night, when we did Family Worship on speaker phone, and then I missed him the second night, when he was at a Study Group, and we couldn't do Family Worship at all. I missed him last Monday morning, when I had to take the Girls to HomeSchool Testing, with their five little brothers in tow. I missed him, when our 7 yr old son had to miss his second and fourth Baseball Practice because we refused to leave him on the field, alone, with complete strangers, because his Sister had Cinderella Rehearsal. I missed him when the 3 boys, who had not gotten the cold yet, got it. I missed him when my Dad took us out to dinner without him. I missed him when TJ fell and cut open his eye. I missed him when Judah got fussy (for 4 days) as his two front teeth came in. I missed him as I took previously mentioned 3 boys to the doctor, while TeenAger babysat, I *really* missed him as the 8 of us went to WalMart to pick up the prescriptions for the 3 boys, and then I missed him when Wesley woke up the ninth night, crying and asking for him..."Is Daddy coming home Mommy?" I missed him. I missed 12 days of Love with him. My children missed 12 days with their Daddy. *He* missed baseball practice, sickness, family worship, conversation, a visit with my Dad, play time, hugs, ballet report cards, a birthday, kisses, smiles, giggles, Love...

No, I do not pick your kids up for their activities, I do not host dinner parties, I do not teach Sunday School, I barely return phone calls. But, this little thing, this thing that I do do, being a wife to a husband who Serves our Nation, upholding my Family who misses him while he is away, is my Gift of Service to You. I hope it's enough. It's all I can handle right now.

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40

Thank You Cathy.

children's book monday: the napping house

The Napping House

by Audrey Wood, Illustrated by Don Wood

We have owned this book, since I took it home from one of Kylie's doctor's appointments when we were preparing for her spinal surgery back in 2008. She had brought it home from her public school library before that, and I remembered how fun it was. Cincinnati area residents and Half Price Books donated tons of used Children's Books to Cincinnati Children's Hospital, and afterwards, they posted signs to take one (or two or seven) home with you. I did. It was one of those, Mom-You're-Embarrassing-Me kind of moments...me asking the nurse, "You mean, we can really take a few (or seven) of these?"...So sorry Kylie, moving on...

This book is by a husband and wife team. Audrey Wood is the author, her husband, Don Wood is the illustrator. Audrey came from a family of circus performers and artists. She knew she would be a Children's Book author in grade school. She read a Children's Book to her husband on their honeymoon, and he was hooked. She started writing her books once they had their first son. Isn't that one of the neatest stories about a Children's Book author you have ever heard?

This Children's Book is a very easy (would be great for a beginning reader), light, and silly story about a Child who has a sleepover with their Granny. Outside the bedroom window, it's dark and rainy. But the bed is cozy, the Granny is snoring, and the Child is dreaming. Through the night, the Granny, the child, and all their pets (and their pet's pets) end up in bed together. As the story progresses, and the night turns to morning, each picture gets a little lighter. And a surprise wakes them all up together, with the bright Sunshine spilling in through the bedroom window.

 

The house in the book is illustrated after the author's (and illustrator's) own home. And the last page in the book is such a wonderful picture of the relationship a Grandma can share with their GrandChild. It shows the Granny (donning her Apron) and the Child playing out in the yard... complete with a tricycle, tree house, tree swing, flower-boxed windows, white picket fence and a rainbow. Heavenly!

This is a very fun Children's Book that the kids and I have enjoyed reading and laughing at many, many times. It would also be a great book to keep at Granny's house (or Nana's or Mamaw's, as we like to call our Grandmas:)

thirteen

We never knew Thirteen Years could go so fast. Everyone kept telling us...and, we believed them...but we still never knew Thirteen Years could go so fast.

There are many things we would do differently. Many. But, they are the same things that have made you who you are. *And* You. Are. Wonderful.

You are Loving and Lovable. You shower all Six of your Siblings with Help and Kindness. You Care for Your Babies in a way we have never seen a 12 year old Care for a Baby. You still Embrace Us whenever you can.

You are Teachable. You didn't miss a beat when we brought you Home. You are Wise way Beyond your Thirteen Years. You Question Everything...God, Nature, English, Fractions, Good Literature. And you Seek Out the Answers.

You are Responsible. You Work too hard, even when it's not expected of you. We hear Francesca coming from the Kitchen, and we Know you are Busy. We have to push you to your Room to listen to your IPod, or Paint your Toes, or Play your Guitar, or Devour another Book, or Make another one of Your Lists.

You are a Talented Ballerina. It's a Joy to watch you. We wondered...was it Soccer...was it Cheerleading...was it Softball...was it VolleyBall. We never Dreamed it was Twirling. But we Love it. Because you Love it. Because you are Passionate about it. Because it makes you Happy.

You Love Jesus. You are Following Hard after Him, and Quick to Change Direction when you Stray from The Path. We will never forget when you Invited a Freshman from ASU to Church. Or that You slip Notes in Your Loved Ones Bags as they Leave, sharing with them, how they too, can have a Relationship with Jesus, and spend an Eternity with Him in Heaven.

You are Beautiful. Inside and Out. Because of all of these Things. You are Our Princess. And We will Try our Best to Continue to show you The Way. Because NOTHING is more Important to Us. NOTHING.

three

Happy Birthday Dear Wesley, Happy Birthday To You!

We have been Blessed to spend Three years with our Fifth Baby, Our Third Rowdy Boy

We have spent Three years calling you by a Hero's Name

Three years of a Few, Big Challenges

But Three years of More Laughter than the entire 9 years before

You've had Three years of Jesus, the Best of Your Daddy, Days filled Playing and Reading with your Sisters and Brothers, and being Right Next to your Momma Every Minute (there is no Class Worthy of Your Time:)

You Sing, Sing, Sing, shape Play-Doh like nobody's business, play Air Guitar like a true Worship Leader, and LOVE every.single.second. of Sandlot (and do not Move from your spot until it's "OhOh").

We have Celebrated Your Special Day with Donuts, Trains, Light Sabers, Horses, Pizza, Baby Dancin' Polkas, and Oreo Goodness. You are Happy. It makes Us Happy.

We LOVE you Wesley Ray Ray Bailey, you have filled a Place in our Hearts that no one else could. May God continue to Bless you every single day, and may you Grow into a Strong, Healthy, Jesus-Loving Little Man.

children's book monday: a quilt for baby

A Quilt for Baby

By Kim Lewis

 

The title of this Book says it all, Quilts and Babies. Two things I absolutely LOVE. That is the reason I snatched it up at the library. But the Book itself tells a very soothing story about Family and Farm Life and HOME, and all the Comforts they can bring.

A Quilt for Baby is about a Mother who is sewing a Patchwork Quilt for her new, Little Baby. When she is through, the Quilt is to tell the Story of their Farm, and all the Animal Families who live there with them. What makes this Book even Sweeter, is that Mother "talks" with her Little One as she is sewing the quilt, and shares with Baby what each little Patchwork Square is about.

There is the Blue Patchwork Square for their old, stone Farmhouse, a Yellow one for their Sheep and Lambs and Ram, "with curling horns. He is the little lamb's father." and another Blue one for Floss (the soccer-playing Border Collie) and her Puppy, Sam. There's a Red square for their Cows and the little Calf who says, "Watch me run," as the Big Red Bull stands nearby, a Green one for their Mare and her little Foal, and another Red square for their Rooster, Hens and their Cheeping Chicks.


Then there's this little, yellow square for their Goose and her little Gosling that wonders, "Will I have wings like that?" ( and just look at the Laundry hanging on the line :)


A Purple Patchwork Square follows for the Nanny Goat and her Twin newborn Kids who are butting and nuzzling for their Mother's milk, and finally, a Brown one for their prowling Tom Cat, Mother Cat, and their sleeping Kitten.


When Mother is all finished, she wraps Baby Comfortably and Warmly, and tells the Story again, and how soon, Mother and Daddy and Baby will be walking the hills of their Farm together, because it is their Home.


And to make the Story even more Wonderful, the Illustrations are Beautifully done by the Author herself in Colored Pencil, with Inspiration from her own Farm and Family. Of A Quilt for Baby, Lewis says, "From an early age, I remember my mother quilting. It seemed natural to use the idea of the quilt as an heirloom for passing on my hopes and feelings for the farming way of life." Exactly. I must Learn to Quilt.

perseverance in motherhood

As I rocked a fussing Judah, and waited on Brian to get home so I could go to my appointment, the tears were already forming, and all I could think of was how very tired I was. He walked in, took one look at me, and his shoulders dropped.

 

"They don't listen to me, it's like I'm not even here...what am I going to do," was all I could get out. I handed him Judah, as I relayed the morning to him. And then I left, leaving him to deal with it. Knowing he would.

 

As I got in our minivan, the enemy was rejoicing. After all, the tears were actually falling at this point, and I was actually speaking the words of defeat. Motherhood was getting the Best of Me. I felt I had nothing left to Give.

 

I couldn't correct another child, I couldn't grade another paper, I couldn't hand out another cup of juice, I couldn't change another diaper, I couldn't even manage a smile.

 

Why?

 

I love being a Mother. I believe with all my Heart, it's what God put me on this Earth to do. My self-made Spiritual Gift.

 

It's because if I were doing this right...they would all behave. They would do what they were told, when they were told, most times without even being told. If I were doing this right, I would not be correcting the same mis-spelled word for the 4th time, because, once I'd taught them the correct spelling, they would remember it forever and ever. If I were doing this right, not another child would ever need me to get them another drink, and they would magically be able to get one for themselves (without spilling). If I were doing this right, at this point, changing diapers would be a welcomed hobby. And smiling would really be my favorite. And I would NEVER yell.

 

If I were doing this right.

But that is a lie.

 

Mothering is hard work. The hardest kind of work. It never ends. And we do not always see our reward for a very long time.

Being tired and overwhelmed and feeling ill-equipped is part of Mothering. But accepting these feelings as OK, is almost as hard as the job itself. I refuse to feel defeated again. I'm praying to God for strength and wisdom and smiles. And He will answer my prayers. Even if it means a few more rough days. Because in His Wisdom, He knows that hard times produce perseverance.

And Mothering takes more perseverance than anyone can muster on their own.

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:3-5