Perspective

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners,

so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  Hebrews 12:1-3

At this very moment I am in the middle of playing pretend with the kids.  I am Grandma, at work on her computer.  Sis is playing the mommy, and she has out her Cabbage Patch dolls, rocking them and changing their clothes. Mr is in the middle of being the daddy, and changing a stinky diaper.

It seems like just yesterday when all that consumed my life was changing burped-up on baby clothes and stinky diapers, rocking sweet babies to sleep, watching the clock like a hawk to keep them on a good schedule, and trying to sneak a shower in when ever possible. 

Those days are gone... Although I find that taking a shower while they are awake still presents problems, as they use the opportunity to do all the "fun" things that I don't let them do!

Now I a wrapped up in thoughts of school, visiting schools, observing teachers, trying to see if it is possible to fund a private school education, heading to an orientation at another school, and contemplating homeschooling.  My night stand is filled with books about being a positive mom, teaching my kids about responsibility, homeschooling and a journal to keep all my thoughts straight (Not sure if it is actually keeping my thoughts straight!!).  I find myself begging God for wisdom on how to deal with the various trials that daily come up.  DAILY!!  He is faithful to encourage me, and I praise Him for familiar words that lay fresh on my heart.

Being a mom is a HARD job!!  And such a gift... Through being a parent God shows me how He feels about me, how He wants to teach me, how He wants to change me so that I can be the kind of woman that He has created me to be.  This of course comes with trials and growing pains, and an uncanny resemblance of the job that He has given to me as a mom.

Whew!  I thank God for the grace  that he has bestowed in abundance so that I have the strength to run in this race.

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3

And now I am off to read "The Polar Express" and serve milk and cookies. The adventure continues.

 

Counting Blessings

I am working hard right at this moment to practice gratitude.  The kids are supposed to be napping... instead they are testing to see how much I love Jesus.

Fortunately it's a lot.  So I remain patient, even in my longing for some quiet time, time to do things without worry of what it being made a mess of (Usually the mess is in the room that just got tidied up!!), time to sit and be, time for refreshment.

In the scope of time, I realize just how small I am, and I know that I don't want to spend my seconds here on this earth welled up with frustration.  I can't even begin to count the many blessings God has so generously given.

 These precious little pearls...

0230-0248

A first birthday party for sweet little boy

Baby showers

Visiting with old friends
Running
Christmas carols
Celebrating advent with the kids

Teaching about giving

Contemplating big decisions

Great teachers
A night out with the girls
Christmas trees and lights
Talks with the kids
Snuggling
The Library
Magical times unfolding in the pages of Peter Pan (the original)
Freedom
Anticipation
Good doctors
Snapshots of Joy

Philippians 2:14    Do everything without complaining or arguing.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25: 35-36, 40

I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone! Time is flying, and the countdown to Christmas has begun. Celebrating Christmas is getting more and more fun as the kids get older... But it also becomes more challenging as we strive to teach our kids about gratefulness, about the meaning of Christmas, and about sharing the abundance that we have with those in need.




"The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love. So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists. And when it's all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed purpose. Is this what we really want out of Christmas? What if Christmas became a world-changing event again? "

This year our church is joining in a world wide campaign called Advent Conspiracy which seeks to see the end of hunger, lack of clean drinking water, and lack of education all over the world by not spending quite as much on Christmas gifts and freeing us to give to those less fortunate. Last weekend we heard some startling statistics... Did you know that last year Americans spent over 450 billion dollars on the Christmas industry? The leading cause of death world wide is lack of access to clean drinking water. The price tag on solving this problem is 10 billion dollars. That 10 billion dollars doesn't just solve the problem for a year... but for a life time! I couldn't believe that!! It's a fraction of what we spend on Christmas yearly!

So, as a church, here's what we're doing...


$40 can provide an orphan or vulnerable child in Chikudzulire, Malawi one meal a day, 5 days a week for a year. Together with Somebody Cares, our ministry partners in Malawi, we are able to feed a hungry child with a nutritious porridge fortified with all the vitamins and minerals they need each day for only 15¢ a meal. This meal changes the life of the child – helping them to resist sicknesses such as malaria - giving them the nutrition they need to take their medications if they are HIV+ - and feeding their growing brains to help them learn in school. Our goal during this year’s Advent Conspiracy is to raise enough money to feed at least 1,500 orphans and vulnerable children in Malawi for one year.


When I read that I get pretty emotional... $40- we can spend that easily just going out to dinner. That same $40 feeds a child one meal a day, for only 5 days. What a different world I live in!! I can't imagine what a mother must feel when she knows she can only feed her 4 year old once a day. My kids can't seem to go more that a couple of hours without something to eat! Never mind the 2 days a week that they don't eat at all...


Needless to say, this moves me.


I can't seem to reconcile doing all the Christmas shopping with the awareness of what $(insert any amount of money here) can do in the lives of hurting people. So this year as a family, we are trying to do more that just put Christ back in Christmas. We are doing a "homemade" Christmas- after all giving and receiving gifts is fun! We want our kids to know and enjoy that, but we want to honor Christ in the way that we celebrate his birthday... by giving "to the least of these". We hope that you will join us in making a difference in the lives of those in need in our community, state, and all over the world. I know that we may go to different churches, have a different set of doctrines, and see things differently, but I think I can say with confidence that most of the people that I know have a heart of compassion. So, whether you decide to provide a gift for angel tree, helping stock a local food pantry, bring a meal to a family in need, or feed a hungry child in Malawi, Africa, you're invited to conspire with us as we spend a little less, make a difference in the life of someone in need through our generosity, and change the way that we celebrate Christmas this year.

Happy Fall!

It has rained here for the last 24 hours... taking the temperature from 102 to 80!!  It is glorious! And it feels like fall... finally.  Hopefully it will last.  

So, since it is fall-ish, Josiah helped me take out our fall decorations.  Sadly there were very few, which sent me on a craft blog hunt for cute decorations I could make.  I came across a great blog filled with a ton a great, inexpensive, and of course completely adorable ideas.  http://www.tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/  Jen had made a candy corn pennant that I fell in love with. 

 This sent me digging through all my scrap fabric and the box of scrap fabric that my Grammies had given me. I found the perfect fabric and went to work. Once I project mode my mind went swirling and I decided to add some lettering and make it a banner. So here is the final project...
 

I love seeing the end results, even when there are things I wish I would have done differently.  I am planning to make one for all the holidays... just for fun! I love craft blogs!!  This project has been the catalyst for getting started on the kids Halloween costumes.  I am having so much fun on them this year.  Josiah has decided that he wants to be a Super Boy and Charity is going to be a Flower Fairy. 

Note the ironing board... it has become a part of the decor  :o)

Black Hole

I've come to realize that when something in the house is missing and cannot be found by any human eyes, it has found it's way to the "Black Hole."  It is now a proper noun in our house, like Charity and Josiah's room, Bank of America, Velero, Target, and the Black Hole.

I have been tearing my house apart trying to find it!!  I am fairly convinced that others have a Black Hole in or near their home. At least I say that to make myself feel better.

Several things in our house have been consumed by the Black Hole and have NEVER been recovered.  My keys, and an FPU DVD just to name a few.  This week it has consumed shoes...  Josiah is missing one of his Cars flip-flips, and Charity lost one of her school shoes.  The school shoe was so fortunately recovered.  Poor Mater is missing the the black void, desperately wanting to be found and worn again.

I have resorted to walking around my house and praying that I will be able to find things when I need them.  After saying a comment like that I am picturing my house as a complete disaster.  Much to my dismay that is not the case.  If it were, it would make it much easier to lose things and be justified!  But despite my best efforts to keep my house organized and clean, the Black Hole is till slurping things up!! 

A Blogger's Hiatus

I feel like I haven't blogged in eons!!  My cyber life is lacking.  Probably a good thing!  Can't really say that I have been overly obsessed with my computer... I don't even have a facebook for pete's sake!

So, what have I been up to?

Staying busy.

Being a mommy.  Getting up and going for a walk or a jog each morning.  Trying to work out once we get home.  Getting the family ready, taking Charity to school, socializing with Josiah, who is enjoying his alone time with mommy, visiting the library. 

I've been in a wonderful season of spending time praying, reading my Bible and journaling.  God shouldn't surprise me... I know that His very nature is not to be grasped.  Maybe it isn't surprise, but delight. 

God is my delight.  He has been speaking clearly and loving on me so big.  I have been enjoying every moment.  I like to think that it transcends into the other parts of my life, like being a mom and a wife.  At least I hope it does!

Happy First Day Of School!!

We're back from a wonderful week in San Diego (posting pictures later) and are embarking on a new season in our lives. Just before we left for San Diego Troy completed his Masters Degree.  We are so proud of his accomplishment.  For Charity it was especially important... she knew that when Daddy was done with school then she was going to start!  So here we are, Monday morning after vacation, getting ready for school.  I can hardly believe that she is old enough to go to pre-school!

She'll be going three days a week...I think it'll be just enough for her.  She was very excited to get ready this morning (despite the craziness that was happening in our house with a rather cranky little brother) and put on new shoes and get her hair done.  We had a great time in her classroom checking things out and seeing her teachers, Mrs. Gloss and Miss Vicky.

Charity's Mail Box

Up on the Science Center Loft with Mrs. Gloss

Playing with Cherry Play-Doh

One Second Update

• Computer had a virus
• still no TV... I'll update on that more... it's been so good!
• Troy GRADUATED... officially as of last night!!  YEAH for the MBA!!
• Celebrated communion as a small group on Tuesday... it was awesome!
• Leaving for San Diego tomorrow for a week
• Charity starts pre-school in 10 days!!  I can't believe it!

A Week With Grandpa

Blogging world has been a far off land this week.  I've gotten on and read a few blogs here and there, but haven't had much time for writing.  We have been privileged to have my father in law here all week with us.

 

He's been dragged around to all the fun events of the week...  swimming lessons, meeting Charity's teacher for next year, "after swimming lessons" swimming at Papa's, BBQ-ing, and all the other hum drum stuff that goes on during the week.

It has been an especially tiring week as well.  On Saturday the 17th, Troy and I went and heard Dr. Foster Cline speak on the book he co-authored, Parenting with Love and Logic.  We felt so convicted when we left we instituted a no TV rule in the house.  That has been especially rewarding, and tiring.  We weren't watching a ton, but you don't realize how quickly it adds up.  The kids have been doing so much better. 

God has been especially good this week too.  In the moments that I thought I might explode, he's been whispering the verses that I've memorized this summer.  He sure does have a sense of humor.

Time to be done... I am so tired that I am falling asleep right here!!  I really need to go and soak by desert dry feet in a warm tub too!  Sounds so inviting!

A Memory for Today

It's 9:20 PM. 
The kids are tucked in bed.
We had a wonderful day. 
One of those days that I want to remember forever.

We did the normal morning routine, and off to swim lessons.  A quick stop at the store, and then home for lunch and naps.  While the kids slept I finished a scrapbook page, read, and looked at pictures.  Josiah woke up first and wanted to snuggle.  So I turned on "The Incredibles" (his favorite) and made the snuggles last a little longer!!  When Charity finally woke up (after 3 hours!!!!) we got our swim suits on and headed over to Grammies and Grandpa's house for swimming and dinner.

My grandparents are very special to me.  I love that my kids get to know them and play with them.  When we go to their house, I am always filled with millions of memories.  Memories that I want to share with the kids.  As they make their own memories I sprinkle in a little here in there of things that I did when I was a kid... let them eat off the Sylvester spoon I always used, and sit on the yellow stool that we all used as kids until we could reach the table.  I tell them about games we used to play in the pool, about how I used to swim in the same pool when I was small like them. 

I treasure seeing my littles run up and hug Grammies and Grandpa!  On July 4th I captured this sweet picture of the kids after swimming, playing Grammies piano.  On the very spot that Grammies used to sit with me and teach me to play.  Or when she would accompany me while I played my flute.  On the piano are pictures of Grammies' parents.  Generations meeting together.

I'm blowing this one up and framing it!

So, back to tonight... we swam and played the pool together.  Aunt Catherine, Andrew, Phillip, and Grace came over too!  Grandpa BBQ-ed hot dogs and hamburgers... Grammies filled us up with tomatoes from her garden and homemade mac-n-cheese.  We finished off our meal with watermelon and jello.  The perfect summer dinner.  Of course we ate it outside in our wet bathing suits... the only way to tolerate the 117 degree day!

Not sure if any of this made sense... I love days  that leave you so full of memories and happy that it's hard to articulate it all.

A Little Trip

112 Degrees outside.

78 Degrees inside.

There is laundry to take out of the dryer and fold.

The dishwasher needs to be emptied.

The floor needs to be mopped again after a certain Mr., who will remain nameless, took the lid off the agave nectar and spilled it all over the pantry floor.

The kids want to go to the zoo. Okay. The other stuff can wait. 

Here's what we saw at the zoo...

The petting zoo.

Bird of Prey

The Insect House

The Monkey Exhibit

The Cats... A Lion, Tiger, and the Jaguar

An elephant of course!

The aquarium, fish and a sea turtle.

The wild dogs.

The rodent.

A rare collection of bears.

The endangered short necked giraffe.

We bought tickets at the front door and rode the tram.

So glad we took time to go the zoo today.