Dentist appts

5 of my kids had dentist appts this week with a new dentist. It took 3 hours. I was a little nervous about taking so many at the same time and not sure how it was going to work out. We took school with us to work on in the waiting room.

Well, NO CAVITIES! We prayed about that in the car on the way. Everybody did great, even 2yo, and liked the new dentist better than the old one. The bad news is that he's sending 2 more of my kids to Dr. U for ortho work. Interestingly, it's both of my thumb suckers. Oh well, I was still glad that nobody had cavities.

It wasn't as hard as I thought it might be but I'm not sure if I want to take so many at one time again.

Eze 36

We have some friends that are going through a crisis with their teenage son. It has brought on conversations between Honey and me. We wonder what could've been done differently, what can be done now, what would we do if it were our son? It is certainly thought provoking and has made us want to come up with an easy fix, or at least a good plan.

I would like it better if I could fix every problem that comes my way....or at least have a plan for it so I'm not taken off guard. Sometimes that thought of having control is comforting. I would like the ability to know what is next and move to make it better.

I was reading in Eze 36: 24-30. It is dealing with restoration. The thing that really stuck out to me was the fact that in these few verses God says "I will" seven times. He is the one that was to bring about change for them...lots of things are listed. Here is my favorite: "And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."

I like the idea that I can pray and ask the Lord to move in my children (and Honey and me) to follow His decrees and keep His laws. So, if the Lord is willing to do so much without my help, that is even more comforting than the thought of controlling it myself. So many things come down the condition of the heart, like our friend's son. Only God really knows our hearts. And He is the one who is able to fix it...ours, our kids', or someone else's.

These are such scattered thoughts and I'm not even sure they make sense. It seems to make sense in my own mind but doesn't translate too well when I write it. Anyway the point is that I tend to rely on what I can do instead of waiting and watching and trusting what God can do.

I told you that Ezekiel was a hard book for me!! Next time I'll break down and buy the commentary!

Honey's Day

The kids were in bed last night and we were sitting on the couch talking. He said to me, "I feel like I ought to be *doing* something". I replied, "You've done so much today!" He looked at me blankly and said, "Oh yeah, I replaced the shower head".
WHAT?!! Oh no, it was much more. Let's see....

He slept in 4yo's bed the night before and created a tent with the spiderman blanket that they loved this morning.

Before he even got out of bed, he watched some sort of soccer footage with #3 on the portable dvd player.

He cooked special order eggs for everyone.

He practiced soccer drills with 5yo.

He took a lot of time bundling little boys up to play outside. When he handed 2yo an orange hat, he rejected it saying "A boy one please." He dug through the boxes to find everyone hats and gloves that they liked.

He aired up tires and took everyone around the block a couple of times for a bike ride.

He was patient with 2yo on his bike. When I asked how he did, he said "He was slow but diligent". He doesn't know how to peddle yet.

He kept everyone downstairs quietly and let me take a huge nap.

He got several work calls throughout the day. He handled it patiently even though he hates it, never saying a negative word.

He played his guitar and sang songs with 12yo.

He printed out a picture for #1 to submit with her essay contest.

He took 7 kids to Walmart after dinner!! Is he the hero or what? Shortly after getting there, 5yo had to go to the bathroom. 10 minutes later 2yo had to go.

I e-mailed him a list on his blackberry and he picked up what I needed and saved me a trip next week.

He let the kids pick out Valentine paper to make valentines, bought the boys a new t-shirt, and #2 some new socks. Oh, he also bought a new fish for the fish tank. That was a big hit!!

He didn't buy the water saver shower head. The girls are happy!

He got the boys ready for bed.

He watched a movie with me.

He wrote love notes to everyone in the house for their mailboxes, even to Baby Girl.

He got a work call at 4am(!). He got up and worked on the laptop, never complaining or sighing.

Oh yeah, and he changed a shower head.

How easy it is to dismiss the important things as "nothing". I, too, tend to measure the productivity of the day based on what I crossed off my planner. He spent the whole day blessing his family. Doing things that will count for eternity. Anyone can replace a broken shower head. Only he can bless us as he did this weekend.

Thank you Honey for all your sweetness this weekend. I praise the Lord for you.
I love you.

mailboxes

My kids have started something new that I absolutely LOVE! I hope the fun doesn't fade and it sticks around. They have created a little spot by their beds and they call it their mailbox. Some use a pretty gift bag, some are just a corner on their headboard. They even created mailboxes for Honey and me. Ours are behind the pink pillows on the bed. The mailboxes are for dropping little love notes into for each other. It's been such fun to give and receive this way.

Super Shag

Before going to bed last night 5yo asked for a Super Shaggy Sandwich. Any Scooby Doo fans out there? Not sure exactly what that was, I started asking around. 5yo said it always had turkey. 10 yo said lettuce and chocolate syrup. Everyone had their own opinion but all agreed that any sandwich that has an olive and toothpick on top is elevated to the Super Shaggy status.

Of course he couldn't have a sandwich at bedtime so I told him to wait until tomorrow. He didn't forget. I didn't have sandwich stuff. I told him I'd get it later at the store for him. Funny what things go through their minds. Later in the day he asked me how Shaggy could eat the whole sandwich in one bite, toothpick and all. I told him to not even consider that idea!

So for tea today I made the famous Super Shaggy. Here's my recipe...

Layer:
bread
mayo
turkey
cheese
pickles
bread
mustard
avocado
sprouts
mayo
bread
Top it all with a toothpick stabbed through an olive.

I cut these into 1/4's since it was just a tea snack but they asked for the full-sized version tomorrow. I guess it was a big hit even without the chocolate syrup.

Our 2nd brace face

My pretty 12 yo!

A Good Day!

This is the first day this week that I feel like I've actually gotten things done! What a great feeling. Here's what happened today....

I got up before the little boys! And had my quiet time AND worked on my blog. WOW!

I made Honey's breakfast and lunch and kissed him goodbye.

Here's a big one....I figured out how to program my bread machine!! I made a loaf of bread that turned out better than before but I need to tweak my settings. Still not quite right.

The morning meeting went well. 2yo got sent to bed (again) for being too noisy. The kids and I prayed over many people/things.

School was good. Everyone was finished by 2pm. I checked math papers and discussed writing projects. Didn't get to do much in the way of school with the little ones like I would've liked. I spent too much time on other things this morning. Hopefully I can make up for it tomorrow.

I made 12yo some broccoli soup for lunch. It was her special request for when she got her braces. I haven't made it in a long time. Next time I need to double that recipe.

I read to the boys, helped 4yo count ants, discussed what sound "oo" makes, buttoned pants, changed diapers, tied shoes, zipped jackets, made bottles, admired drawings, rocked my baby.

I dropped salad all over the floor.

I sent everyone outside to enjoy the beautiful sunshine before the cold weekend gets here. I took Baby Girl out too and sat and watched the little boys ride bikes, swing bats, and show off everything they could think of. I watched #3 kick his soccer ball into his rebounder and climb George Bush. He likes to do school at night in bed and so usually finishes before everyone else.

I made cabbage rolls for dinner. Such a messy operation. I messed up just about every dish in the kitchen, especially all the big ones. By the time I finished and washed dishes I was sick of the kitchen and needed a break. I want to make potatoes too but that'll have to come later...maybe.

12yo came in to ask if they could go around the block to film their latest movie.

I cycled through 2 or 3 loads of clothes and left them for the kids to fold.

That's it. Now I'm on the bed with the laptop working on this. I need to check the cabbage rolls, cut potatoes, and think up something for tea. I have 30 minutes before I have to take #1 to go babysit.

As I plopped on the bed I felt behind my pillow and found a note from my 10yo son that said what a great mom I am. Awwww!!! Even if the rest of the day falls apart, it will still be counted as wonderful. Isn't it amazing how a kind word can lift you up?

Eze 33

I'm reading in Ezekiel 33 this morning and I wanted to blog some observations. Eze is a hard book for me. I'm taking it slow and asking the Lord to show me what He wants me to know.

In Chapter 33, it starts off talking about the principle of a watchman. If an appointed watchman sees danger, blows the horn, and the people do not flee then their blood is on their own heads. They were warned. However if the watchman sees danger and does not blow the whistle then the Lord will hold him accountable for the blood of the people.

This job of a watchman reminded me of the job God has given to parents. We are to be as a watchman over our children teaching them right and wrong, helping them make good choices and steering them away from danger. I've noticed that as I have teenagers, my teaching changes. For my little kids, I am everything...teaching them the most simple basics of how to use the potty and share the last cookie. For my older kids, I am steering them in the ways of their thinking, pointing out danger, and giving bits of wisdom. Blowing the horn, oh so often!!

My kids' job is to heed that warning. Prov 4:10-11 "Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths."

Why would someone not heed a watchman's warning if it meant his life? 2 reasons. 1st is that the watchman has not proven himself trustworthy. I need to earn the trust of my little ones. I need to be faithful to them in everything. 2nd is the pride of thinking that you're smarter than the watchman. God tells Eze that will happen to him.

V32 "Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice."

As parents we have a short time in our children's lives that we can not only sound a warning, but actually move them away from danger until they are old enough to move themselves. I hear moms complain about the bad influences in their children's school or Sunday school. The bad language they come home with, the things they learn from others. And while the watchman may tell them this is wrong, what can be done? The 2nd grader can not flee on his own. Mom does not help him heed the warning and move him from the danger. He still must enter his public classroom everyday or Sunday school every week. What is this teaching our little ones under our care? To simply listen to the warning as you would a song, but not put it into practice? Who will be held accountable for the things being chipped away in their hearts and the jading that is slowing corrupting one that is meant to be pure and innocent?

Reading this has made me thankful for this day to be the watchman over my children.....for the privilege of homeschooling and sheltering them.

Lord, please make me a faithful watchman. Give me wisdom and the courage to act when necessary. Please give my little ones trusting hearts and obedience to follow. Amen.

New Braces!

Oh how cute she looks too! 12yo got the top set today. The bottoms come later. She picked red and pink for Valentine's Day. They even have x's and o's. She is *very* proud of them and has been smiling all day. Big smile...ear to ear so every time we glance in her direction we see her new smile.

Her siblings were excited for her too. As soon as they heard the garage door open, they all ran outside to see her.

They were sore at dinner so we made her a smoothie. She did manage to eat quite a lot of the artichoke ravioli too, but passed on the corn-on-the-cob. I hope they aren't worse tomorrow.

I'll ask Honey to post a picture.

Lego Creations

My little 2yo brought me lego pieces and asked me to make him a spaceship. I used every piece and came up with a pretty nice looking one. As I handed it over to him, I noticed him eyeing it critically.

"No," he said, "that's not a spaceship. That's a boat!"

I guess I'm not so good at legos.

Happy Birthday Joey

Today Joey is 2! I think the little boys are the most excited about the dog's b-day. Not that we're going to do anything too special....he's not getting steak or anything. We did buy him a bone though.

He's a great dog. The best dog we've ever had. We aren't very good at dog training but Joey just always seemed to know what to do since he was little bitty. Actually he's never been little bitty but I did carry him home in my arms so at one point he was small. Now he's quite big. I LOVE big dogs! Big dogs with big barks and sweet personalities. That's Joe. So here's a couple of things about Joey.....

When he gets a new bone, he rubs the skin off his nose trying to bury it outside.

He likes his dog pillow but won't touch the bean bag I want him to lie on downstairs.

He has a howl in his voice.

He's a good sport and is patient with babies crawling all over him.

He's a big chicken.

When you open the door, he waits until you tell him to come in.

He doesn't bark too much, or lick, jump, or dig.

You can walk him around the block without a leash and he'll stay with you.

See, pretty good boy, huh? I might make a cake for dessert tonight just to delight the little boys in the celebration. I've been wanting to tweak the Lazy Daisy cake anyway..too sweet.

yogurt making

Anybody make their own yogurt? I'm looking at yogurt makers, the Yogourmet in particular. We eat a lot of yogurt and I think this would be a good way to save some grocery money. If you do this, comment me and tell me what you think.

Speaking Sweetly

My goal for this week is to speak sweetly every time I open my mouth. I'm going to try not to speak rashly, in anger, with sarcasm, or negatively. I've been aware of how my speech does not always build up. I want that to change. So that's my goal for this week.....

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Eph 4:29

Cooking Lessons

This afternoon my 12yo daughter and I will have a cooking lesson. She's not COW, who is usually who I like to cook with, but COW already knows how to make this one. 12yo doesn't. She's learning to cook lots of things and made our pizza last night. She's pretty good at handling hamburger but inexperienced at chicken.

Here's her dinner menu....

Chicken spaghetti
sauteed green beans
garlic rolls
salad
Lazy Daisy Oatmeal Cake

We're going to set the timer and see if we can finish (including clean up) in one hour.
I'll let her handle most of the cooking and I'll work on the clean up part as we go.

I've enjoyed cooking this winter. I like the fact that I can use the oven any time I want without thinking of how it will affect my electric bill. I like leaving the oven door open to heat up the kitchen when something comes out of it. I like the hot soups and lots of fresh bread.

I'm starting to think about summer though. I won't have so much freedom in this area then. I need to get better at cold meals. This summer we're hoping to have a better garden too. We're not too good at gardening but we keep on trying thinking this year it'll be better. I need to break down and splurge on a simple gardening book and stop trying to wing it. Any book suggestions?

Worry

I try not to worry about stuff but sometimes my imagination gets the best of me. I can think up all kinds of possible outcomes for any given situation. I'm pretty good at letting go of the small things. But the things that I perceive as big, turns my imagination on full blast.

I have 2 big things rattling around in my mind now. Things that are big to me anyway. It takes effort for me to "cast down vain imagination". Those what-ifs keep creeping back in. However, I don't like the way I feel when I worry. I don't like that uneasiness. I especially don't like the division I feel when I give in to worry and can't enjoy the work I'm supposed to do. On the flip side, I do enjoy when I'm able to trust and rest and not intentionally manipulate outcomes.

I opened my Bible today to review some verses on worry. Here is something I noticed. In Matt Jesus reassures us that He will meet all our needs even better than He does for the birds and flowers. He tells us not worry, "O you of little faith". Then in 6:32 Jesus said "For the pagans run after all these things," well I certainly don't want to act like a pagan! I've never considered that by worrying or taking matters into my own hands that I was acting the same as a pagan. Hum......something new to ponder.

On the other hand, we're to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness". If I'm busy doing that, then I won't have any room for worry. So that's my goal...to cast down vain imaginations and seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.

Thank you, Lord, that you consider me much more important than the birds and flowers and care about what I think of as Big. Amen

today

Two times of the year seem boring to me. January 7-February and July 29-August. There doesn't seem to be anything going on then. No birthdays, slow soccer, no good holidays. Also the weather isn't my favorite. I'm definately a fair weather girl and don't enjoy the extremes.

So now we don't have any birthdays until March. I was thinking about what there was to look forward to until then. Hum....Valentine's Day maybe? I do like that holiday. But I felt the Lord nudging my heart and telling me to look forward to TODAY! There's an idea.

Even if it seems like there is nothing exciting in it, things are going on that I don't even know. My kids are getting older and will not be this young tomorrow. Situations are brewing that I may not be aware of for a long time. God is working here and now and has things to show me today. My day is not over until I hit the bed and who knows what will happen between now and then?

So here is my verse for today. "Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself." Matt 6:34

Lord, help me to look forward to the next minute of this day to watch and learn what you have to teach me now. Amen

Good news

We just found out that because of some insurance changes #2's braces will be $250 less! We have better insurance benefits this year.

She goes in on Wednesday to get them. She's excited. She's very responsible and I know she'll take good care of them. Her's are a little more complicated and she'll have to have them for 24-30 months. Oh well, her teeth will be great when she's done and hopefully she'll even smile with open lips.

Today

"Whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination." ~Jonathan Edwards

That is how I feel today. Out of order and uneasy. Doubtful of what I am doing. Why can't I do it better? Am I a good wife, a good mother, a good daughter, a good friend? Is the Lord pleased with my doings? Why do so many things seem out of whack? Is it my fear of failure and thinking that I'm heading in that direction?

These aren't things to easily verbalize to anyone except my husband. He's the only one who shares my possible failures. The only one who understands the seriousness of it b/c we risk it together. I don't want to fail.

Things I'm tired of hearing....
Your kids are so well behaved.
You're doing a good job.
They'll be fine b/c they've had such a good start.
How do you do it all?
You must be so patient.
..maybe because there are so many....
Is this the last one? (I'll answer that here. NO I hope not! and don't ask me when we're having another one.)


Things I want to hear....
Well done my good and faithful servant.
I love you Momma (from someone older than 5)
Let's go away for the weekend.

So I ask the Lord to walk back through this day with me and show me what I need to see. I need to get up earlier. I need to close the door sometimes. I need to set the rules and stick with them. I need to not be resentful for what I want and will never have. I need to surrender so much more. And I think I need to stop rambling....

Changes are happening

This week I've noticed some changes in our family.

1. As a group, we are more efficient with our work. When house cleaning used to take most of the day, now we're done around lunch time. That makes Mondays a lot better.

2. Everyone is louder. I haven't figured that one out yet. I can't imagine what it'll be like when Elijah enters the scene. Are they louder? Or am I less tolerant?

3. We eat a lot more food. I guess a growing family requires a growing grocery budget...or more creativity. I'm still working on this one. At one point we'll have 4 teenage boys at the same time...yikes!

4. School is harder.

Now and then I notice things like this that require change or reorganization. Now is that time. I've also noticed some behavior and personality issues that need to be addressed. These observations always come when I am feeling overwhelmed and like I need a vacation. Maybe some of it is the VERY cold weather and the fact that these little boys are stir crazy.

Anyway, I've made a list of things to pray over during quiet time today. Things that need adjusting. I need to re-group and have a better plan for tomorrow.

Ear Infection Cure

I love the natural cures idea but I've never had much success with it myself. I've tried lots of times through diet, herbs, and supplements to cure Honey's allergies. Money spent but nothing ever worked. We tend to do better with preventative measures instead.

By God's grace we have been blessed with very good health and with the exception of my son's athletic physicals for speed training we have managed to stay out of the doctors' offices for years now. I thought that was about to change.

My 12yo daughter complained of an ear ache. I looked into her ear and saw that she had an ear infection. That was a great victory in itself. I've never been able to see anything unusual with that gadget. Never been able to really tell what I was looking for. This time it was clear. I was excited with the fact that I could diagnose this and lined up everyone else to look into their ears too. Yep, her ear was different from everyone else's. Now what to do?

We had been looking through a health magazine and pulled out the recipe for a garlic poultice. Basically, it's just pressed garlic in a warm wet paper towel. I helped her make one to put over her ear. Then I made a trip to the health food store. I bought ear candles and garlic oil. I did the candles that night and started the garlic oil right away along with large doses of vitamin C.

The inconvenience was the fact that it had to be warmed to body temp. I taught her to do that herself. We continued this about 3 or 4 times a day. Then the other ear started hurting. Big sigh.....so this wasn't working either. Now both ears were infected. Well, she wasn't complaining too much, no fever, and it didn't affect her really so I decided to keep on the same course and see what happened.

Know what? It worked! I'm so glad. Perhaps it was time and prayer that healed it more than anything. I'm not sure I could've done that with a hurting baby. But I was excited that SOME sort of natural remedy was a success.

an encounter with God...

Well, being the dad or should I say a male, I am not one that blogs or keeps record of as many things as I should. Maybe because I'm not as studious as the wife is nor do I have much to share with anyone. However, something happened last night that I want to document somewhere.

It was late, the kids should have been in bed hours ago. However, when I went to snatch my pillow from the already sleeping 5yo who had become quite comfortable in my bed (see my wife's earlier blog), I heard voices coming from what we call the "parlor". Honestly, my first feeling was frustration. It was 10:00...why aren't they sleeping?!! I popped on the lights for a more intense affect and said in my best "agitated" dad voice, "why are you still up? It's 10:00, you should be sleeping already." Then I went into some blabbering about taking advantage of a privilege, turned off the light, and said, "goodnight"...as roughly as could be said I would guess. I continued with my activity of migrating downstairs to find a place to sleep.

Soon afterward, my wife came down stairs and told me the kids have something to tell me. I was sure a confession was coming or something of the sort. It wasn't that at all. #3 and #4 were both in tears. It appears that they had an encounter with God. My son had been praying that he could have the opportunity to share the Gospel with someone...as it turned out, he was able to share with his sister in her time of troubles and relate it to scripture in a way that really made sense to her. It was a touching moment for both of them. They cried, hugged and realized it was the Lord working in their lives. My heart was warmed with a knowledge and recall of experiencing similar workings from the Lord. It was a moment that I pray they don't forget, it's times like those that really reinforce that God is real and He is anxious to be part of our lives, even the lives of a 9 and 10 year old.

The following is the typed message that he gave me of the conversation the next morning. (I changed the names to the appropriate numbering scheme.)
_________________________________________
The Miracle
Last night #4 and I were doing prayer time before bed and I prayed that some way I could
share the Gospel and when I was done #4 said that it wasn't like me to pray that long
and that she was having a hard time waking up in the morning .So I told her not to say “yo” because
that is what they say when they're awake. And after that we just started to talk about struggles
and hardships. And when we were done #4 said it was the best message she ever heard.
_________________________________________

My words don't really describe the moment...God is wonderful and faithful. He says that if we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him. I love it when He rewards us with affirmation and His perfect timing. How do you explain that to a non believer that they may also personally experience the One that loves them the most? They might also experience the personal touch of the LORD. He will if they allow it. If anyone even reads this, please pray for my father and mother as well as my wonderful in-laws that they may know the great reward of being a slave to the Lord instead of the things that have ensnared them.

It was a precious moment. Just to think that I tried to thwart God's plan by disrupting their conversation...but He would have none of it. Thank you Lord.

This weekend...

Tonight is Friday. Know what that means? Everyone is sleeping somewhere besides their own bed. My new bed partner is a very handsome 5yo that makes funny noises in his sleep. He won the coin toss against his sister to secure this prized spot. I don't blame him, my bed is really comfy. I guess that means that Honey will curl up in his bed and keep warm with a fuzzy Spiderman blanket. Poor guy.

This weekend is supposed to be cold and maybe icy. I'm looking forward to staying in and cooking and napping and doing nothing. Eggs for breakfast, leftovers for lunch, and burgers with cheese sauce for dinner. The big bread baking is due and I have a lot of oatmeal to use up in muffins. I'll have to post that oatmeal muffin recipe. I don't remember where I got it but it's a good way to use up that left over jiggly oatmeal.

Baby Elijah is growing big and kicking and squirming. I'm now on the 2 week schedule. Already! It's getting closer!

Happy Birthday Dad!

I love you.

Ouch!

4yo had a tangle with his 2yo little brother today. He didn't come out on the winning side. I met him on the stairs, crying. He said "He bited me!" I looked at his shoulder and sure enough the evidence was clear.

I said "He bit you?".
He said "No, he bited me."
I said, "I'm sorry he BIT (with emphasis) you", hoping he'd catch on.
He said, "yeah, and then he BITED me!"

1 Timothy

I read 1 Timothy yesterday. Even though Paul was writing to Timothy (and not to moms), I thought it had some good principles that I could apply.

In V.3 he told him to "stay there in Ephesus" so that he could spend the time correcting wrong ideas. This helped me make a couple of decisions regarding my schedule this week. How can I have the time to correct those under me if I am out and about doing this and that. So I'm out of tomato puree and can't make my favorite spaghetti sauce, I'll save a trip to the store and come up with a different spaghetti sauce. (I think there's one in my Rachel Ray book)

Ch 2 starts with Paul saying that "requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness". This reminded me to pray for my husband. What a huge load of responsibility he has to lead this family. Praying for him helps me to release concerns to the Lord and trust Him to work it out leaving me more peaceful.

V.9 speaks of how women should dress modestly. I used to only think of modesty in terms of not too tight, too short, too low, too see-through. But it also means humble instead of extravagant. Another thing to always be teaching my kids.

Here's my favorite. Ch 4, V.12 "set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." This is my hardest one. I can tell my kids something all day but until I act it out in example they will have a hard time following. Especially my older ones. It's much easier to talk than to act.

My mom was visiting once and we got on the subject of how we open mail. I've never paid attention to how I open the mail. I just open it. All my big kids gave a detailed description to G'ma of just how I do it. Funny the things they pay attention to. I watched #1 open her b-day cards and she does it just like me.

Ch 4, V. 10 "we have put our hope in the living God, who is Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe." LIVING God, here and now, and in the middle of what I'm doing.

Ch 6:6 "But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Ch 6:20 "guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith." This will help me today when I revisit the topic of youth group/friendship relationships that resurfaced this morning. You never know what will come up. Good thing our hope is in the living God. I would never know what to say on my own.

Happy Birthday #1

In just a couple of hours our first born will be 15! Fifteen! Or as her 4yo brother says, "five-teen". How can it be? We've found that parenting a teenager is a very humbling experience. And, bless her heart, she has always had to be the guinea pig of our parenting experiments. But she is forgiving and patient and makes our job much easier. Here are some things about my 15yo...

She is BEAUTIFUL and graceful.

She has a flair for style.

She's got a great sense of humor and keeps us all laughing at the funny things she thinks.

She loves junk food (just like me) but tries hard to eat healthy.

She is wise with her money.

Star Wars and movie making are tops on her list of fun things to do.

Among her talents are writing and piano.

When she is sick, she is never in a bad mood.

When she is in trouble, she never pouts but gets over it quickly.

She is compliant.

She babysits and has 1 piano student.

She is learning to drive...YIKES!!

When God gives you girls first it is such an added blessing. I don't know how we could ever manage without her. She is my right arm...my "wife" as Honey calls her. She is capable in so many ways and helps us in just about every area of family life.


So her meals for tomorrow are:
Breakfast...orange rolls and blueberry french toast casserole
Lunch...pizza
Dinner...chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, and salad with boiled eggs
Dessert... chocolate peanut cluster cake and vanilla ice cream.

This has been a good year of growth for her. The best thing I have seen in her this year is her increased willingness to apologize when necessary. She is growing in humility. She also accepts correction well and tries to practice what she's been taught. That is good to see.

I have found that it is just as exciting to watch an older child grow as it is to listen to your baby's first words or cheer on her first steps. This year I've been able to help her to form ideas that will grow into her own adult opinions. I'm also watching her learn to interact socially on a more mature level. It is neat to see how she is maturing and I'm so proud of the young woman she is becoming.

Happy Birthday #1 ! We LOVE you!!

Claude the Dog and the One-Armed Cook

"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well, keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?" James 2:15-16

I found a book that illustrates this verse perfectly. We read it at story time this week. Claude the Dog A Christmas Story by Dick Gackenbach is precious. Claude the dog is a much loved family member who gets a new pillow, blanket, and rubber mouse for Christmas. When his friend, Bummer, comes to visit Claude learns that he has no home and is cold and lonely. In the course of the story, Claude winds up giving all his Christmas presents to Bummer. He then goes home to the waiting, loving arms of his boy. So sweet! You can guess what 2yo is getting for his b-day in April!

My friend brought be an early baby present. It's a cookbook titled "The One-Armed Cook". What is so funny is that she was also coming over to let me borrow her carrier! I've enjoyed looking through it today and took it to the doctor's office to read while I waited. It has lots of great looking recipes. Before I left for the doctor I popped into my bread machine the recipe for cinnamon raisin bread. When I came home, it smelled sooo good. I can't wait to try it for tea.

January and back to work

It's good to be back into the swing of things. Honey's back at work, we are back to school, and the New Year's leftovers are almost gone. My new calendar is slowly filling up with regular stuff. The holidays were wonderful but it's good to be back to work.

Not much on the schedule today except dinner at church tonight and baking a cake with COW for the neighbor's b-day.

The 4 older kids are working on research papers which will probably take more of my school time than usual.

I have a daughter who is being trained to think before she acts. That means lots of things will have to be repeated and redone and lots of mini speeches made.

I have to put away the carpet shampooer from the messy accident last night.

I need to read my book for the book study next Thursday. I'm only 1/2 way through it.

Now I need to go visit with my 2yo who is too loud in his bed......

Kool aid Playdoh

Here's my favorite playdoh recipe..

Kool aid playdoh

1 C. flour
1/2 C. salt
1t. cream of tartar
1T. oil
1C. water
2 packets of kool aid

Mix water and kool aid. Mix all ingredients together and cook and stir over low heat. Store in ziploc bags.

It smells so good and it's nice and soft. It lasts longer than the store bought kind too.
Once I made green playdoh with WW flour. The little brown specks were NOT attractive!! Use white!

Happy New Year!

2007!

I don't have any New Year's resolutions. I tend to work better in smaller goals instead of such a long term one. However, while reading in Ezekiel this morning I read this verse. ."(A righteous man) returns what he took in pledge for a loan" Eze 18:7

I think that means I need to get my library books back on time!