A Thankful Moment

I still have lots of back blogging to do with Mally's b-day and Thanksgiving but I didn't want this day to pass without recording this sweet moment with Nate. 

Sticking with our Friday night tradition, we have kids sleeping all over the place.  3 of them are in my room. 

Restless and wishing they could stay up later they were not settling in like usual.  The little boys were playing soccer from their sleeping bags.  Mally was up adjusting her blankets over and over and getting it all just so. 

I started reading to them from Jes' favorite book Squanto.  They immediately started settling down and were eager listeners.  We read 2 chapters then I turned on the Bible for them to listen to as they fell asleep. 

Jes and Mally were asleep before the 1st chapter was over but Nate lay awake and listened quietly.  Meanwhile, I was sitting on my bed reading some mail and listening too.  I kept glancing over at him and little by little I got to watch his sleepy eyes fall asleep!  He looked over once and smiled at me.  I smiled back and just kept watching.  And pretty soon he didn't open them again. 

It was such a sweet moment with my big boy that isn't too cuddly anymore.   I'm very thankful that he still likes sleeping in my room and listening to his momma read to him. 

Happy Wednesday And Third Day Of Vacation!

Is it the third day of vacation for you too?  The first?  Or maybe it doesn't start until tomorrow?  Please tell me you get tomorrow off at least!! 

I have LOVED this week! 

But on Sunday night I decided to set a couple of "rules" for vacation so I wouldn't squander them away and be disappointed at how I spent the time.  Not dead set "this is everything we're going to do" rules, but just some flexible ideas to keep me focused. 

~Get completely dressed every day.  I didn't wanna hang out in my pjs just b/c I could.  I knew I'd end the day feeling lazy. 

~Keep up with regular chores.  Because I'd go crazy if we didn't.

~Keep computer time to a minimum.  And please...no Xbox or Wii. 

I wanted to feel good about the way we spent our time and so far, I've enjoyed every minute of it. 
I still have some things on my "want to do" list and some that have already been crossed off.  This morning we're working on some Thanksgiving crafts.  (Thank you Shannon!)  And  LB and I are going to Leola's to sew.  I'm also picking up some new reads from the library and working with my kiddos to clean house for Thanksgiving. 

And do you know one of the things I'm most thankful for this year?  The fact that I CAN clean house with my kids!  Or, for that matter, I could do it all by myself.  But I'll let them help.  Just to be nice.  But seriously it just feels so good to feel better and I'm VERY thankful for that. 

Yesterday we celebrated Mally Bird's 6th birthday...preciousness that I hope to blog about later.  Oh!  And I also want to share with you this nifty idea for journaling I got off Pinterest.  I'm having such fun with it. 

I still want to create a play list for chores.  Maybe get some new Christmas songs.  Do some scrapbooking.  A bit of Christmas shopping.  And decorate my cookbook. 

OH and today is Meg's first day at home!  4 whole days without school and having her pretty face around.  I'm hoping she'll help me do some Christmas-y stuff that requires concrete because she knows how and I don't.  Aren't you wondering what I'm doing with concrete?  No? 

And now I'm off to get dressed and ready for day 3.  I wonder if next week I'll blog something like..."it's nice to be back in routine." 

I don't think so.

I'll leave you with this random picture of Nate in a tree.  I love that happy face!

Love God, Love Others

That's what it all comes down to right? 

Then why am I so bogged down with everything else?  I have so much to be thankful for this year, but it's also been a year of extreme stretching.  I'd like to say that I'm in better shape from it all, but I don't see it. 
And as the year comes to a close I am not at all sad.

I look forward to 2012.  It almost feels like another chance to start over.  To try again.  "forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead".....

This is certainly not a jump on a list of New Year's resolutions.  I think I better steer clear of any of those.  But as I was checking my calendar for next week (VACATION ya'll!) I started thinking of all the things I'd like to do.  And then that led to more things I'd like to do in general.....or someday.

~play outside with my kids
~find some new reads
~send out more letters/cards
~write notes to my kids and leave them on their pillows
~a little bit of Christmas sewing (maybe??) 
~organize the pantry
~reach out to my neighbors more

I wonder how people get so much done.  I feel like I'm "doing" all the time and it's still never done.  I'm actually ok with that considering my season of life and the busyness of my household.  But it does keep me from doing much of the "others". 

I'm still listening to Beverly Bradley and enjoying every word of it.  And her words, "Love God love others" kept coming to mind tonight as I was scrambling to finish dinner and looking at the 6 loads of unfolded laundry. 

Love God, love others. 

Where does laundry fit in?  I don't know but I do know this....the best part of my day was playing football with Jes in the street, playing Gold Fish Go Fish with 5 kids, and wiping up Nate's face after he'd been throwing up.  (yes, I even like the last one.  Is that weird?) 

Somehow I just hafta figure out how to balance it all.

Almost On Vacation!!

One more school day and then we're DONE!  And did I mention that I'm not too fond of Friday school either?  nevermind.

~Next week I want to do some Thanksgiving crafts with my favorite people.  I haven't done any Thanksgiving crafts at all this year.  Not that I ever go overboard with that, but I do want to do something...even if it's just hand print turkeys.  I found some easy stuff on Pinterest that I think they'll like.  Except I didn't plan ahead and I need more toilet paper rolls.  We unusally only go through 2 rolls of toilet paper a day and that's not enough.  Anybody wanna share? .......Jodie?

~Do you have big Thanksgiving plans?  We're having the R family over and hopefully Ms. Ruby.   No turkey over here though.  My kiddos aren't crazy about the traditional Thanksgiving fare so we usually do a big breakfast for supper instead.  Pancakes, eggs, sausage, gravy, biscuits, bacon, and juice.  And the men will make it.  Do you think I can talk them into cleaning it up too?  Or would that be pressing my luck? 

~To make my menuing easier, I've divided into catagories.  Pizza night, Sandwich/wraps night, Mexican night, Pasta night, Date night, and I still need 2 more.  Maybe Breakfast night and Soup night but soup isn't a fave with anyone except Lane and me.  Anyway, the sandwich night is certainly new and (kinda) a fun challenge.  Since most sandwiches feature meat and cheese, I'm working on coming up with a selection of vegan recipes.  Here's last night's.....

Spicy Black Bean Wraps

WW tortillas (Josh pressed these out for me.)
Spicy black beans (cayenne, garlic salt, and black pepper) tossed with 1 bunch of chopped cilantro
guacamole with chipotle
cucumbers and tomatoes
lettuce
red onion

FULL of flavor!  We had these with chips and salsa and stewed apples. 

~Apples are on sale for 48 cents at WM.  And while Jonathans aren't my fave they'll certainly do for that price!

~No Awana next week.  I sure hope my little Awana peeps have a good Thanksgiving.  Especially Haley...I'm more concerned for her.  She reminds me so much of our little Geneva who's been gone for almost a year I think.   And please pray for Desiree's mom to get a job.  I have a feeling that's a big deal for their family so I want to pass it along.  I love that little girl.  She has such a happy personality!

~I layed down with my ZBoy last night in his tent.  He hasn't been sleeping in his tent lately and if I were him I'd sleep in it every night.  It's sooo cozy in there! 

~My dryer is taking 100 minutes to dry a load of clothes!  Crazy.  I googled it and I think we need a part that costs about $20.  I figure if I'm wrong I haven't lost much.  If I'm right, I've saved us a lot of money on a guy.  I hope I'm right both b/c I want to save money and also b/c it gives our boy some experience at appliance repair. 

~Off to start the day....oh and did I mention it's the Friday before VACATION???

Azure Standard And Other Food Talk

Don't forget the cut off is early this month!  And there is no delivery for December so you might wanna order extra to get you through till the end of January. 

I was so excited to see that the cases of Sucanat were 15% off!

I also bought 20# apples
25# carrots
3 gallons of honey
5# cashews
oats, wheat, salt
flax seed
hemp seed
and some gluten free stuff

I think I'm almost set for holiday baking.  I also ordered a gallon of palm shortening and a gallon of agave nectar.  (I love it when I get food in the mail!)  Aldi has pumpkin now so I bought 2 cases yesterday and that should do it for awhile.  Now I just need a coconut oil sale and I'll be set!

This morning I made pumpkin smoothies from a recipe I got from Pinterest. 

1 cup non-dairy milk – I used unsweetened almond
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 banana
1 tbsp raisins or 1/2 tsp maple syrup - I used a tablespoon for a double batch
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground ginger
pinch ground nutmeg
pinch ground cloves
pinch all spice

Directions

Place everything but whipped topping in the blender.
Blend until smooth

Most of the kids loved these.  They are very filling and nutritious and perfect for breakfast.  It also has a coconut whipped cream you can use for the top but I didn't get that fancy....too early in the morning. 

My Favorites

Wanna see some senior pix?

I love this one because she looks so genuinely happy.  And the dog is even looking the right way!

Beautiful!

And so it begins.  The first step in graduating.  It has been such a joy to homeschool this precious girl from birth.  And here we stand at the threshold of completion.  Already!!   

We are all eager to see what God has in store for her now. 

I love you Lane!!

Pizza Love

Tonight Meg and Ethan did a pizza cook-off for us.  They each made 2 pizzas.  1 vegan one, 1 regular one. 

Nobody knew which was which b/c they went to his house to put them together, used our dishes, and brought them over here.  Oh you should've smelled our kitchen!! 

It was nearly impossible to pick.  Both vegan pizzas had their own unique goodness.  And both the regular pizzas looked incredible.  We sounded like the judges on Iron Chef critiquing all of them.    Ethan's had a crust that he worked on for 2 days with a recipe he created himself.  Meg's had yummy sauce and a vegan cheese that was delish. 

I hated to have to vote.  But vote we did.  And it was a lot of fun. 
Thank you Meg and Ethan!  Dinner was heavenly!!

Awana!

Where did all these new kiddos come from??  I don't know...but I hope they come back!

We started off with some great music and a couple of new songs.  And even though our super sexy worship leader had a raspy throat, I don't think he could've sounded better!

Some of my own little cutsies had a front row seat. 

Mr. Cool.

Take a look at these super smart 2nd graders.  LB took out the seasoned Awana kids who had books and I stayed with all the newbies.  Love love LOVE this stage where everyone is all at the same place.  That means I had a whole entire class period to tell these guys about Jesus and heaven and how to get there and why they should care.  We talked about how God loved them even before they were born and how He loves them forever and always.  Freedom!  And I feel so privileged to think that maybe...just maybe..God is using me ME! to tell them this for the first time.  So blessed. 

Recognize these guys?   My little prayer partners who pray for grades and grandmas and talk about what Big Boy spent all his money on this week.   They get so excited about telling me what happened to them every week.  It's cute.  Tonight's focus was what it means to fall short of the glory of God. 

Dinner was beef hot dogs, chips, pickles, and bananas...and there's always enough no matter how many mouths there are.  That always amazes me. 

And of course the drive home is full of lively chatter as my older kids tell about the kids in their classes and what happened in games. 

Thank you God for Awana nights!

The Temple Of The Holy Spirit

"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?....For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple."  1 Cor 3:16 & 17

In Luke 2:46 Jesus clears out the (physical)  temple and drives out the money changers saying, "My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it into a den of robbers." 

Have you ever thought of your body as a house of prayer?  A place where the Spirit of God lives?! 

"We do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."  Romans 8: 26-27

And just as Jesus cleared out the money changers and cleaned house, He also wants us to use our bodies as instruments of righteousness and not for our own pleasures. 

IBC had some wonderful guest speakers this weekend.  And one thing that Donna said that keeps ringing in my ears is "feed your spirit more than your flesh".   Feasting in God's Word....soaking. 

If you have some time pick up a copy of My Utmost For His Highest and read what Oswald Chambers has to say today.  Good stuff!!

Praying With Our Kids

"The circumstances of a saint's life are ordained of God.......in order that the intercession of the Spirit in you may take a particular line."  - Oswald Chambers

He also calls it "the ministry of the interior".  I love that. 

We noticed something at the dinner table lately.  Some of our kids shied away from praying out loud.  There's a part of me that understands this.  Maybe they don't think they have the right words, that their words aren't as "spiritual" as some, that they will sound foolish.   I know, because I've struggled with this too.  I've come to the conclusion that it is a lie of Satan and one that we need to actively combat.   It is also a matter of pride and praying to men instead of God...again something that needs attention.  It requires a shift of focus....and practice. 

We started a family prayer notebook.  Nothing fancy, just a little spiral notebook with lined pages where we write about people that we know need prayer.   Every morning we talk about these needs and go around praying; each taking a turn to pray about whatever he wants.   I don't require that everyone pray.  They have the choice to remain silent and the next person will pick up. 

But you know what?  Hardly ever does anyone pass up the opportunity!  They seem to enjoy having particular ppl or circumstances to bring before God.  Often the littler ones will fixate on one particular request and pray for that person every day.  It's been really neat to watch the growth.

We pray for salvation, health, lost jobs, our church, pastors...you name it.  And I just found out this weekend that a man we've been praying for just got his old job back!

I can't wait to tell the kids! 

Soaking Up God's Word

"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." 
Phil 3:8

This was the theme of my Saturday.   I've been listening to Beverly Bradley's cd, Overcoming The Distractions Of Motherhood.   I knew just by the title that it was something I needed to hear and boy was I right!  

That word DISTRACTION really sums it up.  Not scatter brained distraction, but the distraction that comes by the futile never ending chores of a Genesis 3 world.   I'm distracted by many things that will not even matter tomorrow-- cooking, cleaning, piano, cooking, soccer, school, cooking.....let's not go there.

Tonight at IBC's fall meeting we learned about detaching ourselves from our worldly attachments, immersing ourselves in God, feeding our spirits and walking in victory by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Walking in victory is not what I've been experiencing lately ya'll.   And why not?  Because I've been way too concerned with the tangible temporal things of this life.   "for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 2 Cor 4:18

It's time to change.  Time to shift my focus.  Time to be still.  And be quiet.  And soak. 

Some Extra Kitchen Time

I have been so overwhelmed in my kitchen this year.  Adjusting to cooking within certain parameters has been a challenge for this foodie who loves her freedom.  Most of the time I lack motivation, especially when it's just my food.  I love it when I can make something for the whole family but there are times when it's just not practical to do that within my particular restrictions.  Gluten free cooking for 11 is one of those things. 

I have the cookbooks.  I've pinterest-ed the recipes.  I have the ingredients.  I lack the time and desire. 

But last night was cold and windy and we decided for me to stay home from soccer with the little ones.   The house was clean, dinner was done, the kids were happy.  So I decided to experiment in the kitchen with my alternative grains.  The cookbook I'm most interested in has several GF mixes that you mix up beforehand to draw from for the recipes.  I pulled everything out, made a great mess, and started measuring, counting, and labeling until I ran out of ingredients. 

Meanwhile, I put on a pot of rice noodles to cook for some pasta salad later.  (Another thing I rarely do b/c nobody likes rice noodles.) 

By the time I was done I had 3 bags of different GF mixes AND part of a pasta salad made.  And while I didn't have anything completed to show for it, it sure seemed like I got a lot accomplished!

Rejoicing!!

I had an appt with my rheumatologist today that I was NOT looking forward to.  I was awaiting results of my recent blood work and I was unsure of that...particularly my white blood count.   I was also anticipating him wanting to up my meds again.  Or worse, change them. 

One of the meds I'm taking is a malaria drug and has some side effects to the eyes.  So now and then I have to go to this intense eye appt that I HATE.  It takes days for my eyes to get over it.  That was 2 weeks ago and I started praying specifically that something...anything...would change so that I'd never have to do that again. 

So today he announces that my blood work was "beautiful"!  And without me saying anything about it, he also said it was time to get off the plaquenil!!  OFF!  Completely.  As in I'll never have to do that eye appt again.  Oh praise the Lord!   He did not change my other meds at all and in fact spaced my next appt to nine weeks!  That's almost next year ya'll. 

HAPPY HAPPY DAY! 

"in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."  Phil 4:6

My next request is complete and total healing but for now I'm pretty happy with fewer meds!

A New Salad Dressing

And everyone who tried it liked it!  We tend to be divided over here with salad dressings.  I keep a couple of different ones made up and now we have a new one to add to the mix. 

I don't have a name for it yet, so tell me if you think of something good. 

Nameless Delicious Salad Dressing..... (that will NOT do.)

juice of 1 lemon

1 1/2 C oil

4 T vinegar

2 T Braggs (or soy sauce)

2 tsp paprika

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp each pepper & garlic powder

Shake it all up in a quart size mason jar.  And did you know that the lids from mayo jars fit on small mouth mason jars?  A plastic screw top lid is much nicer for salad dressings than the 2 part canning lids. 

This week I'm trying something new.  Salad for lunch everyday.  I never have enough leftovers anymore and planning lunch as well as dinner was becoming too much.  So we chop up the greens and set out lots of different toppings to make a big salad bar.  Everyone seemed to enjoy personalizing their own and making suggestions for different toppings to add.  It's easy b/c even the littlest kids can help with washing and chopping.  Adding tuna, boiled eggs, chickpeas, etc. make it pretty hardy with a loaf of bread. 

When Boys Get A Hold Of My Phone .....

A New Trick

Ignore his awful mohawk (he called it his half hair cut) and my annoying voice!

Philippians 4:5

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.  Let your gentleness be known to all."  Phil 4:4-5

This is the verse I've been thinking on the last couple of days.  And for good reason!  Instead of setting my thoughts on those things that are "true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise" (v. 8) I have been griping about dwelling on everything that rubs me the wrong way. 

Instead of being thankful for the opportunities I have to correct my kids and teach them the right way, I get discouraged b/c they don't already know it.  Instead of looking forward to another day to get to be together for school, I dread the work and wonder what other moms get to do all day.  Instead of loving on my sweet and faithful man, I pick on the way he does things.  And instead of rejoicing over the abundance of food in my kitchen, I moan over the work involved to feed so many ppl. 

My gentleness is certainly not known to all.  More like my abrasiveness.  The ESV reads "reasonableness" and I'm not that either. 

So today I'm praying for the Lord to give me His perspective, to open my eyes to see the good, to open my mouth in praise and encouragement, to help me to give thanks in all circumstances knowing that it is all working together for good. 

And I want to smile.  At my kids.  At my man.  At everyone I get to see today. 
It's a perfectly beautiful storm outside and wonderfully peaceful in my house.   Quiet and still.
We're going shoebox shopping...the kickoff of our Christmas traditions.
We're going to love on some friends at a funeral and take supper over later.
I get to buy my tall dark and handsome a tie. 
I hope to get to call my dad.

And I get to spend the day with the people I love the most.

Courageous

3 of our sweet kids gave us some date night money to go see Courageous tonight.  Wasn't that precious?  They do that now and then and it blesses my heart every time. 

FANTASTIC movie!  I cried through the whole thing and put the pretty kleenex that Ms. Donna gave me to good use.  And shared one with the lady beside me cause she was crying too. 

And know what?  I have a shirt that was in that movie!!  I know!!  I'm practically famous I'm thinking. 

It was in the scene where they were doing the ceremony outside and Jade is wearing my cupcake shirt! 
It's my ugly white ruffled shirt that we call the cupcake shirt b/c it  makes me feel like a floofy cupcake.  Hate it.  But her's was green.  I'm fairly positive that it's polyester.  And I'm extremely anti polyester!  Jeans and t-shirts over here thank you. 

So if you see the movie, watch for it ok? 

Anyway, it's my favorite of all their movies and I didn't want it to end.  Thank you sweet kids!  Your mommy is blessed. 

IBC Block Party

Oh just look at the fun!!  Certainly the best thing of my week seeing as how I had to miss Awana and all.

My kids had a blast!  All except Meg who had to miss b/c she was sick.  :-(

My family playing music in the gazebo.  Jes is in the back on the drums.  He loves playing drums but was worried  he'd be there the whole time and not get to do any of the games.   It got too dark to play around 7pm and he was set free to enjoy the rest of the party.  And since he's a kid that likes all things party related, he had a super fun time.

LB face painting.  This was supposed to be Meg's job but when she got sick LB had to take her place.  Even though it was her first time, you'd never know.   Spiders, rainbows, crosses, all sorts of cute faces walking around.  She was busy all night with a continuous line of kiddos. 

My girl Desiree.  Pretty pretty!  She reminds me of my own little Bird a few years down the road.

Precious!  Love my IBC friends!  Hotdogs, chips, and lemonade.  Delish!

Funny picture?  My kids asked where they were supposed to keep their treat bags when they jumped on the bounce around.  I told them to set them flat on the ground and put their shoes on top of it.  I didn't think about it again until I went to check on them and this is what I saw.  So I had to take a picture to show their daddy how they followed directions so well.  

My guys Hayden and MJ.  Lookin good fellas! 

T'was a great night!

Blah.....

It's too bad every day can't be the weekend.  Our work weeks are far too crowded.  And I can't figure it out exactly.   School takes forever.  We don't do a lot of extras.  Kitchen work is ridiculous....seriously.  And I feel like Honey and I barely see each other until Sunday night.  Then it starts over again. 

I've tried getting up earlier.  I've tweaked our schedule.  And I'm tired of thinking about it. 

I'm nursing a cold...which I haven't had in a LOOOONG time.  Like what's up with my immune system this year????  I even had to miss Awana over it.  Which oughta tell you something.  I figured I'd hafta be practically dead before I missed that, but when it came down to it I was afraid of getting my guys sick.  So I stayed home.  And pouted.  But I got a very good report that they were angels. 

Maybe that's why I'm in such a crummy mood.  Plus my house is a mess.  That never helps. 

Well enough of that......how 'bout some randomness?

~Did you know that I made it through the whole summer without one. single. snowcone?  I know.
And even more surprising is the fact that they were able to stay in business. 

~Nov 1 I get to make lunch for the ladies at IBC.  And I'm just a teeny bit excited and thinking over what I'll do.  Pinterest is wonderful.

~When we were first married, Honey and I bought 2 4-drawer dressers.  Plain little wooden ones.  And over the last 23 years they have been painted every color.  Except red I think.  This week I moved them from the girls' room to the boys' room and painted them again.  Purple Blue Blurple.  Not exactly the color I thought it'd be but good enough. 

~I'm also cleaning out every nook and cranny in that room.  Today I took the curtains down and washed them.  Cleaned the windows.  And worked on clothes.  Now that I think about it....that's what the mood is about! 

~Tomorrow is the block party at IBC!!  Super funness I'm guessing and the perfect way to kick off the WEEKEND!!

New Jammies!

Aren't they adorable? 

It's so nice to see Nate in footy jammies.  When he was a baby it was a nightmare trying to make him wear them.  They are so warm and cuddly and he'd have nothing to do with them.   In fact, if he did make it to bed with them, he'd wake us up in the middle of the night crying to take them off. 

He came in my room early yesterday morning all decked out in his cuteness.  Right away I called him up so I could snuggle on all his yummy self.   It's even better than Jes has them too and they match. 

Love me some sweetie boys!

Thank you Amy!!

Calico Salad

I heart this bean salad. 

And I've tried a lot.  A LOT.  I've tried different beans.  Different dressings.  And this one is my all time fave.

When this is in the fridge I eat it all day.  And I've even been known to have it for breakfast! 

If you want to make it super fast just open some cans, use jarred jalepenos and leave out the onion. 

Calico Salad

2 C. each kidney, chick peas, and green beans

1 jalepeno seeded and chopped fine

1/4 red onion chopped fine

Mix all together.  And make the dressing....

8 oz olive oil

juice of one lemon + enough apple cider vinegar to make 4 oz.

1 garlic clove minced

1 squirt of dijon mustard

1 tsp each salt, pepper, italian seasoning.

Shake in a jar and pour over beans.  Refrigerate and TRY to wait patiently. 

Went Fishin'

Honey had the day off and invited ME to go fishing!  Not a son, not his dad, but ME.  So how could I refuse?  It's been a looooooong time since we spent the whole day alone together.  I spent all week looking forward to it.  And last night I spent some time packing our snacks while he and CT went to Academy for some last minute "essentials". 

We got up early.  WHY???  I don't know.  I told him we should let the fish sleep.  But he didn't see it my way. 

We started hooking the boat to the van but it wasn't working.  The metal piece didn't fit.  I had to hold the flash light....remember it was early.  And Honey hammered on it and cussed at it (not really, but I know he wanted to.)  Finally there was nothing to do but take the piece to Walmart and get another one. 

Finally on the road but not going where we originally intended b/c of the delay.   We went to a little lake on Chaffee that was just right.   Putting the boat into the water was a huge hassle and we broke a piece off the trailer. 

The water was beautiful but the place was not very hospitable.  Hard to find with no signs and me reading the map.  :-)  It was hard getting the boat in partly b/c the boat-putter-in place was all rocky and messed up.  There were no trash cans.  And the port-a potty was not meant for girls. 

But once on the water, floating in the boat, all was nice.  I felt like a queen in my brand new lawn chair with the fancy umbrella attachment and the potty that Honey rigged up for me.  For a lot of the day we were the only ones there. 

Did I mention I'm not really a fisher person?   I caught a fish though!  Kinda by accident, but still. 
So what did I do? 
~I sat.
~Talked.
~Ate most the food I brought for both of us.
~Read my book aloud to Honey.
~Pushed the button to put water into the live well.
~Ducked when he casted.... let's just say they didn't all end up in the water the first time.
~Untangled his back lashes.
~And cheered him on when he reeled another one in. 

Then it was time to go.  

 I was stationed at the boat while Honey got the van.  And GASP!!  Right before my eyes my lawn chair and umbrella blew off the boat and into the water!!  My new one!  And where's my man???  Who knows.
There was nothing to do but go after it.  In the water. In my socks.  And jeans.

It also knocked my book bag into the floor.  Which also held his wallet and both our phones.  Did I mention that the boat was holding quite a bit of water (for no reason) AND it was a borrowed book??

Finally he brings the van around and has the nerve to ask, "Why are you wet?"  
Oh laugh it up Honey.

As hard as it was to get the boat into the water, it was nothing compared to loading it up. The rope broke. The wind was blowing. And we couldn't back the trailer into the same place we put in.

Then it was MY turn to be in the van and HIS turn to be in the water.  But it didn't matter.  Too much wind, too hard.  I had to drive to the other side of the lake while he met me with the boat.  That place was easier but still not great.  I finally retrieved my book bag which was all wet....but dry inside b/c it was a canvas water proof one.   Phones and books were saved!

Finally we were back on the road.  Sigh of relief!  Until he handed me the map.  Oh please. 

We made it home and then had to back the boat back into the driveway.  I'm guessing marital counseling offices are full of couples backing boats in together.  

Anybody need a boat?

Another Great Night At Awana

And I forgot to take any pix.  I haven't taken pix of them in a long time, huh?  That's ok you know what they look like. 

Besides it was super busy with the Spears being gone AND it was pretty much a full house.  

We started the night with a couple more songs than usual w/Damian shaking the egg.  Then Honey was going to pick someone else and he said "Raise your hand if your name starts with M".  A couple of hands went up.  "Keep your hand raised if your 2nd letter is J". 

And MJ huffed and put his hand down!  M.....J.....he didn't get it.  But then he was thrilled when he finally caught on.  He shook the egg.  Upside down. 

In my 2nd grade class we talked about Vincent's verse..."Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right."   And how are you known when someone says your name? 

Emily passed off her start zone.  (She's so quiet and sweet.) 
And Hayden practiced all of Psalm 23 while doing jumping jacks. 
Vincent decided to run his mouth when it wasn't his turn but a sideways look sent him to the floor for push ups.  It's my usual consequence for talking.  But it was cute that he did it without me telling him! 

Third Grade ...6 boys and....A GIRL!!  Yup, you read it right.  Shakira graced the room that has only seen boys for about a year now.   So we had a talk to remind the boys of how to act when we have a girl.  The girl always goes first.  And she is always the line leader.  Or she would be, if we could ever form a decent line.  I hafta say they were super good to her.  And I think she liked it.  She passed off John 3:16 and I really hope she comes back! 

We prayed for sick grandpas and better grades.  It's the first time that I can remember that we didn't pray for someone's dog or hamster.   In both classes we prayed about bullies for the first time.  I don't know if that's the new buzz word in elementary school or if that's really an issue. 

Dinner was corn dogs and carrots and Ms. Joy told me not to give them raisins anymore b/c they were spilling them all over the floor.  Oh well.  I'm out anyway. 

It was another good night. 

Isaiah 26:3-4

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, b/c he trusts in you.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. "  Isaiah 26:3-4

This is the verse I've been thinking on today and trying to keep my mind stayed on the Lord.  Trying to praise Him for who He is and what He's done....
~ He created me for His glory.

~He redeemed my life from the pit.

~He will never leave me nor forsake me.

~There is none His equal.

~He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

~The Lord is near to all who call on Him in truth. 

My neighbor's brother is dying.  I don't know him.  I'm pretty sure he doesn't know the Lord.  I've been praying for him since yesterday.  And I pray that he will have the perfect peace that only comes from Jesus.

This Week...

I love this picture!  Homeschooling at its finest.  Lane is teaching the littles history this year and there she is in her "class room" with all her interested pupils.   Sweet! 

~Whenever anyone asks her about her history lessons she always answers, "I think I like it more than they do!"  Teaching is something that she's very good at.  3 times a week she tutors a boy at Union and I've enjoyed watching her learn different techniques to help him learn.  She has also been asked to substitute at Union next week for 3 days.  Exciting!  I've been praying for her and asking the Lord to give us opportunities and show us the way He has for her.  Maybe this is an open door. 

~My highlight of this week was the ladies' missions meeting at IBC.  Those ladies are so much fun!  Lane and I went and next month we'll take LB.  Of course tonight is AWANA!!  So that'll probably be my new highlight. 

~Do you have Netflix?  I have 3 great food documentaries (if you're into such things).  Fat Sick and Nearly Dead, Food Matters, Fork Over Knives.  Watch them in that order.  I'm even using them for part of my kids' science this year.   If you struggle with any type of health issues, you'll want to check it out.  So interesting!

~Today my kids discovered the goodness of veggie sandwiches.  Lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, pickles, and olives were what was on hand.  Now that I know they like it, I'll be sure to have some ready made stuff in the fridge.  I wish avocados weren't so expensive right now.  I actually ran out of bread b/c they kept coming back for more. 

~How'd you do with the September challenge?  I did ok.  Actually, I'm not even sure I can count it.  We still had some company and my schedule wasn't normal.  And then on some of the normal days I changed things around a bit and walked in the mornings.  My kids were/are doing much better at starting the day lately.  Maybe I'll hafta visit that challenge again some month.  :-)

Anyway, I'm doing a new one for October.  One look at my Discover bill and I noticed that I spent WAAAY too much time in Walmart grocery shopping.  Like every other day!   Really?  Cause it didn't seem like I got out that much.  But maybe I sent Eldest.  Or Honey.  I don't know.  Anyhow, my October challenge is to grocery shop only once a week and NO more.   So far, 5 days into October, I've been once and we're very well grocery wise.  I also have a list on my phone of anything I can think of for the next time I go.  Menu planning will be even more important b/c I think preparation is the key. 

How 'bout you?  Do you have an October challenge? 

~Graduation meetings have started.  Can't believe I'll have another graduate in the spring! 

~TaeKwonDo campout this weekend!  Doesn't that sound like fun?  We won't stay overnight but will join in on the daytime fun.   I bet there'll be lots of pix. 

A New Member?

One night there was lots of this...

And this...

The next morning I woke up to this guy. 

Looks like the family band is expanding! 

LOVE this boy and his red blankey!

Some Oswald Chambers This Week

"God does not ask us to do the things that are easy to us naturally; He only asks us to do the things we are perfectly fitted to do by His grace." Oswald Chambers

~Awana is a perfect example of this! It something I never dreamed I'd be doing! "not my thing" kinda sums it up. How glad I am that God had something different in mind.

I'm learning that everything does not need to be comfortable for it to be right. And I'm trying to keep it in mind when my kids are not so happy with my decisions for them.

~So often I get excited about a thing and ask God to bless it instead of asking God where He wants me to go.

And then there are the times I've refused to go, justifying it by saying "that's just not me".  The fact is, I don't want to be just me.  I want to be conformed to the likeness of Christ..... and sometimes that's not so comfortable. 

 "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."  2 Cor 3:18

AWANA Last Night!

It was a terrific night last night.  This year I have Vincent in my 2nd grade class.  He didn't have a way to iron/sew on his patches to his vest last week so I took it home with me.  LB sewed them on for him and he was SOOOO thankful.   He was just gushing his thanks to her at dinner.  It was sweet. 

I've noticed a lot of growth in him this year.  Both he and Cole seemed to have matured quite a bit over the summer.   And when I had the opportunity to tell them how to be saved, he looked into my eyes with full attention.  I don't think I would've gotten that last year. 

Desiree is precious!!  She is just genuinely happy to be there.  When I asked her what I could pray for, she said to pray that she'll get to come back next week!  I got to meet her mom at dinner and I asked her if she needed help with her patches b/c they don't have an iron.  She told me that it might be hard to get the vest away from Desiree b/c she loves it so much!  

 

Look at these hard workers!  MJ finished his whole start zone and then helped Caleb to finish his.  Know what that means?  Next week they'll all have their shirts and books!!  Way to go boys!

Speaking of shirts.  How handsome is BigBoy in his new T&T duds?  I'm super proud of this guy. 

At the end of their start zones it says to tell what it means to trust Christ.  I felt like they could probably do this pretty well since we talked about it so much last year.   When I had Caleb tell me, we hit a bit of a snag.

He said you have a "pretty good chance" of going to heaven if you trust the work of Christ.   While it's cute, it's wrong.  So I had the great opportunity of clearing that up for him.  I'm glad they asked that question.  And we'll certainly talk about it more (as a class) next week.

Dinner was chicken nuggets, chips, and carrots.   Vincent came up to me at dinner and said his face was itching.  Well, I blew him off and told him I thought he'd be fine and it was almost time to go home anyway. 

Getting no help from me, he went to Lane who was far more sensitive to him.   She took him and washed his face all over.  Later she told me she thought his face was breaking out with something. (???)  

I hate that I was so insensitive and blew him off like that.  I certainly missed a blessing to serve him.  I'm really glad Lane was there and handled it better than I did.  

 

Happy Birthday LB!!

Yay!  Another birthday!

And this kicks off the next b-day season around here.

3 more to go before Thanksgiving, though the fall b-days are not as close together as the spring.

The excitement starts the night before with decorating after the b-day girl goes to bed.

Everybody gets in on the action.

And when morning comes its all smiles and Happy Birthday and excitement.  So sweet.

Breakfast was bread and gravy and waffles and juice.

We spent the morning at the park playing and soaking up the beautiful day.

LB's birthday always has the nicest weather!

While we were gone, I had Eldest make LB's bed with the new bedding we bought her.

SURPRISE!

Lunch at Olive Garden. 

(and btw, they are very accomodating to vegans)

TKD! 

Then dinner at home with burritos.   A big family fave.

PRESENTS!!

Um. Yeah.  We give our kids light bulbs for their b-days.  Doesn't everybody?

no?

B-day brownies which is what she almost always picks.

2+3+4+5=14.  Get it?

Good lookin party folks.

And the birthday girl!  Doing her favorite thing. 

Curled up in her bed with her new bedding, lamp, and book.

Happy Birthday Sweetie Pie!

We love you so much!

Fixed!

The washing machine was rebelling. 

The clothes were too wet and sometimes there was standing water in the bottom.

My friend Jodie told me it was the pump.  (How does she know these things??)

She told it was easy to clean out and even sent me a youtube video. 

But still I didn't know. 

Cause we're not generally the kind of ppl that just tackle such a job.

We're more like...We'll never figure that out. We better call a guy.

And Honey had a LOT on his plate.  So I thought it would be nice if I could figure this one out myself.  And then I reasoned, that if we really messed it up we'd call a guy like we were planning on anyway.  Nothing to lose, right?

So I called my son and told him that I thought we he could do it.  He watched a couple of youtubes and then just tore into it like he's done it a million times!  Fearlessly. 

And it works!!!  He did it!  

And we were all impressed.

(Did you notice his little apprentice looking over his shoulder?)

UPDATE:  It's back to it's old ways. :-(
Now what??  Jodie?  Anybody?

The Morning After

He thought the stitches were cool but not the swelling.
He cried when he saw himself this morning!

Battle Scar

I'm making breakfast this morning listening to the early risers wrestle in the living room.  Then I hear it. 

Crying that lasts a little longer than it should from someone like Jes.   

Seconds later he was in the kitchen and (oh God NOOO!!)  he's holding his eye and there's blood everywhere!  You know how the head bleeds.  I was scared to see what was under his hand. 

But when I moved it I was relieved to find that it was a little gash in his eyelid.  (Thank you Jesus!) The stupid dog stepped on his face. 

Not too bad once it was cleaned up but would be hard to butterfly w/o taping his eye closed.   Besides his momma didn't want much of a scar on that handsome face.   So I called Honey and told him I was bringing Jes up to his office so we could look at it together.  We took him up to one of the nurses he works with and she thought it would need a couple of stitches. 

This took the entire morning.  We waited.  And played cards.  And waited.  And took pictures of ourselves.  And waited.  And played more cards.  And waited. And he texted his sister. And waited some more. 

A loooooong time later....

Jes was quite thrilled with the whole thing.  I mean how cool are stitches to an 8yo boy! The only disappointment was that they didn't have any good colors.  Only black.  

 He got 2 stitches to show off to G'ma and Aunt Mich and Mason, and all his siblings, and his soccer team. 

Honey and I took him to lunch since we had him all to ourselves. 

This goes down as one of his favorite days ever!

A Super Special Birthday Celebration!

These are the birthday girls!  My sister-in-law and mother-in-law.  Not Mally...she's just a ham.

My MIL was turning 70 and in Korea there is a big celebration for that birthday.  We wanted to something special for her and we tried our best to re-create some of the tradition.  Part of the surprise was Mich and Mason flying in from AZ.  Ethan drove us all morning back and forth to Tulsa to pick them up. 

You should've seen the look on her face when she saw them! 

Those of us who had them, dressed up in Korean clothes.  Lots of kids had outgrown them but we pieced together and did the best we could.  The little ones LOVED it b/c they have never done this before.

We all practiced the proper bow and took turns bowing to her in birth order.  ZBoy was adorable and had the bow down perfectly.

My boys are THRILLED that my nephew is here.  This kid is a joy and we don't get to see him nearly enough.

This is my FIL making some traditional Korean food.  It's really cute b/c he has NO idea what he's doing! 

None of us did.  But it was fun trying. 

And the tears in my FIL's eyes were the sweetest thing.  

My Azure Standard Order

Did you know that Azure Standard is expanding?  So if you live in a place where there wasn't a drop point, there may be one now!  I love ordering from AS and saving so much money over health stores...and sometimes even Walmart. 

Here's what my cart looks like this month....

1 gal raw honey
5# pumpkin seeds
1 case of coconut milk (15% off)
popcorn
salt
hard and soft wheat (25# each)
20# organic pears ($.99/lb)
5# organic carrots ($1/lb)
sucanat
5# great northern beans

Some Of My Phone Faves

Mally with special permission to climb up to LB's top bunk.  I love to see them up there reading together.

Josh and his puppet friend.  This guy is surprising me with his recent creativity.

This is hilarious!  Know what she's sleeping with?  One of those micro fiber dusters!  I bought each of the younger kids their very own for house cleaning day.  She was SOOOO proud of it. 

Gotta love the army surplus store.

Isn't she adorable is Caesar's hat?  I have no idea what Jes is doing.

An Early Word

I was looking in my nightstand last night for my copy of Life Is A Vapor by John Piper.  Where'd it go?  Do you have it?  Did I loan it to you??  Anyway, in order to look around I had to pull out my old Bible...the precious. 

And this morning it was on top of my nightstand still.  So I used it.  And ohhhh, it's so comfy.  Like it just falls open so easily.  It's marked up just right.  It is silent and soft.  Why did it have to start falling apart when it was getting so perfect?  And to top it off the translation is so familiar.  Sigh......

But my new one is gorgeous.  Calf skin.  Gold pages.  Colorful maps even.  I've had it several months and it's still stiff.  The pages still creak.  Will I ever break it in just right? 

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere."  2 Cor 2:14

I love the verbs in this passage =  leads and spreads.

And notice the subject noun?  God.  God is doing the work.  The leading, the spreading.  For it is God who works in you to will and to do according to His good purpose.  Phil 2:13

(I went to look up that reference in my newbie but don't ya know it wasn't marked yet.  Crazy that.)

Yesterday was full of striving.  And yes, there was work to do.  But there was no peace as I was constantly feeling behind and trying to save the day.  Striving.  Today I'm hoping to rest and spread peace. 

Honey's gone fishing with 3 kids.  Eldest will be at school and I will be left with a skeleton crew of 4.  Home all day with nowhere to go,  I'm thinking a park run is a great idea.