It's just around the corner!

Fall will be here in 9 days. But who's counting? The boys helped me put out a few small hints of fall around the house. My kids get such a kick out of these tiny details (and so do I!).

Out with the old...

In with the new! I took a CHEAP fall wreath from Wal-Mart (around $4) and pulled off the leaves, berries and pumpkins. Then I left the greenery (dried grass would have been better) and went to town with the hot glue gun. This yellow container that my sister-in-law gave me is the perfect color for every season!

It wouldn't be our house without a little seasonal treat in the kitchen. These mini parfait dishes were $1.25 at Wal-Mart.

I added a piece of china to my collection. I love this pattern. The plate is from TJ Maxx Home and cost $3.25. I might have to go back and buy a few more.

A little more stuff to get us in the mood. Here's my wish list: a weather vane, a wheat topiary or two and some white mini pumpkins. Can't wait for my favorite season to begin!

Only a day away

Jaybird said tonight, "Mommy I'm upset. God makes days too short. They just fly by!" That was not exactly what I was thinking. I am so tired that I feel nauseous. Why did I purposely choose to not do the three things that help me serve my family best? What are they?

~Read the Bible and pray alone every morning

~Get 7-8 hours of sleep

~Go out alone or with a friend once a week away from home

I'm so thankful for a new day. Lord, give me the grace to obey!

Traits of a self-life: from our pastor to you

I had to share an email from our pastor this afternoon. All I can say is wow and ouch:

-As you make spiritual preparation for the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (or just entering a new day that belongs to the Lord), the following can be used as a help to self-examination.

-The following are some of the features and manifestations of the self-life. The Holy Spirit alone can interpret and apply this to your individual case. As you read, examine yourself in the very presence of God. Are you ever conscious of:
-A secret spirit of pride – an exalted feeling, in view of your success or position; because of your good training or appearance; because of your natural gifts and abilities; an important, independent spirit?
-Love of human praise; a secret fondness to be noticed; love of supremacy, drawing attention to self in conversation; a swelling out of self when you have had a free time in speaking or praying?
-The stirrings of anger or impatience, which, worst of all, you call nervousness or holy indignation; a touchy, sensitive spirit; a disposition to resent and retaliate when disapproved of or contradicted; a desire to throw sharp, heated flings at another?
-Self-will; a stubborn, unteachable spirit; an arguing, talkative spirit; harsh, sarcastic expressions; an unyielding, headstrong disposition; a driving, commanding spirit; a disposition to criticize and pick flaws when set aside and unnoticed; a peevish, fretful spirit; a disposition that loves to be coaxed and humored?
-Carnal fear; a man-fearing spirit; a shrinking from reproach and duty; reasoning around your cross; a shrinking from doing your whole duty by those of wealth or position; a fearfulness that someone will offend and drive some prominent person away; a compromising spirit?
-A jealous disposition, a secret spirit of envy shut up in your heart; an unpleasant sensation in view of the great prosperity and success of another; a disposition to speak of the faults and failings, rather than the gifts and virtues, of those more talented and appreciated than yourself?
-A dishonest, deceitful disposition; the evading and covering of the truth; the covering up of your real faults; leaving a better impression of yourself than is strictly true; false humility; exaggeration; straining the truth?
-Unbelief; a spirit of discouragement in times of pressure and opposition; lack of quietness and confidence in God; lack of faith and trust in God; a disposition to worry and complain in the midst of pain, poverty, or at the dispensations of Divine Providence; and over-anxious feeling whether everything will come out all right?
-Selfishness; love of ease; love of money?
-These are some of the traits which generally indication a carnal heart. By prayer, hold your heart open to the searchlight of God, until you see the groundwork thereof. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV).
-The Holy Spirit will enable you, by confession and faith, to bring your “self-life” to the death. Do not patch over, but go to the bottom. It alone will pay.
-"Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord, Oh, to be lost in Thee;
Oh, that it might be no more I, but Christ that lives in me. "
-“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10, NIV).

Our version of "Blessed Be the Name"

Tonight just before the kids went to bed, they asked their Daddy to play the guitar for them. His second or third choice was "Blessed Be the Name". At this point the kids were dancing and running in endless circles (how do they do that?). So, to the kids' oblivion, we composed our own version. It went something like this:

Blessed be your name
When the kitty can't find her litterbox
When Toot never has matching socks
Blessed be your name.

Blessed be your name
When baby screams and wants it all
When I trip on legos, toys and balls
Blessed be your name.

Every blessing you pour out, I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name.

Blessed be your name
When my clean carpet gets a big mud stain
When they need fresh air but there is rain
Blesssed by your name.

Blessed be your name
When she has three dirty diapers in one day
Not one, not two stinkies, but three today
Blessed be your name.

Every blessing you pour out,I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name.

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name.

*Pictured above: the toddler tantrum in full swing

Back-to-school party

We hosted a back-to-school party for our homeschool friends at the park this afternoon. There was a playground, but the kids prefered the creek.

All of the pavilions were being used, but a picnic was much more fun anyway.

More adorable faces!

The boys huddled together the entire night. Three families could not come and so tonight the boys were outnumbered by far.

Girls, girls everywhere.

The dads huddled around the grill. Here's my man with a friend.

Lydie with her new pal. They were soaked and dirty from the creek, but still so kissable.

The moms. These ladies are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

The kids caught tadpoles. Love their curiosity!

What a pumpkin.

After four hours of wading, eating, playing on the playground, and playing ball we made our way to the car. I was refreshed to see these famililes, His image bearers, reflecting His grace and love all around us. None of us really talked about teaching, not that it would have been a bad thing. But these Moms and Dads were just interested in forming relationships. The other parents were talking, playing, throwing the ball with our children. These women see relationships (first with Christ and then with others) as more important than curriculum or supplies or school room decor. All that is secondary, but will most likely still be met with excellence as we seek the relational first. My mind is swimming with questions for God in the application of all that I heard and saw today. Can't wait to see how He answers my prayers and begin a new school week!

Toodling and our nitch

This week has been a free-for-all! We have made amazing memories, but done more toodling around than usual. (Toodling is one of my crazy words that means playing, dreaming, laziness in general.) Lydie goes to Mother's Morning Out and the boys take homeschool classes on Tuesdays(aka let's goof off with other kids while Mom has an errand day and a Starbucks). Tuesdays are a crucial tool for my endurance and organization! We decided to take the afternoon off from school because the kids were exhausted after traveling from Alabama on Monday night and their busy morning. So I let the kids plop themselves in front of the boob tube for an unusually long dose of cartoons while the baby took a nap. Feeling lethargic and a bit guilty after dinner, we decided to play a game of family softball in the front yard.

This is what a toodling week does to the family room. Oh well! It really doesn't look that much worse than at the end of every other day, who am I kidding?

Wednesday was a hard-core school day (our first one all week!). Just for the record, I love to find ways to make the ordinary more exciting(thus the term toodling), but...I am NOT one to just skip school because we aren't in the mood or I am too busy. This week was definitely the exception to the norm. Any way, the funniest memory from Wednesday was the boys getting into the shaving cream. Every morning we start our school day with a fine motor activity. While the boys work together, I spend 20 minutes with Lydie. We paint, glue, color, etc. I thought she would like to paint with shaving cream, but she wouldn't get near it. Here she is...

But the boys LOVED it! Jaybird even put it all over his face.

Wednesdays are normally our night to eat out. My husband leads youth group and this is always our very hardest day at home (Can you say spiritual warfare?). But this day was fun and smooth! So I actually cooked. And, because we are nothing if not creatures of habit, we went out to the park and stopped for ice cream. I love days like this one!

Thursday was our first field trip for the year. We went to the art museum to see their ancient art collection from the Louvre. The boys were pretty impressed with the Egyptian art and being able to see first hand what we have studied. There is nowhere more fascinating to me than the art museum. God is so gracious in allowing us to bear His image. And to think these artists' talent don't hold a candle to God's creativity! Wow. If that was not enough, we went to a friend's restaurant and then to the park afterwards. Toodle, toodle, toodle.

This is about half of our "homeschool group". Seven families have gotten together for field trips, parties, moms' nights and even an end-of-the-year recital and yearbook together! This was our first time together and the kids meshed so well. (My boys are in stripes, Lydie did not come with us.)My friend's two darling girls. They are as sweet as they are cute.

The boys that came that day got along great. Toot is not pictured because he was obsessed with the blocks.

My friend's little girl. I like to call her Miss Congeniality. Isn't she adorable?

Friday we had another great day of school. The boys were motivated to achieve an entire day's worth of studies by lunch time. They did it with the exception of biology. So they were able to go to their best friends' house to play all afternoon. Fridays are always special as they are pizza/movie night. After dinner Jaybird reminded me about biology. My husband volunteered to teach them their lesson on taxonomy (Only HE, the biologt, could make that interesting. I could hear them singing "Kingdom, phylum, class..." and using legos to demonstrate from upstairs.).

Ever since I decided to homeschool the boys have been more cheerful, affection and excited about learning. I don't think this is due to homeschooling, per say. I think it is just confirmation that we are doing what we have been called to do. It can be crazy and busy and exhausting, but I love this way of life for us. I noticed this week when I picked the boys up from both their Tuesday classes and their friends' house that they greeted me with a hug and a kiss. (After the kiss they both commented that they didn't want to leave their friends' house, mind you.) The point is, I can tell that their love tanks are overflowing. And mine is too. I don't have to do this flawlessly for them to appreciate it or for God to bless my feeble efforts. (While I owe him every moment of worship, His grace is unmerited and boundless, praise God.) These precious boys have seen me lose my temper (at their 1 year old sister, no less), act grumpy and have a bad attitude in general on several occassions. But they have also seen me ask them and God for forgiveness, laugh more, pray more with them, and toodle more. We are having fun learning together and toodling. We don't have to be anywhere at any certain time. For some that is awful. For us it is freeing and fitting. We have found our nitch! (And after years of praying, questioning, being afraid to try this thing called homeschooling, that feels really good!)

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." ~Helen Keller

Party pics

What a great weekend (last week) the kids had with family!

We were in Alabama for our family party. We made a decision to give Toot a big surprise. Saturday morning we took him to the local vet to pick out a kitten- our first family pet. This is his face when he buckled up and we told him where we were going!

The kids waiting for our kitten to be checked out by the vet. The $60 was worth making sure she was healthy!

There she is, the little sweet thing. We named her Peach, but now affectionately call her "Peachy".

We love birthdays around here. We might go a little overboard.

So exciting!

Lydie and her cousin have a lot in common. They are going to be two peas in a pod, I think.

At the end of the day, there's nothing like a wrestling match with their uncle. All in all, a great birthday!

A dozen years already

My man has planned some really wonderful anniversary celebrations over the past few years. Sinking to the pit of despair in our marrriage, as I talked about here, has changed us profoundly in every aspect of our relationship. God took away my selfish expectations and set my heart back on worshiping Him (as opposed to myself or my family). And as a result, family life is such a blessing.

This past Sunday was Toot's birthday and our anniversary, as I mentioned. We have been married a dozen years! My hubs decided to surprise me with a night away. Mimi kept the boys and Nana kept Lydie while he whisked me off for 24 hours to ourselves. He chose the hotel where we spent our wedding night together for our stay. He kept hinting at the weekend by saying, "We are going to a place where we REALLY got to know each other." I was certain it was Auburn, our college town. Now, I get it. :) So we get to the hotel and he tells me he got a slight upgrade to our room. To our surprise, the entire hotel was buzzing with children and pets and completely full due to the evacuation for Hurricane Gustav. Consequently, we were upgraded to the PRESIDENTIAL SUITE.

I have zero experience with this type of luxury. This room normally costs $1500 per night. Can you imagine? We paid a teeny tiny fraction of the cost. But we still received the perks: champagne with strawberries, breakfast in bed, a butler on-call, a two story penthouse complete with private roof deck, the works. We decided to eat out, do a little shopping, and spend the rest of the time enjoying the amazing room. We soaked it all up! What a celebration. I don't deserve to have such an amazing husband (much less such an amazing God), they are both so patient and forgiving with me. But I am thankful and pray for more and more years to enjoy this "one flesh", mysterious relationship. It's so wonderful how something so rich and full continues to multiply.

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorigy the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then , just as Christ accepted you in order to bring praise to God." Romans 15:5-7

Toot's birth story

My pregnancy with Toot was horrendous. Jaybird was 16 months old when we found out, much to our surprise, that we were expecting another baby. I had morning sickness for the first 7 months. Every single day the nausea was miserable. Then I had 1 month of pregnancy bliss, followed by the last two months of daily contractions. At 36 weeks I was dialated 2 cm. And by 37 weeks I was dialated 6-7cm. I felt like this baby would fall on to the ground at any moment. He was low and heavy! All in all, I was utterly miserable and trying to love on a toddler all the while was very challenging.

On August 31,2002, a Saturday, my midwife called and urged me to come in and be induced. At that time, my husband worked almost an hour away and the hospital was in the middle of town. If I were to go into labor during the week at a busy time of day, it could take us 2-3 hours to get to the hospital. So we agreed (even though it was also the day of our wedding anniversary!). By the time we were at the hospital with family and friends, Toot was delivered in less than 2 hours. It took only 5 minutes of pushing. It was a completely pain-free, easy delivery (thanks to a good epidural and being dilated so far). His birth was the only one where we invited an audience! Both grandmoms, his aunt, and two friends witnessed Toot come into the world. It was so special! After 9 months of feeling crumby, what a relief to have such a great experience.

Since Toot was delivered he has generally been an easy going, joyful little guy. He was one of those babies that was so happy that you would forget he was in the room. He has always been my little man with few words. His laugh and smile M-E-L-T my heart. I am definitely a softy for this sweet soul.

I love to remember his birth story because God gave him to us without our asking. God always works above and beyond what we can ask or imagine, so far beyond! In the good and in the seemingly bad. Happy birthday, Toot! You are such a gift to us! You are kind, affectionate, talented and humble. You have the gift of encouraging, building and exploring. Your preschool music teacher remarked that your gift for music is special and we can't wait to see what that might mean! You gave your heart to the Lord this year and we know God will use you to do great things for His glory! You are a tender-hearted, strong-spirited little warrior and you make us beam! Your name suits you well as it means, "the Lord is my salvation", and that is our utmost prayer for you!

*Pictured above: Toot at the restaurant of his choice on his birthday...McDonalds

Extra cuddles

Last night when I was writing the previous post I heard footsteps as I had just typed the last word. It was Jaybird coming to ask me to "re-tuck him in". He needed an extra cuddle. Thankfully, there was nare a temptation to sigh under my breath or say something heartless and selfish like, "You really should be asleep." I am guilty of both in the past. Instead, with my blogging thoughts in the forefront of my mind I said, "I'm sorry you're having trouble, buddy. It would be a pleasure to come and help." Once he was snuggled with stuffed animals and pillows he looked me square in the eyes and said, "You are absolutely the best Mommy on the planet." I was beaming and full.

Unfortunately, I am not always full of grace and patience, especially on the inside. God is so good to sweep over all of our mistakes in the minds of our little ones and help them remember when we treat them with the love that we should! This week has been a really wonderful week with my crew, in spite of myself. I have really enjoyed learning with the boys. Motherhood has filled me to overflowing this week.

Highlights from a great week:

Nile river boats from our ancient Egypt study in history

Kidnex creatures from "warming up our hands" time. Don't you love the see-saw?

A not-so-edible model of an animal cell

We wanted to fit Five-in-a-Row in somewhere so we decided to read the books and bake something along the theme of the book one afternoon a week after science. This week we read Lentil and made lemonade. Just another great excuse to read together!

Their stories

With our new homeschooling venture, the warmth of our home is more important to me than ever. We spend a lot of time here! I found this new picture at a quaint little store the other day and couldn't resist. When I feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or exhausted, I will remind myself that "this is where their story begins". And I am a major, MAJOR character! Even though God is the author, He gives me some control over the plot. What will they remember of my facial expressions, my affection, my words, the activities I choose for us? What beginning chapters will they take into adulthood? Will they leave our home and enter the world already wounded (by us, their parents)?

This is where their story begins...and I have the responsibility (by God's continually grace and guidance alone) to make the setting as beautiful, warm and loving as my mind can imagine. This encompasses their physical, emotional, and spiritual surroundings.

Lord, give me the strength, imagination, grace and love to provide a beautiful setting for the story YOU have chosen for my children! I can give them nothing good apart from You!

Miss priss

"I hope at the end of my life, God and I have more in common than we both love me." Author unknown

This quote came from our pastor's sermon on Sunday. He spoke of the exact topic that I wrote about on my previous post. I was so challenged by all that he said! Isn't it funny to see little Lydie, so young and egocentric, above the quote? "Miss Priss" was one of my Nana's nicknames for me as a child. I can only imagine how very appropriate it was! And now, how can I pass the chance to pass it on to Nana's namesake, my girl? Who knows, maybe Nana was a little prissy herself back in the day. Either way, the pose pictured above is her new favorite!

Opening a little theological can of worms

I've been thinking a lot lately about post-modern thought and its effect on the church. As a thirty-two year old woman, I have been exposed at every turn to the results of postmodernism on Christian thinking. In case you get all the -isms confused, as I do, I referred to good ole wikipedia for a definition of postmodernism. It says, "postmodernism tends to refer to a cultural, intellectual, or artistic state lacking a clear central hierarchy or organizing principle and embodying extreme complexity, contradiction, ambiguity, diversity..." This definition encompasses all that I have seen in many women, particularly between 25 and 35, and how they discern right and wrong. (Particularly "lacking a clear central hierarchy, ambiguity and contradiction.")

I have spent a lot of time with other moms of young children. My friends and acquaintances generally range from 24-40+. I have shared many times of laughter and tears with other women over this challenging, ever-changing stage of life. I feel like, while I am certainly no expert, I have formed my opinion through many observations and experiences of what seems to dominate women's thinking in our culture.

In a word, it is a little disturbing. Many women my age that claim to follow Christ seem to embrace more "trendy" churches. Among these women, I have found that the number one, sometimes sole, basis for determining how to run their households, interact in relationships, and spend their time seems to be marked by one major theme: what feels good. Obviously, this line of thought creeps into any one's choice making at times as a result of our sinfulness. But with this age group and this type of religious philosophy, it is purposefully the factor that is used. Not in a moment of weakness, sin, or oblivion, but all the time. It is the moral compass they seem to have embraced, purposefully: feeling good; being comfortable. As I have been searching my own heart and praying about my own life patterns, I can see how I also bought into this line of thinking in my mid-twenties, at least to some degree. I get the attraction in the human heart, just not where many churches seem to encourage this way of thinking as okay when it is not biblical.

Some characteristics that mark this type of life seem to be: emotional but shallow worship, little concern for theological study or reading the Bible at all for that matter, very little self-discipline, little care for staying out of debt, merit marked by dress size and a fulfilling sex life, an unhealthy obsession with being physically fit, selfish friendships (embracing gossip and drama/no joy for others), and depression. I want to make myself clear in saying that every Christian woman, certainly including myself, struggles with keeping these areas under the authority and grace umbrella that Christ provides. Again, I am speaking of those that embrace and defend this line of thinking.

I am left to wonder: Where has the church gone wrong? When did the Christian church stray so far away from seeking first His kingdom, self-sacrifice, living simply, a life of service, embracing His means of grace, and pursuing holiness? How in the world do I have a healthy friendship with this type of person? (It seems like I become either unopinionated/too passive OR voice the truth as I see it and appear judgemental and critical.) Why are so many people embracing this way of thinking?

I would love to hear what you all think. I am not trying to quarrel or cause divisiveness, just to gain a better insight into this philosophy. I love women's ministry and need some encouragement/wisdom!

My peeps

Burgers and the park on a Saturday night

Freeze tag and hide-and-seek never get old

Her first time to wear pigtails, a great combo with her tu-tu

Our heart throb

Our Hemingway