The horny baby

Lydie likes to take dolls or stuffed animals everywhere. For a long time, she used a little twig basket to carry her little animals. She looked like Little Red Riding Hood with that basket always swinging from her arm. About 6 months ago she discovered her imaginary friend. She latched on to the name she gave her friend and has named every doll and stuffed animal since the same name. She takes these treasures to church, the store, preschool...and proclaims to any one who and what they are. It's pretty adorable. Except...her favorite name is HORNY.

My husband and I have a very healthy marriage. We like to kiss and hold hands and hug and talk around our kids. But I can honestly say neither of us have uttered that word in their presence! It's like she just said it, and likes the sound of it. And plus, now everyone thinks it's funny. When my brother and sister-in-law are around her, of course they try to get her to say it repeatedly. I try to play it off and say, "That sounded bad. She is saying "Homey"." But then she corrects me, "No I not. The baby's name is HORNY!" She would be our first 3 year old that says those "r" sounds perfectly. Oh, the shame.

Moral of the story: When you give your baby that first little doll, don't push her to give it a name. Baby, girl, child...it's all good.

Saturday

A day to be together, go to the fair, enjoy attending a birthday party, watch football. Laughs and fun all day long. I love my family.

Thankful for new memories!

Casting away

"Remember to cast ALL of your cares and burdens on Him, as He is able to carry the load for you. "

My husband sent me these words recently when he was gone on a five day business trip. I knew immediately that he was referring to from Psalm 55:22. It says,

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."

But in the weary moment when I read the email I thought to myself, "How?" How do I do that? Just cast them away...? But I have to make decisions...BIG ones. I have to do things...MANY things. I have to discipline children...DAILY. I have to find energy from sleepless nights...ALONE. Why does the Bible make it sound so easy? Why doesn't it go into further detail? "

Here's another reference from I Peter 5:6-7:

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

This verse paints a better picture for me when it precedes the "casting" with "humble yourselves under God's mighty hand". Maybe "casting my cares before him" really is just that simple.

First, I remember just how mighty He is. I meditate on what He has done for me, a sinner, by sending His son to achieve perfection and defeat death so that I can spend eternity enjoying something I do not deserve. I look at the world He has made and remember His power and strength and majesty. I read His Word. These actions will automatically lead to humility. He is big, I am small. I need Him desperately. I can not make it alone in this big world. I love and adore Him. I trust Him to create beauty from the ashes in my life because that is what He does.

Second, I take every concern that I have- burdens, decisions, responsibilities, sins- and I verbally surrender them to my Savior. I ask for His guidance. I wait. If I have to move forward with decisions I ask for His leading and move forward. I trust that He will not, has not, is not going to leave me. I trust Him to do what He wills- which is the best thing- in my life and the lives of my family and friends. I talk to Him more. I read His word. I enjoy His others means of grace through my Church body. I enjoy the opportunity to fellowship with Him. I grow closer to Him. I observe how he is working all around me.

Third, He is glorified in my life. I remember who He is and what He has done. The things of earth grow "strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace". I live boldly and thankfully as a result of walking with Him. I find Joy.

Fourth, another crisis comes and I start over with step 1...back at the foot of the cross again.

"Some people feel guilty about their anxieties and regard them as a defect of faith but they are afflictions, not sins. Like all afflictions, they are, if we can so take them, our share in the passion of Christ. "

~C. S. Lewis

Our favorite season

Eatin' soap

"Mama, if Jesus didn't die on the cross for my sins, I'd be eating soap!"

~Jaybird, age 9

:: We have never used soap-eating as a form of discipline, so who knows where that came from. But I thought the picture went well with the quote. (Pictured above: The boys after playing in the backyard and covering their skin in mud. No reason, just cause it's mud and they love dirt.) He makes a good point; his insides are much, much cleaner than his outsides, thanks to Jesus!

“Pleasure is spread through the earth in stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find.” –William Wordsworth

Party snapshots

Two of our cousins drove hours to come...thank you! (And we missed our other cousins who were sick!)

What magical memories!

Our princess tea party

We had a fun, fancy, wonderful day yesterday! Lydie's party was everything I hoped. The girls that came were ages 3-6. They were all eager, excited, and entranced by all things girly. So naturally, it was a ball for me! Pictures of the girls to come!

Beauty and desolation

Still cleaning up and starting over in the basement. Still preparing for Lydie's birthday celebration up here on the main floor. Beauty and desolation, all under one roof. I guess this is the story of our earthly life!

Tomorrow at 3:00 we will host 14 little daughters of the King. We will dress-up, have tea & cake, dance, make jewelry, color and play games. I am so excited!!

“Where I am today the Lord is molding me for his purpose and his glory, so don’t misinterpret the molding hand of God as misfortune, rather see the events of today as a refining process, a blessing, and an answer to prayer.” ~my best friend, Lizzie

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
Lamentations 3:22-24

Girly dreams

I was going to make Lydie's party dress from scratch. The events of our week have not permitted me to do so. But...I found this beautiful taffeta cream dress today at the consignment sale. It cost $10. I think it was a flower girl dress because it was not store bought and it is made very well. I added the ribbon and flower, and she loves it! (It passed what she calls "twirl-ability". In fact, when she twirls it flows out bigger than any of her other dresses!) It will be perfect for her princess tea party with her friends. For an accessory, I made each girl a home-made crown. And Andy is buying Lydie a necklace with one pearl. Each year we will add another pearl until either she is eighteen or until she gets married, we have not decided. She is going to be so beautiful!! I am so thankful for the blessing of planning her party during such an awful week. What a happy spot!

Drying up

"Contentment involves putting the best possible interpretation on God's dealings with you."(Lou Priolo)

Thanks for the prayers, friends. We are thankful for the meal that was brought tonight, our neighbors, and Mimi for holding down the fort here at home. God graciously gave us a warm, sunny day today. Not one drop of rain fell on our house! The company that was coming to dry up the basement is running behind due to flooded roads and such. So we decided this afternoon to rip up the carpet ourselves. Then we took our shop vac and slurped up all the water. Bucket after bucket. We were going to take 20 minute shifts...the boys, me, and Andy. But once I got down there I couldn't give up the job.

It was so gratifying to see the mess slowly gone. And I had time to spend with Jesus, singing every hymn I know (especially enjoying "Great is Thy Faithfulness"). I prayed, "Give me trust. Give me hope. Give me the joy of my salvation." And he is working against the sin that entangles me and slowly giving me a softened heart, His heart. I found myself wondering, like Peter, who else would I love? Where else would I go, but to Jesus my Savior? I am thankful to remember where my treasure is, no matter what the cost. I am thankful to have a loving God whom I can trust.

Not the colors I was looking for

I was going to celebrate Lydie's birthday by having a pink theme this week on my blog. But instead, we are seeing ugly shades of green, brown, black and gray. We have bronchitis. Not only that, but from the 20" of rain that we have had in the past 5 days, our basement flooded. That's right, t-w-e-n-t-y inches of rain! There is 2" of water downstairs on top of the carpet right now waiting for the men to come tomorrow and dry it up. We spent the evening moving all of the furniture from the school room and Andy's old office. It is now on blocks of wood in the garage, in case of more flooding. I think all of the furniture is unharmed. But, there is more rain predicted every day this week. (Please join us in praying for mercy.) There were 6 fatalities in our area alone today. Due to the basement flooding, reoccurring illnesses, Andy's severe back issues, and other personal issues, I am struggling to find peace tonight.

My daughter turned 3 today. She was all decked out in a pink dress with a big chocolate cupcake in the center. She sang happy birthday to her self all day. She was such a little bubble of delight. She had a good day. We shielded her from understanding our own frustrations. But I will wait until sunnier days to post about her day. We are tired and feel defeated. Just last night Andy and I talked late into the night about the deep joy he is finding in sharing in the suffering of Christ with a certain area of his life. And already tonight, I can not find that joy that was so fresh and real just 24 hours ago! Time for prayer, His Word (clinging to the fact that it "doesn't return void"), and rest. Praying for sunshine tomorrow.
Below are the words that gave us so much hope last night (typed in pink for hope). I am praying it will take root tonight in this weary soul.

Psalm 91

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." ...you will not fear the destruction that wastes at noonday....Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place-the Most High, who is my refuge- no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command the angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways...Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver Him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Eavesdropping and sewing

Except for the 2 hour trip to Wal-Mart (yuck), we have taken it easy today. We went to the doctor yesterday. Lydie and I seem to be fighting a virus that causes bad cold symptoms and nausea. And Jaybird has a slight case of pneumonia. You would never know it, except when he coughs. He is full of energy; I am so thankful. In fact, when I was struggling to get out of bed this morning, he made me breakfast in bed. That boy has a heart of gold, I tell ya. God is gracious. Toot started coughing today, too. He informed me that, "My boogers have bad breath. Help me get 'em out, Mama!" Have you ever heard such a thing? Oh well, at least he uses a tissue. That boy rarely puts his finger in his nose. Gotta love that!

Speaking of male past times, tonight while we watched football, the kids made up a fun, new adventure. It involved robots and thus was titled, "Robot Land". Lydie was the princess of the land, of course. The boys really perfected the monotonous robot talk well. They even dressed the part. (Where do they come up with these costumes?) Listening to them play together is so much fun. Well, except the robot voices got a little annoying after a while. But that was better than Lydie's kitty meows. They go on for hours.

Meanwhile, I decided I felt like tackling a few sewing projects. (Sewing + hot glue gun, that is.) Lydie's birthday party is in a week! I have five or six big projects to tackle this week, along with my fall consignment sale, and the usual school and housework. Lord, give me strength! I am excited! Lots of energy needed, but lots of fun to be had!

This banner was fun to make. I used all scraps and did not invest a penny! It will go on our front door for the party. Sort of a "Welcome to our castle!" kind of decoration. I put the "W" on with sticky felt and plan to change it to an "L" later and put the banner in Lydie's room. It didn't take that long to make, but still. Besides, pink still thrills my soul. I had so little of it for so long. I agree with Audrey Hepburn,

"I believe in pink."

And there will be plenty to go around this Saturday at our house!

History rocks

While I was in the bed sick today, Andy taught school! He took the day off (of his job), and kept the ball rolling at home with chores, meals, and school. Have I mentioned he's amazing?

I crawled out of bed long enough to capture them wrapping up our study of Pompeii. It has been incredibly interesting. And after today, the boys will not forget any time soon what they learned of Mt. Vesuvius.

The big eruption!

J's reaction

Picture study of Etruscan art

And some good books, too!

Interesting trinity

During catechism questions this morning...

Me: "Lydie, name the three persons (of God)."

Lydie: "Mother, the sunshine, and the holy spit."

Me: (Giggling with the boys) "You meant to say Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Let's talk..."

Our Mimi, family celebrity

Did you hear about the 9-12 Project? (More info here: http://www.the912project.com/) My mother-in-law was there! Last week, she flew by herself (on 9/11) from Alabama to DC to speak out against the current health care reform bill, among other things. I am beaming with pride! We looked and looked for you, Mimi, on Fox News. We just knew we would see your spunky self being interviewed, or chanting with a sign, or maybe even being arrested! :) Even though we didn't see you, the children knew you were there. We told them you went for them. They know you care enough about them to fight for their future. We are thankful and proud!

I also reminded them of your trips to Africa, your fight for creationism to have equal footing with evolution in high school text books, and your crusade to save the unborn when you directed Save-A-Life! We pray that these grand babies of yours- all 6- will inherit your passion for justice and your voice for the voiceless. We are so thrilled that you are passing down a love for Jesus. You once told me out of all the people in the Bible, you most resonate with Peter. I love that about you! You fight for what you believe in. What passion! Thank you for being our Mimi. We love you!!