Heat

We can't escape it! The triple digit temps have made farming quite uncomfortable. Mostly Andy and the guys are suffering through it. But on Friday we all braved the elements to conquer the very prolific pea patch. Here are the sweaty kids afterwards. This picure was taken just before cold showers and gatorades.

Sweet and sweaty!

The high today is 105. So thankful for the ac and a day indoors. On the agenda: packing, laundry, canning veggies, and cleaning. Even though chili, soups, and sauces do not appeal to us now, we are trying to can tomatoes for when these things will be tasty in cooler weather. Fifty two quarts so far! It smells like summer goodness! Green beans will be tackled after vacation.

Bushels and bushels of tomatoes!

This is what happens when I leave Lydie in the kitchen alone with cookie batter!

But time for these things is dwindling with the approach of school just 7 weeks away! I have had THE BEST TIME preparing for my third grade class. I can hardly believe this unexpected journey the Lord is taking us on! But I am thrilled and so looking forward to the beginning of the school year. I got my class list last night and can now pray for these darlings by name. What a privilege! Next week offers...the pool, the ocean, reading, very little cooking and cleaning, cocktails with my husband and playing with my children. So excited and thankful! I plan on doing a lot of playing, reading, relaxing, laughing, and kissing. :) Yes, that is my agenda for next week!  I am really loving this summer season, even with the heat wave!



Indiana Jones/Harry Potter spy costume





Battleship is a good thing to do when avoiding the heat!



Dear LouLou

Please do not quit playing with Little People. You are almost six, almost in school. And when you outgrow them I will have to put them away for my grandchildren. Like your crib, Josh's wooden trains, and Jack's favorite board books. So please, just a little longer...

I need a break from this growing-up stuff!

"Lousy" weekend (but not really)

We embarked on another exciting weekend last Friday.  As we were waiting for a much anticipated visit from friends, my sister-in-law called and said her girls had head lice and that Lydie needed to be checked since she had spent the night at their house.  With fear and dread, I looked...and sure enough.  So as I hopped in the car to go to town and get all the proper "equipment", I passed our friends on the long country road.

Because Lydie and our friend (who is like an adopted grandfather to her) had been so looking forward to seeing one another, and the rest of us were excited too, and they had traveled three hours from Atlanta, they stayed.  (I felt like such a terrible host...can you imagine?)  They spent the better part of Friday visiting with us while I picked lice and nits out of Lydie's hair.  The men grilled out a great dinner and Andy gave them a tour of our farm. 



Hardest working man I know, ready for the tour of the farm.



I was so thankful that God prepared me for this weekend of "nit-picking".  That previous week I had gotten news that someone close to my cousin was faced with a son's suicide attempt.  And I had spent an entire night almost 10:00-4:30 praying for someone else I love who was facing a frightening temptation.  So I found myself, although wishing I didn't have to deal with head lice, very thankful for being a Mom and that beautiful daughter who needed my help.  Gratefulness changes one's perspective, and I was thankful.



Tomatoes, almost ready!

Saturday morning Teresa took some beautiful pictures (all the pictures on this post are hers) of our farm while the men picked okra.  (Farm work doesn't stop when we have visitors, unfortunately!)  And I spent the following twelve hours picking more nits and sanitizing the house!  Everyone except for Lydie and I went on an all day canoe trip, which was really fun for them!  I was so thankful they had planned this trip (and could get out of the buggy house!).  They had dinner out.

Baby watermelon

Bees- a farmer's best friend

Sunday morning we discovered that everyone was still lice-free...except for me!  So everyone went to church except me.  I stayed and listened to a beautiful sermon on-line and some wonderful praise music.  Just wrapped my hair up in a towel and enjoyed the solitude.  And after lunch, they all returned home so we could say good-bye to our friends.  Then Andy spent the next 5 or 6 hours proving again that he truly meant it when he said, "I do!" to our wedding vows.  He sat and picked bugs and eggs out of my hair.  YUCK!  And our dear college friend who is working for us this summer made dinner for us.  The weekend really turned out to not be so lousy after all, but how could I resist the title?

Yesterday we were all lice-free.  Praise God.  Life goes on as usual.  And the blessings overflow.  Lydie is swimming with a friend.  The boys and I are going to lunch and a movie today-just us.  We also found out this morning that my parents rented a beach condo for us to enjoy next week and I am forcing my husband to leave the farm in the hands of our college and high school employees for a week.  This blessing has put me on cloud nine for the day.  A whole week off for the hardest working man I know- thank you, Jesus!  And the vacation that the kids begged for and I thought impossible has fallen into our laps.  What a gift from the Father (and my Dad)!  Plans for today: enjoy the sweetness of our first watermelons, cut sunflowers from the garden for the house, spend a great day with just my boys, and praise God all day long!

Flying

The days are flying by so quickly this summer! Between farm work and my parents moving to a new house, we have been busy at work.  In fact, we still haven't written our annual fun "Summer Bucket List".  Maybe next week...

Excited boys when I dropped them off at camp

But we still have had time for good fun.  The boys went to camp last weekend and had a blast.  And Lydie spent the night with her cousin and went to vbs.  And we seem to always have a neighbor or high school/college friend around here.  So I think the kids are having a good summer.

Lydie after VBS with cousins and friend

Here are a few pictures from a morning when the boys made produce deliveries with Andy and I was here alone with Lydie.  We sewed a dress for her bear and had a tea party.  It was good, girlie fun.

Father's day was quiet.  My Mom and Dad wanted to just rest after moving.  Andy's parents were at his brother's house.  And Andy wanted to have lunch out and then a quiet day here.  We made him breakfast in bed, went to church, ate out, and just played around.  The children adore my husband, and I cannot describe how blessed I feel to have him as their Dad.  He is fun, kind, and wise.  He truly enjoys time with them, and listens and responds so lovingly to them.  They have no idea what a treasure he is.  And every year of my life I am enjoying and becoming more thankful for my sweet Daddy.  Funny, generous, and full of spunk.  I love him to pieces.  Spending more time with him this past year since we moved back to Alabama has been one of the biggest highlights of living here.  So thankful for Andy and Dad!

Work and play

My amazing best friend had the children come to her house from Tuesday until Friday the other week.  What a gift for my kids to spend almost four days with their best friends.  She went all out and took them to the pool, Monkey Joes, and tennis camp.  But mostly they loved just playing at her house with their buddies.  While they were gone, I had some time to help my parents prepare for moving into their new house, complete some projects around here, and have a lot of date time with my husband.  It was so amazing.

Good-bye, white house!

That week we closed on our house in Atlanta, which was actually a relief and not sad, see...

No more mortgage!

I took Lizzie to the lake house for the weekend and the kids went home with Andy. What an adventure...my keys did not fit and I had to break in, it rained every day which caused us to only get our swimsuits wet once- from rain! We almost got attacked by crazy birds and got locked out of the pool, only to finally get in,take off our cover-ups, and get rained on! But we still had a blast. Plenty of fun conversation, sweet encouragement and support, and good wine. How can you not have fun when you are with your best friend??

Jack is working 5 hours a day, 3 days a week with Andy. So proud of him as he works so hard and is so thankful for the time with his Dad and his first opportunity to make his own money. I love who he is becoming.

We are all putting in some long hours on the farm.  Poor Josh, poison ivy on his face and very infected bug bite last week.  The downfalls of being outside a lot, I guess.  We are trying to make it fun for the kids, but mostly just hoping they learn the value of hard work.  I am so immensely proud of them and all they are learning!

Today the boys went with Andy to deliver produce.  Lydie and I are here alone.  Because I am desperately behind on laundry and housework, we are have an all day Disney-channel fun fest.  I figure we have logged in enough outdoor hours to merit a whole day of cartoons! :) 

Ahhh...Summer Break Begins!

We finished school last Tuesday.  Our schedule was set for June 1st as our last day.  But the boys were determined and doubled, even tripled, their lessons in order to finish over a week early. Along with all the schoolwork, we had standardized tests.  But they decided they would be done by Tuesday, May 22nd.  And after a handful of eight hour school days, they finished!  Wouldn't it be nice if we would tap into that determination every day!

So Wednesday was our first day of summer break.  Because it had been two weeks+ since I had been to the store, and because we were celebrating, here was our dinner that night:



really healthy



For summer fun so far, we have gone to a pool party (our first time in the pool this year), attended our neighbor's graduation, went to the library and joined the summer reading club, went to the lakehouse for Memorial day weekend, and met some friends for slushies and mini golf.

Then we turned our farm office/school room into a play room.  I am wasting no time getting into a new frame of mind around here.  No more need for a school room at home!  It's very overwhelming and so exciting.  It probably drives my husband crazy, but this house is so small, I am always rearranging to find the best use of space.  I have about 15 summer projects lined up for May/June.  I am not sure how I found so much to do in a 9 room house!  I love house projects. The high school/college guys who help at the farm will help me occasionally.  Like last week, they helped me move Andy's office stuff to another building on the property.  Love having them around to help, hang out with the kids, and eat dinner with us every now and then.  Especially our friend from Atlanta, Caleb, who is here for the summer.  Here is a picture of the guys with Andy and our boys:

The boys at Danny's graduation

We went to the lake for Memorial day weekend with my Mom, Dad, and brother's family.  But this is the only picture I took:

Next week we are going to make our summer bucket list.  Let the summer fun begin!

Completed: Our Last Year of Homeschool

It has been an adventurous, glorious, roller coaster the past four years. I have felt so certainly called to be primary teacher to my kids. And I think, although I see weaknesses and faults in my abilities, we have all learned a lot together. I know by the government's standards we are doing well because the boys absolutely ACED their standardized tests. I question more whether I have taught them all that I can about Christ and walking with Him. THAT is the important question!

It has, by far, been our busiest year yet!
Academically, Jackson and Joshua's 5th and 3rd grade years...
Math: Lessons 1-150 in Horizons 5 (or 3)/ many multiplication and division drills/ 1-2 hours every day of hard work
Grammar: Lessons 1-150 of BJU Press 5 (or 3)/ 7 major writing assignments/ much chanting/singing of grammar memory work
Spelling: 32 lists and tests from Abeka 5 (or 3)
Logic: 40 middle school level puzzles solved
Latin: Completed English from the Roots Up
Geography: Map skills book completed/geography of Europe and Asia as we studied the wars of the 1900s History: Sonlight, Core E completed (1800s and 1900s) In our 4 years to homeschool, we studied Creation through today!
Science: Completed Christian Kids Explore Chemistry/ weekly science experiments
Reading: Read 31 chapter books from the Sonlight Core E course! VERY impressive!
Art: Drew many historical subjects: Mt. Rushmore, M.L. King, world war I soldier, etc. from the Draw Through History series. Also took a fabulous art class!
Bible: Lots of reading and Who Is God? from Apologia

What a year we have had.  I have two very bright, hard-working sons.  I am so honored and proud!

Struggling

This weekend has been extremely difficult.  Really missing our "old life" and really feeling out of place here.  So many fun things going on for the children.  I do not know why it has hit me so hard.  But I have been really struggling.  The people who surround us here have such radically different worldviews, it is sometimes very hard to understand.  Maybe I am just weary from putting in so many hours in the car, getting the children to the classes/places that they need to go.  But at the same time, I want to be in the car.  Because if not, that means I am here, often times feeling lonely and sometimes still reeling from the fact that I am living here.  I have plenty to fill my days, yet I am completely out of my element.  And often times Andy is working, or falling asleep as I am desperately trying to explain all this to him.  Except this weekend when he got a major ear full.  And really, what good does that do?

I feel really selfish and guilty for letting this move effect me in such a deep way, STILL, after over a year.  I know there are people with far, FAR greater woes than mine.  But still, in my heart and mind, it feels like a real trial.  In fact, it feels like one of the most difficult trials in my life.  I am looking forward to the fall when the kids and I will be involved in such an amazing school.  I just hope we can keep up with the pace of a very challenging school, outside activities, and 2 hours a day in the car.  It's a lot of responsibility and a little overwhelming to think about.  But I think we can do it and I look forward to the change, even with its challenges.

It just seems so very hard to combine what we love into one life together.  And in my own weakness and selfishness, I am tired of all that this requires of me.  I feel so vulnerable sharing these feelings.  But someone out there may take comfort in the fact that even the sweetest relationships are filled with difficulties, if we are honest with ourselves.  Marriage, with all of its beauty, can be very hard.  Life, with all of its beauty, can be very hard.  This is the essence of wearing flesh and living here (not here as in rural Alabama, but here on earth). :)

Nonetheless, I know that being a Christ-follower is about seeking His glory and pushing through the difficulties, with eyes fixed on Jesus and not myself.  In Him and through Him I can move forward and give of myself as He asks me to.  He is the prize and not my current happiness.  Seeking his joy and peace today.  And until I receive it, marching forward into whatever today brings, knowing that it is one step closer to Jesus.  Praying He can be glorified in this messy life of mine!  Lord, help me live out these words...

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for each other."

I John 3:16

"May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

John 17:23

Her favorite

Lydia Joy has made it plain and clear to me that gymnastics is her favorite thing.  She really, REALLY squeals and jumps when it is Monday.  I am still not sure if it is because she gets to socialize more (while waiting in line at each apparatus), or if it is a true love for the sport.  But either way, she has had so much fun.



Lydie with her medal!



As I wrote a few posts ago, she was not able to be a part of the last gymnastics meet.  But last night was her end-of-the-year show.  She did such a great job!  She even volunteered to open the entire show, being the first to do her floor routine!   

During her floor routine





With her friends from class.  Next to the smallest, of course.



Before this year, she had never taken gymnastics and could only do a forward roll.  In class this year she learned to do a back bend, a backward roll, a cart wheel, a head and hand stand, mount the bars and beam, and so many other little skills.  She has been faithfully practicing at home and doing lots of sit-ups and push-ups.  It is fun to see her excitement and dedication.  Her ultimate goal is to be a cheerleader. :)  There really is no way to describe how fun it is to watch your own children do well at something they enjoy.  Her gymnastics teacher's prayer is that the discipline used in class will carry over into every area of their lfe.  That is my prayer, as well.





Dad came to the show and then took us to Pizza Hut afterwards.  Thanks, Poppy!

She couldn't even walk across the beam without holding her teacher's hand.  So proud of her progress!

Mother's Day

I had a sweet day this year. Roses, gift card, breakfast in bed, and sweet notes from everyone. After a wonderful service at church, we met both sets of grandparents and my brother and sister in law and their kids at The Melting Pot. I love a meal at this restaurant because it takes several hours to get through all the courses leaving time to talk to everyone. Funny thing, my Mom picked out the exact gift for me that I gave her- a potted geranium! And my Mother-in-law gave me an owl for my new classroom, which was so thoughtful. It is so nice to feel appreciated.  That evening we sat around and allowed ourselves to be completely lazy- reading, playing the Wii, and chatting. I feel so overjoyed for the privilege to parent these three amazing people and to have a Mom and Mother-in-law who love us.

The children's cards were all darling. Here is what Jackson's said:

Dear Mom.

Let me count all the things I love about you.

1. You really, really, REALLY like hugs!

2. You are passionate about cursive and history.

3. You are very good at multi-tasking. (He inserted a picture of Lydie crying, Josh saying his finger hurts, and Jack asking for help with math.) :)

4. You are loving and caring. (He drew a caption of himself saying he lost his spelling book and me saying, "That's okay, dear."

5. You can draw a mean Garfield.

6. You are good to have on a basketball team. (With a picture of me playing basketball with Andy, shoving him and telling him, "You're in my way!!")

7. You make really, really good food.

And most importantly...You're MOM!

Isn't that the sweetest? Hope all the Moms out there felt celebrated! (**Pictures to come**)

"I desire to be a Mother, if only to give food to the craving activity of my soul. Maternity is an enterprise in which I have opened an enormous stake...Motherhood will develop my energy, enlarge my heart, and compensate me for all things by infinite joys!"

-Honore de Balzac

Conquering Fears: Lydie's Ballet Recital

When we came back from our big ski trip in January, Lydie went through a strange phase for about a month.  She cried any time she had to be away from me.  Even if she could see me in the waiting room at ballet or gymnastics, she cried.  It was really unlike her and difficult for us both.  Of course, most people attributed it to the fact that she is not in preschool, and consequently she is "around me too much". 

But knowing her ability to be so flexible and eager before, I knew that was not a rational explanation.  So I tried to meet each situation in prayer, with the need to discern as each week passed how best to walk her through her fears.  At times this meant sitting in the room at ballet.  And at others it meant telling her that her fears were irrational and that we would pray together and then I expected her to meet a new goal.  Eventually, after 6 weeks or so it passed. 

During those weeks she had her first gymnastics meet.  Actually, it was right after our trip.  And she wanted so badly to earn a trophy and do well for her teachers.  But her fear to be away from me and in front of so many strangers won, and she just couldn't go out and do her routines.  We had to leave empty handed.

Well, yesterday was her ballet recital.  Now granted, that gymnastics meet was in January, many months ago.  But still, I remember how awful it was for all of us.  And I was a little nervous that those fears would rear their ugly heads.  But thankfully, they did not!  She got on stage and danced her little heart out.  She was so excited, and even though she was nervous (it was a packed auditorium and quite intimidating), she controlled her fears and remembered all that her teacher and we had taught her.  It was glorious!  God is so faithful.  And he gave us just the right name for our girl- Lydia, meaning "strong and beautiful".  He shows us his power and beauty again and again through the life of our girl.  What a gift.

 Unfortunately, my mean, old computer has lost all of the pictures from the recital except this one.  This is Lydie with her ballet teacher, post-recital.  She danced to "Take My Life and Let It Be" for her ballet routine, and a Tinkerbell song for jazz.  It was so darling!

The luxury of date night

The only pictures we have together are always these very unflattering, super-close-up shots we take of ourselves.  This one was in the car post-dinner, pre-concert.

Thursday evening we enjoyed a real treat. Our friends invited us to dinner and a concert in Birmingham. I thought it might be a little much for Andy to have a late night during the week. (He has worked 5 am til 7 pm lately on the farm.)  But he insisted we go because our friends arranged childcare at their house. It was such a luxury, sitting around holding hands with Andy, a babysitter watching the kids, adult conversation with our friends. Not to mention the amazing French restaurant (Shez Fon Fon) with a great table out on the patio, cool weather, and later drinks and the music of Sandra McCracken at Workplay. What a perfect date night! Thankful for God's provision through friends who convince us to get out and enjoy. And so thankful for my handsome guy.

Our smallness

"God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him."

John Piper

God has been putting a reoccurring theme in my life lately.  And that theme is that I am so very small, and He is so very big.  I have been asked to pray for so many people lately who have suffered or are in the midst of great suffering.  The husband whose wife shattered the bones and damaged the organs along the entire left side of her body, tip to top, in a car accident.  Also, a couple of cases of traumatic brain injury, one to the college student in a car accident and one to the high school student in a golf cart accident.  Mom as she continues to recover from surgeries and chemotherapy.  The list goes on and on and reminds me of what a blessing good health is and how it should be cherished.  And it also reminds me that I am not in control.

As I pray and look ahead to the fall where I will have less influence and time with my children, I feel so small.  I realize how many new challenges will be a part of their lives that they have only experienced on a small level.  Some include peer pressure, more of an emphasis on grades/performance, etc.  Although I feel like we are being called to make this change, and I am so, SO excited, I realize how little I can control.  Even in the most conducive atmosphere to godly friendships (wonderful Christian school), I cannot control many things that they will experience in their personal relationships.  And the good thing is, I am not called to do the impossible.

I am called to point them to Jesus, but I am not their Savior.  I am to teach them that this life is not about them (getting their way, putting themselves first, acquiring stuff, etc.), it is about the glory of God.  I am called to fill my speech with His grace, be sorrowful and prayerful over my sin and theirs, point them to God's Word and other means of grace, and pray for them all the time.  I can pray for them to repent and turn from their sin, but I am not their Redeemer.

Sometimes I forget my priorities.  I think about what they are wearing or involved in as my priority for the day.  Do they look nice?  Should we go to this camp?  Some days I put the temporal ahead of the eternal.  Instead of seeing the times that they sin as opportunities to point them to the gospel (both through gentle mentorship and firm consequences), I feel angry with them instead of compassionate and sad.  I cannot control their hearts.  They are sinners, just like their Mama.  We are in this journey of sanctification together, and it is a serious, daily battle.  I am so little, He is so big.  I have so little control. 

But the more time I spend with Jesus, the more I realize how comforting it is.  I am little and there are many things that I really want to turn out a certain way.  But He is in control of the universe!  And He is glorious, all-knowing, and wise.  He knows the number of hairs on our heads, every detail of our hearts and minds.  And we are created for Him, for His glory, not our own.  It is so freeing to just let go and trust a Big God.  And it is nice to know that when I fret again, He will still be merciful and kind to me, His beloved. 

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord

All the land.

Serve the Lord with gladness.

Come into His presence with singing.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is He who made us and not ourselves.

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him and bless His name.

The Lord is good.

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations.

 

Ladies at the lake

Yesterday some ladies at our church went to the lake for the day. Something I have noted for the last five years or so is that ladies with more life experience (older) are so much more fun, blunt, and easy going. One lady read a poem about the ABCs of getting older that was hilarious.  I laughed a lot and really enjoyed a day of yummy foods, laughing, and just sitting around talking.

I love all of the perspectives of a group with various ages. There were talks of everything from pregnancy to being a widow. Such precious time. I am sure I will find a lot of friendships and mentors here.

Big news around here...after three weeks on the market our Atlanta house is under contract!! To God be the glory for this answered prayer. Looks like both of our concerns financially will be answered. We only had to come down $1000 from our asking price and we only paid 2 months of mortgage payments (renters moved out in April). We are amazed and humbled. I honestly believe God allowed us to rent the house to our friends the past year because I would have been devastated to sell it and close that chapter of our lives a year, or even a few months, ago. But now that I have so many wonderful things and people to love here, I feel ready to let it go and move on. And of course, he wanted our friends to live there during that time for reasons that their family needed.

A sweet young couple is buying it- it will be their first house. Cannot wait to meet them. The years in "the white house" were the best I have lived so far. I am hopeful that soon that will change and the farmhouse will hold memories of our sweetest years. Cannot wait to find out!  Also this weekend celebrated my handsome nephew's birthday.  The big ELEVEN!  Unbelievable.

A prayer for May

OVERWHELMED, ANXIOUS, CHAOTIC...
This describes how I feel this morning beginning the exciting, yet impossibly full, month of May (and then the summer months, too).  I feel like God has given us wonderful, purposeful things to do.  But I am not sure how to do them all (and have time for sleep).

Saw this verse this morning that helped me heart quit racing and calm down a little:
"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands."
Proverbs 90:12,17

So magnificent Father, establish the work of this day and the 30 that follow.  Show me how to support my husband as he harvests and takes his first delivery of vegetables to our CSA in Atlanta.  Show me how to keep the boys on track in order to finish school on time.  Show me when to say yes...there are so many fun things they want to do with friends.  And so far, I have said yes to every single one.  Is this wise?  Show me how to love my little girl well, as she is by my side the whole day long and sometimes I get tired of talking and cuddling, even though she is darling and her requests are usually reasonable.  Lord, show me how to feed my family well, even though this requires cooking and baking that I often do not feel like I can give any more time or energy to.  Equip me to do what you have called me to do with energy and passion!  Help me, Lord, to be responsible, keeping my calendar and commitments straight.  And when I disappoint, please gift others with grace.  Remind me gently to be thankful and not anxious.  All of these friendships and activities are a gift we have asked for.  Help us to finish them all well, remembering all that is needed to wrap up each thing we have been involved in.  Lord, there are so many extra details almost every day of May.  So much to do and remember.

And Lord provide the time I need to gather for the flea market, prepare clothes for the consignment sale, prepare books for the book sale, help Mom decorate, and sew those pillows for the money we need to start the next school year.  So much to buy, such a tight budget!  And now is the time to start working towards all the money that will be needed.  And thank you Lord that as I type, a couple is preparing an offer on our Atlanta house.  Please allow it to be THE ONE! 

In the bustle of birthday parties, field trips, spend the night parties, and all of the end of the year parties and recitals and programs, help us to remember those in need, too.  Help us not to be completely full of ourselves.  Remind me, when I am overwhelmed, that our neighbors and people in our church body, are hurting and need us.  Remind me to visit the neighbor who lost her husband.  Remind me to make the meal for the couple who is stuck at home.  Remind me to invite the friend over for dinner whose husband travels.  Because it really is yucky to just focus on ourselves.  Not just yucky, but empty.

Show me when to stop everything and help my husband.  Let me not do it out of guilt or compulsion, but help me to hear your voice and follow you, and to love this incredible man well.  In all these things, show me how to follow you.  You are our Rock, and we labor in vain without you to lead our way.  Be glorified in our chaos because we love you and live for you!

Sweet, good days

Last weekend we hosted three amazing friends from our Atlanta church's youth group. It was such a sweet time of showing our big city friends what country life is all about. But somewhere along the way I lost my camera. I had some really funny shots, too.

We took our friends (2 high school girls and 1 college guy) to Mule Day, for example. This event is exactly what you might imagine, and more. It is a combination of a big yard sale, live country singers, southern food, an antique car show, and horse and mule rides. And perhaps our favorite event was the lunch time entertainment, the senior citizen line dancing team. I sound facetious, but I kid you not that unless I am in heaven or sick or lame, I will be on the line dancing team when I turn 60. They are so cute and spunky. I aspire to be them.

What did not inspire me was the stuff for sale. Someone had their used orange Kool Aid tennis shoes for sale. I kid you not. Wow. We also fished, shot guns, rode the Polaris around for the farm tour, and had a bonfire (with s'mores and Andy's guitar playing) There is no cell coverage here, so I am always shocked at the favorable response our teenage friends have to the farm. They always come back again, often to my surprise.

In other news, our two weeks of trying to eat organically has gone well. I would guess that about 75% of our food has been organic. This is a huge improvement that I am satisfied with. We will never be on such a strict diet that we miss an opportunity because of it. But I think the changes have been well received by the children. The gluten free goal has been slowly coming along. I have been making a lot from scratch- cookies, waffles, etc. but we still buy some breads, although not as much. I have also been forcing myself to do 25 minutes of cardio first thing in the morning and I am drinking more water. And it feels great. Trying to focus on stewardship and not outward changes.

My spring Bible study ended on Wednesday. And there was a local study that started today. So I jumped on board. I have enjoyed my women's Bible studies so much. Praying for more transparency which will hopefully lead to deeper relationships with one another and Jesus.

The farm is beautiful. Pictures to come. We surpassed our goal of 75 CSA members. And our 18 weeks of produce deliveries to these customers starts next week! It is a busy and exciting time for us. My husband has this excited look of anticipation mixed with nervousness about him. He loves to watch all of the harvest grow, but he knows fulyl well that God determines the outcome. There are so many uncontrollable variables. So we just try to rest in Him. Although it is a joy to watch Andy's hard work (literally) come to life, it can be extremely exhausting. For the next 20 weeks or so he will work 60-80 hour weeks. And when school is out we will spend a portion of those hours working, too. It will be a sweet time, but hard work! For about 5 months most everything will take a back seat to our farm for Andy. It is just the nature of farming. Somehow, amazingly, last year he managed to love us well even during this season.  And I really desire to serve God and Andy well by being the help mate he needs. So I am praying for God to prepare me to balance it all. 

FOUR weeks of school left! Not just for the year, but only 4 weeks of homeschooling left for us as a family. I do not know how I feel that this chapter is over. But I am thrilled for the fall. If I could bypass the summer, I would. But there is so much to do first. The principal thought I would be teaching second grade, but she decided instead it would be third. I am observing the teacher I will team teach with this week. I cannot describe how thrilled I am to be teaching at a school. I need a team, and my children do too. And the team He has provided is phenomenal.

Life is so rich right now. It is a sweet season of seeing God answer so many prayers. God is finally revealing the answers to so many of my persistent questions. And I am overcome with the fullness of His presence and plan. Love our memory verse, 2 Corinthians 2:14-15, "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing Him."

Holding loosely

I have not been spending a good amount of time in the Word lately.  And I can tell, because I have a white-knuckled grip on worldly things.  I have found myself envious and less compassionate.  I have been more self-centered and less others-centered.  My thoughts are all about me, lately.  And life is pretty dull when I set my sights on what is temporal.  I need to remember whose I am, and hold the things of this world a little more loosely.  (It is all His anyway.  I have no ownership, I am just a steward here.)

I sometimes forget that every blessing and trial, every relationship and potential relationship, every moment and breath are opportunities to serve Jesus and share Him.  And I am remembering that life isn't about getting what I want out of it, it is about giving of myself for the glory of Jesus.  I forget that in loving my family well and pointing them to my Savior, I am sharing Christ with generations of people.  I forget that in serving and loving others, I am also sharing Christ with generations.  Every day, every moment, an opportunity to follow Christ and to keep my eyes on the finish line of heaven.

All the separate callings of my life- being a help mate, raising and educating our children, teaching, serving, being part of a larger family, friendships, a church body- they are to all be done for the glory of God, always with Him in mind.  As much as I love people, I must love others for the glory of God. Then I can extend bold love (even to those who do not deserve it or will never give it in return), and people will not disappoint.

I have trouble keeping my eyes fixed on Christ.  He knows this, and I thank Him for always gently reminding me.  When this life is over, His glory will be all that is on my mind-forever.  How hard to imagine, but what a joy that will be!  To finally live for worship, exactly what I was created to do!

2 Corinthians 5:6-10
"So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord- for we walk by faith, not by sight.  Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.  So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.  For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ..."

Happy birthday, Mom and Dad!

Mom and Dad both have birthdays in April.  This year is a big one for Dad, as he turns the big 6-5.  And it's a big one for Mom after all that has happened to her since her last birthday (battle with cancer).  We enjoyed an evening with them.   I have enjoyed seeing them often since we moved back to Alabama.  So thankful to be close to all of our family.  We have missed a lot of birthdays over the years.  It is really fun to be here to celebrate now.

Praying Mom and Dad will have some easy years ahead of them.  It's been a rough time here these last couple.  Praying that on their next birthday they would both feel better than they have in a long time.  They just closed on a new house yesterday, and it is very close to the school where I will be teaching and the kids attending.  We are so excited about that close proximity and being able to enjoy these years with them.  Get ready Mom and Dad, we might be spending the night every now and then! Love them both so much!

Eating like we own an organic farm (this is going to be difficult)

As I have mentioned, we moved to rural Alabama a year ago from Atlanta to start an organic farm.  Over the past year, my husband has had me watch and read a lot of information on farming, particularly mass food production.  It has been quite convicting because, although we generally eat a well-balanced diet, we are certainly not opposed to junk food.  Nor do we avoid the weekly stop at Wendy's or Zaxby's (and lately a Dairy Queen blizzard has been a fun treat).  Even with this said, I think my kids eat healthier than the average American child.  Fast food once a week is not bad, on average.  Ice cream from Dairy Queen every now and then is not bad, on average.  I do, after all, make them drink milk with dinner, avoid soft drinks, and eat their veggies or fruit with each meal.  Yes, this is exactly what I have been telling myself for years.

I recommend that everyone watch a documentary that tells the story of the food we eat.  Food, Inc. is a good one.  There are almost always mass-producing farm documentaries on PBS, too.  After all, we need to know what we are feeding our families.  Most of us care deeply about what their soul and mind intake.  We spend hours praying, searching, delivering what they need.  And we guard their hearts and minds, often asking God to do so, as well.  But we might not be as particular and protective with their bodies.  And the effects on our children, families, and society are going to be devastating.

Lunch was pretty good today: apple, carrots, brown rice, sweet potato crackers, and cheese

It's not rocket science, really.  Grains, produce, and fruit are covered with bug-killing poisons.  Watch a film of the crop pilots flying over and dumping tons of gallons of herbicides and pesticides on the food we buy in the stores.  Watch how cows, chickens, and other animals are injected with hormones and fed foods they do not naturally eat, all for the sake of fast growth, fast production, fast money.  It really is not a stretch at all to connect these foods with autism, cancer, autoimmune disorders, etc.  I will surely miss my Cheez-its, Campbell's soup, and Wal-mart's cheap apples for lunch.

It is very sobering.  Trust me, this all puts a major kink in my diet.  I grew up with Better Cheddars and Coca-Cola on the countertop waiting for me after school.  But I personally know the pain of being told my child might have a disorder on the autistic spectrum.  (Thank you Lord that we had the best of outcomes.)  And I have personally experienced cancer in my family.  And I can confidently declare that I am not willing to enjoy my Cinnamon Toast Crunch and conventional fruits and vegetables at the risk of having poor health, or causing my children or grandchildren to be at risk. 

Do not get me wrong, there are other things that factor into these diseases and disorders, both environmentally and genetically.  There is no easy fix.  And ultimately I am not in control of the universe.  But just like anything else I do as a human being/wife/parent, I am responsible for making the best choices I can.  So this week we are making the transition to organic eating.  It can be quite expensive, even for those of us with gardens and egg-laying chickens!  But it is important enough that I am willing to make sacrifices.  My children will not be involved in every activity that comes along.  Our clothes are always hand-me-downs or "gently used" (or from Target).  Furniture that we buy is also "gently used" or passed down from a relative.  I do a lot of home-made baking and cooking as opposed to pre-packaged, convenient, expensive stuff.  (Less activities for the kids=more time to cook)  We will eat more deer meat than cow meat, because we have a ton in the freezer from hunting season.  We will not be eating out, hardly at all.  Books we buy are used, if not from the library.  The list goes on and on...usually there are corners that can be cut.  It is very convicting to consider that I have been putting our clothing, furnishings, vehicles, etc. above our health. 

Organic chicken tortilla soup, UNorganice multi grain chips

My husband is trying to start a movement of selling organic fruit, veggies, and eggs at a price that is comparable to "conventional" food.  We hate that the price of organic food prevents people from eating well.  If you live in Alabama, check out our website at : backhomefarm.com.  Just replacing conventional milk, veggies, fruit, beef, eggs, and chicken with organics is so huge.  (Even if you still eat your Cheez-its and Cheerios.)

This is all a transition for us.  It will be different and hard, even in today's market where organics are much easier to find.  Praying for diligence and perseverance.  Selfishly praying for tangible evidence of the results of healthier eating, because we will need that encouragement.  This is all going to be new and different.  My husband took the kids on an errand and they all came back with a Hershey bar. :)  And, I cannot seem to break my habit of having a Coke Zero in the afternoons.  Did I mention that I had to put an entire teaspoon of (organic) sugar on the kids' (Kashi) cereal in order for them to eat it this morning?  Oh well, baby steps.

Tuesdays

On Tuesdays we do not have to be anywhere. I try to take the kids on a long walk around the farm in the afternoon time when chores and school are all done. Today, as always, we found some fresh treasures.
Lots of honeysuckle, the kids' favorite.

We planted a small orchard last year behind the house. Today we discovered our first peaches!
The dog was as hyper and out of control as always. The clouds began to bulge with impending rain, so we headed home (it was a short walk) and the kids got on the trampoline. I truly do not know how any family makes it without one. The kids spend probably a dozen hours a week on ours. Jumping, diving on bean bags, throwing beach balls. Around 5:30 we came in and I started dinner. A few minutes later the clouds exploded and my sweetie came knocking on the back door, soaked. The produce here at the farm is beginning to come in. Notice the new potatoes he brought in for dinner tomorrow night. Lettuce, radishes, spinach, onions, and now potatoes are ready! So I lit some warm candles while he took a shower and we had a nice dinner together. Then Lydie turned on music and entertained us with dancing and a fashion show until showers and bedtime. Now they are all tucked in bed. Andy is reading to the boys, Lydie is anxiously awaiting the Tooth Fairy. Another simple Tuesday at our house.