Life with the Grubb Worms

Firsts

2012-02-18T18:06:00.001-05:00

First time on a motorcycle…

First time in the Johnny Jumper…

Sick

2012-02-17T17:52:00.002-05:00

Well, our birthday week celebration has been interrupted by a mean, old stomach bug. Everyone has it except Chris and Jonah at this point. Foster said before he vomited last night, "Well maybe there was going to be a car wreck on the way or something." He was saying that maybe God was letting this happen to protect him from something worse.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God,

to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Go ahead - unfriend me...

2012-02-15T14:54:00.000-05:00

I have this love/hate relationship with Facebook. I started using it whenever one else did a few years ago. It was getting on my nerves so bad that I actually stopped using it for almost 8 months. Well, then some great info was being passed around regarding BHEA and the stuff my kids are involved in. And it was fun to follow different blogs on there and share You Tube things, etc.

So I started back again and I thought I pretty much had a handle on it until recently. I know you can hide people and only see the "important" stuff they say (which how does Facebook know what's important and what's not?). So that's what I do when someone keeps posting about their cat's bowel movements or uses language that I would rather not have my kids reading over my shoulder. I just hide them. Because I don't want to be rude and actually UNFRIEND them. Wouldn't want to hurt anybody's feelings or anything.

I also fall into the "comparing" trap. I start to get frustrated that I too, haven't been able to leap tall buildings in a single jump or save a special needs child from a burning porta-potty. I haven't lost 23.6 pounds in 3 weeks and I am not finishing up my 3rd Ph.D at the end of this month. Actually, what I have done today is change 5.3 poopy diapers, used 4 spit rags (including my own shirt), made 17,465 peanut butter and honey sandwiches and had the never ending type of conversations that are so mentally stimulating (i.e."no we don't eat that just because it's brown and soft and looks like chocolate")

Anywho, I love Facebook because of it's perks and I detest it at the same time. When I checked Facebook this morning the detestable score just went up by a few. Come to find out - I have been UNFRIENDED.

My intial reaction was "Really? Really? Did you have to unfriend me? You couldn't just hide me so I wouldn't know that you don't like me and I get on your nerves?" Noooo...that just would have been way too civil.

My lucid, post 3 cups of coffee, reaction is "Go ahead - unfriend me...see if I care."

Oh and "unfriend" isn't even a real word.

So there.

8

2012-02-14T20:20:00.001-05:00

Today’s the big day! Foster’s 8 years old. I can’t believe it’s been 8 years since I first laid eyes on my son. I have gushed and talked about him for days now so I will just tell a little on how we are celebrating this week. (Yes, I said week. We love birthdays around here.)
Monday night Foster’s Papaw and Ms. Debbie took him out to eat at Mr.Gatti’s and to Gander Mountain. It was a big treat mostly because he got to go all by himself. He came home with some fishing stuff and a video about how to catch Crappie (pronounced craw-pee, not crap-pee).
Tuesday Lots of phone calls, no schoolwork, doughnuts for breakfast, Chick-fil-A with friends for lunch, lots of screen time, dinner he planned with our family, skype with Grammy and Grandad.
Thursday Playdate with new friends.
Friday Grammy’s coming! Family dinner at Chili’s and then cake and ice cream at home with extended family.
Saturday Movie with Grandad.
And some nice memories from today…

Flat Daddy

2012-02-13T20:47:00.001-05:00

This was at Foster’s 3rd birthday party. Chris had been deployed to Iraq for about a month. The Family Readiness Group at the airbase made us a “flat daddy” to have for the 6 months he was gone. I know some people thought we were crazy carrying this huge thing around, but it was really great for Foster and Katie. We would prop him up in the living room and I would catch Foster talking to flat daddy while he played with his cars or built Lego towers.
The best thing about tomorrow, Valentine’s Day 2012, is that our whole family will be together to celebrate Foster’s birthday.
When I asked him what he wanted for his birthday dinner he said he wanted “stringy noodles” (angel hair pasta with parmesan cheese), popcorn chicken and French bread for the “siding”. Chris and I had to explain the difference between a “side dish” and “siding".

Dinner for one…

2012-02-12T21:38:00.001-05:00

Foster and Katie are just 20 months apart and we lived in a massive 960 sq. foot 2 bedroom house when she was born. We moved Foster to a “big boy bed” when he was about 18 months old so that Katie could have the crib. He never got out of bed at night but we did have to teach him to stay in it for his daytime naps.

This picture actually makes me a little sad. He looks lonely doesn’t he? Chris was working 2nd shift and we rarely ate dinner as a family. I would fix something for Foster and then after I got him in bed would eat alone while I read or watched t.v. The summer after Foster turned 2 years old Chris started an apprenticeship program and moved to a 1st shift job. Thankfully, he has worked 1st shift ever since and having dinner as a family is something we do most nights. While dinner time can sometimes get hectic, messy and loud, I am thankful that my children have each other and mommy and daddy with which to share a meal.

At his Uncle Chad’s birthday party in 2006. Grammy made that great leather cowboy vest for him. He has always loved dressing up.

This is the summer after Foster turned 3 years old. Katie was newly walking, I was pregnant with Theodore and Chris was deployed to Iraq. We were home a lot that summer but one of Foster’s favorite things was eating those big cake like cookies on the front porch. He has always been a messy eater, even now we have to remind him to slow down if he’s eating something he enjoys.

Foster and I went to see Thomas the train in Chattanooga that summer that Chris was deployed. Grammy took care of Katie and we had a wonderful day together. We were cooling off under one of the tents they had set up and this lady asked if any of the kids could come up and sing the alphabet song. Foster was 3 and half and very shy around adults and crowds. I was shocked when he volunteered and so proud when he sang the whole thing! That was one of my first homeschooling success stories!

Joyful

2012-02-11T20:53:00.001-05:00

This is one of my favorite pictures. Foster is 14 months old here. I was about 3 months pregnant with Katie. Foster had just begun walking and one of his favorite things to do that Spring was walk to the mailbox with me. It was amazing as a new parent to watch his fascination with the wind blowing through that big tree in the front yard.

My sister-in-law and I had our kids professionally photographed the summer that Foster was 2 and 1/2. I remember it was so very hot, but he was still all smiles.

I thought about getting Coke to pay me for this shot. We were at Dollywood with some friends. Foster was about 16 months here so it was a real treat for him to drink out of a big cup. It was water by the way. We don’t give our toddlers soda!

Foster riding the ducks at Dollywood. I think he was about 2 and 1/2 here.

He started early with loving books. We’ve had to glue and tape this one back together a few times because all the kids have loved on it. We still have it on our shelf.

“This teeth brushing is serious business!” He loved learning to brush his teeth. He had a racecar toothbrush that he would “drive” on the counter before and after chewing the toothpaste off.

Here he is after his bath (about 15 months old). He would just get his lovey, suck his thumb and say “night,night”. Even though he’s grown so much, he still wants to be walked in to his room and tucked in.

Foster is getting really excited about his birthday. He seems to be bouncing off the walls, laughing and whistling and singing. He is full of joy! We are so blessed to have him in our lives.

Be still my heart…

2012-02-10T20:56:00.001-05:00

Why yes, that is my handsome soldier and fat-cheeked first baby.

It’s hard to make out in this picture but there is a shiny, yellow lovey laying on top of him. It’s frayed and worn and not too shiny anymore but he still sleeps with his lovey every night. The thumb sucking didn’t stop until he was six.

This snowsuit worn by Foster his first winter walking was the same one that my little brother wore when he was one.

Shortly before his first birthday, Foster loved climbing in and out of this rocker. The rocking chair was Chris’s when he was little.

Just a few more days…

2012-02-09T20:50:00.000-05:00

In just a few more days my first born will be 8 years old. I have a lot of pictures I want to scan in but my wireless router is not working and my awesome printer/scanner is wireless. Sooo… anyway, looks like I might have to just write about him for the next few days and hope that the pictures will come soon. Since I know my mom loves them.
I am his mother so I know I am extremely biased but here are a few things I love about Foster:

His love of God and His Word
His tender heart and sensitive spirit
His gentleness
His sense of humor
His patience
That he is a thinker and therefore gets distracted easily
His willingness to help others
How he so easily forgives
His appreciation and love of books and reading
His fascination with Legos
His hatred of any form of potatoes (except French fries)
His love of hunting and fishing and being outdoors

I could go on and on. Foster isn’t perfect, but he was an easy baby, a cute, fat toddler and a bright, inquisitive pre-schooler. I am so glad I am homeschooling because I can’t imagine missing all that time with him every day. Right now Foster talks about becoming a wildlife biologist, a missionary, and “someone who goes to China and convinces them to stop slavery”.
Some things that we would like Foster to learn at this point in his life are how to stick up for himself when being bullied and how to stay focused on the tasks he should be doing.
For now these are a few pictures I have handy…

Wordless Wednesday: California

2012-02-08T18:00:00.002-05:00

Foster, Katie and Theodore on our family trip to California - June 2011

Why's there a baby under that blanket?

2012-02-07T18:56:00.000-05:00

I really didn't plan on being some crazy, hippie breastfeeding activist. It just sort-of happened. When I was pregnant with my first child I was given a copy of the book The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. My mom didn't nurse me or my little brother so I really didn't have any first-hand knowledge from anyone who had breastfed. I did feel though, that I should make an effort because it made sense to me that God designed a woman's body to be able to nourish her children. So I had decided this is what I would do. It was the best option for my baby and I would make it happen. Easy as that, right?

Well...for some women maybe, but not for every woman. When I had that first baby, I had to have help figuring out how to get him to latch on, then I needed reassurance that he was actually getting enough milk, then I needed to learn how to nurse ~~while hiding so as not to make anyone else uncomfortable~~ discreetly in public or at family gatherings.

Thankfully, Foster was a wonderful baby, not that every baby isn't wonderful, but he was easy. My milk came in, but not until day 4 and after that he nursed well, gained weight, slept 8 hours by the time he was 3 months old. I didn't get mastitis or plugged ducts.

I had this breastfeeding thing in the bag! What a success I was!

Then I had Katie. Baby #2. When she was born I had a 20 month old to chase, she was a snacker (she would nurse for approx. 5 minutes and then nurse again 1 hour later) , she didn't sleep, I got plugged ducts AND mastitis. She didn't gain weight or have regular bowel movements.

I sucked at breastfeeding! What a failure I was!

The thing is I have nursed all my babies, most until at least a year old. But a few things I have learned along the way is that women do not have the encouragement or the support system that past generations had when it comes to feeding their children naturally. I am not an anthropologist so I can't give you any textbook facts here, but my theory is that back in the day when grandmothers, aunts, cousins were always with each other, they were able to see breastfeeding for what it was, the natural, expected way to feed your baby. My mom didn't even really think breastfeeding was an option. They just showed you how to mix the formula and give the bottles.

I wouldn't trade my time nursing my babies for anything. The bonding alone makes the struggles and sacrifices worth it. But, I also realize that it doesn't mean I love my children more than a mom who couldn't or wouldn't breastfeed.

Scout Sunday

2012-02-05T20:18:00.002-05:00

Foster reading to Theodore from Theodore's Bible

This was Boy Scout Sunday. Foster wore his uniform to church. I love how some of the older gentlemen light up when they see his uniform. They enjoy telling him of when they or their sons were in Scouts. Foster has really enjoyed being a part of Cub Scouts. His goal is to become an Eagle Scout. Chris and I plan to do everything we can to help him achieve that goal!

“I think that American leadership is vital to peace and prosperity and the advancement of democracy in the world, and that requires having strong leaders. And I don’t think there’s any organization in the world, certainly not in the United States, that better prepares young men for leadership in this country than the Boy Scouts of America–in teaching leadership skills, in teaching values, in teaching importance of standing up for what’s right.”
Bob Gates, former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency

Thank you

2012-02-04T20:42:00.001-05:00

It's been a long day. A hard day. I know we all have them. I just feel like I have had them more often lately. For some reason, my postpartum insanity waits until my babies are around 4 months old to hit me. And then, there is a lack of sunshine. So I'm writing a note to myself today.

Dear Self,

Please remember that this is just a season. A season where your 5 children are under 8 years old and also a season of rainy, winter days. This too shall pass...so count your blessings! Be thankful.

Sincerely,

A privilege

2012-02-03T20:46:00.000-05:00

Last night Foster, Katie and I did some research on how they could use their H.C.I.N money. We visited the Feeding the Orphans site. We read about 9 ways their money could help and also watched 2 short videos of the orphans in Ghana.

They both made several comments about the children's lack of housing, clothing and toys. We discussed their lack of clean water and of healthy food. Katie said one thing though that stuck with me.
She said "Mommy, I bet those children don't even get to go to church."

Our children see going to church as a privilege. Not a duty or a burden, but something to be thankful for and something to be excited about.

I think as parents we should try to nurture this attitude. When Saturday rolls around and it's time to start ironing church clothes and taking baths and packing diaper bags and all that, we try to use words like "we get to go to church tomorrow" or "tomorrow is a church day! Yay!" It may sound corny, but to very young children how you present something is huge in how they view it.

On the flip side, we could be too lazy to go to church. Getting our family of 7 to church at 9am on Sunday morning is no small feat. We start on Saturday night and do the ironing, baths, clipping of nails, finding of dress socks, shoes and coats, piling up bibles, stocking diaper bags, filling sippy cups, making sure there is something quick and painless for breakfast, and tucking everyone in by 8pm so they will wake up in a decent mood. Then Sunday morning Chris and I get up at least an hour or more before the kids, shower, wake them, feed them, clean them up, dress them (even a 6 year old girl needs help with her tights), start the van so the frost will melt off, put coats on, grab the bibles, load up and go! Of course, in between all that is the nursing of the baby, the time-outs, disciplining, crying, laughing, lego building, car racing and lots and lots of questions. Are you tired yet?

But why should we complain? Wouldn't we do all that same preparation to go somewhere like Dollywood? Don't we hurry and rush to get to doctor appointments on time? Aren't we faithful to attend family or friend birthday parties? Why should taking advantage of a chance to go to God's house be something we avoid or procrastinate on?

Our family is thankful to have the privilege, the freedom to attend a worship service.

Mud

2012-02-02T14:23:00.000-05:00

You know that really satisfied feeling you get after getting some part of your house clean? Maybe a room or floor that really needed a good scrubbing? Well, last night Chris held Jonah and entertained the kids so I could spend an hour or so deep cleaning the bathroom. Then, that was so satisfying I decided to sweep and mop the kitchen and dining room floors this morning.

So when the sun came out and my kids went out to play...I had to decide to replace the feeling of satisfaction that came from a clean house with the feeling of satisfaction that comes from my children's joy.

Lots of rain yesterday + lots of sunshine today = MUD!!!!!!

Making mommy surprise soup. Yum yum.

Sharing one pair of long rubber gloves.

Parker and Katie shared the other yellow pair.

After awhile it turned into a mud war...

Homemaking with the Grubb Worms

2012-02-01T13:41:00.001-05:00

I am linking up with Passionate and Creative Homemaking today to talk about what homemaking looks like at our house.

I'll start off by saying that when I was growing up, my mom worked outside the home, yet it seemed almost all of the homemaking was HER responsibility. Well, hers and mine. From my perspective, my dad would work (sometimes late hours in retail) and then would come home, plant himself in front of the t.v. in his favorite brown recliner and still be there when I went to bed hours later. Going back one more generation, my Mamaw (maternal grandmother), waited hand and foot on my Papaw. I will always be able to hear him yelling "Mary Bell!" (pronounced Murr-bell), as he beckoned her from another room to hand him something that was less than 3 feet away.

When my husband and I were engaged we went to pre-marital counseling with a Christian counselor. She had us fill in workbooks that had a lot to do with our expectations and then we would ~~calmly discuss~~ scream and cry in her office until we came to some compromise. It was really helpful. But not because we worked all that out and had a plan as to who would do the dishes, who would wash the laundry, etc. It was helpful because it showed us that he had one set of ideas about how things should go and I had a COMPLETELY different idea. Which ~~really~~ sort-of prepared us for the first ~~few~~ ten years of our marriage.

We will be celebrating our tenth year of marriage on March 22nd this year. And at this point in our lives, this is what homemaking looks like.

We both cook. I cook breakfast and lunch for the kids while he is gone. I cook most of our dinners but that is because he doesn't get home until after 5pm and by then the natives are getting restless. When Chris is home though, he enjoys cooking. He really likes trying new recipes for meals and desserts. I feel like if he had more time at home he would take a bigger role in this area.
We both clean. Again, I do the majority of this because I am home but Chris and the kids do a lot of laundry and dishes and general picking up. Chris will scrub the tub for me because that is a chore I detest. Most of the deep cleaning chores are done by me, but as long as I have a little time to do them I actually enjoy this.
We both make a menu, grocery list and do the shopping. I really struggle in this area. I hate making a menu for the week, I don't enjoy cutting coupons or finding bargains (like some people I know). I don't mind the cooking, but it's still a learning process for me!
We both take care of the kids. Except for Jonah who is still exclusively breast-fed, Chris and I split the care of the kids. We both give baths, help with getting people dressed, fed, cleaned-up, medicine or band-aids delivered and tucked into bed. The one thing I do that Chris hasn't ever done because he has no desire and I don't mind it is cut fingernails and toenails. That may seem like such a small thing but we have 5 children who need that done at least once a week. You do the math. (Dirty, long fingernails are a pet peeve of mine.)
We both discipline. We have our own tool bag of consequences from which to pull ranging from time-out to spankings to loss of privileges. We try to respect and stay out of a disciplinary action as it is taking place. For example, if Parker hits Theodore and Chris is in the room, he will ~~tell Parker to go~~ take Parker to time-out. When the timer beeps Parker is sent to speak with Chris, not me. He will talk with him and Theodore and have Parker apologize. It is extremely disrespectful of one parent to interrupt, defend or change the discipline of another parent in front of the child. We are a team and try to present a united front. That said, we both mess this up from time to time. Either I think Chris is being too lenient or he thinks I am being too harsh, somehow we end up arguing with each other when we let our opinions come out at the moment in front of the kids. Better to wait and discuss it after bedtime.

It has taken us all of our marriage to get to this point. As our family has grown, as we have matured and our relationship and love has grown deeper, the way homemaking looks in our family has changed many times. Thankfully, God loves us and continues to honor our desire to have a stable, Christian home. The most consistent aspect to our homemaking is that it is always changing!

Favorite girl, favorite song

2012-01-31T21:57:00.001-05:00

Katie before her AHG meeting

That smile lights up my life. The best part of my day today was playing "Guess Who" with my little girl. Sometimes I get too busy with chores or the younger boys to take time for Katie. She doesn't ask for too much from me, she wanted to help me in the kitchen tonight and then play a game. I cherish the years where she looks at me with admiration and doesn't think I'm a big dork (even when I am acting like one). We have a favorite song right now that we love to sing. Even when my little Grubb worms are screaming and crying and fussing and fighting and whining...we can turn this song up and it turns our mood around!

Jonah - 4 months

2012-01-30T19:14:00.001-05:00

My last baby is growing too fast!

"Shema"

2012-01-29T20:40:00.000-05:00

In Sunday school this morning one of the key passages was from Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

The word "Hear" at the beginning of this passage is from the Hebrew word, shema. Our Sunday school books says this, "The expression was meant to evoke a sense of urgency in hearers and impress on them the need for action."

I feel like it is so easy to just take in the word of God, to listen at church, or when I'm teaching the kids their memory verse. It is much harder to actually do something about what I am hearing.

I use the phrase "listen and obey" with my children all the time. It was an "aha" moment for me this morning when we went over the word "shema".

God wants me to "listen and obey" when I read His word. He wants me to make the decision to serve Him, to apply His word in a way that allows Him to transform me.

Old church, new church

2012-01-28T14:23:00.000-05:00

My husband and I started out as newlyweds trying to find a church that we could worship in as a couple. One that wasn't "his" and wasn't "mine" but that would be "ours".

It took us a little over a year but we did indeed find a great church. We were expecting our first baby and were filled with excitement as we began to make new friends, build relationships, serve, learn more about scripture from our pastor, worship and grow spiritually.

We were at our old church for 8 and half years. We had 4 of our 5 children dedicated there. Foster was baptized there. I had a best friend there. My kids had best friends there. Chris and I taught Sunday school classes, I sung in the choir for awhile. We held all kinds of babies and toddlers in the nursery, along with our own. It was home.

And then, it wasn't. It first happened spiritually, then relationally.

I would love to be able to say the decision and the circumstances that led up to it were organized and sterile. "First A happened, then B happened, then C happened, then we prayed and God said A+B+C= time to find a new church home."

But, that's not life. And it's certainly hasn't been easy. It's been painful. It has felt like a divorce in a lot of ways. It has been hard to explain to our young children. We have told them that they just have to trust us, and God.

One thing that I have come to realize during the whole process is that my relationship with God - my day-to-day talks with Him (prayer) and my spiritual education (reading my bible) does not hinge on my church attendance.

A church home is wonderful. It helps to encourage and support you and your family. A church family offers great opportunities for you to minister to others. A church full of fellow believers worshipping together can be a beautiful experience.

But, the personal relationship is up to you. The spiritual education of your children is up to you and your spouse.

It's kind of like a banana split. (Hear me out here.) God is the banana and you are the ice cream. That alone is delicious. Church, though, is the hot fudge sauce, the nuts, the whip cream and cherry. A church family, a church home, where you feel a part can add all that extra yummy to your relationship to God.

Thankfully, it seems that we have found a new place to belong.

My husband grew up in a wonderful church here in town. Many of the people that nurtured and loved him when he was young are still there. We have been attending that church and we have felt a peace each Sunday that neither of us can explain.

Date Night

2012-01-27T23:46:00.000-05:00

Uh-oh, it's 11:30 and I haven't blogged today! I have a good reason though. I had a date tonight.

My hubby and I don't go out very often, but tonight we took Jonah and went for dinner and some shopping. The date tonight was even better because of the past 24 hours.

Last night Chris came home from work and got the kids and took them for haircuts. I stayed home and was able to have a complete uninterrupted conversation with a girlfriend of mine. Today he took Theodore and Parker with him to see his Grandfather, which meant more productive school time for Foster, Katie and I. Then he let me lay down and take a nap with the baby. All this special attention and he's been leaving me little notes this week in different places that tell me why he loves me.

I'll have to share those in a different post. Some of them are really funny.

I am thankful that I have a husband who isn't perfect but who's willing to try, who forgives me and tries to see past my temper tantrums to find out what I am really needing.

Rain

2012-01-26T21:16:00.000-05:00

Rain

I opened my eyes

And looked up at the rain,

And it dripped in my head

And it flowed into my brain,

And all that I hear as I lie in my bed

Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.

I step very softly,

I walk very slow,

I can't do a handstand-

I might overflow,

So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said-

I'm just not the same since there's rain in my head.

By: Shel Silverstein

This pretty much sums it up. The winter filled with rain that's driving me insane!

Full Circle

2012-01-25T21:06:00.001-05:00

Bess and I at the zoo - summer 2002

Chris and I had barely been married for 3 months when he was sent on a deployment to Kyrgyzstan. While he was gone, our sweet friends took me in. Not literally, I had an apartment and a job. But, spiritually, emotionally, they included me in their family life. I was able to be a part of trips to the zoo, family dinners, and they helped throw a welcome home party for my new husband.

More than anything they showed me what it meant to live as a faithful, Christian couple. They homeschooled and I knew after growing to love their children that this was what God would want for my future children, too.

I am so thankful for the role this family has played in our family life.

They have been an example of a godly marriage, a steady and stable example

for Chris and I for over 10 years.

Now things have come full circle.

That sweet, little blond girl who was the flower girl in my wedding is now the babysitter of my children. I just love how God works....

H.C.I.N

2012-01-24T20:25:00.001-05:00

A little over a year ago, Foster found out that one of his fellow cub scouts and family were in the process of adopting two children from Ghana, Africa. Since then he has it on his mind all the time how he can help orphans or any child in need. He, Katie and Theodore also talk a lot about the homeless and how they can help them.

Over Christmas, instead of buying gifts for us, Chris and I told the kids they could use their piggy bank money to give to Habitat for Humanity. They were so excited, they drew a great picture and took their money to the main office. Foster told his daddy he wants to go to the work site and actually help build the house.

It seems that Foster is always thinking of ways to earn more money to put in his H.C.I. N. fund. His Grammy helped him come up with the name Helping Children In Need. He puts all his spare change and money he gets others to donate in the jar. He helps neighbors with jobs and just basically asks people to give. He brainstorms about how to raise more money, bake sales, lemonade stands, car washes, etc.

I love him for the passion he feels about other children who are in need of the basic things he and his sibling take for granted, like clean water, food, clothes.

It does my heart good so see how God has worked in him and how He will work through him.

His 8th birthday is coming up soon. In some ways, he is all boy, running, yelling, pretending he is Davy Crockett, teasing his sister. But in many other ways, he is tender-hearted, kind and patient. He loves God and His word. He often sets an example for me to follow.

I need some sleep

2012-01-23T20:53:00.001-05:00

Remember when you had a 3 month old baby who slept 8-10 hours? Yeah, me neither.

I have nursed all my babies, breast milk just doesn't last like formula (apparently). Also, when I had my first baby I followed all the rules for bedtime. Well, all except the put them to sleep on their back rule. I would get up and go to Foster's room and nurse him on one side for approx. 10-15 minutes, change his diaper, nurse on the other side 10-15 minutes. Then he would sleep another nice, long 4-5 hour stretch.

Well, then came baby #2 and in our little 2 bedroom house that meant that Katie would be waking up her 2 year old brother in the night if she was crying incessantly (which she did). Katie wanted to nurse for approx. 5 minutes and fall back asleep. Then she would sleep about 45 minutes and want to nurse again. Enter, co-sleeping. Chris was working 2nd shift then and so he would bunk on the sofa bed, while Katie and I had our bed. And so it has been our routine for babies #3,4, and 5.

I am thankful that I have a husband who is so understanding. Although, it works for both of us. He suffers from sofa bed uncomfort but doesn't get woke up to feed or change a crying baby.

In fact, nobody hears the baby crying except mommy.

Chris and the kids often say in the mornings, "I didn't hear Jonah cry at all last night. Did he wake up at all?" Ha, ha so funny.

I will try not to resent your long, peaceful night's rest.

After all, it's only for a season.

A day of rest

2012-01-22T20:56:00.000-05:00

I will praise the Lord at all times.

I will constantly speak His praises.

Psalms 34:1

Sundays when we can all go to God's house together.

Sundays when we get to come home to a warm home, a tasty meal, some outside play time, some inside cuddle and movie time.

After a long, hard week...our reward has been a peaceful Sunday.

Praise the Lord!

Spending the paycheck...

2012-01-21T19:13:00.000-05:00

We took the kids out to the movies Friday on Daddy's day off. We went to the "dollar" theater which is now $2.00 a person. Parker and Jonah were still free.

Captivated

Oblivious

We paid for the movie, but the kids took some of their money they had earned for their commission this week. We don't give an allowance but use Dave's ideas that the kids earn money for chores and good behavior. They must tithe 10% and then they put half in savings in their piggy banks and they may spend the other half. They start on Sunday with the following amounts : Foster $7.00; Katie $6.00; Theodore $4.00 and Parker gets a quarter to put in his bank so he doesn't feel left out.

They can get fines through the week (from .10 - .25) for multiple prompts, breaking house rules, bad attitudes, etc. They are able to earn a .25 bonus if they can say our memory verse for the week.

Foster and Katie used their commission after the movie to play a couple of video games and air hockey. Theodore bought a huge box of M&M's (which took all his money) before the movie started. This outing offered many "educational" moments dealing with getting change, how many quarters to play a game, what happens when you put your money in and the game just doesn't work, and finally, bartering. Theodore offered to give Katie some M&M's for .50 so that he could play a game.

Our kids aren't just handed money any time they ask. However, we want them to learn how to give, save and spend. We want them to know the joy of tithing, the joy of buying a gift for a friend, the pain of losing money or paying for repairs of something they have broken. We want money to be REAL for them, not some abstract thing. So we decided a commission for the work they do would be a good way to do that. (Along with the birthday money they receive from relatives.)

Anyone over 4 years old in our home is put to work. We try to instill from an early age that as a family, we are a team. If asked to clean up toys, I don't need to know who made the mess or who cleaned it up last time. I expect them to clean up the toys even if they haven't played in that room. That's part of working together and taking care of each other. They wipe the kitchen table, sweep, empty small trashcans, sort and put away laundry, put clean dishes away and load the dishwasher, carry in groceries, carry out the bags of trash to the outside trashcan, clean up toys, vacuum, and anything else they are big enough to do. They are a huge help, but more than that, they are more cognizant of the messes they make. They are able to feel a confidence and a belonging that comes from feeling needed and a part of a team.

I do not feel like parents are doing their kids any favors if they don't give them family responsibilities, if they wait on them hand and foot because they want them to be able to just "be kids." Our society has created some selfish, lazy humans compared to past generations who had to help milk the cows, scoop manure, work in the garden, etc.

Better get off this soapbox for now.....

Homeschooling 101: The support

2012-01-20T21:10:00.001-05:00

After making your decision to homeschool and letting your family and friends know, the next step is to procure some support for this crazy ride on which you are about to embark.

Spiritual Support:
Hopefully, once you have shared your homeschooling decision with loved ones there will be at least a few people that you can ask to be praying for your family. My mom and Chris's mom were both supportive of our decision when we started homeschooling. I know they both prayed for our children and us as we began the journey.

Relational Support:
Chris and I had been friends with a long time homeschooling family so we did know at least one other family who homeschooled. However, their children were much older than ours. It is important to have other homeschooling parents with which to discuss questions, curriculum choices, concerns, etc. Try to reach out to another homeschooling family, they will probably be more than happy to take you under their wing as you get started.

Educational Support:
There are many umbrella schools and online academies that offer educational guidance and support for those just getting started. If you are concerned about being able to pick the right curriculum or what grade level work your child might need, these types of programs might be worth some research on your part.

Try to find a local homeschool support group. We are blessed to have a thriving local support group. BHEA offers many things to its members with the largest being our "Monday Fun" co-op. Moms, dads, or other members of the community come together once a week to offer a wide variety of classes for members ages 3 yrs. to adult. My children have taken many different classes from cooking to World History.

When you first start researching and planning how to get started homeschooling you will have times where you feel overwhelmed. We all have! Just try to take the time to establish support so that when you do feel overwhelmed you'll have a few people from which you can draw strength and encouragement. Many times I would (still do) pray and ask God to reassure me that what I was doing was the right thing! And He's always faithful. He will be your strongest supporter.

Homeschooling 101: The decision

2012-01-19T20:54:00.002-05:00

Since we started homeschooling I have had several people, friends and strangers, say things like "I wouldn't even know how to get started homeschooling."

These next few posts will address that statement.

The decision:
The decision to homeschool cannot and should not be taken lightly. When a family is discussing their educational options, the majority of them are talking about city versus county schools or private versus public schools. If, as a mother (or father), you have felt like homeschooling might be beneficial for your family then you are facing decisions that will be much different than the ones your peers are making.

First things first:
As a Christian the first thing you should do is pray. Often times, only one parent will feel the call to homeschool. This was the case with my husband and I. Although I was tempted and probably did try and "talk him into it" his agreement came only after he had time to seek what God would have for our family. I remember ~~telling~~ begging him "please pray about it! If you get a definite NO from God then I will accept that." Thankfully, God did not give him that no.

Your sacrifice:
If you are a family that already has one parent at home then the decision to homeschool will just be a natural progression as far as finances are concerned. If you are a two-income family, however, you and your spouse will have to make a plan as to how you will survive with less money.

There is also the sacrifice of freedom. For some stay-at-home moms that 5 year old birthday means a ticket to at least a few hours of peace, time to clean, shop, pursue a hobby, etc. The reality is that if you homeschool, your kids are with you all day. The free time you do have you will need to spend ~~some~~ a lot of your time making lesson plans and other school related tasks that as the teacher will be your responsibility.

Your family's decision to homeschool is a lifestyle decision that seeps into every part of your family's life. (To me, that's one of the best things about it - but that's for another post.)

Your declaration:
Unfortunately, many people are still "in the dark" about homeschooling. I am not saying that to belittle others or exalt homeschoolers. What I am saying is that well meaning grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, etc. may not be happy with your decision to homeschool. This negative response comes mainly from their lack of knowing exactly what homeschooling is, not how it is depicted in movies or extreme news cases.

When you tell your loved ones that you have decided to homeschool, don't feel like you need to be ready for the next great debate. Just say "We wanted to let you know that instead of sending little Johnny to XYZ elementary, we have decided to homeschool." When the wailing and gnashing of teeth stops and the questions start, just remain calm and say "This is what we have prayed about and feel God is calling us to do as a family right now."

Just remember this is your child.

Stay tuned...more on how to get started homeschooling coming up tomorrow!

Band-aid

2012-01-18T21:05:00.000-05:00

You can't put a band-aid on emotional pain. It has to just heal slowly, uncovered, letting the air get to it. Our healing today came from being together. In the simple day-to-day learning and the joy of laughter.

I was eating some dip at lunch and Foster said "what is that?" I said "It's hummus dip. It's made from chickpeas." He said "Gross! Chick pee? That's yucky."

I love my kids.

Remorse

2012-01-17T20:58:00.001-05:00

Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? (Even the Scriptures say,"For your sake we are killed every day; we are slaughtered like sheep.") No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Romans 8: 35-38

A promise from God that I needed today.

Have you ever had one of those days? Where you let your emotions run over and you say ugly, hurtful things to your loved ones? Where all the little things that have been bothering you just explode in an ugly mess?

It happens all the time in the movies, people yell and slam doors and pitch fits. But what happens after that? The happy ending is shown, the parents hugging their kids, the husband and wife holding one another lovingly in bed.

What happens in real life is you have to humble yourself and apologize. You have to ask forgiveness from those you have hurt and then from God who was watching the whole time, wanting to love you, wanting to protect you from yourself but you just wouldn't get alone with Him.

I'm human. I get hurt and feel unappreciated. I have my own opinions about how things should go in our family. But instead of praying about it, talking it over with God and calmly approaching my husband and children, I blew up. I was irrational and hurtful.

Of course, they said they forgive me. And I know that God forgives me, but the promise that I so needed today is that no matter what God loves me. No matter what trouble (even if it's caused by me), no matter my fears or worries - NOTHING keeps God's love away from me.

God's not a racist

2012-01-16T20:43:00.000-05:00

No matter how you say it. God loves everyone. Every race. Every country. Every culture. Every one.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had an evident, genuine relationship with God that caused him to step out of the comfort of his every day ministry to reach more people for a greater cause. He knew God was not a racist. Unfortunately, we still need great leaders like Dr. King because slavery, human trafficking, racism still run rampant here in America and all over the world.

How are you helping to stop it?

"NO! MY NOT WANT TO!"

2012-01-15T20:49:00.001-05:00

Parker (2 yrs. 6 mos.)

Oh that magical age. You know the one. Where your child is starting to want to do all the important things by themselves. Well, everything except take care of their own bodily functions. Who needs a toilet when you can just go in your diaper anywhere you please? Who needs a Kleenex when you can just let the snot flow into your mouth as you eat your snack? Why cover that cough as you kiss your baby brother? Those things should be handled by the grown-ups.

At the ripe old age of 2 1/2 - Parker would like to make all the decisions when it comes to what he eats, what he wears, where he sits, what he plays with, where we drive in the van, etc. And woe to the one who tries to have a different opinion. I have had 3 children go through the 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 year so far and I don't think it has made it any easier. They wear you out. Well, if you are trying to discipline them and want to turn them into decent humans that you are glad live in your family, then they wear you out. The whole process does.

There are a few things that help with this age range.

First, always give choices. Does that sound like you are giving the kid his way? Nope. Not at all. You just have to be sure that when you give choice A and choice B (no more than 2 for this age) that both A and B will have a parent approved end result. For example: Chris had guard duty last weekend and could not attend church with us. Foster and Katie scampered off to their Sunday School classes, and I was left with Theodore, Parker and lugging Jonah in his car seat. We needed to cross a street to get from the parking lot to their building and Parker (smart fellow he is) decided he wasn't about to go across the street because he knew I would be leaving him in his class. I said "let's go Parker." And he said "No! My not want to!" I said in an upbeat voice, "Parker do you want to hold mommy's hand or Theodore's hand to cross the street." He said "mommy's hand." HA! I got him! (It's the small victories in life.) The point is if you want your toddler to be compliant you need to get creative.

Second, if it's cute once it's always cute. Don't naively think that if your little boy pulls down his diaper and pees in the floor or your little girl dumps a bowl of cereal on her head that this is a one time entertainment for the family. If you don't want your kid to behave that way all the time then address the misbehavior immediately and with consequence. "No, little Johnny, we don't pee in the floor - we pee in the potty. Now you clean up the mess and go sit in time-out." Then, later, laugh with your hubby and post it on facebook. This can start very young. All of my babies have tried smacking at my face with their cute baby hands. I immediately grab their hand and say sternly "No, no hitting mommy. That's not funny." And it's not cute either.

Third, be consistent. I know you have probably heard that about parenting a million times but with this age consistency can be your greatest strength or your biggest weakness. Children thrive on routine. Everything is so new to them everyday that the consistency that you provide by responding the same way to their behavior is a comfort to them. They get overwhelmed by all this new information and knowing what comes next, even when it may be a consequence is actually a relief.
We have some very basic house rules that even our little beginning walkers can understand. One of them is "No throwing toys or books." If Parker throws a toy he goes to time-out. He sits there for 3 minutes (I round up) and then when the timer beeps I ask him "What did Parker do?" he usually says "my throwed toy" or "my don't know." I will say "we don't throw toys. Our house rules say 'no throwing toys.'" If he has hit anyone with the thrown toy he must go and apologize for hurting them. If you have spent much time with toddlers, they throw toys a lot. But even if he gets up and does it again in 5 minutes we go through the same routine. Every. Time.

Yes, it can get tiring. The fruits of being consistent with your toddlers, though, are seen in your pre-schoolers and older children. We like our kids, we enjoy being with them because we have invested the time in teaching them how to follow basic house rules and basic God rules.

Just the two of me...

2012-01-14T21:29:00.001-05:00

Sometimes I feel like I have some sort of split-personality disorder. I get jealous. I get jealous a lot. And then I repent about feeling jealous and am overcome with gratitude for what God has blessed me with. The insanity goes something like this, organized by different categories because I like to organize.

House: I have a lot of friends and family members who have bigger houses than we do, newer homes that don't have mustard yellow countertops and gold laminate floors in their kitchens. Houses that have more than 1 toilet. Houses that they own - so they can paint or pave their driveway because they don't rent.

Clothes: I have probably spent less than $300 on clothing for my 5 children this past year. My kids wear hand-me-downs, consignment and yard sale clothes and shoes for the most part. And don't get me started about me, I am sitting here in pajama pants that Chris bought me about 6 Christmases ago.

Experiences: My kids don't go to Disney World. They don't go to the movies every weekend. I don't think they have ever set foot in West Town Mall.

Physical Appearance: I have friends who are all fit and trim, like I was for the first 25 years of my life. I also have friends who get their hair cut and highlighted on a regular basis. I may even know a few people who get manicures and pedicures.

So as I muse over all I don't have, God has two ways of getting my attention.

There's that still small voice you hear about "Annette, look at how I have blessed you with a warm, affordable home. Your children are clothed, I have allowed them to experience the important things in life."

And there's those times where he sort of smacks me on the back of the head with "ANNETTE. Really? Please. The majority of the human race does not know where their next meal or clean drink of water is coming from or how they will stay warm tonight. Children all over the world do not own even one pair of shoes! Millions have never even heard MY NAME or will ever be able to come to MY HOUSE to worship."

This is where I cry out and ask God to forgive me!

For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do.
^{Romans 7:18 & 19}

Our princess

2012-01-13T22:18:00.003-05:00

Katie Belle (age 5 mos.)

Katie is smart, sensitive and tender-hearted. She adores her brothers and would do anything to help them. She loves to laugh and loves doing her school work. She is a genuine help to me and I am so excited to get to teach her how to be a good mommy and wife. We are praying for the day she gives her heart to Christ. She has lost her Nana and her Gigi in the past couple of years and so she has asked a lot of questions about heaven and getting to be with Jesus.

We left her at a sleepover at her cousin's house tonight and the dynamic of our house just isn't the same with her not here. She brings sweetness, drama, excitement and giggles.

I am so thankful God blessed us with our princess.

Katie (6 mos.)

Katie (age 2 1/2)

Katie's 3rd birthday

Katie (age 4)

Katie (age 5 1/2)

Katie's 6th birthday with her best friend Avalon

Sanctity of Human Life

2012-01-12T20:35:00.000-05:00

This month is Sanctity of Human Life month. I have written about my feelings on this subject in the past.

My family and I picked up a baby bottle from church to fill with change that will go to support our local crisis pregnancy center. That's not enough though.

We are open and honest with our children about why churches put out rows of white crosses. We call it by it's name - abortion. And we define what it is - a mother's choice to kill her own child. I don't feel like we would be doing our children any favors by trying to sugar coat this subject. It is murder. It is against God's law. When we have these discussions with our children, though, we always explain that we are not to judge the mother, we are to love her, help her. We brainstorm with them the "why." Foster at age 7 said "Maybe because she didn't think she could take care of a baby." They get it.

This is an election year and I am sure that the issue of abortion will be one of the political talking points. But this isn't a political issue. It is a heart issue. It is a faith issue.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
James 1:17

Rainy Day, Pajama Day

2012-01-11T21:15:00.001-05:00

Parker and Mommy

Parker

Theodore with his blanket

Katie holding Jonah (saying "I need a pillow for his head!")

Foster playing Mario Kart

Katie so happy to be holding baby brother!

Today there were gray skies and thunderstorms all day. The perfect back drop for pajama day. These days are some of my favorite. We did school, played and ate in our pajamas.

Then, before Daddy got home, we took long baths and put on clean pajamas.

Just in time for dinner and playtime with Daddy.

A nice, peaceful evening at home together.

Looks can be deceiving...

2012-01-10T20:30:00.003-05:00

Parents would never say that they have a favorite child. We love them all the same right? Well, I do love all my children. I would throw myself in front of a moving bus for any of them. However, I find that as they grow and have their own personalities and temperaments emerge that some of them are easier to "deal" with than others. I am just being brutally honest here.

I ~~was~~ am not a very patient person when it comes to certain behaviors. When I worked at Blount County Children's Home years ago there was this girl, we will call her N, she needed A LOT of attention. She was a younger teen, so she was on my "wing." She would follow me around from the time my 10 hour shift started until room time. She asked me no less than 20 questions an hour. I was about to pull my hair out. They weren't necessary questions, she could have easily figured out the answers for herself or by asking one of her peers. I finally made up an index card that she had to have signed off each time she asked staff a question. I think she was allowed about 10 questions a shift. Bless her heart. I know that this was just a form of anxiety and that she wasn't purposely trying to drive us all crazy but we had to try and teach her. This particular behavior was isolating her from her peers and my hope was that she would be able to get this "under control."

It didn't work. And all the things that I have tried with my sweet Theodore haven't worked so far either. All my kids so far have entered into a stubborn, willful stage at about 2 and it ends usually by 4. I don't know why they call it the "terrible twos" like this craziness is contained to just one year. Theodore is so precious to us. He has a wonderful sense of humor, he loves to cuddle and still wants daddy to carry him to bed. He wants to be bigger and tries to keep up with Foster and Katie and any older child that is around. He is really smart.

If you look at the picture above, or spend time with him, you would think "Oh this guy is the cutest, sweetest thing" and he is, but looks can be deceiving. My biggest struggle with him right now is that he will not accept what Chris, myself or his siblings say about anything. An example is if he asks to do something and I say "No, we will do that in a little while." Or "not right now." Or "after I feed the baby." Or "after we put out this house fire." You get the picture. It doesn't matter what is going on in the world around him, he gets it in his head and it must be accomplished. Granted he has now moved from throwing screaming fits to just asking over and over and over again, but that's just as disobedient. It's just as disrespectful to me or to his siblings who have told him no or wait.

As you can imagine, because he has to wait or is told no he walks around like Eeyore most of the time. Grumping and complaining. How do I get him to -

A) Be obedient and accept no for an answer

B) Appreciate all the great things he has in front of him (from food to toys)

C) Care about what's going on with others - not just focus on himself all the time?

Oh. Ouch. I have been praying about this and God just let me know that is exactly how I tend to act. I guess I will try harder to treat him how God treats me. With patience.

But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
1 Timothy 1:16

Curriculum Spring 2012

2012-01-09T21:16:00.001-05:00

We do Bible, History, Geography, Literature and Grammar together. We are using Sonlight Core B. This has been our first year of Sonlight and we are really enjoying it. Our other subjects are separated by grade level.

Foster - Math-U-See Beta; Handwriting Without Tears; Scholastic Success with Grammar; Read and Understand Science; All About Spelling and Readers from Sonlight

Katie- Math-U-See Alpha; Handwriting Without Tears; Scholastic Success with Grammar; Alpha-Phonics, Bob books and Level 1 Readers; All About Spelling; Phonics workbook

Foster and Katie have a calendar notebook that they fill out daily during our group calendar time. Since Theodore isn't writing yet he helps me with calendar boards and participates in singing the songs. Foster and Katie also pick one relative or friend to write to each week. They get so excited when they receive responses in the mail.

In addition to our curriculum, we have a lot of extra-curricular activities. They don't all overlap (thank goodness!) but here's a list of what else we do... Cub Scouts, American Heritage Girls, swimming, sign language, soccer, softball and baseball, basketball.

This semester for our BHEA Co-op classes Foster is taking Hands-On Shakespeare and Boys Game Club; Katie is taking Book Cooks and Spanish; Theodore is taking Lively Literature and Karate Kids.

And most importantly, we spend each day learning how God wants us to treat others, how to take initiative with chores, how to relate and compromise with our siblings, how to behave at the grocery store, post office, dentist office, how to manage time so that there is time for play. There is time in every day to break down and cry and to roll in the floor laughing. The thing that homeschooling gives us the most of is TIME. It's a precious thing to have this time with my children and I am so grateful to God and my husband for providing me this opportunity.

Back-to-school

2012-01-08T15:04:00.003-05:00

The kids and I have enjoyed a great 3 week break for Christmas. Now it's time to get back to work! I am actually looking forward to starting back. Even though it's challenging to juggle school with a pre-schooler, toddler and new baby in the house, we seem to have better days when we do school. I am forever changing our schedule and adding or taking away from our curriculum. I am an organization junkie. I LOVE to organize, so making daily schedules or planning out school plans is actually pretty fun to me. If I can find the time for it! So here's a look at what we are doing these days.

7am            Wake-up and make beds
7:30am       Watch PBS
8am             Breakfast and Bible
8:30am        Get dressed for the day and morning chores
9:15am        Calendar time
9:30am        Math
10am           Grammar
10:30am      Morning snack and outside play time (weather permitting)
11:15am      Spelling and Reading
12pm           Lunch and History or Literature (Read aloud by me)
12:30pm      Afternoon chores
1:00pm        Handwriting and Science
1:30pm        Rest time
3:00pm        Afternoon snack and outside play time

That's our basic school day. Things obviously don't always go according to plan. During rest time, Foster, Katie and Theodore must choose something independent and quiet to do. Parker lays in his bed and most of the time will still take a nap. Jonah still just does his own thing. We have had an afternoon "quiet" time since Foster was a baby and we will continue it for as long as there are children in my house. As they get older, they will be able to read quietly or finish up school work from earlier in the day. I have struggled in the past with feeling like maybe this was selfish on my part. But I find that it isn't only to my benefit but theirs as well. On the days when they just go 100 miles an hour from 7am until 8pm they tend to get much more cranky and get in trouble more often. Everyone needs down time, as a mom of little ones it is sometimes the first time all day that you can complete a thought, make important phone calls, or just have your quiet time with God. I know there are some mothers who can get up at 4am and exercise and read their Bible, etc. At this season in my life, that is NOT me. I am probably up at 4am but it's usually because I am nursing a baby. So for now, rest time is a necessity for me!

More tomorrow on what curriculum we are using and what we are actually learning!

Resident photographer

2012-01-07T20:28:00.000-05:00

Cake

Self-portrait

Grandad

Grammy

Little brother

semi trailer

another little brother

Nativity

Nerf bullets

Shivers

Big brother

Big and little brother

baby brother

karate chop brothers

Katie received a camera for Christmas. She may soon take the place of resident photographer in our family.

Mother Lion

2012-01-06T22:10:00.000-05:00

Foster age 7 (at Aunt Lele's house)

For January, we have had a few really warm days this week. My kids LOVE playing outside. Foster has had 2 of his neighbor friends come over and jump on the trampoline and wrestle and chase and do all that fun boy stuff with him the past couple of days. It makes me really happy to see him happy, hanging out with his friends. But today, when we got in the van, he started to tell me that his friends had been calling him names, being really rough with punches, spit on him, kept his shoes from him after I told him to get ready to go, and blocked him from coming in the house. He is not a tattle-tale kind of kid. So when his lip was quivering and his eyes starting to water, I knew it had to have been bad. I felt like a mother lion. All of a sudden I had this surge of anger, I wanted to go over and let those boys have it. I tried to remain calm and asked Foster if he would mind if I called their mom. Surprisingly, he said that he thought I should. I told him they need a chance to teach them not to act like that. I hurt for him, they are 2 of his closest buddies. The phone call was well-received.

When I took Katie to a all girl birthday party this evening I remembered another "mother lion" moment in my past. I was on the other end of things though.

When I was in middle school I had a TON of slumber parties. I'm not sure why my parents indulged me with them, maybe because my brother hadn't come along yet and I was still an only child. They would allow me to invite 8-12 girls at a time! I was not in the "popular" crowd in middle school. I was, however, only one level lower, which meant that I could still invite the popular girls and they would come as their own clique. I also invited girls who were actually my friends, some from my huge neighborhood or from my classes. One particular party, the "popular" girls got to my house and asked if a girl named Katie would be there. I told them yes. The problem was they didn't like her. The next 15 minutes was a blur, it all happened so fast. The doorbell rings and one of the girls answers the door. Katie is there. The girl yells at Katie "THERE'S NO PARTY HERE! GO HOME!" laughs, and shuts the door in her face. Just a few minutes later the doorbell rings again and I answer, wanting to tell Katie that I am sorry and explain what happened. Well, it wasn't Katie. It was her mom. She started yelling at me and the main thing I will always remember is her saying "I AM LIKE A MOTHER LION WHEN IT COMES TO MY CHILD." I thought then that I understood what she meant. I didn't. Not then. But I do now.

Liar, liar, pants on fire...

2012-01-05T21:12:00.002-05:00

Foster age 3 1/2

"La la la...I can't hear you."

I often wish that I could do this. I have hurt and been hurt by words all my life.

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:7-8

A little over a year and a half ago I had a very close friend say some things to me that I would have NEVER imagined. I would have bet money that she would have never thought those things about me, let alone put them in an email and hit send. But that's what happens. I have had a lot of time to grieve, process, heal from that situation. God has used that time to show me how I too have been guilty of damaging relationships with words.

I had a best friend in college who dated this guy. They were on again, off again, with him usually being the cheater and hurting my friend. Well, she and I were roommates and when he called and left messages on our answering machine I would delete them. And no, I did not tell her that he called.
I hated what he was doing to her so I tried to control the situation. What I was doing though was deceiving my best friend and disrespecting her right to make her own decisions. She found out, of course, and was angry and hurt. What hurt most of all was that she could see me for what I really was - a liar.

Scripture says we can't "tame" our tongue. I have found that in my own walk with Christ I have struggled heavily in this area. Whether it's deceit or keeping quiet, I have relied on God to change me and mold me. I am so thankful that He doesn't just see me as a liar, but as His child who needs loving correction.

"That's a tomato."

2012-01-04T20:21:00.000-05:00

I think 4 year old boys are pretty special. They aren't toddlers anymore but they aren't quite big kids. Theodore is almost 4 and 1/2 now and he changes so much every day. His behavior has improved drastically. He's not having to get as many consequences and he is starting to ask for what he calls "hard school work." He can identify his numbers and count to ten. He knows over half the alphabet and is starting to try and trace/draw letters and shapes. The changes have been pretty dramatic in the past 4 months.

Tonight at dinner we were having taco soup. The conversation went like this...

Theodore (as he picked up one ingredient on his spoon) "What is this?"

Me "That's a bean."

Theodore "Oh, I like beans."

Me "Good. I'm glad you do."

Theodore "What's this?"

Me "That's a tomato."

Theodore (after a slight pause) "A tornado? Like the thing that picks up your house and swirls it around?"

Me "No, a tomato."

Katie "Is a tomato a vegetable or a fruit?"

Daddy "Well that's up for debate."

Good grief. You can get really tired around here just from one meal. I actually told my kids that they had to eat breakfast this morning without asking me any questions. It was so peaceful.

To spank or not to spank...

2012-01-03T14:41:00.002-05:00

To spank or not to spank? That is the question. Well, for parents it's the question. One of the big ones. There have been several child abuse related deaths in the news lately and one author of a parenting book has come under fire. Their names are Michael and Debi Pearl and their book is To Train Up A Child.

I was really surprised to turn on the Today show last week and see that they were being blamed for at least 3 child abuse related deaths. The connection being that the parents' who abused and killed their children had that book on their shelves.

Ummm....I have that book. I have read that book and actually have lent it out and recommended to a few friends (who have not abused or murdered their children). I picked it up in Florida at a little Creationism dinosaur museum when Foster was 4, Katie 3 and Theodore 14 mos. I could really appreciate the scripture and practical ideas in this book. And I am sure I have used some of their methods over the past 3 years.
But - here's the thing. I was already spanking, using time-outs, etc. before I ever read that book. I had read several parenting books, secular and Christian, by that time and Chris and I had come up with our own parenting style and methods of discipline. I can remember the first time I had to spank Foster, it really broke my heart, but in my opinion was necessary.

Chris was deployed to Columbia, Foster was 18 mos. old and I was 7 mos. pregnant with Katie. I had already begun putting him in the "naughty spot" (Supernanny anyone?) But this day he was refusing to get buckled into his car seat. You know how they do, when they buck up and turn into stiff little straight boards and therefore you can't get that lovely 5 point harness to snap. I started to try to smoosh him in by pushing on this stomach but then he would just howl louder and buck up more. It was, I am sure, a ridiculous sight to behold, me with my huge belly bent in the door of our little station wagon, trying to convince a squirmy, screaming toddler into this device which was meant for his safety but was causing me to almost harm him in the process. So I took a deep breath, took him out, pulled down his pants and whacked him 2 good licks on the leg right below his diaper. I told him in a stern tone, "It's time to get in your seat." And he did. Of course, he cried and sniffled but he GOT IN THE SEAT! I was so proud of my young mommy self.

You know what though? We rarely had to ever spank Foster. That's just his personality, time-outs worked with him. And Katie was/is very sensitive, so a harsh tone is usually enough with her. Theodore is a different story and so is Parker. Every child is so different in personality and temperament that as parents we have to continuously change how we handle things. Not inconsistency, but flexibility. I can't take another parent's, doctor's or pastor's advice so literally or to the extreme that I damage the relationship with my own child.

This attack on Michael and Debi Pearl and their book reminds me of the lawsuits people have filed against fast food chains for making them fat. It's called personal responsibility. No one is putting a gun to your head and making you eat one more Big Mac and no one, except the parents themselves, abused those children to death.

Big Momma

2012-01-02T21:12:00.001-05:00

Even though I have been pregnant 5 times in the past 7 1/2 years there are not a whole lot of pictures of me actually being pregnant. Part of that is because I'm the mommy and that's who is usually taking the pictures and another part of that is because I looked like this...

This was very close to the end of my 5th pregnancy. I know. HUGE. I was huge and I look even more giant since Katie (age 6) was the photographer and so I look like a giant with a monster belly! At first I thought about deleting this picture, it is not at all flattering, but then I realized that huge belly carried my sweet Jonah!

I don't know if you can make it out but that scale says 6 lbs. 13.5 oz. They wrote him down as 6 lbs 14 oz. So what I had here was the smallest baby I had ever had and the biggest belly I had ever had. Doesn't seem right does it?

Yes, I get down about my weight. I would love to lose some, feel more comfortable in my clothes, not look 4 months pregnant. But I've also got to keep things in perspective.

I have a healthy baby boy. He's nursing well, gaining weight, already rolling over and smiling and cooing.

I have close friends who have suffered from miscarriage and have heard many stories recently of pregnancies ending in a stillborn baby or severe birth defects.

Perspective. Appreciating how God has blessed me again and not complaining and focusing on the negative. I have so much to be thankful for as we enter this new year.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T22:59:00.001-05:00

It's the first day of 2012! This morning in church the pastor spoke about gratitude. He gave several examples of people in the bible that had gone through good and bad times and had all arrived at a place in their lives where they were incredibly blessed and were probably saying "Who am I Lord that you would bless me this way?"

Who am I that God would bless me so? I continually fail Him but He loves me anyway. I see the way He cared for me in 2011 and I pray that I will acknowledge His handiwork in my life in 2012.

I always say that I am not going to make resolutions but I do make them, in my head. I just don't like to say them out loud or put them on paper (or blog) because then there is an accountability there. And who likes accountability?

So here goes...my 2012 New Year's Resolutions...

1) Read 12 books of the Bible from start to finish.
2) Exercise and lose weight.
3) Blog. Every day. 365 post for 2012.

My motivations...

1) To understand God's truth.
2) To feel better physically and have all those nice clothes in my closet fit again.
3) To have all those memories written down.

I am pretty excited to see where God takes me this year.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3: 5&6

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-26T22:13:00.001-05:00

Imagine

2011-12-20T11:53:00.002-05:00

The Road Not Taken

By: Robert Frost

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

As 2011 comes to a close, my husband and I are spending a lot of time talking and reminiscing on people and events that have passed in our lives. The other night as our 4 kids screamed and played in the other room and I sat in the living room and nursed our new baby, Chris said to me "Imagine if we had stopped having children after Foster and Katie. We wouldn't have Theodore. We wouldn't have Parker. We wouldn't have Jonah."

And that got me thinking...

Imagine if I hadn't given my life to Christ when I did.
Imagine if I hadn't married this wonderful, faithful, hilarious, passionate man.
Imagine if I had decided to work outside the home.
Imagine if I had sent my sweet 5 year old away to be taught by others.

I feel as though I have taken the road less travelled and I do believe that when I come to the end of my days, that I will be able to say "...And that has made all the difference."

The way He cares

2011-08-20T11:01:00.000-04:00

God is so amazing. In the big things that are obvious, like the new life He has been forming inside of me. But what amazes and thrills my heart even more are the little ways He shows His love and care. Each time we have had a child I have just passed along most or all of our baby clothes, gear, etc. I don't keep stuff. We have some of the baby gear that they use for long periods of time like high chair, car seat, etc. But the smaller things I just move out to someone else who needs it or sell it for things we need more at the time. After baby #4, Parker, we were pretty sure we had completed adding to our family. Well, God had other plans for us and we are so excited about adding a new member to our crew.

Ever since I found out I was pregnant again, I have been overwhelmed at the way people have been so generous with their stuff. I have had maternity clothes, a swing, 2 woombies, NB onesies, etc. passed my way. Since we don't find out the sex of the baby until he or she arrives, I just sort of settle on a neutral theme. With this baby it has been a brown and green trend that started with baby's bed. I haven't registered for those colors or told anyone that, but guess what colors the woombies I received were? You got it, brown and green. Oh and a nursing cover, green/blue with brown. And today in the mail from a friend who is delivering twins anytime now - a diaper bag she bought and then decided she didn't need. She didn't have pictures when she offered it to me but I needed one and didn't really care what it looked like.

So the way He cares blows my mind. The diaper bag is EXACTLY what I would have chosen if I could just go out and buy one. It's the perfect size. Brown with green accent colors. Brand new and free to me. I know that for some people this wouldn't be that big of a deal but if you think of searching for just the right gift to give your husband or wife or your child, you try really hard, right? I mean especially for Christmas or birthdays you just want to get them something that says "I know you, I love you, I want you to be happy"

That's the way He cares for me!!!! He does know the desires of our heart. He does know His plans for our life are better than what we consider "good". He does know the number of the hairs on our head and the comfort of that is beyond explanation!

Parker's Two!

2011-07-14T08:18:00.001-04:00

July 13th, 2009 we were blessed with another healthy baby boy. The funny thing is I really thought he would be a girl, I kind of wanted him to be a girl since we had Foster, Katie and Theodore. It would have been so nice and orderly...boy, girl, boy, girl. I know, I'm a dork, but I really like things that are orderly. However, God's idea of order is much different than mine and He knew best when he added Parker to our family.

He is the sweetest little guy. He loves to cuddle on my lap, especially right after he first wakes up in the morning or from his afternoon nap. He is starting to talk and loves his Thomas trains. Foster and Katie enjoy playing with and taking care of him, Theodore will play with him but being closer in age they tend to end up screaming over the same toys. He has a fairly laid back personality and hasn't struggled with moving to his "big boy" bed or with going to time-out for hitting or disobeying (so far). This age to me is difficult because of the chasing but so wonderful because of the new things he does and says every day! One of Parker's claims to fame at this point is that he got to turn 2 before the next baby came along! None of the other kids can say that!

Yesterday, we just celebrated small with Chick-fil-A, friends and at the splash pad. His family dinner, cake and presents are coming up - so some fun cake pics are on the way!

Last Day of School

2011-05-28T21:36:00.000-04:00

Well, we did it! Another successful year of homeschooling has officially come to an end. We checked off our last day on Friday and went out for breakfast and some soggy playground time. Then we spent most of the day doing what we will do all summer. Playing outside! Popsicles, water play, creating their own worlds, dreaming and imagining...I feel so blessed that I can allow my children endless hours of this life.

Foster will now move on to 2nd grade, Katie to 1st grade and Theodore to Pre-K. We'll probably start our new school year around the end of July. That way we can have a few good breaks, especially because baby #5 is due the end of September.

One last picture of something beautiful, Nana's rosebush. I was afraid it wasn't going to make it this year, it had holes eaten in all it's leaves and no blooms at all, then I pruned it and waited and look...

the first rose of the season! I know it's a small triumph for some, I have friends who grow gardens, with real fruits and vegetables and everything. Oh and they keep chickens and ducks alive. I, would love to get to that point, but it has taken me until now to keep 6 indoor plants and 1 outdoor rosebush alive. Hey, slow and steady wins the race, right?

Desensitized

2011-05-16T08:01:00.002-04:00

About a year ago, maybe longer, we discovered that America's Funniest Home videos comes on at 7pm on Sunday nights. We usually would get home from church about 7:30 and the kids would have a snack while they watched the last few videos. Now, let me just say here that, typically, we don't turn the TV on in our house after 4pm, until the kids go to bed and then Chris and I can turn it back on and watch "grown-up" shows. We do have family movie night from time to time.

ANYWAY, it seems like it has been a few months, since we have watched AFV at all. Well, last night it was cooler outside, we cleaned up early and came inside. Chris left yesterday on a military trip and it was easy for me to say "OK" when they asked to watch. But as I sat down and listened to the commentary and the video clips, I became more and more convicted of what they were watching and listening. A few examples are the host making fun of a lady's size, intoxicated people falling down while dancing, cursing (with the words put on the screen so you could read them), young girls dressed inappropriately dancing and singing, etc. etc.

Then there were the commercials. And that's what set my alarm bells ringing big time. Since we watch either PBS kids or movies all the time, they just don't usually see many commercials. But after a Mary Kay make-up commercial with a close-up of a young woman changing her "look" several times - it repeated at least 3 times during the show. Foster (age 7) said to me, "I guess that's how girls attract boys, huh?"

I was speechless. I am usually quick on my feet with the things to say, but all I could manage was "Why do you say that? What if a girl is just really sweet?" His response was "well, yeah that too."

Our conversation fizzled quickly but my heart hurt! I am sure many people would say I am over reacting but I feel like we have to work so hard to protect our children from becoming drown in the standards of the world. I don't want my kids to live in a bubble, but I want them to have the chance to see that God's standards are the way to go, His ways are the ones to follow. At such young ages, we can't let them listen to whatever, watch whatever and read whatever and think that it isn't going to effect their value system.

The thing is I was desensitized my whole life and then had to work really hard to undo what the first 25 years of my life taught me was "OK." God's way is THE way, but I pray I will be able to set my kids on that path in the very beginning, so that they don't have such a long way to travel back when they come to that U-turn in their spiritual lives. Better yet, if they don't ever have to come to the U-turn because they stay headed in the right direction!

What about in your family? How do/have you protected your children?

Moving on...

2011-05-14T16:56:00.000-04:00

May has been beautiful in East Tennessee! I love the warmer weather and we've celebrated the end of the school year with lots of activities. Foster had his final Cub Scout pack meeting and received more beads and his Tiger Cub badge. He is disappointed that they will take a break for the summer. He's fallen in love with Scouts already. He knows one boy who may not participate next year and he said "how can he quit? Is that allowed? I am going to go all the way and be an Eagle Scout!" This year was hard on his daddy because he wasn't able to participate in the meetings and activities with Foster. The pack meetings were on Chris's school nights and the den meetings while he was working. Chris will be more available for Scouts from now on! And everything else, too, because he has officially graduated!

Foster and Katie went with us and sat through a VERY long ceremony at UT. We felt like it was important for them to see this milestone in their daddy's life. He will have another graduation banquet for the 5 year electrician program he has just finished! It feels like it took forever and just a few minutes all at the same time. I remember the time we were discussing and praying, when Foster was 2 yrs. old and Katie just a newborn, whether he should change jobs and make this 5 year commitment. In 5 years, we have moved 3 times and added 2 more children, Chris deployed to Iraq in 2007, lost his mom in 2009 and had a 28 day stay in the hospital in 2010. God has provided every need we have had and has been so faithful to keep Chris safe in a very dangerous trade. One regret I have is that Chris's mom didn't get to see him graduate. His dad and sister were there and were very proud of him as well.

This past week Katie had her end-of-the-year ceremony with American Heritage Girls. She moved to the next level and we are so excited to get busy working on her badges!

These were part of the girls that advanced to the next level. I am thankful for AHG and it's focus on God, family and service.

And last night we celebrated Chris's birthday with a cookout here at home. The kids enjoyed his sparkly trick candles that he had trouble blowing out! Someone made the comment that this time last year he would have had a hard time getting the candles blown out at all. And I was reminded of just a short year ago when I didn't know if this wonderful man would make it through pneomonia and an emergency chest tube. I am so thankful that God healed him completely!

So we are moving on, looking forward to the adventures of summer and the next season of life that God is bringing us into, knowing that whether it is successful or devastating, boring or exciting He has every second planned for us!

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

Spring 2011

2011-05-07T16:08:00.000-04:00

A birthday celebration for mommy. My beautiful cake...

...made by my some of my favorite people.

We went with 5 candles instead of the 35 that should have been on there!

It seems to have rained or stormed a lot. So we spent time inside creating,

working on finishing up school for the year or when it wasn't raining...

...just enjoying the mud. I hope you can see the big glop of mud that

Theodore decided to dump on Parker's head.

We had a great day at Dollywood, hardly any lines, not too hot,

one of the best days we have had there as a family!

Easter celebrations at church...

...with Easter egg hunts...

...and with family gatherings.

I hope your family is having a blessed Spring!

Happy Birthday Nana!

2011-04-12T07:26:00.001-04:00

We miss you Darlene! Today would have been Nana's birthday, our birthday's were just 6 days apart so we would sometimes share a celebration with dinner out or cake and ice cream at Nana and Papaw's house. It's hard to believe it's been 2 years already. My mother-in-law's passing changed my life. As a wife and mother, I have had to realize that all I can do is serve God and do the best I can while I am here because in all reality, when I am gone everyone will move on. My children were so young, Parker not even born when she passed away, so only Foster and Katie have memories that are hard and fast right now. At first, this realization that a person could be a daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother and be such a central part in all of our lives and then just be gone one day was very unsettling to me. I started to have thoughts that perhaps all this loving and giving and sacrificing that you do in those roles is futile. Of course, nothing that God blesses us with, blessing or trial, is futile. The big picture is He is molding us and growing us to be like Him. And the touch and presence of Nana will always be here, in my husband and children, who wouldn't be here without her. In the memories of funny stories and personal struggles, and her witness in how she reached out to others with her card ministry.

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will^[a] go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; ¹⁴ whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. ¹⁵ Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15

Torn

2011-03-31T15:57:00.000-04:00

I was really excited the first week of March. The sun was out and there was so much to look forward to during the month.
However, just as my husband and I were leaving to celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary...my kids got sick. Foster was first, with a nasty stomach virus. It was really hard to leave him but my mom was here and I knew she would take good care of him. Thank God for cell phones, I think I talked to her about 50 times between Friday and Sunday. We went to Gatlinburg and stayed in a free condo, thanks to a good friend. We ate out and shopped and had many uninterrupted conversations. It would have been really perfect if it hadn't been for the fact that I felt like my heart was torn in two.

Here's the deal. I love my husband with all my heart. But my little boy was really sick. And I couldn't be here to hold him, to wipe his face with a cold cloth, to read his favorite book, to take his temperature and whisper prayers over him. The reality is that my mom was taking wonderful care of him, and I was praying to a God who doesn't care where I pray. But to me, I was abandoning my child in his time of need. I was selfishly choosing time away over my duty and obligation as a mother.

So why didn't we just stay home? Or come home early? Did I want to do that? Definitely. But I had to stop and realize that what I was doing over the weekend was even more important than what I could have been doing for my child. If you are a believer, if you try and do things God's way, then you know His idea of priorities are lined up like this. Your relationship with Him, then your spouse, then your kids and then everyone else. I could not get a peace about abandoning that priority. I wanted my husband to feel that his rightful place is 2nd to God. Not just saying it, but actually showing him. Because so many times as a mother to young children, I am not able to do that. I am either dealing with pressing, immediate issues - like puke on the carpet or toddlers sinking their teeth into siblings. Or I am so tired and selfish that I put him off, again.

So I stayed, he did offer to bring me home several times. I would cry and pray and God would say "I can take care of Foster." Oh...really? Sorry God, here I thought that if I wasn't constantly in control of the things around my children that they would meet a terrible demise.

Turns out, we did have a great time, we connected and we shared and we showed one another that we are thankful that God brought us together. I agree with my husband, he always tells me, "We're a team right?"

We are a team. Thankfully, we have the greatest coach and leader, the glue that sticks us together is our Savior. Without Him, we would not have made it to 9 years.

March!

2011-03-02T13:39:00.000-05:00

I love Spring!!! I don't care what the calendar says, it feels like Spring so to me - it's Spring!

Lots of good things happen in March. Like today is Theodor Geisel's birthday! You may know him as Dr. Suess, he was an amazing man. I read his biography about a year ago and it was very interesting. I couldn't believe he never had children of his own. It just goes to show that even if someone has no children of their own, they can make a huge difference in the lives of other people's children.

In honor of his birthday, we are reading all the books of his that we have on our shelf. Oh and we were inspired by this passage from One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish...

                               From near to far
                               from here to there,
                               funny things are everywhere.
                               These yellow pets
                               are called the Zeds.
                               They have one hair
                               up on their heads.
                              Their hair grows fast...
                              so fast, they say,
                              they need a hair cut
                              every day.

Choices

2011-02-02T07:39:00.002-05:00

Just a couple of weeks ago, our nation recognized a "Sanctity of Human Life" day. I have had many thoughts and emotions running through my head about this issue recently.

I really don't know how to put what I am feeling into words, other than every child is a blessing. I do not believe in any situation that abortion is the right choice. I don't believe it should be a choice at all.

I did not always feel that way though. My beliefs were much different. In fact, I was probably considered quite the little feminist when I was younger.  I have always taken up for the underdog. I have always wanted to lift up and protect the section of humanity who can't defend themselves. But somehow, in my growing up years, I was exposed to a side of abortion and "a woman's right to choose" in a way that made the "choice" more important than the child.

My mother did take me to a Baptist church as a young girl and through my teen years. It was so small I wasn't involved in any part of the church outside of showing up for the services. I certainly never read my Bible, attended youth, or youth retreats.

Remember "latch-key" kids? Well, I was one of those. I came home from 2nd grade on and spent each afternoon from about 3-5:30pm by myself until my parents returned home from work. I was an only child until I was 15. That's a lot of hours of coming home and looking for guidance on things. Unfortunately, I did find a mentor/mother. Her name was Oprah. You got it, I would come home and call my mom, tell her I was in and was going to work on my homework (big fat lie). Then I would get a snack and settle in with my wisdom teacher. The best thing about her was she was always willing to teach me about things that other adults wouldn't talk to me about. She showed me so much respect and offered me all sorts of resources so that I could keep being informed about her beliefs by reading books she recommended. It was a long, fruitful relationship. Many, many times I would write her quotes and defend her stance on issues with my peers. Abortion, was one of those issues. She really didn't like to actually say "abortion" but she would rather talk about women. How they had been oppressed for so many years, how a man should never get to decide what a woman does with her body.

It took many, many years before my eyes were open. The lies that had been buried in my heart had very deep roots. By the time I had gotten married and started having my own children, I was involved actively in my church, in women's Bible studies, in the Word. The Bible shed so much light on the vast amount of lies by which I had been molded.

Specifically, a "woman's right to choose" is a twisted manipulation in the worst sense. We as humans, man or woman are not the Author in which we have the right to "edit" life. God has a plan.

                        For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
                        Nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord
                        For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
                        So are My ways higher than your ways,
                        And My thoughts than your thoughts.
                                                                              Isaiah 55:8-9

I spent many, many years on the wrong side of this issue. I defended a "woman's right to choose" so well that my heart grieves now. What if I unwittingly planted a seed that when faced with a crisis pregnancy a young woman decided to kill her own child because of something I said? I have had to ask God's forgiveness for all I said or did. He is so gracious that I feel He has not only forgiven me but given my husband and I so many blessings of our own. I also have had the opportunity to support our local Pregnancy Resource Center. I pray that for the rest of my life I will continue to stand firm and strong against this crime against humanity.

Some who read this may still have the wool pulled over their eyes. You may be saying to yourself, some of the classic arguments. What if the woman is raped? And to that I would say, just recently, within our own church family, this situation arose. A couple in our church were the "grandparents to be" of a baby who was conceived when the biological mother was raped. The potential adoptive parents of this baby were so excited to be getting this baby. They didn't care the baby was another race. They didn't care if a violent act had conceived the child. That was going to be there baby, and our friend's grandbaby. They had a baby shower, fixed up their nursery, traveled several states to be there at the birth. They held their precious baby in their arms! But, the birth mother changed her mind. She decided to keep the child. A little girl. Who will now be raised in completely different circumstances than she would have known. A child who will laugh and grow, who could become someone famous. Or she could live in poverty. Either way, she has a life. A proponent of abortion would have you believe that no one would want that little girl when she was first conceived. That would be their argument. But they are wrong, she is wanted. She is loved. And she is worth just as much as anyone.

                                  Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
                                  Before you were born I sanctified you;
                                  I ordained you a prophet to the nations.
                                                                           Jeremiah 1:5

Color-blind

2011-01-17T06:53:00.000-05:00

The ways in which I was introduced to race and racism in my life have been interesting. It's actually one of those things that I can remember in detail, well, more detail than I do other things. The only reason I can give is from a very early age I remember feeling those "injustice" feelings. I have talked in other posts about this, as it related to child abuse.

My dad was born in Morocco, Africa. He is considered "white" although I got my olive skin, dark hair and eyes from him. Unfortunately, he doesn't know many details of his adoption. Basically, he was adopted by my Grandfather Drew and his wife when he was a toddler. He has mentioned that possibly his birth parents were French because he was speaking a little French. But he was being taken care of by nuns there and that is a common language there. My Grandfather was an ambassador for the US and so my dad and his younger sister Eileen spent several of their formative years living in Africa.

When my dad would tell me about his childhood experiences in Ghana, and Africa in general, I was fascinated. I had been born in South Carolina, lived in Alabama and TN. I had traveled to Oregon to visit my Grandfather and possibly been to Florida, but other than that the deep South is all I knew (know).

When I was around 8 or 9 years old my dad had a friend from Africa stay for a visit at our home. I wish I could spell his last name, but I know his first name was Sunday. He was very memorable to me because, first of all, he had the darkest skin I had ever seen in my whole life. He was almost shiny. And he had this weird accent. You know, nothing like we have here in East Tennessee.

Here is what I remember the most about Sunday, his kindness. He was like 7 ft tall (maybe not) but he would crouch down and look in my eyes and he brought me a gift. It was a rock. Did you get that? Yeah, a rock with little eyes and mouth decorated on it. I loved it. I named the rock Friday. For years I would tell people "I named him Friday, because a man named Sunday gave him to me on a Saturday."

That was one of my great experiences with people who didn't look like me. But unfortunately, my mom's dad (Papaw) whom I spent a lot of time with, would use derogatory names for people of other races and would categorize people by how they looked and not who they were as people. It made me livid as a teenager. I even wrote an article in my school paper about Civil Rights and MLK Jr. (I'll post it if I ever find it in my garage.)

Now that I am older, my Papaw passed away almost 9 years ago, I can understand that he was really just saying what had been said in front of him. He had been formed by those negative thoughts and words he had heard his whole young life.

I don't think people really get what Martin Luther King Jr. did. Yes, he was a Reverend. But the power that was his, the opportunities, trials and achievements that came to him were from the same God that we have access to today. Dr. King was able to change so much for our country. He had the right ideas, he had the passion, he had the determination. But he would not have had the success that he had without God being in it.

I challenge you to read I Have a Dream to your children. Read it to yourself.  And take time to thank God for using Dr. King to get His message across.  God is love. We don't have to be color-blind. We only need to recognize the color of the Blood. Without it, we are all the same.

      Because you say. 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' -- and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked...
                                                                                         Revelation 3:17

Wife vs. Mother

2011-01-11T14:25:00.000-05:00

There we are. Aren't we cute? And young? And thin? Well, time passes, and with it comes all those ups and downs of life that you can expect. Job changes, home changes, addition of children, loss of parents or grandparents. I am proud that we have been married for 8 years (9 this March). I love my husband. This past New Year's Eve was the anniversary of when we met 10 years ago. It's a good story, I'll have to share it with you soon, probably around anniversary time.

What's on my mind today, though, is this - being a wife vs. being a mother. I have struggled with this for almost 7 years. I know what kind of wife I should be, how biblically I am to put my husband first, second only to God. We did some great pre-marital counseling where we talked all about our love languages and how hard it would be once we added children to our little family of 2. So I really can't say that I don't know. However, it's kind of like losing weight. It seems to be a simple equation right? Eat less + exercise more = nice body. Well, plug in marriage variables. Affection + respect = happy hubby.

So why is this so hard? Of course, just like with weight loss, there can be many different roadblocks. Here are a few things that I think get in the way of the equation factoring out well.

1) Kids...their needs are immediate and never-ending, their responses instantly rewarding, they are extremely forgiving.
2) Time...again, it's filled with kids or housework or bill paying or blogging
3) Resources...for dates, for vacations, for lingerie, for gifts. When resources are limited you have to make an extra effort to connect.
4) Energy...ummm I'm tired. A lot.
5) Desire...I desire my husband, but at the end of the day what I desire more is just sleep and food and QUIET.

So there it is, all my excuses. I am reading a book now called Intimate Issues. I am hoping to get some inspiration on how I can keep my husband higher on my priority list.

I want him to know how much I love him. How much I appreciate how hard he works for our family and what a great daddy he is, how he makes me laugh and helps me come back to earth from my living in the clouds ideas.

Mostly, I want us to look like this in a few years...

Ummm...what time is it?

2011-01-08T14:04:00.001-05:00

I used part of my precious peace and quiet time to try and come up with a schedule for our family. I had actually bought the Managers of Their Homes kit about 2 years ago, when I was expecting baby #4. I was already feeling overwhelmed by having 3 children 5 years old and younger and I was homeschooling. Well, like with most of my good intentions, I had failed to actually implement a schedule. I mean, we have always had a routine, kids do thrive with consistency, but a true schedule like the Maxwell's plan out is something altogether different. When I first read about scheduling everyone in the family (mom included) in 30 minute increments for the whole day - I just about laughed my butt off. There was NO way that I could figure out what everyone should be doing and then also have to actually enforce it.

Then, I watched a million hours of the Duggars and decided to drag my book back out and spend several hours with my laptop figuring it all out. Here's the schedule I created. As we have begun to implement it, I have already been able to see some changes that need to be made but it feels like easy solutions because all I have to do is plug in different activities at different times. Instead of having that 'I couldn't get it all done' feeling each day, when we have followed our schedule I can tell myself that "yes, we did have a productive day!"

As far as getting the kids on board, it has taken a lot of pressure off of me because when they are wanting me to play a game or just spend time with them then I can say "what does the schedule say we should be doing right now?" and "that's a great idea! Let's do that when we have our time together at..." They like knowing that if it's on the schedule we will try our best to get it done. Since we now have a video game in our house for the first time (a Wii) it was really important to me that the use of it didn't get abused. I think it's tempting at times to just plug your kids into a video game or tv show just to get a break. I don't want my kids' brains turning to mush. I think I was actually a mush brain myself when I was a kid. I used to come home in the afternoon and watch hours of tv until my parents got home from work. I think the only thing that saved me from becoming a total mush brain was that I LOVED to read. I still do.

So for now, we are beginning our second semester a little behind on our "days" but we are excited about knocking out the rest of the year because we have a trip to California planned! More on that later...(=

Happy New Year!

2011-01-04T15:38:00.000-05:00

We had a GREAT Christmas! It was busy, as usual, but it was full of love and goodies and fellowship with family. Our children were blessed by all of their extended family with gifts and attention. Katie had a sleepover with the only other girl cousin at their great-aunt's house. She had a great time, playing and baking cupcakes for Jesus's birthday. A few days after Christmas, Katie, Theodore and Parker went to Grammy and Granddad's house and Foster and Daddy went hunting. I was here all by myself for 4 whole days. It was wonderful. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband and children so much and I was ready for them to be home, HOWEVER, I was in organizational/planning mode and I accomplished so much in 4 days. I cleaned out and shopped and rearranged and planned for school. Oh and I watched quite a few hours of 18 kids and counting. I absolutely adore this show. And I had only watched it a few times before now because we usually don't have that channel, but I was able to watch it through NetFlix streaming video. I know a lot of people probably think they are crazy but for some reason I don't feel that way. I like them, and I like what they stand for, I usually just find myself wishing I had their kind of courage. To live for God the way they do, unashamed and trying to incorporate higher standards into their lives. Yes, I know it's TV and not real life. But I think if they were in BHEA with me, I would definitely be their friends.

Foster and his Daddy had a great trip. Chris killed an 11-pointer!

This trip also stood out because last year during this "after Christmas" hunting trip was the trip that ended with Chris rushed to the hospital in an ambulance with pneumonia and fluid around his lungs so bad that he could hardly breathe. He ended up staying in the hospital for almost a month. So yesterday when he was able to get up and go to work for another ordinary day, the kids and I prayed and thanked God for his grace and love for our family.

Solitude does bring a lot of time for introspection. I didn't really want to make resolutions but I think I do that anyway at the beginning of a new year. I feel hopeful as a new year begins. I have a lot of desires for this new year. Mainly though I just want to be more present, more content with what and who I have in my life. I want to take better care of myself physically because it's the only body I have and not because I was less than 120 pound for 3/4 of my life and now I am REALLY not. I want to give more grace and accept other's decisions without being so judgemental. I am not as harsh with people who are convicted of crimes as I am with other mom's who don't make the same sacrifices I've made. (there it is.) Then there's money, it gets on my nerves and I hope that this year with good ole Dave's help, Chris and I will get out of debt and start having a better relationship with money. While we are at it - teach our kiddos how to deal with it, too.

I hope you are having a great New Year already. I hope to have more people following my blog this year!
I actually had a reader tell me she missed me when I hadn't written a post in awhile. Is it pitiful that made my day? Oh come on, everyone likes to be liked. (=

AHG Grandmother, Mother, Daughter Tea

2010-12-16T13:08:00.000-05:00

This month has been so much fun already! My mom, Katie and I attended our first American Heritage Girls tea. The mothers and daughters did a great job decorating and with cooking and serving the tea and goodies. Grammy and Katie made homemade biscotti earlier that day. Many of the girls read poems or played an instrument for everyone to enjoy.

Of course, Katie doesn't drink hot tea but she did try it and felt pretty special to be drinking out of a real teacup.

One of her best friends sat with us. Two of Katie's friends had grandmothers who were too sick to attend, we were grateful her Grammy got to come with us. She even drove 100 miles to come and then 100 miles back home because she had to work the next day!

I guess you can see by the smile on her face, she was so happy Grammy came. What you can't hear are the squeals and giggles and delight she has anytime she knows she will get to see Grammy and Grandad. She is the only granddaughter right now and so she gets a little extra special attention. Which is what every girl needs right?

Life is not an after-school special

2010-12-09T08:47:00.000-05:00

I am not a "sit down and accept what everyone else says" kind of gal. I have a memory of sitting on the wood stairs to our basement in my little girl home. We lived in this great neighborhood. Full of kids and safe and fun to ride bikes and scooters, to build forts and swim in the neighborhood pool. Looking back as an adult, I realize that some families were really well off and some families were just average middle-class. I don't remember ever being offered drugs or being lured into a pedophile's house. No, what I dealt with was just childhood drama. I had a great friend (a boy) who lived across the street from me for the first 2 or 3 years and then he and his family moved away. That was a loss, but I don't remember being too terribly crushed. I wrecked a scooter in front of the most popular, cutest guys when I was in 6th grade. That was harder. What really sticks out in my mind from those years was the reality of abuse that I had to accept. Not to me, although I am sure, at times that I would have considered having to vacuum before I went to the pool, or not wear make-up a form of abuse. No, this was real, and it really instilled a fire in me, or rather God used the experiences to spark the blaze. On those wood stairs, a girl who lived two houses away told me how her mom would throw things at her, lamps, toys, whatever. She would yell and hit her. We were probably about 11 or 12. I had been her neighbor for almost 4 years and she and I would argue and disagree and then like each other the next day. I knew, though, that she was telling the truth. She was genuine in her fear and there had been several times when I had gone to her house and could hear her mom ranting, before I had even rung the doorbell. I had it all worked out, she was going to move in with us, my parent's were going to call the police, her mom would go to jail for this injustice. But then there was the small issue of the grown-ups who were actually in charge. I can't remember exactly what my parents said, but it wasn't in line with my plan at all. In fact, it was more like, we stay out of other people's business. I was in shock and I am sure hounded them for days or weeks about it but my friend never moved in and her mom never went to jail. That helpless feeling was frustrating and overwhelming. Real life is not like the books and movies. This was not an after school special with a happy ending. It was a different time and my parents made the decision they thought was best. But I wonder, what would have happened? If we had really confronted them? I think, too many times in life, people just shut-up and turn their heads. Whether it's your neighbor or your friend or your family. Why do we do this? Is it because we make so many mistakes ourselves? We don't want to be seen as judgemental or nosy? People act like their is so much gray area in life. There isn't. We get in trouble when we start to compromise. I am a Christian so I have the benefit of the Bible to help sort this all out. A sin is always a sin and a wrong is always wrong.

when the apple's ripe...

2010-12-01T15:25:00.004-05:00

Our Thanksgiving was really peaceful. Our first stop was to my husband's side of the family for dinner and the mood there was somber for several reasons. The absence of Granny Grubb was tangible. Before we ate, Uncle Walt shared some interesting facts about Thanksgiving, then Aunt Faye passed out some poems that Granny had written this past summer. I was glad that I wasn't asked to read one aloud, I am sure I would have started sobbing into the mashed potatoes. The readings included praise to God for all He had done for her over her long life. Chris ended up reading the last one and it was one to make us all laugh through our tears. It was so appropriate, she was always ready with a smile.

Granny had a way of looking at things, after talking to her you could actually breathe easier. She wasn't dismissive as some people can be when you share your concerns, but genuine and honest, about how much control God had over the situation and how little you did. One of my absolute favorite memories of her is when I would be in the very last days of a pregnancy. I would be ~~complaining~~ talking about how ready I was to deliver and she (a mother of 5) would say, "when the apple's ripe honey, it'll fall." Good point, Granny.

We also have family members that are going through difficult personal trials. In our close-knit family, each triumphant milestone and painful struggle has a ripple effect on the rest of the extended family.

We all ate more than we needed to and the kids played. The kids and I loaded back into the van and headed to my parent's house for the weekend. Chris and his Dad went hunting. We had a great time at Grammy and Grandad's house. The kids helped cook and decorate their tree. I was able to do some shopping (all by myself) which is always wonderful.

Foster putting on his show. He wants to take guitar lessons now.

Brentley, Katie, Ansley, Foster, Theodore and Parker at Aunt Diane's

Foster and Katie helping cook dinner at Grammy and Grandad's house.

Theodore helping cook at Grammy and Grandad's house.

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Showing off their new Christmas pjs!

Theodore helping to decorate their tree.

The boys picking which ornament should go on next.

I love this time of year, we have gotten most of our shopping done. Of course, I had to order our calendars for the year from Shutterfly. My mom called the other day just to say "Well, I was looking at my calendar and this picture of Theodore in his carseat and they just grow up so fast. I know those calendars are a big expense for you but I just really love mine." Oh so subtle. Of course, she doesn't know that Shutterfly offers all these fantastic deals and discounts and makes designing the calendars a blast. The Christmas card creating will come next! I love when my friends send picture cards, because we save them and look at how much everyone has changed from year to year. Now, just because I told you how cool they are I'll get some free Christmas cards to send out. Yeehaw.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-24T13:54:00.002-05:00

Click here to view these pictures larger

"Count your blessings, count them one by one. Count your blessings see what God has done."

A Thankful Season

2010-11-17T15:29:00.001-05:00

Sometimes it's easy to get bogged down. There is a lot of suffering in our lives. When you are a grown-up you are aware of death, illness, financial pressures, addictions, consequences that effect not only your immediate family but your extended family, your friends. And if you are involved in a church, then your church family, too.

I am living my life day in and day out with small children. Which means that I have an advantage. I get to see and hear joy everyday. (Oh and lots of whining and snot, too.) Since we homeschool, we are together ~~most~~ about 99% of the time. My closest girlfriend told me today "our kids live our lives with us." That is so true.

Sometimes school looks like this.

Parker putting small straw pieces into a container.

Katie doing a bean counting activity.

Theodore using a key to shred scrap paper.

Most of the time, what I consider learning takes place after we put our seatwork away. Foster loves to plan, imagine and design any kind of machine, boat, truck, etc. Yesterday with the help of Theodore and Katie (who were taking orders from him) they came up with this -

A pick-up truck. They figured out how to tie two shoelaces through the holes on our Bilibo to the handle bars of Parker's little 4-wheeler. I was very impressed!

Because I get to live life with these kids everyday, I am in the most thankful season of my life. I feel like the world could be falling down around me but because of their innocence, their thirst for adventure, their uncompromising love and loyalty - I am able to praise God for all that He has given us.

Our Thankful tree.

First Slumber Party

2010-11-09T13:57:00.001-05:00

In our immediate family, Katie's birthday is the last one of the year. What this means is she has to see, starting with Foster, everyone else get gifts and a special day. And for Katie, the main thing everyone else gets all through the year is ATTENTION. For her, especially at 4, that was the hardest. Don't get me wrong, she doesn't really pitch any fits or hold any grudges against the birthday person. She doesn't even try to open their gifts before they can. What she does do is plan. Seems very harmless to you I am sure but that's because you don't know her like we do. Foster's birthday is in February, so starting then there is the count down to how many days, weeks, months until her birthday in October. She can also tell you each family members birthday and whose is first, second, etc. Her planning began in February so she had 8 months to convince me that it would be a good idea to have 5 other little girls spend the night for her birthday. I knew that it would be a long shot. I mean, what would Chris and the boys do? Camp in the backyard? (They spent the night with Papaw.)
What about the fact that all but 1 of the girls had never slept over at a friend's house? Surely I would be calling parents at 2 am with a crying, hysterical little girl to pick up. (They all stayed!) So even though it seemed like a crazy idea at the time, I am glad that we did it. It was a great way for Katie to turn 5, almost like she was moving from little girl to big girl with that one event. She has grown up a lot over the past year and a half. She lost her Nana and now her Gigi. She started crying when I tucked her in the other night and she said, "I know Gigi is with Nana but I miss them both so much." I am always amazed by Katie's sensitivity. She loves to help in the kitchen, she is a hard worker with her jobs and she still enjoys any kind of arts and crafts. She is a good friend, kind and patient with her brothers (most of the time). I am blessed that she is my girl!

Granny Grubb

2010-11-03T14:58:00.001-04:00

Kathleen Grubb 11-28-26 to 11-2-10

Beloved Great-Grandmother

A true Proverbs 31 woman

P is for Pluto

2010-09-14T14:36:00.000-04:00

We DID it! Our solar system is complete!

And we came up with our own mnemonic phrase to remember the order.

My Very Eager Monster Jumps Straight Under Nice Pillows

Yes, I know about the controversy surrounding Pluto. For now, in our Astronomy book Pluto is still hanging in there with the "real" planets. The author has assured me we will eventually address this issue. So don't worry we'll let you know when Pluto changes his status at our house. (tee hee hee)

Number 3 is 3

2010-09-08T14:29:00.001-04:00

Theodore saying the blessing before we ate at his party.

A couple of weeks ago, August 21st to be exact, my 3rd baby turned 3 years old. Theodore Reece is quite the character. After having a boy and then a girl it was so neat to have another boy, and I thought I had it all figured out. Well, I was wrong. Theodore is the sweetest, funniest little guy but he has also been my most challenging baby yet! He started out not sleeping well, then not nursing well, then not walking until 16 and a half months old, etc etc. I could go on and on about how different he has been from our first two children, but I would hate to sound as if I am complaining. Because even though he has been the most challenging, he has also been the funniest, the one who wants to cuddle, the bravest, the most determined. We gave him such a big name, even though he weighed the least at birth. And he's really living up to it. I can't imagine him being anyone else. I am so thankful for every crazy, stubborn thing he does. I know there are families who don't get to celebrate their child's 3rd birthday and so I thank God for him everyday.

Blowing out the #3 candle!

"Cheese"

And this is how you will usually find him...Daniel Boone hat,
camouflage boots (3 sizes too big),
enjoying an ice cream cone outside.

Give me an "A"

2010-08-15T14:10:00.000-04:00

Our first 2 weeks of school have gone really well! The only struggle has been having enough "school" work for Theodore. He wants to stay at the table and do his work while Katie and Foster do their seat work. Friday I was able to spend 4 or 5 hours getting all of my hands-on learning materials together and organized. I had planned on doing that while my mom was here to help with the kids during summer break but I got strep-throat instead and ended up spending my organizing time trying to recover. We did get out to a back-to-school swim party at Springbrook pool with American Heritage Girls!

Katie is happy that she gets to join American Heritage Girls this year. One of her closest friends got to join last year and she can't wait to be a part of the action!

Foster has started a spelling curriculum this year. We are using Building Spelling Skills by

Christian Liberty Press. He is doing really well. He does lessons 4 days and then on the 5th day takes a test over 20 words. The first unit had a practice test and here's how he did after only being on lesson 3.

I only gave him 10 words for the practice test and he wanted to check it himself. He said "I'll circle the ones I got right and put an x over the ones I missed." He only missed the word "taffy" which he spelled "tafee" which pleased me because it was at least phonetically accurate. By Friday when he took his real test, he got them all correct. I wrote 100% and put a sticker on his paper. He was pleased but then he said, "You should have put an A." I think it's pretty funny that he wants an "A" even though he's never been in any setting where you get grades. He received an "A" on his unit 2 test.

We have started a formal science curriculum this year and we are using Apologia's Young Explorers series Exploring Creation with Astronomy and the kids are loving it so far. We attempted our first project to make a solar system out of balloons and hang but there are no pictures because it failed pretty miserably! We didn't have the correct size balloons and then they started to shrink after being up by the hot ceiling. Thankfully, Daddy came to the rescue and recommended making one out of Styrofoam balls and we found a solar system kit at Hobby Lobby for only $10! Chris has shorter days the next two weeks so he will be helping them put it together and paint it one evening this week. My children are so blessed to have a hands-on, involved daddy. We also found a puzzle and flash cards in the dollar bins at Target! The whole idea behind Apologia's science series is immersion in one topic so that your children get the most out of one topic. This is different from what most textbooks do in that they usually skip around and cover small sections of several topics. We also went to the library this week and found several books on Astronomy.

Our Bible and Character Traits from the past two weeks have been Appreciative and Attentive. They have the option of memorizing the scripture and definition each week or they can get together and put on a "show" that demonstrates the meaning of their Character Trait for the week.

Week One: Katie was driving a car and said "POP! Oh no my tire is flat!" and Foster drove up beside her and said "Ma'am can I fix your tire for you?" After he fixed her tire she said "Thank you, sir, I appreciate you fixing my tire."

Week Two: Katie was in a hospital bed and Foster was giving her directions on how to take care of herself when she went home. "OK ma'am please take 2 Benadryl - 3 times a day. And remember not to get down on your leg or you'll have to come back to the hospital." Katie replied "Ok, doctor, thank you."

They get an "A" on their performances, too!

First Day of School

2010-08-02T15:05:00.000-04:00

I can't believe Foster is starting 1st grade and Katie is in Kindergarten! The time has flown by and we are so excited about our new school year. We had a successful first day. I always plan and organize and stress. What is there to stress about you ask? Well, if you homeschool you know there are many different things to stress about, like what curriculum you will use. How will you have your day planned out so that you can actually accomplish using said curriculum? How will you be sure that your kids are still getting to be kids and not little school robots? What about keeping up with the toddler and pre-schooler? What about keeping up with housework? Your quiet time? Your friends? Your blog? LOL Well, you know what? I have recently picked up a new mantra of sorts that is really working for me. Perhaps you may want to give it a try, since most of the population seems pretty stressed out. Here it is..."Let it go." I know. That was life-changing wasn't it? Well, for me it has been. Because when I say "let it go" I am really saying "let go and let God." He's in control anyway. Why all the stress to try and keep control of it all? Just let God handle it. He's way more qualified than you anyway.

Here are a few pics of how we spent our first day of school. Our character trait/Bible lesson this week is "Appreciative" the scripture is 1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." I have given them the option of memorizing the scripture by the end of the week or they can create and put on a skit that shows the character trait in action. They said they would "put on a show."

We begin the day with all of our daily responsibilities and then move to Bible and then some seat work like Math, Handwriting and Spelling. We started reading our science today and they are so excited because we will be studying Astronomy this year.

We started school at 9am and were finished by 1pm. That was including snack, outside playtime and lunch. Homeschooling is wonderful!

Parker's First Birthday

2010-08-02T14:34:00.000-04:00

My baby boy turned one on July 13th. He's a sweetie! Always ready with a smile and a cuddle, I am so blessed to have a healthy, thriving toddler to chase after. I love the fact that he sleeps through the night and is a relatively low-maintenance little guy. Well, as low-maintenance as a one year old can be, he's not walking yet but is pulling up and will stand alone for a few seconds without holding onto anything so he'll probably take off soon. He loves his big brothers and sister and they are always trying to make him laugh or help him when he's crying.

Isn't he a handsome little guy? And, of course, we had a party and some cake. We are low-key about birthdays around here. We like to celebrate but it doesn't have to be the kind of party that breaks the bank. The most important thing is FAMILY.

Cake and presents are nice too!

Days of summer...

2010-07-13T22:01:00.000-04:00

We love summer around here. It's warm and bright and filled with exploring and freedom. God has been so good to create all we enjoy.

I am so blessed to be the mother of these children. I thank God for them, for His trusting me with their hearts and minds and souls. We are treasuring each day this summer...you should too...(=

Sanity & Self-Preservation

2010-04-15T14:17:00.001-04:00

I had a birthday this month. It was April 6th and I turned 34. Every year right around my birthday my husband will ask me "so do you feel older?" and usually my bright and cheery answer is "NOPE!" This year, however, I did/do feel older and I am convinced it has been mostly because of all of the major events that have taken place over the last year. Last April, my mother-in-law passed away unexpectedly at age 58. My 4th child was born in July and I was very sick for almost a month in the fall. Then in January my husband spent 3 1/2 weeks in the hospital, he was out of work for 6 weeks total. And the weather, oh the terrible, awful long winter. I wish I could be more accepting of the cold, dreary weather but I really think I have a negative physiological reaction to it. In March, as spring came in and the warmth and sun started to soak into my bones I could see the light at the end of this past year's tunnel. But I have been struggling for awhile and don't expect everything to just be rosy immediately. Spiritually I am parched, relationally I am challenged. I am trying to take care of myself in ways that I have long neglected. Time for myself, by myself. Time with God in His word. Eating healthier and exercising. I think when I became a wife and mother I just accepted that I would have to sacrifice all there was to "me" and it's been a long 8 years of making allowances and accepting things that have ultimately led to being unable to be an excellent wife and mother, as well as a friend, daughter and sister. I am making small changes and I am thankful that God is allowing me the time here to learn how to serve Him and serve my family and to (at the same time) relearn what it means to just be me.

Great Quotes

2010-03-25T21:40:00.002-04:00

I started to collect quotes in middle school. I would keep little journals with other people's thoughts. I'm not sure if that was because I couldn't think of my own words to fill my journal, but I don't think that was it. Because as I rediscover this love I had, finding a million quotes on the Internet to sort through, I realize that to me they are more of a conversation. I was an only child, as puberty set in and the gap between my parents and I widened I would have a ton of thoughts and feelings about different things going on in the world around me. I don't suppose I talked to my 13 year old friends about much more than boys or clothes, but when I would read the quotes from the past, from famous or infamous people, I would have an internal response to what they said. I would agree or get angry, I would laugh or cry and it would give me more to think about than the mundane and small world than can typically envelop teenagers. I found two quotes tonight that I enjoyed immensely. They are lengthy but I added them to my favorite quotes section in the hopes that others could enjoy them too.

Back in the saddle again

2010-03-25T14:39:00.007-04:00

I haven't been blogging. In fact, this will be the first of this new year. Our house has been a little hectic. To make a long story short, my husband spent the first 26 days of the year in the hospital. Then my sweet firstborn turned 6 on Valentine's Day.

We spent February and March running to Upward Basketball and Cheerleading for Foster and Katie. They had a really great time but EVERY game was at 8am on Saturday, that's just not right. With Theodore and Parker and the cold weather it wasn't very fun getting there but watching them play and cheer was well worth it.

Katie was intimidated at first but warmed up by the end of the season. She finally started using her REAL voice by the last couple of games!

Theodore is still a wild man but is much better behaved than he was just 6 monthes ago. His vocabulary is still very limited but he understands complex directions and can use signs and other means of communication to get us to understand what he wants or needs.

Parker is 8 1/2 monthes old now. He's still a sweet, happy little baby. He's almost sitting up unassisted. He would roll all over the house if we let him. I don't know if he'll crawl or just roll his way around until he starts walking.

And then on March 22nd, Chris and I celebrated our 8th anniversary. Well, we actually are going to celebrate this weekend with a short, no kids allowed trip. (Thanks to Grammy and Grandad for the free babysitting!)

So hopefully, now that I am up to date I will keep posting regularly. Although, much of my hindrance is time, honestly a lot of it is frustration at not knowing how to upload pics and put in links and all that cool stuff that Sarah and my other friends can do on their blogs. But I am doing my best to learn...that's what I always ask my kids to do - "just do the best you can". I wish I could be that easy on myself in all areas of life.

And for all the stressing out that I do about how to be a better wife, mother, homeschool teacher, etc. I really just need to be focused on how to "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18 If I did that, when I do that, God gets all the pieces in the right place for me.

I hope all my blog friends and family are doing well. And if anyone can tell me how to get my picture to upload that would be great... (=

Lies

2009-12-14T13:59:00.003-05:00

That is an ugly word isn't it? But it's a genuine word and it, in my opinion, should not be sugar-coated or avoided. With children we call it a "fib" or "making it up" but really it's just a lie. It's deceit plain and simple. James said in James 1:26 "If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but DECEIVES his own heart, this one's religion is useless." And my translation of that verse would be "if you think you have a relationship with God but can't stop hurting others with your words then you and God aren't as tight as you think".
I have always told my children "you are telling a lie" when they are not telling the truth. The world lulls us into complacency on this issue as much as any other. A good example of this is a book I was reading to my 2 year old the other day. The name of the book is Thomas Breaks a Promise, and I noticed in tiny print at the bottom it says "previously published as Thomas Tells a Lie". I'm not sure when the original Thomas books were written, I know it was years ago. And sometime in the recent past someone made the decision that using the phrase "tells a lie" was too harsh for a children's book. But he does tell a lie. He causes someone else pain and trouble because he doesn't follow directions and do what he says he will do. I want my children to know that a lie is serious business. And asking forgiveness when you tell a lie is just as important.

Winter means snow and deer hunting...

2009-12-07T13:58:00.005-05:00

First snow of the season! The kids were very excited. But I realized we were a little short on the right gear. So Foster had on 2 thin jackets and Katie's wearing my gloves and Theodore had on a hat that was too small before he protested and just wore his hood. Winter just snuck up on me I guess. But, that's ok, either way you go out, you get wet and cold and you have a blast. Then you come in and strip down and get all warmed up again. At which point children forget how wet and cold they just were and want to go through the process all over again!

Katie and Theodore checking out one of daddy's deer. Katie loves wearing her "camo" and says that when she turns 5 she'll get to go hunting with daddy, too. We'll see how she does with that...I know I for one couldn't be a good hunter because of the weather, getting up so early, packing all that stuff, having to pee in the woods, and the list goes on. But if she wants to be a hunter with her daddy, then great for her. My husband's cousin just married a great girl this past summer who loves to hunt. So there are some of them out there, I'm just not one of them!

My husband, though, is a passionate hunter. I am sure that's why Foster and even Katie are so enthralled with hunting. I think it's great for children to see their parents have a love for a hobby or past time. It role models for them the commitment, sacrifice, planning and creativity that someone can harness if they are truly interested in something.
It shows them that if you enjoy the fun of something in life, you must also put in the effort to make that happen.

Poetry

2009-11-11T14:33:00.002-05:00

I did not get exposed to poetry very much growing up but have always loved it and desire for my children to get that exposure and hopefully fall in love with it too.

SMART

My dad gave me one dollar bill

'Cause I'm his smartest son,

And I swapped it for two shiny quarters

'Cause two is more than one!

And then I took the quarters

And traded them to Lou

For three dimes - I guess he don't know

That three is more than two!

Just then, along came old blind Bates

And just 'cause he can't see

He gave me four nickels for my three dimes,

And four is more than three!

And I took the nickels to Hiram Coombs

Down at the seed-feed store,

And the fool gave me five pennies for them,

And five is more than four!

And then I went and showed my dad,

And he got red in the cheeks

And closed his eyes and shook his head --

Too proud of me to speak!

by: Shel Silverstein

Thankful

2009-11-05T12:36:00.002-05:00

I'm thankful for so many things but my list will start with 5 since it's the 5th day of November.
1) My salvation
2) His forgiveness
3) His unconditional love
4) His security
5) His acceptance

I heard a testimony last Sunday night that is still resonating in my soul. The way the Lord spared me from the life I was headed for astonishes me. I am seeing more and more how His hand was working in my life long before I was living for Him.

Katie is 4

2009-11-02T15:10:00.004-05:00

Oh what a girl I have! A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated Katie's 4th birthday. She is one of a kind! Her voice is naturally loud and high pitched so she slips into whining very easily. She's working on it though and doing a good job trying to corral all those emotions that come stampeding out of her. When she starts to break down and cry over something we try to encourage her to breathe. I know it sounds silly but it works - a few deep breaths and she's a little less hysterical and you can better make out what happened in the first place. She is full of joy and her love language is time and attention. Unfortunately, that is in short demand when you have 1 big brother and 2 little brothers to share mommy and daddy's time. She can be very silly but she's also sensitive and caring. I'm proud of her. She's beautiful to me and I thank God that I get to be her mommy. I pray that she and I will stay close through the years. It's funny because I seldom have thoughts of my boys as parents but I often think of how I will feel when my little girl becomes a mommy and I get to hold her children in my arms. There is something unique and wonderful about a mother/daughter relationship.

being weird...

2009-11-01T14:28:00.004-05:00

I know most people go through times in their lives where they feel "weird". Most of the time it happens when you are going through puberty and then hopefully you grow out of it. I have always been weird. Reading and my love affair with books would be a good place to start. I would literally have a book with me everywhere from the time I could read. I read anytime and anywhere and most of the time it wouldn't matter what was going on around me - I could tune it all out. I was a public school student and that really got in the way of my love for books and reading. But I was quite the underachiever in formal education and so I would do the bare minimum of homework, you know scan the "reading" book story and answer the comprehension questions in quick fashion so that I could get back to the intriguing story I was involved in. Another way I am weird is that I detest rollercoasters. I just feel like God gave me feet, not wings so that I would stay here on His nice ground. I think rollercoasters are pointless. Those are, of course, just two examples of how weird I am. But now, as a grown-up, I am REALLY weird and just getting more weird it seems.

--I do not let other people raise my children (any age).

--I teach my children at home.

--I make my own laundry detergent.

--I take my children to church and teach them about God and His love.

--I spank.

--I use coupons.

--I clothe my children with yard sale, hand-me-downs, or clearance items.

--I let my kids get dirty, every day.

--I teach my children to say ma'am and sir.

--I expect obedience.

--I breastfeed my babies.

--I breastfeed my babies in public. (very weird)

--I enjoy spending time with my husband and my children.

--I respect my parents.

--I read my Bible and pray.

This list could go on and on. What is really neat is that I love being weird. For years, as an adolescent and into my 20's I wanted to "fit in" and now the closer I grow to my Lord and the older I become I want to be more weird. In fact, I would love to be out and have people whisper as we leave "they are so weird".

And that is pretty weird, isn't it?

"Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord"

2 Corinthians 6:17

Nana

2009-10-13T15:25:00.003-04:00

We planted this rosebush at the front corner of our house. It was planted in April, right after we brought it home from Nana's funeral. The past couple of weeks it seems we have all missed Nana even more. I think a big part of it is that one year ago we were all headed to Pensacola Beach to have a family vacation. She made a big deal out of celebrating Katie's birthday there and making it special for all of her grandkids. Nana enjoyed fall, driving around Cade's Cove and looking at the changing leaves, getting ready to laugh at her grandchildren in their costumes, preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I guess what continually shocks me is she is really not here. Really not ever going to be here to see Katie's haircut, to see Theodore dressed up as a scarecrow, to see Foster's first missing tooth space, to watch Parker smile. And not here to check on us grown ups either, to call and see if we are taking care of ourselves, to encourage my husband and I to go on a date and take time for our marriage. Not one of us would have said to each other last year at the beach "we better enjoy this trip together because it will be our last one with all of us." Grieving is an up and down rollercoaster. And I hate rollercoasters, so that's a good analogy for me. The rosebush that we planted in Nana's memory has consistently given us a beautiful rose, sometimes two or three but most of the time just one. Roses were Nana's favorite flower and I love to have the reminder of the joy she brought to our lives. I feel like our rosebush is humble and that makes me think of Nana the most. Humility made her beautiful in the sight of God.

Relationship

2009-09-10T07:40:00.000-04:00

Chris and Foster have spent a lot of time together the past couple of weeks. Foster has gone dove hunting a couple of times with him. When Chris was working on his truck for over a week Foster was out there by his side trying to "help". I am glad they have a good relationship right now and want to encourage and support that anyway I can. One way that is important is to have daddy involved in the daily discipline even when he's not right there. And I don't mean the "wait until your father gets home" scare tactic way. Yesterday, Foster made a bad choice. And instead of giving him his consequence I told him I needed to talk to his daddy and then we would decide and get back to him. When Chris arrived home, I told Foster to tell him what had happened and they went to a room alone to "discuss" it. Chris and I did settle on a consequence. But I think even more important was the conversation he was forced to have with his father. Chris said when Foster first came to tell him he started by saying "this isn't an easy thing for kids to have to tell". And with age and worse offenses it won't get any easier but when you think of a parent-child relationship you are not just training them for their relationship with you. We are training them to know how to be in a relationship with God. It's never easy to go to God, your heavenly father, and say "hey I messed up really bad today" but it's important. How can we ask for forgiveness if we don't admit what we did wrong first?

2009-09-02T22:46:00.000-04:00

"It's my party..."

2009-08-25T14:07:00.000-04:00

Oh boy, look at those faces! I need to try to upload a video so you could enjoy the sound effects that go with these beauties! Parker's cry is starting to evolve into the real baby cry, not the puny little newborn cry, but the put your hands over your ears kind. And Theodore, well, you know he's 2 so he's in the tantrum stage. We train and he repays us (me mostly) with the blood curdling screech of someone who has been attacked by a bear or hit by a truck. And then there is the "war cry" he does when Foster or Katie dare to touch something that belongs to him, or that he was playing with, or that he was about to play with. Because Theodore does not speak yet - his vocabulary of uh-oh and bubble just don't help him communicate his anger and frustration at being told "no" or "wait". I am a believer in training your child. Of teaching your children to listen and obey. I believe God calls us to this daunting task when he gives us the responsibility and blessing of children. One of the hardest thing in training any animal or child is consistency. And with a newborn in the house and starting to homeschool and my lack of sleep I have really been having trouble with being consistent. Really the struggle is with Foster and Katie even more than Theodore. Because their disobedience is coming from their mouth and I have been either ignoring or letting some of that slide. For example, if I say "Katie, go use the bathroom before rest time" and she comes back with "but mommy I don't have to go pee pee" then a well-rested me would give her consequence (yes, probably a swat or two with the belt). I expect "yes mommy" or "yes ma'am" and hop to it. The same with Foster, and the bar is raised higher for him because he is older. The basic principle is disobedience = disrespect and if you are 3 and you are disobeying then you will be 13 and disrespectful. So I am trying to get back on track, be consistent again.
One of the best child training books written is To Train Up a Child by Michael and Debi Pearl. You can find it on their website www.nogreaterjoy.org One of my favorite quotes in the book is "No amount of discipline can make up for a lack of training." So if I do not train my children and then expect them to obey I am the one to blame. Proverbs 22:6 says "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." And to that I say "AMEN"!

Theodore's Two

2009-08-24T14:08:00.000-04:00

Theodore turned 2 on August 21. We had family over on the 22nd to celebrate and he really enjoyed himself. He was a little tired but he really hung in there. He mostly enjoyed eating, which is the same as any other day. His favorite gift was from his daddy. It's a play gun that is almost as tall as he is and makes shooting noises. I didn't go to the store when Chris bought it - otherwise I probably would have pointed out the age on it was for 5 years old and up. Oh well, that's why he loves it I'm sure. He really believes he is at least as big as Foster. We are in the trenches of training with his behavior right now (more on that later). My favorite thing about Theodore is that he keeps himself busy but would drop everything if someone was willing to hold him and read to him or just cuddle. He is our cuddlebug and we love him so much. The funny thing about him right now is that he is not speaking. He says uh-oh and bubble and that's about it. Other than that he uses sign language or grunts, whines and points for what he wants or needs. I am so curious to hear what's going on inside that little mind so I can't wait until he starts sharing some of his thoughts with us. The main thing I was thinking on his birthday is how thankful I am that he is healthy. The day he was born we wrote on the board "Thank you God for Theodore Reece" and that is still how I feel!

Gratitude

2009-08-17T22:32:00.003-04:00

Today has been a really crummy day. My mom, my dad, my husband and I all had things go wrong. The baby cried all day. The kids fussed and whined. So I knew when I was assessing the day on my way home from the used bookstore and I was adding up all the wrong things and all the crummy aspects of this day that I needed to stop. There are a couple of blogs that I follow because they help me keep things in perspective. One is Go Blog Yourself and this family has lost a child to cancer. Another is a missionary friend who is working in Africa with orphans and abused and neglected children. I read these because it keeps me mindful when I pray to remember them and their needs but also because God uses their reality to help me maintain an attitude of gratitude. How can I complain about a day where my family is healthy and safe? My children had 3 meals (and snacks) and played with many toys. My husband and parents had jobs to go to. I was holding a healthy baby. And tomorrow, we'll celebrate my mom's birthday.
I am so grateful for...
God
my salvation
my Bible
my husband
my children
my parents
my friends
my church family
my freedom
my physical and mental health
my home
homeschooling
breastfeeding
food to eat and feed my family
clothes to wear (and wash and iron)
shoes on our feet

One of my favorite quotes I collected in my teenage years was "I had no shoes and complained until I met a man who had no feet" I am not sure who said it but it helped me realize that it really is how we look at our circumstances that makes a difference, because most of the time there is someone out there who has it much worse than we do.

Miscommunication

2009-08-16T22:39:00.002-04:00

So the kids and I headed out after church today. Packing up the van and loading everyone but Daddy because we are spending a few days in Chattanooga with Grammy and Grandad. We actually haven't made this 100 mile trip since January. In that time, we've added one more passenger (Parker) and Foster, Katie and Theodore forgot how long that van ride can seem. My sweet, little chatterbox asked me several versions and for a few days before we left "Mommy, how long will it take to get to Grammy's house?" As I answered today, leaving the driveway "It will take a VERY long time Katie." About 20 minutes passed and as we drove through Lenoir City she asked "Mommy are we almost to Grammy's now?" my response, in an attempt to be more clear and have her understand was more detailed this time "Katie we are in Lenoir City, we still have to get on the interstate and then we drive for a very long time and look for Exit #11 and then we will be very close to Grammy's house." She chattered away for a few minutes and then said "Mommy are we on a date?" and I'm thinking - OK that's out of the blue! Why would she think we are on a date? Because we are together and daddy's not here? Because sometimes her daddy takes her on dates? Because Daddy and I talk about going on dates? I came up with nothing and so in response said "No, Katie we are not on a date." About 10 minutes later, as we merge on to the interstate, she says "Mommy NOW are we on a date?" Oh. That's what she meant. I said we had to get on the interstate. Get it? On the interstate, on a date... It's no wonder children get so frustrated with us. Pay attention, they know what they mean.

Happy Birth Day Parker Elijah

2009-08-10T14:44:00.003-04:00

We did not find out until he got here if baby #4 would be a girl or a boy. It makes it so much fun that way. So now we know - another brother. Katie was excited anyway. Her first comment after she found out the baby was a boy was "Yeah! I like boys!"

He arrived July 13th and he's beautiful and healthy! We give all praise to God for trusting us with another miracle.

March - May 2009

2009-08-10T14:00:00.003-04:00

OK - Here comes the update in a short digest version.
March - My wonderful husband and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. We sent the kids to my mom and dad's and had the whole weekend and whole house to ourselves. We went out to eat at grown-up restaurants and watched grown-up movies and talked about grown-up things. It was really great.
April - I celebrated my 33rd birthday on the 6th. I felt different this year - I guess it's something about being the same age Jesus was when He was crucified. It kind of raised the bar on what kind of person I wanted to strive to be and the kinds of things I wanted to fill my days with. On Good Friday, April 10th my husband and I led my 5 year old son to the Lord. We called both sets of grandparents and all celebrated with tears of joy. April 12th we celebrated Easter and my mother-in-law's birthday. On April 19th, Foster was baptized and both sets of grandparents were there. On April 26th, Nana passed away, my mother-in-law who was just there at her birthday lunch and her grandson's baptism was gone. I have never experienced a death this close. It was unexpected, my husband was only 28 years old. I was expecting another grandbaby for her to spoil with gifts and love. God's ways are not our ways but HE is so awesome in the ways that He provides for us and lifts us up to carry on when we feel like giving up and sticking our heads in the sand. The loss of Nana has left a tremendous hole, more on that
later...
May - my husband celebrated his 29th birthday. Without his mom, it wasn't the same for him.

Update coming soon...

2009-06-24T09:09:00.003-04:00

Hello Everyone!
I have been doing terrible about blogging so I decided I needed to get busy again. Only right now I don't have time to catch up on all that happened the last 4 monthes sooooo...hopefully a new post with all the catching up will be here soon.

Foster's Five

2009-02-20T13:41:00.000-05:00

"It's hard to believe!" That's what most people say around a child's birthday. And it's true, it really is hard to believe my firstborn son is 5 years old. We had a low key homemade birthday this year. It turned out to be a good idea since Chris and I both had a stomach virus the few days before his birthday and then Theodore, Katie and Foster were sick by the time Saturday rolled around. Foster was just getting sick but he was a little out of it all day. I know he enjoyed decorating the cake and all the presents he received. He's such a special kid. I never realized what a gentle and sweet spirit someone could have until I met Foster Owen Grubb. Of course, I am the mommy and so I am very biased but your mom is supposed to be your #1 fan right?

One of Foster's best gifts came from Papaw. It is a REAL gun, and Papaw made him a case (with a lock) to display it in. Chris can't wait to get him out in the woods and let him shoot. It's so funny because when I was younger I was really into the ANTI-gun stuff. I always swore I would never have guns in my house or around my kids. Boy how things change. God blessed me with a husband who is a hunter and is from a family of hunters so that I could see the other side of the coin. It's not the guns that can hurt kids but the carelessness of the adults in their lives. Foster has already gone on 2 dove hunts with Chris and went on his first deer hunt this winter. And SAFETY ranks first priority. Foster also received a tackle box and some lures so he's ready for fishing, too.

I struggled for the 2 weeks before his birthday. I think I cried every night when I tucked him in. I tried to explain to him that Mommy has seen him grow and change so much. From the time he was in my womb, to starting to crawl and walk, to talking and running, and now as he learns so much every day. It's hard to believe he's just a short time from reading and he can ride a bicycle without training wheels. He can count to 100 and write his name. And he's growing spiritually, sometimes all I need is to hear him pray and I feel so much closer to God. I wasn't crying and having a hard time because he is growing so fast but because I feel so blessed. Blessed that he made it to 5 without major illnesses or broken bones! Blessed that he is happy and healthy and smart! Blessed that he asks a million questions a day and would rather you read him a book than anything else. I am just so blessed by getting to know this person and I thank God for him. The depth of God's love I felt, of course, before I had a son but after I have had my firstborn son for these 5 years and then to think what I would do to protect him, it sheds a whole new light on what God sacrificed for me.
He sent HIS firstborn SON to die for me and my wretched, selfish ways.
Thank you God for my sweet, little boy and for the hope that is in you through your Son Jesus Christ!