Jason and I spend a lot of time talking about how much we live our lives on the threshold waiting to pass through to the next season of our lives. As we have waited here, we have managed to have four amazing children, enjoy the company of many, and seek to know Jesus. What I'm learning about this perception of the threshold is the lie in which it holds.
It is the constant temptation to think... With XYZ complete (namely seminary), then our lives will somehow begin. Faithfulness to today is the challenge, right? It is for me. I have made an idol out of tomorrow.
Tomorrow I'll clean out my endless junk drawers
Tomorrow I'll really teach my kids about money
Tomorrow I'll maybe understand our budget
Tomorrow we'll know where it is we are to serve
Tomorrow I'll start training for a 5k
Tomorrow I'll read more books to the kids
So today, this day, this very day... I will giggle with my girls, wrestle my son, do phonics with my second born, take my oldest out for her birthday dinner, chew on the thighs of my chubby baby, kiss my husband without stopping, clean out my freezer, and find a new recipe. Today I'm mom, and I want to be the best mom I can be today.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
I'm Ready
So I wrote about getting on my A game. Then I came down with a breast infection. I remember crying feeling like my plans were being sabotaged. I was so upset. My guy came through as did the medicine.
Well, now I'm doing my best to get back on track. Every night Jason and I look at each other and ask a few questions.... What will life without school be like, and wouldn't it be so nice for our house to sell quickly?
In the midst of everything, we are trying to sell our little house we bought when we moved here. We had some great renters for a couple of years, but we are ready to hang up our landlord hats. We have been painting, cleaning, repairing, and making our little place look sweet and happy. We have been trying to find extra hours in the day to finish numerous projects. And with most projects, one begets another, begets another.
Last week when I was over there cleaning, I remembered what a blessing our sweet house was. We have been so focused on working on the house, I forgot how very thankful I am for the place that holds many fond memories. I hope a little family will be blessed by our sweet home.
Well, now I'm doing my best to get back on track. Every night Jason and I look at each other and ask a few questions.... What will life without school be like, and wouldn't it be so nice for our house to sell quickly?
In the midst of everything, we are trying to sell our little house we bought when we moved here. We had some great renters for a couple of years, but we are ready to hang up our landlord hats. We have been painting, cleaning, repairing, and making our little place look sweet and happy. We have been trying to find extra hours in the day to finish numerous projects. And with most projects, one begets another, begets another.
Last week when I was over there cleaning, I remembered what a blessing our sweet house was. We have been so focused on working on the house, I forgot how very thankful I am for the place that holds many fond memories. I hope a little family will be blessed by our sweet home.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Son Swords and Speech
I tell you having three little girls and one boy is a riot. Today Jason and I switched roles. I cleaned at the house we are getting ready to list and Jason kept the kids. When I called to check on my brood, Jason planned a daddy date with a friend. The kids had a ball and now they are currently zonked, totally out napping. Go DADDY!
Jason relayed a funny story of looking over at Lake only to find him pants down peeing in the yard. Did I say we recently finished potty training. I don't remember training him in this. Oh well, the kid is a crack up.
The other night Lake was refusing to sleep. He came into the room where we were sitting, sword in hand ready to take on the parent who said it was bed time. He was serious. How do you stay composed?
It just so happens that all of our children have some speech issues. I was in the chair working with my oldest in front of a large mirror showing her what my mouth looks like saying a particular sound... We laughed and had a good time. Each kid was so excited to have a turn. Lucky for us, everyone had their turn working on various sound problems. I've never watched myself speak so much.
Life with kids! Never a dull moment...
Jason relayed a funny story of looking over at Lake only to find him pants down peeing in the yard. Did I say we recently finished potty training. I don't remember training him in this. Oh well, the kid is a crack up.
The other night Lake was refusing to sleep. He came into the room where we were sitting, sword in hand ready to take on the parent who said it was bed time. He was serious. How do you stay composed?
It just so happens that all of our children have some speech issues. I was in the chair working with my oldest in front of a large mirror showing her what my mouth looks like saying a particular sound... We laughed and had a good time. Each kid was so excited to have a turn. Lucky for us, everyone had their turn working on various sound problems. I've never watched myself speak so much.
Life with kids! Never a dull moment...
Saturday, February 20, 2010
My Life in Pajamas
I realize it's time to stop playing the tired card. So what I'm tired; so are a lot of people I know. I love that I have four kids. I love that my nights are filled with them sometimes as much as my days. I have kids I enjoy. I have a husband I love. My life is full. So full I have to buy lots of concealer to cover the dark rings under my eyes.
Jason is attempting to complete a CRAZY amount of school in an extremely short amount of time. I need to be on my super A game. I need to be the mom on the go that I don't like to be. I love that I live near the place my husband works (across the street). But his focus is so much greater when I'm not here. I'm so excited for Jason to be done.... Well, I'm heading out. I don't know where. But out I'll be.
I have this terrible excuse I make for myself. I "think" to myself... Self, you will get more cleaning done if you stay in your pajamas. Well, as much as I've been in those pajamas you'd think my house was spotless. Wrong answer. The other day I was getting dressed and one of the children said, "Mommy, why are you being so fancy?" Seriously, because I was getting dressed. What a wake up call.
So self.... A game. No stretchy pant. Get out of the house. Love. Love. Love. Crazy love your kids your husband and your saviour.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Obstinate
Ecclesiastes 9:17
The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
Without outing the offender, I will speak to the stubbornness of toddlers. I am in a particularly tough season with one of my children. At moments I question my own sanity in the midst of loving and shaping the character of my children. But worthy is the battle waged for instruction of my children.
I think I have had moments in my own life where I put value, even high value, on my own stubbornness. Seeing it in it's simplest (or most complex) form through a young person has shown me the truth of such wrong thinking. Well, I see just how ugly it is. How painful and hurtful it can be. How maybe the whole idea of, "tell it like you see it." Well, it may not be helpful or even kind.
In a book by Tedd and Margy Tripp, Instructing a Child's Heart, he makes the case for kind words in the correction of our children. Here's what they have to say about our speech.
Pleasant words promote instruction. Words that are kind and good, words spoken with love and graciousness, promote instruction. Words that are courteous and tactful evoke a good response.
Harsh, loud, demanding and demeaning words do not reflect the gentle confidence of one who delights in joyful, reverent awe of God. They reflect a heart that is fearful, angry, and controlling. Such words make instruction hard to receive.
My mantra with the moms in my life is...LOVE IS KIND! Love is KIND! That if you are yelling... Well, you are not loving. I know it is a weighty challenge. I know the temptation when faced with the stubborn sin of a young child the strong desire to yell. TRUST ME! I know.
Yesterday I faced one of the longest hardest challenges to my kindness. Check that, if I were depending on my own kindness it would end before I finished my first cup of coffee every morning. But yesterday the Lord showed me how in the midst of TOTAL frustration He would supply the kindness needed to love my child.
When Jason returned late in the evening from school. I was able to explain that without my total dependence on the Lord, I would devastate and hurt with my words. But as my child entered into fits of epic proportion, I was able to show them the gospel with a calm kind spirit. It's amazing how strongly stubbornness can keep a child holding out in anger.
This morning I see the fruit of that tough battle waged. I see a gentleness in my child. It was a long battle, but to God be the glory. He loves the hearts of this poor sinner, and He loves the heart of my child. He supplied the grace to speak with kind, gentle words in the red faced anger of my small sinner.
Proverbs 16:23-24
A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."
The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
Without outing the offender, I will speak to the stubbornness of toddlers. I am in a particularly tough season with one of my children. At moments I question my own sanity in the midst of loving and shaping the character of my children. But worthy is the battle waged for instruction of my children.
I think I have had moments in my own life where I put value, even high value, on my own stubbornness. Seeing it in it's simplest (or most complex) form through a young person has shown me the truth of such wrong thinking. Well, I see just how ugly it is. How painful and hurtful it can be. How maybe the whole idea of, "tell it like you see it." Well, it may not be helpful or even kind.
In a book by Tedd and Margy Tripp, Instructing a Child's Heart, he makes the case for kind words in the correction of our children. Here's what they have to say about our speech.
Pleasant words promote instruction. Words that are kind and good, words spoken with love and graciousness, promote instruction. Words that are courteous and tactful evoke a good response.
Harsh, loud, demanding and demeaning words do not reflect the gentle confidence of one who delights in joyful, reverent awe of God. They reflect a heart that is fearful, angry, and controlling. Such words make instruction hard to receive.
My mantra with the moms in my life is...LOVE IS KIND! Love is KIND! That if you are yelling... Well, you are not loving. I know it is a weighty challenge. I know the temptation when faced with the stubborn sin of a young child the strong desire to yell. TRUST ME! I know.
Yesterday I faced one of the longest hardest challenges to my kindness. Check that, if I were depending on my own kindness it would end before I finished my first cup of coffee every morning. But yesterday the Lord showed me how in the midst of TOTAL frustration He would supply the kindness needed to love my child.
When Jason returned late in the evening from school. I was able to explain that without my total dependence on the Lord, I would devastate and hurt with my words. But as my child entered into fits of epic proportion, I was able to show them the gospel with a calm kind spirit. It's amazing how strongly stubbornness can keep a child holding out in anger.
This morning I see the fruit of that tough battle waged. I see a gentleness in my child. It was a long battle, but to God be the glory. He loves the hearts of this poor sinner, and He loves the heart of my child. He supplied the grace to speak with kind, gentle words in the red faced anger of my small sinner.
Proverbs 16:23-24
A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Snowed in...Well kind of..
Here in the South the prediction of snow means a run on the grocery store and no school. Seriously, there is no snow so long as a lone snow man is still standing. It was a real adjustment for us moving here from Colorado, but almost seven years later, we are local. We have huddled down, slowed down, and started our snowed in tradition of eating constantly.
Jason is the play outside with the kids man, I'm the stay inside and cook kind. We are a perfect fit. I play enough to make a memory, and quietly return to the warmth of the house. Oh, how I once spent hours in the snow. Now, I'm on baby duty and perfectly content with the task of loving my chubby cheeked wonder. Story has a bit of a cold, so she won't be put in the snow for a photo opportunity any time soon.
Snow brings out my inner red neck. That and the fourth of July. We are currently eating snack food, watching too much bad television and dressing...well, I won't even tell you how we are dressed. Jason wants to make fancy muffins, and all I want is chips and beer.
I did get into a cleaning frenzy that I wish would have lasted longer. But I became distracted with making snow ice cream. On that front, I was way too ambitious and don't know what to do with all the excess.
Ella would stay in the snow forever, Harp is too girlie for the cold, and Lake just plain wears out. They are loving childhood, and I am loving watching them! I'm stocked with hot chocolate and I'm in charge of drying the wet clothes so they will be ready for the next adventure. Pictures to come.....maybe.
Jason is the play outside with the kids man, I'm the stay inside and cook kind. We are a perfect fit. I play enough to make a memory, and quietly return to the warmth of the house. Oh, how I once spent hours in the snow. Now, I'm on baby duty and perfectly content with the task of loving my chubby cheeked wonder. Story has a bit of a cold, so she won't be put in the snow for a photo opportunity any time soon.
Snow brings out my inner red neck. That and the fourth of July. We are currently eating snack food, watching too much bad television and dressing...well, I won't even tell you how we are dressed. Jason wants to make fancy muffins, and all I want is chips and beer.
I did get into a cleaning frenzy that I wish would have lasted longer. But I became distracted with making snow ice cream. On that front, I was way too ambitious and don't know what to do with all the excess.
Ella would stay in the snow forever, Harp is too girlie for the cold, and Lake just plain wears out. They are loving childhood, and I am loving watching them! I'm stocked with hot chocolate and I'm in charge of drying the wet clothes so they will be ready for the next adventure. Pictures to come.....maybe.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Merry Christmas
Where oh where have I been. Well life with a house full of kids is such joy, such chaos, such a blast...I just don't see the time to write in it. By the time my day is done, I'm brain tired. I like to save my extra energy for my guy. Watching Julie and Julia last night I remembered just how much I do love to write. I have missed coming here to write, if only for a record of events for myself.
Having a sweet baby girl is such a joy. Story is a chunky, joyful, happy baby. She is, to me, a reminder of all my babies. Smiles and ears like Ella, in a hurry like Lake, and all girl like Harper. Really, who knows if she's our last, but she feels like it. I'm fully enjoying her, but I can say I enjoyed each of my babies. They all came just when the Lord knew we were ready.
I'm not much for the hustle and bustle of the season. I have done most of my shopping at Big Lots, and have one more Target stop. My kids don't make requests, they never really have. One year Ella asked for a burp cloth for her baby doll. They did go through an American Girl Doll phase that was a bit costly, but grandparents chipped in. We've just always had fun....regardless of the glut of stuff.
Jason has only one more semester left of seminary. We are pretty sure what our plans are, but nothing is final. I'm so very proud of my guy. Love, love, love him.
Well, who knows if I'll be back.... I hope so.
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