Peeling and Worship

"You can praise the Lord by peeling a spud, if you peel it to perfection." ~ Eric Liddell's missionary father from the movie Chariots of Fire as quoted in Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work by Timothy Keller with Katherine Leary Alsdorf.

I suppose this applies to carrots as well.  Today we discussed this brief theological thought while peeling carrots.  Finding God in the midst of our daily chores..."You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." Deuteronomy 6:7  So very thankful for these moments.

Lego For Girls

We recently received out Lego catalog in the mail.  Lego has a newer line of products designed just for girls.  

I guess I thought Lego had a product for girls.  

And, isn't it called "Lego?"

I rephrased the above sentiment from someone else because it fit the photos so well.  That said, L is thrilled with the new Lego line and has already filled us in on the sets she wants.  I have a feeling that we will be supplying her with some of those sets come her birthday and Christmas.  

Birthday Gift Exchange

This year we had L's first friend birthday party. It was basically a play date with cupcake decorating and a gift exchange. So easy, and the girls seemed to have a great time. When C was younger I went all out on a couple of her birthday parties. It was tons of fun, but at this time in my life, the mellower the better. So L had a low key birthday party. It was simple to put together and still lots of fun. For the activity they were able to decorate their own cupcakes. They had a great time and it sure made it easy on me.

I copied another idea from an acquaintance and it turned out to be a winner. Everyone brought a small gift, we swapped them and each girl left with a gift. It ended up being a fun way to do gifts.  I may be doing this at future birthday parties.

Oh How Times Change

This little thought was written back in November:

Today the boys and I were watching our morning art history video on KhanAcademy. In one part of the video the narrators were discussing the Arch of Titus and the nude and partially nude men who were marching heroically into battle.  A said something along the lines of, "You know mom, I just don't think I would like marching naked into a battle.  It would feel too vulnerable."  Indeed.

It is interesting how battle attire has ebbed and flowed from nude to suits of armor to the gear soldiers now wear.  Times do change.

Place Settings or A Productive Way To Temporarily Occupy a Preschooler While Doing School With Older Siblings

Preparing to learn to set the table. First we dug out one of my favorite cook books and looked up table settings. It was good practice to see where to get information.  When we need to learn something, we look it up!  I also hand copied a simple sketch of an everyday place setting and a fancy place setting onto blank white printer paper.  That is easier to refer to on a regular basis than the cook book.

Years ago I downloaded this set onto cardstock, laminated them and have used them to help the kids learn to set the table. It would make sense to teach them each day as we set the table, but right now we basically just set out the necessary utensils for the meal rather than setting a proper table each day. On holidays we set a nice table, but for everyday, it just does not happen.  Sigh.  Maybe in another season of life.  For now, we are good to simply use utensils on a regular basis.

This activity is a great one for a preschooler. It briefly keeps her occupied while I do other school activities with the boys. Plus she is learning something that is worth knowing!

Nicely done!  Now, where's the food?

When we are done with these, we pop them into a manila envelope and put them back on the shelf.  OR on the pile.  I have a pile of activities waiting to be organized.  I am thinking that maybe my pile is as good as it will get and that the stuff waiting to be shelved may never be shelved.

Crumbling Values

I try to avoid being overly materialistic. I try to practice contentment. I try to embrace the belief that my life will not be made happier because of a material possession. But it is all crumbling around me. I truly believe my life would be happier if my son owned and used a spelling machine.

For the time being, I am a human spell checker. The boy loves to write his papers for CC, but he inherited my spelling ability. Let's just say it isn't my strong point. His vocabulary far exceeds his spelling ability. This means he camps out on the floor in the office when I am on the computer or at the kitchen counter when I prepare meals, asking me how to spell various words. I love his passion for writing! I want to support him. I want to encourage his diligent hard work. But I need some help!

My plan was to buy the above pictured Spelling Corrector for a stocking stuffer for Christmas. It has games on it too, so I figured it could pass as a decent stocking stuffer. But I am not sure I can hold out that long! My belief that material possessions don't lead to happiness is seriously challenged. I really do think that $16.82 spent on this gadget on Amazon would bring my life more happiness. Well, $16.82 plus another item that costs a minimum of $8.18 so that I can get free shipping. That means I could pick some item off of my wish list and that makes me feel even happier!

By the way, I helped him to spell approximately 12 words as I wrote this post.

My Favorite Mess

I shared about one of my not-so-favorite messes in this post. But when I walk into the living room and see books scattered, it makes me smile. Maybe I smile because books are so easily picked up, but mostly I smile because it means someone or several someones were reading.

You Can Lead The Children, But You Can't Make Them

The floor in front of the shelves. Believe it or not, the shelves have a place for all of these items.

The inconsistently used shelves.

It was extremely exciting when we obtained shelving to put up in our office. Visions of organization danced in my head. A cubby for soccer/tennis gear, a cubby for library books, a cubby for AWANA items, a cubby for items left at our home and waiting to be returned....oh my! It would be organized, nothing would get lost, it would be everything in its place and a place for everything! BEAUTIFUL! BLISS!

For a short time, it worked. A very short time. Now, more often than not, everything is piled on the floor in front of the shelf. Sigh. And this is where reality crashes headlong into my system of organizational bliss.

Lesson Learned:

You can lead the children to a shelf, but you can't make them consistently put their gear on it.

Not My Shade of Fuchsia

What do you do with the "oh so not my shade" of fuchsia lipstick that your young son so lovingly bought as a present? Why, use it to write love notes to the hubby on the bathroom mirror, of course!

3 Days Later

We had a fun family day in the city, walking by the river, visiting the science museum, going to the ReStore, and doing some birthday shopping. It was a super day. We arrived at home in the late afternoon and 2 kids went outside to play, 1 went up to play with Legos, 1 was still at work, M changed into grubby clothes and went right to work on a project and I plopped in front of the computer.

One of my sons came into the office and said he didn't feel well. Then his words became jumbled and incoherent at times. I tried to hurry him outside to M, without acting alarmed. I didn't want to scare him, but something was clearly wrong. Things got a bit worse, we loaded everyone into the van and were off to the emergency room. It felt like the longest drive.

When we got there we explained what was going on and after a brief wait we were ushered right in to triage. We went back to our seats and in minutes we were back in talking with a nurse. A CAT scan and blood work were done and by this time my kiddo was doing better. The scan and blood work came out normal. That is a huge relief. But we still don't know what happened. There are a couple possibilities, but we still don't know.

Since that time, all has been good with our son, but I have spent days calling, waiting for returned phone calls and hanging up and crying. Crying over the process and over how long things take and the emotions of it all when your child could have something wrong. And crying over the one phone call I missed because it was early morning and I had had the phone with me nonstop until bedtime the day before and hadn't thought about getting an early morning call.

Monday we went to our chiropractor, who is a very wise and knowledgeable man. He and his wife have lost a child, so he has the compassion of a parent who has been through painful things. He is well rounded in acknowledging what medical doctors do best and in where they may be limited. I have seen him for 10+ years and he has been consistently reliable and helpful. This situation was no exception.

Meanwhile on the medical side, we had to wait 24 hours for my primary care doc to get a referral filled out for our insurance company so we can see a specialist. Then once that was turned in it was another 24+ hours before it was approved. And that was fast for our insurance! Then the specialist was called and his first opening is over a month out. So, we wait and pray for a cancelled appointment so we can get in earlier, but mostly we wait.

Thankfully our son is doing very well. Things could be so much worse, but they are what they are and what they are is hard because I want answers. I want to know what is going on in his body. I want to know what the odds are of this happening again. But I don't get to know all that right now.

This is also the week that I learned that our primary care doctor is moving and I have to find someone new and it is the week that L took scissors to a bit of her hair, and it is the week that C decided to get highlights in her hear, and it is the week that I need to finish mapping out our schedule for the coming school year and it is the week that I need to get some clothes boxed up for donation and it is the week I need to get my grocery list ready for my big monthly shopping trip next week and...

And that is life. The normal stuff carries on even in the waiting, and that normal stuff is a security in ways when something in life is amiss. These situation is a reminder that all can change in a matter of moments. In the waiting we strive to keep living, to savor life a bit more, to hug a bit tighter and to really listen and look when someone says, "Hey, mom can I show you..." Because all of this is so very precious.

What a difference 3 days can make. One day I sat in the ER cranky and can clearly recall the people who were in there waiting as well. Then three days later, with a true emergency, my thoughts were anything but cranky and my entire focus was on my boy. Nothing else mattered in those scary moments.

The Rules, Or a Few of Them Anyway

As they push the limits, I make the rules. Some of these rules are serious, some are funny, some are seriously funny and some are seriously enforced without exception, some are enforced on occasion and some are not enforced at all, some applied to a one-time circumstance. But all of these rules came about because of a real-life situation/inspiration.

• No handstands in the kitchen.
• No ha-ha-ing. We don't ha-ha people.
• No using one's shirt as a napkin.
• No wiping one's nose on other people's shirts. Or pants. Or socks. Or jackets. Or hair. Or pillows. Or bath towels. Or on the cat. Or on your own shirt, pants, socks, jacket, hair. Just don't.
• No poking mom in the eye. That includes both eyes. I don't like it.
• No sitting, standing or laying on the coffee table. It was cheap and from Ikea, it won't last forever, but I would like it to last for awhile longer.
• No coloring on the couch. Just don't. It came brown for a reason and does not need a pattern. Nope, not even a custom drawn one. I don't care if the crayon is the same shade of brown as the couch. Don't draw on it.
• Eat with the utensils that are provided to you. Soup is not finger food. I don't care if you like to dig for the beef chunk "buried treasure" in your soup. Use your spoon.
• Do not walk into my bedroom with food on your hands and wipe your hands across my bedspread. In fact, just don't walk into my room with messy hands. Wash them first. Seriously, there is a bathroom right outside my door. Use it. If someone is in there, walk up the stairs and wash your hands there. If someone is using that, wash your hands in the kitchen sink or the laundry room sink. If those sinks are being used too, then practice patience and wait. And while you wait, don't wipe your hands on the wall.
• Don't put buggers on the wall. It is just gross and unnecessary and they are as hard as cement when dry.
• Dont' talk in a super mean voice to your sibling(s) the moment I walk out of the room. I can still hear you. And even if I couldn't hear you, it is still wrong.
• No, you can't wear your soccer cleats to AWANA.
• If you have to go potty-GO! Nothing is gained by doing the wiggle dance and squeezing yourself.

It's Not Just About the Math

Whew, it has been a long 3 weeks. M has been in and out, but mostly out due to work/military related excursions. That means the full load of daily responsibilities has rested squarely on my shoulders. For the most part all has gone well, but sometimes it all feels utterly exhausting.

Between shuttling kids to various activities A had a math book from this previous school year to complete. For the last two, maybe three school years, we have stopped his math books before completing them. There came a point when the difficulty level of the lessons increased and continuing on became less and less productive. Since we use Saxon math, there is a great deal of review in each book. When we begin the new book in the Fall there is so much review that any concepts not covered the year before were retaught. It worked well to quit before the book was finished.

This year, though, math clicked for A. It ceased to be the struggle that it had previously been. There were challenges, but they were no longer insurmountable. This year we would finish the math book! He was capable of it and for the most part he was enjoying the math. This year the main struggle was with finishing math lessons with a good attitude when other activities seemed more appealing.

My goal for him to finish the math book was not entirely driven by a desire to see him learn all the concepts that Saxon 54 had to teach, it was driven equally, if not more, by a desire help him know the satisfaction of completing something in its entirety. A large part of my motivation was to help him push through the whining and complaining that can come when standing at the base of a task that looks as tall as a mountain.

This week has been the home stretch. The week of completion. He has done it. Most important of all is that he has done it with minimal complaining. This growth in his life is exciting. It is a step toward maturity. It feels huge to me and I have been so proud of him. This week consisted of late nights doing math and missing out on fun activities in order to complete math lessons.

Each day, needed reminders to myself that this was not just about the math. This was about character. As a bonus he was also learning a good deal of math. But the main lesson was to work hard without complaining or arguing. It is about living out Philippians 2:14 "Do all things jwithout grumbling or kdisputing," And that is a tough concept to remember, let alone live out in a consistent manner.

Today on the way to the 5-Day club that friends are hosting this week, we had a discussion about all this math work. At one point I said, "You know, A, this hasn't been just about the math, do you know that?" To which he replied, "Yeah Mom, I know. It is really about doing something that is hard and sticking with it even when you don't want to. Dad talks to me about that."

His response thrilled me more than any completed school book ever could. He got it! He understood something that really matters. Something that matters more than fractions! Education isn't about simply completing subjects or books.

Education is about pursuing wisdom and a knowledge of God. It is about practicing living in a way that glorifies God and honors other people. On this journey of parenting, I am so thankful for the grace of God and for M, my partner in all this. Even when physically absent, M is here through moments like today when A understood and communicated that all this math isn't really about the math. It is about character.

The Beauty of Legos

Since marrying my husband and having two sons, it has been revealed to me that Lego creations are art. Lest I doubt, this definition clarifies things :

Art: 1. The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.

2. Works produced by such skill and imagination.

Yet, no definition is needed when my son brings me the above pictured creation. It is indeed art. It is a creation, using skill and imagination, of something important. My son used a medium that is familiar and enjoyable to him. He used it to express his faith in a visual way. When I saw this, Legos had never looked more beautiful to me.

Tennis Lessons

Yup, that is one of my boys in the cowboy boots. I had to laugh. I didn't even notice his footwear until we were at tennis and I was watching them play.

On the last day of tennis they had a contest involving skills,manners and other tennis related things. He won first place and the biggest cookie. I think it was the goggles that snagged him the win.

Goals With Room

As my cousin’s baby shower approached, my collection of items to decorate with grew. Fun plates found at a going out of business sale, ribbon in the pink and brown color scheme, adorable mini cupcake papers. Items gathered little by little and added to a tote.

As the decorating items were added, my excitement grew. A baby shower. What a joyful occasion! Yet I had some anxieties as well. M was going to be out of town and that meant I needed to decorate for the shower with all 4 kids in tow. C would, without a doubt, be a fantastic help, but the younger three would be, umm, well, it was uncertain what sort of help they would be. That was my concern.

A concern that rattled around in my mind without settling on a plan of action that felt comfortable to me. Finally it occurred to me that instead of trying to figure out “what to do with them” it would be much better to explain to them how their help would be needed. It would be better to have special jobs for each one.

One of the reasons we homeschool is so we can share life with each other. While I did not desire to or feel ready to share the responsibility for preparing for a baby shower with my 3 younger children, that was the situation at hand. They were going to be there. They would be present the entire time. Both during set up and during the actual shower. It was an experience to be shared with them, ready or not.

With apprehension, I explained to the kids about the shower, that they would be there, that I would be very busy setting up and that everything needed to stay nice… There were also special tasks where their help would be needed. They loved that. They loved being needed for a grown up event.

I did need their help. And they did get rowdy at times and have to be reigned in, but they helped me, they really did. A set up all the chairs. A, B and L filled the mini cupcake holders with chocolate covered coffee beans, cookies and almonds. It really was helpful. A little more chaotic than I prefer, but it worked and we did it together.

Due to the circumstances in our life there are numerous opportunities to incorporate our kids into my activities. Homeschooling means the kids are often with me. M’s job has seasons that are busy with travel and longer hours. That means that I often get to either include kids in activities that I likely would not otherwise choose to include them in. Including by either helping them get involved or helping them learn to entertain themselves in a room apart from me while I tend to other things.

Including the kids isn’t generally smooth and easy in the moment, but by embracing the momentary challenge, we are growing. The kids are learning to be quite helpful and I am learning to better appreciate them, to better work with where they are at developmentally. To better appreciate the unique qualities each one has to offer.

Most importantly, we are learning to live authentically with one another. They are learning who I am and that I have a life that has a place for them, although sometimes that place means they quietly (or somewhat quietly) watch a movie and put themselves (and each other) to bed when I have people over downstairs.

I am learning that my personal growth and fulfillment does not have to be put off because I have children. Life does have to be adjusted , but there is room for me to be a complete person and for my kids to be complete persons. There have been seasons when life felt limited in areas, where the needs of the kids felt so consuming that pursuing my personal goals seemed out of reach. By reevaluating those goals and readjusting, better goals are being set. Goals that have room for all of us.

Seeds Family Worship

I have known about Seeds Family Worship for awhile now, but only recently ordered some of their music. Fantastic. Their songs are scripture put to music. Good music.

So, here is the rundown. You can actually listen to their stuff for free online. This is full songs, full albums. Free. Love that. OR you can order their CDs. And each album comes with 2, that is TWO, identical CDs. That means you can keep one to listen to and give one away OR you can order with a friend, split the cost and each get an album. That is what a friend and I did.

So why order when the music is online for free? We had listened for free for awhile, but my computer speakers are not great or loud enough to hear when you are too far away. Plus, I wanted to listen in the car. Did I already mention that this music is all Bible verses to music? I want my kids to really learn these songs. I want them to memorize them. I find that, for our family, one of the best ways to get in Scripture memory is through music. It is easy and fun that way.

We have Hide 'Em In Your Heart by Steve Green. Both volumes 1&2. And those CD's are good. My kids have listen to them over and over and now know all the songs/verses by heart. Seeds Family Worship CD's are a great next step. The music is a bit more contemporary.

What better way to spend time in the van or before falling asleep in bed at night than listening to God's word and learning His timeless truths? Listening to them over and over lets the words of the Bible sink into young souls. I pray that as my children grow, these songs, learned as young children will bless their lives and come back to the forefront of their minds as they encounter different situations in their lives. And as a mom, it is so easy to get distracted by cares and concerns. Having God's Words playing as we go throughout our day is such a good reminder for me to. I need those regular reminders of God's grace and truths.

Funny Stuff I Hear

B came to me and told me that a bad dream he had one night came back the next night. Before I could respond, A shouted out, "Oh, it's like the next episode!"

L walked into our office dressed for church, with a stuffed to overflowing purse and applying lip gloss and said, "I love being a mom!" She had earlier told me she really wanted lip gloss in her purse so she could be like a mom.

L was walking around the house wearing a backpack. I asked what she was doing and she informed me that, "I am going to Greece." Then she added, "I am Rick Steves' sister."

L often says things like, "Her honey is off to war" or "Her honey is away with the army." when she plays with her dolls and stuffed animals. Such is life for a military family...

Hat Making

A creative moment. I think my favorite part of this photo is the hat on Tigger.

Sharing Her Bestie

The cat was trying to sleep and L decided she needed a friend, so she shared her favorite stuffed pig. I am not sure if the cat appreciated it, but she put up with it. She puts up with quite a bit, actually.