The Jones Family

New Blog

2011-08-28T10:30:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! I am closing this blog down and have moved over to wordpress. Please visit me over there! I am hoping to be more inclined to write now that Noble is getting a little easier to handle. :)

http://mommalovingjesus.wordpress.com/

A Few Tips & Tricks for New Momma's

2011-07-20T19:08:00.005-05:00

Since having Pearl I've been reminded of what it's like having a new baby, and how many things I've learned since having five of them - things that would have been nice to know with my first. So I thought to write this little post for any new momma's out there hoping it will help you!

1. Depends, yes the incontinence diaper for adults...these work great immediately after birth and for the first few days rather than the hospital size pads. They are much more comfortable as well!

2. Olive Oil spread on newborn babies sweet little bum until they've had their first few meconium poo's helps get that sticky stuff off so much easier than when there is none.

3. Soothies which are gel like pads that you put on your breasts between nursing really helps keep them from getting over the top sore that first week or so.

4. If you empty your bladder every time before you nurse the first 72 hours or so, it will really help the uterine cramps be less intense. Though if its your first baby you probably will not feel these as badly as you do with multiple births.

5. REST! I know how easy it is for us mom's to think we can do it all. But your healing and recovery will really go much faster if you take this time to stay down and enjoy your baby!

Hiding Truth in Their Hearts

2011-03-07T19:31:00.004-06:00

We just started a scripture memory system last week that has me so excited I wanted to share it here. Memorizing the Word has always been an important thing in my mind for our children to do, but I had not found a system that was easy or user friendly enough for my pre-readers to be able to do with my help until now.

Now they are whizzing through these verses every few days and constantly reviewing as well past verses they have learned. Bonus is that I am memorizing with them as well with very little effort (yes, I admit I am a bit lazy!). We read over them at breakfast and dinner each day a few minutes each time so it truly does not take long at all!

You can see the whole system here for more information and how to set it up if you are interested.

Becoming Peculiar

2010-10-18T13:25:00.004-05:00

My whole life I have wanted to be liked by others. There was a short season in my life during childhood where I experienced just the opposite of that. Major feelings of rejection, disgust and just plain dis-like is what I went through during that time. Now I see it as a blessing as I now know how that feels and never want anyone I come into contact with feel that way because of my behavior. Thankfully that time of life was short and the rest of my days for the most part I received what I wanted, being loved and cared for by friends around me. Though as good and a blessing that was, I still used it not for God's glory, but to stroke my own self image of being a well liked person.

For the past almost nine years I have been walking steadily with Jesus. I stay "steadily" since the first 23 years or so of my life I knew Him, and had spurts of trying to live for Him, but it just never stuck. When I got what I wanted, or when something better (in my lowly opinion) came around, say a love interest or something to that nature...I quickly returned to what was the real me, a selfish and rebellious child.

These past nine years though have been truly life changing, coming to know my Lord Jesus Christ for myself, exposing my broken and selfish heart to His perfect love that is slowly but surely changing me. But what I am beginning to notice it that the more I follow Him and His ways, the more peculiar I am becoming. Where once I fit in with all sorts of people, could morph myself in a way to become like whomever I was with, I am finding out I can no longer do that. Whether we are talking about a party where foolishness is abounding, or in church where everyone is praising our Creator (though now thankfully I do not need to change myself to do that, as it is a joy and privilege to do so now!).

At times it makes me sad, because there is still that part in me that wants to be liked, and "fit in". There is still a part of me that detests being different. Those of you who have known me for many years probably have noticed this difference, which at times makes me very self conscience. The outward changes are pretty obvious, but hopefully the inward changes are as well. The old me loved to stand out, be noticed by my eccentricity's, but sometimes the new me just wants to fit in, though most of the time I do not.

Another thing I am noticing in the peculiarity in me is that what I have to say is usually not popular either. It is not what people want to hear, then I get condemned of being judgmental, or maybe old fashioned, religious and not loving. That really hurts as especially the people that I speak truth to are the ones I love the most. And know its not as if I am harping on every little sin there is in a persons life, or even that is the topic of conversation every time I'm speaking with someone. I strive to be Spirit led in when I say things to those I say them too.

There is a verse that I cannot find at the moment, but it say's something to the fact that if you know your brother/sister are sinning, and do not say anything about it to them, encouraging them to repent, you will be guilty maybe, or have a part in their sin, (if anyone knows this reference, please tell me!). So I know deep down that I am obeying God's Word when I say these truths though not popular or even well received, that they are not just coming from me and my opinions and I'm not being judgmental or condemning. Please know that I am not saying I am perfect either, I am more than willing to hear any loving rebuke in areas that I am sinning against God or others! And there are many areas in my life that need changing, just get to know me long enough and you'll see them!

When the differences get me down, or the accusations abound, I meditate on these verses...

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. Proverbs 27:6

I can know that I am truly being a friend when I tell a friend something that is not popular, I am not just telling what them just what they want to hear, or what will make them feel good at the moment. The enemy of our souls wants us to believe the lies he has planted in our lives, to accept the counterfeits that he has placed so that we cannot receive God's best for us...and he will use those friends and even people who we love to encourage us in that path, just as an "enemy multiplies kisses". Though of course I never want a friend to feel wounded by me when I am just trying to love them in the truth, I can rely on this verse to know I am truly being a friend and not their enemy.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

So even if it gets me down at times, I will choose to Praise God, I am called to be peculiar! Praise God He called me out of the darkness I lived in for too many years and is allowing me and helping me to walk in His light...how absolutely amazing is that?! And I am not any more special that anybody reading this, He has done the same and desires the same just for you! Praise Him!

Jesus

2010-10-14T13:53:00.003-05:00

This morning while working through my daily chores, I was contemplating the death and resurrection of Jesus. How his disciples, after walking with him for three years and all the miracles and the many lives changed (their own included) they saw during that time...yet after they watched him die an excruciating death, they themselves went into hiding! They had heard Him say that He was the Son of God, that the Kingdom of God was here and now, that He would rise from the dead. But they still did not fully understand.

They were frightened, scared that they would be next to be murdered because they had been His disciples. So they hid and grieved the horrible, unjust death of the One they loved, the One they thought would free them from Rome and be their Messiah they had been waiting for their whole lives.

I'm sure you know the account, that they found His tomb empty three days later, then He came to them, showed them the nail holes in His hands, His feet and the hole in His side. Proof that He was real, not a ghost. He then appeared to a crowd of 500, I think so that their would be extra proof for those who might not believe the smaller number of His disciples who saw Him.

After that, and after they saw Him ascend to Heaven, they became completely different men than who they were before His resurrection. Bold, self-less, fearless of their lives and what people thought of them and what they said, now understanding what He meant as being the Savior of the world. They were completely changed by his death and resurrection, just as He continues to change those throughout the ages that believe as well. And I don't mean just believe, but believe and submit their whole lives to Him, as He calls us to.

These men who before were scared of dying, hiding after his death - all of them except for one died for His name. Murdered throughout the years all because of their wholehearted devotion and preaching that Jesus is the Messiah. I do not believe that any of them would ever had done that if He had not been raised from the dead. They probably would have continued to stay in hiding until things died down in Jerusalem, then would have disbanded and found yet another great rabbi to sit under...or even just gone back to their trades? There is absolutely no reason to serve Him, and believe in Him and what He said unless He had been raised from the grave, which praise God He did and is alive!

Lovingly I say if you have never sought out who Jesus say's He was, please do it! You really have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Do not be like our culture or even other religions that say He was a great man and teacher. C.S. Lewis sums that way of thinking up nicely here...

"I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronising nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. ... Now it seems to me obvious that He was neither a lunatic nor a fiend: and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He was and is God." (1.)

Some recommended reading if you are interested in finding out about Him yourself.
1. The gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John)
2. Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis
3. The Case for Christ, Lee Strobel

Those are some on the top of my head, there is still plenty more out there if you are serious in your search. Feel free to contact me for other recommendations if need be!

1. Lewis, C.S., Mere Christianity, London: Collins, 1952, p54-56.

Summer

2010-07-15T15:52:00.004-05:00

We are so richly blessed! Can I just say again how much I love living here enjoying God's beauty all around me. Thank you Lord for taking me out of cement city.

Here are some pictures of our land to enjoy...Crepe Myrtles that line the north end of our property. I have so been looking forward to these beauty's bloom, and they have not disappointed me!Tomato plants that are much bigger than the last seedlings I posted. They are barely producing thus far, and I do not have much hope that the birds and insects will get to them before us. We'll see?
Pepper plants looking good...
Fig tree...looking forward to making preserves! It has a TON of figs on it so far.
Sunflowers, there are a few in our garden that spread from last year. They had huge flowers last summer, so wondering if they'll get bigger as the summer goes by?
Trumpet vine. Yes, that big tree looking thing is a vine, and we have them all over our property! I think they are native to this city we are in because I have seen them all over the place. They are pretty, have beautiful blooms, but very invasive. They are even popping up in my flower beds, garden, and middle of the yard. Crazy :)
The front of our house with the pictures I posted last still does not look very different. Some bug ate all my oregano, so there are just tall stalks of it by the door. And the bulbs I planted in the spring did not come out, besides a few caladiums in front of the boys windows. I'm going to have to re-think landscaping this fall for the front for sure.

Well I'm truly hoping to find time to really write more often. I have a ton of things on my "to write" list, that are more substantial than what I have done lately, but to find the time and energy? Bless you who come here, I hope that you would be filled to the brim by the love of Jesus today.

Spring Planting

2010-04-01T05:25:00.002-05:00

(Above, two little sprouts of "Lily of the Valley" Perennial...this is in front of the children's windows, should be pretty!)

We have been busy this spring planting out front of the house and getting seedlings ready for the back garden as well. I'm so looking forward to the front of the house to be prettier with color! I'll try to remember to post some pics of how it will look once things are growing!

Here are our tomato plants...

In the ground out back I put in potatoes this week. Mark and the children planted onions and garlic a few weeks ago. We have our tomato and pepper seedlings growing pretty well, which will be going in the ground in a few weeks if all goes well!

These are the peppers...
After that I hope to try a melon patch back behind the garage, and some beans, peas, squash, carrots, dill and cucumbers. We'll see if Mark leaves me any room to do so!

In the front my herbs are coming back, so we have tons of rosemary (which actually never died back this winter), sage, basil, and I planted parsley and lavender today. I planted a few different flowering perennials in front of the childrens window's, so hoping those will actually grow.

(A very sad front bed that hopefully will be growing some pretty plants this year!)

I never knew how much fun it was to get in the dirt like this, I am so enjoying this spring, more so than any spring before! God is so good!

(Another sad window front...)

Above are some of my herb beds, its crazy to think of how green it will be here in a month or so!

Our New Addition

2010-03-26T09:19:00.007-05:00

As some may have noticed, I have not been blogging much as of late. Most of my time in the past six months has been trying to figure out how to use my time wisely, which for me has meant less time with the computer being on...thus less time to post blogs. I still so enjoy writing and am trying to work out a schedule where I can allow myself time maybe once a week to write, even if its just a meaningless little update on the life of the Jones'.

So that is what this post will be about...just an update!

Let's see, a few months ago we had a little stray dog show up on our doorstep. When I first saw her I was pretty disgusted as she looked like she had some horrible disease. I told the children to not touch her, and honestly was hoping she'd go away and leave us alone (I know, I'm pretty horrible sometimes!). She smelled horrible, had seeping sores all over her body and her back where her spine was was completely bald...in really bad shape! This picture was taken about a week after we had her on medication. So the seeping sores are gone and hair was beginning to grow back in.I put in a call to the animal control and chihuahua rescue to see if they could come get her, once I realized she would not leave our doorstep. Animal control was busy for the next few days dealing with more dangerous animals, and the chihuahua rescue was looking for a foster home. After spending a night in very cold weather on my doorstep, I received an email from the chi rescue asking if I could put her in a kennel out of the elements until they could find a home for her. I felt so bad that I had not thought of that myself! Especially after such a cold evening. Well I looked out my door and there she was, curled up on my mat shaking like nothing else...I put the cat kennel in front of her and she very quickly went inside.From that moment on, she had my heart! Mark in the beginning was not wanting us to keep her as he felt like I had enough on my plate. The chi rescue people were taking forever and I was wanting to know what was wrong with her and hoping to get her in better shape as she seemed so miserable. So we took her to the vet after a day, hoping and praying she did not have mange. She ended up just having a bad flea allergy and a tail that needed amputated due to somebody putting a rubberband on her tail and letting it die in the middle.

We were so excited we could actually get her fixed up pretty easily on some meds and tlc, and mostly that what she had would not hurt our current animals. Within a week, her sores were all gone and we had scheduled an appointment to have her spayed and her tail amputated. The vet and his assistants were shocked at what a sweet dog she was. They kept going on and on about how normally little dogs come in there and nip and yap, but all she did was lick and be sweet and submissive.

So finally Mark decided we could keep her (YAY!) so we had to make sure her and Mercy could get along without Coco trying to constantly attack Mercy, we're thinking little dog syndrome! They now love to rough and tumble together, which is pretty funny seeing their size difference, but they seem to love it! She is not yappy either like many dogs her size and breed, which we enjoy as well...we are guessing she's a chihuahua / min pin mix (a chi/pin).After watching many episodes of "The Dog Whisperer" off of Netflix, I am training these two dogs and really enjoying it. We are taking two daily walks together, helping to bond them to me as their pack leader and to each other as well. I am finding that I really enjoy dogs more than I ever knew! Plus any reason to be outside is always a bonus.The children are all enjoying her immensely as well. It is nice to have a dog that they can handle themselves on a walk, give her a bath on their own, etc.

Recently, even though Mark has always claimed to dislike what he calls 'rat dogs', I caught him in his man room like this...I'm thinking he's falling for her as well :) Me too! I recently told him I think I will be wanting a lap dog forever now! It is so nice being able to take her places easily with me...Another funny thing back when we were debating on keeping her was her life span. When we first got her, I was guessing she was an old dog due to how bad she looked and told Mark at least we would not have a long term commitment if we chose to keep her. Then we found out that she is actually no more than two! Now I'm happy about that as I want to be able to enjoy her as long as possible!

Folding Aprons

2010-02-25T14:23:00.005-06:00

I have a part of me that enjoys nice, expensive things. Not that I get to enjoy them personally very often, but from afar most times. I do not tend to dwell on the things that I would like to have, but occasionally, I think of how it might be nice to have them, or maybe buy them someday. Every once in a while I think mainly of beautiful bedroom furniture.

But the practical side of me say's why spend my husbands hard earned money on something that we do not need? My garage sale bargain bedroom suit works just fine! So what it is not to my taste, or decorative dreams?

I am thankful to have such a wise mother who when I express these thoughts to her, she advises to wait on God and let him give it to me in his time, rather than make it happen when I want it. Isn't she great?!

Well today, as I was folding my large supply of aprons...He reminded me of his love and his gifts. A couple of years ago, I was really wanting to have a few aprons, but I could not find any wherever I shopped, and the ones online I found were way too expensive. Also the two I made flopped badly and were not what my "dream" of an apron should look like :)

Anyways, one day my aunt mentioned she had a box of aprons she was wanting to get rid of and she brought them over! I was so excited and have loved wearing them, and especially having my girls wear them ever since.

So folding these aprons reminded me of how God provided them to me, without me doing anything on my own. In regards to the furniture...I will be patient, trust him and if he decides I need a beautiful, dark cherry wood bedroom suit, I guess he will give it to me in his own way and timing. If I never get it, it will just confirm my first thought that I never needed it anyways. Thank you Lord for what I have in the meantime!

Baals

2010-01-25T20:34:00.000-06:00

Mrs. Parunak over at Pursuing Titus 2 wrote an amazing post about the Baals in our lives. Ones that many people overlook because they are so 'good'. Please take a moment to visit her and let this article convict or encourage you as much as it did me.

Probably my favorite quote...

These are blessings when I get them, but as soon as they interfere with serving Christ, as soon as they cause me to fret and be dissatisfied with the work He has given me, as soon as I cannot be happy without them, then they are idols, and I must throw them down.

Write on sister! :)

Still Here!

2010-01-19T20:26:00.005-06:00

Hello friends, I am so sorry that I have been absent for so long here at this old blog, but I promise I still plan to write sometime soon. Things have been busy around here, organizing, cleaning, child training, organizing more, child training more, etc. So just wanted to drop a little note to let you know I plan on coming back around sometime soon (hopefully)!

Here are a few pics taken of a recent visit to a local Alpaca farm we visited for my mother's birthday last month...very fun!

And a few pics my mom took of the young children recently being their sweet selves :)
Have a great week!

Changes

2009-12-12T21:58:00.003-06:00

Let me see if I can explain how much my life has changed since moving two months ago. I can think of times in the past to see how seasons of my life gradually changed, but this one was pretty much instant, leaving one city and going north about 40 minutes.

First of all and the best thing in my opinion (though they are all pretty wonderful), we have found a local body of believers to fellowship with! Driving to church on Sunday morning no longer takes us 40 minutes, but rather five. All the people that go to this church (about 40 I'm guessing) live in the same town as we do.

The best thing about these people is their apparent and exuberant love for Jesus, for one another and for the lost. I cannot think of a better three qualities to look for when looking for a new church. I am SO THANKFUL that God has brought us here and brought us so quickly to this church. Another great thing is that the home church meets about 6 minutes from our house...amazing!

Another huge change in my life kind of goes with the first, but that of no longer being so isolated. Since moving we have had so many guests over for dinner, gone to others homes for dinner, had play dates at our home with moms and children during the day and generally just spending more time with people! Maybe it is because compared to our old city, all of our friends lived at least a half hour away without traffic, and being in a busy neighborhood, people did not spend much time together. Here we are meeting or already knew people that live in the same city and it is not much of a hassle for people to come out to play or eat with us. I am so loving opening my home to people!

We also spend a lot of time with our neighbor's...particularly one's that moved in a few months before us who have been a huge blessing to us. It is really fun to have a 'couple' friend that we can spend time with...taking turns making dinner for one another and enjoying hanging out. Just tonight we had a big bonfire over at their house wishing we had the ingredients for smore's after we all enjoyed Mark's delicious dinner of smoked brisket, wings and ribs with my garlic rosemary mashed potatoes.

After typing all this I'm beginning to see a pattern...I'm thinking it has to do with community and how much that was lacking in our previous life. I always desired and actually prayed for it for a long, long time. I'm seeing now how God has answered that prayer in such an awsome and unexpected way. I am so thankful...He is so good to us.

Daybook

2009-12-04T20:00:00.002-06:00

Outside my window...we had snow two days ago and the children all jumped out of bed and began to make a snowman immediately. Unfortunately, I did not get a pic of the snowman, but it was surprisingly pretty big. They had a great time playing with their neighbors as there are two other homeschool families on our street whose children joined in the fun that morning.
I am thinking...of what color to paint our house, still. Not enjoying this process at all!

I am thankful for...a warm house and wonderful fireplace while it is so chilly outside.

I am wearing...jeans (just got back from my nightly walk with my mother, too cold for a skirt) and my sweet hubby's thermal long sleeve shirt that I bought for him eight years ago or so, which no longer fits him.

I am remembering...to be content with everything.

I am going...out on a little date with Mark in a bit...a local taco shop...fun times :)

I am reading...The Divine Romance, by Gene Edwards...really making me think about how much I love God and how to pass that on to my children. Great book.

I am hoping...to make a decision on the paint colors this weekend, so I can quit thinking about it!

On my mind...lots, that I cannot get into right now...mainly Jesus stuff.

Noticing that...my children are growing up so fast! They love each other so well and truly enjoy each others company, I am so thankful for that.

From the kitchen...homemade chili, new recipe that was delicious. Thinking of trying a new one out weekly during the winter till we find our favorite one.

I am hearing…silence! The children are playing outside with daddy...

Around the house…laundry needs to be put up, plants watered, floors swept (and mopped), all to be done in the morning, or at least Sunday!

A few plans for the rest of the week...going to my mother's work Christmas dinner with her tomorrow night after spending the day with family and friends...church Sunday at our new (AMAZING) church in our new town (so so excited!!)...grandmother coming to stay with us Sunday through Tuesday, praying she will not be too upset about it and will enjoy her time with us...then a pretty busy week after.

One of my favorite things...date nights with hubby

From my picture journal...We had our 5th annual family day a few weeks ago and visited this local park with a bunch of neat animals that you could get very close too (as you see with the camel in our face). The pic below that is of the children petting a baby kangaroo...it was so sweet and soft!

Just Beautiful...

2009-11-06T05:00:00.000-06:00

I pray to be this kind of wife...

"A true wife makes a man's life nobler, stronger, grander, by the omnipotence of her love 'turning all the forces of manhood upward and heavenward.' While she clings to him in holy confidence and loving dependence she brings out in him whatever is noblest and richest in his being. She inspires him with her courage and earnestness. She beautifies his life. She softens whatever is rude and harsh in his habits or his spirit. She clothes him with the gentler graces of refined and cultured manhood. While she yields to him and never disregards his lightest wish, she is really his queen, ruling his whole life and leading him onward and upward in every proper path. -JR Miller

The Move

2009-11-01T22:19:00.002-06:00

I know I have been so bad at updating as of late. As most of my readers know, we moved about three or four weeks ago, so things have been quite busy around here. The last time I moved there were only three of us. This time we were more than double and I could definitely tell! Thankfully we had plenty of help to load and unload praise the Lord.

The first day we moved in all of our surrounding neighbors came to introduce themselves, bringing us home made breads throughout the week, making us feel so welcomed. There is a homeschool family across the street from us and two doors away as well. It is amazing how tight nit of a group everyone here seems to be. I am blown away by it.

I still cannot get over having more than one place to choose where I can put things. The kitchen cabinets are not overflowing and many are still empty...absolutely amazing! The children are having so much fun playing outside all the time. They have never played outside as much in their life as they have the past few weeks. Even Noble can enjoy the fun! Every night the children go toad hunting and are always so excited to show me what they find. I am wondering if this hunting will ever grow old for them?
The second week we were here we had my 94 year old grandmother stay a few days. We really enjoyed having her over and I think she enjoyed us. She definitely got a lot of kisses and hugs from our children. We were very happy to have her share in celebrating True turning three...that was a great blessing to have her here! Here we are playing domino's...she is beating me!

Last week I finally finished organizing the school / play / craft & sewing room for the most part. There are still more things to do, but at least now it is in a workable environment. I am so thankful to have this space and look forward to using it!

This past week I have been finalizing our schedule and finishing up our chore packs for our day to day routine. It is crazy how little the children have done since moving as I did not have this completed before our move. Plus so many things have changed since we have this new home, new chores and responsibilities for all. I am looking forward to this upcoming week to implement everything and get back to more of a schedule. I know Ireland has really enjoyed her free time, but its coming to a screeching halt on Monday when we face the reality again of keeping up a home and school!

Once I have time, I'll post some pics of the inside of the house if I ever get around to taking them!

All in all, we are feeling so incredibly blessed. God has truly been good to us. The beauty of God's creation I enjoy every time I look out our windows, drive down the road to town, is just amazing. I am LOVING all the green around me!

(The first picture up top is a view from the front of our house, looking down our street...I think it is just so pretty. In it, Ireland and my grandmother are taking a walk).

Family and Sports

2009-10-30T22:10:00.000-05:00

Over the past year I have noticed more and more commercials advertising different birth control methods, from a low hormone pill, to complete sterilization for women never to be reversed. These advertisements have always brought sadness to me. Mainly because I know that most women believe in these methods and truly believe that they are for the best.

One such commerical shows a family with their two children at a soccer game. You can hear the moms thoughts in her head such as, "What if I'm pregnant?, What would we do?, etc.". Then goes on to tell you of the non-reversable birth control method that you can have so that you never have to worry again about messing up your already complete family. They may not use the term "messing up", but that is the idea I got. Which is sad to think that so many people believe that another baby would mess things up!

Back to the point now...as I was thinking of these advertisements I began to see how people could think that having another baby would mess things up. Considering that most American families put so much emphasis on extra curricular activities, such as sports. So if you have two children and they are both playing their sport of choice, plus one or two extra activities like piano lessons and chess club for example; not to mention the church or youth group activities that many young people are involved in. I could see how having another child would be stressful.

Two different games to go to every weekend, not to mention all the practices and driving each child to their events. Talk about a busy life! Adding a baby and nursing, or bottle feeding, sleepless nights, a possible hard pregnancy on mom could turn anyone off from wanting more.
.
Hold on though...what if we thought with a more eternal mindset? Not to say that sports and the activies are bad, but I truly believe that if they are taking over dinners together as a family and spreading the family thin (which in most cases I think they do), then they are definitely not as helpful as most families think.

Something that has been on my heart lately is serving. What if instead of organized sports for each child, what if families found niches where they could serve as a whole, together? I'm not talking about your once a year soup kitchen service (which please do not get me wrong, I think it is wonderful! We have not even done one ourselves), but making serving a priority in your families life, a weekly or monthly thing even. The beautiful thing is we could do this as a family, no matter the size.

And back to sports...what ever happened to playing them together in your yard, with your family and neighbors? Why do we feel like we have to be on an organized team to play which takes up so much of our precious family time that will not be here for long?

Also with many of our own activities I believe it encourages selfishness and isolation. You may not think that considering when doing the activity you are not isolated...after all, you are with a team or others doing it. But when besides as a child and young adult is pursuing your own hobby with the intensity that one does as a child happen as an adult? What husband or wife has the time to pursue their hobby to the fullest without neglecting their spouse or children? If we are raising our children with the mindset of pursuing their own personal hobby(s), possibly to the detriment of the family...are we setting them up for failure as an adult?

Just a thought...

The Government Can

2009-09-30T05:00:00.001-05:00

In case you did not get to watch this video on my facebook page, I wanted to make it available here. It is SO funny...the children and I catch ourselves singing it a bit too much. His facial expressions makes it all worthwile...Enjoy! :) Its too bad that what he is singing about is so true. Thankfully we do not put our trust in the government!

"I'd be happy to"

2009-09-26T14:39:00.006-05:00

I recently finished the book The Duggars; Eighteen and Counting and was telling a close dear friend to me today of how we have adopted one of their training ideas for their children. That is, when we ask our child to do something, whether a little difficult or not for them to respond with the right attitude of "Yes ma'am (sir), I'd be happy to". Our children have already learned to say "yes ma'am", but the "I'd be happy to" part is new.

I was telling her what a joy it is to hear come out of these precious little mouths, who for the most part are happy to do whatever I am asking at the moment. But there are times when they are not, but in saying so, it is helping to train them to have a good attitude, even when it is hard.

After telling her this she remarked that it sounded as if I was "programming" them, and what about their "free will"? I hadn't really thought about it from that viewpoint until she asked me, but at that moment we agreed to dis-agree and left the subject.

Now she's got me thinking. Am I just programming little robots to do exactly as I want? Am I squashing their free will? As I have been mulling this over in my mind while nursing and visiting with all the people helping us pack up today, I figured I would write it out here and it may help me work through it all.

So for the first question, am I programming robots? I would have to say absolutely not. I believe that I am training these children that God has given me how to obey. I believe that obedience for the most part goes against our nature. We all want what WE want after all...whether we are 6 months old, five, 25 or older. It is something that needs to be trained in us. That is one reason we are teaching them to obey instantly whenever we tell them something to do.

But God also wants us to not only learn to obey, but to do so cheerfully. So is it better to forget that part and let them get away with "obeying" but walking away with a scowl, stomp or snorting in anger because they do not want to do whatever it is I told them? That is what naturally comes out after all when I am not focusing on their cheerful obedience.

If anything, practicing "I'd be happy to" will be used as a reminder each time they say it that they should be happy, even if they are not! I know for myself whenever I am doing something that I do not quite enjoy or downright do not want to do at all, if I have a happy heart while doing it, it is always so much better. I do not want to foster in my children that if you do not like something, you have the "right" to be un-happy and miserable while doing it. That will only make them miserable in the long run.

Now to the second question...and I squashing their "free will"? I hope I can articulate this right, but in a way I think yes. Yes in the sense that I am helping root out their free will that causes and leads to sin. I know I can never make them perfect and that they will sin...but I would like to do whatever I can to help lesson that. Maybe it would be considered squashing their free will if we never let them make any decisions on their own (of course, age appropriate ones), but that is not what this is about at all.

They will technically always have free will, as we all do. But anytime you put yourself under authority, or you are put under authority as a child is unto a parent, you have to give up some of that free will for the time.

What would our military be like if the soldiers decided that they would not get up at 4 a.m. to do their drills, or the employee decided that he did not have to obey his managers orders, or the wife thought that she knew better than her husband and did not have to follow him, or the Christian who believed his plan was better than God's? As I type this, it occurs to me that is pretty much how our world is at the moment, or rather, since the fall. Bottom line, rebellion.

So to train our children to submit to us with a cheerful happy heart will hopefully teach them to do the same with wherever the Lord leads them in life as adults, and mostly will give them hearts to love and obey Him better as well. I think we'll continue on this path as we are...thank you dear friend for helping me to work through this in my mind! Love you!

Closings, Birthdays and Other Stuff

2009-09-19T20:39:00.006-05:00

I apologize for being so absent here on the old blog. Between showing our home, dealing with all the details in buying the other home, packing and good old being a wife and mother; I have been hard pressed to find the time to sit down and write out my thoughts. I still plan on doing so once things have settled a bit.

We have extended the closing date from yesterday, to worst case scenario Sept 30. Best case would be this week so that our tenants can move into our home Oct 1, and we'll have it ready for them as well. So we'll see? Truly trying not to stress out and trust God in this whole process...though honestly I have struggled greatly not to be anxious!

Last weekend we celebrated my grandmother's 94th birthday with family at the farm. It was wonderful to see everyone, including my aunt & uncle who moved to England last year to pastor a church. A good portion of family made it besides my cousins and one aunt (who lives in a different state). So in a way it was a bit of a family reunion as well. My grandmother looked great and seemed to enjoy herself immensely. Anytime she's at her farm she is pretty happy. Very fun!
Noble is walking now more and more! He will be one on the 27th! I just cannot believe how fast this year has gone by. Ireland, Caleb & True are all doing well also...daily showing growth in their love for one another and the Lord, also showing areas that need refinement and bringing out areas in myself that need refining as well! Oh, how children do that...so thankful!

My house is packed, our schedule is whacked and I am looking forward to getting settled and back to normal. I think I will be getting out my "Manager's of Their Home's & Chores" book out when we move and re-do our schedule and chore packs. Especially since Caleb & True are beginning to be even more helpful pulling their own weight around the house. I'm really looking forward to all the organizing that is ahead!

I hope all my dear blog friends and family and anyone else who happens to read this is having a wonderful week and knows just how much Jesus loves you!

What's So Funny?

2009-09-07T14:28:00.002-05:00

Still Here & Noble Video...

2009-08-14T21:56:00.006-05:00

Things have been quite busy around the Jones' home as of late. Getting our home ready to put up on the market this Monday, boxing up stuff we do not use and putting it in a storage unit for a month and a half. Cleaning, packing and cleaning some more...fun times. We are putting it up for sale or for rent...whichever comes first. I'm thinking rental will happen first. But God may provide a miracle and send someone to buy it from us? I'm trying to not let myself get anxious about keeping the house in tip top shape for people to come look at it and having to leave while they do so. Putting that anxiety at the feet of Jesus and praying I do not continue to pick it up!

We should be closing on the new home beginning of September if things continue to go in the right direction. I am still not holding my breath as I know it is always possible for it not to go through. So better to not get too excited until its a for sure thing.

I've also been trying to change my families diet by eliminating all soy, corn, bad oils, enriched flour, etc out of our diet. Pretty much everything is GMO and has the above ingredients. So its been a little discouraging, but I am determined to keep our family healthy even if it means I'll be in the kitchen at all times preparing and cooking from scratch. Of course, I'm giving myself grace to do a little at a time. Will keep you updated on the process!

Our garden has been doing pretty well. The swiss chard looks magnificent as does the carrots and cherry tomatoes. I actually got to spend some time with the woman of the house we are buying and she was able to show me what herbs were what in her magnificent herb garden (I hope I remember!), and her veggies as well. I really hope that I will be able to do much more gardening next year. I think having a baby who is walking and not on my hip most of the day will help!

Our dryer is no longer working so my fabulous husband fixed my clothes line and I am SO excited! These little things in life bring me so much joy! :)

So that's it for now...just wanted to pop in a say hello to you and let you know we haven't fallen off the face of the earth!

Here's a cute video Ireland made of sweet Noble...he is such a happy baby and so much fun to be around (as are the rest of the children)...enjoy!

God and Dog

2009-08-05T16:31:00.002-05:00

Thought I'd share a neat song from the wife of one of my all time favorite singers Don Francisco (Wendy). Enjoy!

The House

2009-07-22T20:58:00.007-05:00

Well the house I wrote about in the previous post that we lost by another buyer offering more became available again and now we are in the process of buying it! I'm hesitant to write about it yet since so many things can go wrong before closing it...but I just cannot contain my excitement.

I feel like the Lord has been leading us through this whole time. Trying to keep my attention on him and trusting him has been one lesson he is teaching me.

This was the first house I found after 7 months of looking online that we looked at and knew it was the one.

Not only did it already have raised garden beds already built (and fenced off), so Marks work this year in our yard will not be wasted...it also has fruit trees and grape vines! Those were just a few of the bonuses...I do not have time at the moment to go into it all. Yes, I will be able to have a horse, chickens or goats if I want...nice!

Considering we are buying with my mom, so our needs are unique since we need a quarters for her, it has been difficult finding something in our price range. This house is really more than I have ever imagined myself in. Which is really just God's goodness and blessings.

Plus the fact that we want to have a little land and not live in the city, but also not live on a plot of old pasture land was something we wanted as well. That is really hard to find here in Texas...at least close enough for my mother and hubby to commute to work.

Prayerfully this will all work out and we can say goodbye to the busy street corner we live next too, and hello to our new home!

God is so good and he gets all the glory in this, whether it happens as I hope or not!

View of front yard (Mark does not want me putting a picture of the actual house...maybe another time?)

Entrance

Dining Room (I've never had one of these in my life!)

Breakfast nook

Loft (which will be the library and sewing/craft room)

Living Room

Master BedroomMom's living room
Mom's bedroom
View from backyard (little A frame house is a play house for the children! So cute!!)

Tree in front yard

So would appreciate prayers of friends and family that the Lord's will be done and this will go smoothly. Thank you so much!

I'm Still Here!

2009-07-16T16:30:00.004-05:00

After feeling a bit guilty for being too busy read some of my favorite blogs, let alone write my own...I was relieved after seeing I'm not the only one after checking some of those said blogs to see that they too have not updated much since I last read them! So I guess I am not the only one who has been busy lately.

So here is a quick update for those who care....

We have been visiting the library a lot lately and getting books for Caleb & True for the first time. About 25 total each visit. They usually sit for hours once we get home with them looking through them and "reading". I too enjoy sitting down and reading for hours as well during the time we have them. Thankfully we have yet to loose any despite the large numbers checked out.

Noble seems to be about ready to walk. He is letting go of things while he stands and climbing onto our fireplace. I had to switch him on his bare bottom yesterday as he was climbing onto the fireplace which made him very sad. But he has not repeated that action since...so hopefully that lesson was learned.

We have been busy looking for a house to buy with my mother the past month or so. We actually put an offer on what I thought was a dream, had a wonderful mother in law's suite attached and all. Though another buyer offered more, so it did not go through. We went to look at another property Tuesday which was amazing, though too much for our budget right now. I have been busy looking since, but have decided to fast on searching as it is making me a bit anxious. I am thinking God is wanting to use this as a tool to teach me to trust in him more...bring it on Lord!

This week Ireland and I have been making goals for her sixth grade year coming up next month of things we would like to learn. That has been a lot of fun and we are looking to make some more changes in our school days that we are looking forward to.

My dear friend Alex has been making the 40 minute trek to come visit us weekly for the past couple of months which has been such a blessing. She is due to have a new baby (second) in a few weeks, at which I will have the privilege to attend the birth Lord willing. We have so enjoyed our blossoming friendship with her and her family.

I started reading Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit today by Teri Maxwell. This should give you a hint of things I have been struggling with as of late. I think it should be titled Living Life with a Meek and Quiet Spirit as it would be appropriate...something I am desperately seeking for in my day to day routine.

Our onions are ready to be pulled out of the ground and we have harvested at least 50 cherry tomatoes so far, with many many more growing! The carrots might be ready, I think I should probably check those and the beans and the other plants are growing.

It is HOT here in Texas! Over 100 for days and days...we are supposed to get "cool" weather tomorrow and the rest of the weekend...highs in the 90's. Ooh...nice!

I do have a list of topics that I will be writing on in the future, as soon as I have a moment to spare. So please be patient, I'm not leaving yet!

That is about all I can think of at the moment. I also have not been good at taking pics as of late, so here is the only "new" picture taken recently.

This Weeks Bread

2009-06-13T09:32:00.003-05:00

This week the bread turned out even better! I tweaked the recipe a bit and am so delighted of the light, almost sweet bread that came out of it. It even slices in small pieces easily without crumbling...yum! (Sorry, no pics this time)

I soaked 9 cups of ground up wheat with 5 cups boiling water and 1/2 cup plain yogurt.

Next day I added 2 2/3 c. hot water
1 cup honey
1/4 cup yeast
2 T salt

(Note: there was no oil used in this recipe...not sure if that's why it turned out so much differently?)

This made 6 delicious loaves! We'll see if it does the same next week :)

Success!

2009-06-04T14:08:00.006-05:00

I finally took the plunge and made some bread today but soaked my grain first. I am so pleased with the results! I had been very nervous to try this method as I usually am when doing something new. I'm scared that it will fail and all the work that I put into it will be a waste.

Well this time at least it didn't fail! I'm sure there is some tweaking to do, but the results were still pretty delicious. The bread has a very different but yummy taste to it, it does not taste like sourdough, though it did kind of smell like it while it was baking. It is very good!

Now for those of you who are wondering why I sprouted the grain first, here is the reason. Sprouted grain is easier to digest and contains more nutrients than unsprouted grain. Some persons who are wheat sensitive or allergic to wheat (thankfully nobody in my family) can tolerate it in the sprouted form.

Since we eat a lot of bread around here, I want to be able to make the healthiest option as possible (for me to be able to do!).

So here is what I did...yesterday afternoon I ground up my Prairie Gold wheat in the Nutrimill (about 12 cups).

Then I put it in the Bosch mixing bowl and mixed it with 5 cups of hot water and 1/4 cup of plain yogurt. I covered it up and let it sit on the counter till this morning to let it soak and ferment.

It looked very clumpy and not very appetizing as you can see below, not what I was really expecting. I was thinking it would be more smooth?

This picture is what it looked like after all the kneading was complete with all the ingredients...the dough looks darker than normal and not as smooth.

Today...I added to the bowl...

1 cup boiling water
2 cups freshly ground flour (not soaked)
2/3 cup oil
2/3 cup honey
4.5 T SAF yeast
2 T salt

Mixed that up and was surprised at how it actually sloshed liquid stuff up out of the Bosch! Once it was mixed thoroughly I covered it up and let it sponge for about an hour...yes, things were busy around here.

After the hour I added about 2 - 3 cups of flour slowly until the dough came off the sides of the bowl, then let it knead for 7 minutes. Then I shut off the Bosch and let it rest for 3 minutes.

Then the easy part...took it out of the bowl and shaped into 4 loaves and did 2 pans of dinner rolls to save for this week when I'm ready to bake those. Caleb was a big help and had a great time shaping the loaves with me (instead of cleaning his room!).

Let it rise for about an hour, then baked 2 at a time for 30 minutes each at 350.

Like I said before, the loaves have a different taste than my usual bread where the flour is not soaked...a very delicious taste! I also didn't rise as much as my regular recipe does either, so the loaves were a bit smaller. I'll see if I can figure out how to change that next time around.

Now my next goal is to make 100% sprouted grain and flour bread! That one really intimidates me as it is a few day process with the drying of the sprouted wheat that has to be done before grinding it. I'll let you know what that one is done, and if its a success or not as well!

Happy baking!

Comedy Relief

2009-05-29T12:30:00.002-05:00

Mark sent this to me this week, so I thought to share as it made me laugh out loud!

Then there's the Homeschool Family, which I realized after watching the above it was made from the same comedian. If you haven't seen it...here it is.

Birthay Pics

2009-05-25T09:48:00.004-05:00

Sorry this was so late moms :)

Ireland with Amy who made the delicious cake balls

The cousins

The cousins again...

Cousins and mom

Daddy giving Davis "the look"

Ireland with her gifts

Enjoying snacks

Eleven Years!

2009-05-15T15:22:00.008-05:00

Eleven years ago today, I was a nineteen year old clueless young girl who was helplessly in love with the new baby girl in her arms. I remember being in the hospital thinking "she's mine!". At the time I had no idea of what "mine" really meant, more like mine for a time, but truly the Lord's.

Many of my high school friends came to see us, after all, I had just graduated twelve months before her birth. Many of my mother's friends and family members came as well to meet this beautiful girl with a full head of thick jet black hair and browner than brown eyes. It was a very exciting time those first few days in the hospital being a new mommy. I loved every minute of it!

The next few years were pretty turbulent due to my rebellion towards the Lord; but He kept my sweet daughter and myself safe the whole time and in the loving arms of my church family I had rejected at the time. I believe He has BIG plans for this woman in the making!

Little did I know the plans the Lord had in store for us, both mommy and daughter. Still do not know of all His plans, though looking back at the past eleven years gives me a jolt of excitement for what He has in store for us for the next!

It has been such a joy to watch sweet Ireland grow into a young lady who still loves to play hard, laugh even harder, give big hugs to everyone she meets, while learning what it means to know and love the Lord. She is an amazing big sister who loves her siblings so well. I can already tell she will be a wonderful mother by the way she is so attentive and caring for them.

I look forward to many more years of celebrating her life and seeing how the Lord will use her for His purposes and how her life will bring Him glory!

Thank you Jesus for the privilege to be her mother.

Happy birthday sweet daughter...I love you so much!

Enjoying My Man

2009-05-10T19:47:00.005-05:00

I don't know about you, but I am married to a sinner. The thing is, he is married to one as well, if not a Bigger one! Part of my sin nature is to be more of a detective than a help meet sometimes. I am getting better as the years go by with the Lord's help, but sometimes I forget and begin to fall back into my old ways.

Well this weekend as I began to ponder how my awesome man could "possibly" be sinning while he was out fishing and shooting with the men, and began to think of ways I could ask (rather nag) to find out if he sinned in any way, I heard the Lord whisper to my heart something very special.

"ENJOY HIM...Let ME worry about his "possible" sin and let ME convict him if there is any need for conviction...my Holy Spirit is much more effective than you."

What a wonderful timely word! So instead of dwelling on the "what if's", I was able to dwell on being excited for his arrival and being able to enjoy him. Being the Holy Spirit is not my job anyways (thank you Lord!).

So I just wanted to encourage all of my lady friends to enjoy your men! Give him lots of smiles, hugs, kisses, laughter...he will enjoy it and you will too...It makes life so much better for the both of you! :)

New Laundry Detergent Recipe

2009-04-25T16:41:00.001-05:00

I have been making my own laundry soap for a couple of years now, which I posted the recipe here awhile back. It is a liquid detergent and very easy to make; but I think I have found an even easier one that I like better.

It uses the same ingredients, but is a powder and might even clean better! My girlfriend tried it and said that she had forgotten to pre-treat her daughter's dress that had chocolate ice cream dripped on it. After she washed the dress with this detergent she saw that the ice cream came out. I had the same thing happen and had used my liquid version of the detergent, and it did NOT come out. So...I'm hoping that this one cleans better!

I have also noticed that my diapers no longer have a musty smell after washing them with this detergent. That is always nice!

1 Bar Ivory soap
1 Cup Borax
1 Cup Washing Soda

Grate the bar of soap and mix with borax and washing soda in a blender (or food processor) until well mixed.

Use 1 Tbsp per load of laundry. Though I usually use about 2 Tbsp just to be safe!

Delicious Cookies

2009-04-23T05:00:00.000-05:00

I made these delicious whole wheat, peanut butter, oatmeal, chocolate chip cookies a few weeks ago and have been wanting to share the recipe (which I found here). I used my fresh ground wheat and there was also no white sugar in them! They were WONDERFUL!

Whole Wheat Chocolate Peanut Oatmeal Cookies

1 c. melted butter
1c. honey
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 c. peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. oats
6 oz. chocolate chips or 3.53 oz. bar of dark chocolate, chopped

Mix all ingredients together and place them by spoonfuls onto an un-greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Cookies will still be soft when done.

Presenting Ireland

2009-04-21T16:19:00.000-05:00

Here is Ireland playing her most recent song she is learning. Great job honey!

The Cast is OFF!

2009-04-19T15:47:00.004-05:00

Caleb was so brave getting his cast off! Considering how he abhors loud noises, especially the vacuum, he did so well while the nurses cut his cast off with a machine that sounds like a vacuum.Though we did prepare him from day one what it would be like and brought him great ear protection that Mark uses at the gun range. So that helped a lot with the noise control.

He did get a bit nervous once the cast was off and they began to cut away at the plastic underneath it. Then broke down a bit once we began to dress him, he wanted to get in his stroller immediately without clothes on. So we put him in that and he calmed down a bit.

For some reason I thought that he would be able to walk immediately, with a limp of course. But he was not interested at all in trying for the first few hours after we arrived home. He itched himself like crazy, letting us know about all the "mosquito" bites he had under his cast.

After a good cuddle time with my boy, I put him in the bathtub pretty quickly once we came home to which he loved. He stayed in it for a full hour and a half! It took all of his dry skin off and he came out smelling much much better!(Look how dirty the tub was after his bath! YUCK!)

He also became more confident to move his leg while in the tub, to which when he got out he was ready to try to walk. He cannot put much weight on his leg so we either hold him up while he is "walking", or he holds onto the couch, or he crawls around.

Either way, we are all so excited that he is out of it and cannot believe six weeks have already passed. The first night in his bed he looked so comfortable sleeping all curled up in his bed. It was precious to watch!

(I love seeing him in clothes now!)

It is so nice to be able to leave my home now with all my children to go grocery shopping, church, or even the park! I am so so so happy this trial is over!

(Everyone happy they can get close to brother now without a hard cast beating on them!)

The next few weeks we will have to be careful as his bone is not completely healed and if he fell wrong it could possibly re-break. So for now, no play ground equipment, or hills, or toys on the floor to which he might trip on. We will focus on healing and getting strength in his leg again!

Favorite Movie of the Year

2009-04-18T16:31:00.000-05:00

If you have Netflix, you can rent this documentary. It is inspiring, encouraging and just plain wonderful! Even if you don't have Netflix, it is good enough to buy.

Only Two More Days!

2009-04-15T16:07:00.003-05:00

Till I get to hold my sweet boy in my lap without this awful cast between us! Till he gets to stretch out and walk again! We are ever so excited! I am weary of hearing "what can I do mom?" every three minutes when he gets tired of whatever he was doing before. Not that I blame him, I mean, he's four! I don't think I would be much better.Through this all, I am very thankful that we live in a country where medical care is accessible. To know that my son will be able to walk again without a limp. Not saying these are necessities to life, but they sure are luxuries that many do not get to have. And I am very thankful.

I cannot believe that the six weeks is almost over. Thank you to all for your prayers...they were answered for sure!

I just had to throw in these two pics...too cute to pass up of True & Noble!

Look What Mark Came Home With!

2009-04-14T19:20:00.008-05:00

I cannot believe it...though I guess I have to since it is sitting in my driveway! A 12 passenger van, 2008 with 24k miles on it with a good warranty as well! I always knew that we would eventually have one, but never realized it would be this soon.

After not being able to drive when it rains due to problems with our old mini-van. Plus the fact that we cannot go out of town with my mother, or anyone else for that matter due to the space of our old van. Mark found this awesome deal after looking for a long time from a great member of the Texas Fishing Forum (Monte Coon).

Now we truly can work on paying this one off for good and drive it till it dies, as there is no need to buy up in space again!

I am so excited and am feeling so blessed!

Sabbath Blessings

2009-04-09T05:45:00.000-05:00

After reading an article on observing the Sabbath by Renee Ellison (which you can download for free!). It was so convicting (in a wonderful way!) that I asked Mark if the children and I could begin to keep the Sabbath on Saturday's. He was very supportive so we began a couple of months ago.

Just in time my grandmother gave me her china so we now have pretty dishes to use to celebrate the beginning of it on Friday night with our Shabbat dinner. It has been so much fun and so meaningful for us!

Please know that I am not telling you this so that you will think we are so holy and righteous. Just the opposite, this should show you how much help we need to become holy and righteous. We needed this day of rest that God made for us so that we can re-coup, re-focus our attention on the Lord and the things that are important. Faith, family, rest, to name a few.

I cannot express how wonderful these days of rest have been. Knowing that I can sit on the floor and play with the children, read to them, read my Bible or even take a nap and know that there is nothing waiting for me to do. No laundry waiting to be folded, no dishes waiting to be washed or put up, no floor waiting to be swept. It has been AMAZING! Once the sun sets Friday night, the sense of relief that settles over me is indescribable.

Usually I pre-make our breakfast and lunch for Saturday on Friday afternoon. Since Caleb's accident I have not done this, but I plan to once things go back to normal. We have all of our chores done by sundown and always look forward to the delicious meal that has been prepared, along with the beautiful table and each other to enjoy it with.

I would encourage everyone to do their best to have a day of rest each week, it is well worth it and remember...God created it for you!

Bearded Dragons 101

2009-04-07T05:00:00.000-05:00

Did you know that bearded dragons brumate? It is like hibernating where they shut down during the winter not eating or moving for months.

The first year Vladimere did this (our pet dragon above), we thought he was dying or depressed. We finally pulled him out of his cave and forced him to eat as we were so worried about him.

This year when he began to do the same thing, I thought to look it up to see if there was a reason. Which is how we found out about reptiles brumating! This time around, we enjoyed having one less mouth to feed (or at least Ireland enjoyed that) and looked forward to when he began to wake up.

Once he did (about a month ago) he was very hungry and very active. He has gone back to trying to climb into the fake tree and rocks pictured behind him, which is pretty sad to me...and to hunting his crickets when we feed them to him.

We are all happy to have Vlad back, at least for the next 7 months!

Family and Picture Update

2009-04-05T05:00:00.000-05:00

Caleb is doing well, only 2 more weeks to go! He has actually begun to crawl around on the floor as you will see in pictures below. He really enjoys his new found freedom on the floor!
Ireland and True are such a joy! They have been serving and loving their brother so well. True even got Caleb's bed pan and beat me to him when he needed to use it. She held it in the perfect place for him all by herself as well. I guess watching me do it so much made her understand how to. I was pretty surprised!Noble is sitting up on his own now for the past couple of weeks and crawling backwards. He even gets up on his bottom from his belly all by himself! I can't believe he is already 6 months old!Noble's ready for his first bite of table food (peas)...

As you can tell, he wasn't too impressed! I think momma's milk must taste much better!

Caleb & True playing lego's on the floor...and Caleb crawling.

Brother's loving on each other...Caleb LOVES to hold babies! Especially his baby brother.

Me with my sweet little ones.

Dehydrating Food

2009-04-03T11:10:00.002-05:00

I have been on a trek to save money on our grocery bill for years now. After all, since Mark is the bread winner, I am the bread saver!

I have begun to use ads more since Wal-mart honors others sales and have been getting fabulous deals on my produce. For example, this week I can buy 10lb bags of potatoes for $1, or 4lbs of tomatoes for $1, etc.

The problem I am coming up against is not being able to use all of these wonderful deals after I buy and the produce going bad.

My goal is to only buy what is on sale, (with everything, not just produce) then make my meal plans based on what I have bought. So far it has been working well and my grocery bill has gone down a lot. But when I find a brocolli for sale for $.50, or a red bell pepper for $.39, and do not use it in any recipes, I do not want it to go bad!

So due to my dear friend Amy beginning to dehydrate foods, I am thinking that this may be my solution to saving fresh produce for the future. If I can dehydrate whatever I buy on sale, I can always have fresh produce available and not worry about those two ten pound bags of potatoes in my pantry going bad!

I am amazed at what I have found out so far about dehydrated food...like the fact that it does not take the nutrients out of the fruits or veggies. Also after you re-hydrate them they look as they did in the beginning. And that the food can be stored for a long time. I am looking forward to learning a lot more!

Here is a series of videos that explain all the how to's in dehydrating and storing. I've watched the first one so far and look forward to finishing them eventually!

I'd love to hear if anyone else dehydrates and your wisdom and advice you would like to share.

So Sweet

2009-03-29T11:01:00.003-05:00

During our sabbath yesterday, we watched our favorite Matthew movie with the children. Here's a snippet of what Caleb said during the movie...

Scene: Jesus is calling Simon Peter and his brother to follow him.

Caleb: "Mom! Those guys are following Jesus! (Very excitedly), We should follow him as well!"

A bit later...

Scene: Jesus is telling his followers to not show off praying, and to go into their rooms, shut the door and pray.

Caleb: "Mom! I am going obey Jesus and go to go my room, shut my door and pray to God."

Out of the mouths of babes...

A Wonderful Read

2009-03-27T11:53:00.001-05:00

My friend Mrs. Parunak has done it again. She has taken the subject of homeschooling and teaching our children of the world without subjecting them to public school and articulated so well the wisdom of this decision here. I highly recommend going over and reading her excellent article...take the time to also read the comments as there is a wonderful discussion going on in that section as well!

Congratulations Ireland!

2009-03-24T17:10:00.002-05:00

I would like to announce that Ireland's entry to "My Favorite Thing about Homeschooling" won a prize in Mary Pride's "Practical Homeschooling" magazine (Jan/Feb '09 issue).

We are so proud of you...Congratulations sweetie!

"My Favorite Thing about Homeschooling"

My favorite thing about homeschooling is reading. I am very fond of mystery books such as the “Bobbsey Twins” or “Mandie”. I also like to read series books, right now I am in the middle of the “Elsie Dimsmore” series. There are 28 books in the series and I am on book 12, so I still have some ways to go. I also like “Old Yeller”, “Plain Girl”, and “Heidi”. I could list all the books on my bookshelf but that would take three pages.

In addition to reading I enjoy math. Currently I am learning division and my favorite activity in math is adding.

On top of that I like grammar and typing. I do my grammar on a website called Free Rice. Free rice is a website that with every word you get right, they give 20 grains of rice to hungry people. You can visit their site at www.freerice.com. Plus I have completed my typing lessons twice.

Furthermore I enjoy scrapbooking and have finished two books.

Lastly, my favorite thing about homeschooling is spending time with my siblings and mom, time to color and play my piano. I also have time for extra reading which I do a lot of . Moreover I LOVE having our family worship time every morning.

I hope to homeschool all my children.

I Know It All, Right?

2009-03-20T09:42:00.004-05:00

I remember when I was a young child, then teenager and young adult, I thought I knew it all. I didn't need those adults advice, I didn't need to listen to my mother's wisdom, she didn't know what I was going through right? I mean, she's OLD and I'm sure she's never experienced whatever I was going through at that moment! :)

I may not have actually said those words exactly out loud or had those thought in my head, but my actions showed that was what I believed.

Looking back, I see how clueless I was to real life. To the consequences of my decisions, whether good or bad. I see that my mom truly did know what she was talking about and there is regret for not paying heed to her wisdom. I see how much I did not know, and how even now I need guidance, advice, and most of all wisdom.

But I believe even as adults and believers who realize the mistakes of not listening to wisdom as a young person, we can behave the same childish way with our Father in Heaven. The "I know everything" attitude that keeps us from kneeling down before Him and seeking His wisdom, His will, His guidance.

Like children, we may not actually say with our mouths "I know it all", but our actions will show what is in our hearts. Do we ask for His will with all of our decisions, or only the ones we think He can handle or are "holy" enough for Him? Or do we act, then hope and pray that was his will, or even worse not even give him a second thought to our decision? Do we only seek him during the crisis points of our life?

Instead why not try to daily come before Him and ask what He would have us do that day during our usual routine. To open our eyes to His divine appointments. To guide us in every decision that will come before us throughout the day whether big or small.

I think the more we practice the submission of our will by seeking God's will for our daily life, moment by moment; the better we will become at hearing Him and seeing Him work in our lives. He will be close to us as we draw near to Him and not be the far away God who is too busy to bother with something as trivial as my daily life as so many people believe.

So let us not make this mistake twice. Remember how as a child you really did not know what was going on and how you would have benefited from listening to wisdom, and apply this to now being a child before our Holy God. Let's seek Him, ask Him, listen to Him, then act.

I believe this is His good and perfect will for us; just as it is the desire of parents for their beloved children to listen and learn from them.

Jesus please give me eyes to see and ears to hear!

Our Garden

2009-03-17T10:00:00.001-05:00

Our garden is ready to go...just waiting for the seeds that should arrive any day now! I ordered them here, so I am really looking forward to what will come.

Mark did an amazing job building these beds and fence to keep the dog out. We are using the square foot garden method with a few modifications. At first we were going to do just one bed, but after Mark rented a tiller, he decided he might as well put it to good use and made two more. I am very excited!

Our neighbor even gave us a bag of manure to add to our compost pile. We really have great neighbors! So so nice...even in the city! :)

I'm really praying and hoping that the seeds do not arrive too late. I've contacted the company now four times now that its been five weeks since we ordered them. Apparently they are moving offices from Alaska to one of the Carolina's and are behind on their orders. Not too happy about this outcome as they are not returning my calls or emails. Argh!

God's Attentiveness & Caleb Update

2009-03-11T13:02:00.006-05:00

During this trial of watching our usually energetic, rambunctious little boy have to be still all day long, God has been so attentive to our needs. Even needs that I did not really realize that I needed!

Caleb in the hospital with the little balloon hands the paramedics made for him in the ambulance ride. He really loved these!

When we arrived home from the hospital, we found some gifts that people from Marks work dropped off at our house. A tray with places to hold hand toys for Caleb, plus lots of coloring books, stickers, stamps, and many more fun things to play with while he cannot move the bottom half of his body.

And the gifts have kept coming! We have been withholding most of what we've received so far so we can slowly give them to him as he gets bored with one thing, he can have a new thing to play with. Play dough, a yo-yo ball, crayons, those magic markers that write only on the special paper...the list goes on and on!

I never even thought of finding things like this for him at the time when we got home. It has been such a huge blessing!Him and Ireland working on his favorite Veggie Tale puzzle, we've did this puzzle at least 30 times in one hour...He LOVES it!

Then there were our moms who brought us groceries (Friday was my grocery day, but that was the day we were in the hospital), and friends who have brought dinners. I never had thought that I could use this help until I was asked and it arrived.

This has really blessed me in that even though I technically could cook dinner, it takes such a burden off my shoulders that I had not even realized was there! Now I can focus more on little man and the children's needs, rather on meal planning, cooking and preparing then cleaning.

So we are all getting into the groove of a short term new way of life. I have still been able to keep up with most of the important chores (laundry, dishes, picking up after ourselves), but have been giving myself grace on those chores like dusting and bathrooms.Our church sent these balloons and a vase full of hershey's kisses...that made his day!

Since I have Caleb in a stroller most of the time, I am able to keep him with me as I work. Even he is able to help me in some chores, like stirring the laundry detergent I made today, or folding towels in his stroller on his tray.

I have conceded to let him watch one movie a day during the little one's nap times, which both him and Ireland are enjoying a lot.

A friend of Marks from work gave us a cart to pull behind a bicycle that Mark has taken him on a ride with. I was a bit nervous as he was not able to be buckled in, but they still went and had a great time.

Caleb has been so generous and kind to share all of his new things with his sisters and is so sweet and polite to express his needs to me. Not demanding or bossy at all, which makes it even more of a pleasure to help him. He has had a few small melt downs over some silly reasons, but I attribute that to his frustration at his predicament, not being able to go where he wants or move.

Thankfully he is not in any pain at all, unless I jam his foot on his bad leg into a door as I wheel him about (sorry Caleb!). No pain even without medication! That is such a blessing!

I am keeping a list of all the ways that God has answered prayers or blessed us so that I will stay focused on those areas, rather than the ways I can be overwhelmed or stressed. It is so easy to forget the good and focus on the negative...lists make remembering much easier!

Oh yes...since my visit to the chiropractor on Saturday, my back is feeling MUCH better! Though I can still feel the part where it is messed up, I am able to lift Caleb as long as I am very careful without any pain. That has been a huge answer to prayer!

For the most part, life is slowly getting back to "normal". I am able to go to the store once Mark gets home, Ireland is able to go to piano lessons due to a friend taking her for us, and we still may be able to go to a few park days if they are close enough to walk to. We will just miss going to church or other places while we cannot fit in the van together. Again, so thankful this is short-term!

So thank you to all who have prayed for us, for all that have blessed us with gifts and food. We really appreciate everything everyone has done!

An idea that Ireland had for people to brighten up his day was to send him a card in the mail. He really loves getting mail and will carry his card around for days! So if you would like to do this and you do not know our address, please email me privately and if I know you, I'll give it to you! Great idea Ireland! He'll be in this condition for another 5 or more weeks, so you have time.

Caleb's Fall and Prayer Requests

2009-03-07T10:46:00.007-06:00

Thursday afternoon was another beautiful day, high 80's and we were going to enjoy the afternoon at the park after Ireland's piano lesson. Mark met us there and it began as usual with the children running up and down the hill to the playground.

We saw Caleb running down the hill with his ball and sandals on. He tripped and began to cry and I knew that something was wrong immediately. I began to pray please Jesus, let nothing be broken. Mark walked down to him and pick him up to stand up, but Caleb could not put any pressure on his right leg. He would not stop crying so Mark took him home.

I followed pretty quickly with the rest of the children and found little Caleb laying on his bed with his right leg bent out not moving, all the while crying. We decided to wait just a little bit to watch it, maybe it was a sprain or something not too serious? We put ice on his leg and he was happy with that (though still did not quit whimpering).

After about 30 minutes of me at the foot of the bed holding his leg, and Ireland at the head with her head on his shoulder (which if any of us moved, he would begin to yell), I put my hand up his short leg and could tell it the thigh area was extremely swollen and not normal at all.

We decided for Mark to take him to the local er while I waited for granny to come watch the girls. I was able to follow him up there with Noble about 45 minutes later, to which I arrived and found out my precious little boy's femur was broken in half.

He was on some good pain meds by the time I arrived so he was calm and watching television. Let me just say that the ABC family channel is not very family friendly at all! I can't believe how many times I had to shield his eyes!

Anyways, since this hospital does not work on children with injuries this bad, they transferred us to Children's hospital downtown...to which we had to wait a couple more hours for their ambulance to arrive and transport us.

Once the ambulance crew arrived, they pumped little Caleb up with more morphine as they had to straighten out his leg into a splint for the ride to the new er. That part was pretty sad and scary for little boy. He was pretty scared anytime anyone new came over. Very painful to watch for Mark and I as well.

We got to the downtown er at about 8:30 p.m. and stayed there till about 2 a.m. while Caleb slept on and off. We were visited by many doctors and we were told many different things, one that we would be there for a few days since they would be operating on Caleb's leg. That was something we were truly hoping would not have to happen!

They finally got us to a room at 2 a.m. and we began to settle down. Then the nurse arrived and gave us the rules, one of which was that visiting hours were between 9am - 9pm, and that children under 18 could not spend the night. I looked at her, then noticed her looking at Noble in my arms. I couldn't believe that she was suggesting he could not stay! We explained that he was attached to me and that I could not drive back home (there was no way I was going to make the 40 minute drive home on the crazy highway with drunks everywhere at 3 in the morning, or even leave my son with his broke leg! I couldn't even leave the room without him crying for me!).

She then asked if my husband could leave with the baby to which Mark replied with a strong NO, "I am not lactating"! Finally she received "permission" that Noble could stay with us which of course I was thankful for, but in our eyes neither of us were going anywhere.

Mark went home to pick up some things and returned in one piece thank you Jesus (he saw about 10 different drunks on the road or people pulled over...almost got side swiped by someone running a red light if he hadn't been paying attention...then saw that same person on the access road with her drivers door open and her hanging out passed out with vomit everywhere!).

Caleb Noble and I bedded down and he slept till about 6:30, while I took little cat naps making sure Noble didn't fall off the little couch out of my arms and assured Caleb every time he woke up crying and scared. He would then fall back asleep quickly to which I was so thankful!

The nurses took us up to the ortho floor around 7 that morning and put Caleb to sleep while they set his leg for good and put on a spica cast (or full body cast). He was scared but we were by his side the whole time until he was asleep...I was so thankful for him being asleep during this procedure, but it was still dis-settling watching your child go from screaming to completely out of it. I did not enjoy any of this at all as you can imagine!

Thankfully the doctor said that Caleb was right on the weight and age limit of being able to use this cast rather than surgery to let his femur heal itself after being set. He just has to wear it for about 6 weeks, and keep it supported at all times. We have a wagon in the house that he lays in so that I can pull him around. But we do have to move him every 2 hours to prevent any bed sores from occuring.

I am thankful he is potty trained as diapering would be a challenge! It would be possible, but it would definitely be very very hard! I took the little urinal home so that I do not have to pick him up to put him on the potty every time he has to urinate. Though bowel movements we will have to pick him up, but thankfully it is not too difficult for him to sit on the potty. He is just not in an upright position as he is laying back a little and we are supporting him.

The time it took to put the cast on was about 45 minutes, but it took a whole 9 hours for Caleb to finally wake up and be ready to eat and drink. He would wake up a little and we would try to give him water, then he would throw it up immediately those for 9 hours. He completely refused food and they would not allow us to leave until he had kept some food down.

Finally around 4 p.m. our little boy came back to life! He actually began to eat the chips we offered him and would ask for more, he stayed awake more and laughed and talked. That was so absolutely wonderful to see him like this!

We were discharged around 5 pm after we were given a special harness to put Caleb in to strap him into the back seat of the van. We then realized that we will not be able to fit our family in our van for the next 6 weeks as he has to lay in the back seat. Nor can I physically put in or take him out of the van as I am not strong enough with my bad back. I am so thankful for my strong husband! So I guess we will be home bound mostly unless Mark drives his truck wherever we all go together?

The next 6 weeks at this moment are overwhelming me a bit. About 90% of me is feeling weak, but strong in the Lord if that makes any sense. I am feeling like he is going to work through this to make us all a stronger family, to help us to rely on him more, to help us love one another better and serve each other better as well. He will show us how he alone can provide for us, how he will provide for us to pay off this debt that we have taken on without insurance, how we can trust him for ALL of our needs and desires.

The other 10% is anxious and a bit fearful of the future. All the "what if's" are assailing my brain and I am doing my best to keep them at bay and hand them to my Lord Jesus. I do not even want to give voice here to what all the thoughts are so I do not give them any power over me. But I do want to be honest and not pretend like I am not fearful at all!

So prayers would be appreciated! For Caleb's bone to heal correctly and in good time. That he would not get impatient with the process or be embarrassed about his looks now (he's already mentioned not wanting anyone to see him). For the rest of the children to not get jealous over any extra attention Caleb is receiving, but to still feel loved and be able to give of themselves selflessly.

For Mark and I to handle the added stress correctly, to work as a team well and not let any frustrations we feel be taken out on each other or the children, but to be able to hand them over to our Lord and trust him well.

For my back to not give out when I have to move Caleb while dad is not here. I saw a chiropractor today and that helped a bit; he told me I needed to quit holding Noble as my back is not good at all...that's not going to happen though! I'll just do my best to be careful and trust God with the rest.

Most of all that none of us (especially me) fall into self pity or blame. I have found myself feeling sorry for myself a couple times already, but I do not want to stay there at all. I also noticed directly after the incident how I began to search out who I could blame for his fall! Isn't that crazy? I guess that shows the wickedness of my heart and how I need more refining!

I'm also aware that this is so short term; and that there are many families who have it so much worse than we do, whether by losing a child to death, or by a far greater injury that is life long, etc. This definitely gives me more empathy for those families and makes me even more greatful for the short term trial.

Life will definitely look a bit different around here for the next few weeks as we settle into new routines. Thankfully I have a husband who is compassionate and kind and does not want me to overdo it during the day while caring for Caleb and the children and wants to help with the chores when he gets home. Isn't that amazing!?

Hopefully we will be able to keep up with most everything so he does not have to do much but hang out with his sweet son after work, but its nice to know there is no un-needed pressure! He is such a good man! A good looking one to top it off :)

So that's where we are for now, I am going to take advantage of daddy being home today and try to get as much done as possible. I'll update when I have the chance! Thank you everyone for your prayers and concern, it means so much to us!

Picture Update

2009-02-23T11:10:00.007-06:00

Ireland made Caleb and True their own house in his room after daddy made the big one in her room...Caleb slept in this thing 3 nights and loved it!

The house daddy made for all the children...True sleeps in it everyday at nap and night time. I'm thinking of bringing out the finger paints soon to decorate.

Big boy Noble

Cuddle time

These two have decided playing in the crib is much more fun when its in Calebs room rather than the girls.

Sweet boy again :)I hope all my readers are doing well and are healthy! I hope nobody was offended at my last post (which I'm changing due to some paranoia in some of my family, whom I love)...please know we are not crazy!

Guns N Roses

2009-02-20T09:23:00.007-06:00

No, I am not talking about the band, but this past Valentines Day weekend. Though we are not big on Valentines day, we do enjoy any excuse to have a date and give gifts when we can!

It started out with Mark bringing Ireland and my mother beautiful single roses Friday. Saturday morning he had flowers waiting for me and I had his gifts (that he was not expecting) waiting for him.

I bought some targets that I thought he could hang up and begin helping Ireland practice her shot with the bb gun he gave her four years ago. He was very surprised and seemed to really like the gifts.

He then surprised me with a lunch date by having my mom come and watch the three older children while we went and ate at Macaroni Grill. Besides Noble being a little fussy (this was the beginning of him and I getting sick), we had a delicious lunch and a great time reconnecting.

That was when he gave me a lovely gift of the Ruth ring from James Avery. I have always loved their jewelry and especially love this ring! It says "Whither thou goest, I will follow" in Hebrew, which means a lot to me as that is exactly how I feel and believe of my dear husband.

One Other Thing

2009-02-12T13:28:00.002-06:00

Noble is begging me for my food and he's only 4.5 months! He's also getting up on his knees when he's on his tummy and looking determined to go somewhere. Where has my baby gone? I am so sad!

I am going to do my best to keep him solely breastfed till at least 6 months...if he'll let me. Seriously though, I was eating my dinner of grilled chicken a couple of nights ago and he was crying in my lap. So I put the meat in front of him and he stopped crying, GRABBED IT and pushed it towards his mouth.

I think its my turn to cry...

Quick Update

2009-02-12T13:12:00.003-06:00

This week has been full of fun in the sun and very busy! Besides the night we had to wake the children up around 9:30 to get in the bathtub since the sirens were blaring for tornadoes. Thankfully, none touched down near our home and everyone went back to bed fine. Oh the joys of living in Texas!

We have been to the park at least 4 times already and are going again this afternoon during Ireland's piano practice and tomorrow with a homeschool group in my area. The weather has been beautiful and we are taking as much of it in as we can.

Dear hubby has been working on my 3 gardens (4x8 raised beds) with the children when he gets home at night. He just has to build the fence around them to keep the dog out and I can begin to plant. At least I think I can...I have yet received the seeds I've ordered and I think I'm already late. So we'll see?

He also switched out the childrens beds one night, which was a pretty big project. True's crib requires being taken apart and the doors to the rooms taken off in order to fit it through the doors. He put the crib and twin in the boys room so when Noble is older he will sleep in there. Then put the full size bed in the girls room for them to share.

Not only did we have to switch the beds, but lots of cleaning and organizing came with it. That is still being worked on! I do feel good at least with the boys rooms as I was able to fit all of Calebs toys in his small toy box, and all of True's toys in a small wicker basket. So we are good there!

Today we went to the mall to play in the play area as we were supposed to be meeting with the diaper free group I've met online. Only one mom showed up as we were leaving...but the children still had a good time.

We then went to Wal-Mart and I thoroughly enjoyed the awesome deals I was able to get on my veggies! We had received adds from a local (not so local as I actually know where they are located though) hispanic supermarket with amazing prices on veggies.

So since Wal-Mart matches the prices...I was able to get 5lbs of onions & 5lbs of tomatoes for $.99! 10lbs of potatoes for $3! 6 avacados for $1! I just love deals like this...they make my day!

So now, we will take naps and go to piano / park when everyone wakes up.

I promise moms...I will do a picture update soon...

Latest House Project

2009-02-05T15:07:00.004-06:00

So when our dishwasher died a couple of years ago, we let it sit and take up space until my dear friend Shea told me that it was probably growing mold spores that we were breathing in. I told my sweet hubby and he took it out that weekend.

I then decided that since I am so used to washing dishes by hand, and actually prefer it; we could use that space for some storage space. We have a limited amount of kitchen cabinets so this seems like the perfect solution.

Plus, my grandmother gave me her china years ago but I never brought it home as I never had any place to put it. Now I do!

So now I have three shelves that my dear hubby built and I sewed up a little curtain to go over it. I'm very happy with the results...

Space before...

Space after...Thank you sweetheart for making this happen! :)

A Good Week

2009-01-30T11:45:00.004-06:00

I confess I have been short tempered and have yelled at my children more than once. This is not something I am proud of whatsoever. I actually hate this about myself. I know that when I slip into this behavior I am walking in my flesh and it is rearing its very ugly head.

I want to be gentle, kind, compassionate, patient and overall loving with my children. I want to include my children in all that I do, teaching them as I go about this life we are living, about our Jesus, about the men and women we are training them to be. But I realize most of this is done by my example and my own life, rather than my words.

I began to contemplate what it was that usually pushed me over the edge to be ugly towards the children. The main thing I found was that I set MY goal for the day, and if anyone gets in my way (namely anyone under 5 feet tall), they better watch out!

In a sense I had put running my household over loving my children. Oh what a wretched woman I am! Though the goal of having all our chores done by the time that daddy gets home is a good one; it should not ruin my day and make me short with the little ones God has put me in charge of if it does not get done.

My husband is not a tyrant who expects everything to be perfect when he walks through the door. Just the opposite actually...he is kind, compassionate and patient with me. He is understanding as well. I do want to do my best for him and have everything done, but he is okay with it if I have to do the meal plan after we eat dinner. Or if I have to put the laundry away while he is holding the baby. Why do I put so much pressure on myself? Its definitely not coming from him!

I also have found that when I am pursuing my selfish pleasures, whether talking on the phone, reading or writing blogs for example I tend to become more impatient with what is going on around me. I have to really discipline myself to when I can do these things, not that any of them are inherently bad, but if I cannot control myself while doing them...I need to limit myself until I can.

So this week I have made a conscience decision to slow down throughout my day. I still have my goals of what needs to get done, but if they are not done and a child wants me to hold them for a minute for a cuddle...that is what I do for that moment. Slow it down so that the children can work by my side rather than me do it all where I think I can do it "faster & better".

It has been a MUCH better week praise God! I have not gotten angry or short with my children which has made our home a much happier place to be.

I know I have so much growing up to do. I want to do it immediately, but unfortunately I know it doesn't work that way. One step at a time with the help of Jesus. I pray my children will be protected while their mommy is learning how to mother well.

An Award

2009-01-22T20:23:00.004-06:00

Wow! What a delight to stop by one of my favorite blogs at A Full Heart and see she had awarded me with an award...totally made my day! So now I get to pass it on which will be just as fun as I have so enjoyed reading, learning and being encouraged by these blogs! Thank you Erin :)

Pursuing Titus 2
Aspiring to Simplicity
Psalm 118:24
The Hughes Mob
I'm Not Super Mom

Mr. Mom

2009-01-22T15:54:00.003-06:00

I woke up yesterday feeling just awful, body hurting, head pounding, cough, not being able to breathe etc. So I confess after Ireland fed the children breakfast and they got dressed, I let PBS babysit them. That way they could be in the same room with me, yet still not get into any trouble and I wouldn't have to get out of bed.

My dear sweet husband called to check on me around 10a.m. and after hearing had bad I felt he decided to come home early. What an amazing man I have! Even with how busy he was at work he still thought of me and his children as more important. I was so so appreciative! He brought us lunch and told me to get in bed and rest.

I did just that with little Noble and we napped till about 3. Mark cooked, cared for the children and cleaned while I was resting which was so nice to not have to worry about it. We enjoyed a delicious dinner and went back to bed for the rest of the night.

Needless to say after a wonderful nights sleep and all the wonderful rest from yesterday, I feel SO much better today! I still have the yucky symptoms, but I can at least function.

All thanks to my dear husband who cared enough to leave his place of work to take care of his family. Thank you hon! :)

New Blog

2009-01-20T17:01:00.004-06:00

I've decided to start a new blog to journal our progress with EC so I do not bore all of you who are really not interested in infant potty training. So far all it has are the posts I've already put on here, so nothing new yet.

Feel free to visit!

Sicklings

2009-01-20T15:55:00.002-06:00

Well last Thursday night Caleb woke up with his croupy cough, the third time since he had it first when I was six months pregnant. Anytime you watch your child struggle to breathe is not something that is very enjoyable. But we gave him the last of the steroid we had from the first time he had croup, so that help him get back to sleep after many tears.

I decided Friday to take him to the doctor that my midwife had referred us to since I didn't have anything else to give him if he had another episode that night, and I definitely did not want to have to take him to an urgent care place over the weekend.

The doctor got us in and was very helpful. Confirmed it was croup and explained that some kids get it and some don't. Looks like Caleb is one that does. So he prescribed me enough steroid to last a couple of years so when it comes back, I do not have to bring him in. Very nice of him considering each visit costs us $65 (no insurance).

The visit was also very nice as it was the third time in Calebs life since he had been to a doctor. The first was when he was 6 months old with a sinus infection that had gotten really bad...that was when the doctor told us we could not ever come back unless we had him vaccinated. Obviously, we did not go back to that doctor.

The second time was when he got croup seven months ago which Caleb did not take very well. He was absolutely scared to death...a very stressful situation for all involved!

So this time, I was a bit apprehensive to his reaction and hoping he'd handle it better. First of all I loved how the doctor did not blink an eye when he asked for his shot records and I told him we had none. He even had an article posted in his office questioning the HPV vaccine. So I'm thinking he knows more than most pediatricians know about the dangers of vaccines, and that he respects the parents decisions. That was a plus for sure!

Caleb did great during the exam as I had talked him through it all before we went. I was SO PROUD of him!

Today the rest of us are sick...just colds though. Even little Noble is not feeling well which is always sad. I am having one of those days feeling like my head is not attached to my body, with lots of whiny, tired and sickly children praying for this day to end soon!

I'm Convinced

2009-01-15T13:26:00.003-06:00

Okay, so sorry to those who are bored with the topic of EC...this will probably be the last post for awhile on this topic. But I just cannot get over how wonderful it is and how it is all of the sudden making complete sense to me.

I know many people say as I used to be one, "it's really the mom who is toilet trained, not the baby". Though you could also say that about diapering, that it is training the mother to change diapers (as well as training the baby to defecate in a diaper, thus sitting in it...yuck!).

I truly do not think it is only the mom who is trained due to the fact that after a while, the baby will prefer to use the potty and think it uncomfortable to do it on themselves in a diaper. The baby will also learn the special word, or sound that mom makes while pottying to know that it is time to "let go".

One point I read in the Infant Potty Training book was that the babies truly do have control over their sphincter muscles. If they did not, they would constantly be peeing and pooping as soon as it entered into the bladder/bowels. But they do not! They choose when to let it go...and if we do not train them when or how to go, of course they will do it on themselves.

Another point they mentioned was how we expect children of 2 yrs of age to be able to run, walk, speak and a variety of other social skills, though we do not expect them to be able to control a couple of muscles that control their bladder. That doesn't make sense to me! It makes sense that a child has been "trained" to go in their diaper, so when it's "time" for them to go in the potty, they are not comfortable with it and do not know yet how to associate the relaxing those muscles in time with going on the potty. Hmmm....

We went diaperless last night while sleeping as suggested in the book, saying that when they are used to going during the night and being wet, it tends to be harder for children to stop going at night as they grow. That made sense to me as most know that night time wetting is usually the last thing to stop.

Anyways, no diaper last night! We slept with a towel and a diaper underneath us, plus a diaper between us in case he did let a stream go so I wouldn't get wet. When he started squirming around and fussing around 2a.m. & 5a.m. (which normally I would give him the breast to calm him down), we got up and I stood at my bathroom sink with a nightlight on while he peed in the sink!

So his squirming and fussing was a cue to me saying "I have to use the potty!". I used the sink so I wouldn't have to squat while putting him on the potty and I don't think he would have liked sitting on the potty while half asleep...relaxing in my arms was much more comfy!

This was about a 2 minute process total and we got back in bed and went right asleep! Besides peeing in the sink...he stayed dry all night long! I am completely shocked! I'm happy about this also due to the fact that overnight diapers tend to irritate my sons penis by the morning...always looks very red and painful. This hasn't happened with Noble yet, but with Caleb it did once he began eating and drinking other things besides mother's milk. So I expected it to happen with Noble (since I didn't change his dipe in the middle of the night). Now I do not think it has to happen if we take a potty visit when he stirs.

Plus, he may not need it once he quits nursing throughout the night. I think that was the main reason he had to pee twice since he does nurse through the night. I figured since I normally wake up when he stirs and fusses at night to put him to the breast, it's not hard to get up, walk a couple of steps, let him pee, then back in bed!

One more piece of great news! Since True has been watching Noble use the potty, she is now using it as well and actually doing her "business" their...I am so so excited!

This truly is saving me time as the time it takes to sit him on the potty would be the same as changing a diaper (1-2 minutes a time). Also when I used to wash dipes every two days, my diaper pail is not even half way full since I washed it on Monday (3 days ago!).

One quote from the book (which I think every mom who's interested in this should read) that convinced me that this is the right track for us was...

"A motto of some mothers using elimination communition is that it is more about the communication than the elimination. They are not striving to "finish" earlier than other babies but are instead simply taking care of their babies' needs "in the moment". Just as they do not breastfeed with the goal of weaning their babies as soon as possible, so they do not potty their infants with the goals of having them "trained" as soon as possible."

I am definitely enjoying the communication part of this...I feel more of a bond with him as I am tuning into his cues for using the potty. The same way we as mothers can tell when our baby is crying due to hunger, being tired, bored, or tired of sitting in a dirty diaper...I am learning to tell his cues that he wants to potty! Then I get the pleasure of helping him do that in a comfortable and cleaner way.

LOVING IT!

Warm Legs

2009-01-13T12:36:00.003-06:00

Here's the picture I promised of Noble in his new leg warmers...to to cute!

Quick & Easy

2009-01-13T09:09:00.004-06:00

I have been keeping Noble diaper-less this past week since starting EC and had been trying to think of a solution to keep his legs warm, since it is a pain to pull down his pants or unbutton his shirt to put him on the potty. I remembered seeing baby legwarmers on a diapering website and searched for them, only to see that they ran between $10 - $15 a pair!

After looking a bit more, I found a site that had instructions on how to make them. I am thrilled with how they turned out! I bought the ladies knee highs at Target for $3.50 a pair, then made them six pairs within 45 minutes.

They are too cute on his legs with his cute little bottom free. I'm thinking it has to be more comfortable than the bulk he is used to between his legs!

Great idea for gifts I'm thinking as well since they are really cute!

They started like this...

And ended like this...

I'll put a picture of Noble in them once I actually put a diaper on him so he's not exposed online! :)

Day 2 of EC

2009-01-10T13:22:00.005-06:00

I started the infant potty training yesterday and today, just 3 minutes ago Noble just peed in the potty for the first time! I can't even get my 2 yr old to do that! I am so so excited! My friend Alina Joy lent me the book "Infant Potty Training" by Laurie Boucke and it has really encouraged me to do this for sure. I haven't finished it yet but can definitely say I'd recommend it to anyone who it might be thinking of this for yourself. Now that I am seeing reasons that I agree with and forming my own convictions about it, I think I'll be able to stick it through.

Before I thought that the time it took would be more than the time it takes to diaper. Though in the beginning I think it will as I am very closely watching him (without a diaper) to learn his signals and cues and his timing. But after a few days of this, I think it will take the same or less amount of time than diapering. Considering changing dipes every few hours and the time it takes washing, drying every two days. We'll see?

Since I am all about training our children as they grow (not that I am perfect at it), now I see that with diapering I am training my child to get used to sitting in wetness (yuck!) and use their diaper as their potty. Why not skip that part of training and choose something that they'll have to learn either way, now or later - using the potty!

This is actually pretty fun because I am enjoying being closer to little baby Noble as I learn his cues. And what a sense of accomplishment when I sat him on the potty after his nap, made the 'pssss' noise that I make when he normally pees (all over me), and then he starts going in the potty where it belongs. AMAZING!! :)

It is also interesting to see that he has relatively specific times when he goes, after nap, 10 - 15 min after eating, then an hour again after eating. I used to think he just went all day long with no rhyme or reason. So its nice to find out that he actually does not go while he is napping, nor while he eats.

Maybe this will encourage True to use the potty herself now that she sees her baby brother using it? That would be nice for sure!

My Wonderful Friends

2009-01-07T20:15:00.000-06:00

(Eva Noble & me)

God has been so good to answer the longings of my heart over the many years of praying for them. One of which was to have good friends, which he has answered in so many different ways over the years.

The most unexpected way this year was meeting like minded women through blogging, then becoming "bloggy" friends. It has been such a neat thing considering this season of my life I do not have much time to go out, or even to talk on the phone. Most of my friends from church live at least 40 minutes away, so that takes out much of spending time with them during the week. But meeting these women online who share many of the same convictions as me and are huge encouragements through their writings and personal emails where we can share the load praying for each other has been a huge blessing from God! I have learned so much from these ladies and only wish we lived closer...though I'm content with knowing I'll meet them someday in the new Heaven and new earth! :)

God has also blessed me with being able to stay friends with ladies I grew up with. Either reuniting me with my best friend from childhood (Shea), and seeing how we still have so much in common after more than 18 years being apart and still absolutely love each other. Of course I'd love it if we lived near each other as well, but for the time being I'll be content with the telephone and internet communication.

Or continuing a relationship with my best friend starting from age 14. Though Eva and I were not always best friends, our relationship has definitely grown and we've been through a lot over the years! I am so encouraged to see her begin to walk with Jesus and to desire to please him with her life. Though I miss her desperately while she's living in Wisconsin going to medical school, I always look forward to her visits during the holidays where we can sit and reminisce on old times or talk about what God is doing now or what we hope to see in the future. Those times are so precious to me!

Though we are still extremely different in many of our views, and she thinks I'm crazy most of the time...we still love each other and encourage one another, building each other up in Jesus by speaking the truth in love.

Not to mention all my other dear friends...Amy, Marlys, Beckie, my new friends Alina Joy, Brittany, Keica to name a few. All these women spur me on to be more like Jesus and to love my husband and children well. There are so many others that I'm sorry if I haven't mentioned you...know you all have such a special place in my heart!

Again, God loves giving us the desire of our hearts. So pray! Ask him to give you desires that match up with His and continue to pray for them. Prayer works!

Happy Anniversary!

2009-01-01T16:31:00.005-06:00

Our dear friends Dick & Nell are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary today!! We were blessed to be able to visit them before they moved to Arkansas after living here in Dallas for the past 42 years.

I am so thankful to have them still in our lives, for their prayers and encouragement as well. I am thankful for the generosity they showed to my mother when she was pregnant with me to open their home and let her live with them. To take care of me in my young years after school and to put many wonderful memories of care and love in my young mind.

I love you two so very much! We will miss your presence here in TX but am so thankful for the new season you will be able to enjoy in Arkansas! Happy Anniversary!

Sharing

2008-12-30T17:17:00.001-06:00

We have had a hard time the past couple of years since adding Caleb, then True to the family in learning how to teach our children to share. In the past what we said was that all the toys belonged to everyone. So when True would pick up the truck the was given to Caleb, or vice versa, the other child would suddenly remember just how much he LOVED that toy and wanted it at that moment. Following would be crying, yelling any many more yucky attitudes that came out of these beautiful children.

Now I know that this behavior was the child's selfishness lashing out its ugly head. But the way we usually handled it wasn't much better. First of all we were not consistent...we might have told the child who took the other's toy to give it back because it was not their toy. Or we might have scolded the "owner" of the toy and told him/her to share. Can you tell no consistency on our part? Didn't I just say that all the toys belonged to everyone? Either way, it usually ended with whining, screaming and upset hearts. I admit we were not training their hearts to share, or even to not be selfish. Being "forced" to share does not teach anything in my opinion.

So after the arrival of a few toys for Christmas, we decided to try something new. First was to change the rule that all the toys belonged to everyone. How can they actually share if nothing truly belongs to them to share with? So we went through all the toys (thankfully we do not have too many!) and made clear boundaries of whose toys were whose. I had Caleb go through his toys that he outgrew and decide which one's True could now have as her own.
Now everyone's toys are in different baskets rather than all together.

We then sat down and explained to the children that they may play with their toys anytime they like, but they cannot play with their siblings toys UNLESS they ask that sibling first. If their brother or sister say's no, then there is no whining or crying. If they say yes, then of course they can play with it. Even if the other child is no where around, they may still not play with their toy without asking. So this takes me remembering to tell them when that child is not around!

So far it has been working very well! No melt downs (as of yet) and I joyfully report they are sharing their toys willingly, without me forcing anything! And when they make the decision to say no, that to has not been a cause for any upset from the children. I also have more of a chance to praise them when they choose to share on their own and tell them how much that pleases the Lord.

I think this success has a lot to do with clear boundaries which we all know children flourish with. Though I'm hesitant to call this a for sure success as of yet. I know this too will have a lot to do with my consistency and training. So lets just say its been a success for the past week!

It is nice to hear a child say a few times every day now after I tell them how proud I am of them sharing a toy, "that made Jesus happy!". So precious!

How Things Have Changed!

2008-12-26T13:39:00.000-06:00

I just found the book that Mark and I did before we got married to "prepare" ourselves for marriage. I say "prepare" because most every question asked we are living a completely opposite life than what our answers were. Pretty funny!

After reading some of the answers to the questions it asked us, it really proved to me just how much we have changed over the past 6 years.

Here's a few that I really thought were humorous (these were both of our answers)

1. Who will be the primary financial provider in the family?
A. Meghann, unless Mark gets a better job someday

Mark never got that "better" job I spoke of and is still with the same company, though in a new "higher" position than when we married. The Lord has definitely blessed the decision to take me out of the provider role (which I was never created for!) and let Mark take control of that!

2. Do you anticipate both husband and wife pursuing careers?
A. Yes, for me (Meghann)

Ha! Was I in for a surprise! More likely a career at home - YAY GOD!

3. Will you live in an apartment or house? Will you rent or buy?
A. Apartment until we can rent a house, then buy a home in 5 years

We ended up buying our house 3 months after we got married and have been here ever since.

4. Who will prepare each meal?
A. Mark

For a while it was him preparing each meal as I did not know how to cook and I worked later than him. Thankfully, that changed as soon as I quit my pursuit of a career and came home! He's been very gracious to me as I've learned to cook the past few years :)

5. Who will do each of the following?
Ironing & Laundry: A. both
Purchasing groceries: A. both
General household cleaning: A. both
Cleaning bathrooms: A. both
Making the bed: A. both

Isn't that funny? I totally thought we'd both share these duties 50/50. I was completely clueless...though don't think I'm not happy with having them all to myself. I am very thankful to be able to do all of these items for my husband and family! (And yes, Mark does help whenever it is needed...though thankfully it is rarely needed!)

6. What is your view on birth control?
A. I like it - it's good!

That was until dear hubby told me to stop taking the pill due to him not wanting me to be putting strange substances in my body. Then I found out how the pill is an abortifacient and was so thankful I was no longer on it! I now do NOT like birth control, nor think its good! Funny how we change :)

If you do not know what an abortifacient is, here's a little video explaining it.

Noble's Birth Pics

2008-12-26T13:38:00.006-06:00

I just realized that I never shared the pictures of Noble's actual birthday! So here they are...hope you enjoy them!

Checking his sweet little head...oh my, he is so so cute!

Proud sister who was the 1st to hold her brother (besides daddy and me!)

I just can't believe this little man was inside of me just 30 minutes or so before this picture was taken!
Measuring his chest...I think it was about 15 inches

Weighing him...9 lb 13 oz (I think!)

Tired daddy after all was said and done

The next morning one of the first times the children met NobleHe is really still such a sweet baby! Already cooing and smiling, laughing and tracking me with his eyes, finding his hands. I think he may be a thumb sucker, which would be the first so far. We are absolutely LOVING having him in our family and are so so blessed!

Christmas Card Disclaimer

2008-12-23T14:52:00.002-06:00

As much as I LOVE receiving Christmas cards from all those dear to me, I have yet been organized enough to ever send out cards to all of you whom I dearly love. Just wanted to let you know in case you were wondering why you were not on our "list"...there just isn't one yet! Maybe next year?! Please know I love all of you and hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

Hilarious Video

2008-12-18T13:30:00.000-06:00

My dear bloggy friend Mrs. Parunak at Pursuing Titus 2 posted this funny funny video about homeschoolers. Since I was homeschooled only one year, I cannot say what she said..."The kids in my homeschool group were exactly like this when I was growing up. (And you know, it’s actually not such a bad way to be!)" I would have to agree with her! Enjoy :)

Santa

2008-12-12T13:56:00.005-06:00

Over the years we have gone back and forth about Christmas. We have never told our children that Santa was real, or even talked about him at all except maybe jokingly. Last year we didn't celebrate Christmas at all in our home as we read a lot citing how it was really a pagan holiday and how Christians shouldn't celebrate it. This year we did decorate, though Mark didn't allow anything with Santa or snowmen...just lights, manger scenes, etc. and we do little presents.

Here are some pics of our "decorations"...nothing too fancy, but fun for the children to put up with us!This year we were asking Caleb (who is 4) why he was so excited about Christmas coming up and you would not believe what he said! "Because of Santa and presents!" This from a child who is home with me 24/7, does not watch television and does not hear of Santa and presents from anyone in this home. I have no idea where he got that? Maybe our weekly trips to Wal-mart? It was very disturbing and reinforced to me just how strong our culture is at getting its commercialism and materialism through to even our young ones.

My friend Brittany wrote about the "Santa" religion on her blog. It is a very wonderful post and I hope more can enjoy it as much as me! I especially love her ideas of what they do every year for Christmas...I'll have to pass it on to Mark to see what he thinks for next year!

Nap Time

2008-12-10T15:52:00.005-06:00

These are Noble (and my) favorite napping positions.

His first favorite (mine too as I can get much more done with him in the wrap). This is what we look like most of the day. I can clean, change diapers, crochet, read, journal, play with the children, etc. all with him right beside me. Whoever thought of these wraps was a genius! Especially since it does not kill my back. You can go here to see how I wrapped him up.

It was also extremely easy to make as I just bought 5.5 yds of fabric with a little bit of stretch to it, cut it in half length wise and that's it! Due to the type of material I used, I didn't need to sew the selvage as it doesn't fray when washed. Very easy and nice! About $20 total...so $10 per wrap! Make one for yourself, then give the other away!

His second favorite which I love as well, as long as I do not need to use my hands!

I think it is so adorable how baby's will completely relax in your arms and sleep. So so cute!

No Fear

2008-12-06T19:20:00.007-06:00

My husband say's I worry too much, which may be a little true...though I prefer to think I am pretty realistic in the things I think about and want to be prepared.

After reading this article from the Pearl's about hard times coming our way, it did strike a little fear and worry in me for a moment. I do not think that was their intention at all, its just how I responded on my own.

I totally believe that there is nothing special about American Christians that should keep us away from persecution. I look at this worlds history, the churches history and see the hard roads that many believers have had to walk on. All of Jesus' disciples but John were martyred, and many many more since then. This is still going on today in many other countries around us. Why should I think that America will be any different, or that my life (or my children's) should be any different?

I see what happened in the holocaust and I think that (or something like it) could easily happen again. I'm sure people at that time didn't ever think it would happen, but it did.

That is what strikes fear in me for a moment. I begin to almost regret having children, to worry about having more, due to the possible pain and suffering that might be ahead for them. That is no fun thought at all. I know of believers who purposely have avoided having children for this very reason.

But then my thoughts swing to the purpose of this life. It is not for pure enjoyment of selfish pursuits of pleasure. It is not all about my happiness, or even my childrens. It is all about God and His purpose for my life...to bring Him glory and to become more like Jesus. We all know that Jesus suffered greatly, so if we are to become more like him it makes sense that we will come across some type of suffering as well.

If that means a hard or painful life for me, for my children...I have to remember that this life is not all its about. We have eternity to think of. Of course I do believe that in the pain or sorrow, Jesus can be in the middle of it and He makes it all worth it.

I believe that since He created each one of us, He must have a purpose for each of us. Even future generations that come from our children. Of course the mama in me wants to protect all my children and their children and so on, I know that I can only do so much. Though their lives may not look the way I would like them to look like, may be hard for them...I have to remember that absolutely nothing can seperate us or them from the love of Christ.

So yes, I do believe hard times are coming and I do believe, especially those of us with young ones depending on us we should be like the ant in Proverbs and be as prepared as possible...whatever that may look like for each family. But at the same time, I am keeping my faith and trust in my Lord Jesus and am choosing to not give way to fear.

Picture Update

2008-12-05T16:19:00.005-06:00

Since we've been a bit busy lately and I haven't had much time to sit and write, I'll share some pics and a few fun things that have happened here lately.

True holding her sweet little brother...

The children decorating our Christmas tree...nice and small and out of the way!

Caleb...doesn't he look so old here?
True wearing Me Maw's old hat (which is actually Irelands hat now)

Noble at 8 wks old
True with her best friend...she will actually try to eat out of Mercy's bowl (yuck!)
My new tea set that my mom blessed us with...we are really enjoying having tea most every day! Very fun! Now we just need some pretty tea cups...
Ireland wearing my skirt...yes, MY skirt...very strange! We just had to roll it up so it didn't drage on the floor. I'm thinking I like it on her much better than me :)

Inner Beauty

2008-11-28T11:23:00.005-06:00

It has now been a little over a year since the Lord really began working on my heart towards outward modesty, femininity and how that applies to me. You can read a bit of my thoughts during that time here.

At the time I knew that modesty is not just how we appear outwardly, but what is going on in our hearts. I knew that we could be dressed modestly and yet still have a prideful heart and so on. But at the time, I think he was working mostly on my outward adornment which is easier to change than the inner.

Now I am noticing how much he is working on the inner self that 1 Peter 3 speaks about, and let me say it is hurting much more than the outward change he made in me!

¹Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

²While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

³Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

⁴But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

⁵For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

⁶Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

I have for so long been mostly concerned with my outward appearance, even when dressing in a modest fashion. I've noticed it is much easier to adorn myself outwardly, make myself "feel" attractive or presentable to others, than to work on my hearts beauty; the meek and quiet spirit which is of great worth in God's sight.

Through the trials that we are going through right now, my inner self is becoming much more apparent and it is really showing me how much the Lord is wanting to grow me, change me to look more like his Son and make the inner beauty even more of a reality in me.

Have I already said how much it hurts? To say no to my flesh when it is crying out to be and stay angry. To have self control over my tongue when I want to say something not helpful or that would tear down the ones I love most. To give way to fear and try to take over the situation by becoming controlling. To not trust or have faith that God is in even this. To be patient in my prayers when they are not answered as quickly as I would like. I will admit I have not done this perfectly, but I am aware of it and truly working on it with the help of my Jesus.

I am seeing how much of the fruits of the Spirit I need in my daily life, all with his indwelling; Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control. I think these too will create the inner-beauty God desires in us.

I know that pain comes along with change and growth, and I know that it is worth it. So while again, my flesh is crying out - this hurts too much, lets take the easy way out, you don't have to feel this pain. I know within my soul, my spirit man that is a big fat LIE and that the fruit of taking the easy way out will only hurt me and those whom I love much worse than what I'm going through now.

So that's me right now and why you haven't heard much from me lately. This is all taking most all of my concentration as I've got a lot of changes to make! God is good!

30 Day Challenge

2008-11-28T11:12:00.000-06:00

Well the 30 Day Challenge is still going on, though I think officially I'm on day 28, mentally I'm on day 15. It has been a hard month and has distracted me from the daily email reminders that I was receiving that had wonderful tips and ideas of ways to encourage my husband.

Though I am still remembering to at least not say anything negative, and try to say something encouraging each day...that's about all I've done since day 15 (and not perfectly). So I think I will just keep up doing this every month and pray I get better as the months go by...no matter what circumstances arise in our daily lives.

A blogger friend Benny was also doing the challenge and wrote about it on her blog. Check it out!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Thanksgiving and is enjoying time with your family today!

Thanksgiving Week Sale

2008-11-21T15:15:00.000-06:00

If you have been thinking of buying any of Kelly's e-books from Generation Cedar (see my sidebar), now is the time! During the week of Thanksgiving (Monday 24 - Friday 28) you will automatically receive $2 off any e-book when you enter the code THANKSGIVING.

They are all great books as I've read them all and would recommend them to anyone that is interested!

College or Not?

2008-11-18T15:19:00.000-06:00

Sherry over at Large Family Mothering has posted a very insightful article regarding college. Please go here for the part 1, then here for part 2.

A few of my favorite quotes she wrote:

"Educating is something done to someone, an impersonal attempt to direct someone else, while learning is personal and starts with volition--I choose to accept and make an idea my own."

"Schools in America are wildly successful! This last election proves that what the founding fathers of American public education set out to do has been done--the citizens of the United States of America have finally been convinced that the government is their greatest friend--that they should not be trusted with their own destinies, their own values or their own money; that someone else is more qualified to decide what to do with them all, and it has even been twisted to sound religious. This is the way most tyranny begins--I could site volumes here."

I hope you enjoy her post as much as I did!

Thinking of EC

2008-11-16T20:37:00.001-06:00

I don't know if I am tired of washing diapers every two days...or maybe I just like a challenge? Either way, I am considering trying out "elimination communication", or "ec" for short. I've actually joined an 'ec' yahoo group to see if I can learn something from them and have read up on a few articles on this subject.

I admit I am majorly intimidated and a part of me is incredulous that it will work.

But after reading certain articles like these (Potty Time, One More Time, and Potty Training Answered), I am slightly encouraged that I could do it...and that it might work. Though the time it may take is the main component for my intimidation.

Either way, we've installed the cool potty seat (see below) that we bought for Caleb during his training months. Both for True and possibly for Noble. I like this one because it doesn't move around like seats that sit on top of the seat since it is actually attached to the potty. Very cool!

I'll update you if I succeed in this endeavor...that is, if I ever actually do it!

Belly Dancing

2008-11-14T15:12:00.003-06:00

If you'd like to see a baby in his momma's belly dancing while daddy plays the guitar, visit my two precious friends blog here to watch the video! So so neat! Looks like he has some rhythm as well :)

How to be a Good Wife

2008-11-13T14:23:00.005-06:00

I remember receiving this email about five years ago while I was at worked and scoffed at it. I assume most women who received it laughed as well as it was being circulated to get that response.

Its amazing how much the Lord has changed me and my views to now agree with most of what this article said the past couple of years. Most every one of these suggestions I have to work on and do not do each of them daily, though I do think there are some good ideas here. Of course it can change based on each husbands needs and desires. I added my thoughts in blue...

The Good Wife's Guide

From Housekeeping Monthly, 13 May, 1955.

Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed. (I wish I could do this but dear husband gets home way before dinner time...though I am thankful he doesn't get home so late! I do enjoy having bread or a dessert made when he gets home so he can walk in to that lovely smell!)
Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people (and these days a lot of beautiful women who do not have baby spit up on them and in most cases are in tight, revealing and attractive clothes!)
Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.
Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dustcloth over the tables.
During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.
Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet.
Be happy to see him.
Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.
Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.
Don't greet him with complaints and problems.
Don't complain if he's late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. (Okay, I don't think I would be able to be okay if he stayed out all night! So thankful my husband does not do that to me!) Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work.
Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.
Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.
Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.
A good wife always knows her place.

Wow! Can you believe how much the times have changed? I know most women, even Christian women (as I was when I first read it) would completely dismiss this saying that they are just as important as their husband, and thus truly the husband should do this for them as well. Marriage is supposed to be 50/50 right?

NO! It is to be 100/100...and if you are giving 100% and your husband is giving 10%, it is still not excuse for you to not give your 100%. I know it is easy to say, yet so hard to live out. It is an area that I strive to live up to. Though I'm finding out daily that if I'm trying in my own strength, I will fail. It is only through Christ who strengthens me will I ever be able to live this out.

Unfortunately women who believe it should be 50/50 do not realize is that the husband who is treated well, reverenced & honored by his wife will usually show his wife the same, if not more acts of kindness as she has for him. He will treat her like his queen! Even if he doesn't, it is still not an excuse for the wife to not treat her husband like a king. We are being obedient to God and serving, loving and submitting to our husbands as if unto the Lord. That should be reason enough.

Remember ladies, wives...we were created for to be our husbands help meets. Not the other way around. Until we understand and apply this to our daily lives will we truly feel the satisfaction of life as we are walking out the way we were created to be! I know this to be true in my own very imperfect life of learning to become Marks help meet.

A line I read a couple years ago from Debi Pearl really struck me that went something like this...Remember that we are fulfilling our mission here on earth, when we take God at His Word and become a help meet for His sake, we are being God's helper on earth.

Father please make this true in me!

Why Breastmilk Rocks!

2008-11-12T20:07:00.004-06:00

Breast milk is the most nutritious food your baby

It has specific antibodies that protects against respiratory and intestinal bacteria and viruses

Used topically it kills pink eye!

Also used topically it clears up baby acne

(example with Noble)

6 days later...

My midwife once told me when nursing and going from one side to the other, it gives the babies eyes a 'work out'. She said you will rarely see a child who was nursed have a lazy eye.

And an amazing fact of how the immune system works just from kissing our sweet baby...
"When a mother kisses her baby, she 'samples' those pathogens that are on the baby's face - the very ones that the baby is about to ingest. These samples are taken up by the mother's secondary lymphoid organs like the tonsils, and memory B cells specific for those pathogens are re-stimulated. The B cells then migrate to the mother's breasts where they produce just those antibodies that the baby needs!" (Sompayrac, Lauren. How the Immune System Works. p.71)

And of course the bonding and intimacy with your baby it produces. Satisfying your baby's hunger with your own milk is absolutely amazing.

Of course this is not an exhaustive list, just a few things on the top of my head!

God is so awesome to give us the gift of breastfeeding! He knew exactly what we each needed...so wonderful!

Sleepovers

2008-11-11T15:54:00.003-06:00

We do not allow our children to have sleepovers, or to attend sleepovers. People may think we are strange, that we are sheltering our children too much with this decision; but we believe it is a wise one and these are a few of our reasons.

Growing up I attended and had sleepovers from the time I was 6 to 18. Of course they began by being very innocent, but as time went on, I was introduced to very immoral subjects. Not that I was always the "victim", as I got older, I too introduced my friends to things / subjects that definitely were not holy.

From about 6th grade and up, there was lots of idle gossip happening and way too much talk of boys, which in turn caused a lot of heart ache for me. That whole "I need a boyfriend" talk that fed the appetite of being boy crazy did not help me later in life at all.

I was introduced to many more things that I will not go into here, but I can guarantee these are all items I would never want my children to be introduced to by another person, let alone a child who has no wisdom in many matters discussed at all. This by children that were also from Christian families for the most part. And my mother was picky as well as to where I went...it wasn't that she let me go to any child's house I wanted to.

After growing up I found out that the father of one friend who was very close to the family that I had spent the night with was a child molester. I was so thankful that the Lord protected me from anything ever happening, but we had absolutely no idea at the time. Just another reason to protect our little ones.

Also the fact of trusting others to care for the most precious gifts we've been given is a lot to ask of someone. Though I truly love the parents of friends of my children, I do not want to give them the responsibility of the safety of our precious ones. Not just their physical safety, but emotional as well. That is truly a lot to ask of someone.

After Ireland spent 2 yrs in public school, I was shocked to see the practices of most parents with the "protection" of their children. We had a birthday party one year and invited her classmates. About 8 arrived and all the parents whom I had never met just dropped off their children at our house for the few hours of the party. Needless to say I was SHOCKED! Apparently this is the new way parents get their free time. Drop them off with strangers! Obviously the shock was due to these parents not having any idea who my husband and I were, never had talked to us, and they trusted us with their children! Thankfully, we are trustworthy.

I read an article in the Above Rubies magazine today about a girls sleepover that has given me vision for a way to have fun with my girls and their friends, though not necessarily by having a sleepover. I do see a need for girls to be girls and to have fun together. And this is a way where I can be involved and be an example of how a godly young woman can behave.

Here were some of her ideas of things to do for the sleepover, which I'm thinking of incorporating in a "day-over".

From the article "Let Girls be Girls" (I could not find the article on their website...if anyone does find it, would you please send it to me? Thanks!)

- Go for a nature walk with big funny hat and big skirts or dresses. Bring sketchbooks and drawing pencils and draw together
- Have a picnic! Have each girl bring their favorite storybook from when they were young and take turns reading them aloud.
-Bake a lovely dessert...something elegant and special you have always longed to make.
-Have a tea party (something Ireland would love!)
-Watch a girl movie..."Sound of Music", "Black Beauty", "Anne of Green Gables" etc.

These things can all be done with the girls having a ton of fun and still the children can sleep in their own beds that night!

Disclaimer: If you allow your children to have or go to sleepovers, please do not think I look down on you. This is just an area that we believe the Lord has called us to not do...I do not judge you for doing something different! :)

Family Picture

2008-11-09T16:26:00.002-06:00

Our first family picture all together since Noble's birth.Plus another cute pic my mom took on her phone after church today.

And the little ones doing their chores.

My Favorite "Jesus"

2008-11-08T13:21:00.004-06:00

In the past, I've never enjoyed the 'traditional' Jesus movie. I did enjoy "Godspell", though I did not like the end; as well as "The Passion of the Christ". But besides that, I always felt like the actor playing Jesus was either too somber, too cheesy or just very unbelievable.

About 10 years ago my friends and I watched the Visual Bible according to Matthew and I absolutely LOVED it! It goes verse by verse of the whole book of Matthew, and the man that plays Jesus was so believable. The joy he expresses, the sadness at the sin around him and the love that he shows to those around him was beautiful. It is a very enjoyable movie...my children love it as well.

I loved his depiction of Jesus so much that I purchased a couple of prints from the ministry to hang in my home. I just can't wait to meet in person my real Jesus!

Here are two that I have...

This one say's...Come to Me...I will bind up the brokenhearted and comfort all who mourn. Isaiah 61:1-2

This one say's...I am willing, Believe and you shall see life!

I highly recommend these movies to add to your video collection. They are worth the $20!

(The prints are from here.)

My Awesome Husband

2008-11-07T12:58:00.002-06:00

There is something about a man who loves his children, spends time with them, plays with them, cuddles with them that is SO ATTRACTIVE! My husband does all of these things, plus more and I am SO THANKFUL I belong to him! I hope my life will bless him as much as he has blessed me.

One More...

2008-11-05T15:24:00.005-06:00

This article Voddie Baucham wrote today about the election is worthy to be shared as well. I think I'm done after this one!

An excerpt...

"We sent our children to Caesar for their education, and yesterday they voted just like Romans (the majority of 18-30 year-olds flooded the polls for Obama whether they were professing “Christian” or not). These young people believe hatred and racism are America’s biggest problems, and that the election of Mr. Obama is the cure (along with Hate Crimes Legislation)...In short, they believe what they’ve been taught during their 14,000 hours of government indoctrination. "

Another reason I am so thankful for homeschooling.

"But do not despair. We survived Presidents like Wilson, Carter, and Clinton. We can survive President Obama. “...Even so, come Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:2)"

(For those of you that do not know...Dr. Voddie Baucham is a black man who does not let his heritage skew his beliefs or tell him who to vote for. I applaud him for that as much as I respect his heritage and ancestors.)

Discouraged

2008-11-05T11:55:00.005-06:00

I admit I am a bit discouraged, disappointed and saddened by Obama winning the election. Because I cannot express my feelings and thoughts very well at this point, I'd like to send you to some others who have done a better job of articulating what I have been thinking.

Ellajac has made peace and found the rationale for such an irrational outcome for herself.

Jasmine speaks of a change we can be thrilled about...

And Kelly speaks of why Obama could be less dangerous than McCain, and how Christians may now be "jolted out of their stupor".

I am truly trying to rest in the Lord and trust that He is in charge! This helps me long even more for the kingdom of God to rule on the earth with Jesus in charge!

Birthdays!

2008-11-03T15:39:00.009-06:00

We celebrated True, Caleb & nana's birthday's yesterday with our family. Granny cooked up a delicious dinner of chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans and my sister in law brought my favorite salad. It was a wonderful meal! I made the dessert of cake balls which were yummy and easy for the children to eat as well. We had a great time! Enjoy the pics!

I finished True's doll the day before the party...I'm hoping the workmanship will be able to stand up to a two year old loving on her!The blanket I finished two days before it. I planned on being done with both of them much more ahead of time but that didn't happen!
Calebs new bike from granny & grandpa...at the time he was more excited about the balloon!
Calebs cowboy boots from Nana...
Calebs cowboy hat from grandma...Calebs new cowboy shirt...now he's all ready!

Calebs new blanket...I was very happy at his response!

True loves her baby!
Shirt that say's "Big Sister True" Very cute!
The end of his day with two of his favorite things...so sweet!Cake balls recipes:
Bake a cake
Let it cool completely
Crumble up cake
Add half a jar of icing to cake and mix thoroughly (easiest to do with hands)
Roll into balls
Melt a package of almond bark
Drop balls into melted almond bark, cover balls then put on wax paper (bark hardens quickly)
Done and delicious!

Day Two

2008-11-02T11:46:00.004-06:00

Yesterday was day two of the 30 day challenge and I've decided to repeat it. I'm thinking if I fail one day (as I did yesterday), I'll just do it over the next day. This might take a lot longer than 30 days! :)

I've always heard that God has a sense of humor. I definitely agree after yesterday! Day one went well and I was excited about the rest of the month. Day two...my honey wakes up with a sore throat. Now an area that I need to grow in is to have more mercy for my husband when he doesn't feel well. Obviously, the Lord knows this as well which is why I believe Mark wasn't feeling well on day two.

He spent most of the morning in bed while I was up with the children. I was truly doing my best to be cheerful and sweet to him and not get in a bad mood or irritated that he was in bed. Then I did begin to get a little irritated and said to him with a smile on my face and in a sweet voice, "When I catch what you have, will you stay home from work and take care of the children so I can stay in bed all day?".

OUCH! Though I thought at the time I could get away with it because I wasn't exactly "complaining", it was still wrong! This is why I am doing day two all over again.

Just so you can see how wrong I am...if I am ever sick, my sweet husband always takes wonderful care of me. He is always encouraging me to sit, lay down, let him take the children so I can rest, cook for the family etc. Even if its just a sore throat (though I rarely take him up on it when its just a sore throat, the point is he is willing and compassionate).

I know my lack of compassion when he is not behaving the way I think he should while sick is sin. It is not unconditional love and it is an area I need chiseled away in my heart.

I hope you who are walking this challenge out with me had a better day than that! Looking forward to hearing about them!

Pictures

2008-10-31T13:45:00.005-05:00

Ireland laughing while listening to daddy read his version of a book to the little ones.

Noble's tiny toe sticking out of his blankie while nursing.

Brother and sister having fun.

Noble growing up...5 weeks tomorrow!

Line Dry

2008-10-31T13:41:00.005-05:00

There is something about hanging our my diapers to dry, (now twice a week since I have two children wearing them) that reminds me to slow down, not be in a hurry, enjoy the beauty of the day, conversate with my God while enjoying the sun and gentle breeze. So when I'm tempted to put them in the dryer so I can hurry to the next thing on my list...I'll try to remember this lesson I learned today...slow down!

Visiting the Farm

2008-10-31T13:04:00.004-05:00

We went on a day trip yesterday to see my grandmother, uncle and aunt at the farm. Phil & Sandy (uncle / aunt) are moving to England to pastor a church in about a week, and since we do not know when we'll see them next, we just had to go for a visit.

Sandy receiving a kiss from their loved Ajax

I am really excited for this new journey that the Lord has sent them on. They are all about trusting God! My uncle said one of the reasons they were drawn to this church when first asked to come was that the church couldn't afford to have a pastor. So they are going, trusting that God will provide what the church cannot. That just encourages me so much!

Cow jaw bone & pelvic bones they found on their hike with Uncle Phil

Within 2 minutes of arriving, Caleb found the long lost hearing aid of grandma's on the floor. That was nice to be of some help in that area!

Ireland & Phil...she barely left his side the whole visit

Grandma was able to meet her newest great-grandson which she enjoyed very much. The children got to play with the "Pine Woods Monster" (which is Uncle Phil) and enjoy their very smart dog Ajax and see all his tricks he can do.
I was able to hear more history of my uncle that I never knew. His childhood, the way him and Sandy met. How he came to know Jesus. That was wonderful!

It was a great trip and I am so thankful I got over my fear of driving the busy highways long enough to make it there.

Co-Sleeping

2008-10-27T12:24:00.007-05:00

People always assume when you have an infant that the parents are not getting any sleep. Not true in the Jones household! With all four of our children, we have co-slept with them. My babies sleep right up next to me, tummy to tummy, face near the breast for easy latching on throughout the night. I think its the way God intended it!

There is something about putting an infant in a crib, alone and apart from mommy that I just cannot do. After being attached to each other literally for 40 wks (or 41, 42...), then to expect them to sleep alone away from me is just wrong in my opinion.

Not only do I get plenty of sleep from birth, but my babies are learning to sleep well without having to wake up frantically crying out of hunger and getting all worked up and wide awake. I've always said the only times I've missed out on sleep due to a child was when they were much older and sick. Not because of being a baby.

My babies sleep with us up until around 6 - 9 months. I can always tell when they are ready to be moved to their own bed when they begin to stretch away or roll away from me throughout the night. At that point I transition them to their own bed. Its never been a painful transition for them either (for me maybe, but not the baby). I nurse them to sleep and lay them down, then they sleep throughout the night.

When they get a bit older, I quit nursing them to sleep and they learn to go to sleep on their own. Its all about consistency with each phase we go through.

All of our children are wonderful sleepers as well. There is never a problem putting them to bed and them staying in their beds or sleeping throughout the night. I personally think its partly due to the security they get the first 6 months of their lives sleeping with us.

I've read before that it also decreases the risk of SIDS when they sleep with you. It really makes sense to me. Read here for a little article that explains why.

The closeness I get to experience sleeping with my babies is wonderful, I wouldn't trade it anyday for a bed alone while my little one is in their crib. Even though I do enjoy moving more freely when they are no longer in the bed, it is still worth the great sleep we all get.

30 Day Challenge Reminder!

2008-10-27T12:17:00.002-05:00

Okay ladies, if you are going to start the 30 Day Challenge with me on November 1st, we have four days left! I am praying for the Lord to prepare our hearts and minds as we start on Saturday and continue for the month of November. My hope and goal in this is that it will start a new habit in myself and you and continue throughout our lives...not just end at 30 days! I look forward to hearing how it is going with you. Whether you blog about it yourself daily, weekly or even once throughout the month. Or you can comment on my blog and let me know as well. Or just do it on your own without even letting me know! Whatever works for you!

Also, if you go to Nancy Leigh DeMoss's website here, you can accept the challenge and I think she sends a daily reminder email of what to do. Not exactly sure what the email say's since I haven't done it yet, but wanted to let you know about that as well.

Our Homeschool Journey (Thus far)

2008-10-23T11:39:00.007-05:00

Due to questions my friends have asked (I'm thinking of you Shea in particular) and the time it takes to answer those, I thought I'd give you a brief history to our homeschooling journey and where we are now. I apologize for this being so long!

We have been homeschooling now for the past 4 yrs and it has been quite a journey thus far. Originally I leaned more to the unit studies, rather than the more regimented way of the workbook. Then I learned about Charlotte Mason and began implementing her ideas into our days. That was a very exciting time as I have always been a big reader and I readily agreed with her ideas of not reading "twaddle" to the children, or having them read it. It seems like every year we were slowly evolving (like most home schools I imagine) to fit our lives best.

The next year I was exposed to the Heart of Wisdom teaching approach and curriculum. Still unit studies and using the Charlotte Mason method, but also returning to the Biblical Hebraic Education model, rather than the Greek method most homeschoolers (and public education) uses. I LOVED (and still love) it. Their book introduced me to delight directed learning as well, which was a beginning to where I am at now.

During this time, we were still using a math curriculum, science and so forth. I was beginning to see in Ireland a loathing of learning...dreading to pick up her math book because it was too challenging. Crying during math at times and getting very frustrated. This was something that was un-acceptable to me! Wasn't one reason we began homeschooling was so that she would love to learn and not dread it? I saw that though she did love reading, the other 'subjects' were beginning to drag her down.

For a while I had been trying to wrap my mind around what I believed schooling should and could be like, but I was having a hard time. One day while reading my No Greater Joy book, I happened to read this article - The Reformed School of Alexandria. I was amazed as this was exactly what I had been thinking to a degree but couldn't verbalize myself.

"Schooling will fill their brains with facts, enabling them to pass tests, but it will not teach them to relate to society. When children should be developing confidence, creativity, individuality, strong bodies, and work ethics, instead they are made to cease independent decision making and march (or rather sit) in formation to the drum beat of a lifeless curriculum."

"Long hours of boredom and pretended study stunts the intellectual growth of young children. Yes, we want our children to be educationally equipped to enter into any field or discipline they may choose, but mind-set is more important than mind content. It is far more important for a child to grow into personal confidence, creativity and vision than to rush into academic excellence. The reality is that most homeschooling parents are following the current pop philosophy, sacrificing the humanity of their children for the promise of academic security."

"Children need a mother who has the time and energy to mother them, not be a teacher who has neither the time nor the patience to appreciate them as people. Lay down your stern professor’s mantle and pick up your apron. Next time you meet eyes with your child make sure it is with approval and not with academic disappointment."

"The twelve-year-old who has not developed a disposition against schooling will learn more in six months than most kids know when they graduate. A child who is confident and secure will learn with ease. Fear of failure and rejection will close the mind up worse than retardation. Many children fear learning because they associate it with painful boredom and/or rejection."

Yes yes yes! It was about mind set - not mind content, if our children have the confidence to learn, the sky is the limit! But if their natural desire to learn has been killed by me in our hours of drudgery, forcing it upon them...there minds could close up (as mine had growing up) and it would no longer be a joy God intended learning to be. My goal then became that of teaching them HOW to learn, rather than force feeding information. I then spoke to friends who have "unschooled" and they were so encouraging to me, telling me how much their children are learning and the confidence they have to learn.

So after speaking with Mark about all these discoveries (though he wasn't too sure about them, mainly I think because we have been so used to what "schooling" should look like due to our experiences), he allowed me to try this out for our own school. We took a six month break from math and the rest of other curriculum. We began to live life together and I started what is called the "Discipleship Method" of homeschooling. This is still a work in progress and I have a lot to improve on in this area, but I really think it is right on. There was still tons of reading going on during this time, historical fiction, non-fiction, biographies, games and so forth...so lots of learning still happening (can you believe it, with no "school"?)!

She began to talk about things with me and ask questions like, how much gas does it take to drive to church? Then how much money does that gas cost? Which of course led the discussion to figuring it out using what? MATH! Real life math skills going on people! It was and is wonderful! Before anytime I would pull out the 'math' in conversation to figure things out with her, she would close up automatically and not want to go there. Now she is much more open to it, I believe because she is not afraid of it.

Though I still think that applying oneself to something even if it is not your absolute favorite thing, even in studies, is important. I began our "applied learning time" while the younger ones are napping. I have a full sheet of paper with things she can choose to do during this time...some examples would be copy work, math (using our math book, which now she enjoys!), geography, timeline work, poetry, writing, typing etc. She now does one to three of these daily and works through it weekly. It is really amazing to me to see how much she is learning, and how much she doesn't dread it anymore. I am teaching her how to find information, using thesaurus's, dictionary's, online resources etc.

Also with Caleb its neat to see how much he has learned without me "teaching" it to him through usual schooling methods. He has learned his letters, numbers, songs, simple poems all without me sitting down and teaching it to him, but through our everyday living life together! It has been a huge encouragement to me to see that learning can come naturally!

We still use curriculum whenever it benefits us, but not as a strict rule of daily school. We still use much of what we have learned from Charlotte Mason, and from Heart of Wisdom. Its not like I threw everything out with each new thing I learned...instead I added it and made it work for us. Our days are much more enjoyable and filled with learning now through real life, rather than being stressed out trying to complete our schedule of curriculum for that day or week. It has been a very exciting journey and I'm looking forward to seeing where the Lord brings us through it!

I am amazed daily of what Ireland shows that she learns. Her vocabulary (from reading) is huge and we've never used a vocabulary curriculum, her knowledge of geography (from games we've played) is better than mine was when I was a senior in high school even though she's never taken a geography class. Her knowledge of fractions (from cooking) is better than mine was up until a few years ago!

So be encouraged, learning should be a life long adventure. Your children have many years ahead of them Lord willing and you can relax! Don't kill their God given natural desire to learn...cultivate it!

Today

2008-10-22T15:59:00.006-05:00

I am so thankful to have a husband who supports and encourages me as I learn and grow in my created place. Who provides for us so we can be home together daily.

Today...

...I held and rocked my baby while his eyes drooped slowly till he fell asleep...a few times. Then I took a short cat nap with him.

...I nursed my baby many times.

...I prepared our dinner with Ireland (Southwestern Chicken Soup & homemade biscuits), both of us chopping up veggies together trying not to accidentally cut the other person while using the same cutting board.

...I got to comfort True after Caleb accidentally hurt her when he pushed the baby swing too hard and it hit her mouth...then I was able to watch as Caleb lovingly apologized to his little sister and try to make her feel better.

...I got to greet my dear husband with a big hug, smile & kiss when he arrived home with a yummy smelling dinner awaiting him after a long day at work.

...I got to look into each of my children's eyes many times and stand amazed at how wonderful each of them are.

...I got to read to my children and laugh at their funny antics.

...I got to eat with my children, breakfast, lunch and dinner around our family table and see them enjoy what I prepared.

...I got to do my chores and have the satisfaction of a clean house (relatively) and work well done.

...I got to train my children many times...no running, no yelling, how to clean a room well (again with 4 yr old).

...I got to spend a good amount of time worshiping our Lord with my children, not needing to rush but to enjoy our time with Him.

...I enjoyed listening to deep belly laughs from the children...there is nothing better!

...I changed many diapers joyfully, thankful it was me doing it and not a hired person.

...I watched Ireland & Caleb dance for me doing their special 'made up' twirls and kicks.

Definitely beats a day at the office!

Tagged...6 Things I've Learned

2008-10-22T12:37:00.003-05:00

I have been tagged by a dear blogging friend Mrs. Parunak whom you must go over to read her thoughts - she has wonderful things to say and is a great writer!

The rules to the tag are to list six things I’ve learned this month and then tag six friends. As always, this is just for fun, and no one should feel obligated in any way to play along.

So here are my things...

1. Having four children is not much different than having three, or two in the sense of them being harder to take care of. Just more to love and more to make me laugh (and possibly cry sometimes). More to play with and more to pray for...definitely the MORES are good things most of the time!

2. I have learned (again) that it is good to have a battle plan for my marriage in my thought life. My pastor's wife Donna encouraged me to make a battle plan so that whenever I'm tempted to feel critical, or discouraged or angry at my dear husband, to fall back on the battle plan that I decided to do ahead of time and not go there at all. Thus far, it has been working great!

3. I have learned how to make a baby doll.

4. I have learned how to replace elastic in the waist of a skirt.

5. I have re-learned how to fold pre-fold diapers on a newborn. So far he's only poo'd once in it and it went everywhere. So I'm trying out different folds so see which will work best for breastfed poo. I just don't remember from my first two!

6. I've learned by being reminded how much I love to take walks daily! I'm getting back into it and feeling so refreshed by the exercise and sunshine. LOVE it!

Here's who I've tagged...

Erin
Karen
Dawn
Brittany
Kristin
Benny

My Sweetheart

2008-10-19T19:36:00.004-05:00

Friday night Mark rented a movie for us to watch, not realizing how gruesome it was going to be. After the first 10 minutes of it with me having to keep my eyes closed and have it on mute for 7 of those minutes, my dear protector said to turn it off. He said that we did not need to watch it at all. It made me feel so loved and honored that he wanted to protect me in that way! Even though it didn't bother him, he didn't want to subject me to that stuff. What a great man!

Then tonight when the children and I went for our walk, Mark wanted to keep Noble. When we got back, this is what we came home to.
Any man that will wear his baby is a REAL man to me! :)

A Productive Weekend

2008-10-19T17:33:00.006-05:00

This weekend was so great! Beautiful fall weather along with my best friend (dear husband) being home all weekend made it even better!

Saturday mom and I went to some resale shops as I had gone through the children's clothing and taken some of it to a consignment store to receive credit. I ended up with being able to get Ireland a new skirt and dress, Noble some cute baby shoes, and an umbrella type stroller. My mom bought True some cute shoes that would make her daddy happy, even though they will not fit her for at least another year, they were too cute to pass up for $5.99.

Daddy bought Caleb a sword which he's been asking for one forever it seems like. All the children have been enjoying it this weekend. They've been taking turns "Knighting" each other with it...very cute!
Sunday was a very productive day with all the projects I have been working on all week. I put a new waste in three of Ireland's skirts that Mrs. MoBunny made from The Rabbit Hutch (love her!) since she has grown so much and were way too tight. So now they actually fit her (thanks to Marlys for the idea!). I also figured out what was wrong with my sewing machine and fixed it while Mark was watching the Cowboy game. Very excited about that!I also am almost done now with True's baby doll I'm making for her birthday. I just have to put the face and hair on her. Then I'll finish Caleb's blanket for his birthday, which we'll be celebrating their days in a couple of weeks. So I still have a bit more time!

I really like this baby doll pattern since it doesn't require me to make clothes with it. Seeing that I am still learning how to sew and the time it would take for me to make the clothing, and knowing how my little ones like to take off their baby clothes (then loose them), I figured why waste the time! This works out much better.There is something about sitting behind a sewing machine, holding a crochet hook with yarn, having my hands in a bunch of dough that will make some healthy delicious bread that makes me feel like a woman! I just love it! More on that subject at a later time...

I hope everyone who's reading this had a wonderful weekend as well!

For you mom...since you requested this picture!

True...A Terrific Two!

2008-10-16T19:43:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was True's second birthday and her daddy was so sweet to go buy some cupcakes for the children for after dinner. Please note: he did not realize he was buying the "Bratz" brand of cupcakes until he brought them home...we are NOT fans of those characters at all!

Looking forward to another year of True!