~ Look Who's 1 ! ~

You turned one this week my baby girl. I know every mother says this but the time just flew by. Its funny how I remember when your big brothers were small that I loved each new milestone that we hit. I could hardly wait till they got bigger because it was just so exciting and new. And yet with you... it's different.

I just can't help but feel a little sadness as each new month comes to an end and you get a little bit older. Maybe its because I am so familiar with how fleeting this precious babytime is.

You already are so independent now in so many ways. You'd rather spend time playing and crawling around on the floor with your big brothers and sisters than be curled up in my arms during the day. You have now decided you'd far rather sleep on your own than be snuggled in with mommy and daddy at night. Your daddy and I are so sad, but still get to enjoy your late night snuggle with us. Mommy cherishes her early morning cuddles while holding you so close as we go back to sleep together and you nurse.

I am so very thankful for you little one. Each day you bring me such happiness and joy. Your smiles and giggles are so contagious. You bring the whole family to laughter so easily.

You are such a peaceful baby...We were all so alarmed when you cried the first time. You were 5 months old and you bumped your head . None of us had ever heard you cry. It was such a shock and everyone was so sad to see you actually upset. You are moving around so much more now that you get hurt more often. The whole family still all come running to try and comfort you.

You smile at most everyone you meet. You're friendly and funny. We love that about you.

We love you baby My My.

For now I will savor every bit of babytime I have left. I will squish your little chubby cheeks with my kisses, I will breathe in your sweet baby smell, I will rub your fuzzy little head and relish in your drooly kisses.

I will take joy in each moment that I get to spend with you in my arms knowing that it won't be long that you too will be joining your siblings running away from me across the lawn.

I will rock you longer and hold you tighter.

Thank-you God for the privilege of motherhood. Thank-you again for revealing to me through the care of one of your many blessings, the fraility of life. I will embrace each day as if it were my last and hold my dear ones close to my heart...

~ Eternal Value ~

I guess because my oldest is growing up I am starting to ponder the brevity of life more. What I once thought would last forever is flying by at a rapid pace.

Things that I took for granted are no longer there...moments that I remember clearly are lost forever.

All things do pass. Nothing lasts forever. During trials these are encouraging words and yet when looking over the lives of your children, the memories, the special times when they were little, it becomes a grim reminder of the reality of this life here on earth.

I must examine my choices. Am I investing enough in that which is eternal?

"But store up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither rust nor moth destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal."~ Matthew. 6:20

What an important scriptural concept. If we really clearly understood that our days here on earth are numbered, would we feel a greater urgency to invest in eternal values?

I was reading something that Dr. James Dobson wrote in a Focus on the Family newsletter that I thought I would share.

Here are his words below:

"Would a 50-year-old man pursue an adulterous affair if he knew how quickly he would stand before his God? Would a woman make herself sick from in-law conflict or other petty frustrations if she knew how little time was left to her? Would men and women devote their lives to the pursuit of wealth and symbols of status if they realized how soon their possessions will be torn from their trembling hands? It is the illusion of permanence, you see, that distorts our perception and shapes our selfish behavior. When eternal values come in view, our greatest desire is to please the Lord and influence as many of our loved ones for Him as possible.

I ask each of my readers this important question: If we really believed that the eternal souls of our children hang in the balance today--that only by winning them for Christ can we spend eternity together in heaven--would we change the way this day is lived? Would we ignore and neglect so great an opportunity if our eyes were fully opened to this awesome responsibility? I think not. I pray not.

Addressing myself now to the mothers and fathers of young children, I urge you to keep this eternal perspective in view as you race through the days of your lives. Don't permit yourselves to become discouraged with the responsibilities of parenting. Yes, it is an exhausting and difficult assignment, and there are times when you will feel like throwing in the towel. But I beg you to stay the course! Get on your knees before the Lord and ask for His strength and wisdom. Finish the job to which He has called you! There is no more important task in living, and you will understand that assignment more clearly when you stand where Shirley and I are today. In the blink of an eye, you will be hugging your children good-bye and returning to an empty house. That is the way the system works." ~ Dr. James Dobson



Like this last pea pod of the season from our garden, I have 6 little peas nestled in my home for now. The time will come when they each will leave our home. I will be forced to examine the way I used my time when they were here with me.

What I do today with Gods grace can determine whether or not I will spend an eternity with them in heaven.

Much time spent with them loving, training, and guiding, along with much time spent on my knees in prayer is what I choose today and tommorrow.

Blessings,

~ Something to Strive For ~

I came across this quote and chuckled and thought to myself... Wow!

Now that is something to strive for.

"Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says..

"Oh no, she's awake."

~Unknown

~ Our Identity ~

Its strange how my children can go a way for a few days and I can miss them so much.

I yearn for them, feel a little sad, lose the pep in my step.

My dad wanted to take the kids up to his cottage for a few days..what a blessing really.

Not only is it fun for them, but it also allows me a break to focus on some things that need to get done.

With just baby My here, I can literally work hours with very little interruption, and yet I still feel forlorn.

Crazy huh?

Having my children away has made me realize how very much motherhood is ingrained into every fibre of my being.

Motherhood is so much a part of who I am. Although, it is not all that I am.

Motherhood does not define me. Being a wife and a helpmeet to my husband does not define me. I remember a time when it did. I remember feeling that however tradesman saw me or felt about me was then how I would see myself. My identity became wrapped up in my marriage. Whatever state my marriage was in was how I then saw myself.

Gradually, when I had children I saw the same thing become true as well. The amount of love that I received from my children, the validation I felt as a mother, the way that my children behaved all reflected back on my sense of identity.

However, my most important role yet is a follower of Christ.

My identity is not found in my role as my "childrens mother" nor is it found in my role as my "husbands wife."

I am a new creature in Christ. My identity is found in Him alone.

Motherhood is for HIS glory.

Being a wife and mother should not define our importance or our sense of security.

He longs for us to see ourselves as He sees us. We are the bride of Christ. The blushing, hope-filled, all things made new, beautiful bride of Christ.

We need to relish in this ladies. Relish in this most sacred, and important role.

I think I feel that pep in my step coming back.

Love,

~ Sorry ~

I'm truly sorry for the timing of this post. Yes, I realize that it is August and Fathers Day was back in June.

However, a family member asked if I would post pictures of our festivities and gifts for tradesman and I... um, agreed.

Now feeling silly I will go forth and oblige. You have the option of turning back now, or forever hold your peace.

Moving on...

Here's the shirt we made him. And yes we make him wear it. We worked darn hard on it I tell you!

I asked tradesman if he was at the point in life where he could walk around wearing a shirt with the many faces of his children on it and he said he surely was... I kid you not!

The back says "Hands Down" with most of our childrens' hand prints...that baby My was not in the slightest bit co-operative with keeping her pudgy little hand open for me.

And yes, I do know that it is almost near impossible to read the word "Hand" we some how got it backwords or upside down or something anyway.

With 5 children designing and re-designing and placing and re-placing decal letters, everything just got a bit crazy and obscured! My job was to man the very hot iron and press and re-press till I thought my hands would fall off...

Tradesman loved it though and the kids were very proud of their work! Yay Walmart! ( You can purchase all needed items for this fun, labor intensive, knock your husbands socks off project there)

Now because I have girls who are relentless with the baking and the crafting we had to do some kind of special food item for daddy too.

And so I present you with our dessert burger and fries. (brownies, cupcakes and shortbread being the main ingredients) The kids got a real kick out of making this, including the boys.

We got the recipe and the templates to print and make the schnazzy little tray and such online. When the girls and I were looking at it, I thought this will be easy and it was, but the mess that was made is a whole other story!

Tradesman enjoying his first bite with my 3 yr. old looking on proudly.

Everyone got to have a little "burger" and "fries" and much fun was had by all.

~ Who Will They Worship? ~

"It is imperative to be clear on this issue: parenting is not just providing good input. It is not just creating a constructive home atmosphere and positive interaction between a child and his/her parent.

There is another dimension.

The child is interacting with the Living God. . .He is either worshipping and serving and growing in understanding of the implication of who God is, or he is seeking to make sense of life without a relationship with God...

If he is a living fool who says in his heart there is no God; such a person doesn't cease to be a worshipper. He simply worships what is not God.

Part of the parent's task is to shepherd him as a creature who worships, pointing him to the One who alone is worthy of worship.

The question is not: "Will he worship?"

It is always, "Who will he worship..."

~Ted Tripp

~ A Call to Service ~

There is so much we can do.

We use money as an excuse, but God sees how frivolously we use our money. Every little bit we can donate to the cause of orphans counts!

We can train up our children to take on the plight, to feel the burden of the fatherless and raise them up to embark on Gods call for them.

Should we be raising them to look for success according to the worlds standards or should we be impressing upon them the less popular, die to oneself, life of service for the kingdom?

Helping them to see, feel, hurt, weep over the many lost and broken children will stir in them a desire to go out and do something about it.

I can think of no greater calling as a mama...

~ Laugh ~

When I was getting into the van for a little trip to the park with the kids, I encountered this guy on his way to his seat.

I asked him what on earth was on his head? He replied rather matter of factly that

"They are my goggles momma." Your goggles??
"Yes, of course for schwimming momma..in the wawder!"
Very well then, silly me!

He proceeded to wear his "goggles" while running through the park..

While telling his sisters an elaborate story..

During our picnic lunch..

And of course for the reason that they were intended...his swim in the pool! If only I had gotten a shot of him swimming with the matching pink noodle the lifeguard gave him!

Kids are so much fun! Their silly antics not only keep us on our toes but also keep us laughing on the sidelines.

Find the hilarity in the everyday, embrace the pure joy kids bring to the table!

Laugh mommies...Laugh with your little ones today.

Love,