~ A New Treasure ~

I want to shout it from the rooftops, call everyone I know...I am expecting!!
God has honored me by blessing me with another child. I feel so full, so utterly happy!
"What?!" Some may say. You already have 5 children, isn't that enough? Why add to your burden? Why make your life more difficult or tiring?

Children are a gift, a blessing!! I've been given something special, something to not take lightly. Praises should be on my lips each morning, prayers of thankfulness each evening. What an Awesome God I serve!
Society has demeaned the having of children, abortion is at its worst, the rampant use of birth control in the churches, every child is looked at as something of an inconvenience or a life drainer, a burden at worst.
Mothering is considered a chore, a substitute for a "real job."
Even among Christian mothers there is a common notion that what we do is laborious, arduous work. Its the norm that nights out with the girls, or a day out on your own is a necessity or a even requirement. I deserve it, or I need it!
Really?...doesn't God supply all our needs, aren't we asked "to do nothing out of selfish ambition."
I'm not saying that we should never go out, or that we should never have time alone. There just needs to be a thought process adjustment.
The time out is not the reward, the children are the reward! Each day that we serve and care for our family is a priveldge!
We can pat ourselves on the back for choosing the sacrificial job of staying home with our children to raise them ourselves and some of us even homeschooling them. But if we are not truly embracing where we are, if we are always looking for distractions or relief, then we are doing ourselves and our children a great disservice.

We as a family just watched "An Arctic Tale" recently. We loved it.
Something I found interesting was that in the walrus herds babies are rarer then some creatures and so are very important to the whole group. The entire herd treats this baby as a treasure, she or he is valued highly.
We should all look at each child or each potential child as a God-given treasure to value.
Please watch this short video, it brought me to tears with gratefulness for the 5 soon to be 6 treasures I have been entrusted with.
(turn off music in my sidebar)

~ For Grandma ~

Warning* cute pictures of my kids ahead...well, at least I think so. This post is for the grandmas and them alone.

~ Let them make Forts ~

With my very best Marie Antoinette impression of "Let them eat cake"
I say... "Let them make Forts"... although I'm not wearing one of those cumbersome corsets that make your waist look 12 inches round, gee on second thought do you know where I can get one of those?


When you come into your living room and find it like this, you might instinctively react with a desire to shoot yourself. After that feeling passes though you might actually feel a nostalgic joy in the creation. I'm sure you can remember how much fun it was to create these monstrosities, ahem, I mean masterpieces.


The pure excitement of a hidden hideaway in your very own living room. A place to scurry away toys, books and treasures. You maybe giggled and told secrets with your siblings, pretended you were a spy or something else very secretive.


This might be an annoyance to us mothers at times considering every blanket in the house has been utilized along with every clean towel and pillow because well "momma there has to be beds." Not to mention every toy imaginable has now joined the underground hideaway as well.
But should we really sweat this?

Does it really matter if its going look like a bomb went off in here in about 1 hour when King Kong a.k.a the toddler gets tired of just merely hiding in the fort and decides destroying it would be far more interesting.
In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't.
When my boys were very young I decided I never wanted to be an uptight mom who never allowed her house to get messy, who found it more important to have everything look perfect then it was to just let her kids play.
At times I can find myself reverting to that and it never feels good. My children aren't as joyful, or creative because they are always worried about making a mess.

I read an article once a few years ago in a mothering magazine that I love. The mother was discussing the importance of being a friend to our children. Hanging out with your children, spending play time with your children.
In Titus 2 we are told to love our children. It seems insane that we need to be told that when most mothers would die for their children. But the Greek word for "Love" in this verse is philoteknos~meaning to be a friend to your children.

She went on to say that many mothers are more of a friend to their homes than they are to their children...ouch that hurt. I underlined that sentence right there and then and decided that would not be me.
Yes, we must keep house, but if you notice in Titus 2 that that is further down the list from being a friend to our children, God always puts things in order of importance.

So mommas..."Let them make forts," and don't forget the cookies for your hungry little stowaways.

~ Worth More ~

I' m feeling frumpy...I'm feeling unattractive.
Maybe it's the fact that my "big" jeans are feeling a little tight or that commercial I saw with the absolute perfect body that had the most perfect face to go along with it or it could even be that fourth cookie that I polished off last evening.
Ahhhh, the truth will set us free, but I'm not feeling too free. So maybe I need a good dose of Gods word and a little run on the treadmill to feel better.
Cracking open my Bible involves no sweat, no tears and well, no laundry so I pick that today.

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. (Proverbs 31:10)

"Our culture has attempted to discard the beauty and uniqueness of biblical womanhood and create an emotionally androgynous power-woman whose worth is measured only by the degree of her ambition, the shape of her body, and her money-making potential."
(a quote by Stacy Mcdonald in 'Passionate Housewives')

Okay, I feel better, and I don't smell one bit.

Virtuous~ moral excellence, righteousness, noble, right-minded.
These are things that I fall short in but on a daily basis I still pursue.
The perfect body, the academic performance, the status that the world measures beauty by are of no interest to me. Our God says a virtuous woman is worth far above rubies...well then, thats worth pursuing.

~ Love Letter from your Heavenly Father ~

Enjoy hearing from your Heavenly Father today whether you already know Him or not.
He wants to know you...you can start by hearing what he has to say today.
(Turn off music in my sidebar)

~I'm Cold ~

You know your house is cold when....

1. Your second love in bed is your hot water bottle.
2. Your butter is still rock hard at room temperature.
3. When others are undressing for bed, you are adding layers.
4. The kids sleep in their clothes to avoid any exposure of skin to frigid air while changing.
5. Someone drops by and thinks they have caught you on your way out 'cause you are wearing your coat...you're not going anywhere.
6. Your fantasy purchase is currently an electric blanket.
7. Your husbands come on line is "Honey, it will warm you up" and it works every time.
8. Your fridge broke 2 months ago, but you don't need it, counters are working just fine.
9. You find yourself asking your husband bizarre questions at night while getting ready for bed like ~ " Sweetie, did you remember to put the fish in the microwave?" ~true story.
10. You've become so acclimatized to arctic temperatures that when you are visiting someone else's home you wish you had brought your shorts.
11. 4 children are crammed into one set of bunk-beds and love it.
12. And last but not least this is what a cozy night on the couch in your living-room looks like...
    

~ Chip Off the Old Block ~

I'm sure there are some who feel we are far too strict with our children, that our expectations are too high.
I would have to agree that our expectations for our children's behavior and most importantly their character IS high.
However, is that wrong?
We keep that bar high in hopes that our children will seek excellence. I can't help but think of Jesus Christ whose life was one of excellence, perfection in every aspect.
Have we not been asked to emulate his behavior? To live lives striving after that example.

My children are not perfect. They are sinful human beings not unlike their parents. Hearing a sarcastic comment out of the mouth of my 12 year old shames me and forces me to examine my own heart attitudes. The irresponsible behavior and forgetfulness of our 9 year old humbles my husband when he acknowledges his own struggle with this.

Raising children is the most refining task we could ever accomplish in this life. We can't help but deal with our own imperfections and personal inadequacies when discipling our children. To disciple is to train, to model, to lead by example.
Wow! Daunting isn't it?! To be faced with our own struggles daily as we seek to train these children into responsible, compassionate, selfless adults is in its self a most overwhelming feat.

Thankfully, we are not alone in this! Only when we are willing to admit our shortcomings and faults are we able to receive the help from above that HE is only too willing to give. Where we are weak, HE is strong!
How grateful I am with a Heavenly father who is always ready to forgive and love unconditionally.
How could I extend anything less to my children?

~ A Mother's Love ~

"There is no human love like a mother's love. There is no human tenderness like a mother's tenderness...In all ages everywhere, the true children of a true mother 'rise up and call her blessed'; for they realize, sooner or later that God gives no richer blessing to man than is found in a mother's love."
Henry Clay Trumbull~Hints on Child Training

~ We Have Ice ~

Well, what do we have here....could it be true?

It seems strange that it is cold enough outside to freeze water yet there is NO snow!


Ahhhh, we have a triumphant "Yes!" It is indeed ready!


Now get back inside you crazy child...its cold enough out here to freeze your lips together!
Wait! On second thought maybe you should stay outside just a little longer, really... you'll be okay.
I know you don't have your coat on, but well, coats are for girls, sissy folk, not manly young men like yourself!


Oh never mind all that, I was just kidding... if those adorable lips froze together than I wouldn't get to see that sweet smile of yours and your mama loves that sweet smile of yours.
Besides, what would the neighbors think!

~ Build your Homes ~

In the morning when I come down to our kitchen and find a peanut butter smeared knife stuck to the island and toast crumbs strewn about as well as jars of peanut butter and honey left out and opened, I feel secure and content.
Is it just that I enjoy cleaning up messes first thing in the morning or that I take delight in scraping sticky peanut butter & honey off of counter tops? No, not particularly.

Its what was ALSO left behind on that gooey island that makes my heart feel warm and secure and brings a contented smile to my face.
As I carefully close and pick up his bible I reflect on how very blessed I am.
This wonderful, albeit messy husband of mine, has once again started his day with God.
While he was feeding that tummy of his he remembered that which was so much more important…feeding his mind, heart and soul with Gods word.

Why does this make me feel secure?
I know that every decision that he makes that day will be held up to the scrutiny of Gods word and filtered through the lens of the Holy spirit.
His priorities will be in order, thoughts of his family will be on the forefront of his mind, and Jesus has already been invited to walk with him that day.
I love knowing that my husbands thoughts and actions are being guided and directed by our Heavenly Father. I love that he is open to growing, stretching and moving forward in his walk with God.
I am secure.

What happens when I notice that Bible not out, when I find it on the shelf in the family room getting a little dusty? Well, first thing I do is pray.
If my husband isn’t reading each day it means something is out of whack. He’s working too much, or thinking too much or stressed too much, or just plain too tired!
I bring those concerns to God and ask him to bless my hubby. Then I vow to do what ever I can to alleviate those issues that I think might be affecting him.

Should I nag, worry, or even worse …chastise?
This is our opportunity as wives to be helpmeets to our husbands. This is where we step in and gently encourage them to get back on track. We want them to know how very much we appreciate their spiritual leadership, and how much we respect them.
They are not one of our children to scold and reprimand. They do not deserve to be made to feel inadequate in their role as headship of their homes. Your husband will flourish under your encouragement and belief in him.
Unfortunately, I didn’t always know this.

Sometimes we have to really fail at something to come out stronger and learn so much. At times in the past I would try to convince and persuade my husband to take on the leadership of his family, all the while holding all control tightly in my fist along with any dignity he had!
Informing him of this or that responsibility, reminding him of this or that thing he should be doing or accomplishing. And of course it was never right how he was going about doing any particular thing, he should of course listen to me, an authority on such things.

No wonder our husbands can give up and refuse to take on the role God has designed for them. There's the key ladies, designed for HIM!

If we just step down and let them be, if we just close our mouths and pray, if we just build up instead of tear down, God can be heard.
HIS whisper to our men will be heard, no longer competing with the loud chaos that is us.

Some wives will say "My husband just never gets around to leading the family in devotions" Do you nag him? Do you tell him when he should do it and make him feel bad when he doesn't?
Maybe back off and try encouraging him with one of the kids making a request for him to just read a few verses out loud after dinner or read a small section from a devotional book. Do not step in and take over with what he should do or not do.
Just smile at that hubby of yours and thank him. When going to bed that night, tell him how very much you appreciated him reading and affirm him.
Don't bother to tell him what he should have done or what you would rather him do next time.
Just be content with what has begun and let God complete the work in him.

Some women take the approach of thinking they are more spiritual than their husbands or just believe they know how to do the whole dang thing better than him. They find themselves correcting him, (oops that was me) directing him, (that was me too) and when they really didn't think it was good enough they just take over!
(alas, me as well)
We are not called to pick up the slack, we are to enable!! That means to make possible!
Not to be impossible!

Dig into the scriptures ladies and then take what you find to your husbands and ask their opinions. Ask them questions and pick their brains for their thoughts, instead of being little "Miss. no- it- all." Keep quiet and humble, sincerely seeking the advice and input of your hubby.
What a blessing this will be to him to know that you value and regard his thoughts and point of view. Nothing like a good old deep question to get your husband digging around in the scriptures to come up with an answer for you. One that is received without any unnecessary feedback from you.
Unless of course that feedback entails showering his face with kisses and telling him how very much you respect him and what he means to his family!

Blessed is the woman who is meek and humble in spirit.
Proverbs 14:1 ~ A wise woman builds her home, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.

~ I Take No Responsibility ~

I came downstairs to find my son watching a hockey game like this....

After I stopped laughing hysterically, I ran and grabbed my camera. He sheepishly looked at me and informed me that he was very serious about the game.
Well, alrighty then!

Honestly, I have no idea where this comes from-Tradesman nor I are big sports fans. We haven't watched sports while the boys were growing up nor have we paid much attention to it at all. Our boys however, have really gotten into hockey on their own the last few years. Now as for the strange behavior of being fully decked out in all of the memorabilia given to him by various family members including the floor rug which is draped across my chair...well I can only blame that on my bizarre genes.
Tradesman's folks are normal, simple folk really. My family on the other hand are...well a little kooky to say the least.

Everyone meet my sister, geez she's gonna kill me when she sees this...I love you little sis...

Thankfully, the gene pool was merciful to me and somehow all this weirdness escaped me, Phew!
Okay, maybe not, but I'm not going to admit it- you can't make me...I won't!

~ He's all you Need ~

This is powerful! Some may have already seen it, but I never tire of watching it!

He's all we need! He will take us in whatever condition we are in, broken, lost, damaged, He will restore!
If you've never seen it before, please watch to the end... you won't regret it.
I've included the words to the song playing during the skit in case you would like to read them following the video.
(Turn off music in my sidebar)




Find Me Here
Speak To Me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
You are the light
That's leading me
To the place where I find peace again.

You are the strength, that keeps me walking.
You are the hope, that keeps me trusting.
You are the light to my soul.
You are my purpose...you're everything.

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

You calm the storms, and you give me rest.
You hold me in your hands, you won't let me fall.
You steal my heart, and you take my breath away.
Would you take me in? Take me deeper now?

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

Cause you're all I want, You're all I need
You're everything, everything
You're all I want your all I need
You're everything, everything.
You're all I want you're all I need.
You're everything, everything
You're all I want you're all I need, you're everything, everything.

And How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

~ A Bible Study Lockdown ~

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where being polite and proper were the only reason you didn't do something outrageously embarrassing?

I found myself strangely uncomfortable and unnervingly quiet the other night. We had attended what we thought was to be a nice small group Bible study. We had joined the Sunday before under the pretense that this would be a good way to make some connections in the church and also the write up of the actual book caught our interest.

Unbeknown to us, we had signed up for 13 weeks of Bible bootcamp!!
As the pastor outlined the purpose of the study and in great detail described the amount of homework involved...I found myself involuntarily twitching!
I glanced over at Tradesman who was watching the pastor with rapt attention. He looked over at me rather triumphantly as if to say...this is what I've been looking for, something with some real meat!
Well, ahem...whats wrong with just a little appetizer? I'm not really feeling all that hungry anyway, honest.

With 5 children, 2 in ballet, 2 in hockey and skating, homeschooling to do, and a worship choreography to prepare for and teach in our homeschool support group shortly-I feel my plate is full. My mind was running a million miles an hour. I was contemplating exit strategy's, scoping out the area wondering who might get in my way and weighing out if I could take them down.

Just then the pastor mentions the reasons he decided to teach the classes himself and keep the amount of people to a certain number. One was quality control and the second being policing the group. Only those who had signed up would be allowed to attend because they were the ones that had committed to doing the work. I was in lockdown. It was his way of separating the wishy-washy "maybes" from the determined "doers!!"

Ah, "excuse me, I really am a wishy-washy maybe and somehow I got put on the determined doer list and really I have noooo idea how that happened" is all that kept running through my brain. I had to use every bit of restraint to keep from blurting it out.
Just staying put on that couch beside my sweet Tradesman who was obliviously unaware of my inner turmoil, was taking every ounce of self-control I had!

The pastor started to outline some of the work involved. There were 5 days of lessons to be completed before the following week. Each lesson was anywheres from 3 to 6 pages long. This was no regular size book either. This was a big old book the size of a binder! I knew if he continued, I would end up on the floor sucking my thumb in the fetal position. Now that would be embarrassing!

Finishing off my very last cell of sanity was the contract. We were all handed a page with which we were to sign our very deep and serious commitment to the course and all that it entailed.
Eagerly, Tradesman signed and handed me the pen with great anticipation. I reluctantly took it with a plastered on smile and scratched out my name painfully.
I felt as if I had signed over my first-born child. The only thing that I could find comfort in was the knowledge of coffee and brownies awaiting us in the kitchen.
I planned on locking myself in the bathroom with about 4 of them.

As we finished praying, him for the group and I for a loophole, a ray of hope was introduced.
The pastor discussed the importance of keeping a journal during the entire length of the study.
Now that is something that I can do. I love keeping a journal. I have kept a journal of prayer off and on for years.
The homework I will endure, but the journal I will embrace!

Don't take me wrong, the pursuit of knowledge and most importantly greater intimacy with my Heavenly Father is something that I am passionate about. Going back to school however, is something I have no desire for.
I have given my word though, actually I signed my neighbors name...kidding.
So I will persevere!
I will keep you all posted in the weeks to come.

~ Sleeping Beautys ~

My husband and I feel like we are really entering a new stage in life. Our eldest child has now reached the age of where we can leave him fully responsible for an evening while Tradesman and I are out on the town. At a buck an hour, he is darn cheap too!
All of our younger children are quite capable of taking care of themselves and our 2 year old looks at our eldest son as a smaller version of us. The two of them are quite close and so we have the confidence and security of knowing that we are leaving him in responsible, nurturing, loving hands.
I must admit, it is a taste of freedom that we are relishing.

When we came home from Bible study one night, this is the sight that awaited us....

Is there anything more precious than watching your children sleep?....yes watching two of your children curled up together sleeping!
Seeing our eldest child snuggling in our bed with our youngest child was such a tender sweet moment for us.

So take heart mothers who still only have little ones at home...Your day is coming!