Daily Pleasures

And people call us "weird!"

2009-12-28T18:20:00.002-05:00

I can't imagine why...

Can you?

Elisabeth (of course) came up with this brilliant idea for everyone to dress up weird today, so off they all scrambled to come up with an outfit. I couldn't be left out, so I threw my bathrobe on over my clothes, grabbed my heels and my husband's hat, and we all headed outside for a photo shoot in the snow.

Then, while Nina (who refused to participate in such foolishness) took pictures, Elisabeth called out, "Let's dance!" Now you have to understand something. Our family listens to very conservative music and we don't dance. And even if we wanted to, we're just not coordinated enough to pull it off. So we just leap and twirl and grab hands and laugh a lot...

But it sure is fun! :)

Before we headed in, we stopped for one "nice" shot of all of us weirdos...

Now I am not normally a wild woman. I do enjoy acting a little strange once in awhile, especially when my kids are around to appreciate it, but this morning, when I saw the fresh snow, I had this terrible urge to run outside barefoot. And it wasn't hard to come up with two other people dumb enough to join me...

It's been a long time and I had forgotten that hot, tingling sensation that confuses your brain for a second and then the freezing pain that follows when you get back inside where the air is warm. You should try it. And be sure to bring a partner to share the laughter.

As soon as we came back in, one of Elisabeth's friends called to ask if some of the kids could come over and go sledding. We decided we would all go, so while most of the older kids headed for the hill, the younger three stayed inside with me and visited with Mrs. Young. A real treat.

She baked them fresh cookies and served hot cocoa..

I can't remember a day so filled with spontaneity and fun! If it were up to Elisabeth, every day would be like this one, but I put a damper on most of her impulsive ideas. There's something called real life, though I suppose I shouldn't rush her into it, right? :)

Wishing you a day with just a bit of fun involved!

Love,

Word Call for 2010...

2009-12-27T23:50:00.007-05:00

This will be the fourth year that I have chosen a word for myself. One word that will be my focus for the year - my prayer, my goal. After much mental debate over my word for this coming year, and no satisfactory answer, I finally worked up the courage and humility to ask my husband for a suggestion. He answered without hesitation: Discipline. And I knew instantly that it was the right word.

Sometimes I despair because my husband is so good. His self-discipline amazes and frustrates me. When I ask him how to stop talking unkindly to the children or how to keep from eating junk food or how to make sure I get done what I need to do each day, his answer is simple. "Just decide you're going to do it and then do it."

Yeah, so simple.
But it isn't so simple.
Not for me, anyway.

I need to allow God to discipline my life, to make me beautiful for Him.
I need to develop stronger self-discipline.
I need to be faithful to discipline my children correctly and consistently.

I have yet to look up a working definition, choose a verse or to define any specific goals, but I am excited about my word for this year.

I really encourage you to choose a word for yourself, and if you turn it into a prayer request, I guarantee that before the year is over, God will change your life in that area, giving you a powerful testimony of His faithfulness.

If you'd like to share, I'll be adding your name along with your word to the prayer list along the side so that we can pray for each other throughout the year. (This would be a good time to help me update our prayer list once again. Any additions, removals, updates or due dates? Thank you.)

Search your heart.
Ask the Lord.
Ask your husband - if you're brave enough. ;)
And then come back and share with us...

Love,

Christmas morning...

2009-12-27T09:46:00.001-05:00

Just a few pictures taken while the kids were opening their gifts with Papa...

I think Papa might be sorry now that he ever taught Caleb to drive his scooter. ;)

Have a lovely day!
Love,

Reassessment time...

2009-12-26T22:53:00.001-05:00

You know by now how much I love to assess and analyze things and how much I adore new beginnings. This time of year is my favorite time for a good Life check-up and a time for setting new goals. I wanted to share a few links with you that I have been reading/rereading/working through.

Three of the Most Important Things You can Do at This Time of Year

Ten Questions to Ask at the Start of a New Year or On Your Birthday

Being Content with Who I Am and What I Have

Loving the Mothers we Are

Brighten the Corner Where You Are

God has a purpose and a plan for your life in 2010.
What will you do for Him in this coming year?

Love,

Salon de Rebekah...

2009-12-26T15:02:00.002-05:00

She does her own make-up.
She even cuts her own hair.

Would you like to make an appointment?

Love,

What a wonderful life...

2009-12-24T23:04:00.004-05:00

The kids are tucked into bed for the night. Daddy came home very early this afternoon with a "gift" for all of us that will keep us smiling all year long. We are going on vacation! Grant it, it's not until next August, but don't you just love to savor your surprises? The last vacation we took was four years ago, and the one before that was ten! And now, we have reservations for a cabin in the woods of Pennsylvania beside a lake with miles of hiking grounds and NO cell phone reception (that means Daddy all to ourselves). Hurrah! And the fun part is that Tony and Stacy and their family will have a cabin nearby and Stacy's mom and sister will have another cabin and Chris' mom and Bill will have a fourth. It'll be one big party for one whole week. Do I sound excited? Oh, you just wait. I'm sure you'll be hearing more... I just might smile for the whole next eight months straight! :)

But anyway, back to today. I had taken several of the kids shopping with me for last minute foods and more importantly, last minute gifts - from them. They had exchanged names to give each other gifts, so we wrote up a list of ideas and set off to find them. There are few things as satisfying to a mother as seeing her children choose, purchase with their own saved money, wrap, keep secret, and then give the gift to the chosen sibling. Priceless. After the gift exchange, I sent them running all over the house following clues to find their Klondike bars and jerky. They enjoy it, but I think I enjoy it even more. Kids are so fun!

We had fresh bread and dill dip, salsa and tortilla chips, and fresh veggies and ranch dip for supper along with their huge collection of sweets and treats that they have received over the past couple of days. Then we gathered around the table to play Cranium. My girls loved playing the adult version with their friends, but I bought the family edition, which is for ages 8 and up. It was enjoyable, but no matter how fun the game, it's just not the same when there are 10 people playing (most needing help) and three little ones running around getting into everything. I did feel successful at finding a game for almost every age that we could all play at once, though.

And then we finished the evening cuddled up with bed buddies, sipping eggnog, and watching "It's a Wonderful Life." The rule is that we aren't allowed to watch it any other time of the year, so that keeps it special. The kids have seen it enough times now to remember some of the parts and to anticipate their favorites. I never, ever watch that movie without a sigh and the realization that I truly have a wonderful life of my own. I am rich with family and friends.

And so, tomorrow morning, no one is allowed up before seven, and then the kids will go down to Papa's house. Daddy and I will sleep in a bit and then join them to open gifts with Papa. We will share cinnamon rolls (Pillsbury Grands - no homemade ones at Christmas!) and oranges for breakfast, and then we will hurry-scurry around getting the house back in one piece before company arrives. Uncle Tony has taken over Papa's yearly job of making huge pots of authentic Italian spaghetti sauce, filled with a grand variety of meats and hearty meatballs. We will contribute the homemade bread and Grama and my sisters-in-law will provide desserts. There will be lots of laughter and opinions and giving each other a hard time. And then we will spend our evening napping and snacking on leftovers.

And after that? One whole long week of vacation from schoolwork. Lots of game playing, lots of time spent out in the snow, and lots of time curled up together in our warm house with a book or a movie. What a wonderful life.

Still contemplating my gift for Jesus... And my word for 2010.
My heart and mind are full.

Wishing you His richest blessings!

Love,

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-23T20:11:00.000-05:00

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb.
If I were a wiseman,
I would do my part.
What can I give Him?
Give my heart.

- Christina Rosetti

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas! When I read your comments, when I pray for you and hear how God has answered, when you share stories of your children discussing our family, when I mention the heartache of a reader and receive a number of encouraging emails to forward to her, when I read your blogs and see comments from readers that met you through my blog, when I see that you are praying for each other and forming your own friendships, when I find sweet surprise packages in my mail box from you, and when I have the privilege of meeting a few of you in person because of my blog...

Then I realize just how rich and rewarding these internet friendships can be. And I thank God for each one of you whom He has brought to Daily Pleasures and all of the opportunities I have to touch your lives each day.

Merry Christmas, my friends!

Love,

More kitten pictures...

2009-12-22T12:45:00.001-05:00

I can't begin to tell you how much we have enjoyed this litter of kittens. Countless times a day, someone stops to exclaim, "Aw, look at these two!" Or "Mommy, come quick! Look at Sparkle!" They are so entertaining, even when they sleep. This second litter is much prettier, too, albeit a bit smaller and a bit smellier since they have been raised without their mommy's good milk and training.

Several of them are already spoken for, so we are counting down the days and getting all of the pleasure out of them we can while they are still with us. Here are just some of the sweet pictures that I've taken.

Below are Shadow and Sparkle napping together...

Inky is my special little friend. She is by far the most adventurous. She was the first to climb the stairs, and the first to figure out how to get on our bed. She consistently climbs up each night and snuggles in somewhere on the covers. She frolics all over the bed when we wake up in the morning. She climbs up Chris' legs to sit on his shoulders in the evenings and lick his neck. I'm going to miss Inky... (She's on the top right below)

We lost Popcorn the other night. It was a very upsetting evening. One of the girls picked her up and her head hung loose like she had no control over her neck. Shortly after, she began to have seizures and died. We have no idea what might have caused it all and it was so sad to lose her.

Sparkle is the prettiest little thing. Her fur is long like Midnight's, but she has brown streaks and her face is just precious. She is the most timid of the bunch, but she is still playful and cuddly.

And sweet little Shadow...

This next picture is for Samari. She and her family are adopting Sir Midnight along with another kitten. Samari likes to sit on her mommy's lap to read my blog and she asks to see pictures of Midnight and "her friend, Beka." They will be meeting for the first time on Saturday for a tea party at my sister's house. Fun!

These pictures of Midnight are for you, too, Samari...

He spends a lot of time napping in the manger with Baby Jesus. :)

And then there's our other "baby," Tommy-O. Silly cat doesn't know what a cat is supposed to act like. He's willing to do whatever the kids wants him to do. And he's still pretty good at the "big brother" thing, although he's grown so big and fat finishing off their formula each time that he doesn't know his own size and strength and tends to get pretty rough at times. Pretty typical for the big brother, isn't it? Awww, he looks so innocent, though...

We'll be saying good-bye to three of our little cuties in this next week. We'll miss them. At any given time, there is a kitten or two snuggled in someone's arms and they provide a lot of healthy entertainment throughout the day. We're so thankful to have had this opportunity. And yet, just a tiny bit thankful that it's almost over. Seven cats in a house with thirteen people makes me really glad that we have a big house.

Love,

Good morning, friend...

2009-12-20T14:43:00.009-05:00

It's Sunday morning and I'm feeling chatty. I woke early and scurried around, then kissed my husband good-bye as he and most of the children headed off on the church bus. Between picking people up for church, attending Sunday School and morning service and then dropping them off again, I have quite a few quiet hours before me. How often do I sit in my robe and waste time until noon? And as much as I love our church and our church people, I've ceased being ashamed to admit that an occasional Sunday morning at home is a treat for me.

(Christopher screwed my buffet doors back on for me this week. Not sure if Caleb was admiring his work or coveting his tools.)

Today I have Bethany, Sarah, Rebekah and Caleb at home sporting either a stream of yuck running from their noses or for the older two, a raw red mustache where it has been repeatedly wiped away, hopefully by a Kleenex each time, but most likely by whatever was closest at hand. I'm trying to remember not to to grab them by the arm today. Beside me sits a box of wipes and a 16 oz. canister of Boudreaux's Butt Paste (we prefer to say "bottom" around here, but you have to admit that title makes a good word picture - and it's good stuff, by the way). Hopefully by the end of the day, they won't be quite so raw. It seems the fevers and croupy symptoms come in the dead of the night and the nasty noses take over in the daytime. Sarah's asthma has flared up once again, so she has occasional coughing spasms, but overall, I'm not complaining a bit. Thank God, we once again missed the stomach bug that had been making its rounds. And H1N1.

(Daddy play at its best. One of my favorite forms of entertainment.)

The stew is simmering in the crockpot, I can faintly smell the bread rising in the oven, the kids have played a half a game of Blokus, dumped handfuls of pony beads and then returned (most of) them to the container, built several variations of marble runs (until they lost all six marbles), helped me wrap a dozen or so presents (we're keeping things very minimal this year), had juice with Emergen-C in it, hot cocoa and Cran-apple spice muffins, repeatedly begged for candy and cookies to no avail, stomped all of Caleb's scattered Cheerios flat, read a couple of books together, played with the kittens, and are now involved in a wild game of hide-and-seek that has Sarah coughing like crazy again (kind of makes her an easy target for whoever is "it," you know?). Caleb is presently absorbed in unzipping and zipping my bathrobe. He's really into zippers lately. And pants. He takes off his pants and brings them to me several times a day. It makes me laugh every time.

(Watching one of our favorite Christmas movies, Christmas of Avonlea, one evening last week.)

Oh, and I have the best news. All this time, I've been saying that Caleb is almost 17 months old and then I realized that just yesterday, he was turning only 16 months!! Yeah! Another whole month of babyhood. I celebrated by taking his pictures this morning. I even dragged the black blanket out of the bottom of the pile in my closet and threw it over the bed behind him so they'd be a bit more professional looking. It is nearly impossible to catch him still long enough to capture his sweet little face in the viewfinder and then by the time I push the button to release the shutter...poof! He's gone already. And now I'm in a bit of a panic because for some reason, my card won't download to my computer. I'm holding my breath until Chris takes a look at it, hoping that he can figure out why. But just seeing Caleb's little face on the LCD screen as I click through this morning's shots makes me amazed at what a little person he is already. Expressions and mannerisms and ways of communication all his own. He is the quirkiest, cutest, little fellow!

Speaking of Caleb, I can hear sounds coming from the kitchen right now. The clink of the spoon against a mug, little slurping sounds, and his quiet "no, no, no" as he guiltily scolds himself. Sometimes, a moment of peace is worth the mess. I hope I'm right this time.

(The kids did their very best coloring their pages for a contest put on by our local post office. Winners will be announced Tuesday. They're all holding their breath.)

And so I've had a few minutes today between "Mommy, look" and "She's taking that" and "Will you help me?" to finish up most of the book I've been reading. I must say that although the ideas and prompts and examples that are in my latest writing books are so thought-provoking, and though the titles themselves were enough to light my fire (Writing Motherhood, Writing Life Stories, The Artist's Way...) I am sorely disappointed in the books themselves. Why do people consider it perfectly acceptable to use crude words and to openly discuss private issues in a public format? As much as I love the teaching on writing, I refuse to keep a book on my bookshelves that I wouldn't want my own daughters to read, because I was young once too, and I know that eventually, they will find those pages.

Well, this week begins our two-week vacation from schooling. We'll be getting together with various family groups several different times throughout the week, but everything is all low-key. It's just sit back and enjoy those you love, basically, and that's my favorite kind of activity.

And now I suppose I should dress myself before my family finally arrives home and finds us all just as they left us.

Wishing you all a lovely Christmas week!

Love,

*No photos from today until my Super Hubby solves my problems, because I know he will, of course. But don't worry because I have a myriad of older ones to catch up on sharing.

Sleep, baby, sleep...

2009-12-17T22:09:00.001-05:00

This will be the first time that I have weaned a baby because he is getting too old to nurse. For all of the others, we stopped because I was pregnant with the next baby. It is so interesting to experience personally that God not only gives life; He also chooses not to give life. Caleb is almost 17 months old, and normally by this time, I would be very pregnant or have a newborn in my arms. My husband said facetiously the other night that, "We're not only wasting time; we've wasted a whole kid!" ;)

So in another week or two, I will officially be neither pregnant nor nursing for the first time in over 17 years!!! My, oh, my, what will I do with myself! I am seriously considering doing a cleanse and was hoping for some recommendations. Simple, natural, and inexpensive with no major side effects. Has anyone tried something that they were happy with?

Thanks,

Follow-up on Balancing passions and life...

2009-12-16T16:41:00.003-05:00

I have put a great deal of thought and prayer into the question I posed the other day regarding balancing passions and life. Thank you so much for sharing your passions and your thoughts with me and please feel free to add more.

Looking back, my "problem" began shortly after I publicly shared my dream of writing a book. So many of you graciously encouraged me to pursue this dream that I decided to set myself a concrete goal to turn it into a reality. Say, in ten years, I thought. That would be reasonable. And then I set out, gung-ho, collecting all of the books on writing that I could get my hands on, some from off of my own bookshelf, one from the thrift store, and a few brand new ones during a visit to Barnes and Noble. After just skimming over the chapter headings of each one, I was so fired up with the possibilities that I started a brand new journal to capture all of my thoughts, set some unrealistic goals for myself, and ignored my husband's admonition to not get carried away. Meanwhile, I decided to learn to draw, which meant more time set aside to practice each day. I even went so far as to draw up a chart on graph paper to check off my accomplishments, and as the days passed by and the empty squares remained largely disproportionate to the checked off squares, my frustration grew.

At first, my excitement was so great that it kept me up far too late each night, occasionally pulled me out of bed in the middle of the night, and even woke me up early and drove me once again to pick up a book or my journal. All the while, my normal duties remained the same. And so I grew tired and crabby and discontent, all because I lost sight of my real priorities in life -- my true passions, each one birthed and named by myself and the man I love, each one a piece of eternity.

I committed myself to pray in earnest for a few days and to tune my heart to listen to God's voice. During that time, He brought dozens of Scriptures and Scriptural principles to mind. At one point, He whispered (not audibly, of course, but very clearly impressed upon my heart) this thought:

I wonder if in twenty years from now, when I have all day to pursue my passions of reading, writing, and creating, how many days I will wish for all my children to be small again or long to return for one morning of homeschooling together.

Have I already forgotten my early years when I spent hours upon hours reading and writing and crafting while I ached inside with the longing to have children of my own to care for and love and train?

Is it possible that I have taken my truest passions so much for granted that I have forgotten just what they are? That I even sometimes push them aside or hurry through my time with them so as to make time to pursue my passions of far lesser value?

If I were to die having never published a book, so what? Are there not millions of books already written and is there not anything new under the sun? If I were to never create another scrapbook page or sew another quilt, would it be missed? Of course not. But if my children were to grow up and leave my home unprepared for what lies ahead, I would be held responsible, for now and all eternity. This time of our lives can never be redeemed.

You see, it was never God's idea for me to start writing a book. I decided that all on my own. And with that decision, I picked up my yoke, far too heavy for me to bear. ("His yoke is easy, and His burden is light." Matthew 11:35,36) The only deadlines I need to be concerned with right now are when my children leave home, and for a few of them, that time is not too far off.

And as soon as God gave me my answer, as soon as I tore that graph paper chart out of my book and threw it away, as soon as I let go of some ridiculous dream and focused on my true passions, wouldn't you know it? I've had plenty enough time to read and write and even draw a bit more. Not xx amount every day and not on a specific schedule, but who keeps track of that?

I am once again fulfilled and satisfied with life as it is. More like rich and overflowing! Never will I accomplish everything that needs to be done in one day, but if I put the Lord, my husband and my children first, there is still time there for myself. We will always find time for those things that we love, and keeping life in the proper order makes that time for ourselves just that much sweeter in the end.

"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart...
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him..." (Psalm 37:4,7)

Love,

Bed Buddies and other gift ideas...

2009-12-15T23:04:00.005-05:00

Bed Buddies are a gift that appear every year around our house. They are simple to sew and great to use, either hot or cold. Since we don't heat our upstairs, the kids take these to bed with them at night during the winter months. It's become our tradition to make a new one each year for each child. They tend to wear out or make a nice treat for mice while stored over the summer, and it never hurts to have two if yours was one of those that lasted through the year. I picked up a big bag of cheap rice, and this year, Kristina and Kimberley took on the task...

I accidentally bought the paper towels that can be ripped off in half-sizes and we found that two rectangles still hooked together were the perfect size to use as a pattern. It was easily replaceable if it tore, too. The girls pinned the pattern to the fabric and cut out around it. Then they folded it in half and stitched about 1/4" from the edge all around the open sides, leaving about a 2" opening on the end. Then they filled it about 2/3 full of rice.

After turning under the edges and stitching through all the layers to close the hole, they are ready for the microwave. One to two minutes, depending on how hot you like it (or keep it in the freezer to use it cold), and it's ready to go!

I love to lay it across my feet in the evenings...

Chris likes it around the back of his neck. They work great as a heating pad for any aches and pains, too.

We spend Christmas Eve at home with just our family, and though we don't buy gifts for our children, I usually buy a new game for us to play. Then I hide Klondike bars and beef jerky and send them on a treasure hunt around the house to find them. We watch "It's a Wonderful Life" together while we eat finger foods and drink eggnog. Later, they head for bed with their new bed buddies. Kind of a funny mix of traditions, but they were all things the kids came up with on their own and anyone who has kids know that when you do something they like one time, it automatically becomes a tradition.

Here are a few more gift ideas for those on your list who are hard to buy for:

Farm Show magazine (Check this one out for the men in your life!)

The One-year Bible

Vinyl Wall Art

Enjoy the season!
Love,

P.S. Thank you so much for your input on my last post. I need another day or two before I post my follow-up thoughts. Lots to think about there...

Balancing passions with life...

2009-12-12T23:53:00.004-05:00

My hope is that this will be an interactive post. I want your input.
This topic is one I have struggled with for years, turning it over and over and over in my mind and still not coming to a satisfying conclusion.

What are you passionate about? What draws you? What drives you? What makes your heart beat faster and causes your adrenaline to kick in? What brings joy to your heart and a smile to your face? What do you always seem to make time for? What occupies your mind even when there is no time for it? What makes you you?

Do you have something in mind yet? Good.

Now how do you fit that passion into your life?

My mom's passion is laundry. She finds great satisfaction in sorting, treating stains, washing, drying, folding, ironing, and putting away clean clothes. She is a master at getting out any kind of stain. We save our stained clothes for her to take home and she inevitably returns them looking like new.

My sister's passion is cooking. She loves to experiment. She loves to make everything from scratch. Her greatest joy comes from making a huge homecooked meal and serving her family until they are stuffed to satisfaction. She also loves to sew. She makes almost all of the clothing for her family and is a perfectionist in her work.

I have a friend whose passion is cleaning her house. All of her free time is spent scrubbing and organizing and she gleans so much pleasure from it all.

I even know a few people who seem to have NO passions. They don't think. They don't do. They just live from day to day and seem content like that. How simple that would make life! And how dreadfully boring...

And then there's me. My passions are:

Writing...

Reading - oh, I do so love to learn new things and gather fresh ideas...

(Does any one else's bedstand magically grow stacks of books?)

And creating in various ways...

Over the years, I have enjoyed cross-stitching, quilting, sewing, embroidery, photography, scrapbooking, and more. I never considered myself to be an artist since I cannot draw or paint well, but recently it dawned on me that the reason may be because I never learned to do those things. So now I am on a quest to learn to draw. I am still in the infant stages and flowers seem to be the only recognizable attempt, but I am determined to improve in this area, too.

I do feel that mommies should have some personal interests that they pursue for themselves. Children should see their Mommy pursue learning, practice creativity, and share who she is with them. I believe that strongly. But when your passions are not things that directly benefit your family's well-being, how do you balance them properly?

My mind is filled to overflowing with ideas. I wander through my days dreaming of what I will do when I finally get a bit of free time. Sometimes those thoughts keep me from focusing on my children and the needs that they have right then. The time I put into planning and fulfilling my passions is robbed from the time I should be doing something fun or useful with my family. And yet why would God give me those passions along with the family he gave me if He didn't think that they would all fit together in my life?

It's not that I don't enjoy doing laundry or cleaning or sewing or cooking. I do! But there is only time for so much in a day, and obviously those passions that burn hottest will vie for the most attention.

Just where is the correct balance?

Love,

Perspective...

2009-12-12T12:01:00.000-05:00

Apparently it's all how you look at it.
There are two sides to everything.

You can be on the bottom looking up...

Or you can be on the top looking down...

Either way, it doesn't change what is in between.

I suppose some of my struggle was exactly that. A struggle that has been going on within me for the past few days. Spending too much time on the bottom looking down. And all I could see were the abandoned toys and dust bunnies under the crib of my life. In reality, all I needed to do was to look up and the joy and laughter would have flooded over me once again.

Thank you, Lord, for using my precious children to teach me this lesson this morning. Help me, when I look down, not to focus on the things in life that could discourage me, but to focus on the beautiful faces of my blessings and to tune into the joy that is abundantly available.

Thank you, again, my Blogland friends, for your understanding and encouragement. I take it very seriously that I should always be a good testimony for the Lord, and I despise the weaknesses that I see in myself. I love the idea of "joyful reality." Why not? When I have a God as merciful and as faithful as mine, there is never a reason to settle for wallowing in my own self-condemnation and self-pity. I pray that even my failures can be turned into blessings that I can share with you.

Wishing you all a delightful day!

Love,

Enough...

2009-12-12T00:48:00.001-05:00

My heart and my mind had been so full today that when I finally had a minute to stop and think, the previous post was the result of all of those thoughts. In the past, I have always waited to post this type of post and usually decided against it, but I was feeling brave from the reception I received after my "Resignation" post and I went and did it again.

Now I'm sorry. Enough is enough with the melancholy junk.

You need to click over and read Jaynee's post. I am the friend that she is referring to. We have had some real heart-to-heart talks via email this week. I threatened to stop reading her blog since she was taking away every excuse I had made about my failures being a result of having too many children. She makes it all look so easy. You may have gathered that opinion about me from reading my blog also, but I know the truth. Anyway, she shares a great deal from her heart and it is pure encouragement.

And just for the record, yes, we do all have those negative thoughts at times, but I do not entertain them for long and my husband especially does not ever coddle my selfish yearnings. And honestly, those thoughts, though very real, do not accurately depict my life. The much greater majority of my life is filled with satisfaction, contentment, fulfillment, and joy. No, I did not choose to raise eleven children, but I most definitely did choose - repeatedly - to yield myself to whatever God willed for me. Because of that, I have NO regrets over the choices we have made. God has given us far and above anything we ever dreamed of, and we couldn't be happier or more blessed.

I realize that being real is one way of encouraging one another, so I won't say never again, but I do promise many happy posts in the future. After all, isn't that why you come here?

:)

Happy Saturday to you!

Love,

Imagine...

2009-12-11T15:57:00.005-05:00

walking into the warmest, coziest, neatest little house you've ever seen. The fire is roaring in the corn stove, the Christmas music plays quietly in the background, and the candles fill the air with homey scents. The doggie greets us politely (for once) at the door and Grandma sits quietly at the kitchen table writing out her Christmas cards.

That's where I dropped off two of my little girlies today while I went to get groceries - in 20* weather with Rachael and a miserable baby boy. Oh, how I longed to be a little girl again and stay at Grandma's cozy house playing with clay while she cut pretty shapes from papers for me. Or even to be the Grandma entertaining my granddaughters in my perfect little house while I watched the geese and swans swim on the canal outside my window. But alas, I was the mommy with a very long list of necessities to buy and a small amount of money to spend that would obviously be exceeded once again. Three stores to stop at, boots to find for the winter weather that has finally come to stay, and more long-sleeved shirts and jeans for my rapidly growing boys.

"Someday that will be me..." I sighed, and Rachael quickly finished my sentence with, "Yeah, but Mommy, then you'll wonder why you ever wanted it."

"No, I think I'll just appreciate it much more than I would have if I hadn't been where I am right now."

Not that I would trade my life right now even if I could, but there are times - many of them - when my heart longs for order and space and peace and quiet and the chance to spread out a project without losing parts of it to curious hands and being able to listen to just one song all the way through without being interrupted and... and... and...

But then I'm sure Rachael is right. I will miss all of these little people who void my life of all those things. People have been telling me that for years and I often find myself saying those words myself, but sometimes, when you are right there in the midst of these busy growing up years, it's hard to imagine when it will all be over.

The human heart is very fickle, isn't it? Aren't you glad that God directs our lives and not we ourselves? And that He loves us enough to give us what is best for us right now?

Thank you, Lord, for what I have today - beautiful faces, loving hugs, dirty windows and all. The whole big package. :)

Love,

Silly kids...

2009-12-10T22:08:00.003-05:00

"Lookit my nice shoes, Mommy!"

Like the backwards pajamas? She's into dressing herself lately and she kept getting wet from the snow and reappearing in new outfits.

* * *

"Mommy, what's 9+7?"

"You know, Sarah. I'm not telling."

"Mommy, do you have a brain?"

"No."

"Then...you're dead! [giggle, giggle]
So you do have a brain."

And then her tone of voice changes to pure sugar...

"What's 9+7, Mommy?"

Ummmm, still not working, Sarah!

* * *

Christopher has a new expression that just might end up staying in the family for awhile. When Elisabeth recently asked him a question that he didn't know the answer to, he shrugged his shoulders and enthusiastically answered, "Suits me!" And then with a laugh, he explained how he had heard someone say that and he liked it, so he decided to answer questions like that from now on.

It took us a minute to figure out what he meant, but when I asked, "Did you mean 'beats me?' his eyes lit up with recognition and he said, "Oh, yeah, that's what I meant."

So now, "Suits me!" is a common response to a lot of different questions around here. That and a giggle.

* * *

Caleb's lastest word (and I'm talking about for the past month or so now) is "Habbit." The meaning? Have it. He uses it to ask for anything his little heart desires, and it can be said in a sweet tone ending in the upward swing of a question mark or it can be ~~said~~ yelled in an intensely demanding growl with an outstretched palm and his fingers rapidly opening and closing. The first is irresistable, the second, well, not so nice. It'll be an improvement when he adds "please" to his vocabulary.

* * *

My three little girls were writing out verses for Christmas cards this afternoon when I overheard this:

"For God so loved the world, that He gave his only forgotten son..."

* * *

:)

Don't you just love kids?
Enjoy yours today!

Love,

The first snow...

2009-12-09T20:47:00.002-05:00

this little guy remembers. We made the mistake of giving him a taste when we showed him first thing this morning. Now he thinks the whole world is a snack!

He took off running, plopped down, and started eating...

Love,

Forgiveness...

2009-12-08T23:35:00.002-05:00

Thanks for all of the kind offers to take my baby off my hands, but as you knew I would, I've changed my mind. We've been through too much together and I kind of like him, even when he is nothing but just plain hard work. And besides, every time he falls asleep, I have to forgive him all over again...

You know, more often than not, I sit down to type and I get carried away and just go with it. I figure when I'm done talking/typing, I can always go back and edit, and I usually do end up deleting a great deal of what I originally wrote. That's what happened with yesterday's post. I sat down in the early evening, let my fingers fly and then closed it up with no intention of actually posting it.

But then I kept thinking about it, and the more I thought, the more I decided to go for it. To just hit Publish Post and see what happened. I knew that I was going to bed and that sure as rain, I would wake up and be just fine in the morning, so I wasn't looking for sympathy. It was more that I was remembering all of the times that I had felt like that and not said a word to anyone, and then I read someone else's words and found that I wasn't alone, and that's a very nice feeling. But you already know that. That's why I had 19 comments on my "Bad day" post from people who have been there, done that, and know the pain.

So, since I'm certainly not out to encourage bad days, I'm back to tell you about the good day that followed the bad day...

I went to bed at a decent time last night with a clean heart, having confessed my sin to a merciful God. On waking this morning, my first thoughts were a prayer that He would fill me with His spirit and take control of my flesh today. By then, my family was up and moving and waiting for me, but I picked up my Bible, flipped to the book of Psalms and began running my eyes down the columns. I was in search of a weapon. I knew that I would need something to cling to today to arm me against the attack of the devil. And then my eyes were directed to this promise and I knew it was meant just for me:

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him." (Psalm 28:7)

After Bible time this morning, the children and I sat and sang together for almost a half an hour. I can carry a tune, but I don't have a pretty singing voice. And most of my children can't even carry a tune, so between all of us, it wasn't very pretty to listen to. But I know that God enjoyed it because they were songs of praise, and they definitely cheered my heart.

Was it a perfect day? No, but it was much more normal - where the good far outweighs the bad.

About your comments...

Cinnamon, the cookies themselves weren't a flop, only the scenario of 20 "helping" hands and lots of arguing over who got to lick the beater and bowl and too many sneaky pinches of dough when I wasn't looking, topped off with my extreme impatience.

As for a favorite Christmas cookie recipe, I can't think of one in particular. For three reasons: #1. My husband doesn't believe in any cookie that's not chocolate chip. #2. Too many hands (and tongues) spoil the broth, er... dough. Have you ever watched a four-year-old frost a cookie? Lick, spread, lick, lick, spread. I can't ever bring myself to give any away. Which brings me to #3. It seems I've always been watching my weight and the easiest way to resist sweets is to keep them out of the house. We DO make some simple candies, though, but there isn't much of a recipe. You can read about that HERE, and no, I don't give those away either.

Kayte, did you read that third point? I know you don't need to worry about your weight (yet!), but peanut butter M&M's are still bad for you. Kind of like iced coffees...yeah...

As for that Pleasant Mama sitting in the closet drinking tea and reading, well, I don't even want to think about that one. The Mean Mama would be way too jealous and I don't want anything to happen to that Nice Mama. She's a favorite around here.

You know, after I typed out yesterday's post, I emailed it to my friend Julia and asked her what you all would think if I posted something like that on my blog! You know what she told me? "If you did post that, you'd have a million sympathetic and encouraging comments. Your readers LOVE you." And she was so right.

I love all of you, too. You are such special friends. I love to see your names pop up, and know that you're there.

Which reminds me, Fontaine is one of my special bloggy friends that I have been praying for for a long time now. Some of you have prayed for her as well as she has sought to better know the Lord. Just recently, she asked to have her sister Cathleen added to our prayer list for difficulties with her pregnancy. Cathleen miscarried their first baby last night and is heartbroken. Please pray for Fontaine and Cathleen (and her husband) during this time of sorrow. They don't have a lot of prayer support from friends, so I know that our love and support will mean a lot to them at this time. You are special to us, Fontaine. God is faithful. (If you would like to send her a message, I would be glad to pass it along to her via email.)

And I will close this lengthy chat with a smile for you.
When's the last time you gargled your cocoa with abandon?

And then, with lots of big brother attitude in his tone:
"Beka, you have a really dirty face."

Wishing you all a wonderful day!

Love,

My resignation...

2009-12-07T22:28:00.000-05:00

I was really tempted today - a few times, in fact - to hand in my two-week notice. Only I didn't want to wait two weeks to quit. And there is no doubt that I won a few awards today, too. WORST MOTHER OF THE YEAR AWARD, for one. And most likely the CRABBIEST PERSON AWARD, too.

I'm not proud of these awards, and I've come up with a thousand excuses as to why I didn't deserve them, but if they were actually written out and handed to me, I would be forced to humbly accept.

And since I'm already on the rough Road of Humility, does anyone want a baby? I've decided to give him away.

I honestly can't come up with any one good reason why I should have acted badly today. I woke up at a good time. I even spent a few minutes reading my Bible. Then the kids piled in, some under the covers, some on top, and we talked together pleasantly for quite a while.

And then, I don't know what happened. School began as usual. We even read a Christmas story and impulsively baked some cookies using the recipe in the book. It was a frustrating disaster. I ended up in the bedroom in tears.

My kids don't always talk nicely. They argue with each other and sometimes try to argue with me. There are times, occasionally, that I don't even like to be around them. And today was one of those days.

But I'm not too sure it was really their fault.
I think it was me.

I hope that I'll go away tonight and not come back tomorrow.
I hope that a nice, patient, smiling mommy will take my place instead.
A pleasant mommy with my face.

She was here just yesterday.
What on earth happened to her today?

Love,

P.S. Hold that resignation. I'm sure I won't be needing it.
P.P.S. This is as real as it gets.

Too cute...

2009-12-07T10:40:00.002-05:00

This is how I found these two sleeping last night, Shadow and Tommy...

I think they're friends. :)

Love,

Hello, friends...

2009-12-06T22:44:00.001-05:00

Anyone else feeling the whirl of December descending upon them? We have something scheduled for every night this week except for one. Tuesday, five of the children will be accompanying some of our senior saints (elderly people in our church) to Cracker Barrel and to see the Christmas lights. Wednesday is church, Thursday is a Christmas party for our church's cleaning ladies, Friday is a Youth rally, and Saturday is family Christmas caroling. I'm glad that I won't need to be attending all of them myself, but making sure the right people are ready and delivered will keep me busy enough.

We've cut our school work down to the bare basics for the month to leave time for extra celebrations. I'd rather accomplish less and keep my spirit right than try to do everything and become tense and crabby.

Chris got two more deer yesterday. Daniel (my nephew) and Anthony butchered the smaller one yesterday and we had (very fresh) venison stew for dinner today. This afternoon, the older four girls (Since when did Kimmy become one of the "older" girls? I don't think I like that.) went home with Grama to help her decorate her tree. She emailed me some pictures tonight that I had to share.

Aren't they beautiful?

(Rachael, 13; Kristina, 12; Elisabeth, 16; Kimberley, 9)

And it appears that the tree is not the only thing that was decorated today...

If you missed the announcement that Stacy and I have started up our Month on Theme blog again, stop by and scroll through our last few posts. We are always amazed at how well our photos go together and at how unintentional it was. "Making Memories" is proving to be a fun and inspiring theme.

It took me a whole week to write out my post for A Thousand Words...and then some... and it ended up taking an entirely different direction than I originally intended, but I discovered an important truth about creativity and "handmade."

For the past two years, I have encouraged my readers to choose one word for the new year. I have had several people share with me what a blessing their word was to them as they watched God work in that area of their life. 2010 will be here in less than four weeks. It's time to begin thinking and praying about a new word for the new year. The list of people who participated in 2009 is still posted on the bottom of the right sidebar. You may want to take a minute to read through it for some ideas.

Working on two new posts: One with a few gift ideas for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list, and one on a personal project that I've been really excited about lately. Oh, make that three. I never did finish up that third post on homeschool recommendations, but I will. I really will.

Until then...
Stay busy!

And don't forget the real Reason for the season.

Love,

Awww, look...

2009-12-06T15:30:00.004-05:00

Gabrielle took this picture for me yesterday.
Do you see the heart?

Love,

Click HERE for the story of the heart theme.

Melt my heart...

2009-12-05T10:46:00.001-05:00

Four weeks has to be the cutest age for a kitten. These guys are just too adorable for words.

Meet Shadow...

Sir Midnight - My husband thinks I'm nuts when I say that he holds himself like royalty, but he really does...

Popcorn...

Sparkle (with a sleepy, milky face)...

And Inky aka "Stache." (There is a friendly debate over whether that black mark more resembles an ink spot or a mustache.)

* * *

Sadly, our kittens have been abandoned this week, so we have taken over the mommy kitty duties. Mixing formula, fixing bottles, "burping" them (who knew?), and washing their furry little bodies...

I have to laugh at myself when I think of how indifferent I have always been toward animals. And then here I am, up at 4:00am bottle feeding these furry little cuties.

Even Grama's mothering instinct kicked in, in spite of her decided lack of cat love. It seems granchild love makes up for a lot of things.

As of this morning, they have all switched over to lapping their milk from a dish and nibbling a bit of moist cat food. It sure makes things easier for us, and it is so rewarding to see them curled up in a warm ball together, purring with plump little bellies.

Love,

Thank you, Gabrielle...

2009-12-03T11:25:00.004-05:00

Beka has been wearing her "p'esent" pretty much non-stop. She even took it to bed with her last night. You did a great job! :)

P.S. I'll make sure you get a picture. You've gotta love that smile.