7 (Seven) Introduction & Chapter 1

Hi. So...I have had this other blog for a while that I haven't done much with in quite some time. (That's a whole other blog post that's coming in its own time.) But I am going to be switching things up a bit. I am going to be making The Castleberry Clan more of a "family" blog (as was intended from the get-go), and Our Hope is in Truth will be where more of my journaling and "processing" will be written. I'd be honored for you to follow both. But honestly, I'd love for you to follow me here the most. Here is where my heart will be vulnerable, and with His grace, changed forever.

7 (Seven)
Oh, how I deeply loved this book. Not because of Jen's writing style (her sarcasm irritates me at times). Not because it's trendy; trendy doesn't stick around long. And certainly not because it made me feel good.

I loved this book because with each chapter I felt moved and convicted and challenged. I felt like someone actually understood the battle that I face; perhaps you face it, too? This battle of wanting to be content, but feeling the desire to "get ahead." This battle of having enough, yet still wanting more.

The introduction gave a layout of the book and discussed the 7 areas that Jen was going to deeply reduce. The goal: to be changed and transformed to follow Jesus more authentically.

Authentic is synonymous with genuine, real. Not a self-righteous attitude about your Christian walk; not a fake front to impress people. 

7 digs deep to fight against inauthenticity. To look at what mattered to Jesus while He walked this earth, and then to realize that what mattered to Him then matters to Him today. So why the heck aren't we as the body of Christ doing anything about it?


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Here are 7 questions that I hope will spar some discussion. Any, and all, comments (as long as they are appropriate!!) are welcomed.

1. Do you agree that the American life can be excessive?

2. What is your take on the "American Dream"?

3. How is "simplifying your life" different than what Jen Hatmaker describes as a "mutiny against excess"?

4. If you could (or are going to) choose TWO of the 7 categories to experiment with, which ones would you (will you) choose and why?

5. What is your hope from living a deeply reduced life?

6. Why do you feel that American Christians have forgotten (turned away from?) so much of what matters to Jesus?

7. After reading Chapter 1, "Month One: Food," what is one thing that you will change right now in your life?

Multitudes on Monday

1200. picking Ella Beth up after she's been away for two days

1201. watching her excitement as she tells about all she did at Mimi's

1202. Landon's complete adoration for his Daddy

1203. finding easy ideas and recipes on Pinterest that I actually recreate (or have Scott recreate;))

1204. lunch at Cracker Barrel

1205. the patriotism that comes with watching Team USA in the Olympics

1206. rainy mornings when the kiddos sleep in and I'm up and enjoying quiet time to start my day

1207. cinnamon sugar

1208. muffins rolled in cinnamon sugar :)

1209. books that challenge me

1210. playing baseball in the front yard

1211. every good hit being a home run!

1212. baking cookies with dear friends and delivering them to an assisted living home with our kiddos

1213. how easily Landon interacted with the elderly people and proudly handed out cookies

1214. newborn foals

1215. watching Porter interact with himself in front of a mirror

1216. the feeling of "aaaahhhhhhh" when my body finally hits the bed after a long day on my feet

Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

She lost another one!

I would not have believed it if Scott and I had not been in the room...

We were all vegged out in the living room after swimming. Ella Beth and Landon were laying in the floor goofing off, but not pestering one another so we let them be. Then all of a sudden Ella Beth screams, "I need to go pull my tooth!"

What??? Between her holding her mouth which was a little bloody and her jumping up and down, she got out, "Landon pulled the string and my tooth is coming out!"

Seriously!!! Unbeknownst to us (I've never typed that word before...) while they were goofing off in the floor, they put a string around Ella Beth's tooth and Landon pulled it. Shows how tired Mama and Daddy were, I guess. ;)

So I grab my camera and we run to the bathroom so this big girl could pull her tooth!

Although it had been a little loose, you can tell by how much it bled that it wasn't quite ready to come out. In fact, she actually has a bruise on her gum. I wonder if she will have Landon pull any more of her teeth?!?

But she sure is proud of another hole in her mouth!!!

Someone tell time to slow down because it's not listening to me!!!

4 months!!

How can my tiny baby boy be 4 months already?? Time is my enemy these days. From the big sister about to be SIX (yikes!) and now the baby is 4 months - this mama's heart is in serious trouble.

Porter's 4 month appointment isn't until next week, so I don't know exactly how much he weighs. But I would say he's closing in on 10 pounds. He's growing like a weed these days!

Ella Beth is still smitten over her baby brother. She loves to "take care" of him by giving him his paci or talking to him. She is most definitely ready for him to play with her, and I have to remind her often to "Be careful, sweetheart. He's just not quite old enough." Playing patty cake, trying to dance with his arms while I'm holding him, and being on his play mat are just a few of her latest attempts at getting him to play.

But generally she just loves to be near him. She has such a big heart, and she loves Porter immensely!

I have a few nicknames that I call this little fella - Stinker (probably the most), Silly Monkey, and Smiley. Porter is not short on smiles, especially for his Mama. :) But, his Daddy is starting to get some pretty big ones lately, too. I guess I'll have to learn to share. ;)

Porter's reflux is becoming more manageable. I think. We will go a few days where the pain isn't so intolerable and he only goes through 2-3 outfits, and I think just maybe we're on the upswing. But without fail, the next day will be horrible. He will go through 6 outfits in a day and spit up three 6x8 inch puddles of spit-up within 15 minutes. (And for the record, yes, we've measured them. They are huge. They are also the reason my floors are never clean.) He just likes to keep us on our toes.

You wouldn't know it to look at these pictures, but man o' man does this little fella hate to be put down. He is rotten. Rotten!! He wants to be held, toted, & cuddled at all times. It's so sweet.

But it's also so hard. I have two older babies who also want and need Mama's attention. On good days, we can all sit and read books together, play Barbies or trains, or we can play games in the floor with Porter in my lap. Those are the good days. On the not-so-good days, I walk the floor over and over with two bigger kiddos asking, "Mama, can you play with me now?" It's hard.

Porter has been on a decent schedule lately...except for the last two days - which I am working on. I had forgotten that when a baby gets on a schedule you don't mess with it. And I am reminded of the isolation that can come with having an infant. But, it's a season, and I know all too well that it's a short one. So, I'm trying my best to enjoy having to be at home. He still nurses every 3 hours unless he's sleeping, and his "wake periods" are still rather short - after 1 hour (1.5 hours max) he is done! But he's been sleeping well at night, so apparently his body knows what it needs.

Why is getting a picture with everyone looking such an ordeal? Oh well!!

But I still love these pics because Ella Beth looks so proud, and sweet Landon was trying so hard. :)

Of course, their shirts make me happy. My babies coordinated. Bliss. ;)

The adjustment period is pretty well over. It is definitely not easy, but it's our new normal. The hardest part is when I miss that golden window for him to go down easily for a nap. The big sister and brother hate having to be patient, and that's when my own patience is tested. Having them come in and out of the room asking if he's asleep yet does.not.help. him fall asleep quicker! Luckily, I know Porter's cues for when he's ready to be put down.

So most days are pretty good days. Most. On those others...well, let's just say my re-start button is used often. :)

My Re-Start Button

Today was one of those days that just got off to a bad start. Everything from Peanut not napping this morning to me not getting to eat breakfast until after 10 a.m. to the bigger kiddos bickering and pestering one another to a late lunch and patience shot - all made this day not easy.

After lunch I sent the kiddos to their rooms because "Mama needed a time out." I thought about crying. I thought about calling a friend to vent. I thought about just throwing my hands up and saying "whatever" to the rest of the day.

But that sweet, sweet Spirit gently nudged me. And I knew exactly what I needed.

I needed to pray. I needed to be close to my Father. I needed His Spirit to wash over me; to lift my yoke and replace it with His. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

I came, and He provided.

As a mother of three, my rest did not last long being that it was 1:27 in the afternoon. However, His restful Spirit gave me what I needed to keep going today.

It's not a magic pill, and it certainly didn't make the rest of the day perfect, but He did come.

He is my re-start button.
On days that are long and hard and I feel so overwhelmed, He is my re-start button.
On days when I am short on patience and long on discipline, He is my re-start button.
On days when the baby won't settle and the big kids won't obey.
On days when I feel isolated.
On days when the night before was long.
On days when smiles are hard to come by.
On days when school seems like a battle.
On days when messes are continually made.
On days when blow-out diapers come at the most inconvenient moments.
On days when the cashier looks at me with that look.
On days when whiny voices grate on my nerves.
On days when I don't get up early.
On days when we run out of milk for the boy who only wants cereal.
On days when the girl's room is a disaster.
On days when the laundry is left in the washing machine too long.
On days when the toilet backs up from little ones using too much toilet paper.
On days when everyone needs a nap but no one gets one.
On the hardest days.

He is my Re-Start Button. 


Micah 7:7, "But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me."

My Re-Start Button

Today was one of those days that just got off to a bad start. Everything from Porter not napping this morning to me not getting to eat breakfast until after 10 a.m. to the bigger kiddos bickering and pestering one another to a late lunch and patience shot - all made this day not easy.

After lunch I sent the kiddos to their rooms because "Mama needed a time out." I thought about crying. I thought about calling a friend to vent. I thought about just throwing my hands up and saying "whatever" to the rest of the day.

But that sweet, sweet Spirit gently nudged me. And I knew exactly what I needed.

I needed to pray. I needed to be close to my Father. I needed His Spirit to wash over me; to lift my yoke and replace it with His. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

I came, and He provided. 

As a mother of three, my rest did not last long being that it was 1:27 in the afternoon. However, His restful Spirit gave me what I needed to keep going today. 

It's not a magic pill, and it certainly didn't make the rest of the day perfect, but He did come.

He is my re-start button. 
On days that are long and hard and I feel so overwhelmed, He is my re-start button. 
On days when I am short on patience and long on discipline, He is my re-start button.
On days when the baby won't settle and the big kids won't obey.
On days when I feel isolated.
On days when the night before was long.
On days when smiles are hard to come by.
On days when school seems like a battle.
On days when messes are continually made.
On days when blow-out diapers come at the most inconvenient moments.
On days when the cashier looks at me with that look.
On days when whiny voices grate on my nerves.
On days when I don't get up early.
On days when we run out of milk for the boy who only wants cereal.
On days when the girl's room is a disaster.
On days when the laundry is left in the washing machine too long.
On days when the toilet backs up from little ones using too much toilet paper.
On days when everyone needs a nap but no one gets one.
On the hardest days.

He is my Re-Start Button. 


Micah 7:7, "But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
                    I wait for God my Savior;
                    my God will hear me."

Multitudes on Monday

1186. rain that our garden desperately needed

1187. fresh, organic produce from our garden

1188. kiddos harvesting vegetables

1189. muddy feet

1190. a baby boy who is happy, sweet, and smiley

1191. early mornings with quiet time (and breakfast!) to myself

1192. hot green tea with honey

1193. the Pioneer Woman's cookbooks

1194. brownie recipes that I can actually eat

1195. finding a new hair stylist that I like

1196. healthy religious debates with others so that we are reminded to keep values and morals front and center in our home

1197. washing dishes by hand and thinking about my grandma

1198. hearing Ella Beth say, "Mommy, I'm ready to go through my toys and find things to donate to other children."

1199. counting my blessings and realizing again and again...and again just how blessed I am

Colossians 2:6-7 "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

Wasp nest :: Learning

Sometimes it's not the actual curriculum that makes school...well, school. Sometimes it's fascination that takes over and real learning jumps out at us!


The other day, we found an old wasp nest. The more closely we looked at it, the more intrigued we became. So it was off to the internet to do some research!!

Did you know that wasp nests are built out of wood? That the female wasp chews bits of wood until they are broken down with her saliva into paper?? And every cavity of a wasp nest is a perfect hexagon???

There were baby wasps that had not hatched from this nest. The kiddos were able to "hatch" them, and we were able to observe different stages of growth. (Note: this mama did not touch the babies. I simply am not that kind of girl. ;)) 

But here is a girl who is! Ella Beth absolutely loved this impromptu science lesson, and she can tell you everything that we learned about wasps and their nests.

Gotta love hands-on learning. :)

Size 1

I am not ashamed to admit this. Not at all. Porter is my last baby for goodness sake.

Tears have been shed today. Over diapers.

This is the last Newborn diaper that Porter will ever wear. Which also means that this is the last NB diaper that will ever be changed in our home. The thought did cross my mind to document everything about this diaper, but even I know the point of going crazy. ;)

It's a struggle most moms go through; I know I'm not the first or the last. It's just that this is my BABY. My tiniest fella. And he's growing up already. Soon he will be asking for a cell phone, to borrow the car, and then he'll be headed off to college. OK, OK...it's obvious where Ella Beth gets her dramatic flare from I know.

But seriously. 16 1/2 weeks have already flown by since this sweet miracle arrived in our family. Oh, if there was only a way to slow the hands of time! Or to at least go back every once in a while to those sweetest moments that you never want to forget. 

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Porter wore his last Newborn diaper for all of 5 minutes. I guess he wanted to make it easier on me by having me jump right on in to that Size 1 pack. Stinker!!!

Brothers

I promise someday soon I will be able to do comparisons of Ella Beth and Porter. But, I did not have this computer or my camera when Ella Bella was little...and our scanner isn't cooperating. 

BUT...I do have pictures of Landon to compare - so I do quite often! Their skin tones are different, but not much else is. At least to me.

Here are the most similar pics I could get:
Landon 

Porter

Scott and I see so many similarities! And just the other day, I showed my mother-in-law a picture of Landon and she thought it was Porter.

It's just fun for this mama. Not to mention, it gives me a great excuse to take more pictures. As if I ever need an excuse!! ;)

Quote

I came across this quote, handwritten by me from when Scott and I got married. Now that I have children, it resonates to my deepest core.

Praying without ceasing that this will be my legacy.

"Love has nothing to do with what you are expected to get; 

 it's what you are expected to give --

 which is everything." ~anonymous

Multitudes on Monday

1175. friends who are brutally honest (in the best way) and tell you exactly what you need to hear; even when you don't want to hear it

1176. being able to nurse Porter exclusively

1177. eating extra without gaining weight since I'm nursing

1178. legs that work to carry me from place to place

1179. the excitement and anticipation of an upcoming hair appointment

1180. being able to cut Scott, Ella Beth, and Landon's hair to save money and make it convenient

1181. playing "Red Light, Green Light" in the front yard

1182. walking hand-in-hand with Ella Beth - especially when it's her idea :)

1183. Landon and his stuffed turtles

1184. Porter's HUGE smile that he saves only for his MAMA :) :)

1185. my honey who loves me

Ephesians 5:19-20 "Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

7 (Seven) Readers

For anyone who would like to join in the 7 (Seven) book study...

Chapter 1 - discussion questions will be posted on July 30
After that, a new chapter will have discussion questions posted each Monday.

As you read, please don't feel that you must partake in all of Jen's monthly challenges. (I may or may not participate myself) I simply want to discuss the basis of each chapter and how our lives can change and look differently.

Looking forward to it:)
a

Multitudes on Monday

1160. a little extra sleep after a weekend at the lake (Ella Beth got up at 10:25 this morning!!)

1161. water to swim in on hot, HOT days

1162. fishin' with crickets

1163. sparklers in the evening

1164. fireworks from the bank of the lake

1165. cookouts with friends

1166. cookies on sticks - because they are just more fun that way ;)

1167. grape Koolaid

1168. funny, family-friendly shows on TV

1169. being able to laugh when things go wrong

1170. others who are able to laugh right along with you

1171. seeing God work in a friend's life who is going through a painful season

1172. finding brown shoes (because my others of 7 years were literally falling apart) $90 marked down to $28 :)

1173. money refunded

1174. refinancing our house with a great rate

Psalm 136:3, "Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.

Less :: More

Isn't it interesting how when you allow God to work, He will? So many times I can get in His way.

For the first 7 years of our marriage (of 9 years), all I wanted was to "move up." Bigger house in a prestigious neighborhood, better car, name brand everything - and by name brand I meant "high end." And I wanted to be noticed for it. "Oh look at your purse, it's so cute!" "I love your house." "Where did you get your shoes?!" "Oh wow! You got a new car!" It was ultimately all about me. 

With each passing year that we were still in our same small house, I felt the resentment grow. The house felt even smaller, my hospitality lessened, and I became ungrateful. I based my worth off of material things, somehow confusing possessions with acceptance. I didn't want to invite friends over for dinner because I was embarrassed of our small house. I was allowing my happiness to be based on what I had or had not. That if I had more/better/nicer/bigger I would be happier.

Oh, that race can get old. And that race really doesn't lead to anywhere I want to be anyway. Why do I keep focusing on me when I am not the prize? Why do I keep focusing on me when I have been called to focus on Him? And for Pete's sake, why do I keep focusing on my wants when I should be focusing on and fulfilling others' needs?

I counted and I have 256 articles of clothing (which does not include my winter clothes that are put up) and 22 pairs of shoes in my closet. And most of them I never wear. If I average $40 spent on each clothing item in my closet today, that is $10,240. Over $10,000 spent on just me. And there are 4 other people in my house who are also well dressed.

When I think back to the precious people in Haiti and Kenya who wore the same dirty and tattered clothes every single day and who lived off of less than $1 a day, I am ashamed of myself. It would take the average person in Haiti or Kenya 28 years to earn what my wardrobe cost. I know this, and yet I have lived like I don't. That sickens me.
Proverbs 24:12 says, 
"Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.”
    For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.
He who guards your soul knows you knew.    He will repay all people as their actions deserve." 
(New Living Translation, italics mine)

I guarantee you that when I get to heaven I am not going to boast about my cute wardrobe and coordinating accessories.

God is shaking me up, and I am so thankful. He is messing with my eyes to take my focus off of me and to put it on Him. To put my focus on His children who are naked so that I can give them clothes. His children who are hungry so that I can give them food. His children who are lonely so that I can introduce them to the One who made them, who is with them, and who loves them with a never-ending-never-giving-up-unconditional-love. My focus can no longer be on me. I have been blessed beyond measure, and I am ashamed that it has taken me so long to realize that. No more buying things to replace what I already have; no more careless spending; no more keeping up with the Jones' - because I honestly don't want what they have: an insatiable appetite for more.

My life is but a short moment in time, and I only have one life to live. I don't want to waste my only chance to live as Jesus commanded me to. I will be accountable for what I do with everything He has given to me. I want to commit to living on less so that I can be filled with more of Him. And I pray that my children will see this so that they, too, can fight against the battle of excess.

If you'd like to have your vision and life shaken up then I encourage you to read Radical, by David Platt and/or 7, by Jen Hatmaker.

"If we all raised others' needs up instead of satisfying our excessive wants, there would be few needs left on earth." (Jen Hatmaker, paraphrased by me)


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By the way, I'd love to do a Book Study via this blog on 7. If you'd be interested in joining, please leave a comment and let me know.

Multitudes on Monday

1143. cold water

1144. surviving oppressive heat

1145. air conditioning

1146. fans

1147. cool sheets

1148. clouds in the sky for small reprieves from the sun's heat

1149. Ella Beth getting her hair all dolled-up for a wedding

1150. "Uncle Scott Hansard" who is kind to my kiddos

1151. Porter smiling for pictures

1152. Landon playing with his best buddy and cousin Hayden

1153. a baby bird in our back yard...who quickly learned to fly once the kiddos found it ;)

1154. chips and salsa for a snack (or dinner when it's too hot to eat anything else)

1155. popsicles

1156. watering our wilted flowers and being amazed at how we can watch them absorb the water and be revived

1157. purging our house so that others may be blessed with our excess

1158. the Spirit opening our eyes to how much we truly have

1159. learning to live with less so that He can fill us with more of Him

Ezra 3:11, "With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: “He is good."