But THIS is the little girl God imagined for me...
Now...we were on the same page, God and I, when I imagined what it would be like to have a little boy. :)
Sunday, March 20, 2011
What I imagined
This is what I always imagined when I had a little girl...
Ahhh. Isn't she just sweet and girlie and gentle.
But THIS is the little girl God imagined for me...
His ways are greater than my ways!
Now...we were on the same page, God and I, when I imagined what it would be like to have a little boy. :)
But THIS is the little girl God imagined for me...
Now...we were on the same page, God and I, when I imagined what it would be like to have a little boy. :)
Monday, March 14, 2011
Multitudes on Mondays
106. Sweet hats for newborn baby photo shoots.
107. A baby who sleeps through an entire shoot, no matter what position I put her in.
108. Scott's face when I tell him I'd really like another baby.
109. Days that are so close to Spring you'd believe the new season is already here.
110. Playing outside.
111. Tan necks and white backs.
112. Seeing Ella Beth and Landon laying next to each other while they watch a movie.
113. Hearing Ella Beth "stick up" for Landon because Mommy was getting on to him.
114. A child's sweet voice.
115. The "light up" moment when Ella Beth (finally) gets something new in school. ;) (Man, the difference between short vowels and long vowels is tough stuff!)
116. Open windows to let the breeze in.
117. Scott doing a chore that I normally do just out of thoughtfulness.
1 Chronicles 29:13 "Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise Your glorious name."
Friday, March 11, 2011
The Hard Thanks
I started reading Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts, in late January or early February (I can't remember exactly when my friend Allison got the book to me). While it is not necessarily an "easy read," it is a beautiful one. Ann writes about giving thanks, and how in the giving of thanks we are brought straight to our Father.
One idea that she writes about throughout her book is the Hard Eucharisto, the Hard Thanks - giving thanks when things are NOT going our way; giving thanks when bad things come; giving thanks when there seems to be nothing to be thankful for.
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (emphasis added)
In my mom's group on Tuesday night, we talked about what it means to abide in Christ; to fully rest in Him. To me, abiding in Christ starts with 1 Thes. 5:16-18...being joyful always, praying continually; giving thanks in everything.
In Jesus Calling, the devotion for March 5 really stuck with me; in fact I have read it every morning since then. The first sentence of the devotion says, "Make friends with the problems in your life." Now there's a new, and slightly unconventional, thought! Make friends with our problems? Aren't we just supposed to fix them???
Sarah Young goes on to say, "The best way to befriend your problems is to thank Me for them." There's that idea again...to give the hard thanks. To thank God for allowing (even bringing) difficult times into our lives. But why? How?
When we give thanks in all circumstances, we are acknowledging God's sovereignty in our lives AND we are allowing Him to use whatever circumstances come and go in our lives for Him.
Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him." (emphasis added)
In all things God works, and He works for the good of those who love Him.
Be blessed as you hide that in your heart!
One idea that she writes about throughout her book is the Hard Eucharisto, the Hard Thanks - giving thanks when things are NOT going our way; giving thanks when bad things come; giving thanks when there seems to be nothing to be thankful for.
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (emphasis added)
In my mom's group on Tuesday night, we talked about what it means to abide in Christ; to fully rest in Him. To me, abiding in Christ starts with 1 Thes. 5:16-18...being joyful always, praying continually; giving thanks in everything.
In Jesus Calling, the devotion for March 5 really stuck with me; in fact I have read it every morning since then. The first sentence of the devotion says, "Make friends with the problems in your life." Now there's a new, and slightly unconventional, thought! Make friends with our problems? Aren't we just supposed to fix them???
Sarah Young goes on to say, "The best way to befriend your problems is to thank Me for them." There's that idea again...to give the hard thanks. To thank God for allowing (even bringing) difficult times into our lives. But why? How?
When we give thanks in all circumstances, we are acknowledging God's sovereignty in our lives AND we are allowing Him to use whatever circumstances come and go in our lives for Him.
Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him." (emphasis added)
In all things God works, and He works for the good of those who love Him.
Be blessed as you hide that in your heart!
The Hard Thanks
I started reading Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts, in late January or early February (I can't remember exactly when my friend Allison got the book to me). While it is not necessarily an "easy read," it is a beautiful one. Ann writes about giving thanks, and how in the giving of thanks we are brought straight to our Father.
One idea that she writes about throughout her book is the Hard Eucharisto, the Hard Thanks - giving thanks when things are NOT going our way; giving thanks when bad things come; giving thanks when there seems to be nothing to be thankful for.
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (emphasis added)
In my mom's group on Tuesday night, we talked about what it means to abide in Christ; to fully rest in Him. To me, abiding in Christ starts with 1 Thes. 5:16-18...being joyful always, praying continually; giving thanks in everything.
In Jesus Calling, the devotion for March 5 really stuck with me; in fact I have read it every morning since then. The first sentence of the devotion says, "Make friends with the problems in your life." Now there's a new, and slightly unconventional, thought! Make friends with our problems? Aren't we just supposed to fix them???
Sarah Young goes on to say, "The best way to befriend your problems is to thank Me for them." There's that idea again...to give the hard thanks. To thank God for allowing (even bringing) difficult times into our lives. But why? How?
When we give thanks in all circumstances, we are acknowledging God's sovereignty in our lives AND we are allowing Him to use whatever circumstances come and go in our lives for Him.
Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him." (emphasis added)
In all things God works, and He works for the good of those who love Him.
Be blessed as you hide that in your heart!
One idea that she writes about throughout her book is the Hard Eucharisto, the Hard Thanks - giving thanks when things are NOT going our way; giving thanks when bad things come; giving thanks when there seems to be nothing to be thankful for.
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (emphasis added)
In my mom's group on Tuesday night, we talked about what it means to abide in Christ; to fully rest in Him. To me, abiding in Christ starts with 1 Thes. 5:16-18...being joyful always, praying continually; giving thanks in everything.
In Jesus Calling, the devotion for March 5 really stuck with me; in fact I have read it every morning since then. The first sentence of the devotion says, "Make friends with the problems in your life." Now there's a new, and slightly unconventional, thought! Make friends with our problems? Aren't we just supposed to fix them???
Sarah Young goes on to say, "The best way to befriend your problems is to thank Me for them." There's that idea again...to give the hard thanks. To thank God for allowing (even bringing) difficult times into our lives. But why? How?
When we give thanks in all circumstances, we are acknowledging God's sovereignty in our lives AND we are allowing Him to use whatever circumstances come and go in our lives for Him.
Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him." (emphasis added)
In all things God works, and He works for the good of those who love Him.
Be blessed as you hide that in your heart!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
A {new} day in the {new} life
Transitioning to homeschooling has been a bit of a transition. ;) Not in a bad way. Just in a this-requires-change-kind-of-way.
For the most part, both kiddos have transitioned quite well. I have been exceptionally surprised by Landon. To be quite honest, I thought he was going to be the "deciding factor" in whether or not this was going to work. But, Landon has done great! He either joins us, or he doesn't. It's his choice, and he has been happy with whatever he chooses. (Really hoping it stays this way!:))
As for Ella Beth, her transition has been a challenge for both her and me. Obviously, my teaching style is different than what she had grown accustomed to at Montessori school. I have said it over and over again, I really do like the Montessori approach. I am trying to incorporate as much into our homeschooling as possible...but, it's harder than I thought it would be. And that's fine. We are adapting to our style - me to Ella Beth and her to me. I think the biggest challenge is Ella Beth's behavior. Now, my kiddos are good kids...but, they have their moments! And, unfortunately, Ella Beth's moments seem to make their appearance during school time. I am trying to find the best method of Correction during school - do I separate Mommy from Teacher? do I combine them since I really am just the same person? do we set different rules for school? (I don't really think this last option is an option...just trying to think through them all.)
But, here is a typical homeschool day:
We start every day with our Devotional Time - usually around 9:30 or 10 a.m. This children's Bible, The Jesus Storybook Bible, is the MOST AMAZING BIBLE FOR KIDS ever! Ella Beth and Landon love reading it, and I enjoy it just as much. The stories are written so beautifully, and it reads like a book. The sub-title is "Every Story Whispers His [Jesus'] Name," and it does. It's such a great book. I can't recommended it more highly!!!
Scott made us a school table; I chose the color. :) The school chairs that we use are from my mom's table from when she was a little girl. Special addition to our homeschool.
We have a To-Do List of our daily activities. I totally recommend starting with Kindergarten; I mean, really, what a great (i.e. simple!) list!
Ella Beth loves changing our calendar each day. Love that smile. :)
I am a huge proponent of "re-purposing" items.
I received a pair of slippers in this box for Christmas, and the box was just so nice I couldn't throw it away. It is now our Math Manipulatives box. Covered, of course, in cute scrapbook paper. ;)
Even though Ella Beth says that she likes Phonics better than Math...she is doing exceptionally well in Math. She had started doing Math lessons at her Montessori school, and Montessori is heavy in using manipulatives. That was one method that was easy to implement at home...and we just love using them! I am seriously thinking of switching over to Math-U-See next year as our Math curriculum. It is very hands on, and Ella Beth really enjoys anything she can touch and move around.
One of Landon's favorite things do to during school (if he chooses to join us right now) is puzzles! He will spend about 30 solid minutes doing puzzles...when he's in the mood, of course. :)
We also have this book for tracing lines, squiggles, swirls, etc. He really likes doing work in this book because he feels like he's doing school like Ella Beth!
We have also started introducing basic math/number concepts. Here's a great use for an egg carton. (I don't know exactly what it says about me that I re-purpose everything I can!?!)
And there's handwriting. Ella Beth used to hate handwriting. There would be tears every day. That was two months ago. Now, since she has found that she's very good at writing her letters (for a 4 year old!), she actually looks forward to doing handwriting each day. Lots of praise from Mama made that happen. ;)
And we typically end each day with Phonics and reading. Ella Beth is reading very well. One of the biggest rewards of homeschooling has been teaching Ella Beth to read. WoW!!! Seeing how proud she is to read, and knowing that I had a part in it, makes all of the challenging/tough/rough days worth it!
So...that's a {new} typical day around here - well, at least 2 hours of it. Four years ago when Ella Beth was just a wee little thing, homeschooling was not even on my radar. In fact, I was one of those people who thought homeschooling was a bit weird. That's before I understood what it's really about, and before I understood parents' reasoning behind it. For us, at least for now, we are on board. I am praying that finances will be able to sustain themselves to where I am able to stay at home full time - because there is no place I'd rather be.
For the most part, both kiddos have transitioned quite well. I have been exceptionally surprised by Landon. To be quite honest, I thought he was going to be the "deciding factor" in whether or not this was going to work. But, Landon has done great! He either joins us, or he doesn't. It's his choice, and he has been happy with whatever he chooses. (Really hoping it stays this way!:))
As for Ella Beth, her transition has been a challenge for both her and me. Obviously, my teaching style is different than what she had grown accustomed to at Montessori school. I have said it over and over again, I really do like the Montessori approach. I am trying to incorporate as much into our homeschooling as possible...but, it's harder than I thought it would be. And that's fine. We are adapting to our style - me to Ella Beth and her to me. I think the biggest challenge is Ella Beth's behavior. Now, my kiddos are good kids...but, they have their moments! And, unfortunately, Ella Beth's moments seem to make their appearance during school time. I am trying to find the best method of Correction during school - do I separate Mommy from Teacher? do I combine them since I really am just the same person? do we set different rules for school? (I don't really think this last option is an option...just trying to think through them all.)
But, here is a typical homeschool day:
So...that's a {new} typical day around here - well, at least 2 hours of it. Four years ago when Ella Beth was just a wee little thing, homeschooling was not even on my radar. In fact, I was one of those people who thought homeschooling was a bit weird. That's before I understood what it's really about, and before I understood parents' reasoning behind it. For us, at least for now, we are on board. I am praying that finances will be able to sustain themselves to where I am able to stay at home full time - because there is no place I'd rather be.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Multitudes on Mondays
87. flavored creamer for my morning coffee
88. fun coffee cups
89. cinnamon toast
90. birthday parties
91. exhausted kiddos and quiet drives
92. newborn babies
93. newborn portraits
94. watching life form from tiny seeds and explaining to Ella Beth and Landon that all creation is from God
95. cowboy and cowgirl boots
96. reading my Bible and finding how personally God speaks to me
97. telling others of my thankfulness, and watching their expressions
98. listening to others tell of their thankfulness, and feeling my eyes fill with tears of gratitude
99. beautiful, sunny days
100. buds singing the closeness of Spring approaching
101. the self-confidence of children
102. how proud Ella Beth and Landon are of their artwork
103. sweet, tender kisses
104. passionate kisses
105. holding hands
Psalm 9:1-2: "I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High."
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