Making memories together is the most fun!!
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Monday, October 21, 2013
Multitudes on Monday
2011. cool weather that keeps the house temperature just right
2012. jeans and long sleeve shirts and socks
2013. snuggling up under a blanket at night
2014. comfortable temperatures for playing outside
2015. the blue skies of October
2016. crisp mornings and cool evenings
2017. a successful camping trip - despite the rain during the night
2018. Buddy-Ro camping with his Daddy for the first time
2019. new footed PJs to keep the little fella snuggly all day
2020. pictures from Scott of Buddy-Ro bundled up on chilly hunting mornings
2021. Birdie-girl reading me a bed time book while Daddy and Buddy-Ro are away
1 Chronicles 16:34, "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His love and his kindness go on forever."
2012. jeans and long sleeve shirts and socks
2013. snuggling up under a blanket at night
2014. comfortable temperatures for playing outside
2015. the blue skies of October
2016. crisp mornings and cool evenings
2017. a successful camping trip - despite the rain during the night
2018. Buddy-Ro camping with his Daddy for the first time
2019. new footed PJs to keep the little fella snuggly all day
2020. pictures from Scott of Buddy-Ro bundled up on chilly hunting mornings
2021. Birdie-girl reading me a bed time book while Daddy and Buddy-Ro are away
1 Chronicles 16:34, "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His love and his kindness go on forever."
Friday, October 18, 2013
Laundry
Laundry. It's 10:35 and I have already done three loads of laundry this morning because there was half of a dark blue crayon left in a pocket.
And now everything is covered in dark blue spots. That won't come out.
Laundry is ironic like that sometimes. You go to clean clothes, and they come out stained. Ahh, life with children. I checked the pockets, but this tiny crayon piece hid from me and melted in the dryer and turned some good clothes into play clothes.
But I am still thankful for the laundry. The laundry that I had to re-do and is still stained. Because it is my reminder that I have a family to care for and children to love. Was it annoying to find nice church pants covered in dark blue spots that won't come out? Yes. Was my first reaction to sigh and call my son's name? Yes.
But as I looked into his sweet blue eyes with the innocence of a five year old boy, I couldn't be mad at him. He's five. The crayon piece got away from him. It got away from the Mama, too.
Laundry is a never-ending chore. Sometimes it doesn't produce the results we were expecting, but it's a constant reminder that there are five of us in this family. Five people who make messes, who need clean clothes, who need new clothes to replace a few "nice" items. Five people who make our family filled to the brim with blessings and grace.
--
Linked up at http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/
And now everything is covered in dark blue spots. That won't come out.
Laundry is ironic like that sometimes. You go to clean clothes, and they come out stained. Ahh, life with children. I checked the pockets, but this tiny crayon piece hid from me and melted in the dryer and turned some good clothes into play clothes.
But I am still thankful for the laundry. The laundry that I had to re-do and is still stained. Because it is my reminder that I have a family to care for and children to love. Was it annoying to find nice church pants covered in dark blue spots that won't come out? Yes. Was my first reaction to sigh and call my son's name? Yes.
But as I looked into his sweet blue eyes with the innocence of a five year old boy, I couldn't be mad at him. He's five. The crayon piece got away from him. It got away from the Mama, too.
Laundry is a never-ending chore. Sometimes it doesn't produce the results we were expecting, but it's a constant reminder that there are five of us in this family. Five people who make messes, who need clean clothes, who need new clothes to replace a few "nice" items. Five people who make our family filled to the brim with blessings and grace.
--
Linked up at http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
the Best is yet to come
My heart has been so heavy this week with unspeakable loss and tragedy. It's so easy to ask "Why, God?" in the midst of it all, but that question won't be answered in this life. We don't understand - can't understand - but that's not really our task. Our task is to live in trust and allow His Glory through our messy lives.
I am reading the book Shattered Dreams by Larry Crabb. Actually, I am reading it and re-reading it at the same time. It has been such a profound book for me and "where I've been" that I find that I can't read it like a typical book. I have read each chapter at least 3 times, and I am only on Chapter 8. Basically, the book is based on the idea that:
"Shattered dreams are never random. They are always a piece in a larger puzzle, a chapter in a larger story. The Holy Spirit uses the pain of shattered dreams to help us discover our desire for God, to help us begin dreaming the highest dream. They are ordained opportunities for the Spirit first to awaken, then to satisfy our highest dream."
Chapter One is titled, "My Problem With God." I knew that I was going to find this book enlightening just by that title. You see, I have had my fair share of "problems with God." Call me a brat (and it's OK if you do...nicely please...because I have called myself one before) - but in the past I've really been fed up with God because I simply haven't gotten my way.
Wow. Talk about cold reality.
I haven't been getting my way. And I've been bitter about it. You see, in my worldly opinion there's nothing wrong with My Way.
As Crabb asks, "How do we trust a sometimes disappointing, seemingly fickle God who fails to do for us what good friends, if they could, would do?"
And then he answers.
"The problem sincere Christians have with God often comes down to a wrong understanding of what this life is meant to provide. We naturally and wrongly assume we're here to experience something God has never promised...Both good hopes and best hopes are guaranteed in heaven. But fulfillment of the best hopes is not yet promised in this life."
The highest dream we can ever experience is being in the presence of God. We will not suffer in heaven; there will be no loss. Every imaginable dream will come true.
But this life is not meant to provide the fulfillment of the highest dream. This life is meant to "stir an appetite for a higher purpose -- the better hope of knowing God well enough to love Him above everything else...and trusting Him no matter what happens."
Trusting God above our shattered dreams.
Trusting God when we don't get our way.
Trusting God through overwhelming circumstances and loss.
Trusting God even when He seems so distant we wonder if He even cares.
It's hard.
For many of us, we have wrongly equated God blessing us with God loving us. If God gives us what we want, He must love us. If God refuses to grant our requests, He must be with-holding His love from us.
But, we couldn't be more wrong.
God doesn't want us to settle for Good when He can only provide what's Best.
Shattered dreams open the door to this Best Dream, a dream that we do not properly understand until those "good dreams" are destroyed.
My good dreams have been destroyed. Over and over again.
Destruction of dreams is painful. It has been tear-wrenching, fist-waving, fightin' word screaming, door slamming (me, not God) - hard.
But suffering in this world still has a purpose. It's often long; it's hard; it's trying and frustrating. But it can also bring us to the place where we no longer want to settle.
To no longer demand what's good, but to desire what's best.
Crabb envisions Jesus speaking to us in the Garden of Gethsemane saying,
"Some of your fondest dreams will shatter, and you will be tempted to lose hope. I will seem to you callous or, worse, weak -- unresponsive to your pain. You will wonder if I cannot do anything or simply will not. I will seem to withdraw from you and do nothing. BUT, a plan is unfolding that you can not clearly see. If you could see it as I do, you would still hurt [shattered dreams], but you would not lose hope. You would gladly remain faithful to me in the middle of the worst suffering."
Why?
Because we have hope of the BEST that is to come.
I am reading the book Shattered Dreams by Larry Crabb. Actually, I am reading it and re-reading it at the same time. It has been such a profound book for me and "where I've been" that I find that I can't read it like a typical book. I have read each chapter at least 3 times, and I am only on Chapter 8. Basically, the book is based on the idea that:
"Shattered dreams are never random. They are always a piece in a larger puzzle, a chapter in a larger story. The Holy Spirit uses the pain of shattered dreams to help us discover our desire for God, to help us begin dreaming the highest dream. They are ordained opportunities for the Spirit first to awaken, then to satisfy our highest dream."
Chapter One is titled, "My Problem With God." I knew that I was going to find this book enlightening just by that title. You see, I have had my fair share of "problems with God." Call me a brat (and it's OK if you do...nicely please...because I have called myself one before) - but in the past I've really been fed up with God because I simply haven't gotten my way.
Wow. Talk about cold reality.
I haven't been getting my way. And I've been bitter about it. You see, in my worldly opinion there's nothing wrong with My Way.
As Crabb asks, "How do we trust a sometimes disappointing, seemingly fickle God who fails to do for us what good friends, if they could, would do?"
And then he answers.
"The problem sincere Christians have with God often comes down to a wrong understanding of what this life is meant to provide. We naturally and wrongly assume we're here to experience something God has never promised...Both good hopes and best hopes are guaranteed in heaven. But fulfillment of the best hopes is not yet promised in this life."
The highest dream we can ever experience is being in the presence of God. We will not suffer in heaven; there will be no loss. Every imaginable dream will come true.
But this life is not meant to provide the fulfillment of the highest dream. This life is meant to "stir an appetite for a higher purpose -- the better hope of knowing God well enough to love Him above everything else...and trusting Him no matter what happens."
Trusting God above our shattered dreams.
Trusting God when we don't get our way.
Trusting God through overwhelming circumstances and loss.
Trusting God even when He seems so distant we wonder if He even cares.
It's hard.
For many of us, we have wrongly equated God blessing us with God loving us. If God gives us what we want, He must love us. If God refuses to grant our requests, He must be with-holding His love from us.
But, we couldn't be more wrong.
God doesn't want us to settle for Good when He can only provide what's Best.
Shattered dreams open the door to this Best Dream, a dream that we do not properly understand until those "good dreams" are destroyed.
My good dreams have been destroyed. Over and over again.
Destruction of dreams is painful. It has been tear-wrenching, fist-waving, fightin' word screaming, door slamming (me, not God) - hard.
But suffering in this world still has a purpose. It's often long; it's hard; it's trying and frustrating. But it can also bring us to the place where we no longer want to settle.
To no longer demand what's good, but to desire what's best.
Crabb envisions Jesus speaking to us in the Garden of Gethsemane saying,
"Some of your fondest dreams will shatter, and you will be tempted to lose hope. I will seem to you callous or, worse, weak -- unresponsive to your pain. You will wonder if I cannot do anything or simply will not. I will seem to withdraw from you and do nothing. BUT, a plan is unfolding that you can not clearly see. If you could see it as I do, you would still hurt [shattered dreams], but you would not lose hope. You would gladly remain faithful to me in the middle of the worst suffering."
Why?
Because we have hope of the BEST that is to come.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Multitudes on Monday
2001. my friend Rachael and her husband Greg and their children Finn and Selah
2002. their safety from getting out of their house that caught on fire while they were inside
2003. friends, family, community that steps in and lends the hands of Christ to help with their needs
2004. toys, diapers, clothes, gift cards, cash that are donated to help them as they process their loss
2005. the fact that their house caught fire during the day and not at night while they were sleeping
2006. for the things that they WERE able to salvage from their home
2007. for tears and hugs and prayers given up for Rachael and her family
2008. for the extra long hugs that Rachael and Greg gave to their children last night, and tonight, and for nights to come
2009. for God's provision
2010. for their Hope, and our Hope, in eternity with our blessed Savior
Psalm 50:14-15, "What I want from you is your true thanks; I want your promises fulfilled. I want you to trust me in your times of trouble, so I can rescue you and you can give me glory."
2002. their safety from getting out of their house that caught on fire while they were inside
2003. friends, family, community that steps in and lends the hands of Christ to help with their needs
2004. toys, diapers, clothes, gift cards, cash that are donated to help them as they process their loss
2005. the fact that their house caught fire during the day and not at night while they were sleeping
2006. for the things that they WERE able to salvage from their home
2007. for tears and hugs and prayers given up for Rachael and her family
2008. for the extra long hugs that Rachael and Greg gave to their children last night, and tonight, and for nights to come
2009. for God's provision
2010. for their Hope, and our Hope, in eternity with our blessed Savior
Psalm 50:14-15, "What I want from you is your true thanks; I want your promises fulfilled. I want you to trust me in your times of trouble, so I can rescue you and you can give me glory."
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Multitudes on Monday (on Tuesday...again)
1988. our backyard covered in beautifully colored fall leaves from all of our trees
1989. temperatures cooling down with a crispness in the air
1990. backyard fires in the fire pit to sit around and relax in the evening
1991. new decorations in the house that remind us to rejoice and be thankful
1992. Buddy-Ro on Albuterol and Steroids....he is a sight to behold when he is all "juiced up"
1993. taking the kiddos to the fair
1994. laughing non-stop at Buddy-Ro "juiced up" at the fair - after every ride he yelled at-the-top-of-his-lungs-while-jumping-up-and-down-with-his-hands-in-the-air "That! Was! AWESOME!!!!"
1995. other people's reactions to Buddy-Ro's excitement :):):):) (there were lots of dads laughing hysterically...I guess men understand each other!)
1996. Birdie's timidity about riding the "Pirate Ship", but how she held her hands up and laughed the WHOLE time :)
1997. riding the "big swings" with the bigger kiddos and having a blast myself
1998. taking turns with Daddy riding with the bigger kiddos while Peanut waved and laughed (and sometimes cried b/c he wanted to ride :(
1999. hearing Peanut say new words like "cat" and "horse" when he saw them at the fair
2000. Two Thousand reasons to be thankful...and counting :)
Psalm 7:17, "Oh, how grateful and thankful I am to the Lord because he is so good. I will sing praise to the name of the Lord who is above all lords."
1989. temperatures cooling down with a crispness in the air
1990. backyard fires in the fire pit to sit around and relax in the evening
1991. new decorations in the house that remind us to rejoice and be thankful
1992. Buddy-Ro on Albuterol and Steroids....he is a sight to behold when he is all "juiced up"
1993. taking the kiddos to the fair
1994. laughing non-stop at Buddy-Ro "juiced up" at the fair - after every ride he yelled at-the-top-of-his-lungs-while-jumping-up-and-down-with-his-hands-in-the-air "That! Was! AWESOME!!!!"
1995. other people's reactions to Buddy-Ro's excitement :):):):) (there were lots of dads laughing hysterically...I guess men understand each other!)
1996. Birdie's timidity about riding the "Pirate Ship", but how she held her hands up and laughed the WHOLE time :)
1997. riding the "big swings" with the bigger kiddos and having a blast myself
1998. taking turns with Daddy riding with the bigger kiddos while Peanut waved and laughed (and sometimes cried b/c he wanted to ride :(
1999. hearing Peanut say new words like "cat" and "horse" when he saw them at the fair
2000. Two Thousand reasons to be thankful...and counting :)
Psalm 7:17, "Oh, how grateful and thankful I am to the Lord because he is so good. I will sing praise to the name of the Lord who is above all lords."
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Kindergarten
It has honestly been a surprise to me how much I have enjoyed teaching Kindergarten this year. I am so happy with the curriculum that we chose. At first I thought that My Father's World K would be too "simple" - not that Buddy-Ro is advanced, but just that it is a simple approach to learning. But it has been exactly what Buddy-Ro has needed. There are SO many hands-on activities and projects, and honestly some of them would have probably gone by the way-side if I was doing it without MFW b/c all of the "extras" are so hard to work in to our day (what with teaching 3rd grade and having a brand-new-toddler toddling around:)).
But MFW has been a blessing to us. Buddy-Ro is right on the cusp of beginning reading, and he's happy to do school. I am praying that it continues, and I am eating it up at the moment - because I'm an experienced Mama, and I know how quickly things can change. Without warning.
We did a leaf unit with the letter L. We collected leaves from the back yard on our nature walk, and then used the leaves he found all week.
This leaf was so big that Mama had to help a little with the coloring. Buddy-Ro helped hold the leaf in place. :)
But he did all the rest!!
Proud of his leaf-sorting abilities. :)
And then...the BIG DAY arrived. Buddy-Ro's ants arrived in the mail. As in Black.Live.Crawling.Ants. He was so excited. Let's just say that ants aren't exactly Mama's thing. But it's part of Kindergarten, so it's what we do. I'm such a good sport. Well, when I let Daddy be in charge of the Ant Farm set-up. ;)
And now we have ants. I can admit that their tunnel building capabilities are impressive. And no one could argue that ants are lazy. Which is a great thing to teach kiddos! And the sentence Buddy-Ro is learning this week is: I am a wise child, so I will work hard.
Kindergarten is fun! Just the way it should be!!
But MFW has been a blessing to us. Buddy-Ro is right on the cusp of beginning reading, and he's happy to do school. I am praying that it continues, and I am eating it up at the moment - because I'm an experienced Mama, and I know how quickly things can change. Without warning.
We did a leaf unit with the letter L. We collected leaves from the back yard on our nature walk, and then used the leaves he found all week.
This leaf was so big that Mama had to help a little with the coloring. Buddy-Ro helped hold the leaf in place. :)
But he did all the rest!!
Proud of his leaf-sorting abilities. :)
And then...the BIG DAY arrived. Buddy-Ro's ants arrived in the mail. As in Black.Live.Crawling.Ants. He was so excited. Let's just say that ants aren't exactly Mama's thing. But it's part of Kindergarten, so it's what we do. I'm such a good sport. Well, when I let Daddy be in charge of the Ant Farm set-up. ;)
And now we have ants. I can admit that their tunnel building capabilities are impressive. And no one could argue that ants are lazy. Which is a great thing to teach kiddos! And the sentence Buddy-Ro is learning this week is: I am a wise child, so I will work hard.
Kindergarten is fun! Just the way it should be!!
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