The band box with the blue crocheted ribbon on the top edge was made for me by my mom.  She gave it to me when I was a teenager and she covered it in wall paper that was in my childhood bedroom.  The ribbon was handmade by my Great Grandmother and the box is filled with dried flowers, that I saved during my teenage years.

The other two, taller ones were made from empty oatmeal cartons.  I covered them with scrapbooking paper.  I like the simplicity of them.  The one with the pink ribbon is now in the livingroom.  It holds imprisoned legos which I picked up off the floor.  They are mine until they are “paid for” by whatever means that the boys and I come up with at the time. 

I’m still thinking a lot about my house, and the housework.  I think partly because we are in the process of moving the boys into the finished basement.  It looks so fresh and clean down there, with the painted walls free from handprints, for the moment.  Spending time in that nice new space inspires us to clean up and organize the rest of the house. . . . . .

But, for now we are getting ready to go out.  The house is so hot and muggy and the bookstore is beckoning.  When Rich asked me this morning if I wanted to go to Crackerbarrel for breakfast, I told him I would rather go to Barnes and Noble, to get a decaf latte and a couple new magazines, or a book. 

Happy Saturday!

PS.  My clothes are getting way too tight.  I’m only like 11 weeks pregnant and I feel yucky, bloated, and squeezed!  And SO not cute!

I read this the other day:

“Just as it is good to get one’s fingers into the soil and plant seeds, so it is good to get one’s fingers and fists into bread dough to knead and punch it.  There is something very positive in being involved in the creativity which is so basic to life itself.  Home-made bread, home-made cakes and pies, home-made vegetable soup from home-grown vegetables or from vegetable market purchases, home-made jams and jellies, home-made relishes and pickles–these are almost lost arts in many homes.  For growing children at play, there is nothing so interesting as ‘doing things’.  To ‘help cook’ is one of the most enjoyable things of childhood–to say nothing of being a sure way of producing good cooks.  A child can cut up carrots at a very early age, with no more risk of injury than from falling down outside at play!  A child can mix and stir, knead the dough and be given a piece to make a roll man, cat or rabbit with raisin eyes.  A child can fry eggs or make scrambled eggs–one of mine did every morning from the age of three!  The kitchen should be an interesting room in which communication takes place between child and mother and also among adults.  It should be interesting in the same way as is an artist’s studio, as well as being a cosy spot in which to have a cup of tea while something is being watched or stirred, or while waiting to take something out of the oven.”

~ Edith Schaeffer

First of all, I have to tell you all that yesterday morning I woke up with zero desire to take care of my house and children.  I was grumpy and I could not bear the thought of another day. . .of Caleb having accidents in his pants, David losing his temper, Grace disappearing outside, Jacob and Ethan being loud and well. . .LOUD,  being too hot, the hours too long to fill, not wanting to clean, oh I had myself all worked up from the moment I opened my eyes!  All I could think was that I wanted a DAY OFF.

PRAISE GOD I remembered to pray!  Before the children were even awake, I was on my knees telling the Lord how I was feeling and asking Him for strength.  I told Him I wanted to glorify Him with my day.

And, do you know, the miracle of prayer never ceases to amaze me because those feelings all flew away instantly!  I came out of my bedroom to find Caleb bending over his choo-choos and looking into their round faces.  And that is where the other children found me, sitting on the floor with Caleb.  They all came down and gathered around with us and we had a fine ol’ time, playing with the trains and talking, everyone still in their pj’s with sleepy eyes.  I was amazed at how unified I felt with them, when just a few minutes before, I wanted to run away! 

Then it was time for breakfast and I let David make it!  His confidence level has soared to never-before seen heights, because of his newly discovered talent.  He cracked all the eggs, stirred them up (I poured the milk in), added salt and pepper, and added them to the pan (after I heated it up and added butter so they wouldn’t stick).  He stirred them until they were cooked and was so proud to sit at the table and hear us all compliment him on his eggs.

He was so so CUTE!

And, guess what?  Later on, after we were home from shopping and it was late afternoon, I caught him in the kitchen going at it again TWO MORE TIMES!  He is the “mad egg scrambler”.  I had to make a new rule for him.

“You are not allowed to scramble eggs unless you ask first”

When his Daddy got home from work, he heard every detail, in David’s happy little voice.

I can’t tell you the last time I had to mop up SO many raw eggs.  Ew. 

Also, one of my fiesta bowls got smashed.  (Not the one in the picture, thankfully!)

But it was all worth it.

So.  Should Caleb have a turn this morning?  After all, if Mrs. Shaeffer’s three year old could scramble eggs, I’m SURE that my three year old can!  To be continued. . . . . .

****************************************

(Caleb, 3 years old, stirring his eggs)

Hi~ I’m back~ Bless his heart, the little guy did it!  He was so cute.  I had to keep my hands on his hands to crack the eggs, he laughed as we broke them into the bowl.  He stirred them up just fine but I did raise my voice in excitement a few times when I caught him attempting to taste his mixture.  The stove was nerve-wracking, I had to stay very close to him to make sure he didn’t burn his little paws. 

David was scrambling his own eggs at the same time, with an air of authority.  Look at him, keeping an eagle eye on his little brother:

Caleb was proud of his eggs, in a shy way:

You did a good job, baby!

What a crew!  I’ll tell ya, I received many God BLESS you’s (from old ladies) today when I was out and about with these children o’ mine today.  My xanga pal, Alyssa, has inspired me (without knowing it) to put the boys in matching shirts. . .she says it’s easier to keep track of them when they are dressed alike.  However, as true as that may be, I also found that it makes the children and me much too noticeable!  Those who know me personally know I do not like standing out in any way!  But I must admit, it WAS encouraging to hear “What a beautiful family!” and, “They are not only beautiful but WELL-BEHAVED, too!”  Oh my!  God bless little old ladies and their heart-felt encouragement!  And God knows, I needed it all. 

I came home tired to the bone, but it was good for us to get out for a while (and away from cleaning!)  Jacob and Ethan had their teeth checked by an orthodontist. . . .who said they still have a good year or two before they need to start braces.  Then, we went to the Post Office so I could finally MAIL JOANNA’s BIRTHDAY BOX (Joanna, are you back from vacation yet or what’s the story???) and return Jacob’s bow (he’s the family violinist), which needed a re-hair. 

I had the greatest time at Kohl’s.  Why?  Because I replenished kitchen stuff!  I bought more kitchen towels, dishclothes, and little gadgets (a strainer, some scrapers, tongs, etc).  I also bought myself a very yummy smelling candle~”clementine”~I do enjoy citrus scented things.  Now, my old kitchen towels can be used as rags, most of them already look the part.

After Kohl’s we went to Cosco, where I picked up a photo order.  We also ate lunch together and bought the basics like laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, milk, etc.  David, of course, ran away whenever he saw free samples and then the lady in charge of them would sit and say, “Where’s your mother?” until I could get the cart over to approve of his snack.  Caleb got to buy a Thomas DVD with his birthday money.  The DVD case has buttons on it that you can push, to hear the sounds of the different trains.  Yes.  Seems like everything makes noise these days.  That’s what I’ve been listening to ever since.  Peep Peeeeeeeeeeeeep!

When we got home, we were all thrilled that our book order FINALLY arrived, after 2 weeks of waiting.  I’m attaching the link to the one I ordered for myself.  I’m not sure if it’s a good thing for me to read with the emotions of pregnancy coursing through my veins.  I cried through a good portion of the book!  (yeah, I already read most of it, while the children were “resting”.)

Jacob and Ethan just got home from walking down the road (in bare feet and still in the matching clothes) to the neighbor’s vegetable stand.  They were to get cucumbers and also to give them a jar of strawberry rhubarb jam.  They came home with the cucumbers AND 3 big zucchini, they told me the neighbors were very thankful for the jam and gave the zucchini to me for free!  These 3 join the 2 I already have in the fridge.  Guess I’ll be making LOTS more muffins? 

THANKFUL~ for the convenience of shopping in a town that has all the stores I need so close together!

Okay, time to go light my candle and work in the kitchen. . . . . .

Have a WONDERFUL afternoon/evening everyone!  God bless you all and I hope your dinners turn out great tonight!  I think I will set the table extra pretty, just for fun . . .  I’m sure my husband and children will notice, even if they don’t say anything about it.

 Yesterday was so GORGEOUS, a mild, yet sunny, windy day. . . .I felt so energized after days and days of muggy humid heat that I was scurrying around like a new woman!  I did some weeding in my flower beds, went to the grocery store, and we even invited friends over for a day of swimming and fun.

Needless to say, after all that extra activity, this morning I am yawning, squinty-eyed, and tired. 

However, it’s going to be another lovely day.  I went out on the porch just a bit ago to yell at the dog and oh! the air is so clean and clear, there is foggy mist rising from the ponds, the greens of the grass and trees are so bright and vibrant.  It’s beautiful. . . .

It’s FRIDAY!  I cannot wait for Rich to get home, even though it will be late tonight.  He is in Dallas, TX right now.  Too far away from me.

To torture myself, I will post some pictures that Jacob took last Saturday of us~

This is when I feel like my real self, when Rich is standing next to me.  This is REAL, safe. . . .

When it’s just me and the children~I don’t know~ I’m just basically having fun (or, not having fun, depending on what’s going on), and waiting for Rich to get back to us.

This was yesterday afternoon, after our friends had gone back home~

Some houses try to hide the fact
   that children shelter there:
Ours boasts of it quite openly,
   the signs are everywhere.
For smears are on the windows,
   little smudges on the door;
I should apologize I guess
   for toys strewn on the floor,
But I sat down with the children
   and we played and laughed and read:
and if the doorbell doesn’t shine,
   their eyes will shine instead.
So when at times I’m forced to choose
   the one job or the other,
it’s good to be a housewife,
   but I’d rather be a mother.

~Unknown

After dinner last night, the children wanted to go swimming.  That seems to be our regular habit these days and I love it because the lighting at that time of night (around 6:30) is lovely.  The birds are singing their evening songs.  I sat in my chair and watched the children have fun. . . . .

I lasted 20 minutes before I just had to run back to the house to get my camera.

Davy- do’s invention:

We aren’t always happy around here;

but Davy’s tears never last long~

It’s Caleb’s little foot that gets me~

Grace was showing me how she goes under water, when Caleb ran by. . . .

And the big boys have fun in their own crazy ways~

GUESS WHAT?

Last night I had morning sickness for the first time. 

Although I did not like to end the day in such a way (!!), it was an encouraging reminder to me, that a baby is coming!

No one was here to feel sorry for me, so I just went to bed and smiled in the dark, to myself.  It’s true, I’m really having another baby!

***********************************

This is the perfect sort of summer morning, because it’s so cool, to turn on the oven and make homemade muffins.  Sweet muffins are fast and easy to make, and you don’t have to turn on a mixer.  It’s all handwork and very rewarding, especially when the children have so industriously picked the berries.  Grace and Ethan went and picked fat juicy red raspberries, free for the taking, by the side of the road.  With a scattering of wild blueberries, the muffins I
have baking in the oven will be scrumptious, with a sprinkle of white sugar on top. 

I can’t tell you how nice it is to mix the batter up in my new marigold fiesta mixing bowl!

Have a wonderful day!

Thanks to those of you who offered your encouragment to me,  in response to what I wrote about feeling guilty that I was not doing more at church.  I was getting mixed up, and confused, about what my real ministry is.  God used the things that you said to me here on xanga, His word, my own Mama, and also a couple of online articles (which someone sent me the links for) to give me the “booster shot” that I needed. 

So, a deep sigh of contentment from a tired mama~ a tired but happy one~ as I press on in my role as a wife, mother, and house keeper. 

Here are a couple of quotes for you;

“What’s wrong with rocking and cuddling and answering 100+ questions, and wiping snotty noses, cleaning up throw-up, and playing blocks on the floor?  This is kingdom work.  And it’s not just something to get through so you can get on to something bigger.  This is big.”

“Mary and Elisabeth touched the world by raising their boys.”

“Women have far too long screamed for the place of honor-rather than humble service.  It is in the home we learn to be like Jesus.  Any woman can be all spiritual with her Christian friends.  But the rubber meets the road in the home.”

~ Audry Broggi

Happy Birthday,

dear choo-choo boy~

He did get choo-choo’s for his birthday~ his favorite is Gordon, with his tender, that Jacob picked for him.  He also got Alfie and Peter Sam, and the troublesome trucks that giggle when you press down on them.

We already celebrated his birthday on Monday, so that Rich would not miss out (he’s away on a business trip this week). 

Caleb stood up in his chair and joined us all in a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” and then, for the first time, blew out his candles.

All by himself.

Why wash the icing off his face, when it matches Gordon?

He’s three now!  My beloved little son. . . . . . .

*Edible Play Dough*

2 cups creamy peanut butter
2 cups honey
2 cups powdered milk
2 cups oats
mix
enjoy
(put flour on the table in case it gets sticky)

Davy- do made cookies out of his dough~this is a picture of what he looked like when Mama was taste testing his wonderful cookie. . . . . .he just knew I would love it!

Ethan whistled while he worked.

This is Grace laughing because she threw a ball of dough at her brother.

Leftovers are kept separate from each other, so we can have more fun on another day.

Jonah study:

The other thing that I did with them yesterday was sit them all at the table to read the Bible.  I read them Jonah~the entire book~it’s not long.  Then, I took a Children’s Illustrated Bible and read the whole story again.  Have you read Jonah lately?  It is so interesting.  Did you know that the King of Nineveh called for a fast (after he knew that God was going to destroy the city because of their wickedness) ~ he called a fast for the people AND the animals?  I thought it was fascinating that even the animals were included in the fast.

And we all laughed and laughed when we read about how Jonah “was exceeding glad of the gourd”.  (chapter 4, verse 6)

When I was done reading them the story, I had Jacob write a short story, pretending he was the King of Nineveh.  Ethan wrote one pretending he was Jonah, and Grace wrote one pretending she was a little girl living in Nineveh when Jonah came.  I found a “Jonah and the Whale” coloring page for David and Caleb to color.

*****************

Rich left this morning for another business trip.  He will not be home until Friday night.  Please pray for me, I need the strength of the Lord to get through this week in a relatively calm way.  I want to try to make some goals for myself and keep myself busy, but also take the time to rest as needed.  I am not sick with this pregnancy (so far) but I am feeling very “out of it” and tired.  Thankfully, I have my friends to lean on~and it comforts me to know that if I need anything I have a bunch of friends that I can call on for help.  And my sister.  Can’t forget sissy.

Church stuff:

Spiritually, I am getting a lot of comfort from Job.  Specifically, the last chapters in which God is talking to Job about all the things that He has done.  He is showing Job how great and powerful He is.  I have been hungering to study the bigness of God~through His word and through His creation.  The bigger GOD is in my mind, the smaller everything else becomes~people, circumstances, my SELF.  I am attaching a link to the book that I’m reading that is helping me along in this study.

In the book, the author also talks about the church and how we are to be a community, a family.

I loved this quote:

“Notice the results if we neglect to see the importance of biblical community.  If we privatize Scripture, turning “we” into “I”, we have the following dilemmas:

~I have to go into all the world and made disciples (Matt. 28:18)

~I have to pray without ceasing (I Thess. 5:17)

~I have to give proper recognition to the widows who are in need (1 Tim. 5:3)

~I have to teach the older men, younger men, and younger women (Titus 2: 1-8)

And somehow, in the gaps of my day, I have to work and make enough money for my family.

Fortunately, these commands are given TO THE CHURCH.  It is only on the corporate level that we are able to evangelize the world.  It takes financial supporters, mission boards, friends and churches that faithfully pray, and many other people in the body for a missionary to go and make disciples.  And to fulfill the command to pray without ceasing, I need the church because I need to sleep every now and then, and I have to go to work.  Round -the-clock praying can only be done by the worldwide church.”  ~Edward T. Welch

The reason why I found that quote so FREEING is that I still suffer a lot of guilt that I am not doing more for the church.  Basically, right now I go to services and work in the toddler room once a month.  I am not involved in choir any more. 

The funny thing is, I am very secure in what I believe God’s will is for me right now.  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He want
s me (and my heart) AT HOME, serving my family.  My husband is so very busy, he has a great job but it takes a lot of time and effort to get his work done.  He needs my support, he needs to know that I am taking care of the household and his children while he is away. 

With five children, and one on the way, and being a homeschooing mama, I have found that I have almost NO extra time or energy to devote to anything else.  I rarely even leave my home during the week, except to go to the grocery store, library, or music lessons for the older boys.  I’m so thankful that my friends are so willing to come here to my house and that I can keep in touch with people through snail mail, email, xanga, and phone calls.

I feel so content and happy at home and yet so often when I go to church, I come away feeling so much guilt that I am not DOING MORE~I’m not out soul winning, I’m not out ministering to the needy, I’m not working with children at church, I’m not singing in choir, I’m not doing this or that or the other.

But, I realize, as I read that quote, that I don’t need to do those extra things!  I have an entire church family surrounding me.  We are all in this TOGETHER.  I have my whole life ahead of me, and what I am doing now is enough.  My brothers and sisters in Christ can and will do the things that I cannot do right now and I’m so thankful for that.  We are not on our own, we have a huge worldwide body all working together, with our head as Christ.  The body of believers is a beautiful thing.~  I need to remember that I am not an individual (when it comes to church) so much as one small part of a BODY.

I don’t expect people to understand what I mean by all that.  There are things that have happened to me spiritually in the past that have damaged my views of Christianity (making it more of WORKS and less of grace) ~ God is showing me, little by little, that the false things that I learned can be stripped away, and the thing that matters most is HIM.  That is why, most of all, in my devotions and meditations, I want to fill myself with Him and His character. . . .to study His LOVE, MERCY, GRACE, His attributes, His creation.  There is so much healing there for me.  And the more I know Him, the more I love Him.