giggles and girls...

Did the girl thing the other day. Tea party, dressed up bears and little girls in princess gowns, special treats fancy plates and cocoa in fancy tea cups...and make-up! Oh, what fun can be had with a box of colors and powders! Before Emma was born I had already had two boys, and felt fairly confident I could handle a third. When I found out we were having a girl, I was overjoyed and overwhelmed. Would I know how to be a mom to a girl? What if she loves dresses and make-up and tea parties, and.....all those things I felt so far removed from after 7 years with all boys? And here I am, six years later...tea party, dresses, make-up, and giggly girls. Yes, she loves all those things, just as I suspected she would. And I'm so thankful that God is using my little girl to remind me of how much fun it all can be.

A little extra shut eye...

Last Christmas, much to the dismay of my 3 oldest, Daniel decided a little extra shut eye was his Christmas gift to himself. So, instead of waking at his usual 6:30 or 7 am, he slept until 8:30! This year, we were all laughing and remembering how hard it was to wait to open presents, and kidding around about him doing it again. Well, unbelievably, he did! Daniel slept until 8:30 am on Christmas morning. He sleeps in once a year, on the day when most kids are up before the crack of dawn! Our rule is we don't open presents until everyone is awake, and I won't let them wake him up. My motto is "NEVER wake a sleeping child." Especially one with cranky tendencies. Oh, the torture! I'm still giggling about it.


We had a beautiful day. As Emma put it, "The best gift is that Jesus was born."
I must whole heartedly agree.

More blessed to give

I realized today that my oldest has grasped a concept that will bring him true joy in life. He is determined to give me a Christmas gift this year, and has already shopped for his siblings and Papa. I have tried to convince him that he does not need to buy us anything, but he explained that it feels selfish to receive gifts and not give them. He's so excited about the reaction his family will have upon receiving each present, purchased with his own hard earned money and careful consideration of what each would want the most. I am tempted to be more forceful in my encouragement to save his money, but to what end? He is experiencing the joy of giving, and discovering the truth of God's word that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Speaking of giving and receiving, have you ever thought about the fact that a giver can't give if the receiver won't receive? I must admit, I have a hard time receiving at times. I think it's pride, actually. But I'm choosing to be a better receiver these days. Who am I to stand in the way of a giver's blessing?

Matthew Kjaer

December 13, 2006

And now......
What a joy! Smiley, happy, lovey boy.
Happy Birthday!
I remember the night he was born like it was yesterday. I was 9 days overdue, and so very ready for this baby to begin his life on the outside. I decided that I would make my request known to God, and I was very specific.

Father, if I could have this labor go exactly the way I want, it would start this evening, with my water breaking, after the kids are in bed, and would end in time for Ken to come back home and be here when they wake up. Amen.

That evening, after putting the kids to bed I decided to fill out Christmas cards. And then the pangs began. But having had a few instances of false labor, I was ignoring them. I called my Dad. And the pangs kept coming. And got stronger. Soon I was walking around the house, in an effort to keep the momentum going. Ken was starting to think this may be it, and so was I. A couple hours of walking and contracting and I called the midwives in Cooperstown. It being my 5th labor, and being so far away, with contractions about 5 minutes apart, they told me to come on in. Ken's mom came to stay with the children, who were all in bed save for Andrew, and we headed to the birth center. We stopped for gas along the way and saw a young lady from church who blessed us with her excitement to be the first one to know we were on our way. As we drove, the contractions became stronger, and I wondered if I should tell Ken to hurry up, but didn't. I was still afraid it was false labor and decided that if I wasn't that far along and in this much pain I was going to treat myself to some pain medication! We finally made it there, and I was having some super strong contractions. We walked in and I stopped to bang, I mean rest, my head on the wall as another wave hit and the receptionist asked Ken if I needed a wheel chair. Ken said, "No, we're fine." (Yes, I hear you chuckling, I chuckled too) I waddled to the elevator, got to the room and the nurse discovered I was fully dilated! She broke my water and Matthew was born about 10 minutes after I got to the birth center! Not a moment to spare. And it was 11:30 pm. Plenty of time for Ken to get back home and wake up with the kids. God had graciously granted me the labor I had prayed for, save the water breaking...which I was so thankful for in the end because Matthew would have probably been born in the car!
And that's the story. Thanks for letting me reminisce!

My testimony

I frequently think about the way God used two dear young girls and their loving, accepting families to woo me to himself. I was a smartmouth 13 year old, unsuccessfully trying to fit in with my peers at school after moving here from downstate. Jenny lived across the street with her parents and sister. Her mom ran a little Christian bookstore out of the front room of their house. Her father played the organ at the Reformed Church. I practically lived at their house for 2 years. They fed me, put up with my idiosyncrasies, and introduced me to Christianity, as a lifestyle. Their faith was never hidden, and they invited me in to have a taste. I attended church from time to time, youth camps, special events. And God used this family to gently lead me to Him. But I hadn't yet accepted the forgiveness and grace of The Redeemer. The seeds this family had planted, another family was to water.

Dee introduced herself to me as we waited in line at the cafeteria in school. She complimented me on how pretty I looked that day. I was a hurting 15 year old, dealing with divorced parents and an angry alcoholic step-father. We became friends, and for the next 3 years I practically lived at their house. They fed me, put up with my idiosyncrasies (do you see a trend?) and introduced me to Jesus. They talked about Jesus, wrote about Jesus and sang about Jesus. Every car ride promised beautiful harmonies and melodies about Jesus. They brought me to church and special events, even family vacations...and then one day, as I rode in the back of their car Dee's mom asked me if I wanted to pray and accept Jesus as my personal savior. I did, so I prayed after her. And I was saved. Seeds of God's word now watered, were able to sprout.

Sometimes I marvel at God's hand on my life even then, placing these families in my path at just the right moments, equipping them with grace and patience to deal with me in all my pain and ignorance. I always felt welcome in their homes, I always felt loved. I am so thankful for the time they were willing to spend showing me the love of Jesus. I would not be who I am today were it not for their willingness to share the Gospel with one of the lost.

It's my heart's desire to do the same. May my family be that example of Christ's love to the hurting ones. Acceptance for those who feel rejected. Tenderness for the needy. Encouragement for the downtrodden. Safety for the insecure. All things to all people, that we might win for Christ those who are lost.

Amen.

I am contagious

Every day a strange and wonderful phenomenon is happening to us, through us and all around us. We are spreading germs wherever we go. Granted, these are the thoughts of a sleep deprived mom who is on the tail end of a cold germ's trail of havoc...but I'm thinking it's more than cold and flu germs we're spreading.
Take Dee for instance. She has spread the Cozy germ. Or maybe a better way to say it is she has helped germinate homemaking creativity in those of us whose decorating seeds lay dormant. Everyone who is inspired to make snowflakes after seeing her pretty ceiling bedecked with the beauties say, "Aye!" along with me.
Take Keila for instance. She has spread the Faith germ. She is helping to germinate the faith seeds that lay dormant in the rest of us. Everyone who is inspired to let your faith speak to your circumstances instead of letting your circumstances speak to your faith after reading her blog say "Aye" along with me.
Take Jenn for instance. She has spread the You Can Do It germ. She has helped to germinate a sense of daring and confidence in the lives of those who thought they could never act in a play. Everyone who is inspired to be part of something they've never done before after speaking to Jenn say "Aye" along with ......my HUSBAND...who is in this year's Christmas play because of her encouragement.
And the list goes on. My husband helps germinate generosity, my Pastor helps germinate the Word of God, my in-laws help germinate a sense of belonging, my mom helps germinate perseverance....
And these are just the good things we help to germinate...to spread, develop and grow.

There are other, less beautiful germs I have spread, or have been the unfortunate recipient of. Doubt, criticism, complaining, rebellion...But we shall focus on what's good and noble and lovely, methinks.
"When Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!" Doubtless you've heard that saying before. It's true in my house. I can set the mood as quickly as I can smile or laugh...or yell or grumble.

I am contagious...but I'll try to spread only the germs that don't make you sneeze!

Verse of the day

Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man

But any fool will quarrel.

Proverbs 20:3

You can probably guess what I've been doing today. That's right. Playing referee. Arbitrating. Negotiating. Meting out sentences.

The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.
Proverbs 17:14

I can't get enough of the book of Proverbs. There's an answer for every situation in there.

Except maybe my 1 yo 's obsession with cat food. Got some wisdom for that one?

Today

Laundry started, dishes washed, chores done, baby napping. Time to start school. Then I look around me and realize it's already happening and I didn't do a thing.

Jon is very intently studying a World History book on the couch.

Daniel is in his own little world of cars and blocks and such.

Emma is in horse land.

Andrew is doing his math.

I love homeschooling.

Not every day is like this, mind you. So many days I find myself staring longingly at the yellow bus, or in tears over my inability to get it together.

But today is what matters. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow we will get to tomorrow.
Thank you, Lord.

Tender hearts

It fills me with so much joy when I observe my children display a tender heart toward others:

A young man who gives up the front seat in the car for a young lady;
A precious daughter who can't bear to leave her puppy alone at night;
A tender son who gets teary when his baby brother gives him kisses;
A considerate preschooler who wants to help me do everything;
An adorable baby who is...well...he's just adorable.

God is at work in my children. His hand has formed them and shapes them still. I expect that they will know Him and follow Him all the days of their lives, for He who began a good work in them shall complete it...

A new blog friend

Andrew has decided to start a blog to share some pics he thinks are worth a look. Check it out...

Truly Thankful

Family, friends came one and all,
Answering the turkey's call,
Devoured we the Butterball,
And we were truly thankful.

But more than turkey and sage dressing,
Thanksgiving is to ponder blessing,
with grateful hearts our voices raised sing,
"We are truly thankful!"

Now to relish in the pleasin'
Smells and sights of Noel season.
For Jesus Christ, the Holy Reason,
We are truly thankful.

I absolutely love the beauty and wonder of the story of Jesus' birth. I love the celebration and tradition that surrounds that glorious day. Yes, I am one of those who starts listening to Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving. It's appropriate, I think, to move from Thanksgiving to Gloria in excelsis deo....this is most definitely one of my favorite times of year!

Put on a happy face...

I went grocery shopping today. With the kids. Yes, all 5 of them! It is a challenge, in more ways than one. Shopping wisely requires thinking, which is hard to do when 3 yo is incessantly asking "where my dollar go?" and others are begging for chicken from the deli. 11 month old is getting cranky in the baby pouch, carts are overflowing..I'm trying to keep a smile on my face, but it's replaced by the characteristic grimace I seem to make when my brain is being taxed (my 13 yo informed me of that one). I was reminded of an editorial I read in World mag the other day, written by Andree Seu....

"I have been thinking about faces. When I walk the dog, a face is the first thing-and in most cases the only thing-a person will see of me. If I get to thinking about the number of people who are lost, and the shortness of time, I feel sad about all those ships passing without a gospel word. And yet, the face does pour forth speech. I remember the first time I saw [her] face. I was 23 and hippy-grungy and plopped on her doorstep, some unknown vagabond accompanying her "adopted" son. She opened the door and looked at me-and beamed. That was my introduction to Christianity."

I want my face to exude the love of Jesus... To beam with love and joy as I walk the dog, or shop with 5 kids, or whatever I do.
So I finally made it through the checkout line and we headed out the door. The children had waited expectantly for this moment....they each had a quarter for a gumball. I have 2 full carts of groceries, 3 young children milling about dropping and finding their quarters and blocking the doorway, one baby hanging on the front of me in a baby pouch...coats all need to be put on, gumballs are dropped...boots fall off...I look up and an elderly woman was looking at me with utter astonishment...her mouth was open in awe and her eyebrows raised... We must have been making quite a scene! I mustered up what love and joy I could and beamed a smile. Hurried, harried and harassed as I felt, I think Jesus shined through. And she smiled back. An instant understanding between us that there can be joy even in the midst of challenging circumstances. I was glad at that moment I had all the kids with me.

(But next time I'll consider going while they are all snug in their beds!)

Unity

My brothers and I used to fight. Alot. Unfortunately, I loved to tease--I'm ashamed to admit I was a mean big sister. We used to drive my parents crazy. I never understood why until I became the referee for my own SWF....Sibling Wrestling Federation. There are few sounds more peace shattering and disheartening than siblings who quarrel relentlessly, especially when it turns into a full-out brawl.

"Behold, how good and pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
It is like precious oil upon the beard,
Even Aaron's beard,
Coming down upon the edge of his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon
Coming down upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing- life forever."
Psalm 133:1-3

These verses came to my mind this morning as I enjoyed the "goodness and pleasantness"of brother and sister playing together like the friends I pray they will be. God so desires us to be united that He commanded a blessing to be there.

Unity- the state of being one or a unit...harmony, agreement in feelings or ideas or aims.

My children won't always agree with each other. But as they put one another's interests ahead of their own, they will walk in unity.
So this morning I forgo academics to nurture unity. There's a blessing there.

Brain food

I am taking a Spanish class with my oldest once a week, and I am really enjoying myself. I figured it would be helpful for him to have someone to study with, and I might just learn something, too. I didn't expect to like it so much, and somehow it's starting to sink in. I find myself thinking about how to say things en Espanol throughout the day and even as I wake and fall asleep! It's food for my brain, and I guess it's been a little hungry. Don't get me wrong, I read all the time. I'm a homeschooler after all. But I think my brain has gotten such a steady diet of How to Homeschool, or Encouragement for Moms, that it's become a bit malnourished, like someone who decided to eat only chicken and broccoli for years. (I love chicken and broccoli, but that would be a bit much.) I am devouring everything Spanish. It's been great brain food. Mi gusta hablar en Espanol. Mi gusta estudiar Espanol. Entienden?

Peace. Be still.

There are times when I long for quiet. Praying, thinking, meditating on His word, sleeping(!)...they are all precious pursuits that are sometimes crowded out by spilled milk, quarreling children, cares and worries, and/or cranky children in the middle of the night.
Jesus was in a boat one night, and the winds kicked up and the waves crashed over. (Definitely some spillage, quarreling among the disciples, and perhaps some crankiness going on in that situation)
And He slept.
And then He spoke.
Peace. Be still.

Children are in bed. All is quiet in the house.
Now, to quiet my heart......

I don't want to be a blog-napper but.....

when I read her post for today I found that she had put words to a thought that has been running through my head. I love to take part in the events in our community. I love meeting new people and taking part in celebrations and seeing what there is to see, even if I've seen it a dozen times before. Lately I have been dreaming some dreams. To not just take part in the events others have planned, but to be part of the planning and the doing. There are gifts God has given to me, and to all of us. We are to use them to glorify Him, and to introduce others to His Son... To fill needs, to inspire greatness, to bring healing, to model joy...The community should be a better place because we live here, we play here, we work here. "Where ever you are, be all there." And a new motto is born. Thanks, Jacqui!

I don't think I did the link thing right. Make sure you read her latest entry in Nov. or it won't make sense!

A man of few words..

is my son Dan. He's 3, and has finally decided that spoken words may be useful after all. Every now and then, I have to censor a word or two that he has picked up from others (usually his own siblings...). And sometimes, I have the pleasure of hearing these words from his precious heart:

"Thanks, Mom, for making this dinner" (He says this to me, on his own initiative, every night)

"I love you"

"You're my favorite mom"

"Oh no, you never let go..." (his attempt to sing a worship song from church)

Thankfulness, love, life, peace....overflowing from my little guy. For it's out of the abundance of his heart that his mouth speaks.
Makes me think about what's flowing out of me....

I'm for him

Have you noticed the negative campaign signs out there? One in particular really irks me. It says, "NO GOBLET". It's mean spirited and probably disheartening to Mr. Goblet and his family. I can just picture his cute grandkids reading the sign and wondering what it means. It's a perfect example of the human tendency to be negative. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to list the things you don't like? But what do you know about someone if you know they don't like the color blue, don't like red roses and don't like winter? It's like anti-knowledge. There's no substance to it, like a black hole. I can't hang my hat on it in other words. Now, tell me you like the color blue, and I know what color sweater to get you. You say you like carnations? I'll surprise you one day with a dozen. So Fall is your favorite season? I'll be sure to plan to spend some time doing Fall type things with you. I want to be for something, not just against everything.

Go Mr. Goblet! We're for you!

Abundant living?????????

So just moments after my post about a delicious taste of abundant life, things turned a bit sour....
For some reason our computer registers 2 hours earlier than it really is, so keep that in mind when you read my posts.

11 PM Head to bed, tired and ready to close my eyes
11:02 Baby senses me with his radar...sonar....smellar...whatever he uses to detect the very moment I enter the room.
11:03 Nurse the baby
11:10 Baby back in crib, lay down to close my eyes
11:15 3 yo starts crying...go to comfort 3 yo and discover lollipop stuck to the side of his sweaty head...lest you judge me too harshly for allowing 3yo to go to bed with a lollipop, I must tell you I had to get him to leave a party...with me and not Papa...drive in the car, not the truck...and put him to bed. It all just went so much more smoothly with candy in hand.
11:25 Walk away from still crying 3yo, he's cranky and pushing me away.
11:30 Ken decides to give it a try...with raised voice. 3yo stops crying, baby begins
11:31 Nurse the baby
11:40 Baby back in crib, close my eyes
11:45 3yo crying again. This time he's able to ask me what's all over his head. I get a washcloth and wash the stiff and sticky hair off the side of his cheek and ear. All is well again.
11:50 Back to bed, close my eyes
12:00 Alarm goes off. It goes off every night at midnight. Somehow I keep forgetting about it during the day. The alarm is impossible to figure out, even with directions. Ken and I are intelligent people. We should be able to decipher the code. Ken turns off alarm.
12:01 Giggle uncontrollably
12:10 Nurse the baby
12:20 Back to bed, close my eyes
12:40 Wild scratching on the basement door. Go downstairs to let cat into the basement.
12:43 Back to bed, close my eyes. Lay awake thinking about my next blog post. I think I had one too many pieces of chocolate.

I'm not a coffee drinker, so I need to find someway to keep my eyes open this morning. Toothpicks....too pointy. Ahhh...a piece of chocolate, or two. After all, it worked last night...

Abundant living...

* children peacefully working together making a dam in the creek nearby
* a long overdue visit with a dear friend and her charming, polite and beautiful children...
* fresh baked pumpkin muffins...
* sunshine and air infused with the aroma of Fall...
* uninterrupted conversation with dear hubby...
* cheering on the cute preschoolers as they bob for apples..

I'm determined to tap into the abundant life Jesus promises us. Surely it must be possible to live a life of abundance in spite of the poo that flies from time to time. (Not just figuratively, either--I have a puppy, a not-quite-toilet-trained preschooler, and a 10 month old!) It's a choice I must make-every minute of the day--heaviness or happiness, mercy or madness, bless or blast, play or pout, laugh or languish (okay, I guess I'm getting carried away with the alliteration!) Today I chose to play, laugh and be happy--with a little madness mixed in. (Hey, nobody's perfect!) A taste of abundant living...and it was delicious.

A warm welcome....

Thanks, everyone, for such a warm welcome! More later...

Keeping the longview

A friend of the family makes a to-do list for himself everyday. At the top he writes "Longview". It's to remind himself of the need to look beyond right now...to keep the higher goal in mind when trying to get through the troubles of the day. At the bottom of the list he writes "Leave it better". Ken and I have kind of adopted that as our motto. When circumstances are difficult, when obstacles arise, we look at one another and say "Longview." Thus, the name. And so begins my foray into the world of blog. I'm keeping the longview. And hopefully, when all is said and done, I will have "left it better".