Hurray for Andrew!

So, I'm not quite sure when a starving artist becomes a successful artist, but my guess would be it's when they sell their artwork. If that's the case, Andrew has joined the ranks of successful artists. He checked in today with the B's Nest, the little gift store in town that agreed to sell his cards, and 4-5 cards have sold since January! The feedback has been very positive, and, needless to say, Andrew is psyched. And yes, Mom is very proud! And mostly because he followed through on the idea. How many of us have an idea--perhaps something zany or outlandish, even--and don't ever act on it? It's fun to see your child taste sweet success. And important for us to allow them to act on these ideas and dreams while we can support them and encourage them and keep them grounded whether it's success... or not so much. Our children grow up so fast, (or so they say). And that's a good thing. Because that's the point. For them to grow up. And for us to nurture and guide them along the way. And let go, in degrees until they are confident and ready to take on the journey with the Lord as their sole guide and nurture.
Hurray for growing up children!
Hurray for beautiful photos!
Hurray for people who want to buy them!
Hurray!

Planting Seeds

I've been doing some planting today....seeds of creativity. As Daniel wanderered from room to room teasing one sibling or another, or complaining "there's nothing to do", I realized he needed a little help to get moving in the right direction. I stopped what I was doing, and took the cushions off the couch. Immediately there was something to do. I planted a seed which grew into an all morning activity. To get his imagination going I put a green blanket on the floor--which became the swamp. The pink blanket--the lava...Seeds for more games and fun with the cushions on the floor. Years ago I heard a teaching about sowing seeds... we are always sowing something. Creativity, love,joy, peace, friendship, impatience, frustration, anger....Sometimes all it takes is a suggestion...a seed...to get my kids moving in the right direction. I usually try to keep a list written of all the things my children can do to keep themselves busy and happy, with little or no help from busy Mama. I think it's time for me to write up a new list. A pocket full of seeds is just what we need to keep away the cabin fever.

Top Ten Reasons We Love Winter Camp

10. It breaks up the monotony of long, cold, winter days.
9. The kids are so tired afterwards they sleep like logs.
8. It's art, gym, music and Bible all in one.
7. The kids are so cooperative all morning because they are so happy to be going.
6. It's a milestone for the little ones when they finally can "officially" go. Dan is so proud!
5. I don't have to cook dinner for two nights in a row!
4. The worship is the best (Emma says it's her favorite part of Winter Camp)
3. The skits are hilarious (and I love how it gets the older teens involved in ministry)
2. Pastor Ben's messages are always inspiring.

And the #1 reason we love winter camp is....

God is there and He touches our hearts.

By the way, still jogging. Not that you need to know that, but I need to write it. :>)

Celebrating~

I got the job! They called me this morning! To say I'm excited is an understatement. I know this is an answer to prayer, and I'm so thankful that God would allow me to have this opportunity to meet new moms, support them, and supplement our income at the same time! It won't be official until Feb 25.

And, just in case you're wondering, but mostly to help me keep in the habit of recording my progress, I jogged again today. And took P. Ben's advice and iced my knee afterward...which really helped! I also stretched it a bit after running, which I think helped, too. Thanks for the good advice and encouragement, P. Ben!

And on a personal note.....in answer to a comment from a "stalker" on my last post....
Michele...I'll forgive you for stalking! :>) Wow...boot camp, eh? Sounds like fun. Outside motivation is definitely helpful. We'll cheer each other on...over the miles, right? Go Michele!! So glad you like the blanket, it was the least we could do after such generous hospitality! The kids talk fondly of Ian and Emma and our visit with you guys. Love to y'all from all of us!

Pluggin' Away

After a four day rest due to knee pain and sick children, I completed Week 2, workout 3. I'm a little off schedule, but that's ok. I think I will have to repeat week 2, anyway. 3 days of no exercise sent me backward a bit and I felt it today. I told Dee, the feeling I have after exercising is almost like the feeling I have after labor, but on a smaller scale. Accomplished, relieved, exhilerated, ecstatic...It must have something to do with endorphins or whatever those chemicals are that wash over our brains.

Matthew is completely potty trained now, except for the precautionary diaper at naptime and bedtime to keep things dry just in case. For the most part, the diaper is dry in the morning, too. I sure wish he was wearing one last night when he went to bed. Ken did the tucking in while I was watching Jon play indoor soccer, and he was so flustered trying to find pajamas (I have one actual pair of pajamas for Matthew, and when they are dirty I use sweatpants and a sweatshirt, but Ken didn't know and I didn't think about it before I left...) that he forgot to put a diaper on him. Poor Matthew waddled into our room last night around midnight, completely soaked and upset~ Ken felt so bad he jumped right up and changed the sheets for me while I changed the boy. He's the greatest. So, the pack of diapers sitting in my living room may very well be the last pack of diapers I buy for one of my own children, ever! I can't imagine a life without diapers. Every day of my life for the last 9 1/2 years has been full of diaper changes for one or two children. I know for some that would be cause for a tear or sniffle or two. But I must say, I am glad to see the diaper season move on.

I'm still waiting to hear back about the peer counselor job, but I think it must be a thanks but no thanks. Maybe I'll call them at the end of the week to find out if they hired someone already. What would you do? I emailed a thank you note (I read online that most employers find that acceptable). Maybe that was the wrong thing to do. My logic was, it's less time consuming and annoying than a phone call, with no effort needed on their part, and quicker than regular mail, which was important because I should have sent it last week. I'm not savvy on these things. Every job interview I've ever been on ended in my getting the job, sometimes on the spot, so I have no personal experience with the excruciating wait after the interview.

And now to figure out what to cook for dinner....

Indoor Days

I took a few snapshots today of the things we do on an indoor day. The calm you see in the picture lasted about 30 minutes. The rest of the day was filled with loud chess games and screaming laughter and wild chases round and round my kitchen. At least most of the chaos was happy. Winter is feeling rather long this year. A thaw is most in order, I think. I can't wait to start cleaning up the mud the kids track in the house--because it means they are loud and screaming and wildly chasing each other outside rather than in.

But in those blessed minutes of peace we played with corn meal in a mini sandbox.....yes, it's immensely messy, but 30 minutes of peace is most worth it!

We did actually get some school work done, too. Some took to their studies more seriously...

than others.....

My chef in training helped me bake cookies...black cookies, as he called them. Dee's recipe for chocolate cookies. Yum!


And I can always count on Matthew to clean up the enormous mess he makes!
I wound up doing my workout today, in my basement. Yes, the actual sight of me jogging in place to the tune of Hillsong was as funny as you might imagine with your mind's eye. Andrew had strict orders to stay in his room and not watch me. I could have jogged on the road, but I'm still not ready for the watchful eyes. Week 2, workout 2, DONE!


No call yet about the Peer Counselor position. Which could mean I didn't get the job. Or it could mean they haven't made a decision yet. (Do the interviewees who don't get the position always get notified?) Or it could mean they couldn't get through because my phone was OFF THE HOOK until 3:30 this afternoon! I'm a most impatient wait-er. I am doing my best to trust that God has it all under control, and if I don't get the position, He has something different planned for me. A few years ago, Dee gave me a devotional book that I love and have found comfort in more times than I can count. Today, as I struggled to be patient and wait for the outcome of my interview, I read the devotional for today, which highlighted the verse "Ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." And also, "As for me, I will patiently abide always: and will praise Thee more and more." I'm so thankful that God speaks to us in our struggles, and helps us grow because of them. I grew in patience today, minute by minute as I praised the Lord in spite of the sinking feeling in my heart as I watched the clock and no phone call. Perhaps there is still hope...

Today was the day to start week 2 of the jogging program, and let me tell you, there was a bitter struggle with myself. It went like this...

"I should go jog."
"It's snowing. Who jogs when it's snowing?"
"Just get out there and get it done."
"It's too slippery, I already fell once."
"What was I thinking, anyway? I hate running."'
"But I already told everyone I was doing this, I can't quit now."
Nothing like a little accountability (thanks, Dee, for the encouragement to write about it :>)). It really got me moving today. And so, I went to town and jogged 90 sec, walked 2 min, for a total of 20 minutes. That worked out to 7 1/2 minutes of jogging and 12 1/2 minutes of walking. And it felt great.

In other news, this morning I went to my first job interview in 16 years! I can't believe it's been that long...I applied for a position as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, and I really hope I get the job. The interview went very well, and I should hear something by the end of the week. The position is great for me in many ways--I love to talk to moms about babies, and it's flexible enough to not interfere with my most important job--mom to 5.
God's will be done.
(Please, God?)
:>)

The balancing act

Yesterday I completed workout 3. I sloshed my way through the melting layer of snow and ice on my driveway, not wanting to allow the bad conditions to be an excuse for skipping the jog. For anyone interested in joining the journey from couch to 5k, here's the link. Tomorrow I will begin week 2, with 90 sec of jogging and 2 minutes of walking. Oh boy....I must say, though, that I already feel a positive difference--I was waking up with aches and pains in my back every morning, and had to stretch and crack things into place--but now I don't wake up with pain, and there is very little "realigning" to do. I think it's because of the muscle that is being built, which is amazing after such a short time of regular exercise.

Now, getting out to exercise has not been an easy matter. And mostly because I am the engine that keeps this home machine running smoothly. It's not always easy to keep things balanced and in perspective. Is exercise an extra in my day, or is it necessity? And reading... Bible reading is most definitely a necessity, and a joy more often than not these days...but what about the classics I find myself drawn to, or the biographies and teaching books I long to read. Is that extra or necessity? Visits with friends, volunteer work in the community... Finding the balance, juggling each of these things without dropping another, finding His heart in the everday decisions I make...God's wisdom is needed, his strength and creativity, all available to me as I seek Him.
So, for now, I've determined exercise is a necessity.
I'll let you know how workout 4 goes.