My Heart is Not Like My House

In the warm glow of sunrise, my house looks charmingly clean. And then the sunlight pours through the windows, revealing the smears, cobwebs, crumbs, and dust. I tell myself "Self, you MUST work hard and get this house cleaned today."

~~~~~~~~~

In the glow of self, my heart looks charmingly good. And then the SONlight pours in. Revealing the pride, jealousy, discontentment, and selfishness. I have to remind my heart, "Heart, you can't ever work hard enough to clean up your sin nature. Only Christ can give a clean heart. Rest in Him and let His love wipe the smeary, messy sinfulness away."

Praise His Name!

Don't Blink

Yesterday was quite possibly one of the worst days we've had homeschooling ever. There. I said it. Just in case you think my blog comes across as "every thing's perfect!"

It was one of those "if-you-say-another-whiny-word-I'm-going-to-scream"

Or

"if-I'm-not-gray-by-the-end-of-the-day-it'll-be-a-miracle"

Or

"who-in-the-world-ever-thought-homeschooling-would-be-fun"

Or

"if-you-don't-hurry-up-you'll-miss-lunch-and-supper" days.

Or

Perhaps a combination of all!

I may or may not have said things like

"No, you may not get to play at all today"

Or

"I'm sorry that you think you'll never see sunshine again, but you have to finish your work"

Or

"I'm sorry you're lonely downstairs by yourself, but you made the choice to dawdle."

This pretty much was an all day affair. Just so you have it all in perspective :)

After a quick run in the evening to Goodwill {it helps that hubby's office is next door, so I can drop off the kids} {no, retail therapy to stress is NOT the answer} I ran to get some milk. K-Love came on and was playing "Blink by Revive". click here to listen. I sang along and halfway listened to what the lyrics said....

Teach me to number my days

And count every moment before it slips away

Taking all the colors before they fade to gray

I don't want to miss even just a second more of this

It happens in a blink

It happens in a flash

It happens in the time it takes to look back

I try to hold on tight, but there's no stopping time

What is it I've done with my life

It happens in a blink

Slow down,

slow down

Before today becomes

our yesterday

Slow down,

slow down

Before you turn around and it's too late

It happens in a blink

it happens in a flash

it happens in the time it takes to look back

I try to hold on tight but there's no stopping time

What is it I've done with my life

..la la la la la...

Repeat everything umpteen times..la la la..

It wasn't until I got to the part that says:

...Slow down

Slow down

Before today becomes

our Yesterday...

that it 'started' sinking in. I say 'started' because I still was NOT in a good mood when I went to bed last night. I think I have some lessons to learn along with my children this new school year.

Lamentations 3:22-24

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,“therefore I will hope in him.”

*no infringement on copyright intended. all credit goes to Revive for the song*

Nostalgia at Naptime

I'm feeling a little sad/nostalgic. My baby is closing in on 3 weeks old already. Time seems to be moving at lightning speed. I'm really trying to focus and enjoy each day AND each night time feeding.

And my 3 year old? No longer wants my help to get to bed for his nap. He likes to close his door and crawl up on his bed without me. When did he get so big?

Birthday Breakfast

So today is my birthday. {31st..to be exact!} My dear family cooked up a scheme to surprise me with breakfast. And I would have been still snoozing while they fixed it, but it happened to time to feed the baby. So I sat in the rocking chair and pretended that it was normal for my daughter and husband to be sneaking around in the kitchen at 6:30 in the morning!

My two biggest boys - waiting patiently

The chefs - sweet daughter with the idea, sweet husband with the kindness to help her pull it off!

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes - they sure know what kind of recipe this mama would pick!

Complete with a gift of bubble bath - they do know what I like !

This little plaque was tucked down in the gift...it has the verse John 16:24 which says:

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

I decided to put it on the little stand beside my bed. Because I'm sure that the time is quickly coming that when I hear a cry in the night I will groan {big-time} and wish I could stay snuggled in my warm covers. {speaking from experience..this isn't the first time I've had a newborn!} So I put it there to remind me to ask the Lord for strength, love and patience when I crawl out of bed, again, to care for our sweet baby.

So it has been a special start to my day. I have a family that loves me. Oh that I can show God's love to them as I care for their needs.

HE Did it Again!

I think God is trying to teach me that He does really care about the details of our lives. If you've read my blog before, you know about the Goodwill shoes. Well, seems like my children are always in need of shoes...even though their feet don't grow very fast! L was in serious need of something besides Sunday shoes, so I asked her last week, "If you had any choice of shoes, what kind would they be?"

She described in detail, "You know, those shoes that don't have laces but they have elastic instead? You know, those tennis shoe ones that slip on? etc, etc."

Well, mom of little faith thought: ...hhhmmm, well, we'll see what I can find for a decent price.

Shopping day. Once Upon A Child. $3.50. Her size.

And why do I ever wonder, "Does God really care about me?"

Color Me a Rainbow

I went to the garden today to see what all veggies I could use for Stir-fry for supper. I found a rainbow! (except we don't have any blue veggies!)

Onions Peas Tomatoes Broccoli Carrots Squash Beans Cabbage Peppers

All stir-fried together and put on top of hot rice.

Add a side of sliced tomatoes and you have a meal fit for a king! At least this household thinks so (with the exception of Little M...it took a little creative encouragement to get him to eat his veggies. The funny thing is that I bribed him with tomatoes. "If you don't eat your stir-fry, you can't have any tomatoes." You know. Not a typical bribing tactic for 2 yr. olds. But he's not typical. He adores fresh tomatoes.)

I decided to leave out the meat. It seems that we consume more than enough animal protein, so I thought I'd try it without and see what the hubby said. I don't think anyone even noticed. Yay for a cheaper, healthy, filling meal.

If you are really savvy with kitchen colors, you will be able to quickly tell we were married in the late 90's. Blue was the color of choice for kitchens. And yes, I still use the same dishes. Although some are starting to chip and crack. I do have some nice white dishes waiting to be unpackaged, but I guess I'm a little more sentimental than I normally admit.

Anyway...I think the blue (most of the time paired with yellow or green!) gave way after a few short years to red. And now I have NO IDEA what the hot color for kitchens is. I'm stuck in my well-loved blue kitchen. You know the kind that newly-marrieds cringe at? The ones that have old scratched Tupperware, various styles of drinking glasses, and cracked dishes? Yes, that's my kitchen. But my little kitchen has served my family well now for 12 years and I have been able to serve them many meals cooked with love in a sea of blue!

God Food

We had the privilege (and yes, it's work...but a privilege!) of picking raspberries last evening. It was a nice cool evening and we had the company of great friends.

BigM picking away...by the looks of his mouth when he finished, I think he may have sampled a few!?!

Doesn't she look like she's having fun? You could visit her blog and tell her how much you liked her picture!

Definitely not a clean job!

L had the camera and took most of the pictures. I had to include this not-so-flattering photo to prove that I at least picked one berry!

The berries we brought home! I know these will taste so yummy this winter. Smoothies...cobblers...on ice cream...on oatmeal..! I'm thankful that I was able to pick some. I just couldn't make up my mind about going because I felt busy...now I'm so glad that I took the time.

And of course, it only seems fitting to make a spiritual application (don't bloggers seem to do that? :))

As much as I desired the natural fruit, I should so much more desire to let the Spirit produce these fruits in me: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

I don't quite know how to explain it. But I do know that I'm learning that I can't muster up enough gumption to produce ANY of these fruits on my own. It is only Christ in me. My righteousness is as filthy rags.

Our Niece's Wedding

Working on the sheet cakes..with lots of help!

Doing L's hair

Yes, I know this is extremely blurry..but it's the only picture I have of Betsy walking up the aisle. Maybe it's fitting...I'm sure the day seems like a blur to her!

I love this picture...it looks like they're sharing a secret!

Bride and her siblings..boy will she ever miss the happy chaos!

Being at a wedding again made me think of the song "Beloved" by Tenth Avenue North. They wrote it as a love song from Jesus to his bride. The chorus has a line that goes like this:

...Death shall not part us, It's you I died for...

What a blessing to have an earthly husband "Till death do us part." But how much more amazing to have a Savior who died for me and that death will never separate us!

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

God Knows Her Size

The other night I decided to make a quick run to Goodwill. L has been needing some tennis shoes for quite some time. We've just been making do with what she had. But the time had come...she needed shoes.

{Hubby and I have recently decided it was PAST time to start buckling down and be a little more responsible with the $'s that God lets us use. So we laid out a new budget and starting REALLY paying attention to where the money is going.}

So, as I got ready to go, I whispered a prayer. "God, you know what we need and you provide. If it's not asking too much, could I pplleeaaassee find some shoes for L?"

Well. We walked into Goodwill. And there they sat. Her size. Exactly.

What an Awesome God...Jehovah Jireh!

The Best Gift

Jesus is the best gift you'll ever receive!

He's the most expensive gift...it cost His life.
He's the most practical gift...you'll use it everyday of your life.
He's the most long-lasting gift...eternal!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Celebration

Stocking Stuffers...all wrapped and ready to go!

Trent and I both got a chance to hold all 3 baby nieces at once. What a sweet armful! They were good as gold the whole time. (how good is gold anyway, and where did that saying come from?!?) If you notice..they aren't even unbundled yet. That about tells you how long they were there before we were begging to hold them!

I think the girls were quite pleased with new dresses for their dolls.

Amazing how the boxes are sometimes just as fun as the new toys!


BigM's first 'real' Legos. All we have had are duplos. Now we are graduating up to lots of little pieces. If he spends as much time as his daddy did playing with them...he will be one contented child.

As I contemplate Christmas, I have to wonder if we sometimes miss the meaning. Ok. Yes, we miss it alot. Our children are excited and thankful for their new toys. Are we excited and thankful about the gift we have been given? Jesus Christ...a gift to all the world....Savior of the world. Are we excited when we wake in the morning about our gift? Do we want to tell others?

Sometimes I think gift giving gets tedious....and overdone. And I wonder if it causes us to lose our focus. If somehow we could show and teach our children by the giving of gifts that a much greater and most important gift was given to each of us. That Christmas isn't about toys and food.

It is about Jesus...My Savior. Given as a gift to me. And to You! Are you thankful for your Christmas gift?

Song of Thanksgiving..

Give Thanks

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks unto the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks unto the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"
And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"

Ever heard of this song? I would recommend it!

Give Thanks!

We checked out Give Thanks to the Lord by Karma Wilson from the library. Thanks for the recommendation, Mrs. K. It is a celebration of Psalm 92.

It has cute pictures...like this one of the Grandpa and grandson eating pumpkin pie!

BigM's story time craft......what a turkey he is sometimes too!

I have been blessed with this wonderful family!

As the actual THANKSGIVING DAY nears, I am reminded to check my heart to see if I am truly thankful.

• Do I take my blessings for granted..and think that I in some way deserve them?
• Do I rely on my husband to provide for our family when in reality it is God who provides?
• Am I thankful on the tough, busy days?
• Do I show a thankful spirit to those around me, or am I grumbling when things aren't just my way?
• Am I training my children to be thankful for the blessings they do have and not to covet?
• Do I portray a non-covetous heart to them as an example?

The questions could go on and on!

What are you thankful for? What are you doing to cultivate a thankful heart in yourself and/or children?

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

Me Time

I received a copy of The Old Schoolhouse magazine today. As I flipped through it, this title caught my eye: *The "Me Time" Myth. Wow..I thought...I was just thinking this morning that I needed some ME TIME! I wanted to be able to take off and go shopping!! Well. ouch.

Basically the gist of the article is that we have been told that we need 'Me Time' to recharge. And then we don't necessarily feel refreshed when we get back home. The author goes on to say that we should do our daily tasks as unto the Lord and to find contentment in serving our families.

She also reminds us that there IS an emptiness within us that only God can fill. And when the times do come that we can 'get away' for awhile, we should spend time seeking Him. Likewise, the company we keep when we 'get away' should encourage us in our role as wife and mother, not tear away at the foundation of our home.

I think God knew that I needed this article..TODAY. I had already made it known to at least 2 people that I felt kinda tied down and not able to do what I wanted. I needed this in-my-face reminder that God has blessed me with a family and I should not resent the responsibilities that I have been given.

The amazing thing is that I don't subscribe to this magazine. Someone just handed it to me. I think God is in the details of this day because to complain about my tiedownedness (is that a word?) in the morning and by 1:00 have this article in hand is amazing to me!

"The LORD is my portion, says my soul; therefore I will hope in Him. The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks Him." Lamentations 3:24-25

* by Amy Roberts

Thankfulness

I woke up grumpy this morning. No reason why. I just felt grumpy. So my husband says "Maybe you need to just be thankful...then you won't be grumpy".

So I thought it wouldn't hurt to take his advice and name a few things I was thankful for. Then a chorus of a song came to mind that says it all for me:

I've a roof up above me
I've a good place to sleep
There's food on my table
And shoes on my feet
You gave me your love, Lord
And a fine family
Thank You, Lord
For your blessings on me!

I have been blessed beyond measure.....

Election Thoughts

No matter how you feel about the results of the election....

GOD IS ON THE THRONE!

If you're worried about the direction of the good ole' U.S.ofA........

GOD IS ON THE THRONE!

If you think a president has all the answers.........

GOD IS ON THE THRONE!

If you shake your head in disbelief.......

GOD IS ON THE THRONE!
ABOVE ALL! OVER ALL! FOREVER!

He sets up and takes down the leaders...it's HIS plan, not ours!! So today I can rejoice and say "God is on the throne!"

The Lost is Found!

This morning as we were doing our 'thing' (school, laundry, etc.), I realized that I wasn't sure were littleM was. It had just been 'quiet' long enough for it to click with me that I didn't see him. I thought he had went upstairs like he does frequently when we're busy with school. He loves to play tractors on a bed...because then the tractors are at eye-level.

So I took off upstairs to check on him. 3 beds...No littleM. My heart started beating faster. I knew he couldn't get outside...that should have been a comfort, but try telling a mom's heart that.

So I started checking closets and bathrooms (he's been known to climb in the shower!). No littleM.

At this point my mind starts racing.....sump pump pit (yes, it has a cover), maybe he touched a wire or outlet somewhere and is hurt, maybe he CAN get outside, maybe the Lord returned and I missed it!(yes, that did cross my mind!!)

Finally...I walked ran into the dark office and, lo and behold...there he was, sitting up to the computer...clicking away on the mouse. I walked around the chair, and he looked up at me and said "UH-OH!"

I realized in that moment that I have not given my children to the Lord in my heart. Yes, I can say "They're not ours to keep...they're God's children". But obviously that's not what my heart thinks. Keep in mind that it probably only took me 2 minutes (or less!) to find littleM this morning, and I was in a PANIC!! Wow! I needed this reminder that my children are a gift from God. Maybe I won't have them for as long as I'm alive. Am I willing to give them to the Lord, if He would ask that of me?

If you have children...go give them a hug. LittleM sure got a squeeze today from all of us!!

Time Change!

I don't know about you, but I am SO looking forward to an extra hour of sleep tonight. Maybe tomorrow morning I'll feel rested! YAY!! Don't forget to set your clocks back tonight!!

2 baths in 30 minutes!

I think God knew I needed a laugh.

After a day of cleaning water off the basement floor - water that came out of the sump pit (yes, the sump pit that our TOILET dumps into), I was not in great spirits. No it didn't take all day, but it greatly interrupted MY PLANS!

So we had an early supper and then I started in with baths. The boys went first. They played a little, then I got them out and all jammied. Then L took a bath. She got out and walked out of the bathroom. So littleM just walked in the bathroom, climbed in the tub (IN HIS JAMMIES!), and started playing! He looked so hilarious that we all just had to laugh!

So the first incident with water brought me to tears earlier in the day, and then the second brought laughter. I needed it. BAD.

Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to laugh with my children this evening. We didn't have a joyful day...I failed in my example to my children today. Thank you for that little time of joy. May that joy rest in my children's hearts as they sleep!

Ladies Retreat

I'm off to a ladies retreat: "Functioning in a Dysfunctional World". I sure need some advice in that area. Seems like as the days and months go by I realize more and more how in need of God our world is.

I was talking with L this morning about the way lots of people have lost a lot of money in the last few weeks and that maybe God is trying us to see if we'll still trust Him to provide. She said "I'll trust Him...just like Abraham!" Talk about putting me in my place.

So this, my friends, is my encouragement to you......trust that God is working out a plan in your life.........and TRUST HIM, like Abraham!