Book review - Love & Respect for a Lifetime

Love & Respect for a Lifetime by Dr. Emmerson Eggerichs
From the book's back cover:
When you touch your spouse's deepest need. Something good happens! Love and respect. Just two little words. But they have the power to transform any marriage from chaotic to calm. Or from shaky to steady ground. Why these two words? They fill the deepest desires of a man and a woman. They're the keys to a mutual understanding of each other's language. And practicing them will pave the way for a tender and meaningful relationship for a lifetime. So take a closer look at what it means to love her and to respect him. You marriage will never be the same.

I really like this book even though it made me take an honest look at how I am relating to and speaking to my husband. No one likes to think they are being disrespectful, but through the ideas presented in the book, I was able to see the ways I can show more respect to my husband. Not through what I am saying, but how I am saying it. Through my body language and expressions by making simple changes and being more aware or my actions, the re-action I get from him is more loving. Breaking the cycle of behavior isn't about waiting for the other person to change, but by owning it and making the changes in yourself. I think this book is one that anyone in a relationship should read - it could very well save that relationship!

NOTE- I do not receive any compensation for writing this review - just a copy of the book to read from booksneeze.com. This is my opinion so take it for what it's worth - just my thoughts on a book I read, nothing more and nothing less.

Getting Real

As if being a wife and mother wasn't stressful enough, when you're a homeschooling mom you add in all of the insecurities about "Am I teaching them enough?  Will I do a good job?  Will all of this be worth it when they are grown?"  not to mention the crap you get from unsupportive family/friends over your decisions.  People seem to think I am either nuts for being with my kids 24/7 or they seem to think I am some sort of alien super-breed of parent.......I am just a woman who has never wanted anything more than to be a mom to my family - I don't understand how women with demanding careers that keep them away from their kids can function. It's just not me. However, there is nothing about me even remotely resembling a supermom - I am a mom full of faults just like everyone else. So, in the spirit of making some other overwhelmed, self-doubting mother know she is not in this alone - here is my REALITY -------

1. I am not a patient person. I yell at my kids - some days much more than others. It's okay, I'm human. I also dish out way more hugs and snuggles since my kids are home with me.

2. I try to give my kids chores to help teach them responsibility, but some things are just easier done myself and so I do them. Then I complain that no one appreciates all that I do! Only sometimes.

3. As much as I try, and even though my DH pays for me to have a cleaning lady once a week --- there is dog hair on the floor, spills in the kitchen, counters that need to be cleared off, a pile (or two!) of laundry waiting to be done, etc. etc. etc. There are 8 people living in my house. There will be chaos, but this too shall pass when they are all grown up & gone and I will miss these messes.

4. Some days we are lucky to get out of bed and everyone dressed. Others, we're still in jammies and schoolwork is done. Will we have everything done on every single day? Probably not, but most of it done in whatever order on most days is adequate enough for me.

5. We don't do family devotions or even attend church. We have several preachers we watch on tv that we especially like - Joel Osteen & Joyce Meyer mostly.

6. Despite not attending church, my husband & I have some of the strongest faith of anyone you will meet - we simply feel we don't need to be in a building with others telling us what to do while they live their lives according to another set of rules. "Five card poker on Saturday night....church on Sunday morning...." We choose to lead by example to our children of God's love and plans for our lives.

7. I feed my kids cereal for breakfast far more than they would like. I am not a morning person. Not until I've had my coffee and it's closer to lunch. Pancakes and waffles and eggs are for weekends when I am feeling guilty and DH is here to benefit from my guilt.

8. I hide chocolate from my kids. There I said it. I hide it and tell them it's all gone and then when they go to bed, I sneak in the kitchen, get a big ol' glass of milk and my chocolate and take it back to my room to lie in bed and watch tv.

9. I use the tv in the afternoon to get an hour of peace while I make dinner. PBS channel with Dinosaur Train or Martha Speaks, but the evil tv none the less. Desperate times call for desperate measures - I love to cook, but not with screaming toddlers around my legs!

10. I hate to exercise and I love to eat. I am 15lbs overweight and as much as my mother continues to harp on me for it - I'm okay with it. I love my husband, he loves me and going out to eat is something we enjoy together so I'm not going to make myself miserable dieting or exercising at this stage in my life. I try to eat healthy and walk with the kids, but if I don't I don't stress it.

Book Review - Same Kind of Different As Me

Same Kind Of Different As Me

From the book's back cover ~
A true, inspirational story that crosses the barriers of society.
Meet Denver, raised under plantation-style slavery in Louisiana until he escaped "da Man" in the 1960s by hopping a train. Then, after another 18 homeless years on the streets of Dallas, God moved . . . and a godly woman named Deborah prayed, listened, and obeyed. Mountains began to move, beginning with her husband, Ron, an international art dealer accustomed to the world of Armani suits and art-collecting millionaires. The story takes a devastating twist when Deborah discovers she has cancer. Will Deborah live or die? Will Denver learn to trust a white man? Will Ron embrace his dying wife's vision to rescue Denver? Or will Denver be the one rescuing Ron?  There's pain and laughter, doubt and tears, and in the end a triumphal story that readers will never forget.

In my opinion, this book is a must read for everyone. It's so easy in our modern world to get caught up with tunnel vision that only sees "me" and what affects "me" and to lose sight of the world and people around us. There is such a line drawn between the reality of poverty and hardship in today's world while those who are blessed find it easy to look the other way and keep on going. This books makes you step back and take a look at how you are living your life & the attitude you have toward others that you may just pass by on the street trying not to make eye contact. For me, I didn't like the parts of myself I could see reflected back as I read & it's easy to think "how can I make a difference?" when there is so much work to be done in our society. This book shows that you may only make a difference in one person's life, but that difference can be HUGE if you just take the time and effort to do it. Step outside of your comfort zone and put someone else first - the world may not know of your efforts, but you'll know and what you will gain from the experience is worth more than the material things you have. One woman's courage, stubbornness and faith changed more than just her own life - that is how I want to live my life and be an example to my kids. I was so inspired by this book that rather than breeze past a charity project, I jumped right in having my kids all help out with it also. I didn't tell many people what we were doing and quietly made a difference in the lives of 70 children in an African orphanage - it's not about saying "look what I did", but knowing in your heart that you did the right thing at the end of the day. I challenge you to read Same Kind of different As Me and not feel that there is more that you can be doing to make a difference in the life of someone else.

NOTE- I do not receive any compensation for writing this review - just a copy of the book to read from booksneeze.com. This is my opinion so take it for what it's worth - just my thoughts on a book I read, nothing more and nothing less.

Book Review - Driftwood Lane

Once again, booksneeze.com has offered me the chance to do what I love best - read a great book!  Driftwood Lane is part of the Nantucket Series and is written by Denise Hunter. From the back cover:

Meridith can handle anything: guardianship of three distant siblings, a dilapidated Bed-and-Breakfast, even an ever-present handyman who's dismantling more than her fireplace--or can she?  When the death of Meridith's estranged father leaves her with custody of three siblings she's never met, she reluctantly goes to Nantucket to care for them--but only until their uncle returns from his trip. Little does she know, the uncle is already there under the guise of her friendly handyman, with plans of his own.  Will the love that grows between them be strong enough to overcome the secrets that brought them both to Driftwood Lane?

This book was one of those books that makes you smile while you're reading it, cheer for the hero and talk out loud to the heroine so your family thinks you're nuts!  It's the perfect book for a quick summer read and I really enjoyed how well written it was as well as the fact that although you have an idea of where the story is going (or where you hope it goes....) that it isn't predictable and keeps you wanting to read more when you really should be doing other things.  The antagonist of the story could have been a little more written, and I think the cover art might need some rethinking since at first glance, to me, the title bubble makes the lead character appear to be "blessed" in the anatomy department and caused me to take a second look.  Overall this book is a great Christian book for the romance reader who likes to believe in fairytale endings, and who doesn't wish for a happy ending?

Note: I was sent complimentary copy for review purposes only. This review has not been monetarily compensated. The review was my honest opinion and views and not influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Kid-isms

One of the many reasons I started this blog was to capture not just the unbelievable, crazy, incredible moments in our lives, but the simple ordinary days that seem to blend all together. You know the kind of days I mean - homeschooling, running errands, cleaning up messes, cooking dinner, doing the laundry, reading stories, kissing boo boos, etc. etc. etc. Those are the days that all run together in a wonderful mundane mush until something crazy comes along to mess it up and make you say "oh yeah, it's been a while since anything has happened". I love when we get days upon days of those kinds of days. Kind of how you don't really notice how great you're feeling each day until a cold comes along and knocks you on your butt. Then when you suffer through days of misery and come out of the fog to feel healthy again, you realize how much you like being able to breathe. It seems to be on these wonderfully ordinary days that the one or more of the kids come up with some zinger or cute something that I know others aren't really interested in, but I feel compelled to post them on here so I can look back with my failing brain and remember them. Just last night when the "big switch" happened on here and I was locked out and could only read my blog, I did just that. I scolled through post after post reading about the events in our lives for the past few years. My grandson's mom was over for dinner and her telling me that she has been reading through it and gaining more insight into our family also reminded me why I post as I do. So many of our family live far enough away that they don't get to share in the chaos I call my life - this is a little resting spot where they can keep tabs on what we are up to. So, enough rambling for today -----
This morning when the toddlers were watching Disney, Special Agent Oso was on and #5 asked me in all her 3 year old wisdom "mommy, why does he have a hoopa-loop?" LOL He was working a hula-hoop. I thought it was very cute until I hear Oso call it a hoopa-loop! Huh? I guess there must be some copyright infringement or something???

Then tonight at dinner, upon placing a bowl of Alfredo Pasta with Chicken & Broccoli in front of him, #4 said he likes the pasta but not the chicken. I asked him why he didn't like the chicken and he replied "because it's dead chicken". O-k-a-y. I didn't realize that not having to chase his dinner around the kitchen first was upsetting him. He didn't clarify any more and didn't seem to disturb by it when I came back a few minutes later and he was chowing down on it.  And there you have it, the "Kid-isms" for today. Ta-Da!

Happy 1st Birthday Little Man!

I can't believe that one year ago I was packing my bag and getting everything in order to give birth the next morning. I know there are a lot of women and doctors who believe in letting a baby come when the baby is ready, but when you have 5 other children and no family within 3 hours, planning is crucial! I have been blessed with a wonderful doctor who understands these logistics and has induced me the last 2 babies to fit with our schedules as long as it's within a week of my due date. Having everything organized, DH letting the courts know he will be off, older children who can take time off from work to watch the younger ones, going in on a Friday morning, having a baby by Friday dinnertime and then coming home on Sunday so everything can return to almost normal on Monday morning does wonders for my sense of control. There, I said it. I have control issues. LOL If you know me and are reading this, right now you're saying "Gee, ya think?" That's just part of what makes me loveable.


Mr. Cracker Face - I couldn't help laughing with those cheeks stuffed full of crackers!

As they say, what a difference a year can make.  So as I snuggle my little guy tonight when I rock him to sleep it will be with extra love & attention for the last night I rock my "baby". When we wake up tomorrow he won't look any different, but he will be one year old and a toddler. Forever leaving behind the babyness I cling so tightly to, reluctant to let it go. He is my last baby (or the last one we plan, we don't truly know God's plan for our family) and such a wonderful surprise baby he was. I think that although every mother has a hard time letting go of her baby, it seems to be more evident to me as I watch my 20 year old and 19 year old stepping out bit by bit into their new adult lives. We blink and it's gone. Time marches on whether we want it to or not. Whether we're done smelling sweet baby powder smells, wiping noses and playing patty cake - we blink, and it's gone. So tonight I am ever so thankful for each and every day the Lord blesses me by letting me have each and every one of my children in my life. Not the spectacular days of vacations or birthdays or special events, but the mundane, ordinary, nothing special days that we so often overlook. Each normal day is a blessing to my life. Thank you Father for another ordinary day - thank you for my wonderful life.

Motherhood

It is the most under-paid, over-worked, over-stresed, under-thanked, gratifying, soul soothing, important job on the planet. Thank you Father for allowing me to experience this incredible job six times over - no matter how unprepared or unqualified I feel, You never fail to remind me that I am EXACTLY the mother each and every one of MY children needs. No one else, just me with all my shortcomings and imperfections. No one, except You, can possible love them more than I can!



There is absolutely nothing better in life than a hug from one of my children - especially my little guy who is learning to stand on his own. Or hugs from my grandson who has decided his Gigi is a pretty good thing. My only purpose in life is to do my job and do it to the best of my ability - some days I'm wonderful, others not so much, but through it all I love my children and they love me. What more could a mother ask for?

Whew!

I am back home after an exhausting trip. The baby did great with all of the flights & travel, schedule upheaval, multiple people wanting to hold him, etc. I got to spend time with my mom, aunt, grandma, brother & fiance, as well as several other relatives I hadn't seen in many years. I wish the cricumstances would have been different, and it was a bit difficult being there looking out the window at the river where grandpa had drowned, but I'm very glad I went. It was really good staying in the house I grew up in and because my brother was so little when we moved away, it was neat to relive stories and recreate some of those memories for him and his wife-to-be. Let's face it, she wanted to hear more about his childhood and I do love to talk. LOL

Home, however, didn't seem to fare so well in my absence - I was gone 4 days and although I am very grateful for my daughter being able to handle the kids & care for them, I can't understand how it never occcured to someone to sweep the kitchen floor, run the dishwasher or wipe off the table!  Not to mention, the huge thunder storm they had here on Thursday night that sent a bolt of lightning that blew a hole in our pool, completely draining it after we just spent $2000 repairing it a few months ago and into the house through the phone lines poping the phones, internet, satalite & one of the tv's.  Sigh.  It's always something. I was also just informed by #5 that no one gave them a bath the whole time I was gone either. Bad, bad daddy! Now you all understand why I never take a vacation by myself.......

Unwelcome Family Reunion

I'm going to be a part of an unwelcome family reunion this week. Not that I don't love my family, but you see, my grandfather passed away. He was 88 years old and had a full, wonderful life and although his health was failing, his death was a bit of a shock to us all.

First let me tell you a bit about grandpa. He was a WWII veteran, was born and lived his entire life in the same small town of about 300 people. When he started courting his first wife, he built their house with his own two hands from top to bottom. They had a son and a wonderful life until she passed away from cancer many years ago. My granparents lived in the same small town and after my granfather passed away of cancer, Grandpa Jim set his sights on grandma and making her is wife. I think she resisted a bit, but then she gave in and they were married 23 years ago. She moved into his house and they've been together through good times & bad, the worst of which being a severe head injury she had several years ago where his devotion to her never waivered. Grandpa's health was failing, but he was still doing well even if he couldn't do all of the things he loved.. Every morning he would make her coffee, they would have breakfast together and then he would wash the breakfast dishes. He would then go downstairs to the unfinished basement and the original bathroom of the house - really just a sink, a toilet in the middle of the room and a shower head from the wall - and he would get ready for the day. Usually, his biggest plans for the day were going out to get the mail and going into town to get something to eat. He wasn't able to do the things he prided himself so much on - taking care of projects around the house, mowing his meticulous lawn, or keeping deer & squirels out of grandma's garden so the passing of time was no friend of his. He thrived on routine and having things "just so" and meals on the table at the right time. He lived for baseball and the World Series - especially if the Cardinals were doing well that season.

Last Saturday started out as any other day would with breakfast and grandpa going downstairs to get ready. After a while, grandma noticed he hadn't come back upstairs and went to check on him. She couldn't find him and his clothes were still laid out waiting for him. She called a neighbor for help and after some searching they found him, but had to call for help. No one knows why, but grandpa had walked out of the basement door of the house and down to the creek, which is really a small river itself, and somehow drowned. We are all so saddened and confused over this because if you knew my grandpa, you would know that going outside in his robe & slippers wasn't "proper" and he never would have done such a thing.

So now I am flying up to Missouri tomorrow with the baby for the funeral. My mom is already there, my aunt & cousin will be there and last night my brother & his fiance told us they would be in also. I have booked a small inn to stay at that is in town and happens to be my grandmother's first house that I stayed in when I grew up. So I will be eating in the same kitchen, sleeping in the same bedroom and Ryker will be taking a bath in the same kitchen sink as I did as a child. Okay, maybe not the exact same house since they've done some beautiful renovations over the years, but you get the nostalgia I am feeling at all of this. 

My grandpa was well known, well loved and much respected - the whole town has stepped up to hold my grandma up during this time of great sadness as only a small town can. Whether we understand things or not, it is all in God's timing for our lives and only He knows how it unfolds. All that I am feeling is pale in comparrison of how she must feel at losing her husband of so many years. A picture I found of them says it all best - they are dancing cheek-to-cheek, eyes closed obliviious to the world around them, in love with each other. If each of us gets to experience that feeling for even a fraction of the time they had together - we are blessed beyond measure. Grandpa, you will be loved and missed as we rejoice in your return home to Our Father.

Random Stuff

1. Well, I guess I am out of the running for the Mother of the Year award this year......2 weeks ago I turned my back, got sidetracked and before I could blink, #6 went down a flight of stairs in his walker. No harm done - he's fine after a trip to the ER, but it took 4 hysterical hours of crying for me to push through the guilt. We're both fine now. The baby gate is once again up, and life goes on. It always amazes me that when you relate some story such as this one to people, you find out just how many others have been through the same thing. I'm surprised stairs are legal based on the number of people who have told me their child has falen down them!

2. The week before was quite exciting - DH had a client come in the office and hire him to represent him for a case. Then that client proceeded to come back to the office that night and steal our trailer that was parked there while our 4wheelers were being fixed. No worries though, the cops stole it back for us 2 days later. Which made me very happy to not have to spend another $2000 on a new trailer especially since it was a custom one and there isn't another one like it for sale anywhere within the surrounding 12 states. The real kicker was - the guy knew WE knew he was the one who took it and yet he acted surprised when he came to court and DH told him he wouldn't represent him anymore. Criminals really are stupid!

3. My dr was concerned about my cholesterol and blood pressure which were both quite a bit high. Can you imagine, given what you know about me and my life that I would have high blood pressure? LOL He has me on natural supplements to bring down the cholesterol and monitoring my bp several times a day. It all seems to be working - 4 weeks after we started, I only had one above average reading this weekend. I'm quite pleased and now need to go back for a follow up to get the okay to go back to exersizing to lose a few pounds. Dieting has helped a few drop off, but I want to lose a few more.

4. Child #1 has been making the rounds of testing and specialists to determine that yes, she does need surgery on her hip. She will finish this semester of school in May, participate in her best friends wedding that weekend, then have the surgery. She will have to take the summer off from school as well as a few months off from work. She will be recovering about 2 weeks then in rehab for a few months. Her boyfriend has been wonderful going with her to the appointments as support, to ask questions and help her get there since, bless her heart, she could get lost going around the block let alone navigating Greenville on her own. Knowing what a good guy he is, I'm expecting he will probably stay here at the house to help me manage taking care of her along with the little ones as much as his work schedule will allow.

5. We unfortunately, are not going to LA to attend my only brothers wedding. I'm a bit bummed about it. As much as I want to go, that is the same weekend #1 will be in her best friend's wedding and so she wouldn't be able to help with the kids. I can't justify taking the baby by myself on an 8 hour flight, messing up his schedule with a 3 hour time difference, to spend 3 days and do it all in reverse again. I love my brother, adore his wife-to-be, and really want to be there, but I chose to have a big family and this is one of those times, when sacrifices from that have to be made. They both understand and know that I will be there in spirit - plus we sent them a big gift.

6. Home schooling is still plodding along - I have to be much more involved to keep him on task than I would like to be or feel I should have to be for a boy his age. Notice in that last sentence, BOY is the key word I think. I think there is just such a difference in boys & girls and they way they think and work. I'm trying to be more patient with him and the others. My best friend has brought to my attention several times lately that it's my job as a mother & wife to make changes within myself when I am not happy with the people around me. I can't blame my husband for his faults if I am not willing to put my best self forward for him or my children for their behavior unless I give them my attention both guiding and loving. When I am distracted, they take those opportunities to find things to occupy their time - often things I am not happy with - so whose fault is it really? Mine. I need to be accountable for myself and attitudes before I can hold them accounntable. Who can blame my husband for running out the door without kissing me goodbye if I am still in my nightgown, with bed-head & coffee breath and not a lick of make up on? I wouldn't want to kiss me either! So changes I wish to see and mold within our family must start with me putting forth my best effort and example so that I then can request the same of them. Any good boss will tell you - you shouldn't expect your employees to do any job that you aren't willing to do yourself. I'm working on my "management skills" as the boss of our home.

7. My sewing machine has never been serviced in the 9 years I've owned it. It was on it's last leg refusing to sew faster than 3 stitches per minute. Seriously. It was bad. Now we live in a tiny, TINY town with no sewing machine repair closer than 40 miles away. Being that we plan our trips into the "big city" I had put my machine in the back of my Expedition so when I was in the area, the machine would be with me to drop off. Well, someone had shifted it's postition in the back, then the stroller shifted it a bit more and unknown to me, I opened the back to load groceries and out dropped the machine. On to the pavement of the parking lot and horribly broke the plastic housing beyond repair. DH doubts the sincerity of my accounting of the story and wonders if I was just hedging for a new machine. I was not! I really liked that machine and since a new one would run about $200 I felt a lot guilty and was going to put off buying a new one. As sad as that would make me, DH disagreed so I researched and found the one I wanted, but everyone seemed to be out of it both in store and online. I finally found it from a company and ordered it only to get an email saying they were out of it and shipping me another upgraded machine for the same price. I was wary since i had chosen that particular machine for several reasons, but after getting the new one and using it for the last 2 weeks I am really liking it. I've sewn several things including 2 diaper bags - a Thomas the Train one for my grandson and a really cute Princess one which my best friend is begging me to send her. Just another reason why I wish #3 would get more independent about his school work - that would give me a few more minutes each day to sew! Life is full of seasons - right now is my season to be with my kids and parent them, later when they are grown and wanting less time with me will be my "sewing season".

Once again, my attention has been on something other than the kids and I must go see what mess they've pulled out. Hopefully only involving toys and nothing they shouldn't be into!

Chaos Central

Last night #1's boyfriend was over for dinner which he normally does on Thursdays. He loves to come down for a home cooked meal, but since 2 of the little ones are sick, beef-a-roni was what was served. I told him that being as it wasn't a designated "Eric" night, too bad, he got what he got. LOL After dinner and all of the chaos that the kitchen at that hour contains, we went looking for the cats to bring them in for the night. The 3 barn kitties were all locked up already, our fat cat was roaming around inside so just my cat & his sister were still out. I flipped on the back porch light and up runs my cat - with something dead hanging out of his mouth. I realized it was a bird and as far as I know, his first kill. GOOD KITTY! Remember folks, we live in the country so cats that hunt & mouse to earn their keep is what we require. So I opened the door so he would drop the prize, I could praise him and put him up for the night. Well.....he ran inside dropping it as he went AND IT FLEW AROUND THE HOUSE! Yep, it was a blue bird, still very much alive and it was flying all around the house. DH went nuts yelling at everyone to catch the bird and get the little ones away from it while rambling off something about rabies. Both the cats started stalking it again, #3 grabbed one cat, and #1 grabbed the other while the bird settled back by the door in an attempt to get back outside. After locking the cats up, #1 scooped the bird back out the door and all was well................until we realized there was ANOTHER bluebird flying around in the kitchen!!! Yes, somehow he had managed to catch 2 bluebirds at once. So after more yelling by everyone, more running for cover by DH & the little ones......#3 climbed up on top the counter to throw a towel over top of the bird which had landed on top the cabinets. Safely wrapped in the towel, it too was returned outdoors. He must have been dazed & confused because 5 mintues later, one of them was flying back into the glass of the sliding door trying to get back inside. Yes folks, welcome to my life. It is so weird I can't even make this stuff up if I tried. And Eric's thoughts today when we met up with him for lunch "your house should be required as a deterent for teenagers thinking about having kids. A few hours there and they would change their minds to never having them." Not a good way to gain points with mama, Eric...................

What a View!

This is what I woke up to this morning - over 6 inches of beautiful, white, pristine snow outside my window. So very lovely, and so very, very cold! The kids are in heaven playing outside in it. #2 has been sledding with his buddy and after doing several bad launches, has quite a scraped up face to show for it. They are outside now, sledding in the dark and I forsee an ER visit in my future. That's the way it works - #2 has caused me to make more ER trips in his lifetime than any of the others. At last count he's had 2nd degree burns twice, a broken finger twice, a broken leg, 4 surgeries, 18 concussions, one skull fracture and way too many stitches to count. We were at one point on a first name basis at the hospital. When they saw us walk in, we didn't even sign in - I think they just kept his chart sitting there under the desk. The last time he got hurt he called from the ER "mom, I'm just letting you know I'm at the ER getting my finger stitched up". I just say okay and take it all in stride now.
DH has several complaints about the things I did when building the house - one of which is that my kitchen faces the front of the house. He seems to think the kitchen should face the backyard so I can see the kids playing, but since I rarely let them go out there alone, I wanted the kitchen in the front. Why you may ask? Take a look at this picture again ------ that is my view from my kitchen window. When I am cleaning up and washing dishes, this is what I see. A constant reminder of just how lucky I am to be living here on my little piece of earth and how absolutely beautiful God's world is. Considering how much time each day I spend in the kitchen, having a view that makes me happy just looking out my window seems to make perfect sense, don't you think? I sure do and as the rule of the house states - "if momma isn't happy, no one is happy!"

I'm Tired of Being the Warden

I'm sure it's just me and no other homeschooling mom ever feels this way ......but I am tired of being the school work warden all the time! I don't know if I am just being totally unrealistic when it comes to a 13 year old boy in 8th grade, but I don't feel like I should have to write out a daily to do list, gather all the books in one spot and then stand over top of him every minute of the day to make sure he is doing the work. Sometimes I feel sorry for him that his entire day is spent doing about 4 hours worth of work and in the end, he misses out on playing with the neighbor, watching tv or being on the computer at all. I know I have to hold him accountable for his behavior - it's his choice to mess around instead of getting the work done, and it's my choice to homeschool him, but it's just so tiring! I can only imagine how much worse it would be if he went to middle school - he wouldn't ever get any work done in class, would always be in trouble and would have hours of homework to do at the end of the day. So what's the solution? I just don't know. It would be so easy for me to do as so many parents do by sending him to spend that frustrating time all day with someone else, but how can I feel good about myself if I pawn my child off on someone just because the task before me is a difficult one? So what do I do? I go hide, yes hide, from my kids for five minutes to speak with my Father --- knowing He has put these choices in my heart, and falling in back on my mantra "He doesn't give me any challenge before me that He hasn't already prepared me to handle" helps to calm me down to manage each day. No matter what the struggles, I am exactly the mother my son needs and is meant to have. No one else on this Earth is equiped to be his mother, except ME. God knows in all of His wisdom and planning, that in order to meet my childrens' needs, only I can do what they require. My patience, guidance, strength and love are exactly what they need to learn and grow into the adults they are meant to be to serve His purpose for our lives.

Still, when it's all weighing down on me and I question whether or not I am doing my best and giving my all, when the toddlers are making more messes than I can clean up each day, when #3 is working on something difficult that requires more of my attention and I am just exhausted from being up & down all night with #6..........I know that my Father knows exactly what I am in need of and He will provide it. Sometimes it is a peaceful naptime so I can sneak in a nap to recharge myself, a phone call from a dear friend just when I need the encouragement or the support of my husband bringing me roses & thanking me for all I do as a wife and mother. My job within my family is my most important work - without me at the base of it all, the house & family within it would crumble, but when I am able to stand strong taking care of all within, this house & family stand strong against the world outside. And while some women might not understand why I choose to be an at home, homeschooling mom instead of interacting with the corporate world - to me, there is no more challenging or fullfilling job on Earth. Thank you Father for placing me exactly where I am meant to be, as a partner to my husband, mother to my children and caretaker of our household  - God is so very, very good!

Happy New Year! Welcome 2010!

What a way to start 2010 - all of the kids slept through the night and since I fell asleep about 11:30, I got 7, count 'em, 7 uninterrupted hours of sleep. Ahhhh, bliss! I'm up early enjoying the kids and my coffee this morning while DH sleeps in.

Looking back on 2009, it was a great year. God has continued to bless us in so many ways. The greatest of these blessing was the birth of #6, happy & healthy. He is just the sweetest, happiest, cutest baby ever!


There were rough spots, as everyone has, but choosing how I faced them made all the difference. He knows what His plan is for me and my purpose on this earth - who am I to question what it takes for me to serve that purpose? Each day is a new one full of promise & love, and should it be one of the "rough" days - the good news is that I get to go to bed, regroup and wake up to a fresh new day the next morning. A mini do-over if I choose to handle life that way. Not a bad plan for 2010.

So I am sending out thoughts & prayers to you and your family for a wonderful 2010 - May your blessings be many, your sorrows be few and all of your dreams come true! Thanking God for another year upon this earth with family & loved ones - Walking the path He has chosen for me isn't always easy, but I trust in Him completely and will follow where ever He leads me!