Silent Sunday

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday didn't start out the greatest. Second night in a row EG felt the need to be up at 4AM and they only way she would go back to sleep is on me, in the easy chair in her (Boop's) room.

I emailed a good friend and she gave me some wonderful, wise words that helped me get things in perspective. When I get overly tired, I tend not to think rationally ;) Anyway, part of her words were, in a nutshell, to give myself a break. And it just so happens I had a "break" already scheduled into my day. I was going to get my haircut and highlighted. (A gift certificate given to me by Sissy for my bday.)

Getting my hair done is such a treat for me. I don't do it enough so I usually only get a very simple cut with very little highlights (so I don't end up looking like a skunk later ;) Anyway, the girl Sissy sent me to was so cute. She was in her early 20s, married to a future doctor and had a seven month old honeymoon baby. She and her husband have only known each other for 3 years. And as she said "A lot has happened in three years."

We talked and talked about marriage, husbands, babies, pregnancy, her future. She was just so refreshing to talk to. Not to mention she did a fabulous job on my hair! (I think I got about 4 inches cut off! And an actual hair style!)

Then, last night we finally took Little Mama out for her birthday dinner. (We have been sick for the last two weeks.) We went to the mall so she could spend her gift certificate. I love shopping with her. She has great taste and I never really have to guide her in what to buy. She loves clothes that are just right for her age (which can be very hard to find nowadays.) I don't think she has any desire to dress older than she is. (Unlike her older sister. But that is a totally different shopping experience :)

Then, dinner at Steak and Shake! It was very busy but the food was great! They have real cherry Coke! Sissy joined us. The kids ate great and they each had a chocolate chip cookie sundae.

We got home at shower time and the kids piled into bed. Daddy and I watched the first half of the season opener of Lost. In bed early because I was exhausted. We were up at 4AM and Boop and Little Mama were as well. But all went back to bed with out a problem. Nature Girl joined us in bed around 7AM and we all got up about 7:45. What a great way to start the day. Cinnamon rolls for breakfast, a fam favorite.

Today daddy, Nature Girl and I are going to the wedding of our old babysitter and NG's ballet teacher. I am so excited for this young lady. She is such a sweet girl and I am so excited for her to start her new life as a military wife.

We should be home by late afternoon. Just in time for a little relaxing and a nice family dinner. And maybe a board game.

I have to admit, life seems a whole lot easier when I get a good night sleep . . .

More Babies

No I am not pregnant. Nor will I be again. We were at the doctor's office yesterday (Nature Girl ear infection) and the nurses (who love to see us) asked if it was time for number five.

Of course I have been thinking a lot about this lately. Truth be told, if everything were just perfect, I would like to have another baby. But, as I have mentioned before, daddy is good with four. Then, last night, as I was up for the second night in a row with a crying 16 month old, I realized I am old and I am tired and I really, really can't imagine doing this all over again.

Now, if I were younger and daddy was on board, I would be all for it. I love to see pregnant women and I love to look at new born babies. And knowing I am done makes me sad. But not for very long.

When I wanted baby number four, I remember thinking in the shower, I can do it again, I want to do it again, I will survive doing it again. At this point, I can not say any of those things. Probably because I haven't slept in two days. I really have no desire to be sleep deprived, ever again. Have I mentioned I am too old?

Anyway, I am more than content with the four blessings I have. And am excited about getting on with our new stage in life . . .

Marco Polo

This semester Nature Girl is learning geography by reading about Marco Polo. Well, I am reading the book to her because I want to learn as well. Anyway, the cool book we have is made for kids. It has really cool hands-on projects to help kids remember what they are learning.

The first project we tried was making an antique looking mystical map. We got a brown paper grocery bag and cut it into three parts. They kids drew pretend countries, rivers and mountains. They also drew make believe people (three headed) and mystical animals. When they were done creating and coloring, they crinkled it up into a really tight ball and then flattened it out again.

The next thing they did was tear off little bits and pieces around the edges to make it look old and well worn. Then, they wet down tea bags and wiped them all over the map to help it look antique. They had a great time and I loved seeing how uniquely they each drew their maps.

They were to roll them up and tie a red ribbon around them but they were to busy admiring them. Boop wanted to bring his in the car to help us find tumbling . . .

Coffee

It is what I get out of bed for every morning. I will lay there, debating whether or not I should get up. Then I think of a really hot cup of coffee. I drink it caffeinated and very strong with cream and sugar. It is a milky brown color. And hot. And it has to be fresh.

I am kind of a coffee snob. I love Starbucks. Although, it is just a treat maybe once a week. A quick way to my heart is a Starbucks gift card. One of my prize possessions is a Starbucks coffee mug from the Big Apple. It is a really BIG cup and it is covered with all kinds of interesting facts about New York City.

The only downside of coffee, is I can only drink one cup a day. Otherwise I feel like I am going to jump out of my skin. But first thing in the AM, it is just what I need to get my day going . . .

Update

We are worn out and tired but feeling much better. Of course it helps that it is about 60 degrees and oh, so sunny outside.

It can't help but make ya feel better . . .

Rewind, Recap and a Do Over

I don't really have words for the last few days. I guess if I think back far enough, it all started last Monday. EG had a horrible cough and a runny nose. I hate when babies are sick. They can't tell you what is wrong and they just want mama. That night she and I tried to sleep in the easy chair. I think after daddy went to work at 5ish, she and I went in my room to sleep.

We all managed to survive Tuesday and then came Wednesday. Little Mama had such a wicked cough that I just could not let her go to tumbling. I dropped Nature Girl off for her class and after work daddy went and sat at the gym with her until she was done.

Then, in the middle of the night, Nature Girl came to me telling me she had just gotten sick. It took me a minute or two to comprehend what was going on. I sent her back to bed and then got up and got a bucket and towel. She rested well until the morning. But, then continued to get sick through out the day. Around 10AM the bottom fell out. Boop starting getting sick. All the while LM and EG are coughing and have horribly runny noses. (Can't forget EG's diarrhea.)

What made it worse is that LM and NG were suppose to go to a friend's house Friday night. Unfortunately, or fortunately, my friend E-mailed me and told me that she wasn't having girls over because she had a terrible sinus infection. It is bad enough when the kids are sick, but then add to that missing some event they have been looking forward to all week.

Friday we just recouped and everyone seemed to be getting better. They all had a restful night sleep on Friday so Saturday the girls were able to go to their good friend's birthday party AND Boop and daddy were able to go to the Monster Truck show that night.

The girls had a great time at the Cooking Birthday Party. They got to make their own pizzas and aprons and ice their very own cupcakes. Big fun had by all.

Boop and daddy had a great time at the Monster Truck show. It was SO LOUD. Boop loved the trucks and the races they had. He came home around 10PM. Such a big boy he was. The girls were already in bed and he got to tell me all about it.

But, while waiting for the boys to come home, I put a movie in for the girls. Oddly enough I fell asleep during the movie. I should have known something was up. By the time the boys came home, I knew I was sick. Throwing up sick. And that I did, all night long. Yesterday I was in the bed almost all day. Daddy had taken the day off because of the Monster Truck show the night before.

We had had big plans for Sunday. Church, cardboard box sledding and dinner with friends. By 10ish, LM was throwing up. I won't go into the details of what we ended up doing yesterday. By now, you get the picture.

Today, is a little better. Although, now, I think daddy has it. I am thanking God that he is home again today and that EG has not gotten the worst of it. But, I would like a do over . . .

Silent Sunday

Only One Other Time

have I ever started a book and not finish it. The last time this happened was about 20 years ago. I bought a book at an airport newsstand. I still remember what it looked like. It was purple with a picture of a cottage on the front. I managed to get through the first half of the first chapter. And that was it. I just couldn't go on. I don't really remember why, now. But, I just remember I never picked it up again.

Well, last night I gave in for a second time. I am not going to read Red Badge of Courage any more. I have tried and tried. I get the general gist of the book and I am like half way through. But, I just don't want to read it anymore. It is not holding my interest. It is not a book that I just can't put down. And at this stage of the game, that is what I want, a book that I just can't put down.

I have several books I am reading that are not necessarily "for fun." They are helping me learn and grow as a wife, mother, follower of Christ. So they are heavy books. Books that make me think.

Because I stay at home all day, every day, one thing I promised myself is that I would make an effort to read classic literature. I alternate the classics with books that are a little bit "easier" to read. I have read some really, really great classics. And many of them have become my favorites. So that is why I chose to read Red Badge of Courage.

Last night, I decided, that the few moments that I read for pleasure really deserve to be for pleasure. So, I put it back on my self of books that someday I will read. Or maybe get the kids to read and they can tell me how it ends.

Part of me feels like a quitter. I have told myself "Come on, you can do it." But, for this book, I just can't. And, I don't want to!

This year, with my Barnes and Noble gift card I bought Blue Like Jazz and The Time Traveler's Wife. Two books I would not normally have bought. But, last night, I took off my self, The Time Travelers Wife and I can't wait to start it, soon . . .

Meals on Wheels

For about four months now we have been a substitute Meals on Wheels volunteer. The director calls us every week and gives us some options for routes that are available. It works out for us because we can check our schedule and if the day works for us we do it and if we have something else to do that day, she will usually call back with alternate dates that are available.

We try to get routes close to the house. The director has been very accommodating. She called last week with an every week option for us. There is an elderly man who lives about 7 minutes from here. He is recently out of the hospital and has requested to get 5 frozen meals once a week. The MOW director asked me if we would be interested in bringing him his meals once a week. We would just have to pick them up the same time, the same day, every week. It could be whenever was convenient for us and him.

I thought that sounded great! Every Monday after school we run to Elder Care Services and pick up 5 frozen meals. We then bring them to his house. This past Monday was the first time. A young lady answered the door and she seemed a little surprised but very appreciative. We did not get to meet him this time.

The kids liked the neighborhood he lives in. It was down a dirt road filled with potholes. And the day we went it was drizzling. I ran up to the house myself the first time but told them from now on they can take turns going with me. Eventually I would like them to take the meals to the door themselves.

We have a favorite route. The only one we have done more than once. It is G5 and I told the director when G5 needs a substitute we would still love to do that route as well. It is funny how nervous I was the first day. Now, it is just a part of what we do. The clients are so appreciative and I know it is a blessing to them. But, it has become such a blessing to us . . .

Happy Birthday Little Mama!!

When Nature Girl was about a year old, hubby and I started talking about having another baby. We figured because it took us over a year to get pregnant the first time, it would take awhile the the second time as well. By the time NG was 14 mos, I found out I pregnant a second time!

I still remember plain as day the events that unfolded. I had taken two pregnancies tests and they both were negative. I was perplexed to say the least. Finally, on a Saturday night, before Father's Day, I had hubby run up to Walgreen's and get, yet, another test. It was like 9:30 at night. It was driving me crazy to say the least. Third time was a charm! I was pregnant and soooo excited.

The pregnancy was perfect, uneventful. And seven years ago today, at this very moment I was at the hospital, just wondering when LM would arrive.

I got up at 7AM and was on my way to the potty when my water broke. That was an event in and of itself. We called the midwife and she told me to head to the hospital. And we did. Sissy had stayed at the house that night. And, if I remember correctly, for many nights before that!

We got check in and hooked up. When your water breaks, ideally you are to go into labor shortly after that. But, that wasn't the case. Grandma was at the hospital and Sissy brought the NG up. A couple hours later they had to induce me. At some point I had an epidural.

By late afternoon, I still hadn't started hard labor. The basketball game came on at 7 and my midwife had tickets. I remember trying to find a radio so we could listen to the game. Finally, things started to happen.

LM was a hard delivery. She just didn't want to come out. I struggled and cried and yelled and cussed. I could hear NG in the background, outside of the room, knocking on doors saying "mama." Just as the midwife came back in the room after calling for the doctor I presume, Little Mama decided to arrive!

She was such a good baby. So tiny, sweet and perfect. She is still such a good baby. Growing up to be a sweet young girl. Happy Birthday to my sweet, sweet seven year old . . .

Mr. Fix It

As I have mentioned, hubby is really good at fixing most things. Not only does he fix our things but often times he is asked to help fix other peoples' things, as was the case this weekend. Sissy desperately needed a brake job. And after assessing the situation, hubby graciously offered to fix them.

But, this time he had a helper! Hubby thinks it is important for boys to learn as much as they can about cars. At one time, hubby was able to do all kinds of things for cars. Very rarely did a car of his have to go to the shop. Nowadays things are a little different. Because of computers in cars and whatnot, it makes it virtually impossible for him to work on them at home. But, he can still do brakes, and that he did, teaching his son how to do them as well. So, some day, when some one Boop knows needs brakes fixed he will be as gracious as his daddy in offering his time and talents . . .

Valentine's Day

Hubby and I don't "celebrate" Valentine's Day. We may exchange a card and I sometimes will buy him a little chocolate or something. (The kids get most of the cards and treats and usually a little gift.) I have probably at some point got flowers or candy or jewelery or something. Honestly it is no big deal to me (which works out well for my hubby!) We have been known to go to basketball games in the past, on my request.

Anyway, this year, Sissy had celebrated Valentine's Day with her boyfriend on Saturday and her boyfriend had to work on Sunday. Sooooo, at the last minute I asked her to babysit for us and we would go to an early dinner. As our neighbor said "Awe, how romantic." No, not really, just taking advantage of an opportunity ;)

So, we get sort of dressed up and head out the door by like 5:15PM. My sister insisting we will be amazed at the number of people dining out and that we should probably have a reservation or at least expect a long wait. Hubby and I don't listen. We figure it is a Sunday night, it is early, geez, it is just Valentine's Day.

Well, the first place we went had an hour and a half wait! And, there was no place to sit! We looked at each other and knew that wasn't going to happen. So, we got in the car and drove and drove and drove. Every place we might have gone we knew, now, would have a wait. We drove by Chili's and Olive Garden. Cars, cars everywhere. We had to laugh. We just couldn't believe it! Finally we went by a Ruby Tuesdays. One of the last restaurants on our way back home. I hadn't eaten there in probably 10 years. But, the parking lot was relatively empty. So Ruby's it was.

I have to tell you, it was really, really good! Both hubby and I ordered the salad bar. And that was it. We had a little time to chat and then hubby's phone rang. Apparently Sissy had given EG Honey Nut Cheerios (duh, does she not read my blog ;) The kids saw her to it and told her about her allergy. Of course, it never crossed my mind to tell her.

Anyway, we paid the bill and came home. It was nice to get out for just a little bit AND we were home in time to watch the tip off of the basketball game. AND EG seemed OK. All's well that ends well . . .

Little Mama's Birthday

On Saturday, Little Mama spent the afternoon with Sissy and Grandma. They went to lunch at Steak N Shake. When the server found out they were celebrating her birthday, they let her go to the back and make her very own sundae. The server told her it was so good they needed to put it on the menu!

Then the spent the rest of the day shopping. They went to Justice, WalMart and Barnes and Noble. She made out like a bandit. She got a really cute white top, another WebKinz, a baby that cries-out loud, a book light and a princess book. She came home all smiles!

We had her party that night with great hamburgers and lots of fun with family. She got a really cool make it yourself butterfly wind chime and a journal from her cousins. We topped it all off with red velvet cake. She had a perfect ending to a perfect day . . .

Silent Sunday

Doorpost

I love books. In case you didn't know. And a fellow book addict shared a site she had been to numerous times before. It is mostly books about raising godly children and being a godly wife or husband. The author of most of the books has raised six children so I trust she knows a little bit about what she is taking about.

One of the first books I purchased was called "Instructions in Righteousness." I have had the book for at least three years but was really not sure what to do with it. As I have grown in my role as a parent, I understand the book a little better. It is divided into sections that you might want to work on your child with such as selfishness or deception. It then lists a lot about what God has to say about that subject based on scripture. For example, it might give an example how to help a child understand why telling the truth is important. It give ideas on discipline approaches and also gives unique ideas on how to encourage a child to continue making good choices.

Then I got a set of charts. A "Blessings Chart", a tattle tale chart, a "Go-to the Ant" chart and one or two others. They are just quick reference charts to guide me through the day to help me speak to a child's heart as oppose to just correcting his/her outward behavior.

About a month ago, I bought a book for just moms and daughters. It is kind of like a bible study to do together that focuses on raising and growing up to be a Psalm 31 woman. I bought it to help guide me in raising godly daughters but as I have been reading and preparing "lessons" I have used much of the information for myself. We haven't started it yet and I look forward to growing into a Psalm 31 woman along with my girls. . .

Birthday Weekend

Little Mama's birthday celebration officially started yesterday afternoon. I took the girls to Target to pick out birthday paper goods and to see if there was anything Little Mama wanted for her birthday. On her list was a bathing suit and a helmet for her bike so I thought we would look there.

She tried on a couple of helmets. One she kind of liked but I told her if she didn't absolutely positively love it then daddy would take her tomorrow to look else where. She tried on a bathing suit that was adorable. A multi-colored striped one piece with a matching skirt. We went ahead and bought it and I told her I would wrap it so she could open it. It will be from Boop and EG.

This morning daddy took just her to get a helmet and they found just the right one. They also went walking through the toy section just for fun.

As I type we are awaiting Grandma's arrival! And Little Mama is very excited about that. We have made lasagna and it is very cold outside. Daddy will be starting a fire sooner rather than later, I hope.

Tomorrow Sissy and Grandma are taking LM out to lunch and shopping. I think she has picked Steak N Shake and I am not real certain what she will get for a birthday present. It is a toss up between an outfit from Justice or, possibly a baby that cries. We shall see!

Tomorrow night we are having her birthday celebration. Just family. And we are having our normal wonderful grilled burgers and she wanted red velvet cake (her and daddy's favorite). Hopefully her cousin K will be here along with Uncle C and Aunt C. Sissy will be here with Alex and, of course, Grandma.

On her actually birthday we will either take her out to dinner where ever she wants to go or make her whatever meal she wants. One of the gifts she has asked for is a bible and I am going to save that one for her birthday. Such a special gift that will be.

Then lastly we will take her and a friend to Wild Adventure! We decided to do that this year instead of a party. The park doesn't open until March, so we had to postpone the trip. But, it will give her something to look forward to.

It is hard to believe that my middle baby girl is going to be seven. She just always seems such a sweet and loving five to me . . .

Food Allergies

When Boop was born, I was concerned because he had a dairy allergy. If he ate cheese or drank milk he would break out in hives. It never got any worse then that. It is my understanding, though, it does aggravate the preexisting condition of eczema.

He has grown out of it for the most part. He still gets soy milk and can have a little bit of ice cream. Out of necessity, because they don't sell soy yogurt at our grocer any more, he eats "the girls" yogurt and so far so good. I do notice his nose runs a little bit more.

So, when EG was born, I was a little more cautious about her diet. If only because of Boop. Well, it turns out she has some kind of food allergy. We are not exactly sure what all she is allergic to. She has had hives on a number of occasions but we haven't been able to pin it down from exactly what though. She has had eggs and the next day woke up looking like a balloon. Face and hands and feet SWOLLEN. If she eats cantaloupe her little bottom gets blisters. And, now, she is allergic to Honey Nut Cheerios.

She has eaten nuts that the kids have dropped on the floor before. So, this morning, when I noticed we were out of regular Cheerios and I gave her Honey Nut, I was really more concerned about the honey thing than the nut thing. But, about 15 minutes later her little hands (and feet) were red, a little swollen and itchy. She came up to me, showed me her hands and was rubbing them together.

Having been through this a time or two before, I immediately gave her Benadryl. But, as I was giving it to her daddy said "Gee, that looks like an awful lot." I was giving her Boop's dose! Anyway, daddy told me to call the doc just to see if everything would be OK. Just out of an abundance of caution.

So, I call the doc and explain what is going on. She tells me I am OK with the Benadryl but that I really need to take her to the ER because if the reaction were to get worse it would happen very quickly. We called family and friends we knew we could get advice from. Because, honestly, I did not want to wait in the ER with a toddler with all of those sick people and germs.

Thankfully and oddly enough daddy came home sick this morning. A blessing, because then, at least, the big kids could stay home with him if we did decide she needed to go to the ER.

After chatting with others who are more knowledgeable then us, we decided not to go to the ER. But, I just had a nagging feeling. Not that anything was wrong, but I just wasn't restful, wasn't so sure like I normally am when we come to a decision. So, I decided to call the ER to find out a wait time and explained my situation. The nurse on the phone said "if it were me with a toddler and a food allergy I would definitely bring her in." Then she proceeded to tell me there was no one in the waiting room and EG would be triaged in 20 minutes. That did it for me.

What could it hurt just to go in and be sure. Just to get a doc to listen to her heart and check her airway. I just needed that extra reassurance. I just kept thinking what if this time were different and we made the wrong call.

I don't run to the doc for everything. I believe that God gave me pretty good maternal instincts. And I always defer to daddy in these situations, just to be safe. And it all just kind of seemed to work out that I should take her. So now it is lunch time, we have been to the ER and back and I know EG is OK. Daddy is still in the bed not feeling well. But oddly enough that was a blessing.

God is good. All the time. And usually when I don't even know it . . .

Scavenger Hunt

Today I had scheduled a scavenger hunt at the creek with our nature friends. How was I suppose to know that it was only going to be 33 degrees!! Next time I will check the weather.

Anyway, the kids were troopers. They paired up - one reader to one non-reader and tried to work through the list of about 25 things. Most of which they would only see in the spring and/or summer. So they checked off a few things. Checked out the creek. Walked in the mud.

About 15 minutes later, we called it a day and headed over to our friends to warm up. The plan is to go back the beginning of March to see how many more things we can find on our scavenger hunt list. When it is a little warmer . . .

A Command

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Taken from Christian Courier by Jason Jackson:

Here is the irony in this term “be still.” While we must take the initiative to fulfill our responsibilities and live our lives, the uncertainties of living in a world of sin and woe will continually challenge us. Personal initiative is no substitute for reliance upon God (cf. James 4:13-17).

This command — “be still” — forces us to think on two things: that we are finite, and that God is infinite. That being the case, we need to drop our hands, go limp, relax, and “chill out.” Christian people ought to “come, behold the works of Jehovah,” (v. 8) that we may enjoy a calm confidence in him who gave us his Son.

I am working on this . . .

Science Today

As we were sitting down to school this morning, Nature Girl saw this big bird on the trampoline. At least it looked pretty big from where we were sitting We have a red tail hawk that frequents our backyard and he IS huge. Anyway, she wanted to know what this other bird was.

A little while later, while we were doing school, that same bird perched on daddy's lawn mower right outside of our back porch and we were able to get a closer look. It turned out to be a mockingbird with its chest all puffed out. So, we began to speculate why he/she was so "puffed up." First, maybe it was a female about to lay an egg. Then, maybe a male trying to attract a female.

That led us to the computer to find out when mockingbirds lay eggs and when their mating season is. We found out that Northern Mockingbirds mate in early February - hmmmm. Then daddy went on to read that mockingbirds get their name because they copy or mock the sounds of other birds or insects to attract them.

Science done for today. . .

Silent Sunday

Big Faith

I have figured out that I have faith in the big things. For example, as a homeschooler it is always a question as to whether or not my children will be "prepared" for higher education. I have a big faith that they will. God has called me to do this thing and He will take care of all that. As long as I follow Him.

But, as our hopefully to-be pastor said last night "The devil is in the details." And that is where I struggle - daily. My big faith doesn't transfer to all the day to day trials and tribulations. God has all that figured out too and will take care of ALL of it. If I just follow Him. Work in progress . . .

Things We Are Doing

At least as of today. Sort of thanks to No Greater Joy (the Pearls) and some other things I have come across. None of which are my original ideas - well, except for one maybe. ;)

The kids are going to really help me around the house. They have plenty of time during the day to help me with some of the daily things that need to get done. Unloading the dishwasher, wiping down the table, laundry, vacuuming, dusting, keeping bathrooms neat. They each have their daily chore and then they are going to assist me in whatever my projects are for the day. They have more than enough free time. My goals are three fold: I need the help, it teaches them life skills and, hopefully, it will teach them not to be lazy teenagers or adults, for that matter ;)

I read the Flylady email everyday and sometimes (very few times) I actually do it. So, I decided to have hubby give me a chore everyday (Fly Guy - ha, ha). Because he is not home all the time, he sees things I do not. Every morning I call him for my daily chore. I think it has been like 12 days in a row. I do other obvious things around the house. But, I find if I am doing the chore for him (as oppose to the Flylady) I am more likely to get it done!

For about a week now, I haven't turned the computer on until ALL my chores are done. And rarely do I get on FaceBook. I just don't have the self control needed to stop when my few minutes of down time are done. I am also trying to limit my blogging time to 15 minutes. Not doing so good today!

Today we had a stewardship lesson. My kids don't get allowance so I had been wondering how to give examples and take the time to explain some ideas. A while back I had gathered up some dollar bills (for just this lesson no doubt) and today I divided them up between the three older kids.

The first thing we talked about was tithing and how God expects it (every good and perfect gift is from the Lord - it is His to begin with). We talked about giving our "first fruits" and how God actually says "and try Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it." So, we put that money aside for Sunday.

Next, this is the most original idea I got off my homeschool loop, we talked about taking a tax out. I told the kids a tax is the money the government collects to support it's programs. (Trying to keep it simple ;) Anyway, I told them we would put their "tax" in an envelope and when they had enough money they could buy things for the pregnancy center or the animal shelter or elder care services or any other social service or government subsidized program. I thought this was such a great idea!

Then we set aside money for their savings accounts which can only be touched for big things like college and cars etc. The rest was their money was theirs to keep and spend how they want. That is the really hard part for me. Except for books, I am a pretty good about managing money. Not the least bit frivolous. Kids on the other hand, for the most part, want to spend it all, right away. Or they want to just keep it all for themselves. But, I read somewhere, that letting them spend it how they want will teach them real life lessons.

I think my 15 minutes are up . . .

Good Day

Today started with EG sleeping until 7:10AM. That was good.

Then I let the big kids sleep until 8ish. They all thought that was good.

Daddy made sausage biscuits for breakfast. They were really good!

No school. Good.

Lunch with a good friend. Good conversation!

And looking forward to a nice, relaxing dinner with the fam. Really, really, really good . . .

Quotes

I love quotes. There are so many good ones out there. Saw this one today on FB:

"Vigorous let us be in attaining our ends, and mild in our method of attainment." - Lord Newborough, British Aristocrat (1736-1807)

This quote can apply to so many different situations. But, the friend who posted it felt that it applied very well to parenting. I agree . . .

Nick Names

So, as EG learns to say the kids' names I thought it would be fun to put down all the other ways the other kids have said each others' names. Does that make sense?

Nature Girl has been called Kay-Kay and Tee-Tee.

Little Mama has been called Ia and Ya-Ya.

Boop has been called Coo-Coo and a friend called him Boop.

We call EG Elles a Bells and Ellzer.

Just wanted to write it down to help us remember in the future . . . .

Vision

About three weeks ago, a visiting pastor mentioned that a church needs to have a vision. It helps to focus attention and resources. I think he probably went on to list a bunch of different types of visions depending on what type of church was being formed.

That got me thinking . . . how important it can be for a family to have a vision. So, I started thinking about and praying about a vision for our family. Something I can use to focus my attention and resources.

As I finished up reading Shepherding a Child's Heart, this paragraph was in one of the final chapters:

"Your heart's desire in every phase of child rearing is to see your children internalize the gospel. The desire in all your training, in all your entreaty, in all your correction and discipline, is to see your children come to the place where they have embraced the claims of Christian faith."

Thank you Tedd Tripp. That about summons it up for me . . .