Time for a midday anti-insanity post. My sweet, curious, fabulous toddler has her busy hands into something different about every thirty seconds today--leaving destruction in her wake. Will she engage in Lego play with her industrious sister for five minutes--before plowing down the safety (not) gate and coming after Momma?
My gratitude list, because gratitude is the answer to every bad day, every dilemma, every impossible circumstance:
- the oatmeal cookie bars now baking in the oven (yes, we bake a lot--I have to keep the food budget reasonable, so only pretzels are purchased in the way of snacks)
- the tasty crockpot navy bean soup we had for lunch
- the beautiful fall leaves raining down on us, coloring our lawn brilliant
- clean drinking water
- my washer and dryer, to take care of the muddy clothes generated by rainy day play
- the Bible, to point out the high road, the road less traveled, the only road worth traveling
- this post, on a day I wonder if I've married the wrong person, and this post preceding it
- and this post, on a day I know I need to be a blessing to my husband, but don't have the will
- for the headaches that won't quit--for they remind me that I don't have cancer and my eyes, my ears and all my limbs work
- for the love of four precious children and one faithful husband
Through each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.
Psalm 42:8
Friday, October 15, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
their favorites
The children's ride to AWANA--our children's director--was on vacation this week, so they had to miss tonight's class. Anticipating deep disappointment, I planned an upbeat day--dancing, painting, lots of stories, and their all-time favorite activity.
What, pray tell, is their favorite activity?
Mixing up a batch of sugar cookie dough, rolling it out, using cookie cutters, baking it, and finally, the decorating. Just the thought, or mention, of this activity gives them jolly ants in their pants. They run around like wild hooligans, cheering.
The mess, ladies. The mess! We do it about four times a year, which I know is shameful, considering all the other batches of cookies we manage to whip out no problem. I. just. can't. stand. the. mess. It entails wiping up everything and sweeping after the dough part, followed by wiping up everything and sweeping after the decorating part. Followed by managing the entire load of dirty dishes generated. There is usually a meal in between, so two clean ups it is.
Drop cookies are my friend.
Is four times a year enough? I tell myself they wouldn't enjoy it nearly so much if it occurred more often.
Here is my sweet Mary, showing off her favorite fall book--Too Many Pumpkins, by Linda White. I love, love, love this story! Rebecca Estelle, the main character, just hates pumpkins, because as a child money was scarce and her family once went a month with only pumpkins to eat. After that month, things improved, and she vowed never to eat, or think of, pumpkins again. But one fall day, many decades later, the pumpkin truck dropped one in her yard, and it smashed into smithereens. I won't tell the rest of the story, so as not to spoil it. But oh, it is wonderful. If you haven't read it, get it on your next library visit.
A few weeks ago we went to an apple farm, during their apple harvest festival. We enjoyed a nice hayride and picked out a couple pumpkins. Not this large, however. :)
I leave you with a funny literary passage. Who can guess the name of the book?
"I just don't get it." she grouched. "How could anyone forget the Easter Bunny? The Easter Bunny brings candy right to your door."
Lennie did a frown at her. "He doesn't bring candy to my door, Lucille." he said. "The Easter Bunny is a different religion than me. I'm Jewish."
Shirley nodded. "I'm Jewish, too, Lucille," she said. "I've never even been to an Easter-egg hunt before. What do you wear to something like that, anyway?"
Lucille stood up and fluffed herself. "Well--since the Easter Bunny and I are the same religion--I'm going to wear a fancy Easter dress, Shirley," she said.
Shirley thought for a minute. Then she nodded. "Hmm. Then I guess I will wear a fancy Jewish dress," she said.
Lennie's eyes lighted up. "Really, Shirley? You mean we have our own clothing line?" he asked. He smiled. "Then I think I will wear some fancy Jewish pants," he said.
My friend named Herbert tapped on his chin. "Let's see. Since I'm Pressed-byterian, I guess I should wear Pressed-byterian pants," he said.
He turned and looked at me. "Pressed-byterian means we iron out our wrinkles, I think," he said.
Just then, Sheldon slapped the table with his hand. "Hey, I know! I will wear a fancy turban! A fancy turban is religious clothes, right?" He asked. "I love fancy turbans!"
So, did you guess the book? Or the book series?
Answer: Junie B., First Grader, Dumb Bunny, by Barbara Park
Barbara Park could write stand up in her next career, no?
What, pray tell, is their favorite activity?
Mixing up a batch of sugar cookie dough, rolling it out, using cookie cutters, baking it, and finally, the decorating. Just the thought, or mention, of this activity gives them jolly ants in their pants. They run around like wild hooligans, cheering.
The mess, ladies. The mess! We do it about four times a year, which I know is shameful, considering all the other batches of cookies we manage to whip out no problem. I. just. can't. stand. the. mess. It entails wiping up everything and sweeping after the dough part, followed by wiping up everything and sweeping after the decorating part. Followed by managing the entire load of dirty dishes generated. There is usually a meal in between, so two clean ups it is.
Drop cookies are my friend.
Is four times a year enough? I tell myself they wouldn't enjoy it nearly so much if it occurred more often.
Mary had us reading The Gingerbread Man several times this week, so we decided to use the gingerbread man cookie cutter. Here we have some colored frosting, to give him a "fancy suit of clothes". The boys, at 6 and 8, can manage this whole operation themselves, except for creaming the butter and sugar, which Momma still does--at least until we get an electric mixer
Paul is proud of his painting. He mostly experimented with color mixing.
Swing dance party.
Every child instinctively knows how to boogie--and loves it. Ever notice that? By the way, this Momma can still boogie with the best of 'em!
I leave you with a funny literary passage. Who can guess the name of the book?
"I just don't get it." she grouched. "How could anyone forget the Easter Bunny? The Easter Bunny brings candy right to your door."
Lennie did a frown at her. "He doesn't bring candy to my door, Lucille." he said. "The Easter Bunny is a different religion than me. I'm Jewish."
Shirley nodded. "I'm Jewish, too, Lucille," she said. "I've never even been to an Easter-egg hunt before. What do you wear to something like that, anyway?"
Lucille stood up and fluffed herself. "Well--since the Easter Bunny and I are the same religion--I'm going to wear a fancy Easter dress, Shirley," she said.
Shirley thought for a minute. Then she nodded. "Hmm. Then I guess I will wear a fancy Jewish dress," she said.
Lennie's eyes lighted up. "Really, Shirley? You mean we have our own clothing line?" he asked. He smiled. "Then I think I will wear some fancy Jewish pants," he said.
My friend named Herbert tapped on his chin. "Let's see. Since I'm Pressed-byterian, I guess I should wear Pressed-byterian pants," he said.
He turned and looked at me. "Pressed-byterian means we iron out our wrinkles, I think," he said.
Just then, Sheldon slapped the table with his hand. "Hey, I know! I will wear a fancy turban! A fancy turban is religious clothes, right?" He asked. "I love fancy turbans!"
So, did you guess the book? Or the book series?
Answer: Junie B., First Grader, Dumb Bunny, by Barbara Park
Barbara Park could write stand up in her next career, no?
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
giving thanks
I'm thankful for....
...four sweaty heads to shampoo (having Indian summer here) The boys usually shampoo their own, but I wanted to love on all four sweet heads tonight.
...four squeaky clean bodies with smiling faces
...a baby who never tires of naming body parts and learning new names, like chin, shoulder, elbow, eyelash, eyebrow
...my toddler asking to nurse after she gets a boo boo or falls
...93% lean ground turkey for its $1.98 a pound price. We eat it most nights, with a baked chicken and also pancakes breaking up the week. I'm pretty sure one can never run out of things to do with ground turkey and left over chicken. Just tonight, I jotted down three new ground turkey recipes. Turkey and chicken don't have much iron, so I try to find ways to add beans or pasta. Frugal recipes seem to rely on a lot of canned soups as add ins. I don't buy canned soups and prefer not to use canned broth either. I guess I'm learning to enjoy the challenge of eating well on a budget.
...books, books, and more books--I can't take my children to see the world, but we can sure read about faraway places, and imagine.
...My Paul telling me how he imagines in his mind what story settings look like. Visual learners turn everything into a picture in their minds. I remember him telling me all about Heidi's loft bedroom, with the hay-filled bed and the starry sky window
...My Mary's enthusiasm for Geo Trac train track formations. She works diligently, making different shaped tracks every day. The boys started designing their own around age 3 also. Trains are wonderful toys!
...talking with my children about the Lord, and about how to live for Him, day in and day out. Both boys expressed sorrow recently that men have to leave their families so much to go to work. My boys want to be with their kids--a lot! Yeah for them! I was reading about the Duggars' emphasis on fathers working at home, whenever possible, so they can be around to lead their families. So today, we discussed possibilities for family businesses--things the boys can do with their families, in or around the home. Peter is interested in farming, and Paul is still thinking about it. I'm proud of their family-oriented spirits!
...my dishwasher
...my washer and dryer
...that I have clothes to fold--right now. A houseful of precious people to love means nightly folding. Praise God for the precious people! Okay. For the folding too.
...for four seasons, all of which have unique beauty
...for playdates
...for homeschooling
...for an ample backyard
...for my oven and crockpot
...for oatmeal
...for sticky little hands grabbing my aged face, and looking at it with all the joy in the world.
...Goodnight, friends! I'm thankful for you, too!
"To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever."
Psalm 30:12
...four sweaty heads to shampoo (having Indian summer here) The boys usually shampoo their own, but I wanted to love on all four sweet heads tonight.
...four squeaky clean bodies with smiling faces
...a baby who never tires of naming body parts and learning new names, like chin, shoulder, elbow, eyelash, eyebrow
...my toddler asking to nurse after she gets a boo boo or falls
...93% lean ground turkey for its $1.98 a pound price. We eat it most nights, with a baked chicken and also pancakes breaking up the week. I'm pretty sure one can never run out of things to do with ground turkey and left over chicken. Just tonight, I jotted down three new ground turkey recipes. Turkey and chicken don't have much iron, so I try to find ways to add beans or pasta. Frugal recipes seem to rely on a lot of canned soups as add ins. I don't buy canned soups and prefer not to use canned broth either. I guess I'm learning to enjoy the challenge of eating well on a budget.
...books, books, and more books--I can't take my children to see the world, but we can sure read about faraway places, and imagine.
...My Paul telling me how he imagines in his mind what story settings look like. Visual learners turn everything into a picture in their minds. I remember him telling me all about Heidi's loft bedroom, with the hay-filled bed and the starry sky window
...My Mary's enthusiasm for Geo Trac train track formations. She works diligently, making different shaped tracks every day. The boys started designing their own around age 3 also. Trains are wonderful toys!
...talking with my children about the Lord, and about how to live for Him, day in and day out. Both boys expressed sorrow recently that men have to leave their families so much to go to work. My boys want to be with their kids--a lot! Yeah for them! I was reading about the Duggars' emphasis on fathers working at home, whenever possible, so they can be around to lead their families. So today, we discussed possibilities for family businesses--things the boys can do with their families, in or around the home. Peter is interested in farming, and Paul is still thinking about it. I'm proud of their family-oriented spirits!
...my dishwasher
...my washer and dryer
...that I have clothes to fold--right now. A houseful of precious people to love means nightly folding. Praise God for the precious people! Okay. For the folding too.
...for four seasons, all of which have unique beauty
...for playdates
...for homeschooling
...for an ample backyard
...for my oven and crockpot
...for oatmeal
...for sticky little hands grabbing my aged face, and looking at it with all the joy in the world.
...Goodnight, friends! I'm thankful for you, too!
"To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever."
Psalm 30:12
Monday, October 11, 2010
blessing list
Tonight I'm thankful for....
- our cozy dinner party for my aunt and uncle, held here at our house. The fellowship was wonderful, the food was good, the house was clean and comfortable, the kiddos were charming. Making it all happen exhausted me, but at least once every six weeks we need to have someone over. I know that offering hospitality is important for even the busiest of families. There will come a time--sooner than I want!--that the kiddos grow up a bit and the house cleans up easily, making dinner parties more common around here. I know a clean house is not supposed to be a part of hospitality, but it sure helps guests feel comfortable when there's no distracting mess and dirt around.
- the classic story Robin Hood. It reeks of burly testosterone, unlike Heidi--which the boys nevertheless loved anyway. (Peter is after all, a major character in Heidi.) But like Heidi, Robin hood is centered on honor and good character, providing powerful modeling that children will remember.
- the Junie B. Jones stories. No, Junie is not exactly a role model, and arguably this isn't the best literature, but it's laugh-out-loud funny and my boys are consuming a chapter book in a day and a quarter for the first time in their reading careers. At nearly a book a day, they'll be through all 26 of these in no time, and then they'll hopefully move on to something even better. Amelia Bedelia is insanely funny as well, but the reading level is even lower on those. The boys might choose more humor or go on to something different, like mystery. (My own reading craze started with Nancy Drew novels in the fourth grade.) My task is to expose them to lots of classics during school hours, while keeping a close eye on their pleasure reading, making sure I don't go overboard in my censoring.
- two giggling girls, sweet and soft
- two active boys, sweaty and strong
- the story Duck On a Bike, by David Shannon. My Mary has me read it daily now. It really is a very charming story and the illustrations are amazing! I love the varied farm animal personalities Mr. Shannon skillfully paints--with amazing eye detail. How do you paint a personality, you ask? I don't know, but David Shannon does just that. All the personalities come through in the eyes, somehow.
- for my present circumstances. I'll come out of this poverty-level living with the ability to live under my means, which is no easy matter in our society. I want my children to learn two very important lessons: live debt-free and under your means. The Duggars and other large families do very well on these two values--even paying cash for homes. I wasn't capable of teaching this or modeling this before; it wasn't taught in my home growing up. We've learned enough--the hard way--to model it from here on out.
- my older boy, who walked up to the art teacher tonight and spontaneously thanked her for the art class. She was touched and hugged him, which he found embarrassing. Anyhow, I was very happy to hear that he'd made such a gesture. He was horribly behaved most of the day around here! I need reminding to look beyond the horror of ADHD and see my son's heart. Always. That's who he really is. Sometimes I want to scream at the level of frustration we all live with due to the condition. It's hard not to worry about Peter's future, for one thing. I can clearly see that having ADHD negatively impacted my husband's life. Will it be similar for my son, or worse, since he has two co-morbid disorders? It seems cruel to allow such a thing for boys, who are commanded as men to provide for their families. They must do so while competing with other men who are perfectly normal, neurologically. I am forced to push my son hard, in love; to do anything less is a disservice to him and to the family he will one day have, God willing. He must be tougher to accomplish what his peers will find easy. The only good I can find in all of it is this: It serves as an hourly reminder that God is in control, not me.
And He doesn't make mistakes.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Psalm 139:13-14
- our cozy dinner party for my aunt and uncle, held here at our house. The fellowship was wonderful, the food was good, the house was clean and comfortable, the kiddos were charming. Making it all happen exhausted me, but at least once every six weeks we need to have someone over. I know that offering hospitality is important for even the busiest of families. There will come a time--sooner than I want!--that the kiddos grow up a bit and the house cleans up easily, making dinner parties more common around here. I know a clean house is not supposed to be a part of hospitality, but it sure helps guests feel comfortable when there's no distracting mess and dirt around.
- the classic story Robin Hood. It reeks of burly testosterone, unlike Heidi--which the boys nevertheless loved anyway. (Peter is after all, a major character in Heidi.) But like Heidi, Robin hood is centered on honor and good character, providing powerful modeling that children will remember.
- the Junie B. Jones stories. No, Junie is not exactly a role model, and arguably this isn't the best literature, but it's laugh-out-loud funny and my boys are consuming a chapter book in a day and a quarter for the first time in their reading careers. At nearly a book a day, they'll be through all 26 of these in no time, and then they'll hopefully move on to something even better. Amelia Bedelia is insanely funny as well, but the reading level is even lower on those. The boys might choose more humor or go on to something different, like mystery. (My own reading craze started with Nancy Drew novels in the fourth grade.) My task is to expose them to lots of classics during school hours, while keeping a close eye on their pleasure reading, making sure I don't go overboard in my censoring.
- two giggling girls, sweet and soft
- two active boys, sweaty and strong
- the story Duck On a Bike, by David Shannon. My Mary has me read it daily now. It really is a very charming story and the illustrations are amazing! I love the varied farm animal personalities Mr. Shannon skillfully paints--with amazing eye detail. How do you paint a personality, you ask? I don't know, but David Shannon does just that. All the personalities come through in the eyes, somehow.
- for my present circumstances. I'll come out of this poverty-level living with the ability to live under my means, which is no easy matter in our society. I want my children to learn two very important lessons: live debt-free and under your means. The Duggars and other large families do very well on these two values--even paying cash for homes. I wasn't capable of teaching this or modeling this before; it wasn't taught in my home growing up. We've learned enough--the hard way--to model it from here on out.
- my older boy, who walked up to the art teacher tonight and spontaneously thanked her for the art class. She was touched and hugged him, which he found embarrassing. Anyhow, I was very happy to hear that he'd made such a gesture. He was horribly behaved most of the day around here! I need reminding to look beyond the horror of ADHD and see my son's heart. Always. That's who he really is. Sometimes I want to scream at the level of frustration we all live with due to the condition. It's hard not to worry about Peter's future, for one thing. I can clearly see that having ADHD negatively impacted my husband's life. Will it be similar for my son, or worse, since he has two co-morbid disorders? It seems cruel to allow such a thing for boys, who are commanded as men to provide for their families. They must do so while competing with other men who are perfectly normal, neurologically. I am forced to push my son hard, in love; to do anything less is a disservice to him and to the family he will one day have, God willing. He must be tougher to accomplish what his peers will find easy. The only good I can find in all of it is this: It serves as an hourly reminder that God is in control, not me.
And He doesn't make mistakes.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Psalm 139:13-14
Friday, October 8, 2010
The Most Important Thing
I found a beautiful guest post on At The Well, entitled The Most Important Thing. It is short and sweet.
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