I am enjoying the fall season this year! The weather is cooling, but actually taking its time this year. Many years we go straight from summer into winter weather.
Our girls decided for this year's costumes that they want to design shirts to wear that depict scripture verses. We can't do our tradition of visiting Nana because we live too far away now, so we all agreed we would decorate our home and pass out candy and toys to our neighborhood kids! They got excited about that idea!
I was excited too...no big costume expenses or stresses. Then I saw all the candy prices...yikes! Oh, well. At least we get to all stay home together!
I've made a few shopping trips to local thrift stores and found a nice stool for a couple bucks. We'll decorate the stool with fall colored table runners from the dollar store, ribbon, and fabric leaves. I also got a cheap little scarecrow and some window clings. It's fun to decorate and make our house feel more like a home.
Friday, October 11, 2019
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Life's Challenges
Church, homeschool, food, injuries, health...what else will we deal with this season?
Church -we're back to our preschooler crying when I leave. (he has some new teachers)
Homeschool -so many other challenges are slowing our progress. We're just not getting as much done in a day as I would hope to.
Food -avoiding dairy, soy, corn, chocolate, and wheat leaves me hungry and struggling to find easy go-to snacks and has turned my grocery shopping upside down.
Injuries -our oldest sprained her finger on her dominant hand...everything has been hard for her. I've had to help her wash her hair, write her school work, and many other little things you don't think about until you can't do them normally. Thankfully she got her splint off this weekend and is on the mend!
Health -we've had two illnesses so far. I am thankful that they didn't spread through the whole household and our littlest guy has been fortunate to not get sick. Praise the Lord!
My hubby is in the process of starting a new medication for his arthritis that takes a while to start working -it could be December before he starts feeling the benefits. In the start-up process, he may get worse physically and we are seeing some of the effects already. His cane is back out, but not needed every day, and I get to blog a little more too...
We have more to come this week as well. I will be taking our baby in to see a pediatric dentist for a lip tie. He has either a Level 3 or Level 4 tie of his upper lip. It makes breastfeeding harder for him because latching on properly is difficult and he is unable to nurse fully. I had an awkward, but overall pleasant experience of going to see a lactation consultant. She recommended a pediatric dentist vs. an ENT because of our family history with his older sister having a lip tie that interfered with her teeth.
The interesting thing about a lip tie is that many of the symptoms are identical to food intolerance symptoms. I don't believe getting his lip tie revised will cure him, but I do hope he'll be able to nurse better and perhaps some of his symptoms will lessen or go away.
Church -we're back to our preschooler crying when I leave. (he has some new teachers)
Homeschool -so many other challenges are slowing our progress. We're just not getting as much done in a day as I would hope to.
Food -avoiding dairy, soy, corn, chocolate, and wheat leaves me hungry and struggling to find easy go-to snacks and has turned my grocery shopping upside down.
Injuries -our oldest sprained her finger on her dominant hand...everything has been hard for her. I've had to help her wash her hair, write her school work, and many other little things you don't think about until you can't do them normally. Thankfully she got her splint off this weekend and is on the mend!
Health -we've had two illnesses so far. I am thankful that they didn't spread through the whole household and our littlest guy has been fortunate to not get sick. Praise the Lord!
My hubby is in the process of starting a new medication for his arthritis that takes a while to start working -it could be December before he starts feeling the benefits. In the start-up process, he may get worse physically and we are seeing some of the effects already. His cane is back out, but not needed every day, and I get to blog a little more too...
We have more to come this week as well. I will be taking our baby in to see a pediatric dentist for a lip tie. He has either a Level 3 or Level 4 tie of his upper lip. It makes breastfeeding harder for him because latching on properly is difficult and he is unable to nurse fully. I had an awkward, but overall pleasant experience of going to see a lactation consultant. She recommended a pediatric dentist vs. an ENT because of our family history with his older sister having a lip tie that interfered with her teeth.
The interesting thing about a lip tie is that many of the symptoms are identical to food intolerance symptoms. I don't believe getting his lip tie revised will cure him, but I do hope he'll be able to nurse better and perhaps some of his symptoms will lessen or go away.
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Finding God in the Busyness
Some seasons of life are just crazy busy. So many demands on how you spend what time you have. I'm in one of those seasons right now.
My every waking hour, and even those I spend sleeping are dictated by the needs of my children or husband.
The pressure was mounting and my sanity was faltering. I found myself overwhelmed, self-doubting, self-condemning, angry and frustrated. Those are times I need God most. He is my rock. My stability and my sanity. But how do I find time...how do I make time when so many responsibilities are pressing in on me?
Priorities. As simple as adjusting my priorities and as complicated as keeping them in check.
For me, this is how I am trying to put God first and actually spend time with Him:
At our 4:00-ish AM feeding, I read a devotion on an app I found called Sprinkle Jesus. It is usually pretty good. A quick verse each day with a short devotion. My baby gets fed nutrition and I get fed the Word and some good application. I pray during feedings to as often as my mind remembers. Sometimes, I have to admit, I forget...work in progress!
Getting ready in the morning (when I have the opportunity to get ready all at one time), I play worship songs to remind me of where my focus needs to be.
Our first school subject of the day is Faith & Character. We talked about priorities as a lesson and hopefully my children and I will help each other stay accountable.
I bought a clip-on book reading light so I can read my bible and not wake up the baby when he is sleeping.
These are the little things I am working to fit into my day and use the time I have and the opportunities I have as wisely as I can.
My every waking hour, and even those I spend sleeping are dictated by the needs of my children or husband.
The pressure was mounting and my sanity was faltering. I found myself overwhelmed, self-doubting, self-condemning, angry and frustrated. Those are times I need God most. He is my rock. My stability and my sanity. But how do I find time...how do I make time when so many responsibilities are pressing in on me?
Priorities. As simple as adjusting my priorities and as complicated as keeping them in check.
For me, this is how I am trying to put God first and actually spend time with Him:
At our 4:00-ish AM feeding, I read a devotion on an app I found called Sprinkle Jesus. It is usually pretty good. A quick verse each day with a short devotion. My baby gets fed nutrition and I get fed the Word and some good application. I pray during feedings to as often as my mind remembers. Sometimes, I have to admit, I forget...work in progress!
Getting ready in the morning (when I have the opportunity to get ready all at one time), I play worship songs to remind me of where my focus needs to be.
Our first school subject of the day is Faith & Character. We talked about priorities as a lesson and hopefully my children and I will help each other stay accountable.
I bought a clip-on book reading light so I can read my bible and not wake up the baby when he is sleeping.
These are the little things I am working to fit into my day and use the time I have and the opportunities I have as wisely as I can.
Sunday, September 1, 2019
The Rare Evening to Myself!
It actually happened. Our baby went to bed at a decent time and I've had the past hour all to myself!
I spent my time organizing and preparing our homeschool things for the coming week, as well as a couple items for organizing throughout the coming year. It feels so good to have some time to have my thoughts and choices all for myself and not interrupted or influenced by my family.
I found another homeschooling group in our area that has activities for extra curricular learning as opposed to our other group that is purely for social gatherings at the park once per week. I was even more excited to learn this new group is the same group our church hosts monthly for a mom's night out!
The first "Educator's Fellowship" night is this week. I am hoping to be able to make it as long as my health and our little guy's health holds. Our preschooler had a nasty cough last week and we've all been exposed. My throat has been feeling scratchy and thick like the beginnings of a cold, but God-willing, I am praying that my body will be able to fight it off!
I spent my time organizing and preparing our homeschool things for the coming week, as well as a couple items for organizing throughout the coming year. It feels so good to have some time to have my thoughts and choices all for myself and not interrupted or influenced by my family.
I found another homeschooling group in our area that has activities for extra curricular learning as opposed to our other group that is purely for social gatherings at the park once per week. I was even more excited to learn this new group is the same group our church hosts monthly for a mom's night out!
The first "Educator's Fellowship" night is this week. I am hoping to be able to make it as long as my health and our little guy's health holds. Our preschooler had a nasty cough last week and we've all been exposed. My throat has been feeling scratchy and thick like the beginnings of a cold, but God-willing, I am praying that my body will be able to fight it off!
Sunday, August 25, 2019
"You got your hands full!"
I decided to be brave and take both of my boys with me to the grocery store this past week. We made it through the whole store and almost through the checkout line before things began unraveling.
My littlest started waking up and fussing -time to eat. No biggie. We could make it to the car and I'd feed him before going home. I used my foot to rock his car seat on the floor while the cashier finished filling my cart and my three year old wandered to and fro nearby.
Just as I started making my payment, my three year old informs me that he needs to use the bathroom. Oh, great...this throws a wrench in things. I finish my payment as quickly as possible and return the car seat with my now crying infant to the cart and grab my preschooler's hand. Off we go as quickly as little legs can go towards the nearest restroom.
Leaving all our purchases outside of the restroom and silently giving it all to God that it will still be there when we get back, I take my infant out of his seat and hurry my preschooler into the bathroom. The large handicap stall is in use. So we are left with a small regular stall. We squeeze into the stall and I am verbally telling my son what to do so he can be successful the whole way there.
We pull his pants down and with my infant in my arms, I instruct him how to pee standing up while I situate myself to nurse my infant while standing up in the tiny bathroom stall. Against all odds and thanking the Lord in my head, my preschooler not only had perfect aim, but he didn't dribble on himself either!
One-handed I help him get his pants back on and we make our way to the sink to wash hands. The sink is tall. I am still nursing and have only one hand free. Somehow I am able to kneel down on one knee and use my other knee as a stepping stool. He climbs up and starts washing.
The soap is fixed to the mirror at an adult eye-level. We have to wash hands. He touched the toilet seat and no way am I letting him out of that bathroom without washing. We manage another amazing feat - helping him climb onto the sink to get some soap. All the while I am giving him encouragement and instruction, nursing a baby, and trying to not drop either one of them.
The lady who was occupying the larger stall joins us at the sink and says, "You have your hands full! I was listening to you and thinking about how patient you are. You are so patient! I don't see many moms who are as patient as you are."
I thanked her and said something like, "we've had to learn it." It helped me to recognize I was doing something well even in the midst of the chaos. We finally finished in the bathroom and returned to our cart with all of our purchases exactly where we'd left them. It was a crazy, stressful experience. One where you just do what has to be done to get through it. And we made it through unscathed. Praise. The. Lord. I finished nursing the baby and we had a smooth trip home!
When most people tell me that my hands are full, it seems they are implying I have too much on my plate or that they are glad they aren't in my place or that they don't believe they could do it themselves. I love being a mommy and while it is a crazy, messy life...we love it! I'm quite capable and don't think much of the hoops I jump through to make life work, but hearing the compliment from the lady in the bathroom made me appreciate all that we accomplish in the middle of the chaos.
God gave me two little boys to raise. He is also giving me the ability to do it!
My littlest started waking up and fussing -time to eat. No biggie. We could make it to the car and I'd feed him before going home. I used my foot to rock his car seat on the floor while the cashier finished filling my cart and my three year old wandered to and fro nearby.
Just as I started making my payment, my three year old informs me that he needs to use the bathroom. Oh, great...this throws a wrench in things. I finish my payment as quickly as possible and return the car seat with my now crying infant to the cart and grab my preschooler's hand. Off we go as quickly as little legs can go towards the nearest restroom.
Leaving all our purchases outside of the restroom and silently giving it all to God that it will still be there when we get back, I take my infant out of his seat and hurry my preschooler into the bathroom. The large handicap stall is in use. So we are left with a small regular stall. We squeeze into the stall and I am verbally telling my son what to do so he can be successful the whole way there.
We pull his pants down and with my infant in my arms, I instruct him how to pee standing up while I situate myself to nurse my infant while standing up in the tiny bathroom stall. Against all odds and thanking the Lord in my head, my preschooler not only had perfect aim, but he didn't dribble on himself either!
One-handed I help him get his pants back on and we make our way to the sink to wash hands. The sink is tall. I am still nursing and have only one hand free. Somehow I am able to kneel down on one knee and use my other knee as a stepping stool. He climbs up and starts washing.
The soap is fixed to the mirror at an adult eye-level. We have to wash hands. He touched the toilet seat and no way am I letting him out of that bathroom without washing. We manage another amazing feat - helping him climb onto the sink to get some soap. All the while I am giving him encouragement and instruction, nursing a baby, and trying to not drop either one of them.
The lady who was occupying the larger stall joins us at the sink and says, "You have your hands full! I was listening to you and thinking about how patient you are. You are so patient! I don't see many moms who are as patient as you are."
I thanked her and said something like, "we've had to learn it." It helped me to recognize I was doing something well even in the midst of the chaos. We finally finished in the bathroom and returned to our cart with all of our purchases exactly where we'd left them. It was a crazy, stressful experience. One where you just do what has to be done to get through it. And we made it through unscathed. Praise. The. Lord. I finished nursing the baby and we had a smooth trip home!
When most people tell me that my hands are full, it seems they are implying I have too much on my plate or that they are glad they aren't in my place or that they don't believe they could do it themselves. I love being a mommy and while it is a crazy, messy life...we love it! I'm quite capable and don't think much of the hoops I jump through to make life work, but hearing the compliment from the lady in the bathroom made me appreciate all that we accomplish in the middle of the chaos.
God gave me two little boys to raise. He is also giving me the ability to do it!
Monday, August 12, 2019
Homeschooling...with Littles!
We started school last week and my hubby returned to work. School was a bust. My oldest daughter got sick and my littles were needy and fussy. In three days, all we accomplished was morning bible reading each day and one daughter's language arts lesson for one day...yikes!
I learned a few important lessons at least:
1. The infant is the scheduling coordinator.
2. I need to lower my expectations of what I can accomplish in a given day.
(too many projects equals a cluttered house because they didn't get finished)
3. Make a more generic lesson plan that can be used for both preschool and middle school...ha!
Talking to God at 3:00am this morning, He gave me an idea and memory verses to work on!
During breakfast I introduced our memory verses. Genesis 1:1 for my three year old, and John 1:1-3 for my middle schoolers. Both sets of verses dwell on creation. Then we all worked together to clean up the table and get ready for a morning walk.
On our little walk around the block, we collected items that God has made (rocks, grass, dirt, a few ants, a flowering weed, and a dead weed). Once we got home we looked at our little collection and talked about how God made them all. We talked about how beautiful the flower was and how the bible tells us that God cares to dress even the lilies of the field in beauty, how much more would He take care of us? We also discussed how each thing we collected was beautifully colored and designed, but the dead weed was ugly and plain. Death isn't God's plan for us and even the earth itself was effected by sin.
Then each of my older girls designed a poster for a memory verse and everyone helped to decorate them. As they worked we listened to Sunday School songs. ...Hurray! We finally had a successful learning experience for all my schooling kiddos, and little mister napped through most of it.
So, for my preschooler's education, he got:
Language Arts: discussion about creation and songs
Fine Motor Skills: coloring, putting marker lids on and off, picking up small rocks
Large Motor Skills & Sensory Experience: walking around the block, pushing the stroller and steering it down the sidewalk
Science: collecting nature items on our walk and learning what God has made
Math: counting the ants
My middle schooler's got:
Physical Education
Faith & Character
Art & Music
and more that I count as a bonus, because they still had to do their Language Arts curriculum...and if we're able, a math lesson too!
I learned a few important lessons at least:
1. The infant is the scheduling coordinator.
2. I need to lower my expectations of what I can accomplish in a given day.
(too many projects equals a cluttered house because they didn't get finished)
3. Make a more generic lesson plan that can be used for both preschool and middle school...ha!
Talking to God at 3:00am this morning, He gave me an idea and memory verses to work on!
During breakfast I introduced our memory verses. Genesis 1:1 for my three year old, and John 1:1-3 for my middle schoolers. Both sets of verses dwell on creation. Then we all worked together to clean up the table and get ready for a morning walk.
On our little walk around the block, we collected items that God has made (rocks, grass, dirt, a few ants, a flowering weed, and a dead weed). Once we got home we looked at our little collection and talked about how God made them all. We talked about how beautiful the flower was and how the bible tells us that God cares to dress even the lilies of the field in beauty, how much more would He take care of us? We also discussed how each thing we collected was beautifully colored and designed, but the dead weed was ugly and plain. Death isn't God's plan for us and even the earth itself was effected by sin.
Then each of my older girls designed a poster for a memory verse and everyone helped to decorate them. As they worked we listened to Sunday School songs. ...Hurray! We finally had a successful learning experience for all my schooling kiddos, and little mister napped through most of it.
So, for my preschooler's education, he got:
Language Arts: discussion about creation and songs
Fine Motor Skills: coloring, putting marker lids on and off, picking up small rocks
Large Motor Skills & Sensory Experience: walking around the block, pushing the stroller and steering it down the sidewalk
Science: collecting nature items on our walk and learning what God has made
Math: counting the ants
My middle schooler's got:
Physical Education
Faith & Character
Art & Music
and more that I count as a bonus, because they still had to do their Language Arts curriculum...and if we're able, a math lesson too!
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Count Your Blessings
God is so amazing. Here we are. In a new home. With beautiful landscaping. A garden my husband just planted. A family twice as large as we had imagined. My husband once told me he always felt that he was supposed to be rich...we are rich in so many ways. Financially we have been blessed to have enough, even when our bills piled up -we had enough... and at times in our lives, we have been blessed with more than enough.
Health-wise, we have definite struggles, and yet we have enough. We have what we need. Enough to keep us dependent on the Lord, and enough to enjoy each other and the blessings God has given us.
God has always provided for all of our needs. I am in a place today where I am just aware of all the many, many ways that God has abundantly cared for our little family.
Today, I took my girls to get haircuts. We all got our hair 'did' and enjoyed the time out together. My hubby spent some time working in the garden with all of his kiddos today. It cost him physically, but he is pleased to have accomplished his goal for getting the garden put together and the irrigation taken care of.
We have many areas of life that are far from perfect. Far, far from ideal. And yet, if I take that step back and just look at all going on in our lives, God is there. He's not just there, He is active and very much involved in every part of our lives. I only hope I can give Him the glory and honor He deserves with my life and all He has given me.
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