Just something to think about. . .
Our family has changed its eating (and purchasing) habits a lot in the last two years. I've embraced the idea of "whole foods", and books like The Maker's Diet and Nourishing Traditions have led us to reconsider the way we eat. Mostly, I have felt nudged by the Holy Spirit to read the Bible again (passages like those in Leviticus that I may skip over for several years!). I am brought back to this:
1) God is who He says He is.
2) I can trust His word to be true. (Because of #1)
Looking at some of the laws He gave to His people is just amazing (I'm thinking of things like purification laws that the other surrounding nations did not practice). He protected and prospered His chosen people through the LAW. He knew best. And He still does. Although Christ's coming changed many things, I am still under the impression that other things, such as avoiding pork and washing hands, are still good for us, though perhaps unnecessary.
All this so that I can post this interesting article:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070917/lf_nm/usa_religion_organic_dc
(Apologies! I've given up on making a link until Braden is home to help me!)
This family thinks a lot the way I do. I find it interesting and encouraging. I hope you do, too.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Creatures
This may be why God gave me three little men.
In the last week there have been two (dead) mice that left our house. I should not have been surprised that my boys can handle this, finding it exciting and wonderful.
Rhyle pulled the first sprung trap out and proudly brought it (dangerously, uncomfortably)close to my face to show me. Then Braden, in his rush out to school, nonchalantly asked Owen to "take care of that mouse." Owen asked me how to open the trap to get the mouse out, but I didn't know and didn't want to figure it out. So I left my boys to ponder the trap. They triumphantly, exultantly came upstairs a short while later to show me that they had pried the trap open and HERE was the mouse (in a box, again WAY too close to my face.) Mouse is now gone. Hands are well washed.
Yesterday, there was a snake in our downstairs bathroom. From a distance I saw a longish black snake slithering across the floor. (Okay, I'm NOT exaggerating! It was at least a foot long. You can ask Owen! He saw it first.) So I called Braden and he came home to save us (even though I didn't ask him to. Isn't he wonderful?). Owen and I had blocked the crack under the door. . . but, alas, the snake was undetectable. I hope not to post about the snake again. I'm pretending I didn't see it at all. Just like I'm pretending that the two mice didn't have any mouse babies or friends and relations.
In the last week there have been two (dead) mice that left our house. I should not have been surprised that my boys can handle this, finding it exciting and wonderful.
Rhyle pulled the first sprung trap out and proudly brought it (dangerously, uncomfortably)close to my face to show me. Then Braden, in his rush out to school, nonchalantly asked Owen to "take care of that mouse." Owen asked me how to open the trap to get the mouse out, but I didn't know and didn't want to figure it out. So I left my boys to ponder the trap. They triumphantly, exultantly came upstairs a short while later to show me that they had pried the trap open and HERE was the mouse (in a box, again WAY too close to my face.) Mouse is now gone. Hands are well washed.
Yesterday, there was a snake in our downstairs bathroom. From a distance I saw a longish black snake slithering across the floor. (Okay, I'm NOT exaggerating! It was at least a foot long. You can ask Owen! He saw it first.) So I called Braden and he came home to save us (even though I didn't ask him to. Isn't he wonderful?). Owen and I had blocked the crack under the door. . . but, alas, the snake was undetectable. I hope not to post about the snake again. I'm pretending I didn't see it at all. Just like I'm pretending that the two mice didn't have any mouse babies or friends and relations.
5 Week Update
Please bear with me! Going by Tate's birthday is about my only way of keeping track of time recently. (Besides "It's late. We're late. I'm late.")
Our house: I should really just put some pictures up. I feel great every time I unpack a box or straighten up... but there is still so much to do. (Though wouldn't this be the case regardless?) The counters should be done by Friday. . . but we are waiting on cabinet doors for one cabinet, and need to have one cabinet replaced because it's the wrong size. (Remember the wait for cabinets?!) The painting still needs to be done. There aren't lights or power in the kitchen yet (except to the stove). Waiting for the carpet. And of course, lots of little details (such as finishing the tile grout, filling holes, and cleaning up...)
Each day I have a few moments when I think, "Wow. Thank you, God. I can see that we are going to make it with Your help." We did some school this week. We've done laundry. Got groceries. Cooked some. Vacuumed a lot. Had baths(did I mention that it's about 90 degrees and sticky here?!). Opened mail. Returned phone calls. You know, the little routine things that have to happen to make things work. Well. . . some of them are happening. It feels good.
Livia is going through a phase of intense discipline and testing. She has realized that she has a will and that she can choose whether or not to obey Mommy. (It seems that most of the time she would rather NOT.) I'm weary with it, and leaning heavily on God. Praying a lot for my daughter, and for wisdom in parenting. She is very concerned about Adam and Eve and their choice to disobey God in the garden. "Why they have to dive (die)?" she keeps asking me.
The boys are having a blast on the trampoline. They are amazing little acrobats, both doing flips and other stunts that make their Mama nervous.
Tate is a joy. He and I are getting into a pretty good rhythm, where I think I am able to discern his moods and cries and needs. This helps a lot. And he is getting big so quickly. . . as all moms say. He had his first tub bath and seemed to like it (if I can just keep Livia from pouring the water over his head! But I remember Rhyle liked to do that to her, too.)
Whew! I'm getting long-winded. Time to get ready for tomorrow so we can make it to Biblestudy- maybe even on time!
Update:
My Sin. . . Again and Again:
Okay. My editor husband just took a break from studying to come inform me that I'm exaggerating again. (He reads my blog on his breaks?!)
We have power to the dishwasher, as well. And there is a light on the range hood, which has power, too.
(Yes. He is right, I confess. But in my muddled mind I was thinking that the range hood was connected to the stove and therefore everyone would know that if there was power to the stove that it was conceivable that we would have power to the range hood, which has a light. And I knew the dishwasher had power, I guess, but I was just thinking about the dishwasher in terms of WATER, and I didn't say anything about water on the post! Whew!) I wear myself out. I sin so easily, and even with good intentions to keep things simple!
Our house: I should really just put some pictures up. I feel great every time I unpack a box or straighten up... but there is still so much to do. (Though wouldn't this be the case regardless?) The counters should be done by Friday. . . but we are waiting on cabinet doors for one cabinet, and need to have one cabinet replaced because it's the wrong size. (Remember the wait for cabinets?!) The painting still needs to be done. There aren't lights or power in the kitchen yet (except to the stove). Waiting for the carpet. And of course, lots of little details (such as finishing the tile grout, filling holes, and cleaning up...)
Each day I have a few moments when I think, "Wow. Thank you, God. I can see that we are going to make it with Your help." We did some school this week. We've done laundry. Got groceries. Cooked some. Vacuumed a lot. Had baths(did I mention that it's about 90 degrees and sticky here?!). Opened mail. Returned phone calls. You know, the little routine things that have to happen to make things work. Well. . . some of them are happening. It feels good.
Livia is going through a phase of intense discipline and testing. She has realized that she has a will and that she can choose whether or not to obey Mommy. (It seems that most of the time she would rather NOT.) I'm weary with it, and leaning heavily on God. Praying a lot for my daughter, and for wisdom in parenting. She is very concerned about Adam and Eve and their choice to disobey God in the garden. "Why they have to dive (die)?" she keeps asking me.
The boys are having a blast on the trampoline. They are amazing little acrobats, both doing flips and other stunts that make their Mama nervous.
Tate is a joy. He and I are getting into a pretty good rhythm, where I think I am able to discern his moods and cries and needs. This helps a lot. And he is getting big so quickly. . . as all moms say. He had his first tub bath and seemed to like it (if I can just keep Livia from pouring the water over his head! But I remember Rhyle liked to do that to her, too.)
Whew! I'm getting long-winded. Time to get ready for tomorrow so we can make it to Biblestudy- maybe even on time!
Update:
My Sin. . . Again and Again:
Okay. My editor husband just took a break from studying to come inform me that I'm exaggerating again. (He reads my blog on his breaks?!)
We have power to the dishwasher, as well. And there is a light on the range hood, which has power, too.
(Yes. He is right, I confess. But in my muddled mind I was thinking that the range hood was connected to the stove and therefore everyone would know that if there was power to the stove that it was conceivable that we would have power to the range hood, which has a light. And I knew the dishwasher had power, I guess, but I was just thinking about the dishwasher in terms of WATER, and I didn't say anything about water on the post! Whew!) I wear myself out. I sin so easily, and even with good intentions to keep things simple!
My Sin... Again
Me: I can't believe that Tate is already a month and a half old!
Braden: He's not. He's just a month old this week.
Me: Oh... Yeah. What I meant was that he was four weeks(=one month) plus another half week.
Braden: There you go, exaggerating again! (teasing me)
Me: But this time it was an honest mistake! I simply can't think straight!
Braden: You mean you exaggerate on purpose all the other times?
Braden: He's not. He's just a month old this week.
Me: Oh... Yeah. What I meant was that he was four weeks(=one month) plus another half week.
Braden: There you go, exaggerating again! (teasing me)
Me: But this time it was an honest mistake! I simply can't think straight!
Braden: You mean you exaggerate on purpose all the other times?
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Little Man Tate
4 Weeks. 4 weeks?! Isn't that a month- already?! Just 11 more and I'll have a 1 year old! (see, this is my mind at work again, still prone to exaggeration- I mean, rounding things up.)
Actually, this is an older picture from when we were at the T's still. He's probably only 2 weeks old in this picture, but then I packed up the camera and sent it to our house. I thought we would be reunited with it quickly, but instead we just missed out on nearly two weeks of pictures, including 9 days at the S's (and there would have been some REALLY sweet ones there. My mind can see vividly the three older children out in the back yard with Mrs S, all crouched down looking at bugs and seeds and tracks and such.)
I love this little guy! You can't see it well here (so I'll post another picture later), but his distinguishing characteristic is his wrinkly brow. He has three forehead wrinkles that remind me of a Shar-pei puppy. Ooooh! I love it.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Happy 8 Years!
Tonight we are celebrating 8 years of marriage. (Our anniversary was yesterday!) Braden and I went out for a nice dinner last night (with Tate). It was a rare opportunity for conversation. . . until we were too tired. . . which didn't take long. After 8 years, my husband is still my favorite person to talk with. It was wonderful.
A sweet friend made dinner for our family tonight and then we will have cake to celebrate with the children. I want them to see that our marriage is valuable, worth working on and worth celebrating.
To Braden, because I can't find the card:
How thankful I am that God brought us together, My Love! It hasn't been pretty lately, but I know this marriage is for His exceedingly beautiful glory. We will see it someday. In the meantime, I marvel at the ways He has grown us through the years. I love you more and more!
A sweet friend made dinner for our family tonight and then we will have cake to celebrate with the children. I want them to see that our marriage is valuable, worth working on and worth celebrating.
To Braden, because I can't find the card:
How thankful I am that God brought us together, My Love! It hasn't been pretty lately, but I know this marriage is for His exceedingly beautiful glory. We will see it someday. In the meantime, I marvel at the ways He has grown us through the years. I love you more and more!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
How I Look At It
I Think We Are Going to Make It:
1) I haven't cried for several days.
2) I'm still nursing
3) We are back in our home
4) The contractor said everything should be finished by the end of next week
5) I went to Bible study this week with all four children... and was EARLY!
6) My friend saw me and said, "Wow! You look great! You even have eye makeup on!"
But Maybe Not:
1) I still WANT to cry
2) I think I'm nursing in my exhausted sleep; I don't even remember when I'm up at night
3) There is a MOUSE in our house now. It has eaten through a favorite sweater, Tate's handmade blanket, our blue cooler, and I do not want to know what else. This is our first mouse here and it is unnerving. Not to mention everything else with the house.
4) The contracter said everything should be finished by the end of the week. . . three weeks ago.
5) i haven't completed my Bible study "homework" yet this week. (i.e. I haven't had 10 minutes of quiet to myself.)
6) The aforementioned eye makeup was not removed for two days
1) I haven't cried for several days.
2) I'm still nursing
3) We are back in our home
4) The contractor said everything should be finished by the end of next week
5) I went to Bible study this week with all four children... and was EARLY!
6) My friend saw me and said, "Wow! You look great! You even have eye makeup on!"
But Maybe Not:
1) I still WANT to cry
2) I think I'm nursing in my exhausted sleep; I don't even remember when I'm up at night
3) There is a MOUSE in our house now. It has eaten through a favorite sweater, Tate's handmade blanket, our blue cooler, and I do not want to know what else. This is our first mouse here and it is unnerving. Not to mention everything else with the house.
4) The contracter said everything should be finished by the end of the week. . . three weeks ago.
5) i haven't completed my Bible study "homework" yet this week. (i.e. I haven't had 10 minutes of quiet to myself.)
6) The aforementioned eye makeup was not removed for two days
Me. . . Prone to Exaggeration
Me: Awww. Tate just smiled at me!
Braden: Really?
Me: Well. . . he smiled. . . in his sleep. . . and I happened to be looking at him. It was great.
Braden: Really?
Me: Well. . . he smiled. . . in his sleep. . . and I happened to be looking at him. It was great.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
3 Weeks
Y'all are due for an update!
Tate is now 3 weeks old. And I feel hopeful again. I haven't posted much because the little man and I were trying to figure out nursing, and doing a lot of it. Truthfully, I was in pain and going to bed as early as I could each night (which was always before Braden's computer was available for me!). I remember that nursing wasn't pleasant with my other children. . . for awhile. . . but I have such a poor memory that I didn't remember how long "awhile" was. It might not have been 3 weeks with each of them, but now I am finally experiencing what all the wonderful women around me kept saying- "it does get better!" We've decreased in duration, too, which definitely helps. As i told my mom tonight, "Everything doesn't usually fall apart in 15 minutes. But if I'm nursing for 40 minutes, I can expect several disasters."
We ARE moving home tomorrow. The kitchen lacks counters, the dishwasher, and a sink. Everything needs washed and put back in its place. And it needs painted- the kitchen, the hall, the bathroom upstairs, and the laundry room. The tile in the upstairs shower isn't finished yet. The furniture is still mostly in the pod. . .
Maybe you, like me, are wondering what has been going on lately?!
I don't want to post negatively. Yet I AM discouraged. Our home isn't restored. It isn't better than we left it. It's stil a mess and even when these things get taken care of there is still much to be fixed. I've noticed stains on rugs and nicks in furniture and trim, there are things that need cleaned up and replaced still. It seems that after ALL this, and four months of not being in our home. . . there is still so much to do. (Reminds me of Rich Mullins song, "There was so much work left to do, and so much you'd already done.") BUT, that is only part of the story.
The rest of the story is incredible. It's an amazing story of God's taking care of us for months through the kindness of His saints. We have been blessed with relationships, with meals and fellowship. I have been given time to recover while my children played with friends and others cleaned up after us and allowed us to rest as much as possible.
And even if my house was never okay again (after all, it's just a house with things in it), ultimately it WILL all get better (see how I can learn so much from nursing!). My hope is eternal rest and comfort at my Savior's side. I will glory in my Redeemer and His perfection. So we press on.
Tate is now 3 weeks old. And I feel hopeful again. I haven't posted much because the little man and I were trying to figure out nursing, and doing a lot of it. Truthfully, I was in pain and going to bed as early as I could each night (which was always before Braden's computer was available for me!). I remember that nursing wasn't pleasant with my other children. . . for awhile. . . but I have such a poor memory that I didn't remember how long "awhile" was. It might not have been 3 weeks with each of them, but now I am finally experiencing what all the wonderful women around me kept saying- "it does get better!" We've decreased in duration, too, which definitely helps. As i told my mom tonight, "Everything doesn't usually fall apart in 15 minutes. But if I'm nursing for 40 minutes, I can expect several disasters."
We ARE moving home tomorrow. The kitchen lacks counters, the dishwasher, and a sink. Everything needs washed and put back in its place. And it needs painted- the kitchen, the hall, the bathroom upstairs, and the laundry room. The tile in the upstairs shower isn't finished yet. The furniture is still mostly in the pod. . .
Maybe you, like me, are wondering what has been going on lately?!
I don't want to post negatively. Yet I AM discouraged. Our home isn't restored. It isn't better than we left it. It's stil a mess and even when these things get taken care of there is still much to be fixed. I've noticed stains on rugs and nicks in furniture and trim, there are things that need cleaned up and replaced still. It seems that after ALL this, and four months of not being in our home. . . there is still so much to do. (Reminds me of Rich Mullins song, "There was so much work left to do, and so much you'd already done.") BUT, that is only part of the story.
The rest of the story is incredible. It's an amazing story of God's taking care of us for months through the kindness of His saints. We have been blessed with relationships, with meals and fellowship. I have been given time to recover while my children played with friends and others cleaned up after us and allowed us to rest as much as possible.
And even if my house was never okay again (after all, it's just a house with things in it), ultimately it WILL all get better (see how I can learn so much from nursing!). My hope is eternal rest and comfort at my Savior's side. I will glory in my Redeemer and His perfection. So we press on.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Pensive, Doubting, Fearful Heart
I am so grateful that God is generous with my heart! Braden brought back a bulletin from church today and as I nursed Tate, tears streamed down my face while I read this song. This is sweet encouragement to me.
PENSIVE, DOUBTING, FEARFUL HEART
(words by John Newton, 1779)
Pensive, doubting, fearful heart,
Hear what Christ the Saviour says;
Every word should joy impart,
Change thy mourning into praise.
Yes, He speaks and speaks to thee,
May He help thee to believe;
Then thou presently will see
Thou has little cause to grieve.
Fear thou not, nor be ashamed;
All thy sorrows soon shall end.
I, who heaven and earth have framed,
Am thy Husband and thy Friend;
I, the High and Holy One,
israel's God, by all adored,
As thy Savior will be known,
Thy Redeemer and thy Lord.
For a moment I withdrew,
And thy heart was filled with pain;
But my mercies I'll renew;
Thou shall soon rejoice again;
Though I seem to hide my face,
Very soon my wrath shall cease;
'Tis but for a moment's space,
Ending in eternal peace.
Though aflicted, tempest tossed,
Comfortless awhile thou art,
Do not think thou can be lost,
Thou art graven on my heart.
All thy wastes I will repair;
Thou shalt be rebuilt anew;
And in thee it shall appear
What the God of love can do.
PENSIVE, DOUBTING, FEARFUL HEART
(words by John Newton, 1779)
Pensive, doubting, fearful heart,
Hear what Christ the Saviour says;
Every word should joy impart,
Change thy mourning into praise.
Yes, He speaks and speaks to thee,
May He help thee to believe;
Then thou presently will see
Thou has little cause to grieve.
Fear thou not, nor be ashamed;
All thy sorrows soon shall end.
I, who heaven and earth have framed,
Am thy Husband and thy Friend;
I, the High and Holy One,
israel's God, by all adored,
As thy Savior will be known,
Thy Redeemer and thy Lord.
For a moment I withdrew,
And thy heart was filled with pain;
But my mercies I'll renew;
Thou shall soon rejoice again;
Though I seem to hide my face,
Very soon my wrath shall cease;
'Tis but for a moment's space,
Ending in eternal peace.
Though aflicted, tempest tossed,
Comfortless awhile thou art,
Do not think thou can be lost,
Thou art graven on my heart.
All thy wastes I will repair;
Thou shalt be rebuilt anew;
And in thee it shall appear
What the God of love can do.
Accumulating Evidence
I'm not telling on my husband; I'm really not. This is merely adding evidence to the last post.
We were driving him to school this week. He had (amazingly delicious homemade bread by Mrs S) toast with him for breakfast. I hadn't eaten yet. "Please have a piece," he selflessly implored me. I declined. (He needs to eat!)
"Calli, eat it. You need it more than I do. You're pregnant," he said.
Ummm. I hope I am NOT pregnant... but I will take a bite anyway!
See how the past few weeks have just swept us by? Braden is overwhelmingly occupied with school, trying to get us back into our house, and taking care of the kids and me. I've been struggling with discouragement with nursing. What seemed to start so well has now led to soreness and two brief, albeit painful, bouts of mastitis. Add a few migraines. . .
We left the Ts on Wednesday this week, but our house still isn't ready. We moved in with the S family. I had a whole post in my head of God's amazing love, revealed to us by so many saints that have generously given meals, childcare, and homes to us!
I packed clothes for 3 days, because we planned on moving home on Saturday. The boys came to me this morning with long faces because they didn't have any "church clothes" to wear. (i.e. we still didn't move home.)
Our upstairs bath has running water now, but we still lack a working bath/shower. About half of our furniture is still in the pod on our front yard. The kitchen lacks counters and a sink, plus everything from the "old" kitchen needs to be washed and put back into cabinets. The painters worked over the weekend, but there is still painting to be done. So, the question is, do we just move in as is and let the work continue around us? We have been so well taken care of. I think I am a bit uneasy about being home and not having anyone around to help me with the kids and when I'm feeling ill. More reliance on Christ. I keep reminding myself that none of our circumstances are a surprise to Him, who holds all things in His hands.
We were driving him to school this week. He had (amazingly delicious homemade bread by Mrs S) toast with him for breakfast. I hadn't eaten yet. "Please have a piece," he selflessly implored me. I declined. (He needs to eat!)
"Calli, eat it. You need it more than I do. You're pregnant," he said.
Ummm. I hope I am NOT pregnant... but I will take a bite anyway!
See how the past few weeks have just swept us by? Braden is overwhelmingly occupied with school, trying to get us back into our house, and taking care of the kids and me. I've been struggling with discouragement with nursing. What seemed to start so well has now led to soreness and two brief, albeit painful, bouts of mastitis. Add a few migraines. . .
We left the Ts on Wednesday this week, but our house still isn't ready. We moved in with the S family. I had a whole post in my head of God's amazing love, revealed to us by so many saints that have generously given meals, childcare, and homes to us!
I packed clothes for 3 days, because we planned on moving home on Saturday. The boys came to me this morning with long faces because they didn't have any "church clothes" to wear. (i.e. we still didn't move home.)
Our upstairs bath has running water now, but we still lack a working bath/shower. About half of our furniture is still in the pod on our front yard. The kitchen lacks counters and a sink, plus everything from the "old" kitchen needs to be washed and put back into cabinets. The painters worked over the weekend, but there is still painting to be done. So, the question is, do we just move in as is and let the work continue around us? We have been so well taken care of. I think I am a bit uneasy about being home and not having anyone around to help me with the kids and when I'm feeling ill. More reliance on Christ. I keep reminding myself that none of our circumstances are a surprise to Him, who holds all things in His hands.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Life Has Changed
Sometimes I think life has changed a little too quickly for Braden and I to keep up with. I suspect we're a little-- okay, more than a little-- bit frazzled and sleep-deprived. This was confirmed for me the other night:
Tate was sleeping (for now). Livia was splashing in the bath. I had finished cutting Owen's hair (in the bathroom) and was now starting in on Rhyle. Braden had been in and out of the bathroom, intermittantly soothing Tate or washing children. At one point, he stepped into the bathroom for something and was immediately assaulted with three loud cries of, "Daddy!" (This cry, you know, is really just the kids' way of making sure that they have his attention before they launch into whatever it is they want to tell him.) Well, the noise increased from there. . . crying, splashing, talking, clippers buzzing. . .
And then Braden, in exasperation, said, "Owen. Please be quiet and wait. I have THREE kids and I can't help everyone at the same time!"
And I gently reminded him, "No, Daddy. You have FOUR kids."
Tate was sleeping (for now). Livia was splashing in the bath. I had finished cutting Owen's hair (in the bathroom) and was now starting in on Rhyle. Braden had been in and out of the bathroom, intermittantly soothing Tate or washing children. At one point, he stepped into the bathroom for something and was immediately assaulted with three loud cries of, "Daddy!" (This cry, you know, is really just the kids' way of making sure that they have his attention before they launch into whatever it is they want to tell him.) Well, the noise increased from there. . . crying, splashing, talking, clippers buzzing. . .
And then Braden, in exasperation, said, "Owen. Please be quiet and wait. I have THREE kids and I can't help everyone at the same time!"
And I gently reminded him, "No, Daddy. You have FOUR kids."
At Breakfast
The other kids are off and playing while Tate and I keep Rhyle company as he finishes his breakfast. (He is always the last one done!) Rhyle tells me that when he grows up he is going to be a Hunter. Then he explains to us that being a hunter means putting on his scariest jammies (pajamas) and using his spear to kill a cow to eat.
Wow.
Wow.
Changing Life. . . Changing Blog
I hope I haven't lost y'all with my new blog look! I was so enjoying everyone's comments (especially since I haven't had email for three months. Yikes!) My eyes needed a change. I hope you like it!
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