I had to laugh tonight when we arrived home from a great afternoon with friends and then a fun stop at our favorite bookstore, Little Givens. Today at the bookstore I purchased a placemat featuring all of the presidents- up to the current U.S. president- because this is what we are working on memorizing. The two middles studied it intently from the backseat as we drove home.
I laughed because Livia came marching in with the placemat and announced to B, "This even has Baroccoli Obama!"
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
This is the Sweetie. . .
Who thinks that Mrs. Oliver makes olives.
Whose standard photo pose includes a pout.
Who asked her daddy to be her husband today.
Who wants to have a baby girl (which is why she needs a husband!); but she'd be just as happy with a baby sister.
Who melts our hearts with sweetness. She has changed so much in the last year!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Looking for Kind Critiques
Hey, all. I've updated my fruit and veggie website and I'm looking for a few good (kind) critiques. Love the look? Think it's hokey? Easy or hard to find information? Care to watch a (great!) 15 minute video? I really want to know your thoughts!
AND, I know you're shocked, but I finally learned how to link. SO, to make this really easy on you, you can just click HERE.
AND, I know you're shocked, but I finally learned how to link. SO, to make this really easy on you, you can just click HERE.
Awkward
I'm home! And, oh, how sweet it is!
My trip to CA was wonderful. It was, perhaps, the best conference I have been to. The information was excellent, the conversations stimulating. There was much laughter. Not a lot of sleep (I was too excited!). The whole experience was just what it needed to be. . . and I was ready to step back into my life (which was already one step ahead of me and not slowing down a bit!).
On our way home from the airport, conversation in the van was lively. Tate is finding great pleasure in pointing out airplanes and birds and, as we were near the airport, he was very busy with this activity. Rhyle has a similar thrill: pointing out Hondas. Ever since we got our "new" van, he notices Hondas all over and points them out with glee. As we drove home, therefore, Tate was pointing out planes and Rhyle was exulting over Hondas. . . and then he saw one that gave him slight pause.
"There's a Honda!" he exclaimed. . . but paused. . . "No! It's an H-awkward!"
"Awkward" is a word the kids have adopted to explain things that are crooked or skewed. It first came up in describing how they wanted to swing on our "circle swing." Instead of swinging back and forth, this swing is just a circle on the bottom of a rope and is therefore able to swing any direction- therefore, it is awkward.
An "H-Awkward" is really just. . . a hyundai.
My trip to CA was wonderful. It was, perhaps, the best conference I have been to. The information was excellent, the conversations stimulating. There was much laughter. Not a lot of sleep (I was too excited!). The whole experience was just what it needed to be. . . and I was ready to step back into my life (which was already one step ahead of me and not slowing down a bit!).
On our way home from the airport, conversation in the van was lively. Tate is finding great pleasure in pointing out airplanes and birds and, as we were near the airport, he was very busy with this activity. Rhyle has a similar thrill: pointing out Hondas. Ever since we got our "new" van, he notices Hondas all over and points them out with glee. As we drove home, therefore, Tate was pointing out planes and Rhyle was exulting over Hondas. . . and then he saw one that gave him slight pause.
"There's a Honda!" he exclaimed. . . but paused. . . "No! It's an H-awkward!"
"Awkward" is a word the kids have adopted to explain things that are crooked or skewed. It first came up in describing how they wanted to swing on our "circle swing." Instead of swinging back and forth, this swing is just a circle on the bottom of a rope and is therefore able to swing any direction- therefore, it is awkward.
An "H-Awkward" is really just. . . a hyundai.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Long Beach, CA
These are some of the wonderful people I have been spending my time with. This was our lunch on Friday at Creme de la Crepe- which was delicious. My mother-in-law, sister-in-law, my sister, and my friends are all in this photo.
Notes from Four Doctors
I am having a wonderful time in CA (even though it isn't sunny today!). My trip has been full and it has been refreshing and exciting and fun. I haven't laughed so much in a long time! The women I am with are such dear friends that we have had both significant conversations and serious fun.
Thursday night's Prevention Plus lecture sponsored by JuicePlus was four doctors: Dr. Bill Sears, Dr. Delia Garcia, Dr. Mitra Ray, and Dr. Rick Dubois. I took over a page of notes of things that struck me and things that I wanted to be able to share with you. Here are some of those notes:
From pediatrician Dr. Sears:
It is good to be a Fathead! Our brains are 60% fat and are MOST affected by nutrition.
Don't talk about "healthy" foods with your kids. Call them things like "grow foods" or "soccer foods" or "tall foods" or "dance foods."
Give your child an oil change. (From animal fats to plant fats)
Healthcare= Selfcare. (WE are responsible for our family's health.)
From oncologist Delia Garcia:
Obesity has replaced tobacco as our leading cause of sickness and death.
Obesity is linked to many other diseases, such as: diabetes, heart disease, stroke, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, sleep apnea, and depression.
Even 20% above your idea weight increases your risk of breast cancer by 70%.
Most bankruptcies in our country are because of medical costs- and most of these people had medical insurance. (I would add that our sicknesses are bankrupting us!)
From retired infectious disease doctor, Dr. Dubois:
Vitality is to be desired. Vitality encompasses health, fitness, and happiness.
From biochemist Dr. Mitra Ray
(see link at bottom of page for more from this Dr.):
Longevity: health, ripe old age, long vital life (see the vitality theme again?)
There are 195,000 plants with edible parts. Less than 300 of these are used for food. 90% of our food supply comes from just 17 plants. (I note that we are missing the kind of variety that our bodies need. And how great is our Creator for giving us all of the seed-bearing plants for food! see Genesis.)
We should consume 90% of our calories from plants.
Thursday night's Prevention Plus lecture sponsored by JuicePlus was four doctors: Dr. Bill Sears, Dr. Delia Garcia, Dr. Mitra Ray, and Dr. Rick Dubois. I took over a page of notes of things that struck me and things that I wanted to be able to share with you. Here are some of those notes:
From pediatrician Dr. Sears:
It is good to be a Fathead! Our brains are 60% fat and are MOST affected by nutrition.
Don't talk about "healthy" foods with your kids. Call them things like "grow foods" or "soccer foods" or "tall foods" or "dance foods."
Give your child an oil change. (From animal fats to plant fats)
Healthcare= Selfcare. (WE are responsible for our family's health.)
From oncologist Delia Garcia:
Obesity has replaced tobacco as our leading cause of sickness and death.
Obesity is linked to many other diseases, such as: diabetes, heart disease, stroke, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, sleep apnea, and depression.
Even 20% above your idea weight increases your risk of breast cancer by 70%.
Most bankruptcies in our country are because of medical costs- and most of these people had medical insurance. (I would add that our sicknesses are bankrupting us!)
From retired infectious disease doctor, Dr. Dubois:
Vitality is to be desired. Vitality encompasses health, fitness, and happiness.
From biochemist Dr. Mitra Ray
(see link at bottom of page for more from this Dr.):
Longevity: health, ripe old age, long vital life (see the vitality theme again?)
There are 195,000 plants with edible parts. Less than 300 of these are used for food. 90% of our food supply comes from just 17 plants. (I note that we are missing the kind of variety that our bodies need. And how great is our Creator for giving us all of the seed-bearing plants for food! see Genesis.)
We should consume 90% of our calories from plants.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Night Moment
Tonight I put on Narnia for Rhyle and Livia to listen to at bedtime. Owen was very tired, but the middles needed something to listen to. Rhyle started in the chair, while Livia was tucked in bed.
I just went up to check on everyone and to turn down the c.d. I noticed that Rhyle had climbed in bed with Livia, his arm thrown over her protectively (amazing!); and I thought both kids were asleep, so I turned off Naria. Immediately, Livia sat up and said, "Mom! Why did you do that?" I quietly explained that it was late. "Can we go to sleep now?" she asked. Of course.
As I closed the door I saw Livia lean over Rhyle (who WAS sleeping!) and tell him, "Rhyle, we can go to sleep now."
I just went up to check on everyone and to turn down the c.d. I noticed that Rhyle had climbed in bed with Livia, his arm thrown over her protectively (amazing!); and I thought both kids were asleep, so I turned off Naria. Immediately, Livia sat up and said, "Mom! Why did you do that?" I quietly explained that it was late. "Can we go to sleep now?" she asked. Of course.
As I closed the door I saw Livia lean over Rhyle (who WAS sleeping!) and tell him, "Rhyle, we can go to sleep now."
Thursday, March 12, 2009
On Pencils and Printers
It seems that I'm finding too many writing utensils in too many places they don't belong.
The boys pencils are often left on the table when they have gathered up their school things. Tate is really quick and grabbing those pencils and he heads straight for the book basket and begins writing in the library books. (He's also quick at grabbing scissors and glue and everything else, too!) I also find pencils on the floor, in the washing machine, and in the beds. Go figure! (But not in bed, please!!)
Today Liv and Rhyle used magic erasers on the upstairs walls and trim. Owen found silver and gold crayons in the box our neighbors gave us recently and left them in "a special place" upstairs. . . where the middle two found them, I assume. There were gold and silver crayon writings up and down the wall at just their height.
Our printer has been jammed for a few days. I knew B would fix it when he needed it- which was today. I could tell he was getting more and more frustrated with the machine as it refused to print normally. After a few more paper jams, he and Rhyle discovered the problem: there was a green colored pencil IN the printer.
The boys pencils are often left on the table when they have gathered up their school things. Tate is really quick and grabbing those pencils and he heads straight for the book basket and begins writing in the library books. (He's also quick at grabbing scissors and glue and everything else, too!) I also find pencils on the floor, in the washing machine, and in the beds. Go figure! (But not in bed, please!!)
Today Liv and Rhyle used magic erasers on the upstairs walls and trim. Owen found silver and gold crayons in the box our neighbors gave us recently and left them in "a special place" upstairs. . . where the middle two found them, I assume. There were gold and silver crayon writings up and down the wall at just their height.
Our printer has been jammed for a few days. I knew B would fix it when he needed it- which was today. I could tell he was getting more and more frustrated with the machine as it refused to print normally. After a few more paper jams, he and Rhyle discovered the problem: there was a green colored pencil IN the printer.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Current School Happenings
Just a note of celebration: we have made it through ALL of these timeline cards this school year and all three of my bigger kids know (most all of) them. I'm pleased that my young ones have a better grasp of the whole of history than I have EVER had and I feel confident that we are building a great frame of facts to expand upon later. As we repeat these cards each year they will solidify the structure of history in their heads. I'm convinced that knowing HIStory is essential in understanding Christ's redemptive plan and the patterns humans have. May my children grow in wisdom as we lay this foundation! I'm so proud of their eager little memories! It is supreme privilege to me to watch them and help them learn.(These are the Veritas press timeline cards.)
One week after the big snow, we had temperatures in the upper 70s! What a great time for Braden and the boys to work on building our raised garden bed. I was so impressed by their hard work and how quickly they accomplished this great little box. We are filled with anticipation and making lots of plans for the 'real' spring weather (the kind that stays warmer for awhile)!
Isn't Livia just TOO precious? She is nearly four and I can only believe it because she looks more and more like a little girl instead of a toddler. She is cherished.
We have been talking about ancient India and China. Here is Owen making rice. He did a great job, but when I turned it into Indian curried rice, the children were not exactly asking for more (which is rare with my children!)
Snow Day
Yes, last week we had snow. The kids have been praying for snow since November, I think. They prayed with believing hearts, no matter that March had come without so much as one good snow day. Boy, we had a celebration when God sent this snow! Tate wasn't so thrilled with it (I think because his hands were cold, but he refused to keep mittens on), but he did like to point out the window at the "no."
Monday, March 9, 2009
Wild for Winter Wheat
I'm practically wild with excitement after finding out that my dad has an entire wagon of soft red winter wheat at his farm. True, it's a little dusty. . . but it just needs to be screened, bagged up, and hauled back to VA!
I'm such a farm girl.
I'm such a farm girl.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
I Believed
At the risk of exposing too much of myself, and offending you, I will share some of my heart this weekend.
Yesterday, I heard myself say to B, "I BELIEVED the Lord was blessing us with another daughter. I was excited. Now I am sad."
When my emotions become overwhelming I need to journal, to sit with my Bible and a notebook and write truth to myself. I need the gospel, to get to it from my first tempestual, emotional thoughts through the first reminders of who God is and what He has promised.
It seems to me that there is a pervasive opinion that married couples should have children (which is scripturally supported). Everyone expects that first baby and what a celebration we have! Then folks aren't surprised when baby #2 comes along and they cheer: now you have a sibling for baby #1, perhaps "one of each!"; things seem tidy. Then baby #3... people are feeling tired for you and yet they understand that three children somehow seems to round out a family. Then baby #4. . . at this point you have seemingly entered "large family" status, your community can hardly muster a celebration, and comments move from congratulations to "you know how this happens, right?" When you move away from status quo there may even be veiled hostility toward you for your choices.
B and I are choosing to believe that it is YHWH who opens and closes the womb. Our thinking has changed as the years have gone by. To be honest, I thought that I had very much to do with my first pregnancy and that we were selectively choosing which months we would like to consider conceiving. Now, without opening a lengthy discussion on contraception and quiver-full ideas. . . I would just like to share my JOY that YHWH has given us confidence to trust His providence. (Mostly! I am trying- though I also think to myself, "I seem very fertile and I don't really want to have 10 kids or anything REALLY crazy!" So, what do we do? Try to trust.)
It is true that I often feel challenged to the maximum as a mommy. It is true that I often do a terrible job of submitting quietly to my husband, of following his leadership, of serving my family with joy. I lose my patience. I forget to look my children in the eyes and affirm them daily. I mess up a lot.
But it is also true that the Lord will not allow the children of the righteous to go hungry, that He says that children are a blessing, that He will not give me more than I can bear, that He has my sanctification in mind, as well as His glory! (Again, I'm not trying to pick a fight!) It is true that even when I believe something, my view is limited. It is infinitely more valuable for me to believe that my God is good and sovereign. He gives and takes away, and ever He is worthy of praise. Whether I am excited or sad, He is constant and Almighty. I believe He will work all this out for His glory and my good.
Yesterday, I heard myself say to B, "I BELIEVED the Lord was blessing us with another daughter. I was excited. Now I am sad."
When my emotions become overwhelming I need to journal, to sit with my Bible and a notebook and write truth to myself. I need the gospel, to get to it from my first tempestual, emotional thoughts through the first reminders of who God is and what He has promised.
It seems to me that there is a pervasive opinion that married couples should have children (which is scripturally supported). Everyone expects that first baby and what a celebration we have! Then folks aren't surprised when baby #2 comes along and they cheer: now you have a sibling for baby #1, perhaps "one of each!"; things seem tidy. Then baby #3... people are feeling tired for you and yet they understand that three children somehow seems to round out a family. Then baby #4. . . at this point you have seemingly entered "large family" status, your community can hardly muster a celebration, and comments move from congratulations to "you know how this happens, right?" When you move away from status quo there may even be veiled hostility toward you for your choices.
B and I are choosing to believe that it is YHWH who opens and closes the womb. Our thinking has changed as the years have gone by. To be honest, I thought that I had very much to do with my first pregnancy and that we were selectively choosing which months we would like to consider conceiving. Now, without opening a lengthy discussion on contraception and quiver-full ideas. . . I would just like to share my JOY that YHWH has given us confidence to trust His providence. (Mostly! I am trying- though I also think to myself, "I seem very fertile and I don't really want to have 10 kids or anything REALLY crazy!" So, what do we do? Try to trust.)
It is true that I often feel challenged to the maximum as a mommy. It is true that I often do a terrible job of submitting quietly to my husband, of following his leadership, of serving my family with joy. I lose my patience. I forget to look my children in the eyes and affirm them daily. I mess up a lot.
But it is also true that the Lord will not allow the children of the righteous to go hungry, that He says that children are a blessing, that He will not give me more than I can bear, that He has my sanctification in mind, as well as His glory! (Again, I'm not trying to pick a fight!) It is true that even when I believe something, my view is limited. It is infinitely more valuable for me to believe that my God is good and sovereign. He gives and takes away, and ever He is worthy of praise. Whether I am excited or sad, He is constant and Almighty. I believe He will work all this out for His glory and my good.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Doing a Little Dreaming
I put this together in January, one evening when there was quiet in the house. I've heard a lot about dream boards and wanted to put together my own. This was challenging as I didn't have many magazines to choose pictures from, and the final result was not exactly what I wanted. . . but you'll get the idea.
My apologies that it's kind of hard to see; I couldn't figure out how to take a great photo. The biggest things are: Lake House, Trip to New Zealand, Get out of Debt, Yearly Vacation, Time at the Farm, and Land (in no particular order).
Be inspired to dream!
On Blogging
There is a lot that I would like to post. In my head are several posts that I've been mulling over for the past few weeks, things that I've been thinking on that would make more sense if I tried to explain them or write them out. There are things that are on my heart and mind that I want to share. . . sadness over things, frustration with other things, joy over some things, excitement over other things. There are debates and sticky issues that I'd like to address and hash out my opinion on. I would like to post even more of the things that have been transpiring within our own family. . .
But I have a (good) problem.
I have readers. And while I know some of them (thanks, Mom and Anne, Cara, Sara, Kristi, Josh!), I also have good reason to believe that there are other people looking at my blog that I don't know (and people I know but don't know that they are reading my blog!)- which is one of the neat things about blogs. At the same time, the realization that other people in my regular life have access to my personal thoughts and glimpses of my day-to-day life. . . well, it's disconcerting to me. How can I, in good conscience, post my opinions about things which will be read by people who in my "real" life I would NEVER tell them to? My opinions directly conflict with some of the views held by my friends and family. I wouldn't really want to confront them in real life, so is it uncouth for me to use this blog as my own forum to lay out where I stand on things? I will offend people.
I don't think that it is necessarily bad to offend people. Most of what I'm referring to are my views based on Scripture, not just opinions on trivial matters. Some of it I really DO want to be able to say and perhaps I should use the opportunity.
For instance, I believe God's Word when it says that children are a blessing. Because I really believe that, it affects how I view abortion and contraception and family size and working outside the home and homeschooling and the full measure of my responsibility and JOY as a mother. In blogging about this one thing I would, no doubt, be laying my heart out there to the world and offending people, too.
So I haven't been posting as much lately. I have to decide where I stand on blogging.
But I have a (good) problem.
I have readers. And while I know some of them (thanks, Mom and Anne, Cara, Sara, Kristi, Josh!), I also have good reason to believe that there are other people looking at my blog that I don't know (and people I know but don't know that they are reading my blog!)- which is one of the neat things about blogs. At the same time, the realization that other people in my regular life have access to my personal thoughts and glimpses of my day-to-day life. . . well, it's disconcerting to me. How can I, in good conscience, post my opinions about things which will be read by people who in my "real" life I would NEVER tell them to? My opinions directly conflict with some of the views held by my friends and family. I wouldn't really want to confront them in real life, so is it uncouth for me to use this blog as my own forum to lay out where I stand on things? I will offend people.
I don't think that it is necessarily bad to offend people. Most of what I'm referring to are my views based on Scripture, not just opinions on trivial matters. Some of it I really DO want to be able to say and perhaps I should use the opportunity.
For instance, I believe God's Word when it says that children are a blessing. Because I really believe that, it affects how I view abortion and contraception and family size and working outside the home and homeschooling and the full measure of my responsibility and JOY as a mother. In blogging about this one thing I would, no doubt, be laying my heart out there to the world and offending people, too.
So I haven't been posting as much lately. I have to decide where I stand on blogging.
Outrageous Request
Every once in awhile the highly-energetic pace of our family starts to wear me out. It's the intensity of activity and chatter and questions and movement that started to wear me down today. I knew I needed a little time to regroup when I nearly said, "PLEASE STOP!" to the child who was coughing (again).
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