LENT - unexpected growth & changes

The kids and I have been following LENT this year. Anna and I gave up something that would be difficult for each of us. She gave up playing computer games on the laptop (she was very specific on WHERE she couldn't play). Hmmmm, smart girl. Joshua did not want to participate with us.

I gave up yelling. I have been thinking a lot on how I treat God's children (my children). God has been working on my journey to take it to the next level. Next level?? What level? I asked the same thing! I thought I was walking the talk, and then God nudges me to do more, show more. How can I do that?? Well, it starts with my actions. Like yelling. I have my highs and my lows. Good days and bad. Just like everyone else. Then I recall this verse from the bible:

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Psalm 6:1
[ Psalm 6 ] A psalm of David. LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.

Exactly, what I was doing. So, I gave it up. Just like that. NOT. It was easier than I thought. But, I do occasionally fail. I am human. But, at least it is not daily. It is so nice not to get so angry at my angels. It is so nice to be able to talk to them. I did talk to my husband, then to my kids about the change God wanted me to make in myself. I asked all of them for forgiveness of my sin; my anger.

John 9:25
He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

God opened up my eyes! He showed me the truth of my sin and actions. I love it when I can turn to scripture and see the TRUTH!

Psalm 37:11
But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.

This is what my family has been enjoying! PEACE, LOVE, HOPE! God IS Good!

We has a family have been learning a lot about what God wants from us. Each household will be different. God has a plan for all of us....and we choose to follow.

Every morning I have been reading Jesus' journey leading up to his resurrection. I also read Proverbs (the chapter is picked by the day of the month). What an awesome journey for us as a family to watch the kids grow in their faith. Again, I thank our Father in Heaven for each day I am given! Amen.

I want to be the woman God created me to be. That is with a love for HIM and for my brothers and sisters in Christ. I can only move forward by starting within myself. I have chosen to stand on my two feet for Christ and for my family. To be able to lead by my faith, trust, love for God.

Proverbs 31

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

^{10 [b]}A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.............

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

LifE - it goes so quickly

Just noticed that I haven't blogged since February. Where does the time go? Time goes by in a blink of an eye. Sometimes, I feel my life goes just as fast. I think what I will do (for now) is update you on each of the family members (from youngest to oldest).

ERIC - He will be turning 19 months old soon (still only 20 lbs.) and busy as a bee!!! Cute as ever, too! Since his ear tubes has been put in....that cutie is learning new words daily. He still does his 'gibberish' talk. He can go on and we won't have a clue to what he is trying to tell us. That can be very frustrating to the little guy. He likes to repeat 'words' that we say. He can stack blocks and tear them down. He also LOVES music! He will strum Karl's guitar and bob his head. He has no problem saying, "uh, uh" (meaning NO). Enjoys listening to K-LOVE. I cannot keep him indoors if the big kids are outside. He loves to be outside. I am so in trouble this summer. I am going to have a very, dirty baby!

When we pray at dinner, he will fold his hands and pray with us. It is a blessing to see that it is never to early to teach the children God's word. He has truly been a blessing to our family.

Eric and Joshua has that special 'boy' bond. Anna has that natural 'big sister' role. She can be very protective of him (when she wants to be).

JOSHUA - He has grown so much this past year. At 7.5 he has taken on 'big boy' roles upon himself. He enjoys cooking; making omelets, eggs, sandwiches and snacks. Picks up Eric in the morning out of his crib. Looks after his 'little' brother. Now, Joshua is very protective of Eric.

Recently, Josh has been doing a lot of drawings. Taking after his dad??? We will see. He will pull out drawing books and start copying the pages. He also enjoys playing the piano. I think he has been taking lessons for 2 years now. (I tell ya, time seems to disappear.)

Currently, still taking taekwondo; attending Awana, CC (Classical Conversation a local co-op), piano lessons, and baseball starts this Tuesday.

Joshua has a heart for the Lord and His word. Watching his faith grow in the past year has been a blessing to me and the family. He truly wears his faith on his sleeve. You can see it!

ANNA - WOW. What can I say...she is turning 11 in May! She has also grown up so much this past year! In her responsibilities, her brothers, school, and growing into a young lady. She has learned to (at least) enjoy her school work vs fighting to do her work. Her 'attitude' has been a process but we have met in the middle. Meaning, I had to chill my temper so, I can teach her how to chill her temper. We BOTH have learned together about our attitudes.

She is still involved with taekwondo (red/black belt), Awana, piano, CC, summer camp (first time this summer), and will be taking baseball, too.

I have redecorated her room and she really does keep it clean! I simplified her furniture to one dresser, one end table and one cabinet for her 'chotskies'. Simplifying, really does work. She enjoys the outdoors, baking, cooking and prefers to clean than do any extra school work.

I am blessed to have children who love the Lord. She tries to live by the word of God. She reads her bible almost nightly. She enjoys listening to K-LOVE as much as I do!

Each of my children have been a true blessing from God! I love them all for very different reasons. I love learning from them as much as I enjoy teaching them.

Upcoming posts: more about me and my journey; quilts that I have been making; and what a day looks like in our home school class.

SKI VACATION 2011!!

SUN VALLEY, IDAHO

My well coveted hat!

Christl, that is MY hat!

Joshina, you too?

Christl, you get that puck!

Going out to dinner on the gondola!! First time for the kids.

I am SO BLESSED!

Joshua is done.

I love this photo of my guys.

Opa and the princess!

My family!

Look at Joshua go!! A natural, just like his father!

What a way to end a day of skiing!! Oh, how I wish I was there....

I love all the photos of my family. But, really, I had a totally different kind of vacation while they were gone! It was all worth it to see the look on my 2 kids faces, when they saw their new rooms.

I lived in a big mess (along with Eric) has I decided to surprise Anna by redecorating her room. I must tell you that I did enjoy the 'shopping' part, especially IKEA. I can really go crazy there. I had a budget and I stuck to it.

I reused furniture that we had in other rooms (curio cabinet from my bathroom; antique dresser that housed miscellaneous items). I took out her old furniture (in the basement for now). I even took apart her bed and scooted into her alcove. Perfect fit!

It was a very stressful week!! Long days and nights. I am extremely thankful for my parents help. I so couldn't have done it without their help. Thanks mom and dad!

The motto for her room was 'SIMPLIFY' (really its Karl's motto but we all have to live with that ;0) I cleared out her closet and just made it easier to clean. She has kept it clean...so far.

I set up a HUGE loft bed in Joshua's room. Karl is not totally convinced that we will keep it. But, for the mean time. Josh is having fun touching the ceiling or should I say, "climbing it"?

I am glad that my family had a safe AND FUN trip. I am also happy that they are home, so I can hug each one...hundred times!!!

Thank you Lord, Jesus for wrapping each one of my members in your arms.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...overcast, snow

I am thinking...I'd like to do some knitting and sewing. Finish up some Christmas gifts!

I am thankful...for a roof over my head. To be able to provide food and clothing for my family.

I am wearing...jeans and 2 shirts

I am going...to finish laundry. try to go to 5 o'clock Saturday church.

I am creating...learning to simplify! Motto of the year. Less stuff=less stuff to clean.

I am currently reading...nothing.

I am hoping...to continue to stay healthy. my husbands clients pay us.

I am hearing...Eric crying. Josh watching TV. Karl putting in the new 'hood' for over the stove.

In the kitchen...Karl. Dirty dishes piling up because our sewage is blocked.

Around the house...messes everywhere. bathroom leaking into the basement. I do have big piles of CLEAN laundry! Oven broken.

One of my favorite things...is to just sit and do nothing.

A few plans for the rest of the week...school. girls night with cousins. early intervention for Eric.

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...nothing. Pitch black at 9:12pm.

I am thinking...that I had a long, blessed day. Getting ready to cuddle with Josh in my bed.

I am thankful...each and everyday. Today especially for being able to home school and to be blessed by other moms.

I am wearing...jeans and an oversize red shirt. Today was about warmth and comfort.

I am going...to snuggle with Josh.

I am creating...my first bible study that I will be leading next week. Making an analogy of women today with Alice in Wonderland.

I am currently reading...just finished a trilogy book from Beverly Lewis. Love those Amish stories.

I am hoping...to stay healthy and get some sleep.

I am hearing...Karl watching TV and silence from all 3 kids!

In the kitchen...my loving husband cleaned for me...yeah!

Around the house...evidence of me having 3 kids, 2 dogs and 1 husband. Wouldn't have it any other way.

One of my favorite things...is to curl up in bed with a good book. I don't get to do that too often.

A few plans for the rest of the week...dentist appointments, Eric's 16 month check-up and hopefully sometime with Anna.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...summer 2010!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

Noticed that I have not posted in a while. Life happens...daily.

I am excited for the upcoming celebration of Jesus' birth! We are starting a new Christmas gift tradition this year. In the past we gave the kids whatever they wanted. This also included all the relatives, too.

Then two years ago (or more) we limited the gifts 'from Santa' to 3 gifts. Just like Jesus. He only received 3 gifts from each of the kings. Then we changed it to only 3 gifts from mom and dad. The gift giving was getting out of hand and mostly the focus of Christmas.

We as a family has been growing in our faith and in our knowledge of the bible. We attend church weekly. I read from the bible daily. The kids love going to Awanas! Recently, Anna and I have been attending a bible study twice a month. God has truly been working within our family. We, too, have been listening to God's plan. What does Christmas mean? Where should the emphasis be made?

I read an article in The Old Schoolhouse about gifts at Christmas time. What they did was that each gift would represent each gift from the 3 kings.

The 'GOLD' gift would be something extra special that the child wanted.

The 'FRANKINCENSE' would represent a Godly gift. For example, a worship cd or a bible. Anything that can encourage you and bring you closer to God. Anna thought a bible cover would fit.

The 'MYRRH' would be something that you put on your body. Like a coat, socks, hat, etc.

This is our new tradition that we added this year as a family. It isn't just about the gifts but why we are giving/receiving the gifts. To look beyond the wrapping papers and bows....and to look up to our heavenly Father.

I wish your family a wonderful Christmas and that you learn something new within your family!! Treasures right in front of... a gift from our Heavenly Father!!!

Thank you Lord for blessing me with a wonderful family. Thank you for your Son. Merry Christmas.

Amen!

SEW MAMA SEW CONTEST

Sew Mama Sew is having a 'serger' giveaway and would like to be considered THE winner!! So, here goes my plea:

i would love, love a serger. I have taught myself how to sew, use a pattern and still learning my ‘regular’ sewing machine. WOW, the things you can do on a serger! Just to be able to do nice edging is enough for me!!! Right now I am in the ‘dog room’ (I share my sewing stuff with the dogs; 3 kids; and I homeschool. My time is limited and I know I really can get some projects done with a serger! Think of me ’slaving away’ with the dogs at my feet and my kids spying me through the windows (they are not allowed in the sewing room 8)…my little space) slowly sewing away…. That serger really can make difference!!!! Maybe, my husband will take me seriously and find a new place for me to sew!!!! Thanks for taking my story into consideration. Good luck making your decisions. Blessings, Lisa

PS - Don't be afraid of the gun that my husband is holding! The dog is scarier! The kids are cute!!!