Life's Little Delights of a Winter Day

It was a cold, icy, snowy day today.

When it is real cold like this Daniel and I sleep downstairs to keep the fire going all night long. It is so wonderful. When we woke up this morning the house read 70 degrees upstairs. It is such a wonderful blessing to heat with wood. AND it was such a wonderful blessing Daniel's parents came for a visit on Saturday and brought a huge stack of wood with them; none of us knowing a thing about the weather ahead.

There is something so simple about being snowed/frozen in =) For example, right now as I type all wrapped up in a snowflake patterned blanket on the sofa, Daniel and Alli are working on her 1,000 pc. puzzle she purchased with her Christmas money. The two little ones are asleep and it's just the three of us. I love sitting here listening to them talking and sharing excitement over finding a piece.

When it is cold like this we always start the day off nice and slow. This morning the kids, one at a time, came from their cozy beds to warm themselves by the fire. After some snuggle time I headed upstairs to make breakfast. This morning we had a skillet dish. Potato, green peppers, grilled onions, sausage, bacon, and cheese with an over easy egg on top. Don't be impressed, the potatoes were mushy rather than crunchy =( I did not have that lovely dish however, I had two eggs over easy and two pieces of toast with blackberry jelly... yum! I must admit though, that skillet dish was callin' my name, but I am really trying to be good with baby number 4.

After breakfast we did our normal morning chores, which are actually always delightful. I love that routine. After morning chores Alli and I did some reading and Jordan wanted to do some writing. It was a sweet time just sitting in front of the fire watching the girls completely enjoying learning and not even realizing it. Alli said, " I am just in a reading mood today momma" I said, "Well, it's a great day for reading." =)

Before we knew it, it was almost time for lunch. But Daniel suggested we head out for some sledding before a hot lunch. So we shed our pj's, bundled up and headed over to the amazing park near our house for some great sledding. At first it was just us and two other boys but shortly after we arrived everyone showed up. It was so much fun, kids everywhere, all playing together, sharing sleds, helping each other. It was a great time. I wish I had pictures to share but did I mention our camera is broken? I dropped it a couple of weeks ago and cracked the screen on it. You can't view what you're looking at or make any changes to what you are photographing. I am SUPER bummed...

Anyhow, after sledding we headed home for some yummy spaghetti and meatballs left over from dinner last night. Judah was so exhausted, he was falling asleep while eating lunch, it was so sweet. I did video tape it I can't view it, but it is on there... I won't know if his head is cut off or not until I download it onto the computer. *sigh*

After that we just spent the afternoon relaxing. We all read, played, visited, cooked, and just enjoyed the stillness of the day.

It is such a gift, watching the children enjoying childhood. Delightfully enjoying every little drop of snow until their fingers are frozen and cheeks are rosy. Seeing the pile of little hats and gloves shed by the door with little puddles all around. What a wonderful gift it is, viewing winter through the eyes of a child.

Encouragement for the Day

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

John 3:16

I saw a grown woman who had just accepted Jesus as her savior and been baptized write down John 3:16 after hearing it referenced to.

She had never heard of it.

That, my friends, is a beautiful awaking.

Praise Adoni!

Family Fun Nights

Thursdays are our Family Fun Nights. Just simple Family Fun is all we do. Sometimes we play a board game, go to the park, make milk shakes and watch a movie, something like that. It is also the night the kids get to redeem their stars for treasure.

Last night Alli had basketball practice. Daniel took her while Jordan, Judah and I stayed home making homemade chicken noodle soup. After Daniel and Alli returned home we all ate dinner. Towards the end of dinner Daniel showed us this video:



(I'm like a video junkie lately, sorry!)

After the video Daniel talked to us about it. After the kids asked questions and stuff we all cleaned up the kitchen and sat up an Ice Cream Shope. The kids placed their order for ice cream, carried their cones happily downstairs where we played a game.

It was a sweet night.

Just Two Broken People

This is the song my hubby sent me today. His email was simple and good:

I really love you!

I hope you know that.

Here is a song for you, my bride.




When the sky is falling from above you
And the wind is raging from the coast
And you want someone who truly loves you
I will be the one who loves you the most

When the masquerades in burlesque falls
But come too ordinary to boast
You complain about the rain and hurting calls
I will be the one who loves you the most
I will be the one who loves you the most

When the women with their stolen graces
Don't invite you to play host
To their daughters with fake faces
I will be the one who loves you the most

When all the debutants desert you
All the doorways are all closed
And all the harlequins who've hurt you
I will be the one who loves you the most
I will be the one who loves you the most

When you'll suit a sneering swank beside you
And leave you hollow like a ghost
And you just want somebody to come find you
I will be the one who loves you the most
I will be the one who loves you the most

When you forgive your imperfections
And you've auctioned all your clothes
And you look to see your true reflection
You will be the one who loves you the most
You will be the one who loves you the most
You will be the one who loves you the most

Let it be for no other reason but to bring glory to the Most High. Who took two broken people and made them whole. And then... allowed them to do his work and be his disciples, AMAZING!

This, I do Appreciate President Obama.

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama's first public act in office Wednesday was to institute new limits on lobbyists in his White House and to freeze the salaries of high-paid aides, in a nod to the country's economic turmoil.

Announcing the moves while attending a ceremony in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to swear in his staff, Obama said the steps "represent a clean break from business as usual."

The pay freeze, first reported by The Associated Press, would hold salaries at their current levels for the roughly 100 White House employees who make over $100,000 a year. "Families are tightening their belts, and so should Washington," said the new president, taking office amid startlingly bad economic times that many fear will grow worse.

-Yahoo News 1/21/2009

Encouragement for the Day

Excuse Me...

for just a moment while I snuggle this sweet little one,


visit with his sweet momma and adore our big kids playing together.

=)

I'll be back soon.

Encouragement for the Day

With every deed you are sowing a seed, though the harvest you may not see.

-Ella Wheeler Wilcox

AWESOME NEWS!

Audrey has decided to support Katie and her work in Uganda!! After this post, Audrey checked it out and has been in contact with her.

If you would like more info on how to support Katie, please click the link below. After you are taken to the link, click on View My Complete Profile and then select, email.

I'm jumping for JOY!

Thanks Audrey!

link: The Journey

Simple Pleasures

"Can you use two twin beds" someone asked... "Why yes we can" we replied. "Great!" They said, "We'll bring them over this week."

Judah is almost two so he is close to needing a bed and Jordan was sleeping on an oversized chair.

Here is one of the beds they brought us:



Of course, it matched Alli's black frame futon just perfect. They also brought the bedding. Talk about cherry on top!

It was the delight of our little Jordan's whole week! You see, Jordan always gets the leftovers (really the "shaft" is more like it). But she is always joyful and never disappointed. It was so wonderful seeing her light up over her very own big girl bed!


THEN today someone brought Alli a complete bed set! Their 10yo was all done with it and they thought we could use it. Wouldn't you know it has horses on it? ALLI'S FAVORITE! Crazy sometimes how things work.


If we had not changed the way we do Christmas, these things would have been on my list.

I am always blown away by how God takes care of the little details of life; the simple little pleasures he gives us. He is so good. With or without simple pleasures he is good, but I still stand in awe of the little things sometimes more than the big things.

Jesus puts it this way:

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:25-33

A Wonderful Reunion

Wednesday, after the wonderful breaking of the news to the kids, I couldn't imagine being stuck in the house all day. So instead, I elected it to be our reunion day with the Springfield Library Center...

Let's all take a moment to take a deep sigh, followed by slumping in your chair, and then ending with a smile. =) Now, don't you feel all warm and fuzzy inside? Well that is how you would feel if you had just experienced the LC.

After moving to our new house back in October I could not justify paying the $50/year fee to be a member of the Green County Library, especially since we live RIGHT NEXT DOOR to the Christian County Library...

ummmm, let's all take a moment to pretend like we are sucking on a rotten lemon, shall we? Now you feel like you just visited the local Ozark library. yuck.

You can call me spoiled American when it comes to this one folks, but our library is stinky. Well, really it does stink but besides that, they have the worst selection ever! The one rule I have at the library (other than no running and use your "library voice" =) is you must choose one biography, one non-fiction, and one fiction. Welp, not at the Christian County Library, they have hardly any junior biographies. Now, if my kids want to learn about farm animals, they've got you covered but anything other than that... you can forget it!

Needless to say, the $4 per month is so worth it! Also, at least I did give it a three month trial run to prove it is stinky.

Well, now that I am off my soap box ( I do that a lot don't I?) lets get on with the lovely day, shall we? =)

The last time we enjoyed this library Judah was still being toted around in his stroller but now, he is a big boy...






He loved playing with other little friends, choosing books, trying out the water fountain and playing with the toys. We worked on his "quiet library voice" and held hands while choosing books, it was a delight!

The kids must choose books before computer time. So off they went in search of the perfect ones.


After searching out books, our tummies were hungry. Well, we're in luck! This library has a cafe'! So do you know what I did? Yep! I packed the picnic basket, plates and all. =) You know I can't leave home without it. We enjoyed a lovely lunch while reading books and then even splurged on a cranberry walnut muffin, which was a very nice little treat.



I've decided to always go at lunch time and have lunch packed. That way I can pretend we had to eat out and I will make up my $50 in just four or five trips =)


After our tummies were full we headed back to explore. Alli asked the librarian all kinds of book questions while Judah and I were looking for books then both the girls enjoyed some computer time. Soon after, it was time to head out.


Young readers section:


Audio and video section:

View from the young reader section; looking at the non-fiction, junior bio section and books on cd/tape:


Outdoor story garden:


Judah was asleep before we left the parking lot and by the time we got home, Alli had already learned what a conspiracy the Disney Pocahontas movie was by reading two of her junior easy reader biographies.


Best of all... the library basket was again full of wonderful little treasures!

It was a great day.

17...

...is the number of times Jordan asked me if my belly was big yet.

1...
... was the number of times she said MOM! I love you AND the baby because you are together!

3...
... times Alli asked me if I was feeling ok and if she could do anything for me.

5...
... times the new one was mentioned in prayers.


What could be better than counting such sweetness?!

May I Have Your Attention Please?

Judah has an announcement to make...


This now concludes this public service announcement. =)

Ginny, does that shirt look familiar? So glad that was in the hand-me-downs! ha!

A Prayer For The Day

I search for You God of strength
I bow to You in my brokenness
And no other King could have so humbly come
To save my soul and heal my heart
I have nothing more than all You offer me
There is nothing else that’s of worth to me
And I love You Lord
You rescued me
You are all that I want
You’re all that I need
I pray to You God of peace
I rest in You my cares released
I have nothing more than all You offer me
There is nothing else that’s of worth to me
And I love You Lord
You rescued me
You are all that I want
You’re all that I need
In Your freedom I will live
In Your freedom I will live
I offer devotion, I offer devotion

This love so unfailing, so divine; demands my soul, my life, my all! I love it! Everyday I love it!!

Glory to the Most High.

Before and After

You might remember the school room right after we moved in. If not, you can click here.

Here are the after pictures. Both after we have been using it thus giving it character, but also after my great buys at Mardel's the other day =)




They really aren't the greatest pictures. For the life of me I cannot figure out how to get good pictures with the stinkin' flash on. I could read the book but that would just be to easy, ha!

Oh, and of course this little guy had to get a picture in =)

Bye, Bye No Sew Protest!

Remember my no sew protest? Well, thanks to my friend Judy Simpson for finding me such a great deal on this 1940's sewing machine! It's old but works great and for $25 you can't get a better deal. The table alone is worth that. When I am able to upgrade I can switch out this machine for another.

Yippee!

WELL Worth Your 20 Minutes!

"The Story of Stuff"



hmmmmmm....

problems viewing? click HERE.

Look At What We Got!

My in-laws gave me $100 for Christmas to go buy learning items. Well, Jan. 3rd was Mardel's 20% off teaching materials sale and I had a field day! We hardly ever buy stuff for "school" so this was a very special treat.

Let me tell you, that Some Body anatomy game and the USA Bingo are stinkin' cool!


All of this and a white board too! (a real white board, not the white poster board ;) We're all so excited, thanks Nana & Papa! I'm off to organize.

A First Time For Everything

Well, welcome 2009.

I have never been one for New Year's Resolutions but this year God just so happened to be laying something on my heart towards the end of the year so I thought I would put it into play beginning with the new year.

So many times I fall into the trap of caring about what other people think. Do you do this?

"What will they think?"

"Oh, did I hurt their feelings by saying no even though I am ran ragged and cannot attend another event?"

"Will still believe I'm thankful even though the thank you card didn't go out until two weeks later?"

"Oh, I was just trying to love on that person, will they take it the wrong way?"

"Will they think my children actually learn?"

"Oh no, Jordan messed up on spelling yellow, what will they think!"

"What will they think if my children go to the store with a stain on their clothes or hair messed up?"

"That was meant for encouragement, will they get their feelings hurt?"

What's sad is there have been times these things have happened to me (and to you too I'm sure); therefore I have been scarred. I am so worried about what others might think about me that I always make sure to let them know what I did, why I did it, etc.

Jesus invites that part of us to die, the part of us that always has to be right, the part of us that always has to look good; he says, let it all go.

Only God knows the true intentions of our heart; sometimes we don't even know them! We do not have to be worried about how others perceive us as long as we are living our life in holy righteousness, trusting God for convictions and teaching.

I love this portion of Davids cry out to God in the Psalms:

33 Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees;
then I will keep them to the end.

34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.

35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.

36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.

37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.

38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.

39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.

40 How I long for your precepts!
Preserve my life in your righteousness.

41 May your unfailing love come to me, O LORD,
your salvation according to your promise;

42 then I will answer the one who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.

43 Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth,
for I have put my hope in your laws.

44 I will always obey your law,
for ever and ever.

45 I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.

46 I will speak of your statutes before kings
and will not be put to shame,

47 for I delight in your commands
because I love them.

48 I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love,
and I meditate on your decrees.

Psalm 119:33-48

It is the delight of my little heart to pitter patter after the Almighty, the I AM.

I don't know why I have the longing I have, but I am so thankful for it. I can't imagine how empty I must have felt before God came into my life.

I love learning about Him, I love changing and learning how to be more like Him, how to display Him better. For this desire I am forever thankful!

Anyway... God knows all of that about me, he knows my hearts desire to live for him in every way. I must live in faith knowing that he knows my true desires and he is convicting my spirit to live as it should and QUIT living in fear of what others think.

Bless my little hubby's heart, he is always reminding me..."We do not do things for the praises of man, let them think what they want; God knows my heart, my intentions." Then I say, "I know honey, but they might think this or that..." He is too good for putting up with me =)

For some reason this year I am looking forward to the freshness of a new year. God has been teaching me so much about life lately and I have just enjoyed sittin' back and soaking it all in. The other day in my stillness before the Lord, while reading in the book Ecclesiastes, one thing stood out to me:

"...And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind..." spoken by Solomon, wisest and richest. Ecc. 4:4 NIV

I do not think envy motivates me, like I said... it is fear. But, in a way it is all the same, I think. I want others to like me, to understand where I am coming from, to not think I am crazy, to understand all of my intintions, etc. If someone has real good kids and mine are acting up, I want to explain why. If my food doesn't taste like it should I want to explain how it is usually better than that nights protion. Those are just the little things. Those can drive me crazy enough. But never being able to say no to an activity because I am afraid they will think I don't support what they are doing. Or not saying no to some kind of a home party because I am afraid they won't have a good turn out. All of it together can drive me insane.

I just want to love people. If they find something wrong with how I do it I cannot help that. If I can not make it to an event or have to be late on a reply to something, or a thank you card and they get upset, that is their thing... I did my best. Not because I have to but because I love to!

Above all, I feel set free. Chances are, it all chalks up to what I said, FEAR and the actuality of it all is probably minimal (the actuality of people really always thinking bad of me).

Isn't it so stupid?

I must say, gaining wisdom is a wonderful thing! I love to learn more about being free of the burdens of this life.

May you be encouraged as you are released from your chains of fear and embrace the beauty of freedom available to you from your creator. Blessings to you of wisdom in this "new" year and years to come as you walk in the joy of the Lord!

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4 NIV