Get out and get dirty-- because someone, one day, will.

It's no lie. 

I'm out to be the best. 

So I drag myself away from laundry, school papers, or dishes to play in the dirt. 

Because next to that God of ours, 

I want to be their favorite. 

Now don't get me wrong, I want to spank their little booties, correct their sassy mouths, and I'll repent again today, I'm sure for the one-millionth time of doing something wrong... again. But at the end of the day-- I want them to snuggle with me, laugh with us, and think mom and dad are simply the best. Which might be hard for Judah since he went to bed early tonight for telling a lie. 

I digress. 

So I in my dress, and that man of mine in his work boots, we run and run and run through the yard, trying to grab their clothes pins-- 

and of course, we win. 

Well, he wins. 

always. 

You see, when I pull myself away from the work-- when I lay down the needless things in my life, [such as sleep and painted toe nails, ha!]-- what I find is there's a world out there-- a world to be lived with my littles,


and this is one chance I have to get it right. 

So, I'm going to fight for their souls. Before someone else does.

“Another year is fast approaching. Go be that starving artist you’re afraid to be. Open up that journal and get poetic finally. Volunteer. Suck it up and travel. You were not born here to work and pay taxes. You were put here to be part of a vast organism to explore and create. Stop putting it off. The world has much more to offer than what’s on 15 televisions at TGI Fridays. Take pictures. Scare people. Shake up the scene. Be the change you want to see in the world.” Jason Mraz

Live FULL, Love completely, and never give up.



Do something today, you never thought you'd do.

Refuse to be normal.

Loves,

It's how we roll

we all really like coffee-- well, some coffee with our cream and sugar. =o)

 

she NEVER wears shoes. it's true.

 

He always holds my hand.

 

I really love people. baby in--

 

or baby wrapped =)

we wash a lot of dishes around here. 

 

we usually take school to the dentist office.

 

then we go shopping and they're always goofy.

this hardly ever happens-- trust me.

 

 it seems like someone is always in trouble.

we have a band.

 

we think it's funny Ting is so short and we sure do miss his short self =(

 

we take pictures of things that are too expensive for a family of our size to do ;)   When the kids are older we'll tell them it's them down there-- HA, just kidding! maybe not?

 

this about sums it up, really. 

we name our chickens.

 

 our children wish they lived in the woods.

 

we miss fun drinks with Ting. 

we give random watermelons to the mail lady ; )

we try to invent fun.

 

everything hangs on a ribbon. 

we miss special times...

and special friends.  -- ok, i miss that jean size also.

 

we love technology. 

we grow up way too fast.

and we love to get our feet wet.

 

We're pretty crazy and totally broken. We laugh a lot, and cry a bit too. I totally stress out if the vacuum is broken, and our baby is always naked. Everyone always forgets to water the garden, and someone's shoe is always being eaten by the neighbor dogs.

There are tons of projects to do, always. There are lots of places to go, people to see, and things to get done. There are letters to mail, bills to pay, and phone calls to make. There are always attitudes to check, groundings to be had, and relationships to mend.

But it sure is a lot of fun.

Make the most of it today, friends!

"There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens"

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Much love,

Medicine in a Mason Jar

It's the sigh I hate most.

I don't know why it always grabs me the wrong way, making my tongue want to leap out of my mouth like a snake--

When they complain.

It's the fastest ticket to this mommas nerves. I don't know why. Sometimes I think it's because I have a go-getter attitude, get it all done-- like yesterday =) Or perhaps because I'm an adult and I see a need and meet it.

However, as sure as the sun is rising this morning my little heart whispers to me, yet again:

"It's your flesh"

Ah, yes. That sneaky 'ol thing again-- trying to ruin the sweet fellowship between me and my kiddos.

Sometimes it's a quick trip to the table for sentences-- right now, it's the complaining jar.

As soon as that sigh or words of complaint come from those sweet lips of theirs-- my tongue doesn't have to whip out like a snake, I have a plan.

A solution.

I think as a parent, most of my frustrations, doubts, and sleepless nights come from having no plan-- no solution. So then, I am left to worry and parent out of fear, rather than love. Fear of what consequences they will face as a result of their choices. Such as, complaining when someone askes for their help.

Now, I know your children don't struggle with this, they do twirls and sing hymns while they gladly help with everything you ask. And my kids do that too-- when we're on our way to get ice-cream ;)

For when we are at home and I've asked maybe one too many things-- when they give me the sigh, (my littles mostly) I simply reply:

"Oh, you just complained, I'm sorry-- you have to go to the complaining jar."

And then this little momma has to follow through with the consequences =( 

But when they choose Grace--oh happy day! 

judah, 5

One day, it will all be just a memory.

Breathe deep today, mommas. Remember, they're all here now--

And they're watching you. =)

Much Love,




{{ rejoicing! remember our sweet bottles? yeah...they're all accounted for }} So thank.full.


.

When it cuts you to the heart and the coffee sits cold.

 

I should have known better. After all, she had told me no thanks the first three times I asked. I should have known not to ask again.

But the yard looked so nice, and the flowers were in bloom. My green thumb, she told me I would one day have, had come and the fruit of it was bursting forth in beauty. I thought she'd be so proud.

We sat the table nice, outside and put on a big pot of fresh coffee, expecting an evening of walking through the garden and around back to the bushes I wanted to cut down, asking her opinion.

I can't recall when exactly I could tell it was going to get bad.

She was running late, the eggs were getting cold. Trying hard to keep omelets warm, knowing she hadn't had one in years, nerves were began to start, and my fingers working quickly.

"Grandma's here" Judah comes in to say. She'd never come in and say hello, oh no.

Time for dinner.

We all sit outside enjoying a meal, letting Grandma talk mostly, that way is best. Afterwards, I pour us both a cup of coffee-- ready to sit and try this "chatting thing" I hear works for some moms and daughters. Then it hits her.

"Where are the plants I gave you last year?" she asks.

"Well, mom I told you I wasn't really a 'dig up plants' kind of girl-- you told me it was OK, you didn't expect them back."

"Yes", she says... "But I gave you the pots to put them in last fall."

"Well, mom I just didn't get around to it and then the first frost came and they died, where was I going to put four big, dug up, elephant ear plants anyway?"

"Could you at least give me back my pots?" She says.

I reply, "Yes, In fact, they are already in the back of Daniel's truck, I keep meaning to give them to you."

I go get the pots.

"Where's the big green one?" she asks.

"Actually" I say, "The kids accidentally broke it a while back."

"WHAT? She says, Kati you should be more responsible."

"I'm sorry, mom. I'm busy, I have five children I'm raising right now. They play. They break things."

"Don't give me that." she says. "I raised four children."  (I came along so late that I was raised all alone though)

I said, "I'm sorry mom, I'm just not as good of a mom as you."

She says, "Oh no, you just have don't any discipline in your home."

She goes on to tell me about how she had just spend $2.50 on that new green pot from wal-mart last year and never got to use it. Tearing me down with little sarcasms. All the while, I'm sitting there, quiet. Thinking,

do you even know me?

Me.

The one -- the only one of your children -- who remembers holidays and birthdays, the only one whose presents sit under your tree at Christmas. The only one who calls, who checks, who seems to care?

Me.

The one who brings you a meal each week during Eleos.

Me.

The only one who invites you to dinner.

Me.

The only one who says, "I love you" to you.

Me.

Do you even know me? Really? $2.50, that's your breaking point? That's where grace ends and bitterness begins? I've never broken anything you've given me.  It's not some crazy bad habit I have.

Finally, I say: "OK, mom, I need to hear something nice from you, please."

She laughs at me and says, "Well, the eggs were good."

The eggs? The cold eggs were good? That's all you can say, I thought?

"Oh, my" I said, "I can't take anymore." and I left silently crying. 

With the front door open, I could her her laugh, "Well, party's over... your mom's upset. Daniel, I guess I made your wife mad."

I just sat. Sat there on my bed and cried. 

Returning outside, seeing my little family playing in the yard. My mom gone. I just sat there, watching them; letting her coffee just sit there. In fact that cup sat there all night. 

That cold cup of coffee--representing her cold spirit.

I suppose it starts now, doesn't it mommas? As much as I'm not like my mom, in some ways I am. Tell me, how much do you think that spilled glass of milk cost? I bet it's less than $2.50. How about that muddy foot? How much does that cleaner set me back?

Are those the moments where my grace ends and bitterness begins?

You see, It's not about the money. Anyone would agree treating me like a piece trash over a $2.50 pot from a department store is crazy. It's more than the money, deep down it's all about the relationship.

It's not about the math homework, or the broken picture frame. It's not about the chore done wrong, or the tattle tale told once again. It's about the relationship.

Grace must cover all things, both big and small, for there to be relationship. 

 "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3: 12-14 NIV

Playing a game with my Alli a few weeks back at a bridal shower the question was asked, "What is some advise you would give the mother of the bride?"

Alli, in her girlish way, just wrote a simple question.

When i get married, will you help me with my situations?

My heart swelled and I breathed deep.

I will help you with all of your situations.

I will know you.

Because my Jesus is so good and He makes all things new -- I will stumble often, but by His grace, I will stand tall, dust off my knees, and try again.

It's all about the beauty of being made new, friends.

It's all about getting up and trying again.

May your grace build relationship today.

I am right there with you,