Embrace him….

“Embrace him. He is empty and unsure of your permanence, for whatever reason, and the more you resist, the more unsure he gets. The more unsure he gets, the more he will cling. Embrace him every time he wants you to, for as long as he wants you to. Don't let go until he does. Eventually he will.”

This is something I read months ago.  It was written to a mother whose child was having a hard time whenever she would leave.  I thought the advice was wonderful.  Embrace our little ones because in the blink of an eye, before we know it and long before we’re ready, they’ll let go.

The baby phase and toddler phase is only a season.  Homeschooling your children is only a season.  Staying home with your kids is only a season.  A season of motherhood.

Enjoy your season of motherhood, whichever season you’re in.  Soon enough a new season will begin.

Blessings.

Tree trimmers

In the recent “Cyclone of the Midwest,” we lost one of our trees.  Not really such a big deal considering this tree was pretty much dead anyways. 

Logan and Camden decided to help Dad out this Saturday morning by getting a head start on the cutting up of this tree.

They also took out their leaf blower and were blowing the leaves around the house.  What good workers.

Fall soccer

Today is the last soccer game of the season.  Although I am glad our Saturdays will now be free, I am also sad.  I enjoy watching Eli play soccer.  Mainly because he loves playing it.

One of the things his coaches love about him is he constantly gives his all.  He doesn’t even think about playing soccer with half of his effort.  He gives his all no matter what. 

It reminds me of Ecclesiastes 9:10 which says, “Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might…”  I often use this verse during school time with the boys, reminding them how we’re always supposed to do our best, no matter the circumstances.  In Eli’s case, this verse applies to whatever his LEGS find to do.  :)

Before we know it though, the spring soccer season will be here and I’ll be wishing I had my Saturdays free once again. 

Tonsil/adenoid update

Just wanted to update you all real quick on Isaac.

He’s a trooper!  I know he’s in pain, but he’s handling it well.

Yesterday was a rough day for him.  He was not comfortable most of the day and did spend the majority of his day just laying on the couch.  On top of the sore throat, he’s tired and dizzy, which are side effects of the pain medicine.

He’s been sleeping well at night, thank goodness, but I do wake him up every four hours to give him his medicine.  He was due at 8 a.m. this morning, but he was still sleeping so I decided to let him sleep instead of waking him for his medicine.  He woke up at 9:00  in a lot of pain so maybe I should have woke him up.  :(

Otherwise, I think he’s enjoying all the popsicles and ice cream (or in his case, rice cream:).  Not to mention, the video game time and movie time.  Mom NEVER lets him play the video game so much or watch TV this much! :)

Mama Bear

Today Isaac gets his tonsils and adenoids out.  I feel that same mama bear instinct coming back.  It’s amazing how as a mom I want what’s best for my child, like being able to breath better, talk better, etc., but I also want to protect my child from the pain and uncertainty.

It’s something only a mom can understand. 

Last night my mom and dad, along with four Russians, came over to pray for Isaac.  It was very neat to see such concern and compassion from these four Russians who had never met Isaac before.  Or any of us.  But they prayed like they would pray for their own family.  They prayed for speedy recovery, peace and protection.   These same Russians had gathered to pray for Camden over a year ago.  Now they had the opportunity to be able to see the little boy they had prayed so hard for.  

It’s one of the many things I love about my family.  When there is an issue, no matter how big or small, we solve it by gathering together and praying.  There’s no better way!

Any ways, the surgery is this morning.  We have to try and make our way in there with major storms coming and 50 mph winds.  It sounds nasty out there already!  God’s hand of protection though, right?

I’ll let you know how everything goes.  I know this will be so good for Isaac once he’s all healed up. 

Blessings,

Steph

Wild West

Today we visited the Wild West.  I thought this would be a good field trip considering we’re studying the history of America. 

Logan and Camden had a hard time sitting still.  I think  we were somewhat disruptive to others….sorry.  These lil’ cowboys weren’t interested in the stories.  They wanted to do hands-on stuff.

Oops!  Logan almost fell in panning for gold!

An old-fashioned bathtub.

Seriously, imagine taking a bath in there?!?!?!?

I’m in awe of the early settlers.

Eli didn’t make it back alive.

Neither did Logan.

Or Camden.

Sorry, guys!

Run Away

My son told me today that he wants to run away to a home where they won’t make him do school.

Any takers?

Quick takes

1.  Quick takes because this is all I can seem to do to get a decent post in.  Life is crazy busy.

2.  One reason my life has turned a bit more crazy than the usual is because I’m working for a new reporter.  He’s in Washington D.C., very busy, clean --- very nice, family-oriented guy –- but my workload has doubled, if not tripled, in the last month.  I’m taking it because we have the very real threat that Josh will be laid off for several months and we need to save up as much as we can now.  I believe God is preparing us for what’s ahead.

3.  Homeschooling is going great.  It’s the first year that it’s the least of my worries.  God gave me a vision this past summer and I’m applying that vision and wow, things go smoothly.  Homeschooling is our first and foremost thing each morning.  My mission field right now is in my home with my kids and husband. 

4.  I have taken on two other things outside the home.  That’s it.  I felt God was telling me to focus on my home, not the outside activities, so I’ve limited what we do with outside activities.  One is our homeschool coop group.  One requirement of joining the group is to teach a subject.  I volunteered to teach science to 1st-4th graders.  I am simply using the same science curriculum that I’m using with Isaac and Eli.  This keeps it simple because I’m familiar with the lesson and it also requires less planning on my part. 

The second outside activity is volunteering my time with Awana.  I am one of the leaders of the T&T girls.  This requires  no planning.  Just showing up with  patience and love in my heart.  There are a lot of girls that come from not-so-good homes and they need attention, love and kindness.  I feel blessed to do this.

Now that I’m thinking about it, I’m also doing another volunteering thing.  I am teaching 4th-6th grade Sunday School.  I co-teach with my mom so it’s not every week.  We’re teaching the kids American history from a Biblical and  Christian standpoint.  You’d be amazed at how different this is from what we were taught in school!  It’s very important to know on what beliefs and morals this country was founded.  We’re using Drive  Thru American History.  Since I’m teaching this same American history to my boys, it doesn’t take much time. 

You may be thinking, jeez, Steph, you’re taking on a lot considering you have four kids, you homeschool and you work at home AND you said you were concentrating on your home.  Well, you may be right.  But I’ve prayed for God’s direction in what I do and this is where He’s led me.  If no one steps up to reach out to these kids, if every parent just sits back and expects someone else to do it, then these events, classes, programs will be cancelled and the kids won’t be reached.  I’m working for God’s kingdom and there’s nothing better than that.

5.  I wanted to encourage each of you to pray daily for your  marriage.  I recently witnessed how quickly a marriage can fall apart through lack of communication, bitterness in the heart, and unforgiveness.  It’s scary how quickly it can happen.  The enemy is constantly there trying to deceive us and cause marriages to fall apart, families to fall apart, children to be ripped from their security.  Do not stop praying!  God can overcome all obstacles—He has overcome the world!  Nothing is impossible for Him!

6.  Last weekend I attended the Women of Faith conference.  Whew, what an awesome time!  We heard speakers such as Patsy Clairmont and Andy Andrews and artist like Mandesa (spelling???) and Steven Curtis  Chapman.  Steven Curtis Chapman was awesome but terribly heartbreaking.  This man lost his little girl in an accident so he thinks often about heaven.  I don’t think there was a dry eye in the audience after he was done.  We were literally sobbing!

If you have the opportunity, I highly suggest planning to attend next year.  You will be blessed!  And you’ll have a great “girls weekend!”

7.  Fall is here and I love, love, LOVE this time of year.  Leaves changing,  cooler temps, apples, pumpkins….I think it may be my favorite time of the year. 

I hope you enjoy it too.  Spend time with your family and kids.  Thank  God for each of them and for each moment you have.  These  moments go by so fast.  Cherish each one. 

Blessings.

Going ons

Sunday:  I spent the morning in urgent care with my oldest son, Isaac, who had injured his finger playing football on Saturday.  The pain just was not going away.  The doctor there told us it was badly sprained and gave Isaac a splint to wear for two to three weeks.  On Tuesday morning we received a call from the doctor.  The radiologist had reviewed the X-ray and there was, indeed, a small break in his finger. 

Despite this injury, you can still find him tossing the football around or climbing up steep ridges.

Monday:  The boys informed me their football was stuck in a tree.  They decided the best way to get it out of the tree was to throw rocks at it and knock it down.  Unfortunately, my van was parked close to this tree.  It only took the first throw for that rock to bounce off a tree branch and land smack in the middle of my windshield.  CRACK! 

I now have a nice crack in my windshield.  It was drivable at the beginning of Tuesday, but by Tuesday afternoon it had spread across the view of the driver.  **sigh**

Tuesday:  I thought for sure this day had to go well, and it did, until Josh came home.  He hurt his leg at work and now has a  huge gash in it with very colorful bruising.  He can barely walk on it!

Wednesday:  I am totally ready for whatever today is going to throw at me!

Prayer for a farmer

Last night as I was wrapping up prayers with Logan, he turned to me and said, “Mom, can you also pray that God makes me a farmer?”

 

Fall pictures

Here is the link to the album of all the fall pictures I took.  I was being my worst critic and was afraid to share all of them. 

Bear in mind, this was my first photo shoot with my boys.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=eMail-_-Share-_-Photos-_-Sharer

 

The boys thought they were going to be tortured, but we ended up having so much fun running in the weeds, climbing trees and exploring. 

Enjoy.

Blessings.

Encouragement

“My flesh and  my heart may fail, but GOD is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Psalm 73:26