Year 2011 in pictures

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

 

 

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

Happy Birthday,  Jesus!

QUICK quick takes!

1.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Today I was told that someone loves my boys  just because of the kindness they show to each other.

This compliment meant more to me than any Christmas present could. 

2.  Joshua’s 2nd injection was last Monday.  He has been VERY sore since.  He couldn’t even lift his legs Monday night and he was back on the heavy pain medicine.  If this injection doesn’t improve him to at least 70%, they will do a medial nerve block on January 10th.  Joshua does NOT want this and we’re praying this 2nd injection is enough.  He is so sore after these injections that he can’t imagine going through three more, each six shots.  He is off of work until the new year.

3.  Christmas is two days away and I can feel the excitement in our house.  For the past two years Isaac has bought gifts with his own money for everyone.  This year Eli wanted to buy gifts too.  Then Logan wanted to.  Then Camden joined in.  It touches my heart so much to see them so eager to find the right gift for their brother.  None of them fret because they’re spending their own money on someone else.

4. Josh was giving Eli a haircut last night and he said he was dizzy.  By the time he walked down the hallway, he started staggering and down he went!  He crashed into the bottom of the staircase—luckily a tray was in the way so he didn’t smack the edge of the woodwork!  He had a really bad headache, dizziness and nauseous afterwards.  Today he is still getting dizzy if he stands for too long.  He’s walking around with Grampa H’s cane for “security.” :)  He remembers nothing of the fall.

5.  When  Camden is naughty, I have been saying, “Camden Hart!”  The other day he was calling me because he was “done” in the bathroom.  I didn’t go right away because I was in the middle of doing something.  I hear Camden in the bathroom saying, “Mommy….Mommy….MOMMY…..MOMMY HART!!!!”  :)

6.  I have my van back and fixed!!!! 

7.  Today and tomorrow we’re baking cookies, making presents, spending time with family, going to church and just enjoying being together.  I am thankful for so much.  I already know our new year has blessings awaiting for us.  We have to open our eyes to these blessings, accept them and never look back. 

Merry CHRISTmas!!!!

Perspective

Well, I still don’t have my car back – wait, I do, but it’s still not totally fixed. 

There’s still a lot of uncertain things, but perspective has helped me a lot. 

I have a friend who I have known since I was a kid.  In fact, she was my first “church friend.”  I always admired her strong faith and her desire to stand up for what she knew was right.  My dear sweet friend now has stage IV cancer and is fighting for her life.

I’m sure my friend would switch places with me in an instant if it meant only dealing with a husband’s back injury, a crashed computer and a broken car. 

My problems seem so small compared to having to fight for  your life, not knowing whether this will be your last  Christmas with your kids.  Or having to endure rounds of radiation week after week. 

It almost makes me want to crawl into a hole of shame for feeling so bad about my little problems.

I was still feeling a bit down about doing such a small Christmas for the kids, but perspective, once again, jumped in to help me realize how blessed we are.

A friend posted a picture on Facebook a week or so ago.   It contrasted  a starving child laying on the ground, possibly dying, and a beautiful Christmas tree with  many toys, presents, furniture.  The caption read “Define Necessity.”  Wow.  If that doesn’t make you re-evaluate things, I don’t know what will.

A second picture popped  up another day.  Same thing, contrasting two things.  One was starving children reaching out their arms for food; the second was shoppers greedily reaching – pushing really – for an item on sale at a store.  Again, “Define Necessity.”

It has really helped put into perspective our Christmas.  My kids don’t need more toys just to be happy.  They’re blessed with more than so many other kids already.  And doing less this Christmas will allow us to focus more on what’s really important.  We are all  healthy; no one has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.  We have food on our table, in our freezer, in our cabinets; we aren’t begging in the streets for our food.  We have a beautiful house, a warm house filled with more blessings that I could list here; we aren’t sleeping in a tent or on a dirt floor.  I recently did a job of a man, here in the U.S. (midwest), who is homeless.  Once again, I was reminded of how blessed we are.   How good we have it. 

And then I read this article:

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/12/when-christmas-gets-radical-whose-birthday-is-it-really/

 

Once again, perspective.   Whose birthday are we celebrating?  Today’s world has taken all the focus off of Jesus and put it on Santa, presents, busyness.  We get so caught up in all the hype that we forget to take the time to celebrate the One whose birthday it is. 

So instead of feeling down this Christmas about not being able to do it all, I’m going to feel blessed that I have been given the gift of perspective.  I am thankful my eyes were open to what really matters this  Christmas.   And by having faith through our circumstances, I have been able to see my blessings and I feel confident that God will take care of us. 

Merry CHRISTmas!!!!!

Another (little) storm (but we’ll beat it!)

Our first family outing since Josh’s back injury where we wanted to just go out and have some “fun” as a family, but our van had other plans.  Grrrr…….

The boys each had a basketball ball game 25 minutes away last night.  Josh was finally feeling like he could handle going to see them play.  He checked the antifreeze in our van before we left (it had been slowly leaking lately) and it was near empty.  He filled it up and said we needed to get some more in between games (we had an hour to kill).  So that’s what we did.  Then we drove to get something to eat and then back to the game.  By the time we were back at the school for the game (a whole two miles maybe) and he checked the antifreeze he had just put in, it was gone!  He added more and when he did, we could hear it pouring out onto the asphalt.  Not good. 

We both just looked at each other like, what are we going to do?!?  Very few people have a car to fit all six of us, plus themselves.  He checked a couple other things, but it was hard because it was dark.  We were running late for the game then so we hurried inside. 

It was a “let’s start off and see how far we get” deal for the way home.  Josh didn’t think we’d make it very far before having to call the tow truck and I was praying hard the whole way.  I do believe God still performs miracles today, and we use our “common sense doubting” too much.  So I prayed for a miracle, I prayed for God to allow us to make it home,I prayed the whole way home begging God and then thanking Him.  He allowed us to make it home without blowing up the engine or overheating. 

Today the van goes in to see what’s going on.  Part of me is worried about the bill.  It’s just another added cost that we don’t need right now.  The other part of me is holding to that hope that God will continue to see us through this.  I am clinging to my faith that God will provide in every detail of our lives.  I am taking one day at a time walking by faith and not letting fear and worry take over. 

Holding tight to God as my rock, my foundation is eternal.  Holding tight to my worry and fear is shifting sand, it will dissolve in the storm.  I had a moment of panic, worry and fear last night.  I was letting it get the best of me.  But nothing brings peace like sitting and reading God’s word.  When I study His word and what He promises to us and read about what He endured, my trials seem to become so small. 

“…rejoicing in hope,  patience in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer…” Romans 12:12

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

“Do not fear any of the things you are about to suffer.  Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you in prison, that you  may be tested, and you will have tribulation….”  Rev. 2:1-

“Indeed we count them blessed who endure.  You  have hard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”  James 5:11

We go through trials here in this world, but they are temporary.  They can be moments of refining and growing.  They are tests to see whether we will silence the devil and glorify God or will we crumble.  Trials can make us more like Jesus…”that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”  Phil. 3:10

They can teach us dependence (on God!), refine our lives, rebuke our sin, enlarge our ministry toward others because those who have suffered much are able to understand others more.

So with that, I am taking my trials to God.  Turning it all over to Him, believing that He will work all things out for our good and God’s glory and I will try my best to count it all joy for these trials because they are periods of growing.

Today I will look for the little blessings….

Pressing on

This back injury is trying!!!!!

I’m not going to lie.  This may be a very raw and honest post because I’m feeling a bit frustrated. 

Josh’s injection was Monday and went well.  He had an intense soreness for two days after, but seemed to be improving a bit.  That “improvement” lasted a whole day.  His second injection  is schedule for December 19th.  The doc who did the shot said he has a couple of things going on besides the torn and bulging disc.  He also has a synovial cyst and very advanced arthritis for a 33 year old (two months shy of 34).  He wanted to also treat the arthritis, but the doctor hadn’t ordered it so he had to follow doctor’s orders.  On the 19th, if Josh hasn’t improved, he will treat the torn disc and also the arthritis.  He thinks the pain isn’t going away more because of the arthritis. 

This “diagnosis” kind of blew Josh out of the water.  And once again, makes our future seem unclear.  It’s all about trusting in God one day at at time.  I know God has a plan for Josh’s (our) life, but it’s this in between stuff that is hard.

Josh also saw the neurosurgeon on  Friday.  He told Josh he needs at least another month of healing, which wasn’t what Josh wanted to hear at all.  He’s ready to go out and cut wood, get back to work, play football with the boys!  It was frustrating for him to hear he needs to “chill out” for another month.

The doctor wanted Josh off of the heavy narcotics so he prescribed another pain reliever.  Problem is this pain reliever seems to be the cause of Josh’s intense headaches the last few days.  This is a guy who hardly ever gets headaches.  The last few days he’s struggled with them and they seem to get worse as the day progresses.  By night he’s miserable.

The doctor did release Josh to go back to work on Monday, four hours/day.  He had taken him off after the injection because he knew he would be quite sore (and considering how much Josh went downhill when he was there before).  He wanted Josh to rest more.  Josh begged to go back to work.  He is so tired of this.  The doctor wouldn’t release him any more than four hours a day (with limited restrictions), but at least it gives Josh something to get up and go do each day.  I pray he can handle the four hours! 

I ask for prayers for our strength right now.  I won’t lie, it’s tough and it sucks.  I’m trying to be everything for everyone and I can’t always do that.  Work is screaming at me.  The kids are wondering when Dad is going to be better and able to play with them again.  They’re also watching way too much TV and getting some cabin fever.  Josh is crabby more than happy.  He tries, but it’s so hard when you have constant pain.  Workers comp hasn’t paid since the week before Thanksgiving and we’re living on the bare necessities, only buying what we absolutely need to, and trying so hard not to get stressed about Christmas, but I think the kids already know Christmas will be different this year, and smaller, which they seem okay with.  I just need to be okay with it.  My own back is hurting me from lifting too heavy of wood from too far up, but I’m hoping the chiro can fix me (if I can ever get there).

So those are my woes.   I know, not much compared to others.  That’s what I try to tell myself.

I know things will get better and right now I don’t need to hear that.  I  know it.  I  just need strength to make it through.

Storm update

I apologize for not keeping you up-to-date, like I promised I would, but trust me when I say that if I had written anything last week, you would have checked me into some institution.  It was a very trying week and I had a lot of weak moments.  We  made it through though and I was able to see light at the end of the tunnel on Friday even.

It is still literally one day at a time.  We take each day as it comes, seeking God’s strength each day.

Now, Josh’s update:  He was seen by the neurosurgeon (second opinion) on November 23.  He ordered a cortisone injection and a electro stimulation belt for home.  He also released Josh back to work at four hours per day with limited restrictions.  At this point,  Josh was feeling okay about going back to work and was ready to do something besides “take it easy.”  We schedule the injection for the 13th of December wondering if he’d even really need it.  The neurosurgeon wanted him to continue the physical therapy, which is really helping.  Josh has been blessed with a compassionate and understanding physical therapist.  She has been so wonderful listening to his concerns and offering her advice.

Josh went back to work on Monday, November 28th.  He literally went downhill all week.  Each day the pain became worse.  Four hours on his feet was just too much for him.  The physical therapy would relieve some of the pain, but it would only last for about four hours afterwards.  Each day I saw Josh slipping away.  His attitude and outlook becoming more dark.  We tried to schedule his injection sooner, but the doctor’s office said nothing was open.  By Wednesday I was wondering where the man who could always make me laugh was.  And  my attitude was changing. 

To make matters worse, my work computer crashed on Tuesday night.  My hard drive completely wiped out, gone.  My software was too old to load onto my laptop so in order for me to work again, I had to pay $995.00 in software upgrades.   Yes, you read that right:  $995!  I also have to purchase a new computer, but I’m so sick at the thought of forking out $995 right now (and right before Christmas) that I can’t bring myself to purchase the new computer yet.  I am temporarily set up on my laptop, but my laptop is almost three years old and the software runs slow, which is frustrating, but I can deal with it until I work some more and earn enough money to pay off some of this. 

By Thursday if you would have called me, I would have probably just cried.  I had so much on my plate I just couldn’t take it anymore.  The house was a mess, the kids were being naughty, my husband was crabby all the time, I needed over $1,000 to save my business and Christmas is less than a month away!  I had no perspective and I was losing it!

Thankfully, Friday offered us some hope.  The lady in charge of Josh’s work comp case called him to see how he was.  Josh vented his frustration to her about his pain, the doctor’s office not cooperating and no one following through on promises.  She was so understanding and after a few conference calls with the doctor’s office, she was able to get the electro stimulation belt here by Monday and the cortisone injection was also moved up to Monday (but the “catch” is we have to travel almost an hour away).  Josh also saw the physical therapist on Friday and she offered her stimulation machine to him for the weekend.  It has been a wonderful gift!  It’s really helped keep Josh’s pain bearable by keeping those muscles from spasming.  Josh is feeling more hopeful and his attitude has changed so much. 

Tomorrow is a new day and I will not worry about what this week will bring us.  God is watching out for us and we just have to keep holding on, riding out this storm of life. 

Tomorrow morning, bright and early, Josh will get his cortisone injection.  I pray for no ill effects and for relief from this constant pain. 

A storm of life

I want to thank everyone for your prayers.  The past week and a half has not been easy, but I’ve felt  your prayers lifting me up.

My poor husband has been put through the ringer.  He has endured two emergency room trips, one bad dose of morphine, excruciating pain that had immobilized him, admittance to the hospital, and an MRI.  The end diagnosis:  bulging disc. 

The doctor wants to take the conservative route, which I am all for.  The success rate is very low with back surgeries.  Although Josh wants a one-fix deal, he is going to have to work hard at getting better. 

He starts physical therapy today which will include deep tissue massage, ultrasound, electro stimulation and exercises.  They’re going to work pretty intensely with him at first to get him moving better.  He will be reevaluated in a week by the doctor to see if he can be cleared to go back to work with limited restrictions.  It’s up to his work to determine whether they have any light duty work for him.  Ultimately, it will probably take at least 6 weeks to heal.  How much or how hard he can work afterwards is to be determined, but I am trusting in God for His complete healing.   He is still taking the pain meds, as needed, and the muscle relaxers.  He also has a second opinion consult with a neurosurgeon next week—something his boss requested he do and because this is an on-the-job injury, Josh is doing what was asked of him

I have had many moments of frustration, anger, impatience and sadness over the last week and a half.  It doesn’t last long though.  I have received either an e-mail or text from many of you and I was quickly able to refocus.  It’s a storm of life.  If I jump off the boat during the storm, I will never see the beauty of the calm of the storm.  So here I am, hanging on, praying hard, holding tight to my God. 

And I have already seen some beauty with this trial.  As parents, we constantly pray and hope that we are raising our kids with respect, morals and beliefs.  We want them to be able to do what’s right, be strong, take responsibility.  I was able to see a glimpse of this in my boys.   There were a few times that we had to leave the house unexpectedly or in a hurry or leaving thinking we would be returning in an hour or so, only to be admitted to the hospital.  I would panic at the hospital thinking, “oh, no, the fire is going to be out” or “the chickens have to be fed, watered and let inside!”  I have to go home!  Or  just the attitude of “guess I’ll be doing those chores in the dark when I return home…and late.”  Only to call home to check up on the boys and hear my oldest son say, “Oh, Mom, I threw more wood in the fire” and “The chickens are fed,watered and locked up for the night,” topped off with “and I cleaned out the chicken coop” (because also in the back of  my mind was how I didn’t get to clean that out and it was disgusting).  I was beyond blessed by my son’s actions!  And then to return home late one night to hear my other son tell me how he had folded all the laundry and put it all away.  Wow.  There are no words for that.  I was proud, but blessed even more so.

The future seems unclear and uncertain.  I could sit at length and focus on the negatives and all the uncertain things that seem to be looming, but I am refusing to do so.  I am focusing on the positives, I am looking for the little blessings, and most importantly, I am trusting in God’s plan for Josh’s life and our lives. 

I will keep you updated, but in the meantime, keep praying.  God is the only one who can completely and wholly heal Josh.

I have said all these things to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble: but take heart! I have overcome the world.  John 16:33

Do Not Worry

“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? 

Look 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?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes?  See how the lilies of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If 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?

So do not worry saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 

But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:25-34

Do.not.worry.  Such simple instruction from God, that He knew we would need, yet so many of us do nothing but worry.

This is what Sunday’s message was based on and I felt like it was just for me.  It confirmed some things that we had been praying for in our family.  When God tells us not to worry, it means the little things as well as the big things.  Worrying causes stress and stress can wreck so much havoc on our bodies.  God knew this and instructed us not to worry. 

Lately I’ve felt led to take every little thing to God.  Every decision regarding our family, no matter how small, is prayed over before a decision is made.  We make our decisions being led by God because ultimately He knows what’s best for our family. 

I’ve been praying about  much, but one small thing that I’ve been praying about is clothes.  Isaac grew a  couple inches over the summer and outgrew every article of clothing he had.  In fact, he grew so much that he is now in the men’s section, for the most part.  His feet are now a men’s size 10! (buying a 10 1/2 because of his wide feet.)  Everything gets much more expensive the bigger it gets.  I knew he needed a winter jacket and just kept putting it off.  Finally, last Saturday, after getting an e-mail for 30% off at an online store and seeing that they were having their winter jackets 30-50% off, I sat down to choose a winter jacket for him.  I found one and was about to order it when something stopped me.  I was just unable to hit the “confirm order” button. 

On my to-do list for Saturday was cleaning and organizing the basement.  I decided to get started on that instead.  I didn’t place the order, but saved it in my cart and walked away.  As I was organizing the basement, I came across a box unmarked.  I opened it up and found a size 18/20 boys’ winter jacket!  Ah ha!  What a blessing!  God answered my prayer!

Now, this jacket didn’t just show up in a box down in our basement.  It was given to us probably a year or so ago by someone whose son had outgrown it.  Thinking I wouldn’t need a size 18/20 jacket for years to come, I stuck it in a bucket and forgot about it.   I’m so glad I didn’t waste precious time searching for a new jacket or even worse, worrying about getting a new one!  God provided!

(I would also like to send a HUGE THANK YOU to the person who donated this jacket to us.  I think you know who you are and we appreciate it greatly.)

Secondly, my two older boys were asked to play on our church/school’s basketball team.  This was a huge prayer for us because although I and E really wanted to play, we  didn’t want to make the decision just based on that.  It’s a 22-minute drive to practice, plus add in games, and worst of all, it’s during the dead of winter months.  If you know me at all, you would know I hate driving in the snow.  I’ll do it, but I don’t like to.  Plus, I won’t do it (sign the boys up for b-ball) unless my husband is in full agreement.  His decision is the final decision.

The boys were begging to play.  Josh said it was  up to me because I would be the one driving them.  My schedule was essentially the one that would be mixed up.

I prayed….and prayed….and prayed.  No answer. 

Prayed some more. 

I felt we should look into our local town’s basketball program.  I mean, if they want to play, let’s at least do it locally.  Less driving during winter then.

So I called the head coach, left a message and waited.  Still praying for a clear cut answer. 

Guess what?  After calling twice, the coach never returned my call! 

Plus, I found out that I would be running crazy with Eli at one practice and Isaac at another one, different times.  Same thing with games.  Ugh, NO thank you!

If they played for the church/school, then they would be playing for a Christian team, with Christian morals/ethics, prayer before games/practices AND practices are held together for Isaac and Eli, along with games.  Much better!

Also, while organizing in the basement, I found another box filled with all sorts of older boys/men’s basketball shorts, jerseys and T-shirts!  Again, given to us years ago (I think Isaac and Eli were only 5 and 7 at the time—I laughed at keeping the stuff then) by a friend at Josh’s work whose sons had outgrown the stuff.  What a blessing and, again, at just the right time we needed it!

The final confirmation for me was when we went to buy Isaac some basketball shoes.  I was  really praying about that one because his feet are a men’s 10 1/2 and he needed basketball shoes.  In my mind that equals lots of $$$$$! 

He’s a very hard one to find shoes for because of his wide feet—he usually tries on numerous pairs at numerous different stores before finding one that fits right—drives me nuts!  Anyways, the only pair that  fit him properly were a pair at the very first and only store we went to that were discounted down for just  Sunday,the day we were there!!   Can you believe that?!?!   I only spent $35 when I was afraid I was going to have to pay $85!

I am so thankful for listening to that still, small voice and for seeking Him first in our decisions.  And these are just small things.  Imagine what blessings could come when  you trust Him with the big stuff too!

I share these examples for a couple reasons.   First, I hope to encourage you.   Look for God in the every day small happenings.  I don’t believe in coincidences.  Everything happens for a reason.  God has orchestrated every part of your life.  Follow His plan.  It’s much better than your plan.   God isn’t always going to give you an answer straight out.  You have to pray, have faith, TRUST Him and then wait and listen.  That last part, the waiting and listening, can be the hardest part.  That’s usually when most of us step in and take the situation into our own hands.  Our own plans won’t yield the blessings that God’s plan does though.

Secondly, you have two choices.  You can live in faith or you can live in fear.  Worry = fear.  Don’t let fear rule your life.  Living in faith is so much more rewarding. 

Lastly, as He tells us in His word, don’t worry.  Worry will do nothing good for you.  God doesn’t want you to worry.  In fact, He instructed us not to worry.  Why?  Because He’s already got it figured out.  He’s got your back!  Trust Him!

Halfway mark for soccer season

We are officially halfway through the 2011-2012 soccer season.  The fall season ended last weekend.  Eli’s team did great this year with a record of 4-1-2.  That is, 4 wins, 1 loss, and 2 ties. 

I really enjoyed watching Eli play this year.  Not that I didn’t in previous years, but this year he was U11 and things were a bit more serious.  Kids are playing because they really want to play (not because their  parents are forcing them to), his coach took practice and games serious and expected the same from his players, and the whole team really grew together.  The games were exciting to watch and I actually looked forward to them.  I am proud of Eli’s hard work.  He ended the year on a not-so-good note getting a concussion at his last practice and twisting his ankle bad, but he still played his hardest.  He never let any injury get him down and always played his best. 

Great job, Eli!  Looking forward to the spring season (and hoping the weather cooperates as nice as the fall season did!)

Nothing is impossible

“Oh, Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you.”

Jeremiah 32:17

This verse brings me joy, especially in the difficult times. 

Nothing—NOTHING—is impossible for Him!

Evil guinea pigs

Logan is always coming up with crazy things. I should really write down more of the things he says because it's just plain funny. However, I would constantly be writing about Logan. Truly, the comedian of our family. Always making us laugh. And also always being reminded to keep his humor clean. ;)

A few weeks ago Isaac gave Logan his guinea pig, Ginger. Isaac didn't really "play" with Ginger anymore and Logan was showing some interest in her. Since then, Logan spends many hours of his day holding Ginger. It is so cute. And Ginger has grown to really like Logan.

However, today, out of the blue, while he was holding Ginger, he says, "Never get an evil guinea pig."

"How do you know what an evil guinea pig is?" asks Isaac.

"Because they have red eyes. And when you leave, they'll go in your fridge and eat all your food."

Like I said, crazy! And we're left asking, once again, where does he come up with this stuff?!?!

Catching up with pictures

I’ve found quite a few pictures that I never posted.  So I thought I’d do a random post with old pictures.

This is PJ’s new “bed.”  He loves it and Eli doesn’t seem to mind it too much either.  This picture was taken a month or so ago, and it is still PJ’s new favorite spot.  Although he has ripped Eli’s sheets so I’m not so thrilled with it.

This is at the zoo for Logan’s birthday. 

Cousins are so much fun!

I think this picture is so cute.  The three year olds having an in-depth conversation. ;)

Our first watermelon from our garden.

Our first canteloupe from our garden.

Eli learned about the Great Exhibition and the Crystal Palace that was built for this event.  Then he built his own Crystal Palace!

One of  my school investments this year was a dry erase board.  Unfortunately, because we “school” at the kitchen table, I have nowhere to hang this.  So I bring it out and set it up on the chair.  Logan and  Camden love to draw on it also.  Eli recently taught  Camden how to draw people.  He is so proud of  his people!  We had to take a picture of him with his people. :)

More of Camden’s people.

This was the first time we opened the door to let our chicks out, which was two weeks ago.  They are now two times as big.  We lost our first chicken this week.  Not how I expected to lose a chicken at all either.  He drowned.  In the ducks’ pool.  Dumb chicken. 

They loved the caramel apples!!!!  Camden kept saying, “That’s MY caramel apple.  I’m eating a caramel apple.  I like caramel apples.”  So cute.  Definitely worth the three hours it took to make it!

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Enjoy your weekend and all God’s blessings surrounding you.

Fish farm

Today we took a field trip to Rushing Waters. It is a rainbow trout farm. We received an explanation of what the farm is all about, followed by a tour and then we were able to go fishing and take our fish home with us. The boys have fun and wow, what a learning experience. Camden is convinced he wants to be a fish farmer now.

This is the trout in one of the ponds.

This is the trout after they were fed. :) What a sight! Every child received a handful of feed to throw in to the fish. We all lined up, counted to three, threw it in and watched the fish go crazy!

Of course, we had to do this a couple of times because it was so much fun!

Logan, Camden and Isaac getting their fish food.

Isaac ready to fish!

Logan fishing! (and yes, by the way, it was quite chilly down there for the little ones and wimpy Mom so we wore winter jackets. Isaac, on the other hand, refused to dress warm—he wore shorts.

Isaac was our designated fish helper. He put the worm on and helped get the fish off.

Brave Logan wanted to hold his catch!

Logan’s catch!

Camden thought he wanted to hold his fish…..

……but he felt the fish one time and decided no way! He did not like how it felt at all.

Admiring their catch.

Eli had a bit more of a challenge. The fish were tricking him. He was the last one to catch one.

Hooray! Finally, Eli caught one!

Eli and Hauken with Eli’s catch. :)

I know what we’re having for supper! Mmmm……..

Fall Wonderfulness

I have a great post written up (almost done) about a recent snake discovery around our house, but before I finish that, I wanted to write about  my very favorite season, fall. 

For me, fall trumps all other seasons.  The amazing colors, the crispness of the air, the smell of apple crisp in the oven….love it!

I am truly embracing fall right now. 

Logan took this picture of a tree near our house.  “Mom,” he said, “that tree is so pretty, can I just take a picture of it?”

In fact, I recently took my annual fall photo shoot with my boys.  I couldn’t wait to do this and between you and me, I think the boys were even looking forward to it.  I try to make it lots of fun.  I mean, they get to run through tall grass, roll around in the hayfield and climb trees.  What’s more fun than that for boys?!?!

Unfortunately, the photo shoot didn’t go so well.  Not because my boys weren’t cooperative (well, maybe a certain three-year-old didn’t help), but the sun was my main problem.  I wanted to get out early because our days have been rather hot for fall around here and if I waited until the afternoon, my boys would only complain about being too hot (even at 10:30 a.m., we were hot).  And they were wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants.  Pure torture for my 12-year-old! 

So although I have some great shots of my boys smiling, the sun messed up the majority of the pictures by creating either too much light or too much of a shadow. 

Plus, it’s never easy to get four boys to all look and smile at the same time. 

Need I say more?!?!  "Logan, look at me.”  “Now, Camden, look at me…..and SMILE!”  “Eli, come on, open your eyes….SMILE!”  “Oh, you have a better smile than that!”  See,  just not so easy.

Take two!  No luck.

Take three!

There always has to be one who won’t cooperate….

Silly boys!

 

I’ve also been busy making fall treats.  I always pick up second apples from a local apple farm and make applesauce.  This year I decided to get four pecks.  I mean, they’re seconds so they’re good for baking with, but my kids will eat the second apples too.  So far I’ve made four apple crisps and lots of applesauce.  I tripled the applesauce recipe yesterday and discovered by this morning, we needed more.  Or at least we would very soon.  A single batch in our family is a joke.  Definitely have to double it and if anyone wants seconds, then for sure triple it.  So I made another triple batch this morning and then another triple batch this afternoon.  Oh, and another apple crisp.  I plan on freezing some of the applesauce.  In fact, I have to to hide it from my boys or they’ll just keep eating it.  :)

As a kid, one of my favorite things in the fall was caramel apples.  Actually, it’s still one of my favorite things.  But when my kids have dairy and wheat allergies, I started skipping the caramel apples.  I felt guilty stopping for one knowing my kids couldn’t have one! In fact, I can’t even remember the last time I had one.  For those of you who know me, you know how amazing that is!  As a kid one year at the county fair, I ate nine caramel apples.  My goal was 10, but I didn’t make it.  I do love them and an apple farm down the road from us makes the best caramel. 

Well, this year I decided to wise up and make my own caramel!  And that’s what I’m currently doing.  Literally, as I type this.  I keep stopping every few minutes to go over and stir my caramel.  This process is supposed to take 1 1/2 to 2 hours!    But I’m using my homemade vanilla and  my homemade corn syrup so it will be something to be proud of when it’s finally done.   And I am so looking forward to my boys (especially Logan and Camden, it will be their first!)  eating it. 

It brings me great joy to be able to do these kinds of things for my boys.  I am at a point in my life where I feel extremely blessed.  I love being at home with them.  I love teaching them.  I am learning to look at the small blessings and be thankful for each and every little thing.   I’m learning that the greatest commandment  is to love.   Everything we do should be bathed in love, especially when it comes to our kids.  If we teach our kids what’s right, but fail to do it with love, we fail.  We must teach, discipline, instruct in love.    God is revealing so much to me, in little pieces at a time, but when I put all those little pieces together, I see the big picture.  It’s amazing. 

Yes, I have my “days,” because I know you’re thinking life isn’t that wonderful all the time, and you’re right, it isn’t.  But let me tell you, when you keep your focus on God, your trust in Him and rely on Him faithfully with your life, those bad days won’t come as often and when they do, they surely won’t get you down as much.

Be blessed today.  Literally. 

 

I am blessed times four!  Well, five if you include my husband! :)

What’s really important???

This article below is copied from another blog I frequent.  I have had similar things on my  heart lately and I thought she said it perfectly!  

Don’t our kids deserve all of us?!?  Don’t our friends, family deserve our full attention?!?  Let’s focus on what’s really important.

Too Busy Texting to Parent

 

A beautiful blond headed little girl in a pink sundress ran ahead of us at the zoo.  She scrambled up the boards of the llama’s fence in the petting zoo area and grabbed onto the llama’s halter and looked as if she would climb right on that llama’s back as the llama struggled to get his mouth around to bite her tiny little arm off.  Thankfully, a woman standing nearby retrieved the little girl before the llama could defend itself.

and all the while her mother stood a few feet away…

texting.

At horse riding lessons I saw a similar sad, albeit less dangerous, situation.  Mommy spending the entire lesson texting while her 5 year old son learned to maneuver his steed.

This addiction can be seen in grocery stores, at stop lights, and in schools across America.

And restaurants?  Don’t even get me started.  It is beyond me how two people can go to lunch together and NEVER look up from their phones to have an actual conversation WITH each other.

Everywhere I look people are connected to their phones and disconnected from life around them.  And the worst of it is parents who are missing entire chunks of their children’s lives because of overworked thumbs.

It truly is an addiction.  An addiction that is stealing parents away from children and children away from parents.

But, lest you think I am writing this looking down my nose in condescension at texting mommies, I want to tell you there are plenty of things in this world and this life that will try to rob us of what really matters.  Texting is but one of them.

Our hearts, souls, and minds were created to worship.

We WILL worship whatever we focus on.

And yes, texting can be a form of worship.

A worship of technology.  A worship of being “on top of the latest news.”  A worship of the world.  A worship of self.

It is so easy to become immersed in the world of texting and facebook and emails and twitter and get caught up in just checking one more time, just sending out one more thing, just answering one more question.

We are afraid of missing something.  But the thing we are actually missing is much more important than what technology can offer.

We are missing life.

Real.

Abundant.

Beautifully colorful.

Life.

And children.

Children who are growing up without engaged, connected, focused parents are essentially being “left to their own” (Proverbs 29:15).

Please, mama…

Unplug.  Shut down the screen.  Shut off the phone.

You will not miss anything.

And what if you are the last one to know what was happening online while you were away?

How would what you missed (if you had known about it immediately) have enriched your life and your children’s lives?  Would one more hour, one more day, one more week really have made a difference.

My guess is

not really.

In fact, I would imagine if you totally unplugged forever you would not miss much.

Can you parent and be technologically savvy?

Sure.

But you had better be extremely self-controlled.

And you better be willing to step away from technology and be mom.

No gadgets.  No laptop.  No distractions.

Just mom.

The Bike Game

There’s some kind of new bike game at our house.  First it involved Logan throwing rocks at Isaac and Eli while they were riding their bikes (Logan would be hiding in various spots).  Not sure what’s “fun” about that, but I laid down the law on that one and said absolutely no throwing rocks at people.

Apparently they’ve come up with other solutions because today I was part of this conversation:

Isaac:  Come on, Logan, you can throw the football at us (trying to get Logan to go outside with them).

Mom:  No, he cannot throw the football at you!

Isaac:  Why not?

Mom:  Because it could make you really crash on your bike!

Isaac:  But, Mo-om, that’s the fun of it!

 

Part of me is still trying to figure out this boy world…….

Oh, and throwing pinecones is also fun and I do allow that. :)

RIP

Fred the Fish died today. 

It’s sad because Logan had wanted a fish for so long.  Actually, since his last Fred the Fish died almost two years ago.  So we finally broke down and bought him a new fish for his 5th birthday.  He was SO excited!

But this fish, apparently, wasn’t meant to be.  He had been acting “weird” for a couple of days.  I noticed it didn’t eat yesterday.  Then this morning while we were doing school, we watched his slow, painful death (well, we’re not really sure if it was painful for him, but it as painful for us.  He just wouldn’t die and kept hanging on and hanging on.   At one point I thought of just flushing the poor guy to put him out of his misery.) 

Fred had been our new kitchen table decor.  The boys had fun putting stuff in front of his bowl to see him try and fight it (he was a  beta fish).  He became our entertainment during school. 

I am surprised at how well Logan handled Fred’s death.  I think his brothers really helped him not feel too sad about it. 

He’s even already talking about getting a replacement—a frog instead!  Hmmm……we’ll have to think about that one.

And the woodpecker returned this morning to peck away at our house!  Darn bird has made a hole!  The boys were quick on the trigger though and immediately grabbed their guns and ran outside.  Eli shot first and hit him enough to cause feathers to fly everywhere, but he was still able to fly away.  We’re hoping it was enough of a scare so he won’t come back.  Either that or he’ll go die slowly someplace. 

All in all, an interesting morning at our house.  This all happened before 11 a.m.!

RIP Fred.