Toys for Grandchildren

This year we really tried to focus on gifts that would last.

This beautiful walker is from Plan toys.

I fell in love when I saw this soild wood marbel run.

I ended up having all the Grandparents go in on this cause wood toys are not cheep. But SO worth it!

May 24 2007

This is one of my old journal entries I thought I'd share.

I love being a wife, I have the most amazing man leading my home. I love being a mother it's my calling and I embrace it 110%. I love being a woman I strive and pray and want to live a quiet humble life. I find in my walk as a Christian woman a major stumbling block for me is other women. There are just some women that bring out the worst in you. And your ugly sinful nature comes out. I hate feeling awful after a visit with someone. Becuase my heart is NOT ugly and rude. But my sinful nature sure can be.As a mom of soon to be 5 children I believe I hold something very valuable in me. A priceless treasure that can be shared with those who are most dear and special to me. In my heart I have the power to leave a godly legacy behind me. I have little eyes watching me all day long. Today on a long drive home my oldest asked me a question about someone he heard me say something about another mom. And I felt so ashamed, that the ugliness of my sin came forth. I had to repent to my 8 year old boy that I should have never said something so rude. It made it so painfully clear that every word that I say, every look, every praise, every song...I am molding and influencing young hearts every moment of every day.I am modeling with a vision so long term that it reaches into generations of great great grandchildren we might never see. I am writing on there hearts that are eternal the whispers of a mothers love, and ultimately the unfolding of a powerful legacy. It made me think every thing that comes out of my mouth or the looks on my face will leave its imprint and echo into the future. Every response, every act of kindness...it all matters. Now to figure out how not to fall into sin when in a group with other women....It's hard women are no longer gentle and quiet but instead are loud,and rude. They are no longer beautiful with a calm, serene spirit but instead draw attention to themselves in worldly ways. I don't want to be like that. I crave meekness. Now it seems women have prideful posture, dress immodest and having a spirit of conflict and problems. They are so full of anger and lack of self control and their quest for beauty is in vain. It's hard when we live in a world that pulls this ugliness to the surface. I just want a humble home, with meek and quiet spirit a calm, soft, mild, friendly and kindly spirit. A REAL treasure I can pass down to my babes.

Resting in His arms

We had such a wonderful blessed Christmas this year. I sat in my living room this morning watching the snow fall thinking over this past year. The Lord has done a mighty work in my life. I am just so thankful for the times when the Lord gets a hold of you and shakes things up a bit.

So many late nights has left me rather sick. I’ve laid in bed for most of the day. My loving husband and children have been bringing me hot drinks to ease my cough that has left belly really sore. I lay here with my bible open soaking it the Words of my Heavenly Father. The Word’s pour out a peaceful rest that only comes from Him. He is the Lover of my soul, all my hopes, dreams, joys, pain, and fears... He knows, He loves me no matter what, He loves me for who I am.

I find a place of peaceful rest, near the heart of God.

In the many doings of my life, He is the One that keeps me, that holds and sustains me, that causes my heart to overflow, with a love and love that I could never possess on my own. He takes all that I am and am not, and freely gives of Himself. Tonight I am resting, resting in the loving arms of MY Savior.

I pray that I will walk in His gentleness and continually find rest in His presences.

Rachael's First Steps

Berry- Chilly

Today has been a blessed day for me. My littlest three all have nasty colds so we stayed home from church as Chris took the older two. It was a slow quiet morning as I sat at the dining room table sipping my coffee; I had time to focus on the many things I have to be thankful for. I soaked in every breath of my sweet children as they ate there breakfast. I look into their eyes and it makes me so sad to see how the world views them.

Recently I got asked what I did before I had children and I said “I have never been employed” they were so shocked. But you know I feel zero temptation to try the working world. I am so grateful that I am woman and that I am everyday where God wants me to be. The joy that I have in my life comes from doing my best at the role God has given me.

My joy comes from the things that this world has grown to hate.....serving my husband, creating a peaceful home, loving, nurturing, homeschooling my children... being here at night to tuck them in. Showing them how much the Lord loves them and how he has a plan for them.
I find joy in the “mundane” things laundry (at least I try too), dishes, diapers, messy faces, dirty little hands, floors. Encouraging my little’s to work alongside me and singing their favourite Sunday school song. Yes, I try very hard to go about these things with a smile, because they are precious to me. I am so blessed to have a husband that makes living on one income work.

I thank the Lord for sticky floors to wash, dirty diapers to dunk, meals to make, dishes to wash, a husband to go to bed with, little boys and girls to train, and new babies to welcome. The babies my husband and I welcome into our lives have each offered a tiny taste of Heaven. Also for babies lost. This is a pain I had hoped to never endure but the closeness I felt to my Heavenly Father as I laid in my husband’s arms and cried is one I am thankful to have been through. And then joy of a positive test after a loss, it is such a different feeling after you have lost something so dear to your heart.

Happy 8th Birthday Zachary

My sweet little man, I can not believe 8 years have went by so quickly. I remember the day you were born so clearly.
Today I pray that you grow to know, love, and follow Jesus.

That your life be filled with great joy wherever the Lord may lead you, and that your intoxicating smile would brighten the lives of all you know.

I pray that you stay strong and healthy.

That you might stay close to your siblings and make true friends who can help you to grow in Christian character.

That you might be truly happy to be exactly who God made you to be.

That your childhood might be filled with sweet and significant memories.

That you might have a hunger for learning your whole life.

That God will continue to work in me to be the best mom to you.
That God would make you into a mighty man of God and that you may bring Him glory.

You are growing up in so many ways, and each day I catch another glimpse of something new that makes me see just how blessed we are to have you in our lives. I am so privileged to love and care for you, and watch you grow into a young man. Your dad and I have been entrusted with you by God to raise you for His glory, and it isn't hard to be reminded of that because I cannot look at you without thinking of Him and how He gave me the tremendous blessing of being your mother. Happy birthday Zachary we love you more than you will know!

Counting down the days

With all this cold weather we have had to get creative. Yesterday we made thankful Christmas trees. So on each ball the wrote something they were thankful for.

Rachael eatting her Christmas cookie saying "cheese" at the same time.

Where I want to be

I love sleeping babies. She ended up with a fever during the night. Which makes for a long restless night for mama.

I read this quote recently and it really made me think about my attitude in my home.

"What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow."

Sometimes I forget this. When there is much to be done dishes, laundry, diapers, cooking, homeschooling I forget. I forget the vision that I hold so dear of a loving family, a warm and happy home, a space for God to dwell richly in me and mine. I have a vision of the blessings that God pours out on us. Sometimes I make this picture in my head of dinner table discussions, or clean sheets on the beds, being home in the evening to pray with littles. These are indeed blessings but I'm learning more and more the bigger blessing is when God meets me in the humble daily moments. ( like my previous post)

See how Rachael has lined up all the cars? All my toddlers have done this.

Crabby Mommy Days

Yesterday was one of those "crabby mommy days" It didn't matter what was going on I was irritated. It felt like if my preschooler wasn't whining someone was making some strange horse sounds and running around riding the broom like a horse. And of course my older ones seemed to have all the answers.
I came into my bedroom and thoughts of Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger"

I ended up being harsher than I normally would in my tone. And I could see the look in there eyes. Which broke my heart, it was on of those moments that you swore you wouldn't have with your children. When I was growing up I don't think my parents ever said they were sorry. And even if they did my reaction was "wrong" so it was still my fault.

Before bedtime I had to get down on their level and look them in the eyes and confess to them how wrong I was. How sad I was I let my flesh speak and not the Lord. My children are so forgiving they smiled and and said I love you with hugs and kisses. Being broken is such a beautiful place to be especially in front of the littlest ones. They really show you the Grace of God with how quick to forgive they are. And besides that it is good for me to confess my sin to them it keeps my heart in the right spot......humble

Clean Cupboards

Thought I would share our family room with all.
we spend alot of time in here together. We still don't have a tree up so once we do that I will have to take another picture.

My friend Angel inspired me to get my pantry all cleaned out

So I got that all done. And it feels so good to have a nice clean cupboard.

This is our schedule for school it is on the front of the pantry door.

Warm Cozy Nights

Lately I have felt really inspired with my homemaking. I have been doing more reading on "how to's" and finding out what other homeschooling Mama's do to make there homes a peaceful place.
One thing the Lord has really placed on my heart is to give sacrificially more. To pour myself out more. The world tells us we need "me time" every time I have took the world's advice I end up discontent and lacking joy. But as soon as I keep giving to my husband and children a joy comes that is unexplainable.

This afternoon we snuggled on the couch and read the story of the Advent Calender. We have been having fun with the first week of Advent. We plan to memorize Luke chapter 2 before Christmas together. It's been going well and creates great memories, every morning we say 2 verses at breakfast together.

I love cold winters nights, with candles lit and everyone calming down for bed. Tonight we made a steamy cup of candy cane hot chocolate. While we sipped we chatted about our day. The children were very excited to tell there daddy about the play we saw this morning. It was neat to hear each one tell there favorite parts.

Well that's all for tonight, I hope you have a wonderful day with your family tomorrow. Do something to make a special memory.

"Parenting, like courtship, must be properly seasoned with joy. Parenting without joy is not only tasteless, it is tiresome. Joy is the expression of present life—yet more, it is the energy and vision of life that shall be.
Parenting without joy is like music without rhythm or flowers without color. A joyless parent can no more raise happy kids than a skunk can raise skunklets that smell good. "