Putting the Pieces Together... Slowly.

I don't usually play Christmas music this early, but today it just seemed like the right thing.
I wasn't going to fix the froo-froo whipped-cream topped coffee today, but then it started snowing...

And after the bumpy morning ride, I couldn't apply my brain to any more school.

*Side thought here, what's with having to do so much school anyway?!!
   After collecting a diploma I thought I was done.  I didn't realize what was ahead in teaching
   5 different grades and wrangling 2 toddlers while pregnant, potty training,  and trying to fix dinner.

Okay so back to my brain being used up.

I then decided to sew binding on a quilt, and it's amazing how benevolent Christmas music,
mocha and snow can make you when you're doing something therapeutic
- like not overtaxing brain cells. Ha!

I found I could work through a reading lesson with Lina, and a math chapter with Clay, and all of a
sudden my binding was attached.


I have been trying for years to sort out how my roll as mother fits together with that of teacher.
I say years because I am standing on my own mothers shoulders, and I know that she wrestled with
that same question frequently as she taught 3 different grades while wrangling 4 toddlers, potty training,
and trying to fix dinner.  And believe me - fixing dinner is not the hard part!

It's been a slow process, but I'm coming to realize that I am not dividing two roles.
I am one mother all the time, teaching and training and instructing my children as life flows naturally.
Since life's "natural" flow entails a lot of interruptions, accidents, and attitudes, I have to figure it's all
a part of our learning process.

My mom did what she believed was best for her family, but I'm pretty sure she was trying daily to convince
herself of what she believed. It's hard to tread a new path, and that's what she did.

I don't have to convince myself.  I believe in what I'm doing, and that's largely in
part due to the first-hand experience I grew up with. I lived the value, the importance, and the blessing
of how my mom spent her time.

I hope my daughters will stand on my shoulders, will live with even greater understanding of what
motherhood means.  Lord willing, I look forward to watching them work out different puzzles,
not the same ones I  labor over.

I know that what I am doing here with my children is valuable, but I am becoming more comfortable
with looking at interruptions as part of the teaching package and not as a curve I can't hit.
I'm willing to stop and change direction when something's not working, or someone is hung up
on an assignment they can't wrap their brain around.

"Do something else for a while...
Come back to it...
Bring in some firewood...
Go out and catch snowflakes for a few minutes..."

And same for me - I'm overwhelmed.  I'm taking a bit of a break to sew binding on this quilt, to turn
the music up, to sip something that tickles my taste buds, to watch flames lick a piece of split birch.

This is life.




























 A few moments of reprieve can refresh the soul to carry on, and that's a lesson which reaches farther
than dividing fractions or cleaning up a puddle of pee on the floor.  We don't always get that reprieve,
but in many cases, who's decision is that?  I get to decide.  I'm the mother/teacher/potty-trainer... :-)

I'm learning.
It's a process, always a process, but I find I can never learn too much about grace! Bring on the grace.

We taught ourselves how to felt balls last night, and today the girls are busy with other colorful
projects.

The wire LOVE above my window are letters that Susanna worked for me when she was "playing"
outside yesterday (did we count that as school?).  She also created a USA, and MOM.

There is not much that compares with the pleasure of watching my children develop into their
own people with their own ideas, their own art and interpretations, their own uniqueness.

Shh.... can't say too much about the other scraps and tidbits in the photos - at least not yet :-)

O' what to do with a mobile baby?

Good luck.
If you have one, you may need it.

My model is nearly one year old, can rev her engine and get moving
pretty fast for mere hands-and-knees motation.
I've been trying to work on her scrapbook and to do that I spread everything
out on the living room floor.  Yeah.  Not a "safe" option (for my paper and supplies)
 for sure, but it's the biggest clear surface I have.
Add to that a seasonal outbreak of flying ants IN the house, and you have a
recipe for, well... for confining baby to... to something confining.
In most cases that would be my arms.  Today once again, I don't know what
to do with the girl to keep her out of trouble (and from eating winged carpenter ants)
so I sit in the rocker and we visit.  She sips a bottle of milk, and I daydream.

In my daydreaming, I look over and see a laundry basket.  It gets me thinking
of the old days when Zachary, my firstborn, was a curious toddler, and how stumped
I was on how to confine him while I took a bath (no shower in that house).  Probably there
was a baby in this story -  there usually is.  Clayton would have been a sensibly immobile
baby several months in age.  At that time the safety of 2 was at stake and baths were a kind
of laughable dream!

Somewhere in my desperate ingenuity I dragged the laundry basket into the bathroom
with me and plopped my toddler in it. Handed him a bag of Cherrios, and kept him
within reach.
That's how I got clean in the early years.

Normally naps are the hot ticket, but lately the various naps overlap so there is a ready
supply curious fingers no matter what time of day.
Big brothers and sisters - they are the real unsung hero's!  As I sat daydreaming today,
I concluded the laundry basket not the right option for this toddling baby in this season.
I have a feeling it would have been an upside-down basket with crying-baby in no time flat.

So the formula for this day is: 2 big sis's, one big brother, bedroom, and baby gate.
Big brothers and sisters were something I didn't start right off with (for my children),
but I find they are real life savers!  I highly recommend getting some.

It's been a creative hour or so.
Now:  rescue of the babysitters, bright praise doled out, kisses, and food.
Life is good.

Because She Rolls

(Which we found out the hard way, though everybody survived).

And because she is a girl.
And also because girls appreciate pretty things (even if they are only 4 months old).
I can tell that Aloria appreciates pretty things, can't you?

So out went Bryce, in came the crib, and even though she doesn't get her own room,
she gets her own niche.  A very cute, very comfortable niche I might add!
We have always had limited sleeping quarters and I've only had the luxury of a nursery
once (and that only for a couple months).  However, I found that there are times when it's
conceivable to make much of what little I do have.
This time, what I have is a crib and a crib-size spot in my room to put it.

I had been debating how to doll up her little corner, and when a package came
in the mail from Auntie Heather with a hand crocheted fuzzy pink and melon colored baby blanket...
I knew.
And there was this mosquito netting set aside for just the "right" place, a paper star lantern,
and a myriad of quilts with special significance and the perfect pops of color.

The inspiration:



































1.  Auntie Heather's soft sherbet afghan.
2.  Baby quilt that belonged to Aloria's Pops (AJ's dad).
3. A baby quilt I made before I was even expecting Zack.  I signed up for a class
    at a Honeyrun Quilters and used flour sack reproduction prints thinking I'd enjoy
    sharing it with all my babies one day!
4. Cotton and flannel blanket I made for Aloria.  Both prints are Valori Wells and
    may be ordered from Amazon.
    (she designs some of my favorite bird fabrics!)
   
5.  Throw pillows upcycled from my couch (I've been wanting to use that word for
      a while now: upcycled.  It's very in vogue!)
      I made them last year, and the yellow is another of my favorite designers Anna Maria Horner.
6.  Quilt made for my Carolina by loving hands, and one of the most accomplished
     quilters I know, Deborah (Thank you Deborah - I just love it!)
7.  2 paisley flannel receiving blanket with crocheted edging, made by Gramsie.
     I use these blankets for literally everything!
8.  Retro crib found and restored by Gramsie for Zachary 10 years ago and loved by
     me again every time I put a new baby in it:-)
9.  Paper star lantern.  I bought these on line and don't use them as lamps, though I do
     have a few hanging in my living room as bold splashes of color.
10.Mosquito netting from IKEA.  I love IKEA.  'Nuff said.

I am happy.  Aloria is a bit safer with 4 sides to keep her contained.
When my Dearly Beloved saw my handiwork he said "You're enjoying having a girl"
and do ya know?  I think he's right!

Socks for 18 Feet

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

That's the idea behind a new series of posts I'm going to write for the purpose of reminding
myself that we have systems that work well for the function and rhythm of our family.
I may need to refer back.
Often.

Being larger in number forces us to be creative about things a household of 4 takes for granted.
Food shopping and meal planning become an undertaking, and making sure there's at least one
pair of jeans without holes in them when we venture into public, is no small feat.

It's tempting to read all the books - pages of method that works for someone else, and actually,
I'm really glad those books exist - but in reality, we've refined a lot of our own ideas that have
increased my sanity, and I'm often amazed at what I cam up with all on my own!

May I remember that what works for one isn't necessarily for me;
and may you be humored, encouraged, or enlightened as you take a peep into
what works for me.

**********************************
What Works For Me #1
 Socks:

I  buy only white socks.
I buy one size for my two boys (who are only a size apart in shoe);
I buy another size for the two big girls (same thing), and the only differentiating
feature is that the boys have grey bottoms and the girls are all white.
Bryce's socks are a tiny version of the big boys, and Lina has white with a pink toe.

[The dad of the family and I get whatever color socks we want]

My goal is to match socks quickly, not need to look for one lone sock, and never guess
which socks belong to whom.  I match all the socks of one size/color and divide the
matched pairs equally between owners.
I like this system because "extra" socks that don't get a mate are thrown back into the
sock drawer and after several loads of laundry they eventually end up with a partner.

After trying several brands, I've fallen in love with Jeffries.  I buy crew socks for my
crew (no pun intended) because they wear boots year-round and like the taller socks.
I think Jeffries is more expensive than other common brands (at about $2 per pair),
but have found them to last for twice to 3x as long and still be as soft as when I bought them!
My children find them a lot more comfortable than other brands they've worn,
and I love that I can order them off Amazon.
LOVE not having to go to the store for socks!

Hallway Praying - a way I can worship Him in the Moment

This is me (and maybe Lina-loo?).

I bet many of you have been in this position?

Someone needs their shoe tied

and Momma is the one for the job...

...at the peril of not getting back up - 

at least not gracefully. HA!

Meditating on the idea of worshiping Him in every circumstance

perhaps you'll appreciate the inspiration behind this sketch.

 ***************************************

I have a secret to share with you - a practical application 

in which we can worship the Lord.  

Even in trying circumstances.

A dear mother who is farther down the road than I

shared this secret with some younger moms years ago.

I must have been about 15 at the time but the term she coined 

and the action behind it stuck with me all this time.

While I've never had even ONE hallway in my house since having my own children,

and for that matter, children are not necessary to the equation,

the concept still applies :-)

*Hallway praying is that practice 

of seeking the Lord for discernment 

on the way to "deal" with some skirmish or tussle.

Asking Him for wisdom when you're meeting a child in a matter of discipline or training.

On the way down the "hallway" to the room you just sent the hoodlum,

beseeching the Lord for wisdom, grace, calm.... to see the heart-need before you

and meet it in a God glorifying manner.

How often do you hear the tumult, or bickering, or noise in the bedroom

for the umpteenth time after you've tucked them in for the night?

Do you ever feel lost

when your feet are taking you in the direction you need to go,

but your heart and hands have no idea what to do?

That is ideal opportunity for Hallway praying

and the ideal time for the Lord to refine mom.  

A time to worship Him when you have something you have to do, that you don't want to do.

When I am at the end of my resources, 

and the Lord gives me a victory after I seek Him in earnest...

I can "Hallway" pray all the way back down the hallway afterwards!

(It comes easy then, but watch out if you're a largely pregnant momma

because it's easy to pull a muscle when you're doing the happy dance while you walk)

;-)

. . . “My grace is sufficient for you,
for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
II Corinthians 12:9

THIS Moment

There is something on my heart which I must muse about here.

I have written before about how all we have is now.
Now is the moment we are living in.
Not in yesterdays memories, or tomorrows cherished plans.
It is a point I am passionate about.
Why? 
Because I think we are prone to dream up wondrous feats of service
that we offer to the Lord someday far out in the land of "when..."  and "if..."
Is there anything wrong with making preparation for future exploits?
I think not. Rather I am concerned because I notice how fixated we can become
on that thing we are going to do for the Lord (which will make us feel fulfilled and valuable),
instead of choosing to claim the moment we are in for His glory.

It is a faulty notion that there are rungs on a Christian ladder; and here's what that might look like:
Somewhere near the bottom of the ladder is the rung where the common laborer
resides, working in a normal job making an average wage and coming home to family in the evenings,
participating in church activities during the week.
Closer to to the top is the church Youth worker in a position of leadership in the church organization.
Above him is an Elder because he actually has authority (right?),
and higher still is Pastor.
If you want to be a really marvelous Christian, go to a foreign country and be a missionary.
That's about as high as you can get on that fictitious Christian ladder.

I say this tongue in cheek, but even if we'd SAY we don't believe that ladder exists,
and that being a janitor or a mom staying home to raise children is as worthy as being a foreign missionary...
we don't actually believe it.
If I tell you that wiping a poopy bottom is as much a noble act of service as say,
delivering medical supplies to war torn countries,
you are not likely to reconcile that to your actual feelings on the subject.

Please don't misunderstand me.
I don't mean that those serving the Lord in foreign places; who lack family, comfort, and safety
(amongst many other tangible and lesser-seen things)
are not doing a precious thing.
What I mean to say, is that serving the Lord; worshiping Him is not exclusive
to the act of doing "great" things, but that perhaps our definition of "great" things
needs a broader perspective.  A perspective that realizes Jesus served His friends
...and enemies.
And that He healed people who didn't even thank Him. 
Or care about Him at all.
Just because we read about His earthly journey, and exploits of  those men who loved Him
in a book that is the most widely published of all time,
doesn't mean that they seemed very glorious 
at the time those guys were doing them!

So what am I driving at?

I may make great plans to do great things one great day,
but in the mean time, I have right now.
And that's all I have really.
Let me tell you that I mostly see a lot of weakness and not so much potential
in my everyday life.  Not only do I have chores, but I have attitudes that need to be
adjusted - MY attitudes.

I would prefer to imagine how I will take captive every thought to the glory of Christ
when I am imprisoned  in a single cement block cell 
eating gruel once a day.

It could happen.

But it's definitely more romantic to dream up that scenario,
than to actually take my 3 year-old to the potty,
help her with her pants,
set her up on the pot,
wait patiently until she is through,
then help procure the right amount of toilet paper,
wipe her bottom,
pull up those little pants...........

You get the picture.

But that, friends, is a bona fide real opportunity to serve the Lord God;
to capture my heart in that moment
and worship Him.

Just think of this:
Only in this brief journey as a pilgrim on earth, looking forward to my true home
do I have the chance to worship God while doing something I DON'T want to do.
One day I will worship God every day of eternity with joyful abandon and blissful ease
(and desire!) when I am at home with Him in Heaven.
But... in that day God will never give me a task that I DON'T want to do.
That means that only in this earthly life can I offer my worship as a gift to Him
in a time when it's hard to do it.

Here's the crux.
This can be practiced as well from
the Wintry, frozen pipe, no-shower-in-a-week, husband-out-of-town-again,
weepy, pregnant, very inadequate, fixing-one-more-sandwich, running-out-of-steam-before-the-mornings-end Far North of Idaho...
as it can be practiced by that precious servant, dusty and tired, holding a lice-infested baby
pouring out heart and soul; offering hope to a lost and dying people in South Africa.

If ever my focus is placed on the great thing I can do for God
instead of worshiping Him because of the Great Thing He did for me...

it won't matter how great other people think I am.
In that case, all my greatest efforts will be as wood, hay, and stubble,
and weren't intended for the Lord's benefit anyway.

*******************************

So what does this mean for me?
I KNOW I am unworthy of God's gift of salvation,
and I know I am not entitled to the many numerous blessings He's poured out on me.
I am ever-so-slowly learning to look for the Hand of God at work in my
"average"person's life, and to worship Him in the midst of my weakness.

I would like to know how you see the Hand of God in your daily moments;
and what that looks like practically in your life.
Have you ever thought about the fact that doing things we don't want to do, but with a
willing heart can be an act of worship to the Lord?
A little feedback could be very edifying for all the ladies reading comments if you feel inclined..

Take heart!

. . . “My grace is sufficient for you,
for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
II Corinthians 12:9

Have You Seen...

Those schmancy new pens 
that you can use to draw on glass?

We tried them today.

They were a hit!

But maybe you deduced that. ;-)

The word for this picture is: UNUSUAL.

 Lately I have been basking in the peace of freedom.
Freedom from the fear of men - from fearing how others perceive and value me.

Freedom to know my family best
and then serve them accordingly.

Freedom to decide what we eat
(chocolate covered cherries?)
and when
(10am breakfast?)

Freedom to make oatmeal every morning 
or something different every day of the week.
Freedom to bake freshly-ground whole wheat bread
or buy corn dogs and french fries for dinner.

Freedom to wear rubber boots all year
... even with skirts
and jammies all day during the Winter
...if I want to.

Freedom to wear a LITTLE blush,
big dangly earrings,
and a silk scarf
...without any place to go.
and just because I can.

Freedom to make another new schedule
only to throw it out before the weeks end.

Freedom to design the perfect chore list
only to discover that the list wasn't the problem
...when it came to actually getting the chores done.

Freedom to buy another kind of pencil
another bucket for organizing pens
one more binder,
copy book,
or personal sharpener
because it's okay not to know what will work
until I try it
...sometimes over and over again.

Freedom to start our school at the same time every morning of the week
...except one.
That "one" is subject to change on my whim.
...and sometimes I change it up every day.

Freedom to use Saxon Math, Abeka Math, or Math U See.
Or maybe just write problems on blank binder paper
and count loose change.

Freedom to not call "playing in the snow" Physical Education, but
...plain ol' "playing in the snow".

Freedom to be a Round Peg
when most the holes are square.

Freedom to collect clutter
and enjoy it.

Freedom to like bright colors 
and not shades of gray or off-white.

Freedom to make mistakes 
and laugh at myself
...and let others laugh at me too.

Freedom to know that God does not exist in a box,
I can't put Him in one
and He has given me His salvation
precisely
so that
I 
can be
FREE in HIM!

.......................................

Can I say again; How unusual to see all my children 
huddled around the table 
doing their various works and creations  
at the same time!!!

........................................


Oh lovely friends~

My household is dynamic.
ever-changing.
I set many goals;
many come to no account.
I often forget to notice the few things
we are succeeding at!
What a shame.

Your house is dynamic too
and totally different than mine.
You are succeeding in ways I envy,
and shouldn't forget to look there
instead of at the places where you feel you are drowning. 

You are FREE too, to be a friend of God
because of His grace and salvation
and  by His power!
Never use someone elses success for your measuring stick.
Only worship HIM 
with what you have, 
...and what you broke
...and what He has restored.

True Freedom is found only in Jesus.
Rest there with me.

I can't compete with Mrs. Jones

The blog buzz in my sphere lately, is all bout the start-up of a new school year.

Teaching Momma's are excited about
new books,
new organization,
new pencils and crayons,
new enthusiasm...

I have been thinking for weeks about what I want our next year of learning to entail.
As regards academics, what's the most important things I want to focus on for each child?
As regards hearts - what is most important to the Lord?
I have lots of ideas, and in my brainstorming I've been praying that the Lord would help me know what would be just the right approach for my family.
It's pretty easy to find value in what someone else is doing (because it always looks so much more achievable when someone else is doing the legwork!)

Then there's the beauty of blogging.
Only the best gets published, creating a lop-sided perspective of the total picture.

the best ideas,
the best pictures,
the best crafts,
the best stories,
the best successes,
the best days out of ALL the days I home school...

...Those are the blogs YOU get.

Those are the blog posts we ALL get when we peruse the windows into other peoples lives.
I'm not saying it's bad,
just
Inaccurate.


Just so you are clear, I don't plan to start blogging my failures and worst days.  I doubt you'd come back, and to be honest,
I prefer not to remember those things.

My purpose in reminding us (because this is my pep talk to me as well) this truth, is so that you and I purpose to

do . what . works . for .me

For you, that is.

 Do what works for YOU.

And don't be fooled into changing your groove just because it looks 

so beautiful

or successful, 

or intelligent...

on someone else!  You might actually lose a good thing that you already possess ;-) 

Now that I got that off my chest, let me share one thing that I'm really excited about doing this year:

I am going to 

study my children.

In trying to figure out what each one needs from me in the wide world of academia, I am quickly reminded that my children are unique - not only in ages and stages, but in every facet of their make-up.

Their personalities.

I am their mom, yet I could do to know them better.

Furthermore, there are things in this life that are more important to me than their ability to do sums.

Do I know how to help them with heart issues and character qualities on a personal level?  

In more than a general sense?   ie. "we are learning about Patience today children..."

Here's my little idea.

I am starting a binder just for journaling each of my children. 

There is a divider for each one, and in his or her place I plan to make notes about that persons 

strengths,

weaknesses,

abilities,

fears and concerns,

favorite things,

things they like to do,

thoughts and dreams.

Whatever makes them tick.

Whatever they tell me about themselves,

but mostly all the things I observe.

I will steal an idea from a friend of mine and draw each face, praying for that person as I study him.

I will record things they say and did;

I want to pay attention to poor attitudes that need to be uprooted before becoming a permanent part of that persons character.

I want to take time to pray for each one of mine with purpose and with understanding.

I hope to use that binder/journal a lot this year, and I hope it might start something that "works" for me.  

I have lots of plans for our school year, but I am trying to set baby goals so I can reevaluate every now and again whether my people are growing and learning,

or whether we are just checking off the boxes to get "it" done whatever "it" is,

or whether we are just attempting to keep up with what works for the Joneses.

Our family is unique from every other, just as each child in my home is different from one another.

Start off your year looking straight ahead.  Slow and steady is just fine.

You'll do great!

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, 

let us lay aside every weight, 

and the sin which doth so easily beset us, 

and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."

Hebrews 12:1

I have a Zillion things to do, but...

When don't I?
















Today I am excited and overwhelmed to be planning for a beloved husband's arrival home, followed by two weeks of visiting friends.

I'm excited because it is a privilege to share our Marvel Hill with people who are so precious to our family.

Overwhelmed because it won't be that "picture perfect" magazine image I want for it to be upon seeing it for the first time.  I will probably strive to make it so, but there will still be clutter, unfinished projects, and lack of space for shoe removal.

And no complete shower.  As yet.  ( I can say this because they're committed at this point!!)

........................................................................................................................................

Today I had my children help clean up a few things in the yard after dabbling in the garden.
During this time the Holy Spirit spoke to me in an impression.
My heart was soft to receive this truth and here's how it came to me:

Your guests will come.

Your guests will depart.

After all, your children will still be there.

This is nothing new perhaps, but today it made it's mark.

It really sunk how I prepare so hard to impress my friends, and my children even help me.  Then I miss the opportunity to show my  belovedest friends how dear they are to me.  Boy, do I want them to know they are the most important people in my life!  There will be times when it's necessary for outsiders to come first, but that should be after I am certain I have my children's hearts.  If I do, I'll know it because they always participate exuberantly with me in preparation for company when they feel they are cherished.

So, in light of this over-simple idea rattling around in my head,
I decided to forgo the tackling of my endless "zillion things to do" list.  Instead...

We went for a walk,
and the children found berries.

I'm glad I brought my camera.  It hasn't been a great Huckleberry Summer, but apparently the Strawberries are quite happy!  I'm glad Clay got a picture with his cultivated strawberries the other day because those three little berries sure don't look like much now!

 
































Miss Olivia really surprised me with her ability to pick and pick and SAVE her stash!  Wow!  Who knew?  I learned something new about that little daughter of mine today.

 Yes little brother was there.
And yes, he got a piece of the action!  He had his entourage bring the berries to him as he sat as spectator in his green chariot.  And yes.  He likes Strawberries now that he knows what they are ;-)

 This one was the exact opposite of her littler sis.  I hardly saw her WITH a berry because every one she picked went straight into her mouth.  She wasn't a bit sorry though - it was a method that worked fine for her!

 

 

We had a GREAT time.  It was time well spent :-)

Sanctification is Sometimes Sweet

We went "out" today, me an' the bitty Bugs.
As you know, that can be either good OR... challenging. Today it was good. Very good!

I have written on this subject before, but I feel it needs revisiting and a "good" day out is a good time to revisit it. Don't you agree?

Picture this:
Momma.
A cart with two little girls and baby in basket.
Two boys and a big girl following behind.












Rather a bit of a parade as we all troop into Costco, and only a portion of the crew some of you take with you on grocery excursions!

This is the time when you get "THE looks", "THE comments", occasionally "THE questions" and almost always the raised eyebrows.
On a "good" day we mommas-of-many like to don our most winsome smiles and uncan our favorite "replies" to dish out.
On a "not-so-good" outing we prefer to keep our heads down and move through the store as fast as five hands on the shopping cart and distracted little feet will allow.

I want to tell you the secret to my successful days. It's a fact that I don't implement my secret formula every time I go out, but when I DO remember, it works like a charm!

Momma Bug's
Successful Shopping Secret
for
Sanctified Supermoms

so they Survive Still Standing:

You must decide to enjoy your children before you set foot out of the house.
That's step one.
Step two is to TELL them you are going to enjoy them,

and TELL them how much you are enjoying them
(even when it's stretching the truth just a teeny bit),
and TELL them how wonderful they are; how great they are behaving; and how they are the best children in the whole world - and definitely the best children in the store!!

It's a tried and true formula folks.
If you TELL your children these things and purpose
and behave as though you mean it (because you DO)...
Your children will stand taller, walk straighter, pull on the cart less, help more,
and BE those wonderful children you told them they ARE!

Most the time I am guilty of attempting to shop with well behaved children under my own measly powers of persuasion. Sometimes it's a bearable excursion, but usually I forget to smile and have to iron creases out of my brow afterward. Not a pretty picture, but true.

Today though... smiles and giggles of the genuine sort. Even in the fray of mustard-covered faces and sticky hands. I enjoyed them.
They enjoyed me.

I guess it showed because even though I was completely preoccupied with my own little circus to notice anyone else, there were those who watched us.

One older gentleman came up to me and somehow managed to capture my distracted attention:

"Thanks..." he said with a grin
"Thanks for just being you."

And while that man "put the cherry on top", he also caused me to remember that my Lord is watching too.
And in that moment I knew my Heavenly Father was smiling with us :-)

Secrets Of Success

It doesn't get any better than this:

• Lounging on the couch;
• My fuzzy pajamas from Mrs. Smith;
• Waiting for my dinner to be delivered;
• Holding the worlds sweetest baby (since the last one I had);
• And on top of all that, he says he "loves" his momma! See? Just look at his t-shirt!

My son has good taste in clothing :-)







































And lest you think I can only think new-baby-boy thoughts, I will let you in on a little secret I learned in this last week:

• If I put aside my own personal aspirations for great creative outlet, and am willing to be content doing so, I can be truly available for my children.

I have known for a while that in this baby-raisin' season of my life, I really need to be content to shelve my own creative ventures.
I am not suggesting that I will put my pencil, scrapbook, or sewing machine in the closet for the next however-many-years ahead (not sure I could follow through with that if I wanted to!).

If my heart and mind are not fully engaged in being a mother; in training; in laughing; in sharing; in teaching; in ENJOYING my precious children every minute...
I find myself always looking to check my "duties" off my list so I can get to my OWN projects.

When that happens I don't do either one well, and am often hurrying my children in things that need my time and patience.

This last week I have accomplished more with my children than usual - even while sitting on the couch.

For starters, I decided to focus only on Math and Reading this Winter, which requires little more than reading, reading, reading; listening to my boys read, read, read; and then fielding questions as they work through their Math workbooks.
I can do all those things from the comfort of the living room couch while I hold or nurse baby.

I must have resolved to BE on that couch, because there I was, available to read instructions, to answer questions, to cuddle, to read books to the girls.

You know what I found? I wasn't in an all-fired hurry and they enjoyed me!
I can dictate chores from the couch, and oversee follow-through too. The house has remained relatively serene.

I look forward to jumping into some drawing projects before long, and making a couple Christmas stockings for a couple little Bugs, but I sure am enjoying this new found "thing that works for me" and I believe it is worth continuing to perfect.

So that's my little secret: Shelving my own agenda, and relaxing to be available for the children.
It seems to work!

There's No Place Like...

If you click your heels together the red ruby slippers will take you to... not Kansas exactly, but surely somewhere nice - California maybe?
And perhaps the sparkly silver ones could transport you to Colorado (and that's only because we're already in Idaho)
If they'd have had Carolina's size we might have been able to get to the moon.
Come to think of it... I didn't see any in MY size either. I want to go to Tasmania! Or Manitoba!!
Whaaaaaaa!!! Why didn't they have MY size?!!

These "slippers" are my solution to Dad's request that the children wear something on their feet when they come in the house. Well. Not the boys - I didn't get them anything sparkly - just went for plain ol' slip-on shoes for them.
I hunted and hunted for the perfect slipper.
Too sloppy and I knew they wouldn't keep them on their feet.
The sock kind with non-slip soles - would take too much effort to put on in a hurry.
Both versions of what I was looking for were upwards of twenty dollars. I just can't pay twenty dollars for a pair of socks! Sorry.

Ultimately the point is to keep dirt and oil from their grubby little feet off the floor and new carpets. You can imagine how often we will take pleasure in starting up the generator and hauling in an extension cord JUST to vacuum upstairs. Hm-hm.

Anyway, I determined that sparkles would be highly motivating for little girls - especially if only allowed to be worn while indoors (oooh, ahhh). I have yet to see the full fruition of my theories, but if you look closely at the picture above...
You will see the tiny fingers of one who wishes the sparkles came in HER size. In fact when the big kids are outside playing and the house gets a little quiet for having an-almost-two-year-old in it, I often find Carolina patiently pulling the vacant shoes onto her own feet.
Ahhh...
The luxuriousness of sparkly slippers!

Is She Coming or Going?

This one's a firecracker!

"Olivia, you're underwear are on backwards." or as in this picture "Olivia you're pants are on backwards".
(clearly the pockets were foolishly placed on the back of this clothing item, making it much more difficult to access for stuffing penny's and clam shells and such)

"No they're NOT!" She spouts without skipping a beat.
I think this might be referred to as...
"talking back".
"Being Sassy".
"Smart-mouthing"
Or...
"Unacceptable".




Definitely that last one!
What she has gotten away with as "cute" is not so cute as her normal mode of speech. I have to curtail it before getting roped into an argument with a three year old. These kind of responses often elicit a "yes they are, no they're not" kind of discussion which is usually born out of Mom's tiredness or laziness, and the three year old's human nature to dominate.
A rule of thumb most all children live by is:

wherever the line is drawn, get as close to it as possible
- if you're really brave,
cross over it just enough to be in charge
without collecting undesirable consequences.

She is my line cross-overer. Taking one toe, slipping it over the line all while looking you in the eye and wielding a do-you-dare impish grin. This is a casting down of the gauntlet.
Why do I have a three year old who is so successful at this game? It's because I didn't fight and win enough battles early on. She's never been the foot stomping type. Her style is sneakiness combined with charm. That one is harder to want to combat - the charm; it's difficult to crack down on someone who is batting her eyes at you!













Today however, I saw things for what they were and took no guff about those backwards undies!

It is ME I see reflected in my daughter.
My short-comings and weaknesses.
The things that irk me about a sassy child are remedied only by my quick diligence and follow-through. When I least feel like it THAT's most when I need to get up off my posterior and deal immediately. Did I mention being speedy? Fast? Quick as lightning? THAT is the strategy ladies! If you can make it across the room to the offender with gold medal sprinting speed, you will surprise the socks off your child and maybe even surprise the underwear to turn magically around;-) Combine that with consistency and you have a recipe for almost-certain success.
A few times of taking such astounding action will cause even the stubbornest of wills to consider giving that line some respect!

I don't mind backwards pants - really I don't! I think they're super cute and can't help letting them stay that way just for my own personal pleasure throughout the day, but let us keep the cuteness in the style and alluring smile, and NOT in words and tone whose days of enchantment are numbered.

This post is intended to be a little pep-talk for me. I know my lack in this area, but I also see the solution clearly. Make it worth her while to be honestly sweet and to obey promptly, and she will be.
Sweet, obedient, and truly charming!
There is no need for that delectably impish smile to fade in the process - in fact, I love my little lady's sense of humor and love of fun - but to give her the tools she needs to be a person of integrity and a woman of virtue?
To do this thing is to do one of the (many) "most important" tasks in mothering.
AND... there's no time to lose!

Deliberate.

That is a word that I might do to put into practice more.
It's felt like we've been on vacation staying with Grandparents for the last weeks - even though AJ works and we attempt to get in some school during the week. We've had so much FUN! Lots of rest, and many opportunities to enjoy family and beauty in the Lord's creation.

But it would seem that in the midst of a little school, a little work, very few chores, sipping hot tea on cold days and ice tea on the porch on warm ones; snuggling into bed late and rising late too as the fancy strikes... deliberate is a word in my vocabulary that is gathering dust.

What is there to be deliberate about when you have extra hands for a change, or a dishwasher?
What happens when you go with the flow for too long?
You lose momentum. You lose ground. I know because I am getting slower by the minute. I have been flying by the seat, giving the children "stuff" to do as I see fit, and keeping them occupied in between the romps that thrill their little hearts... rather than having a plan.
Oh some days there's a plan, but mostly we have taken life as it comes, freeing ourselves for that instant stopping and smelling of the roses.
Unfortunately, some of us have forgotten discipline. Wha...? Huh?
Discipline.
Follow through.
Work.

Yes work. Did you know that to "spoil" something is to plunder everything of value from it? You know, spoils of war? Have you ever thought of spoil in those terms when you think of "spoiling" your children? Typically we think that to spoil is to give them an excess of everything they want.
Did you know that doing that can strip away everything of value that they already have?
Patience.
Contentment.
Thankfulness.
The satisfaction of successful toil.



Here's my thought.
Perhaps if I decided to be deliberate in dealing with my children (ie. planning their school and work, and then helping them follow though) we might all value the tea-sipping, Rose-smelling, garden-walking, lego-playing, slipping-into-bed-late, Rocky Road-eating moments even more than we are right now! We all feel so much more accomplished when we make a plan, work through it, and look back over the day knowing we have been faithful.
Deliberate.

I LIKE seeing those little Bugs have fun! I like doing nothing! But I know that too much of a good thing really truly isn't good for a body. At least if it's not tempered by a a little hard work and elbow grease. I guess that's what I aim to do. Balance our indulgence with some intention.
I intend to be more deliberate.

Already I am being successful with my little victories; I just want to add another bite to that.
The goal here is to build virtue, integrity, and character - in ME as I sand away my children's rough edges and attempt to instill those things in them. I doubt it matters WHAT we do, as long as we purpose to do something and then DO it!
Deliberately.