G.K. Chesterton
"The Bible calls debt a curse and children a blessing. But in our culture we apply for a curse and reject blessings. Something is wrong with this picture."
Doug Phillips
Friday, May 16, 2008
07:49
Comfort or Character?
We do programs about motherhood, and I’ve lost count of the women who’ve said, “But I’m happier in the workplace than I am at home.” I want to linger on that point because it’s legitimate. A lot of people will say, “Well, I’m a better mother when I’m happier, and I’m happier when I’m out in the workplace than I am at home.”
We need to examine that. We need to unpack that a little bit and say:
* How do you define happiness?
* Why do you think that being affirmed with a paycheck and a co-worker that gives you an “atta boy” or an “atta girl” at the end of every two weeks somehow transcends what it means to be taking care of children?
Click here to read more....
We need to examine that. We need to unpack that a little bit and say:
* How do you define happiness?
* Why do you think that being affirmed with a paycheck and a co-worker that gives you an “atta boy” or an “atta girl” at the end of every two weeks somehow transcends what it means to be taking care of children?
Click here to read more....
Blessings,
Keri Mae
Keri Mae
Permanent Link
Thursday, May 15, 2008
07:39
Come, Summer, Come!
One of the best things about living in the northwest is that summers here are , truly, glorious. We are getting a little taste of that tonight, with the children currently running through the reset sprinklers while Daddy grills some choice hamburgers on his new (early Father’s Day gift) BBQ. It is almost 7:30! It’s so light outside we easily lose track of time now.
One of the tasks our family has been about lately is getting the yard all cleaned up. The grass was mowed the first time this season, the meadow has been seeded, and the kitchen gardens are welcoming the first transplants out of the greenhouse. But, by far, one of my most favorite jobs outside is mulching.
Mulching is, essentially, topping the garden beds with a fresh layer of topsoil and compost mix. Sometimes I use just dairy manure. I’ve used bark in the past, and although it’s a popular thing to use around these parts, I really think some of my plants hated it. Anyhow, doing this twice a year does a tremendous job of feeding the existing plants, keeping the weeds at bay, retaining water, and cooling the roots from the hot sun. Doing this again in the fall has the same benefits, except that instead of cooling roots, it keeps them warm.
Here is an example of a garden bed before mulching. It’s been weeded, but it’s impossible to pick out every weed seed just waiting until you go inside to pop its little head up.
Here’s the same bed after mulching. It looks so awesome! The beds are smoothed over, and the colors of the foliage of the plants really stick out and look beautiful.
Everyone can help do this! This is my 4yo scooping out fresh soil into buckets. Even my almost 2yo helped with buckets (holding about a cup’s worth LOL).
Lastly, we got some cool new toys to help with the weeding. I am telling you, if you want your kids BEGGING to do some weeding, get them weed hounds.
Time to eat and enjoy the satisfaction of jobs well done :)
One of the tasks our family has been about lately is getting the yard all cleaned up. The grass was mowed the first time this season, the meadow has been seeded, and the kitchen gardens are welcoming the first transplants out of the greenhouse. But, by far, one of my most favorite jobs outside is mulching.
Mulching is, essentially, topping the garden beds with a fresh layer of topsoil and compost mix. Sometimes I use just dairy manure. I’ve used bark in the past, and although it’s a popular thing to use around these parts, I really think some of my plants hated it. Anyhow, doing this twice a year does a tremendous job of feeding the existing plants, keeping the weeds at bay, retaining water, and cooling the roots from the hot sun. Doing this again in the fall has the same benefits, except that instead of cooling roots, it keeps them warm.
Here is an example of a garden bed before mulching. It’s been weeded, but it’s impossible to pick out every weed seed just waiting until you go inside to pop its little head up.
Here’s the same bed after mulching. It looks so awesome! The beds are smoothed over, and the colors of the foliage of the plants really stick out and look beautiful.
Everyone can help do this! This is my 4yo scooping out fresh soil into buckets. Even my almost 2yo helped with buckets (holding about a cup’s worth LOL).
Lastly, we got some cool new toys to help with the weeding. I am telling you, if you want your kids BEGGING to do some weeding, get them weed hounds.
Time to eat and enjoy the satisfaction of jobs well done :)
Blessings,
Keri Mae
Keri Mae
Permanent Link
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
07:53
Keeping Watch
Birds have found the feeders, and the cat her new source of entertainment:
Dream on, kitty.
Dream on, kitty.
Blessings,
Keri Mae
Keri Mae
Permanent Link
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
07:49
More Scripture in the Home
Some of you may remember the measuring cups in my kitchen.
I wanted to share with you a sweet pillow a lady a church made for my family. It has embroidered onto it Ps 139:5, which says,
Psalms 139:5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
It’s a bit hard to make out, but there is a hand on the pillow with a smiley face within it and the scripture reference. In the pocket was this note:
God’s Pocket
This psalm reminds me of God hemming me in, just like a pocket is hemmed in on all sides, but one--just leaving a place for his hand to reach in and hold me. When I have something valuable, I hold it safely in my pocket. In the same way, God holds me so securely--hemmed in all around with room for the comfort of his touch.
Doesn’t this seem like an easy project? How about a pocket on a child’s backpack? I want to think more creatively like this, and bring the truth of God’s Word into our home more in a real visual way.
I wanted to share with you a sweet pillow a lady a church made for my family. It has embroidered onto it Ps 139:5, which says,
Psalms 139:5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
It’s a bit hard to make out, but there is a hand on the pillow with a smiley face within it and the scripture reference. In the pocket was this note:
This psalm reminds me of God hemming me in, just like a pocket is hemmed in on all sides, but one--just leaving a place for his hand to reach in and hold me. When I have something valuable, I hold it safely in my pocket. In the same way, God holds me so securely--hemmed in all around with room for the comfort of his touch.
Doesn’t this seem like an easy project? How about a pocket on a child’s backpack? I want to think more creatively like this, and bring the truth of God’s Word into our home more in a real visual way.
Blessings,
Keri Mae
Keri Mae
Permanent Link
One thing we are learning is how fragile kits are. We are checking on them everyday, and yesterday we discovered one that had somehow gotten out of his (her?) nestbox and gotten wedged between the box and the cage. What a heartbreak.
We are so enjoying these babies, though. They are starting to get a lot more wiggly, and some have opened their eyes. Don’t ask me how we’re ever going to sell them off, when they look as adorable as this:
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
07:38
And Then There Were Six
One thing we are learning is how fragile kits are. We are checking on them everyday, and yesterday we discovered one that had somehow gotten out of his (her?) nestbox and gotten wedged between the box and the cage. What a heartbreak.
We are so enjoying these babies, though. They are starting to get a lot more wiggly, and some have opened their eyes. Don’t ask me how we’re ever going to sell them off, when they look as adorable as this:
Blessings,
Keri Mae
Keri Mae
Permanent Link
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
07:50
A Clean Sweep
Yesterday actually turned out to be fairly productive. I don’t know why I’m surprised, but I always am when God answers my meager prayers for “Hellllllllllllllllllppppppppp!”
What I did was got out a sheet of paper for each child, gridded with boxes. On each box I listed a task to be done, such as “pick up and put away every book in the house” for my 6yo to “clean the washer and dryers” for my 10yo. I figured that we would just spring clean, and going through my binder helped me to formulate these tasks to do. Every 3-4 boxes, I put “one hour of free time”. During the day, I still allowed them some time of outside play, and of course nap/rest time. That afternoon, I pulled my eldest two for exactly one hour of homeschooling work.
I have about 16 boxes filled for them, each. The 4yo has things on it such as “help (the 8yo)” and “help Mommy”. Every time a box was completed, I put on a sticker AFTER I inspected their work (see, I’m learning, too!).
I got into the swing of things and made a sheet for myself. Yesterday I got things accomplished such as cleaning under the kitchen sink (ewww), going through my kitchen shelf, culling cookbooks I never use, and cleaning up my bedside tables.
Lest my hubby felt left out, I made one for him, too, and listed some honey-do things I’d like him to do. Of course, I’m not *making* him do any of it, but it felt good to get things out of my head and onto paper. He seemed good about it as well.
Lastly, I put a *prize* for each child when they got halfway (such as a bubble gum pack for the 10yo....which she NEVER gets....), and a “big” prize at the very end, such as a family trip to the pool, or a hamster for my 8yo (he’s been wanting one forever). My own prize is going to be a few bouquets of flowers to put around my newly clean home!
Today we are on the same plan. My own first task is to clean my laundry room, which I am actually looking forward to. It feels good to get my house cleaned up, so I suppose I ought to be thankful for the mess that greeted me yesterday.
Nesting? Who, me?
What I did was got out a sheet of paper for each child, gridded with boxes. On each box I listed a task to be done, such as “pick up and put away every book in the house” for my 6yo to “clean the washer and dryers” for my 10yo. I figured that we would just spring clean, and going through my binder helped me to formulate these tasks to do. Every 3-4 boxes, I put “one hour of free time”. During the day, I still allowed them some time of outside play, and of course nap/rest time. That afternoon, I pulled my eldest two for exactly one hour of homeschooling work.
I have about 16 boxes filled for them, each. The 4yo has things on it such as “help (the 8yo)” and “help Mommy”. Every time a box was completed, I put on a sticker AFTER I inspected their work (see, I’m learning, too!).
I got into the swing of things and made a sheet for myself. Yesterday I got things accomplished such as cleaning under the kitchen sink (ewww), going through my kitchen shelf, culling cookbooks I never use, and cleaning up my bedside tables.
Lest my hubby felt left out, I made one for him, too, and listed some honey-do things I’d like him to do. Of course, I’m not *making* him do any of it, but it felt good to get things out of my head and onto paper. He seemed good about it as well.
Lastly, I put a *prize* for each child when they got halfway (such as a bubble gum pack for the 10yo....which she NEVER gets....), and a “big” prize at the very end, such as a family trip to the pool, or a hamster for my 8yo (he’s been wanting one forever). My own prize is going to be a few bouquets of flowers to put around my newly clean home!
Today we are on the same plan. My own first task is to clean my laundry room, which I am actually looking forward to. It feels good to get my house cleaned up, so I suppose I ought to be thankful for the mess that greeted me yesterday.
Nesting? Who, me?
Blessings,
Keri Mae
Keri Mae
Permanent Link
Monday, May 12, 2008
08:48
Feeling Defeated
My body feels quite cumbersome now, as I waddle slowly and move with frustrating slowness. Teetering up the stairs is my least favorite thing to do, and as such, I’ve been *trusting* that my commands to get cleaned up and so forth were being obeyed (you can see where this is going, can't you?)
And this morning I climbed Mt. Upstairs....and was reminded of a bit of wisdom someone once shared, "It's not what you EXpect, it's what you INspect."
My eyes were enormous. There were puzzles, trains, books, trash, blankets, play dishes, toy cars, coloring pencils, and a multitude of other playthings covering up whatever semblance of carpet I might have. Just looking into the doors of the bedrooms gave me enough information to know I didn’t want to go into them.
So here I am, blogging. I have not blown my top. I want to. I really, really want to. But something that has helped me lately is this little statement:
“Even though I.........(want to blow my top and start throwing everything I can find into the garbage and want to, really want to, make all my babies tremble at my yelling and make them all cry.....while they pick up of course).......I will.......(pray, and umm.....right now, it’s blog until I cool off.....)
My plan......homeschooling is out, picking up is in. Outside play is out, inside extra chores are in (don’t I need some mopping done? How about an early week bathroom cleaning?) And I will smile and be firm through it all.
God help me.
And this morning I climbed Mt. Upstairs....and was reminded of a bit of wisdom someone once shared, "It's not what you EXpect, it's what you INspect."
My eyes were enormous. There were puzzles, trains, books, trash, blankets, play dishes, toy cars, coloring pencils, and a multitude of other playthings covering up whatever semblance of carpet I might have. Just looking into the doors of the bedrooms gave me enough information to know I didn’t want to go into them.
So here I am, blogging. I have not blown my top. I want to. I really, really want to. But something that has helped me lately is this little statement:
“Even though I.........(want to blow my top and start throwing everything I can find into the garbage and want to, really want to, make all my babies tremble at my yelling and make them all cry.....while they pick up of course).......I will.......(pray, and umm.....right now, it’s blog until I cool off.....)
My plan......homeschooling is out, picking up is in. Outside play is out, inside extra chores are in (don’t I need some mopping done? How about an early week bathroom cleaning?) And I will smile and be firm through it all.
God help me.
Blessings,
Keri Mae
Keri Mae
Permanent Link
Saturday, May 10, 2008
12:05
Mother’s Day and My Need for Children
I get a wide range of responses to the size of my family, but some are just so funny. For example, I couldn’t tell you how many times someone was so “amazed” and then in the next breath said something akin to, “Well, actually, I am one of seven”.
Someone once asked me why I needed to have so many children. It sounded so foreign to me: “need”. Do I need this many children? Do I even need one? How many do I need?
The truth is that this comment just highlighted different worlds of thinking. I don’t personally have and raise children because I have some hole to fill up, some need to address, something that is lacking that only having more children can fill. In fact, my having children really isn’t about *my* wants and needs at all, which I think, was the point of the question.
For me, it is about recognizing the value and beauty of every person, and of living out my life that is completely in tune with the way I was created. I am a woman. I have a womb. I have a husband. Our bodies are in working order, we are fertile, and we love to play. Conceiving and having children is NORMAL, and we are so thankful to God for each and every child that we are blessed with. I cannot imagine not having child number 3, with her sweet demeanor and love notes. I cannot imagine not having child number 4, with her pixy ways and hands into everything. I cannot imagine not having child number 5, who delights us all with his antics so much, that I am afraid we will ruin the poor fellow with poor supper manners because we cannot help but cry to tears with the faces and sounds he makes at the table. Who knows what blessings this newest child shall bring?
Other comments I have gotten:
“Well, if you don’t have the children, you wouldn’t know what you were missing.”
True. But OH! Why in the world would I want to miss out on a single beautiful addition to our family, and for what? Another car in the driveway? Time to quilt? Work a job? I already regret the children we missed in the first five years of our marriage, between birth control and difficulty conceiving. I thank God we have no medical issues, that our bodies are not either purposely broken or rent by illness or consequences from the choices we made earlier in our lives. God is so merciful!
“You have a womb, but you have a brain too. Use your common sense.”
I find this to be incredulous. Common sense? Common? All anyone has to do is look around and see that the sense that is oh, so common, isn’t so smart. I’m not at all attracted to women who are happy that their children are gone all day, who press and bicker with their husbands, who see their homes as prisons and their days just something to “get through”. Where’s the joy in that?
Actually, the first thing that popped into my head at hearing that was:
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
And the idea that women who have multiple children are “mindless” is laughable. The most beautiful women I know have a deep abiding strength along with a river of peace. They smile. They speak softly. They not only stand strong in the midst of condemnation and ridicule, but do it with complete grace. These women are not mindless, they are full of the mind of Christ, which of course the world calls “foolishness” but cannot reconcile between their own sad and empty lives.
In case you didn’t know yet, the Duggars are expecting child #18. Does this excite you or repulse you? Do you see any semblance of eyeball rolling, sighing, pathetic martyrdom in this woman? And if not, does it not make you wonder why that is?
Well, now that I have thought this through, maybe I *DO* need children. They encourage me to be close and faithful to my husband, to keep a lovely home, to grow in patience, in grace, in all fruits of the spirit. Nothing else I could ever do would spar with and cause the demise of the selfishness that I am prone to. First I sacrifice my body for them, then my heart, my time, and my energy. Ultimately what I find is that in doing so, my wants and needs change, to become less about me, myself and I, and more about Jesus Christ, my family, and the hurting people I know.
So, yes, Lord, I NEED my children. Thank you for each and every one of them, and for how you manifest your presence in our home through their sweet smiles, little hands, and overflowing hearts. Take my life and let it be wholly devoted to the sweet mercies of motherhood. Let me never forget how blessed am I .
Someone once asked me why I needed to have so many children. It sounded so foreign to me: “need”. Do I need this many children? Do I even need one? How many do I need?
The truth is that this comment just highlighted different worlds of thinking. I don’t personally have and raise children because I have some hole to fill up, some need to address, something that is lacking that only having more children can fill. In fact, my having children really isn’t about *my* wants and needs at all, which I think, was the point of the question.
For me, it is about recognizing the value and beauty of every person, and of living out my life that is completely in tune with the way I was created. I am a woman. I have a womb. I have a husband. Our bodies are in working order, we are fertile, and we love to play. Conceiving and having children is NORMAL, and we are so thankful to God for each and every child that we are blessed with. I cannot imagine not having child number 3, with her sweet demeanor and love notes. I cannot imagine not having child number 4, with her pixy ways and hands into everything. I cannot imagine not having child number 5, who delights us all with his antics so much, that I am afraid we will ruin the poor fellow with poor supper manners because we cannot help but cry to tears with the faces and sounds he makes at the table. Who knows what blessings this newest child shall bring?
Other comments I have gotten:
“Well, if you don’t have the children, you wouldn’t know what you were missing.”
True. But OH! Why in the world would I want to miss out on a single beautiful addition to our family, and for what? Another car in the driveway? Time to quilt? Work a job? I already regret the children we missed in the first five years of our marriage, between birth control and difficulty conceiving. I thank God we have no medical issues, that our bodies are not either purposely broken or rent by illness or consequences from the choices we made earlier in our lives. God is so merciful!
“You have a womb, but you have a brain too. Use your common sense.”
I find this to be incredulous. Common sense? Common? All anyone has to do is look around and see that the sense that is oh, so common, isn’t so smart. I’m not at all attracted to women who are happy that their children are gone all day, who press and bicker with their husbands, who see their homes as prisons and their days just something to “get through”. Where’s the joy in that?
Actually, the first thing that popped into my head at hearing that was:
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
And the idea that women who have multiple children are “mindless” is laughable. The most beautiful women I know have a deep abiding strength along with a river of peace. They smile. They speak softly. They not only stand strong in the midst of condemnation and ridicule, but do it with complete grace. These women are not mindless, they are full of the mind of Christ, which of course the world calls “foolishness” but cannot reconcile between their own sad and empty lives.
In case you didn’t know yet, the Duggars are expecting child #18. Does this excite you or repulse you? Do you see any semblance of eyeball rolling, sighing, pathetic martyrdom in this woman? And if not, does it not make you wonder why that is?
Well, now that I have thought this through, maybe I *DO* need children. They encourage me to be close and faithful to my husband, to keep a lovely home, to grow in patience, in grace, in all fruits of the spirit. Nothing else I could ever do would spar with and cause the demise of the selfishness that I am prone to. First I sacrifice my body for them, then my heart, my time, and my energy. Ultimately what I find is that in doing so, my wants and needs change, to become less about me, myself and I, and more about Jesus Christ, my family, and the hurting people I know.
So, yes, Lord, I NEED my children. Thank you for each and every one of them, and for how you manifest your presence in our home through their sweet smiles, little hands, and overflowing hearts. Take my life and let it be wholly devoted to the sweet mercies of motherhood. Let me never forget how blessed am I .
Blessings,
Keri Mae
Keri Mae
Permanent Link
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
07:09
A Note of Encouragement
I wish I could put this small note (or one similar) into every one of your mailboxes. A sweet elderly widow sent it to me and it was refreshing, so I am sharing it with you. Drink up, if you need it.....
Hi (enter your name here),
It won’t be long and you will be holding that little one in your arms (not in your tummy). What a joy that will be for you and to all your family.
You and (enter your husband’s name) are great people and good parents. You will get better and better at parenting as the years go by and you experience difficulties and good times. I know Jesus is a big part of your lives. Continue to trust in Him for everything.
Love and Prayers
Along those lines, if you would like to receive A Word of Encouragement on a more regular basis, I got this in my inbox and am passing it along:
We have been very concerned about the strain that the poor economy is placing on our readers. Many families are struggling just to make ends meet and have virtually nothing left at the end of the month. We have also experienced the effects of these inflationary costs in the rising expense of printing and shipping of our magazines. However, after much prayer and seeking the Lord, we are taking a step of faith. We do NOT want a lack of funds to keep ANYONE from receiving the spiritual and practical encouragement of our magazines.
If you have been wanting to receive:
An Encouraging Word Magazine (for Christian Women of all ages)
Home School Digest Journal (Family Discipleship magazine)
Brush Arbor Quarterly Magazine (on Revival and Deeper Life)
but have been hindered because of finances, please do not let that stand in your way. We are making these three magazines available to you for literally WHATEVER YOU CAN AFFORD!
Please help us get the word out about this offer to your friends and family members who would benefit from our publications. Prayerfully consider forwarding this email to your email list, posting it on your blog, printing it out for your church bulletin board, or giving it out at your next small group or homeschool meeting.
To subscribe for WHATEVER YOU CAN AFFORD, please visit WisdomsGate.com or call 1-800-343-1943.
Please pray for us as we embrace this new act of obedience to God's direction for our ministry.
Your servant,
Israel Wayne
Hi (enter your name here),
It won’t be long and you will be holding that little one in your arms (not in your tummy). What a joy that will be for you and to all your family.
You and (enter your husband’s name) are great people and good parents. You will get better and better at parenting as the years go by and you experience difficulties and good times. I know Jesus is a big part of your lives. Continue to trust in Him for everything.
Love and Prayers
Along those lines, if you would like to receive A Word of Encouragement on a more regular basis, I got this in my inbox and am passing it along:
We have been very concerned about the strain that the poor economy is placing on our readers. Many families are struggling just to make ends meet and have virtually nothing left at the end of the month. We have also experienced the effects of these inflationary costs in the rising expense of printing and shipping of our magazines. However, after much prayer and seeking the Lord, we are taking a step of faith. We do NOT want a lack of funds to keep ANYONE from receiving the spiritual and practical encouragement of our magazines.
If you have been wanting to receive:
An Encouraging Word Magazine (for Christian Women of all ages)
Home School Digest Journal (Family Discipleship magazine)
Brush Arbor Quarterly Magazine (on Revival and Deeper Life)
but have been hindered because of finances, please do not let that stand in your way. We are making these three magazines available to you for literally WHATEVER YOU CAN AFFORD!
Please help us get the word out about this offer to your friends and family members who would benefit from our publications. Prayerfully consider forwarding this email to your email list, posting it on your blog, printing it out for your church bulletin board, or giving it out at your next small group or homeschool meeting.
To subscribe for WHATEVER YOU CAN AFFORD, please visit WisdomsGate.com or call 1-800-343-1943.
Please pray for us as we embrace this new act of obedience to God's direction for our ministry.
Your servant,
Israel Wayne
Marketing Director
(for all of us here at Wisdom's Gate)
Blessings,
Keri Mae
Keri Mae
Permanent Link
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
07:04
The Drag
I can't think of why anyone would think that staying at home is a drag. We began our schoolwork again yesterday, and between that, homekeeping, cooking, and playing, our day was full of pleasured purpose. Even the discipline issues didn't get me down; I was able to tackle them with patience, persistence, and (p....p....) productiveness! It's too bad that not every day is like that! But overall, I am so grateful to be home, so grateful to have my children about me, so grateful that my husband provides both the encouragement and exhortation in the tasks I am daily doing.
Some days, however, are a drag. Here is a photo of one of them:
What you don't see is the almost 2yo on Daddy's lap, enjoying the loop-de-loos around and around, *dragging* on the soon-to-be meadow, to level the ground out.
You know, even days that really do "drag" have some element within them to draw forth gratitude and blessing. I hope I remember that when it is my mind doing the dragging!
Some days, however, are a drag. Here is a photo of one of them:
What you don't see is the almost 2yo on Daddy's lap, enjoying the loop-de-loos around and around, *dragging* on the soon-to-be meadow, to level the ground out.
You know, even days that really do "drag" have some element within them to draw forth gratitude and blessing. I hope I remember that when it is my mind doing the dragging!
Blessings,
Keri Mae
Keri Mae
Permanent Link
All material contained on this page and this website are protected under international Copyright. Permission is granted to reprint any article from this site as long as the article is printed in its entirity, and the website address is included with my name. Thank you!
All material contained on this page and this website are protected under international Copyright. Permission is granted to reprint any article from this site as long as the article is printed in its entirity, and the website address is included with my name. Thank you!
Ponderings of a happy help meet to Tom and mama of many, looking to joyfully serve the Lord out of a happy home.
