Have you ever felt this way?  Sometimes I do - there are times in my life where I feel confident, target in mind and our days fall in place well.  I try to maintain flexibility with our schedule - because being too strict only causes me great frustration, yet I have  tendency to err on too flexible and we don't get anything done!  This is when I feel the raft syndrome come upon me (since we live in a day when we must diagnose our every malfunction.)  We float along - sometimes the days are placid, sometimes rough, we aren't sure what will happen the next hour or what we might even accomplish!

We had some illness with the children, and my major canning season through off the normal routine as canning veggies was our main goal each day and the rest fell as it may.  So now I need to get back into my routing/schedule and I'm having trouble doing that.

So this is one of the times where I feel like I'm just floating along and need to get a little direction back in my life!

So today I'm trying to start that back again!  We rose at a decent hour (7) and we were doing school by 8:30 (yeah!)  I did have a couple phone calls that threw me off - also some poor behaviour from my 2.75 yr old while I was on the phone.  So I had to help him reap the consequences of his poor choices on behaviour - finish up school, lunch then off to swim lessons. Home, placed the boy down for a nap and sat down with coffee and homemade cinnamon roll to do my quiet time!  (My Bible reading/prayer is what I miss the most probably the main reason for my lack of direction feeling.)  I really enjoy being able to sit and read my Bible in the quiet of the house so that I can concentrate.  For a long time I had a restricted quiet time where the girls must do quiet activities while their brother slept so that I could do something and concentrate. 

My favorite way to study is to read a passage or couple passages (or book) from the Bible and then read in our Matthew Henry commentary.  It helps solidify and engrain in my memory and gives me more to think on over the next day.  I am trying to get ourselves back in gear here!  Not spending my daily quiet time affects so much more in our day!  I recently read a book Passionate Housewives and one woman just reads snippets of scripture throughout her day since she cannot have a dedicated quiet time.  I appreciated the thought - but if I do that - it does not stick in this little brain of min e - at the end of the day I would not be able to recollect what I had read!  But some is better than none!  So I should incorporate that on days that get a little too hectic or out of kilter!

I also need to be more intentional - without it - I just plain forget.  Forget a lot of things - such as reviewing Bible stories with the children while we work, reinforcing the lessons that we learn, reminding them of Bible applications as we discuss things daily.  These definately provide more direction in our daily lives!

Anyway - so for what it's worth - hoping we can pull this raft over and try to get a better start on our next couple weeks and live with more purpose and intentiality in our days!!  May we not become weary (or distracted!) in doing good!...

wendy

I get several magazines second hand.  So I was reading a hand me down magazine from last winter given to us by a relative.  In it it had a wonderful article about secret sibling.   The author's children were beginning to show signs of winter doldrems - by nit picking, arguing, etc.  So she came up with a plan. It worked for her family - so I want to share it here - and plan to keep it in my memory folder also!

They gathered the entire family (children & parents) everyone wrote their name on a piece of paper and threw it in a bowl - each person retrieved a name.  That was their secret sibling for the next ?? time period.  During that time period (she chose 2 weeks) they were to do nice things for their secret sibling - they were all to be little to no cost and they were to be done as secretively as possible.  She said the turnaround in the family - especially with her children was amazing!  There were giggles, and knowing smiles, some siblings even did secret nice things for others that weren't their secret sibling just to throw them off!  Chores were done for siblings so they wouldn't have to do them, notes were written, special treats made, etc.  At the end of the time period she made their favorite dinner and homemade cake and they had their reveal party.  The interesting part is that she said the children realized that they enjoyed it so much that they continued to carry on the acts without the encouragement of their mother!

I thought this was a wonderful Idea - so I wanted to share with you!

wendy

Menu with Daily Costs

Notes: My menu is really more of a set of guidelines- what I’m prepared to prepare. Sometimes life gets in the way and meals get switched or we find ourselves helping out at my parents’ place and eating supper with them. Often I will carry over a meal to the next week if we didn’t get to it- since I have the ingredients on hand. With the holidays coming we have declared this week to be a pantry week- meaning we will be eating from the pantry and freezer and only purchasing staples like milk and eggs this week.

Monday
B: Oatmeal with your choice of topping
L: ravioli, bread and butter, cubed cheese
D: Tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, dill pickles
Dessert: iced monkey bread
Daily Cost: $7.92
Tuesday
B: Mama’s cheesy scrambled eggs, toast
L: Homeschool group lunch: Bring: cranberry Jell-o jigglers
D: Maiden cook: skillet lasagna, garlic bread
Dessert: none
Daily Cost: $7.56
Wednesday
B: Choice: cereal or yogurt
L: chicken noodle soup & mini sandwich triangles
D: Peppy Macaroni
Dessert: Twinkie Cake
Daily Cost: $11.12
Thursday
B: Toad in the Hole
L: Nachos
D: One Dish Chicken bake, steamed veggies
Dessert: leftover Twinkie cake
Daily Cost: $7.64
Friday – Family Movie Nite
B: Oatmeal with your choice of topping, toast
L: Diner Dinner
D: Cheeseburger Casserole
Dessert: is there any Twinkie cake left?
Daily Cost: $5.14
Saturday
B: Daddy cook (eggs, bacon, toast etc.)
L: Leftover Smorgasbord
D: Leftover Smorgasbord
Daily Cost: $3.00
Sunday
B: Cocoa Wheats, toast
L: Harvest dinner @ church: bring greens salad
D: @ my parents
Daily Cost: $5.25
Weekly Total: $47.63
~~ Don’t forget to check out the yummy menu ideas every Monday over at The Organizing Junkie’s blog. You just might find your next favorite family recipe!

Jonathan is nudging me to begin getting things together for the birth. The man has it together, I tell you! He was the one who noticed I was low on iron at twenty weeks (and prompted me to take it) and he has reminded me of several things this time around. Now he’s asking me to get ready for labor and delivery. Huh? That’s still a long ways away . . . right? Right?

Well, Elijah arrived about three weeks from now, so if I want to leisurely gather stuff, I probably should start now. Wow. Where did the time go? I don’t feel big enough to be starting the eighth month!

<<<<<<<<<<

Samuel continues to astound me. He can put together 24-piece puzzles. By himself. His vocabulary, which seemed non-existent up until the age of two, is crazy. The other day me and Jonathan looked at each other and were like “Can you believe we have a child that speaks in sentences now?”

Not really.

Words that have been garbled are finally becoming clearer, like “milk” and “air plane”.

We have decided that he will probably be a football playing - golfer- that rabidly loves basketball – and baseball – while flying airplanes – riding horses, and conducting trains.

Amazing how you can predict such things, huh? *wink*

It’s wonderful to have a growing boy in the house. This morning I was making blender pancakes, and I turned the blender on and ran out to the garage, where we have a second refrigerator, for a dozen eggs. I was out there closing the garage door, thinking to myself that the blender probably needed to be turned off, and the timer was going to be beeping at me . . .

And I walked into a quiet house. Samuel had heard the timer, and turned off the blender for me! We often make these together, so he knows what the timer means and how to turn off the blender . . . I was just so tickled that he’d heard it from the other room and ran in to do it for me. What a big help! I was turning pancakes and he wandered into the kitchen, looked around, and said “Help Mommy!” and took both our containers of syrup into the table. And forks, which he gets out of the drawer himself. Without being asked.

I love my helper!

<<<<<<<<<<

Elijah is something else. He has a temper, that’s for sure. But at the same time, he is surprisingly obedient. I think it has a bit to do with the fact that A) we started earlier B) we have more confidence when it comes to teaching him C) his temperament.

For quite a while, he would throw a perfect fit until breakfast was placed before him. Finally, a few weeks ago, I started having him sit on his tush in the kitchen while I cooked – if he was going to scream and cry and cling to me. It only took a few days before he would watch me quietly, and now he plays in the kitchen or living room while I cook. Trust me, I’m not fixing a gourmet meal here! It takes less than  10-15 minutes to get a typical breakfast on the table. Maybe half an hour. And a last, Elijah seems to realize that breakfast doesn’t have to be instant in order for him to survive. I’m still getting used to the difference!

It’s so interesting to me . . . I heard someone ask the other day when they would be able to stop chasing their 1yo around the house. I said I had no idea – I had taught my 1yo to come to me. And later I thought about all the other stuff my 13 month old does . . . how he stops what he’s doing when he hears the word “no” . . . and he sits down when I ask him too, and recently I’ve started asking him to “go to the table” and meet me there as I put a meal on the table. It always surprises me; how much he actually understands! Most of the stuff he’s learned hasn’t needed to be “taught” to the degree it took for Samuel to catch on. I typically just decide to see if he understands something . . . and when he does  . . . I start requiring it! And again, that’s probably because we got a later start with Samuel . . . not necessarily Samuel. Or it could be. Who really cares? They are two different boys. *shrugs*

<<<<<<<<<<

I wonder about this baby. It doesn’t seem really real. Another baby? Can we really be so blessed? On the one hand I’m insanely happy that we’re going to be a family of five. On the other hand it’s a bit surreal. Not too long ago at all, I was the one dragging my feet about babies. I thought they would ruin our idyllic life. And now . . . .

My wonderful, blessed husband will have had one child at 24yo, two at 25yo, and three at 26yo. How cool is that? I watch him sometimes – he’s such a “young” daddy to me. My own dad was 37yo when I was born. Sometimes I just watch him play with his boys and marvel at how young he is . . . able to play hard, work hard.

I’m sure that as we get older, things will change. But I’m confident that he will be a good “old” daddy, too, just as one day he’ll be a good grandfather. Different doesn’t always mean bad; and I’m certain that no matter what ages we have children, they will be so blessed to know their father, even if he’s a little less silly or something. Although it’s really hard to imagine us “less” silly!

These have got to be some of the most bestest days of my life!!!!!

~Ashley~

For Today…November 17th, 2008

Outside my Window… ohhh the view is breathtaking. There is a dark dark blue sky and just over the ridge there is a country blue lining with just a hint of pink and orange. Almost like a fire's glow. The trees are outlined silhouettes. The temp is a mere 27* , but from inside the house it is just perfect.  

I am thinking…of all the things I want to accomplish today. From school lessons, to art to housekeeping. Lord.... would you mind allowing us, ohhhhh, about six extra hours today, I just want to get it all done!

From the learning rooms…Today we have Bible, spelling, science, math and home ec scheduled. We may be adding a visit to the Dr office today to, if I can get M an appointment. She just hasn't been feeling well lately. Please pray for her.

I am thankful for…  A forgiving Lord, a chance to start a brand new day, my husband, my children and my friends, my art and my on line buddies. For all those that have shared in swaps and bringing a smile to my face. For all things new!

From the kitchen… It is completely silent, no-one up yet to make any noise. I can smell the aroma of my hot cocoa brewing, mmmm and cinnamon scones about to become breakfast.  

I am wearing…purple leggings, an over sized t-shirt. and thick warm comfy socks. Seems this is my winter attire for bed these days.

I am reading…"Preparing My Heart for Advent: A Spiritual Pilgrimage for the Christmas Season"
by Ann Marie Stewart

I am hoping…that all my friends and family a warm, fed, and blessed beyond belief.

I am creating…several new postcards and ATC's for swapping and lots of goodies for my Warm Fuzzies swap.

I am hearing… the birds screeching as they fly by, the sound of horses hooves and they walk past the office window, ... and the snoring of my wee lil pumpkin as she lays next to me in the office.

Around the house… there will laundry going, children reading, writing, and oh how I pray, Laughing... We will fill the air with a Harvest scent and Christian music to set the tone for a wonderful day. .

One of my favorite things is creating postcards and ATC's that those receiving them will enjoy. I love my Mice and acorns, mice and flowers, mice and more mice.

I am praying for…those who need warmth from the cold, my families unity, all my friends hither and yon.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…getting the car repairs finished, getting M's paperwork for Behind the wheel, creating some great art work and spending time with family and friends. 

What I accomplished since last week…quite a few postcards and ATC's, a jean purse with an awesome wiener dog on it, some crocheting and painting. Lots of school work!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Praying you all have a wonderful day, stay warm and accomplish much.

We were expecting rain with a few snowflakes mixed in, but as it is now, we have a "white out" and the grass is quickly disappearing! I try to make Saturday morning my baking/cooking for the week day. I made pancakes until I lost count, sausage biscuits and breakfast burritos.There's also a loaf of pumpkin chip bread in the oven (that probably won't make it to lunch time) and a pot of beef stew on the stove. The fire is keeping us toasty warm and even the beautiful giant snowflakes can't coax me out of its warmth. Not so for the boys, who have already come in from making snowballs for some hot cocoa. Now it's really difficult not to be in the Christmas spirit! I think I just might start working on some gifts this evening for our old fashioned Christmas. Honestly, last year was one of the nicest, warmest, Christmas celebrations we've ever had. I'm excited that it has become a tradition.

Youngest Son went with Grandma today to pick out gifts for Operation Christmas Child and they spent the afternoon wrapping things up. We brought the venison home this morning and it's tucked away in the freezer. I'm still working on our Thanksgiving menu and I have a new dessert in mind, but it will need a "test run" before we decide to serve it on such a big day. I'll be sure to share the recipe. For now, I'm going to sit by the window and enjoy the snowflakes as they fall peacefully. Each season has so much to appreciate.

Due to various factors we are basically starting over, which is difficult.  So I have been feeling some frustration over the budget - last night I realized it was my very own fault! 

Part of it , for example the van needed a repair - but the auto repair fund dwas $50 shy of the needed amount - so $50 came out of grocery.  Now the van needs $$$ more - plus something else just happened and we aren't sure what - what to do...  then DH was offered some overtime at work - this may provide what we need, or at least head towards that direction.

So the $50 came out of grocery, I purchased a Christmas gift and took it out of grocery, some clothing at Goodwill and came out of grocery - now why was my grocery running short!  Partially I was trying to do it on purpose so that we could build up the reserves because we are starting out again.  But I realized I cannot do that, there is not enough fat in the budget to do that.  So last night as I was mulling over the list of things we needed and the fact that the leftover grocery $$ would not cover it.. I realized - well, if I replaced the money from the clothing budget, and the gift budget, and if this months auto repair amount went back into grocery to repay the amount that came out of grocery it would make up the shortage! It was there - I was causing my own frustration... Sigh.... :0)

Aside from all this I signed up to purchase gifts for children in Appalachia who do not have Christmas gifts because they live in poverty.  I want to do this, but yesterday it became clear that the budget would not allow for it.  I prayed, "Please Lord I want to do this, but please provide a way!"  DH came home that very afternoon only a few hours later and handed me a little sealed paper, it said Happy Thanksgiving. Inside was a gift certificate from his employer to our local grocery!!  So I went with that and purchased the grocery items on our list I had and it came within $5 of paying it all!!  Then off to Wally China mart to get the other things and the Appalachia gifts and there was enough! PTL! Is't our Lord truly amazing!!  I want to share this with you to show that our LORD is faithful!!  He is our Provider!!! To Him be glory and Praise!~

wendy

someday I'll get it!!

ws

Some questions are - and this topic could head off into many different directions.  My 7 yr old is old enough to notice things - and realize things, and asks a LOT of questions.  Some I can answer - some I cannot.  She wanted to know why my brother took off and left his wife and little 1 year old child... I could think of nothing other to say than he made some poor choices and we need to pray that he can make better ones....

She was with my parents and encountered a mentally handicapped young man.  She'd never been around one with this type of personality.  I was thankful when they came home and told me the story - my parents had carefully explained that this young man (who looked like an adult to them) -They told my girls that although his body had grown up - his mind never had.  His body was all grown up -but his mind was like that of their little brother and would stay that way.  They seemed to understand that - and so some of his behaviour made sense to them - because he did indeed act very much like their little 2.75 yr old brother.

I'm thankful when answers that seem appropriate can come this way to explain away some of the difficulties in life. I realize as they get older it will get harder -and more difficult question may come.  May God grant us the wisdom to know how to answer.