Tiny Talkin'

Nate has been talking letters... I soo started working with my older kids earlier:/ Guess it's just what happens when you're the 4th kid:) So we've started reading letter books to start the journey. In a conversation about "L" the same letter that starts Lydia's name. Nate announced "Me not have "L" in me name."

I tried to explain to him that in his full name "Nathaniel" there is an "L".

Nate responded, "Me name not that word. Me name is Nate!" I guess we know which name he prefers:)

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While in a conversation during summer devotion time about Samuel hearing God call him at night, I asked the kids, "Does God sleep at night?"

The kids answered "No!" in unison:)

Chris then added: "You mean God is noctural?"

I explained that noctural usually refers to animals that rest during the day and hunt at night but that God doesn't have to sleep and we can talk to Him anytime.

Chris, still trying to think it through, added more "That's because God rested on the 7th day when He was making the world."

Love them making connections and the conversations (and seeing those little wheels turning in their little brains)!

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On one of our visits to my mom's house, Nate asked if Pey was resting upstairs in his room. I was a little surprised by his question but I took the opportunity to tell him that Pey wasn't with us anymore but was with Jesus in Heaven where he didn't have to rest in bed.

Nate asked,"Tan he come see us?"

I explained that he got to stay in Heaven with Jesus forever.

Nate stopped and said very matter of factly, "But him not bring his truck!"

And Nate is right. Pey's truck will stay with Grammie for the time being. It does remind me of Pey every time we pull up next to it;) I like the memories:) And was so thankful my kiddos have sweet Pey memories and share them with us!

It's your turn:)

House Update: The Land is OURS... now waiting on the house!

The last time I shared about our house I was discouraged.... days after the "day I thought would never come" (aka the loan signing) we were still waiting and still "jumping through hoops"!

And as I've continued to say (and remind myself) we really aren't in a rush! I mean we are renting and know that we can't live in the parsonage forever:) But there is a deep sense of wanting to be "settled".... wanting to wake up and not have the pressure of having to pack up 7+ years of our lives soon or wondering where we really were going to move (since everything has seemed soo up-in-the-air then).

So you can imagine that Wednesday night when we got word from the bank that our loan had been approved! All we had to do was wait to meet the lawyer and start signing.... ah, I can breathe again:)

One of the first things I wanted to do was to visit "the land"! I knew visiting it would have a different look to it. No more was it  "the land we are hoping is ours", but the land our house will be built and our home will be established.

{pretty}

And the woods our kids would (and already have) play(ed) in!

{happy}

They call this the "Indian hut" and you can always hear them spying out English settlers and ships;) They have already spent hours playing in those fallen down trees;) Nice to know they ARE on our property.. sorta!

Our yard is still a wild "field"... very wild! In time maybe it will be tamed a bit:)
Until then, we have some major mowing to do... Chris suggests a better method than "by hand"!! LOL!!

{funny}

{real}

This is more of a statement than a picture.

The reality is that we still have some waiting time, but there are glimpses of stuff happening... the building permit is getting finalized and into the hands of our contractor this week, and there is talk of laying a foundation soon;)

And there is a sense that this is all a "dream"! I think the reality of us living in "our" house is not sinking into my head. I doesn't feel "real" yet!

{ready for the reveal of the house.....drumroll, please.........}

the crooked look is from the bad photographer (me!!)

Quick house facts (no pictures because the decor was for showing the house and my house will be no where close as nicely decorated... I'm deficient in that area!) It's a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath house. There is an unfinished 3rd floor (think storage!). The second floor contains the 3 bedrooms and the 2 full bathrooms. The first floor has an open floor plan in the back. The kitchen, breakfast nook, living room and dining area are all basically connected with only one wall dividing the kitchen and the dining "room". The front where you'd walk in from  has an open staircase to the 2nd floor and an "office" room to the left. There is also a hall that has our laundry nook and a half bath;) The house is unique because it was built with a finished one-car garage... insulation, carpet and crown molding... a little strange? Sounded like the perfect school/play room to us;)

I'm excited about  everything.... can't wait to start putting my dishes into the kitchen cupboards or organizing our school/play room! And especially feeling "settled" at home!

But... one day at a time...
First things first.... like a solid foundation! :)

And there is a great story behind how the house found us ... one day it will be shared. Right now we're just thankful for the ways things turned out and the final decisions that were made! And all the ways this house (and land) "fit" us:)

Thank you for praying for us! For those that extended words of support and encouragement!

The light at the end of the tunnel looks a little closer!! And maybe, hopefully,  I've grown in trusting and waiting for the Lord for our needs and desires!

You Capture: Flowers (at a Hospital)

Being a pastor, there are times when Brian travels to visit... in hospitals, families homes, funeral homes and rehab centers. And while he usually gets a lot of visiting done during normal "working" hours, there are many times visits are needed at other times.

I knew that about being a pastor's wife from my college pastor's wife who spoke opening and honestly about sharing her pastor husband. And how thankful she was that he could minister to people.

I too am thankful for my husband's willingness to visit and serve. And we enjoy the times that we can travel together as a family to the locations or homes he needs to go. Sometimes it means taking the kids into a home and sometimes it means sitting in the car outside a hospital.

Last week after reading Beth's You Capture for this week, we went with Brian as he visited a sweet church member in the hospital. As I let him off at the front door he asked,"What are you going to do while I'm in there?"

I looked around and said,"Take pictures of flowers."

I"m sure I looked CRAZY out in the mid-afternoon HEAT
with 4 kids hanging around me taking pictures of flowers
with my little Canon point-n-shoot... LOL!!

(by the way... I love the macro setting on my point-n-shoot.
Can't quite figure it out on my DSLR)

But that's what we did!

We also explored a little bit, made a potty stop inside the hospital (of course, a necessity with 4 kids!!)

And I couldn't help but think about these verses...

“Look at the lilies and how they grow.
They don’t work or make their clothing,
yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today
and thrown into the fire tomorrow,
he will certainly care for you.
Why do you have so little faith?"
Luke 12:27,28

I'm thankful my husband's willingness to serve and visit and minister to our sweet church family! And very thankful for my small contribution of sitting with the kids, often praying for his visit and this time getting to enjoy the beautiful the flowers and the reminder of God's care over all His creation (yes, even us) !

Not What We Planned

We had awesome plans on Wednesday.... playing at a new park, picnic-ing with friends, swimming/wading in the river to cool off:)

We may make a lot of plans,

but the LORD will do

what he has decided.
Proverbs 19:21

After staying up late to prepare our lunch (cookies to share, grilled chicken for lunch) and pre-pack our bags, we all woke up looking forward to our little trip.

But then Anna came limping into the kitchen to get her breakfast???

I called my momma to ask what I should do. And then called the phone nurse to get another opinion (not that I didn't believe my mom, but she was unsure, too). Both basically had the same concern....

the bee sting from last week!! We must not have gotten the stinger all the way out!

So instead of being here with Andrea, Alicia, and Shannon and their crew;)

We were here...


I'll just be blunt and honest.... I was NOT happy we were having to go to the doctor! I had started the conversation about meeting and swimming!! And I had been looking forward to hanging out with these other families!! It just bugged me that we were missing out on such a fun time!

I KNOW that Momma's tone about each situation sets the tone for the kids. They look to me to see how they should react. If I have a bad attitude, they easily have bad attitudes, too!! Talk about convicting .... can't really discipline their bad attitudes when I have one:/

But ....

That morning I had prayed that during our day I wouldn't be soo distracted by the "mommy conversation" that I would overlook the precious and fun time with the kids.

Interesting how that applied today:)

So THAT became my focus... spending time WITH my kids, not just being with them.

At the doctors, Chris and Lydia kept busy only how Chris and Lydia stay busy.

Nate napped.

And Anna tried not to be worried.

They did amazing... even though they never could get anything out of Anna's foot :( But we know it's not anything too serious, it's just waiting for it to heal.

We went to a indoor McD's playground with our picnic lunch!! The kids thought I was coolest mom and I was purposefully interacting with them!

And since it was after 2pm as we headed out of town.... SONIC stop:)

We had a great day... considering the initial disappointment! But we did what we had to do and we'll try to meet up with our friends again another day:)

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Lydia approached me about what she wanted to eat for breakfast....

kind of different since Lydia isn't a big breakfast eater, I"'m usually trying to talk HER into something.

She says," I want to eat two crabs for breakfast."

I KNOW I gave her a confused look.... she's asking to eat something for breakfast AND it's something she's never eaten before (and we've not eaten since having kids!!).

She adds," They don't pinch me when I eat them!"

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I walk into the room coughing. Brian and Chris look at me.

I attempt to tell them," I feel like I have granola stuck in my throat."

Chris attempts to diagnose me," Is it stuck in your tube? ... [pause]... Is it blocking all your air?"

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And Brian isn't TINY... but when he studies all day, he comes out with a goofy sense of humor!

Trying to get dinner on the table I asked him if he could get everyone's cups prepared and on the table.

He responds back [totally joking, of course],"I bet Priscilla never asked Elvis to get the drinks!"

Then in his Priscilla Presley voice he adds," Elvis, stop that hounding dogging and get the drinks for supper!"

[groan] LOL!!!

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On Sunday I wore a rather BOLD top that I don't really like... but it was the Sunday before Memorial Day and looks nice on. Anyway, Sunday morning I got some sweet compliments but Sunday night I was undecided whether I should put it on again:)

And that's when my very practical and nurturing Anna says to me, "Mom, I think you should wear it. Remember, it's what is on the inside that matters more than what's on the outside, like your clothes."

I thanked her (she was listening!!) and walking into my bedroom to get the pants, unknowing that Brian wasn't fully dressed!!

But Anna followed me and looked at Brian and said, "Daddy, you can't not wear that.... I have to get out of here!!"


Aren't kiddos funny??? Mary has more and a linky at her blog, here!

Do Everything

I've written often about the tasks of motherhood to be constant and "draining"...

more importantly how I need to refocus and see them as sweet opportunities to care and serve my family.... like God calls mothers to do.

I've enjoyed this challenge.

It seems like when choas strikes, I can breathe and not get frustrated how everything isn't "perfect"...

But make teachable moments, teachable.
Make sad moments, moments to comfort.
Make silly moments, moments to laugh.
Make disobedient moments, moments to correct.
Make cleaning moments, productive!! LOL!!
And learning moments, time spent together, fun!

I heard a GREAT song on the radio last week. I really wanted to share it. It's from Steven Curtis Chapman and is based on the verse

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do,
do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

It's from an album that hasn't been released yet, but you can hear this great song via Facebook after you "like" that page. Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/stevencurtischapman?sk=app_178091127385

It's just a great reminder that all the little tasks that seem mundane and sometimes are irritating are opportunity to serve and glorify God... WOW!!

So my gratitude list today are things that are mundane, but that I can glorify God in doing



177. piles of laundry
178. dirty dishes
179. a meal to prepare
180. dust to be dusted (how in the world does it find time to settle in our most used room??)
181. a floor to vacuum
182. Cheerios to sweep up:)
183. sticky kitchen floor
184. hum of the dishwasher
185. fingerprints on glass doors
186. slobbery kisses on mirrors
187. outside debris in the bathtub
188. unrolled toilet paper
189. baby toys scattered across the living room floor
190. bows, arrows, foam bullets and Nerf guns
191. hair ties, headbands, bracelets and baby doll clothes
192. books left open on the couch
193. projects left half done
194. schoolroom cluttered up with learning (and extra furniture!!)
195. memorizing verses
196. practicing math facts
197. teaching a short attention-pan child to read
198. reminder of a sweet friend that becoming a better mother is tied to the bigger goal of becoming a better child of God!!!

How was your Mother's Day??

For part of it, it looked like this for me.....


I was in the kitchen making lunch (ok, heating up leftovers) for the crew after church. I could hear them having a blast outside and it started to make me ... frustrated.

Frustrated??

Yes, that I was once again STUCK in the kitchen instead of being outside with my family. That meals always need to be prepared, and I'm the usual one stuck in the kitchen to do it.

I love the verse that reminds me to "take captive every thought" because in those moments I realize the faultiness of my thinking.

The TRUTH is that during those moments in the kitchen I was "mothering". I was preparing nourishment for my family.... the exact thing that was being celebrated on MOTHER'S DAY... the sacrifices that mothers willingly make to lovingly care for their family.

And so when I dumped the entire (minus 2 glasses for the girls) of OJ all over the floor in the midst of getting lunch on the table.... I laughed (and then cleaned it up)! And was thankful that when my family was ready to enjoy dinner, they had a mother wanting to "mother" and not a bitter, sulking one.

The kids had a wonderful nap time after lunch, giving me a little quiet time of my own;) Then we all ventured out for some dinner (that Mommy didn't have to make or clean) and some time at a local park with friends:)

A lovely Mother's Day:)



161. to be the mother of 4 great children and wife to 1 super husband
162. mini baseball game before dinner
163. tiny baseball gloves
164. big sister rides

165. a silly Daddy giving a lift to home plate
166. kids thankful for leftovers;)
167. the example of sacrificial giving seen in Christ
168. having godly, loving and giving mothers to emulate
169. little ones dragging in garbage cans to help us:)

170. boo-boos easily cared for
171. little hearts wanting to give

173. little dirty toes escaping from sandals
174. first butterfly of the season fluttering by
175. fresh sheets
176. colorful (and delicious) desserts

A Mother's Day Challenge

Seems like the last few weeks I've been hit from everywhere about Mother's Day sales - deals- "must haves". Or conversations about what an "ideal" Mother's Day looks like.... ie, pampering, no cooking, paper plates or naps;)

Not that these things are bad.

But my heart wants more...

I don't need more stuff (no, not even high heels!!). And while a relaxing day sounds awesome, my heart yearns for this Mother's Day to have more meaning.

So I'm using this Mother's Day to reflect and pray to grow as a mother:) Because I earnestly desire to be a loving, patient, faithful and godly mother to Anna, Christopher, Lydia and Nathaniel. And I fail soo much, soo often...

Here are some of the most inspiring and resources that have encouraged me in this desire:

• I LOVE this Super Mom vs Abiding Mom Chart from Confessions of a Homeschooler. I think I've shared it before, but I have it on my desk and I read pieces if not the whole chart daily!
• Pluck!! - I found this in the archives at Holy Experience and can't forget it. When one of the kids ask for something simple and I'm tempted to say "no". I hear "pluck!" in my head:) LOL!!
• The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson. I read this last year with my homeschool mom Bible study group... love the book and the amazing women who went through the study with us;)
• Grace-Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel - I received this book last year for Mother's Day and I am still reading through it. I just love reading a section and just soaking in the teaching/application and then re-reading it;) Before going to the next.
  

And this sounds so cliche, but applying Scripture is just soo revealing and convicting. While reading through Colossians, I was stopped by this passage to pray for my children

We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
Col 1: 9b-10

And then the following passage to pray for myself:)


We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Col 1 : 11-14

Even as I write this I feel like such a hypocrite and failure... I've had to correct each of my children today (just one of those days)!! While the corrections were all needed, my attitude during the corrections was wrong.... and exactly one of the things I am praying and working hard to change in my mothering.

In fact while I was reflecting about how I corrected (my tone of voice/attitude) this verse was brought to my mind

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT)

ouch...

yes, even my tone of voice, the way I talk to my children, when I have to correct should be for God's glory!!

And the motivation becomes even stronger to use this Mother's Day as a challenge to grow into the mother that God has called me to be in the lives of my precious children (and the godly wife to my great husband) !!!

This Little Light

Last night we had some friends over for dinner. In between finishing dinner and serving dessert the power went out!!

No lights.... 6 kids;) LOL!!


It was hard to look at the candles in our DARK rooms and NOT think of the little song "This Little Light of Mine".




And this was the cool shadows the light from our Lite Brite made on the ceiling.


The simple things when there isn't any power. Like chatting around dessert and watching candles dance and make shadows.

And thanks to the Gilbreaths for a fun and memorable evening:)

You can find some more Wordless Wednesday at
5 Minutes for Mom,
Go Graham Go,
To Be Thode
and any other linkys I find !!!

Processing...

I feel like the last few days I have been in a "processing" mindset.

We've just been through our church's revival week. It's busy with getting the kids ready for activities each evening, meals a little earlier than usual (trying to get lunch earlier, too) and then our actual revival services. But I do love revival weeks..

I love setting aside time each evening to sit under biblical teaching and worship. Daily life is filled with dirty dishes, dirty kids, school assignments, etc! SO it's nice to break from the normal routine and spend time learning and growing spiritually.


I also enjoy the time with the revival pastor and our church members. The revival pastors are all different and it's nice getting to know them more. Be encouraged and challenged by them as well as attempt to encourage them, too!!

And my church members.... oh, we are soo blessed to be a part of a church that loves the Lord, each other, neighbors and US as much as they do. Each evening they took turns fixing meals for us... even taking time to figure out how to safely feed our family!! And they serve us! And love and encourage us!! Who won't want to spend evenings with them...

And now revival is over...


Time to process. To apply. To change.

I was already in a "processing" mode before revival.... just wanting to be a better MOM... not react so poorly to everything. To demonstrate GRACE to my children. To better lead them to the Lord through my actions and attitudes and words.

So now I have more to process!

It is GOOD to keep growing as a wife, mom and Christ follower. I'm thankful for these periods of challenges, praying that they lead to growth!

**Pictures are unrelated! They are from our last visit with Grandma and Grandaddy and I am soo sad that I"m just getting around to share them!

The In-Laws & #101 - #114

We really enjoyed our vacation last week, in fact, it was a nice break from the busy days we encountered when we returned home... so much that I'm just now blogging about how awesome my in-laws are....

they are extremely gracious, understanding and we really enjoy being with them:) And we are super thankful for them letting us come to visit, cooking for us and letting the kids take over their house!!

I know things with mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws can be tough, strained, or tense. I am thankful that while neither of us claim to be perfect (she may be, though!!), I really enjoy visiting and cooking with her and I never get the impression that having us in their home or caring for us (and giving us an afternoon out) is EVER a burden!

While she never "preaches" to me, she teaches with her attitude and actions. And this THICK skull/heart of mine is challenged through her model. It reminds me of

Titus 2: 3-5

Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God.
They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.
Instead, they should teach others what is good.
These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands
and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,
to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands.
Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

I am soo thankful for her, and other in my life, that demonstrate with their lives and attitudes how to serve Christ in all things cheerfully! And my continual prayer is that my heart is sensitive enough to understand and attempt to live it, too!!




101. warm afternoon sunshine
102. snoring little baby
103. wind chimes tinging
104. mommy moments to read
105. shared discoveries of a little boy

106. comfy shoes
107. shared tasks
108. baby steps
109. love notes from a child
110. borrowed socks from Grandma

111. sidewalks for biking trips
112. kissing shadows

113. everlasting undeserved love
114. the Titus women in my life

Comparision, Be Content & Give Thanks

I tend to compare things A LOT.... sometimes it's ok! But as a WOMAN ( mom, wife, friend, daughter and sister) sometimes it's bad... maybe you can relate...

I don't dress as nice as so and so...
I don't keep my house as clean as them.
My kids are wild compared to that family.
Their kids are soo much smarter than ours!
Why can't we such and such like them?
Why can't I be more involved in such and such like they are?
They seem soo much closer to God than I am?

Seriously... my demented, little brain has these thoughts too MUCH and they really do stress me out. And when I'm stressed out, my family feels it and suffers. I also catch myself going onto the "defensive", like trying to defend that fact that I'm ok and that they aren't better than me, my situation, my family or how clean (or not) my house is.

I have been indirectly convicted TWICE about this problem of comparison of mine in the last month! Once by a sweet homeschooling friend who shared with a group of ladies a quote she had read from her Sunday school lesson.

Comparison is the enemy of contentment.

Ouch! Really??? Was that for me???... I wrote it down just in case:)

And then Brian summarized an application a sermon last week saying,

"We should spend less time interpreting/judging other people's lives and give more attention to leading holy lives ourselves."

Double ouch... was he talking to me???

(LOL!! That's always the joke right, the pastor knows what you're struggling with and speaks at you!!And my pastor is my husband and he knows too well how I struggle!) Actually, Brian said that he heard an audible noise from my pew!! Not sure if it was me responding or quieting down the irritable infant... I'll go with the latter, to maintain my "innocence"!

I have found though that my tendency to compare is directly link to my time ( or lack of time) before God!! When I am focused on Him, the other things don't seem as important. Or when I'm busy doing the things I should be, like teaching, reading with and playing with my kids or serving my husband, the "extras" don't seem like such "big deals" anymore... my family likes me regardless of my house-wife attire... LOL!

Another thing is that when I am reading through the Bible, I see how much I fall short to His standards... being quiet and gentle, giving of myself with gladness, encouraging others, loving unconditionally... those are standards that are eternally meaningful and blessings to my family and others.

And yes, when I am intentionally looking for reasons to be thankful, my heart is content and overflowing with gratitude for all I have been given and get to enjoy. And when there is contentment the tendency to compare is lessened... I can be thankful for the good fortunes of others. Like I'm reminded here...

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
Romans 12:15-16

And my favorite (you can hear me chant it above the noisy chaos of my household!!)

...in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

And so it's with that background I get to share the things I am thankful for,
things that I got to enjoy this week...


56. a delicious (and safe) pizza made with our hands

57. reading time with Anna
58. sweet baby smiles

59. two brothers in a tub

60. first words, "ma, ma"and "da,da" heard
61. rainy days inside playing games together
62. movie night snacks

63. a husband that keeps me laughing
64. the warmth of the sun
65. daughter singing the great hymns of faith by memory
66. another "singing" hymns from an upside down Bible
67. praise music while in doing housework
68. a firm reminder to be faithful to the Lord (and all He has given me) in the season and place that I am in, not anyone else