God's Creation....

.. for us to enjoy....
....for us to take care of.....
....for us to learn about.....

Our Keepers group had a birding day. We were so excited to learn what sound different birds make as well as where they make their homes. We looked for and found, a red cardinal, a hummingbird, a curved bill thrasher, a woodpecker, a dove, a house finch, quail and our state bird the cactus wren. We have a new excitement for birding in our own neighborhood now. Thanks for the pictures Dawn!

A New Journey Ahead

Friday is my first visit to Dr Fountis. I am nervous, fearful, anxious. I don't want to lose weight and yet I really want to lose weight. How did it sneak up this past year? 30 pounds in less than a year. I have days of total frustration, days of apathy and days of action. So I'm following a new plan, a new journey.
Instead of boring all my skinny friends with it, I've made a new blog so I can 'vent'. And then you can visit if you want to hear my blathering, whining, crying, or hopefully my praises and thanksgiving. Because I know God will help me and we will do something great together. I need Him, can't do it alone. And frankly, that gets real tiring anyway!
See you at A Place in the Desert. Or not.

Waiting

Waiting...
disappointment...
waiting some more...
listening...
asking...
wondering...


Lord, Your will is best.

Romans 8:26 "the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."

Knowing that in our waiting Lord, we are asking You, listening for You, being still and knowing You are God.

Happy Birthday Mom

I have a mother who is also my friend. That is truly a blessing and one that I wish for some day with my kids. But it's a way off. I have to still be mom and I'm grateful for the legacy of my mother.

My mother is ....
JOY (her middle name)
PEACE
PATIENCE
KINDNESS
ONE WHO PERSEVERES
LAUGHTER

When we were growing up, we were always encouraged to try. Whether that was in the kitchen, or sewing or decorating, ironing, sports, music. Whatever it was, she was our cheerleader.

She is a friend to so many. I seem to share her with many other women my age, and I'm so glad to do that. She has the gift of encouragement.

Thank You Father God for her Bibelheimer family who took care of her mother when my mom was born. You had a wonderful plan. Thank You that we have more time with her and her cancer is gone. May I be the daughter she needs and wants.


The grandkids made homemade cards for Mom. I think she liked them, after all, she was an elementary school teacher and librarian for many years. She appreciates refrigerator art.
If you click on Jefferson making the card, you can read his sweet words.



Playing Skip Bo, hearing a violin recital, having Roy and Garene here from North Dakota (her brother married her best friend) and eating messy ribs. It doesn't get much better than that!

One of the Reasons We Home school

When Alex was 3, I heard Val Shepard (Elisabeth Elliot's daughter) speak about 'servanthood'. She home schooled their 8 children. She asked, "where do our children learn to serve and deny themselves if they are gone all day?"

Would a teenager really give up some free time to read to a younger sibling? Or help them with their letters or teach them to put their laundry away?

Our Sick Movies

It has been a hard week, but the movies we have watched have made it more enjoyable. They are now officially our "sick movies".

Zathura (so fun after you get through the sibling rivalry to the 'teamwork' part)
Calamity Jane
Tarzan and Pocahontas (I don't think Jefferson or Lizzy had seen those)


Alex and I stayed up late and watched "Becoming Jane" last night. I wouldn't recommend parts of it to the young adolescent without mom there to explain. Jane's 'forbidden' teenage love interest, introduces her to 'passion' by giving her Tom Jones to read. Whereas it may be true that she lacked that type of experience in her writing (she had yet to write any of her novels), it did produce some good discussion for Alex and me. Do we really have to 'look' for experiences in order to write about them? What's the imagination for? And what does God want for our 'experiences'? Jane did talk about the effects the 'hero' Tom Jones, had on those around him. How our actions make a difference, not just to us. Bad characters come to bad ends she said. There's no way I do justice to Jane Austen's words. She is truly a huge part of English literature, timeless plots and characters. Alex really liked the film, even the ending. They do make the 'right' choice in the end, right for everyone, not just for the sake of love.

Home Hospital

I finally figured a trip to the Dr was in order. And sure enough, little 50 pound Lizzy has pneumonia. That's a first for this household. 5 more days of in-activity.

And Mr Man came home with aches and pains. The last man standing is Dex. We'll see....

Update: Derrick went to meetings all day, doing pretty well. Alex is good, taking care of us. Dex is still good, also taking care of us, Emma is not good, high fever. The Pediatrician just called to tell me Lizzy also has strep. Doubling the antibiotics which she hates taking anyway. And Jefferson is good. My brother may take the 3 good ones for the day tomorrow, and the 3 bad ones, that's me too, will stay home. How's that for the Home Hospital?

Thank you for praying for us.

Feverish

Oh, how pitiful when a child is sick. Fevers scare me. Ever since my nephew had a fevral seizure when he was one and my sister and I had 3 other little ones with us. In the middle of Scottsdale Fashion Square food court. And I stand up and yell for a 'doctor in the house'. You'd be amazed how quickly the security whisked these 2 moms and their double strollers, out of the mall to the curb to wait for the ambulance! Wouldn't want anything to 'happen' there, in their mall! No, make us wait outside in the 120 degree summer day.

Back to sick kids. Their true colors tend to shine when they're ill. Lizzy wanted the cold rag held on her head in a certain spot where the headache was. Then she positioned herself so her sore back could be rubbed a certain way. When she got out of her bed to come find me, it was because she just 'needed a little bit of snuggles'. I am not very good at the 'quarantine' method. I think I've held her and Jefferson all day.

I won't sleep well tonight. Only because Mr Motrin and Miss Tylenol don't seem to be doing their jobs. Her fever is still over 101. (since posting this, a dear friend reminded me of the other things I do before using Tylenol or Motrin. So I thought I should tell you that those I use just for their comfort if they can't sleep for a nap or at night. Knowing it may also bring down their temperature. But first we do epsom salt baths, teas, cool rags and Vicks on their feet with socks. That certainly helps their congestion and coughing. Amazingly.)

Lord, listen to your children praying. Ease her pain. Heal our bodies. There's much to do, but we trust Your timing.

Resting, Sweetly Resting

The words of that German hymn are running through my mind. But I don't heed them. Resting is laying aside the business, whether it's mental or physical. I am doing neither. How do moms find rest? Do I have to be literally lying down? Do I have to be alone? Do I need time away from the home/school? Some times I do.


I know the words to that beautiful, powerful hymn have a far deeper meaning in that we are resting under His wings, protected by the Father of all. But to sweetly rest brings to mind for me that He wants to care for me, like I in turn care for these children in my charge. How can I if I am not taking care of my temple and healing my body?

Sweetly resting when it becomes too much. That is a good rest.

Now I'm resting, sweetly resting
In the cleft once made for me
Jesus, blessed Rock of Ages
I will hide myself in Thee

Click here to hear the sweet voice of my friend Kristina sing it. And read her amazing story of her Mennonite family's persecution. (click above on deeper meaning)

Principles of Family Unity

Here is the discussion between Donna Otto and myself about raising a family.It's called Principles of Family Unity on Oneplace.com. I enjoyed talking with her about what I love most, my kids! Well, after God and Derrick.

Why we decided to home school. Family unity, managing a home and different ages. Teaching our children when they sit and lie down, when they get up and when they walk by the way. Deut 6.

We even talked a little about traditions and birthdays. Donna wasn't too excited about our 'contract' we were going to try with each kid where they learn what new responsibilities or privileges.

Tomorrow, is on scheduling. I can't even remember what I said, guess I'll have to listen tomorrow.