While I was at the CHEO conference last weekend, my older boys each had a baseball game. My oldest decided for the first time to play baseball this year. At 9 years old, it suffices to say he is a little behind the other players in terms of experience. In spite of that, he has kept a great attitude towards the game and never once asked to quit or anything. Early on in the season, he realized that when he swung the bat, he rarely hit the ball; but if he didn't swing, he would generally get walked. So game after game, he was content just standing at the plate and taking what came. Often he would get walked to first and occasionally the pitcher would be able to strike him out.
We started working with him at home on batting. A few years ago we bought a pitching machine for my baseball lover, so it was a great tool to help in this situation. He got to the point that he was hitting the balls from the machine quite well, but still wouldn't take a swing at a game. Then the few times he did decide to swing he was still missing. We found that the pitching machine was always delivering strikes, but in little league, you're lucky if you get two strikes in a row. He continued to have a hard time judging the balls coming in. My phrase for him at each game became "today's the day!!" The other moms even picked up on it, and we all encouraged him to swing and try to get a hit.
So while I was at the conference, my parents took the kids to their games. My mom lifted up a prayer for him that he would have a taste of success and see how good it felt to have a hit. Side note... it never once occurred to me to pray for this. For a mom who prays for everything, I can't believe the thought never crossed my mind. Anyway, as you can imagine, God answered that prayer and gave him his first hit! He was so excited he called me at the conference to share his news. One of the other moms told him that his parents were never allowed to come to another game... LOL!
Well as great as that was, the next game he did not get a hit. So yesterday comes and he has a game and he decides he's going to pray for a hit. I asked him why he wanted a hit because God judges our requests by the intentions of our heart also. (James 4:3) I was afraid God wouldn't answer his prayer.
Lo, and behold, he got a hit in the game. He bobbled the ball just in front of home plate. Unfortunately he got out at first. I told him he needs to be specific when he prays. God answered his prayer by giving him a hit but it wasn't in the way that my son expected.
I think it's great that God is gracious like that. He answers the prayers of the young to show them he cares for them even when it's insignificant. I was excited too that I got to see him get a hit!!
Friday, June 29, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
CHEO and more
It's been a busy week. A pretty good one too. I got a chance to go to the CHEO (Christian Home Educators of Ohio) conference this weekend. Heard some great messages and was greatly encouraged. Have you ever had a message that you knew changed your perspective on a topic when you heard it? Not a temporary change, but an overall adjustment to the way you think. I've actually had 2 life-changing messages in the past week. A rarity, I know. One of them was at the conference. A speaker by the name of Voddie Baucham spoke about "Harvard or Heaven". My homeschooling perspective has been largely focused on academics. Obviously, a big portion of homeschooling should be focused on academics, right? That's the purpose of school. But it shouldn't be the sole focus. I pulled my children out of the public schools because they were being bombarded by opposing thoughts and world views before they were old enough to handle it. Obviously, I want my children to grow up and love the Lord too. With 4 boys, my goals are certainly that they will go to college to get good jobs to be able to provide for the families they will hopefully eventually have. However, what God calls us to, as I was reminded by Voddie, is to prepare our children for heaven, not college. His other big point was if you are going to send your child to college, do it wisely. Make sure they are "college material" and are getting a degree in something that requires a college education, not jewelery making or other "fluff" degrees.
The other life-changing message I heard last Sunday was from a man named Norm Wakefield. His message entitled "Live to Love" was different than anything I've ever heard I think. To love as Christ loved means to love expecting nothing in return. So many of our relationships have expectations of the other person and when they don't live up we get frustrated and even find them 'hard to love'. When our children don't listen, I find myself getting frustrated because they aren't doing what I want them to do. He makes a point that the more 'useless' a person is to you, the more valuable they are to you because you have the opportunity to show them Christ's love and grow that character in yourself. I've been trying to keep this in mind when my children push me 'over the edge'. I need to love them not expecting ANYTHING in return.
Last year, God really worked on my faith. Leaving my job was a big step for me because it went against everything I logically could think for life. This year God has been pruning my character very strongly. While it seems like we are often reminded of sins and faults we have, I feel God pushing me to repent and make big changes in the way I view life and others. I feel very blessed! God disciplines those He loves!
____________________________
In other news.....
I've been scrap booking again. I love to do it. It is probably my #1 hobby. Unfortunately though, right now I'm totally loving digital scrap booking. The problem is the cost is all deferred to the end of the project. When working on traditional books, you can buy paper and supplies a little at a time as you work on the book. It spreads out the cost and is usually overall cheaper anyway. My kids have been begging me to go back to the traditional scrap booking because they love the way the books look. They said it means more. I'm glad that it means anything to them at all, really. They love looking at their individual books. So I've been perusing my pictures getting ready to print some out to do some pages with my good ole scissors and punchers. I've also found some sites on the web that I can print 12x12 pages for around $2-3 a sheet instead of the $4-6 I've seen before. This way I can mix traditional pages and digital pages in the same book. We'll see how it goes.
One of the twins dropped their play Nemo phone in the toilet today. Lucky for me, it was pee filled. Ew! I tried my best to get it out with another object to no avail. Yep, had to stick my hand in the toilet. Ranks right up there as one of those loveliest mom moments.
This week is baseball filled. We have games Mon-Sat this week, alternating between our two oldest sons. Luckily, my husband is going to make a point to be available for some of them so I don't have to attend them all. I've attended over 20 games so far this season, so I'm kind of baseball'd out!
I hope you all have a blessed week!
The other life-changing message I heard last Sunday was from a man named Norm Wakefield. His message entitled "Live to Love" was different than anything I've ever heard I think. To love as Christ loved means to love expecting nothing in return. So many of our relationships have expectations of the other person and when they don't live up we get frustrated and even find them 'hard to love'. When our children don't listen, I find myself getting frustrated because they aren't doing what I want them to do. He makes a point that the more 'useless' a person is to you, the more valuable they are to you because you have the opportunity to show them Christ's love and grow that character in yourself. I've been trying to keep this in mind when my children push me 'over the edge'. I need to love them not expecting ANYTHING in return.
Last year, God really worked on my faith. Leaving my job was a big step for me because it went against everything I logically could think for life. This year God has been pruning my character very strongly. While it seems like we are often reminded of sins and faults we have, I feel God pushing me to repent and make big changes in the way I view life and others. I feel very blessed! God disciplines those He loves!
____________________________
In other news.....
I've been scrap booking again. I love to do it. It is probably my #1 hobby. Unfortunately though, right now I'm totally loving digital scrap booking. The problem is the cost is all deferred to the end of the project. When working on traditional books, you can buy paper and supplies a little at a time as you work on the book. It spreads out the cost and is usually overall cheaper anyway. My kids have been begging me to go back to the traditional scrap booking because they love the way the books look. They said it means more. I'm glad that it means anything to them at all, really. They love looking at their individual books. So I've been perusing my pictures getting ready to print some out to do some pages with my good ole scissors and punchers. I've also found some sites on the web that I can print 12x12 pages for around $2-3 a sheet instead of the $4-6 I've seen before. This way I can mix traditional pages and digital pages in the same book. We'll see how it goes.
One of the twins dropped their play Nemo phone in the toilet today. Lucky for me, it was pee filled. Ew! I tried my best to get it out with another object to no avail. Yep, had to stick my hand in the toilet. Ranks right up there as one of those loveliest mom moments.
This week is baseball filled. We have games Mon-Sat this week, alternating between our two oldest sons. Luckily, my husband is going to make a point to be available for some of them so I don't have to attend them all. I've attended over 20 games so far this season, so I'm kind of baseball'd out!
I hope you all have a blessed week!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Lotsa thoughts
I have a bunch of things on my mind today, so we'll see which ones come out in which order.... probably won't even get them all down. Here goes....
First a conversation I had with my son yesterday.
Mom: You know you really are handsome. (partially admiring the haircut I just gave him :) <long pause> I bet if you were nicer, the girls would really like you.
Son: I don't want girls to like me!!
Mom: Well then I guess it's working.
For whatever reason, this cracked my mom and I up after it happened. The boys had no idea what we were laughing about, so hopefully you all get it.
_______________________________________
I just got done cleaning up blood stains to my carpet. I was in the midst of a fiasco in the driveway when I come upstairs to a loudly crying son. My oldest tells me that one of the twins has a bloody nose. I'm looking as they are standing in the middle of my living room!! I yelled, get him off the carpet to which my older son, I think just processing, continues talking about what happened or how to move him. The problem was that he was still standing still. So I grab the twin and carry him to the bathroom and then instruct my older son to hold the kleenex until I come back upstairs. I go to the driveway and finish sorting out the fiasco and then return to make sure everything was okay. My little guy had been leaning over the couch to see out the window. The couch that has already been moved a foot plus away from the window so they don't climb over the back of the couch and ruin it. He slipped and cut his lip on the window sill. Then proceeded to drip blood every foot or so across the carpet until he stood still in the middle of the room where I had a large spot, then every foot or so from there to the bathroom. Thank God for Bissell carpet cleaners!! You can't even tell it was there!
In the process, I got to use my new vacuum that I purchased from an estate sale today. Was pretty excited about that. Had to vacuum before using the carpet cleaner, so now my rug looks all nicely brushed and clean. Gotta take the blessings where you can find them!! Also, thankful he didn't knock any teeth in the process of falling! Maybe now my constant nagging to not climb on the couch will stick.
_______________________________________
I have been very humbled the past few weeks by the Lord. I am thankful for his correction and discipline, but its always hard to look at yourself and realize how far short from His holiness you fall. As I mentioned earlier, I've been reading this book Homeschool Supermom... Not. It has been showing me some areas of trouble for me like self sufficiency and impatience. I have been living life on my own accord for a pretty long time and going to God only when it seems that I can't do something myself. Which isn't all bad, except that I have found myself failing miserably lately and wondering why I can't pull it together.
What this book has been pointing out it that when it comes right down to it, that is sin! I've also been realizing how prideful I've been over the years and how much I really found identity in my job. Now that I'm home and not feeling very good at what I do, I've been struggling with jealous thoughts and comparing myself with other people. This was something I never really struggled with before. I read someones blog today and thought, wow she takes awesome pictures. I read another site and thought, man, she has such a way with words. We got left overs from an event today and I thought what a talented family to the ones who made the food. Except that I'm not just happy that those people are talented in those ways, I'm almost frustrated that I can't do that. And I do mean can't. In most cases, I think it's just not the way I'm wired. So God has been showing me that I need to find my identity in Him and not in what I can do or not do. I think it's so awesome though that He DOES show us these things. That is the evidence of a relationship with Him and a moving forward in holiness and Christ-likeness. So as these sins are brought to light I pray that I would truly repent and realize I'm a daughter of God and that's what makes me special.
This seems like a good place to put a scripture relating to what I'm talking about. Except, you know what? I can't think of one. That's because my quiet times have stunk lately too. After being a Christian for almost 30 years, you'd think I'd be better about spending time with the Lord. Nope, this is an area that I have ALWAYS struggled with. One thing I do know, is when I'm feeling really down and out and somewhat lost on my path, I can directly relate those times to not being in the Word in a long time.
So, with the Lords strength, I'm trying to do better. Just know that He is your strength and you are special NOT because of anything you do, but just because you are His child!!! Be yourself and let God's light shine through you in who He made YOU to be!!
First a conversation I had with my son yesterday.
Mom: You know you really are handsome. (partially admiring the haircut I just gave him :) <long pause> I bet if you were nicer, the girls would really like you.
Son: I don't want girls to like me!!
Mom: Well then I guess it's working.
For whatever reason, this cracked my mom and I up after it happened. The boys had no idea what we were laughing about, so hopefully you all get it.
_______________________________________
I just got done cleaning up blood stains to my carpet. I was in the midst of a fiasco in the driveway when I come upstairs to a loudly crying son. My oldest tells me that one of the twins has a bloody nose. I'm looking as they are standing in the middle of my living room!! I yelled, get him off the carpet to which my older son, I think just processing, continues talking about what happened or how to move him. The problem was that he was still standing still. So I grab the twin and carry him to the bathroom and then instruct my older son to hold the kleenex until I come back upstairs. I go to the driveway and finish sorting out the fiasco and then return to make sure everything was okay. My little guy had been leaning over the couch to see out the window. The couch that has already been moved a foot plus away from the window so they don't climb over the back of the couch and ruin it. He slipped and cut his lip on the window sill. Then proceeded to drip blood every foot or so across the carpet until he stood still in the middle of the room where I had a large spot, then every foot or so from there to the bathroom. Thank God for Bissell carpet cleaners!! You can't even tell it was there!
In the process, I got to use my new vacuum that I purchased from an estate sale today. Was pretty excited about that. Had to vacuum before using the carpet cleaner, so now my rug looks all nicely brushed and clean. Gotta take the blessings where you can find them!! Also, thankful he didn't knock any teeth in the process of falling! Maybe now my constant nagging to not climb on the couch will stick.
_______________________________________
I have been very humbled the past few weeks by the Lord. I am thankful for his correction and discipline, but its always hard to look at yourself and realize how far short from His holiness you fall. As I mentioned earlier, I've been reading this book Homeschool Supermom... Not. It has been showing me some areas of trouble for me like self sufficiency and impatience. I have been living life on my own accord for a pretty long time and going to God only when it seems that I can't do something myself. Which isn't all bad, except that I have found myself failing miserably lately and wondering why I can't pull it together.
What this book has been pointing out it that when it comes right down to it, that is sin! I've also been realizing how prideful I've been over the years and how much I really found identity in my job. Now that I'm home and not feeling very good at what I do, I've been struggling with jealous thoughts and comparing myself with other people. This was something I never really struggled with before. I read someones blog today and thought, wow she takes awesome pictures. I read another site and thought, man, she has such a way with words. We got left overs from an event today and I thought what a talented family to the ones who made the food. Except that I'm not just happy that those people are talented in those ways, I'm almost frustrated that I can't do that. And I do mean can't. In most cases, I think it's just not the way I'm wired. So God has been showing me that I need to find my identity in Him and not in what I can do or not do. I think it's so awesome though that He DOES show us these things. That is the evidence of a relationship with Him and a moving forward in holiness and Christ-likeness. So as these sins are brought to light I pray that I would truly repent and realize I'm a daughter of God and that's what makes me special.
This seems like a good place to put a scripture relating to what I'm talking about. Except, you know what? I can't think of one. That's because my quiet times have stunk lately too. After being a Christian for almost 30 years, you'd think I'd be better about spending time with the Lord. Nope, this is an area that I have ALWAYS struggled with. One thing I do know, is when I'm feeling really down and out and somewhat lost on my path, I can directly relate those times to not being in the Word in a long time.
So, with the Lords strength, I'm trying to do better. Just know that He is your strength and you are special NOT because of anything you do, but just because you are His child!!! Be yourself and let God's light shine through you in who He made YOU to be!!
Friday, June 15, 2012
Dad's Power
I had the joy today of sitting in my house in a half hour of quiet! No really, I did! I'm finally to the point in my parenting where all the kids can play out in the back yard without constant supervision. I loved it! The kids have been into Power Rangers lately, so they had this elaborate PR game going on in the backyard. I kept checking on them through the back windows while I checked email in peace, loaded the dishwasher, browsed the web, and so on. It was heavenly! One of the twins keeps wanting to be able to play on the driveway, but I'm not quite ready to give that up without supervision. Even still it has been nice.
I was very thankful for my husband today. My strong willed son was giving me "mouth" about unloading the dishes for the second time today (God forbid, mom actually gets all the dishes done today). A task which he actually shared with his brother, so really it just adds up to ONE complete unload. Anyway, I assigned an additional chore, cause that's what we do in our house when chores are met with complaining... and we almost broke out into a complete argument. My husband walks in the room and voila... he's off to do the second chore! I used to get frustrated that the kids would listen to daddy right way and give me trouble, but now I'm just blessed that he is here. It's kind of amazing the "power" dads have just from their authoritative presence.
My husband and I recently had a conversation on our current parenting styles. It seems as of late that we are on different pages and it becomes very apparent in the midst of disciplining. Early in our parenting, we took a course to help us along the way. It was a christian course and we were very much helped by the info and real tactical stuff they had you do to have children that obey. As the years passed we realized some flaws and saw children that had been raised in this way straying from the "straight and narrow". I started researching info about this parenting class and others. We found ourselves not agreeing 100% with the theories that we originally learned. So we took the nuggets of gold from that course and have been parenting in other styles as of late. The nice thing about that class though was that we were on the same page. Now we often find ourselves not completely agreeing on level of discipline and degree of punishment. I want to say that one thing that has really helped was the book I mentioned a while back "You Can't Make Me... but I Can Be Persuaded" by Cynthia Tobias. It has revolutionized how we deal with our strong willed son. (Thanks to my dear friend who recommended it!) So long story short, my husband and I decided we needed a date night pow wow to discuss and come to an agreement. Any excuse for a date night works, right?
All that to say, I am thankful for dads and the role God has given them as Fathers. I am thankful for my husband and the awesome father he has been to our children. While we may disagree sometimes, he wants the best for them as much as anyone and loves them so much. He also wants them to grow up to love God and follow His ways. What more could you ask for!
I was very thankful for my husband today. My strong willed son was giving me "mouth" about unloading the dishes for the second time today (God forbid, mom actually gets all the dishes done today). A task which he actually shared with his brother, so really it just adds up to ONE complete unload. Anyway, I assigned an additional chore, cause that's what we do in our house when chores are met with complaining... and we almost broke out into a complete argument. My husband walks in the room and voila... he's off to do the second chore! I used to get frustrated that the kids would listen to daddy right way and give me trouble, but now I'm just blessed that he is here. It's kind of amazing the "power" dads have just from their authoritative presence.
My husband and I recently had a conversation on our current parenting styles. It seems as of late that we are on different pages and it becomes very apparent in the midst of disciplining. Early in our parenting, we took a course to help us along the way. It was a christian course and we were very much helped by the info and real tactical stuff they had you do to have children that obey. As the years passed we realized some flaws and saw children that had been raised in this way straying from the "straight and narrow". I started researching info about this parenting class and others. We found ourselves not agreeing 100% with the theories that we originally learned. So we took the nuggets of gold from that course and have been parenting in other styles as of late. The nice thing about that class though was that we were on the same page. Now we often find ourselves not completely agreeing on level of discipline and degree of punishment. I want to say that one thing that has really helped was the book I mentioned a while back "You Can't Make Me... but I Can Be Persuaded" by Cynthia Tobias. It has revolutionized how we deal with our strong willed son. (Thanks to my dear friend who recommended it!) So long story short, my husband and I decided we needed a date night pow wow to discuss and come to an agreement. Any excuse for a date night works, right?
All that to say, I am thankful for dads and the role God has given them as Fathers. I am thankful for my husband and the awesome father he has been to our children. While we may disagree sometimes, he wants the best for them as much as anyone and loves them so much. He also wants them to grow up to love God and follow His ways. What more could you ask for!
Monday, June 11, 2012
He's Alive!
No I'm not referring to Jesus, although He is alive too. I just finished the book, Unbroken, that I mentioned in a post a few days ago. Again I was in tears over the book when Louie Zamperini dedicated his life to the Lord at a Billy Graham crusade. God's redemption is amazing! I got to the end of the book and it doesn't mention Louie's death at all, but it mentions dates in the 2000s. I looked at the publishing date and it was 2010. I immediately went to my computer to see if this man who endured SO much was still alive. Lo and behold, he was on the Jay Leno show just 5 days ago!!! He is 95 years old and still alive and seemingly still "with it" mentally. I cried again watching the clip on The Tonight Show. It's amazing to me what this man endured and the testimony that has come out of it. As I was reading the book, I kept thinking, I would just choose death. There is no way I'd want to live through all this. What a testimony to God's grace and redemption! I am in awe.
If you're interested in seeing this man, here's the link:
http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/thursday-june-7-2012/1405500/
He was on the longest segment, I believe the fifth segment. Just amazing.
If you're interested in seeing this man, here's the link:
http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/thursday-june-7-2012/1405500/
He was on the longest segment, I believe the fifth segment. Just amazing.
Sun-burned Racing Stripes
Saturday, I had the pleasure of sitting through 2 Little League games back to back. One child had a game at 9:30 and the other at noon. I was smart enough to bring sunscreen for the kids and snacks (I'm not always so prepared). I sprayed the kids and thought I should probably get myself too so I'm not burned. So I did a quick once over with the aerosol bottle of sunscreen. Apparently I was a little close to my arm and didn't get coverage over the whole thing. The result, I am branded with a racing stripe down my arm of where the sunscreen hit and sunburned on both sides where I wasn't so thorough. I've actually had worse, once I had lotion on my hand and tried to get the back of my arm where I clearly left 4 finger marks well defined. This at least was a little blended so its noticeable but not a straight defined line. I also probably should have gotten my face a little more. Either way, both boys won their games and all-in-all it wasn't too bad.
Sunday and today were also decent days. I didn't do too much, actually probably not enough, but it was nice and relaxing. I watched the kids do a "show" which is always entertaining. Sometimes, I look back on a day and think "what DID I do all day". Today feels like one of those days. Didn't accomplish much and can't even think of what I really did, but time passed and it wasn't bad. That makes it a decent day :D
I attended a book study this evening with some other ladies who home school. We're reading the book "Homeschooling Supermom .... NOT". It's been encouraging and SO nice to get away and spend some time with other adults! I look forward to getting to know some new people better as well.
Guess that's it for now. Ta ta!
Sunday and today were also decent days. I didn't do too much, actually probably not enough, but it was nice and relaxing. I watched the kids do a "show" which is always entertaining. Sometimes, I look back on a day and think "what DID I do all day". Today feels like one of those days. Didn't accomplish much and can't even think of what I really did, but time passed and it wasn't bad. That makes it a decent day :D
I attended a book study this evening with some other ladies who home school. We're reading the book "Homeschooling Supermom .... NOT". It's been encouraging and SO nice to get away and spend some time with other adults! I look forward to getting to know some new people better as well.
Guess that's it for now. Ta ta!
Friday, June 8, 2012
Why can't there ever be "extra"
Wow, so many thoughts today... let's see if I can get them all out.
I've been bumming for a few days for various reasons. I paid the bills yesterday. Wow, what a sobering activity. The way my husbands schedule is has given us a ton of overtime pay. That is a good thing because we had some catching up to do. With what we expected to be coming in, I thought we would have some, the ever illusive, "extra" money. With his second paycheck and realizing what will come out for benefits and taxes, its just so depressing. "Extra" never seems to be attainable. When we were both working and making a combined six figure income, we would often feel like we were "broke". Now I realize what a difference there is in having money that was spent and feeling broke and never getting the money in the first place and feeling broke. Even in the midst of this, I have to be thankful, because this was something we chose; a sacrifice we were willing to make for the sake of our children. So I am thankful that we are even able to be doing this. However, it doesn't make it any less humbling.
The second thing that's been bumming me is out the utter sinfulness of people. I am reading this book, Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. It's a true story about an Olympic track winner that went into service for World War II. Its a good book if you can handle war stories and hear the horrific things that happened to men during that time. I almost didn't read it when I first heard the general contents. This man ended up in a Japanese POW camp and was tortured for well over a year, if not two. I know he ultimately survives because it is a true story, but I am not yet past the POW camp part. The things one human can do to another is just beyond belief. I found myself in tears last night asking God "why?". I know its not for me to ask and we just need to trust Him, but wow, just floors me.
The last thing is family, especially in-laws. Its so much easier to love and get past the faults of your own family members then it is past the faults of in-laws. It's much tougher when you see those faults hurt your spouse. You know a few weeks from now, your spouse will be over it and best buds with siblings again and for me, at least, I still hang onto the frustration of the incident. There are times when I feel like if a sibling wasn't an actual family member there is no way we'd hang out with a person like that. Maybe we're on the raw end of the deal because we ARE family. Weird how its easier to take out your emotions and be somewhat "rude" to family members when you would never act that way to a friend or acquaintance. I'm just praying that I can figure out a good way to make sure my children don't treat each other this way when they're older. I hope they will be friends and really respect each other as adults.
A totally other subject.... I am so done with poopy underwear. I don't know what the deal is with boys, but seriously. Almost every day I have a pair of underwear soaking in a sink somewhere. Please tell me other moms have this issue cause it just totally grosses me out.
K, sorry for all the downers today, but just being real. Praying for y'all and thankful for your friendships!
I've been bumming for a few days for various reasons. I paid the bills yesterday. Wow, what a sobering activity. The way my husbands schedule is has given us a ton of overtime pay. That is a good thing because we had some catching up to do. With what we expected to be coming in, I thought we would have some, the ever illusive, "extra" money. With his second paycheck and realizing what will come out for benefits and taxes, its just so depressing. "Extra" never seems to be attainable. When we were both working and making a combined six figure income, we would often feel like we were "broke". Now I realize what a difference there is in having money that was spent and feeling broke and never getting the money in the first place and feeling broke. Even in the midst of this, I have to be thankful, because this was something we chose; a sacrifice we were willing to make for the sake of our children. So I am thankful that we are even able to be doing this. However, it doesn't make it any less humbling.
The second thing that's been bumming me is out the utter sinfulness of people. I am reading this book, Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. It's a true story about an Olympic track winner that went into service for World War II. Its a good book if you can handle war stories and hear the horrific things that happened to men during that time. I almost didn't read it when I first heard the general contents. This man ended up in a Japanese POW camp and was tortured for well over a year, if not two. I know he ultimately survives because it is a true story, but I am not yet past the POW camp part. The things one human can do to another is just beyond belief. I found myself in tears last night asking God "why?". I know its not for me to ask and we just need to trust Him, but wow, just floors me.
The last thing is family, especially in-laws. Its so much easier to love and get past the faults of your own family members then it is past the faults of in-laws. It's much tougher when you see those faults hurt your spouse. You know a few weeks from now, your spouse will be over it and best buds with siblings again and for me, at least, I still hang onto the frustration of the incident. There are times when I feel like if a sibling wasn't an actual family member there is no way we'd hang out with a person like that. Maybe we're on the raw end of the deal because we ARE family. Weird how its easier to take out your emotions and be somewhat "rude" to family members when you would never act that way to a friend or acquaintance. I'm just praying that I can figure out a good way to make sure my children don't treat each other this way when they're older. I hope they will be friends and really respect each other as adults.
A totally other subject.... I am so done with poopy underwear. I don't know what the deal is with boys, but seriously. Almost every day I have a pair of underwear soaking in a sink somewhere. Please tell me other moms have this issue cause it just totally grosses me out.
K, sorry for all the downers today, but just being real. Praying for y'all and thankful for your friendships!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Life is strange...
Have you ever said to yourself, "Life is a strange thing"? I say this to myself often. The stranger thing is that this life is all I've ever known, so why would it seem "abnormal"? I was sitting in the drive way today watching the kids ride their bikes. It's amazing to me how big the twins are getting. It just made me think about how everyone says "this time will our kids being little will go so fast". Then I think about how short life is in general. I'm so thankful for the hope of an eternity with God and everlasting life. Maybe that's the life that's supposed to feel "normal".
Things have been going well lately. School is done for all three big kids. My daughter had her last day on Monday and is now officially a 1st grader. I am so proud! We are starting to get in full swing of summer activities. Both older boys are playing baseball and their teams are undefeated. That is NOT normal. I've talked with moms on other teams who's kids are losing almost every game. I think we just lucked out with good players and good coaches on the teams. Unfortunately the boys are in different leagues this year due to their ages and so baseball has consumed most of our evenings. There is a week in June where we have a game everyday Monday through Saturday. Craziness!
We've also started talking about what fun activities we can do this summer. I think we're going to make a list of fun cheap activities and put them in a jar. On Sunday night of each week, we'll pick one out and then depending on the weather requirements for that activity, select a day of the week to do it. Hopefully that will keep a little spice and fun in our summer.
My dad spent a few days in the hospital last week due to an irregular heartbeat. Thankfully it was nothing serious like a heart attack or stroke or anything. I felt a little bad cause it started when he was moving furniture with my husband for our township trash day. It's strange to see your parents getting older. I'm just glad he's okay. Oh yeah, and taking 5 kids to the hospital at one time to visit Papa... not on the recommended activities list :D But we survived.
Guess that's it for now. I hope you all are enjoying the beautiful weather and have a great end of the week.
Things have been going well lately. School is done for all three big kids. My daughter had her last day on Monday and is now officially a 1st grader. I am so proud! We are starting to get in full swing of summer activities. Both older boys are playing baseball and their teams are undefeated. That is NOT normal. I've talked with moms on other teams who's kids are losing almost every game. I think we just lucked out with good players and good coaches on the teams. Unfortunately the boys are in different leagues this year due to their ages and so baseball has consumed most of our evenings. There is a week in June where we have a game everyday Monday through Saturday. Craziness!
We've also started talking about what fun activities we can do this summer. I think we're going to make a list of fun cheap activities and put them in a jar. On Sunday night of each week, we'll pick one out and then depending on the weather requirements for that activity, select a day of the week to do it. Hopefully that will keep a little spice and fun in our summer.
My dad spent a few days in the hospital last week due to an irregular heartbeat. Thankfully it was nothing serious like a heart attack or stroke or anything. I felt a little bad cause it started when he was moving furniture with my husband for our township trash day. It's strange to see your parents getting older. I'm just glad he's okay. Oh yeah, and taking 5 kids to the hospital at one time to visit Papa... not on the recommended activities list :D But we survived.
Guess that's it for now. I hope you all are enjoying the beautiful weather and have a great end of the week.
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