Busy Busy

picture added just because it's stinkin' adorable...

Life continues to plow ahead.

These past few months have been crazy busy. Jet's job at the Engineering Firm is always hopping (huge understatement). Add the fact that he's juggling night school, we're preparing for our fourth baby, and I'm spending every night going over detailed planning for the upcoming homeschooling year, and you have one very busy family...

But as of two weeks ago, his intensive 5 week summer class is over. (insert large sigh of relief here) and he has 10 days off from work!!!

*Somewhere angels are singing the Hallelujah Chorus because I know we are!*

Lots planned for the next little while. Hopefully some of that will include my picking up the camera to take some pictures and blog for memory sake.

A Special Bond?

How can you not love this little face? Especially that sweet smile and those alluring dimples?!


She's sweet, to be sure! So when she suddenly looks like this...

And this...

It about breaks your heart. Until you find out that it's because she's being disciplined for biting this...


her sister Selah's knee.

Why she goes after Selah is a mystery to me. She loves her fiercely. Has been known to wake up in the middle of the night, calling for Selah's name. She follows her around her house, trying to emulate everything Selah does. Raegan's face literally lights up when Selah comes into the room.

Yet. When it comes to who she chooses to pick a fight with...it's always Selah. She goes after her time and time again. Usually bypassing Charis to go for Selah.

Thankfully, Selah is as sweet as she is patient with Raegan. How she does it, I don't know. Because I'm not sure I'd be so gracious after having my hair yanked out and teethmarks driven into my body.

The love of a sister is a mysterious thing.

Summer Days

Around here, Summertime gets comfortably predictable.

While Raegan naps, the girls play outside. Usually in their bathingsuits....

... eating Icees. Our snack of choice for hot, sticky days.

Before and after consuming multiple Icees, we play in and with and around the "Watering Hole".

Isn't that the cutest little hinney? :) I just want to squeeze her.

Of course, we don't always keep the water IN the pool. Sometimes you just gotta soak your sister. or your daddy. or the dog for fun. or even a small patch of grass for no reason at all.
Because when you are the one in control of the WaterHose, why relinquish the power? :)

A glimpse at our life today

I love these little faces. and their personalities. and the way that they interact with each other.

Jet and I just look at each other sometimes and say, "I seriously don't know how we could be any more blessed." I can say, without a doubt, that we truly love being around these little ones...watching them loving life together.

Raegan especially loves being wherever the Big Girls are. doing nothing less than exactly what they do. Not the easiest thing for me, trying to keep her from breaking bones as she tries everything her athletic sisters are doing. But it's definitely sweet.

Well. Or so I thought until today, when she started climbing on the girl's school table to be near them. We officially have our first Furniture Climber. Oh glory.

Charis

This little girl isn't so little anymore.

She is reading the book "Charlotte's Web". By herself. She reads outloud to Selah with more dramatic feeling than most adults. Seriously. (I don't know where she gets her dramatic flair *grin*) She is adding three numbers in her head. She tells me random bits of information that she reads in her library books during rest time; things that I didn't know. :) My motivated little learner is begging to do whatever school book I'll let her get her hands on. Makes homeschooling so difficult, let me tell you. *Yes, note the sarcasm*

She daily thanks Jesus for "making this world and all the people in it". I don't know why she first thought to pray that over our lunchtime meal, but I do know she has a genuine heart for others. She is truly truly concerned about how others feel...

For instance, the other day she and Jet were playing outside. And while they were racing across the yard, Charis stopped at her designated "finish line". Jet was unaware of this and ended up running right into her. knocking her over. falling himself. and kicking her head in the process. Poor guy, he was horrified. And she, obviously, cried.

But the first thing she said, amidst her sobbing, as Jet picked her up was "I love you, Daddy. I love you so much." She held no bitterness. no self pity. no anger. She just wanted him to know that he was still loved.

It truly amazed me because there I was, the adult, completely annoyed at him for daring to accidentally fall down and kick my precious child. Meanwhile Precious Child, the one who actually got hurt, was showing no sign of anything negative towards her Daddy. Amazing.

She has an intimate knowledge of Jesus. She has seen angels. And dreamt of heaven. I've asked her radical, far-fetched questions concerning what she saw, thinking that maybe, as a child, she'll go with whatever I say she saw. But, no, she is firm every time. She describes what she sees and nothing more. I know her eyes have been opened to a realm of glory.


I remember being her age. I actually remember being a lot younger. And I remember feeling so big. so grown up. very much my own person with my own thoughts, my own feelings, my own hurts when adults disregarded me because I was so young.

And remembering all of that, it's my heart to be careful to honor her for the person that she is. Today. Just as Jesus obviously loves on her and reveals himself to her regardless of her young age, I want to treat her and her thoughts and feelings with respect. In this season of her young life.

She is truly a precious, precious girl. And she's only five! I'm so very excited to see what God has in store for this little...or, rather, not so little...one.

In need of some caffeine

Oh, to have her energy.

I don't do coffee or sodas. We have caffeine-free tea, last I checked. So me? I get my daily dose of caffeine in the form of cocoa beans. Of the milk chocolate variety.

But regardless of where the 'bottled' energy comes from, I need it. Desperately. Because right now, I am so tired I can barely keep my eyes open. Not to mention standing in the upright position. I feel like I will fall over. Literally.

I am constantly eating, in attempts to bring up my energy level. but yet have no real appetite.

I'm thinking my already-fast metabolism has kicked it up another notch? Because today, I swear I'm thinner around the waist than I was yesterday. To the extent that it worried me... I went to lie down on the couch to make sure I felt our lively little girl kicking. I did. :)

I don't remember it being like this with Raegan?! Was I walking around like a zombie? Did I block that whole section of time out for sanity sake?

So for next time...here is documented proof that it did happen and all was "normal". :) Though really, isn't everything considered "normal" during pregnancy?! (I.E. Usually my teeth and gums hurt. Shockingly enough, that has not happened this go round.)

I'm off to try and convince my littlest one to take another nap, even though she just got up from one. Ironically, my oldest two are sleeping soundly in preparation for tonight's sleepover at Grandma's house. And I, the pregnant zombie, am left alone to entertain a very active 15 month old.

In the beginning...

"Let us make man in our image."

When I read this, I hear an excited statement. In fact, I can almost imagine God's sheer thrill by comparing it to what I see in my girls when they get excited about an idea: "Let's open our presents!" "Let's go get ice cream!" "Let's have a party!"

Their eyes light up. They clap their hands and jump around. They don't even try to hide the enthusiasm at the thought of what's about to happen.

This is exactly what I envision when I read the above words. God's excitement over what was to come. A physical indwelling of the Trinity, in the form of man.

Pretty sweet, huh? Creator of all the universe actually getting giddy over the thought of creating me. I know it sounds cliche, but try to wrap your brain around the depth of that thought. It's amazing.

But here is where my thoughts begin to shift...

Because, based on some things I've heard, this is where a lot of people seem to believe the "in his image part" of the story ended. I mean, sure God went on to create Eve, but only because he didn't want his Golden Boy to be lonely. Right?

So while Adam's got the Godly Mirror Image thing going on....Eve gets the left overs. The bit taken off of Adam's ribcage. He gets the glory covering. She gets the bone.

Kind of like the dog.

At least that's how I've felt concerning it through the years, whether by teachings or self-imposed interpretation.

Yeah, maybe it's hasn't been that blatant. But close. I mean, no one is going to compare a woman to a dog. But yet, the mindset that the woman is the lesser creation (gender) is a hard thing to ignore. In a lot of denominations, women don't speak. They don't teach. They don't lead. They are beautiful, for sure. But too emotion-driven for anything of concrete importance. anything worthy of true leadership role. And if they are allowed to lead, it is in the arena of hospitality. serving. cooking. children's ministries. You know, the basic household, homemaking skills put to good use. Only in God's house instead of their own.

But I just can't swallow that. At least not as a complete picture of what Godly women are being called to be by God Himself.

When God created Adam, He put in him the completeness (is this even a word?) of His likeness. He filled him with, what I would imagine, every aspect of the Person of God. His power. His depth of compassion. His warrior spirit. His beauty. His ability to rule over the earth. His creativity.

Adam was a complete image of God in and of himself. Until God said, I will make a helper fit for him (Gen. 2:18).

Yet, if you notice, God did not create an entirely different person. He didn't need to. For He had already spoken the perfect one into existence. Instead, God chose to tap into the depths of what was already in Adam: the full likeness and image of God.

Essentially, calling upon man to share in the task of being the complete image bearer.

And from what was placed in Adam... came Eve. Both incredibly different, yet both incredibly needed in order to complete a true representation of God, here on earth.


...These thoughts jumble around in my head for a few different reasons. Obviously one of the reasons being that I am a woman. A strong one. So I've had to come to terms with GOD's intent for my life as a woman. a life that He has filled with specific leadership giftings and callings.

But aside from that...aside from My life... my thoughts revolve around my family of GIRLS and how I regard that truth when raising four women-in-training. For I fully recognize that my mindset, as their mom, will essentially lay the ground work in establishing their mindset of themselves as women, in general. As Christian Women, specifically.

We've had many prophetic words spoken over us as a family (even before our first child was born) that we are a family of warriors. You know, those big bad soldiers who passionately and aggressively go after the enemy and take them down. Yep, them guys.

Only I do not have guys. I have my own version of Little Women.

So how do I balance knowing that God has, in deed, called us to be a family of warriors...and all but one are female? How do I teach my children to embrace their femininity in all its wonder, yet to not despise it when considering the leadership giftings I KNOW God has placed in them?

Because if they allow themselves to be held back from all that God has called them to be as his image bearers, they will be inadvertently withholding the fullness of God's image. And jipping the Church-at-large.

Lord, please continue to open my eyes to your heart for me as a woman, a warrior, a leader, and a mother. Show me how you don't compartmentalize these traits, but embrace them in their entirety. Show me SO I can "train up my GIRLS in the way they should go".

In the way that you have intended for them since the beginning.

Not so innocent entertainment

Some might say I'm over protective when it comes to my children. To which I have to say, "You'd better believe it! It's my job."

Do I try and shelter them from life? Hardly. It's our desire to introduce them to all types of people. all walks of life. all sorts of fun. To let them get really comfortable with the fact that there is a world full of crazy experiences awaiting them.

But in the midst of all that, to let them know, upfront, that there is a definite right and wrong way to interact with all that surrounds them. There is the choice to glorify Jesus in how we live our lives. Just like there is the choice to not. And regardless of what or how others live, we need to chose Jesus. We need to choose Life.

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life, that you and your descendants may live..." Deuteronomy 30:19

Sadly, I find this concept especially trying as a parent when considering children's entertainment. The books. The movies. Even the TV shows that come on PBS... Take this example for instance:

The other day, I walked into the kitchen to hear Selah say "Charis, let's pretend to be a wit*ch."
"Selah! What did you just say?!"

She shrinks back because she knows that I don't agree with that type of play. I explain that, again, in the clearest way possible...and she begins to cry, "I'm sorry, Mommy! I'm really sorry."

Thus, opens a door for a discussion about Do*ra. Though that character may talk about wit*ches like they are nice, that is not truth. Because, in fact, they are people who do very bad things. They hate Jesus and all He stands for, period. And therefore, we will not try to be anything like them, even in play.

But I know it has to be so confusing as a child. You love Dora. You read her books. She teaches you Spanish and how to be friends with people who are different than you. Yet she's lying to me about a wit*ch being good? It just doesn't add up.

Will they still get to watch Do*ra? Yes. I actually like most of what she talks about on that program. But my children will be armed with the truth concerning the people who really dabble in wit*chcraft. And if an episode comes on involving wi*tches and such, we will turn it off.

But as Jet and I are considering what movies our girls can watch, we're finding it's less a matter of the blatant "Okay, so you cannot emulate Wi*cca." Rather, it's more often about the fact that I don't want my kids to think it's okay to treat other people like the interactions seen on popular children's TV programs.

More times than not, I'm hearing the words 'moron' and 'idiot' and a plethora of other put-downs mixed into the threads of a Disney movie. Or a PBS show like Ses*ame Street and Dor*a. ??!!Even phrases like "Oh my god!" or "What the?!" or "I hate you" have shot out at me from my TV screen. Definitely attitudes and actions that I don't want my impressionable little girls adopting into the framework of their minds.

And it's not like we have ANY channels. Not even PBS. We carefully screen the library movies we let the girls watch. But even then, those rude interactions and disrespectful attitudes pop up unexpectedly... :(

To me, it's sad to have to say "No" to Aladdin and Toy Story and...whatever other movie is popular and loved by so many of little people. Movies that I actually like, but am finding that I cannot, in good conscience, let my girls see now.

Because, honestly, the bottom line is that we want to train them up with the knowledge that they have to be careful concerning how their time and thoughts are put to use. We want to train them up knowing that if we want to be a family walking in the Power of God, we have to be a family dedicated to making sure our entertainment and free time and subsequent attitudes don't hinder the Holy Spirit.

So as Selah said tonight as we tried to watch Aladdin for the first time ever: "We'll have to put that movie in the yardsale. Right, Mommy?"

It's a hard call, but it's one that the Lord taught me not to long back myself...

Grandma Lovin'

My daughters wholeheartedly love their Grandma.

They act like her.

They dote over her.

And the highest praise of all? They hope to one day be like her.

Preggie Update at 26 Weeks

How is it possible that I'm almost ready to cross over into the Third Trimester?!

Because in a matter of days, I'll be on the last leg of this pregnancy!! A pregnancy where, during the first trimester, all I could do was lay on the couch and cry "I don't think I can do this again" and "Is this ever going to end?!"

Yet...a few months and 15 lbs later, I'm thinking "I so could do this again" and "Time is hauling some major booty and racing by!" In no time, I'll be holding my little girlie.

But man oh man, I'm SO thankful that the whole sickness part did pass. Ick. The older girls got so used to me throwing up that it didn't even phase them after a while. I mean, yeah, they were still concerned and empathetic and all, but not freaked out like they were in the beginning.

I'd come out of the bathroom and they'd say "Did you spit up again?" like it was nothing at all. *laughing* In fact, the other night, I got sick out of the blue and Charis said, "You haven't done that in a while, huh?" My little girls miss nothing. I love that about them.

Though, I have to say, it does make it hard to get away with eating chocolate 13 waking hours a day. Which obviously I can't let THEM do and be the health-fanatic mother, can I? Because here I sit eating off the last of the honkin' huge chocolate bar my mom brought back from London. You know the ones I speak of? The ones the size of Maine, you ask? Yep. Them kind. :)

Don't get me wrong, I'm NOT hungry. At all. But there's just this innate need for the hand to mouth movement to happen. Over and over and over. And what fun would that action be without a fist full of fat? I mean, really!?

When a bunch of guys were over here the other night and dessert was served, I didn't have any. It was one of those RARE moments of "Nah, just don't want any right now." They were all like, "But you're pregnant! Can't you eat whatever you want?" "You have your entire life to work it off."

I was like "People! Please, this is a rare moment of self control, allow me to revel in it." But really...what do young, single guys know of trying to work off fat that doesn't want to budge? You know, the fat that has that stubborn mentality of "I'm doing just fine. thankyouverymuch. I think I'll just stay."

One day all those clueless, unmarried men will know. Because JET definitely wasn't joining in on the encouragement-to-go-hog-wild-on-dessert cheer! He knows the scary-emotional things that happen when I've eaten a bunch of chocolate and then try on clothes. Not pretty. At any angle. :)

OF COURSE, you have to notice that I'm STILL popping the chocolate like it's my dying breath. So obviously, I'm not worried enough about it to DO something. *rolling my eyes* Maybe tomorrow I'll actually put our weights and treadmill to use? No wait. We have a party. So Sunday maybe? Well, that's supposed to be a day of rest. Wouldn't wait to break the Sabbath now, would I? :)

But one thing that I truly love about this stage of pregnancy is that when I wear fitted clothes, people know that I'm pregnant instead of just "bigger". Of course, it couldn't be due to all that chocolate, could it?!! (which I plan on eating more as soon as I'm done typing. Can you tell my mind is a little consumed with chocolate right now. I think I'm mentioning it's existence every other sentence. pitiful.)

Yet I'm still able to sleep on my stomach...which is my preferred position. I truly hate when that is no longer an option, as I can't sleep well on my back. So right now, with looking pregnant and sleeping well at night, I have the best of both worlds.

Anyway...that's the Preggo Update.

My Alma Mater Reunion

One of the ONLY normal pictures I took... ...of my dear dear college friends.

December of 1997, I graduated from a state university and headed out to Texas for a year-long training school with YWAM. I was excited about the next step in my life. I was all too happy to leave behind the endless exams, term papers, and deadlines.

But I was NOT looking forward to leaving behind my girls! The ones that I met being a part of the freshman Young Life meetings...and then later got to know on a deeper level as we all joined the university's chapter of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) . These are the women that became my best friends during my college years.


This is us...after a LONG day of catching up. It's 10:30 PM. We're all exhausted. I'm getting ready to leave. And we suddenly realized that we hadn't taken any group pictures together. Thank goodness for Jana's automatic thing-a-ma-bob on her camera.



Though there were a ton of other girls that were a part of our close group of friends, these are the some of the ones that I hung out with the most. Stephanie, Serena, Heather, Wendy, Jana.

Boating. Long talks over a gallon of ice cream being passed around the apartment living room. Worship. Conferences. Early morning jaunts to the gym. Hanging out with the FCA guys. Getting dressed up for an 80s dance party. Sneaking around in the middle of the night playing pranks on said guys...

Wendy and I actually went driving for an hour, looking for roadkill to pick up. We finally found one very dead, very squished possum. Then, we proceeded to drop it off in a strategic and very specified spot near a guy friend's car as a 8 AM surprise. AND the two of us spent weeks collecting bags and bags of cut that was hair from different hair salons. Just so we could drive, by cover of night, to an apartment complex to slather "grease"...and hair on a guy's car. We never got a picture, but it was a Hairy Car! *gag*

Weren't we horrible?! ;)

But through all the crazy and hard and hysterical and heartbreaking times, these ladies meant so much to me. When I was in the process of ending a destructive relationship, these were my shoulders. my confidants. my encouragements.

When we were all fried from exam week, they'd be there to "decompress" with me. Laughter truly is the best medicine. In fact, I specifically remember Stephanie once telling me that she had read that 5 minutes of hard belly laughter was an amazing ab workout. Soo...being the intelligent, always-up-for-a-challenge women that we were, we layed on her bed and made ourselves laugh like hyenas for as long as possible. We had some pretty tight abs back in the day. *wink*

When we just needed to veg and have a Girls' Night, these were the girls I'd usually hang with. Once there was a planned Friday night All Girl Hang Time with about 12 girls. But I couldn't come due to last minute RA duty (Resident Assistant of a girl's dorm), which meant that I couldn't leave my room all night. I had to be available...in my room...by the phone...and ready to do dorm "rounds" every hour. I was sooo upset.

But they all surprised me by bringing the Girls' Night TO MY ROOM. I walked up to my RA apartment after doing hourly rounds and there they all were. *sweet*

They brought a TV. movie. snacks. Honestly, I don't know that I've ever felt so loved by a group of friends before. I'm sure I cried and laughed at the same time.


All of those times...plus some that will remain hush-hush *laughing*...were these girls.

Years have brought huge changes. Four of us are married with 11 children (plus one on the way) between us! One is training for a National Ballroom Championship. One is hoping to go to Jordan as a full-time missionary soon. One is in the process of planting a church with her husband in the Carolinas. One is doing youth group ministry. One is trying to keep up with her three boys, aged three and under.

We're all busy busy. We're all different than what we used to be. But still after all these years, we had REAL times. Tears. Laughter. Prayer. Bonding over non-stop eating. What's can be better than that? :)

I love these ladies!! Hopefully our plan to make it a early event will happen...

Just because it cracked me up

A study done on the "Generic names for soft drinks" by county. Click on the picture to see it enlarged.

Personally, I don't call it a generic name...I use its "formal' name. Dr. Pepper. Sprite. Pepsi. Etc. Not that I drink the vile stuff... but still. My hubby, who grew up in Texas and Pennsylvania, calls it coke or soda. Wonder why. :)

Crazy stuff, eh?

God redeems with his revelation...

Some friends of ours own a local quarry. They are very generous people who allow others to enjoy their property whenever it's available. A while back, Jet and I had booked it for Friday and Saturday thinking that we'd camp there.

But last minute, due to the weather forecast, we decided to forgo Friday, arriving Saturday afternoon after Raegan's nap...



As we drove through the gate and pulled up to the spot, cars were everywhere. Cars of people that were not supposed to be there due to the fact that we had made arrangements with the owners.

Long story short. A large group of scuba divers were there. People who do have an agreement with the owners for use of the land. As long as they book it. And at a different part of the quarry than where they were. An agreement they were obviously disregarding.

But even when we confronted them on it, they were very nonchalant. told us when they planned on being done. and then remained a long time after they were done...just talking.

I won't even mince words. I was ticked. They were disrespecting us. AND the understanding they had with the owners. Everything about their indifference was disgusting.

We had our large doberman there. Jet made me keep him on the leash while those "trespassers" remained. But man, if I didn't want to just let him loose. "Sic 'em, boy!"

By the time they did leave and our friends arrived, I wasn't in the best of moods. The whole attitude of those people completely unnerved me and I had a hard time shaking it.

But thankfully, our girls had a blast. :) Here's Raegan wrapped in her Daddy's shirt because I forgot to bring warmer things for her.

These three girls were in heaven. Boats. Waters. Smores. Friends. Does it get any better than this?!

Soooooo...the next morning as I was getting ready, the memory of the whole ordeal flooded my mind all over again. And that anger over their disrespect and obvious rude indifference came rushing back.

And the thought hit me, "I so wish I had been one of the owner's daughters. Or had one of their children with us. THEN I would have had the authority to kick them out:

"Uh, hi. Here's the deal. My DAD owns this place. You're not supposed to be here as you and I both know. So you need to leave NOW."

Immediately, the Lord interrupted my thoughts and said, "You Do have that authority. In the spiritual realm. Because I am your Dad. And the Earth is MINE."

If nothing else came out of our family-weekend-gone-wrong...that personal revelation from the Lord was worth it. He has given me Authority to take back the land that the enemy (sickness, death, poverty, addiction, etc) has claimed as its own.

BustAMove

Though it may look like she's in pain, she's not...

It's just one of her many "Look Mom, I'm dancing!" faces.

This girl can really get down. It's both hysterical and amazing all at the same time.

She's always been a music lover...the louder the better. But now that she can walk/run, her dancing has reached a new level.

Maybe one day I'll actually get video of this household phenomenon. But so far, whenever I've gotten the camera out, little Miss Hollywood throws off her dancing shoes to try and man the camera. That's my girl...both an aspiring dancer and director. And all at 15 months.

No, I'm not proud or anything. :)

Night Night?

Why did Charis suddenly decide to compare the size of her shoe to her Daddy's?

Who knows? But I'm thinking it had something to do with the excitement she was feeling as she and Jet put their shoes on in preparation to go for McDonald's Ice cream. She was excited about having unexpected "Special Daddy Time" and was just looking for another way to connect with him.

"Hey! We both have feet. Let's compare them. Whatdaya say?"

You see, having been in bed for at least an hour, she came downstairs at 8:15 distressed that she wasn't tired. and my guess, a little nervous that she was going to get in trouble for being out of bed.

But instead of getting frustrated, I pulled her close and whispered in Jet's ear, asking if he'd take her for a special treat. And like any good Daddy, he was all over it. As was she!!

Take note of how *bright* it still is at 8:15 PM!!

She was one happy girl! And we are striving to be parents who make this home a place where unexpected surprises and one-on-one outings with parents are the norm.

A place where they love hanging out. A place where memories like this come easily years from now. A place where they know the unconditional love of a daddy, even when they're supposed to be asleep, but are just having trouble getting it done.

The FULL spectrum of the Daddy-daughter relationship

She has a certain "glow" about her, doesn't she?

Yeah. It's SWEAT.

And not because she's worn herself out playing with dolls. Or ran upstairs to find her dress up clothes. Or even because of the Extreme Heat (100 degree temps) we've been experiencing this past week.

Nope. Not this girl. Or the other two for that matter...

Aww. What a sweet Let's-Love-on-Daddy-Moment, eh?

Uh, not so much. Don't be fooled by this freeze frame of time. They were not snuggling with their Daddy. Maybe when I add the bottom half of the picture, it'll be easier to see what's really happening...

Yep, there's Charis trying to bend back his foot. In dire attemtps to hurt him. Preferrably to the point where Daddy yells out, "Ow, Charis! That hurts!" And the other two? Well, they had just pounced seconds before I took the picture.

They were ALL attacking Daddy. Full force. Head-on. Plowing him over. Growling like wild animals. Running across the room and jumping on whatever body part was vunerable and uncovered. If I remember correctly, he had to stop once and remind someone not to bite him. :)

Poor, poor, manly Jet. Surrounded by "only girls." Girls who will willingly dote on him one minute and play WWF the next. What's a daddy to do?

A cheerful heart does good like medicine

"I like your face when you smile."

Charis said this to me tonight as I tucked the girls into bed. And it made me wonder...was there more to what she was saying?

Don't get me wrong...I am fully able to receive compliments without thinking they are loaded. But something in me questioned if there was more to her innocent statement.

Kissing her goodnight, I asked: "Do you think I should smile more?"

Smiling, Charis peeked out at me between the rail of her top bunk and laughed as she said, "You have to."

Out of the mouths of babes.... Yeah. I'd say that pretty much sums it up. I have to.

She wasn't being rude. or manipulative. or even sneaky with her compliment. She meant what she said. She likes my face when it's smiling. And likes it less when the smile is gone.

One thing that I've been praying for these past years is JOY. I used to be one of the most joyful people I knew. Honestly, I don't say that as a haughty statement. It's just a fact. I laughed non-stop. I smiled constantly. I was truly joyful to the extent that people told me that when they first met me, they wondered if I was fake "because no one is always that happy".

And then some things happened in my life that stole that joy. I felt as if my personality was raped (I truly know of no other way to describe it). My smile changed. My laugh changed. My personality changed. I was literally left a different person.

God has since brought tremendous healing in the area of that specific wounding. But to this day, I don't feel like the fullness of my joy has been returned. So when Charis says "You have to..." it resonates within me.

I've been praying for God to just restore it. You know, like one of those *bam* moments when in the blink of an eye everything is made whole. And while they may happen, I'm also being made aware that it's something I need to practice. to choose. to PUT ON.

Job 29:14 says “I put on righteousness and it clothed me.”

Job, first, put it on. And then, it covered him... enveloped his being. I imagine that you couldn't look at him without seeing that which he put on.

“Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength. Put on your garments of splendour....” Isaiah 52:1

The people needed to wake themselves up from their slumber (rut)...and choose what they were going to be covered in. No one else could do it for them. And they definitely couldn't do it themselves while they remained in the "sleepy" (inactive) position.

“Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another. 1 Peter 5:5

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, gentleness and patience." Col. 3:12

It's never an easy task to choose to be truly humble or kind or patient. But it seems to me, from these scriptures, that once you take the first step of allowing yourself to be draped by it, it becomes an easier trait to carry.

You, first, allow it to cover your "body". Then you begin to embody all it represents. And that is what I want: To Embody Joy.

So today, I choose to smile more. to look for reason to laugh. to joke. to sing. Trusting that as I embrace the very thing that was taken long ago, it will begin to embrace me. becoming second nature to wear. first choice of what I pull out of my "spiritual" closet.

Cousin Time

This past weekend was filled with "Special Cousin time" for my girls. With BOTH sides of the family.

My girls love their cousins. This cannot be stressed enough! And it's a good thing, too, since they are surrounded by them.

On my side of the family (the above picture), there are nine grandkids. Ranging in ages from 18 years to 7 months. With only two boys in the brood. On Jet's side, there are ten grandkids, ranging in ages from 7 years to a couple of months. 5 boys. 5 girls.

Both sides are still growing!

Saturday...while I went to a Girls' Reunion (with my college friends)...Jet and the girls drove to his sister's house. Our three girls (5, almost 4, and 15 months) and their three boys (7, 4, and 18 months) playing hard all day.

Picking eggs from the chicken coop. Trying to milk a cow for the first time. Endless races around the house (where Jet said Selah and Jacob...both about 4....consistently won). Holding newborn puppies. Petting horses. Splashing in water. Eating watermelon. Roasting marshmallows for smores.

They were full of stories to tell me! (though no pictures to share because I had the camera with me).

Then, Sunday afternoon, my parent's gave my oldest niece a high school graduation party. And though my girls played hard with these cousins...I'm thinking the highlight for them may have been the CAKE. :)

Growing up, I had one first cousin that we played with. But he lived three hours away and we rarely saw him. As opposed to Jet who has 53 first cousins. Quite the different experience from me!!

We're so thankful that our girls will grow up surrounded by cousins. A family of built-in friends.

Random thought for the day...

The spiritual insights that I receive because I'm a Mom never cease to amaze me. I feel like because I have children, my heart is more sensitive in understanding the Father Heart of God for His kids. And, in today's particular case, concerning the things that He has to say to them....


A situation in my home that has recently become a moment of discipline is when I ask one of my children to relay a particular message to another child and it's not appropriately carried out. Take the following example:

"Honey, will you go outside and ask X to come in please?"

The child runs off, quite pleased with her new-found, promoted status of Messenger-with-a-Parental-Backed-Directive.

She throws open the door and, with much more force than necessary, yells "Mom says that you need to get inside. Right now. And hurry it up!"

Did my messenger-in-training get the job done? Technically, yes. But only because the message produced a portion of the desired outcome. the sibling ended up coming inside.

But were those my exact words? Was that even close to the heart in which I said it?! Did it leave the sibling secure in the fact that she is loved by the one for whom the messenger speaks? No. No. and No.

So did Messenger Girl even come close to representing me and what I was hoping to communicate to the child outside? Not. at. all. She came across as mean and angry and annoyed that the child had even dared be outside in the first place.

Okay, Messenger Girl. We need to have us a little chat about responsibly and lovingly relaying a message. Mkay?


God has called us to be a prophetic people....

"Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy." 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NASB)

...which simply means that He wants to communicate his heart to us. to speak to us about someone and their situation so that we, in turn, can share what we heard with that person. to bring divine life, hope, and encouragement.

"But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement, and comfort." 1 Cor. 14:3 NIV

But how often do we only get the general message right? falling short in conveying the HEART of God? How often do we speak the technical words, but not the spirit of what was heard? How often is the person receiving the Word left with a "spiritual residue" of something other than the Love of God?

I want to be careful to adequately represent Him...

“We are ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor. 5:20, NIV).

...You know, since we ARE addressing his children and all. The Apple of his Eye. Because I know when I am misrepresented by my child to another one of my children, it truly makes. me. mad.

Father, it's my sincere prayer today that whenever you entrust me with a message for the "sibling outside," that I would speak it with humility and love. Not only getting the words right, but also being a carrier of your heart's intent as well.

Mirror Mirror on the wall

It's always so telling to listen to the pretend play of my girls. Especially when they're pretending to be a mom. Though I have to admit, there are times when an insider's view into their "innocent" perception and depiction of me is a little scary.

Okay. a LOT scary. Because all I can do is sit back and think "Oh my word! Please tell me I'm not like that!"

Surely they speak of their ...uh, other mom?


...
As I was sitting at the table going looking through some books, I heard Selah shout with feverish indignation, "No. I'm not a kid! I'm 30 years old!! Okay, Charis?! I'm Thirty! THIRTY! THIRTY!!!" I hear her stomp her feet in protest to drive the point home.

Apparently that debate was won by the older sister. Because a few minutes later, Selah was obediently being the child taking a nap in the room where I was sitting.

Watching the girls play as discreetly as I can, Selah gets up and goes to the window to watch a passing neighbor. Then whispering to Charis, Selah instructs her on how to react to this blatant act of disobedience. So Charis, the mother, stomps up to Selah and demands with hands on her hips: "No Kid! Go back to bed and don't get out of bed until I say you can. Do. you. understand?"

Selah's shoulders sag in pretend defeat. But she doesn't question as she walks back to the "bed" because clearly this is how life goes when trying to negotiate with Meanie Mom.

A few minutes later, Charis comes into the 'napping room' with her shirt up, "nursing" a doll.
"Kid." she says softly. "Wake up. I have a surprise for you. I had another baby."

Selah goes on to examine the newest sibling, from the Prison-Bed, like it was an everyday occurrence for her mom to pop out another child.

And the playtime abruptly ends.



Huh. Heartwarming, isn't it?

Please refrain from calling social services. I can assure you this is not reality...at least as I know it. :) Though I'm quite sure some child psychologists, after observing this play, would say that my role as their mother can efficiently be boiled down to the following:

I throw a tantrum over my age, so never ever ever refer to me as a child. Or question me, period. You will be set straight. Rather loudly.

I lovingly refer to each of my daughters as "Kid." What can I say? I don't mess with the formality of first names. It's easier that way.

I restrict them to their beds for ungodly amounts of time, only letting them step foot on the floor when Master (IE. that's me) says so. And I never say so. Curiousity of the outside world is neither encouraged nor permitted. Unless, of course, it can be observed from their Permanent Post on the bed.

And whenever they wake up, I have successfully had yet another child. I am pregnant and pop them on out a regular basis. It's just what I do: breed.


So there you have it. Daddy is the Cool one. I am the Tyrant, yet Fertile one. Any questions? ;)

Train up your child...

picture taken January 2008

The longer I am a mom, the deeper my realization that I don't know very much when it comes to parenting. Especially now that I am expecting my fourth child.

Now don't get me wrong. I don't mean to imply that if you have less than three or four children you have not yet "arrived" and, therefore, couldn't possibly understand what I am feeling or talking about as a mom. Hardly.

Because honestly, I don't think it matters if you have one child or twelve (though I can imagine it takes much more brain power with a dozen), the concept is still the same:

Children are not carbon copies of one another. Regardless of how similar they look on the outside, they are each vastly different on the inside. And above all, they are not a Mini Me.

"Train up a child in the way he should go..." Proverbs 22:6

It suddenly occurs to me that it's my job, as a Christian parent, to train them up in the way that THEY should go. Not where I went as a child. Or the direction that their sibling is headed. Or their cousins. Or some model kid that I think that they should be.

But rather, in the direction that the Lord has designed specifically for them.

And that is the place where I find myself floundering. Because my girls, though their personalities fit together so well, are still very, very different from one another.

Therefore, it's no cookie cutter calling that the Lord is asking of me... or any parent for that matter. This whole training up a child thing.

A few months ago...before a light bulb went off in my head concerning that scripture...I always read that Proverbs verse as a "duh" kind of statement. Meaning, that obviously I want them to follow the Lord. Therefore, I just need to point them Heavenward and that will be that. Mission accomplished.

But I'm finding it's needs to be so much more than that, you know?

It's really sitting down and taking into consideration who they are as individual people. Their likes. Their fears. Their strengths. Their weaknesses. Their giftings. And then, helping them search out God for His heart for THEM, individually. not for the masses.

The thought both excites and overwhelms me. I get excited thinking about how deep of an impact such intentional seeking and personalized training would have on their young lives. And I also get somewhat overwhelmed thinking that the majority of that falls on me in this season.

But then again, I suppose that is the realm of parenthood: Joy mixed with fear and trembling. Knowing that, for a short season, you hold a very precious life in your feeble hands. Yet rejoicing that you forever get to hold them in your heart.

Daddy Dear

The girls get to swim in our kid's pool...a rather big one, in my opinion...almost every day. They splash around, get out, run to their slide or tire swing, and then run back to splash some more.

Even on the days where it's hot outside...the water is still cold. Take note of the blue lips. Though I HAVE carried out buckets of hot water to help it warm up a bit.

But apparently my letting them swim on a daily basis...and toting heavy bucket after bucket out of the house... isn't as cool as running through the drip drip drip of a rainstorm. Like daddy...

This afternoon, Charis and I are sitting on the porch. It's raining softly.

"Mommy, can we go out in the rain? Last time it rained really hard and Daddy let us go out in it." She pauses to let that sink in before going on. "...without our shoes on!" She looks up at me. "Can we go out now? It's not even raining that hard anymore."

The last part must be read with the attitude of someone who is addressing a slower thinker. Kind of like, "Okay, Mom. It's only barely raining. See? You can do it, just say yes. Be cool like Dad. You know you want to."


HOURS later:

I was sitting at the desk, when I heard Jet asking Charis about the cookies on the counter. "Did you guys bake these for me?"

Charis, with annoyance in her voice said, "No! We didn't bake them OR put them in the oven. This is a TRUE story."

I can almost see her arms crossed as she looked defiantly at her daddy. Not because she's mad at him, but because she wanted Super Cool Daddy to fix Mommy's obvious error in judgement and obnoxious withholding of love.

How mean of me to let them stay up late last night to make them. But then refuse them the joy of using the hot hot oven today. Mean, mean Mommy. :)

Oh, the love of a daughter for her daddy. What in the world will I do when I have four little girls running around after Daddy chanting One Who Does No Wrong.

*laughing* Who am I kidding?! I LOVE that they adore him so. ...but for my sake, Jet? Can you try and not be so cool?

Setting some memories in stone

As in all seasons where God is doing the most in my heart or where our family schedule is full of things that I want to remember, my time to journal becomes an impossible feat. I have countless journals where there is a large lapse of time in between my writings...all of which are during the busiest, most fruitful, most fun seasons of my life. Oh to be able to carry around a pen and paper at all times!

Okay, so maybe not. I can see it now. Christin has no friends. Only a pocket protector. :)

But I would, at least, like the ability to go back in time to remember those moments that I didn't want to ever forget. But inevitably did because the next memorable moment happened. *sigh*

This past little while has proved no different. The girls have been changing rapid-fire. God has been planting visions and desire into my heart non-stop. I have been having prophetic dream after prophetic dream. Jet's and my nights have been go-go-go to the very last minute before sleep. Life has just been full!

But here are some things about my beloved girls in this past week or so that I don't want to forget...

--- Charis has taken after both her Daddy and Grandma in her love for planting and caring for a garden. She, like them, can work non-stop for hours. Just determined to make those plants of hers grow. immediately. :)

---For the past little while, she has been advertising herself as completely capable when it comes to all things difficult. Like swimming. Or playing baseball. Or driving. All things that she has yet to learn. But because she can imagine herself doing it ...or has mastered something close to the desired talent. Like the ability to, oh say, throw a baseball in the general direction of her sister, she then dubs herself proficient at baseball in general.

It drove me crazy.

Over and over, I've had to tell her, "No, Charis. You don't know how to do it yet. You still have to be taught."

And just so you can understand why I was becoming so tired of her Theology of Learning... imagine homeschooling, where I, as the teacher, find myself teaching a student who "already knows" nearly everything.

But recently, the Lord spoke to my heart. Something to this extent:

She has faith. She believes she can do it. And that's all she needs to know. She doesn't feel the need to master something...to gain the approval of someone older...in order to feel confident to step out and try it, completely expecting herself to have nothing less than success. Isn't that what faith is, Christin?

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

And I suddenly realized that I was getting annoyed at my daughter's attitude because I saw it as over-confidence that said "I don't need anyone to teach me anything." While God saw it as faith to do the impossible. All the while, I was unintentionally training her out of the child-like ability to have deep-rooted faith. A faith that says she is gifted to do whatever lies before her.

So I've been rethinking MY way of approaching that whole scenario AND at the same time, trying to learn a bit from my wise daughter about stepping out in faith. expecting nothing less than the best.

---Charis continues to be a songwriter. She'll make up new worship songs on a daily basis, sometimes even writing them down. I need to find some of them before they get lost forever! If they haven't already. :(

Two weeks ago, Selah decided to ask Jesus into her heart. There was nothing "spiritual" that preceded the decision...other than a prompting from her sister over the months. And a desire to be able to participate in our church's monthly communion like her big sister. What can I say? She likes church snack time. :)

But even though there was no outward sign of "depth" of decision from this 3 year-old, I know it was sincere. There have been many times since her asking Jesus into her heart, where she has been outside, by herself, proclaiming to our neighborhood in song or in verbal decree that Jesus has now given her power to do all things. Not really sure where she got that from...at least I don't remember telling her that. Hmmm...maybe from the Faith-infused big sister?

---Now that Charis has had her training wheels off for a day or two, Selah is determined to have hers off as well. The funny thing is that she will probably be able to master the art of riding without training wheels even though she's only three. It's just her personality to rise to the challenge and prevail.

--Here's Raegan, at 14 months, doing one of her favorite things: eating. And though she isn't a particularly picky eater, there was a short season where she would cry if you put something green (ie. vegetable) in front of her.

--Speaking of crying, she has shown a very dramatic streak. One where she will open her mouth wide and just let out this pitiful wail. even to the point of throwing herself on the floor in "despair" if you take something away or tell her no. Honestly, all I can do is laugh.

--Once we forgot to put the gate up blocking the stairs. And we suddenly realized we hadn't seen Raegan for a minute or so. Jet called out "Raegan, where are you?" And we immediately heard little footsteps racing across the floor upstairs. She was running to the bathroom to hide. :)

--The past little while has proven to be an explosion of learning for her. She's said at least a dozen new words: chicken, all gone, horse, cat, dog, bye-bye, gramma, out, duck , nose, gentle, that, .... of course, I can't remember them at this particular moment, but there are tons!

--She's recently started to tell me when she needs a new diaper ("di-dee" or sometimes she'll say "bah-bee" as she's still playing around with being able to say it)...and at times will bring me a clean diaper.

--Thankfully, she likes going to sleep. All we have to do is say "Night-night, Raegan" and she'll go around the house telling everyone night-night. She'll even start rubbing her eyes instantly. Oh, the power of suggestion! :)

--You can hear her, at times, in the middle of the night talking to herself. She's just got the sweetest voice. "Baby! doll! Baby!" It's pitch dark in there so I'm not sure why she wakes up so eager to play or talk, but it's amazingly sweet. To the point that I'm so tempted to go downstairs and get the video camera, just for the sake of getting the audio on tape. ...if it weren't 1AM.

Each day, literally, becomes more and more precious with these little girls. They are truly truly truly a joy to be with and mother.