and the Lord interrupted.

"Who knew that homeschooling could be such a mind game?"

...said to a friend as we discussed the ins and outs of educating our children.

I wholeheartedly admit it. I go back and forth about the whole topic of homeschooling. on a weekly basis.

I question my ability. I bemoan the fact that having a newborn keeps us from doing as many field trips as I'd like. I fall into the trap of thinking that the girls won't have as many friends because they aren't sitting in a conventional classroom.

On and on it goes. Really, the doubts seem never-ending at times. Though the things I question aren't the point here. It's the Interruption of God that I want to remember.

Because one day, as I was rehashing the (perceived) shortcomings of this season of our homeschooling, the Lord interrupted me and said,

"What if you knew that the End was near? Would that change the way you viewed the importance of what you're doing?"

It literally stopped my self-critiquing on the spot, causing my mind to do a 180 in the way I was thinking about the training my girls are receiving.

Because really, is it that important that we haven't started piano lessons yet? Does it really matter that they haven't been able to be a part of the dance classes that they've been asking about?


Do I think that the Lord was telling me that we're in the End Times? No, not necessarily. But I do know that what He spoke was a much needed mind-shift for me.

Because honestly, if I DID know that we were entering what the Bible calls the End Times, I wouldn't give their "social life" a second thought. And piano lessons would be very low on the priority list.

Do I think the Lord was telling me that extracurricular activities are a waste of time? Nope, not at all.

But I do believe he was showing me that I obviously need to reset my sights on being "in this world but not of it." Because as a Believer, I need to always have my sights set on living like Jesus was coming today.

If I require a total mind(life) -shift at the thought of Him coming soon, then I'm not living the way I've been called to.

and that realization has been huge.

Just some thoughts...

"They shall rise up and called her blessed."
Proverbs 31:28

This is my hope. That one day, my daughters will look back on this time and smile. That they can say, with a deep-seated honesty, that they love the fact that I was the one chosen to be their mom.

I want to be the mom that my teenage daughters WANT to be around. The mom that they want to introduce to their friends.

Not because I'm all-permissive. but because I'm truly interested in what they have to say and who they are as people.

...
Jet and I were talking about how we don't want to expect our children to be mini-adults. correcting them when they do something less than what we think they should doing.

Like when they talk like a baby.

Jet and I agreed (after having told Selah to talk like a big girl) that, on the grander scale of life, baby-talk is not a big deal. And that, most likely, when they aren't with us, they'll talk like that again.

So if they feel like they can't be themselves when they're with us, they won't want to BE with us. *Wake up call*

It's so easy to shift gears from guiding them to hovering and controlling, isn't it?

Note to self:
Tomorrow I will think before I speak. Wait before commenting about something that is not in need of my input. and set aside time to listen to their opinions about...whatever it is that they happen to be thinking about.

"Supernatural" Worship

This morning as my girls and I worshiped together, I couldn't help but to be overwhelmed with the preciousness of the moment.


There I was, sitting my four of my daughters, listening to them worship and worshiping with them. It was beautiful and weighty all at the same time.

Now as a mom, I have my moments...moments that, at the end of the day, I look back on and mourn. Do you have those...or is this just me?

I regret saying something. I wish I hadn't given so-and-so that disappointed look when they had an honest accident. I wish I had laughed more and criticized less.

The list of my failings as mom can, in my very realistic opinion, go on and on. to the point that I sometimes wonder if homeschooling them is the best option simply because I'm their primary, adult influence... 24-7. *insert panic*

Because quite honestly, there are times where I feel anything but adequate.

But moments like these...they are ones that I want to remember. to hold in my heart. and to highlight for my girls. Because they'll be... *poof*... gone before I know it.

So out came my camera, as I tried to be as discrete as possible while taking pictures. You know, being that worship + cameras make it hard to truly worship.

One of the reasons I reallllly love homeschooling my daughters is that I get ample time to teach them about real life.

The kind of life that has lasting meaning. a powerful, positive impact. and a true, deep understanding about who they have been called to be.

Real life => Learning how to honestly walk with Jesus on a daily basis.

Because let's face it...our children NEED to know how to handle the power of God with confidence and humility. especially in the world today where new counterfeits are being offered at every corner:

• fascination with vampires.
• wicc*an.
• drugs.
• casual s*ex.

All things the world is feverishly pushing as "powerful"

As Christians, I believe we need to be intentional about teaching our children to worship. Because worship, according to the Word, is the avenue that is used to enter into His throne room.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalms 100:4

not through prayer. not through being good. but through true worship of the Father do we gain intimate access to him.

In our house, worship is really important. It's always been a key element to both Jet's and my relationships with the Lord. If you're ever at my church and you see some lady flanked by many daughters...chances are, if that lady is grooving, that it's me. *laughing*

I simply can't stand still when music is on. especially if it's worship. :)

That said, our girls have inherited our love of music, the Lord, worship, and dance. Even Alana, from the time she was around 10 months, would go around the house singing "Ho-ee! Ho-ee!" over and over. (translation "holy")

So for Valentine's Day, we got the girls another Hillsong Children's DVD: Supernatural.

Love. It.

All the girls love it!

Even Lani...she was dancing and raising her hands and singing. but this is all I could get, being that she was on the move.


She's her momma's daughter! ;)

It's 45 minutes of solid worship (12 songs)...with teachings and testimonies scattered in between songs should you choose to have them added (on the main menu).


I love watching young people lead young people into the Throne Room. I think there's such power when the older ones of a generation take the time to train the younger ones.

Not to mention my girls realllllly love that there are passionate believers that are THEIR AGE! Young children wholeheartedly worshipping in all different ways: dance, raising of hands, shouting, instruments, rap...

Selah was like, "Look at ALL those kids!" when she first saw it. (It's an amphitheatre of over 3,000 kids worshipping). And they are begging to go to one of their kid's conferences!

Each song presents a new concept (everything is new when you're young, right?) So it's an opportunity to go more in-depth with them. talking to them about the words that they're singing, so they actually have meaning when they're singing them and not just doing it in rote.




Today we discussed what it means to be "supernatural"...

Having a DVD like this presents an open door that I wouldn't have had otherwise, you know? I mean, sure I can sit them down and say, "Okay today we're going to talk about the word supernatural." and then proceed to talk to their brain.

But when they've been worshipping (dancing, singing, smiling, turning their thoughts to God) with songs that include that word, then the new-found meaning speaks to every angle of their understanding.

It's like they can use their 5 senses to get up close and personal with the understanding of it.


I'm excited for when we go into detail about what the song about the armor of God! I have visions of getting out their play armor and really making it into something 3 dimensional. ;)

"On The March" (the one that talks about the armor of God)...






While we were worshipping, I felt certain things rise up in me...certain visions, different aspects of ministry I believe I'll be involved in, etc...Worship has always been a time when the Lord will speak to me, planting things in my heart.

So I told my girls that. explaining to them what the Lord was doing, how he tends to fill me with hope and expectation for the future, giving me a vision of what He has called me to.

And Charis looked at me, on the point of tears (because remember, she's the one that wants to "do it right") and said, "But he doesn't do that with me."

Perfect opportunity to explain to her that her relationship with God won't look like mine. And that, in fact, her relationship with God will even change as she gets older....

After all was said and done, she smiled again and turned back to worship, completely content that she had a freedom to have a different experience. :)

.....
Once when the girls were lifting their hands, Selah instructed Raegan to put her hands up "so God can fill them with oil."




I know most wouldn't have a clue what they're talking about...and may even question what in the world we're teaching them...but to me, this made me smile.

Because they know (Selah has seen firsthand) that God has done that with me (especially my hands) during worship on countless occasions. So for them, to expect God to do it, is nothing out of the ordinary.

After all, we do sing "Fill me, Lord." my girls just truly expect Him to. With oil. ;D

....
Selah is always on the move. Dancing as a form of worship is perfect for her. When she was about 2 months old, both my pastor and I saw a vision of her dancing all different varieties of dance. Well...that's definitely proving true of who she is. She loves ALLLL things Dance.

This video is a perfect glimpse into how not sedated our worship is. :) I wish I could get some of the other videos to upload, but they just won't? (I'll probably go back and try and add some later...when Techy Hub is home)





Now to give you a complete view of our crazy worship...I have to say, it IS crazy. I mean, after all our oldest is only 7. So while it is a time where they are really trying to focus in on Jesus, there are also...

• Moments of Fighting over a toy...
  

Raegan was really upset that Alana was playing with something that she apparently "wanted". Hence the throwing herself in the floor.


Ah, the powerful atmosphere of worship. :)

• Periods of Distraction...

After the aforementioned fight, Raegan decided she had better protect her territory and focus her attentions on the toys.

• Total indifference instead preferring to Sit back and watch...

All of which I have to say is totally fine. If you want to try incorporating something like this in your child's day, expect it not to go "perfectly".

Because when all is said and done, that's life. And we need to learn to worship him in the midst of it. not apart from it, right?

A love note.

Jet sent me this email...making my day. And while it feels a little odd to post here, I want to include it so my girls will know the sweetness of their daddy (as I see it being his wife).

Ten Random and Wonderful things about Christin

1. Hands down the most passionate person I know.

2. She's really good for my eyes.

3. She is acutely attuned to others needs, emotional & physical.

4. She is a true worshiper of Jesus.

5. She speaks with very little accent except for the word Lion (line).

6. She knows how to have a good time.

7. She has incredible eyes.

8. She can do 5301 things at one time and do them all well.

9. She can think about 1025 things at one time and carry on a conversation about any of those things at any given time.

10. Give her a $1,000 to buy needed items and she will get you $3,000 worth of with that money (and give you $100 back).

Dearest Daughters,

My prayer is that you will each find men who will take the time to get to know the random and wonderful things about each of you.

xo
Mommy.

"A baby changes everything"

Uh, you think?





Those commercials are so endearing. so heart-warming. and so incredibly true.

Of course, in my opinion, it'd be MORE true if they showed a sleep-deprived, crazy lady. surrounded by dirty diapers that are yet to make it in the trashcan. trying to make lunch (what? PB&J again?) for the obviously hunger-ravished older siblings. all while holding a screaming newborn.

Yeah. THEN Johnson&Johnson, you are duly qualified to spout your "A baby changes everything" mantra. ;)

Life, since Raquel's birth, has been a continual fast-paced crash course in How to Mother Five Young Children.

I've had my good days. And I've had my bad ones.

I've had days where five didn't feel like that many. In fact, I've caught myself many times looking around the room wondering who was missing...when all five have been present. There have been days where all three little ones nap at the same time, and when they're awake, everyone is all smiles.

Then...I've had other type days. days where I've sent out emails like these:

Dear God (or Jolanthe...you know, whoever answers me first).

Tell me life won't be like this forever. remind my that these days will pass quickly. help me find my sanity.

Thanks
The Crazy One.

Or the one my beloved husband read from the safety comfort of his office chair:

"I can't do this anymore. Raquel has been crying nonstop all day."

What I actually expected to be accomplished from writing that, I have no clue. But man, if it just didn't need to be said. ;)

But (and thank you God that there is ALWAYS one of those), last week we turned a corner. She started really smiling during our interactions. and she started to sleep for 7 (or more) hour stretches...in the middle of the night, hallelujah!

My little Raquel at 7 weeks.


These picture cracks me up. She looks so grumpy. annoyed even.


I suppose it's hard being so loved and doted on. ;)

Turning up the heat

How to start this one...? How to capture what the Lord is doing in my heart without making him sound like a vulture, taking me down and ripping me to shreds?

thinking...thinking...

Have you ever come to a place in your life where suddenly it's like the heat gets turned up? like you've just entered your very own pressure cooker. One that was designed to soften every hardened place of your life, elbow out every hidden ounce of Self? A place so constricted around your heart that you fear you may suffocate?

Well lucky me, that happens to be my new locale. though I pray it's not a permanent residence.

Ever since Raquel was born, it's as if there was a shift in the atmosphere, an upping of the anty, so to speak. I can't explain it, even to myself, outside of saying that it's like suddenly the game changed.

It's like life went from a game of alley stickball...to the World Series Match.

Everything became that much more significant in the spirit realm around me. And man, if I haven't been feeling it. Suddenly, what was good enough before (the areas where I was content to just slide by) became unacceptable for this new place.

The person I was fine with being before can now no longer exist. You know, IF I am to step into the new place God is calling me to.

Transition from Old to New is never easy, is it? I think we can all relate to the days of our youth where we were "too old to do this...but too young to get to do that". I hated it.

because it felt like I didn't "fit" anywhere.

Now, I know that being a Professional Misfit is not the purpose behind this whole heavenly "shake up". (Thank You God!) I think it's fairly reasonable to assume that the God-inspired Intent is to allow me to become so uncomfortable in my Old Nature...so intrigued by what's in store... that I'll press through to this transition to the other side.

But irregardless of the "point", life in the spirit has been BUSY these past few months.

And because of that, I haven't known how to write down all that's going on. because I'm hearing from the Lord on a daily (if not hourly) basis. I'm dreaming non-stop. the kind of dreams that you know mean something.

I'm watching, in awe, as everything starts to add up. Yet... nothing is showing up.

Meaning, I can feel it in my spirit...We are so close. On the edge of Something. Yet. Here in the seen realm, nothing is happening.

But that's what standing in faith is, right?

"¹Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11.1

Good thing I taught them to write.

Though my girls are really laidback and truly do love spending time with each other, due to the excessive amount of snow and therefore inability to play outside, they're obviously coming to the place where they need a little space.

The other morning, I woke up to Raegan yelling at Charis and Selah. I still don't know why, but a toy may have been involved.

Later that day, this is what I saw written up on the dry erase board.



Charis (7), The Eternal Optimist. and the one who would rather encourage you than accuse you wrote:

"I love my family. Big and little. We do things for each other and have fun together. Because we are a family."

Maybe she was hoping that if she wrote it out, it would somehow influence the non-reading, screaming sister?

Selah (5), though usually is the one who will just try to make the upset person happy again, cleary decided to adopt a new approach: The Forthright Realist. who obviously wanted to get to the bottom of the Morning Drama.

"Raegan, why did you yell at us"

Why she chose to write this out, I have no clue. But man, if these girls don't make me laugh on a daily basis.

You know, when I'M not yelling at them to stop screaming. *wry grin*

Snow snow snow

This winter has been one for the record books.



Snowfall... after blizzard... after snowfall... after yet another blizzard. We're talking a crazy amount of snow.


The kids in our school district haven't gone in two weeks this last go round of snow. TWO WEEKS!! And that's with the snow crews working around the clock to clear the roads!

Yet another reason why I love homeschooling. No matter what the weather, we'll still be done with school in early May.

Though I sincerely feel for the teachers and kids (and parents!) of the public school systems. My dad (a public school teacher) said he'll be in school until July 40th. :)

So for that reason, I know there are puh-lenty of people who are not lovin' this whole back-to-back blizzard thing we got going on.

But when I told my girls that there were people who actually didn't like snow, they were incredulous. They all sucked wind and then asked a collective question, "There are??! WHY?"

Oh yeah, they are sooo my children. Because in this house we LOVE snow. Blizzards, white-outs, being snowed in and all.

We love watching it fall...

watching The Man shovel it...


watching the sisters play in it...


playing in it ourselves...

Again.
and again.


and again.

But since you can only play in it so long when you don't have SNOW gloves (every time we've tried to find some, the stores have been sold out. *groan*), we've had to find other things to do during those long stretches where "Homebound" is the word of the day week.

During the day (when little ones are napping), we've face painted.


played with that god-awful stuff known as moonsand...


Okay, so the Littles don't share my negative opinion of the beach-in-a-bag mess. They happen to LOVE it. Sooo they've played with it.



And one night, the girls and Jet made soft pretzels for dinner. :)

because what's the point of being snowed-in if you don't eat comfort food? ;)

This was the first time that Alana was allowed to help.


though it must be said that the chunk of dough that she's holding never made it to the oven.

I think it ended up on the floor. with all sorts of "stuff" stuck in it.

though she had a blast being one of the "big girls" for the evening...


If you've never made soft pretzels, you really should! They're amazing!


Not that I'VE ever done it. I just watch. take pictures. and sample the end product.


But give this group of girls a few more years and they'll be making them on their own.


They LOVE being in the kitchen.


And I love watching them work with Jet... They're so blessed to have a Daddy who's more than willing to interact with them like this!

Me? I usually just take pictures....


Until I start getting this look. ;)


The "Enough pictures already!" look.

But no worries, I had another duty outside of Photographer... toting around the newborn who currently doesn't like to be more than 2 inches away from me.


Speaking of..I'm off to see if I can coerce my hub into giving me a backrub. Though I'm thinking I should probably offer to give him one.

being that HE'S the one who's shoveled the 46+ inches of snow so far this season.

Well, I tried...

For the record, I am still alive. And I do have so much that I'd love to document and share and process...

But just as I sat down to write, Alana decided she didn't want to nap. I can hear her yelling "at" me on the monitor as I type.

And my dear Raquel...well, she, too, seems to have deemed Naptime as over-rated.

So yup. I currently have two little ones screaming. which, in my way of thinking, doesn't bode well for ... well, much of anything.

So here's a picture proving we are still here. on our side of the internet...

Three of the girls getting ready to make pretzels with Daddy. :)

Man, how I wish he were here now! Life just seems so much more sane when he's near.

Bored Silly.

What do you do when you have 5 inches of snow on the ground...only to have another 2 feet come down?!



Clearly, you perfect your ability to Cartwheel!



In the middle of the family room floor.


*sense of accomplishment*

Dealing with Cabin Fever: Ick
Re-learning the art of Cartwheels in the middle of a winter storm: Oh Yeah!