Making the rounds...

Sorry to have kept you in the entryway for so long. Hopefully your legs didn't cramp up from all that standing around and waiting. *wink*

SOOOO to continue, IF YOU WERE HERE...

We'd most likely walk directly into my...yet-to-be-named-room.

(How do YOU come up with which room is called the living room or the family room or den or...something else? I have no clue. So for now, by default of some sort, this room gets dubbed the "Front Room" or the School Room. *shrug*)



I don't think the lighting in this picture does justice to the cozy feel of this room. But oh well...I guess you'll have to come here to really get the full effect, huh? Hint, hint :)

Our Front Room, going clockwise from the left...

The School Desk:
Though we like to read together on the couch (we're all about comfy-cozy, remember?), I've found that having a designated place where they can spread out with their books and work is really good for them (and me).

A place that isn't used for anything outside of their creative learning time. This table has made its rounds throughout the house, but I LOOOVVEE it here because it's so much a part of our everyday living space, they use it non-stop. All. day. long.

Creating books. Writing letters to friends and family. drawing masterpieces.

Even when it's not School Time, they still gravitate to this spot...essentially doing school. only without me at the helm. ;)


There's just something about having an Official Learning Spot that I find motivating. Maybe it's just the way my brain works? But either way, my girls seemed to have inherited my DNA because it works really well for all of us.

And it doesn't hurt that it's in front of a trio of bay windows. I mean, we're talking natural light, plus the chance to daydream about nature every now and then. :)

Nothing like stimulating the imagination with a wall full of outdoor distraction inspiration.


(BTW, those "curtains" are just one long thing of fabric hung up on hooks of some kind, gotten from Wal-mart.)

Beside the table is where we keep a big ol' basket of MegaBloks. ALL of the girls play with those things for HOURS! And FYI, we got them at a great price last year during the pre-Christmas sales at Walmart.


One thing that I've decided in past years is that even though we have lots of children, we are NOT going to be a house over-run by toys.

The more toys my girls have, the less they enjoy them. So I've gotten rid of A LOT and they haven't missed them. (not to mention we rotate what we do have with bins from our attic)

The kind of toys that we add to our collection, from here on out, will be toys that stimulate imagination play for HOURS (for us, at this particular stage, means Barbie dolls and dress up).


Or things that encourage outdoor play. like the pool. or add-ons to our playground.

Or things that will serve some sort of educational purpose. Like a sewing machine or tools. which means I'd actually have to:

1. Pay big bucks for someone else to teach my children to USE fore-mentioned presents. Or
2. Actually learn to sew and "fix" myself.

Uh, anyone know a kid's sewing tutor with good hourly rates? *wry grin*


HOMEMADE SHELF:
I've been blessed with a man who, literally, can make or fix anything (opposites attract, right?).

He's built a house from ground up. He's the reason why we've been able to buy fixer upper houses... without hiring contractors. or going crazy.

Because he can do it all. and do it all WELL. And nope, I'm so not biased...I'm just gifted with the ability to state the obvious.


He made this little ditty of a shelf for me one afternoon because I was needing someplace to store all the girls' overflowing stuff.

Like the table, it's made its way throughout the house. Upstairs. Downstairs. and back again. Housing toys. books. and ...other items I can no longer remember.

But I'm thinking it's found its permanent home.


It houses a bin of crayons, telephone books, school reference books, all the girls' Bibles...

But what I really love is that it's where I now keep a large part of the girls' daily homeschool work. If we're working with something, that's where they'll find the books. Each school girl (even Raegan) has a cubby/shelf with her personal school books.

Those little cloth bins at the bottom are from Lowe's (maybe $10 each?)...and they hold the random little things we use for homeschooling. like a tub of clay or some craft things (that aren't harmful if Lani happened to pull them out), etc.

I have to say I've loved this corner since changing it two months ago. It just feels so practical, kid friendly, and colorful! ;) I'm loving being in a house that possesses those qualities. It just FEELS beautiful to me, you know?

THE BIG BOOKCASE:
All these things used to be spread through the house...sort of hidden away. But now it's all there for convenient, daily use. It has meant that I've had to box up Jet's and my books to store in the attic for the time being. But oh well...with writing a book right now, it's rare that I get to read one.

So now, it's filled to the brim with Homeschooling stuff. Coloring supplies. Baskets of flashcards. Board games. Children's books. and a bottom shelf of easily accessible baby toys in attempts to distract Lani from tearing into the books.

It works, most days.



The little sitting chair is one that I almost gave away. because children live here and it's white. Enough said.

Then I started adding color to the room...and gave away ANOTHER white chair from the same room. And suddenly its lack of color no longer bothered me. (which is nice since it an antique from my Papa...so I'd rather keep it if I can make it a practical part of our existence)

And above it is one of my favorite picture of my girls...which the glare from the camera keeps you from seeing. But you can go here to see the framed picture and here to see the photographer's site. She's awesome, period.



On the picture, I have this verse. Rather fitting for a house filled with young daughters, huh?

When my parents bought us the new dining room table a couple of months ago (for our Christmas present), we began to revamp the entire downstairs. This buffet was one of the pieces of furniture that had to be removed from the dining room...and I absolutely love it here.

complete with those highly expensive 12 x 12 scrapbook papers taped to the wall above it. :) Yes, I'm some kind of classy.

Because our home was built in the early 1900s, it lacks one key thing that forces me to be really creative in organizing our home...and brutal about purging the extras.

Closets.

We have a grand total of five small, weirdly shaped ones in our 2100 square foot house. So this piece of furniture, inherited from my generous Nana, is treasured for many reasons. One being that it offers space to beautifully store...

scrapbooking supplies, homeschooling supplies, construction paper, planners, pencils, pens, tape... all things that I need at my finger tip on a daily basis. but don't want at Alana or Raegan's finger tips.

Have I mentioned the generosity of my family?!?

I love small decorative details, yet I'm soo not one for "collectibles". In my opinion, they're a waste of money and just collect dust. But these particular pieces, to my family, hold so much meaning.

When Baby Girl is born, we'll get another bigger girl figurine to represent Raegan (and her personality).

Charis is the figurine holding the heart. The year we bought it for her, she had randomly told me that Jesus had given her to gift of love. If you know her, you'd know this sums her up to a T.

The girl loves people to no end. sometimes to the point where I'm half-tempted to tell her that she doesn't have to be that nice when people are that mean. Such the saint of a mom I am.

Selah is the girl holding the flowers. She is so thoughtful in always wanting to bless me...and always wants to be outside playing. Flowers convey both qualities.

And there you have it...in a quickie run-through... our front room, living room, school room ...area. :)

I've talked about this room before. How I sat around one morning and just stared at the walls...wanting so badly to do SOMETHING with it. And then the Lord said to fill it with color because that's when I feel the most alive.

Well, this is the most *Alive* this room has felt since we first moved in. I just wish you were here...to liven it up with your conversation.

I love meeting new people, or getting together with family that lives far away, or reuniting with friends I haven't seen in a while. Whichever category you are a part of...I know Jet and I would enjoy your company.

As we welcome you into our home.

ALERT: Jailbreak

We're breaking free today and heading out to spend the day with a friend and her littles.

Email excerpt for memory sake:

"You should have seen the girls when I told them what we were doing tomorrow...they jumped and danced and hugged each other. It was almost sad. Am I that much of a prison warden? keeping them housebound, under lock and key? Pitiful, I tell you.

Can't wait to see you as we attempt Prison Break tomorrow... I'll TRY to leave the coordinating orange jumpsuits at home.

Though, I do have to say it does help in the overall keeping track of them."

If you see us around town, proceed with caution. Apparently my girls haven't been out in a while. They may be slightly scary.

When I return, then I'll invite you to visit my Living Room/School room. Until then...

*Cue Prison Break-esk melo-dramatic music*

If you were here.

There's just something precious about going to a friend's house, you know? Cozying down for a few hours with your fuzzy-socked feet buried into the couch cushions, drinking something hot on a chilly Autumn day, and just chatting about life.

It even sounds inviting in print, doesn't it?

No matter how well you know someone, I don't think that you really get to know them into you step inside their world. walk through their door. and hang out in the very space that they've created for their family and friends.

For me, I'm all about making my house a home. It's one of my passions since it's my personal space. My domain being that, at this stage of life, it's where you'll find me a larggggge majority of the day.

between homeschooling, child rearing, and perfecting the art of hermitism. *grin*

I love putting my heart into the details...to reflect the personality of our family. All while not spending lots of money. My other passion.

So this week, I'm going to reveal a new side of me to the Internet: My home.

Got your fuzzy socks? Because me, I'm not a shoe kind of person. ...and your sweatpants? I am, after all, pregnant and rather prefer streetttcchhhy comfort over denim.

So let's get all cozy while I show you around my home. Because I just cleaned it for a party. And God knows, any other time it wouldn't look like this!! ;)

IF YOU WERE HERE...

This is where my girls, dressed in princess attire, would inevitably accost welcome you. Right after my rather harmless overgrown doberman alerted the neighborhood of your arrival.


See that flowerbed on the right? Yeah...it JUST got weeded and mulched a few days before the party. With mulch that my husband bought me monthsss ago.

Just keeping it real as I share another random thing about me: I hate weeding and will procrastinate until the weeds threaten to eat my children actually reach their growth potential.

And were you here...we may sit on the front porch and talk, while my children climbed the scrawny "climbing tree". All while yelling to make sure you didn't miss a second of their athletic prowess.

We'd probably have to talk loudly...and fast. *grin*

Those chairs were a present from my mom, the one from whom I learned the art of yardsale and thrift store shopping. Admittedly, I'm not one for floral prints circa 1975. But eh, I love the seating arrangement. It just inspires me to enjoy our front yard.

And one day...in a galaxy far far away...I'll find my inner Martha Stewart and re-cushion it.


And this, my friend, would be the view we'd have of Scrawny Tree from which my monkeys would be swinging...

And I just know time spent with you would be awesome! I can hear us laughing, as we secretly eat our brownies while giving the children their snack of apples. heh heh

And as long as the obnoxiously loud train (a few houses away) happened to NOT make its presence known, we may stay outside enjoying this weather for a while.

But if it did happen to blow past, we'd walk in the front door, to this...


My little entry way.

Back in the day (1905), there was a wall where that couch on the left is. Designating this a formal entry. And all the doorways had actual doors on them. And all the white trim would be exposed oak.

But thankfully, life (and a couple of skilled craftsman) changes things. And hopefully in the near future this room will continue to morph into something a little bit better.

Because see that Wall of Trim on the right? It. drives. me. crazy. White and tan. White and tan. It's migraine-inducing in its chaos.

Don't ask me why we painted it like that...I guess I've just never bought a house that had this kind of character and I wasn't sure how to interact appropriately with it. *wry grin*

I'm still learning. But one day "soon", I'm thinking it will ALL be brown. I don't care if the trim is expensive or "classic". Personally, I'd like to tear it off, piece by annoying piece.

But since I wouldn't know what to do once the wall caved down from my unskilled demolition, I'm thinking I better just paint. ;)

(And this is why you love me, Jet...because I don't hastily do these things myself. instead, thoughtfully tack it on to the ever-expanding Honey Do list. Your life would be so carefree boring were it not for me. I know...you're welcome.)

And one day soon, that oak peg hanger in the corner will be hung up...most likely on that "beloved" trim-packed wall...for the girls to use for their coats and stuff.

But for now, there's no class in this entryway corner. Just a gang of monkeys to greet you.

Kind of fitting since another gang of monkeys greeted you outside, eh?

But these monkeys are the official guards of all things Little People, hidden nicely in the basket given to me by my very generous aunt.

(FYI: 95% of our household items have been hand-me-downs via my aunt, my parents, and my Nana's generosity...oh! and some great yardsale finds)

This stairwell is the catch-all for the things that are supposed to be upstairs but haven't yet made it. It's usually filled with a host of single shoes, lost from their mates. toys that belong in the girls' room. and other odds and ends that just get tossed there as we go through the house doing one of our "10 minute straighten up times".

(FYI. This is where I put on the timer...and the little girls run frantically around the house giddily putting all the stuff away as fast as they can. I have to wonder how long they'll find this little game of ours fun. *grin*)

If you were to walk upstairs, this is one of the pictures you'd see.

It was one of the first things Jet and I bought early in our marriage. I saw it in some Christian bookstore in his hometown and loved it.

"God made us a family. We need one another. We forgive one another. We play together. We worship together. Together we use God's Word. Together we grow in Christ.
God made us a family. Together we serve our God. Together we hope for heaven. These are our hopes and ideals. Help us to attain them, O God. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord."

*sigh* Doesn't that just make you want to have a family? create little people that you can do all those things with?

Yup, that's how we felt too. Totally influenced by a hallmark-esk print. Such pushovers, we were. ;) And now, 8 years later, here we are with our 5th on the way.

I'm telling you, be careful what you buy and put up on your wall. Crazy things happen when you hang up such mesmerizing sentiments.

And here's the rest of the stairwell...where all those little bitties that make up our family...sleep. To be explored at a later date.


Yup. Were you HERE and not sitting behind your computer, this is the space you'd walk into.

Though it's not my favorite part of the house, it's what welcomes soooo many people into our home. A home that I've prayed will actually bring healing to people as they hang out within its walls.

Someone actually did tell us (not knowing my prayer) that every time he comes here, he experiences emotional healing. *contented sigh* Isn't God good?!

Life may give us a small home or a large one. A home filled with things we like or things we just are having to make-do with. But it's no matter because unless we welcome people into our homes (and hearts)... life, without real relationships, isn't worth living.

And people really don't care what your house looks like. just the way they feel when they're there. the way their life unfolds as they share that time spent together.

As the plaque over the entry way door says:


AND (I have to add) where you have opportunity to touch other people's lives.

I so wish I got to meet all of you...had the opportunity to really welcome you into my home...to hear your story and get a peak at your heart.

But for now...this week... I invite you to get to know me in a slightly different way, allowing you to see the home where MY stories begin.

An adult's moment of Crazy= A child's Lifelong memory

"Will you carry these bowls outside for me?"



My daughters are at the stage where they want to help. They ask for chores. They crave opportunity to prove themselves capable.

So yes, they were definitely up for the challenge. and were really excited about it.

We were at my parents house, getting ready to eat lunch on the patio, taking advantage of the amazing fall weather. And Mom, wanting to include my oldest girls, had asked them to be the Official Table Setters.

*insert trumpets blowing in the heavens and little girls eyes lighting up*

They had been given a Big Girl Chore. Oh the glory.

But then. A couple minutes later as I walked by the patio door, I saw Selah standing there watching the door, her big hazel eyes filled with unspilled tears. Being on the verge of sobs, she silently held up the broken pieces of the heavy ceramic bowl. Waiting for my reaction.

I may have sighed. I think I said, "Oh Selah." But holding Alana, I couldn't comfort her like I wanted. But no matter...Mom got to her first, wrapping her arms around her, as Selah cried.

"It's no big deal. They're just plates. Okay? Things break all the time...they can be replaced. But if you had been hurt, that would make me sad..."

But my sweet, tender-hearted Selah wasn't buying it. She clung to Grandma, but still cried, so distraught over having shattered a dish. A dish that she had been entrusted to carry. but broke instead.

I stood there watching the precious interaction between my mom and daughter, so very thankful that Mom was choosing to honor Selah and not her nice pottery.

And then my sweet, crazy Mom spoke again, shocking the heck out of me...

In her attempts to really drive home the point to Selah's broken heart, she said, "Selah, it's only a dish. Do you want me to break one so you can see it's not a big deal?"

Selah immediately nodded her reply. :)

Mom just smiled and sort of laughed. walked to the table. picked up a bowl. and threw it hard against the concrete patio before I could even form two coherent thoughts in my head.

"See? It's not a big deal." Shattered pieces lay scattered...

I kept some of the broken pieces. as a reminder to me...and to Selah...that she is cherished more than a piece of pottery. that she is loved more than material wealth. and that our hope in this life is to keep her heart from being broken.

Even if we have to break a few prized possessions to prove it. Just like Grandma did today.

Maternity for Sale... for Kristen

Hey Kristen! How's it feel to have a whole blog post dedicated to you? ;)

Here are just the shirts that I'm selling...at least some of them. I do have some summer things, but figured that she wouldn't be interested in seeing those. Right?

And as a little FYI, my mirror was dirty/spotty. So the shirts aren't stained or dirty...it's just the reflection of the flash and the spottiness of the mirror. *grin*

This shirt does not have a pink part to it...I was just wearing a pink sports bra when I was trying on the shirts. It's short-sleeved, by the way...








This is a one-piece sweater-shirt...





All 9 of these for $30. If she just wants a few, I can give you individual prices. I'm selling most for $4. a few for $3.

I have a bunch of pants as well...and will take pics of those soon.
xo

Thankgiving comes early this year.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
Phil. 4:8


As women we're always thinking, aren't we? When I ask Jet what he's thinking, he can honestly answer "Nothing."

It baffles me. Honestly, it does. But he, and millions of other men around the world, adhere to its truth. I lack the imagination to grasp that concept, but whatever.

But if Jet were to ask me "What are you thinking?" and I say "Nothing"? Yeah, it'd totally be a lie.

an obvious one, in my way of thinking, because What, you really expect *nothing* to be going through my head?!

I scoff. Let's get serious.

I believe women have been given the capacity to go deep: relationally. emotionally. spiritually. Our thoughts and hearts know no shallow places...do they?

Yet it's here that we HAVE TO BE so careful. because it's in these places where we can so easily be lead into Despair. by sheer thought alone.

And it's on this that I've been thinking. challenging myself to not focus on the things that annoy, frustrate, confuse, or hurt me.

But "in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess. 5.18

The other day as Jet and I were driving to town, we began talking about....something? I don't even remember what. But I know the Spirit of God hit our car, my heart, and ultimately our conversation.

challenging me to write a list of thankfuls. A list of heavenly blessings that have changed our lives in one form or another.

And it was amazing how long the list got as we drove. Blessings we have been given, whether tangible or immaterial. Things we are NOT having to deal with, whether personally or concerning our children.

It truly shocked me how fast my outlook on life changed! by just focusing on and cataloging the Praiseworthy Things.



Have you made a list recently? You might want to try it. It banishes all shadows in the deep places of our thought lives. and somehow that can turn so many things around.

Even if only in our minds. ...the place where most battles are fought daily.

Here's one moment

Raegan (2.5 years), Alana (1 year), and Selah (5 years)

...that I wish I could bottle and pull out years from now when I'm old and gray and craving just a few minutes with my little girls again.

Can they be any more precious???!!! (Hint. The only acceptable answer is NO)

I hate that Charis was in the house when this photo-op presented itself. But by the time she came out, the moment was *poof* gone.


Still perfect, mind you. just not perfectly captured by film. This time.

I love them more than life. I love them with a depth I could never, ever put to words this side of heaven. They are my blessing beyond blessing. Unique in and of themselves, yet so equally precious to me.

I wondered, right after Selah was born, if I could love her with the same intensity that I loved Charis. I could...and did. And then I had another daughter and realized there's no limit to the depth that my love can go for my children.

I no longer worry about how I'll feel about Baby Girl #5. I KNOW the Lord will more than deepen my ability to love her.

I know because I've already experienced that deepening five times over. Every time I look at Jet. Charis. Selah. Raegan. and Alana.

I am a blessed beyond measure. beyond all human ability to adequately express.

Digging wells...not streams

Last week after finishing our 8th week of school, I had an Ah-ha! moment in the world of "What the heck am I doing being your teacher??"...

Homeschooling, I'm thinking it's the great equalizer: No one feels completely adequate teaching our own kids. even when we...do. ?

Yeah, I know. That doesn't really make sense. But trust me, it's as confusing of a feeling as it is a concept to try and explain out loud. *wry grin*



The weeks are flying by, as are the pages of Charis's curriculum books. She's learning things left and right. Concepts that I didn't even realize were being taught this early on.

Let's take Math for instance, shall we?

We've done (per her 2nd grade math book) fractions, measurements, congruent shapes, parallel line segments, intersecting, expanded notation, vertices and angles, estimating, parallelograms, probability, isosceles, ...Um? I'm sorry. DO WHAT???

Honestly, I've been thinking What the Heck? for a while now, even though she's been excelling at it all. I reeeeaally don't remember studying this stuff when I was 6 and 7. AT ALL.

The whole point of homeschooling is NOT to have a 12 year old college grad, right? Doogie Houser never really impressed me anyhow. ;)

I don't want a child who whipped through grade levels at a rapid rate just to get through it, you know? Because really, is that more for the child's benefit or the parent's pride?

Charis doing her school work. Such intensity, eh?

So why do I homeschool at this point in time? I'm so glad you asked.

• I want my girls to LOOOVVVVEEE learning.

• to know who they are before I send them to a place where others will tell them who they are.

• to have a really solid educational foundation that doesn't revolve around going at the pace for the "average" kid in the class.

Yeah, there are more reasons. But the thing that really struck me last week was "HELLO, Christin! You CAN tailor her education to fit us, as a family...to fit her, as an individual.

going as slow (or fast) as I want. or as they need.

I grew up in the public school system, in classrooms that were dictated by bells and tests and schedules and the graded curve. So it's been a bit hard to shake free from certain mindsets of classroom learning.

Especially since I happen to like "to do lists" and plans and going with those amazing workbooks that math professors, who are obviously much more knowledgeable than little ol' me, put together for 2nd graders everywhere.

*rolling my eyes at myself*

So when we were getting ready to study polygons (something I'm pretty sure I studied in high school! Maybe what was considered Advanced back-in-the-day is now though to be Remedial???) I experienced a mental breakdown breakthrough.

Causing me to come to my senses, taking control out of those invisible math profs' hands and putting them back into the realm of Reality.

No more geometry. calculus. and whatever else they're throwing at my new 2nd grader.

For the next month, I'll be focusing our math studies on drilling Charis (and Selah by "default") in addition and subtraction, to the point that they don't hesitate when it comes to answering those types of equations. So that those math problems...the ones they'll be using for the rest of forever... become etched into their natural way of thinking.

I want to give them ample time to become strong in the basics before moving up the other "rungs of the math ladder." Makes sense to me. *shrug* But what do I know? I possess no Math PhD. ;)

Then a couple of weeks from now, we'll be starting multiplication. And remaining there for at least a month or two. with no other focus.

Again, to become *proficient* in something that she'll be using for the rest of her life.

As homeschooling parents, we have so much thrown at us. Myriads of options, opportunities, and opinions. And at times, it gets a bit overwhelming to try and wade through it all.

*insert wild woman pulling out her hair and screaming, sending children everywhere running in terrified zig-zag directions*

There are moments when we, as the Teacher, just need to come back to the basics ourselves. Stepping away from the Mainstream Homeschooling Movement to focus on the the real reasons why we started homeschooling in the first place.

And this is where I find myself as I place her Math textbook back on the shelf to collect some dust for a while.

I'm reacquainting myself with Common Sense and slowing down. I may have to do this in other arenas? I don't know yet.

But it all comes down to this concept: I want to create DEEP wells of understanding and wisdom in the lives of my daughters. Not shallow waters that run from one pole to the other.

Because honestly? I know the WAY I teach them is as important as WHAT I teach them. that they'll come to understand how to dig into the depths of Life... as I teach them how to dig into the depths of learning/school.

I see no way around that. at least from where I'm standing.

And so I retire my piddly shovel. making use of the backhoe that's been waiting for me on the sidelines.



God help me to dig deeper wells (starting immediately with school). because I've become rather accustomed to my shovel. sadly, in more arenas than not.

Disclipine 101

Yep. Start talking about discipline and inevitably the chance to administer it effectively and lovingly will conveniently present itself.

Like today.

Work. It's the four-letter word of childhood. Especially when that powerful little word is preceeded by another one: School.

SCHOOL WORK.

Usually Charis is really good about diving into her school work with a good attitude. She loves learning and reading and creating.

But here recently, as I've started to challenge her mind with more creative writing, she has started to challenge my patience by balking at assignments.

Outright saying "No." when I ask her to do something.

Um, excuse me?! But I wasn't aware that this whole school thing came with an Optional Button. Pardon me while I dismantle that switch encourage you to rethink your answer.

Only she didn't, continuing to refuse to do what small thing I was asking of her.

For the record, it was write ONE paragraph about the movie Bambi. I've been really exhausted recently. So after finishing up Math for the morning, I let them watch that movie while the little girls napped and I did...nothing. Well, outside of growing a baby in my belly.

Her response? saying she didn't know enough about Bambi...didn't know what to write...had NOT *tearing up* watched it *voice breaking* a dozen times before. *crying*

This is where you insert crocodile tears and a sketchy attitude . And me inwardly counting to ten.

So I sent her to her room for a while, until she was ready to come down and do what was asked of her. and to allow me some space before I acted in a way I might regret.

Ironically, I had secretly made brownies while they were watching the movie (before the Paragraph Drama ensued).

Around the same time Selah discovered their chocolatey presence cooking in the oven, Charis had come down proclaiming herself ready to work. Both girls were cheering over the fact that they were getting such the fun, sweet surprise.

I hadn't planned to do this.... In fact, I don't think, given time to really process, that I would have chosen this route. But out of my mouth came,

"Charis, I'm glad you're ready to do your school. You will still have to do the work, but you won't be getting any dessert tonight. Bad choices come with hard consequences. So your consequence for refusing to work will be not having dessert with the rest of us. I'm sorry."

Oh, the sobs. and the excuses. and the sobs.

And I hated e.v.e.r.y minute of following through. I made those brownies FOR HER and her sisters. I WANTED to let her have some. But I knew she had to learn an important lesson...

one that wasn't going to be gotten from just excusing herself to her room until SHE deemed herself ready to do what she was told.

But as hard as it was (for me), I think I've found a really effective method of punishment for the older girls, as I'm always having to evolve my methods to match their age. From now on, I think the taking away of privileges for Selah (5) and Charis (almost 7) will be top on my list.

And whatdaya know? since the brownie incident they've both have amazzzzing attitudes when it comes to work. Shocking.

Now, to figure out something other than brownies. I don't think their constant presence in my house would benefit MY discipline ...or lack thereof, when it comes to eating chocolate. ;)

"My way or the highway, kid" ...Or maybe the High Way?

I hate watching parents who make empty threats. It makes me uncomfortable. and sometimes a little self-righteous. *groan* God, deliver me from my ego.

Yet. If I'm honest with myself, I'm most likely uncomfortable because I know exactly what they're feeling in that moment. Because there are times when I am soooo tempted to say just about anything in order to bring about the desired results.

The kind where I say some "Magic Combination of Intimidating Words" so that Child A will forever stop hitting, kicking, stealing toys from, and generally harassing Child B.

Hopefully, I don't make giving in to the temptation of "Do Whatever it Takes Discipline" a practice. But man, if I don't have my moments. (Sometimes more often than not, depending on the number of times fore-mentioned harassment has taken place over the span of thirty minutes.)

Discipline is just one of those parental things that is always needed. never fun. and sometimes more costly to us as parents than to the child (like when you have to leave a party because Child thinks being in public means no consequences from parent).

It takes a great deal of patience, a huge amount of wisdom, and an exceptional ability to cover the words/actions with love.

At least if I want the desired outcome of building a deep, meaningful relationship with the child. bringing them to a place where the heart motive changes to become Christ-like. instead of the action just momentarily stopping...until I'm no longer watching.

a relationship that does NOT center around Parental Dictatorship. You know, the whole "As long as your under my roof..." mentality.

God save me from ever saying that! Because I believe that if I were to make that "You will do what I say. Period" mentality a regular part of my interaction with my children, then chances of ever having a REAL relationship with them...outside of the miraculous intervention of Jesus... are slim to none.

It sounds so obvious. Outcome behind Door #1 VS. Outcome behind Door #2

One one hand you have: Immediate desired response born out of fear of mean parent...where Parent will never be a person Child wants to emotionally confide in or trust.

On the other hand there's: Parent DYING TO SELF and embracing the longgggg process of the child's heart attitude changing out of a mature fear and love of the Lord. where Child knows that Parent loves them no matter what because of the attitude Parent has shown when really really reallllllly angry with Child.

Hm. Which to choose? Which to choose?

Yeah, the answer seems so obvious from this comfortable position behind a computer doesn't it? ;)

But it's not as easily a "Duh" moment when you are tired, pushed to your limit, pregnant, being pulled in five different directions at once, and so sick of administering the exact same instruction over and over and over again.

Honestly? Parenthood scares me just a bit. Okay...so a lot. People fail at it every day. I fail at it every day. in a million small ways over and over again.

There are nights where I sit on the couch with Jet and just cry...asking him if he thinks our girls will grow up and think me to have been a horrible mom.

if they'll only remember the moments where I didn't guard my heart...or mouth...as I administered discipline. if their memories will be filled with the times where I crushed their spirit because they shattered an expensive piece of ...whatever.

I want so deeply to be able to choose His patient way in that moment where I feel less than able to control my outward action.

I want so deeply to be able to embrace his discipline in my life....the LOOOONNNNGGG process of changing the heart attitude of the child (ME) out of a mature fear of the Lord, where Child (ME) knows that Parent (GOD) loves them no matter what.

Because ONLY THEN, can I can mirror that concept to my own children in the heat of the moment. instead of embracing ever-present Temptation to say Anything.

Pray for me, Mommy?

This afternoon, the girls and I read a book. A book they didn't want me to choose, though I don't know why. Maybe it didn't look exciting enough?  But once I started reading it, they were mesmerized.  After all, it IS about three knights trying to win the hand of a princess. What's not to like ...especially for girls who are in the stage of *always* pretending to be princesses who are getting married.

As I read it aloud, the journey that the men had to take through the dangerous woods started to unfold. The knights were to choose one person to accompany them through the dark, as they traveled through the home of the Hopenots. They were told that in order to make it back to the castle through the blinding darkness, they'd have to listen for the flute-playing of the King.

It was also a song that his son, the prince, also played on his own flute:  a flute and its song identical to his Father's.

The girls began guessing who would win...the quick one, the strong one, or the wise one. I could tell they were getting emotionally involved as they discussed the knights in quick, hushed tones.  Though I had no idea how emotionally involved one of them was...until the end.

Finally, one knight made it back to the castle safely BECAUSE he'd made a very wise choice.  He had asked that his one travel companion be the son of the King.  That way, the son could play his king-like flute, until the knight knew the song by heart.

Even when the Hopenots played their thousand flutes in attempts to confuse the men, the knight could still pick out the King's song.

When the story was over, I explained to them what the story represented. How in life WE are like the men traveling. that in order to make it back to the Castle (Heaven), we needed to learn to hear the voice of the King (God). And that walking with Jesus on a daily basis and listening to his voice, would enable us to know God's voice.

And then the crowd of princesses-to-be dispersed. running to different rooms in the house.

Except for Selah. She sat there, looking at me quietly until she said, "Would you pray for me to have that?"

Have what?

"To be able to hear God's voice like that."

Most definitely! And so we prayed...


And of course, I had to try and document the moment...
and finallllllllly got her to uncover her face. for a second.



Lord, may that tender, deep-thinking spirit that you've placed in her never stop hungering for more of a friendship with You. Speak to her, even now, the sweetness of Your Song.

One year ago...

I met my sweet Alana Joy... on my birthday. :) Forever changing the way I celebrate turning another year older. Forever changing the way our family celebrates daily life.

My sweet sweet Lana-lady,

Has it only been a year since you were this little? Has it only been one year since our entire family dynamic changed to include such an incredible bundle of JOY?

While I remember how life was before you, quite honestly, I don't prefer the memory. It doesn't feel complete. It doesn't feel as ...what's the word?...sweet.

You just bring such a light, joyful spirit to our home. There's no other way to put it. Yes, you laugh a lot. Yes, you are soo incredibly sweet, with your never complaining and never protesting. But there's something more to it... something deeper about the spirit that God has put in you.

And I'm yet to pinpoint it. but I rejoice in the fact that I have years and years to define it...and the immediate present, to enjoy it.


This is, by far, my favorite picture of you to date. I think it gives a sneak peak into the tangible joy that is written on your very DNA. It just captures so much of your sweetness.

At this point in life, you're not walking. or even standing for long periods of time. But I'm not worried because it's just like you. For just like the day you were born, you hung out in the birth canal for 45 minutes. unmoving. in no obvious rush.

And then *bam* out you, literally, flew.

That's how you seem to embrace life. You take your time. embracing a content patience that I don't think many possess. And then suddenly out of no where, your new talent and/or stage in life comes flying forth.

Out you fly.

You did it with crawling. You did it with saying Mama and Dada. You just go from all to nothing in a matter of seconds. It seems to be your way.

And I pray the Lord gives me wisdom on how to effectively mother you in a way that doesn't squelch that God-given trait in you. that I won't push you to do something outside of your naturally readiness. that I don't encourage you to become frustrated with by own impatience. that I learn, by watching you, how to sit back and wait for the *bam* Suddenly of God in your life.

You don't say as much as your sisters did at this age, though I think it's mostly because of the fact that you always have your two fingers in your mouth. (hopefully your *bam* mentality will come into play when you stop sucking your fingers...before you turn 10) ;)

But you babble a LOT. constantly trying to engage strangers in conversation. though you are not one to actually want to be held by those engaged strangers. You only like who you know...but apparently want others to take notice of you and your captivating brilliance. :)

At both nap and bed times, you are the easiest little thing. I put you in your bed. we play a little peek-a-boo behind the door. and then I walk out...and you talk yourself to sleep.

I've even gotten up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom (preggo bladder and all) and I've heard you talking to yourself. in the pitch black. as content as can be.

You're a climber...and don't like to be trapped behind gates or obstacles. And you definitely don't like being in a different room than your sisters...you watch them like hawks, wanting to be just like them.

The future interaction of all my little girls sooo excites me.

I love my daughters. I love the relationship they all share. I love the fact that I get to be their mom... I think I have to be living out the most blessed life possible.

the lives of my sweet daughters proclaim this loudly. daily.

We celebrated Lani on Sunday with some family. where Jet had the camera, as you can see...

What can I say? I think he likes my body lacks photography skills. Don't ask me what he was thinking. I have my *cough cough* theories...but I'll refrain from making them. *grin*

But good thing is that this would be my first pregnancy pic. Pathetic, huh? But here I am at 25 weeks pregnant. :)

Well what do you know? We have heads. ;) (excuse the blank kitchen wall...I'm yet to find/put up a picture that goes with our newly redecorated home...one day)


Looking at the cake...

eating it, ever so daintily...
Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of her messy face. She started crying once the cake was done. So Daddy picked her up and cleaned her off. Oh well, I'm sure there are many more messy faces in our immediate future, huh?

But she perked back up when she saw her presents...

How I love this little girl! In fact, I'm having difficulty finding the words. But I'm soo soo thankful that all I have to do is wake up in the morning, go in her room, and see her sweet face to be able to experience it all over again.