Mother's Day

I'm feeling loved and cherished by all my boys this Mother's Day. I spent almost all day abed, with coffee and books.

And I've read some mothering encouragement the past few days that I'd like to pass along. The first is from Camille, with Scripture and medieval mommy-inspiration from Martin Luther.

Karen writes a mother's day tribute to both her mother and her daughter, and the journeys the Lord has walked the three of them through.

I was able to have a long, enjoyable conversation with my own Mom yesterday. So much I'm thankful for, so much I appreciate, so much I see of her in me. . . so much to say that just can't be written online. I love you, Mom.

May 11, 2008  |  Comments (2)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

To My Parents

"Through the years, you've never let me down You've turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found I've found with you ... Through the years It's better every day, you've kissed my tears away As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you Through the years!

Happy anniversary, with much love!

May 10, 2008  |  Comments (0)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Sarasota Reds vs. Daytona Cubs

We joined the other families in our homeschool baseball team for a game at Ed Smith Stadium tonight. Our team won, and our family had a fun. The whole atmosphere of the game was great; the cool fresh air, the excitement, the game announcer's voice reverberating, the hot dogs. . . I remember my folks bringing us to a game in Racine when I was growing up. It was the same thing. Minor league games are are the best. (And the boys understood a lot more now that they've been playing baseball, compared to their first taste of the classic American sport.)

May 08, 2008  |  Comments (4)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

I'm an Auntie

These three precious little ones were born within a month of each other. Twin girls in one family, and a firstborn son in the other. And yes, I've volunteered to babysit! My boys seem so BIG when I see these newborns.

May 06, 2008  |  Comments (6)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Sunday Afternoon Meanderings. . .

We've been continuing our mellow-weathered springtime. The lanai is still our makeshift office, and the kids are running around in the backyard or swimming in the pool for hours each day.

I finished up this semester's classes with a sigh of relief. I toyed with the idea of not taking any classes in the summer, but scheduling wise have ended up with two--Statistics and the Psychology of Religion. Ought to be interesting, to say the least. (And challenging--statistics, to me, is like a foreign language. Requires a lot of work and repetition before things "click.") Speaking of, I'm also having my Russian language skills evaluated in a few weeks. I'm a little nervous about that. I can have long and ongoing conversations in my head in Russian, but tend to stumble over my tongue when I try to speak. That, and my listening comprehension. . . well. . . it's slow even in English! Classes start the week after next, so I'm trying to fit in some "fun" reading this week. Not exactly light reading, but Samuel Martin's book is on my to-read list (and it is now available in electronic format at no charge!)

T10 has had an ongoing fascination with whales for several years. He's read all the books on whales and related species at the library (and even pointed out errors in some.) I could totally see him out on a boat with a beard and binoculars and a notebook, like the cetologist on a video we watched. Last year we went to Shedd Aquarium with Mo and Papa John, and T10's special gift there was a book on how to become a marine animal trainer. Since then his obsession seems to have waned to mere fascination. . . Yesterday after watching Shamu and seeing the other dolphins, whales, porpoises, walruses and myriad sea creatures, he's again certain that he wants to work with and study sea creatures. I know that there are padi scuba lessons for kids as young as 12, but I'm so nervous about that--even if it is a few years away. Our neighbor is a scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory. I'd like to look into what volunteer opportunities would be age-appropriate and work within our schedule. Or, maybe we'll start with the Saturday morning program--that would be a fun Mommy-Son date.

We pretty much do year-round homeschooling, with lull times when Hubby or I are at the end-of-semester crunch, holidays and trips. But I think it is time to reassess the school books we are using and refocus on our education goals with our children. The boys have been learning by leaps and bounds. The most exciting thing is that C7 made the great leap from beginning reading to avid reading. They are all readers! That is so reassuring. Still, it's time for assessment and decisions.

The boys are still active with their Young Conservatives of Our Neighborhood club with the neighbor kids. They are in the beginning stages of planning a 9/11 remembrance service. It has been interesting watching them take a broad idea, and then walking them through breaking it up into little steps.

My morning glories have not yet sprouted, but Kathy's roses are blooming.

Life is good.

May 04, 2008  |  Comments (4)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Love Them Fiercely

More for the mommy-inspiration files, from Kim at Upward Call. I asked her if I could share this here, because it wasn't originally posted on her blog or written with mothers in mind. Instead, these were ideas she was mulling and had in mind for a younger group of Believers, those who are not yet parents. Still these were the words I needed to read and again turned my heart towards Christ and my children.

As a parent, I have learned a lot. As a parent, I have re-visited how I was parented and how I behaved as a child. Of course, sin mars all we do, and there were mistakes I made as a child that I wish I could erase. While Christ has forgiven me for them, they remain in my memory.

It is the same thing with being a parent. I am sure that someday, I will have even more regrets than I do already for things done and not done.

One thing I can say, however, in encouragement to you who have yet to be parents is this: encourage your children.

There is nothing more devestating than being a child who never gets any encouragement for what he does. Some parents will tell all their friends how wonderful their children are, but will never tell the child to her face. Some parents are full of criticism, condemnation, and rules that have no rational explanation, and the kid never know which way is up. I know that I have not always been encouraging as a parent. I need to daily, verbally, emotionally, and even with a hug, encourage my kids.

Kids who grow up with no encouragement may become people who don't encourage. Kids who grow up with unmerciful, legalistic rules may become unmerciful, legalistic people. I have been married long enough to know how difficult it is to shed the baggage from my childhood. Sometimes, without meaning to, we simply mimick parenting we received. Now, if it's good parenting, that's one thing, but all too often we repeat the mistakes of our parents. We need to pray to God for deliverance from ungodly parenting ways.

So, young people, when you become parents -- and that is not all that far in the future, you know; just think how fast the past ten years have gone and you will realize how fast the next ten are going to go -- ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN. Tell them when they've done well. Discipline them IN LOVE AND WITH MERCY when they make mistakes. And love them fiercely.

May 04, 2008  |  Comments (3)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Sea World!

Tomorrow is our much anticipated family trip to Sea World! Considering we have a whale lover in the family and we've lived in Florida for three years, I'm surprised it has taken us this long.

May 02, 2008  |  Comments (3)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Why Do Girls Love Spring? (Besides Contests?)

Tell everyone why girls love spring at Royal Buffet. . .

Maybe you'll be the one to win a spring-loving, handcrafted diorama!

April 29, 2008  |  Comments (0)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

I John - Bible Study Resources

This past Wednesday, I went to a women's Bible study. It's the first one I've been to in several years. In part because other studies have been held at a very difficult time for me to attend, and in part because I don't want to take the time to attend a book study. While there are some excellent Christian living and learning books published, if I go to a Bible study then I really do want to study the Bible. (Though, I also do appreciate other get together with women of the church for getting to know one another.)

So this women's Bible study is going through the book of I John. Since I won't be able to attend every week, I want to set aside extra time for personal study and meditation. I've found a site from which to download an audio version for my MP3 player. I think the boys and I are also going to read through it a few times together (and perhaps use it for some memory work?)

I John 1 - 5, ESV, Text

I John, WEB, Audio

I John, KJV, Audio

Poythress on Biblical Interpretation

Thomas Boston's Useful Directions

Metachoi's Short Course in Hermeneutics

April 28, 2008  |  Comments (2)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

He Wholly Followed the Lord

Rejoicing with dear friends who have had their firstborn son (he was 9 lb, 15 oz!) Our love and prayers are with you.

And the child that is born on the Sabbath Day,
Is bonny and blithe and good and gay.

April 27, 2008  |  Comments (0)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Small Things With Big Love

"What I tell my childbirth classes is, “Having a baby is a right of passage in which you learn that life is not about you anymore.” That always gets a gasp from my couples, but I figure it’s better to get that fact out in the open before the baby is born so they can start getting used to it. . . . With 5 children, I had many, many sleepless nights, but I can’t remember a single one of them. In the larger scheme of things, they were insignificant. What WAS significant is that I spent countless nights tending to my children’s needs. . ."

--Darlene

Read the full quote and more mommy-inspiration.

Posted with thoughts and prayers for new mommies and waiting to labor mommies. . . You know who you are!

April 26, 2008  |  Comments (0)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Parenting Freedom

Each of you are just the right mother for your children. God gave your children to you--not as a possession, but to nurture and raise to His glory. I am not the one God chose to mother your child--not me, not anyone else. Your love and God's grace are what your child needs--regardless of what parenting books, websites, and ideas you come across along the way. You will have challenges, struggles, heartaches, as well as love, joys and successes!

Through it all, we learn to lean into the Lord. . . to trust Him. . . to turn to Him in prayer and humility and rest. . .

And we are free! Free from philosophies, free from rules. . . free to turn to the Lord and grow into the mothers He has called us to be!

I have found it freeing to learn and study and seek wisdom--both the direct revelation in the Bible as well as revelation in God's creation. One resource as we seek the Lord in our ministry of mothering is the website Parenting Freedom. This site is newly online, but the mother behind it has long been sharing mothering encouragement with me and others. I appreciate her willingness to learn, grow, seek the Lord and find freedom in parenting.

I encourage you to visit the website, be encouraged by the Scripture, be challenged by the research, and know you have freedom to seek the Lord as you nurture the children He has given you.

"If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. . .
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

April 23, 2008  |  Comments (5)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

QOTD

"Instead of one of those stereotypes, I'm one of those Smeagol-types." --C7, as he prances around in his pajamas-cum-loincloth before bed

April 23, 2008  |  Comments (0)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Another Nephew!

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls, now
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

Welcome, little baby J! Hubby's little sister has a firstborn son, entering the busy, breathing world today.

April 23, 2008  |  Comments (0)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

QOTD. . .

Quote of the Day:

"We're an exceptional family, aren't we?"

That's what R9 said to me as I was making dinner tonight. "Connor has already been in bed an hour, and we're just making dinner!"

April 20, 2008  |  Comments (7)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Sunday Afternoon Family Ramblings

Summer is slowly creeping in. . . We've had afternoon showers recently, and soon it will be hurricane season. The weather is warm enough for the boys to swim, the pool is clean, and they have new goggles. Still, the water was chilly enough that they didn't stay in long today.

Hubby has moved his thesis writing to the back lanai. Each day he sets up the desktop on the patio table and writes and thinks and is energized by the fresh air and sunshine. It's still cool enough to have the doors open and the A/C off. (Thanks to the Florida summer, our electric bill trebles when the A/C is on.)

Yesterday the two younger boys and I went out and about. The best part was a trip to B&N. The boys had gift cards from my brother and they had such fun looking and looking and trying to decide. C7 was immediately drawn to the bird watching kit. I thought the allure was simply the binos included, but he's been looking up birds in the guide and sitting still and watching the birds in the woods. R9's favorite choice was a sketchbook, so he's been accompanying C7 and sketching birds and other things he's observing. Ahhh. . . I love delight-led learning, especially when it mirrors my own educational ideals! They also bought books on mammals, the wild west, archaeological treasures and wildcats. We ran a few routine errands, too--bought a new mouse for the laptop (the touchpad is wonky), visited the bread store, the produce market and shared a treat from Starbucks.

But I've traded buying coffee when out for the yummiest coffee at home. I'll just bring my own when I leave the house. I finally bought a burr coffee grinder (a Christmas gift, thanks to my parents.) Fresh ground, fresh roasted Old Bisbee coffee--nothing is better!

With birthday money from my grandmother, I bought a birdfeeder and seed. Unfortunately, where I wanted to hang it is too close to the lanai screen, and hence a squirrel feeder more than a bird feeder. We'll put it in the front yard, instead.

I've planted morning glory seeds and we'll see if my notorious black thumb doesn't kill them. The boys will be mulching and raking and trimming the hedges this week. Our front porch has become the favorite play spot for the boys and their neighborhood friends. Somehow they still need daily reminders that books and flip flops and toys can't stay out on the porch overnight.

We went to church this morning and it was worshipful and welcoming and good. I'm thankful. As much as we value the church in the community and the importance of corporate worship, it's been hard to integrate into a church since arriving back in Florida. Why that has been is. . . complicated. . . but through it all we've seen God's faithfulness. It is restful, though, to be in corporate worship now. It hasn't always been so.

We had bowls of fresh fruit for lunch yesterday, Florida fresh blueberries and cantaloupe. Today we shared artichokes for a midday snack. The fresh produce just tastes so good. A friend told me about how a local gentleman developed the Earth Box for fumbling black thumbed gardeners like me. Remembering Natalie's salsa garden last year and knowing how my boys will each tomatoes and cucumbers and peppers and onions raw, when they are available, has me tempted to try my hand at container gardening on our lanai. The sensibility sets in and I think, maybe next year.

Beyond the weather and the birds and the produce, I can sense a change of seasons coming. Not just in our environment, but in our lives and future. I don't know in what ways, just that seems thing to be warming up and getting ready to turn into something new.

April 20, 2008  |  Comments (7)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink