What a day! Today was free McLatte Friday. The LAST free McLatte Friday ever! But, in order to get my free McLatte, I had to go to McDonald's before work, which means I needed to leave the house a few minutes early. Alas, my babysitters arrived late, so I did not get my free McLatte.
Work was awesome. We are working on two multi-million dollar proposals, which is bign and fun,and busy.
Got home much later to expected, only to have Dad and Janet leave to go take a nap at the hotel. This trip has been very tiring for them. First, because of the very long day of travel, then the two hour time difference, then four grandchildren tiring them out....! So, they've slept alot and I haven't had much time to visit with them.
Then, we went to the carnival at my dear daughter's school. It was a ton of fun, the kids were well behaved, and to top it all off we won the raffle and I brought home a great basket of balls. Perfect way to start the summer!
Then we went to my favorite local Mexican food restaurant. The wait was not too long,but the place was so crowded that we didn't even get water for about 15 minutes. The food actually didn't take too long, but it was late, the kids were hungry, and we didn't get great service - which made it seem very long.
Wonderful day!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Company!
I am so excited! Today my Dad and stepmom, Janet, are coming to visit. They are so wonderful and generous, and it is always refreshing to see them. I love catching up, and seeing their joy in watching the children. They actually missed their flight on the way up here (because my Dad likes to push boundaries....Do you REALLY want me at the airport an hour and a half before the flight??). But, that actually gave me a full day at work, and then an hour to pick up around the house. The house is still a mess. Every closet and drawer are busting at the seams.
There is a link from another blogger that has me curious. It is a video series called "Clutter Busters" and I'm about ready to dig in and bust some clutter. I really do try. I think I throw things away. But, obviously it isn't working, because my closet is full of clothes that dont' fit me, and we have WAY too many toys with very small, lost parts!
But I really want to get my husband into it. I don't think he is a messy person, but he LOVES his collectibles and extra stuff. He takes great comfort in it - and it results in boxes and boxes of things in the garage and in his closet. Every six months he goes through the boxes and takes great delight in finding things. Although I'd love the closet space, I would hate to rob him the joy of his stuff.
My stuff is another matter. If it disappeared off the planet I wouldnt' notice. I just hate trying to find a place for everything. Where do you put an organizational binder from several years ago? Where do you put lotion you aren't using yet? Where do you put framed pictures that just don't have a good wall in your house (we are eventually moving...!) Maybe "Clutter Busters" will tell me what my deal is.
If so, I will first bust the clutter, then post a picture of my beautiful, spacious closets.
There is a link from another blogger that has me curious. It is a video series called "Clutter Busters" and I'm about ready to dig in and bust some clutter. I really do try. I think I throw things away. But, obviously it isn't working, because my closet is full of clothes that dont' fit me, and we have WAY too many toys with very small, lost parts!
But I really want to get my husband into it. I don't think he is a messy person, but he LOVES his collectibles and extra stuff. He takes great comfort in it - and it results in boxes and boxes of things in the garage and in his closet. Every six months he goes through the boxes and takes great delight in finding things. Although I'd love the closet space, I would hate to rob him the joy of his stuff.
My stuff is another matter. If it disappeared off the planet I wouldnt' notice. I just hate trying to find a place for everything. Where do you put an organizational binder from several years ago? Where do you put lotion you aren't using yet? Where do you put framed pictures that just don't have a good wall in your house (we are eventually moving...!) Maybe "Clutter Busters" will tell me what my deal is.
If so, I will first bust the clutter, then post a picture of my beautiful, spacious closets.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Rose and Driftwood, San Francisco, California
I'm still learning how to add images. Found this. Ansel Adams is by far my favorite photographer, and at one time I had quite an interest in photography....
Monday, April 21, 2008
Something has stolen my peace
My hubby and I have financed our lives away. We started in 2001, when we started college. We took out many many thousands of dollars of loans to live on - to pay for gas, eat... Now, 7 years later, we are paying over $600 a month on school loans. That is hard for any budget to absorb.
We are considering consolidating all of the loans, but as I am looking at it - the term of repayment will go from 3 years and 8 years to 30 years.
30 years!!! My oldest daughter could have teenage children by then.
But the thing that has stolen my peace is how eager he and I both are to reconsolidate. For the price of about $150 a month we are putting ourselves into 20 more years of bondage. How can we, two very smart people, be so dumb over and over and over. We do this on a regular basis - Can't pay for it now? No problem - pay for it over time....over a LONG time.
However, I have confronted my husband over two really big issues in the last month, so I don't feel I even have the right to mention how wrong I have been in this big decision.
Oh Lord, please free us from the bondage of debt.
Show us areas of our lives where we have indulged and can now cut back.
Deliver us from foolishness and help us make wise financial decisions.
And please help hubby and I to be unified in our finances, and not warring amongst ourselves.
We are considering consolidating all of the loans, but as I am looking at it - the term of repayment will go from 3 years and 8 years to 30 years.
30 years!!! My oldest daughter could have teenage children by then.
But the thing that has stolen my peace is how eager he and I both are to reconsolidate. For the price of about $150 a month we are putting ourselves into 20 more years of bondage. How can we, two very smart people, be so dumb over and over and over. We do this on a regular basis - Can't pay for it now? No problem - pay for it over time....over a LONG time.
However, I have confronted my husband over two really big issues in the last month, so I don't feel I even have the right to mention how wrong I have been in this big decision.
Oh Lord, please free us from the bondage of debt.
Show us areas of our lives where we have indulged and can now cut back.
Deliver us from foolishness and help us make wise financial decisions.
And please help hubby and I to be unified in our finances, and not warring amongst ourselves.
Sweet Fellowship
I had an amazing day today. The Lord saw my need and filled it. He knew the cry of my heart even before I had the awareness that I was crying. I don't think it was loneliness, but a desire to be with like minded women. People who are enjoying life, enjoying motherhood, enjoying Christ. (and who like coffee, and like to talk!) Several weeks ago, one of my favorite bloggers, mentioned that she was going to be in the Pacific Northwest, and somewhere along the way it grew into the idea of gathering together "Mommy Bloggers." Being that this is my third post, I am only barely in this category, but nobody EVER visits Washington, so I jumped on the idea.
Furthermore, hubby and I just really are not very good at creating fun and interesting family activities, but here was one gift wrapped and delivered to my Inbox!
At the last minute, hubby bailed out, and I had the opportunity to invite a friend of mine (mother of two) to join us on our hour long trip to Mommy Blogger Heaven. This hour meant alot to me - I needed some time with my friend. She had just returned from a month long trip, and I wanted to jump back into her life as fast as possible.
We arrived right on time, unloaded our 8 passenger vehicle, which had held 8 passengers for the very first time (and 5 carseats!) and were greeted by a whole team of helpful and cheerful children. They introduced themselves, helped me carry in food and baby stuff, and, more than anything, assuaged my fears that I was in for 6 hours of marathon "keeping my children from killing themselves," which is no fun at all. I was immediately at peace with the surroundings and that, even outdoors on the lovely acreage, my kids were contained and well looked-after.
....Did I mention that this was Mommy Blogger Heaven!
I met for the first time so many lovely women, and their delightful children. Some had come from just down the street, some from another county, and at least one from a different time zone.
It was refreshing. It was encouraging. Thank you to all of you, all that you shared, and all that you are. Here are their blogs:
Kim at Cunningham Rules
Jenni at Chris and Jenni
Kendra at Heath Happenings
And here are my few pictures, taken mostly of my children...sorry!
One of the first exciting things that happened was the appearance of two feisty goats - eager to eat the newly grown Tulips. All children were assigned the task of shooing away the naughty goats. The LOVED it, and there were lots of giggles!
Then the children marched off to put the goats back in there goathouse. My Golden Girl, age 6, is in all pink, and was so excited to hold the reigns, followed by my Miss Perfect.
The goat house!
Having Fun Together:
Entertainer, age almost 3
Explorer, age 17 mos.
Entertainer, age almost 3
Explorer, age 17 mos.
Miss Perfect, age 4 1/2
As a side note: You will notice my children will not look at my camera. I do not understand this. The moment after I take a picture they are very eager to see how they look in it - you would think they would want to be showing their faces....I don't know.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
A Day in the Life...
It was one of those days....
My hubby was playing in a softball tournament, so he left early this morning. The kids also arose early, having forgotten that it was Saturday! I decided to take them to watch Daddy play softball, so we hurriedly got dressed and scarfed breakfast, then loaded everyone into the car.
During the trip, 3 out of 4 kids complained about an upset stomach. On the way from the car to the fields my 4yo pulled down her pants because she realized she had pooped in them. Uh Oh. Diarrhea.
So, rather than arriving with happy kids and a happy wife to surprise my hubby, I said "HI - hold them - I've got to get her to the potty!"
Once that crisis was averted we actually had a great morning. The weather was awesome and there was plenty of room to play.
On the way home, dd4 again complained about her tummy, and I thought she might need to go to the potty again. But, just a few blocks from our house she began throwing up. Poor thing! She couldn't do anything but just sit there!
So, once home, my dear hubby fixed lunch for the others while I got dd4 out of the gross clothes and into bed. No lunch for her!
Son also has diarrhea, but he is in diapers. Daughter is now complaining of tummy hurting as we go to bed for the night.
One of those days....
My hubby was playing in a softball tournament, so he left early this morning. The kids also arose early, having forgotten that it was Saturday! I decided to take them to watch Daddy play softball, so we hurriedly got dressed and scarfed breakfast, then loaded everyone into the car.
During the trip, 3 out of 4 kids complained about an upset stomach. On the way from the car to the fields my 4yo pulled down her pants because she realized she had pooped in them. Uh Oh. Diarrhea.
So, rather than arriving with happy kids and a happy wife to surprise my hubby, I said "HI - hold them - I've got to get her to the potty!"
Once that crisis was averted we actually had a great morning. The weather was awesome and there was plenty of room to play.
On the way home, dd4 again complained about her tummy, and I thought she might need to go to the potty again. But, just a few blocks from our house she began throwing up. Poor thing! She couldn't do anything but just sit there!
So, once home, my dear hubby fixed lunch for the others while I got dd4 out of the gross clothes and into bed. No lunch for her!
Son also has diarrhea, but he is in diapers. Daughter is now complaining of tummy hurting as we go to bed for the night.
One of those days....
Thursday, April 10, 2008
My Quiverfull Journey
(THE FOLLOWING WAS WRITTEN BUT NEVER PUBLISHED IN APRIL 2008)
Have you ever started a book, then grown weary and laid it aside? Then picked it up again years later with renewed eyes and understanding?
I first was confronted with the idea of a Quiverfull lifestyle by reading "A Full Quiver" back in 1997. I had just graduated high school, and had no intentions of having children for a long, long time. I think at the time I was planning to go to college for 4 years, get married in the fifth year, have a child or two, then.....I don't know what I was thinking! But this is the way my parents had done it, and it seemed to have worked.
A dear friend of mine leant me the book,which I devoured (because that is what I do to books!) and the idea absolutely set my heart on fire, and my world on its ear.
Prior to 1997, I don't think I had ever changed one diaper. I had only babysat once, with a friend. And I didn't really like kids all that much. In retrospect, the largest family I had ever known had 4 kids, and that seemed very large. I was one of three, and when I think about all of my closest friends in high school, I think almost all of them were the oldest of 2 children. (I'm not sure how that happened, but it is weird)
During this amazing year, I fell in love with my future husband, we became engaged and I began to freak out. We were not even married, and I was obsessing about birth control, and what if we didn't use it, and I had a child every year for 35 years? What if we couldn't afford it? What if we didn't want them?
I am teasing a little bit, but the fear was larger than anything I'd ever felt before. It was Satanic. It was overwhelming. I prayed without ceasing that the Lord would calm my heart and take my fear away. I tried to explain all of this to my Beloved, but he really didn't get it (to his credit, he tried really hard!)
Fast forward to the month of the wedding. I had basically forgotten my Quiverfull convictions in light of REALITY, so I skipped off to the doctor to get my pills. In the process, the doctor (Bless her soul forever!) discovered that I have Protein S deficiency, which causes a tendency toward blood clots, and that I can NEVER take a birth control pill.
Step 2: We tried DepoProvera. This did in fact prevent pregnancy - because I became such an awful person my husband wouldn't get NEAR me! So, once that faded out of my system we moved on to
Step 3: The Diaphragm. I could never get this device to be comfortable, so I didn't use it! :)
Step 4: Condoms. With all other choices out the window we resorted to condoms. We both hated it. It seems extremely unnatural. And apparently we didn't read the instructions, because I became pregnant with our first child while trying not to conceive.
Child# 2: Conceived using condoms
Child #3: Conceived using spermicides
Child #4: Decided not to prevent....pregnant two weeks later!
And now....I am currently using an IUD. But I am having very Quiverfull desires. I want to be at home. I want to trust God to give or not give us children. I want the blessings that will come from obedience.
But....I also want peace in my home, which is hard to maintain with very little kids. I want to climb out of debt, which is hard to do on one income and with very expensive pregnancies. I want to love my husband, which is by far the hardest when I am tired, and he is irritated by the noise, and I am irritated that he is so irritated, when I'm the one who has been around it all day........!
But, far above all, I want to obey.
And if that means
-No birth control.....then I will choose to learn to maintain a peaceful home full of little ones, and I will learn to love my husband by creating a peaceful environment
Or if that means
-Submitting to my husband's desires to plan our pregnancies....then I will choose to be at peace, and not a contentious woman. I will support his choices and not talk about it behind his back, and I will thank God for a husband who will stand up to my whims and fancies and be a leader.
So, in the last 2 weeks I have again presented my Quiverfull ideas to my husband of eight years, and he has agreed to think about it. Since I didn't hear him thinking, I nagged once or twice. And last night he said that he had talked to one of our pastors about it, and will be meeting with him next week.
Aghast! I almost jumped down his throat! I happen to know that the dear wife of this dear pastor is against Quiverfull ideas. But, later when I had calmed down, I realized the grace of God. First, my husband is thinking and talking about it. Second, I know this pastor is a man of the Word, and that he will have a well thought out argument, what ever he says. And, this is the coolest part....no matter what the pastor says, my husband's heart is in the hand of the Lord!
Just like Balaam, God can take a messenger that says "birth control is reasonable" to show my husband "birth control is wrong." And then I would know that it truly is the hand of the Lord, and not the naggings of a wife, or the pressure of a church, that is leading our family in this direction....
Because, it would DEFINITELY be a roller coaster ride!
Have you ever started a book, then grown weary and laid it aside? Then picked it up again years later with renewed eyes and understanding?
I first was confronted with the idea of a Quiverfull lifestyle by reading "A Full Quiver" back in 1997. I had just graduated high school, and had no intentions of having children for a long, long time. I think at the time I was planning to go to college for 4 years, get married in the fifth year, have a child or two, then.....I don't know what I was thinking! But this is the way my parents had done it, and it seemed to have worked.
A dear friend of mine leant me the book,which I devoured (because that is what I do to books!) and the idea absolutely set my heart on fire, and my world on its ear.
Prior to 1997, I don't think I had ever changed one diaper. I had only babysat once, with a friend. And I didn't really like kids all that much. In retrospect, the largest family I had ever known had 4 kids, and that seemed very large. I was one of three, and when I think about all of my closest friends in high school, I think almost all of them were the oldest of 2 children. (I'm not sure how that happened, but it is weird)
During this amazing year, I fell in love with my future husband, we became engaged and I began to freak out. We were not even married, and I was obsessing about birth control, and what if we didn't use it, and I had a child every year for 35 years? What if we couldn't afford it? What if we didn't want them?
I am teasing a little bit, but the fear was larger than anything I'd ever felt before. It was Satanic. It was overwhelming. I prayed without ceasing that the Lord would calm my heart and take my fear away. I tried to explain all of this to my Beloved, but he really didn't get it (to his credit, he tried really hard!)
Fast forward to the month of the wedding. I had basically forgotten my Quiverfull convictions in light of REALITY, so I skipped off to the doctor to get my pills. In the process, the doctor (Bless her soul forever!) discovered that I have Protein S deficiency, which causes a tendency toward blood clots, and that I can NEVER take a birth control pill.
Step 2: We tried DepoProvera. This did in fact prevent pregnancy - because I became such an awful person my husband wouldn't get NEAR me! So, once that faded out of my system we moved on to
Step 3: The Diaphragm. I could never get this device to be comfortable, so I didn't use it! :)
Step 4: Condoms. With all other choices out the window we resorted to condoms. We both hated it. It seems extremely unnatural. And apparently we didn't read the instructions, because I became pregnant with our first child while trying not to conceive.
Child# 2: Conceived using condoms
Child #3: Conceived using spermicides
Child #4: Decided not to prevent....pregnant two weeks later!
And now....I am currently using an IUD. But I am having very Quiverfull desires. I want to be at home. I want to trust God to give or not give us children. I want the blessings that will come from obedience.
But....I also want peace in my home, which is hard to maintain with very little kids. I want to climb out of debt, which is hard to do on one income and with very expensive pregnancies. I want to love my husband, which is by far the hardest when I am tired, and he is irritated by the noise, and I am irritated that he is so irritated, when I'm the one who has been around it all day........!
But, far above all, I want to obey.
And if that means
-No birth control.....then I will choose to learn to maintain a peaceful home full of little ones, and I will learn to love my husband by creating a peaceful environment
Or if that means
-Submitting to my husband's desires to plan our pregnancies....then I will choose to be at peace, and not a contentious woman. I will support his choices and not talk about it behind his back, and I will thank God for a husband who will stand up to my whims and fancies and be a leader.
So, in the last 2 weeks I have again presented my Quiverfull ideas to my husband of eight years, and he has agreed to think about it. Since I didn't hear him thinking, I nagged once or twice. And last night he said that he had talked to one of our pastors about it, and will be meeting with him next week.
Aghast! I almost jumped down his throat! I happen to know that the dear wife of this dear pastor is against Quiverfull ideas. But, later when I had calmed down, I realized the grace of God. First, my husband is thinking and talking about it. Second, I know this pastor is a man of the Word, and that he will have a well thought out argument, what ever he says. And, this is the coolest part....no matter what the pastor says, my husband's heart is in the hand of the Lord!
Just like Balaam, God can take a messenger that says "birth control is reasonable" to show my husband "birth control is wrong." And then I would know that it truly is the hand of the Lord, and not the naggings of a wife, or the pressure of a church, that is leading our family in this direction....
Because, it would DEFINITELY be a roller coaster ride!
My First Post
I'm not sure why I started this blog. I love reading the blogs of other women, other mothers, others who have created a well-worn path for me to follow.
But I am not like them.
Apart from having no idea how to link to other sites, I am not creative, I am not wise, and I am not humorous.
So, it may be that no one ever reads these pages, or reads them once and never comes back.
....in fact, I may not come back for long....but I have the urge to blog. To make this my journal of thoughts and trials.
Coming up with a name for my blog was difficult. It is not a very catchy name, but it is from my "life verse"
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13
Not my favorite verse of the Bible, actually. But the one the Lord has assigned to me.
When I married my husband, we both agreed that our married life would be a roller coaster ride. (And it has been!) But, when the Lord gave me this verse, it was as if He was reminding me that the Christian life....MY Christian life....is also going to be a roller coaster ride - and that He is there with me, and that I will have to make difficult choices. And that He will be right there with me.
So, may this blog be a place where I can share my ride, and be reminded that the Lord is the one who has carved out this path for me, and I can be at peace because He strengthens me!
But I am not like them.
Apart from having no idea how to link to other sites, I am not creative, I am not wise, and I am not humorous.
So, it may be that no one ever reads these pages, or reads them once and never comes back.
....in fact, I may not come back for long....but I have the urge to blog. To make this my journal of thoughts and trials.
Coming up with a name for my blog was difficult. It is not a very catchy name, but it is from my "life verse"
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13
Not my favorite verse of the Bible, actually. But the one the Lord has assigned to me.
When I married my husband, we both agreed that our married life would be a roller coaster ride. (And it has been!) But, when the Lord gave me this verse, it was as if He was reminding me that the Christian life....MY Christian life....is also going to be a roller coaster ride - and that He is there with me, and that I will have to make difficult choices. And that He will be right there with me.
So, may this blog be a place where I can share my ride, and be reminded that the Lord is the one who has carved out this path for me, and I can be at peace because He strengthens me!
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