Thank you

I have been struggling....not so much within myself but for someone, someone very dear and close to my heart. I have often been through spiritual struggles for me, and others. This one is different...it's closer to home. I have cried out to the Lord for guidance, and grace , and wisdom. I have pleaded with him to reveal himself to this person, knowing that he will, but will this person listen, or see him? I was reminded by someone that no matter what this person does, or choses, God will never stop pursuing. He LOVES us so much that he will never stop!!!! I know this to be true because of how he never gave up on me. We as humans can only go so far, and our energy runs out, our hopes dwindle, our tears run dry. BUT My Lord will never run out of energy, or lose hope, or ever stop shedding tears for us...and with HIM, I can have the strength to endure. It is so true that out of our most difficult experiences, God will bring forth beauty, if we let him. Thank you Lord Jesus.

New Life!!!!

It is -2 degrees outside, snow every where, but I can't help but dream about the spring and planting a garden. Every year I have grand plans of vegetables, herbs and gorgeous flowers...but every year there seems to be something that hinders those grand plans, whether it be pregnancy, new baby, illness, extreme heat, and busyness. Last year I think I accomplished the most and really cleaned out my perennial bed, did some transplants, and grew some herbs. I love to garden, I love the smell of the dirt, the satisfaction of putting something in the ground, caring for it, and seeing the result. Fresh flowers in the house, pungent herbs spicing up our food, bees and butterfly's galore...aaaahhhhh!
Growing up in the southwest Spring was very different than it is in the Midwest. Often the winter felt like spring with 50-60 degree weather, plants that don't die completely, and grass that stays kinda green all year long. While all of that is not bad, I don't think I truly learned to appreciate the Spring until I moved to the Midwest. When everything is covered with snow for up to 5 months, and the ground is frozen and nothing is green, Spring brings a whole new life. One of my absolute favorite things is to see the tiny little crocus' sprouting up from the ground, sometimes even before the snow is all gone! Then you start to see the tulips, and the perennials start their ascent. Oh how I love Spring!!!
I am amazed at how incredible our world is. God reminds us of his power, his gentleness, his unfailing love, and his glorious gift of new life through his creation. So while I am sitting here wrapped up to keep from being  cold, I can dream about the garden I will plant, and thank my Heavenly Father for his amazing creation!!

Snow days!!

We are on our third day of snow days here. For my son, who takes some classes at the High School it is a good thing. The girls on the other hand asked me last night if they could have a snow day too...being homeschooled it does not matter what the weather is outside....school goes on!! They want to play outside....but it is 1 degree out, so I am thinking NO! I think I may lighten their load today, and maybe we can snuggle up and watch a movie together....I suppose they can have a little bit of a snow day too:)

Change..is it good or bad...or BOTH!

This year has already brought about many changes and we aren't even done with the first month. I guess when you have 7 people in your family change is inevitable.
First off......LEXI IS DIAPER FREE!!!!!!!!!! My youngest daughter is potty trained...finally:) We have had diapers or pull- ups in our house for almost 10 yrs. I love the idea of not having to haul pull-ups or diapers along with wipes and diaper cream......I am almost giddy!!! Don't get me wrong, I loved when my kids were little and I really did not mind changing diapers. But when you have changed diapers for 10yrs. straight.......it gets a little old.
Secondly, our oldest, Kaleb turned 18 earlier this month, and is a senior this year. He joined the NAVY a week ago, and will leave for boot camp on August 3rd. It's very strange to think that in about 6 months he will no longer be living with us. I am very excited to see where God takes him, and the man he is going to become! I believe one of the hardest parts of parenting is letting go. They really aren't ours to begin with, they are God's. We spend the early years bonding with them and protecting them from everything. As they get older they still need us, but at a distance. Our desire to protect them does not ever change, and we have to start letting go. When they get even older often they don't want us around at ALL...and we feel as if we need to protect them even more. I can't imagine what it is going to be like when he leaves and our desire to protect will still be there, and he won't be!!! I have often said that being a parent is the most gratifying, and most painful job there ever was. BUT.....even though he will not be here with us, God will still be with him..... wherever he goes! As for us...we pray, daily for Kaleb, and for our hearts to be at peace:)

For some change is hard...thankfully God has wired me differently! I like change, is it always good? No. Is it always bad? NO. Is sometimes both? Almost always!!!

Amazing Grace

 This last week God has taken me on a journey through His Grace. I am quick to expect his grace for me, and yet not show that grace to others. Grace does not mean giving in to something, or being a doormat. Grace is about loving others, no matter what the circumstances. I admit that I have not thought about His grace much, until recently. I look back on the events that led me to Christ and I am overwhelmed with His Amazing Grace! If not for that grace, I would not be here today. 

For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.    Luke 19:10

We have had some recent events that have made me focus on the Grace that I was shown, and has forced me to decide whether or not I am going to show that same kind of Grace. Trust me....it's not easy!

God continues to speak to my heart about the His grace to me, and the grace I was shown by others. As I have been praying about this I ran across this quote:

You will never be called upon to give anyone more grace than God has already given you - Max Lucado.

This really convicted me. I was so undeserving, and so unlovable, and yet I was shown limitless grace by countless people. Not only did God bestow His grace on me, he used other people to show me what it looks like! How can I walk around unwilling to give people grace when it was so freely shown to me. I did not know that some of those people would make such an impact on my life, and forever remind me of what it looks like to be obedient to God. What if God wants me to be that to someone else? What if I am so busy worrying about myself that I miss that opportunity to show God's grace to someone?  I am praying that He will clearly show those people to me, and that most importantly I will be open to hearing him, and be obedient.

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.      2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Organization...... Who ME?

I have been looking for a better way to organize my home-school. I always get really excited when I start a new thing, and then the newness wears off and well, I get frustrated. I think I may have found a solution that will work for my family! They are called work boxes....it's actually very simple (which I need). Each child has a set of boxes, and in each box is a subject, I fill the boxes each night with the next days work, along with instructions for that subject. When they are finished they return the work to the box for me check.

I was told that because of my personality I will never be organized...that was almost like a challenge to me! While it doesn't come easy to me, I still enjoy having an organized house, and I am willing to work hard to get it there. What's the point of this post? Well I don't know, maybe I am starting to enjoy writing down my thoughts.....never thought that would happen:) For those of you that are writers.....THANKS ALOT!!!! 

Stay Tuned for more of my organizational thoughts........hopefully:)

Wow....has it been that long???

Well, it has been over a year and a half since I have written on here!! I have missed it, and have been inspired by a friend to go back to it.

It's all been worth it.

This Sunday my husband is going to celebrate his ordination. I am so proud of him, I think back 6 years ago when we started this journey and this day seemed almost impossible. We had just had our third child the week prior to him starting school, and I have to admit that the first semester, ok the first year was really, really hard. There were days and months I was not sure if our marriage was going to make it. God on the other hand had a plan and walked us hand in hand through those 4 years of school. We had some great moments during those 4 years and we also had some very trying ones. It was all worth it. I watch him today and see joy, and contentment. He LOVES being a pastor! He is also very good at it. God knew that he would be, that is why he called him to do it. Funny how God works huh:)
I am excited to celebrate my husband this Sunday and to honor God by praising him for the work he has done in Brett's life and in our family. Our GOD is good!

My baby turned 1 on January 28th. I can't believe she is already one. She is our last baby, so there is alot things I will never get to do again. Some of the things I will miss about the baby days:

• the wonderful smell of a new baby
• the sweet coos and noises
• the first time they smile at you
• how they hold on to your finger so tightly
• how when they look at you, nothing else matters
• all the wonderful firsts (sitting up, first food, first step, first word,etc.)

Things I will not miss about the baby days:

• waking up every two hours
• being spit up on (sometimes in your mouth)
• bottles, bottles, bottles
• endless screaming that pierces your brain

The things I am looking forward to about her being 1:

• sippy cups:)
• bigger car seat (easier to get her in and out of)
• self feeding
• new words and new discoveries
• more independence (the classic " I do")
• running, playing at the park
• things I am sure I am not even aware of :)

I love every stage of childhood, yes even the teenagers, every stage has good and not so good things, but I get to experience it with them and I cherish every minute.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year all. I pray that 2009 will be a year of discovering something new about God and remembering his faithfulness in your life. God Bless you as you begin this new year.

Merry Christmas

Have you noticed that most people do not say Merry Christmas? They say Happy Holidays, or Season's Greetings, or nothing at all. A few years ago when this started to get so bad my husband and I decided that we would not say anything but Merry Christmas. Why?
Well, we live in a world that is desperately trying to push Jesus out, and we want to desperately keep him in. We try to make it a point to say Merry Christmas to all clerks, cashiers and most anybody we come in contact with.
Sometimes the simple things can make a big difference. If we don't try we will never know. Jesus is the reason for the season, and I proudly proclaim it. So to everyone reading
MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Here are some pictures from the summer.

I finally figured out how to do it, who knew it was so easy?

Madison loves koalas
Kaleb " The Bird Whisperer"

Waiting their turn for mini golf

How cute!!!

Our Daredevil

Megan!

Lexi's first encounter with the lake

Whohoo...

From lake to lion, such an adventurous girl!

The whole crew after a long day at the zoo.

Lexi slept most of it, that's why she looks so happy!!

I don't know???

Ok, so I have been harassed about not blogging in awhile. I am not a writer and when things are on my mind writing is not what happens.
We have had alot going on, I guess nothing that I felt like blogging about, so I guess I will just ramble.
I voted today and I have to say I am soooo ready for the election to be over. The phone calls, the junk mail, the commercials, ahhhhhhhh.
My two oldest girls have been asking questions about the candidates, only because they hear the names on TV. We told them who we were voting for and now they are cheering him on. It's funny how your opinions influence them. Well, only for awhile then they go the complete opposite, just to spite you.
My baby is 9 months old and just started walking. She has taken 4 steps om her own and is gaining confidence every day. She is soooo sweet and I cherish every moment with her. She is our last and I am having a hard time with her growing so fast.
One of these days when I figure out how to post pictures, and take them off our camera( very important) I will put some up here.
My favorite time of year is upon us and I am just basking in the beauty of the colors, and watching the kids play in the leaves. Fall just isn't long enough.
OK, enough rambling.

How Beautiful

I have been doing an amazing study called Breaking Free by Beth Moore. I can't even begin to go into how much God has revealed to me. something that he has laid on my heart is the issue of insecurity. I was shown that insecurity is sin, I know seems strange, but it is. when you think negatively about yourself what does that say about the one who created you???

Yes, I know we make choices that make us who we are, but the very core of who you are was put there by God. The creator of the universe, the beginning and the end, do you think he make mistakes? I don't. The world, our circumstances and choices have shaped what we think of ourselves. But God says differently.

" I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels" (Isa. 61:10)

This is how Christ sees us, we are beautiful to him, we are his brides. No matter what you have done, no matter what has happened to you, You are beautiful to Christ!
I have been deeply affected by this because I have struggled all my life with insecurity, very debilitating insecurity. Now I look to my father who created me and I know that I am beautiful, no matter what anyone thinks, says, or does, my Father thinks that I am beautiful, and that is all I need.

A Break in Birthdays......Thank Goodness

We just celebrated the last birthday of the year in our family this past Sunday. Thank goodness too, when you have 7 people in your family it can seem like all you do is celebrate birthdays. Please don't get me wrong I love Birthdays, in fact I love making a big deal about birthdays, it's the one day that is just yours.
We started a tradition last year for birthdays that Daddy takes the special birthday person out to lunch wherever they want to go, it's kinda funny because our girls all seem to copy each other, but this time our oldest daughter told me that next year she is picking a different place, because she wanted to be different. It's fun to see their individuality coming out.
I have also started the tradition of having balloons tied to their dinning room chair the morning of their birthday. I have realized how much they have come to rely on this. I hope I never forget, I will have some pretty disappointed kids:) We also have window markers, and I only use them on birthdays, all over the window is decorated with birthday wishes, this a fun thing for them to do for each other.
I am always searching for new and fun traditions to implement to make their day special. No matter how old you are everyone likes to have their own special day. It doesn't take much to make them feel special.
One of my favorite things to do for them is the baking of their cake, they usually decide what they want and I TRY to execute it. This year I made a bathtub with rubber duckies in it, faucet and all, a Dora decorated round cake, and my personal favorite, a guitar. I am getting more confident in my ability and starting to really look forward to it.
I think the most favorite of traditions for our kids is the pinata. We have bought some and we have made some, either way they are the favored activity at their parties. I think we have begun to master the birthday party, I am always in charge of the cake, the drinks, the decorating and the prizes. My hubby is in charge of the pinata, and games.
I think we are going to put an age limit on parties though, it is getting quite expensive. We are going to have to come up with something good this coming year, our oldest is turning 16 in January.
At least we get about a 4month break before we start all over again.

Thank you God...

So the other day I was looking at homeschool curriculum, let me tell you if anything is overwhelming that is. I really don't know how I decide on curriculum every year. I have decided to homeschool year round, so we really don't have a start, and stop time, just breaks in between. The girls are definitely ready to start up a routine again. Our son has been doing school off and on all summer, so it won't be a big change for him.
The hard part is that he is going into 10th grade, and I am so overwhelmed with what to use, and how to teach it. You see, I dropped out of high school, and while I was there I was not paying attention. So needless to say I feel very incapable of teaching this age. I have been praying about it lately, just wanting to make the right decision. All the while the little thoughts of "you can't do this", " you're stupid", " you didn't even finish high school" creeping into my head. I know exactly where these thoughts are coming from, but that doesn't take away the intensity of them. I know God is bigger than all of that, but what if it's true, what if I am not qualified to teach him. And you know what an awesome God we serve, he always knows how to deal with his children. He gently reminds me of all the teachers that are not following him and those that choose to live a lifestyle that does not honor God. They may have many credentials and are skilled teachers, but they can not teach my children how to love Jesus, like I, their mother can. That is why we homeschool, I believe that teaching them about God and living for him is the most important thing and then after that, academics come.
I am thankful of the plethora of choices for curriculum, without them homeschooling would be much harder. I am thankful that we have the right to choose to homeschool, and I am most thankful that my God knows exactly what to speak to my heart.

My worlds a changin!!!

Ok, so I have a 6 month old beautiful baby girl. She is soooo sweet. About 3 weeks ago she starts to get on her hands and knees, which would have been at 5 months. I know my other kids did not crawl this early, just to be sure I looked in their baby books: one was at 9 mo, and the others were at 7-8 mos. Not 5 mo. She is now able to get around most of the living room, and I found her trying to push buttons on the DVD player this morning, AHHHHHH!!!!!
I am not ready for this. She just turned 6 mo. She can't even sit completely unsupported yet.
I know she wants to keep up with the other kids, but good grief that's a bit early. They grow up too fast. Pretty soon she's going to be sassing me just like the other kids. Oh well I will just enjoy her and try to keep her in her excersacuer more, haha :)

The amazing 4yr old......

Ok, my daughter has totally amazed me. The 4 yr old that we were potty training has done an incredible job. She will all on her own without telling anybody go to the bathroom and go, then she will come running out yelling " I went potty", usually with pants around the ankle but who cares, SHE WENT POTTY! The other night we went to an Omaha Royals game, I am thinking this could be trouble, but nope, she went twice at the field, fell asleep on the way home, didn't have an accident and went when we got home. I know this may seem trivial to some, but to a mother, THIS IS HUGE!!!!
So, what I expected to be a horrible week of messes, has turned into a wonderful week of freedom, for her and for me. Thank you God that you care about the little things in our lives.

Bare Bottoms

When you have small children you see bare bottoms OFTEN. This particular week the bare bottom of choice is my 4 yr. old. You see she is just now getting potty trained. Why you ask? Well mostly because Mom (that's me) has been putting it off. Being pregnant last year and having a newborn, well they just seemed like good reasons to put it off. Well NOW is the time. It's going well............I think because she is older it is easier to reason with her. I am tempted to potty train the 6mo. old baby right along with her:)
So, this week I am destined to do more laundry, wipe up more floors, scrub more carpets, and wash the same 4 yr. old more times than I ever have in one week. In the end it's all worth it.

First of all

First of all I need to say that my dear husband set this up for me. He picked the name and well I chose to keep it. I've been called worse things than Foxy Lady.
Anyway, thanks dear hubby. I hope to make this an enjoyable place to be, but also a place where we can recognize, and dwell in, how much our Savior loves us.