Christmas Letter 2009 Merry Christmas to All!

Dear Family and Friends,

This past year we found ourselves moving yet again (yes, we are in the Witness Protection Program). We were very glad to be reunited as a complete family living in only one home. We also now have a lovely "summer home" in Bonney Lake. January of last year Rob took a job in Vancouver, Washington not British Columbia. He is now the Medical Director for The Vancouver Clinic (TVC). The job has been good for him and he enjoys the challenge. This coming year he plans to return to school. Haven't we been there before? He will be working on his Master's Degree in Business Administration in an effort to ensure that none of his children ever reach his level of education:).

Lisa spent the better part of last year driving Katy back and forth to college, giving thanks daily for Bluey, the bluetooth. However, Katy now has her license and drives herself. Hallelujah, mom now has more free time to cook, clean, do laundry and school. Oh, yes, and more free time to "boss us around" as Mark says.

Katy who is "almost" 18 (Feb 2010) has been going to college and is finishing her 2nd year. She is on the Dean's List. She fills her days with homework, college applications and practicing her newly acquired driving skills all while managing to Facebook and text message for 1000 minutes weekly. Try it, it takes some skill to do all that. Last year she taught English on her mission trip to Korea. This year she will be going on a college age mission trip to Alexandria, Egypt.

Lisa Dawn is 15 and in 10th grade. She has been busy with school and co-op where she is learning ballroom dancing. Piano has also occupied her time as she is very passionate about it. Lisa Dawn was a house page at our state capital in Olympia. The past couple months have found her preparing for her mission trip to Ukraine in the summer of 2010.

Kelly is 13 and in 8th grade. Kelly is the family's aspiring author (who refused to edit this boring Christmas letter). Kelly spends the majority of her time writing lengthy novels and researching her next project. Mom is especially grateful to her as she has stellar computer skills while mom is less than proficient. It will be a novel in itself watching her pursue her passion.

Luke is 10 and in 5th grade. This past year he has developed a love for reading, and especially enjoys books on the medieval times and Star Wars. Mark and Luke have had a ball playing in the woods on our property. We are delighted as this was one of the main reasons we bought our current home.

Mark the Shark (as Katy fondly refers to him) is 6 and in 1st grade. He's cooler than you. He spends his time scheming ways to avoid eating anything that isn't brown ie hotdogs and chicken nuggets. This year Mark learned how to read and he made it his goal to memorize the favorite color of every family member by asking multiple times every hour, every day, for days, and days.

Mark provided our most exciting, happy event of this year when he accepted Christ as his personal Savior on October 15, 2009. What a blessing! He was baptized with his cousin, Autumn as she, too, accepted Christ only a few days before.

That wraps it up for the familial update. Our prayer is for you and yours to have a most blessed Christmas and a 2010 filled with opportunities only our Lord can provide.

"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2

What a privilege to serve a God whom we can trust, who gives us strength and never leaves us!

With much love,

Rob, Lisa, Katy (who provided the humor for this letter), Lisa Dawn, Luke, Kelly and Mark

PS: For an update on our BIG kids and their families (Robyn, Clare and Clark) look for a future post. They are all doing well in Tx, CO, and LA, respectively. We miss our grandkids and wish they lived closer.

My Christmas Favorites

This month has literally flown by for me. I can hardly believe it is less than one week before Christmas. I have my shopping finished with the exception of a few "small" things. I can't get it all done as I must have an excuse to shop with my beloved sister and mom when I head their way.

There is still plenty of wrapping and sorting of stocking stuff left to do, but I am not worried. I want to take a few moments to reflect on my favorites of the season, besides shopping, of course.

Here are some of my favorite things about the Christmas season.

1. Reading Christmas stories and books to the kids. This year I found several fun books at thrift stores and am reading them. I also have a series of 3 books, of which I choose one a year. They are read in conjunction with Advent, great stories with a "cliffhanger" at the end of each day.

2. Checking the mail and e-mail for all the fun cards and greeting, which, ironically enough leads me to one of my least favorite holiday chores: deciding on what to write in the family Christmas card.

3. A white elephant gift exchange. Perhaps some year I should suggest that our family each bring an extra "gift" and we should see who is willing to steal what from whom.

4. The Lottie Moon Christmas offering which reminds me that Christmas isn't the same for all of us. I am reminded to pray for those who are away from loved ones not only now, but all year long.

5. Spending time with my family whether it is shopping or eating, riding in the car with a lively discussion going on, like today, or wrapping presents, etc.

6. The Sunday before Christmas when we all wear matching clothes. Fun times. Fun memories like the year I stayed up late for a week making matching dresses for the girls and myself.

7. Looking forward to the happy face of the child that got that long sought after gift.

8. Snow, wishing for it and thinking about it, seeing it in photos everywhere and wondering why people like me and the children who don't have it want it; while others who have it don't want it, but not the children. The children almost always adore it. Me, too.

9. A frosted sugar cookie mmmmmmmm!

10. Decorations everywhere. Sparkle, twinkle, merry.

What a grand and glorious time the Christmas season "...for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people."

H is for

H is for hanging out on the holiday and just visiting while waiting on lunch or trying to make room for dessert.

H is for help in the kitchen especially when that festive feeling is in the air.

H is for husbands who carve the turkey and offer thanks.

H is for our Heavenly Father who loves us and provides all good things.

It is great during the Thanksgiving season to just reflect on the many, many blessings which we perhaps take advantage of the rest of the year such as heat, hair, health, happiness, hands, hearts, and so on and so forth.

T is For

Thinking of Thanksgiving and all it holds dear here are my thoughts for T

T is for time with loved ones be it family or friends.

T is for talking and talking of years gone by and how this holiday was celebrated in the past from last year to 200 years ago.

T is for trash, ok, I know this one is weird, but it is a bit complicated to figure out what to do with all the trash that comes from this feast.

T is for time-out from our regular schedules to reflect on our God given heritage.

T is for Target and the day after sales!

T is for treasuring the fun the holiday brings.

So Pleased

I am so pleased that I did my "Christmas Clothes Shopping" early this year. I was at the mall today and was going to pick up a few accessory pieces such as socks for the boys vests. There were no socks in either of their sizes. No prob, I thought to myself, I will simply look online and order them there. Nope, that didn't work. Oh well, even if they go without the "perfect" socks, at least we have the makings for a complete matching photo.'' I also took note while at the mall that they were out of everything in the boys sizes. So glad that I bit the bullet this year and didn't wait on the clearance sale. Now if I could just get my Christmas cards ready and actually mailed then I might get to really "enjoy" the season. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Life lesson: Shop for Christmas clothes in early October. I would have never guessed this.

Growing Up is Hard to Do

YIKES! HELP! We may be about to have another teenage driver. Katy will be taking her driver's test tomorrow. This is the actual drive test. It is always such a challenge for me. I don't ever really think my "kids" are ready to drive. I am so anxious about letting them go off on their own. It is so nerve wracking. They get so defensive when you "insult" their driving by mentioning things like, "Aren't you going to stop for this pedestrian in the crosswalk?"

Oh well, like it or not, they grow up. I am excited to have Kate drive, but struggle with releasing her protection to the Lord. I know that He has always taken care of her, from the moment she arrived in this world at 36 weeks to now when she is nearly 18. I know that God is our protection and our strength. He is our refuge and our hiding place. I will really be calling on those attributes of God as I see my Little Kate take wings and fly. I don't really know if she will pass the driver's test or not, but I know that it is too late now to call her back. She is ready for this freedom and the independence it offers. I pray for her safety, for clarity, for wisdom and guidance in the coming days ahead. I give her over to God again (so many times I have done this), and trust Him to care for her in a way that only He can. I trust Him to care for me, too. I need Him to calm my heart, lead me forward and give me a new focus. Somehow I feel the focus might be toward her sister who will be able to drive soon, too. Now, about that strength.

Random Thoughts for This day

Thankful I am to God for allowing us to have working heat pumps. This is one of those stories that even though it is drawing to a close is still too fresh to think anything about but thankfulness at the outcome. Maybe next week I will be able to see some of the other pluses, but not today. Today I am just so grateful to hear the marvelous sounds of the clicking on and off of the thermostat and the air running through the ducts and even the little popping of the vents.

So now I am off to the North again. Lisa Dawn gets her braces off today! She is so excited. Nearly two years with no gum chewing is a long time!!!!! I feel certain she might post about it later in the week.

It is a pleasant thought that Steve is back on the homeland and now Robyn's family is complete once more. There is nothing like knowing your family is all together.

The holidays are fast approaching. It should be fun to see what "creativity" arises from the lack of money this year in so many homes.

Shoebox time is here. Collection week is about the middle of November. Let your kids pack those shoeboxes. Give them a budget and see what they buy.

I am still very much rejoicing in the fact that Mark gave his heart to the Lord and Autumn did, too. What a double blessing!

Hope your day is filled with joy and many prayers of thank you for all our God does for us each day.

A Successful Saturday

Today we worked on the "Big Garage" or Rob's garage as I call it. It was hard work, but worth the effort. It no longer looks like a hurricane came through although there is still much work to be done. I found my fall decor so we will see if I get it up before time for Christmas. I tried to talk the kids into bagging the idea of decorating for fall and just decorating for Christmas instead. Mark and Luke were sold on the idea, especially when they found the snowmen throws.

I have several new projects that stemmed from the day's labor. One good clean deserves another so now I have to clean inside the house where we dumped all the things we brought from the garage. I brought in shelves, cabinets, etc. and so now I have to decide where to put them.

Oh well, that is a project for another day. For now there is laundry to be done.

PS: Can you believe I changed my background? I miss the red/white and blue. I keep telling myself that it will be ok. It will be July soon.

The "Boston" Trip Report

We are all having a great time on our "Boston" trip. I have thoroughly enjoyed the falling leaves, the colors, the floating, the crunching beneath our feet. We have been to three of the four continental states that I had not ever seen before. Only one remains and I hope that I will be able to see that one tomorrow, Lord willing.

We have been to three National Park sights. The history of this country is amazing! God can be seen in so many of the things that went on during those times. Many of our forefathers were so sensitive to the leading of the Spirit. I am so thankful for this.

We have saved the Boston area for last. We still have one more day until the conference begins.

It has been very interesting to try to make the change between the two time zones. We haven't been getting in bed too early or getting up too early either. It has been nice not to have a strict time schedule to keep.

Mom is doing well with the boys and Katy. I hope this lasts through the entire week.

Thank you to everyone who is praying for us. I so appreciate it.

No Heat, No Church Home, Few Friends, No Worries

The post title sums up my thoughts, feelings and emotions lately. For days and weeks now there has been work to get heating for us. For even more days and weeks we have sought a place to worship and find a new church family. We are getting involved in a new co-op hoping to make a few friends, but friendships take time and patience.

Every few years when we move there is a definite time of growing and stretching, soul searching and waiting. Waiting for new relationships to develop, waiting for the Lord to show us where He would have us work, watching for needs and new opportunities.

Life is as busy as ever, but in the midst of it I must be still and know that He is God. Is there anything too hard for Him? I think not and especially when it comes to His children. Oh how He loves you and me. I must remember to "Be anxious for ..............nothing, .....

A New Birth

This has been a busy weekend. We went over to celebrate Mom's 70th birthday. It was a great surprise party and a fun time. While I was there my mom gave me some pictures of herself and Dad on their wedding day, then a picture of her mom and dad, then a picture of Dad's mom and dad. It really gets one thinking of how life passes quickly. All of my grandparents are gone now. It was a bit melancholy and especially considering I have celebrated my own 50th now and the years are flying by.

I hope that someday when my kids or perhaps their kids get a picture of Rob and I when we were younger they will look at it with fondness. My prayer is that we will have fulfilled God's plan for our lives. He has given us so many special blessings.

Today, this very day, God has given us a brand new grandson! Thanks be to God! What a delight. The pictures are grand and he is beautiful! I would love to hold him, snuggle him, smell him and delight in who he is. I pray for the Lord to be able to claim him as His own someday. I am a bit sad that I can't seem him right now, but the Lord knows the desire of our hearts and grants them in His own timing.

Tips Too Late for Me

Tip # 1: Never take two boys ages 5 and 10 to the eye Dr. at the same time if you can possibly help it. If you do you can hope that the Optometrist has a good sense of humor.

Tip # 2: Don't make all your dental and optometry appts. in the same month when you have 5 children who need to be seen. If you do, be prepared to spend a nice portion of your life savings in co-pay fees.

You would think I would know better, but I tend to be a slow learner. I am on a definite first name basis with everyone in both our dentist and optometry offices. I still have several return appts. scheduled for both offices. I think I should probably take them cookies or something.

I really have spent a tremendous amount of time trying to catch up with missed appts. We really got off schedule due to the move. It took me awhile to figure out the whole new insurance "stuff" and where to go and who to see. I have another appt. scheduled for myself next week and will need another one after that.

Kelly, Mark and I all have to return to the Optometrist, Mark is due at the dentist twice more for fillings, (I know I should have been brushing his teeth instead of letting him do it himself!), and I need an annual exam and we all know how much fun those are, don't we?

We also need to get our flu shots. I think they are finally giving them out now that they have hyped them up by telling us how horrible this flu season will be. By the way, we missed getting these last year as we were busy preparing to move.

So the moral of this story for me is to become more organized, make better use of my time, and quit PROCRASTINATING. Actually, I need to go pay bills, but oh, I think I will do that, maybe tomorrow!

Nina, this One is for You

I totally agree with you about the before and after pictures. I guess beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.

However, I don't watch reruns very often. You would think I would because I like to know how a story ends. I adore a Cinderella story and anything else not so much. Not being much of a tv fan I can usually only manage to sit through a show once, but not a second time. There are a few exceptions like The Sound of Music and Star Wars.

You know I am a laundry freak and I take my laundry out as soon as the dryer buzzes. But alas, the children did not inherit the freakish tendencies and they can't count the number of times they hit fluff. Don't forget I am the one that does all the ironing for a man who wears dress shirts. 

Cold cereal for dinner is also not a favorite of mine, but I do like the do it yourself nights and am never bothered by the kids or their Dad having cold cereal if it thrills them to do so.

So I guess between you and me you are the only one of us who does most of these things, but I have my own "oddities". Below you will find a few.

Am I the only One Who:

1. If I am not really enjoying the direction a book is taking I will read the end to see if I want to finish the book. I normally do, but have been known to quit reading if the ending doesn't suit me.

2. Has read tons of articles on how to be neat and organized and judging by my house you would think I was illiterate.

3.  Still has all of my photos in boxes and doesn't really care because I still can't upload pictures to my computer, but I do now know the difference between uploading and downloading:).

4.  Thinks that chores and work is the answer to most of life's difficult moments?

5.  Wants to color my hair, but can't imagine if I will like it or not. 

Summer is Fleeing Quickly

Just this morning I left what I now refer to as our "other house". Not our home, but our house, not the one we live in, but the one we clean and maintain. It is almost empty now, it echoes whenever we are all there. We have scrubbed, vacuumed, cleaned and painted. We don't have much left to do. 

It is a good feeling that now perhaps I can focus on our home. I even had the girls help with menus today so we can establish order again. I am excited. 

Life has moved quickly this summer. It has been terrific with many wonderful memories. I truly hope that things will slow down with fall so close I can almost smell it mmmm! I have seen falling leaves and changing colors. I know it is coming. I want to take a few minutes/days to enjoy it all.

All Done Now

Tonight I went to yet another end of the year function, I think that makes 5 or 6 now, and I had to say good-bye to so many of my friends. I am all done now with saying good-bye. I know I really am only just starting to say good-bye, but somehow I would like to be finished. These final weeks will continue to be painful as I realize that each time I say good-bye, I really will not see many of these people again in this life. I try not to be sad. I know God has a plan, and not just any plan, a much greater plan than I could ever hope, dream or imagine.

I was reflecting back on this time last year. It was almost this exact same time when our Executive Director at co-op announced her resignation due to an upcoming move. It caught me totally off guard. I was so sad. I did not think she could ever be replaced. But God, Who is tender in His mercy toward us, had a much greater plan. Her replacement turned out to be every bit as wonderful and exactly what our co-op needed to cope with the growth which was taking place. Isn't that so like our God? I know He wants me to be reminded that He is aware of all the pain involved with a move and He cares so much.

So even though I feel "All done now", I pray that God is not all done with me and that He will give me a new vision and focus as I seek to serve Him whereever He takes me.

I Would Love to, but

I would love to be finished moving, but we are still trying to select a company.
I would love to have the rooms in the new house all arranged, at least in my head, but I am not very imaginative.
I would love to be able to sleep in, at least on the weekends, but that hasn't happened in so long I literally can't remember when it happened last.
I would love to have all my pictures in some semblance of order, but that would take so long and be so boring.
I would love to spend a week with each of my kids, doing whatever we want with no obligations, wow, wouldn't that be fun.
I would love to have thought of a very exciting, wonderful, thrilling blog to post, but it is so late no thoughts would come to me.

So here is my latest update in the moving progress: No, our house isn't on the market yet. Yes, I am still getting rid of things, but not very quickly. Yes, I have been packing, but have so much more to do. I am praying for a very successful next few days. Time is of the essence now.

My Turn for Random Things I Like

l. I like singing hymns in church or anywhere else. I especially like the third verses that people hardly ever sing. On of my very favorites is the third verse of How Great Thou Art. Hymns are very soothing when I feel down or depressed, yet they are also very upbeat when I want to celebrate such as When We All Get to Heaven. What a day of rejoicing that will be!

2. One of life's minor thrills is when I can check off all the boxes on my daily to do list. That doesn't happen often so when it does I give myself a mental star.

3. I love, love, love a happy. I like giving them as well as getting them. Most recently I gave one of the "new, green shopping bags" to a friend. It was very cute. It had daisies all over it. I put goodies in it and took it to her. She was excited. She said she always wanted one, but didn't own any. That made me happy. It's the little things in life that sometimes count the most like knowing someone was thinking of you for no special reason at all.

4. I am having tons of fun with my new Vera and the matching pieces. I never knew how fun it would be but now I think I am hooked. I need more matching pieces. Fun! Fun! Fun! I should have listened to Robyn sooner. Thank you, dear. I hope it isn't too late for me to learn one of life's lessons about matching all the pieces.

5. Benches are one of my favorite furniture pieces. They are cozy and quaint and warm and "homey". Put a magazine or book on them and an afghan and it is a great mini retreat from the ills of the day.

How random is all of this?

Flowers! Flowers! Everywhere

It seems that everywhere I go lately there have been flowers. They are so pretty. I didn't want to miss out on the fun so I planted some, too. They are doing well. I have pansies on the front porch, along with a Martha Washington geranium, and also a tomato plant waiting to be transplanted. In the back in an old washtub and tulips which are just now unfurling along with the ones from last year planted in the front yard. In the kitchen my Christmas cactus is still blooming! It brings great delight to watch a flower go from a seed planted in the dirt to a full grown flower, beautiful and radiant.

My favorite flowers are "wildflower" types such as black-eyed susans. I feel perfectly peaceful looking at a meadow full of wild flowers with the wind blowing ever so slightly and the sun beaming down warm upon my back. A picnic is one of my favorite things in the whole world and the meadow is the perfect setting.

When I was young I learned a song which goes "Oh who can make a flower, I'm sure I can't. Can you? Oh who can make a flower? that's something God can do." I'm so glad He chose to share them with us.

More Certain that That

There is an old saying about nothing being certain but death and taxes. I think that there are indeed other things more certain that those. One of these things is Jesus coming back to claim His children. During this Easter/springtime I can't help but think about His return. In Scripture we are told that He is risen! He is no longer here. We know that happened. There were eye witnesses and first hand accounts of seeing Him alive! What a miracle! Victorious over sin and death!

But it gets even better because Scripture also says He will return just like He said and the dead in Christ shall rise first and those who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with Him in the clouds. Oh what a glorious day that will be! Let's continue the celebration by looking forward to His second coming. He will return and that's for certain!

One of Life's Struggles

Sometimes it seems it is so hard to let go. I think because one of my character traits is loyalty then perhaps I struggle with this more than others. I have had issues with this from as far back as I can remember. You can go ahead and laugh at this if you wish, but I am sure if some of you are honest you can relate in some small way to what I am about to share.

When I was little I remember being very lonely. I lived in a house full of brothers and longed to have a friend who was a girl. Someone who liked things besides balls, bikes and dirt. I gave a personality to everything and talked to inanimate objects on a continual basis. I was constantly collecting litter and putting it in a trash receptacle because I knew it was lonely with no other trash around. It is a good thing my husband does not read my blog because he might be having me committed about now. I was only about 4 or 5 years old and I knew in my heart that it wasn't real, but at the same time I longed for everything to have a place to belong and a friend to share it with.

I moved for the very first time in 7th grade. I really haven't stopped moving since then and have moved on average about every 3 years. Every move brings the recurring struggle of wanting and needing to belong, wanting the stability that comes from the old and familiar and not the new and strange.

When I cry I can hear the Lord saying, "My child, my child, don't you know, I love, I love, I love you so, I'll never ever let you go ..." These words from a children's song offer so much comfort as well as the song, "He loves me, He loves me, He loves me this I know, He gave Himself to die for me because He loves me so.

This is one of the times when God shows Himself so faithful to me. He reminds me so sweetly that my home is truly with Him and my place of belonging is with His people. I don't want to be like the Israelites longing to return to Egypt. I want to go forward to all that God has planned for me. I have to give up a life of slavery to sin and self and put God and others first. The flesh and the Spirit war within, but praise God the Spirit is victorious! Greater is He that is within us than he that is in the world. I can say good-bye and let go and let God. He has never failed me or let me down. It is so wonderful to know I will never have to say good bye or let go of this relationship. I am so glad that God is the one stable thing forever and ever.

A Great Monday

Monday can sometimes be a terrible, horrible, no good, Alexander very bad day at our house. It usually doesn't matter how much I try to get it not to be, it just is. I think the kids get out of any routine or shedule because Friday is co-op day, Saturday is well, Saturday and Sunday is The Lord's Day. So by the time Monday rolls around we have to spend most of the day catching up with ourselves and trying to establish a schedule that will work for 3-4 days or so until Friday comes again and we start the vicious cycle all over again.

However, today wasn't one of those usual Mondays and I am so thankful to the Lord for a pleasant one. The sun was shining this morning, but not for very long, but that is ok because spring is in the air and although I tend to be a winter person, this year I welcome it. Mark has been taking a Botany and Bugs class in co-op and he is growing a marigold, actually 3 plants which he began with seeds and has nurtured and loved them into wonderful little marigold plants. He has also started a rose bush start from what appeared to be nothing more than a stick. It is quite astounding that we could take something that appears quite dead and it would sprout a lovely green group of leaves all in only a little more than a week. Our Creator is truly amazing to have thought of that one. Shouldn't every day truly be a new beginning?

So, even though the kids got sent to bed early, and I can hearing the pitter patter of rain outside, it was still a fairly calm Monday for us and surely tomorrow will find us catching up with ourselves and perhaps even getting a little ahead. Wouldn't that be great?

Support those Causes

It seems so often during each week that I talk to people about things that they "believe" to be good and right. We talk about everything from religion to homeschooling to the government, etc.
We are all willing to talk and give an opinion. But do we all know what we are talking about? Have we researched the topic. Can we support and defend our causes?

How about the homeschooling realm? Do we really know our rights? Are we in danger of losing some of those? How does that happen?

How about our government? Do we seem to be losing more rights daily? How about just the basic right to life for a preborn child? What about social security?

As I think about these things and begin to research them I am challenged to sign more petitions, you know, so often those forwards you perhaps delete without even looking at them. Perhaps those persons standing in front of Walmart with those huge clipboards that you hurry by because you don't want to be bothered. Or perhaps like me you worry you won't even know what Initiative 0000 even means, so therefore, you won't know whether you want to sign the petition or not.

Shame on us for not taking the time to find out about things that influence us or the culture around us. Shame on us for complaining for hours and not taking 5-10 minutes to let our representatives and senators know how we feel. But I guess my biggest complaint of all is that sometimes we know what is going on, we know we should stand up against it, but perhaps we don't know how and we feel helpless to bring about change that really could make a difference. Find a group or organization that reflects your thoughts and feelings and SUPPORT that group monetarily so they can represent you where you feel incapable.

The biggest example for this that I can think of is homeschoolers who do not support our organizations like WHO and HSLDA. These groups represent us in so many ways in so many areas that supporting them through membership is a very small price to pay for all they do. The groups also keep us aware of other ways we can keep our "causes" going in a direction we want to see them go (definitely not backwards).

There are support groups for every cause and we aren't going to be in all of them, but we can find a select few and put some money behind those "opinions" so perhaps we can make a difference in at least one or two areas.

My Dilemma

I have come up against a bit of a dilemma in my cleaning and packing. Here is my dilemma. Some folks say simplify, get rid of everything. Other folks say use everything up, make do with what you have, make it over, modify it, etc. I can't do that if I threw it out! I try to think about each item, when did I use it last? When will I use it again? Did I ever use it? How much did I pay for it? How much will it cost me to replace it? How much is it costing me to store it? Some items are easy. I never used it, I don't have plans to use it, I don't know what it does. So, out it goes.

Other items are not so easy. I paid a lot of money for this. Yes, I used it. No, not in the past 6 months. Yes, I could use it in the future, but when?

This is all a bit much for me to deal with day after day. Now I know you "simplifiers" out there are laughing at me, while you "keepers" are understanding my dilemma quite well. So, perhaps I just need to be accountable to someone. I have chosen all of you. Today I have gotten rid of an entire garbage bag full of Tupperware. No offense to you Tupperware lovers, just things I decided I no longer have room to keep. See, here I am apologizing when I am trying to celebrate! I could celebrate the clean cabinet, but I am sure the kids messed it up putting away dishes tonight. I don't want to check as I might have a break down.

I also got rid of more clothes from my closet, yes, there are still more. I also threw out a shopping bag full of toys. So, today I feel that I have made good progress. I will keep humming my new buzz words, simplify, simplify, simplify and when in doubt throw it out. Actually, doesn't that apply to food and not things.

The Countess of Concoctions

This is the new title that my daughter has given me. She calls me The Countess of Concoctions because I often make up recipes when I am cooking. She walks into the kitchen and asks what's for dinner and I say actually, I don't know, I am making it up as I go. It keeps life interesting for all of us.

I am trying to use up various ingredients in our pantry, fridge and freezer. I am also trying to stay out of the grocery store as much as is possible with a fairly large family. It is also a great money saving feature as I just do without or substitue various ingredients that I may not have on hand.

Most of the recipes the kids like, at least some of them. I hope they are learning some life lessons along with the Countess. I have learned that I really do save money by staying out of the store, a lesson I knew from past experience but seemed to have forgotten along the way. I have learned that I am decent at making up recipes because I know what my family will and won't tolerate. Another lesson for the kids is that necessity can be a great teacher if we are willing students.

Perhaps the best lesson of all is that sometimes there is a way even when we can't see it (they can't see it because they are inexperienced in the kitchen), but I know from having spent so much time there. I think I am often like that with God. I can't see the end result in life, but He can. I am reminded that sometimes when God closes a door He opens a window.

I think I am highly complimented by my new title. Thank you, daughter, for the encouragement.

Slippers, Slippers, Everywhere

It is great to see a new post whenever you decide to steal a moment to read blogs so I thought I should post something new, too. The problem is most days I don't know if I am coming or going. Take today for instance, I was up by 5:30 a.m., driving one child to their pick up point, coming home, at 7:30 a.m. driving a second child to their drop-off point then driving home, then picking up again at noon then stalling for 1 hour to go to piano/guitar for two of the children, then returning home only to leave again at 6:15 for AWANA. Somewhere in between the dropping off and picking up I managed to do a little laundry, a little school, plan a council time for AWANA, make 2 meals, etc. etc.

No wonder my blogs aren't too exciting. My life is a little crazy right now. However, in the midst of all my comings and goings I see many people each day. Now here is my latest agitation with people: How they dress or the lack thereof? I know I run the risk of offending some of you in blogland, but I am willing to take my chances. Lately, I have seen so many people running around in what appears to me to be house shoes or slippers to some. I think house slippers belong at home or at least in the house. Do these people not own shoes appropriate for outdoor wear? Have they all recently had foot surgery therefore need "slippers" in the middle of winter? Has our life really been reduced to such a "who cares" attitude about our clothing? How about hair? Do some of them really not own hairbrushes? People really seem to take the casual approach to everything. Maybe it is because I feel better when I am "dressed" for the day complete with make-up, hair combed, street shoes, clean shirt and jeans and most days even a "jacket". Perhaps the new style of "dressing" and I use that term loosely, really is acceptable and I have just been spending far too much time in the car and no time watching "What Not to Wear".

A Different Valentine's Day

Yesterday was such a fun and exciting day for us. Our church took three teams to AWANA Bible Quizzing competition. First we had the preleminaries and all three of our teams ended up in the finals. That was very exciting. One of the teams was 7th and 8th graders (TREK) and the other two were high schoolers (Journey 24/7). Each of the three teams was awarded third place in the preliminary rounds.

However, at day's conclusion our TREK team was awarded FIRST place and we didn't think it could get much better than that and then one of our Journey 24/7 teams won FIRST place, too. We were beside ourselves. Did I mention that one of my children was on each of the winning teams? YEP! That was such a highlight. I can't tell you the thrill of knowing how they have hidden God's Word in their hearts and minds. I was one of the coaches for the TREK team and so now I have many of those verses in my heart and mind as well. I have to admit, it was one of the best Valentines Days ever!

The D List

Following the lead of my blogger friends, I am picking up the Thankful List with the Letter D.



1. Daughters: I am so very thankful for all of my dear daughters. They are such a source of joy and encouragement. I am delighted and honored to be the mother of all five of them.



2. Dark chocolate: It is my favorite and I am so glad it is finally in vogue and not so difficult to find. If you add caramel and nuts it becomes a true delicacy.



3. Dads: I have been very blessed to have 2 in my lifetime. My biological Dad who passed away when I was 19 and my other Dad whom mom married the same year I married my husband. Dads are dependable and true defenders of their daughters. These two men have truly set an example of how my heavenly Father truly cares for me.



4. Dinner: I am thankful for family dinners. It is the meal we always try to eat together. We like dining out or dining in, but I may have a little trouble being thankful for dishes especially dirty ones, although even those mean we much have had food in them and for that I am grateful.

5. Days of Praise: The devotional book that I use to daily focus on The Word.

That's my 5 D's. Someone pick it up with E.

Five Syllables or More Please

We have been doing a funny thing at our house. In a motivational effort to get the children to increase their vocabulary and promote a bit of English to boot, I offered the children twenty-five cents for each 5 syllable word they use correctly in the course of everyday conversation. It has been fabulous to hear their carefully thought over sentences as well as the ones that they use incorporating a multiplicity of words.

I felt especially successful in my endeavor when Mark (who is 5) began to use the word syllable correctly in a sentence. He pronounces each word quite dra ma ti cal ly to see if he can earn a quarter. What began as a passing thought has turned into quite the business for my little entrepreneurs. The older girls were so successful that I had to increase their syllables to 6. They have to work harder, but they don't seem to mind.

Is Procrastination a Spiritual Gift?

Ok, I know it isn't, but if it was then I am abundantly blessed with it. I have thought of so many ways to get out of doing what I am supposed to be doing which is getting the house photo ready. I even worked in the garage today! That is desperation at its finest.

I am not one to wish my life away, but it will be nice for me to look back on this blog when the moving is all done and see that I survived yet another move. I think I will try to take one day at a time, just accomplish what I can find the energy for and move on from there. Oh dear, did I say move in that last sentence, see I just can't get away from it.

Thank you all for those encouraging words from the last blog. Now in order to encourage myself I am going to try to list a few things that I accomplish concerning this move. Today I put away some winter items, I sent about 6 more bags of give away to my car, I have begun to make a list of things to go into boxes for storage, and I have begun to collect boxes for that purpose.

OK, at least I did a few things and after all tomorrow is a new day. I'll keep you posted! Literally!

Meager Moving Progress

Moving has been such a way of life for me that one would think that I absolutely adore it. Not really, but it does give life a few twists and turns and never allows it to get boring. I have heard about boredom, but haven't had a chance to experience it for myself.

So we are on the move again. I am trying to get our house ready to be marketed. Any tips for getting rid of things and making the rest of the "stuff" look great please send my way. I long to have my sister nearby to help with this awkward task. I took two huge black trash bags of clothing to Goodwill today and that was from my closet only. Those who know me well would be extremely proud of me because just after I dropped my donations by the truck at Wallyworld I went in to buy a few necessities. While there I happened by clothes (you know that is on the way to anything for me), there were some adorable "jackets" for only $3. It was a struggle, but I passed them up simply by thinking about having to hang one more thing in my house.

I really need to make a checklist so I can see my slow progress in clearing and cleaning, but I am afraid of being overwhelmed if I actually write it all down. I have been able to remain reasonably sane because The Lord has been more than gracious which I feel is a direct result of much prayer by my friends.

Any encouraging thoughts or words would be greatly appreciated as I work through this chapter in my life.

Thanks for the Prayer about the Tires

On Monday mornings I meet with some other ladies for prayer. This morning when we met, our Pastor's wife was praying for me. She specifically prayed over some happenings in my day and she prayed for the Lord to protect even the tires on my car! When prayertime was over I thanked her for that prayer because unbeknownst to her I had actually had trouble with one of my tires being low on air pressure over the weekend. Rob filled it and instructed me to "watch it". We drove on it and it was doing fine.



So, I left the meeting and drove to the airport, picked up my daughter and on the way home I felt a real need to put gas in my car because I knew I had a meeting later in the evening and I didn't want to gas up after dark. While I was at the gas station I decided to check out the tire. After all what else do you do to pass the time while pumping gas. I bent down and looked at the tire and there in front of me as big as life I could see on the top of my tire, a screw! So, I immediately thanked the Lord, and the Pastor's wife for praying and headed off to the tire store to have it repaired.



By the time I went to my evening meeting it was all taken care of and all before dark! Isn't God so good to me? I am so thankful that He cares about all the detail in my life, not just today, but everyday. I am also thankful for the prayer and the power which gets unleashed when we pray for one another.

Getting Back to the Basics

About a year ago our church was led of the Lord to become a Disaster Shelter. The shelter has actually been opened twice. One of these times was this past week. The church housed 90 folks who had no place to go because their homes were flooded. One elderly lady woke up to see her dog swimming and an emergency search crew came and took her out and brought her to the shelter. The stories the workers shared with us this morning during prayer time were so fantastic. I can't tell you how excited I am for what the Lord has done through our church. More people were coming tonight to wait in line for showers because they are still unable to use their own homes or they are homeless as their homes have been destroyed by floodwaters.

I think in today's world we wait on the government to provide for everyone's needs even though the job was clearly given to the church to minister to the needs of others. It is so wonderful to be a part of this marvelous work.