memories

The past few weeks have been really busy for our family. Since the first week in October when we were able to take a wonderful trip to West Virginia, it seems like we have been on the go with many planned as well as unplanned things. (I hope to post about our WV trip soon with pics!) The past couple of days, however, we have had a little time to go a little slower and enjoy being at home. As crazy as life as been lately, school has been going pretty well. Today I was able to capture this:

They don't let you take spelling tests like this in public school!! Not sure what his goal was, or if it helped, but he was quiet and doing his work so I let it go and took pictures!! I really wish I was equipped with a memory card in my head so that when I took pictures with my eyes, I could take the card out and download all the interesting things I get to see when I don't have my camera with me. This one was taken with my (new) cell phone that I just happened to be programming at the time. Otherwise this too would have been a memory.

Speaking of memories- we had to say goodbye to a wonderful woman this month. My husbands grandmother passed away a couple of weeks ago. She was a strong, beautiful, southern lady and we will all miss her dearly. I cannot remember a time with my husbands family that she wasn't there. She spoke little, but was never shy about speaking what was on her mind. She loved her children (4), grandchildren (18), and her great-grandchildren (3). I am so glad my kids got the chance to spend a great deal of time around her. At her funeral, the pastor described her perfectly as a "glamorous woman". I will agree 100%.

G.G always told me before we ever said good-bye "love and enjoy those babies- they will be grown before you know it". Well, G.G- I do know it, and I am trying my best everyday. I can only hope that when I am 87 years young, I can be described as glamorous.

and then there was peace

This school year has really turned out to be wonderful-I really mean that too!! At the end of last year when the kids were fighting after school and we were busy with all other activities I knew something had to give. While the summer was a little better (and I use the word "better" loosely), it still wasn't peaceful. Over the summer I began to hear the voice in my head telling me that my kids needed to be at home, where I could train them on issues of kindness, gentleness, and self-control. I mean how much training could we actually do when they were in school 7 hours a day and then still had homework and activities in the evenings?? Of course as the voice became more frequent and louder I knew it was not my "voice", but the Lord. He knew just what this family needed, and He was setting the ground work. After prayer (lots of prayer), we decided that the kiddos would indeed be at home.

We started school late August, and not one time since have I even considered that we made a mistake. Even on the roughest of days, I am thankful for the blessing of having them here. Of course it helps that our school starts at 9am instead of 7:30!! We are not morning glories around here! It is midnight as I write this post and I just got done cleaning the kitchen, 2 loads of laundry and dusting the living room!!

Last week my little one even threw a wrench in the mix by refusing to return to pre-school. She had been going 3 mornings a week to give me time to really get some work done with my 2 oldest ones. (To be honest, I was questioning whether or not she was enjoying it) So now I manage to get it all done with my 3 year old in toe as well- and still loving it!!!

I love that the Lord brought us to this, and is seeing us through it as well. There is just unspeakable joy when you know without a doubt that the Lord is in control. No worry, no fear.

Luke 1:45 "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her
will be accomplished"

Isaiah 30:18 "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you: He rises to show you
compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all
who wait on Him"

Now in our home, there is peace. There is joy. There is a happy mama-and that usually translates into a happy home. We are so blessed, and I am forever thankful for it.

not me! Monday

Welcome to "not me" Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to see what she (as well as others) have most certainly NOT been doing this week!

This week I certainly did not allow my children stay up on a school night just to ride their bikes, skateboards, and scooters in the rain. Nope, we are a scheduled family that always adheres to a strict bedtime and no horseplay!!

And of those kiddos playing in the said rain, one of them was not fresth out of the bath with clean

p.j's on- that would be insane!! Of course, of we did allow this sort of thing, the kids would always be required to wear their safety gear!!

This past week when my 3 year old started preschool (for the very first time ever), I most certainly did not let my husband take her and let her walk in by herself. What kind of mother would I be if I didn't walk her in to her class?????

My kids are absolute angels. When one of them starts to get angry and loses control over something silly, I most certainly do not break out laughing hysterically just to keep from losing my control- nope, not me. I am always controlled and present the best example I can for my kiddos.

As I write this post, my children are sitting quietly doing their school work like the angels they are. They are so not outside waiting on me to get school started almost an hour late!!!

What have you not been doing this week??

from the mouths of moms

One of the blogs I follow is Mckmama. If you have never read her blog, you really should. Today she wrote about things that she has said to her children, and it was quite hysterical!! In thinking on the topic of things we say to our children, I was inspired to share a few of my own (and a few that are borrowed from friends)!!


"You really need to close you mouth and eat"

"Did you actually smell his bottom to know that for sure?"

"Yes honey, that really is where babies come out"

"Just because she said she was fat does NOT meat that you can call her fat too. That is very rude to say- especially to an adult!"

"Please don't lick that. Well, just because it tastes good doesn't mean its o.k."

"What are you eating and where did it come from?"

"Are your ears working?"

"I don't need help right now- go watch TV"

"Where is your sister and what is she doing?"

"Well, if the other kids are doing it, then you should too!!"

"Have you lost your mind?"


I have often stopped to wonder what in the world my neighbors (or anyone who overhears) think sometimes when I am talking to my kids! I love knowing, though, that I am certainly not alone. All kids are curious and require direction/education on things we as moms never imagined. I am thankful, however, because in those hilarious, silly, moments, I usually learn a thing or two myself!!

our 3 year old has a boyfriend

By the time we had our 4th child, I thought we had the baby to toddler years pretty much figured out. Who wouldn't? I mean 0-4 years can't be that different from child to child could it?

Oh how I was wrong. Our little "L" has absolutely blown my mind from a very early age, and this weekend was no different. She is VERY smart. I am not just saying this as a mother either. She has always been very observant and knows how everything works (or should work). Especially lipstick and accessories. We don't know where she gets this, as I am not extremely girly, nor is our 9 year old "A". Anyone who thinks children are born as blank slates should spend a day in our house- your minds will change. Our boys are the same way- different as night and day. Anyway, this one of the conversations I heard between "L" and my mother:

Grandma: " Is this a boy Polly Pocket? I didn't know you had one of those?"

"L" : "Yes. He is my boyfriend. His name is Chas."

Grandma: "Chas? I thought your boyfriend was Luke Skywalker."

(She has said that Luke Skywalker was her boyfriend for sometime now, learning who he was from her Star Wars-fan brothers)

"L" : "No. I had to break-up with hime because he was mean. Chas is my new boyfriend-he is nice to me."

Sigh. I guess I need to explain that we don't talk about boyfriend/girlfriend relationships with our kids. At 9 & 10, it is a non-issue (so far). But with our 3 year old????? She actually overheard this from a high school neighbor who was talking to someone else and "L" just happened to be listening. geesh.

She did "read" Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You See? to me as well. I wish we had it on video. The "flying mango" (flamingo) and the "B cup" (peacock) were the most entertaining.

God is so good. He has given us a unique blessing with each of our children, and this one is no exception. Little stinker, little diva, but what a sweet child of God.

my first time

I have never thought of myself as a writer, and I would bet my English 101 professor would certainly agree. My goal for this blog, however, isn't to be a fascinating writer with loads of deep thoughts and insights. It is to just tell about, and have a "journal" of our life. I have recently just turned around to look at where we have been and what we have been through and WOW! I have fallen back in love with the life that the Lord has been so gracious to give me and let me live. I think we too often get caught up in the busy and forget to stop and take inventory of the many reasons we all have to be thankful. I have been fortunate to have some pretty amazing, godly women in my life. Not only as friends, but mentors as well. They have all been really great at reminding me that even in the hard times to "count it all as joy". So even though it changes: smooth, curvy, bumpy, steep, or all downhill- this is The Road We Are On.