One of My Projects

Before...needed a lot of love.
The legs with some style.

After lots of love.

Being pregnant lends itself to many crazy ideas and projects. And if you happen to be in my house, my nesting instincts kick in right from the start! So I have been looking a table to decorate a little nook I have. It will be our computer/sewing/school table. But I didn't want just any table, it had to have a little personality and character. So while I was at a garage sale I found a beat up crummy table with 4 chairs. But it had the character I wanted. So $20 later this is what it looks like.

The legs are what I fell in love with, so after 2 sandings and 1 coat of stain, this is my table. I will show you what it looks like in the nook once it completely dries and I can put it in there. Now I just have 2 chairs to finish and whola it will be done.

Small Accident

Well, this morning all I wanted was a nice big ice coffee. So I got the kids fed, and into the car, ready to go. I live in the back of a cul-de-sac, so no one is usually parked anywhere near our home. But this morning there was someone parked there, and SMACK!! I ran the back of my Suburban right into the back of his truck! So luckily he only had a small dent and a cracked tail light. I on the other hand had a little more damage. So here is how I started my day, no coffee and an accident.

Confession

The Maxwell Family

The Duggar Family

I have a confession to make. My family is not perfect and in the midst of my homeschooling years I have lost who I am in Christ and compared myself and my family to other families.

The two families above are wonderful families that many homeschool families strive to be. I know this because just in my small circle these families are truly idolized and every last thing they do or say is hung upon. I myself was there, wondering if my family was truly a "godly family" because we didn't do things the way they did. They seem so perfect, well groomed, and their children just so sweet and obedient.

But amidst all of that, I lost myself, my husband lost the joy in his life and my kids were frazzled as I changed things on them constantly trying to be the "perfect, godly family." Looking back I lost 2 years of myself with my family because of my idolizing of others.

God says we shall have no other gods before him, and you know what, these two families were placed on a pedestal in my heart as something to be attained.

Since then, I have reclaimed myself and gone through drastic measures to do so. I am very careful with whom I am with, what I read, and what I see, because i know my own weakness and temptation and I don't want to fall into that trap again!

I have come to realize in my heart, that my God is an Awesome God! He is so creative and passionate about His work, and myself was created in His image. There are personality traits that I have that God gave me, things I enjoy that God gave me, I am a colorful portrait of Him. I just need to rest in that and reflect His image each day the best that I can.

I always tell my kids that they are God's walking art work, each one created uniquely for Him and for His glory. I think I need to tell myself that one every once in awhile too. :)

Please don't take what I am writing the wrong way, God has called each family to be His own, but I don't think that God wants all families to be the same, dress the same, listen to music the same, homeschool the same, etc. All families were created with His great design in mind. We all have unique gifts that are lights to a lost world. That is what I have learned in my journey.

God bless to all, I hope this encourages you to always seek God before you seek others.

Below is a wonderful post from Stacy McDonald. It really helped me.

The Myth of the Perfect Family
By Stacy McDonald

Paul says in Titus 2 that the aged women are to teach the young women, among other things, to love their husbands and children, and to be "keepers at home." If we decide it's true that we as women are called by God to love and serve our families and keep our homes, then we as Christian women should do it wholeheartedly, because we're also told in Colossians that, "Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ" (Colossians 3:23-24).

It's true; some days seem overwhelming. There are times when child rearing is just plain old "hard work." Try as we might, our houses never stay perfectly clean, and each of our children is disobedient at least once every day. We could throw up our hands on those difficult mornings and claim for ourselves a day of defeat and failure, but God has a higher calling for us and sanctifies us through the day-to-day challenges.

We're not to serve God by pretending life is easy for us or that we have it all down perfectly, because it's not and we don't. The world needs an honest depiction of real down-to-earth people living out real life to the glory of God. Unbelievers will see God in us when we demonstrate contentment wherever He has us, when they see the peace He gives us in trials, and when we give rather than take.

Don't Blame Your Idols for Your Idolatry!

Don't make the mistake of elevating anyone else to perfection status either. The family you've put up on a pedestal more than likely didn't ask to be put there and won't be very pleased when they feel themselves crash to the floor after you discover for yourself they are fallible humans, just like the rest of us. No matter what it looks like from your vantage point, the people in the family you've idolized still sin, the children aren't perfect, the mom sometimes says unkind things, the father speaks in sinful anger from time to time, and their family creates messes that have to be cleaned, just like yours does.

Instead of wishing you could have a "really godly family" like that spit-and-polished family at church, consider the great gift of your own family and pray together that God would use you to serve one another, and others, to the glory of God. Each family has its own flavor or scent, spiritually speaking; and your family is no exception.It is imperative that we live out the gospel consistently in every area of our lives, especially in our families.

Not because it will make us happier or more fulfilled; our primary purpose is not to have children who will turn out smarter or godlier; or marriages that will be more satisfying; though all of those things may happen."Our primary purpose is to "glorify God and enjoy Him forever!"* We must display to the world an honest depiction of Christ and His Bride; we must prove to the heathen that God is real and that He is awesome, good, just, merciful, powerful, pure, holy, and magnificent!

Our purpose in doing this must be to bring glory to God. If we have selfish, prideful motives in what we do, we'll be left empty and won't wind up "enjoying God" at all. All of your family's talents, personalities, and gifts work together to bring a unique offering to the church and to others. Instead of focusing on your blemishes, thank God for His grace and mercy and pray that your own family scent would be a sweet aroma to the Lord.

And rather than coveting what God has done in another family, praise God for our differences, remembering that they too have their own blemishes that God must deal with.As you live out the day-to-day as a wife and mother, nurturing your family, helping your husband, training your children, being industrious, creating a God-scented home, I pray you learn to be more than a content and happy homemaker-I pray you become a passionate housewife!

Math problems with little ones? Here is one way I keep encouraging when the work is long and tedious. I break up the math problems and give them an M&M for every 4 they do. That way they feel encouraged, they get to have a treat and it really does make math fly by.

Cravings

I love being pregnant! I can do without the first few months, but after that when your belly starts growing and you feel the little one, man o' man, it is awesome!

The best part of being pregnant is cravings! Eating whatever you want. Some don't, but I do. I enjoy each thing and whatever it may be. So right now the latest craving is Chicken Salad and Egg Salad. Mmmmm.

Chicken Salad Recipe
3 chicken breasts boiled, chopped up
1 1/2 c. mayo (depending on how creamy you like it)
1/2 - 1 c. sour cream (that is awesome!)
3 tblsp of curry powder
4 tblsp of mango chutney
1/2 c. plumped raisins (just soak raisins in hot water)
1/2 of an apple peeled and diced
3 green onions chopped, just up to the green
Mix together, chill and serve either on a sandwich or on a bed of lettuce as a salad.

Egg Salad Recipe
12 hard boiled eggs mashed up
1 c. mayo ( depending on how creamy)
1/4 c. mustard (more or less depending on your taste)
1/4 c. sweet relish (more or less depending on your taste)
A little salt and pepper to taste.
Mix together, chill and serve on a sanwich.

I hope you enjoy these nice cool recipes. I know light is sometimes better, and these really hit the spot. Mmmm.

Great Weekend!

My husband and I had such a wonderful weekend! My mom came down on Friday to spend the weekend with us. Of course, if you know my mom, that means lots of time alone with my darling. I truly love him, and was so excited to have some time with him. So this is how our weekend looked:

Friday: Oregano's for dinner, mmm, Antipasta Salad, Stuffed Chicken Pesto Pizza and of course a Pizzookie.

Saturday: Awoke early, Starbucks, Donuts, and a Burrito. Garage sailing, and looking for stuff.

Lunch: came home, hung out outside with the girls and took a rest.

Dinner: Bread and Beyond, soup and a sandwich. Mmm, tomato soup and a veggie sandwich, so good, and a gingersnap cookie (my fav.)

Sunday: Church, my mom and I go out for a nice girly girl lunch and a little shopping at Target.

Dinner: My husbands employee appreciation dinner, that was filet and salmon with sweet potatoes and asparagus. It was all so good.

So what happens with a great weekend like this, you realize that as much as you enjoy going out together, you sure do love your kids. :)

My love and I heading out for our dinner Sunday.

My new laundry room...

My new washer and dryer....

Some new decorations for the laundry room....

My mom decided as an early shower gift I needed to have the biggest washer and dryer because of all the laundry I do. I have to have the pedestals so I have extra storage and I don't have to hurt my back. :) If you ever meet my mom, her heart is as big as Texas and never wants her kids to go without, if she can help it.

So when she called to tell me what she was doing, I went to work painting and cleaning up my laundry room. Because my laundry room has always been a messy storage area, I now wanted a "pretty one" and I have it. I am so excited to spend my time in my laundry room. :)

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, I know we did, not it is back to normal routine and enjoy my kiddos. Have a great Monday.

Mom's

I try really hard each day to focus on the cross and my motherly duties that God has asked me to do. But to be honest, some days are harder than others as between, school, chores, cooking, bickering, and such, things get lost and forgotten.

But as I was reading my Bible yesterday morning in 1 Thessalonians, I came across a beautiful verse that I never noticed before I read. Isn't that great how God's Word is alive!

1 Thess. 1:3

"...work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

As a mom isn't that what we do. We work out of faith, we labor for love and endure because of our hope in Jesus. All of this stems from Jesus and our hearts being knit with His, to do His will each day, no matter what that may be. Remember that we were all called to do different things in God's Kingdom, some of us to be great politicians, missionaries, have many children, have none, take care of the animals, or anything else we can think of. But we are all GREAT in the Kingdom of God, so let us also remember to esteem others better than ourselves.

This verse is on a 3x5 card where I carry it around so that I will remember my focus. So if you read your Bible and some thing jumps out remember to write it down, carry it around, our Heavenly Father is talking to your heart.

God bless.

Monday Happenings

Here are some pics of my goats. Molly is the black one and Lilly the brown one. They are way too much fun.

Monday was such a great day! Laundry done, sheets washed, some rooms organized, toys put away, beautiful 73 degree weather and 2 hilarious goats in the backyard.

So here are some funny happenings:

1.) I was giving a reward of 5 M&M's to the one who would take the clothes out of the dryer and put them on the couch in the appropriate places...well, needless to say, Danielle knows and loves chocolate and where to find her M&M's...though she can't reach them. So she picks up a stool and moves it right under the cabinet where the chocolate is and was shouting and smiling M&M's. It was hilarious.

2.) I let my goats out of their pen and where should I find them. Molly curled up on my outside patio chair all snug as a bug and Lilly laying all curled up on the patio table on a towel. Way too cute.

3.) I put together a basket of fabric scraps from all my sewing projects, something I have been meaning to do for a long time. The girls were so excited, but so was Hunter. So what happens, everyone stops what they are doing and goes to make clothes for their stuffed animals. It was way too cute to see them all cutting and sewing with the scraps. And Danielle just going and sitting on everyone.

4.) There is nothing cuter than a 19 month old grabbing her diaper after she has been changed and running down the hall way to the kitchen to throw it away for mommy...and actually making it into the trash which is under the sink in the cabinet.

So here were a few funny Monday happenings. Many blessings to you on this wonderful Tuesday.

Sweet Monday

Some mornings I just need a Starbucks. I thank my husband in his support of this habit. This Monday morning as I tackle loads of laundry and sheets, I am thankful for that bit that was left over of Non-fat, Peppermint, White Mocha, sitting in my fridge. Reheated, it is just simply delicious. May we all enjoy our Monday, catching up from the weekend, with a small treat of sweetness.

Our Valentine's Day Dinner....Mmmm

For 3 years now we have celebrated Valentine's Day together as a family. We make a delicious meal that we wouldn't normally make or order out and enjoy it at home. We go all out and the kids really look forward to our time together. We prepare the day before and they get to help decorate and we usually use candy on the table so before dinner starts there are a few decorations missing. It has been our family tradition that we will continue. We wouldn't miss the baked potato being thrown across the table from Danielle, Emma trying to put an extra scoop of sour cream and missing the plate, landing on her clothes, or Lauren who can't get enough pepper on her potatoes. All these memories of tonight will be with us for years to come. Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day.

This is Danielle and daddy after Danielle enjoyed her chocolate cupcakes, chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate ice cream cupcakes...etc. :) She really loved them.
This is what the grown-ups dessert looked like. Chocolate covered strawberries and ice cream cupcakes from Cold Stone. Those were delicious.

Hunter and Lauren enjoying daddy's delicious steaks with baked potatoes, no need for a salad, that would have ruined the meal. If you look in the bottom left corner that was shrimp with daddy's homemade cocktail sauce, that was awesome!

Our beautiful table.

Another angle of our beautiful table.

Crazy Day

Well, the past few days I have been cramping. Which isn't unusual for me because I do have pre-term labor and it can be serious. So I just chalked it up to me being busy and moving a little more than I should. But last night I was very uncomfortable and thought that in the morning I should feel better. Well, I was wrong, this morning I woke up in extreme pain with cramping and contractions. I thought, "Oh, no this is it. It's too early." So I called my wonderful doctor and went into the hospital.

Thank the Lord there is nothing serious so far. As I am still early and not a lot can be done. The contractions have lessened and slowed down, but I am still uncomfortable. My darling husband has taken the rest of the day off to allow me to just sit still and not do a whole lot. I do not like that, as I am the type of person who wants to go all the time... But God's plan is different and He is trying very hard to give me His eyes and heart in the situation. I am starting to see some of it.

So here I am on the couch, the two older ones doing chores that were asked of them, and the two smaller ones with daddy running to the store so daddy can make dinner tonight. He is a great cook. I am very excited and am in awe of his love for me.

So for the next few days I have to take it easy and try and keep off my feet, with four kids I laugh, but I will try to sit more. :) But right now I am glad to be home and just enjoying the relaxation of putting my feet up, now if I could just find those bon bons. :)

Re-Organizing

Okay, so here we go, #5 is on the way and of course I want to tear the house apart and move, fix, change, paint, and clean like a mad woman. We are on a budget and I have been looking for many neat ideas and came across one of my favorite blogs and she just moved. The Lord has blessed her with creativity that I can only imagine, so if you are like me, wanting to make a few changes visit her blog and you will enjoy the creativity and hopefully get many new ideas for your own home.
www.xanga.com/relsolved2worship

Enjoy the blessings of the day, sit back and smile, laugh and remember you are not in control. God is so good.

Love to you all!

Well the verdict is in...It's A Girl... Madeline Joy will make her appearance hopefully around the 37th week like all the others. She is healthy and absolutely beautiful. The only thing that may pose a problem will be that my placenta is covering the exit... So we will pray that it moves on its own, which according to the doctor it should move on its own.

85% of Non-Believers Believe Christians Are Hypocrites

I did spend some extra time with the Lord this weekend and it was wonderful. Reading in my Bible about true Christianity and worship of God and what that means. Then going to church and hearing my pastor talk that 85% of non-believers feel that Christians are hypocrites.

Wow!

When I heard that number I was astounded, yet understand. I am a Christian and many times confused by us. There are so many that take it so far and make it into a list of rules and regulations, do's and dont's, that many are turned off. Heck I have been turned off a time or two myself, confused, lost myself, and left wondering, am I really a Christian? Life has been hairy for me during my days as a believer. Trying so hard to fit in, realizing I don't and then wondering where am I in all this. Who am I in all this.

There are many families who wear certain clothes, listen to certain music, whose children behave in a certain way, and though I have tried to become that, and want that, I realized, that is not who Christ is in me or my family. To have the freedom to be me in Christ is something I have had to learn all over again. It hasn't been easy, letting go of pre-conceived notions and wanting to badly to "fit in."

In the process though, the Lord has truly shown me who in all this truly loves me for me...God does. You see people disappoint you, people love you and call you when you are "in." But when you step out...that is when you see who loves you...God, my Father, truly loves me no matter where I am at. He appreciates that I am not like everyone else, that I dress a certain way, that I am creative, expressive, love music, love to sing, cook, clean, homeschool, eat (mmmmm), and so many other things. He relishes in the creativity of His people, because as He made the earth with so much color and creativity, He also made us with so much color and creativity.

Don't let other Christians stifle you, but shine for Jesus, because He is the author and perfector of your life and mine.

Be free in Him.

Rebuild

Have you ever felt like you were away from God? You once had a wonderful relationship, guided completely by His arms. And then, little by little it all slipped away. That is where I am at. Rebuilding my relationship with God. You see at one time, before my pregnancy, I was right there, walking hand in hand. Then tiredness, morning sickness, business, and life all got in the way. It was so easy to say tomorrow, in the morning, later, I will spend time with you. But it seems that as each day passed it was harder and harder to do. I remember the relationship and all the wonderful, joyful moments each day, being held by my Savior. And now I feel like an outsider looking in, wishing it was me. I remember how to get there, but why is it so hard? So this weekend my goal is to rebuild my relationship with the Lord. I am ever so thankful for His love and faithfulness because I know He has not left me. Just left me to myself to figure it out. So, if you are like me, and have let a the most important relationship you have, slip away, commit yourself to rebuilding. I don't think either of us will be sorry for the time we invest. Have a blessed weekend.

Today...

Today has been such a wonderful day! School is done, most chores are done, and even a little extra. Praising seems to be flowing from my lips and God is way too good to me. You know it is funny how so many people talk about the economy and what a crisis it is in, but maybe I am sheltered and naive, but my heart isn't fearful. I know that God says in His Word that He will not let the righteous fall. He loves His people too much. I think this is a great time to rejoice in the simpler times and really put our focus where it needs to be...on our Lord and His strength.

"Having all the money we need to buy anything we want is no fun at all! Being dependent on God makes life an adventure." - Large Family Mothering

I think that this pretty much sums up my fear..."Fear not for I am with thee...." What a great time to see God's creativity in provision for our families.

Posting Again...

I have decided to start posting again. Mainly because there are too many good things to talk about in my life. :) So I would like to think. Here I am almost 5 months pregnant with number five. Who would have guessed. A selfish girl like me, being turned each day into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Either I kick and scream or go quietly. I am hoping that each time I am pruned I go smiling, quietly, enduring the ever screaming self that doesn't want to be denied. Life is too good with Jesus on my side and this blog is dedicated to all those women who are tired of the "How to be a true Christian Woman" and who just want to be who they are in Christ. Our Creator is so amazing, so wonderful and so creative, He doesn't want us all to be the same on the outside or inside, He just wants our hearts and our desire to obey Him. With that, we can all encourage each other to continue on and endure for the promise of eternity.

God bless.