Prayer Request

Edit: My FIL did make an improvement today (Nov. 1). He is still very sick but they are thinking he will pullout of this. That's our continued prayer. Thank you for praying for him and our family.


My father in law is in the hospital. He was taken via ambulance yesterday for breathing problems they found were related to pneumonia. He also has H1N1, Supra ventricular Tachycardia and his kidneys won't function.

They had to put him on a ventilator a few hours ago.

Please pray for him, for my MIL , my husband and his sisters.

I just dropped my husband off at the ferry to go see his father. He was told to come now.

It's pretty serious.

A Sample of Heaven

During our circle time over the breakfast table in the morning we are reading Randy Alcorn's Heaven for Kids. We are very much enjoying reading this together. It is stirring great questions and thoughts. One such time occurred this morning.

We were reading from page 62.


It's like when your mom or dad lets you have a tiny piece of turkey or dressing to sample just before the Thanksgiving meal. It's not enough to satisfy you, but it's good enough to help you think about how delicious the whole meal will be!

All our lives, even if we don't know it, we've been dreaming of the New Earth - the heaven that will last forever. Whenever we see beauty in the water, wind, flower, animal, man, women or child, we see just a sample of what heaven will be like.


My daughter immediately piped up and said "There's our little sample of heaven", pointing at her baby brother. I could only smile and agree.

She then went on to ask me if I would rather be here on earth when Jesus returns or be with Him when He returns. This started a beautiful conversation. She has really been paying attention!

Our little sample of heaven.

Fall Adventure

Three things I find such joy in ......color, nature and my children.

1,000 Gifts

I have decided to join Ann's Gratitude Community.

This season of life is a great time to recall and record all the many gifts God has and will continue to give me and my family. I bought a separate little note book that I plan to fill with 1,000 blessings and gifts from God. As I fill the note book I will then fill space here each Monday (or Tuesday). It will be like a well worn path of God's grace and blessing unfolding in our lives.

I look forward to focusing my heart on those many things that I receive yet don't deserve. It's a discipline for me at this point. My prayer is that it becomes a blessed habit....a joy.

Bare with me it may be awkward at first.

So here goes...

1. That I know grace

2. The quiet of the early morning

3. The crisp air as fall comes

4. Words and books

5. Each of my six children ~ the 3 on earth with me and the 3 in heaven rejoicing

6. Poetry

7. Good hot coffee

8. Home education

9. Democracy

10. Classical Music

I tried to put the Multitude Monday Button on my side bar but I'm having problems.

It's too big to fit...any ideas?

Crash and Burn

Edited to add:
All was recovered including my precious pictures!

Desk top crashed.

Hopefully haven't lost my pictures....I could cry.

My whole Homeschool world is in jeopardy too.

The computer is off to the doctor. Even my computer geek (very handsome) husband can't fix it.

Not good!


I will now back up weekly....learned my lesson.

Amazing how much of my world is in that big black box.

Thankfully not the most essential part!

We made our planned trip to the Aquarium yesterday as a family. Aaron was able to join us which was an added treat. If you know me in real life you will know the idea of taking three kids into a very busy city then into a busy public attraction is not my idea of fun :o) My husband, fortunately for my children loves doing this kind of thing.

The Aquarium has always appealed to me because of its serene and quiet nature (minus all the people). Marine life live mostly in silence. Though they communicate their lives are buffered by the watery world they live in. To me it has always seemed a welcome sound barrier. As I pass the beauty of life God has made I find such rest and peacefulness. Truly beautiful, unique graceful creatures. Jelly fish are especially fascinating to watch.

So you can imagine my shock when they have now introduced a 4-D Theatre to the Aquarium. I had no idea what I was getting into. Foolishly, I took my son Isaac with me. It was a sensory overload nightmare. He couldn't handle it and we had to leave. It is such a learning curve to consider these things constantly. We have so much more to learn. Journey really wanted to try it so I returned with her. Big mistake! Though the scenery and marine life were beautiful and so real life in 4-D, the other sound and sensory effects were not. The chairs were rigged, and there were gadgets to spray you and poke you. What ever happened to taking in the creation as is....why do we have to have it enhanced, bigger, better, louder and animated.

Isn't the amazing works of created life enough simulation. I just don't get it. I think the most disturbing thing is that once exposed to this kind of stimulus....we just crave more. I can so see this turning into something much more dangerous then a video at the Aquarium. The crazy thing is most people loved it and wanted to go back again. I can only think that they are going back for more "sensory input" and not the marvel of creation.

Slow Down Baby!

Yesterday my little man took his very first step all by himself. He was showing off for friends at church and his mama missed it. When we got home, with his personal cheering section (big brother and big sister) he demonstrated his new talent.

I swelled with pride as I watched this little guy venture out only 12 days past his first birthday. He is so eager to get into the middle of all we are doing. Yet, secretly in my heart I wanted him to slow down, to be a little baby for one more day.

I remember when Journey was a baby waiting for her to grow up so I could talk with her, play with her, teach her and relate in a different way. Oh, that I knew then what I know now. Time runs away with our kids if we are not careful. When it is intense I can long for their independence yet the older they get the more I realize the independence comes all too fast.

So October 18, 2009 marks the day Eli starts stepping out on his own. He still grabs for my hand though and trust me, I am right there waiting to catch him.

Remembering

This past Wednesday was Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. I only discovered this through reading Raising Arrows a new blog I've come across.

So today I remember.

I remember a little boy so wanted and so missed. Jonah Ethan was born April 19, 2002 and died a few short minutes later. They said he would most likely die in utero and he didn't. They said he would never make it through labor and he did. Mama is so proud of you! His little body couldn't handle the outside world so he went to Jesus in my arms. He never opened his eyes but when I said his name he turned toward me and lifted his little arm. He knew my voice. I will forever be grateful for that huge blessing that God gave me in that moment.

I will never know your quirks, your laughter, even the color of your eyes but one thing I do know is you are free and happy. A son who will never know sin or the hard ships of this life. You have the very thing I long for....the arms of Jesus.

Jonah, we love you, we miss you and look forward to seeing you again. You will forever be remembered as a great gift that changed our world forever.

Also remembering:

Sarah Grace ~ gone to heaven March 2005 @ 12 weeks

Abraham ~ gone to heaven September 2007 @12 weeks



If you would like to join others mothers remembering their babies join them at She Looketh Well.

Taking the Plunge!

Today I started my first diaper trial. You pay $40 and get a variety of the newest types of cloth diapers. All in Ones (AIO), One Sizes, Pocket Diapers, fitted with covers....I opted out of the pre-folds. Been there done that!

Ain't that the cutest little cloth bum you ever seen!

I used cloth with Journey and Isaac. Cloth diapering was a little more archaic ten years ago. I sold or gave away all my diapers when we thought we were done. So when Eli came along I bought some old fitted diapers and have been using them. Now that he is so mobile and a heavier wetter I have decided to take the plunge and buy some of the "Mercedes Benz" of the diaper world.

I have the diapers to use for two weeks to decide which ones I like best. I plan to buy 10-12 diapers and then use my old diapers as back up. For the longest time I kept telling myself I couldn't sink a few hundred dollars in diapers. Now I wish I had done it sooner. Even though Eli only has at most 2 more years in diapers, the amount of money we will save is still so worth it. I am excited about the newer diapers because they are easier to travel and go out with, have fewer leaks and are easier for daddy to use.

We are going from these

To these

Six weeks on...One week off

As I mentioned awhile ago, we are homeschooling for six weeks and then taking week seven off. I must say....I really like this approach. This is our first week off since school started. I love the change of pace and the kids do too. I also am enjoying simply drifting in my thoughts as I clean. Amazing what we can be grateful for :o)

This is day three and we see progress. We do our morning routine the same and then do some read aloud depending on Eli's noise level :o) When he goes down we get to work....or I should say "I" get to work. The older two are off to Playmobile, Lego or stuffies for the next two hours. This is turning out just as good for them as me. They are getting to play for hours at a time which doesn't happen much during regular school weeks. Playing is so important.




These are the areas I am tackling this week:

• Switch winter clothes in/summer out ~ done
• Clean behind computer desk ~ done (largest dust bunnies this side of the border)
• Organize toy area in garage ~ done
• De clutter baby toys (where do they all come from anyway) ~ done
• Pack up outgrown baby clothes to sell on Craig's list ~ almost done
• Dust and organize my room, hang a picture or two (can you see the running theme that I dislike dusting on a regular basis)
• Organize school shelves
• Vacuum couches, under couches and stairs
• Clean behind change table in upstairs bathroom (fearing large dust bunnies there too)

I enjoy simplifying and decluttering. It just feels so good.

The more I have, the more I have to move it and clean it.

Less stuff, less work, less thinking, less time!

I always ask my self when I used something last and unless it has a good reason for sitting idle....out it goes.

This is the garage prior to cleaning. I haven't taken the after picture yet. I should hurry up before it looks like this again. I find bins for each type of toy helpful for storage but not the best for little hands to put back by themselves. Small space requires stackable storage but also daily maintenance.....that's why I need every 7th week off.

Off too vacuum the garage for the finishing touch.

Oh, and our fun field trip from our week off is actually next Tuesday. Aquarium here we come!

Growth

You know you have grown when you look at this.....

And not immediately panic.

Between the dishes, the bread maker and the craft bin the blood pressure is rising. What you can't see is the Tupperware cabinet contents all over the floor courtesy of my very cute 12 month old or the craft all over the table.

In the past a scene like this would have invoked much internal stress that would then, in a less then loving way, spill into the outside world. I have found going from two children to three has done me in :o). I surrender! I have read all the rules of housekeeping and organization and implemented many of them.

In the past, to accomplish the clean organized exterior I would become military no fun mom. I'd have a clean house but grumpy unhappy family. So not worth it.

Until I can get a grasp on doing both I will choose the messy counter top over the messy heart.

The stuff on the counter isn't what they remember anyway, it's the smile on my face and the things we create.

And just so you know I can't go the bed with it there....so it will get addressed at some point :o)

One Year Old

Happy Birthday Eli

You went from this:

To this:

In a very short time.

Time truly does fly when your having fun.

Much gratefulness to express when time permits.

I love you baby boy,

Mama