Christmas things going on here

Ok....so I love Christmas and everything about it. As an adult what I might love the most is that I am a teacher so I am usually finished from work 2 weeks before and that gives me plenty of fun time w/ the kids and to cook or shop! So, my last day of class was this week and to celebrate, my kids (who are already out of school b/c of yr. round scheduling) thought I should jump on the trampoline with them! :) Well, I didn't hurt myself, but I am quite saddened that I am not a kid anymore...I loved a trampoline then and always wanted one, this was one of the best birthday gifts we've gotten the kids this year! :)

So, my youngest asked me what I want from Santa this year....I told him I didn't get anything b/c I'm not a kid, but he informed me that yes I did b/c I'm Nana & Papa's kid. (he's smart) So I said, I don't know, what do you think I should get. He was quiet for a while and I thought our convo was over when he said very sneaky like, to not have anymore babies...............now I wasn't expecting that, but hey, it sounds like a great idea b/c I don't think I could do anymore! :)

Nate went thru a phase where he wanted a baby brother, now he is liking being the youngest. This is a good example of why we don't buy/get the kids everything they want ~ eventually they change their minds!

Thankful

No, I haven't fallen off the earth or been sick or anything of the sort....I have simply been busy! I don't like being busy ~ it makes you irritable, and impatient, maybe tired and stressed. You don't take the time to enjoy the little things when you're busy.

Tonight I want to slow down and be thankful. I am thankful for my kids....I have stayed away from calling them by name, but I don't know why now.

A few years ago, actually 9 years ago I found out I was pregnant w/ our 4th....I was shocked to say the least....unprepared to handle 4 kids in every since. BUT God brought us through and now I have 4 incredible kids. Every year I have a verse of the year...that year it was,

Psalm 127:3,4

"Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth."

It took most of the pregnancy and probably the 1st year of his life to really understand v. 3, but now I fully know it. It is in their innocence and teachablity that they bring blessings. In the moments you least expect it they teach us. They are a role model for living.

Thank you Lord for Luke; who wants to go on a mission trip...to impact the world around him with your love.

Thank you Lord for Hope; who is willing to share her teenage room with the 6yr olds in our small group without even a worry. And who listens to my words of advice even when I know she doesn't want me to know she is! :)

Thank you Lord for Noah; who is willing to give to others without a thought for himself.

Thank you Lord for Nate; who is so teachable and willing to help...who really listens and applies what he hears and learns.

If I had the energy, I could share many stories to support these thanks, but I think I will just leave here for now.

I keep hearing a theme from an old youth pastor...."How to have an attitude of gratitude"....

We just choose to have that attitude. I love Phil 4:8...think about whatever is true, constant advice I give my kids when they are upset about something...don't listen to the lies of the enemy but think about what you know to be true!

"give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting"

Thank you for this promise Lord!

The "Dog"

Today, because the sun has come out after 3 days a of clouds....reminds me of my youngest son....
He is probably the most emotional extreme of my 4 kids. When he is happy, he is the happiest and when he is sad, he is the saddest.

Last week they went back to school after being out for 3 weeks (we go to yr. round school ~ 9 wks in, 3 wks out). He came home on Monday and said he wished he could be Biscuit ( our cute schoodle dog) so he could stay home from school and bite people! This little boy really doesn't like school. He never gets in trouble and always does his work...good work at that! But when he comes home he all out wants to play, play, play!
So this sun reminds me of my little fellow and the brightness he brings to our home ~ when he's feeling good and happy that is!

I love how my oldest helped him to see the error of his way. He ask boy #3, who's your best friend, where did you meet him? Who's your 2nd best friend, where'd you meet him? and the answer both times was "school" so big bro reminded him that if it weren't for school, these best friend never would have been!!! What a good big brother to show him this!

Baseball & my boys

So I've had the longest week...one week ago I found out one of my dearest aunts passed away. Work has continued, school for the kids started back up, my dear husband is getting to do something he loves...coach basketball @ the community college, and baseball is going on everyday of the week but Sunday.
I was happy today when I got to wake up without the alarm clock, but we were in full motion before I finished my coffee. So, as I sat and watched my 1st son's baseball practice, it was nice to be in the sun...to not be taking anyone somewhere and not think about anything.
But I wonder if all moms have this problem; I kept thinking, my son could do that better, my son should be the catcher. Why isn't my son on 1st, he would have caught that ball. Basically being the boasting mom. And as I look out across the field, "boy is he the cutest thing you've ever seen, or what?"
Just overall pride and joy. I love these kids and I love watching them. I guess I was so excited to go back to the next practice for the youngest son we went almost an hour early without knowing it. As I watched him, it was so fun to see his energy and joy. He is the youngest and not afraid to try anything. One thing is for sure, he has let the power of words transform him. Early on in the season his coach told him he maybe the fastest kid on the team and boy has this set a fire under him. Now, he makes sure he always runs faster than anyone.
I need to remember that the Lord takes great pleasure in us and we are the apple if His eye. He created us for His pleasure to have fellowship with Him. He created us in His imagine and He beams with joy when we are doing something we love. And on how I need to walk in the fact that GOD sees me as one that has all the power that raise Christ from the dead (all HIS power)and that "ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD".
I really need to look at my kids more and learn about this life we live. To live it fresh and without limitations.
Thanks boys!

My Daughter

Well, This is a big week for work. I do my training to help us create these blogs for each of our ESL sites. (Just occurred to me, some of you may not know what ESL is-English as a Second Language). I teach Adults to speak english. I don't have to know their language...right now I teach a very high level...a low form of GED. So thanks to this personal blog...I have an idea of what I will be doing @ work. And thanks to work for forcing me to do something I have wanted to do for a while.

BUT back to my daughter...She is the perfect thing to talk about and put off work that I need to be doing.

First, I still remember the day she was born. The moment I could hold her, I thought, "my very own little girl". I never had a sister and not even very many "girl" cousins. So, I had been waiting for this day a long time. Anywho...thus started my life w/ a girl. She is 12 now and actually we are doing just fine, TODAY. Ask me tomorrow and it may be different. My husband, dear DAD that he is....says we(my daughter and I) can fuss about anything. But these days I think we are doing better.

Last year this time I took her to a Mother/Daughter conference, You and Your Girl. It is a ministry of Vicki Courtney. It was a one day conference that we loved. Something special just for her. She has 3 brothers and often has to go around watching/waiting @ their sporting events...blah, blah, blah. I liked it so much I wished there was another conference local this year and we would go back!:)

She has been awesome helping out the last 2 weeks with some things so I wanted to take her out shopping yesterday. At the last minute she decided to go do something w/ the youth group @ church...but when I said I would go later w/ her...she had a true attitude of thankfulness and surprise. Like it was a shock mom would wait on her.
She is my fireball...the "strong-willed" of my 4. But I will be honest...I find if I check my attitude, it makes all the difference in how we interact. Those of you with little ones, I tell you even @ 2yrs.old they are learning how to behave from you.
I am following Beth Moore's blog and she has challenged us to memorize 2 personal Bible verses a month. This was my verse a few months ago...it has rocked my "MOM" world.

James 3:17,18
"But the wisdom that come from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."

I don't know about you, but I want to raise a harvest of righteousness...so I pray I would sow in peace and have this wisdom from above. It has changed my relationship with my dramatic, beautiful, special little girl that is growing up before my very eyes. I love her and am so proud of her! <3

What are we best at?????

A quick post of a memory I want to keep....

An ongoing frustration my daughter has about son #2 is that we/I continue to say "you're so sweet and nice". An example: from the time he was old enough to have conversation he has been a giver and thoughtful of others....if he found out a brother/sister/friend wanted something he would say,"I'll ask for that for you for my birthday." Sometimes when his Dad gives out allowances..."here Mom, you can have it."
So last week the kids were having a conversation around the table and the sister was complaining that brother #2 is soooo mean. Brother #1 asked, he is the nicest right?
Well, I couldn't compliment one without doing all so I said, "he is really the one I know usually thinks of others, BUT, daughter, you're really good at getting things done...you're the taskmaster, and son #1...you never complain, you're the peacemaker." My youngest, son #3, says, "what about me???"...He's the talker, but is sad when we tell him to stop talking so, I say, "if I ever want to talk, I know I can count on you to talk to! :)"

This is probably just special to me...but then again, that is what this blog is for, my memories...I hope you enjoy them!

The Inspiration

Well, I had some alone time with the oldest boy today...He is 14 and had to go to the Dr. We went to the weekend office, 25 min. away. So this opened the door for some interesting conversation. It was a similar day this summer that we had another interesting conversation. When you have several kids, alone time that doesn't get interrupted by settling a fight or cooking dinner or taking someone to practice somewhere...well they either have to be planned or ordained by God.
This summer we were out getting him a few things to start High School with and he starting asking me questions like; why aren't more people christians? why aren't many movie stars and athletes christians? Some good questions to ponder...and we talked about choice and how material things having such a strong place in society and that when you reach that place of importance you kinda feel like you don't need God to come in and help you or save you...
The 1st question was harder than the 2nd, and the truth is I don't know why there arent more christians; we did talk about maybe there are more christians but some just don't either act like it or don't speak about it. Really opened the door to talk about living out our witness in little things like serving others and living as Christ in the here and now. I thought about this again this morning @ church. We sang a song that said "I would go to the ends of the earth for you Lord" and I cried b/c that is true, I am one of those people that could do anything where the people don't know me, but get me in a room of co-workers or neighbors and not so much.
I was sad and prayed Lord move me to live my life out loud. I pray my kids would live for God, their God, not their mom & dad's God, but the ONE TRUE GOD that has become alive and real to them...live out loud and strong.
If you have kids...cherish these times to do more than go somewhere or do something, listen to them and talk to them...before you know it you'll blink and they will be big and busy and think they know everything.
So, here's to my oldest...I love time with you and sad it doesn't happen more. I am sorry we were too busy having babies and caring for toddlers to ever sign you up for little league. I am sorry I usually go to you last to see if you need something. You rarely ask for anything...but FOOD of course, and I can't wait to see what you grow into. You were and are a great blessing...a little boy who grew up too fast and started liking sports and grown-up stuff too soon. Make your life count!
"I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born." Jeremiah 1:5

Here I go....

Well, I am trying out this blog thing for 2 reasons: one for work, we are getting ready to use this as a tool to help our ESL sites communicate with one another and the community and I need to teach about 20 people how to use it. And second I stink at making photo albums and memory books for my kids...so this will be my place to share my thoughts and memories, my loves and heartache...the joys of being a mom.

So far it is pretty easy (blogging)... and for those of you thinking, what is your problem...let me just tell you, I have avoided learning tech stuff of so long, I feel like I am on a 1st date. Weird, I know.

So let me share my memory for today....I took my oldest to school @ 7am...while the younger 3 were still sleeping. Came home sat w/ boy #2 for a bit and loved on him...then raced to beat the hubster to the shower b/c I have class today, teaching an ESL/ABE class for the local community college. Before leaving I talk to the only girl and tell her if she can babysit the brothers w/ no big arguments, we are in for a BIG treat or significant $$$ at the end of trackout. Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, they go to yr. round school and are out for 3 weeks!!! :) we are all so happy! We love our breaks, just this year no big trips b/c the BIG brother is in traditional high school.
Ok, after a great class, I go to the elementary school for a conference w/ boy # 3's teacher. She taught boy # 2 and begins our mtg by saying how much she enjoyed #2....but could not believe that she enjoyed the next as much and in a different way....she is overwhelmed at #3's compassion and kindness....and his hardworking and great behavior. This mom did her best to not cry b/c the thing is, I knew she would have these great things to say. I am so blessed and sit back and know it is the LORD b/c I have so messed up w/mothering in different ways at different times, it hurts to remember!! :(
So for what it's worth ~ I don't understand why the kids are always worst when we're around or why it takes almost an hour to get boy #3 to do math hmwk but @ school he is the smartest boy in class....but I am thankful ~ thankful for the seeds I have planted, that my husband has planted are solid, in the ground and growing!

The LORD is gracious and merciful;

Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.

The LORD is good to all, and

His mercies are over all His works.

All Thy works shall give thanks to Thee, O LORD,

And Thy godly ones shall bless Thee.

They shall speak of the glory of Thy Kingdom,

And talk of Thy power;

To make known Your mighty acts,

And the glory of the majesty of Thy Kingdom.

Psalm 145:8-12