Just Pics.. from our Beach Vacation

I am Thankful For..

There are many things to be thankful for this year in our family. Topping the list: our ever growing faith and and belief in God. His care and provision for us has brought us safely through another year. My renewed health and body (although it is still slightly larger than I would like see pics above.. I am glad, as is the Mr. to be able to stand fully upright.)

I am grateful for the opportunities I have as a mother and the brood of children that has been entrusted to my care. Although it is sometimes difficult, I am grateful that this is my path in life. I am grateful for the opportunities these children have to live, learn and love in a place and time of plenty.

I am thankful for love, the love of a Father in Heaven, the tender mercy of Christ Jesus, a Husband who can accept me warts and all, and the four amazing people we have been entrusted with, who return our love abundantly. I give thanks not only for His provision for my temporal needs, but for the strength He has provided me with a community of people who love their neighbor. I am grateful for the security of love which abides and abounds around me.

Let us celebrate the harvest, the bounty that has been provided, with love and joy and hearts filled with gratitude and love.

I must also say, I am grateful for digital photography, because it looks like we need redo on Family Portrait!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

A Whisper

I am about to sit down and work on my BSF lesson for the week, hoping to recapture a little of that wholesome spark that has been missing the last few days as I have been woefully loud in my voice and drowning out those sweet whispers that come to remind us of His love. To prepare my heart I challenged myself to find ways I have been reminded of His love that I overlooked because I was too busy being busy. In just a few moments reflection I had these two praise experiences to record.

First, see this...

Yes, I know it doesn't look like much, but it was a whisper. We have been working and working on the house, and I had this idea about getting a china cabinet for cheap and painting it black and then putting some poshy geometric fabric along the back of the cabinet for a pop of color behind all our three place settings of china and the fabric would match elegantly, with the cushion for the hearth.. but I digress. In order to see if this was even feasible, I packed all the kids up and headed to the Rescue Mission, which has the best deals on used furniture, and also is a ministry, so I just feel great when I am spending money there. ( I digress again) It had already been a long day, but I explained very clearly to the troops what was up, and went over proper behavior and said a prayer that I would live through this experience. No sooner did we walk through the newly refurbished entrance than Cubby (who by the way LOVES to shop) said, "Hey mom did you bring some number 5 dollars." With literally my last iota of self control I answered, "Yes, I did bring some number 5 dollars to buy a china cabinet with." When I turned there he was fingering this tiny rocking chair. "You cannot have that chair Cubby, it is too small for you."

"No, it's not for me. I wanted to get it for Lil Bit for Christmas. I think we can paint it pink."

He then proceeded to put it down near her so she could try it. She loved it! And my heart was filled. Miss H chimed in right behind us, "Ohh, I can make a cushion for it." They continued enthusastically, with Little Daddy looking a little disappointed. "He will paint it, She will make a pillow, what can I do?" So I let him carry it to the car.

It is always when I am at the end of myself that He fills me, with these small whispers of eternal bliss.

We did look at china cabinets. There were several, still $75. I took the chair, even if I had the place settings to fill up a cabinet, it wouldn't ever fill me the way the presence of that tiny chair in the front entrance did. Best five bucks I ever spent.

Secondly, (again I am struggling in the patience department people) Today was a very long day, We had art class, Ballet for Miss H, Gymnastics for Cubby, and then Track practice otherwise known as work. When we reached the midpoint of Cubby's gymnastic class, Miss H and Little Daddy were losing it. I had Miss H sit down, and handed her the only book we brought. Arrow to the Sun (one of these books below which are all in our seasonal book bin which I change out once a month from the attic because even with our new book case, we can't have ALL the books on a shelf at once). I just told her to read it, nevermind that it was a book she hadn't even picked up before.

told her we would just talk about it when she was done. She just sat there quiet as could be and read. She didn't ask for any help, she didn't make any comments. Well we rushed right out of the gym and hightailed it to work, because it is a tight schedule on Thursdays, and then we got through practice and dinner and we were sitting about having stories, when I remembered that I never asked her about it. So instead of opting for a retell I just said simply, what did you think about that book. And she said, "I think that boy who came from an Arrow from the Sun is alot like Jesus." AMAZING. She is right the Christian Symbolism is there, but of course it's not spelled out. I was blown away that she was able not so-much to understand the imagery, or decode the text, but that her first thought was of the Lord. Now she has been a BSF youth program participant for three years, but still, she is only five.

This whisper of good faith training, was repeated when we read The Mud Pony, which is another native american tale. In the last line of the book the Mud Pony whispers "I am here, your Mother Earth, You are not alone" when the little boy starts to feel afraid. "That's just like God, that whisper. He doesn't want us to be afraid, and He is always with us."

So, my cup runneth over. I welcome these reminders of a love well lived, and am hopeful that in the coming days, I will look for opportunities to praise.

Much love!

You are here!

Rather.. I am here...
in my newly repainted (what were we thinkinG!!) and re-organized (don't you love the island!!) kitchen. This week has flown, Absolutely flown by. The kids have rediscovered the raised hearth (thanks again Papa Mike for freeing it up by building a bookcase) the current favorite activity there seems to be "shaking your booty", punctuated by enthusiastic (and steadily rhythmed) stomping from Lil Bit.
In order to distract Lil Bit from Jumping off the hearth (head cracking on my mind of course) I brought down the rocking horse Papa Mike had made for Miss H. Poor Lil Bit didn't even get to ride it (in spite of her arm flailing and screeching) because Little Daddy LOVED IT. It was only in the midst of all the arm flailing and screeching that I remembered that we put the horses in the attic because I can't stand the FIGHTING!! Whatever! a few moments of bliss for Little Daddy, once the row was resolved.

See this face.. yes I know, adorable.. if not slightly naughty (aren't we all!) This is the face of a toddler (yes a true toddler, people) whose basement play heaven has a CREEK running through it, and is therefore off limits. I believe this is the picture I got during my "talking to" about why she did not care to stay upstairs while I crawled around in the muddy, creepy crawly crawl space trying to position the pump for optimal water removal.
She's all business people, all business. Below is Little Daddy, who is becoming quite the little scholar. Although, he is not stringing the sounds together to make CVC words yet, he does enjoy his Monday morning Little Daddy school.

Speaking of school, here is Miss H updating our Word Wall. Moving the desktop into the basement was an excellent choice. Cubby and Miss H have greatly appreciated the access to their favorite learning sites, as well as word processing.

And can you even believe her hair? I know.. I cut six inches off, because her resemblance to Rapunzel was making me weary. (Not to mention the time it takes to untangle!!) So love, joy and fun abounds here, as well as a minor flood in the basement.

Before and After

Before he visited....

You may have guessed by my lack o'posts that we have been working on some things... and we have!! Perhaps you caught sight of Papa Mike in a few pics... Well, he is one of those people who are blessed with the ability to create, and while we love him visiting simply because he is my dad, an added bonus is his ability to help bring to fruition the ideas that pop into my head. I have been staring at the above for years now.. and every Christmas when it is time to hang the stockings I have dutifully precisely measured and hung those command hooks, and dreamed of the day when we would have a house with a mantle again.

Well, I told my dad about my little problem, and also how we had been using the fireplace for a library storage area... and look what he did!!

You'd think that after 30 years of him as my dad the beauty of a thing created would be old hat. Not at all... Everytime it catches my eye I am warmed by the thought that he made this. Granted he has made us many things... a laudry room, a bathroom, and a wrap around deck included, but this latest addition is right in the center of our house, right it would seem where a father's love belongs.

A friend's mom has suggested a cushion for that whole hearth area, and painting the inside of the fireplace black.. I have no idea about what type of fabric to choose, but am enamored with the new look!! Thanks dad!!

Halloween Part III- The Big Event

In case you haven't heard the Incredible Super Deacons were out full force on Halloween. They suited up early for the game, and got their super hair done. Then tailgated in the parking lot (of course!) Wake had set up a great trunk or treat, costume contest and hayride for the kids. We did not do the hayride, but they definitely trunk or treated, and WON the costume contest!! The prize you ask... The Incredible Super Deacons got to strut their super stuff on the field at the ACTUAL GAME!! We of course have no photos of this because The Super Mr. neglected to remember he had the camera IN HIS POCKET.

Even Little Daddy, a man of few words, said, "That was fun." as we headed off that fantastic turf. (We may have been running from the enormous stink cloud that seemed to emanate from the Smallest Super Deacon, who apparently paused in the end zone to take a dump in front of thousands of people) (I may reword this later.. probably I'll get busy and forget). We didn't stay long after that, we got some socks from the New Balance sock toss, and high tailed it to the Mini-Van when it started to pour.

The eldest Super Deacs were then treated to a haunted house and more trick or treating, while the youngers were treated to bed.. and as they all lapsed into little sugar overload comas... I reflected on what was obviously the best Halloween ever. And also.. I cannot even believe how much candy we, I mean they, umm okay.. I mean I got.

Halloween Part II--Concerning Pumpkins

Pumpkin carving has gone serious around here this year. I invested in actual safety knives this year and let the kids go to town. I think only Little Daddy was sad to not be painting them, and Miss H got the hang of the knife rather quickly. She even carved a second one Cubby of course took carving and creativity to a whole new level, yes, he is using a screwdriver to apply a crocodile skin texture to his pumpkin.

I thought there would be more pictures, but Little Daddy was absolutely not interested in carving pumpkins, or touching any of that disgusting goo that was inside of them. His creation (so adorable!!) is the one green eyed pumpkin. And I entertained him the rest of the time by letting him do the photography. His talent in this area is yet undiscovered, but his enthusiasm is immense. Miss H made two, one with inset eyes, and pink eyelashes, and one that she actually carved and cleaned start to finish without any assistance. The Mr. and I were helping my dad with some projects he's doing for us.

(I know who leaves their four kids in the basement unattended with a bunch of knives and their only camera? In my defense they were safety knives). So viewed here from Left To right, the pumpkin masters are: Little Daddy, Miss H times Two, Lil Bit, and Cubby.

Halloween Part I

We last left our little Super Heroes snug in their beds. Here was the reaction when Cubby laid eyes on his costume...

His reaction is always the most enthusiastic!!

So they suited up, and some friends came over and we marched through a beautiful fall day to a halloween party that was loaded with sweet treats, good friends and great fun. Also did I mention a huge pinata overflowing with CANDY!!

After all that adventure they had to hang up the capes, and rest up for Halloween II.