Breaking blog silence

I'm breaking blog silence after months of . . . well silence.  A couple of weeks ago I found a hard copy of my blog from years ago.  My mom printed it out, bound it up and gave it to me because she thought I could write and was proud of me.  I'm gonna get all teary, might need to grab a Kleenex while I type here.

I think my mom often wondered what I was going to grow up "being".  Back in her day my mom took the train from Montana to Minnesota to go to nursing school.  As far as I know, she loved her work.  When she quit at the hospital she had three boys to nurse at home so she really just transferred locations.  That was her thing.  So I think she wondered what would be "my" thing.  I even got the feeling she was a little concerned.  I wasn't the sharpest pencil in the box.  I remember her suggesting I push my nail cuticles back after showers to increase my chances of being a hand model someday.  I'm not even going to humor you with a picture of my hands.  Let's just say short, knuckley, huge writing callus on my middle writing finger, and three fingers that have those everywinterdrypainfulbleedingsplitcracks.

I did a little of this and that in my pre-baby days and I now love my full-time job as mom.  Somehow, over the years, I discovered I really liked words.  I just like them.  They are a special communion my spirit shares with my Maker and sometimes with friends.

My heart feels joy knowing that my mom thought I had a knack for it and had found something "to do".

Somehow Facebook has taken the brunt of my emotional "I miss my mom posts".  I guess over there I get lots of "like" hugs and encouragement.  Finding that binder was a boot in the pants to start sharing over here more.  I tend to share my heart more fully here and it makes me feel so much more vulnerable.  Making yourself do hard things helps you to grow.  So be it.  These last 15 months have provided plenty of opportunity for that.

I'm going to go post the super cute picture of Shortcake and her upcycled tights that sat me down to post in the first place.  I'd better keep it short since I'm supposed to be knitting Christmas gifts for next week.

Breath

You can choke on pain.
That miserable sick feeling in one's belly, it works its way up your insides, quivers past your heart and makes it hard to breath.
Hard to breath.
Breath.
Breath of Heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
My heart is Yours.
You give me breath, sweet breath.
Sweet
Breath.

My Daddy and I

My Daddy and I at Thanksgiving.

Showing honor

Sometimes I wonder if what we're trying to teach our boys about respect and thoughtfulness will ever sink in . . . I wonder more about one particular child. Last night he showed me a glimps into his heart.

We have a circle shaped kitchen table with 4 wooden chairs - all filled by the older members of the family. The General (3 yr) is now big enough not to want a stool all the time and he wants to sit at a big person chair. I usually bring in a folding chair and he and I take turns who sits on it. Now last night this particular child (mentioned above) offered to switch chairs with me. The last time he did this I just thought he liked the novelty of sitting on the folding chair. Last night I asked him "Do you like sitting on the folding chair?" to which he said "No Mom, I like the wood chair too, I just don't like YOU having to sit on the folding chair." I nearly cried. I felt . . . honored.

Lord, thank you for reminding me that you are at work our children. Please help us not to grow weary in training them. You know there are so many times when I feel like I'm failing.

11/11/11

Oh, happy 11/11/11!

Shortcake @ 7 months

Oh man is this little sweetheart "wowing" our socks off these days. Just today she switched up her normal screachy noises with some actual "baabaabaabaa". She's loves laying on her belly and pushing herself backwards about the room. And she's had her first taste of avacado. I find myself enjoying her so much and wondering/praying over our relationship. Children do such amazing things to a parent's heart. It's sometimes hard to fully understand God feeling this way over us. It's a beautiful thought.























I love the middle shot with her flapping her arms in excitement. In the mornings or after nap time when I go to get her she starts flapping her arms and raising her legs and thumping them down on the bed over and over in excitement.

Warrior Prayers

"Dear God help me" is probably my most frequently prayed prayer during the day. Sooo when I came across this new book and challenge I signed up. There is something about knowing that many moms are on their knees praying just as you are. The ebook is Warrior Prayers, Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most, by Brooke L. McGlothin.

It's short.

It's conversational.

It's fill in the blank.

So for a period of 21 days, about 60 other ladies and myself have hooked up through Granolamom4God are praying verses over our sons focused on specific areas.

Here are a few of my favs so far:

Obedience: "May Agent H, Agent E, and The General show their love for Christ by obeying His commands" -John 14:15

Agent H's tattoos read "MOM" and "DAD". The picture looks fierce but he was such a softy about his tattoos.

Submission to Authority: "May Agent H, Agent E, and The General agree with God, and be at peace, so good will come to him" -Job 22:21

Integrity: "Like David with Goliath, may Agent H, Agent E, and The General stand up for the living God" -1 Samuel 17

Avoiding Foolishness: "May Agent H, Agent E, and The General have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; for they breed quarrels" -2 Timothy 2:23

I'm more mindful now to stop and pray myself, to recommend they take a moment to talk to Jesus about what they feel, or take them aside so we can pray together about their struggle. It reminds me of this beautiful picture that I found at A Holy Experience. I'd love to nestle a spot like this somewhere in our home.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for hearing the prayers of this momma. I believe you will answer them. Amen

Gift giving crunchy style

Recently a friend gifted me with a stack of reusable cloth gift bags. I must admit that I have already put some to use around the house, and a few will be saved for Shortcake. I just know they will come in handy for carrying little dollies, animal friends, and other girly treasures.

The friend who gifted them to me has moved to New York. . . . New York. So very far away. A dream come true for her and her husband as they live off the land in their early retirement. They are wealthy in their knowledge of all things green and earthy . . . all things wonderfully crunchy. I'm happy for them . . . really. I'm just also sorry to have her so far away.

My happy birthday

I love the gifts EH gave me for my birthday this year. Okay yet again I had them listed on my Kaboodle but I'm tell'n ya' you can't go wrong that way. :)

My apron! I felt a little funny in it at first because I don't think I actually know anyone who wears these anymore. The General brings it to me whenever I'm in the kitchen and that has helped me get used to it (he likes to put things in the pocket and to point to the bow in back). Honestly now I could spend all day in it. I feel so industrious in it. It's well made and I love the fabric. I found it on Etsy at Terrace Hill. (Right so that's not me in the picture just a very cute shop model)

New potholders. Lovely even if they don't actually protect me from the heat of hot pans. I found them on Etsy at Tootsytwo.

And as for my birthday . . . well I'm now officially closer to 40 than 30. Babies must make you feel young because I sure don't feel THAT old.

Quotes of the day

This is a comment Agent H made to me as the boys were finishing up breakfast. We were in the middle of a lightning storm at the time, "Mom, we're quick trying to drink all our water so the lightning isn't attracted to us!"

Yesterday I did a few errands with Agent E and The General which gives Agent E the opportunity to talk without being interrupted by his big brother. The chatter and questions were rolling off his tongue. "Mom, I've got all these questions to ask so I can LEEEEARN stuff!"

A couple of Agent E's questions:

"Mom what if there is a bad robber who takes a kid and he gets caught and put in jail and they give him a transporter phone to make his phone call and he transports out of jail?" Thank you Club Penguin.

"What if the pizza place gives a police officer the wrong pizza? Will they go to jail?"

Teddy's Button

We all have our "inner enemies". I'm trying to open the eyes of our children to theirs so that they can fight them. It's a good reminder to myself as well. Teddy's Button is the book we're reading to gently remind us to take up the banner of LOVE and to fight for our CAPTAIN. We've read it before and we'll read it again. Agent E has someone he is especially struggling to get along with and he was able to identify by himself that he needs to love even though it's hard. I'm so happy for him. One battle at a time sweet E.

lost in Thee

‎"Sweet will of God, still fold me closer, till I am wholly lost in Thee."
The words fill my soul with tender wonder and my eyes with tears. How I love this hymn.

Yes, it's winter

Yes it's winter in Minnesota. It's been a very, very snowy winter.














Photo taken by my beloved EH.

Tabbed organizer still in process

The little tabbed box over on the right there is not functional yet but I'll keep working on it. If I can figure it out it should be a nice space saver. There's a nice tutorial at Confessions of a Homeschooler.

A Mom Just Like You

I'm convinced that the best way to get yourself to read a book is to borrow it from a friend.

I mean you don't want to inconvenience a friend who was nice enough to lend you a book (kindly overlooking your recent comment about surmounting library late fees), so it goes right to the top of the stack (and I mean Stack).

I didn't even really waaant to read it, but she's a dear friend and if she recommended it, it's worth a try. Once started, I was hooked.

The book: A Mom Just Like You by Vickie Farris and Jayme Farris Metzger

It's a soothing book for a stretched homeschool mom. She is one who has seen the fruits of her labor in her grown children and is still "in the business" (ten children will do that).

That brings me to another point. Don't read this book if you don't want to be at least slightly swayed by the positive elements of having a large family. I've been pondering this issue and this book really brought home the heart of the issue for me. Hmmm, I think this is a touchy issue. If you're interested check out these podcasts by familylife.com.

Once you get beyond the above issue, there is plenty of practical advise for the homeschooling mom. Now I just wish I had my own copy.

Kaboodle

Hi Mom,

I finally added a link to Kaboodle on the right side over there under LE Babe. :) Now you can go look at our wish lists without my help. :) Just do a search at their site for "granola".

Love,

Your your one and only daughter

A Prayer for my boys

"Lord, I pray that You would teach my child to resolve misunderstandings according to Your Word. And if any division has already begun, if an relationship is strained or severed, Lord, I pray that You will drive out the wedge of division and bring healing. I pray that there be no strain, breach, misunderstanding, arguing, fighting, or separating of ties. Give them a heart of forgiveness and reconciliation. Your Word instructs us to 'be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous' (1 Peter 3:8). Help them to live accordingly, 'endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace' (Ephesians 4:3). In Jesus' name I pray that You would instill a love and compassion in them for all family members that is strong and unending, like a cord that cannot be broken."

-The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian

I'm weary of breaking up fights. I'm resorting to praying. Which is probably where I should have started.

One year ago . . .

One year ago at this time I was nesting like crazy.












I'm so glad you've come!

Lingering heart

Today my heart is lingering. I would guess that's it's because I spent the morning alone with my mom. We had brunch and found our way through a few shops in downtown Anoka. Moments of peace tend to help me look at life through fresh eyes rather than through the dull smudges of my old glasses.

My heart is stirred by *smooth baby legs * boyish hairy legs * berry stained faces * the curly sweaty locks on two of my babies * the sweat born of a good man laboring for his family * feet and knees stained brown by hours spent in summer fun *

And really many things that don't have names they are just the feelings and experiences of life warming my heart.

Thirty-four

I heard myself say my age outloud recently and it kinda took me aback. I know it's all relative, but WOW, I think I'm kinda starting to sound old. In my head I think I'm still 17 but with all the added years of wisdom. Okay I can pretend I've become wiser can't I? At least more experienced.

My dear EH bought me a honey pot from Etsy for a gift (Bridgeman Pottery). I delight in seeing that little pot! The softly painted fern matches the one on a container my SIL once gave me. I think it will be one of those treasures I'm still using when I'm 80 and serving tea.

Side Note: This shop sells the most darling berry washing bowl ever! She just always seems to be out of them when I take a look in her shop. You can take a peek at them here. Maybe she'll have some instock by the time the raspberry bushes I just planted start to produce.