Winter Marches On

I've been enjoying doing school with Trenton (4 1/2 years old) and Bethany (7 1/2). That's not to say that every day goes smoothly, mind you. Here's what I try to follow:
PLAN
Prepare--work on lesson plans, make sure I have things I need, etc.
Let the Holy Spirit intercede--I don't want to hold SO tightly to the schedule that I don't allow God to use us in the lives of each other and other people. For example, I may have a full day of school planned, but a friend may call and need a sitter while she goes to the doctor with another sick child. I want to flexible enough--but not so flexible that we get nothing done.
Accountability--this is key for me. I use 'google documents' with another friend to keep track of our school plans. This way my friend can access the document and encourage me!
Never give up--the day, or week, or month, may not go as you thought, but keep pressing on.


This week we did some fun things:
A friend on Facebook said she had brought in some snow and her girls were playing with it on the table. I thought it was a great idea! So, my kids (the little ones) put on their hats and gloves and sat at the kitchen table! :) I brought in a small tub of snow and let them go at it. They created snowmen, they chopped, diced, smushed and in all ways manipulated that snow! They also saw first hand what happened when the snow melted--it got more compact and harder to work with. They had so much fun!


The kids also made homemade birthday cards for their daddy (his birthday was yesterday) and homemade valentines for friends.

We also have been playing lots of games, like I mentioned in this post and reading a lot.

I'm off to PLAN for next week! Head over the Homeschool Creations to read more from the Preschool Corner.

fun date with my little man

This morning Trenton sweetly asked me if I would leave the girls home with daddy and take just him out...just the two of us. He had big plans of eating supper and bringing home some for the rest of the family. I told him we would ask Daddy, and then I hugged him tightly for asking his momma out on a date! :)

The day lasted longer than we'd anticipated and we had homemade pizza for supper. Trenton, though, didn't forget about our date. He asked Daddy about it, saying that he and I could go out and bring ice cream back for everyone. So, he got ready--put on his cowboy boots with his shorts and we were out the door. He actually ran back in because he forgot to give his sister Bethany a "big hug and kiss". I silently thought about what a sweet charmer he is!

On the way to Walmart, he planned his purchases. Chocolate mint was a necessity because it's Bethany's favorite. He rode on the back of the cart, like any good cowboy and jumped off whenever I slowed the cart down to a medium roll.

We swung by the bikes, at his request and he found something that he really needed. I had to pull out the "When you are on a date with Mommy, you don't argue with her!" card. {see photo below} In the end, the helmet stayed along with the sword, big toy chain saw and half a dozen other items he saw as I sped out of there!

Finally, we made it over to the ice cream, picked out our treasures and high tailed it home. We had fun conversation in the van, especially when I saw him drumming with his licorice. :) On the way into the house, as he was holding the door, he asked me what it meant to be a gentleman. You are doing it son. Thanks for a fun date and you had me home by 8:30, delightful.

Mixed, Mixed Up, or Just Right

Several weeks ago at one of the first soccer practices for Bethany's U8 team, the girls were in two lines running a drill. Two girls would go up, dribbling and passing the soccer ball until one girl would shoot the ball into the goal. While the two girls were running, the rest of the girls were...well...talking and goofing off. Try as I might, I had difficulty keeping order. "Cheer for your teammates. Watch what they are doing." Other pleas went unheard as they continued to talk and even nit-pick at each other. I continued to monitor their conversation and my ears perked up when I heard one of the girls ask my Bethany, "Are you mixed?" Here is how the conversation proceeded from there:
Bethany: "What?"
other girl: "Are you mixed?"
Bethany puzzled: "What?"
other girl, getting slightly perturbed: "Are you MIXED?"
Bethany: "No, I'm Bethany."
other girl: "Isn't your dad black?"
Bethany: "What?"
other girl: "Your dad is black, isn't he?"
Bethany: "No...he's not black. He's brown."

Our children have never classified people according to their color. In fact, if you ask my kids to describe someone, the color of their skin doesn't usually enter into their description although they may say that someone is "darker skinned" or "lighter skinned" than they are. They will describe what the person is wearing, what his/her hair looked like, tall/short, thin/thicker, etc. Our kids obviously aren't "color blind" in the sense that they know their colors (red, brown, yellow, black, white) and they can see that all of us have some sort of color on our skin. I'm not sure if I'm explaining it well here, but I have the thoughts in my head. :)

Our identity and our children's identities are not wrapped up in the color of our skin, but in who God says we are. In our home, people are not a race or a class, but people who need love and care and mostly need the Savior. Those values transcend outside our home. We treat people like people. Philippians 2: 2-4

...complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant that yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Bethany didn't seem bothered at all by the encounter with her teammate. Her teammate, on the other hand, as made several other comments about the color of her own skin, her father's, her mother's and so on. My heart goes out to her, as I want her to know that when we look at her we don't see her color so much as her personality and her character. And more importantly, what does God see when He looks at her?

I pray that I will be able to communicate the love of Christ to these little girls and that seeds will be planted for His glory.

The Wonderful Thing about Tiggers

This morning Trenton and I were having a meaningful conversation in the bathroom while getting ready for the day. He was telling me almost word for word about the recent Pooh and Tigger dvd he watched. Apparently Tigger and Pooh (and the gang) are going to the North Pole to find Santa. At some point Pooh spots Santa and proclaims, "There he is." To which Tigger replied, "I told you it was Santa. I told you so!"

I gently told Trenton that "I told you so" is not a kind thing to say. I went on, "God wants us to be kind to each other. And the way we use our words is important."

Trenton: "I don't think Tigger knows God."
Mom: "You may be right. What should we do?"
Trenton: "I could write a letter {and he starts holding an imaginary pencil and making writing motions with his little 4 year old left hand...yep, he's a lefty!}. The mail man could pick up the letter and go into the movies and give it to Tigger. What if Tigger doesn't believe what the letter says?"
Mom: "Well, our job is to tell people (and Disney characters) about Jesus."
Trenton: "Yeah, and when Tigger opens the letter it will say, 'This is true. God wants us to be kind.' "

What a sweet boy! He loves to solve problems and he is a great thinker. (And to be fair...and rhyming, he can also be a big stinker!) I pray that God will give me wisdom, discernment and strength as my Hunny and I seek to raise our kids for His glory.

Time Together

Tonight I had some treasured time alone with my little guy. He was so excited and told the rest of the family, "Mom and I are going on a bike ride together. We are going to have Mommy/Trenton time." Isn't that the sweetest?! (He did add that anyone was welcome to join us, which I thought was sensitive and compassionate.)

He rode his bike and I walked behind him around the neighborhood. He had such a good time. He would stop every once in a while and wait for me to catch up with him. He even held my hand for a short time, showing me that he could ride with one hand. He also made sure I was doing okay and tried to ride slower so I could keep up. :)

Being that he is my only boy, I find his personality and mannerisms fascinating. He wants to protect his momma and sisters, he loves to solve problems, he displays his muscles by carrying whatever needs to be carried, he slays the dragons (ants and spiders) and hugs me when I need it. Amazing. God has created him wonderfully.

Psalm 139: 14 "I praise You for {Trenton} is fearfully and wonderfully made, Your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

My girls are special too, just sayin'.

The Littles...

My kids have been saying some really funny things and I've been posting them on Facebook, but forgetting to post them here!

Here's two recently:
Trenton and Daddy were talking about thunder and where it comes from.
Daddy: "The sky."
Trenton: "The sky?"
Daddy: "Yes, the sky."
Trenton: "I think God is stomping up there."


Last night Bethany was waxing eloquent about estimation--what it means and even gave examples of it.
Me: "Who is your teacher...she must be great!?"
Bethany: "Cyber-Chase." (which is a PBS kids show)

thanks Bethany...glad I asked.

My Momma heart...

My baby girl woke up at 4:30 a.m. with a 103.5 fever! It took a few minutes for the sleepy fog to clear my brain, but after that I sprung into action. As I was tending to her, despite her fever, sweetness was spilling out of her...

Bethany: Momma I'm sorry I woke you up.
Me: No, Bethany. You are sick and you did the right thing. You know you can wake me up anytime for any reason.
Bethany: Give me a kiss, Momma.

My Momma heart melted as I kissed her hot little cheek.

At some point in between refreshing the wet cloths and praying for her, I realized that a big part of my sadness over Sarah's death is the deep ache I feel for her parents. My Momma heart is broken for them. The sorrow I feel for them throws me at the feet on the One who is our Shepherd, Refuge and Savior. Please scoop them up in Your arms and tend their hurt, grief and sorrow.

Dance with Me

I don't know about you, but I can't dance. There, I admitted it. My hunny, now, he can dance. Not me though. We met a little girl (almost 3 y.o.) this past weekend who was very friendly and huggy. She hugged all the other little people she met including my Trenton. Trenton didn't quite know what to do with her... he loves to sing, play drums, dance, etc. Still she took him off-guard.

She bounded up to him and poised her hands on him like she'd taken dance lessons all her life. One hand on his shoulder and one on his waist... then she said, "Dance with me!" As he was trying to duck and run away, she tightened her grip on his shoulder. Makes me smile just to remember it.

Finally he broke away and really began to run from her, she pursued, as only a two year old could do. Much laughing and running continued until I stopped Trenton and told him that if he didn't want her chasing him to just say, "No, thank you." His response: "I don't want her chasing me, but I kinda like it." oh. dear. me.

Here's Trenton playing his old guitar...a year ago.
I tried to find a dancing picture, but couldn't come up with one.

There's another kind of dancing that I've been thinking about lately; in fact dance was almost one of my words for last year. The words of this song grip my heart every time I hear it:

Chris Rice - Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus) Lyrics

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!

My heart's desire is to live for Him and to glorify Him. I want to know Him, find my significance in Him and have a deep abiding joy that makes me dance for Jesus. God is so good. I'm amazed again and again at His mercy and love for me. I can fall on Him when I screw up (which certainly happens), I can cry to Him when the pain is great and I can dance for Him when I can't contain my joy. What a wonderful God we serve.

T in Pictures

Well, Trenton was given a leather jacket from some friends. Although it is too big for him, he loves to wear it around the house. Marissa had this photo shoot with him--she didn't prompt him on how to stand. He did this on his own. I'm worried...



Here he is in the entertainment shelf...again unprompted


And here he is learning to knit with our dear friend and knitting teacher...Ms. Jackie. He really wanted to learn and bless her heart, she tried to show him. After he couldn't quite get it, he thought rolling the ball of yarn all over the living room sounded like more fun.


And lastly, to end this small show of Trenton in pictures, here he is drumming, first thing in the morning, still in pjs and with Bethany's colored pencils.


Never a dull moment!

Phonics Fun

Today I came across a pack of picture cards that I'd made for beginning sounds. Bethany was home from church sick, so I thought she might like to play with them. I got out the letter tiles from our Scrabble game and she used those to finish the words. Each card has a picture, for example a picture of a boat, then underneath the picture it says _oat. She found the "b" and put it on the card. Also in the pack where two letter beginning sounds like "train" and "chain".

Easy to make and fun to use.

Here was the cutest part...Bethany was trying to sound out the "sh" sound. She was thinking really hard and then she said, "My brain knows what it is, but it won't push it out so my vocal chords can say it!"

How does that happen?

I'm not sure about you, but something happens to my kids over the course of the day and night. During the day, they can really test my patience. Seriously, they can be argumentative, ornery, mean to each other...need I go on?? Then as they change into their pajamas, something comes over them...a sort of sweetness and love that boggles my mind. They whisper sweet nothings in my ear, kiss and hug me and their daddy and even, even hug each other! Where are these children during the day? Can someone tell me?

So, I'm saying good night to my little guy, kneeling down by his bedside.
He says to me, "Momma, can you stay here with me until the sun comes up?"
That got me--right in the heart. I want that sweet boy to still be here when the sun comes up! :)

The Tales of Runaway Bunny

As I said earlier, Zoey ran away two nights ago. She picked a fine time to leave us...it was cold and rainy. I felt really bad, because I think I was the one who didn't latch her door all the way. The next morning--no Zoey. I searched the neighborhood to no avail (although I did meet another neighbor that we hadn't met yet). I looked under neighbors' sheds, decks, in bushes and behind trees. I even stepped in major doggie do-do with my good gym shoes. I realize I shouldn't have had my good gym shoes on, however, when you are responsible for losing the family pet, you pull on the closest thing, run out of the house pre-shower, looking feverishly for the bunny.

The kids were sad, but as Trenton said, "Maybe she went looking for her mommy and daddy." How can you argue with that?

She was gone all day--the kids proposed that she was out having an adventure (I was just hoping she wasn't the adventure!) Bethany said that she probably ate grass and hopped around. Trenton said that maybe she saw other bunnies...maybe she did, hopefully she didn't.

Then at bedtime, my hunny looked outside the backdoor only to see Zoey in our empty garden. She ran back through the crack in the fence over the neighbors, so you know where we went....yup over to the neighbors again. There may be some Ms. Manners violation when you visit newly met neighbors twice in one day--the very day you met them. We are in their yard, looking, looking...no Zoey.

To bring this story to a close, everyone went to bed except Marissa and I. We saw her finally at 11:30 hopping through our yard. 20 minutes in the freezing cold...we caught her. She is safe and sound in her cage. She knows who her momma is...she knows who feeds her and waters her. :) I'm glad she's home. I didn't realize bunnies had that sense of home like dogs and cats do.

Oh, Bethany made "Missing" signs as soon as she found out Zoey was gone. The above writing is my sweet 6 1/2 year old trying to find our bunny.

Runaway Bunny

Stay tuned for The Little's version of this title...
Our bunny, Zoey, ran away from home two nights ago. I know that you are on the edge of your seat, so I will tell you that the story has a happy ending.

Can't Get Away

I've shared with you before how my Trenton loves music. Any instrument, most any song, he's singing it, strumming to it or drumming it. This week, he's been a little stinker-pot and he's about done me in. Today, he was headed to the bathroom for a sp*nking (not his first for the day and probably not his last). At the same time his crime was committed (throwing a toy and hitting other child in the face!), he also wet his pants. We were in the bathroom and I was trying to get him cleaned up and dressed, so I could administer his punishment. I was hunched over him, pulling on his pull-up and shorts...and he started singing...

"**Can't get away, can't get away, I can't get away, can't get away, I keep running into you"

These are the moments that keep a mom from tearing each strand of hair out of her head, one by one. The kid cracks me up. (By the way, he still got his sp*nking.)

**Rush of Fools

I am an arrow, I am a rocket
I am a river and nothing can stop it
Cause You are the target and You are the atmosphere
You are the ocean that keeps pulling me, You're pulling me here

*chorus*
And I, can't get away, can't get away
Can't get away, can't get away
I can't get away, can't get away...I keep running into You
(repeat)


I am a beggar, You are the table
I am so helpless, God You are so able
And when I get turned around You change my direction
You're so perfect, I'm so broken, here You come with arms wide open
Chasing after me down every road
You're always waiting there

*chorus*

bridge:
Even when I close my eyes, I can't help but see
There's no place that I can hide, You're such a part of me
I can't get away cause I keep running into You
I can't get away...

Seek and you will find

My Bethany is very sensitive and I've watched her sensitivity to the Lord grow over the past year. She has a sweet sincerity before the Lord that just melts my heart.

A couple days ago, she asked me where her Dora lantern was. Her great-aunt Sheron gave it to her and she wanted to take it to bed with her. I told her I didn't know and she said "that's okay because we learned in Sunday School yesterday that if you seek you will find."

She is applying God's Word in her childlike ways. She did find her lantern too. :)

(Note: I don't have any affiliation with the Dora lantern link--I just found it and linked to it to give you an idea of what Bethany was looking for. )

Momma's Brag Post

Bethany loves to draw and craft. This spring she took an art class and LOVED it. Here is her watercolor painting of the farm. My sister was so kind as to give Bethany sidewalk paint. I'm not sure who had more on them--the sidewalk or Bethany. :)
Lastly, here are my two characters. Bethany dressed Trenton in this suit and her in the dress, so that they could "sing and dance". They had so much fun.
I haven't blogged much about my littles, although they keep giving me blog material! Trenton is potty training and it's hilarious. He's got it down for the most part. But he makes some funny comments--like the first time he went standing up he said,"Wow, mom that was awesome!"

And Bethany is gearing up for a trip we are taking and she has packed so much stuff, I'm not sure she'll be able to fit. She assures me that it is all stuff she 'needs'. She's taking two babies because they are twins...and doll clothes, books, paper, etc. the list goes on.

They are neat kids and growing up fast. I'm trying to enjoy each day with them.

Zipped Mouths

This afternoon, Bethany (almost 6) and Trenton (2 1/2) were playing together. They were pretending to be a family complete with baby dolls and diaper bags. They had been to the store and the library when I noticed the living room being rearranged again. Chairs were set up in rows and little people started filling the "pews". Time for church, they informed me. I was asked to lead the singing and read the Bible story.
We sang a few songs with Trenton running the sound. I started to read the story of Daniel and the lion's den out of the children's Bible. Here's the conversation that followed:

Mom: Daniel prayed to God. There were some other people who didn't want him or anyone else to pray to God. So Daniel...
Bethany: I know this; can I finish reading it?
Mom: Okay, sure.
Bethany shows Trenton the pictures (who is now in the congregation alone with the babies). She continues the story of how Daniel was thrown in the lion's den, but God protected Daniel and kept him safe.
Trenton: How God safe?
Bethany: God shut the mouths of the lions.
Trenton: How God shut the mouths?
Bethany: You know how a zipper works? You zip it right up and it closes your coat. Well, God zipped up the mouths of those lions. And Daniel was safe.

Thank you God for zipping up the mouths of those lions.

A little boy in training

Maybe that title should read "a household in training"! The little boy has shown great interest in wearing underwe*r. That's great with me--diapers are expensive.

I'm sure I don't have to go into the difficulty of this excursion with you! We are all helping in some way--washing clothes, washing the floor, washing the boy, getting fresh clothes, etc.

This morning he wanted to put on his own fresh clothes. He got a bit frustrated with the process and decided that they fit much easier here...on the top of his head.

That's a glimpse into the "Life and Times of Us". If I seem a little distant in the blogging or personal world...this is just one reason why. Life happens.

I keep you safe

Little boy toddled in our room early yesterday morning. He climbed up asking, as he was snuggling into the covers, "I sleep with you?"

Me: "Yes, you can sleep with us".

Little boy (with that sweet smile): "Oh, good, Momma and Dadda."

Me: "Scoot over, I'm falling off the bed."

Little boy (scooting over MORE towards me): "What? You're falling off the bed?"

Me: "Yes, sweet pea, scoot over."

Little boy (wrapping his little arm around me): "Don't worry momma, I won't let you fall. I keep you safe."


I don't deserve such love and apparently I don't deserve any more bed space either. That sweet boy is worth me hanging on to the edge of the bed.

Third Day

You may remember that I posted an entry about how much Trenton loves music. He is so passionate about singing. Our family loves the music of Third Day and recently we borrowed the Chronology CD from the library. It came with videos. Oh, the fun our family had watching that video! Trenton, seeing the live performances, has been propelled forward in his own music and performing. He is singing the words to "Cry out to Jesus" and "Holy, Holy, Holy" with so much enthusiasm.
(It's been a good reminder about how much kids absorb and remember. We only watched the video twice.)
All this to say, I emailed Third Day (the "contact us" link) and the fan coordinator, "Mama Gomer" emailed me back! Third Day is going to be near our area in the spring and we are trying to see if we can actually meet them! "Mama Gomer" (who is as sweet as can be) said for me to email the pictures of Trenton playing and singing and that she would forward them to the band. How exciting!! It would be super fun to meet them and of course, we'd take Trenton's guitar. Maybe they'd let him play on stage with them...okay, I may be asking too much! :)

I don't know what God has in store for Trenton, however our prayer is that Trenton would give his heart to the Lord, love Him with everything he has, and serve Him all the days of his life. (We pray the same for our girls.) As much as Trenton loves music...well...we'll just have to wait and see.

Here are the lyrics to "Cry Out to Jesus" which touches a deep cord within me.

Cry Out To Jesus - Third Day (2005)

To everyone who's lost someone they love
long before it was their time.
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye.

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
keepin' you back from your life.
You believe that there's nothing
and there is no one who can make it right.

There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,
and love for the broken hearts.
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are.

Cry out to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus.

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love.
and they've done all they can to make it right again
still it's not enough.

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
you try to give up but you come back again.
Just remember that you're not alone
in your shame and your suffering.

There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,
and love for the broken hearts.
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are.

Cry out to Jesus.

When you're lonely and it feels like the whole world is falling on you
you just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus

Cry to Jesus.

To the widow who suffers from being alone,
wipin' the tears from her eyes.
For the children around the world without a home,
say a prayer tonight.

There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,
and love for the broken hearts.
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
that meets you wherever you are.
There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,
and love for the broken hearts.
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
that meets you wherever you are.

Cry out to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus.

Cry out to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus.

Lyrics found here.