~Not ashamed~

Here is my son.

This is him standing on his head while on the train to visit Papa & Mema. The boy just likes to stand on his head.


You know how they say today's classrooms just aren't set up for little boys? That they get in trouble, then they get labeled ADD because they can't sit still in those little chairs for hours on end??


Well thank goodness we will be home educating!! With what little "sitting" we have done for pre-school/K work thus far - this has been Isaac's favored position. Sitting right atop his own head.

The thing is, just when I think it's hopeless - that he couldn't have possible heard me with all that blood rushing to his head, let alone actually *retained* anything - he surprises us all by spouting off facts we had no idea he knew!

It's amazing!Little boys really will be little boys.

And THAT'S OKAY!

So go for it, little man. There are enough moments in this world when you will have to learn to sit still, to conform, to do what the masses are doing, just to be "normal" and accepted. In this moment, in these years, in these home educating times, go ahead and be a little boy.
Stand on thy head, oh little one!

You go, dude man~
*Michigan Momma*

My mother told me this would happen...

Ok, here's another funny from my son.

We go to church Sunday night. Dh is out of town. My mom is visiting for a while to help me out.

As it turns out, Pioneer Clubs aren't meeting that night (great) so the two older ones need to come to "Big Church" with us. No problem - they are 4 and 5 and have been to church numerous times with us before. I have no fear.

Things are going along quite smoothly. Sunday night service is usually an "older" crowd, mind you, so I'm *extra* watchful of my babies - not wanting to make a bad impression with the older generation (my dh has only been a pastor there for a few months).

Suddenly, I look over at my son and see that he has his hand down his pants. He is wearing overalls (his favorite) and it's easy enough to fit BOTH hands down there if the occasion calls for it.


Obviously, the occassion calls for it.

I frantically whisper "Isaac, get your hands out of your pants". He immediately complies. Being the ever-so-concerned mother that I am, I wonder if there is something wrong. I ask him if his p*nis is okay (yes, we call it a p*nis). He says no, he just has an "ichy". I say that's okay, but if he needs to itch himself, we need to go to the bathroom. He nods. Whispered conversation over.

Ya right.

I look over again - both hands are sneaking down his overalls....HEY! (I whisper).

WHAT?!?! (he says not at all quietly) I'm not itching my P&NIS!!


Great.


My mother told me this would happen if we insisted on calling a p*nis, a p*nis. At least no one really understands what my daughter is referring to when she talks about her 'Taurus. I'm still praying people think we own a mid-sized Ford sedan.

*Michigan Momma*

My little negotiator

Poor Selah.

This is the first time we have lived close enough for my babies to have overnight trips to Mema & Papa's house. Actually, we live just far enough away for it to be easier to have week-long trips. That is where my little man is right now - a week long trip to Mema & Papa's. Fun stuff.

Selah seemed to be okay with this. I went over the details with her a day or so earlier - just so she wouldn't be sidelined by the shock. She was mildly upset at the news, but at the reassurance that 'her turn was next', she took it all in stride.

Until we got to the train station...

It suddenly just hit her. Wait a sec. Isaac is leaving without me. Mema is leaving without me. Someone is doing something fun WITHOUT ME! What is going on?!?!

She tried being sad, "I wanna go tooooooooooo".

She tried being mad - complete refusal to even LOOK at Mema.

She tried being sweet "Pleeeeeeeeeease?!?!?"

Finally, she resorted to negotiation, "Can we play 'Eenie-meanie-minie-moe' ???"

Hey, it's a 50-50 chance with Eenie.

*Michigan Momma*

p.s. she's back to being adorable. Tonight, during her prayers, she told God she missed her brother SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much...... kid prayers are the best!!

Lizzie's Blankie

Now, I know what you're thinking: Who's Lizzie?

Well, Lizzie is Talitha Elizabeth's favorite little dollie. She is technically a Cabbage Patch baby, but Tali doesn't know or care about that. She just likes to carry her around by her tuft of red hair and look at her blue eyes - both features that Tali has as well.

Ok, so, anyways, my mom had made up a very beautiful "angel" blankie for one of Selah's dollies. It was pink and had the design of an angel on it. Selah loves to wrap up her dolly, aptly named "Dolly", and carry her around ever so carefully. Tali was a tad bit jealous, so mom decided to whip up a quick blankie for her dolly as well.

Mom decided on a "mile a minute" type of pattern - using multiple yarns and a HUGE hook. She says it kinda looks like a rag rug at first, but it's actually quite functional. Take a look:

Picture #1: Laying flat (it does kind of look like a rug)

Picture #2: Lizzie laying at the top of the blankie (notice the yarn string)

Picture #3: Pull up the bottom portion and wrap it around the dolly (string still on top)

Picture #4: Pull sides together and tie yarn string into a big bow

Picture #5: Lizzie all snug in her new blankie (and Tali is now ever so happy!!)

Cute, huh?? Maybe she should market 'em....

*Michigan Momma*

skirts, skirts, skirts

I have my first skirt all finished. It was the super easy one, no pattern, just took my measurements and cut out two panels, front and back to make an A-line skirts - just below the knee. It turned out just great! I was impressed with myself - and it has given me the motivation and confidence to tackle the next few skirts.

These next few skirts will be more difficult and more time consuming. I've got to make up some wax paper patterns (from the paper pattern adjusted to *my* measurements), then figure out how to place them on the fabric I have (probably won't be able to place it just like the directions tell you to), then sew and iron and sew and iron and some more ironing (why does it seem as though sewing is half ironing???).

Ok, so the first skirt I will be sewing will be the shorter green one (read: the easiest looking one). I will then move onto the shorter yellow one. If that goes okay, I will try one of the top skirts, the asymetrical ones (not the longer ones). There ya go. I'll let ya know how these patterns work for me. I'm not sure how I'll have to change them, if any. All of them use a simple elastic waist, so they should be pretty forgiving.

Check back in a week, and we'll see where I am...

*Michigan Momma*

Gross

Juicy Fruit Gum.

Long John Silver's Hushpuppies.

Here are two items that I used to love as a kid - but now I find them gross! How does that happen?? Oh, well...

*Michigan Momma*

p.s. but I still don't like cole slaw...sorry mom.

His first trip away

I miss my little man.

*pout, pout*

*sniff*

He was excited to go, I'm super happy for him.

I just adored the way he walked backwards as he was leaving, so he could wave good-bye to his Momma the whole way. With that huge smile across his face.

My little man.

I miss him....

*Michigan Momma*

p.s. He's only going to be gone for one week....I think I'll survive. (I think)

Some updates

Hey y'all~
Whew...what a few days. I know everyone has their own issues, their own problems, their own circumstances they are going through (good & bad) - here are some of ours lately.

DUCKS
Super-cool! We have a Momma & Daddy duck who visit us daily. We try to watch for them and bring them a quick snack when possible. The first day, another "daddy" duck tried to make a move on the Momma - but the *real* Daddy wouldn't hear of it. He was very protective. He is an awesome Daddy duck. He lets the Momma eat almost all of the food we throw their way. He quacks quietly the whole time we are there, just to remind us who is boss, I think. He follows the Momma around, on the lookout for any problems, any danger, keeping her safe.


Not to mention how cool this is for my kiddos. It's a homeschool advantage for sure. Each day we talk a bit more about ducks, about the differences in their appearances, why the daddy is protecting the momma, etc. It gives me an opportunity to look up info on ducks to share with my babies. We have even talked about marriage, and the commitment found in that sacred institution, how important families are. How cool!!









We did have a late night trip to the emergency room. A few nights back, Tali showed up in our bed, breathing VERY hard, very labored, with a high temp. After keeping an eye on her for awhile, after watching her choke and spit up the medicine I tried to give her - I decided it was time to go. We got there about 4am - and we were leaving by 7am. Not bad, actually. They almost admitted my little baby - she had the beginnings of pnuemonia (sp?) and full-blown bronchitis. Yuck! A few breathing treatments, a steroid oral med and a chest x-ray later - she was sounding good enough to go home. While she is still obviously sick, she tries to keep up with her brother and sister as she runs around playing with them. Do you know how difficult it is to keep an almost 2 year old down?!?! Darn near impossible!!










We had a great visit with my parents this past weekend. The weather was just gorgeous! The kids got to see one of the local floating museums: The Huron - a lightship on the great lakes. Very cool - does this kind of stuff count as field trips? Even when it's so much fun?! Even when you're lucky enough to go with your Papa?? Awesome!












We walked along the boardwalk on the St. Claire River (between the US and Cananda) and watched the ships going through the channel. We also went to a local beach on Lake Huron and *some* of us even dipped our toes in the water! It all looks so clean and beautiful. I was even able to nurse my baby right there on Lake Huron - it is really beautiful here! Thank you Lord for allowing us to live here!












There was also the Pinewood Derby, a fun park trip, and just time spent with the grandparents!



I just love pics of me and my babies - usually I'm the one behind the camera, so it's nice to have someone else take the pics once in a while!


And look at my big boy! Elijah Rock is getting chubby, eh?! (hey, did you catch that Canadian-speak coming out of me?? I've only lived here a few months!!) Here is my little man with his Mema.


Ok, I guess that's enough pics, huh? Of course, our life isn't ALL good, right? My toilet handle is busted, my disposal quit working, a tree fell in our back yard during a wind storm (but it didn't hit the house - PTL!), the hospital visit/meds cost us a lot of money (I really dislike money) and some other stuff I can't mention yet. I just have to keep trusting in the Lord. He has given us so many blessings - and I know He will be with us through all the hardships as well. My nature wants to worry, but I refuse!!

Last thing - I did manage to make it to our local fabric store that was closing. I got enough material to make at least 4-5 skirts for only $7. Cool! Now I just need to either find some fun skirt patterns or just take the plunge and make them on my own. I'll share pics just as soon as I can!

Luv to all
~Lovin' it here in Michigan~
*Michigan Momma*

so much to talk about

There really is *so* much to update y'all on. We have had duck disputes, a visit from Mema & Papa, a fallen tree, a lightship museum, adorable new baby smiles, sad good-byes - not to mention a middle of the night emergency room visit and breathing treatments.

It's crazy.

I'll update soon, but right now I'm headed out the door (in severe wind gusts -but that's another story) with two small babies to the doctor. I'll be back...

*Michigan Momma*

beautiful

Sunday morning, as I am scrambling to get myself and four little ones ready for church, my oldest son appears in my bathroom doorway. "Momma, I can't do this button. It's too high (top button). Can you help me?". "Of course, honey, come here" I answered.

As I am doing his top two buttons, he watches me carefully. Just as I am finishing up, ready to let him try the bottom three buttons, he says, "Momma, you have beautiful hands".

Simple as that. He is such a wonderful little boy.

And the truth of the matter is, in the world's eyes, my hands are *anything* but beautiful. I have sorta short, chubby, kinda stubby fingers, with nails that have a tendancy to break easily. Not all that "beautiful". But in my sons eyes, my hands are beautiful.

Isn't that wonderful?

*Michigan Momma*

(Talitha in Momma's hand at one month old)

maybe just a little more sleep...

I've been trying *really* hard to get enough rest. I *try* to get to bed no later than 11pm. What's better is to nurse baby between 9-10pm and then leave him with my dh while I get right to sleep. I feel comfortable knowing dh is taking care of little man until he falls asleep - I don't have to worry about Elijah fussing or not falling asleep right away - instead *I* can fall asleep right away.



Anyways, I didn't get to bed until about midnight last night, but I didn't think that was TOO bad. But this morning, maybe 7am or so, I semi-woke up to find little Elijah snuggled up in my arms and sweet Tali snuggled up against my back. I neither remember bringing baby into bed with me nor feeling Tali climb up into our king bed. I gave a slight shrug and fell right back asleep. Dh had to forceable wake me up at almost 8:30 so I wouldn't miss my Women's Bible study this morning.


I love our king bed....
*Michigan Momma*


p.s. I now have all the kid's clothing organized - I went through numerous bins to put aways too-small clothing, get out the next size and I'm still working on the laundry. I know I washed all the clothes before storing them but still - it's been five years since we've been in the 3-6 months BOYS bin. I just needed to re-wash some stuff. It's so fun to go through all the clothes and think about my older children when they wore these little outfits. *nostalgic sigh*

(Isaac at almost 2yo)


(Isaac at 5 1/2 yo)


(Selah at 6 months)


(Selah at 4yo)


My house needs a major cleaning job before my folks come for a visit this weekend. But they aren't coming until Friday. I'm afraid if I clean too early, it'll just need another good cleaning before then. So I'm procrastinating. With a fairly good reason though. right?!?? (just smile and nod and no one will get hurt) Later *MM*

eating raw...help?!

Okay, so I've been doing fairly well on the eating 60% raw. I've been doing it since Friday. I have lost some more weight (yeah!) but man, this is hard.

I NEED GOOD RECIPES!!

Or just ideas. How do you combine your veggies to make them taste good? What seasonings do you add? What are some simple salad ideas?

Eating carrot sticks and celery stalks will get REAL old, REAL fast.

Someone told me when they were doing lots of veggies and fruits, they ate a wrap like everyday for lunch. She gave me a few ideas for wraps (with maybe whole wheat tortillas or flatbread or pitas) - but feel free to share with me what you like in YOUR wraps. I don't mind adding in *some* things other than veggies, but the idea really is to get in as many veggies as possible.

I made up a Carrot & Raisin Salad today. It also has yogurt, honey, crushed pineapple and cinnamon in it (oh, and a bit of nuts). It was...umm...okay. I know, I KNOW...I will need to retrain my taste buds. I'm just not used to all this....well, all the veggies. I'm looking forward to the night this week that I have my asparagus with dinner. It just sounds good. Hey, I think I'll also have some for lunch tomorrow - why wait?? Just tender-crisp with some salt. Yum! (Wow, a veggie I'm actually looking forward to!)

So PLEASE leave me some veggies ideas. What are some yummy salad ideas? HELP ME!!!

Thanks~
*Michigan Momma*

Dealing with faith & fear

Hello all,

To be painfully honest, we are still struggling financially (who isn't, it seems nowadays). We have good times and not so good times. We (my dh and I) are struggling with really living out what we believe in this area. It's pretty complicated (and a fairly private issue) but I'll share a bit here just to air out my thoughts mostly.

I have been reading the book, Having a Mary Spirit by Joanna Weaver. Of COURSE, this past chapter is exactly what I needed to read. I even had a rough night last night with Elijah - so I was up looking for something to read - low and behold, I remember this book and it was just what I needed (thank you, God).

It this particular part, she talks about fear vs. faith. Fear says, "God can't, God won't....so I must". This is kind of how I have been behaving lately - even though I know it's not true. I have been overly concerned and fearly about money. About what we will eat. About what the kids will wear. The Lord has always provided in the past - I know He will this time too - but yet still, that FEAR begins to infect my heart and my thoughts and eventually my behavior.

Then she talks about faith. Faith says, "God can, God wants to, and God will....so I choose to trust Him with my life". I KNOW this to be true, I do. But I'm having a hard time with the "God WANTS to" part. I KNOW He can. I KNOW He has in the past. But there's this part of me that is concerned about Him really wanting to. It's like, He's had to help us out last time, the time before that, the time before that. Some of it is due to our negligent behavior and bad decisions. Yes. But some of it is just due to things beyond our control. The unexpected. The high cost of moving cross country is still coming up in certain bills here and there. ugh....I don't want to discuss it.

So anyways, I'm struggling. I have DECIDED that I am making the decision to believe it ALL. To believe that God CAN. To believe that God *wants* to. And to believe that God will. It's not easy. But I'm laying it down at His feet, 'cause I can't do this anymore. My dh shouldn't have to deal with a frantic, fearful wife as well as the stress of financially supporting our family. He is doing a FABULOUS job. He works *so* hard at this new job (which he loves), he is continuing to work hard towards obtaining his seminary degree. He is a great husband and a loving father. He doesn't need the guilt a nagging, fearful wife brings upon him. I'm so sorry Dean.

So I give up - I give it up to God. Take it, God, 'cause it's too big for me. I can't make it work on paper. I can't find the "quick fix" solution. I'm lost. I need YOU. Thank you for always being there. Thank you for taking me again and again, even when I show my unbelief again and again. I'm so sorry.

Ok, enough. Now I'm off to go through the kid's clothing. I have my piles started: too small, too big, give away and put away in closets/drawers. I'm not even half way done - this is no small task with four little ones. Praise Jesus for His provision in this area as well!! Our children are well dressed and have never NEEDED anything. Thank you to those of you who have allowed God to bless us through YOU. You ROCK!!!

One last verse for me to think about today:

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
Jeremiah 17:7-8

Thank you God, for your Word.
*Michigan Momma*

Happy Anniversary

To ME!!

We just didn't have any extra money at this time to really get each other gifts for our 8th Anniversary (April 10th) - and we were okay with that. But then, out of nowhere, dh tells me he got me something and just needs to find a way to get it to the house. The next day, he and another pastor pull into the driveway with the church trailer and this...



YIPPEE!! A piano!

Better yet, a FREE piano! Cool!

I don't play all that well (at all) - just piano proficiency in college (I'm a music performance major though in clarinet and vocal, so I do know enough about music to learn). I'm actually hoping my children will pick it up. I'm not sure we can afford piano lessons for ALL the children, but perhaps I can switch lessons with another mom - like help her children with a woodwind instrument or voice lessons, for some piano lessons. It's a thought.

It's definitely not a new piano - but dh had a choice of two different pianos. One of them was in better tune and looked better cosmetically - but this one was a better brand name and in overall better condition INSIDE. We can always get it tuned and the outside is just, well, the outside. I'm more concerned that it just play well.

Isn't my dh the very BEST?!?! Yup, sorry ladies, I married Mr. Incredible. He's taken!!


The other news around here is I finally assembled the bunk bed we bought from Ikea a few weeks ago.

For now, we squeezed a queen mattress on the bottom, although we'll probably purchase a full-size at some time. We just needed a place for my parents to sleep when they come to visit in about a week. It'll work just fine. Plus Isaac is SUPER excited about his new bed! The girls have taken over the old wooden bunk bed we had received as a hand-me-down (a very nice strong hand-me-down!!) and Isaac is now so happy to be UP HIGH again. We also purchased these really cool looking duvet covers to match this awesome baby quilt we got as a gift a while back:

Here's a pic of the kind from IKEA - the colors and style match perfectly!!

But we bought the wrong size, so we'll need to find time to exchange those. I'm getting better at just letting these types of things happen slowly, over time, instead of freaking out - wanting it all to be done NOW! I know we'll eventually get the full mattres, we'll eventually get the right size duvet covers, eventually it'll all look like a nice decorated boy's room. In the mean time, no one really cares but me, so I need to get over it!

Oh, and here is a picture of Isaac's clothing storage. Just some metal bins under his bed (and they match the metal of the bunk bed!). One for undies, socks, hankerchiefs, belts, ties, etc. Once for jammies, one for shirts, one for pants/shorts. Eventually, he'll outgrown them and we'll have to come up with a different solution, but for now they work. We just don't have the money, nor the room, for each of our children to have their own large chest of drawers. I think our clothing storage will be evolving over time, with each new child. It'll be interesting to see what happens...

One last thing, I went to the store yesterday and was able to purchase weekly produce. Right now, I am starting my day off with my lemon water (which will help my body cleanse itself each day). I don't think we'll have the money for weekly produce for another week or two - but hey, I just gotta do what I can. Once we get back on a budget, we'll be able to make that weekly grocery trip a part of the budget. I can't wait - my body is really ready to feel better - I'M ready to feel better!!

Have a terrific Friday ~ talk to ya soon!
*Michigan Momma*

In the Raw

Hello,

Ugh. I have been so sick. My poor body has been sleep-deprived and I have been emotionally overwhelmed due to that (among other things: lack of consistant child-training as one example). My body has been unable to fight off sickness and I have been feeling quite bad since the birth of our precious Elijah.

I know my eating habits have played a HUGE part in this. Eating most of a batch of PB chocolate chip cookies is not helping my body (even though it seems to help my emotional state-of-being at 2am in the morning). I have read and read and read about the health benefits of adding more fruits & veggies in your diet. I have also recently read about the benefits of adding these foods RAW. So that's my latest goal. To improve my health. One of the ways I intend to do this is by adding in as much raw fruits and veggies (emphasis on veggies) as possible into my diet.

This means a change in the way I buy groceries too. I will need to head to the store once a week, which is not something I normally do at all. That's part of the reason we don't eat produce very much - we usually buy in bulk and you really can't do that with produce - or you waste too much (which is what we normally did).

So I'm going to try to head out to the store once a week at the same time each week. I wonder if this will lower or raise our food bill? I bet if I was REPLACING the junk I normally eat with fresh produce, it will ultimately be less. If I am making meals for the family, but I am making less of it (and instead eating a big ol' salad), then the cost will go down. Or at least stay the same. Anything that increases the output of money will NOT go over well with my dh. It's not that he's against being healthy, he's just against spending ANY more money. We are at our limit and in fact we need to cut back where possible.

I also know, in reality, that my health is super-important. I can't be the wife, mother and homemaker I need to be in such poor health. My dh also realises this (as he had to take care of EVERYTHING for like a week recently as I was so sick) and I know he will do everything he can to help me out in this area! Such a sweetie!!

Ok, so your imput is desired. What types of fruits & veggies should I start with this week? What will help with the switch? What will help boost my immune system? What will give me energy? What will help me fight off future infections?

I also don't have any special equipment to do this. No juicer, no Vita-Mixer thingy, no super-blender (I don't even own a blender). I have a decent food processor, which is what I usually use to make smoothies and such. I have a set of decent knives and a cutting board. I also have a determination to improve my health and take (better) care of this body the Lord has blessed me with. I need it to take better care of my dh, my babies, my home and myself - plus others in our life. I'd better get to it...

So go ahead, comment. Let me know what has worked for you, how you improve your health, any tips or ideas about this raw-thing (or any other ideas). Thanks y'all~

*Michigan Momma*

Elijah Rock

I have been told that I have not posted enough pics of little man recently. In my defense, I have been completely laid up, TOTALLY sick. I personally think it has to do with my body just being worn down a bit. I haven't been sleeping all that great (which is totally expected at this stage of newborn-ness), but added to that, I haven't been eating all that great. Just too much junk. All that combined, with stress and such...ugh, my body is just tired and not fighting ANYTHING off.
Ok, enough complaining. Here are some cute pics:

Elijah on Easter Sunday

Just hangin' out with Momma in bed

Properly representing *the Team* - Go Bucks!!

Elijah's "Old Man" hair

Selah had hair like this as an infant too - just the hair on the TOP of their heads fell out. Selah's was *much* more dramatic - after one bath, as I was towel drying her hair, BAMB!! no more hair! With Elijah it was more gradual...just one day I noticed, hey, he doesn't have any hair on the top of his head anymore. Ok.

And I don't know if you can tell, but it is still an auburn color. Of course, we'll see what color starts to grow on TOP of his head next.

And I couldn't resist, here's some pics of the other little ones too:

Here's Isaac - can you tell he got a haircut?? (his hair grows REALLY slow....)

Isaac & Selah on Easter. My other two babies stayed home with sick Momma

My newest "challenge" at home - what a cutie!!

Talitha truly has become my biggest challenge. She is just starting to really push the limits, seeing if Momma is *really* gonna enforce the rules or not. I am learning to be super-diligent with her and I know this will pay off (sooner or later, right? RIGHT?!?!)

and one "Blast from the Past" - my baptism. It was in a local lake. My dad just scanned this into his computer recently and sent it to me. Thanks dad!

Ok, time for bed. Yikes 10:30pm! When did that happen? BEDTIME!

*Michigan Momma*

Resurrection Day recipes

Lisa, over at Second Generation of Homeschoolers, has a recipe page where she has posted some EMPTY TOMB type recipes. My sister asked for the cookie recipe, but I thought I would just post this page: EMPTY TOMB RECIPES. This way, you can all look at the recipes and decide which ones you'd like to make. Cookies, Biscuits or a Resurrection Day Cake.

Enjoy~
*Michigan Momma*

A quick idea...

Crystal, over at Homemaking Homesteader, has posted her monthly menu planners for you to print out (cute tools to write your menus down on). Just click here: Monthly Menu Planners Crystal puts up each new month a few days in advance.

Now, another commentor on her site has this great idea, which I am going to try. Instead of using them to actually plan your menu - instead, use them to write down what you are ACTUALLY eating each night. That way you can see what foods you are eating on a regular basis, how often you are eating leftovers, how often you are going out to eat (you'd be surprised!), and if you are in a rut regarding your choices of recipes.

I think this is a simple idea, given time, that will really help you evaluate your dinner choices, and help you plan better in the future!! I'm psyched!!

~COOL~
*Michigan Momma*

p.s. sometimes it really just takes the simplest things to make me happy.....

Getting Ready to READ

My son is ready to read! Isn't that exciting?!?!

I've always heard that you really shouldn't rush the reading thing. That it will actually HURT them later in reading as well as other subjects. I heard that reading early is NOT indicitive of being smarter or increasing IQ or anything like that. So I wanted to wait.

Yesterday, just while 'taste testing' our cookies, my son says "Momma, does cookie start with 'C'?". I about freaked out - YES!! Cookie *does* start with C. I hugged him, he was so pleased that I was so pleased.

Then I asked him a few other words and letters. Basically, he knows only the letters that we have been SLOWLY going over in our 1-2-3 Read! curriculum (which is only up to H or so). The thing is, I honestly didn't think Isaac was paying too much attention. My daughter (just turned 4) pays attention in the more 'traditional' way, and can sing the song better and just seemed more interested. I'm lucky if I can get Isaac to focus long enough to learn the song.

Yet HE'S the one that is actually picking it up. Selah wanted to "play" last night when she saw how happy I was with Isaac - but she couldn't figure out the beginning letters as well as he could. It's AMAZING how much Isaac is able to pick up when I think he's not really even paying attention. Wow!

So now I'm motivated again to keep plugging away at our letter sounds. I also printed off some fun-sheets with beginning letter sounds, as Selah really enjoys worksheets. Then I found an old wasp nest on our mailbox. I'm gonna use that to teach them about wasps and bees and their homes, etc. Something they should really learn about here as we've already seen a BUNCH of wasp and bee nests on this property...

Ok, this time I REALLY gotta run. Luv to all~
*Michigan Momma*

Planning for Resurrection Sunday

Ah-ha! I finally did something on my To-Do list up there. Those are my "bigger" projects, beyond the daily stuff, and as you can see, I have a hard time getting beyond the basic stuff!

But I went ahead and thought out our Resurrection Sunday Dinner. We still don't know too many people around here yet, and we haven't heard from any family yet (Kenni? do you guys wanna get together?), so I just planned out an easy dinner for our immediate family.

*the Tomb Cookies will be prepared the night before*

Boneless Lamb Roast (preseasoned and everything - on sale a while back)
some type of hashbrown/tator-tot casserole
Green Bean casserole w/ cheese
deviled eggs
celery sticks with cream cheese/paprika
pineapple tidbits
rolls
Apple Cake


yup, there's that Apple Cake I've been meaning to get around to. The recipe says it's better if it's been sitting for a day or two - so I need to get to that by Good Friday at least.

We are really watching our budget and trying to get on track with a new salary/new job here in MI. So for the rest of this month, we have like NO MONEY. So our dinner had to be made up of things we already had in the house. Hence the regular ol' green bean casserole and tator tot casserole. Not to mention I kinda like the idea of having a very kid-friendly meal. I want them to really have good memories of Easter.

Speaking of which, now I need to get to work on the kid's Easter Baskets. My dh said his family used to so a kind of "hunt" for their baskets (at least he remembers doing this one time and he really liked it). I will make up some simple "clues" for the kiddos to follow, in order to find their baskets. What I really want to do, is fill the baskets with practical, needed items (think undies, socks, hair bows, toiletries, etc.) but again, no money right now (and I didn't plan far enough in advance) - so instead, I need to come up with creative baskets. This aughtta be interesting....


One more thing, I just wanted to let y'all know about some more great recipes I've made lately. I made this EXCELLENT cream cheese chicken enchiladas and red rice. The red rice was SERIOUSLY delicious. I couldn't believe I made my own red rice!! Did I tell you about the three-layer Hummingbird Cake I made a while back? Very delicious, pineapple bits inside the cake, just delicious. Again, I can't believe I made my own THREE-LAYER cake. It was really pretty. And of course, I made up some homemade Mac-N-Cheese. It is made with condensed Cheddar Cheese soup. I threw some cubed ham in as well, what a great meal!

Then there was the Pecan Pie Muffins, the Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole, the Smoothies, Georgia Cookie Candy, and Sausage Biscuits.

And I want to try Slow Cooker Pinto Beans, Corn Chowder, Bobby's Goulash, the Carrot Cake and a Peanut Butter-Glazed Ham, amoung many others. With a good recipe, ANYONE can be a good cook!!

All of these are from Paula Deen's Celebrates! Cookbook (from my mom). I'm just so impressed how great this food is!!

Ok, well, the construction guy just installed our new fireplace door (they had the wrong size before) so it is FINALLY finished! I'm gonna grab my second cup of coffee, a few pb choc. chip cookies the kids and I whipped up last night and go enjoy the rest of my kid's room time.

Enjoy your day~
*Michigan Momma*

A Wife ~ faith *IN* the trials

A Wife ~ continued....

"We are to honor the Lord in the trial - in the very thing that afflicts us."

"We do this by exercising perfect faith in His goodness and love that has permitted this trial to come upon us."

"A person has only as much faith as he shows in times of trouble."

"Believe me, there is a power that can make us victors in the conflict."

**quotes from Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman (the updated version), April 3rd, pg 140-141.


Okay, so yesterday I came to the conclusion that I really needed to work on being a better helpmeet to my dh. The Lord had been showing me how much I was lacking in this area, and how it was affecting our marriage. I wanted to honor my dh and honor the Lord.

All good things, good ideas, well-laid plans, all that....

Until you get a migraine.

Now, we're not talking about a slight headache here. Or even my normal painful migraines. We're talking about debilitating pain here. It was kind of building all day, but I thought I could deal with it. My usual drug of choice for this pain is Excedrin. I don't think I'm supposed to take Excedrin while nursing (I can't remember). I tried lots of water. I tried to take it easy. No luck.

So basically, during my pain, I tried to still help my dh. He needed to go through some of our financial stuff. He also really wanted to watch THE GAME later that night.

I don't think I did that great of a job. Dh was able to get his work done, but with a crying wife. With a wife that came across as "woe is me, helping my dh" rather than "joyful wife helping her dh". Argh. Man, this is hard!

And I think my expectations have a lot to do with it. Here's an example: last night dh needed some time (there's that word again). I just needed to keep the kids occupied and away from their father during that time. All I had to do was the basics. Feed them, change them, you know. Instead, I whined and cried (to myself the best I could) while Iemptied the dishwasher, rotated the laundry, vacuumed the floors, wiped down the dining room table, etc.etc.etc..... It was as if I *had* to EVERYTHING in order to best please my dh. And that's just not true.

What he needed at that moment, how I could have been a "helper SUITABLE" to him *at that moment* was to merely give him the time he needed to get his work done. Not maintain the home, while crying and basically making dh feel guilty for having to do his work while his 'poor little wife slaved away with a headache'. ARGH!! Man, this *is* really hard.


And do you see it?? Do you see how AS SOON as I had resolved to do what was right, to follow the Lord's commands in regards to my dh, I was physically attacked with a TERRIBLE migraine, the likes of which I haven't felt, perhaps ever! I definitely felt I was being attacked. I know the Lord allowed it to happen - and I do feel I did *better* than I would have done before my resolve, but still....I don't feel as though I "triumphed" through my trial.


"A person has only as much faith as he shows in times of trouble."

Looks as though my faith is lacking. When trouble arises, I pretty much fall apart. I'm sick and tired of that. It is not what I want my children to see. We all have trials and trouble - I don't want my children seeing their mother fall apart like that. Nor do I want them learning to react that way themselves when they encounter their own trials.

Then I was led to Colossians 2 this morning in my devotions:

"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and establised in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude."

Isn't that just the BEST verse?? I am firmly rooted. I am being built up and established IN MY FAITH!! And I can do this overflowing with gratitude! That's a biggie. Sometimes I feel like I can do it all on my own. I can respect and honor my dh. But I can never do it "overflowing with gratitude" - that's just too much for me to do all on my own. But IN CHRIST. In Him I can be OVERFLOWING with gratitude. Awesome!!

Okay, enough. Time to bathe my babies. I've got two of them going to the doctor today. Please pray as I am worrying about one in particular. I know I shouldn't worry but well....could you pray for me regarding that too??!

Thanks~
*Michigan Momma*

a wife, a mother, a housekeeper

(I think I will deal with each of these topics in seperate blogs. There's so much to talk about with each one - I'm just discussing MY PERSONAL battles and thoughts on these topics. I would be blessed to know what each of you thinks and how you have dealt with these three topics yourself.)

A Wife

Okay, I was faced with the reality that I am NOT doing my best to be a helpmeet to my husband. A wife's role has to do with taking care of her husband, of making *his* priorities her own, of looking for ways to please him, to help him. Nope, not doing any of that. In fact, I'm getting miffed because he is not going out of his way to please me. ouch. not good.

But let me tell you, it doesn't take too many nursing sessions of reading Created to be His Helpmeet for me to get my thinking back in order. Yes, I know there has been blogworld controversy over this book, but it has been a blessing in my life. I pray this time around, I will use the wisdom in this book to bless my dh. (I will probably need to keep reading this MANY times throughout my life to get back to basics and really focus.)

Just as an example, last night my dh asked if I would heat him up some leftovers (I was in the process of heating up some for myself). Goodness, everything inside me cried "get up, do it yourself, don't you know how hard I've been working, how much I just want to sit down?!". I thought of how I *should* respond. I then gritted my teeth and ground out a simple "yes". It was all I could manage. How sad is that?

But I do believe it was progress. No, it wasn't said with joy, with an obvious love for serving and helping my husband - but in all reality, it was said in love. It is love for my husband, for the Lord and for my role as a wife, that has me thinking about these things. It is love that compells me to TRY. It is love that helps me TRY to think of him first, TRY to bless him when all I really want is for someone to pamper ME!!

And it *is* progress. I am doing what I know is right and good, even if I'm not doing it with a correct attitude yet. I know my feelings are important, but that will come as I continue to DO what is right. My behavior and my actions are a start. Just because I don't "feel" like blessing my dh is not a good enough excuse.

One of things discussed in this book is the idea of becoming a 'bitter, old woman'. She talks about seeing young mothers headed in that direction. I was kinda scared because as of late, I feel myself headed in that direction. It seemed the only words coming out of my mouth recently were bitter, sarcastic and hurtful. Nothing my husband or children did was good enough. I was always mad, mean or depressed. I can just imagine my dh thinking "man, I do *not* want to go home tonight".

Now I *know* there are a million perfectly good reasons WHY I am feeling like this. I KNOW I just had a baby, I'm so tired from the physical demands of four small children especially with one of them still nursing at night, I miss my husbands extra help as he is so busy with a new job and seminary, etc.etc.etc. Yes, it's a hard time for me. Yes, I bet the world would have me believe I have every RIGHT to be cranky, mad, depressed, whatever. But that's not what THE WORD tells me. The Word tells me it's my role, my responsibility, to bless my dh. Not because he deserves it so much (we all deserve death in reality), but because that's how God ordered marriage.

One more thought: the world would also be "concerned" for poor little Lori. Poor little Lori who is going to make herself a doormat, be stepped all over by her domineering husband, a pitiful Christian wife who subjects herself to cruel treatment.

whatever

Yes, this whole idea of submission can be twisted and perverted and made into something wrong or abusive. Yes, man has managed to pervert almost everything the Lord has put here for our good. But that doesn't mean we turn away from God's ideal. God's plan. We strive to do His will, what He ordained for our good, the best for our lives.


I am also blessed in that my dh is a wonderful, godly man. I'm not here to discuss all the what if's. I believe this command is for ALL wives, not just those with godly husbands. Of course I do not believe a woman should be abused - she should get away and get help. But I still believe God's ideal, God's plan is best. It is what we should all be taught marriage is about and what we should all be striving to obtain in our marriages. God's best. What is better than that??

**so now....how can I best bless my dh??
He is so busy with his job and with seminary - I know it's a matter of time. Of me giving him time to get everything done that he needs to get done - without making him feel guilty for not being here enough, or not helping me enough, or not playing with the kids enough, or whatever. This is VERY hard for me as my exhaustion level is so high these days. I need to focus on getting enough sleep - that will help. I need to focus on my mornings, getting dh off to work without him feeling guilty for leaving his exhausted wife alone at home with so much do. This is my job, my responsiblity. We both have hard jobs. We both have so much going on right now. We are both tired and cranky a lot. But it is my job to be a helper suitable to his needs. And right now, he needs time. One of the things I least want to give him. *sigh*

this is hard.

Thanks for listening. With the Lord's help, I'm hoping I can continue to do what is right, even when I don't feel like it. I also pray that my emotions will begin to follow suit. That soon, when I DO something for my dh, it will be out of love, out of joy, out of a desire to please him, rather than a feeling of obligation to him and to God.

I want my children to see what a godly marriage can be - and that they will desire that for their own marriages in the future. What a heritage we can pass on to them, if we are intentional!

God bless you, tired mothers, and I pray He will give you the desire to be the best possible help to your own husbands~
*Michigan Momma*