Living in the here and now

I'm having a hard time doing this.

I keep thinking "once I get here, once we move here, once *this* happens" yada, yada, yada....blah, blah, blah......

We've all heard it, we've most likely all done it.

So here I am, facing my third move in less than a year. While I can definitely see the hand of the Lord in ALL of this, it is *still* hard with four small children. Even though I know we are following His will, I still find myself falling into self-pity at times. ick.

When that happens, I tend to just maintain. I do the basics around the house: dishes and laundry. I keep things picked up, but not necessarily all that clean. My children do basic homeschooling. With Kindergarten, it's really not *that* intensive - just three days a week.

So I'm trying to find my groove (no, I'm not trying to be Stella or anything). I'm trying to figure out what GOD desires for me to do. Somedays I honestly *do* believe it is just maintaining. Somedays though, it could be so much more.

The thing is, I could potentially be right here, in this same place, in ten years. In ten years, I could be nursing a baby with lots of littles (plus some olders ones, I know). Yet when I think about our life in ten years, THIS is not what I want. I do not want to just be maintaining - I honestly want to thrive. THRIVE!!

The Prayer of Jabez is on my heart. I finally got around to reading the small book while at my folks house. Of course I want His blessings - today! Yes, I want my territory increased - although sometimes I feel pretty stretched as it is............therefore the third part, wanting HIS hand on me - yes, Lord, please, put your hand on me, on my life, on our family, our home.

And lastly, keep me from evil. Not just get me through the tempting situations I allow myself to be in - but keep me from them altogether.


There's so much I want to talk about but I need to organize it a bit. If it's big theological issues you crave, you may want to simply move on - right now, I am swimming in the everyday of being a Momma. Right now, I'm thinking about Christmas devotions, our traditions and how to accomplish them in our tiny home. I'm thinking about how to reach my children's hearts, not just their behavior. I'm just trying to get myself to bed each night before 2am.......

Luv to you all ~ I know it's been kinda bare around here lately. Hang in there - come January, we'll all be encouraged to get organized, get back to basics, get in the Word, you name it. And a bit more time to deal with too!
*Michigan Momma*

A plan gone awry ~

It's just part of being a momma.

I had a plan. During quiet time (which Ihad planned very well, making sure all FOUR of my babies would be resting at the same time), I would pull out all the storage bins in our closet/storage area - put away all the clothes given to us for our children in larger sizes, put away the fall/Thanksgiving decorations, pull out the winter/Christmas decorations, and pull out the winter-wear box with gloves, hats. coats, boots, etc.

Instead, I spent the majority of my time with my daughter, convincing her that she has poop in her bottom that NEEDS to come out. Yes, my daughter is constipated and here I am, in all my Momma-glory, doing my job of helping the poop to come out. I'm thinking about what foods to have her eat, what exercises and/or massages will get things *moving* down there, how often to have her sit on the potty and how emphatically I should press her to "push".

Nobody tells you about THESE things when you talk about being a momma!

Also, my youngest has started eating LOTS of solids. He *loves* his food. He is still nursing, about 3 times a day, especially in the morning and right before bed. He also is constipated. *sigh* Then my other son waits until the poop is literally coming out before running to the bathroom, while my other daughter has NO PROBLEM with her poop. Regular and gross every day....

Gross.


And people wonder why I don't want a dog....Hmmmmm??? Go figure?

~still lovin' my poopy-babies~
*Michigan Momma*

Sorry Dad...

I had to give my first spanking today for someone sticking out their tongue at me. I'll give you three guesses WHO? (and the first two guesses don't count)

Must run in the genes, huh??

*Luv ya, Lori*

Yoga for Dummies

As I said before, I highly recommend this DVD for anyone who wishes to try yoga. Especially if you are WAY out of shape, or have simply never done yoga before. As someone who fits into both of those catergories, I really enjoy this video.

That said, here are some interesting tidbits about my "practice" (as they call it):

*usually half-way through my practice, I end up shooing all the kids into their room to play. This is usually done in a calm, kind, low tone voice - ya right!! - it's actually more like "that's IT! get to your room until Momma is done with YOGAAAAAAAA". Ahhhh....feel the relaxation.

*My body is obviously *not* balanced. Here is my tree pose on the right side (obviously not me):

Here is my tree pose on the left side(yes, I know it's a child posing - that's how bad this side is): even with this major modification, I still can't hold it for more than a few seconds without losing my balance. I wonder if this has to do with my hip dysplasia??

*My back is honestly strengthening up - thank the Lord. I was getting to the point where every time I bent over, I hurt my back getting back up again. ugh.

*It say right in the video that yoga is NOT a religion. There is no mention of chakras, chees (I have no idea how to spell these things), third eyes, whatever. The only thing it mentions is that a balanced body helps promote a balanced spirit - I'm guessing it's the other way around. Start with your spiritual life and it will overflow into all other areas.

*It is relaxing, yet also is DEFINITELY working/toning my muscles. I am fairly relaxed during most poses (some are a bit more difficult) - but the next day, whoa! Do I feel it!! And it is simply enough for me to even do it while I am recovering from this nasty sinus infection gunk. I really *do* feel better after exercising!

*I'm hoping this will mainly help my back: my posture, strengthen the muscles, etc. Carrying extra weight around (especially in my chest - nursing each baby hasn't helped - well, it's helped THEM but not my back, oh you know what I mean....) has put undue pressure on my back for years. In additon to losing some of the weight, I hope to improve my back through exercises as well.

And there you go. This tape is great. The instructor is not annoying. The tips are very helpful. The modifications for each pose are lifesavers! And once I get better, there is an intermediate routine as well. If you get a chance, check it out from your library (that's how I first discovered it).

Ok, off to shower.......

*Michigan Momma*

Kitchen Tip Tuesday

Whew.....I almost didn't make it. But it's only 6:02pm on Tuesday, so it still counts!

Here's a very basic tip. Make up a shopping list.

No, it's more than just your average, frantically-written out list right before you head out the door. Here's how ours has evolved:

I was an overwhelmed Momma to four babies, 5 and under. I need simplicity, yet wanted to be this wonderful wife and mother who made great, creative, tasty meals - hot and ready when my dh walked in the door.

The dream did not materialize.

Instead, we made up 2 weeks worth of basic, tasty, inexpensive meals. From those 2 weeks worth of meals, I made up a list of EVERYTHING we needed. Every Tbl. of butter, every pinch of salt, every 1/4 c. of shredded cheese.

Then I added in our basics - you know, stuff for the pantry: flour, sugar, coffee, butter, yeast, PB & J, etc.etc.etc. I don't have everything we ever use on here - but most things.

So this is what I do. At the start of each 2 week period, I print out one of these handy-dandy tools. I put it up on the fridge. Everytime I run out of something, or I begin to run low, I check the list. If it's on the list, I simply put a check mark by it. If it's not on the list, I add it. Before we head out the door, I simply grab this list off the fridge. No more freaking out right before we head to the store!

Ideally, we would simply shop every two weeks or so. In reality, it works out to be even less, what with left-overs, unexpected meals with friends, food left-over from a church meeting, etc. I simply make a quick walk-through the house right before I leave for the store to check on toiletries, cleaning supplies, diapers, house items, etc.

This process has made my life *so* much easier. I plan a week's worth of meals (from our 2 week list) on Sunday - then I just check this list each day to find out what we're having for supper. No last minute freak-outs, no missing ingredients.

And yes, we still make the occasional meal that isn't on the list. But for the most part, we stick to this list. Some may say it sounds stifling but in reality, it's quite freeing. I am so much more relaxed about meals now. Dh has approved the list, so I KNOW he'll be happy with whatever we're having that night.

Ok, so that's it. Just spend some initial time making up the master list, save it to your computer and print whenever you need it. Simple. Beautiful.

*Michigan Momma*

Looking for just the right one

Christmas Tree Farm, that is. This is a huge tradition for our family, becoming more so each year. Although, in the years since we've been doing this, I don't think we've ever lived in the same area for more than one (maybe two) years - so we are constantly looking for just the right farm.



These are just a couple pics from the website of the farm we will be visiting. Our *ideal* farm must have cut-your-own tree (obviously), a hay-ride (horse drawn is a bonus!) to the tree field, a quaint gift shop, hot cocoa/cider & cookies while we warm up after finding the "perfect" tree (free food is also a bonus), handmade wreaths for sale, oh and to top it off, a family-owned business where you see the dad, the mom, their children, perhaps their spouses - all joining in to make it a memorable tradition for *our* families. How terrific is that??

And of course, snow....

*Michigan Momma*

It's okay, Mema....

....Momma *is* feeding me!! Teeth or no teeth~

(although I *am* wearing a pink trimmed bib, let's not talk about that, okay?)

The Holiday Warm-Up

Well, actually, I don't have a whole lot planned...

Let's see:

*Thanksgiving week at my folks in Indiana. We will *finally* get to visit my sister's home, take family picures, go out to eat for Thanksgiving (yes, we are going out - to a lovely high-end place that specializes in this sort of thing), visit with a few old friends, and just enjoy Mema & Papa for a few days.

*Fun home school units and crafts revolving around the holidays, especially our Lord's birth. The kids are learning to love this time of year, just like their momma!

*Pioneer Club Pancake Night: not exactly Holiday-ish, but it falls right there in the season. I am handling the music for that night, as in I have been working with the kiddos on three songs to sing for the parents. Fun!

*CHEBWA Cookie Exchange: Can you really get by the holidays without a cookie exchange? This is for my home school support group (which I *love*) and I look forward to bringing home lots of cookies for my babies (but not for me...nope....really....).

*Choir Musical: I am involved in our church's Christmas Musical this year - I even have a small solo. My two oldest children and my dh will also be involved. I am looking forward to it (although I am NOT looking forward to memorizing ALL THOSE SONGS - I do much better if I can simply hold my music "just in case")

*Camp Christmas: this is an event held at our church. It is for all children, up to 5th grade. They arrange childcare, which this year involves evangelists with the older children, so parents can have a night of shopping, wrapping gifts, or simply dinner out with your spouse! Unfortunately, since MY spouse is hosting the event, I can't have dinner with him - but I can get a few hours of COMPLETELY ALONE time. Oh my goodness, I can't remember the last time. Really?!?!? Oooo, I'm suddenly very excited....

*Vacation: My dh has one week left of vacation. With the normal days he gets off during the holidays, PLUS a few vacation days added in, he will be home with us for about 2 whole weeks. It was approved yesterday - how cool!!

*Baking, baking and more baking. Need I say more?

*The Tree! It's a great tradition: finding the perfect tree farm, picking out the perfect tree, cutting it down with daddy, watching them shake it out and wrap it up, going inside to warm up, drink cider, eat a few cookies and browse their holiday gifts, handmade wreaths, etc. Then the daunting task of getting it straight in the tree base....well, most of it's fun;)

*Family Advent Celebrations: We do nightly ornaments, Bible readings, Christmas carols, candy-count-down, and prayer. Maybe I can make my own advent weath?

*Snow! Please, please let it snow for the holidays!!

Ok, enough. I need to go check my calendar for anything I forgot, then get to making some lists.

Ahhhhhh.......lists. I love lists. I haven't made a list in too long. Maybe that's why I feel so vague and fluffy-headed?? (no comments from the peanut gallery, thank you VERY much!)

Happy Thanksgiving & Merry Christmas to you all~

*Michigan Momma*

My challenge

Well, my challenge, as I said previously, has been *challenging*.

First, we had 4 babies sick, with my dh out of town, visitors in our home and now I am sick. While it makes sticking to some of my challenges very difficult, it has also shown me how important many of these "goals" are in our lives.

I believe with more sleep and better nutrition, we wouldn't get sick as often. Of course, I know it's bound to happen here and there, especially since we have many children who participate weekly in Sunday school times, Pioneer Clubs, a Wed. night activity, Story Tales on Tuesday mornings, etc. Yet perhaps I could be doing things here at home to help prevent and fight these illnesses more proactively, rather than RE-actively.

Water. ich. I'm am *not* a water drinker. Our water is kinda gross (imo). I have been drinking quite a bit of iced green tea w/ citrus. I pee constantly. But I feel better!!

I still struggle with bedtimes and rising times. Perhaps due to the fact that my sleep is usually so interrupted (think one easily-scared baby, one teething baby, and one loudly-snoring, yet wonderful, dh). I've had an older, wiser mom tell me not to "covet" my sleep, to try as best I can to stick to the same rising time - but MAN.....I feel so drained (probably due to a bad diet as well). There are days I can hardly drag myself out of bed as my dh leaves for work! It is definately one of the hardest things in this challenge.

The next hardest thing is NOT eating after 7pm. Wow - did I ever have an addiction there!! What an amazingly hard habit to break! It was my *decompress* relaxing time after the kids went to bed. I need a new way to decompress.

On a good note, I *am* losing weight. Slowly. On a bad note, I'm RE-losing weight that I had already previously lost - so it doesn't even really feel like losing weight, just crawling back to where I was before. *sigh*

Overall, right now, I'm feeling pretty good. At times, I feel that this challenge was ill-timed (it probably was), but if nothing else, it has kept these goals in the forefront of my thinking. AND, it's not all about just losing weight, but rather being healthy. Taking care of the body God gave me for this time on earth. Agressively dealing with OBSESSIONS and IDOLS I have in my life - not just letting it slip by.

Time to go hug on my babies ~ especially Elijah, poor teething baby that he is :(
*Michigan Momma*

Could it be??

Is it possible??

I was cleaning with my babies today (they are learning how to dust, wipe down the bathroom sink, etc.). As I was dusting, I thought *very* briefly of re-doing their work once they went down for quiet time today. Then I thought, no way! I'm a busy momma. I've got lots to do. So what if the dusting isn't perfect? Really, who cares?



There is a friend of mine, an amazing momma, who's house is cluttered. Let's face the facts, it's messy. Not dirty, per se, but messy. Yet she is an amazing wife & mother, homeschooler, terrific friend, etc.etc.etc....


I don't give one whit about her house. I don't necessarily want my home to be that messy (both dh and I get overwhelmed with clutter after a time), but while I'm visiting, I'm more interested in conversation and laughter with her. I'm thinking about how amazing her children are as they play with and watch over my little ones.


So could it be? Is age and time calming me down?? Now, don't get all crazy on me - of course, I still like a neat house. I still want our home warm, comfortable and welcoming. I like the floors vacuumed, and especially the bathrooms wiped down. I want to teach my children how to clean their home and teach my daughters how to run a home someday of their own.


But maybe I can do all of that with a little less neuroticism. I could relax just a bit. I could actually smile at the end of my day, instead of thinking about everything that I *didn't* get done.


Because let's face it, when you are a wife and momma, nothing is ever really *done*. Not really.

God bless you my friends~

*Michigan Momma*

Some details...

Ok, here are some details as of late:

Setting Captives Free: The Lord's Table

This is my accountability for now. My poor dh, he just loves me a lot and doesn't really want to be mean to me - which I guess is what is needed to hold me accountable. Basically, The Lord's Table calls a sin, a sin. They deal with gluttony. I need to be dealt with. In the most basic, straight-forward way. So this is what I'm doing for now. It is a 60 day program - I am on day 1. I'll let you know how things are going.

Part of this accountability, is a daily food log ~ not forever, just for awhile, as I get used to this. I am doing Permission-Based Eating, otherwise known as GBS (growly belly syndrome - don't ask me why it's a syndrome?). Anyways, you know the drill: eat when your tummy growls (wait for 3 growls to make sure you're really hungry), stop when satisfied, before stuffed. Wait until your body tells you it's hungry again. I don't wait for a growl in the morning though, I just wait until after my workout.

Check out this page if you want to read about GBS a bit more.

So here is today's (Wednesday) REAL eating (not my menu for today, what ACTUALLY went into my mouth).

one bowl of cereal - we got some free small boxes (serving size) somewhere
w/ milk (of course)
2 chicken nuggets
maybe 1/2 c. of diced, fried potatoes w/ ketchup

I'll be honest, I drank diet pop throughout the day. Of course, water would be better, but I just don't really like our water that much. Maybe with a filter...I can drink as much as I want throughout the day, as long as it is NO calories (diet pop, diet green tea, black coffee - yuck, etc.)

**updated**
I made up some granola, so I took a bite or two (tasting purposes, of course)
then I caved and ate a bowl of ice cream.........sigh......no more ice cream in the house until I have better self-control.


Oh, and I did some Pilates today. 30 min or so - it's a video I own. 10 min. on butt, belly & thighs = 30 min. It was hard, but doable.

Ok, well, my babies are ready to go to church. I'll talk more later....

God Bless you all~
*Michigan Momma*

p.s. I ate very little today, especially for all the work I did - but I'm guessing my body is getting used to this, since it's just day 1. I also could have chosen something a bit healthier than frozen nuggets, but hey, that's what the kiddos were having. My dh was working late, so I didn't make anything big. You can tailor the Lord's Table to whatever menu you want. Hopefully I'll choose healthier options in the futue - well, at least *some* of the time, right??

MIA

I know, I know....



I have simply been going through some "stuff". This past weekend, it was just getting used to having my hubby back home with us - YEAH!!

But there is another thing, something I don't really want to discuss quite yet. I will, eventually. For now, it is just tumbling around in my brain ~ it actually kinda hurts, and I need to deal with it a bit before sharing it. It was even hard for me to share it with Dean. I have felt so out-of-control, and frankly, so mad. Now that God is beginning to show me how HE wants me to deal with this, well, I can just begin to feel a spark of hope....maybe....


In the meantime, please, continue with your "Challenge". I have just complied everyone's info and I have a surprise for you all. Keep up your determination, looking to God first and foremost, even before the experts and the books, the charts and the "scientific facts". Let us be hungry for HIM!!










On another note, I just finished reading When You Rise Up: A Covenantal Approach to Homeschooling by R.C. Sproul. Yes, it makes some mighty strong statements. I have it sitting next to our toilet (hey, that's where I get most of my reading done, it seems) and I'm hoping my dh will read through parts of it and give me his opinion. If nothing else, it really encouraged me that YES, we are doing what God desires in this area. Yes, children are a blessing. Yes, Deut. 6 (and the WHOLE Bible) is TRUTH!! Thank you God for the blessings you have given to Dean and I - they are simply amazing!!




Ok, I have more to say, but the baby is fussing.



God Bless you~
*Michigan Momma*