The Perfect Date

So, we've been out of town for the past few days, visiting and celebrating with my folks in Indiana. My dh was determined to take me out on a rare "date night" with the built-in babysitters and all. So Friday evening comes around and it was now or never.

I was kissing everyone good-bye for the evening, and told my oldest son Isaac we were going on a date and would be back that evening once he was in bed. He told me he would miss me, then cocked his head to the side and said, "What's a date?" (a sure clue we simply do not go on enough dates!).

I said, well, Daddy is going to take me out to a nice resturant, let me order whatever I want, open doors for me, tell me I'm beautiful and that he loves me! When you get married, you'll take *your* wife out on dates too!

"Yah!" he replied enthusiastically. "I could even take her somewhere to get a *Happy Meal*, like McDonald's or Burger King!!".

Yes....a happy meal, son. That's the PERFECT date for your wife (at least it is in his cute lil' 7 year old mind).

How sweet~

Children - what a distraction!

It's all my husband's fault.

Ok, well, maybe not for the lack of blogging, but he's definitely responsible for my frustration right now. He was directed recently to a mega-church blog. This particular blog had a video interview with their Children's Ministry director. The part that gets me all upset is about their "policy" to not allow children to accompany their parents to the service.

I can just see it: children *police* set up at every entrance, don't let those little brats past, they'll distract an adult, hurry, stop 'em, STOP 'EM!!!

Of course, they have their reasons. They talk about how they try to be "age appropriate" at all age levels, and this is one way to ensure our precious little ones aren't hearing something about Christ that they just aren't ready for yet. WHAT?!!?

What Bible are they reading? What kind of language are they using? What illustrations? Is it rated PG-13 or R? I realize there are some, what some would consider "touchy" subjects in the Bible. Adultry, murder, sodomy, even multiple wives, children being killed by bears, a man beaten beyond recognition and crucified on a cross of all things. Horrible. Yes, totally not appropriate for children. (end OBVIOUS sarcasm)


Now, lest any of you not know me well, my husband is a Children's/Family Pastor. He is the director of Children's Ministries and heads up our church's MANY children's programs. Our children attend a lot of those programs. They enjoy them. I believe they are learning from them. I'm not a family-integrated ONLY supporter (although I do understand why some choose this and I respect them totally). That's not the point.

The point is, ONCE AGAIN, we have a situation where children are viewed as a burden, a nuisance, a distraction. This church claims their reasons are the age-appropriate stuff. They then say the "gift" of this way of worshipping is what they call their "distraction-free services". Yikes!

Talk what you will about how many parents today don't discipline their children, how they do run wild, how they would be a distraction, etc. The point is: we are the parents. NOT the church. It is not the church's job to decide what is age-appropriate for my child. Their making this a "policy" or "rule" is appalling to me.

If you want children who stay in the faith after they graduate (another of their claims this type of worship leads to), build up the family. Don't isolate them from one another. They get that all week long: school, work, after-school stuff, preschool, etc.etc. Support families.



I do wonder how they enforce this "rule"? Look deep into my eyes.....we know what is best for your child. Concentrate on my eyes......we only want what's best for them, we love them. Focus on the sound of my voice.......we just want to protect your children for you, teach them for you, take away any burdens or distractions from you. Peace, quiet, now doesn't that sound nice?

AHHHHHH!!! Wake up people!

Quiverful: Are we all alike?

I have been checking out some of the google or other searches that lead strangers to my blog. By far, the number one search is for the term "quiverful". That really surprises me!

I can think of *many* other blogs that I would consider more "officially" QF than we are. First of all, we have c-sections. No homebirths, no natural births, etc. Second of all, we fully admit that if our OB tells us we have reached a point where it would be very dangerous to get pregnant again, we would seek out other options. We're not exactly sure what that means, as I would *never* take hormonal birth control (not with my family history of breast cancer, not that ANYONE should take hormonal birth control willy-nilly....scary stuff, imho), but we would not put me or the baby at great risk to maintain that "pure" qf-philosophy.

Thirdly, my dh is a Children's/Family Pastor. Many quiverful families home church or attend a family integrated church. We're talking NO segregated activities. I fully support all of these differences between us and the "normal" qf family - that's just not how our family has worked out, not our circumstances.

PLUS, when I talk with completely strangers, not from our church - most have never even *heard* of the term "quiverful". Yet here I have many, MANY people visiting my blog searching out "quiverful" for whatever reason. Strange.


So if you are here searching around for information on being Quiverful, please understand that not all qf families look alike. Especially not us. We love the Lord, and we want to hand over ALL aspects of our lives to Him. That doesn't mean the same thing to everyone though, so try not to make broad assumptions just by reading here or any other blog for that matter. We are all human, we all sin - yet most of us really love the Lord and are striving to live for HIM, allowing HIS light to shine through us, muddled as it may appear through our human lives.

If you want to know what quiverful means to OUR family, by all means, check out this blog. We honestly believe the main aspect of the quiverful livestyle is how we view life, babies, children, family. Children are a blessing - I know EVERYONE is going to say this, but not everyone really lives this. I can't *tell* you how many Christians, loving Christians, simply miss the boat on this one. I have been told NUMEROUS times how they could NEVER have 5 babies! How they simply can't "deal" with the 1 or 2 kids that already have. How much babies "cost them" and "how in the world can we afford all these kids?".

And it's *certainly* not about "have as many babies as you can possible pop out". No way! It's about realizing and accepting that children are INDEED a blessing and that the Lord is in control of our lives. Not all quiverful familes have 12 kids - I doubt we will. Yet we really do view children as an amazing blessing, and not just the one or two WE decide to have, but ALL the children the Lord wants to bless us with. How can I look at ANY of my beautiful babies and think of one of them NOT being here, simply because I wanted things to be a little easier, because I wanted some "time off" from diapers for awhile, or because money was a bit (or very) tight?? Yet I know MANY parents who look back and think of those babies they denied from God with great sadness and regret.

And no, it's not a salvation issue. It's not about legalism, not about "good" Christians vs. "bad" Christians. Nope. I honestly believe our society has influenced even the church into viewing children as a burden. I think it's all tied into birth control, feminism, decline of godly morals in society, etc. That's not all of it, that's not a pat, simple answer - but I do believe it's part of it. Birth control may be helpful in some situations. Birth control may be helpful for non-believers who have no other reason to remain abstinent. Yet for believers, it is a slippery slope. Useful and benefitial to some - sure. Are their extreme situations? You bet! But the slippery slope is definitely there.


Ok, enough. I just found the whole idea of people coming HERE for info on being QF quite interesting. And I bet I'm a bit emotional due to being 23 weeks preggo - so go easy on me if you feel I was attacking you. I don't mean to, not at all. And by all means, let me know how you feel, what you believe, how you got here and what you may be looking for. We may not agree, but that's okay, we don't have to.

God bless you, my friends ~ enjoy this cold, beautiful day!!

Liking the *idea*

My kids love hot chocolate. You know, come in from playing in the snow, take off all those cold, wet clothes and smell the cups of hot cocoa. See your beautiful (a-hem) momma at the stove, pouring the hot cocoa into matching mugs, topped with mini-marshmellows. Then cupping their cute, little hands around the warm mugs and revelling in the delicious aroma....

Except my kids don't actually *drink* the cocoa. Nope. They love the *idea* of hot chocolate - they're just not to the actual "drinking" stage yet.

And I still don't mind making it. I don't mind the obvious waste, even of my time. 'Cause it's not *really* a waste of my time, right? We're making memories here, and that's what counts!

Someday, they may actually DRINK the hot cocoa - for now, they love the *idea*.....and that's okay with me~

Wishing

My kiddos are outside, playing in the "snow". Since you can still see the blades of grass through the thin layer of snow, I would hardly call this REAL snow - but hey, they're excited!!

I also realize that my sweet Selah needs winter snow clothes. She shot up two sizes this year and I am caught unprepared. So, a trip to the second-hand store is in order. I just saw a pair of boots in her size there last week - here's hopin' they're still there. I also need to hunt down a pair of snow pants, or even better, a snowsuit. My mother found Isaac an awesome snowsuit last year (one piece, pants & coat together - less hassle) which still fits him this year. He loves it!!

So, boots & a snowsuit. Oh, and some gloves for Isaac - all he has are mittens and he's frustrated by his lack of fine motor skills in them....so cute. Hats and scarves I can russle up or make myself quickly.

Here's wishing for some more snow for my babies. They told me they were going to pick up the snow and build a pile of it so they could go sledding......adorable~

Shucks...

Just a light dusting, really, maybe an inch or so, maybe.

Bummer.

We are still under the watch/warning today, yet the weather radar shows NOTHING - so again, I'm not holding my breath.

That's okay - it'll happen eventually! After Thanksgiving would be terrific!! I'd like to have plenty of snow when we go to cut down our Christmas tree - you simply HAVE to have snow to make that a perfect trip. With the horse drawn sleigh and *everything*!

Oh, well, I may just play some of that Christmas music today afterall~
Hope you enjoy your day and if you have snow where you live - LUCKY!!

We'll see...

If you live anywhere near the state of Michigan, you have probably heard/seen all the lake-effect snow warnings for today and tomorrow.

Whoo-hoo!!

I'm trying not to get too excited ~ I really love snow, especially that first snow of the season that STICKS!! It makes the world look so new and fresh. Yes, and cold, but that's okay...gives us yet one more reason to thank the Lord every single day - HEAT!

So, I'll let ya know how it goes. I lived in Colorado for 3 1/2 yrs, where it seemed that more than a few inches really sent everyone into a tizzy, we lost power for hours and the roads were crazy. But this is Michigan. We're used to this....at least, we used to be, when I lived here as a youngster.

Did you know that now they cancel school for low temps? They even cancel *recess* for low temps! Come on.....we froze our butts off and loved it!! (ok, now I sound like the grandparent who tells their grandchildren about walking to school in the snow - barefoot - uphill - BOTH ways!! HA!)

So, we'll see....I don't want to be too disappointed but I hope we wake up to a Winter Wonderland. I may just have to break out the Christmas music.

(ok, it's been out for weeks....my dh would have ratted me out anyways....oh well *wink*)

p.s. I talked with my mom today - she told me the reason I love winter is 'cause I grew up in Michigan. I have great memories of being snowed in, cuddling close with family, sledding & iceskating and eating snow. *sigh* I really hope my babies will make their own Michigan winter memories. I feel so sappy.....well, I *am* preggo...it's to be expected, right?! RIGHT?!!

Anyone else have great childhood memories that revolve around winter?? I pray I never outgrow this feeling~

Things getting busy~

Things are picking up around here. My dh has had numerous conferences, seminars and retreats to attend recently, which ultimately increases *my* load - or maybe it just *seems* that way, since I don't have that extra set of hands, that adult conversation at the end of the day. It really isn't much, especially compared to those husbands I know who travel often for their work, but my dh is a HUGE help to me here at home! We work well together and I just miss him TONS when he is gone - even for just one night...
(we are starting the "Love Dare" book soon - check back soon for updates on that!)

Anyways, my kids' choir at church has their Christmas Musical the Sunday after Thanksgiving, so we are in the final weeks of those rehearsals. I am in the midst of lighting, set, sound, costumes, programs, snacks, little kid jitters, you name it! Yet I honestly think, after a great rehearsal this morning, that things are all going to fall in place and turn out great!!

There's Thanksgiving, which we are celebrating with my folks this year. We have also been visiting a lot with Dean's mom recently, which has been really great, especially for my kiddos. They get so excited now when they hear "Grammy" is coming! 'Course, that may have *something* to do with her famous Buckeyes and Chex Mix.......Mmmmmmm....... My kids have good taste~

I am also in the upcoming adult Christmas musical - although I do not have a special part this year. Yet there is still tons of memorization - anyone else as bad at that as I am?? I can't remember what I had for breakfast this morning, let alone the alto part to 10 different songs - come on!

This coming Sunday, I am singing a solo & duet with the choir. I really like this particular song, the soprano and I blend really great, which makes it even better! I'm so glad I have the opportunity to be involved musically at our church. It is something "just for me" and I have to admit, I think that's important when it seems most of your days are spent focusing on everyone else. Now, "everyone else" refers to my wonderful, amazing, lovable family and I *LOVE* being at home with them each day. I just also enjoy music as a ME hobby as well. Not to mention, it is rubbing off on my own kiddos - I can't wait to hear Selah sing at church someday! She loves to sing!!


As to homeschooling, we are still squeezing it in here and there! My little Selah won't let me skip a day, that's for sure. She asks each and every day when we are doing our school work! She is great for my own discipline in this area. There are even those days I have to tell her no, that we *are* allowed to take a day off here and there - especially around this time of year.


On a more creative note, I finished sewing a terrific skirt for myself last night (ok, well, it was more like early this morning, but let's not mention that part, okay?!). The best part is the total cost - maybe $2. I already had the thread from another project. I already owned the pattern (but had never made this particular view) - and I found the fabric at a second hand store with my mother a while back. I've had the pieces cut out FOREVER, and just yesterday decided to tackle the actual sewing/ironing part. That can be difficult with four kids. In fact, I decided it simply wasn't worth it while they were all up. I waited until the little ones went down for a nap - then finished it up once everyone went to bed that night. It just works better that way - less stress all around!


Lastly, I got my hair cut - again. I know I have said I am trying to grow it out, but for now, the cute, short, asymetrical look is good for me. You know, a bit longer in the front, then an A-line up to the back. It's so much easier to handle each day and I feel more pulled together overall. When I get some pics, I'll share both the new haircut and the cute skirt with y'all~

So that's it - even with all this busyness (sp?), I am really looking forward to the upcoming holiday season. We had a bit of snow last night - just wonderful!! I love to see my kids faces as they run out into the first snow of the season, trying to catch big, fat snowflakes on their tongues. I know that same look is reflected in my own eyes, as I open my mouth wide and try to catch a few cold flakes myself. I'm looking forward to Advent and the great traditions that time of year brings to our home. Plus all that baking...Mmmmmm....the smells....

Time for me to go, brave the cold and walk down the street to choir practice this afternoon. God bless you my friends and family - hope to hear from you soon~

My plans...

and the Lord's plans are apparently not lining up today.

Argh.

I had finally gotten a babysitter. I was going to get my haircut and have a great dinner with some girlfriends, while my babies had a good time with one of their favorite babysitters.

Apparently, God has other plans.


So here I am, feeling sorry for myself, not finding a replacement babysitter on such short notice, house is a mess, I am a mess (at least my babies were already dressed and fed)......and there's a knock at the door.

I froze.

It was at my BACK door, so I knew it wasn't the mailman. I waited for a moment, frozen, waiting for my dh to find his keys - if it was him.

So I shooed the kids into the boys' room - and waited. The persistent visitor went to the front door - then back to the back door. But I was in my robe. I just *knew* it was going to be someone from the church - and I was in my robe. JUST my robe. What was I to do?

So I called my dh - he's just down the road at the church - to see if he knew of anyone coming to our home. Nope. I hung up with him, certain that our visitor was gone for good.

Yet my dh quickly called me back. In his office doorway was a friend. Of mine. Holding a Tim Horton's drink. *sigh* I suck.

And I was so upset about not even being dressed, about my house being trashed, about having a pity-party for myself all morning.....well....*sigh*

So I missed out on a visit from a great friend - whom the Lord probably sent to me to be kind seeing as how I couldn't go out that evening, nor get my hair cut (doesn't that always make girls feel better??). And I blew it.

Duh.

Sorry, Brooke, you ROCK!!


So here I sit, trying hard to not feel DOUBLY sorry for myself (although how can I *really* when I brought this part on myself) - and now I REALLY want that Tim Horton's coffee drink.......ugh.


There ya go - how's that for a blog update?? Like that's really what you wanted to here about, eh? Well, I've taken some pics recently so I'll try to update soon with things that are MUCH MORE interesting than a pity-party for me, me, ME! Promise~

Just to be abundantly clear,

regardless of my strong feelings from last night (when I honestly thought I was going to lose whatever supper I had been able to choke down), I do have hope. I will be praying ferverently for this new President Elect. No, he is not the man I voted for - yet he is who our nation has chosen.

I have fears, reservations, and great sadness about the whole thing - yes. Yet I know God is sovereign and that is enough.

That is not to say I will *ever* stop laying out the truth on my blog about abortion, about how precious life is - at any stage. Obama will be our new president, yet I will never agree with him on this issue (unless the Lord changes his heart so completely, as only our Lord could!!). It saddens me to no end to realize what this decision says about our country (pro-abortion, pro-homosexual, pro-government invasion in our private lives). So while I will support the office of president and the man chosen to fill it ~ I will continue to pray and speak out and raise my children in TRUTH!!

I'm guessing that's all I'm gonna blog about this election (we'll see). I know right now I am EXTRA devoted to training and raising my children in TRUTH, as I should always be, but this has really driven it home for me.

Now on to more domestic duties: I've implemented a "penny system" - I'll talk more later....
Resting in Him~

as I get older...

...I seem to be more affected by the presidential race.

I'm guessing this has to do with having children and just seeing beyond my own little sphere of self. My stomach is all in knots - not because I'm scared of an Obama-nation - instead it is the knowledge that so many Christians actually helped get him to this point. It is the fact that so many Christians actually were able to delude themselves into thinking a man who kills babies is what's best for our country. And yes, when he votes, when he signs those papers, he is killing babies. There's no way around that. It doesn't matter what else he does in the name of "good" - you can't have it both ways.

And the fact that so many of these "Christians" (and no, I can't help but put that word in parentheses) are young (in age, and in their faith). It sure does spur me on even more in my efforts to raise my babies in TRUTH. Yes, there is *TRUTH* - and it is not relative. It is not wishy-washy and it does not change based on feelings.


Yet, I do have hope. I have hope because God is sovereign. God in in control. God is God. He never changes. Nothing we do surprises Him.

I have hope because I see it in the faces of my little ones. I see it in the faces of my friends who also are raising their children for the Lord. I feel it in my own heart, as I look at my expanding belly, and knowing GOD loves this child even more than I already do or ever could.

I have hope because I know, I KNOW, God has already won! Yes, we have to live here for now. Yes, these decisions will affect our life here on earth. Yet in all reality, our time here is short. And in the end, God has already won.



And lastly, it is true - this election has spurred me on to be a light, to have our family be a light, in this ever-darkening world. I do feel the weight of this, so heavy, stifling, almost a palpable sensation.....yet when I keep my eyes on Him, I can breathe. I can sigh and know He is Good. Praise Yahweh!!


Please, tell us how you feel. How has this election changed you? Or has nothing changed? I'm interested in your thoughts, even if they are different than my own. God bless you, my friends~