MamaArcher's Blog

Another Day Another Birthday Party

MamaArcher — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:57:10 +0000

Our birthdays tend to fall very close together in our family. We have a spring season and a fall season with a few others here and there. June and July are a couple of our free months. It seems that everyone else we know has their birthdays during those months! I thought I was going to have a bit of a breather during the early months of summer but that was not to be. In fact, we had two birthday parties to attend this week.

It doesn’t bother me really. It is fun to share in the celebration of those we care about. One party this week was a princess/fairy party. The other is one where the children are going on a mountain hike. There is such a big difference. We have done many different things. After all it is important to make the day special for the children, we are celebrating their life. We have done simple family birthdays with the homemade cake, a song, and gifts. Then finish up with their favorite dinner. We have done elaborate like swimming with the beluga whales. We have had years with little fanfare and years with BIG birthdays. However, I have really failed when it comes to the themes, games, and decorations.

I wonder what you all do to celebrate those lives the Lord has placed into your homes. How do you all celebrate birthdays???

Just Thinking With My Fingers

MamaArcher — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:26:11 +0000

I would say that I am just thinking out loud but that phrase doesn’t seem to fit when I am typing. Today is another one of those days when I have a bunch of random things floating through my mind and I need to get them out! So here we go, a visit once again to my random thoughts.

I have two different birthday parties for my children to attend this week.
Bear Paw Festival is this weekend and we are planning to make it at least to the parade.
All the boys will be gone on Saturday (the day of the parade) one paint balling and the other two dipnetting.
I need to make a run to the local homeschooling store.
I wish the rest of my curriculum would hurry up and arrive so I can finish my school lesson plans for next year.
Bags of stuff to drop off at the Salvation Army.
I am going to miss my walk today unless I go later in the heat of the day.
I cannot believe how warm it has been here in Alaska!
I wish they would get the wildfires under control, the haze in the air is so yucky!
Back to my walk–it is so frustrating to walk so much and climb mountains and not loose a pound of weight! I have lost a few inches and I know that is what matters but it is still so very frustrating!
I am also continuing to loose hair, the baby is 7 months old! I am now thankful that I have had an over abundance of hair, turns out I needed it!
Our baby is now crawling!
The almost three year old is officially potty trained!

Well, that is all the randomness I can afford for now. That birthday party time is quickly approaching! I hope you all have a bee-u-ti-ful day!!!!!

Requirements Fullfilled

MamaArcher — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:06:05 +0000

I am reading a book which I will review for you at a later time. It is an excellent book. It discusses the very issue I want to address in this post today. It took what I already knew and phrased it in a different way. It caused me to have an “ah-ha” moment. It changed my thinking from being in the terms of the law to being in terms of the covenant.

The Temptation of Adam 1551-52 Oil on canvas, 150 x 220 cm Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice

Often people focus on the law and how Christ was the fulfillment of the law, being the only one able to fully and completely keep the law. We could discuss all of the reasons that the law was given or why we needed Christ to be our perfect sacrifice but what I would like to look at goes a bit deeper. It goes beyond the law because to most when they consider the law they often do not think of the law beginning in the garden of Eden. They do not think of the very first law. They do not think in terms of covenant.

The real reason we needed Christ was not just because we cannot keep the law but because Adam, the physical father of mankind, broke covenant with God.

Christ not only fullfilled the law but he also fullfilled the requirements of the covenant of works (or covenant with creation). This is the covenant made with Adam in the garden.

Man broke covenant with the Father (God) and so God (Christ) came as a man not just to fullfill the law but to uphold our end of the covenant. What amazing and merciful grace that is!

Celebrate America!

MamaArcher — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:24:39 +0000

Hoping you all have a wonderful 4th of July! I wanted to share this photo with you today. I swiped it from a blogging friends blog. He takes amazing photos and you should visit there sometime! This one is a favorite and very appropriate for today!

Two Year Old Verses Mosquito

MamaArcher — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:46:48 +0000

Last night we had an ER visit for our two year old. She had a run in with a nasty mosquito and her eye began swelling. We treated it with Motrin and Benadryl but it continued to worsen. As soon as it began matting it was off to the hospital. Well she ended up with an infection as well as a swollen lymph node all in a 24 hour time span. So she is now on oral antibiotics and medication we place directly into her eye. It looks SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better today. As of last night she could not even open her eye. Even amidst tons of bug spray the mosquito proved to be a formidable challenge!

Budget, What Budget?

MamaArcher — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:45:48 +0000

Budget, what budget? That is what I am feeling these days. Since we have taken a break from school we have a little bit of extra money. We are not paying for piano, ice skating, and a few other things due to the summer break. We do have fishing trips and fun stuff planned though and that all takes money too. We have taken to eating out more than usual also. Eating out is a treat that I love, no shopping, planning, cooking, or clean-up. Having a family our size takes a lot out of our budget even if we decide to go to a cheapy old fast food place. (Dave Ramsey would be appaulled) I am starting to feel the need to tighten that money belt a bit.

I am planning on going through our checkbook and looking at the last several months to add up how much money we have wasted on eating out. (Dave Ramsey would be proud) After I pick myself up off the floor from the shock that I know is to come I will share this revelation with the family. Then we will think of all the things that we could have spent that money on until we are all convinced that eating out really is not that wonderful a thing. (Dave Ramsey would be proud) Then we will celebrate with a nice dinner at the Chinese place in town. (Dave Ramsey would be appaulled once again) Oops, did I just say that out loud???

I have not been “real” grocery shopping in probably 2 months. These every other day runs to the store are a budget killer too. I always seem to find something to buy that wasn’t on the list! I am in desperate need of a trip to the butcher shop and to Costco. I think this shopping trip will bust the budget as well because I have not kept our stock up. I just need to do it though to get back on track. I am planing on making a LARGE purchase at the butcher shop and hopefully it will last almost all year. Hubby went deep sea fishing and brought home halibut and rockfish. We are going at the end of the month to go salmon fishing. Hubs is also planning a caribou hunt and a bear hunt. I think meat should be covered for the year! Then it will only be keeping stock up in the pantry. Costco runs will cover that. Those runs are not too bad as long as I keep on top of it because not everything runs out at the same time. It is when I let the supply dwindle and have to restock EVERYTHING at once that is gets unbearable.

So my day will consist of menu planning and list writing. Oh yeah, and adding up the wasted money that we have “eaten” up these past few months. (Dave Ramsey would be proud once again) If I am not back to blogging soon then you will know I hit my head when I fainted from the total!

Am I the only one who has a hard time keeping that food budget under control? Or I should say, just following the food budget!

Quiverfull in the Military

MamaArcher — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:45:01 +0000

I recently received this question from someone who visited my blog. I will do my best to answer her questions.

I just stumbled upon your blog. My husband and I have 2 children, (with one on the way).
We fully embrace filling up our quiver, but I’m wondering as a military spouse how you deal with it.
My husband is considering rejoining the Air Force. He was in for 10 years and we’re both drawn to going in again. However I’m worried that we will have a harder time raising godly children with Daddy deploying so much.
We are homeschooling family and born again believers. I know this is probably a lot to ask, but maybe you could do a post or write me back on this topic. Our children are the most important thing and we want what is best for them. Thank you for your time.

God Bless,
Julie

This is a hard question to answer because I want to actually give an answer. People often ask me how I “do it” in reference to many things in my life. I really do not know, I just do.

In the short time that we have been in the military we have been blessed to have my husband around more than some others. He thus far has only gone on one deployment. He has taken several TDY assignments that have ranged anywhere from 2-6 weeks long. When he has been gone, he has been able to call almost every night as well.

Here are a few things that I believe are important to maintain while hubby is away. You can still raise godly children even if you husband deployed often.

1. God is faithful and He is the one to work in the hearts of your children. He is the Father to the fatherless. When my hubby is away I often pray that He would be a father to my children and be even more evident to them when their earthly father is absent. Prayer is essential.

2. Do not forsake the gathering together of the saints. In other words, go to church. It is easy to fall into the temptation of just not getting out and going to church. Some days it seems it is more work than it is worth, especially on bad mornings trying to get out the door, with a little one crying the whole service, and you are wondering why you went because you missed everything the pastor said. It is still important to go. People will be there to pray for you and to minister to you. It also sets the example and lets your children know where you have placed your priorities (on worshipping the Savior).

3. Continue family devotions and Bible readings.

4. Continue to talk to your children about spiritual matters.

5. Pray with your children daily. Pray for their father, for you and them at home, and for spiritual growth for each member of the family.

6. Remember it is not all up to you, God is the one who will work in the hearts of your children. Just be faithful to do all that you can and trust in the Lord for the results.

Mesmerized

MamaArcher — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:56:59 +0000

No related posts.

Husband & Wife

MamaArcher — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:01:30 +0000

Let a wife make the husband glad to come home, and let the husband make his wife sad to see him leave ~ Martin Luther

Depths of Depravity

MamaArcher — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:23:24 +0000

I am brokenhearted. Have you ever noticed how much sin surrounds us? I cannot fathom how people do not understand that man is depraved. It is blatantly obvious in my opinion. Even in the saintliest of homes and hearts, one can find sin, shame, and depravity. If one says there is none, then they are dishonest and blind and thus depravity is proven.

However, we can all admit that there are those who display and indulge in sin more than others. While there are those who flee temptation and strive to live holy lives. Often those of the latter scoff at those of the former forgetting that we were once the former and from what and for what we have been saved.

I have found myself lately mourning and grieving because of the depth of the depravity found within my own extended family. I would like to give you a brief idea of what I am talking about without throwing the details out there. It is not my place to air dirty laundry even though the stink effects me greatly. If you combine the favoritism of Jacob towards Joseph, soap opera emotions and disproportionate reactions, Law & Order: SVU, & Jerry Springer you might understand a bit of what has me grieved.

I am so thankful that the Lord rescued and redeemed me from such a place and that he continues to purify me. I do however, find myself feeling guilty for having received that redemption when so many have not. It saddens my heart to no end when I hear from family. There seems to be no end to the depth of depravity. I often wonder why more Christians do not mourn and grieve along side me at the deplorable amount of sin in this world.

Cultural mainstream Christianity has become softened in the name of compassion but I think true compassion would be to call sin sin and to cry out to the Lord on behalf of the groaning of creation!