SHINE like the SON in an Ordinary Life

Room for two!

2012-02-09T12:30:00.002-06:00

Because BOTH these families NEED PRAYERS and BOTH have my broken hearted love!

Name change

2012-02-06T20:44:00.001-06:00

My lil girl is becoming big. My baby girl is becoming lil. So I think its time to change names here.

My Big girl is almost 7 and I see such maturity in her these days. We are working on a homelearning rythym, forgoing our teacher manuel and just diving into our living books for as long as we want! The structure and limitations of manuel were creating resistance in both of us.

Big girl is reading alot! I love it. She is on her second series of American Girl books and enjoys the library alot. She even has her own card! Princesses, house play, drawing, dancing, still happens daily. Im so glad shes still little in play for a bit longer. She requests friends alot, along with technolgoy. We keep both in check that those things don't need to happen daily...oh do I remeber my parents being so unfair here! Now I understand.

Prayer in times of struggle has been a blessing. It was awkward for me at first, but I pushed through and see the amazing connection we have to God through it and how quickly He can refocus us both! Ballet is in 4 th year however she is thinking on irish dance, gymnastics or jazz next year. So many options!

I am looking forward to game playing years. Grandma taught her Uno, I have yet to play though since lil girl doesnt cooperate there.

Lil girl is such a joy! I crack up often. She is so identical in voice, looks as big girl at 2 my heart melts. She loves to play babies, dance to kidsongs, have books read to her ( finally!), eat, go places. Library is more fun that she doesnt pull books off shelves and coffee shop is a fun stop for her steamer! She is potty learned for most part. It went so much better than expected. Im selling my cloth diapers and am no longer sad about it! But adfing a photo of my beloved Blueberries for nostolgia later! Now babywearing items I can't let go of quite yet.

Check out this cute lil pony! Mommyhood really is the best gig!

Homemade pom poms, casserole soup and life

2012-02-01T18:11:00.001-06:00

This strange spring like weather we have is a nice breath of fresh air to our normal Iowa snowy cold winters, but I am missing my forced hibernation.

Now don't throw snowballs at me you who wish you didn't have snow! Though my husband is longing to use his new fourwheeler with plow, I still can't pray for snow!

We have been learning to cook and buy and read Gluten free. Tonights thrown together supper was huge hit with the girls and I. Daddy will taste leftovers tomorrow. We call it casserole soup as I intended it to be like a casserole bake but it ended up runny like soup!

Rice noodles cooked, kidney beans, black beans, sliced mushrooms, corn, large traditional spagetti sauce, garlic salt, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream. Just mix it all in, heat, stir, serve. Mmmm!

Girls have been loving Kidsongs dvds from netflix. We have one on sports now and so they wanted pom poms.

With only one real set, whats a mom to do??? Make some out of plastic store bags of course! A little packing tape and scissors, about 8 bags and voilla, only took minutes! And I now have two happy kiddos ;-)

Life has been really really good lately. Hubby and I almost pinch ourselves wondering if we will wake up from the dream.

Even though some extended family issues have been a bit of a struggle last few months, I am learning to not loose joy admist affliction. It is a practice I pray my girls learn early.

There will always be trails in this world, but Christ has overcome and our joy should be in Him alone. Simply who He is and what he has done for us. All for His glory.

Life...

2012-01-23T09:45:00.001-06:00

Life is challenging.

It always will be. God never said this would be easy. Actually He says those who love Him and live to follow Christ will have trouble. But what we do have is that He is with us.

He is our strength, our guide, our love and grace through it all.

What we do have is the assurance that he will never leave us. Through it all if we come out of it only with that invisible line from.our heart to our heavenly father's heart, then life has been done well.

Lean on Him, cling to Him. Never stop fighting in prayer for others, in prayer for yourselves....

Because everyone of us sins and is in need of our savior. Every. Single. Second.

(There are scriptures to quote here, but I'm going to put the electronics away for a bit and be present with my girls.)

May He bring peace and joy inside today that surpasses the worlds definitions of them outside.

ORDIANRY MOMENTS OF LOVING: FOR EVAN.

2012-01-20T21:17:00.001-06:00

Evan's "party" is tomorrow. Part of my heart will be in Cali as I pray for my 2 friends who knew this little boy and know his mom.

As I pray for his mom, dad, and sibilings. No words are good enough here.

And for the many family, friends and fb followers who will be celebrating this amazing little life.

Part of my heart will be with them, but the other part here. Relishing in the everyday moments with my girls and my husband. Morning snuggles, a ballet and dinner with friends.

Everyday moments are what we have, the only thing we are sure of is the truth of God through Jesus and this breath right now.

Everyday moments, ordinary moments, these are the ones to pause and be thankful in. These are the ones to love on those you cant imagine living without.

Love BIG and DEEP in this ordinary life. This you'll not regret. And take lots of photos. As Evan's mom said even though they took alot it seems like not enough. I'll not hesitate to snap a photo or video again.

Ordinary moments of loving are NEVER wasted!!!! <3 EVAN

Celebrating Evan, Praying for his family.

2012-01-12T10:09:00.002-06:00

Evan is with God. I am heart broken for his family... his siblings, his daddy... especially for his mom due to my mama heart. And for my two friends who know him personally. Please pray for this family as they grieve. And hold each moment dear with your children. Life is fleeting and hard and full of pain, but God's love always wins.

"Missing my boy this morning, but feeling peaceful about him too. ♥" typed from his mama's hands on Healing Evan FB Page.

Praying for Toddler Evan

2012-01-11T12:21:00.001-06:00

This is what I have been doing and loving on my family...sorry no recent blog posts...my heart is consumed.

Chinese Chicken Lettuce Wraps (GF or regular)

2012-01-04T19:26:00.003-06:00

A few months back the house church we attended served these for our supper meal. These women are some AMAZING cooks! These tasty wraps were awesome!

I was given the recipe but upon first glance thought no way would I make those...too many details! Who knew I'd go gluten free months later and making practically every meal with details! So this was a bit time consuming for the gal who doesn't usually make stuff from scratch but was so worth it. For those of you who are pros at this, it'll probably be a simple, fast one for you!

To make it GF I used GF soy sauce. I'm still learning about this GF stuff so if I missed anything that might have gluten in it, you pros can let me know so I can adjust my recipe. I also did go the way of ground chicken making it so much faster and easier! My whole family LOVED this (baby girl eats it with a spoon) and I have future plans to eat the mix in corn tortillas as lunch leftovers!

(And don't mind the sauce droplets on my recipe...I'm a messy cook, just ask my hubby, he has to help with clean up ;-) ENJOY!!!!

Managing stuff

2012-01-03T13:17:00.001-06:00

I dont know about you, but lately I've found I spend a majority for my day managing stuff. It always leads My thoughts to that pioneer home where there was little space, so everything in the home was useful and had a place. That's the benefit to a smaller home...one I hope we have someday on our land when we build. But even when we lived in a smaller one before here we still managed to stock it full mainly because we knew we'd move 'bigger' again. Our current home is not large...its average to me and we are not a large family, just the 4 of us and a cat. Yet we have so much stuff! It simply isnt neccessary. And I'm done.

So Im embarking on a huge declutter adventure. Some local friends created a fb group that allows me to post unwanted tthings to give away to " friends". I'll also be donating some to the pregnancy crisis center or other families in need through our local CurbsideforKids as well as clothes going to Africa with Ordinary Hero. So many others can be blessed with our "takes up visual space" stuff. I'll try to post photos along the way but I may get so into it and wait till the very end. Here's to a new year appreciating what we have and the very fact we have over abundance to give away!

New year word 2012: appreciation

2011-12-31T15:23:00.001-06:00

Appreciation.

Thats it. Simple enough. And yet sometimes hard to do in moments of frustration, or around those who just plain are not kind, or tasks you dread.

The Holy Spirit lead me to a blog post one day with a quote from Charlotte Mason and it basically said, find appreciation in everything, everyone, every moment and you will find joy.

I'm choosing that. There is always something to appreciate in every situation, every person. And while your searching for that one thing in tough moments, the heart softens, and makes way for thanks to God.

Thats what I want out of 2012. That I find appreciation in every breathing moment, give thanks to the breath maker and reap joy in all my ordinary days.

May the Holy Spirit guide you to your word of the year that brings your heart closer to our maker.

What will your word for 2012 be?

And thank you for being apart of my 2011. Friends, relationships are so important to me, know I don' t take our connection for granted.

Feel free to join me and others at oneword365 website or fb page and walk this year together!

An end of 2011 photo journey...

Simply preparing hearts for Christmas...

2011-12-21T15:24:00.001-06:00

Simply an ordinary life in a Season of celebration...

Of Christmas tree filled with ornaments of past, Jesse tree filled with promises of past and anticipation for the future, puppet making kits for friends, and christmas cards and homemade gifts, wreath redo and gifts bought with purpose helping those in need, giving gifts and money and meals to help others, prayer, music for the Christ, Christmas music that brings smiles, coffee with chocolate almond milk, hot cocoa after snow play or park play when snow is absent, gluten free treats, homemade cards and snowman buttons, singing to nursing home residents, Jesus birthday party with new friends, twinkling lights and warm blankets, friends and family spread out in the family room, children giggles and anticipation for the 25th, of yummy food, gifts and the Christ child's birth...

the list of blessings are endless...the endless gratitude to the one who makes life breathe.

And among it all prayers for all who suffer. Prayers for healing Theodore. For those deep in grief of baby loss or loss of someone very close... like my mom missing my dad. For those who simply feel alone whether knowing or not knowing Christ. Prayers abundant.

The Christmas message is for all to share, it is the message that walks us right to the cross on Easter. But it isnt about what's outside in this celebration...He sees whats in...all can be beautiful and lighted and fancy outside yet muddy in. He sees in. All can be plain and simple and basic outside yet beautiful in. He sees in. The celebrations of the season can be good if the heart is for God, as can refrain from outward celebration...Romans 14. My beloved verse I am always brought back to by His hand. By His Holy spirit.

Remember to hold Christmas where it matters most...in the heart turned towards the one who makes it beat. Love God and love others. Father, may you alone be glorified with our ordinary Christmas outside and in.

Merry CHRISTMAS friends!!!

The story behind the name "ShineliketheSon"

2011-12-15T22:20:00.000-06:00

On my dining room wall, bright and bold in red, yellow and orange. In the hub of my home, in the center where I can see it from many angles as I walk through my ordinary life. The writings of simple words etch deep into my soul...

These words that I heard years ago...years ago when my baby girl wasn't even thought of...years ago when my lil girl WAS the baby girl. These words, simple yet profound, hit my heart from the song of God at a concert with my mom. My first experience with this man who sang so deep into the soul of me bringing me to Him who deserves all glory. In a simple neighborhood church, sitting so close to this popular Christian singer I didn't even know...so close to his piano playing hands that bring the songs of God to the people in the pews...I didn't even know he was popular. His songs moved me. And one that I played over and over and over again...one that I thought the One Church needed to learn yet I didn't know at the moment it was my soul that needed taught.

A song that I thought the world needed to hear...and yet over the years it has ministered to my dead and judgmental soul. I didn't even know it. I had no idea the impact this very song would have on my life. I had no idea the impact these simple words from this very song DID have on my life...until tonight. When a new friend asked what song had inspired the words on my wall...what song created the title of my blog...what song made me "Shine" by my DDC mamas in this cyber space.

I didn't remember the surrounding words...until tonight...and then it all came full ciricle and I see how God has brought me here. And I feel the Holy Spirit rising deep within me to teach and guide and show God's unfailing love. I didn't know all this work was happening beginning with the popular piano fingers, in a common church, on a dark cold night, while sitting in a wooden pew. I didn't know....BUT OH GOD DID! Because He weaved it all together...He is the weaver in my tangles, in my webs...He still finds a way to help me SHINE for His glory.

A simple word....Shine.

A simple phrase....Shine like the Son.

A simple song...Shining brightly like the Sun.

Yet it defines His work in my life. It defines who I AM in HIM! And I tear that I know this now! Years later...full circle...

Because when I heard these words at that concert..."Never judge you...Always loving...Needs to be what we become...Lifting up the lost....Showing them the cross...Shining brightly like the sun."

Because when I heard those words I didn't know how it was spelled. My heart heard... "Showing them the CROSS...Shining brightly like the SON."

Like Jesus.

And He spelled out EXACTLY what He knew I needed to SEE Him and make change and SHINE. He knew. EXACTLY!

Wow. What an amazing God we have!

Enjoy the music friends...and open your heart to hear Him in unexpected ways!!!

(pause my music player at the bottom of my blog before listening)

Many people in the steeple
But no one leaves the walls
Quick to stand and speak
All of their beliefs
Quick to leave you if you fall

Tell me where's the love
It knows no boundaries
Tell me where's the love
Yeah yeah
Open arms
We need to be
Open arms

Never judge you
Always loving
Needs to be what we become
Lifting up the lost
Showing them the cross
Shining brightly like the sun

Tell me where's the love
It knows no boundaries
Tell me where's the love
Yeah yeah
Open arms
We need to be
Open arms
Yeah

Tell me where's the love
That knows no boundaries
Tell me where's the love
Yeah yeah
Open arms
We need to be
Open arms
Yeah
Oh yeah
Everybody sing

Na na na na na na
Na na na
[Buncha these]
Open arms
We need to be open arms
And the whole world sing
Na na na na na
Na na na na [Buncha these]
Open arms

(Micheal W. Smith- Open Arms - STAND Album)

I've gone GF....

2011-12-15T21:16:00.000-06:00

I've gone GF, (Gluten free that is) and I don't plan to ever go back! I have many women to thank for guiding me in this direction over many years of talking about it. You know who you are. THANK YOU!!!

One recent new friend was the push I finally needed to jump for good this time! She doesn't care for cooking (said she hates it today.) WOW!!! Who knew people like me existed out there!

She does the healthy GF cooking because she has to, not because she wants to (though I think she now agrees it is better health in general and worth it in the end). Anyway, she is the FIRST of my friends to say they hate cooking healthy (GF) yet do it cause they have to.

You see Sarah has celiacs disease and is very sensitive to things that are not GF. For example, she can't even open a box of regular cake mix due to the particles coming out of the bag into the air around her. She is in need of some new kitchen equipment (as you can see in the video) to assist in her cooking adventures and well, I will benefit from her new stuff as she teaches me to be gluten free and like cooking (at least enough to get food on the table).

So please watch this AWESOME video...Sarah you ROCK! And click this link below and "FB Like" her cookies.

VOTE HERE:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150497357467184&set=o.173093222705070&type=3&theater

Let's show this girl some FB love and get her some "non puke" mixing bowls!!!! Her family and I thank you in advance friends!!!

Theodore's Carpage updates...

2011-12-07T16:16:00.001-06:00

I have been absent from blog land...I can do nothing else but care for my families needs, love on my girls and husband and pray so very hard for baby Theodore. It is all consuming and I know the Holy Spirit is guiding my prayers and means for me to do so.

Theodore just got out of surgery that went well and will be starting dialysis soon. He is not even 2 weeks old. Please continue to pray healing and Praise God for the tiny blessings.

If you'd like to get updates on Theodore so you can pray specifically for his needs please visit his carepage site or this FB page. The Carepage site has the most information as it is written out by his mother.

Praying for Baby Theodore

2011-12-04T00:14:00.001-06:00

There is a less than 1 week old baby boy who NEEDS your prayers! Please lift up baby Theodore and his mom and dad and brother and sister. His kidney's are in failure...they are expecting dialysis starting next week with 6 weeks in University NICU.

" Lord Theodore is your child first, you knit him, you have a plan, you hold him in the palm of your hand, may all trust you with this child you created. Cause when we have no control, you always do. In Christ alone. Amen."

I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4

The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him Ps 28:7

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

" Lord heal this baby, hold this mama and Dada and siblings in peace that surpasses understanding. In Him who is all we need, all strength love grace healing...Amen amen amen."

We are praying in this for the long haul. You are not alone. God's children will band together and help share this hard journey...prayer warriers don your armor!!! His power is strong enough!

A beautiful mess

2011-12-01T15:51:00.001-06:00

My house was clean this morning, vacuumed yesterday, everything in it's place. And now it's a mess.

But today I see it a beautiful mess!

How can a mess be beautiful? Simply because it was created with friends. It was created because two women chatted while kids drug out toys, asked for snacks, ate some lunch, dressed for outside. Two women chatted while prepping lunch, changing diapers, one nursing her babe. It is beautiful because I didnt notice it. Two women chatted and mothered and connected hearts and left the mess as if unnoticed. Dishes in sink, toys all over, crumbs on the table and floor.

... I wonder if this is how Mary felt? I wonder if she was just so deep into the presence and joy of Jesus that she simply did not see what needed done around her. That she just didnt notice the mess she wasn't helping with, the things Martha grumbled about, because the heart connection was most important and her Spirit just didn't see any mess...

Luke 10:38-42
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

It was a beautiful day here of laughter and sharing and playing and being. And I thank God for my friend and the beautiful mess we created today!!

Now to apply this to our daily living messes we create. For isn't everyday we live and breath with these gifts of children underfoot a day to embrace the beautiful mess?!

Give thanks wreath redo

2011-11-30T12:28:00.001-06:00

Well this is my very first mobile blog post. Hope it works out as it would be more time efficent!

Thanks to all the recent pinterest ideas...I created a Thankful wreath from our Christmas one.

I carefully removed all the decor on this grapevine wreath my husbands grandmother made. It is very special as she no longer walks this Earth.

After it was down to bare vines, I wrapped a thin ribben around it and added cricut cut leaves all around. I intended us writing thanks messages on them but we made thankful turkeys instead, so I will laminate these next year for durability.

Next, I ripped a brown paper bag and glued on a cricut cut out of give thanks. I then wrote our thankful items around it. I will change this every year so no laminating here. I then punched holes and tied with twine around the wreath...

and there you go. It was only up a few days but I loved how it looked from the street view!

Can't wait to put this up earlier next year! And next will be how it was changed into a Christmas wreath again, only with an updated look. Your excited aren't you?!

9 years later...He stitches the hole back together...

2011-11-27T12:13:00.001-06:00

9 years ago today, my dad went to Heaven, & our family began a new normal. Years have passed with laughter, joy, births of babies...

(oh he would of loved his grandkids!)

marriages, graduations, the making of homes...

(Oh he would of LOVED helping us do home projects!)

Vikings winning, many Vikings loosing...

(Oh he would of loved seeing his kids & grandkids proudly wearing Viking attire!).

9 years later life continues on...

but hearts never fully recover. God stitches our hearts new again, He stitches the hole back together, but He doesn't erase the hole...

we always feel and see the scar, but the stitching allows life to go on, one day at a time.

The missing never ceases, but joy is still had in Him, and we know someday our entire family will be reunited worshiping the God who makes all life, joy, love possible...

even when it still hurts 9 years later.

♥ Sam, Dad, Granddad ♥

May today only be the start...

2011-11-24T22:54:00.001-06:00

I could not of asked for a more peaceful, joy filled, loving day. I could not of asked for a better meal. I could not of asked for more company nor better content in this day. It was exactly what God knew I needed. It was beautiful and it was simple and it was small. And it was exactly what God knew I needed.

My husband and my 2 girls are at top of my thankful list...right under God. Oh Lord your blessings astound me! Your grace and beauty never cease to amaze.

That a simple day, a day that could be sad, was not.

I couldn't of imagined... from this day 9 years ago as the very first day without my dad, the first Thanksgiving without him...that this day would one day turn into something wonderful. And it has and it continues to...

God is so very good, even when our hearts still miss and still break and still bleed...God is good. He is the creator of things new, and the maker of the uniquely stitched. He can stitch these hearts new again. Never the same, yet stitched unique once more...

And so another Thanksgiving filled with joy, peace, love, missing, family, gratitude....

Morning craft with my girls...

An AMAZING husband willing to wake at 2am to smoke our AMAZING turkey...

A simple meal to us (less food on purpose) remembering this an unattainable feast to many & praying for those....

Thanking the God who gives grace and love always... who still speaks to us if we choose to hear His Holy Spirit...even while life moves around us...may we continue to dance OUR dance with the ONE who breathed life into our souls...

Happy Thanksgiving...

May today only be the start of our daily THANKS!

EUCHARISTEO...Grace, Grattitude, Joy.

Loosing our Language: A Story of Thanksgiving

" Forget that making thanksgiving more than a holiday but a way of life by keeping a gratitude list is scientifically proven to decrease anxiety, enrich relationships and make you 25% happier. (Instead of buying ourselves more things we think we have to have to be happy, why wouldn’t we write down thanks for things we already have – which guarantees us to be 25% happier? Why is it easier to seemingly buy our joy than to give thanks to God who is our Joy? Pens and grateful perspectives are a lot cheaper – and guaranteed.) True, you can just forget the overwhelming science behind the daily, intentional giving thanks. But does that mean we are forgetting the God behind it – who has given us everything?" Ann Voskamp

When you are feasting on tears

" Why am I intruding on your holiday with this? Because I have to think that somewhere in the nearly 3000 people who read SortaCrunchy, somewhere someone is hurting today. Someone is feasting on tears.I want you to know I have remembered you to the Lord in prayer this morning, though I don't know your name or circumstance. I know your heart and I share in your pain. God brought incredible restoration and redemption from that plot of ground watered in tears and sorrow. That's another story for another day. I have seen in my own life what God can do that defies logic and imagination. I am praying that He brings healing and restoration and redemption to you, my dear friend." Megan @SortaCrunchy

Joy in the Storm

" So, yes, for all of those things I mourn with them today. Because they are as much my family as anyone, because the blood of Christ is thicker than any familial blood. But we do not mourn without hope. We have hope in all these trials, not in spite of them, but in them, because of Advent. We have joy in this storm because of the God who gave up everything to add to Himself humanity so that He might defeat Death once and for all. Death does indeed have a temporary sting for those of us who remain behind, but for those who are in Christ, death has no eternal sting. And for this, I am truly thankful."Transformingwords

A Prayer of Thansgiving

" The Internet…for it connects me to the most amazing people who inspire and encourage me daily! Laundry piles…that are evidence of the blessing of a full wardrobe.Grocery shopping…and the blessing of being able to fill our kitchen with nutritious food."Jen

To Santa or Not to Santa... That is the question...

2011-11-23T08:00:00.000-06:00

I remember the concern in answering this question for our family. I remember my asking, my dewlling, my researching. 6 years later, I am so thankful God lead us to the decision for our family. Thankful that as the years pass, I am more and more confident that this was His guiding and it is no longer a concern for our family. Each year we will work harder to have the kind of Christmas the Holy Spirit is guiding us to have. This year I have focused in on gifts supporting the least of these...I am ALWAYS a work in progress!

So what brought this question up today you may ask? A new friend asked on Facebook about her daughter questioning Santa. I've touched on this a tad in blog land. It can be another one of those defensive/offensive subjects. For Christian and secular families alike. yes, I'm going to go there today...you just never know when your words may help another...

The other day while changing out laundry in the basement, my 6.5 year old mentioned some kids talking about the tooth fairy at her Home School Choir. She mentioned she had told them her parents give her money. It was hard for me to hear. We believe in truth and not lying. But I also don't want her to tell other kids truth. It's not her place to. So we jumped into a discussion that of course included the Easter bunny and Santa Clause. Christmas is upon us and no better a time to talk of such things than the first of the season.

We chatted some over laundry. It was an excellent discussion about how it's the parents rights to tell their children the truth and we need to respect that and be as careful as we can without lying (as we have discussed every year) but this time took a different turn...I was able to talk with her about when I have difference of opinions with other moms how I handle changing the subject gently, or gently saying my side without stepping on someone else's freedom in lifestyle choices in Christ, or even their lack of faith in Christ. It was such a FANTASTIC talk that I'm glad we have those opportunities. And now I can look at my struggles with others sometimes as simply as she approaches her discussions on Santa...we both learned! Win Win!!

Needless to say: our girls know the truth of make believe characters. I did not know truth as a child and though I loved the joy and thrill I was crushed when I found out truth. I was also very focused on gifts with a quick "happy birthday Jesus" on the side... My mom sees what we do now, and wishes she had made some different choices with Christmas, now she gets to enjoy that with her grandchildren!

I'm a truth in all things kinda gal, we speak of Heaven, Hell, Satan, death, famine, disease, love, joy... We are real here and we feel that's the calling for our family. We talk of St. Nickolas' love for Jesus and how Santa is supposed to tie into that, and some people do celebrate Santa that way but sadly some use Santa to create a focus on presents and serving ourselves or keeping Christ out of Christmas. This year I've touched a little with Lil girl about Jesus' birthday not actually being on Christmas, and that it was desert and He was a toddler when the Wise men came. Yes, truth. I need to research some of that! Someday, she too will know that it was created at that time to combat a pagan holiday, and she will know too that it may not have been the best way to share Christ with others...

Without Santa, my girls love Christmas time. They love family time, making cookies, playing in snow, making crafts. They receive a few gifts (3 as the Wisemen brought from us and some from family), some stocking stuffers. They enjoy watching Christmas movies, even ones with Santa occasionally, but the nativity stories are our favorites. If my daughter wants a photo with Santa she can. I'm not a fan, but I'm also not anti Santa (though I was for a few years). It is part of our culture, and I've learned if I use the "consumerism Santa" as the object of my hate during this season, it is robbing me of my joy in Christ. And robbing Him of my praise and worship. Santa becomes a negative idol. I won't let that happen anymore. We celebrate Christ in so many ways that it doesn't bother our girls that Santa isn't apart of it....

I could go on and on but the main thing I want others to think on when making this Santa or no Santa decision is: What is the Holy Spirit telling your heart right now? How is He leading you? What does your husband feel? All good questions to answer to yourselves. Ideas from others can be good, but God knows where He wants your heart to go based on the personality he gave you, your husband and your kids. Pray about it and have peace in the decision you make for your family.

10 updates of on our fall slow down...continued

2011-11-22T08:42:00.000-06:00

So yesterday's post got a bit loooong! Here is the continued story of our fall slow down days...

If you'll remember 5 was about me needing to size down my mummy tummy to fit clothes I already have and save the $$ to give to the least of these...which brings us to number 6...
My heart has been tender these days about adoption and the needs or sadly exploitation of the least of these in here and abroad. As I've said we do 3 gifts each for the girls (as Wisemen), with a few stocking stuffers and they know they come from us (no Santa here, there will be a post about this soon ;0) The gifts the girls are getting are well thought out, a few I bought used of Craigslist, the rest will be from "Shopping with a purpose" and handmade. I've decided Christmas gifts to nieces and nephews will either be hand made, in support of adoption or free trade or in support of a cause. I have a few ideas up my sleeve but won't share in case my sisters actually read my blogs! Which leads me to number 7...
Family. These weeks of Thanksgiving are odd. If we have family coming and are kept busy, I tend to walk past, only pausing some, in remembering this is when my dad got really sick. This is the time when he went to hospice. This is the time when I chose to drive 3 hours away back to my new job because I was afraid of loosing it being gone so much and we didn't think Dad would leave us so soon. This is the time when I sometimes feel some regret, some guilt. This is the time my mom has hard moments. I can't imagine loosing my husband, even 10 years after, it still cuts the heart deep I'm sure. This is the time I miss BIG extended family get togethers that we used to have at my Aunt's farm. I miss it immensely. So if I stop to think too hard on the fact Thanksgiving was Dad's favorite holiday, and he went to be with the Lord the day before it 10 years ago and that big extended family get together just dwindled, and I just miss my Dad and what it means to be apart of a larger family unit....I will fall into mush. And I don't wish to do that, and Dad wouldn't wish for me to do that...so I walk past after my pause. Which leads to number 8...
Thanskgiving. We are having a few over to enjoy a meal with us. We are not going extravagant because of number 6, I am learning that excessive consumption and consumerism is just not the way of God in my heart. Hubby will smoke his first ever turkey (he is a bit nervous) I know it will be GREAT! We will have some cheesy potatoes (from his side of the family), some scalloped corn (from my side of the family) some veggies and a dessert. We will recreate our thanksgiving tree which is one of my favorite home decor pieces still gracing our home from last year! The girls and I will create some crafts and learn of pilgrims and how they followed God, hopefully wearing their pilgrim bonnets we made last year and watch that very funny lego video a 7yo boy made of the first Thanksgiving a bazillion times! Above all, give thanks to the God who makes it all possible. Breathing, loving, living, being, learning... Which leads to number 9...
Our homelearning: We have been balancing learning through life and learning with our curriculum. I've learned I am what some would call a relaxed home schooler. We do not use our curriculum or as some would so "do school" every day. Sometimes we go a week without opening those living books...but we do open others. And we do crafts and play and go on outings and look up stuff on the internet and talk and talk and talk about life and God. When we do use our curriculum we LOVE it. The supplemented Charlotte Mason style math is PERFECT for us! And reading the living books about pioneer days and our science, we just love it all! But it just always isn't in our cards to use it, as baby girl is still in a stage that makes that difficult sometimes. Sadly with weaning, naps are now not as frequent, but life goes on. And honestly some days we just want to "be". Learning is everywhere all the time, not confined to space and time. As I said we do open other books, Lil girl has learned to read and is so fluent in it. I am amazed and would love to take the credit for it, but honestly, she basically taught herself. When I stopped pushing a few months later she decided she'd learn on her own. It is fantastic to go looking for her in the silence of the day and find her somewhere in the house with a spread of books all around her. I love to read and have been ALOT lately so I'm so thrilled Lil girl is on her way to loving reading also! Which leads us to number 10...
What I've been reading. I'm in a knowledge quest. That of the heart kind... I have been devouring books and blogs like crazy to seek the heart of God in me and where the Spirit wants me to go. (Confession: I sometimes spend way too much time reading blogs, especially since my lovely husband gifted me a smart phone.) Though honestly being able to check in with blogs at odd times during the day has really helped my daily online time to be almost non existent. So blogs....InCourage, A Holy Experience, A Deeper Story, A Moment Cherished, Sorta Crunchy, EveryBreathITake, Undercover Mother, Lysa Terkeurst, Relevant Brokenness, Sarah Markley, Raising Homemakers, Simple Homeschool....and on and on and on... And books well... What Women Fear by Angie Smith, rereading Radical by David Platt, So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore? by Jake Colsen, First Princples by Jeff Reed (book 4 I think), the Holy Bible by God (because practically all my reading brings me back to here), Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel (in snippets when I need a reminder & can't wait to get the DVDs to start classes out of our home!) and on and on and on.... When not reading, I am cooking simple meals for my family, cleaning up those meals (Oh I loathe dishes), baking some (though that will have to stop, I don't need any more tummy fat!), sewing rag dolls for an adoption fundraiser, homelearning with Lil girl (she is doing FANTASTIC on her writing, math and reading! I am in awe!), picking up long lines of anything baby girl can get her hands one (her new favorite game), picking up and picking up and picking up...

(and no that's not my coffee in that sippie ;0)

And a little on hubby these days. He is enjoying his new job. It has been such a blessing that it all came together at His timing. Definitely glad we jumped and followed God even when it was scary for him being he started his career smack out of college there 11 years ago. We've been spending lots of time at home improvement stores getting supplies as hubby finishes our windows and painting and trim and headboard...and and and (does that list ever end?!) Now don't think I"m a slave driver, cause he really does enjoy home improvement work, brings him back to his construction days of highschool and college when he worked for his dad. It's good to keep those skills sharpened ;0)

(sculpture park near daddy's new office)

(Halloween, traditional Chinese girls)

(Botanical Center where we will spend a lot of time this winter)

(Homeschool Choir concert at nursing home, Lil girl has such a beautiful voice and loves sharing it!)

(copywork while visiting Grandma's, learning can be done anytime anywhere!)

(baby girl lining, always lining)

I LOVE making these dolls!

Now your basically caught up with us... though without the nitty gritty details...yes that was the short version even with two posts!

Define Necessity (modest version added shopping with a purpose link)

2011-11-21T11:31:00.001-06:00

Source: Uploaded by user via Steph on Pinterest

10 updates of fall slow down

2011-11-21T08:32:00.000-06:00

I love fall. I love the beginning of the jeans and sweater season. While I miss the warm temps to be outside playing with friends. I am embracing the cooler temps and actually looking forward to snow. I know that's crazy talk for me! But we need the slow down. The permission by mother nature to hibernate some. Be home more, focus on homemaking and crafts and home learning and snuggling. Lots of snuggling! The permission to invite others into our home to just "be". To chat and play and have a good cup of coffee warming us inside and out.

With the slow down I thought I'd slow down my thinking, my deep writing and just tell you what we are up to these chilly days...

(the one brief morning snow in November, they loved it!)

The weather here in Iowa is turning chilly, but it's not super cold yet...it was actually 64 degrees a few days ago when I typed this out!! Yet I'm still hibernating some. We did step last week in the afternoons afternoon to greet the school kids coming home and get some fresh air. I'm secretly hoping snow is in the forcast soon, I welcome it. (don't hate me fellow Iowans ;0)

So here are My 10 updates of Fall slow down:

A little truth I don't clean everyday...I sometimes rinse and reuse dishes all day so we don't have as many to clean the next morning. Yes I said morning cause I also don't do dishes everyday. I spent time washing dishes the other morning while the girls played in the basement. Mama and baby, so very cute. Gospel music filled the air along with the scent of a mocha candle. Short breaks to grip my warm Highlander Grog coffee, which I now take with chocolate almond milk and a drip of Vanilla Extract (way less sugar than FV Creamer). Oh how I"m loving coffee all day long now that baby girl is no longer breastfeeding. Which leads to number 2...
Baby girl has weaned from breastfeeding. I was a tad sad, but so ready. We were down to nap and night time (meaning every time she woke in the night, meaning 4-6 times a night) My tentative goal was by Christmas, my real goal was by our Anniversary weekend away in March. But when baby girl was so upset in our night nursing moments when mommy said "all done, time to lay on Elmo pillow and I'll rub your back", (it was happening with every night waking) I figured if she is crying after getting mamas milk, well she can cry without it (though with me near her, not crying alone). So started the weaning process...I'll tell Our Weaning Story in a post to come soon...in a nutshell, it went remarkably well with very little crying in my arms. It was definitely time for both of us. Which leads to number 3...
Apparently baby girl and I are NOT on the same time frame with potty learning. And it's in the reverse of what most might thing. I would happily wait till she was 3 to start this process, but sadly we are spending many hours of our day in the bathroom. Sigh. I decided long ago after pushing Lil girl, a year of wet panties and many many days of frustration, that I would let this time go with the flow. Well it's going...and yet not. She asks to go mostly when trying to poo (some of you may not be interested in this, feel free to cover your eyes, but I know many of my mom friends going through the same things. Those inquiring minds desire to know ;0) She's in a stage she doesn't want to poo in diaper but also doesn't want to in potty...which means many many rushes to the potty till she finally gets it out in one place or the other. Which thankfully has NOT been on my carpet! We are no where near ready for panties as pee is only on happen chance in the potty not intentional. So we are potty learning as I drag my feet... Which leads to number 4...
I FINALLY have cool boots!!!! No not snow boots, though mine are pretty nice. I mean tall brown classy looking expensive looking boots! I've been seeing everyone wear them and I love the look and I drool every time, yet spending money on clothes and shoes for me is like pulling teeth. I just can't justify it when I have some that still work. They may be outdated, but they work none the less. So these boots... yes they were expensive, No I did not pay how expensive they were. $140 boots + a kind 50's age woman who found out she needed to wear insoles which would not in these fantastic boots she only wore 3 times = $25 SCORE for me off Craigslist!!!! Don't ya LOVE it!!!! Though I would of preferred black to match most of what I wear, I could not pass up this deal. I'm timidly dabbling in mixing my blacks with my brown boots and with skirts with leggings, dresses with jeans...it's actually exciting to see what I can do to dress up with these awesome boots! Thank you to What I Wore Wednesday for inspiration!!! Which leads to number 5...
I have been trying to be more intentional about picking out my clothes for the day. Jeans and sweater will always be my favorite, but I'm trying to dress them up with accessories. I did a little shopping in my mom's jewelery box...that woman has a TON! And have tried my hand in a few outfits I thought I'd never wear. I'm a bit stuck in my clothing situation as some of my clothes are a bit on the snug side and my mommy belly is just not working with them these days. I thought I'd go buy some new clothes at a resale shop because hey I'm no longer breastfeeding and deserve to get a new wardrobe. But alas it's Christmas time, and we will already be spending some extra money on intentional gifts and I just can't bring myself to once again buy clothes when I have a closet that holds them (and many laundry baskets since I don't fold clothes everyday either ;0)...it is a "rich people's problem" when their clothes don't fit...so I instead am borrowing an elliptical and watching what I eat (I know crazy hard to do in this holiday season) but I will fit better in the clothes I have and save my money to give to those who don't. Which leads to number 6...

(See! I have plenty clothes, sometimes they live in baskets...)

(See the boots ?! Loved this outfit! And got to wear it for a REAL date night out with another couple and NO kids, I feel so grown up ;0)

(Not sure about this outfit though...think the scarf was a bit much and so NOT me)

And oh my did this get loooong...so 6-10 to be continued....

Respecting God's Variety

2011-11-14T08:05:00.001-06:00

After reading a blog post a week or so ago, I felt the need to comment my heart into it. God has been working so hard on me in regaurds to freedom of lifestyle choices and Spirit Led Living! I am seeing things with whole new eyes and yes at times it makes life hard, but most of the time it makes it more peaceful and grace filled and loving in my heart.

So my response was one asking for respect. Respect that there is no ONE way to serve God with our days. He created such variety and what beauty there is in following the Spirit He placed in each of us.

I really have enjoyed reading your blog Amy. I have been blessed by many posts that God has brought to my heart. And I Thank you for writing!

I would like to add a request for respect of those who are not called to such "order and structure". If we are being lead by the Holy Spirit in us, we can see the beauty of God's variety. I know many, myself included, who have peaceful days(not always, no one does always) without "schedule nor routine". We follow the natural rhythm God blessed us with:

When the sun comes up, or we just aren't tired anymore, we rise for the day...our God created signals from our tummies tell us we are hungry for breakfast, same for lunch, same for supper and again we wind down for bedtime as the sun goes down and our bodies slow down...We then "do things" in between that natural rhythm, getting stuff done just not in any "specific order". (A couple outside activities with scheduled times thrown in.)

My God given personality works best if not following a list or a schedule and my girls are happy, peaceful, content and learning. What we see that needs done in our home stuff gets done (unless we scrap that stuff that day for building relationships). We enjoy life and have vision and purpose for God without schedule and structure.

So what some may see as "living life willy-nilly or as a free spirit" is "in rhythm and by the Spirit" for us. We praise and thank God for the ability to flow through our days with peace in the way God created us. Sadly trying to conform to what others say or do, I've learned that to schedule creates needless anxiety and frustration in our home.

While we have guidelines and parameters to work in life by God and within our family as a whole, we do not "order" our daytime hours by anything but natural rhythm. Yet God IS glorified because He created us unique and allows those in our family to experience the beauty of simply living how God made us. OH are my children loved and snuggled and cared for! For their age level, they also know how to get stuff done, get ready for appointments or activities when needed and enjoy their days through it all.

There are always other ways, others who do things differently and that's not to say one's right or wrong...God made such beautiful variety...we all (myself always included) could us a little reminder in Romans 14 and respecting God's unique personalities He created to serve Him in many different ways.

May we all (myself always included) learn to not confine "God's way" to our personality preferences. He gives such freedom in lifestyle choices within His biblical boundaries. We need to be embracing the Holy Spirit in us to guide which" direction, rhythm, structure, life" He desires us to pursue and how He asks us individually to walk in our days for Him.

Praise God we are not all the same and we are not all called to the same living. How boring would that be! And with the variety of tasks and service God created how on earth would stuff get done?! He knew this. Thanks be to God for His created variety!!!

Days are changing

2011-11-08T09:14:00.000-06:00

The days are changing. I see it in the trees with leaves falling to the ground. I see it in the air with the chill wind rolling in. I see it in the neighborhood with less people in their yards. I see it in the light with the darkness creeping in on our supper time. I see it in our clothing with long snug sleeves and warm cozy jeans. I see it in our waking moments with early risings even against my will.

Yes. Days are changing.

I'm not sure I like it. But then again, I think I need it. The slow down of fall and winter. More days spent inside connecting with our girls. Baking some more. Snuggling more. Doing more home learning and crafts. Those I love.

Yes Days are changing.

I see it in my baby girl with no more breastfeeding moments. I see it in my big girl with wanting to do do do and keep busy rather than simply play. I see it in my husband with his career opportunities in his new job. I see it in myself with too many ways to say right now.

Yes. Days are changing.

And there's nothing I can do but choose to embrace them. Anything else would be against the grain and well I'm tired of going against the grain. I want to flow with it.

Days are changing and nothing is going to stop them.

So I lift my heart to the ONE who doesn't change. I ask Him for strength and peace through the change. And Pray the Holy Spirit is clearly speaking as change hits a fork in the road...

Lord you are the ONE constant, please guide me here. I feel a little lost in all this change. I feel a little overwhelmed and sometimes defeated. Please help me remember you alone bring peace. No matter what is changing around me, your love never does. And that you are constant, and yet through Jesus you know the difficulties in change. Lord may I let you be my peace and let you make hard change be good in you. In Him, AMEN.

Isaish 40:28-31

28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Q: How are you feeling change in your life? Are you embracing it or is your heart going against the grain?