Just Another Monday

Today the teacher was in tears, crying out to God in desperation.

I love homeschooling most days. I really do. I'm one of those weird mom's who actually enjoys having her children at home all day.  I love being the one who gets to watch the light go on in my child's head after s.t.r.u.g.g.l.i.n.g. through a Math concept. I love being the one who teaches my child to read. I love planning picnics at lunchtime and surprise outings for our 100th day of school, or other random celebrations. I love picking out my children's curriculum and figuring out their learning styles. I love teaching them songs and doing Scripture memorization in morning devotions. I love the way we can all pitch in to get the laundry done or the house cleaned. I love when their Daddy does Science experiments with them. I love when May 1st rolls around and we are FINISHED with school until mid-August.

But homeschooling is also the most challenging thing I've ever attempted. It has stretched me in ways I never imagined. I have been at the end of my rope too many times to count. We have prayed together, cried tears of frustration, and apologized. I battle the desire to be Super Mom, yet knowing all the time that it's not possible.

But somehow, even on the really hard days, I know in my heart that it's exactly where I want to be. It's exactly what God wants for our family. Does that make it easy? Does that solve all the problems? No. We still cry. We still struggle through expanded notation. We still erase our cursive writing and do it again. We still strongly dislike Language. We still get on each other's nerves. We still say things that are unkind and have to apologize.

But we know where our Source of Strength comes from. We know Who has a beautiful plan for our messed up days. We know that He is able to do above all that we ask or think. We know that He is the Potter and we are the clay.

And for today, that is enough.

Just The Two Of Us

Of Weather, Birthdays, and God

I just checked the weather and I couldn't believe it! We are currently having 72 degrees, while Pryor, OK, and Dallas, TX, (2 places I've visited recently) are 20 and 10 degrees cooler, respectively,  than here in the Midwest. After more than a week of this amazing weather, my body has grown accustomed to it and rather likes it. So does everyone else in the house. Picnics, garden planting, cleaning vehicles, hanging laundry out, raking up leaves, picking up sticks, going on walks, and lots and lots of fresh air have been on the agenda here. Cheeks are turning pink, bare feet are getting 'broke' in and sidewalk chalk is being put to good use.

In the midst of it all, I celebrated another birthday. The day of my birthday I went to a women's seminar several hours away with my Mom and sister. It was a blessed time indeed. The food, fellowship, and friends I got to see was all wonderful. But the best part was the way I felt God met me there. After 10 minutes of listening to the speaker, I felt God specifically show me an area of unforgiveness in my life. It was such an amazing experience the way He ministered to me through the speaker's words.

I had several hours at home with the children before my dear man took me out for a birthday date. We had a wonderful meal and even more wonderful conversations. Oh, I love that man of mine! Almost 12 years of marriage and truly he's my best friend and favorite person to spend time with.

Sweet cards, gifts, blog comments, and lots of love from my family....what a great birthday. I am so blessed.

My to-do list for this week looks like this:

organize closet in school room
clean vehicles
can dry beans (32 pint!!)
shop for my Daniel Fast
buy black pants for boy's concert
cut out pattern for girl's Easter dresses
cut and sew girl's Easter dresses
sew skirt for Annika
make pie crusts for freezer
trim raspberries
exercise 3x (1 down)

As you can see, I have plenty to do.

If you live where the weather is nice, do get out and enjoy it.

Happy Birthday!!!!!

Note: this post is written by Wanda's niece Hannah.

Some of you may know, but it's likely that a lot of you don't know, so I will tell you.... Today is my aunt Wanda's birthday!!   And terrible as it may sound, I don't know how old she is turning! So in that case you are safe to assume that she is still very young... which she is. :)

Here is a picture for you.  I didn't have a picture that isn't already on the blog so I am just using this one :) And besides, I kinda like it... :)

Here are some of my favorite things about my aunt Wanda:

• Her heart for God
• The way she pours herself into her family
• She is always so willing to give advice to her nieces... that sometimes need it :)
• Her passion for good marriages & family relationships encourages me
• She is a wonderful cook :)
• I love her spontaneous personality
• And if for no other reason at all.... I am blessed to have her for an aunt!

I am thankful to God for the example Wanda has been to me.
And though there are many humorous facts I could write about like...... um, I guess I won't right now.

And so, if you read her blog and enjoy it, or perhaps you read her blog and have never made yourself known, now is the time. Please drop her a line and wish her a happy birthday and then next time when she comes here, she will find a pleasant surprise! ;)

Blessed Be The Name of The Lord

This song has been running through my head ever since last week when a ministry did a presentation at church and sang this song. Somehow the words stuck in my head and I've been pondering them ever since.

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be the name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be His holy name
He gives and takes away
He gives and takes away
My heart will choose to say
Blessed be His name.
Blessed be His holy name.

So often I focus on what He has taken away and the fact that I need to bless His name anyway. And that is good. But lately I've been really thinking about what He has given. His gifts just seem huge to me right now, and unless you walk through some of the valleys that I have in the past several years, it may not make sense to you at all. He gives....and gives...and blesses....and while life on the mountain top every day would not be good for me at all, I will delight in the mountain right now...and every day....so that when my time in the valley comes along, I can remember to bless His name even then.

In the past number of months, it seems like God has literally dumped stuff on our heads....new promises in His word, spiritually stimulating conversations with random people, (NOT random to God) wow moments of understanding, encouragement that meets our needs exactly, as well as stretching us and growing us.

What has God blessed you with lately?

I Love....

...warm spring days, especially following a cold, snowy day.
...taking my kids to town with me when I'm not in a hurry or have a long list.
...good conversations with dear friends.
...talking/learning about nutrition.
...a good {short} run.
...my homemade white chocolate latte.
...salads in any way shape or form.
...dates with my husband.
...serious talks with my kids.
...hearing my husband's latest idea.
...homeschooling my kids.
...hearing my daughters make up songs and stories.
...chocolate, especially homemade cream cheese truffles.
...shopping for bargains, online or in stores.
...cooking.
...reading a good book.
...my new NASB Bible.
...watching my tulips poke their brave little heads out of the ground.
...hearing stories from the 'olden' days.
...thinking about how much God loves me, how quickly He forgets my sins, and how much He wants me to share His love with those around me.

And now, because it's only right and fair to share, my recipe for:

 White Chocolate Latte.

Heat 3 cups of milk.
Put 2 T. instant coffee, 1 tsp. vanilla, and 1/3 cup of white chocolate chips in the blender.
 Add milk and blend until smooth.
Pour into large mugs and add a dollop or 2 of whipped cream.
Makes 2 generous servings.

{This is a favorite after-the-kids-are-in-bed snack at our house.}

Cousin Time

We hosted 3 special cousins from the South for almost a week. We got to be Mom and Dad to ages 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 & a 10 year old, which included our own kids. It was never dull, boring, or quiet around here. We threw school in the middle of it, played lots and lots of Dutch Blitz, ate a lot of food, slept hard, and made some great memories. The memories include anything from nightmares in the middle of the night to watching a mama skunk and her baby walk boldly into one of our 'out' buildings, a tea party for the girls, Polly pockets, football, racing cars on table boards, and an unexpected snow storm, which delighted our southern cousins to no end. I watched the 4 year old stare out the window, silent and in complete awe at the huge fluffly flakes that were coming down. I think the snow was just a special gift from God to them personally.

The house is quieter now. But the memories are tucked away and the cousins are just a wee bit sad and lonely.