Denise was so kind to interview me at her WAHM-Articles blog.  If you have time, and are inclinded go check it out.

One of the tips I picked up from the book I just finished had to deal with weekly meal planning.  I want to try and prepare something new each week for us to try as a family…to  help me out of the rut I spoke of earlier. I think this will help me out.  

Annette actually prepares, plans and shops, for an entire month at a time.  Wow that is intense, but hey she is the one with her housed paid for so who should be talking….right:-)  I am throwing this into the mix this week.  I will let you know how it is!

Cuban Shredded Pork

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 pounds boneless pork chops
1 pint water to cover
1 lime, juiced
1 sprig fresh thyme
8 black peppercorns
1 tablespoon garlic powder, or to taste
1 tablespoon onion powder
salt to taste
 
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
1 lime, juiced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

DIRECTIONS
In a large saucepan, combine water, juice of one lime, thyme sprig, peppercorns, garlic powder, onion powder and salt. Bring mixture to a boil. Add pork chops, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until meat is very tender. Add more water as necessary to keep chops covered.

Turn off heat and let the chops rest in the broth for 30 minutes. Remove chops from broth and shred, removing excess fat; set aside.
In a large frying pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the shredded pork and fry until it is almost crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and continue to cook until the onion is just tender yet slightly crisp, about 10 minutes more. Add the juice of one lime, mix though and toss with cilantro. Serve and enjoy.

It is an interesting word. Wikipedia defines Training as the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relates to specific useful skills. It forms the core of apprenticeship. Isn’t that a wonderful way to think about working with your children, apprenticing them to be fully formed adults?  It keeps the big picture in view during the day to day grind.  It also helps me remember that I am to be the “master” trainer (being trained by the ultimate Master)and that I need to continue working on me as I am working with them.  I am choosing to view it as “team development”. 

We are currently “apprenticing” our children in the skilled art of eating whatever is put in front of them without “whining or complaining”.  Let me say for children 6, 4 and almost 3…..it is a skill to be learned.  It is also something I need to be intentional about by offering a wide variety of foods and at least something new each week.  I realized, when we go to Peru for a month in Feb. my kids are going to be miserable if I don’t tackle this picky issue now. We asked the children, “What happens when you are grown ups and someone invites you to their home as guests, and they present you a beautiful plate of food that you have never seen before, and you don’t know how to act or  are too scared to eat it?  Whose fault would it be?”  They thought for a moment and Jackson said “Yours?”  We were able to have a whole conversation about how we are helping them learn how to do things they don’t want to do now.  It is a core skill that will serve them well in life. 

They say it takes 28 days to form a new skill or habit.  We are one week into being very intentional about this and we are already seeing fruit.  Last night our daughter (the very picky one) ate everything on her plate without even a word.  It was even something she would of turned her nose up at even a week ago.  Baby steps will take us there.  Our dear friends who are missionaries in Peru (who now have a great blog) sent us a great recipe to help broaden our culinary horizons. This is going on the weekly menu plan for sure.  I will post it here for your sampling enjoyment as well.  I will post pictures next week. 

Papa Rellena (Stuffed Potato)Ingredients:
- 4 cups mashed potatoes
- 1 cup flour
- 1 egg
- 1 lb. hamburger
- 1 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup raisins, plumped
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
- 3 boiled eggs, cut lengthwise
- Black olives
- Oil

(Serves 4)

Preparation: 
Sauté the hamburger, onion, garlic, salt, pepper and raisins until cooked through.  Set aside to cool.  Mix together the potatoes, flour, and egg (Make sure that the ingredients are cool). 
Flour the palm of your hand and put in it a couple of heaping Tbsp. (or so) of the potato mixture.  Pat it flat and round, like a pancake.   Place a Tbsp. (or so) of meat mixture in the center, a piece of hard boiled egg, and a black olive and with well-floured hands, fold top of potato over to completely close it up. It will look like a giant egg.  Repeat with remaining ingredients.  Heat oil until very hot.  Flour hands and carefully lower a couple of the stuffed potatoes at a time into the very hot oil. Fry until golden brown.

 For more Child Training Tips visit Sallie’s Blog.

I had a quick update to our “intense play date” this weekend.  I figured out why they are so intense and competitive (in a sweet and enduring way).  The Mother and Father are Ukrainian and used to be competitive ballroom dancers for years before their son was born.  They stopped when they had him and now they are beginning to train again.  You don’t hear that everyday, now I get it. I pray our family is a blessing to them.  Me thinks we will be having them to dinner next week to see what God is up to.

The reason I asked about the cleaning thing on the previous post was because after we all played together, the boy “asked” (more like demanded) that we clean up his room and then left us to do the work.  It was awkward to say the least. The Mom apologized and said he has to keep his room clean for the cleaning woman to clean every Friday. (Taking clean to a whole new level I guess.) I never think to ask people to help clean up after they have been over to play so I was wondering what others did.  

If you are interested in driving traffic back to your website or blog, a great way to do it for free is through article submission or written press releases.  Consider an event that is newsworthy or a topic you would like to explore and write an article on it.  (around 500 words)  You then have the opportunity to list an author bio at the bottom of the piece with link backs to your blog or website.  These articles are then viewed constantly for addition to newsletters, blogs and other forms of online media.  Here is an example of a piece I wrote on building Christmas traditions.

I have been invited to be the “Resident Homeschooling Expert” at WHAM-Articles .com. I will be writing a monthly column about homeschooling, tips, resources and reviews.  I was very honored to be asked and am excited to add it to my writing mix.  I will be on the look our for great ideas and tips so if you have something that you think is newsworthy, drop me a line and let me know.

I think most American families need help in the finances department, and this book could be a good first start. No offense to my International readers. I am sure International families can look at their budget as well. This book attacks the normal American pastime of “excess” and offers tips that relate to living within the US.  I am sure that international families can apply many of the concepts regardless of their context. It is an easy read and not necessarily meant to be read straight through but rather viewed topically depending on what you need most. It will help you think through your financial plan and give you solid tips  and really great ideas on how to save money around your home. It is an inspiring read that preaches simplicity and motivates you to make your pennies stretch and learn how to live with less.  I found it interesting that many of the ideas, we already implement and many others we have never even thought of.

The books authors (the Economides) actually paid their entire house off in 9 years making only about 35K a year.  They started by just paying $2 extra on principle every month and pinching pennies all along the way.  Annette (the wife) stayed home the entire time raising their kids, learning how to be an efficient homemaker and making “simplicity” be her overarching goal for their family.

This book is proof that it can be done if you are willing to sacrifice a bit, live within your means, and most of all have discipline with your budget.  I was inspired! 

Picture this, hazy smokey atmosphere,  80’s music blaring and lots of gutter balls! Bowling..I guess it is a big deal.  Our neighbors invited us to go bowling with them yesterday.  It was our first time.  It was not theirs.  It was kind of like Tiger Woods inviting their neighbor out to golf.  Maybe not that bad but it was intense!  Poor neighbor kid is an only child and you can tell…..if you know what I mean.  Kind of bratty, and his parents ride him like “white on rice”.  Maybe that was the intensity I was picking up on.  Crazy amounts of toys and never having to share with anyone….ever.  Interesting playing with them.

So what do you all think? When you invite people over to your home for entertainment or a play date, do you ask them to clean up after themselves or do you enjoy their company and expect to clean up afterwards?

Always use gentle words that give life.

Try new food, we may like it.

As we move along together in shaping our family rhythm, I am finding some things that I need to emphasise.  The family rules list has been so helpful as we move through our day.  We have it framed and displayed in our kitchen at their level.  Our youngest loves to run up to it and remind his siblings of their errors throughout the day. 

I am thinking through training children and how intentional you need to be with it. I am developing another piece on it that will be up next week, but I have found 2 things that I want tweak a little on our personal family rules.  They have to do with some things that are cropping up that need to be worked on.

One is the way our children speak to each other when they are frustrated. There is way too much yelling, which of course ends up with a domino effect around here. Our oldest is VERY dramatic and we are working on training him to control his outbursts. (Gee I wonder where he gets that?) The very first verse we taught them was “Gentle words give life” in Proverbs, so it seems appropriate that we tweak the “Be Kind” to “Use Gentle words that give life.”

And two, I have not been offering enough variety in what they are eating.  I am in a cooking rut and so I am working my way out of it.  Firstly we are creating a family recipes cookbook that we work on together using picaboo. I am offering different veggies other than broccoli and raw carrots.  Our daughter has become VERY finicky and that is not very becoming in a young woman me thinks, so we will work on it now when she is a wee woman.  That is where I came up with  “Always try new food. We may like it.”

I am finding that baby steps along the way pay off big in short order. For me I am working on following through…on everything.  Like using all the food I buy at the grocery store for each meal I planned to prepare, instead of getting board with one meal left and ether buying different things or going out to eat. Not very disciplined for a middle aged woman me thinks.(Is 33 middle aged? Yikes) 

So I am going to work on that too.  It all adds up to freedom.  Freedom for me, our family, our kids.  When we can tell our bodies “no” when we really want to say “yes” we can say “yes” to hard things when we probably would of said “no”.  Sounds like a good life skill to have don’t ya think?

 Di Vinci was depicting two very important people and he named this painting Virgin of the Rocks.

Mommy, what is a virgin?  (ummmmm deafening silence)…….

And why do those  babies have such big muscles?  (again crickets chirping in the background)

I am all out of bullets on that one! 

Let’s get our math books out kids!

“I want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich please!”

“OK - Bud”

“Yeah but I don’t want the jelly”

“You don’t?”

“Yeah and I don’t want the peanut butter!”

“hmmmmm?”

~Hudson 2.5 years old~

 ”A wise woman builds up her house.” Proverbs 14:1

I remember when I was in my early 20’s and I was hanging out with a friend in her early 30″s she said something that I now can say is true. She said “Your 30’s are so much better than your 20’s.  You finally fit into your skin.”  I would have to second that! I gather that is more true the older you become. 

It it funny, I know less now than I thought I new then.  I am less idealistic, more introspective and have  more questions than I have answers. I was talking to my “homeschooling diva” friend (who actually home schooled back in the day when it was illegal) and she said “Isn’t God good, using the hardness of things to get at your heart.”  I am seconding that one too!

Lot’s of thoughts running around today in my head about my calling, child training and how it trains us, the freedom that comes from discipline and the absolute necessity for finding Sabbath rest in the midst of it all. 

 I am off to build my house~ Peace to all!

really, I  am not kidding. 

Let me tell you why?  I was wondering if this was really children’s programming or not.  Let me back up.  We are teaching the kids Spanish.  We are learning too of course and are using various methods of fumbling about with it.

We check out children’s books in Spanish at the library and read through them with ease and so I thought that a Spanish DVD looked good for teaching them some more.  I was wrong.  Not only was it cheesy it had a 20 something model in a skimpy dress and heels “dancing” around in circles while singing the colors in Spanish.  Honestly, I gave them about 5 minutes to see if they would move on.  Nope they didn’t.  Sexy, female in skimpy clothing teaching Spanish words to young children. That’s a winner?!

Well, let’s just say “no me’gusta”.

Bye - Bye

Eugene Peterson has said that being a well read person is as important to your spiritual formation as is, silence, solitude, prayer or any other spiritual discipline.  It is a way of letting words shape you, allowing yourself to here the rhythm and cadence of language so that the poetry of scripture can slide smoothly into your soul. 

 So I have been out and about and found a few good books that I will be reading over the next few months.  I want to thank Randi at Let’s just say… for a great beginning. I am pushing past the bounds of just homeschooling “fair” and letting words shape me. I will keep adding to this list as I progress. Let me know some of your faves.  I wonder were it will take me? Look around and see if you find something that interests you.   This is part of my “soul craft” so come learn with me.

Honestly, I don’t know how I will top this today, but give it a read and see for yourself.  This Diva is “off the chains”. She is on my reader now!

I took the personality test that Emerging Grace highlighted on her blog on Sunday.  I haven’t done one of these in years.  Kind of interesting.  They say I am a mentor.  Maybe this is why I get negative feedback from people about being too intense, or that I am trying to “teach” them something.  I used to have some baggage about that, but right now, I am totally accepting who I am.  Love it or leave it people.  How is that for mentoring?

Take it for yourself and let me know in the comments what personality type you are.  

I am in my third week of homeschooling using the Ambleside prescribed curriculum.  This week both of my boys were sick.  I thought for sure we would bag school.  That was what I had planned to do because I was cleaning up vomit all day.  (That was fun!)  Anyway, I digress.  I realized between the cleaning and the rocking and the laying on the couch (they did watch a video that day) and the not getting out of their pj’s until noon, and the no real prescribed “school time”, they finished ALL of their lessons in 15 min segments throughout the day. 

It was incredible to me that 1) they asked for certain lessons by name 2) they did them in short increments and then went back to throwing up 3) they had fun and it kept their minds off of the sickness thing.  Can you believe it?  I still can’t.  They ask for lessons every day. What do I say…. no?  I don’t think so but what do I know, I am knew to this.   They don’t know  a weekday Monday from a weekend Saturday, so they just keep going.  At this rate we will be done with the math book by Christmas. Jackson is half way through his phonics and it is only the end of August.  I only read the chapters/selections that are slated for the week so they have to learn to think on that one piece for a week before we move on, despite their begging. (Can you tell they love the books?)

Really People….is this normal?  I am thrilled they are enjoying it but I am kind of shocked.   The other day, Chloe said I go to “Turtle River Montessori”  (her old school) and I said, “No honey you go to home school. ” She said “I do?  Where is that?”  I said at home with me and your brothers.  She said “I never have to leave you again?”  I said “Nope” she squealed, I smiled.  It hadn’t even occurred to them that all of these months we had been schooling. 

So what do you think of that?  I guess I just go with it….right?!  OK this is where all the older wiser homeschooling moms jump in and tell me whats up.

“The spiritual disciplines of the Christian faith are like a ghanat(an underground irrigation system) for your suburb.  They are the only means of staying awake to the thicker life amid the toxic fumes of the suburban life. “ The thicker life in Jesus.  It is what I like to call living in “the kingdom”.

 The true life is not possessed by the things we own, or buy but by who we are in the quiet.  It is the unseen that marks us and grounds us in the midst of everyday life.  This book is  a wealth of knowledge in identifying spiritual toxins and the disciplines needed to implement in order to counteract them.  We are not alone in our feelings of busyness or isolation among crowds of people.  It is a cultural phenomenon that slowly and quietly eats you alive until you wake up one day wondering how you got to where you are.

This book calls a spade a spade in a funny way that every American can relate with.  He pokes fun at himself and gives “exercises” that even the author uses.  None of us are immune from checking out to  “easy” living in the suburbs.  This book calls us to another standard and gives us practical tips on moving past the death of the suburbs and into a thicker, fuller life based in the reality of Jesus.

 I am adding and building the content of this site on an ongoing basis.  One of the things I will be providing for my readers is a “book of the week recommendation”  I love to read.  I have always loved to read and in fact sat in elementary school bored to tears every day reading books inside my desk as the teacher droned on and on.  I would stay up late at night after my parents had tucked me in with a flashlight under the covers.

Reading is one of my favorite past times and so I thought I would post here what I am currently tackling.  Check back often as I will always be updating and growing my knowledge base. 

Currently Reading:

• Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola
• Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Burns -I snagged this off ot Truevyns site.  If she is reading it it must be good:-)
• Confessions of an Organized Homemaker: The Secrets of Uncluttering Your Home and Taking Control of Your Life by Deniece Schofield

Just Finished:

• Death by Suburb by David Goetz
• Hints on Child Training by H. Clay Trumbull

I have currently been reading “Hints on Child Training” by H. Clay Trumbull. It is a book written about 100 years ago by Elizabeth Elliott’s Great-Grandfather. It is a wonderfully pragmatic look at how to train you children with the “big picture” in mind. In fact, after reading it once through, I have determined to read it again. It has so many gems in it, that reading it once is not enough to assimilate all of Trumbull’s wisdom. Especially once you are passing through the toddler years and on into early childhood.

In today’s fast past world, child training is rarely embraced as a proactive way to help your children become fully functioning adults. This book hints at the wonder of parenting and the blessing of training early in life. It has been a valuable resource for our family’s thinking on parenting our children.

I think if parents were armed with this information early they would determine to live simply and make sure the stress everywhere else in their life is minimized.  Once you realize how the environment you create for your children forms them deeply, you will be careful to not let “mindless” things slip in. As parents, our  specific mindset of where we are leading our children is key to navigating the parenting roadblocks that inevitably arise along our children’s path to adult hood. It is a sobering thought to realize the weaknesses that will occur in our children as adults are due to our weaknesses as a parents when they are young. This is a must have for a families library. It is one of those books that you will highlight and underline and refer to often.

This year I am keeping a record of all of our activities digitally.  I am keeping a monthly project going with picaboo to keep all of our adventures organized and kept in one place.  I plan to scan certain written work that is appropriate and drawn narrations to add to the piece.  It will be a fun family keepsake. 

The children have one from the former preschool and they cherish it.  I wish to keep the tradition going without all the actual cutting and pasting.  It is a whole new digital world and I intend to use it like a tool.

 Grace and Peace to all,

During my third pregnancy I lived on homemade salsa and guacamole.  It is still one of my favorite treats.  We had a community party a few weeks ago and a woman brought this.  The whole party was a buzz about it.  I must admit, I make my own and am pretty picky but this one topped it for sure.  Enjoy!

1 Haas avocado

3 T chopped onion

1 tsp chopped jalapeno chilies

1.5 tsp of chopped cilantro

2T chopped tomato (seeds and juice discarded)

In a bowl, or  a molcajete mash the following ingredients with the back of a spoon until it forms a paste. 1T onion, 1/2 tsp chilies, 1/2 tsp cilantro, 1/2 tsp salt. 

Add the avocado to the paste and then gentle fold in the other ingredients.

Yummy!

for our extended church family in Peru.  I am posting an email we recieved early this am.  Mike and I heard of reports of the earthquake in Lima and have been praying for the church as well as those who have so little and are now left with nothing.  This world is so fragile.  It is only the hope of Jesus that sustains us in any country that we live in.  You can visit their blogs found in my blog roll under “Peruvian Posse” for any possible updates.  Here is an article that will help fill in some more detail for you.

Good Morning~
As many of you may know by the news this morning, a massive earthquake struck Peru last night. As more information comes in this morning, it seems that the damage is very severe and many people, already very poor, have been left homeless. 
Arequipa faired well, though we felt the quake quite strongly here as well.  We are fine and none of us had any damage to our homes.  We are considering how we might help our friends in Chincha and surrounding areas and hoping to hear from friends in Lima this morning.  We’ll keep you posted as we know more.
Below is an email Lee sent out this morning- 
Please pray with us for the people of this country…
 

Good morning friends,

I assume that most of you have heard about the massive earthquake that hit Peru on Wednesday evening.  First, just wanted to write and let all know that we are all o.k. here in Arequipa, though we did feel the quake.  A little before 7 PM Michael, Dori and I, were in my home when we noticed the back door rattling and the walls swaying back and forth.  This wave-like motion is different from the usual earthquakes down here that tend to be short and jolting.  The quake lasted close to a minute.

After finally getting through on the phone to the Styron’s (they have a television and saw pictures of Lima and people in the streets), we began hearing reports that the quake was a very large one, and that the epicenter was only forty miles from Chincha Alta - the town were I first served the Church here in Peru.  I then began trying to reach a number of our friends there, but the phone lines were full.  I also tried contacting missionary friends in Lima without any success. 

Mike Styron and I were already planning to arrive in Chincha Alta on Thursday, August 30 to begin a three-day ministry conference at the invitation of a couple pastors and local congregations there.  I have many, many friends (those who know the Lord and others that don’t) in Chincha, and would ask that, as you are able, you would seperate some time during your day to intercede to the Lord on behalf of His people here in Peru, that they might receive consolation from Jesus, and be a source of consolation for others, and for this nation that has suffered so much and needs to know the healing touch of Our God.

More to come…

–Lee

I spoke awhile back about me learning how to have Sabbath in the midst of child training , homeschooling, house tending etc. etc. etc.  Finding daily quiet in my life for my own “souls formation.” This has been a process of learning something new.  I will say it has been very revealing.  I don’t presume to have this all together or even, that what God is leading me into is right for you in your current situation.  People who “know all the right answers and have it all together”, wear me out.  So you wont get that here, just an honest look at what I am now doing and how it is freeing me up and slowing me down. Firstly, let me start by saying that I see what I am doing in our home and with our children as my job or business.  Have no fear, I do not think of it that clinically. It is just one way for me to block things out in my mind.  I have the type of personality that really gives my all to the task at hand.  In business, you track and chart everything so as to improve your overall objective. So I am also, tracking and charting myself in this arena as well.  It is simply a way for me to have more information about what is exactly going on in any given day and where we can make slight changes to improve or be more free.  Read on because that statement will make since in a moment.

The first thing I addressed was the need for some “me” time without anyone else around.  Just me, my thoughts and God.  I realized in our family dynamic, I needed to wake early in the morning in order to carve that space out. Now I wake before the family at 5 to be exact. That means that my bedtime is pretty firm at 10 as well.  You may think that sounds intense or harsh, but the space it creates for my soul is crucial to doing well in every area of my life.  I now see this.  It is a good thing.

The second thing I addressed was my house work.  In order for me to think straight, I need to have an environment that is peaceful and non chaotic.  Three kids is chaos enough:-)  So I have gone to work on coming up with a system to better handle the chores of our home.  I affectionately call it the zone system.  I basically have found a rhythm of doing a small amount of laundry and deep cleaning 4-5 days a week.  It has taken all of the stress out of the upkeep.  It allows me to give around 30 minutes a day of my best to cleaning and then leaving everything else go until another day.  Teaching and training the children in daily household upkeep is part of our formation as a family who “stays home” together.

 The third thing I have addressed was my own personal “up keep”.  Working out has been the one “negotiable” spot in my life.  It always got pushed to the side in lieu of everyone else needs. It is no longer negotiable.  I have to work out 5-6 days a week, just for me.  Charlotte Mason refers to it as “mother culture”.  I call it just plain smart.  A cranky, out of shape, overwhelmed Mommy is no good for anyone especially herself.  This is where I see the daily consistency bear fruit over a long period of time.  It is an outward symbol of inner workings. 

These three things in combination open up the space in my life to just be.  Because I have already determined in my mind, when and how I will be faithful to daily tasks, I am open to hearing, being, moving etc. etc in line with what God is doing at any given moment.  This opens up the space for me to home school without stress or pressure on myself.  There isn’t anything else I should be doing.  I am not guilty or resentful because I haven’t taken care of me.  I am free.  This is where you will hear me say over and over.  FREEDOM WITHIN STRUCTURE!

So what does it look like you may ask?  Tune in tomorrow to see how it pragmatically works out in my life.

Our oldest is six as of and hour ago.  Where has the time gone?  I was a bit melancholy yesterday thinking “It’s 1/3 of the way over all ready.”  Mike chuckled at me.  My Mom said “It’s never over honey”.  But you know what I mean. 

 As I have been praying with God over our children, little glimmers of His handy work peek out at me.  Like watching  a seed sprout.  Jackson is a passionate and determined (slightly perfectionist) thinker.   He observes things for long periods of time and then jumps in with gusto, He loves to “experiment”.  My prayer is that he will always  ask healthy questions and that he will continue to love learning like he does now. 

I’ve spoken in other posts about how important is is to us to name our children with meaning.  Jackson’s name means “Yahweh is gracious”.  After 2 years of trying to get pregnant and a miscarriage before Jackson, I was unsure I would ever have kids. Looking back now, it was all about timing.

His middle name is Caleb. The meaning of the name is faithful, intrepid, and victorious — a great description of the Old Testament Caleb, who was one of only two ancient Israelites (Joshua was the other) who set out with Moses from Egypt to finally enter the promised land.

So today, sweet boy, Mommy and Daddy pray many blessings over you.  May you be a blessing to the world with your God given, curiosity, passion and thoughtfulness.  Grace and Peace to you dear one. 

The other night I went out with some women from our church. We were discussing our favorite movies.  I love small independent films that have a deep story. 

I think I will check out this one with my Blockbuster coupon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVcdo24gaiE

The past few months our family has been blessed in amazing ways.  We needed a second car and through someones generosity we were given one.  Last week someone bought me a few hundred dollars of much needed clothing and this week someone else purchased our entire families tickets to Peru.  (We are spending the month of Feb. ‘08′ there doing some training for church pastors etc.)

As I was meditating on that fact last night I realized how hard it is for me to receive things in spite of my need.  It has been an interesting week for me  addressing my pride.  I feel like I am seeing things in a new light.  I tend to rely on myself to “get things done” instead of resting in God and his timing.  It is a horrible habit that I am being forced to address.  Isn’t it lovely when God brings you to the mirror and gently  says, “Let’s look at this together.”.

I am repenting of relying on myself and trying to get comfortable with relaying on God and His working through others to meet our needs.  It is humbling to receive gifts when you know you don’t deserve them and that it is only God’s grace and Mercy that provides them.

We had new friends over the other night.  Wonderful, wise followers of Jesus.  They have successfully raise three boys in their thirties.  I called the wife the other day with a question.  I said “Knowing what you know now, after raising 3 children, what did you do right and what would you do different?”

 You know how hind-site is always 20/20. I really wanted to know what their experience has taught them.  They had some wonderful words of wisdom.  They were VERY encouraging.  I want to be like that in everything I do.

Firstly, they said to make sure that in the teen years, get them out of this country on a short term missions trip.  That is very important to their overall formation.  Especially when it comes to them having to work out their own faith apart from you as their parent.

They did home school for many years in the early years and then sent them to a traditional high school.  In retrospect, they wished they would of stepped in a bit more in some relational issues.  It is  a thin line of giving them the independence to deal with things on their own, and also take over when they weren’t quit old enough to  handle it on their own.

And the most important things was, their house was “the house” to be at for all the kids in the neighborhood.  They were raising kids during the ‘latch key” generation.  So most of their kids peers had 2 working parents.  So they were their neighborhoods stabilizing force.  Simple home made cookies and strong house rules for the “neighborhood” to abide by endeared them to their kids peers. 

Through this they were able to develop strong relationship with their boys and constantly show them the light of Jesus in the midst of everyday life.  It was a very encouraging story.  It makes me think about relationship and how it is the fabric of life.  For me homeschooling is more about the “being, knowing and training” our kids then it is about teaching them.  It makes me wonder about today’s culture that hops around and moves so much.  Isn’t it good for our kids to develop deep meaningful relationships too?  Isn’t good for us as parents to lead them by example of that?  Call me crazy but I think it is the most important thing to model to them.  Especially in a culture that values individualism so much.

 Their children live life outside of the box because they were raised that way.  I pray that for our kids too. I pray our children will know the value of being connected to a group of God’s people in deep and meaningful ways.  That what we have together is so special.  It doesn’t happen overnight and it isn’t always found but it is a treasure that is worth digging for. 

Hi all,

I am testing some new plug ins and different colors etc.  Which do you like better, pink or blue?

I will be back to some serious writing tomorrow. My mind can only think about a few things at a time and this is one whole “new” thing for me.

Do me a favor and try something new today!

Peace to all~

Well, we all know that there are three to six degrees of separation between everyone.  I thought I would post this here and see if any of you all know someone who might want this!

 We have been holding 2 properties for a year now and it is rough sledding!  Please pray with us that God sells this property and that we will continue to wait on him.  Over the years we have had friends go through this and every time I would think, “How are they handling that? It would kill me!”  Well, I have news for you.  It has killed  me, in  a GREAT way.  I am back in a place of total reliance on God for everything in my life.

Maybe we wax and wain in this area depending on the circumstance in our life. It is a shame but true of human nature.  I have seen God move in amazing and unexpected ways over the years and after seeing such things, I always stand back and am shocked!  Why?  God always comes through in the least expected or predicted ways. 

 In the midst of “financial straits” I know we are right were God wants us to be.  Isn’t it interesting?  Tell me your stories.  Encourage me in how God has moved in amazing ways in your life.  Everyone loves a good story!  Post it in the comments or in your blog!

Peace to you~

Do stretch and learn and try new things…that you will surely fail at thereby learning volumes.

Don’t ever call tech support that is outsourced in India, because you will get the shaft!

Do always call  your fabulous husband to help you with a minor question before you try to do it yourself.

Don’t ever try to be the hero!

If you follow these simple rules, you will save yourself tons of reconstruction time!

Today I am participating in the “All Woman Blogging Carnival” over at 4fabmoms.  

We live in a small three bedroom town home.  Currently the two smaller rooms are occupied by our three young children.  One is a playroom and the other is a sleeping room.  As you can imagine there are some nights we have to split the three of them up in order to  get them to settle down for the night.

One of these particular evenings, we put our tiny daughter (then just 3) on our bed so she could fall asleep.  Things were quiet and all was well for some time, until we heard noises up stairs.  I went upstairs to see what was going on, to see our daughter had gotten into my makeup in our bathroom.  It was all over her, the walls, the floor and the tile grout.  It was a beautiful mess.  I had to not only clean her up but the entire bathroom that night.

What amazed me most was that she was able to put on the mascara perfectly?  Thankfully I use non-toxic make up. In retrospect I should of taken a picture so I could remember the look on her face when I found her.  Now, I lock my bathroom door always, because you never know what mischievous little hands want to explore.

Emerging Grace gave me a great comment on my Eureka~I’ve got it post.  She has also created tons of beautiful posters that hit the nail on the head.  If you haven’t seen them yet, they are worth a visit.

and tech support, and then you call the cavalry in (your brilliant husband) to tie things and up and here you go…..my very own hosted blog.  Isn’t it grand?  I still have some housekeeping to do, curtains to hang, plug-ins to figure out etc. etc.  but for now I am “in like Flynn”.  I did as much as I could solo until I was about to cry from frustration and then my husband stepped in.  (But only for a wee bit of help)  So please update your links/readers.

 OK - what are you gawking at?  Go learn something new for yourself!

Thanks Amanda!  I am honored that my pondering makes you think.  We will think together and I will pass it on:-)

It has only taken me 12 years of marriage, 11 years out of college, 9 family moves, 6 years of parenting to 3 amazing children, and 3 self owned businesses for me to finally find a rhythm of keeping up my home.

In college, I was a neat freak.  It was very easy to keep my chores up to date when it was only me making the mess.  Then I got married (while still in college) to a wonderful husband who had a different version of “clean” than I did. (I know that is a shocker.) It was a good 5 years of working full time and trying to find out how to keep my house together..and how to let go of unrealistic expectations.  Then kids came into the picture.  Well, as you all may of guessed, the whole “cleaning thing” went out the window. 

So how , do you ask,  have I cracked this nut? Firstly, Laundry.  Less stuff to wash is helpful.  I gave away 60% of our families clothes.  Now I do a load of laundry every day and put it away right when it is done.  That has helped tremendously.  No stress in the morning looking for clothes in laundry baskets is a very good thing!

With this little bit of experience I had a thought the other day.  What if I clean a little bit every day?  How would that work? Not picked up and straightened up but actually cleaned. So I have broken our house down into 6 zones for 6 days of the week.  Leaving the 7th day free for Sabbath rest.

So now I wake an hour before the kids to have my own time to workout and start the day with a God centered frame of mind.  The freedom within structure is holding true in my own life as well.  I have a plan to slowly and steadily do my work in a God honoring way, while including the children.  I must say it is very satisfying.  It is actually inspiring me to write something on our typical daily rhythm.  So look for that soon!

So what is your daily house keeping rhythm?  Consistent or nonexistent.  Feel free to tell on yourself in the comment section or let me know your thoughts on your blog.

Peace to all~ 

Ok -people.  I said in December of ‘06″ that I wanted to be more proficient with technology and not rely on my dear technologically advanced hubby.Well you know what… be careful what you set your mind to.  I am up to my ears in plug ins and the going for “hosting my own blog” route.    I feel like I can speak a whole new language….kind of.  But I have a plan for where I am going and I need to host my own space.  What have I gotten myself into?All I can say is pray for me:-) A little emotional support from the peanut gallery would be much appreciated!