I'm Back.....

Wow.......its been a long while!  It is now November 2011, months since my last blog post and here I find myself back in the saddle.  So much has happened over the summer and this fall.  I won't even begin to recap.  I'm just going to pick up in the here and now.  

We are in our 8th year of homeschooling and loving every minute of it.  This has been a tough school year as I have my first high-schooler and added a Kindergarten student.  I now have 4 students to teach everyday, along with all the other requirements of a wife and mother.  I wouldn't trade this life for any other one in the world!

We have had some rough roads in the past few months, but God is faithful and answering prayers. His word is living, breathing and alive in our midst! I see my children growing in the word, growing in faith and that is such a wonderful thing.  I am so blessed to see it, day in and day out.  I pray that you all are feeling the love of our Savior as well.

Come back and visit soon.  I hope to blog a few times a week.  I've missed you all!

Blessings!

Blessed Mommy

Where does the time go?

It seems that I can't keep up with this blog anymore.  While it serves as a wonderful outlet for me to connect and reach out, there isn't enough time in my day to allow for it.  What is keeping me so busy you ask?  It could be the potty training 3 yr old boy.....and he is doing well, thank you.  It could be the 15 week old puppy that we rescued several weeks ago that isn't potty trained like the boy! Or the 2 preschoolers that beg me everyday to play with "rice" or "do school."  It could also be those 3 big kids that need me to teach them the ways of our Lord, along with math, language, history, science, spelling, reading, writing, and home economics.  It might also be those long trips we make (an hour one way) to take 2 kids to soccer practices just 3 days a week.  Or the studying that I do for my own spiritual growth, currently studying 1&2 Thessalonians, Grace Based Parenting and also a book on Women's Leadership in the church.  And then there is that other thing called a house I have to keep clean, the laundry that has to be washed and folded, the meals that need cooking, the dishes washed, dogs fed and walked....you know all the joys of being a Wife and Mom!  All those things that I wouldn't trade for all the money in the world! 
I am finding joy in the small things, joy in the trials, and joy in the big things!  I am busy, yes, but busy doing the things that God has called me to do.  And for that I will not complain about lack of blogging time, but I will love those times sharing in studies with my husband, cherish those moments when my kids finally understand a concept, cheer for the goals reached in sports, relish those times playing with "rice," and just enjoy the JOYS that God has given me.......for He has given me much.  How will you spend your time? 
Where does your time go?

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Animal Sightings....focus

Cool Animal Sightings at our house!  God always gives us such wonderful teaching moments in the midst of a busy day.  Do you take time to enjoy them or see them as a bother?  We try to enjoy them...like the turtle that a friend of my daughters found crossing the driveway.  Turtles are known to be slow, but let me tell you, this one was Quick for a turtle!  We tried giving him an apple, but he didn't much care for it.  Then we put him in the kiddie pool we had in the front yard.  He swam for a bit, looking for the edge so he could run away!  My poor kids tortured played with him for about 15 minutes, until we left to enjoy the pool for the day!


The bird or hawk you see in the other pictures has a fish in its talon!!  This was quite a sight to see!  He was perched up on this dead tree, resting from his hunt.  We live across from the lake, so his journey wasn't far, but I'm sure it was heavy!  He sat up there for some time, flew away and came back.  When he returned I just knew God was granting me the opportunity to take his picture!  Hee Hee  OK....maybe not just for that purpose, but I took full advantage anyway! 

It's always amazing to me, God seems to speak to me at those times when I am in a hurry and losing focus of what's important.  On both these days I was busy going about my day.  First day it was me trying to get all the kids and friends off to a day at the pool, the second day I was hurrying the children to shower and bathe while rushing to get dinner on the table.  How about you?  Lose Focus much?  I do and it takes an Awesome Animal Sighting to get me back on track!  Thanks God!

O LORD, how manifold are your works!In wisdom have you made them all;the earth is full of your creatures. Psalm 104:24

Growing Faith...

I just love spring days when the kids are done with schoolwork and go outside to enjoy creation.  Today some of the kids came inside yelling "we found a nest, we found a nest and it has babies, cardinal babies!"  Of course I went running.....with my camera!  :)  Mom cardinal flew out of the nest and bush quickly when we all went outside, but the babies weren't bothered by us a bit!  They let me take a few pictures and even posed for me a few times. 

I really can't tell you how grateful I am that the Lord lets my kids experience His creation, His design for animals and His kingdom right here in our front yard. 

Let our faith grow as these young babes, feeding on HIS word as these babes feed from their mother...let HIM be in our every thought and deed today.

Fully Restored....

I don't know where this week has gone, but it certainly flew right by me.  Mondays are always busy days for us, but then again, everday is busy!  LOL

I had the joy of watching 4 extra girls this week, while my girlfriend packed up the rest of her home for the big move.  We had a GREAT time!  There were 9 kids in the house and yes, only one of them was a little boy!!  My youngest arrow was surrounded by girls, but he loved every minute of it.  The youngest babe was 9 1/2 months, she is a doll!  My youngest arrow loves having a younger person in the house, he feels older I guess.  While he enjoyed being the "big brother" for a few days, my oldest arrow was like an extra set of mom hands.  I couldn't have done it without her.  During day 2 of our adventure she said, "see mommy, 4 more kids isn't that bad, you could handle it."  I stopped dead in my tracks and stared her down....."are you kidding me child?"  She replied "hee hee, no, you haven't lost your mind yet, WE could do it."  My reply was gentle, but blunt.  "There is a HUGE difference in watching 4 extra kids and BIRTHING 4 more kids! Ha Ha"  She laughed and we continued with our day without another thought of adding to our brood.

I have to admit, there are days when I think about having more kids, but then the Lord gently reminds me of the blessings I have now.  I am so grateful for the Lord entrusting me with 5 of His children (and 1 that is in His care) and I couldn't feel anymore complete than I do at this very moment.  What a great and wonderful God to serve.  I prayed for this day when I would feel "complete" and no longer desire more children.  What an answer to prayer.  I would welcome another child if He thought us worthy enough, but I really feel like He and I have a common understanding.  : )

So after 2 1/2 days of pure joy with 9 kids I am fully in tact, totally grateful, overwhelmed with love and wondering when I can do it all over again!  When I serve the Lord and do everything in His name, He fully restores my soul and gives me unmeasurable blessings!

"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

Productivity

Today was a great day!  Productive too!  I love days like today.  We woke up early, got going and at the end of the evening I can relax!  I can smile at all that we were able to pull together.  School is done for the day, laundry isn't completely done, but it is manageable and not overflowing, grocery shopping is done, dishes are done, kids are bathed, flowers are planted and watered, dinner was homemade not fast food, and the house is fairly picked up and orderly.  Is there a better ending to any day?!

God is so good to supply all our needs.  If only I could remember this everyday, my days would be so fulfilling!  Hope you had a productive and completely wonderful day too!

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 2 Corinthians 9:10

A New Day....

Ahhh, a sigh of relief as I start a new day, a new week, a new chance to glorify my Lord in all I do. I am so grateful for a new day, last week was a struggle to keep my head afloat. I felt overwhelmed and like I was drowning, but today is a new day! I feel much better and I finally feel as though the waters are drying up! I can see new life in the world around me.

Spring has sprung in God's beautiful creation and in my heart! At church yesterday I felt something change in my heart. I can not explain it. I only know that it came from the Lord and I am going to rejoice in His blessing. I have been working on my prayer life, my quiet times, and our daily schedule. I feel as though the Lord has answered my requests in more ways than I could have ever asked of him. Don't you find that joyous? I mean, when you ask for something and the Lord gives to you, but He gives more than what you ask? I just think that is AWESOME!!

Do you have something to pray about? Go ahead....ask it and the Lord will answer. Maybe not like we had hoped or asked, but it will be better than what we thought we needed. I can assure of that!

Unexpected Blessings....

You never know when God is listening....ok, so He is listening always, but I don't always remember that. Anyway, He was listening to me pour my heart out last week and over the weekend. Our schedule has changed drastically and I am conquering, but it's still work for me. I never expected it not to be work, but I also have a sick son in the midst right now. Yesterday a sweet friend blessed me....in more ways than one.
First she tried to plan all this with my dear husband. He told her of our sick son and the impending doctor appointment that interfered with her plan. She quickly changed her plan to not only to bring dinner for my family, but to come early enough to watch all the kids so that I could take little man to doctor without the whole crew. WHAT A BLESSING!!!! I am constantly amazed by this woman....she has an overwhelmingly, busy, full, plate of her own, but she is always showing the love of Christ by helping others. She never complains, she is always looking at how she can be of help to others and so very organized. I am envious, but a good envious, not a sinful envious. (it is more inspiring to me than envy)

So, dear friend, you know who you are.....THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. You showed the love of Christ to me and my family today. We are ever so grateful!! You received crowns today for your wonderful works. My kids had a BLAST with you and wanted to know when you are coming back? Next time you can come here for dinner with the whole family and we can all play, not work, and I will be cooking for you. The fajitas were AWESOME and enjoyed by all!! Thanks for the recipe too...you knew I would be asking for it. Now I just need to recipe for the black bean and corn salsa!!! It is Awesome!!! We had never had it until last night and we all fell in love with it. Anyway, thank you again.

May God Richly Bless You for showing His Love and Kindness to us.
Blessed Mommy and family

So Readers, you never know (ok, ok, so YOU do) when God is looking to send someone your way to bless you. When He does, remember to thank Him and the blesser. :)

Friendships...

God is so wonderful all the time, but I especially thank him for the friendships that He has given me over the years. Some friends come and go, but there is something about a "sister in Christ" or even a "brother in Christ" that just lasts longer, holds you tighter, picks you up when you need it, and makes you smile even in the hardest of times.

This was a rough week for me, but God has (once again) put people in my life to help encourage me. I have been so blessed. Although I was struggling this week with many different things, my friends have been there for me. They didn't think any less of me, they didn't guilt me or even pity me. They just knew somehow (only through the power of Christ) what to say to me to help me over my slump.

I have suffered for 8 years with depression. This week was a breaking point for me. I have been treated for 8 years through medication and I am truly thankful for that medication. I am a totally different person off the medicine and someday God will release me of this affliction, but for now I will take my medicine as I should. However, I was so depressed this week, I just knew that something was not working right. I thought maybe I needed to up the dosage of my current medicine or maybe I had forgotten to take my medicine (which I knew I had) I was just searching for any answer to all my sadness. I found my answer, but not through medicine.....I found my answer through Christ and He used my Blessed Friends. Without knowing my dear friends encouraged me, uplifted me, loved me, and held me through my anguish until I was OK to stand on my own. I am standing tall now, even a little taller, knowing that God is still with me. He has sent my dear sisters to help me, all I have to do is trust in Him. I have to not be afraid to ask Him. He always hears me, its just not always what I want to hear. So to my friends I say thank you...my sisters I say I love you more than you will ever know and to Christ I give you my all...myself....my every being is yours to do your will, Lord.
Thank you.