We're on

Well, Gary is anyway, for the Farmer's Market here in Lansdale. He is going to try his hand at roasting, brewing, and flavoring his own coffee, selling mulling cider, selling his homemade vanilla, our home grown tomatoes and herbs, and if they still have nice flowers, our neighbor will be cutting some fresh flower bouquets.

I am not so sure we really fit into the farmer's market catagory, but they are letting us have a table for one day, so Gary's going to try it. We'll see.

Ellie's first day

Here's Ellie on her first day of kindergarten.

I think she had a good day. All I could get out of her were yes and no answers. She says she doesn't want to talk about her day. But she wants to go back, so that's a good thing.




P.S. I added another post on August 29th about our vacation. It was added after the one about orientation but the date places it before it, so you might have missed it.

Orientation

She's oriented. Ellie enjoyed her hour today at school. She made a sunflower, drew a picture of herself (complete with teeth,) and decorated a large manila envelope with traces of her hands. She has a cubby for her supplies and a hook for her coat and bag. She took her new bike helmet for her show and tell about summer. Ellie also got to use the potty and was excited to see that there was an Ellie size sink available for her use. We read a story waiting for everyone to arrive (somehow we managed to arrive first,) and she played kitchen while we waited for everyone to finish their three projects. The teacher ended the hour with a story - The Night Before Kindergarten. She also reminded parents to send a healthy snack (you know, no sugary stuff) each day, than offered the children a piece of candy before they left, and informed them that they could have one each day when they left to go home. A little contradictory if you ask me. I made sure to let Ellie know she would not be getting a piece of candy everyday.

I think I feel more confident about letting Ellie ride the bus both ways sooner than I previously thought. Now I need to contact First Student about adding her to the bus route, since they haven't contacted me yet.

Josh's day wasn't so pleasant. He was in need of 6 non-regular diaper changes and a sore belly. He is currently napping and hasn't needed a change since around 2:00 pm. His little bottom is sore and needing a break. He also wanted much Mommy time and many hugs.

Gary had jury summons today but wasn't called for jury duty. He did however become more informed about household things. His reading material while waiting today - Mere Christianity, a word search book, and Heloise's Housekeeping Hints. Gary pointed out a way to make meals for a week to me already.

Vacation

Last week we went to the cabin for the week with my parents. It was a great time away. Gary and my dad, however, didn't have so much as a vacation as a work week. You see, the outside cabin steps, being over thirty years old, have rotted. They needed to be replaced. So while the women and Josh relaxed, the men worked.

Mom and I, with a little help from the kids, painted the front window, twice. The twice should have been once, but since the cabin is part of an association and white is not an allowed window color any longer, the white we painted the window was in violation. We had to change it. We got paint chips, picked a color, got it approved and repainted.

Gary took Ellie on her first fishing trip. My dad got the poles ready and informed Gary how to use them since he hasn't been fishing either. Although he took a bucket and a fish chain, he really really hoped not to catch anything. Not to worry, they only used lures and didn't let them get too deep. But she had a grand time. We met up with them after a couple of hours and had a picnic lunch and a swim.

We didn't have much use of the computer. We had low signal strength. Couldn't really do much, so we didn't really try. One might wonder why we took the laptop at all, but I was hoping to blog, and we had a bill to pay. Got the bill paid, but that was about it.

One thing I did get to do was read. I started again on The New Strong-Willed Child. For some reason I stopped reading after a short time. I have found my sanity again. Dobson talks as though he's met Ellie. I am loving reading this book. Over and over I relate. I hardly related to stories in Tedd Tripp's book. [No way my child stands still and takes her spankings.] Though his principles are excellent, I didn't know how to apply it in my situation. I also got some reading in on When Sinners Say "I do."

In all, it was a relaxing week.

Words, words and more words

My little guy's vocabulary has exploded. He just keeps saying new words. They just keep coming out. It's great to hear him use new words. He is growing up so fast. And he has finally said "Ellie." He doesn't often speak on command, though. It starts acting goofy when asked to way a word.

Bittersweet

My girl starts kindergarten next week. My emotions are going up and down.

We decided to put her in private kindergarten, since we found a school that had a half off discount for first time students and has a great program. Next year she will be in public school - either first grade or have her do another year of kindergarten if we think she needs it.

Tomorrow we are going shopping. For school supplies and some new clothes (she's sprouting like a weed and wearing through stuff.) We are also going to have lunch and go for a bike ride together. It's a mommy - Ellie day!

She also has the opportunity to take the school bus but for now that's too much for us. My little baby is not taking a bus yet. Maybe in a few weeks or months. It works out for me to take her, since Gary works on the way, and we only have one car. I'll be the bus driver and take Gary to work and Ellie to school. Josh gets to go along for the ride. In a few weeks once she's used to school, we'll let Ellie take the bus home. After a while she can take the school bus both ways.

My little baby is going to school.

My Life as a Rock Star

I live the life of a rock star. It’s true! I have wild hair and make-up with frequent costume changes.

Everywhere I go I have an entourage. People are constantly yelling my name. I look out into the crowd and they’re actually crying for me, reaching for me.

I have no privacy. I’m watched when I shower, when I’m cooking, even when I use the restroom . . . for my own protection, I’m sure.

When I go places I must do so quickly before my fans get out of control and start a riot. Every night a different (fan) wants to sleep with me. Each of them seems genuinely hurt when I turn him (or her) away.

Occasionally I get dirty undergarments whirled at me with a whoop and a smile. It’s even hard sometimes to walk through my own home without someone spotting me and trying to grab my legs or my clothing.

Oh, and don’t forget about the stalkers! You know those crazed fans that follow you everywhere? Why I can’t even talk on the phone in the pantry without an eye peeping in at me.

Yes it’s true – I live the life of a rock star. And this goes out to my (two) biggest fans – (Elisabeth and Joshua) – thanks for making my debut so special.

I read the above article by Melinda Coats in MomSense, a magazine I get from being part of MOPS. I found it to be humorous and rather accurate for my life as well.

I figured out my problem

Yes, I figured it out. I am a sinner. I know, astonishing but true. And even though I knew this fact, it was made much clearer (and humbling) in my reading of a little jewel of a book called When Sinners Say "I Do," by Dave Harvey.

I especially like the author's illustration about sin in our hearts: a hot engine and oil. He had a live experience with this when his son had started the lawnmower up with the oil cap loose. After the engine heated up, he had an oil geyser. "Original sin filled the "engine" of our hearts with the "oil" of depravity - dark, greasy, and staining everything it touches. Circumstances come along and heat the engine. When the engine is hot - when events in our lives test out hearts by stirring anger, lust, greed, etc. - whatever is in the engine spews out. The heat (circumstances) did not fill the engine with oil, it simply revealed what was in the engine." When Jesus, out best example, was heated up, love, mercy, compassion, kindness spilled out. What comes out when you're heated?

One thing I also like about the book is that even though it is written for married folks, the basis of the book applies to all people. Because married or not, we are all sinners and have relationships of all kinds that would do better when we remember we are the biggest sinner of them all.

Prayers for your day

Yesterday, as I read in the Daily Prayer of the Lutheran Service Book, I came upon this little phrase: "on this day when the work of our calling begins anew." It brought me to tears. As I am sure you are well aware, I struggle with being a mom once in a while. Those words brought a sense of purpose and renewed strength.

Today I read through the Daily Prayer again and caught the rest of the prayer. [Yesterday my focus was on the phrase above.]
"Almighty Father, merciful God, who created and completed all things, on this day when the work of our calling begins anew, we implore You to create its beginning, direct its continuance, and bless its end, that our doings may be preserved from sin, our like sanctified, and our work this day be well pleasing to You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen."

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend my myself, my body and soul, and all things (children.) Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen"

Another scare

At 7:13 this morning I was concerned that my sister might have been killed. I heard a report on the news that a women jogger was killed when a tree branch fell on her. My brain started thinking. Jess has jogged in the past. [Never mind that I can't recall the last time she actually went jogging, nor that she would go early in the morning.] I was concerned. The report came again, this time with a description. The women was in her twenties maybe early thirties, with short brown, curly hair. She was listening to her iPod, so probably didn't hear the branch falling. OK, I thought, that describes Jess. [Never mind that it also describes over 100 other women.] I started crying, visibly upset. I get up and grab the phone to call Jess. Reason sets in, and I put it down. But I'm still upset - what if? Gary says to call. So at 7:17 I call my sister. Of course she answers, alive and well, and still in bed. After an explanation for my call, she says "I'm going back to sleep now."

I love you, Jess!

Pictures of this goofy family

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELISABETH!

Happy Birthday my sweet girl! You are 5 today!

Ellie and I went birthday prep shopping today. She picked out pink princess plates, cups, and napkins, pink crepe paper streamers, pink decorating icing, a number 5 candle, and pink bubble gum (in a pink container.) Is anyone else sensing a color theme here? We also bought a doll for her cake.

Ellie requested a princess cake.

She received princess dress-up clothes.



She received a tea set.



She received a bike.

She requested pizza for dinner. Did you know you could order a 28" pizza?

Josh wanted to feel like a princess too.




I am certain all enjoyed themselves.

Scare of my life

Friday, Josh got it in his head to not come inside. I had found a dime and had given it to him. While riding home, it fell down in his car seat and I wouldn't dig it out for him. He took exception to that and wouldn't budge from his seat on the grass. I went inside to let Hunter out. While bring Hunter back inm I picked Josh up and brought him along back to the house. I put him down before going inside with the dog.

Josh started walking. Back toward the garage. I had hooked Hunter up to finish his business, but quickc put him back inside when I saw Josh had kept walking past the garage. When I got to the alley, Josh was no where to be seen. I looked up and down the alley. No Josh. I came back in the yard, thinking I missed seeing him. No Josh. I looked around on the back side of the garden. No Josh. I looked around the garage to our neighbor's yard. No Josh. I walked down the alley toward the street. A neighbor asked if I as looking for a little boy. Yes, I told him. The kind man pointed down the street and said he went that way. I squinted my eyes and could barely see a form. I had doubt that my son had walked so far. I started running. Ellie coming along behind me.

I crossed two streets and two alleys before I got to Josh. He had indeed walked so far, two blocks. A neighbor on foot and a lady in her car had been watching out for him. When I got to him, I had trouble breathing for a moment. I was so scared. He behaved as though he always went for walks by himself - "What's the trouble, Mom?" In my hurry to get to Josh, I nearly forgot to ensure Ellie crossed the streets safely, since I run faster than she does.

Relieved to have Josh in my arms, I headed straight back home. I forgot to thank the lady who pulled her car over to ensure his safety, though I did have the presence of mind to stop my walk back home and thank the man who was on foot.

Thank you Lord for keeping my wayward son safe.

What's going on

Our summer has been uneventful. So I thought I'd write about it.

We are doing fairly well with one car. Gary mostly takes the bus. A co-worker has also been picking him up since he drives right by to drop off his daughter at the boys and girls club.

Ellie did splendidly at swim lessons, and we enjoyed the pool afterward on several occasions. I'd pack us lunch, and we'd go to the playground to play and eat, than go back to the pool for some water fun.

Lansdale now has a farmer's market on Saturdays, which I am excited about. I can get fresh produce in town.

Our garden is not doing too badly. The tomatoes are going great, everything else seems to be in slow motion. I planted more beans and cucumbers today. I had a bad experience with grass clippings in the garden. I thought I would spread some down as mulch. It was an unhappy attempt at keeping the weeds from taking charge. The grass was the stinkiest stuff around. We could smell it inside, and Ellie and Josh requested the window be closed because of it. After reading online that grass clippings were worse for a garden than better, I went back out and raked then back up and got rid of them. Unfortunately some odor still remains.

I discovered gDiapers, an earth friendly alternative to cloth and disposable diapers. The gPants are cloth and have a liner that holds an absorbent refill that you can either flush, toss, or compost (wet ones.) Gary chooses to toss, I flush when possible. They also have cloth inserts for those who want to go cloth all the way. Josh fought at first to have that thing on his cute behind, but he's warming to them. His words were "I don't want that, I want that" (pointing to the Luvs on his changing table.) gDiaper has a promo deal, so if you want to try them let me know - I'll give you the discount code.

I am making my way weeding up the fence along the side of our property. The weeds were very bad, but I've tackled almost all of it, and it's looking good. I have managed to do it in pieces and not focus on the entire job. If I had looked at the whole bed, I would've thrown in the towel.

Speaking of beds, I broke Josh's bed last night. I hopped up on it, and the bed came down with me. The wood piece that holds the box springs had already been broken and fixed, and my added weight that time did it in. Right now the box spring and mattress are on the floor, and Josh and Ellie think that's great fun.

We had a great time camping back in June at Camp Swatara. We met a missionary couple. The woman and older daughters in the family wore head coverings. It got us to thinking, and we looked up the verses in 1 Cor. 11 about head coverings. I wore a heard covering that next week. We looked it up online and talked to several people about it. We are still undecided about it. I did order two styles of coverings online to try. Along with head coverings is the idea of modest attire. I have ceased wearing jewelry, except my wedding engagement rings. I wear my watch when I won't be near clocks. I have assessed my wardrobe and pulled out things that aren't as modest as I'd like. I don't need anyone looking at me who shouldn't be or causing anyone to stumble. I don't want to be flashy. I dress to coverup not show off.

I had a nice break from children today at nap time, since Gary took Ellie (who doesn't actually nap but petions not to nap) to pick up his mom from the airport and Josh actually takes naps. But he is awake and calling for me, and Gary and Ellie are now home.

Making Pearls

Today, I am again of sound mind.

Gary pointed out his devotion from today to me. It's appropriately from James 1:2-4. "Considerate it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials (irritations) of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Chuck Swindoll comments:
"One of these days it should dawn on us that we'll never be completely free from irritations as long as we are on this planet. [It would do me well to remember this often.] Upon coming to this conclusion, we would then be wise to consider an alternative to losing our cool. The secret is adjusting." [And I need to remember this, because apparently I'm not doing so well at it right now.]

"When it comes to irritations, I've found that it helps if I remember that I am not in charge of my day . . . God is. And while I'm sure He wants me to use my time wisely, He is more concerend with the development of my character and the cultivation of the qualities that make me Christlike within."

Then Chuck Swindoll uses the example of the oyster and its pearl. You all know that when an oyster gets an irritation, it makes a pearl out of it.

So, although neither these verses nor the fact that oysters make pearls out of irritations is new to me, I see them together now and will be applying them to my life.

And watch out, I'm going to have a new verse to hold to and boat load of pearls!

My challenge is my life

I have been extra weary for the last month. My house's cleanliness is directly proportionate to the disobedience of my children. I don't do much around the house during nap time. Pretty much I just sit on the couch. I find it difficult to do much while the kids are awake also. I feel so tired and worn out from the day that I just want to sit.

Am I taking care of myself to take care of my family, being just plan lazy, or something else I can't even name?

I finally got around to reading some of my friends' blogs and am now feeling ashamed at myself.

I feel as though I don't truly appreciate the gift my children are. I am so concerned with them not making messes, not being along, not following the rules, not obeying that I have lost sight of them as little people made in the image of God, deserving my love not my criticism, at all times. I have forgotten or been too frustrated to remember that Elisabeth and Joshua are my special gifts, given only to me and Gary (and when mentioned heretofore as given to me, I mean both of us. Relaying just my feelings, so writing me.) I have not treated them as such. I have wanted to toss questions at God about how could he possibly know what he was doing in giving them to me. I am definitely the wrong person for the job. But I know that God didn't make a mistake and they were meant for me. What am I doing wrong? I must be doing something wrong.

I am tired of being hit, tired of being told "No," tired of hearing "I don't want to." These things generally happen on a daily basis, usually more than once. (Though today, I don't think I was hit.) I am tired.

I don't know how to handle it. I usually do an awful job at it, saying things I want to snatch back. I struggle each day with my response to Ellie's onslaughts. I compare myself to every mother I can think of and know she would do a better job.

In the everyday, I am not always thankful for this challenge of motherhood. I never thought it would be this hard. I want to be thankful, I want to know I can do this. I want to take all the insults and smacks I get from my daughter and just patiently remind her of how she should be behaving. But it doesn't work. I lose my temper, I get angry, I get frustrated.

Part of me wonders if that is why I am not currently pregnant with our third child. I can't handle the ones I have, why would God give me another one? The other part of me knows God is sovereign and knows what he is doing and will give me the strength I need for each day.

God will give me that strength, but do I reach out and accept it? I fear I don't know how.

And now I get to add to my list of woe-is-me, whining about how hard mothering is for me right now. I wish to be able to just accept, but for some reason I haven't been able to. Do I do something for someone not in my family and in so doing realize I really don't have problems? Do I immerse myself in scripture to drink from the truth found there?

What!

Made to clean

Ellie, Josh and Hunter have been very helpful. They have motivated me to clean. But the words "Mom, you take such good care of the house. You make it sparkle. I love having a clean floor. Thank you so much for loving us by cleaning up after us." are not words I hear from them. Their motivation comes in the form of messes.

The upstairs got a vacuum, because the kids poured their cereal into bowls. We let them have dry cereal in the morning while we are getting ready. Usually we pour the cereal. But this day they did, and of course it was an almost empty box that became a completely empty box on Josh's floor. So out came the vacuum, and the entire upstairs was dirt and dust free by 8:00 am.

Today Hunter thought he'd help motivate me to mop, by pooping then walking in it on the kitchen floor. He apparently didn't get it all out a half hour before, when he pooped in the hall upstairs. He's been having issues lately. So out came the mop and the kitchen floor fairly shines.

Last night Ellie didn't make it to the potty in time, and the floor in front of the commode needed to be cleaned. Gary cleaned that one up. I wonder if I had cleaned it up, if I would have done the entire bathroom floor. I will probably have another opportunity to find out.

Aren't my bunch so thoughtful to make sure I get the cleaning done? And right now it is eerily quiet, so I might be blessed with another mess and an opportunity to clean something up. I wish I always looked at messes as blessings and an opportunity to show love.

Cable like TV - Here we come

Well, what do you know. My parents came over tonight, and we got to talking about the digital cable box of ours that's not working. My dad asked how it was connected. We have it connected right. He asked if we programmed the channels. We asked "Programmed it?" We turned the box on, and he talked us through the process, and what do you know? We now have digital TV, and cable-like reception. We've never had TV so good or as many channels. I think we've doubled them.

Silly me. If only I looked at the book that came with the box.

The pool and swim lessons

We decided Ellie is going to take swim lessons. Last night we signed up for pool membership, and this morning we all had high hopes for Ellie signing up for swim lessons. I envisioned my darling daughter would gracefully enter the water. She would look at the life guards, smile brightly, and show them how well she handles the water. It didn't quite go like that.

First we took care of business, payment. Then we walked toward the pools. A life guard took her to the kiddie pool, which is small and only 3 feet deep with a ramp going into it. She had Ellie go down the ramp and at the bottom asked Ellie to dip her shoulders in the water. She refused. Another life guard got in with her, and still she refused. She also refused to let go of the railing. She even tried climbing it - which is a no no. She then climbed out of the pool and ran across the pool deck. She was told by several life guards not to run, and she referred unkindly to the one particular life guard who stopped her from running. More life guards got in with her as she went back down the ramp and again refused several more times to dip her shoulders, no matter what ploys the six life guards tried. I tried talking with her twice, to no avail. I finally took her out of the pool, and she started having a fit. I couldn't even dry her off, with all her fussing. I put her in a football hold and hauled her out to the car, kicking, hitting, and crying.

The life guard wisely enrolled Ellie in the beginner class, and Gary picked a swim lesson time.

Oops

Forgot to mention that the other part of our seeds not growing could possibly have been the lack of water they received. That might be something they need. But unfortunately, I'm not one for the work of watering. My house plants can attest to that.

But this time around, I laid out a soaker hose along the rows, and I have it attached to a regular hose that I simply attach to the outside spigot when it's time to water. Much simpler and easier than standing there forever holding the hose and spraying the garden by hand or trying to set up the sprinkler.

And, of course, I always welcome God watering the garden.