Reminding- Because I Need It

I sure don't want to sound preachy.  But sometimes it is good and right to share what's going on in your heart.
We had a joint ladies' Christmas party tonight, old church and new church.  We spent some time sharing what we are thankful for and you don't walk away from that the same as when you got there.  Some of us spoke quietly.
Some laughed.
Some cried.
Some of us broke into spontaneous song.
Any way you look at it, God was and is moving in all of those women.
And I was reminded again that He came as that little baby that we might have LIFE and have it abundantly.
I have found myself feeling overwhelmed and unexcited about Christmas of all things as I focus on all that has to be done, all those things that I feel like are expected or necessary for Christmas to be good.
Then He showed me something better, again, because I need reminding.
He is what is good.  He is the one who meets my deepest needs.  Everything else pales in comparison and does not satisfy.  I do not need to run around trying to create something good.  He has already done it.
I don't think it's a magic formula to make everything rosy.
I know this though.
The only real joy is in Christ and we find it when our hearts are stayed on Him.  That gives me freedom to enjoy Christmas and everything else more fully.
It makes me excited to prepare for the wonder and anticipation of the newborn King.

To Make You Laugh

Guess who.
"Mom, why do you take up a whole cushion on the couch?  Is it because the older you get, the wider you get?"
What else could I do but laugh??  That's Sammy for ya.

Last night, (as many nights before), Lucy couldn't/wouldn't get to sleep.  I went up to her room and she looked at me wide-eyed, jaw dropped as she held the lip gloss, her lips gooey and shiney.
In her quietest voice, "Am I not supposed to be putting on lipgloss?"
And again, what else to do?  I laughed and tucked her in.  Again.

Sam, again, after I told him (again) to leave his sister alone. 
"But MOM!  That's what brothers do.  Bug their sisters!"
I have figured that one out.

Leaving the Little

She has learned how to make her "Ls."
No more "Wucy."  Now it's a crystal clear "Lucy."
She'll be three in less than two weeks.
We don't travel with the pak-n-play or potty seat or booster seat for the table anymore.
I smile at her when I tell her she's such a big girl now but inside, a little part of me aches a bit for the little that is quickly being left behind.
Don't get me wrong.  Every age has been good and brings new pleasantries.  It's a joy to watch our children grow up.
But I miss the little.
I'm wondering if I always will.  There's something a little unsettling to me about leaving the baby/toddler stage behind for good.
Thankfulness settles in, though, and I am grateful for each of my babies though they may not be babies anymore.  I'm too aware that our time with them at home is short. 
So, my prayer is that we can be faithful to love them well and teach them what's really important (like the Gospel) and not get so worked up about the rest (like a messy house). 
Someone tell me, is that what everyone means when they say, "Enjoy your children.  It goes by too fast."?

Monday Afternoon

So, our Christmas tree came crashing down this morning.  Wasn't planning on dealing with that today!  And really, I haven't yet.  It's leaning against the wall now. 
We had a good Thanksgiving with Brian's family, did a little shopping, a lot of eating, and some visiting.  Saturday we went down to a local coffee shop and got family pictures done.  I tried to post some but I'm guessing they were too big and either didn't show up or took too long to load.  I just tried to put another picture on and Blogger tells me my picture quota is full.  !!!!  I'm really hoping to fix that- not sure what to do, though.
This morning (after the tree disaster) was a regular morning of school.  We started a Christmas book by Eleanor Estes, The Coat Hanger Christmas Tree as our new read aloud.  I think we're going to like it.  This afternoon will be laundry, picking up, and maybe getting into our recipe for homemade yogurt.
For now, I'll read a little of The Hobbit  while the kids either take a nap or have some quiet time.
Hope YOU have a good week!

Catching Up

It has been a while!
Really, it has been busy and I haven't felt like blogging.
Today's the day, however.  We finished up CC until after Christmas last week and that feels like a huge weight off my shoulders.  Schoolwork is a little lighter this week with the holiday coming up and we're all ready for a nice break.
At this moment, the house is blissfully quiet.  We took a trip to the library just before lunch and now the kids are settled in with books on cd.  Doesn't that sound like a good way to spend the afternoon?  Kayla is listening to The Secret Garden and the boys are listening to The Best Christmas Pagaent Ever.  Lucy is asleep and I am in the big chair with steaming coffee and my newest read, The Hobbit.  (I'm ignoring the cries of a house that took but two days to get messy again.)
Some highlights of the past week:
*Last day of CC was Thursday.  Yay!
*Brian took the three oldest kids to the skating rink for 80s night.  They loved it.
*Brian brought home our quarter of a pig last week.  This is a new thing for us.  (Maybe an only thing, too).  Who knew we'd get so much ground pork???  We're getting creative with dinners and made Pork Apple Meatballs- not bad!
*Brian's aunt, cousin and her kids, and his parents came for dinner Saturday night.  Actually, his parents brought dinner, too.  That was a good time.
*Kayla and I have baked two apple pies in the past week.  She makes the crust while I peel and slice apples.  Yum.  Just yum.
*Sammy's prayer this morning:  "Help us be good to mama and nice to each other." 

 Our own sleeping beauty.  Her current method of stalling when it's time to sleep:  "I just need to give you one more kiss."  Could you say no to that?

Here I am with one of my favorite people- I am blessed to have a lot of those in my life.  

No, we did not call each other in the morning and yes, we were dressed just alike for church Sunday morning.

Cranberry Lemon Loaf

It's a rainy day and at our house that means it's a good day for baking.
Today's recipe is from my mom, Cranberry Lemon Loaf.
We just ate two mini-loaves and I'd really like to eat more.  It's just that good.

Cranberry Lemon Loaf

Beat until well blended:

1 8oz. block of cream cheese

1/3 cup softened butter

1 1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla (we used 2)

Add three eggs, one at a time.

Stir in 2 Tblsp lemon juice

1 tsp lemon peel

Toss together:

1 1/2 cup chopped cranberries

2 1/4 cup flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

Add cream cheese mixture to flour/cranberry mixture until moistened.

Pour into greased and floured bread pan.

Bake at 325 for 1 hour, 15 minutes.

(We used mini-loaf pans and baked at 350 for around 30 minutes.)

 One down, three to go.

 Chopping cranberries is the PERFECT job for a five-year old on a rainy day.

Fall Reads for the Kids

We have stumbled upon some really cute books lately.
Sammy and Lucy have loved a couple in particular.

 

We've read several of Don Freeman's books but I'd never heard of this one before last week.  And let me say, I've read it a LOT since then!  Earl is on a quest for acorns in a way that satisfies his mama.  He meets an owl and a bull before he finally gets his acorns.  Love this book.  My kids have laughed so much at this one!  It's a great fall read. 

 

Harriet Ziefert's By the Light of the Harvest Moon is another treat!  The illustrations are so colorful and inviting.  It's the night of the harvest moon, and while we learn a little about what that means, the exciting part comes when the wind blows in some "leaf people" who have a nighttime party in the woods.  My kids asked for this one over and over and were sad when we had to return it to the library.  We'll probably get it again on our next trip.

Hope you enjoy whatever you're reading!

Linking up to Read Aloud Thursdays 

That Question

I can't tell you how many people ask me what it's like being "a pastor's wife."  I'm never quite sure how to answer that.  To me, I'm Brian's wife.  I stay home, educate our kids, try to keep us out of complete chaos, and sit down with my ice cream at the end of the day.  I enjoy having people over for coffee or lunch and listening to them, sometimes crying with them, praying for them.  I count praying for the church as the best thing I can do for her. 
Our church, both the new one and the old, has always been gracious (at least I assume so) in their expectations of me.  I don't feel any different from anyone else.  We all jump in to fill spots in children's ministry, bake some muffins, care for people, etc... 
Of course, I have a unique perspective on the pastor.  I know the pastor better than anyone else does.  I know what his struggles are, and his joys.  I can tell when he's at his limit and when he's been encouraged.  I pray for him, a lot though not enough.  We should all be praying for our husbands and our pastors.  Mine happen to be one in the same.
This past Sunday, someone asked me if I ever feel nervous about what stories might pop up in the sermon about me.  I said no, but he does have plenty of material in his wife if he chose to use it!  And while I know Brian does not use his sermon to prove a point to me, I have seen over and over how God uses his sermons to challenge and encourage me.
We're so close to the beginning of this life as a pastor's family and I know my perspective might change, but for now, we're good.  Brian loves us well.
And that's enough.

Might I encourage you again?  Pray for your pastor.  I guarantee he needs it.  Ask God's blessing on his prayer life, his study time, his family, his friendships, etc...

Honest, Mom

 Lucy came into our room with something blue all around her mouth.
"Lucy, were you into the kids' toothpaste?"
"Nope.  I was into the lollipop.  It's honest, Mom."
That girl is something else.

And, in regard to my last post- when I said Jack's change of attitude did wonders for mine- I meant he really encouraged me.  I could tell he was making an effort and it helped me to do the same.  Learning from our kids...

Friday Afternoon

*I am relishing this Friday afternoon. 
*We had a bit of a rough start this morning (and rough spots in the day are not unusual) but things have smoothed out.  Jack's change of attitude did wonders for mine.  That and prayer.  Realizing my need of that more and more.
*Did I mention we dissected the owl pellets this week?  All I can say is wow.  Fascinating how God has designed His creatures.  We found several bones, a skull, and a lower (maybe upper) set of teeth.  Sammy thought it was all very cool.  Jack and Kayla didn't love the smell (who would?).
*I'd like to run not walk to the library.  I have a hold available- Wendell Berry's newest book of short stories called A Place in Time.  Can NOT wait to get into that one.
*Hoping for a restful weekend.  Feeling the need to refresh my brain and our house!  Brian spent a good bit of time working downstairs yesterday evening.  Thankful for him.  It's amazing how quickly things fall apart. 
Enjoy your weekend!