Updates

Finally updated our homeschool blog. If you would like to see a sample of our daily school schedule and Anna's book list (still working on getting Ryan's up) stop by. :)

Chinese family night

Since we spent the last 2 weeks engrossed in the Olympics I thought it would be fun to have a family night centered around China. (thanks to Wendy for the idea).

This is my attempt at making a Chinese meal (Here is the recipe for sweet and sour chicken that I used) from scratch. I tried to find chop sticks but wasn't able to. The meal was a huge hit. After the meal we read from this book. There was a page on China. It is a great book by the way. I would highly recommend it. We are using it in school this year. I love that along with facts about each country it gives ideas for things to pray about for the people there.

Homemade fortune cookies for dessert. Okay, so they don't look like the ones you would buy, but they tasted like it.

We ended the night by watching more Olympics of course.

Where panic lives

Did you know that panic lives at Wal-Mart? I found it there tonight...

Once or twice a week in the evening I end up running errands. The kids take turns coming with me. I thought this would be a fun way to spend a little one on one time with each of them. Tonight it was Ryan's turn and he was so excited to go. I needed to pick up a few things for school. I have been working all afternoon on lesson plans and organizing everything so we are ready for our first day on September 2nd.

I looked down at him as we walked through the Wal-Mart doors and thought about what a sweet boy he is and how big he is getting, and I can't believe I am here buying school supplies for his first year of home school. We spent a good half hour going through all the school aisles looking for everything on my list. Every once in awhile Ryan would pull out something that had Spider Man or some other character on it and ask if we could buy it. I explained that we were just getting the things on my list and to please put that back. He obediently placed the items back on the shelves.

We were almost done with our shopping trip when Ryan announced, "Look Mom I found these Star Wars stickers. Aren't they cool?"

"Yes Ryan they are, but could you please put those back where you got them." I replied. He then quickly ran over to where he had found them. I turned back to what I was looking at. A few seconds later I realized that Ryan had not returned. I looked around the corner to see if he was still standing by the stickers. He wasn't there. I walked down to the next aisle, he wasn't there either. That's when I found it...the place where panic lives. My heart dropped and my stomach turned, as I began to call out for him. In that moment my mind began to race and filled with all kinds of horrible things, as I yelled for my son getting no response.

I decided to walk over to the toys thinking that Ryan might have wondered there. As I rounded the corner I nearly collied with an older man. I looked down to see him hand in hand with MY little boy. I audibly gasped, partially out of relief and partially from the sight of my son holding hands with a stranger. Upon seeing me Ryan said, "Mom why did you loose me?" Oh the pain of hearing those words! The man explained that he saw Ryan wondering and told him he would help him find his mommy. Ryan, like a lost sheep had followed. I thanked the man and then took Ryan in my arms. I was afraid I was going to fall apart right there. It's not like I have never lost my kids in a store before. I have had a few seconds in the past where I couldn't see my kiddos and started to get that scary feeling. For some reason this evening was so different. I know that not much time passed in those moments, but I still cannot get over how quickly I lost him. I know it probably sounds like I am making a bigger deal out of this, but I cannot explain the amount of fear and panic I felt. It hit me hard.

Of course all the guilt and the what ifs filled my mind. How could I be so irresponsible? What if that man really wasn't trying to help? What if he was trying to take Ryan out of the store with him. I should have walked over to the stickers with Ryan. I should have NEVER taken my eyes off of him.

We have talked to our kids about strangers many times before, but tonight was a good opportunity to talk about it again. And talk about staying with mom at all times (although it really was my fault because I told him to put the stickers back. I explained that next time I would go with him).

Panic is not a nice place to visit...neither is fear for that matter. All I can say is I am so SO thankful God protected my sweet boy and I found him quickly.

I am still reeling from the experience. Every time I think about it I get this sick feeling of how I could have lost my boy. I am hoping to be able to sleep tonight without being haunted by all the what ifs.

Thank you God for Your grace and protection. Help me to rest in that tonight, and not in what could have been.

A picture just because I needed to post one of his sweetness.

My blue eyed girl

What a sweet blessing indeed!

6 months old on the 21st. My how time is flying.

Summer Olympics

The reason why I haven't been on here, most of our free time in the evening has been spent glued to the TV...but for good reason! :) Bill and I have stayed up really late every night since the Olympics started. Even the kids are up later then normal. James loves the gymnastics. He tries all his special moves and tumbles while he watches. I am not a fan of sitting in front of the TV this much, but I have to admit that it is fun getting into the spirit of it and watching history in the making. I sat on the edge of my seat (as I'm sure most USA was) yelling at Michael Phelps and the rest of team USA to, "GO GO GO".

Hope you all are enjoying the the last few weeks of summer. We sure are! We have a busy week ahead and maybe even a camping trip this weekend if the weather will stay nice.

School

I took this past weekend to plan out our school year. Bill packed up the kids (except for Claire who always stays with me) on Saturday and took them to his parents so that I could have a quiet house. That was just want I needed to clear my head and get things done. I have been praying for wisdom in choosing the right curriculum. We actually considered putting Ryan in public school this year for kindergarten. We went and explored that option out of obedience to what we felt God wanted us to do. But in the end, God made it clear that Ryan should school at home. I have so much peace about this.

After spending the day planning and looking for the best prices, I think I am finally done. I ordered all our books last night. I am so excited! It is going to be like Christmas when all of our school stuff gets here!

I'm sure this year will bring it's challenges, but I am looking forward to diving in. Updates on our homeschool blog will be coming soon.

A blessed wife

I just wanted to share something sweet that Bill did for me. Thursday evening, he came in the door as I was preparing dinner, and handed me a small box. I looked at him a little puzzled, "What is this?" I looked at him a little puzzled. He replied, "Open it." Inside the box was a 14 karat white gold necklace. I think I gasped. :)

"What is this for?" I said.

"It's just a small gift to show you how much I appreciate you. I know I don't say it often enough."

"It's beautiful. You didn't have to do that."

"I know but I wanted too...you deserve it. You do so much for us. You hold this whole family together."

I was so touched. Not because he gave me a gift (although I do love the necklace), but because he has a way of making me feel special. I love the thought and effort he took to pick something out for me (he picked something that was fitting to who I am and what I like, "simple and yet it sparkles in the light", that's what he said)...and the words he spoke...They were sweeter then honey.

Thank you for always loving me. For being the man that I can count on. For being there for me when I need someone to talk to or shoulder to cry on. Thank you for being my best friend. I consider it a privilege to be your wife and to serve you and our little ones. I find myself falling in love with you more with each passing day.

I am very blessed!

Photo contest

Here is my official entry for the 5 minutes for mom and Skinny Cow photo contest.

Summer fun makes me think of all the fun festivities that go on...the 4th of July being one of them. This is one of my favorite pictures of our son Ryan and his friend Ella, watching the 4th of July parade in our small town. It was so sweet because they stood there waving the flag together.

He met me there

Did you ever have a moment where Jesus met you where you were at? A moment when He spoke to you, not audibly, but it was so loud and clear that it rang in your ears like a beautiful chorus? A moment where He whispered into the depths of your soul? A moment that you could almost feel His very breath upon you? A moment like this with my sweet Savior and lesson I needed to be reminded of, was recently etched on my heart...

This summer has been very full. Before it even began, I spent much time in prayer that God would give me fun and creative things to do with the kids. I really wanted to make this summer a time where we could build happy, lasting childhood memories. I really feel like the Lord has answered that, and fulfilled my longings as a mom. I have for the most part been able to fill our days with something entertaining and/or interesting to do.

As much as I have enjoyed the busyness and all the fun activities that we have done, I have to say I have become pretty worn out. By the end of last week, I had totally lost sight of pretty much everything. All the fun in the sun, lack of sleep (not to mention that I had the flu for a couple days, and that really set me behind), and my disheveled house had caught up with me. Saturday evening everything came to a head. I lost my temper with Bill and the kids. I started to feel like I had spent so much time and energy on my family, with no appreciation for my efforts (as if that was the very reason why I do what I do). I have been so busy taking care of everyone, trying to plan fun things, cook yummy healthy meals (in very hot weather), clean, and trying to make sure that I am there for Bill also...I suddenly felt like NO ONE was taking care of my needs. "What about me?" I wanted to shout. I felt like throwing in the towel and laying claim to my weariness.

Bill had plans that evening with a friend and was going to be gone for several hours. I was not feeling too great about the idea of having to feed the kids dinner, bath them and get them all to bed by myself...when all I wanted to do was be ALONE! So, I took a deep breath and accomplished the evening, having everyone in bed by 8:00. Looking around at my messy house and knowing that I couldn't rest until it was clean, I started to scrub the kitchen floor.

As I knelt there washing the dirt off my floor I poured out my heart to the Lord. I told him how weary I was. "Lord I feel like everyone keeps asking for more...more of me. I am empty. I have NOTHING left to give. I cannot do this."

I have to tell you...you may think I'm crazy but, Jesus met me there. Right there in that moment on my kitchen floor....on a floor that would not be worthy for a King.

"Come to me." came His gentle response. "lay your burdens at my feet. I will fill you. I will be your more. I will give you what you need to serve your family. Only turn to Me. Stop looking to your family to fill your desires and make you whole. Stop trying to do it on your own. Rest in me."

I felt a weight begin to lift. I felt His love for me. "Oh Lord, how could I so quickly forgot that YOU are what I need. Thank you for speaking to my soul and making me full...for taking my burden and reminding me it's not about me, it's all about you. Thank You for filling in the empty spaces. I want more of you and less of me. Help me to serve my family in Your strength."

Looking down into a bucket filled with dirt and grim from days of use, and no proper care, I saw myself. I saw my soul and the selfishness that had crept in. I saw my need for cleansing...to bathe in the presence of the Son. When I am empty I need to run into the arms of my Savior. I need to sit at His feet and rest in His Word.

Isn't that so like the Lord? To reach down to me in my weakness, to whisper in my ear. To fill my heart with joy and renewed strength to serve. I know that Jesus is always there, but this was a moment where I knew. I never ceased to be amazed at the depths of His love.

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 1 Cor. 12:9

Help me Lord to embrace my weakness and rest in Your grace. To be a vessel used by You to show Your love to others. Thank you for filling my cup...for the reminder that You will meet me there, wherever there is.... Thank You that Your grace is enough.


Until we meet again...

Opinions please!

*Edited to add: Thank you everyone for all your input. I really appreciated it. :)

I need a little help. I want to enter the 5 minutes for Mom Photo contest. The Theme is summer fun... "anything that represents summer fun to you." I am having trouble deciding which picture to enter. So, I am looking for your opinion. Leave a comment letting me know which one is your favorite. Thanks!

#1 Anna with summer flowers

#2 Bill playing with the kids at the park

#3 Ryan and Ella on the 4th of July last summer

#4 James playing in the dirt last summer

#5 The boys holding hands as the run to the water