We Did It!

I've been wanting to have a raised-bed garden for a number of years. This year, we finally got one made! I'm very excited. The boys planted sugar snap peas, carrots, broccoli and tomatoes (the tomatoes are going to be planted in separate containers). We started them off indoors in peat pellets. In just 2 weeks, they were ready for replanting, so that's what we spent our morning doing! The boys had more fun hunting for worms than planting, but that's ok, because I enjoy planting more than hunting for worms! We made a great team! Here's a slide show of the whole process, from the time we planted the seeds in the peat pellets, through today, when we transplanted them. Hopefully I'll have pictures of some yummy homegrown veggies soon!!

Wordless Wednesday - Who's Who?

Can you guess?

More

There's a song we sing every so often in church called "You Alone". Its a simple song - here are the lyrics:

You are the only one I need
I bow all of me at Your feet
I worship You alone

You have given me more than
I could ever have wanted
And I want to give You
My heart and my soul

You alone are Father
You alone are good
You alone are Savior
You alone are God

The line that says "You have given me more than I could ever have wanted" really got me thinking. What DID I want, before I knew the Lord? What has He given me? Amazingly, the two lists are so different! I have so many incredible blessings in my life, ones that I never would have even thought to seek out. First and foremost - life eternal through Christ!! I never considered wanting that, until He gave it to me! Then, my husband, who, when I met him, before I knew the Lord, was the exact opposite of "my type", yet my heart was drawn to him. My beautiful children, and the privilege to be at home with them and homeschooling - when, before, all I ever wanted was to raise and train horses! Our home, here in the wonderful climate of the South, even though I was a die-hard Yankee. ;-) My wonderful church family, even though before the Lord saved me, I mocked church-goers.

I think back to what I used to want - a life for myself, doing whatever *I* wanted, fiercely independent, and I compare it to what He's given me - a life with and for Him! - and what I used to want seems so small, so absurd. I know with all my heart that He really has given me MORE than I could ever have even imagined wanting for myself. Oh! How thankful I am!

Remembering

Wordless Wednesday - A View of Homeschooling

A visit to the fire station with some other homeschooling families from church!

Blessings for Nancy Campbell

Nancy Campbell is the founder of a wonderful women's ministry called Above Rubies. Over the years I have been so blessed by this ministry, their publications and teaching media are full of encouragement and sound doctrine.

I found out, through fellow blogger Tiany at Less of Me ~ More of Him, that Nancy recently suffered an accident, resulting in a serious break of her arm. However, they are having difficulties covering the medical expenses to be able to properly fix her arm. To help return the many ways they've blessed so many people, The Homeschool Lounge has set up a donation fund on their behalf. Please visit "A Blessing for Nancy Campbell" to read more and make an offering, if the Lord so leads you. In fact, I think I'll copy and paste the info here, too!

At our last Louisiana Family Camp, Nancy Campbell tripped over an uneven piece of sidewalk and broke her left arm. Unfortunately the break was in a vertical direction on the upper humerus bone near the shoulder. The nature of the break requires surgery to pin the bone back against the arm to secure it in place for proper healing.

Nancy was warned at the emergency room in La. that waiting to get the necessary surgery could cause severe permanent restrictions on the use of her left arm.

Our LA Above Rubies coordinator spoke with her today and discovered that she has had only one x-ray since returning home. It was determined that her arm has made little progress. The Campbell's have thus far accumulated $2,500 in medical expenses and Nancy is hesitant to incur more debt for the necessary surgery. To complicate matters, about a week ago while packing for a camp, a stack of books fell on her broken arm. Her helper reports that after six weeks, Nancy is still in a great deal of pain at night.

Nancy has been like a lighthouse to young mothers, sacrificially teaching them in the ways that are right. There are countless testimonies of healed marriages, and welcomed children because of her many sacrifices. Nevertheless, it appears the enemy is trying to stop the wonderful ministry of Above Rubies.

The Above Rubies Ministry is a non-profit magazine, website and organization supported by the generous and loving donations of its readers. Above Rubies is a FREE Magazine, if you do not yet receive Above Rubies magazine please feel free to subscribe HERE for FREE. If you already receive this wonderful magazine and have never made a donation to AR, now is the time to prayerfully consider making a donation to bless and encourage Nancy as she has so often blessed and encouraged us!

Please join us in praying that the Lord would direct the Campbell's steps, that her bone will mend, and for finances to cover any past or future expenses.

Nancy would never ever request for donations or ask for help financially but I know that it would be a great blessing to help in this way. The Homeschool Lounge has set up a donation button, with the Campbells permission for donations via Paypal.

Donations can be sent via Paypal to the following email address: Administrator@thehomeschoollounge.com or click on the button below to make a donation now! No matter the amount $1, $5, $10 or more anything would be a blessing for Nancy!

If you do not have a Paypal account and would like to help Nancy with a donation, donations toward the medical expenses should be sent to PO Box 681687 Franklin, TN 37068-1687. Checks should be made out to Nancy or Colin Campbell.

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:10)

Please spread the word on your blogs and pass along the information!

Quick Survey

I am looking over my blog and trying to streamline it a bit, especially the sidebars. So my question for anyone who visits me is this: Do you like/use the "Encouraging Blogs" or "Family and Friend's Blogs"? I am considering moving them to my Google Reader, unless they are regularly used by others who spend time here. I have so many I'm afraid its a little "clutter-y" looking. But I do love seeing the latest updates... so, what do you think? Should I keep them on here, or get rid of 'em? Do you use them at all? Leave me a comment with your thoughts! Thanks!

One Month!

Judah is one month old today! I don't have any official stats, but when he was last weighed on Thursday, he's already 8 pounds, 11 ounces! That's a whole 1 pound, 11 ounce gain in just one month! He still looks awfully tiny to me, though ;-) I'm thankful that he's eating and growing so well!

By Your Side

I'm usually not into the most "popular" music, but since the first time I heard this, it touched me. I would say the biggest area I struggle in with my walk with the Lord is accepting His immense love as a gift from Him, not something I have to strive for. I have to remember:

"We love Him, because He first loved us"
1 John 4:19

What joy and relief that floods my soul, when I think on that verse! I am such a broken, ugly person in my own flesh... and yet He loved me, before I could even think of loving Him. And He continues to love me, although he sees my failures, my lack of faith, my fruitless striving. How immeasurable is His love! I am unspeakably grateful for it.

Why are you striving these days?
Why are you trying to earn grace?
Why are you crying?
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love?
Why are you still searching?
As if I'm not enough?
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run?
To where will you run?

I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
Please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands at my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life

Here at my side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
Please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

And I, I love you
And I want you to know
That I, I'll love you
I'll never let you go

Don't Turn your Back

My maternal grandparents lived in Kitty Hawk, in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I have many summer memories of the beach - sand, waves, fishing off the pier, and finding toads in the outdoor shower. One lesson my parents did well to teach me from as early as I can remember was "Don't turn your back on the ocean". The ocean, while steady in its tidal schedules, can be unpredictable in the power of the waves that come, sometimes small and gentle, and at other times, suddenly larger, stronger. If one of those larger and stronger waves catches you unprepared, it can very easily pull you into its swirling, suffocating darkness.

Grief, I have discovered, is much like the ocean. No matter how much I am aware of it, I often find myself unprepared, with my back towards its reality... and then I am caught, suffocating, swirling in confusion. It happens so unpredictably. While at Home Depot, something unknown reminds me of how my boys used to be excitedly waiting to "be taller than Aunt Becca". The phone rings, and our hearts catch, wondering if the caller brings good or devastating news. Checking voice mails brings back the remembered messages of callers, voices choked with shared sorrow, leaving condolences. Our screensaver cycles through pictures, every now and then displaying a beautiful smile that we all miss. These swift memories, seemingly from out of nowhere, leave me gasping for breath, feeling such a weight on my chest that there seems no room for air.

While this is not new to the so, so many who have experienced loss before, it is new to us. Our lives were comparatively blissfully calm, with only gentle, small waves of pain lapping in now and then, generally easy to ride out, escape from, or avoid. Now, we find ourselves still reeling from the initial tidal wave of shock and sorrow, and our balance is unsteady at best. The ocean of mourning is just like an ocean of water. There's no turning one's back on it, trying to pretend all is "back to normal" and move forward in that way. There's moving forward, yes, but in a different way than before. The ocean of grief has to be acknowledged, not ignored, and moving forward often means walking along side the waters, rather than away from it. And sometimes, it means facing the waters head on, even as we slowly make our way toward safety.

And what is our safety in this struggle, in our desperate gasps for air and fight against this tide of sorrow? Thankfully, we have One. And while the pain lingers, He promises us that He will carry us through it:

"...Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you..."
Isaiah 43:1b-2a

Lord, please continue to comfort us as we heal.

Wordless (?) Wednesday - Funny

(HT: Mother Hen at Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch...)

Breastfeeding!

I was just reading Mrs. Anna T's (at Domestic Felicity - a delightful blog, please do check it out!) review of the book "Secrets of the Baby Whisperer" and the warning against the bad breastfeeding advice that is offered in the book. Checking out the reviews on Amazon.com shows me that she was not alone in her perceptions of the bias against breastfeeding the author seemed to have. I have not read the book myself, so I can't judge personally, but it did get me thinking about doing a little post about breastfeeding and what I've learned after 5 babies.

The number one piece of advice I'd give to help promote successful breastfeeding is very simple - nurse that baby! Nurse, nurse and nurse some more! Nurse when they're hungry, nurse when they're tired, nurse when they're fussy, nurse when they're hurting, nurse during a movie when they start making noise, nurse even if they've just nursed less than an hour ago but want some more! Don't restrict nursing! In fact, both Isaac and Judah were verrrry sleepy babies in the beginning, so I would actually wake them to nurse, to ensure my supply would be sufficient, and also to ensure they would gain weight and stay healthy.

I have come to learn that, especially during the newborn days, a large majority of my days (and nights) are taken up with sitting around nursing. Get some good books, a big glass of water and a comfy seat, and plan to spend alot of time in it, nourishing and bonding with your baby. Don't fret about what isn't getting done - think about what is getting done - you are providing your baby with God's perfect food, as well as the comforting, soothing presence of their mother!

Scheduling nursing can be very detrimental to milk supply and baby's health. A baby goes through many growth spurts during its first year, and if you attempt to restrict their feedings, it doesn't accommodate for when their growing bodies actually have a need for more! Too many times I've heard of mothers lamenting that their supply was inadequate, but when going a little deeper into the details, found that nursing had been restricted. Breastfeeding follows the law of supply and demand - the more milk a baby demands, the more milk a mother's body makes! So frequent nursings are the most important and effective way to boost supply. Of course, there are also dietary adjustments that can be made, as well as natural herbs that can be taken, if supply is truly an issue, even with frequent nursings. A great blog post for an analogy of supply and demand and the trouble with scheduling can be read at Pursuing Titus 2: Breastmilk, Ice Cream, and Infant Feeding Schedules... Be sure to check it out!

Besides that, God intended nursing for more than just a baby's physical health - He designed it for their comfort, as well. How can I know that? His Word tells us! Isaiah 66:10-13 describes the joy that nations will find in the restoration of Israel:

"Be joyful with Jerusalem and rejoice for her, all you who love her; Be exceedingly glad with her, all you who mourn over her, That you may nurse and be satisfied with her comforting breasts, That you may suck and be delighted with her bountiful bosom. For thus says the LORD, "Behold, I extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; And you will be nursed, you will be carried on the hip and fondled on the knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; And you will be comforted in Jerusalem."

He's not talking about receiving nutrition, He's talking about finding comfort, joy and peace in her, and relating it to a nursing mother and her child. Also, in 1 Timothy 2:7 Paul says:

"But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children"

describing the tenderness that a nursing mother shows to her infant, not just nourishment!

I will say, breastfeeding certainly can have its challenges, outside of just supply issues. With Isaac, I found that I was very sore and tender for a few weeks, and it was discouraging! However, I was determined (that stubbornness I can display does occasionally have its benefits, too!) to continue nursing, so I pressed forward despite the discomfort, and he nursed for 13 months, weaning himself after I became pregnant with Ezra. I have also had periods of time where an elimination (restricted) diet was necessary on my part to help with a baby's colic or reflux. However, through many friends, both in real life and online, I have heard so many wonderful success stories of women overcoming much more difficult trials (even from women who have had to exclusively pump for many months!) that I would encourage those even experiencing difficulties to keep trying! Breastfeeding has so, so many benefits - both emotional and health-wise for both mom and baby!

On that note, I would also like to add that I have never kept a container of formula in the house. Oh! How those formula companies would like to hook you on their products! They are business, of course, looking for profit, and the best way to do that is to subtly encourage even breastfeeding moms to have some "free formula" on hand - "just in case". Do you see the doubt that automatically sets mothers up with? Every diaper bag I've gotten from the hospital has come with a large can of formula and numerous coupons, even the bags specifically for breastfeeding moms! I always leave the cans at the hospital, or donate them to the pediatrician's office or the local Crisis Pregnancy center. Not having them in the house limits the temptation to just fix a bottle when I'm feeling overwhelmed or overtired. Instead, I have to just keep on nursing... and have always been able to overcome the challenges that have arisen. Of course, when I consider the ease of breastfeeding compared to what must be entailed for bottle feeding (clean bottles, prepared formula, bringing enough in the diaper bag for outings, etc... I love that breastmilk is self contained and always available, with no prep time! lol!), not to mention the cost, even those benefits outweigh the challenges, for me.

I could go on and on about the benefits of breastfeeding! I haven't even touched on the accelerated weightloss, a delayed return of fertility (fewer cycles!), improved health for both baby and mother, plus others. But especially, I truly love the bond I get to share with my babies while they are still little. I am thankful that Michael is also a strong advocate for breastfeeding, and encourages me to nurse until each baby is 2 years old.. although so far, because of pregnancies, that hasn't been possible! The longest nurser so far has been Nathan, who made it 18 months before I become pregnant with Judah. There are plenty of mothers who actually nurse through pregnancy, as well, however, for me, with each child, once I become pregnant, the nursling decides to wean, perhaps because supply decreases or taste changes somehow.

I love that God's design is for my body to not only grow and care for a baby in my womb, but also at my breast after birth. I have precious memories of the closeness and bonding I've shared with each boy before they've gotten big enough to always want Daddy instead! The time that they are small is so short, and I treasure it.

Here are a few helpful breastfeeding links, there are tons more out there, as well!

• KellyMom
• La Leche League
• Ask Dr. Sears
• Breastfeeding.com
  

Also, uddercovers.com is offering a FREE nursing cover! Shipping is $7.95, but that is a great price! I've never used a nursing cover because they're a bit pricey when a blanket does the same job, but for $7.95 I figured, why not? Go to uddercovers.com, click on their "Essence" covers and enter in the promo code "onefree". You can choose from either blue or pink! Enjoy!

Nathanese Decoded!

Here's the video answer to what Nathan was asking for in my earlier post (Nathanese):

Its a Moon Pie! :-D Marcy and Scott guessed it!! To be fair, it was a really random thing... Moon Pies are a rare treat at our house, and definitely a rather Southern faire... so don't feel bad if you didn't get it. And for Marcy and Scott, we'll treat you each to a Moon Pie, if you'd like!

The word-for-word translation for the first video is this:
"I have one, Moon Pie?
I have one, Moon Pie?
Eat it, mom?
Eat it!
Please... Moon Pie... Mom?"

It definitely takes a trained ear to understand him! Thanks for playing with me :-)

Nathanese

Nathan talks up a storm! However, it can be a bit tricky to understand him sometimes. Its a lot of fun to hear him speak so animatedly and try to figure out what he is saying! Here's an example - can you understand him? Leave a comment with your guess and I'll post another video with the answer in a few days! :-)

Wordless Wednesday - Bed Head

Nathan + wet head + nap = Major Bed Head!

Preparing for Passover

Passover begins Wednesday night! Our family LOVES the Passover festival, its such a special time of learning about Christ and praising God for His abundant blessings!

I wanted to share some links for those who might be interested in what a Christian (or Messianic) Passover is all about:

• Biblical Holidays has a wealth of information about why Christians should celebrate Passover, how to celebrate Passover, and how Christ appears in the Passover celebration
• Here is the Passover Haggadah (a basic order of service for the Seder (Passover meal)) that we've used - its a simple one, which makes it easier for the children to understand and get involved. We all take turns reading around the table.
• Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience did a beautiful post about their Passover celebration, which helps bring it to life much better than my words ever could
  

The children take such delight in the Passover meal. Just months after it passes, they are already asking when it will come again, and the week leading up to Passover is filled with their excited anticipation and counting down of days. They love singing the "Dayenu" song, which is all about God's abundant blessings, and they especially enjoy it because with each verse we sing it louder and faster and keep rhythm by tapping on the table, clapping hands, stomping feet... it really is a joyous noise by the end! And yes, we do sing it in Hebrew (the best we can, anyway)! We also do a hunt for the Afikomen at the end - a piece of matzah is hidden away, and one child each year is chosen to search for it. Once it is found, the child brings it to their father and "barters" for a gift they would like in exchange for the Afikomen.

The Seder does not begin until after sunset, and usually takes several hours to complete, so it makes for a late night, but we all retire to bed afterwards full of good food and joy in the Lord. Breakfast during the week of Passover usually consists of Matzah Brie, a yummy fried Matzah-egg-pancake type of meal, topped with syrup or honey or cinnamon and sugar... Michael especially loves Matzah Brie and will ask for it for snack, lunch, and dinner, too ;-)

I personally enjoy Passover because of the significance of Christ in the festival. Seeing the comparison between the Lord saving His people through the blood of the sacrificed lamb, and leading them out of Egypt into the promised land, and knowing how He has saved me through the blood of His perfect lamb, and led me out of my sin into His eternal life... my heart can't help but overflow with love and gratitude! When we break the matzah, and discuss how the matzah is without leaven, pierced and striped and broken, and how our Savior, without sin, was pierced, striped, and broken for our inequities, I am humbled again at His amazing grace.

Passover is such a full, rich holiday of the Lord. If your family has never considered having a Seder, I'd like to highly encourage you to give it a try. It doesn't have to be a huge, fancy ordeal, so don't be intimidated! When our entire extended family does it together, we love to invite guests, and it really does become a feast, often with 20 or more people! But even just as a simple celebration within a small family, it is quite a blessed time.

Treasures of March

Another month's collection of thoughts from others. Be blessed!

The Fear of Silence at Holy Experience - ironically, there's little to say about this... it says it all for itself.

Taking Back the Day at A Path Made Straight - this was very encouraging, as it is something I desperately need to put into practice better - I tend to give into feeling overwhelmed and frustrated all too easily.

Who's Responsibility is it Anyway? at At the Well... In Pursuit of Titus 2 - comparing the world's way of raising children to the Lord's way... who do we follow?

Beautiful Truth in Beautiful Trust at At the Well... In Pursuit of Titus 2 - I love the portrait of a Godly helpmeet that Scripture paints - and certainly pray that God continues to shape me to His mold for Michael.

When Your Service Area Feels Small at The Family Revised - being content to serve where the Lord has placed me has changed my perspective so much, and I think Brenda does a wonderful job of explaining it!

The Joy of Boys, a guest post at Passionate Homemaking - do I really need to say anything about this one? :-D

Do They See God? at Raising Arrows - good points to reflect on and examine ourselves with!

The Gospel for Busy Moms at girl talk - a few great tips about how to continually reflect on the Lord throughout all of the day to day busy-ness we experience as moms

What a Waste! at Large Family Mothering - where are we investing our capital? Is it even ours to invest?

Pursuing Character as a Means of Grace at Engstrom Family Celebrations - I really appreciated this description of why pursuing character and righteousness is not a means of "works" but a way to more fully see God's grace in our lives (ala Romans 6)

Slavery at Large Family Mothering - well said!

Am I Wasting My Life? at Visionary Daughters - a great post on "redeeming the time". What should our focus be when deciding "what to do" with "our" time? Us and our desires? Or something much larger than that?

Excellent Questions at Pursuing Titus 2 - a good discussion regarding sheltering, homeschooling, and socialization.

Does "Nothing" REALLY Mean "Nothing"? at Chats with an "Old Lady" - an excellent word regarding living Biblically vs. living relevantly.

The Return of the Homemaker at down to earth - an enjoyable and encouraging read

Who I Am at Raising Arrows - wonderful, wonderful post. Don't miss the last part - "It is who I am because I am HIS" Amen!

Quiverfull Defined at Your Sacred Calling - be careful not to judge by outside appearances!

Flipping Through One of my Old Journals at Breathing Grace - this could have come out of my own journals, it rang so true to me.

20 Tips for Finding Your Routine with Kids at simplemom - I love these! Great pointers!!

A series at girl talk regarding priorities - short, sweet, and immensely convicting!

• Pay Attention
• A Question of Priorities
• First Things First

The Triune Ministry of Homemaking: Management at Meditations (and Confessions) of a Woman Found - a very thorough look into Proverbs 31:27 and what home management entails.

Openness to Life: An Inconvenient Truth Series at The Apple Cider Mill - this fellow blogger is a Catholic mama, so I don't agree with *all* of her points, but I thought the majority of what she had to say was really excellent. Here are my faves:

• Abortion
• Ecologlical Breastfeeding
• Childbirth, and the Modern Medical Community's Effect on Openness to Life

My Nose in the Book at Large Family Mothering - another post that seems as if it came from the depths of my own heart. How grateful I am for His Word!

Wordless Wednesday - Sweet Feet