Please forgive my absence, not only in sharing my gratitude list, but from blogging in general. The onset of spring has caused us to spend our time rediscovering the joys of God's newly budding creation!
135. My husband - oh, how I could go on about how thankful I am for him! What a man God has given me!
136. Birds singing beautiful springtime songs
137. The smell of fresh earth, awaiting planting
138. Warm sunshine
139. Answered prayers
140. God's strength to be patient while awaiting answers to prayer
141. His glory, expressed everywhere!
142. Snuggly dogs
143. Time with my children
144. Yummy food
145. Aprons
146. Laughter from babies, how it bubbles out of them and spills into the most precious sound
147. Playing peek-a-boo
148. Big hands, little hands, and hands in between sizes, to hold and kiss
149. Keeping in touch with friends and family
150. The blessings of friends, near and far
151. Peaceful slumber
152. The health of my family and myself
153. The inexpressible joy that comes from surrender, and serving Him whole-heartedly
154. Passover!
155. Being reduced to tears by His love
To see more of my gratitude list, go here. Consider joining the Gratitude Community and begin your own list!
This one has been a longtime favorite of mine. If it comes on while I'm in the car, its hard to keep my hands on the wheel instead of raising them in praise! Since I can't, I just make sure to turn it up loud and sing along! Enjoy and have a blessed weekend!
It’s the song of the redeemed Rising from the African plain It’s the song of the forgiven Drowning out the Amazon rain The song of Asian believers Filled with God’s holy fire It’s every tribe, every tongue, every nation A love song born of a grateful choir
It’s all God’s children singing Glory, glory, hallelujah He reigns, He reigns It’s all God’s children singing Glory, glory, hallelujah He reigns, He reigns
Let it rise above the four winds Caught up in the heavenly sound Let praises echo from the towers of cathedrals To the faithful gathered underground Of all the songs sung from the dawn of creation Some were meant to persist Of all the bells rung from a thousand steeples None rings truer than this
It’s all God’s children singing Glory, glory, hallelujah He reigns, He reigns It’s all God’s children singing Glory, glory, hallelujah He reigns, He reigns It’s all God’s children singing Glory, glory, hallelujah He reigns, He reigns It’s all God’s children singing Glory, glory, hallelujah He reigns, He reigns
And all the powers of darkness Tremble at what they’ve just heard ‘Cause all the powers of darkness Can’t drown out a single word
When all God’s children sing out Glory, glory, hallelujah He reigns, He reigns All God’s children singing Glory, glory, hallelujah He reigns, He reigns
Has it really been a year?! Our not-so-little anymore Judah is a whole year old today! The time has gone by so fast - yet, I can't remember when he wasn't a part of us. Here's his latest happenings...
He weighs almost 22 pounds - he's a nice solid boy, and fits into 18 month size clothing. He's crawling and climbing (lots and lots of climbing - if it looks like it can be climbed, he will attempt it - ask the dogs, they will testify to it!), but no walking yet. None of my boys have walked before a year - two walked before they turned 13 months, and two even later than that. Honestly, its not anything I'm pushing - I know how the game changes once they get on two legs!! ;-)
He's still nursing a few times a day, but loves solid food - he's very open to trying anything and everything, even woodchips on the playground. Sleeping is... something we're working the kinks out of, still. Teething really disrupts his sleep, and it seems that as soon as one comes in and we get a few peaceful nights, another one starts to make its appearance and we're up again. Infant Motrin and Teething tablets are helping us get through this, though! He's got 7 front teeth so far, and one molar trying to come on through!
Here's what new with the Bean, as we like to call him.
He LOVES listening to music. If he hears the slightest hint of music, he starts dancing. When I turn on the radio in the kitchen, he'll dance his way over to where it is and sit right next to it and dance, dance, dance. Here's a video of his mad skillz. ;-) Warning: It is almost 2 minutes long, but its a cute way to spend 2 minutes - you'll notice at the end when he gets upset that the song is over, but then starts dancing again once the next one starts! It is just about the cutest thing I've seen.
Another of his favorite activities is playing in the tupperware cabinet. Isn't that a baby tradition? All of my boys have done it as babies, and my mom even has pictures of both my sister and I doing the exact same thing. Some parents frown on it, but its a safe way for him to keep himself entertained and near me, but not under my feet or in danger of the stove. We just pick it all up when the play is over, no harm done!
He also has a special lovie he sleeps with at night. Its not what most would consider a traditional lovie (such as a blanket or stuffed animal), but he developed an immense affection for this almost out of the blue, so its officially his lovie! Yes, its a little ball - its squishy, and has a soft bell inside, so it makes a gentle noise. He gets so happy when he sees it and tucks it under his arm when he wants to tote it places. Isn't that just like a boy?!
Oh, and he says a few words! His first official word was... "Judah"! LOL! He says it so clearly, its unmistakable! I figure he hears so many people saying it to him all day, its no wonder its his first word! He also says "hi", "dog", "mama" and "dada" although never when I actually ask him to. I'll say "Say "mama"" and he waits a minute and says "dada!" lol!
He also has graduated from the too small baby bathtub to taking full-fledged sink baths. He has so much fun in the water, and always cries when bathtime is over.
Its so much fun watching little babies grow - there is SUCH a difference between their actual "birth" day and then their 1-year "birthday". It such a blessing to be able to experience!
I was pondering late last night, enjoying some quiet with all of the children in bed and Michael enjoying some "guy" time, and my mind wandered to all of the questions and comments I get every single time I leave the house and go somewhere with the boys. Now, when I get these questions, I am very polite and friendly - I understand that people just aren't used to seeing a family with lots of children, and I hope to be an encouragement to them. But sometimes I feel like making something that says this:
In case you see me out in public with my children, and are curious, let me save you some time:
Yes, they are all mine
Yes, they are all boys
No, we weren't trying for a girl
Yes, we know how it happens, and we happen to enjoy it, thankyouverymuch
I can do ALL things through Him who strengthens me, even stay at home with and homeschool them - and LOVE it!
If you think my hands are full, you should see my heart! ♥
I've thought about putting this song up for a while - and then when I found this video going along with it, I just had to post it! I love the lyrics to this song, and I love the baptism pictures in the video! Baptisms are such special events - its so beautiful to welcome another brother or sister into the family of Christ! I especially love the first verse, it describes exactly how I felt when I first experienced God's amazing love. Enjoy!
Today I found myself After searching all these years And the man that I saw, he wasn’t at all who I thought he’d be I was lost when you found me here And I was broken beyond repair Then you came along and you sang your song over me
It feels like I’m born again It feels like I’m living For the very first time For the very first time In my life
Make a promise to me now Reassure my heart somehow That the love that I feel is so much more real than anything I’ve a feeling in my soul And I pray that I’m not wrong That the life I have now, it is only the beginning
It feels like I’m born again It feels like I’m living For the very first time For the very first time It feels like I’m breathing It feels like I’m moving For the very first time For the very first time
I wasn’t looking for something that was more Than what I had yesterday Then you came to me and you gave to me Life and a love that I’ve never known That I’ve never felt before
It feels like I’m born again It feels like I’m living For the very first time I’m living for the first time It feels like I’m breathing It feels like I’m moving For the very first time I’m living for the first time In my life
Last Wednesday, after checking a certain shipping confirmation email, I did not spend all morning peeking out the front door waiting for the FedEx man. Nope, not me! Ok, who am I fooling? Of course I did! And the old adage about the pot boiling goes the same for the FedEx truck - it didn't come until mid-afternoon! Oh, the torture! But as you can see, it did eventually come and relieve my anticipation. Here is the much-awaited box - our very first Sonlight order!
Here's the contents of the box, along with some very happy and excited boys:
Do you see all of the wonderful books?! We really love books around here! The boys oohed and ahhed over all of the fun things they'll be reading next year. Some we've read before, and others hold new adventures to discover!
Joel wanted a picture, too:
Nate was excited that the box held something for him, as well! Its the perfect fit!
(I'm supposed to turn the box inside out so that the castle markings are on the outside, but Nathan liked it just the way it was, so why go to the extra trouble?!)
We're looking forward to starting Core 3, come August!
A few weeks ago, I gave a sneak peek at a book I was privileged to read for review. "One Million Arrows: Raising your Children to Change the World" by Julie Ferwerda was such an inspiring read! It really made me think about so many different aspects of my Christian life - how I raise my children, how I reach out to the world, how I use the financial blessings God has provided for me, and more!
When I first heard of it, I thought it would be "just" another "how and why to raise your Children to be good Christians" book, but it far surpassed that! Julie not only talks about the importance of raising our children in the "nurture and admonition" of the Lord, but also the deeper part of that - the why behind our parenting goals. Is it just to have happy, well-adjusted kids who go to church, say they love Jesus, and live their lives like any other average American?
Or, is there a bigger purpose, more meaning to life than just those goals? And if we grasp the bigger view of the life our children could be living for Christ, how does that change our parenting techniques and decisions? One Million Arrows addressed all of these questions, and also included several interviews from parents who have successfully accomplished the "bigger goal" of raising "Arrows for God".
Julie also touched on how we, as families and individuals can reach out to the lost and hurting world we inhabit, sharing the love of Christ, in tangible, spiritual, and financial ways. She also made the point that our "arrows" don't have to be limited to our biological children. We can impact many, many children through our lives if we just reach out - to neighbors, relatives, orphans, and even across oceans to children around the world!
Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:
"An arrow of God doesn't have to be in full-time ministry, but is always focused unwaveringly on bringing the love of Jesus Christ into every aspect of the journey throughout his or her life.... instead of raising channel changers, I most definitely want to raise world changers." (p. 21)
In regards to the blessing of living in the prosperous nation of America (where, even in times of "economic hardship", we are still abundantly more prosperous than much of the world's population), she said:
"God did not give me this financial blessing to keep for myself. He gave it to me because He trusts me to use it for furthering His Kingdom. He trusts that I will take my small lunch and let Him use it to feed multitudes of hungry hearts and stomachs....
This earth is not our home. It's more like a stay in a temporary hotel room. Why would we invest a ton of money into something that's not really ours to keep? But when we invest in the mission - when we invest in shaping and sending arrows - then we begin to lavishly decorating our future lasting home...
But many of us are donning our cozy PJs and slippers, relaxing in our comfy recliners in front of our cable TV, snacking on chips, sipping a nice cold glass of clean water, and waiting for God to do something." (pp. 100-101)
and a paragraph that I believe sums up the book so perfectly (emphasis mine):
"What are the dreams you have for your children that you must not fall asleep on? Do you want the world to change your children, or are you willing to do what it takes for your children to change the world? You can't have it both ways....
Andrew Murray inspires me with this idea: "I delight to give what is my most precious possession upon this earth to be His. It is not only for God's sake, but for my child's sake that I give him to the Lord. The more I love my child, the more I must give him away to God. Nowhere can [my child] by safe or happy except with Him. And this is so wonderful - the child I give to God becomes doubly my own. The child I give to God, He holds for me and then gives him back again. Giving my child has become the link of a most blessed friendship and relationship between God and me."
Yes, you love your children. And I love my children. But God loves them so much more. We want the very best for them, but only God can give the very best for them." (p 148)
I just posted about the difference a week makes in this wild winter we're having. It hasn't changed - yesterday it was beautifully sunny and the high was about 56 degrees. Today's forecast? High of 36 and 1-3 inches of snow expected! Huh?!
I told Michael the only reason I left New England for the South was for warmer weather... but he politely reminded me that wasn't actually the case - I left it to be wherever he was, which, I admit, *is* actually the case. But after enjoying 12 years of the temperate southern climate, I'm pretty spoiled now. I'm hoping that tomorrow will be winter's last hurrah!
Thankfully, one member of our family is going to be ready, no matter what the weather:
Playing to Learn at The New York Times - homeschooling is the only system that can actually meet all of these needs! Youth Group at Large Family Mothering
Spanking in Anger Isn't the Problem at Water Lilly - an excellent post in response to a horrific incident, but also toward the idea that the "right" parenting will result in salvation for our children, which is espoused in so many arenas. Only God and His grace can produce that fruit in our children!
I am the blessed wife of Michael, a happy homeschooling mama to 7 energetic boys and one sweet girl, and an ever-growing and learning child of God, adopted into His family through His son, Jesus Christ! I am blessed beyond anything I could have ever imagined, and my heart overflows with gratitude for my Lord and Savior.
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