Our Family Circus

I am less then eager to take the nativities and Christmas tree down this year. I love hearing 2 year old Blake yell, "there Dezus(Jesus)" or "more Dezus" when she sees a nativity. When praying at night she will pray for "More Dezus" as if that is His name, but what a great prayer....praying for more Jesus and less us, in our lives. My friend read in Home Life magazine last year a cool idea she suggested I share with you. Instead of throwing Christmas cards away or taking them to the recycling center, put the cards in a basket and pull a card out each week to pray for that sender(s.) What a great idea!! If you sent us a card or put a card on a gift.....we will be praying for you this year! If we don't have enough cards to get through the year, we will repeat so you might get 2 weeks of prayer out of us! Hey, if you are glad Michele shared this idea-post a shout out to her! When we draw out a card, we will be praying that the sender knows Jesus as their

This is my 2nd attempt to record all the things I want my heart to remember about today. I am reminded there is no textbook or degree that can prepare you for parenting. I am constantly amazed at how I am stretched. By noon, I had cleaned up 2 potty misses and removed a pair of toddler pants now marked by lipstick. I attempted to explain potty misses as gross which apparently is a fun word to repeat but obviously carries no meaning for the tiny speaker. On a good note, a crinkled nose on a red head saying gross will lower your blood pressure. After lunch, a dinner glass was knocked off the table and broken. An apology came quickly. The glass was empty and I told the little darling, I did not like that glass anyway. One less glass to wash today! I commended Middle button for always being remorseful and mentioned that when big brother was little, he would clam up after an accident and refuse to apologize, probably out of fear. Clay hearing the comment responded, "I'm sorry, I

A friend once asked me if I faced Spiritual Warfare on Mondays. Her simple question made me realize that Thursdays were far worse! Wednesday night is AWANA night so on Thursdays, Satan liked to rough me up a bit. I knew they were hard, but had not considered why. Once I realized, I faced the day differently. I kept my expectations low for the day. I stick my Bible in the bathroom and grab a read at my appointed time (don't knock it, until you try it!) The sad thing is, Spiritual Warfare makes me anxious and bitter. My patience is less and frankly, I, and the family who has to live with me, are NOT fans of Spiritual Battle! Sunday night, I had the privilege of singing in an adult Christmas Performance. I have always wanted to do one but babies and My Dear's schedule have ruled it out in the past. This year, I went for it! It was work for me but I SO enjoyed it! When I worship, I move and I got to do just that, sing and sway. At one part in the production, I was unable to sing my

It happened last night and it happened again tonight! As I put the girls to bed, Blake (2) is always eager to pray! She prays for the people in our home and many of them more than once because she does not recall who she already prayed for (or maybe they just need it more...huh.) She occasionally will add someone else like a grandparent or a teacher at church or her beloved "Mami" who cares for her during our small group. I prayed for the children and our children we have not met yet . This includes the spouses of our children and generations to come as well as any other children God adds to our family. I also prayed for the grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and those folks who call us family since we do not live close to any family. Then Miss Lydia, prays for, " all the mamas and daddies and children that are sick in the whole world ." As if I did not learn from that prayer, tonight she prayed for, " everybody she knows and everybody she does not know .

For any of my "cheerleaders" as I call them checking in on the fundraising for the March mission trip to Vnam.....I am only $1000 away! WOW! I have been amazed, floored, and blessed all over! When I heard of the trip I knew I was to go. I had 2 ideas of how I was sure God would supply the funds. 1. You may have read before, but it was to sell some property that did not sell once, twice, or 3 times! STRIKE OUT! 2. Maybe it was a part time job in our county. I never got my ducks in a row for that one and have since felt that it was not what I was supposed to do. So God, I tried it my way, now let's try Yours! 1. It amazes me how He calls and then equips us when we are obedient. It also amazes me that I chose one man to be my husband and got this AMAZING package that came with him called his family! 2. It also amazes me the folks I did not send a letter to but they are financially supporting me. A lady, new to our church, sent me a note that God told her to support me. She

Last year, I posted several ideas of what our family does to keep Christ the center of Christmas. (Check them out from last December's post.) This was an idea that I had heard about but had never tried. Our older children are 8 and 5 1/2 and they are enjoying creating a bed fit for the newborn King. We cut yellow pieces of paper into strips to represent hay. Each time a child gets caught doing something kind for someone else, a piece of "straw" is placed in a basket to make a fluffy bed for Baby Jesus. The children have nominated one another and have told me what the other child did for them. I write that deed on a piece of the "straw" and deposit it. We have just started so here is what the bed looks like as of right now. Clay helped me make my bed today so I put a piece in for him. Lydia complimented Clay's good work at school, so he put a piece in for her. Our hope is that the manger bed will be full of fluffy straw when we lay Baby Jesus on it

So I have mentioned reading Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life , again. I have been reading about obedience. When God calls us, we are to act and when we do it makes our fellowship with Him sweeter! I remember 5 years ago, the opportunity given to me to enter that sweet fellowship with Jesus at Save A Lot grocery store. A man was behind me in line. I had filled the conveyor while entertaining our children. I noticed the man behind me looked as though times were tough. He was purchasing bologna, a loaf of bread and another staple. I assumed it would take care of several meals for him. I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to pay for his groceries. I was afraid and did not do it. Another time at Save A Lot, a mom was at the front of the one register open. She was constantly disciplining a child named Austin as she tried to check out and pay. The line was backed up with several folks waiting. I was at the front of the store and heard the loud booming voice of a man at the end of the line

I don't want to forget what inspiration looks like! The temperature is getting cooler, bringing the kids indoors to play. They created these materpieces with their friends. They had to dig around to collect enough magnets to hang them. Note also that Clay's lost tooth and Blake's clipping of her first hair cut are displayed too. Who would have ever thought I would have hair and a tooth proudly displayed on the front of my fridge! I told Lydia I would clip her nails if she needed to have a baggie with her name on it too.

This week, I realized our house is dirty! The bottom of the walls have dirty hand prints and the top has dust. The ceiling fans are fuzzy and the fridge had spilled, (it that chili?), in it! Not to mention, I am hosting my family for Thanksgiving! I had contacted my sweet friend to see if she wanted to get together-just us girls-on Saturday. She agreed and then My Dear informed me of a place he needed to be until 2 that afternoon. I was home with the kids, so I decided to make the most of it. I did several loads of laundry, dishes, cleaned out the fridge-although Lydia wanted to clean the mystery chili out. Don't you love when that is fun for them! I straighted every room, fed children, baby to nap, then wiped down the walls in the kitchen. I worked like a MAD woman and the entire time I am thinking about me. I was pleased with the progress but in the back of my head, I resented it! I resented that I was home. I resented that my plans had to be altered. I resented that I was workin

It has been a week (+/- a few days) of first for Miss Blake! First Oreo Cookie...that I recall although someone could have slipped her one without my knowing. Can I still call it an Oreo even though it is store brand or do I have to say "sandwich cookie?" It just is not the same! She also did a number in the bathroom but I did not take a picture of that, you can thank me later. I do appreciate her optimism in that she calls it "do-do." Nice isn't it, seeing she could have named it "No Way!" or "Won't-Won't!" Gives me hope! Oh, this is the BEFORE picture... Blake's first haircut!! The whole gang was excited about this one! I know the picture is fuzzy but I wanted to capture how all of "the firsts" are well attended! The big kids want to be there to capture her responses too. They had already had their turn in the chair so Blake was asking for a turn too! So sweet! She could not take her eyes off of herself in the mirror!

Ruth and Boaz are my favorite biblical love story! Have you read it? It is 4 Chapters of love in the book of Ruth in the Old Testament. Her is my version in a nut shell-hopefully just enough to get you reading! Husband dies. She stays with Mother-in-Love. Return to MIL's homeland. Ruth goes to Boaz's fields. Picks up left over grain. Boaz ask workers to leave grain. Boaz is Ruth's kinsmen redeemer. Lays at his feet. He protect her honor. Learns another to be kinsmen redeemer. Talks to him. Happily ever after! Here is how this love story plays into my life! My mom had a less then a perfect home life. My grandmother eventually sent my mom to live with the Blake family (I love family names?) This family took my mom in as their own. They provided for her and shielded her from her painful childhood-or lack of. She moved in as a child and left a woman. Her cousin Ann (which is our Lydia's middle name) became her sister as well as a mother figure. Lucky for me, Ann married Mr.

Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us.... SO WHY did I think it was a good idea to do something other than rest on Sunday? But we needed groceries. I took Lydia to Dollar Tree as a little bonus in our shopping experience. Got home to the mess of lunch aftermath and groceries to be put away. I had missed those couple of precious hours when Blake naps and I enter a near vegetative state reserved for Sundays. God knows I needed that rest. I had made it a habit of not doing much on Sunday because in doing so, I was making someone else work. The servers and cooks in restraunts, the store employees, even the gas station attendant. But yesterday, this committement was reaffirmed! So next Sunday, I plan to make it my Sabbath. If you need me then, I will be found at home!

Ruth and Boaz are my favorite biblical love story! Have you read it? It is 4 Chapters of love in the book of Ruth in the Old Testament. Her is my version in a nut shell-hopefully just enough to get you reading! Husband dies. She stays with Mother-in-Love. Return to MIL's homeland. Ruth goes to Boaz's fields. Picks up left over grain. Boaz ask workers to leave grain. Boaz is Ruth's kinsmen redeemer. Lays at his feet. He protect her honor. Learns another to be kinsmen redeemer. Talks to him. Happily ever after! Here is how this love story plays into my life! My mom had a less then a perfect home life. My grandmother eventually sent my mom to live with the Blake family (I love family names?) This family took my mom in as their own. They provided for her and shielded her from her painful childhood-or lack of. She moved in as a child and left a woman. Her cousin Ann (which is our Lydia's middle name) became her sister as well as a mother figure. Lucky for me, Ann married Mr.

There I go again! I have made the same mistake! A status on Facebook or a conversation about shopping gets me almost every time! Why is that? As Mama Bear Berenstain of the children's books would say, I get the "gimmies!" When I get "a bad case of the gimmies," I have to remind myself of these things: 1. Debt is bad, get rid of it. 2. Orphans in Vietnam 3. Women who chose life for their babies. 4. Hans Peter has a full belly in Haiti tonight. 5. Homeschooling my children. 6. Growing students to a relationship with Christ. 7. Supporting our missionaries 8. The more I have, the more I have to take care of. 9. If it is not broke, why replace it and if it is broke, why replace it? (no, that is not a typo.) My frugal friend, Shannon's oven broke. She has searched for a used one with no leads. She remembered an old toaster oven her mother-in-law had given her in their camper. She has been cooking for her family for probably a month in a toaster oven! She made peca

Ole' Faithful, You have been in my life for 13 plus years, from the moment I said, "I DO." We have traveled together through 5 cities and 2 states building a home. You have always been there for me. You provided the oxygen I needed to go on when times were hard. When we lived in the "mountains" you provided an escape from my lonely reality. We have been together in times of great light and times of darkness, but you hung in there. It obviously wore on you, but you stood proudly with what you had when others fell. Your presence in my life has made it more beautiful. Thank you. A baby was born, then another, and another. More times then not, you were neglected-shaded and deprived of the nourishment you needed from me. You continued your stuggle to stay strong. A piece of you died with each poor decision I made on your behalf. The children have loved you so. Infact, you have given yourself for them. For that, I thank you. Thank you for offering all of

Linny at aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com has Memory Box Mondays with a tangible object in their home to remind them of what God has done. Check out her blog to learn more about it and the scripture reference. I am aware of blessings that God gives me but I have not kept good records to share with my children or grandchildren. I am considering keeping record in photos. When God things happen such as these, I am reminded of Psalm 37:4, Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Here are our recent DESIRES turn DELIGHTS! I was gifted this really cool wall decoration made by Uppercase Living but our room arrangements were still in limbo due to baby Blake. With Clay having his own room, we were now able to hang this. Weeks went by and I was still insecure about hanging it but so badly wanted to. You see, I can't cut a straight line! Well Nana T came to see us and she took care of that! Nana also looked it up to learn that there had been a mistake an

No matter how tough the day has been, there are so many stages in my life that I want to savor and not forget. I am constantly reminded how quick 18 years can pass and each step of the way, our children will need us less and less. This morning, I walked around my nicely swept kitchen and rounded the bar to where our son had prepared a bowl of Cheerios. When I sat down, my socks had Cheerios clinging to them. Usually, it is my midsection food hangs on to but now it is my socks. One day my house will be tidy and Cheerio free. I took the above picture this summer when the neighborhood boys came inside to play. I don't want to forget the young feet that have felt welcomed and safe in our home. Nor do I want to forget how Lydia's pink shoes fit into the pile. I don't want to forget the piles of bibs that come out of a load of Miss Blake's laundry. I usually have to wash just to keep her in bibs. I treasure the memory of crawling into bed one night and My Dear's feet bein

Miss Blake turned 2 last week! At 2, our darlings amaze us with what they say and the connections they make. The kids bought B. a few gifts. We have a tradition of taking the children's last picture at one age and first picture of the new age. I love sleepy smiles and Daddy bought a box of muffins for a special treat. Just the quick food we needed for a Sunday morning. Blake opened hair bows first and wanted them all in her hair. She LOVED the book Lydia got her. She and Lydia both checked it out again and again at the library. I found a copy for $5 with shipping on ebay. YEAH! The electric toothbrush is to help with her oral motor issues. In other words, I am over the bibs but B. is not liking that toothbrush. For now, we will use our cheap toothbrush-without the therapeutic effect. Clay bought her a toy cellphone. She talked to daddy for awhile and then started telling everyone "cheese" as she took their pictures. I could not shake that old song by Alabama called, "

We have pet names for our children, not anything we planned it just happened. Lydia is Wilma, I think she got it because it goes with wild! Wednesday night was Wacky AWANA where the kids were encouraged to dress WACKY! Lydia began planning immediately. Clay was uninterested in participating but had plenty of good ideas for Wilma and she of course went for it- All or Nothing! The soccer socks are 2 different colors, she has capris on under nightgown, 2 different shoes, a bib, an apron on her back and to top it off, a swim diaper on her head! She put her uniform vest on backwards under her bib. Blake was not happy about Wilma taking her new bibs out of the drawer so we asked permission for the Turkey bib. Even B thought it was pretty funny.

On the way to my brother's wedding, Lydia asked why it took so long for John and Katie to get married. I was not sure what was going on in her little head but she answered it herself and said, "It must be the dress. It takes a long time to get the dress." I think Lydia approved of the dress as much as she does the Aunt. We take our kids to weddings and funerals and just about anywhere we are going. My Dear conducted this ceremony so all I had to do was take care of our youngins'. The wedding was entertainment enough for the big kids but here is the secret weapon for the toddler. She picked them out at the store the night before. We do not usually buy them making them even more special. It was a HOME RUN! I even saw big brother Clay grab a couple. The outdoor wedding was wet and beautiful. The rain let up just enough to allow the bride to walk in. She is pretty anyway but she was RADIANT! The groom thought so too! There was a lot to do after the cer

My Teddy Bear of a little brother got married this weekend!!! So that meant my parents headed North! My mom is diabetic so proper foot care is important. I wanted to take her out for a pedicure with J's wedding as an excuse. J is not his name but that is what I call him. Why complicate things with 3 more letters? Miss Lydia and I took Nana to a nail salon. We enjoyed talking with the lady who was taking such good care of mom. I know she was of some type of Asian decent but did not know for sure. She later mentioned Vietnam. I heard a cry for the backroom and out toddles a chunky little fella. His mama said, "He loves the customers." He came right over to me and snuggled up against me. I reached down and hugged that baby and was immediately filled with love for him. Oh my....is this what that orphanage will be like!? I so wanted to ask to take his picture but I was afraid mama was already creeped out by my baby obsession. The hug from this little fella was not just a hug.

I was certain the funding for the Spring Mission trip to Vietnam was to be paid for because we would sell a piece of property. But I was wrong. So wrong in fact, that the buyer tried 3 different resources including an auction of her property to buy ours. I hated it for her and to be honest, I hated it for me! That would have been MY money as well as some debt relief. It would have been as exciting as the birth of our babies-without the sleepless nights to follow! In fact, there probably would have been a sleepless night because I would not be able to stop smilin'!! But it did not happen that way. I continue to wait on God, 'cause frankly, I had it all worked out. That must have been the problem. Meanwhile I learn that a woman who loved me as a teenager is not doing well. This woman gave me a job when she learned I was considering quiting the high school cheerleader squad because I could not afford it. There were days she had to search for something for me to do. Medical bill

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for all of those who posted their "cling to" scriptures you refer to when life is rough. I had scripture coming in from Facebook friends and emails as well. It was so amazing to me that only 1 or 2 verses were repeated. The following Sunday, in church, I was unable to sing praises to God. I knew if I opened my mouth the tears would flow! They were already coming at a stream but I know the ocean was right behind them! I stored the words of praise in my heart allowing them to permeate me. I needed God to be all that He is. I started writing the scriptures you sent, down and rummaging through my Bible taking His word in! Oh what a difference! I actually caught myself singing a praise song while I worked in the kitchen one day. No longer tears, but words of praise! Here is what God laid on my heart... My friend likes dishes and is very interested in some good 'ole Bybee Pottery (KY) that I have. I knew a pitcher was on her wish l

Okay, so it is actually a little more than a day but, here goes... Lydia discovered a "beautiful dress" in her closet. This is the dress that my niece Amber wore in our wedding 13 years ago. Lydia felt like royalty . The lace got hung on her shoe and ripped while wearing it on Sunday. She said, "Well, at least I got to wear it once!" She reminds me of that Amber too! (This picture is the exception to the rule, but then again so are those girls!) Ms. B is finally changing sizes along with the weather. I drug out some of her cousin's hand-me-downs. Ryleigh is a week older but a year ahead in size-and we are reaping the benefits! B. put these shoes on all by herself. I grabbed the camera and asked if I could take a picture of her new shoes and this is what I got! They are cute, really, they are! Look at her shirt...more teeth are on the way and they brought a runny nose with them! This Lego creation is one he is most proud of. He took probably 7 pic

I need your help BLOG friends!!! Please send scripture you cling to and pass on to others in the most difficult of times. My friend, is facing a mountain! I will post later what God has laid on my heart for this family. Here is what I have so far.... Jeremiah 29:11 Romans 8:28 Psalms 37:5-6 Proverbs 3:5-6 Joshua 1:9 Isaiah 26:12 Can't wait to hear what God has laid on your heart for "Mam."

We moved the weekend Clay was born. There was no planning the perfect nursery, just praying for an address because the hospital will not let homeless folks leave with babies. Lydia, baby #2, arrived while God stirred our hearts to move...no nursery here either. When expecting baby #3, we had more kids then bedrooms= no nursery decorating. The big kids were moved in together to allow baby napping time without robbing another child of their space as well. This is Miss Blake's little room. The walls are primed and ready for paint for the permanent boarder. (My girlfriend stripped the world's most trying boarder and primed the walls for me as a baby gift isn't that fabulous!!) Welcome permanent boarder! Clay and dad picked out the colors with recommendations from mom. My Dear calls the colors North vs. the South (navy and grey)....how interesting since Clay's new interest in the presidents...Abe Lincoln, here we come! Although, George Washington is his favorite because he h

Today we met our precious friends for a day at the zoo! One part of the zoo is divided into habitats. We were able to discuss adaptations animals have to help them survive in their own habitat. So fun learning!!! We were about to enter another building but realized it was closed due to a school field trip. We circled around it, putting us on a stage with seating around it. Our Lydia began to twirl and dance and called to her friends to join in. My friend said, "Now we are in Lydia's natural habitat." What do you think? Picture taken at a church event. Can you guess which one is our Lydia?

Second Grade Oh, what a gift you have brought! We did survive Kindergarten, who would have thought! Those days were so long, as I danced to entertain Only to hear the letter sounds correctly proclaimed. We shot water guns at vowels and made graphs about bears Oh, that he would just give a care! No desire to learn, "I can't!" He'd proclaim. When all I wanted was to just stay sane! Oh but Second Grade, you were worth the wait! When the boy showed up ready to participate. The work before him, easy as pie! For he had earned the admiration of someone more significant than I. Math, "this is easy" and reading, "I enjoy," for finally the boy learned that he drives the learning convoy. He knows he can do it, he has succeeded! So proud of his accomplishments- Second Grade, I needed! You see, sister's in Kindergarten, Here we go again! But at least this time, I have a friend. Cheering to the finish, lending a hand, Oh thank you God for my second grade m

Dear Baby Blake, Tonight, I watched you clean your brother and sister's room. You spotted my doing so and joined in, putting things in their proper places. I left the room, but you did not stop until the Little People toys were in their place. You picked up dirty clothes to place in a drawer until I told you they were dirty, then you turned to the hamper in the closet. The big kids were preparing for bed, each in a bathroom, they did not see you, but I did. As they got into their beds Lydia requested water. I assured her I would get it but you left the room to retrieve an empty cup and brought it to her. We continued to read and pray together when you left and returned again with an empty sports bottle assuming Clay would need a drink too. When Clay suggested cough syrup instead you accompanied me to the kitchen. You waited as I prepared a tiny cup. Then reached for it to make your delivery. I walked away with the medication-you will understand this as you get older. Yo