Blog update----

Summer in the garden.... Watermelon with Grandpa's!

My last post was a presentation of our new baby. And now, almost five months later, I am finally blogging again. Not that i have had nothing to blog about, my no! We have been bike hiking, camping, gardening, housekeeping, BESIDES all the loving and hugging and kissing boo-boos and reading stories and school work, and visiting "moms house", and much much more. I am absolutely amazed at the blessings we have been given.

A late night double date before these dear friends left to answer Gods call for them in Haiti. We miss them so much!!

Several thoughts from the past months... some of our "living and learning"

You adjust-- meaning, when i was thinking about the fourth child coming into our home, i was imagining weeks of just staying at home, and how hard it would be to get into the car with four little ones. And imagine shopping!!! Things aren't like i imagined. We stay home more? Maybe. But we still go out quite a bit; to my moms house, sisters, Mom in laws, or the store to see Jess. I DO go shopping, once in a while. (and then ask myself WHY i would try to shop with four little ones. believe me. Its not FUN shopping:)) but overall, you adjust, and its amazing what all the older ones can do!!! Either i didn't see it before, or i was not asking as much of them. They do a great job of emptying trash, buckling and unbuckling Abby in the car,

Schedule and routine is key (for me) to keeping my head straight:) Note i said

"for me". people are different and function differently under different circumstances. I get more accomplished under pressure and high goals. It is working well for me to be routine with my housework; to do laundry on Monday and Thursday,& to tidy the house every day, but clean thoroughly every Thursday. I try not to plan any going away those days, but focus on the children and those jobs. Fridays is our "fun day" and we either do something extra fun at home, or spend the day with a sister, mil, or my mom. Jess doesn't get home til almost 9 both Thursdays and Fridays, so those days can be long. It is a blessing for my children to know their grandparents well, and to say the grandparents LOVE it? Yes, they do!:)

WORK CAN BE FUN, AND VERY CHARACTER BUILDING Enter our garden. While some people may feel they do not have time for a garden, or that it isn't "practical", this summer, having a garden has been very good for our family. Not only am i blessed to have jars of food in my basement ; those jars remind me of days of weeding while the children play in the dirt beside me.Of making rows, finding a little stick for measuring, and showing them how to put seed-stick-seed-stick. Or of the day they helped to pick the beans, or when they pulled out the stalks almost entirely on their own, and prepared for our second planting. those jars of beans remind us of when Grandma came over and we sat under the tree, stringing beans, or when Zoey washed them, and Abby (even at only 2 1/2 years!) filled up the jars. I would tell wild imaginary stories of "a little boy in Africa" and realize just how much they do pay attention... Yes, there were lots of opportunities to teach perseverance. I have learned that they can help with lots of things, and are very willing to do so when you make the job fun. I was very surprised to see how much they could help in the water garden, when they were my "dump trucks" and i was the "dispatcher" and they could haul loads like Wes or Marv. I'm not sure who has learned more:) the children or i. but I do know that this summer i have enjoyed working with my children in a whole new way. Besides the garden, the children are able to help with vacuuming, folding wash cloths, setting the table, and washing breakfast dishes.


Chidlren love when Mommy plays too. Weather its holding a doll for one of the girls, then playing along that the dolly needs her "mommy", or accepting a "call" from "Mom" and chatting on their pretend phone, or attempting a hide and seek game.... i am learning that little ones love when we take time to pretend, or just play. They love to have us join in their level. My children LOVE tent houses, or anything that distracts from ordinary. And it doesn't have to be a big mess, or expensive. some turned over chairs and a blanket can create alot of fun! I'm learning to be ok with messes. The fun is worth it, and when its time for lunch or naps, we can clean it all up!

READING opens the mind... There was a day when it felt like my children would never actually ask to be read to. I was (and grant it, still am some days) trying to teach them to listen, sit still, and be quiet during story time. But now, those days are slowing paying off. They love stories!! Sometimes i push them by reading things abit above their level, but most times, we read stories that they choose, from books that teach life lessons, and values. We love story time! my mom always said that money used for good reading material is never wasted. I believe that. I hope we have some bookworms someday! at this age, besides me actually reading , we have "quiet time" too, where they have 15-25 min of quietly looking at books; usually after naps, or after toys are picked up before daddy comes home.


I guess in a nutshell we are living and loving the reality of family life. We are learning and growing. And most of all, WE are blessed!  We have so much to thank Him for, so much to praise Him for. He is good.


And that is a catchup post. I am going to be posting much more routinely in the future. Blessings to you and yours today.