Works-for-Me Wednesday

This is a little different Works-For-Me Wednesday, but this is what worked for me... My boys - they love to antagonize each other. Whether it's the "accidental" tripping, a touching something that the other is using/holding, standing in front of/beside, (though there are no knock-down drag-outs or hitting) ... it's in the house, in the car, in public, I could go on, but why put you through it! Okay, if you're rolling your eyes, nodding, or raising your hand in agreement, please let me know that our family is possibly normal. I would love to have Dr. Dobson or the Super Nanny , or our minister come, but I honestly think they'd probably tell me "this is normal!", but it drives BBW, Only, and I crazy! I was attempting to get all the baking started when I heard them in their bedroom - I'm not sure if it was the maniacal laugh of Oldest, the whining of Youngest or the cat running for cover, but I'd had it. I try to ignore it, I've nagged them, told them to stay away from each other, taken away privledges ... We're weary of it. I had asked them to help by packing, doing some laundry, and their chores... I threw my dishtowel on the counter and headed down the hall... (I'm sure at this point that my "Martha" alter-ego had taken over and was ticked that the boys were playing instead of helping out.) God intervened... I'm not sure why He waited until now to reveal this to me, but I sure could have used it years ago... instead of nagging or giving them another lecture... I took their hands, knelt in the middle of their room and prayed out loud:

"God, Thank you so much for giving these two boys to me. They make me laugh, cry, and they aggravate me. I pray You will lead them in their actions while they are home and when they are away. Be their guide, keep their hearts, thoughts, and actions pure. Give them hearts that follow after You. I pray you will guide them in their decisions, show them Your plans for them, and let their actions be a witness to others. Thank you once again for these boys. "

When I finished, I got up and walked away without saying a word, but as I left their room, my heart felt better and I heard Youngest whisper "Wow!" Only and I were talking this evening as I was taking yet another batch of rolls out of the oven, and she said "Mom, I sure hope you've never had to pray like that for me! "No Sweetie, daughters require a different type of prayer." Laughing, she kissed my cheek and replied "You can say that again!"

Give-Away

I'm working on a wonderful Give-away for this next week! Want a hint? It is soft, oh so pretty, and there is a link hint on this page! Check back soon!

Wild Savior

This is a silly quiz I took this morning on what part of Thanksgiving I am... You Are The Stuffing

You're complicated and complex, yet all your pieces fit together. People miss you if you're gone - but they're not sure why.

What Part of Thanksgiving Are You?

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This morning, I slipped over the the Internet Cafe Devotions where Kristen was talking about "Wild Savior"

Following Christ is a constant learning experience. It never fails to astound me how little I know the deeper in relationship I get with Him! Over and over again He has taught me stagnancy is just not healthy. He desires movement. Growth. Travel. He wants my today to play out a little differently than my yesterday

I believe we often think we know better than Him. Don’t we? I know I do. The deepest struggle I have walking with Christ is the letting go of my independence and the walking in dependence. Each day is a lying down of what I think my life should look like or how I feel my talents would better be spent. It is the thing that I most struggle with and yet it is the thing that most keeps me looking ahead.

I struggle mightily with letting go of the control. I live by a calendar. "If it's not written down, we're not doing it, buying it, thinking of it." I look at my kids and wonder what God has in store for them... what will they do, where will they go, are they getting it, will they marry, who will it be, ... but I guess the really important questions is, will they follow God's leading when He prompts them... Have I followed God's leading in my life? I really can't say that 100% positive, but who am I kidding? Do I really believe with all my heart that I know better what my life needs than God does? If I'm not following God's leading in my life, learning to dance with Him, then how will my kids learn to follow His leading?

Not Me Monday

1. I most certainly did not sleep in until 8:30 this morning, thoroughly not enjoying the kids not being in school this week. The cat and I did not snuggle for an extra two hours this morning.
2. I did not take a big mess of chili over to our new neighbors as they are so "not" in the middle of a huge face-lift. The chili was not leftovers and my family was so "Not" tired of it!
3. Hubby & I did not travel 2 hours by ourselves to Tulsa for the National Missionary Convention and we did not enjoy the quiet and time to talk.
4. We did not see TONS of people we knew and visit for hours.
5. We did not agree to bring three 5th graders back with us, one not being our son and his best friend, who certainly did not give DH and I a headache with their constant talking.
6. I certainly did not spray whipped topping into my daughters mouth until she "foamed" at the mouth and then I did not laugh when she about lost it when laughing.
7. I absolutely did not leave a huge sink full of dirty dishes hoping that one of my kids would not do them...
8. I did not enjoy a Keven Costner movie (The Guardian) last night during my not hot bath while DH took the kids to youth activities at church.
9. My oldest did not pass his road test for his drivers license this week and he did not get more excited about getting his own cell phone than his license. :)
10. I did not send my balloon blowing child out of the room because I'm afraid of balloons.
11. I am not in wonder that Only is doing typing and Spanish during her week off from school!
12. I am not avoiding the laundry room, the vacuum, and the kitchen, nope, not me!
13. I am not amazed that Only unloaded her dishes from the dishwasher and loaded the dirty dishes in the sink!!!
14. I did not find my favorite SoBee Green Tea drink in the fridge this morning from my Hubby! Happy Day!

String of Pearls

Today my heart is heavy for a friend who miscarried. I've never lost a child to miscarriage or to a defect. Our son was born 10 years ago with a congenital, often fatal, heart defect. We didn't know about the defect while we were pregnant with Youngest, but somewhere deep in my heart I knew something wasn't right. I prayed fiercely for that precious little one. We came so close to loosing him... Because of our experience I wanted to write about what McMamma is doing at My Charming Kids. She is raising awareness for families that have lost a child. I've included a small portion of their mission statement from their site. I so much appreciate the way they minister to hurting families...

String of Pearls was created to provide a nurturing and safe place for families as they navigate the path following a fatal prenatal diagnosis that will result in the death of their baby prior to, or shortly after birth. The path between grief and hope is a difficult place to walk; our desire is to provide guidance, compassion and practical suggestions as plans to honor the life of pre-born babies are crafted. Each life has a story worthy of telling and we are here for support as stories are lovingly written

Nutty explorers and World History

I'm not a history buff. Let's face it, I can barely remember what happened last week, but I blame that on my kids. I made decent grade in school/college, though it didn't come easy and I can't honestly remember much: The history teacher that was a football coach (and my hubby wonders why I don't like football), the college prof. that had a unnatural attachment to the Wild West and railroads who based our grades on how we did on a computer (yes we had computers "back then") railroad game, and the Bible college prof that showed slide shows of his archeological digs at 7 a.m. each morning. My hubby? He does a lot better than I do, especially if it's sports related: who won the Superbowl in ___, what basketball player... , when did Rick Mears retire, or when did ___... I hope you get the idea. I honestly can't remember taking World History in HS, but I must have had it or I picked stuff up from teaching my own kids... I remember where I was when Elvis died (sorry, to all those out there who still believe he lives) when the POW's came back from the war, Nixion's impeachment proceedings, when the Challenger blew up, when The Berlin Wall came down, 911, OK City, Chernobyl, most of the presidents, and wars, and where most of the countries are (until they start changing them again)... Oldest is in 10th grade Pre-AP World History and had a posterboard project due today map the route that a certain explorer took and what did he do along the way... I am not in the ahbit of hehping my kids do their projects - I already paid my dues and graduated, I forgot to get the poster board. Granted Oldest could have written it on THE LIST instead of verbally telling me (he must have thought he had a better mom or something), but we were up until midnight, Only included because she wanted to help color the world). I must have slept when they talked about the explorer Ibn Battuta (1325-1354)and his crazy travels! Did we learn anything?

1. He didn't travel in straight lines.
2. An overhead projector is a must.
3. He went to the same places twice.
4. He traveled 75,000 miles in 30 years (mind you this is camel or hoofing times)
5. He was called the World First Tourist
6. He has a shopping mall named after him
7. Sonic does not stay open after 10 p.m. in our area.
8. They used different names for places, cities, and areas back then.
9. maps are not all the same...
10. Momma is very tired today and we'd better make a really good grade on this!

Love You Forever

When my kids were little, babies to even early elementary age, I loved rocking them. Their warm little bodies snuggling against mine, finding that comfy place in the day where little else mattered, but that moment. Most times you could find me singing softly to them - sometimes I would sing something made up on the spur of the moment - rhyming whatever came into my brain, but there are a few songs (past "Jesus loves you") that I used almost daily: "Tell me why", "You are my Sunshine," and "Love you forever" . "Mommy sing the special songs" would always bring those three melding into each other. Sometimes the kids would sing along or finish a line for me if I hesitated, but those were our songs. Even now, at this moment Youngest wandered in to give me a kiss and I let him listen to the author Robert Munsch sing the chorus and his face broke out in a cute smile of recognition "Hey I remember that song!!! You used to sing that to me!" One of my favorite lines in the book was "Sometimes his mother would say, "this kid is driving me CRAZY!" My kids are getting big now and they don't fit on my lap near as well as they used to. Their feet touch the floor and just them sitting on my lap can make my legs feel like they are falling off and be rendered useless; but on a rare occasion, when Youngest is sitting on my lap, it's late at night and all is quiet except the creaking of the recliner, you might just hear a whispered song meant breaking the stillness... ******************** I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living my baby you'll be. **********************

Tell me why the ivy twines, Tell me why the stars do shine, Tell me why the sky’s so blue, And I will tell you just why I love you.

Because God made the ivy twine Because God made the stars to shine, Because God made the sky so blue, Because God made you, that’s why I love you.

"Not Me!: Monday

1. I did not go overboard and make a triple batch of laundry detergent - enough for 266 loads, immediately after I make Hard-boiled egg chocolate chip cookies in the same food processor. Do you think my clothes will smell like chocolate chip cookies?
2. I did not stop by Sonic on the way to Worship practice for Happy Hour, thus making myself late... That Cranberry Slush was not terrifically yummy and worth it!
3. I did not go to sleep during Worship practice listening to the new song because I was not that tired...
4. I did not wait until this morning to grade and write lesson plans for today, nope I didn't.
5. I did not take my Oldest to get his hair cut and give in to letting him keep most of his hair because it is the style. I did not predict what his Daddy would say later at dinner. No, I was not right on this one! :)
6. I did not raise my voice at my youngest when he tipped his chair over for the 3rd time this morning and make him tear up. I'm so much a better Mom than that. :(
7. I did not turn up the heater this morning because my hands are not ice cold and I'm not wearing a coat in the house...
8. I did not just make myself a chocolate malt for lunch while my youngest sat eating a microwave cooked corn dog.

But I'm really sick!

"What do you want for breakfast?" I ask Youngest. "Crispix" he mumbles with his head on the table. Trying to be cheerful and motivating, I fix his bowl, give him a quick kiss on the forehead as I ruffle his blond sleep tussled hair on my way to the shower. "Maybe we can get done early with school and you'll have time to play!" Getting a shower is a blessed thing around here. Most mornings (I'm sure I'm not the only Mom to confess this) I don't even get one. I'm secretly convinced that a mother was the inventor of deodorant and perfume and lotions. I just hope that makeup and some smelly stuff will mask the way I feel. Over the waterfall of warm water, I hear a muffled "mumble, mumble" and a knocking on the door. *sigh* "Wait!" I holler while shutting off the water and grabbing the towel. *This had better be good* I thought. When the kids were much younger, I was in the shower and they banged on the door to let me know that they let the Terminix man in to treat the house. I locked the front door after that and gave a lecture after that one! As I opened the door, I saw him, humped over with his hands to his mouth. "I puked!" *good grief! Did he have to go all the way through the house to tell me that?!!!!* Thankfully it wasn't bad and I chalked it up to a bad gag reflex he has. Finally it's lunch time, with 3 subjects left, he is wearing his coat because he's cold. Now before you start thinking I'm totally clueless, I'm very cold natured and our bedroom is the coldest in the house. What finally clued me in was he wanted to take a nap... ahhhh! Lightbulb goes on in my head... Final verdict - 103º and the rest of the day was spent in bed listening to Adventures in Odyssey takes and taking naps. Call me clueless, but no one has been sick in our house and I thought he was trying to get out of the rest of school work! "Lord, may you give me grace as I am constantly learning about how to be a good mom. I blew it today!" Needless to say, I stayed up with him last night and rocked him until he said (waking me from a slumber) "Mom, can I watch Batman cartoons, this home decorating stuff is boring."

Quilt Give-away

Dana at Old Red Barn Co. is giving away 3 quilts and they look so pretty and colorful that I just had to tell you about it! These are just beautiful - it makes me wish I had made something so pretty to curl up with this winter! This one was my favorite.

Works-For-Me Wendesday

When I was growing up, I hated that my mom made me write thank-you notes for EVERYTHING!!! I'm wondering if I wrote thank-you notes for Thank-you notes I received! She always told me how important they are and were - somewhere in the back of my mind I retained this bit of teaching. Now as a Mom, I've done the very same thing! We started teaching our children at a young age that "tradition of appreciation" was something required. I can't say that it was all easy, and a lot of times we composed their messages for them until they could write well. There have been times that this was allowed to slide - whether by the lack of time/excuses of the mother (me) or the seemingly busyness of time. We've put our own twist on this: The gift may not be played with or used until a Thank-you has been written for it. It stays on the kitchen table (if possible), at that person's place at the table, until they have written a thank-you for it. I have seen our kids as they are growing older sit down to write thank-yous on their own and that just makes my day. They've written thank-you's for everything from games, bologna (our youngest gets this from a good friend who knows he loves it smoked), gift certificates, clothes, and sometimes just time spent with them (to the zoo, letting them drive, tickets to a game) etc. I hope this will follow them as they continue to grow, graduate, marry, have their own children. It is not often these days that people receive a thank-you for gifts/time given - it seems to be a lost art, but we're starting with our family to instill the value of Thankfulness. ** Please note, that if my kids have received something from you and have not received written a thank-you, it was not because they were not taught... but we're certainly trying!

Of Mice and Boys

Most of you know that we have some different pets beside the normal cats and dogs. We happen to have an albino corn snake and 5 mice (2 regular and 3 Egyptian Spiny Tailed). (I'll let you draw your own conclusion as to the reason for this.)

Imagine this. Teen son is showing off two baby mice to his friend (they just opened their eyes, the mice not the son) Baby decides teenagers are too much takes leap of faith into air lands on clean kitchen floor Momma: "What were you thinking" teenager boys sprawling on floor "poor helpless baby mouse" runs in terror for the stove Momma is yelling in the background teenage boys are scrambling and scooping mouse- scared, runs from Giant captured... nope - slips through huge teen hands mouse evades them Momma is wondering where the dumb cat is mouse runs for china cabinet teenage boy makes one last attempt Momma is yelling louder (as if this is going to help or encourage anyone) Teenager dives for mouse Mouse finally back in cage with his own momma Human momma sighs smack teen on arm for getting mouse out. Cat saunters into kitchen Daddy comes home... laughs... Momma smacks Daddy on the arm..

"Not me" Monday

Time for another addition of Not Me! Monday hosted by McMamma. I'm sure that ya'll are just way too anxious to see what I've not done this weekend. 1. I did not go to bed early on election night so I wouldn't have to listen to all the ramblings of who was ahead or behind. 2. I did not grow impatient with my youngest as he told the same story for the 10th time while I was trying to cook. :( 3. I did not rejoice that the dog threw up in the truck with the boys, and I was in the car with the girls on our way to a family hike at Devil Den. 4. I did not celebrate that Hubby decided not to have leftovers Sunday after church and took us to Cracker Barrel instead. 5. I did not make a whole gallon of Homemade ice cream when we have 2 cartons of Braums in the freezer. 6. I absolutely did not sleep in until 10 a.m. on Saturday after being up until Midnight waiting for Caleb to get home from the ball game the band played at. 7. I did not almost forget to call my sister on her birthday yesterday until 8:30 p.m. 8. I did not linger in the baby section looking at baby clothes yearning for another little one never to come. 9. I did not spend time on Friday reading other's blogs and chatting on Facebook while hubby took the girls to a football game, when I could have been doing laundry, grading papers, and cleaning. 10. I did not get excited at seeing gas for $1.87, nope, not me. I love spending tons of money on gas, so this does not excite me at all!

Works-For-Me Wendesday

Our family loves Apples to Apples! As far as toys, we've always leaned toward learning games for gifts, like knex, board games, or books. But by far, this game is a sure-fire winner with friends and family as well. We've found that ages 10-79 love this game. It's so fun to see the crazy choices that come up with each round. We have the party and Bible edition as well, but the original Party box is our favorite. We've laughed so hard we've cried! This is a wonderful game that teaches about nouns and adjectives, while mixing history without really trying! our 15 yr. old took it to school last year for the last week of school. The English kept it for a week and all the kids were begging to play it by the middle of the week! You can get it at Target, Walmart, and Amazon.

Apples to Apples is a game of hilarious comparisons. This wild, award-winning card and party game provides instant fun - it's as easy as comparing apples to apples. Deal the cards, then select the card from your hand that you think is best described by a card played by the judge. If the judge picks your card, you win that round. Each round is filled with surprising and outrageous comparisons from a wide range of people, places, things and events - and everyone gets a chance to be the judge. The Party Box comes complete with over 1,000 cards.

The Simple Woman's Daybook for 11/4/08

Outside my Window...I see debris from new neighbor's house makeover - progress!!! :) . I am thinking...I wish I could swallow and feel better, but glad I voted early. From the learning rooms... Birds: feathers, how they fly; capitalization; LCM I am thankful for... daughter is going to do lessons with youngest to help me out. From the kitchen...an easy night since I feel horrible - French Toast w/bacon & scrambled eggs. I am wearing...Jeans, white tank under a tan button-up t-shirt I am reading...Tender Mercy for a Mother's Soul & When Wall Flowers Dance by Angela Thomas I am hoping...start working on our family Christmas newsletter. I am creating... Hand embroidered gifts for Christmas I am hearing...kids doing their chores :) Around the house... laundry on the bed, mail on the counter, clutter on the counter - yep! We live here! One of my favorite things... playing games with the family: Apples to Apples, Australian rails, Canasta

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...funeral for friend, laundry (ugh), no babysitting ºÜº , school, last football game, free weekend!!!Love this picture of Connor and Matthew playing in the leaves recently.

"Not me" Monday

1. I did not have an awesome time in TX.
2. I did not sleep almost all the way back from TX to AR.
3. We did not get home at 3:30 a.m. in the morning.
4. I did not let Claire and Connor sleep into today!
5. I did not let Connor have a day off from school.
6. I did not eat chocolate Frosty ice cream for dinner. Nope, not me.
7. I did not take a long hot back tonight while watching Dancing with the Stars. (Did you see those perfect 10's?)
8. I did not change dinner plans because DY brought home deer meat - free!
9. I did not pray for a friend whose little one needs a new heart.
10. I did not tell my youngest to go to bed early... and he didn't go, by the way.
11. I did not tell my DH that I loved him... :)
12. I did not take the easy way out for dinner!