A Heritage

Once upon a time Erik & I had the privilege to lead a care group of couples in our church. These people were and still some of our dearest friends. When we began leading, the group had 3 children: Mia, Aubreigh, & Jack. I was pregnant with Karis, and Krista was pregnant with Ainsley. As couples joined it seemed like we had a baby boom on our hands. April had Conner, Kia had Joshua, Judi had Si, Jenn had Aiden, Cara had Meg, Janie had Colin, Seanna joined the group (already had Chloe and then had Joseph), Priscila had Gianna. One of my favorite pictures of all time is of these ladies taken on the day Jotham was born. We went to Sears, crowded into a little room with all 9 of our kids and got our picture taken together. It is no wonder labor started for me that afternoon. So as time went on the cycle went around again and again. Jenn had Wil and then Zeke, April had Jacob and then Eli, Kia had Saraina and then Kadin, Judi had Caitlyn, , I had Cia, Jen had Abby, Cara had Matthew, Seanna had twins, Janie had Gavin, Krista had Sadie (not all exactly in that order). In this time period, so much changed in each of our lives; some of us moved to new houses and new states, some went on Church plants, some of us changed care groups, new people added the old group, there were job changes for husbands (including Erik's to become a Pastor), but one thing stayed the same and that was what I want to highlight. These ladies believe Psalm 127:3:

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,the fruit of the womb a reward.

I'm sure I have probably left someone and their children out (please be gracious and forgive me) but from my count that group has now at least 29 children, spread through several states! What a reward!

And Erik & I are now pleased to share that we should be adding #30, sometime around January 15.

A Simple Woman's Daybook

I came across this idea on a another blog, so all credit goes to that lady, who I don't know, but had a great idea.

For Today...Wednesday, June 18, 2008:

Outside my Window...the sun is shining casting a lovely light through the trees. I can see some of the summer flowers blooming in our flower beds. The temperature in the 70s with no humidity- really a beautiful day.



I am thinking...that it will be good to write these ever so often as a way to look back 10 years from now and peak into what my world was like.

I am thankful for...time at home with my children. I love being a stay at home mom even through the very tiring moments

From the kitchen...We just cleaned up lunch which was PB & Honey & Yogurt for the K, J, & I and Soy Yogurt, flax seed & wheat germ and bread for C. Dinner tonight is nothing exciting, just leftovers from last night- Sante Fe Chicken.

I am creating...a deck, well not really me but my Dad & Erik, but I did help yesterday.

I am wearing...Gray shorts and red t-shirt, no shoes



I am going...no where, except maybe a walk later tonight.

I am reading...I just picked up a biography on George Washington that I am excited to start.

I am hoping...the kids will take a really long nap and Erik will come home early.

I am hearing...the sound of fans in the kids room, birds chirping outside and wonderful silence.

Around the house...life is pretty messy right now. My bathroom is a NEED of a deep clean, which I might be inspired to do after this. The family room has toys on the floor, the kitchen floor needs cleaned, but the living room is in order.

One of my favorite things...is riding my bike at the beach, only two weeks till vacation.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...We are getting together with the friends, the Snyders, on Thursday and going on a double date on Saturday with the Dabbs. During the day on Friday, Jenn & I doing our weekly play-date. It seems like awhile since I've had time with her and I'm looking forward to it.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...




One of the flowers outside my window.

Strawberry Picking

Last Monday we went Strawberry picking with our Care Group. It was perfect weather, basically not too hot and buggy. On our way there Erik and I talked about how last year he couldn't even bend over to pick, because he had just had surgery on his knee. God is so kind to have healed him so well and so quickly.

The picking went much quicker this year, Jotham and Karis did a great job helping out. Jotham even understood the difference between green ones and red ones- this makes all the difference in picking the right ones.

Being in a strawberry field with endless amounts of strawberries is Mercia's dream come true- she LOVES them. She just walked from Mommy to Daddy eating the whole time.

After picking our CG came back to our house for Strawberry pancakes and Strawberry milkshakes- so yummy!

Blueberry picking season is coming soon- these are my favorite to pick.

Quote

This is from the Clarkson's, Educating the WholeHearted Child:

"Regardless of the circumstances you face, you have the ability to remain faithful to God. In the end, the measure of your success in homeschooling will not be how well your children perform on achievement tests, but how faithful you have been to trust God for his grace and strength in the process of discipling and educating them. Be faithful."

I found this quote a helpful reminder of what is really important. Not the outcome but the process of being faithful to God. It is not just applicable to homeschooling but to all of parenting (and life). I could easily change this quote to say:

In the end, the measure of your success in mothering will not be how well your children sleep through the night, but how faithful you have been to trust God for his grace and strength through those sleepless nights.

or

In the end, the measure of your success in mothering will not be how well your children obey your first command, but how faithful you have been to trust God for his grace and strength in training and disciplining them.

Bella

I wanted to recommend the movie Bella to anyonen who reads this blog. Erik & I were able to see it in the theater several months ago. It is an excellent film. It recently came out on DVD and I'm looking forward to watching it again. If you have an open evening please rent it.

Jotham James

Jotham is blessed to share a birthday with Erik's Dad (James). Yesterday we celebrated their birthdays with a family picnic. Erik wrote the following poem to honor them:

JOTHAM JAMES

From Jotham to James 60 years span
Clear similarities and differences in each man

Though one is still a sapling while another a tree
Both lives are fruitful

Though one laughs at the other
Both love humor

Though one likes running while the other likes walking
Both enjoy the outside

Though the cost differs greatly
Both cherish their toy cars

Though one shares a cookie while another shares the “dough”
Both are generous

Though one cries tears instantly and one holds them back
Both are very sensitive

Though one life rises and one is setting
Both are beautiful

Though one is my Son and the other my Father
Both are loved very much

60 years separate you and P-paw
With me in the middle
There is no greater place for me to be
With my Son & My Dad
Happy Birthday

Wings of Fancy

This past weekend my Mom & Dad came to visit. My Dad worked hard helping us with our deck and my Mom and I went to Brookside Garden to their Wings of Fancy exhibit. This is a live butterfly exhibit where you go into a large greenhouse and there are butterflies flying all over. My mom LOVES butterflies and has never been to an exhibit like this. She loved it. Karis & Jotham also enjoyed it, through Jotham got scared whenever the butterflies flew near him. I think of all our children, Mercia liked it best of all. She seemed fascinated by these beautiful creatures that were all around her. They seemed to like her as well. She must have been the perfect height for landing on. They were often taking short rides on her wispy hair.

After walking through the exhibit we took a stroll around Brookside, which is really lovely this time of year. The weather was beautiful and the kids enjoyed roaming around, chasing geese, falling down scraping their knees and in general just being with their grandma.

Jotham & Cia taking a walk at Brookside: