Cotton Blowing

So many, MANY years ago my grandmother invented a game called Cotton Blowing to play at her annual New Years party. It became quite an event with trophies and even a belt given to the five year consecutive winner (who happened to be my uncle Tom's friend Sean for like 8 years in a row). I'll never forget playing it around my grandma's table.

When Erik first played the game he loved it and we've been playing it at our Christmas Party. For those of you looking for a bizarre, fun, germ filled game to play at your next party here are the rules:

Everyone lines up around the table so only their heads are sticking up. The leader drops a big cotton ball (the kind from a medicine or vitamin bottle) into the middle of the table. Everyone blows the cotton ball, trying to keep it from going off the table near them. You CANNOT block it with you shoulders and if goes out over your head or shoulder or closest to you, you are out. Pretty basic rules.

Here are some pictures so you get the idea.

Everyone is lined up and the ball has just been dropped.

Great action shot, who has more lung power.

And the final round, we play best out of 3 (which is not part of my grandma's rules). This happens to be a re-match from last year. Except this year my hubby actually won.

Thank you to those of you who came to our party this year. We love you all so much are so grateful for your friendship.

Problems

So I have a few problems and since I know there are LOTS of wonderful Moms out there I thought I could ask for some advice.

Problem 1: SOCKS! When I was growing up my mom used to have a big basket that she would throw all the socks into and I can remember my grandfather folding them when he was watching me when I home sick from school. At least a year ago I was wondering why Mom was never able to fold the socks- well it has become more than abundantly clear to me! With 3 kids all near the same size I put 16 socks into the wash and come out with only 3 pairs (usually the ones that don't match any of their clothes). How does this happen to me? What do you do to keep track of socks that all look alike but are different sizes or just don't seem to have mates?

Problem 2: HAIR ACCESSORIES! I'm sure if you are reading this you know that I'm not talking about my own and since I don't own anything other than a plain black rubber band I seem unable to keep track of the numerous barrettes and colorful rubber bands that my flyaway hair girls need. The other part of the problem is they are constantly getting used are horse harnesses or present wrappers. How do you organize these in a way that works?

Love any comments on this!

8 Years

My God given desire is to be united in a covenant before God with you, Erik, not just in the flesh, but utmost in the Spirit, for the purpose of glorifying God. I realize and accept the amazing truth, that only by the grace and power of God will I be able to die to myself with a Christlike attitude, place you above myself, and keep God at the cornerstone of our marriage. By this grace, I, Jerusha, promise to be your faithful wife, to love and serve you as Christ commands, as long as I shall live. Therefore, I commit my entire life, all my love for you, and our marriage passionately to God, humbly asking Him, in the name, which is above every name, to preserve it and use it for His glory.

Thank you, Love, for 8 wonderful years of marriage. Thank you for keeping God at the cornerstone of our marriage.

All God, All Grace, All For His Glory

Product vs. Process

My oldest, dear sweet Karis, turned 5 on November 15th. For her birthday, I've been sewing her new curtains for her room and drapes for her canopy bed. With some health issues going on with Erik I haven't had the time to work on these as quickly as I wanted but I finally finished them! It felt so good to have produced something. I get HUGE satisfaction out of being productive.

As I was reflecting on my satisfaction in my completed job the Lord brought to me a basic problem with my thinking. The role he has called me to has less to do with the product and more to do with the process. It is less about the clean house and more about how it gets clean. It is less about seemingly obedient children and more faithful, joyful mothering.

Genesis 4 gives the lineage of Cain, who murdered his brother. In verses 21-22, we read about those who came from Cain and see they are known by what they do, one who plays the lyre and pipe, forger of bronze and iron. In contrast, Genesis 5 gives the lineage of Seth, who was a child of promise, in verse 24 it tells of Enoch. "Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him." I've long been challenged by these verses. Am I known by what I do, what I produce? Or by whose I am, who I walk with?

In these days with small children it is so easy to get satisfaction from the wrong places. A very wise pastor's wife encouraged me the other day when she shared from Galatians 6:9 "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." She pointed out the emphasis in the verse is not the on the outcome of the good but on the not giving up. How I desire to not give up in doing good. It is only by his grace that any of us with reap the harvest we desire. Peace, rest, satisfaction need to come from Him alone.

Birthday Girl

5 Years Old- Amazing Girl that we just adore!

Photo Credit: Peter Bang, very talented, very godly man.

Grieving

Our dear friends, Dave & Heather's 5 week old daughter, Aliva, went to be with the Lord this past Sunday evening. She was a beautiful little girl that is dearly loved by her family and friends. It is a time of immeasurable grief for them. Please keep them in your prayers in the days and months and years ahead.

My other dear friend Kriscinda, whose son Micah has been with Jesus over a year posted this link on her blog. I thought it was so excellent I wanted to post it here.

And to keep our eyes upward through is time:

How firm a foundation you saints of the Lord
is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He has said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed;
For I am your God and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters
I call you to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow.
For I will be with you,
your troubles to bless,
and sanctify to you your deepest distress.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes.
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”

Aliva with her two big sisters.

October 31st Events

Every year our church hosts a Harvest Party on October 31st. It is a nice event for young kids, they get to dress up and there are lots of games all over the church and you win candy as a prize just for playing. A few months ago I heard they might not have so I started thinking of ways the kids could dress up and bless other people, instead of just receiving candy. One idea I had was to go to a nursing home and give out presents to the people there. It turns out there is a Senior Day Center right down the street from us, connected to the county library. So yesterday the kids dressed up in their costumes and we went to visit the people at the Senior Center and give out candy to them. The Dabbs joined us and it was a lot of fun. We all really enjoyed being able to visit with the Seniors and the kids loved chasing down every person they could find to give them candy, stickers and crafts. I had my camera but totally forgot to take pictures while we were there. I did take some at the library though and then later at the Harvest Party (which did actually take place).

I made this dress for Karis a few years ago and though it was pretty big on her Mercia dressed up as a prairie girl. Her hair was in braids for about 10 minutes, when she discovered it.



This year I made a Williamsburg Colonial Girl Dress for Karis. Jotham was a fireman. That morning he wanted to be a bear but since I didn't have any fur on hand I couldn't make a new costume for him.


The Harvest Party is great for Jotham, lots of throwing.

I just loved Mercia in her bonnet.