Photo Shoot

I had my friend Jonalee take pictures of the kids recently. I was looking for more formal shots and these are perfect. She is very talented and I am grateful to have them.

A Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...Monday, September 22, 2008

Outside my Window...the sun is shining, the weather is a perfect fall day with no humidity.

I am thinking...how nice Mondays are.

I am thankful for...my husband, he is home taking care of the kids so I can have a morning out to read and be refreshed. I adore him and am grateful that God brought us together

From the kitchen...I will lots of dishes to wash over the next few days. Our dishwasher broke this morning and it will be a few days before it is fixed. I am grateful it is still under warranty and I don't have to troubleshoot the problem and fix it myself.

I am creating...baby Jedidiah

I am wearing...Maternity pants- not very comfy, red maternity shirt, black crocs.

I am reading...Real Learning by Elizabeth Foss, an excellent Homeschool Book - I think it is one of my favorites.

I am hoping...the dishwasher can be fixed easily and quickly, the hole in the living room ceiling can be fixed without too much hassle and painting the ceiling doesn't leave a mess on our carpet. Oh and I really hope to take a nap today. :)

I am hearing...the sound of drink being brewed and the typical starbucks soundtrack.

Around the house...two broken dishwashers, hole in the living room ceiling from a tub leak (now fixed), lots to be cleaned and organized but a wonderful family making all these things meaningless.

One of my favorite things...is waking up in the morning and having time to talk to Erik in bed before we take our showers and meet with the Lord. It is a special time that I love!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Appliance man coming tomorrow in the 8 to 5 window. School with Karis all week. Swimming lessons on Wednesday. Visit with Jenn on Friday hopefully. A few Care Groups coming over this week in the evening. A fall nature walk later today (at least I hope).

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

My wonderful children, taken a few weeks ago when we went to a visit Erik's parent and took a walk in the woods. I just adore their smiles and the joy they exude. I am especially loving seeing the "sister" relationship develop more with Karis & Cia. They now sit next to each other in the car and it has helped Cia's joy for car trips, soon they'll be sharing a room.

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.

Potty Training

So earlier in the summer we potty trained Jotham. He has been doing with great with it all. When I first started he wouldn't sit on a potty that didn't have little seat on it, he wouldn't stand up to pee, he wanted things just right, which made going out a bit tough.

But now I'm thinking he is getting a bit too "free" with it all. First he decided to go standing up all on his own, this was great except instead of aiming he would nearly lay across the toilet, holding onto the back to go - but at least there wasn't a clean up issue. Next he decided to sit on the seat but instead of sitting forward he decided to take off his pants and underwear and sit on the potty backward, straddling it. Well the other day he told me he was going to pee like a giant (probably because of his recent obsession with David and Goliath). This is what I discovered...

9/11

Psalm 34: 18 says, The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Today when I was starting our school day I was showing the kids the calendar and writing today's date on our white board- September 11th. Their lives began after the tragic events that mark this day in history. They will never know the intense emotions of this day as those who sat and watched in horror as the events unfold.

Someday they'll be old enough to comprehend the loss of that day. It is my hope that we will not forget and we will be able to train them to understand the greatness of God even through such horrible suffering and loss.

2 Samuel 12:24-25

2 Samuel 12:24-25 records the birth of Solomon, "Then David comforted his wife, Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay with her, and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. And the Lord loved him and sent a message by Nathan the prophet. So he called his name Jedidiah*, because of the Lord."

As I was reflecting on this verse it was striking to me again how the Lord displays his amazing grace. David (and Bathsheba) have just committed horrible sins against the Lord and he not only blesses them with another child but tells them that he loves their son. What an extreme act of showing forgiveness. We truly have an amazing God.

This one of the reason we plan on naming our next child, who we just found out is a son, Jedidiah. A reminder of God's grace extended to us again and again in the face our sin against him.

*Jedidiah means Beloved of the Lord

Quote

The last few days Erik and I have been a personal retreat. It has been such a refreshing and productive time. I've been able to plan for the fall and read lots of books to challenge and encourage me. I read this quote and wanted to share it:

"Busyness is not godliness. God is not impressed with your production capacity as much as He is concerned that the product of your home-your own children-be chiseled and molded and perfected to the best of your ability. You may tire of this mundane task, but the Lord admonishes you not to grow weary and promises to supply the energy and strength as needed in this all-important task (Isa. 40:28-31). God's strength is for what He plans for you to do-not stamina for everything you might want to do!"

The quote is by Dorothy Patterson and it is quoted by Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock in Practicing Hospitality, p. 75.

What a Mother Must Sacrafice

There is a great post on Holy Experience this morning.