Details

Halle in her element

I've been away. I've been living and dreaming and playing...cooking and training my brood and attempting creativity as the inspiration arises. I have missed this place and my sweet friends here! I promise to be more faithful about updating...Blogging is just the first thing to go when life gets hectic and hectic is has been!

Not to be upstaged by her siblings birthday celebrations in previous posts, our Halle became an eight year old at the end of April. We are so proud of her! Here are some details about who this girl is to give you a little glimpse into her heart and mind...
~Each evening before bed our girl writes out a to-do list for the next day and then actually accomplishes all of it! She thrives on routine and schedules and could honestly probably run the show around here if I let her!
~She consumes books! It is not uncommon to find her reading an entire novel in an afternoon. And I'm talking quality novels like "Heidi" or "Stuart Little" or the orignial "Nancy Drew" books. It still blows me away!
~Halle is the family prankster...if you find yourself squirted with water,goo or are stuck to anything...Halle is probably cackling with glee somewhere nearby!
~She is Josh's official assistant on photo shoots, she carries her own SLR camera, is becoming proficient in using Photoshop and is developing her own style as a photographic artist. We are hoping this side career will help pay for college!
~Halle can cook! She loves baking and making stews and soups. She does this independently (which I never realized would happen at age 8!) and her creations taste awesome! Probably because unlike her mama, she always follows the recipes!
~She dreams of being a ballerina and loves her dance classes.
~Halle's favorite colors are purple and gold (and she informs me they always will be, even in heaven).
~Lastly...Halle reads this blog and is begging to start one of her own! I think I may just let her, as a way to journal her own homeschooling studies...I'll let you know so you can go visit!

OOPS

I have no idea how to move the order of posts...but please don't miss this, the picture is just too wonderful.

Three

Jones blowing out his Birthday Candles


Jones is three! We made merry by inviting friends to join us at the River Railway for some runs on the train, eating train cake and sporting some engineer hats and kerchiefs. This boy felt the full joy of his big day as we celebrated him and loved on him. My heart was soaring watching his delight.



Jones Calling out for his Buddies to hop on the Train...ALL ABOARD!


Corban, Jones and Noah Enjoy the Train Ride


Jones and Josh exploring the rails


Jones,
I love your "moves" as you call them, when you dance around in circles and shake with a serious look of concentration. I love how you delight in serving others; how you light up when the girls go first or when you bring the baby a toy to enjoy with you. I love your giggle and the way you carry on and simply can not control your laughter when someone says 'poop'....you bring such a fun-loving tone into our home! I love that you "give knuckes" instead of high fives, that you know how to make hair bands into slingshots and that you threaten to kill the neighbors dog with your wooden sword when he barks at your sisters. I love that buying bullets for your nerf gun is your cheif concern when we are at Target and that no matter what sport you are watching you try to repeat the plays you see.
I love your curiosity and your questions..."Whatcha doing there, guys?" is heard all day long as you observe others. I am amazed at your attention span and the way you soak up great literature! Your love of school lessons in our home and the energy and attention you place on your own "work" encourages the learning culture of our home and brings a smile to my face on difficult days.
I think that the way you are learning how to be a man, by watching and following in the steps of your daddy is amazing. I love watching you model after all he does, from the pomade you put in your hair to what you dress in each day....to the way to simply relish in cleaning the garage....you always remind me that " This is a boy thing, mom."
You are eager to help and protect and I will never get tired of hearing you say "good job, mom " when I am making dinner or folding laundry. God blessed us so richly in giving us a son and in the way he made you. There was something so rich about becoming a family of five when you were born, something so settling about the way we live life together began to emerge. I am thankful for you, son... Happy Birthday.

One

This sweet girl is one. I am beside myself with how quickly this first year of Lael's life has flown by! She is gentle, easy-going, so cuddly and so observant. Recently when the other kids were laughing together in the back of the van, Lael joined in, just to be a part of the group....it certainly marked a change. She is officially one of the crew in her play and interactions. She and Jones talk and look at books together from their beds in their shared room, she is the first to head into a fort the older kids have created and she loves to stand and mix secret recipes with Maia in the play kitchen. She often calls out for Halle when she is in need and loves to be "dressed up" by the big girls. We have discovered a baby sister is the ultimate when it comes to dolly dress-up! Thankfully, Lael is more than willing to participate in the fun!
Whereas it may have overwhelmed Halle to have been around three big kids all the time, Lael thrives on their energy! She glows as she is cared for and doted upon by the family as a whole...she really has stolen all our hearts. Happy Birthday sweet girl...our warm blessing of Spring.

Blessings, Gifts and Provisions

Well over a month ago, I wrote about blessing my husband and you know what? I did. I blessed him with my time. I have been a horrid blogger, but I committed to giving Josh my early mornings and my late nights for dates and whatever he wanted....I actually presented him with a fun blank calendar for his birthday and told him it was his to fill in as he liked. It has been awesome. We have been waking early for coffee (not too often since I hate morning), watching movies, just talking, eating yummy grown up dinners after the kids are in bed...you get the picture. Its been bliss.

There have been a few days here and there when I have wanted to blog or felt guilty that I haven't visited here, but if I'm really honest about it I really don't feel all that bad. And in all this time, my man turned 30! I know, we are babies. We had a "Mustache Revolution" Pary for him, I am not even kidding. It was so fun. We had awards for the men that grew the best 'staches and razors for the guys who well...didn't.

In other news, my kids are growing, we are enjoying our days together learning and reading and playing. Here are some highlights:

-We had a family tie-dye night after studying Joseph and his 'coat of many colors'
-Lael is trying to walk and is getting close! She also popped her two top teeth...and I cried because her smile will never be the same...I know, cheesy.
-Jones started calling everyone "little baby" when he doesn't get his way and we have to leave the room to get out our giggles before we discipline him.
-Halle and Maia are officially ice-skating princesses, they are flying on the ice these days!
-We are reading "The Indian in the Cupboard" and I love the story, but am shocked by the way the characters talk to each other....has anyone else read this aloud?
-We are actually "up to date" on our history timeline...its pretty awesome!
-Josh is gearing up to MC an '80s night fundraiser dance for the youth in our church...haha. Can't wait! We are looking online for the dance moves to Thriller so we can really get down.
-There are tid-bits of creativity happening around here. I am painting again, thinking about some sewing projects and looking at seed catalogues (not neccisarily simoultaneously).
-Josh booked a gig in Denver and we are.....wait for it..... GOING ALONE! Its not until June, but can you even believe it!? I am thinking it might be like this last month has been, just about pure bliss.

Continued

We are in Spokane this weekend enjoying all the snow and most of all some sweet friendships. My kids were just sharing with their friends the whip cream fight mom and dad had late last week...the one that ended with me being pinned down and having whip cream squirted up my nose! They were laughing so hard as they told of the joy they had witnessed between their mommy and daddy. Josh shot me a wink and I saw how pleased he was that they had remembered all the fun we had. Isn't this what its about? We are creating such special memories as a couple and for our kids. I love laughing with them.
So this weekend...my challenge is to find a way to laugh. Do something suprising or silly (like squirting whip cream down your man's shirt) and just laugh...its good for the soul and your man's heart.

Blessin' the Be-Snickers Off...

this guy.
One of my favorite people (that I would love to actually meet someday!) is Debi Pearl. She speaks rather boldly, but her words are always peppered with love and hope. She clearly has fun in all she does,she draws her children into the beauty of a life in Christ and she is crazy about Jesus.This is a quote from her that I have tucked away:
" A wise woman understands that her husband's need to be honored is not based on his performance, but on his nature and his God-ordained position. She learns quickly to defer to his ideas or plans with enthusiasm. She looks for ways to reverence him. She knows this is God's will for her life."
That can really be a big one to swallow. I think the first time I read it, I through my book in the mud. (It actually just kind of slipped out of my hand...but whatever). In hindsight and after nearly nine years of marriage, I know think that there is nothing that has transformed by life more, save for the grace of Jesus redeeming me, than this principle. It is awe-filled and truly the sweetest of mysteries!
The New Year is so full of reflection and resolution and hope for the future. As I think about what I want to focus on in 2009, I mostly want to be about helping my man. I want him to know how wild I am about him, how much I appreciate him and admire him and I want to be generous in how I care for him in my words and actions. I am going to post little challenges each day that I hope will help keep me accountable to intenionally blessing my man and that I hope will encourage a community here that can spur one another on in this. You are all such creative, fun ladies, you are certainly going to have some stellar ideas to share right? Be blessed friends and enjoy your men today!
Since its snowing pretty much everywhere right now...how about just making your husband a special hot drink as a start today. Serve it with a smile and a kiss and if you have whip cream...use it! Happy New Year!

"Every wise woman buildeth her house; but the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands." ~Proverbs 14:1

Focus

This is the beautiful Valley we live in...

Christmas time is over and I am filled up and rested after so many continuous days of celebrating, eating yummy food, napping...life has been rather sloth-like and I feel a huge need to focus my attention again on the year to come. One of the biggies for me this year is being content. Content with where we live, where we play, where we worship...content with all God has chosen to give us. As women, I think that we are often discontent with what we are doing, how we spend our hours and days and how we connect what we long for with what God has for us. It is the desire of my heart to to just be still and enjoy what God has entrusted to me this coming year.

Reading in God's Word what he has for me to do has been a great encouragement for me. I remember when I first starting letting God shatter some of my ideas about what I wanted, I was so pleasantly suprised at the peace that followed. I began to see that what I had longed for all along was what had been prepared for me and I began to be settled and secure in God's plan for me in my role as a wife and mother.

So, for the New Year, this list will be on my fridge, helping me focus and remain content only by the grace that comes from Jesus. I long to focus on what he has placed before me. I pray that it is a blessing and encouragement to you and that you see just how valuable your role is and how much important work has been entrusted to you as well! What a tremendous blessing and responsibility we have before us!

These verse topics are referenced (with much appreciation) from a Mars Hill Seattle Women's Event.

My role and duties entail:
Childrearing~ Genesis 1:28 "God blessed them and said to them "Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it.'"
Training and Teaching Children~ Proverbs 27:8 "She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue."
Making sure my husband is welcomed (and I would add cared for, honored in general)~ Proverbs 27:8 'Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.'
Caring for the Diet and Nutrition in my home~ Proverbs 31:14-15 'She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar, she gets up while it is still dark;she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.'
Stewardship and the mangagement of our resources~Proverbs 31:16 'She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.'
The Clothing of my family(physical and spiritual through prayer)~ Proverbs 31'When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for all of them are clothed in scarlet.' I have found that this is 99% preparation and planning for me...
Home Decor and organization-creating an atmosphere where relationships can flourish~ Proverbs 31:22 'She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.'
Hospitality Acts 5:42 'And everyday, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on preaching and teaching Jesus Christ.'
1 Peter 4:8-10 'Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another...be hospitable to one another without complaint.

Waiting

There is a sweet quiet in our home tonight...a hush has fallen as we wait for snow and dream of Christmas. So much of this season is about anticipation, about waiting. Waiting for the celebrations, the wonder, the gifts. Waiting for our sweet Jesus.

O, Lord, help us to let this hush linger here, help us to quiet our hearts and to wait on you.

Candlelight flickers and the Word on the page before me dances on my lap, leaping to life. The Light of the World takes a breath, puts on this flesh and is here. Let us seek you as we wait before you today sweet Word of life.

Obligitory Fall Photos!

With moving,my blog has been so neglected and yet my cute kids are still getting cuter, so I felt the need to post how we are enjoying my favorite season. So much has happened this fall and we have the pictures to prove it!
Here we are enoying Smallwood Harvest for Shelly's birthday in October...
All the kids and Grandma Shelly

Jones feeding the geese (they come so close to little fingers!)

Jones and Papa feeding the goats

Lael chillin' along for the ride

Jones tromping through the pumpkins

Josh and the kids enjoying the super-speedy cow train ride

We are pretty crazy about my nephew Zeke and were able to celebrate his FIRST birthday with him!

My Sis and Z blowing out his pumpkin cupcakes

Zeke's first sugary anything ever...

Pumpkin Carving

Nothing better than celebrating at Papa and Lala's

These last pictures are from a harvest party with dear friends...we couldn't have had more fun on a great fall day. We enjoyed a hunt for candy, apple dumplings (divine!) and even a bit of nature study. We are beyond thankful for these friendships!

My angel, princess and horse are ready to go!

Showing off their costumes...Doesn't Terri look amazing as the crazy mama who drank too much coffee?

Sweet Maia, Lael and Della-Bee

The whole crew after the candy hunt

Jones and the love of his life, Della

Renae showing off her fall find

Della and MY sweet baby girl... have you seriously EVER seen a baby this cute!

Halle and Daejah enjoy their tootsie rolls

And because you have hung in there so long, here is an hysterical photo of me circa 1967 morphed together by my husband and the great people at yearbookyourself.com. Josh had way too much fun with this! It is shockingly similar to photos of my mom when she actually had these glasses and this hairstyle (sorry,mom). Enjoy the laugh!