simply me

I hang up the phone and pause to contemplate words undeserved, words spoken in admiration but that have left me pondering once again their concealed meaning…

‘Oh, you’re a super-mom, a super-woman!  You’re simply amazing!’

Is this really true?  And what does this mean anyway :: have I somehow reached a status that we as women and mothers are to try and attain?  Who makes these decisions….

My spirit is disturbed at the thoughts shared.   It often rattles me when an outsider receives a peek into our daily routine, our pattern & rhythm of life and makes such a declaration.  I’m not amazing.  I am just simply me.  Just attempting to live out our priorities in a God-honoring way, what feels right for our family.  There are no claims that what we do or how I function works for all, but at times others seem to think so.  While I know how to receive and even welcome compliments, I still cringe :: for I want to inspire, not intimidate.  They receive a message not intended.

It’s flattering and can lead to pride, oh I’ve been there.  When others try to emulate and copy, the heart swells with selfish thoughts leading to an uppity disposition that has trapped so many.  It’s a snare, pride is.  Ugly and unrelenting in it’s trap.  I don’t want that.

 

And yet, I am to be me.  Living out the plans and purposes He designed, trying to be a good steward of the gifts He has given.  Exploring the interests that cause a spark in my mind or heart.  I didn’t ask for these gifts—they do not belong to me ultimately :: and my creative pursuits are wide and many…

but that’s just who I am.  It’s simply me.

While there are many aspects we should hold in common, we’re each to walk in the unique path set before us, to develop our abilities and talents, to share with others the gifts bestowed upon us.  We should not push our own expectations onto others, but neither should we shrink back because others have yet to accept who they are uniquely.  Encourage spirits though, for they only struggle with an ailment common to us all at one time or another.

     

What is the right path for you?  Is it one of quiet in this season or do you sense a wild stampede of ideas, rushing to the surface to make themselves known?  Perhaps this is a time for retreat from previous plans, or on the other hand…it’s time to step forward :: knees shaking, heart trembling but a readiness to pursue & move ahead. 

Dare to be who you were created to be.  Live fully and uniquely to how you’ve been wired.   Really, it’s the only way.  But, for His glory, oh yes….only for His glory.

“Not to us, O LORD, not to us
       but to your name be the glory,
       because of your love and faithfulness.”

                                                                     Psalm 115:1

 

photo: last weekend’s project~homemade tic-tac-toe board for game time fun (idea came from here)

simply me

around the web

Sooo….instead of working on lesson plans for the next day,

or writing down ideas for a health and wellness day our church is hosting next month,

or returning emails,

or doing anything last night that required that I think! ~ I instead chose to wander through some beauty and goodness around the web.  It’s a most relaxing activity (especially with a cup of hot tea in hand).  Go ahead, try it.

:: I seriously want to own this journal just for the cover and also because the paper is completely captivating (I love paper). There’s room in my house for this pillow, so sweet.

:: after our six-year old went into a tic-tac-toe frenzy this summer, I was very happy to come across an idea that will save us a bit of paper.  I’m thinking of it as a Christmas gift, but not sure it can wait until then.  Um, well..first I need to make it.

:: when we’re finished with our acorns on the nature table, we’ll take the tops off and make these!  a cute way to preserve a bit of autumn.

:: note to self ~ use the last bit of summer squash and turn them into ribbon candy; a special way to serve this veggie when company is over :: or just because.

:: as soon as I find the next gorgeous sunset, and I have my camera with tripod ready, and my 3-yr old is being still enough…we’ll try for a shot just like this one.  but that just may never happen.

:: colorful butters and homemade biscuits!  the photo alone makes me hungry. any kind of bread is my weakness ~ I completely blame it on my French heritage.

Alright, enough.  I did eventually finish up school plans and return a few emails.  Replenished my cup of tea and called it a night ~ it was enjoyable while it lasted!

 

photo~a bit of beauty on our table to welcome Autumn

around the web

morning basket

Children scurry, moving quickly through morning responsibilities :: brush teeth, get dressed, make beds and such. We all prepare our bodies, minds, and yes our hearts for the event ahead.

It’s ‘morning basket time’ as the little ones in our home are now fond of calling this daily devotional portion of our day. The oldest girl lights the candles, there is a sense of anticipation and hush {well, almost!} and we begin with prayer. As breakfast around the table continues, we pause to spiritually fuel-up for our day.

Morning basket time has become a special highlight.





The idea is simple. Gather several devotional resources we own, place in a basket close by the table, and use often. What an easy organizational tool! Before, the materials used were around the house on different bookshelves and I often forgot we owned them or couldn’t quickly locate a certain book when needed.

So now we come together, a variety of books at our fingertips and visually available to me often so that I can plan accordingly for our week. We take about a 1/2 hr to complete morning basket gathering. Other times it’s been shorter because we are leaving the house earlier or at rare times it’s been a bit longer. The children have enjoyed more structure to our devotions. I think it has to do with the candles, really :: they’re mesmerized by the light.

Our time consists of:

Opening Prayer~thanking the Lord for the day He has given, usually by one of the children

Focus for the Day reading~I plan ahead and choose a selection for each day. Right now in our basket are these resources, some of our favorites representing the various ages in our home:

• NIV Bible
• Hymns for a Kid’s Heart ~ a great series of song books with the story of how each hymn came to be
• A copy of A Catechism for Boys and Girls ~ did you catch Josiah about a year ago answering these questions? It’s still our favorite video of him to watch!
• Training Hearts, Teaching Minds ~ a bit deeper information on the catechism for our older daughter
• Trial and Triumph ~ church history stories
• God’s Wisdom for Little Boys
• God’s Wisdom for Little Girls
• Names of our Father ~ to encourage an understanding of the various names of God
• A Child’s Book of Character Building ~ a new resource to us that is wonderful! Short stories on a variety of biblical character traits. I appreciate the variety, for example last week we read about diligence in the home, diligence at play and diligence in the Bible.
• The Big Picture Story Bible ~ the children love this Bible! The story of God’s redemption is weaved for them from the fall to Christ’s return. Before this we had not owned a children’s Bible that created this perspective for kids. It reads as one long story, which of course it is!
• Sophie and Sam, When to Say ‘Yes’ & ‘No’ ~ a rhyming text resource, excellent for preschoolers.
• The children’s gratitude journals (photo here) ~ this year I’ve decided to begin our kids on a habit that has truly changed my everyday mindset and attitude :: listing the gifts that abound. For our 3-year old, I’ll write, he’ll draw and the older girls can do their own.
• Windows on the World ~ keeping a global prayer perspective
• AWANA books ~ all three kiddos are involved in this weekly Bible club & we work on memorizing the scriptures

We do NOT use all of these resources every day or even each week, but they are available, reminding me to plan them in. After reading, we continue on with….

Celebrations~anything exciting to report! :: family happenings & such. Or we’ll use this time to work on gratitude journals.

Prayer Requests~ for ourselves or others, praying for those around the world or taking time to pray for the child in India we sponsor through Gospel for Asia.

Closing Prayer~ and blow out the candles :o)

How I love this! A simple tool of placing all resources in a primary location can be used for anyone & for any age group, including adults. Try it out in your home?
  
  
  

morning basket

gratitude

 

for sweet baby cheeks

the first emerging smiles from our newborn

sunlight streaming through windows

homeschool days once again, natural learning opportunities

gratitude always, always for the Word

for the first hints of reds & yellows on the maples outside our home

new books to read, fresh ideas to explore

everyday blessings from little ones :: notes, smiles, kisses & hugs

 

photos of candlelight at morning devotional time :: fresh pages in a new visual homemaking journal

gratitude

another school year

Though the time has already come for many homeschooling families we know, and the big yellow bus has been seen down the street for several of our neighbors' children…our family is gearing up for another school year that will commence {I love that word!} next week. I hope.

That’s just a joke, we really are anticipating a new journey and the unfolding of another year of learning and making memories. This week has been filled with trying out some new routines for the children & implementing new bedtimes and wake-up times~we’re rusty on these! We also worked on decorating fresh journals for our Bible time :: I’ll describe these in another post.

Homeschooling has been such a blessing to our family! I’m not of the persuasion that it’s best for every family unit and we did not always think this path was the right one to travel. Now, I describe homeschooling as God’s provision for us, the manna that will sustain the type of family life we desire to pursue in the middle of also trying to live out other visions God has ordained. Bread from His hand, truly.

Our responsibilities stretch us and require quite a bit from both my husband and I :: yet we enjoy abundant, rich family times and what I would describe as strong relationships with our children. Sure, we are improving and growing as parents, but I have very little regrets when it comes to time with our kids—they are a priority. I’m not bragging, just explaining how homeschooling has fit so nicely into our lives. We have lots of time together and flexibility to work around Dad’s schedule so that field trips or outings can include him as well.

Oh, don’t get me wrong…it’s hard work. Anything of great value requires sacrifice; isn’t that just a principle of life? Yes, it’s at times an overwhelming pursuit and journey, but I’m simply blown away by the rewards we have experienced already.

So here we go into another year!

another school year

this boy

  {The bottom picture is at 3 weeks old}

Alright all of you far away family members, I hear you loud & clear :: more pictures of this boy!  So here we are!

this boy

one step at a time

Yep, that’s my motto in these early baby days! “Just do the next thing…”

I’ve found myself very grateful for all of our efforts over the last few months to organize home life and ministry life so that we could take a break. To prepare homeschool plans and think through our fall schedule way ahead of time. It’s been completely worth it as all of August has been spent staring at little baby toes, kissing chubby cheeks, and taking hundreds of pictures. Literally. I love digital cameras.

The bliss of an unscheduled month has made postpartum recovery a smooth transition. I have rested, enjoyed other’s cooking, allowed extended family to help with cleaning and our older children, rested more and only left the house maybe three times? Wonderful, I tell you….wonderful.

Of course, that’s not always going to be my reality. The month of ‘nothing’ is coming to a rapid close. But I feel ready :: it’s time for the structure of ‘school days’ and the rhythmic routine of our weekly activities. And it will all start to ramp up next week and be full-blown after Labor Day. I’ll have to remind myself of the ‘one step at a time’ motto often I’m sure.

Until then, there’s a few more days of this month yet to enjoy and soak up :: to savor in the fullest. In fact, let me get to that right now….

one step at a time

still green!

The 30 day challenge continues, I haven’t missed a day and am loving the concoctions that we dream up {I’ve hooked two kiddos onto this!}.  Mainly my smoothies are made of bananas, pineapple, a peach, apple or pear, water and lots of romaine.  This week I’m using baby spinach and also added ground flaxseeds—so far I haven’t felt the need to add any sweetener such as Stevia or agave since the fruit is enough.  Oh, to be able to eat fruit again…Yum!

still green!

going green!

I am sooo very excited about a new health promotion that I’m participating in for the next 30 days! The green smoothie challenge (click picture above for the link) is a call to add to and also eliminate from your diet. The basic outline is from today until September 17th to ::

• drink at least 16 oz. of a green smoothie everyday (a mix of fruits and a green leafy veggie such as spinach, romaine, swiss chard, etc)
• add a green salad to lunch or dinner daily
• stop drinking all soda (not a problem, I don’t drink it anyway)
• stop eating white sugar (having gestational diabetes the last 10 wks of pregnancy gives me a head start on this habit)
• do some sort of activity daily (exercise, walk around the block, etc. I’ll take this very slowly since it’s only been two weeks postpartum, rest is more important right now)

Paying closer attention to what I ate over the end of the pregnancy really had me thinking about new habits I’ve adopted and would like to keep as part of an ongoing need to care for myself. I’ve visited Happy Foody before, but hadn’t been to the site in quite some time and wanted to look up smoothie ideas & recipes. Imagine my surprise last week when I saw that the ‘green challenge’ started today! How perfect.

So for only the second time in two weeks, I got in the car, left the house…and loaded up on some fresh fruits and salad fixings for the week. My excitement is contagious to at least two other family members who joined me today for my first smoothie of fresh pineapple, blueberries, kiwi, an orange, and romaine lettuce :: it was delicious and really just tasted like pineapple. These kids love smoothies!

Taking care of myself, or more specifically my overall health, is part of a bigger picture of some thoughts that have been tumbling through my mind this summer :: hope to write more about that soon.

Think of joining the challenge!

going green!

fabric giveaway!

If you like fabric and pretty ones at that, then get thee over to this fabulous giveaway happening at I Have to Say blog. Randi is getting rid of some super cute fabric remnants.

And if I win, you'll be hearing about it until Christmas I'm sure!

fabric giveaway!