Kaps Kids

Mothering Moments: "I wanta be a friends mama"

2012-01-24T16:44:00.001-06:00

Those were the words thrown out by my 3 year old this morning after I somewhat harshly told him to stop jumping on me while I vacuumed.

Eluwhoo was busy doing dishes, Gman was busy picking up books, and Cbelle was ... hmmm, playing in her room?

Wyatt was without a job and therefore, wanted to "play" with me while I finished the vacuuming.

I'm thrusting the dirt eater around the living room and every 5 seconds there's this 32lb stringy beast landing on my legs and clinging to my waist.

Child, off!

Is what I'm thinking.

I said a few:

Superwy, no.

Superwy, stop.

No, son.

So then there was:

SON! Stop jumping on me!

Tears.

Sadness.

A boy, sucking his thumb on the stairs, cuddling his blanket.

A few minutes pass and I hear:

"Mama, I wanta huuuug.

I wanta be a friends mama."

I actually laugh when I hear him.
I responded with,

"We are friends, son."

And then I'm sad.

I realize there are a couple things in what my little superman said.

The first is that our children want our friendship and they will push us to give it to them. If we give in and give them friendship without parenting, it will be to their detriment.

I am not called to be my child's friend, I am called to be his mother.

A mother first, always.

So many parents now seem to think that they can be their child's best friend and focus on that relationship more than the relationship of the parent to child.

We are our children's parents for a reason.
God designed the family system for a reason and with a purpose.

A big part of that purpose, I believe, is to provide our children with an environment where mom and dad teach them, train them, discipline them, and disciple them.

Not be their best friend.

The second thing is that I realized in that moment that my child was calling out for relationship with me.
Right then. At that moment.

That calling out didn't mean that I needed to rush to him and apologize up and down and just hug him, though it's easy to think that.

Just like we cannot be friends without parenting, we cannot parent without relationship.

So what this moment meant was that I needed to go to him, hug him, apologize for being harsh, and then explain to him why he needed to stop jumping on me.

I needed to restore the mother-child relationship.

So we did that. And then I asked him to obey, and he did.

So often, we move from one task to the next and disregard the need to repair the relationship with our children.

I could have easily finished vacuuming, moved on to dishes, and then on to blanket time without taking a moment.

I could have responded with my,
"We are friends, son."

And just left it there.

But what would that have accomplished and what would I have missed and messed?

Don't let yourself only be a friend to your child without being their parent and don't parent your children without a healthy parent-child relationship.

Spend time building a healthy relationship with your children even when it's easier to do the opposite. You will win their heart and will be able to turn that heart right back to Christ.

What a beautiful thing!

I'll be trying right along with you because heaven knows, I need to keep trying.

Eat: Pancakes here! Come and get your pancakes!

2012-01-01T21:57:00.000-06:00

We love pancakes in this house.
Pumpkin pancakes, chocolate pancakes, cinnamon pancakes, banana bread pancakes, oatmeal pancakes, plain pancakes ... ohhhh pancakes.

So over the last two weeks we tried 2 new pancake recipes that were both huge successes and tonight I'm going to share those recipes with you!

Lucky, lucky you.

First up, chocolate brownie pancakes.

If that name itself doesn't send you into a tizzy, I don't know what will.

What makes this even better?

Oh, their clean eats!

The original recipe is actually a waffle recipe but since we don't have a waffle maker I took her recipe and made pancakes instead.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 cup raw cacao powder

1 tbsp. baking powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. real salt

1/4 cup wheat germ (I used raw wheat germ, but any kind will work)

1 3/4 cups almond milk (you can also use non-fat or low-fat milk)

2 ripe bananas

2 whole eggs

2 tbsp. coconut oil

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 tbsp. honey

Directions:

Step 1 – Place a flour sifter in a large mixing bowl, and place all your dry ingredients, except for the wheat germ, into the sifter and sift.

Disclaimer: I didn't sift my ingredients because I don't have a sifter. Oh, snap!

They turned out great nonetheless.

Step 2 – Add your wheat germ to the bowl and blend well with a whisk.

Step 3 – In a separate bowl, mix all your wet ingredients. I used a hand blender to blend everything into a smooth liquid.

Step 4 – Pour your wet ingredients into your dry ingredients, and blend with a whisk. Don’t over mix, but do get out any clumps you see.

Step 5 – For waffles: pour a little in at a time. Use a spatula to help it spread. You don’t want to go to heavy, or you’ll end up like me with batter oozing out the sides. Less is more here. Trust me.

For pancakes: same rules apply, less is more. I used a 1/4 C measuring cup to pour the batter onto the griddle.

Eat and Enjoy!

My children each ate 3 and asked for more and I had to cut them off! They would have eaten all 19.

. . .

Alright, so the next morning, after your delicious brownie pancakes, you may want lighter ones.
These cinnamon pancakes with cinnamon honey butter will be just right!

Cinnamon Pancakes:

Ingredients:

2 1/2 C Flour

3 Tb. Cinnamon

1 tsp. Baking powder

1/4 tsp. Salt

2 Eggs, beaten

1 tsp. Vanilla

2/3 C Honey

1 1/2 C Almond milk

1/4 C Coconut oil

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, mix the first 4 ingredients. In a medium bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients. Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients; mix well. Using a 1/4 C measuring cup, pour batter on hot, greased griddle or frying pan.

Flip.

Top with cinnamon honey butter.

Eat.

Swoon.

Repeat.

Cinnamon Honey Syrup:

Ingredients:

3/4 C Honey

1/2 C Butter

1/2 tsp. Cinnamon (you could do more. I would have liked it better with about 1tsp.)

Heat all ingredients until combined. Serve warm.

Droooooool.

I wanted to eat all 16 of these pancakes. They were to die for.

Eat: Cinnamon Sugar Almonds

2011-12-31T00:07:00.000-06:00

I promise, I'm getting close to the end of our Christmas craft posts!

One other thing we made for Christmas gifts this year was cinnamon sugar roasted almonds.

De-lish, these are.

And easy peasy!

I got the recipe here.

We started with Emma whisking an egg and water. The recipe says egg WHITE but I wasn't reading thoroughly that day and used the entire egg.

Oops.

They still tasted great!

Add almonds and stir to coat.

Mix together remaining ingredients then add to almond mixture.

Stir to thoroughly coat.

Pour almonds onto baking sheet lined with parchment.

Roast at 250 for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes.
Yum.

Package and give away for tasty gifts or be selfish and just devour them yourself.

Not that I would *ever* do that.

Christmas Crafts Galore continued ... again ...

2011-12-30T23:49:00.000-06:00

Some other things that we made as gifts this year were finger paint, pumpkin spice body scrub, and brown sugar coffee body scrub.

The finger paint was really fun and easy to make and looked like pudding!

All you need to do is:

Combine:

3 Tb sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 C corn starch

2 C water

in a small saucepan.

Warm until mixture starts to thicken. (This took a lot longer than I thought it would. I started with the heat low but then moved it up to medium and whisked more frequently and that sped things up considerably. I recommend removing the mixture when it's a little thinner than you want for the paint because it thickens more as it cools.)

Cool.

Pour in containers.

Add food coloring for desired colors.

Enjoy!

Our red looks a bit too pink because we ran out of red food coloring!

Aren't they pretty though? I love them!
And they're safe to ingest so if you have little ones, like I do, that still test everything with their mouths than these are perfect for you.

We also made Pumpkin Spice Scrub as well as Brown Sugar Coffee Scrub.

Both also super easy but awesome to have around.

The Pumpkin Spice smells amazing!

The Brown Sugar Coffee scrub also smells amazing AND I love the oil content in this one. It feels amazing in the MN winter.

Pumpkin Spice Scrub:

2 C Brown Sugar

1 C Granulated Sugar

2 Tb Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 C + 1 Tb Sunflower, Safflower, or Olive Oil {Almond Oil is also wonderful}

I also added a little bit of Vitamin E Oil

Mix all but the oil and get the lumps out.

Add oil and mix.

Close up of the Pumpkin Spice

The next one was the Brown Sugar Coffee scrub.
This is a recipe that I adapted because I wanted to add the coffee. :)

Me and my coffee.

Gotta have it, even in my bath scrub.

The basic recipe is:

1/2 C brown sugar

1/2 olive oil

1 tsp vitamin E oil

1 tsp essential oil {I used lavender}

1/4 C coffee grounds

I doubled this recipe to fill a pint size jar.

We had great fun making these! Emma thought it was a splendid Christmas activity complete with "spectacular" Christmas music!

Character Counts: Self-Control

2011-12-20T12:58:00.003-06:00

I'm trying to get my big bum in gear for January.

January officially starts our homeschool adventure.

January? Yes, January.

Because I'm a slacker and have 4 very small children and worked an insane amount over the summer and fall and couldn't keep my head on straight, let alone my many ducks in a row.

Sounds like a bunch of silly excuses doesn't it?

I know.

It partly is. And it's partly the raw truth.

So, since I've fallen off ... er, dropped? Yes, dropped or thrown or completely lost the proverbial ball and have not been keeping us in routine and definitely have not kept up with daily Bible time or character training ...

I am attempting to get those all back in swing.

Here.
Now.

Today.

Today we studied Self-Control and will continue to for the rest of the week.

I get my character training tools and tips from my wonderful friend
and mentor Kim D.

She gave me all her character tools many years ago and believe me when I say,
they are invaluable.

So, you being able to get her book now (it wasn't available back then) is a great deal!

You can find it here.

There is also a tab to order it through the mail. Or if you are a local here in our frozen (or not so frozen) tundra, just e-mail me and I can hook ya up. Boom baby!

One of our every day ways of practicing self-control is blanket time.

Self-Control:

Controlling my actions, attitudes, and words so they do not control me.

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty.

Proverbs 16:32

What the Bible says about self control:

Proverbs 25:28: Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

2 Peter 1:5-6: For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

1 Thes 5:6: So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.

1 Timothy 3:2: Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Titus 2:12: It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

1 Peter 5:8: Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Thoughts on self-control:

"As I read nearly twenty verses on self-control, I realized that self-control affects nearly every aspect of our lives. From eating to exercising, from working to entertainment, from shyness to boldness; everything is affected by our choosing to be self-controlled or self indulgence. In this world of comfort seeking and thinking we deserve the best, self-control is not honored, but God's ways are not man's ways and He highly values a man that practices self-control."

How to train your children in Self-Control:

1) Practice sitting and not moving. Start with 15secs and slowly progress up to 5mins.

- Leave the room but keep one eye looking.

- Allow other children to make distractions without touching the child sitting.

We practiced this one this morning. I had all 3 older children take a turn sitting on the chair. Then the rest of us (me included) ran around, jumped, danced, sang, yelled, whispered, talked in silly voices, and crinkled wrappers. The child in the chair had to remain sitting, paying attention to only the picture on the wall and not engaging with the others.

2) Throughout the day have the child stop (freeze) and do it immediately.

- May reward them at first and then just expect them to obey.

- Goal is to stop without one more stop or them looking for reason.

When we do this we make it fun and I let them run around and be super silly and then they need to listen for my voice very, very carefully.

3) Eat in front of children, don't always have to let them eat what you're eating. Say no.

4) Teach them to not ask for things that seem "normal": food at a friend's house, stickers at the Dr. office, sucker at the bank, treat from anyone, etc. Teach them that they may accept when it is offered but they are not allowed to EXPECT them.

- Role play what is and isn't ok.

5) Do not allow them to run in church, in parking lots, or in stores.

- When you pull into mentioned places remind the children why they are not to run.

6) Do not scream. Only for danger.

7) Do not yell in anger. A quiet voice is a sign of emotions under control.

- When child fails have them redo it correctly with self-control.

8) Explain that some attitudes to control are: fussing (pouting), jealousy, sadness, pain, screaming, running, biting, and pinching.

- Talk through scenarios and how they should act and how they can control themselves.

- Teach them what TO DO, not just what not to do.

9) When a child lacks self-control, think what does he/she hope to gain and make sure you do not give it to them.

10) Be sure your own emotions and actions are in control when training and correcting children. Be quick to apologize and seek forgiveness when you blow it.

11) Never change your mind if a child fusses. Tell them, "I may have reconsidered but now I can't because you fussed." OR "Because you received my 'No' with joy, I have the freedom to change my mind."

We also make it really easy and tell them flat out: "You do not get what you fuss for."

It makes it simple and easy.

12) Practice church, wedding, and funerals. Discuss what will be allowed and what won't.

Tell them how to get your attention and why. Explain that we do not want to be a distraction to others and that talking, climbing, swinging legs, etc is pulling others attention away.

Make a special way/sign for them to get your attention when in these situations and practice.

13) Fussing sounds sour. Use a small squirt of apple cider vinegar to illustrate that they sound sour and tell them you want them to sound sweet like honey.

14) Teach them to change their thinking, to fill their thoughts with something good.

15) When teaching very little children "no touch" or "no throw" apply a swift sting to the hand to associate the word "no" with pain and something to stay away from.

16) Praise, praise, praise, and praise some more when they do show self-control.

17) Prepare child for time when "everyone" else is doing something they shouldn't do.

Ie: jumping on bed, running in church, eating treats, throwing rocks, watching certain movies.

18) Talk about the Bible verses and how a person without self-control, (namely can control their anger) is better than the mighty!

Everyone wants to be mighty in some way; relate to your children and how they want to be mighty and that self-control is more valuable to God then that mightyness.

A mighty football player, a mighty soldier, a mighty pirate, a mighty dinosaur, a mighty princess, a mighty dancer.

Manic Monday: Christmas Crafts Continued!

2011-12-19T22:43:00.000-06:00

Alright, on to craft number two: salt.

Salt? You say.
Yes, salt.

Seasoned salt and Italian Herb Salt.
Ohhhh the deliciousness.

You can taste it can't you?

It's glorious!

This is Seasoned Salt. The original recipe I found here. It contains both salt recipes.

Superbly easy and definitely tasty with no added fillers or gunk. At least, depending on where you get your spices!

Seasoned Salt:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Kosher salt

1 Tbs. fresh ground pepper

2 tsp. paprika

2 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. ground red pepper

Instructions:

Stir all ingredients together.

Makes a 1/2 pint jar.

Exhausting and labor intensive right? Right.

I know.

Isn't it pretty?

Next up, Italian Herb Salt. This one, oh, it smells divine.

Italian Herb Salt:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Kosher salt

4 Tbs. oregano

4 Tbs. basil

4 Tbs. thyme

1 Tbs. crushed red pepper flakes

1 Tbs. fresh ground black pepper

Instructions:

Stir all ingredients together.

Makes 2 jars, 1/2 pint each.

Again, so labor intensive. How we will fit this into our day?

This, this is the kind of recipe I love.

Ingredients I always have on hand and 2 steps.

Bada boom, bada bing.

To take this to the next step, I added personalized labels to the top.

Secured with my handy homemade modge podge.

I got the labels free from a free printable website! Score.

These will be modge podged onto the body of the jars themselves to label each salt.

Also a score from aforementioned website.

I will be sad to give these ones away because they are oh, so tasty!

Manic Monday: Christmas Crafts Galore!

2011-12-19T17:27:00.000-06:00

I have far too many blog posts in my head and far too little time to get them all out! So today's blog posts will just be about crafts I've taken on for this Christmas season.
Most of them Pinterest inspired, of course, because I am thoroughly addicted to Pinterest.

Craft One: Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix & cookies

We made these for our neighbors and plan to bring them over tonight along with homemade tags.

Bags of cocoa and cookies ready to go!

"We hope that you are able to experience the unconditional and unending love of Christ this Christmas."

Very fun jar packaging. I'm in love with this. I want to keep it for myself and display it for all the world to see.

From the Kitchen of The Kapala Family

This was a hybrid cocoa recipe of this recipe and this recipe.

I also made this today to attach the homemade labels:

I found this recipe here.

I am thoroughly enjoying a time right now of having no photography projects or work because it means I have time to do all this!

A Wise Woman Vision Forum Giveaway!

2011-11-25T15:43:00.001-06:00

This is going to be something I am pretty ecstatic about!

Vision forum is, by far, my favorire resource for Christian books, homeschooling resources, vintage and classic toys, as well as much, much more!

If you've never checked our Vision Forum you need to NOW.

If you have children you NEED to check out the awesome toys they have! Seriously. We just ordered some fabulous stuff because they're running their Black Friday sale where you can buy 2 of anything and get 1 free of anything!

So, the point ...

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home blog is promoting a Vision Forum giveaway and I am spreading the word!

The A Wise Woman blog is another amazing resource. Not only for giveaways and ideas and resources but for amazing, God-centered, Biblical encouragement for wives and mothers.
There always seems to be something in each post that speaks to me and hits me where I'm at.

So ... needless to say, I am STOKED about this giveaway!
Go check it out!

Wednesday Wanderings

2011-06-22T16:45:00.000-05:00

It's a wonderful wandering type of Wednesday.

A day to wander ...

through the Word

through some books

through some pictures

through some thoughts

Here are today's wandering thoughts ...
- I've been wondering the last two days about why, when I read aloud to my children and 10 in the morning, am I fighting nodding off in the middle of the story? I suppose I should probably go to bed before midnight if I insist on setting my alarm for 5:48am. Yes, that's the actual time it's set for.

- How do I go forth trying to organize and de-clutter when I feel like we just did that and yet we still have shelves overflowing with things and boxes and bins already full to the brim. And with so very little actual storage space to store necessary items?
I would very much like to throw everything outside and really see what we need and don't need.

- I have consistently had my carpets vacuumed once or twice daily for the last 3 weeks and I'm digging it.
A lot.

- I'd really be pleased if I could dress the way I imagine a 26 year old should dress.

- I very much miss my daily walks and the prayer time that they created.

- There's this amazing giveaway going on at Soulographer that you should definitely check out. Especially if you are a photographer and if you ever have a desire to photograph children - she (Skye Hardwick-Edmonds of Work of Heart Photography) has a beyond amazing workbook that she is giving away 3 copies of this week!

- I have this strong desire to paint my toes in bright orange and fuscia but then I look at the price of nail polish and say, "Forget it!"

- I'm struggling with mothering and it feels never ending. I feel like I can't get a handle on my own issues - impatience, inconsistency, and reactive parenting.
I don't want encouraging words or those, "this too shall pass" words of comfort.
I want a kick in the butt.
The kind of kick that comes from someone looking into the daily life you're living and being able to tell you what exactly you need to do and to be there to say, "Is that the right choice right now?"

- And lastly, to embody how I feel lately,
"I can't stop drinking the coffee. If I stop drinking the coffee I stop doing the standing and the walking and the words putting into sentence doing."

Happy Wednesday.
I hope you let yourself wander just a bit today.

The Wyatt Saga continues ... part 100?

2011-06-21T22:48:00.001-05:00

Satan uses every opportunity he can.

He's like the CEO shark of the underworld.

He takes the little moments when we weren't watching all of our children and they creatively found something to occupy their time to pick at the wedges in our hearts and the rifts of insecurities in our mothering skills that are in our souls.

Satan was at work in this house today,

and at work in my heart.

While I had a productive conversation with my eldest my third child decided to creatively occupy his time with blue shampoo.

An entire bottle of blue shampoo.

All over the carpet.

That's the blue shampoo. Can you see it?

And that ^ is what happens when you try to clean it up.

Days like toady make me question a lot of things.

Things like:

What is God's purpose for me in raising Super Wy?

Why do we continually go back to the same struggles?

How is it that I can be having a very fruitful conversation with one child while another is down the hall reeking all sorts of havoc?

How is it that I can "know" the right way to do things and yet I act and react in all the wrong ways?

Where is God's joy and patience and calm when these incidents happen?

How does God continually give grace ... over and over and over ... ?
I can't even seem to muster it enough for my children.

And this is why we are cautioned against the rulers and authorities of this world and warned that Satan is like a roaring lion, preying on us when he can.

What a great schemer he is, using our weaknesses and our weakest moments to drive wedges between us and our Creator.

The Creator who watches our every movement and thinks,
"I'm here, precious child. Right here. In the middle of this mess."

Today He gently ... oh, who am I kidding? ...

He smacked me over the head with a 2x4 and reminded me that:

I need Him

His life-breath, His joy, His patience, His strength, and His forgiveness

I need to be clothed in Him

He loves
He loves me. Oh, how He loves me. The depth, width, and breadth of His love are beyond all my human understanding so all I need to do is remember that I'm wrapped in it. I'm drowning in it.

I have amazing friends.

Friends that breathe grace into my life, reminding how God loves and forgives and wraps me in His arms

Arms full of grace

Shampoo is really hard to get out of carpet

Seems like it should be really easy, right? It's not.

I don't much enjoy days like today when it takes a smack in the face to be reminded of how desperately I need my Savior. It often leaves my face tear-streaked and my heart feeling a bit broken.

But what a great relief it is to know that He picks up the pieces and bit by bit glues me back together.

Lost in Loneliness

2011-04-13T20:38:00.003-05:00

Standing on the brink of a rust colored abyss seeing above you a vast expanse of blue, below you straight rust walls that drop parallel, sharply crashing into one another miles beneath.

Photo Credit

You hear rippling in your ear as the warm water washes over your body.

Your hair swishes back and forth and the smell of salt tickles your nose.

You are caught up, the boundless sea surrounds you and engulfs you in its emptiness.

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.

Your hair gets whipped by the crisp wind as your cheeks blush a soft shade of rose.

You look out ahead of you and breathe in the essence of leaves, they've left their aroma all around.

The snow laced road reaches out before you.

Long. Winding. Desolate.

Empty.

Photo Credit

When life wraps you up in an empty hold, void of energy, of warmth, of breath,

of life.

I find it hard to catch my breath.

Hard to look beyond myself.

My voice is booming within me but nothing resounds on the outside.

I know this isn't the truth.

I know His words pierce this place I've found myself in.

But I can't see His light.

Photo Credit

I reach.

I dig.

I claw.

I strain.

He whispers ...

I am with you

always

I never leave

never

I never forsake

never

Come to Me

rest

You are My treasured possession

forever

I breathe.

I listen.

I inhale His presence.

He fills me.

And I pray,

Lord, meet me here tomorrow ... please.

Project 52: Week 14: Emotion of Life

2011-04-12T16:55:00.000-05:00

Oh yeah! It's another self-portrait week!
I don't like selfies because I don't like me in pictures.

But, I had great fun with this one.

For starters I had amazing locations to work with!

Add to that awesome light, a favorite outfit, and a fantastic assistant (Eluwhoo) and it was so much fun.

So the assignment was:

A self-portrait that somehow portrays the overall emotion that is characterizing your life right now.

I'm going to show you the pictures first and see if you can guess what I'm feeling.

What emotion do I have?

This was probably number 3 in the running.

Runner up. I LOVE this location. Are you kidding me?
It's freaking fantastic!

And the winner is:

I'm in love with it.

How did you do?

Can you see what I'm feeling?

Here's what I was going for:

Peacefully content in this beautiful mess.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Project 52: Week 13: Public Restrooms

2011-04-11T21:14:00.000-05:00

Yes, you read that right.

Our week 13 assignment was public restrooms.

No restrictions, no guidelines, no boundaries.

I had this idea almost the second I read the e-mail.

But it would involved a lot.

Models will to pose for one.

Models willing to pose in formal wear for two.

Models will to pose in formal wear in a public bathroom for three.

Ohhhh yeah.

Thankfully, I have stellar rock-star-esque friends.

Here's what we did:

Second runner up

First runner up ... it's a little steamy ...

Actual submission!

It was definitely a fun shoot!

Project 52: Week 12: Up Close & Personal

2011-04-03T21:48:00.001-05:00

With everyday life.

The assignment:

take a picture of something you use/do/see everyday in a unique or different way

I had two ideas and because of the craziness of our life and 3 weeks of stomach viruses it was a quick snap with not a lot of creativity.

Idea 1: washing machine because it's as exhausted as I am!

Idea 2: crochet hook as I have been learning.

Idea 1: actual submission: washing machine

Idea 2: crochet hook:

I know this is waaaaaaay late ... but I submitted it on time, lol!

If you're wondering where week 11 is ... it's on my photography blog because that was better suited to the images from that week.
You can check it out HERE.

Stay tuned because this last week's assignment involved a suit, a formal gown, and a family restroom.

So this is life ...

2011-03-28T18:41:00.001-06:00

da de da daaaaaa

(m hmm m hmmm)

It is what runs through my head as I take in the scene around me:

The water running in the sink, washing out a jar;

a piece of French toast cooking on the stove, with 3 more on the plate;

2 tuna sandwiches on one counter;

4 sippy cups lined up on the other counter;

I fill 3 and go to put the lemonade away only to realize that I still need that lemonade for the 4th, so I prop the fridge door open with my foot, grab the lemonade, fill that last cup, and then throw it back into the fridge.

I laugh at myself and hum.

"so this is liiiiiiiiiiiiiife"

to the tune of that Cinderella song.

I don't even know why that is the song running through my mind,

I haven't heard it in years upon years.

Bread crust in the shape of a "u"

"so this is liiiiiiiiiiife"

letter trains made out of magnets across my bedroom floor

da de da daaaaaaaa

(mm hm mm hmmmmm)

Little toes and fingers that excitedly point to the letters,

proudly proclaiming,

"E, O, R, T, A!"

none of which is correct

"so thiiiiiiiis is liiiiiiiiiiiife"

And isn't this life grand?

Sweet Saturday Mornings

2011-03-26T15:57:00.000-06:00

For snuggles and smiles.

Sweetness and sighs.

Breakfast and blessings.

Blankets and basking in love.

Project 52: Week 10: Self - Freestyle

2011-03-18T11:51:00.001-06:00

So, I'm extremely late on this.

I even missed the deadline for getting to Sandi!

Gah.

I hadn't done that at all up until this last week.

I had gotten every week in before the deadline.

Fail.
I did e-mail Sandi and got it to her the next day but she has a crazy life and didn't have time to throw it in the facebook album.
(Which I totally understand!)

But ... time escaped me. Life took over.

Chaos ensued.

This week's assignment was easy and hard.

Self-portrait: freestyle.

No guidelines

No restrictions

No restraints

No rules

Whoa.

My first and original idea and actual image were a little too scandalous for the eyes of the world! So, it's reserved for the eyes of my man. ;o)

Here are the others I came up with:

^Runner up!^

^Actual submission!^

I lub my books.

I live for little moments ... like this ...

2011-03-11T11:47:00.001-06:00

I've had this blog post in my head since Wednesday but sickness hit us and I have been washing sheets and blankets non-stop since Tuesday morning.

It is now Friday morning and I put load 11 in the washer an hour ago.

I still have 3 to go ...

So, I'm taking a break while the children do room time and blanket time to work on some pictures and get this blog out of my head and into cyber space.

Wednesday.

Wednesday was a great day.

Seriously!

The funny thing?

There was nothing at all spectacular about it, it was just ... normal.

Clara cut a tooth, threw up because of it, so I washed all her bedding.

Then during her morning nap she had diarrhea that leaked and I had to wash all her bedding again.

This in addition to the 3 washes from Tuesday!

She got 2 baths and was all the rage in her penguin towel - blowing bubbles and toddling around.

Because she toddles now.

She's not a baby. She's a toddler.

Which I will never utter aloud. I will forever be in denial.

Emma and I made 2 loaves of bread (sweet bread and English muffin bread) but for a good part of the time she just watched over the other 3 - playing but also helping and I loved it.

And when she was helping me with the bread, the boys were being adorable! They were playing really well together and recreating Toy Story with their Buzz and Woody toys.

My children often rock the "no-pants" look, in case you were wondering.

For whatever reason I just loved it. I felt refreshed and encouraged and thankful. So very thankful.

And Clara ... she just warms my heart.

Her little toddle is adorable and her little butt that sticks out - especially when she's wearing cloth.

And she got new jammies that just make her that much MORE adorable!

See that butt? See what I mean?

She's rocking John Deere jammies AND holding a tractor. Daddy is SO proud.

Maybe she'll marry a farmer.

Kassi, is Callen going to be a farmer? Lol.

Oh, I can't handle the cuteness any more.

* * *

Then later tonight when I was finishing the dinner dishes Emma was making coffee for everyone (pretend of course) and gave me a cup and Wyatt a cup.
Wyatt looked up at me and says, "I can drink da coffee mama?" And while it seems so litte, I think it's incredibly adorable and fruitful that he actually ASKED me for permission to drink the coffee.
So many times their little wills (especially that 2-3 year time when they push as hard as they can) just rear and they don't seem to care what you think or what you want them to do.

Why does that even matter?

The truth? It matters far more than we like to think.

It shows submission to authority.

It shows that he is under my authority and at that moment he was content and happy to be under my authority.

And if I want to make ANY difference in his heart and his life, he HAS to be under my authority.

Not being under authority breeds selfishness, rebellion, discontent, and hard-heartedness.

In that moment, he was cheerfully submissive to my authority.

If I want to hold his heart, I have to be his authority.

He has to know that he answers to me, that I answer to Daddy, and that Daddy answers to Christ.

Build this in your children and you will win.

What a wonderful thing to see in my nearly 3 year old!

THAT is why it so blessed my heart to hear him ask for permission.

So, despite the insane amount of laundry I have been doing, I know I am blessed.

While I may have lost sight of that a bit last night,

I am daily reminded that

God is good

and

I AM blessed.

Project 52: Week 9: Street Life

2011-03-11T10:11:00.000-06:00

This week's assignment was street photography.

I had big dreams.

But reality, well, reality is 4 children 4 years old and younger with a hubby who works late and isn't home until bedtime.

Therefore, my desires and ambitions for strolling around the cities' darker places finding those haunting, intriguing images that I think of when I think of "street life" were not in the cards this week.

And I'm ok with that.

This photography thing is slow paced for me and that's how it should be right now.

So, I decided if I wanted to complete this assignment I was going to have to stage it.

So I dressed the children in old, ripped, ill-fitting clothes and gave them hotdogs to eat by hand, without buns, and sent them outside (in 20* weather) with no shoes, just socks.

Crazy right?

Well, we worked fast and they warmed up inside real quickly. :o)

Here are the images I chose from:

Messy faces, dirty socks, snow, garbage. Close to what I was going for but looks staged.

This was the runner up. I thought it was funny that they were interacting with one another and that Wyatt really wanted to share his hot dog with Emma!

Submission! Who can resist feet? It just felt right to me.

Someday, I'll hit the streets of Minneapolis and capture real street life, but for now, this is great.

The Shame of Fatigue & a Give-away

2011-03-07T08:34:00.000-06:00

I subscribed to a blog called: Raising Homemakers and I love it!

Today there was a beautiful post about the shame of fatigue and the myth that we aren't allowed to be weary if we're "just" working at home.

Of course we'll be weary!

Of course we'll get tired!

Of course we'll get discouraged and frustrated!

That is what brings us back to the cross of Christ.

And it doesn't or shouldn't matter whether we are wearied while building at home or we're out in the work force or in school and wearied from that work.

Why is being home diminished such?

Why is it not worthy of being viewed as noble WORK?

It is HARD work.

Harder than working 9-5 most days, in my, very personal opinion!

I hope to write more on this later but for now I need to mention the give-away on that blog!

Go here: Raising Homemakers

and read the wonderful post about fatigue.

Then, towards the end, you'll get filled in on all the wonderful details of the book give-away:

Joyfully at Home

I'm really hoping to win this, of course, because I know that I struggle daily with my joy - inwardly and outwardly!

Project 52: Week 8: It's a Bug's Life

2011-03-01T09:50:00.000-06:00

Week 8 assignment: a Bug's Life:

| anything from the perspective of a bug |

I went with my first idea this week, though not executed in the way that I was originally thinking.

I wanted a cookie.

A huge, ginormous cookie.

With a bite out of it and crumbs along the floor.

I also wanted you to be able to see a titch of the floor and at least part of the chair leg.

You know, like the cookie got set down and forgotten about.

Why you would ever forget about a cookie, I really don't know, but go with me here, it was what I had in my head.

I was also stuck on this idea that it should be mostly the cookie in view because, well, if you're a teeny tiny bug, then your focus would be this "giant" cookie!

It would be all you saw.

Here were my top contenders for images:

1. You see the cookie as the main goal but the middle crumbs are in focus most.

2. Crumbs are in focus. I'm lookin' at those tasty crumb morsels.

3. Eye on the prize! I'm gettin' that cookie if it's the last thing I do!

4. Up close and personal with those crumbies. This was the runner up.

5. Actual submission!

The only thing I really regret is the processing. I wish I would have edited it differently.

Cheerio!

iheartfaces: submission regret

2011-02-28T15:48:00.000-06:00

I've been recently entering images in iheartface's weekly challenges and this week's challenge is really fun!

It's: Anything but a Face

Where normally you HAVE to have a face in every submission, this challenge you DON'T! It's anything and everything besides a face: heads, shoulders, knees, toes ...

I immediately thought of the following image and submitted it without much thought beyond:

Then I immediately regretted it!

GAH.

Why didn't I take a second to think?

I mean ... I adore that picture.

It's MY kiddos' toes and it's so adorable.

But then I thought of this one and I just thought it would have been so much fun:

Look at that hair! Who wouldn't LOVE that hair?

And then ... ohhhh, then ...

I remembered this one of Emma:

I loved that picture of Emma. Still do. I was learning sun flare and I actually got it!

And the emotion that her twirling and dancing evoked in me was unmatchable.

And then I remembered my all-time favorite Emma picture. Maybe even my favorite picture to date.

This one:

This one gets me.

It stirs my heart.

And I'm REALLY wishing I would have submitted that one instead.

Oy.

No regrets right?

Especially since it's just a photo challenge.

The Wyatt Saga ... Part III

2011-02-23T17:27:00.001-06:00

We've had short breaks in our Wyatt saga but today brought it all back to the forefront!

With Wyatt's curiosity and mischievousness I was confronted with my own laziness and selfishness.

Many times, Wyatt escapes from my view when I am focused on something else:

changing another diaper

making lunch

helping Emma and George

doing laundry

etc

but today, today I was not distracted.

I was simply sitting upstairs with the other three, not paying attention, and not desiring to investigate.

We had two separate incidents today and both brought me face-to-face with my laziness.

This morning Wyatt dumped out a mocha that was left in the fridge and then emptied the 1/4 gallon of iced tea that was also in the fridge.

Of course, he dumped them on the carpet!

I cringed and screamed on the inside. I cried on the outside.

Later, just before lunch Wyatt went downstairs before the rest of us. The older two followed him shortly and I lingered upstairs for just a few minutes. Why? I don't even remember!

Well, he decided he wanted eggs.

I think he ended up breaking 6 or 7 eggs total.

And I cried again.

Partly because I am so overtired, running on 4 hours of sleep, partly because I spent more money on those specific eggs than we usually do (they're cage-free, organic), and partly because I knew it was just a result of me not being present with the children today.

And I am reminded once again that I need the Lord.

I need His joy.

I need His sustenance.

Heaven knows, I cannot do it on my own.

Today seems like such a silly little thing to fall apart about, but I was gone. Pieces all over the place.

Because I'm at my breaking point, at least momentarily.

I know my moments of frustration and brokenness are not any less than any one else's, no matter the struggle, but I do have to laugh at myself thinking of how little this seems!

But ...

HE is all powerful. He is all knowing. He is all seeing.

He knows my every ache - emotional and physical.

He knows my pain.

He knows that I'm reaching that breaking point.

And He wants me to break into Him. To fall into His arms.

I am reminded to:

Let His strength surround me and wrap me up completely.
To remember that the JOY of the Lord is my strength.

We get strength from the joy of the Lord, not the other way around.
So often I think, "God just give me strength." But that's backwards according to the Word.

God wants to fill us with joy, He wants us to seek His joy and when we do, He uses that joy to give us strength.

Am I spending time with Him?

Am I pausing through out your day to dwell on His words, His truths, His promises?

Are you?

Just set your Bible on the counter, open to Psalms, and whenever you're there pause and read a couple verses.
And when you do, breathe a breath prayer out to Him:
"Lord, give me Your joy."
"Lord, heal my home."
"Lord, be my strength."

And now I need to do what I tell others to do.

Project 52: Week 7: Broken

2011-02-23T16:56:00.001-06:00

I don't know if I have words for this week's image. At least, not adequate ones.

Broken.

Broken hearts.

Broken children.

Broken promises.

Broken marriages.

Abhor selfishness. Abhor stubbornness. Live sacrificially and save your homes.

Project 52: Week 6: Vrooooooom

2011-02-15T16:23:00.001-06:00

It's project 52 time again! Though, I'm a tad behind on my post this week.

This last week was all about George. My G-man.

His birthday was on Thursday - the 10th.

He just turned 4 and I can barely believe it!

Well, if you know George, you know he loves any and ALL things that have wheels and motors!

So this week's P52 project was right up his alley:

VEHICLES

Any, all, whatever kind you want, however you want.

First I want you to meet my G-man, if you haven't already.

He's quiet, pretty calm (though it flares if you try to take his car), he's studious, loves reading, and loves all things cake related. He's sturdy and solid, but tenderhearted.

Here's him and his crazy hair:

Here were the runners up for the P52 image:

And here is the image I actually submitted:

It was exactly what I envisioned.

Project 52: Week 5: I Love

2011-02-07T17:30:00.002-06:00

This week's assignment was a self-portrait.

A self-portrait with something you love.

Something you love that is NOT another person.

Hmpf.

I mean, I'm all about doing these assignments, so I will but at first I was slightly perturbed.

My life is all about my God, my husband, and my children.

They are my loves.

The delights of my life, of my day.

So, when I think of what I love, I think of them.

Obviously I have other things I'm passionate, outside of them, but they are my first thoughts.

So while I was able to come up with things I love I was having a creativity block about what to do with it all.

Thankfully, God's given me fabulous friends who talk to me and dialog with me and help get my juices going.

Seriously, thank you Lord, for that!

An idea was given and I took it and ran with it and what I pictured in my head was what I was going to make happen, if it killed me!

I was on a mission this week.

So, my poor children were dragged out (even with colds, yes, I'm *that* mom) and I made this thing possible.

I never knew one single picture could be soooooo much work. Or so much fun!

I won't lie, I'm kind of in love with it.

So, here's my week 5 self-portrait:

The Wyatt Saga ... Part II

2011-02-02T21:48:00.005-06:00

Wyatt's antics have been ... less than desired lately.

You can catch up on a recent day HERE.

That ^ was last Friday.

Monday was filled with purple kool-aid.

All over my couch cushions and carpet.

Tuesday. Well, this way Tuesday:

Wyatt spent the morning in the kitchen with me, "helping" me chop all the vegetables for the chicken noodle soup and put it all together in the crockpot.

Then we all sat and read and did some stickers.

Then we headed upstairs.

Emma was getting ready to take a shower, George was in his room, and I was changing Clara's diaper for her nap. I thought that Wyatt had gone with George and was playing.

Boy was I wrong.

So v e r y wrong.

I found this when I went downstairs, realizing he was NOT in George's room.

This probably goes without saying but I think I was downstairs in .2 seconds.

I had no words.

Then I looked to the left.

And to the right.

No words.

And yes, that's my couch cushion ... without its cover ... because the cover was in the wash from the day before when it was saturated with purple kool-aid.

At this point I believe I picked Wyatt up and just said over and over, "No.No.No.No.No."

It was my mantra as I walked him back upstairs and plopped him into his room.

There may have been an initial, "SON!"

(As in my son, not the other son you're thinking!)

So my living room is painted, quite creatively, with coffee.

You may be wondering how he achieved such streaks and dots ...

he took a wipe and soaked it in the coffee and proceeded to whip it around to make all the fanciful decorations!

And as my friend was helping me stay positive she said, "I bet it smells GREAT!"

It did. Lol.

Today, I can chuckle to myself.

Although yesterday there were expletives running through my thoughts.

::shameface::

And then embarrassment in realizing that if you don't know me very well and only see these little snippets, you may very well think I'm never watching him and never disciplining him.

I don't know if it bugs me more that someone may think that or that I AM doing those things and these are frequent occurrences in our home!

They'll make hilarious stories to tell his future wife, that's for sure.

And on a completely related note, I HATE FLAT PAINT.

Apple Valley Natural Soap!

2011-02-01T22:29:00.000-06:00

Is amazing and fabulous. :)

Really, it is.

Trust me.

Oh, come on, I have a trustworthy face!

Seriously though, if you're looking for an alternative to the soap you currently use (maybe commercial soap that is full of harsh chemicals) then I HIGHLY recommend Apple Valley Natural.

It's a family run business and this family is amazing!

I can say from meeting them personally that they will ensure that you get quality soap with quality ingredients and they will always, always take great care of you as a customer.

My personal favs:

Herbal Salve - we use it on our babe's butts and it takes care of their delicate tooshies.

Lotion Bars - fabulous for these dry MN winters and those rough callouses on my feet.

Pretty much any soap - seriously. They're all delicious.

I love all the shampoo options too, but sadly, we have hard water and I haven't switched to doing an ACV rinse yet... YET!

So enough of my gushing - please check out the FABULOUS give-away over at Life in a Shoe.

The winner of this giveaway will receive abeautiful, luxurious triple soap stack in the flavor(s) of their choice!

Oooooo.

I really want you to check them out but I really want to win this one!

Project 52: Week 4: Motion

2011-01-31T17:33:00.000-06:00

It's Monday and you know what that means right?

Another Project 52 post!

This week's assignment was MOTION.

Capture any kind of motion!

I had two ideas for this and had a hard time choosing because the outcomes were on opposite ends of the spectrum!

One of my concepts was laundry.

I mean, my life is consumed with laundry so that just makes sense doesn't it? Lol.

And We just had lots of fun playing in the 6 loads of clean laundry that were piled onto my bed.

This would have been my choice had I gone with that concept:

Things that I love about this:

- All 4 kids are piled onto the bed which is not uncommon.

- They love throwing the clothes around. I mean, what kid wouldn't?

- Emma and George are caught mid action.

- Wyatt and Clara were both frozen and I like that too.

- It's real.

But I went a different direction. A little more figurative with this one.

I titled it (E)motion.

There's still the capture of motion because I caught the trail of tears, but it's more about the emotion of the image.

This girl. She's got me.

Black and white version:

Actual submission - in color:

It's everything I was hoping for.

As I Grumble

2011-01-31T08:46:00.002-06:00

As I grumble, the Lord tills...

As I grumble about vacuuming the whole house with the hose because the belt is broken and I don't know how to fix it,

He says:

Be thankful you have carpet; you have floors; you have a vacuum.

As I grumble about washing dishes for the 84356th time that day,

He says:

Be thankful you have a dishwasher, a sink, running water, and dishes.

As I grumble about picking up dirty socks and throwing in yet another load of wash, probably the 10th in the last 2 days,

He says:

Be thankful you have a washing machine, you have socks, you have a man who dirties those socks, and children who make laundry more fun.

As I grumble about children who have not napped,

He says:

Be thankful you have children.

As I grumble about missing the garbage man this week and now having an overflowing garbage can,

He says:

Be thankful you have a place to put that garbage and that someone else takes it away for you.

As I grumble about children who have thrown up (eww) or are sick,

He says:

Be thankful you have children. Be thankful you have a carpet cleaner and a washing machine.

As I grumble about harsh words and hurt feelings,

He says:

Be thankful that things will be reconciled, that you have a love that will not diminish or falter. Be thankful you have the hunk you do.

As I grumble about wiping snotty noses, and messy faces and dirty bottoms,

He says:

Be thankful that you have little noses, little cheeks, and little bottoms in your home and in your heart.

As I grumble about the cold and bundling up 6 people,

He says:

Be thankful you have a refuge from the cold.

As I grumble about missing worship

He says:

Be thankful you still have Me and I do not dwell in one building.

As I grumble, the Lord tills my heart.

1 Timothy 6:8:

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Five on Friday: Life With Super Wy

2011-01-28T21:09:00.004-06:00

The Wyatt Saga: Part I
Oh, today.

I failed you.

Today was messy. Literally.

Sigh

So, we're going to go through today with five images ... Wyatt style.

1. I opened Wyatt's door this morning and was blasted with a very pungent smell. And then, then I saw his bare butt run across the room to his bed.

His BARE butt.

He decided this morning he wanted to finger paint. With poop.

Poo on the blinds. Poo on the dollhouse. Poo on the carpet. Poooooo.

Bath #1.

And I found this on the floor:

2. Unfortunately I didn't get to cleaning the spots right away (oh darn), because children were hungry and thirsty and needed clean diapers and clothes that aren't PJ's.

Eventually I did get around to spraying the spot down with carpet cleaner because I got a fabulous new carpet cleaner for Christmas! Absentmindedly, I left the spray bottle of cleaner on the floor in Wy's room next to the actual carpet cleaner itself.

I went downstairs to attend to the other children and forgot about the cleaner.

We all ventured upstairs later and there was much carousing and playing and a wee bit later Emma came to me and asked, "Mom, why is Clara's hair all wet?"

Hmmmm.

Because her brother sprayed her head with carpet cleaner. And then proceeded to spray a bunch on his own head! No eyes were injured in the process but their hair had a nice fragrance to it.

Bath #2. (#1 for Clara)

Before it was over the 2 oz line, now it's below the 1.5 line:

3. Take a break for nap time. Whew. (Where I sandwiched in an engagement session and dropping off a meal to a mama who just had a babe.)
Well afterward, I guess the boy was extremely thirsty because while I was upstairs getting Clara and attending to the laundry Wyatt decided to help himself to something to drink.

Some red Kool-aid.

Yes, RED.

He retrieved it himself from the fridge and proceeded to take off the lid.

I think it was about 1/2 full in the fridge.

He was left with some nice red hands, red feet, and red streaks down his chest.
And he left me a really nice pool on the kitchen floor - one that also splashed onto the stove and the cupboards and the fridge ... and under the fridge (which I could not move as hard as I tried).

We cleaned up the kool-aid and made our way upstairs to throw the towels (2 full size bath towels) and his soaked clothes into the washing machine.

While I did that he decided he was still thirsty. Of course that's because all the kool-aid ended up on the floor and not in his mouth! His aim was a little off.

He found my Caribou cup on the bathroom counter, I found it on the floor.

The red streaks were now mixed with brown ones.

Bath #3.

4. The crazy man who is on bath #3 of the day:

5. And because of the events of the day ... and evening ... it was bed time at 7:45 and I decided I was going to end my night with a drink. :)

I do not condone drunkenness or excessive drinking (obviously) but every once in a while, it's goooooood to have a drink.

And this, this is my FAV for liquor. Kilo Kai: Spiced Rum.

What? You've never heard of Kilo Kai?

Neither had I a few months ago. But it is a wonderful, fabulously tasty drink. Perfect with coke or Dr. Pepper!

Go on, try it.

You know you want to!

Days like today remind me why it's good to laugh - even when I don't want to, even when I feel like crying. Just laugh.

God wants me to laugh.

He gave me Wyatt (I truly believe) to keep me on my toes, to keep me laughing, and to remind me that I need HIM.

Every single day.

So, I praise God for red streaked bellies, matted hair, washing machines, carpet cleaners, bath tubs, and rum. And for coffee tomorrow morning.

That was my Friday.

What was your Friday like?!

Life as I Know it

2011-01-27T15:23:00.002-06:00

A typical day in the life of ... well, me ...

There are typically many loads of laundry I am surrounded by. Currently I have 6 loads that are clean but sitting in piles in my bedroom.

I have another load that is clean sitting in the hallway waiting to be put in the kids' rooms.

I have a dirty load sitting next to the washing machine.

And I have a load in the dryer, running right now.

So ... what happens when you have 6 loads worth of clothes sitting in your room?

This of course:

There is no need for folding ...

because this, this is ...

SO much more fun than folding!

And I am left with carnage and wreckage. This is my life!

The Shape of a Mother

2011-01-26T21:48:00.000-06:00

I saw this today on Facebook by a group/blog I follow:

http://starvingartistink.com/the-shape-of-a-mother/

Can I just say ... wow.

Just wow.

WOW.

And then she talks about it here:

http://starvingartistink.com/living-in-the-glow-of-love/

She says:

"i sent those pictures to a friend first- she asked 'how do these pictures make you feel?'

proud.

oh so proud. i love that body that's cradling that sweet babe. i love that body so much- because i remember a similar picture i took of myself- but i could only see it through a blur of tears. hatred, and ugly words.

oh how it's changed."

Proud! She said they made her proud. I have birthed 4 children in 4 years and I have yet to be proud of what I see in the mirror ... at least, what I see in the mirror today.

And then:

"i'm a mama…
my body is so imperfect and soft and sexy in a different way. in a real way… in a way that my husband grabs me and wants me. in a powerful way that- i carried life, i gave birth, and i nourish this babe. in a way that- i know i look more like you and less like airbrushed images. genuine and honest and imperfectly perfect."

I cried.

Yep, tears baby.

I know that my Creator sees me this way.

I know that He designed my body to stretch and grow and expand as He gently knits a little human being, another new creation, in my womb.

I know that in His eyes I am perfectly beautiful. Stunning even.

So why, oh why, can I not see myself that way?

Because Satan's remarks are louder than God's whispers?

Because our culture has turned the tables upside down and now worships the impeccable, toned, thin body?

Because my insecurities are more pronounced to me than to anyone else?

Oh Lord that I would cling to Your truths, not the enemy's lies.

That I would see my body as You see it - a beautiful, fragrant offering to You and Your will.

Oh that I would be able to have just a glimpse of myself through Your eyes.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-01-25T23:45:00.000-06:00

I don't know if I've ever actually done one of these ... five on Friday, ten on Tuesday, etc. Once I did do "not me" Monday. So, as I was having numerous emotions this afternoon and going through all the things in my head, I thought it be good to just blog it all and get the thoughts out this way.

1. I've been fighting frustration all day today. Frustration related to my work as a photographer. I have a hard time fighting that frustration when I feel like I can't get what I see across to others. I just have to remember that while I want others to see what I see in my images, that's not always the case and art is usually subjective.

2. I have been so off my routine for the last year. Yes, the last YEAR. And it drives me insane! But I suffer from life's chaos mixed with my own laziness and therefore, have not gotten back into a solid routine.

3. I have not seen the scale move in almost 7 months. I have plateaued for a really, really, really long time and I don't know how to get out of it. At least, not right now when we can't afford the changes I want to make in our eating and I can't run to the gym whenever the heck I want to.

When you've lost over 50 pounds TWICE in your life and maintained after losing it ... it's REALLY annoyingly frustrating to not be able to lose 25 pounds. It's also deeply disheartening and discouraging.

4. Emma starts kindergarten in 7 months. Yep, 7 months. And it freaks me the heck out!

5. I am deeply thankful for God's provision and His incredible timing. Just when I was doubting how we were going to make it until Mike got his first pay-check (because there's always that weird transition time), He pulled out all the stops and rocked my socks off!

6. Wyatt has been sleeping laaaaaaate lately and I'm lovin' it! He has, in the past, been the one waking up and running around at 6:15 in the morning. Every.stinkin'.morning.

Since we moved and settled in and separated him and George, it's been 8, 8:30, 8:45, and one day 9:35!

And I mean, he's so stinkin' cute when he sleeps! :)

7. I'm really thankful for the small group we joined this year. We've gotten to know some people that we "knew" before but didn't really know. And we've met some new people too that I'm excited to, hopefully, get to know even better! We weren't in a small group at church last year and I really missed it.

8. Sometimes I cry about the babies I may not have. And that's not a "poor me" statement OR a slight against my husband! It's just this reality that will hit me at random moments that I can't really fight against. I trust God and I trust my man, so in the end, it's all good - but that doesn't always stop the tears! Lol.

9. Shutter Island is a CRAZY movie.

10. I am covered by grace and amazed by it.

I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet SO valued by God that Jesus was glad to die for me.

Project 52: Week 3: Stranger Danger

2011-01-24T16:41:00.000-06:00

Time for another Project 52 post!

This week's assignment:

Photograph a complete stranger.

::gasp::

Really? Um ... I'm a complete introvert ... I don't want to approach a complete stranger! Let alone ask to take their picture. And did we forget? I have 4 children 4 years old and under and it's January in MN and it's been below zero almost the entire week and all weekend! Plus, my husband just started a new job where he works until 7pm every night.

Yep ... excuses, excuses.
I was FULL of them.

And I almost didn't get my shot because it was Sunday night and I still hadn't been able to get out or bring my camera anywhere or I had forgotten because I was distracted by the numerous things above. Lol.

But we made it out and I got my shot! Annnnd I was quite pleased with it.

Here's my actual submission:

And here it is in color because I had a REALLY hard time choosing between the two:

Random Ramblings on a Monotonous Monday

2011-01-24T16:20:00.001-06:00

- Ever wonder about how interesting it is that while most men are chastised for cheating on their wives, seldom is the wife chastised for cheating on her husband, even though the percentages are pretty close?

It's still adultery no matter which spouse it is ... and God's grace covers both.

- I believe in absolute truths and I believe in a righteous God.

- I love, adore, cherish, relish, and delight in the snuggles I get from my babies. Especially this morning - Clara sat in my lap for a good twenty minutes and just snuggled me. It is rare that I have that many moments to stroke her cheek, play with her tiny ears, and pray over her every limb.

- I fail every single day as a mom and it stinks.

- I have a God that bridges the gap between my failings and His perfection and I will never fully understand the grace He gives.

- Coffee is the only reason I open my eyes some days.

- I find it very interesting that some people don't believe being "just a mother" is a worthy use of my life. Whose life will you ever shape more than your child's?

Whose life do you have more impact over than your child's?

I believe there are many other callings besides being a mother, but if you ARE a mother you are called to raise your children.

What does it do for you to disparage motherhood?

- I love polka dots.

Annnd a random image from our day last week (inspired by my good friend Jenna)

This is my life:

A Monday-Tuesday

2011-01-19T08:25:00.001-06:00

Huh? What's that, you say?

Oh, it's a case of the Mondays on Tuesday, that's what it is!

That's what yesterday was for me. Monday, Monday was good! Tuesday? Tuesday was like what you expect Monday to be. Crabbilicious, unproductive, tiring, irritating, you name it.

And it wasn't even "big" things that brought it down. It was just the everyday, mundane, little things that got under my skin and made me itch. They brought with them the attitude of ungratefulness and discontent.

My hunk started his new job yesterday (huzzah!) but starting a new job brings with it stress and anticipation and anxiousness. Not to mention, returning to single parent mothering for 8 hours of the day. ::sigh::

But I'm supposed to be praising God for this job aren't I?

Ok, ok.

I praise You Lord that he has work.

I praise You Lord that You gave him this job.

I praise You Lord that You're choosing to refine me through these working hours and this schedule.

Groooooooan.

I missed my quiet time.

Doh!

Is it no wonder I'm having a case of the Mondays?

I have been sick for almost 2 weeks now and it seems like about every other day I wake up feeling horrid - wheezing, coughing, running nose, etc.

Yesterday was one of those mornings. And because of that, I shut my alarm off and said, "I'm just going to sleep!"

Plus, Cbellebaby had woken up from 1:30-2:30 and was making LOTS of noise.

But when I miss that time in the morning - that time where the house is quiet and it's just me and Him - my whole day is off. And I missed it and my whole day was off.

But we did blanket time and EVERYONE napped! Praise the Lord!

I was productive, contentment was restored, and I spent some time with the Lord, just me and Him.

What a day. Lol. I guess it's pretty typical 'round here.

Project 52: Week 2: Defined

2011-01-17T08:10:00.004-06:00

This Project 52 with Sandi Bradshaw is going to be killer. Seriously, killer. I'm going to pushed beyond myself in my creativity, my insight, my eye, and my skill. I'm already having doubts about whether or not I can do this and do it well.

But why do I have to do it well? I mean, I WANT to do my best but I never live up to my own standards so why do I keep those standards?

I think they need to be pitched, preferably out the window.

I do not have to have profound images every single time.

I do not have to have perfect lighting.

I do not have to have the perfect set up.

I just neeeeeed to let myself be creative. To let myself stretch. Grow. Be pushed.

And forget about it being perfect.

So, this week was good for me.

Our assignment was:

"Black and White Images that show something that 'defines' you in some way...but does NOT include any people. So...something that shows a part of who you are or that is very personally important to you."

An image flew into my mind immediately after reading that. I knew what I wanted. But I had a problem - the shot that I was imagining in my head would be the most amazing if I had a macro lens. I do not.

::sad face::

So, I kept thinking because I wasn't sure how to achieve that original idea without a macro.

I came up with another and this is the result:

If you know me, this says "Diana" to a T. I mean, LIFE NEEDS COFFEE.

Hellooooo!

And this image did push me - I researched and read about capturing steam in a picture and what is the best way to do so.

I don't have a studio with multiple lights I can have go off to create the best backlight, but I worked with what I have and got that image.

I was pretty pleased with it.

But it wasn't exactly what I wanted.

So, last night at 9pm (15 hours left until submission was due) I tried for my original idea.

I whipped out my flash (which I am not skilled at using yet) and configured my set up and just did it.

This is my actual submission:

I'm pretty pleased with this as well.

Not what I wanted entirely. Not what I would have gotten with a macro but it's what first popped into my head when this assignment was given and so I feel it's the "right" choice.

And hopefully, if you know me, you understand why this image defines me.

Maybe I'll write more on my "definition" later. :)

Moodiest of Moods

2011-01-15T17:03:00.001-06:00

It's amazing how quickly the change comes. Almost like it blew in with the frigid air when the front door was thrust open. And my heart turns frigid.

A peaceful moment. A contented conversation. Children laughing, playing, running.

All too quickly the peace has passed, the contentment has been banished, and I'm growing seeds of bitterness and resentment. I'm caught off-guard by the change in climate. But am I, really?

I take a moment to sit; to ponder; to wonder; to discuss.

I realize I have a confession to make. {gulp}

I like to play the martyr.

I like to weigh my sacrifices against yours.

I like to look for those little ways that I may be the one who is sacrificing more, doing more, putting in more effort, scrubbing harder, etc.

Especially against those in my own house.

I often welcome pity parties as old friends, here to help me lick my perceived wounds.

I find myself making lists in my head and counting checks.

And the seeds are watered.

I dwell on my hurts and nurse them a little too long.

And the seeds sprout.

I speak harshly against the accused. I mutter under my breath, words of ugliness. Or better yet, I withhold all words.

And the sprouts grow.

"God, what am I doing?"

The list pounds in my head, reminding me of my "sacrifices".

"Lord, do you see? Do you feel the weight I'm carrying?"

Shhhhhh.

Child of mine. Listen.

I stop. I breathe.

And He gently reminds me ...

How do I look at this child of mine that you are taking up arms against?

"Really? Oh ... Lord ..."

With love.

With patience.

With grace.

With forgiveness.

Yes, child.

And He uses His vessels to push me even further.

"So, how do we rid ourselves of this attitude?"

By thanking Him

By turning these pity parties into praise.

By turning these mis-truths into His truth.

By not allowing the Evil One in to whisper lies in our ears.

By believing in pure and honest motives.

::Sigh::

I am reminded that my pity parties wreak of selfishness.

My sin is just as bad as another's sin because it's all sin in His eyes. He sees it all as missteps and does not weigh one against the other.

I do; not Him.

Turn these seeds of discord into seeds of praise.

And I am pruned by the Master Gardener.

He pulls out the weeds of resentment and bitterness that have sprouted in my heart.

Pour out your heart, child.

Exhale the seeds of sin.

Breathe in the seeds of praise.

Praise Him for friends who can slap me out of my selfish thoughts and turn me back to the Lord.

Praise Him for this life I have and the ones I share it with.

Praise Him.

Praise Him for children, even if they don't nap.

Praise Him for this home, even if it's a blessed mess.

Praise Him.

Praise Him when my heart hurts.

Praise Him when I feel like I carry a heavy load, because I can know He carries it too.

Praise Him.

The Mounting Pile of Dishes in my Head

2011-01-13T23:12:00.001-06:00

I feel like my brain is overwhelmed by thoughts. Thoughts, ideas, convictions, frustrations, prayers, lists, and on and on and on. They have become big piles of dishes in my head. My head is the kitchen and this kitchen is being overtaken by all sorts of piles of dishes.

Some of those piles are dirty. Some are clean. Some are dusty from lack of use. But there they sit, covering all the counters and slowly creeping their way onto every surface imaginable until it seems that there is no room to move or breathe.

The dirty ones, well there's a few categories within "dirty" itself.

There are the ones that were just used this morning and only have a few crumbs or a smudge of jelly. They just need a quick wash and they're set. These are the everyday thoughts, the ones that are always present, the ones that get used everyday.

Did I put the wash in? Did I sweep today? Does Wy have socks on? Did I already change Clara? Etc, etc.

There are the ones that have some remnant of food crusted on and need to be scrubbed a bit before they're clean. These are the ones that are fairly present as well but that the Lord needs to scrub just a bit every couple days.

Have I thanked God today? Do I have joy? Am I disciplining consistently without anger? Have I exercised yet this week? Have I told my hunk how much I appreciate him?

Then there are the ones that are really caked with food. The ones that you have to let soak for a good while before even attempting to scrub them clean.

These are the ones that the Lord really has to work out in me. The ones that need His hand because I can't get them clean on my own.

These are usually convictions that I haven't ironed out yet - the heavy stuff. Or, more often, they are my struggles - my pride, my laziness, my selfishness. ::Gasp:: Yes, of course I struggle with selfishness. Every.single.day.

There are clean dishes.

They've been scrubbed by the Lord and I just need to put them in the cupboard. Filed away, into everyday life.

And there are dusty dishes. Dishes that have been laid aside or forgotten about or that are only taken out for special occasions.

The thoughts, ideas, convictions that I have and use but haven't been discussed or brought up for a while. They're there and I love them, I just don't use them every single day. They're special.

I look at this "kitchen" and feel overwhelmed. Where do I start? How do I even begin to sort through all the dishes that are covering my counters? Can I sort through them all? Oh boy, oh boy. My head. I'm definitely going to need a cup of coffee.

I guess the answer is: slowly. I can only wash one or two dishes at a time. Dry them and put them away. Then I can move on to a couple more.

::Deep breath::

I can do this. With the Lord's help. It may take years and I may never be rid of the dishes. They may always linger on my counters, but I think that's how God wants it. He wants me to continue to grow. To wash, dry, and put away. And He wants me to allow Him to scrub the ones that need scrubbing.

Guess I better start washing!

Words of Wyatt

2011-01-13T12:23:00.000-06:00

This is really just for my future reference - when I'm far older and cannot remember the cute things he said when he was 2 ... or 3 ... or 4!

Alright, who are we kidding? I'll probably forget tomorrow.

Currently, at 2.5 he uses f's a lot:

"Freakfast"

"fank you"

"Fuffins" (muffins)

"feekadoo" (peekaboo)

It cracks me up every.single.time.

If I tell him "no" his response right now, "okaaaaaay"

but it's not sassy, it's just held onto and he drops his pitch. It makes me smile.

I will add more as I hear and remember. :)

I Heart Faces: Smiles

2011-01-10T11:50:00.000-06:00

I Heart Face's contest this week is: smiles.

With 4 children that are so very young and so very spirited it's hard not to smile!

But this image, this shows joy; and joy is priceless.

Project 52: Week 1: I Cling

2011-01-09T16:32:00.001-06:00

I've taken the plunge. The plunge into a Project 52 organized by Sandi Bradshaw of Sandi Bradshaw Photography. Every week for 52 weeks, you take a picture and then submit them to her. She posts them in a special album on Facebook and each week chooses her favorite. I have low aims for being among the really gifted, talented photographers and being chosen as a favorite but I have high hopes and aims for growing! Sandi started this project to help stretch other photographers and I want to stretch.

Stretching is uncomfortable, sometimes even painful. But necessary. Necessary if you want to grow! Sandi is going to be doing assignments that are often self-portraits, at least one each month and that scares me.

This week the first assignment was a self-portrait. The theme that kept popping up for me was "I Cling."

I cling to my God.

I cling to His words.

I cling to Him alone.

And He brings joys...

(actual submission)

If I don't have His truth, His words, I have nothing. Nothing of importance. So I cling to Him and He sustains me.

Stuck in "I Want"s

2011-01-08T19:26:00.001-06:00

I find myself dwelling in a black hole of a land called, "I want." I continue to look at life through these tainted spectacles and find it harder and harder to pull myself out.

Here is the list that I find running through my mind very often lately:

- I want to not turn the TV on, even just for one day.

- I want to bake, cook, and eat whole foods without being overwhelmed and under encouraged.

- I want to speak to my children in an ever gentle voice that does not use tones of harshness.
- I want validation in this life, from my peers.

- I want to knit. Cute, adorable, beautiful - hats, scarves, pants.

- I want to sew. Dresses, stockings, fabric decorations, aprons. The list is endless.

- I want to love abundantly without frustration.

- I want a house full to the brim of children, living blissfully in the moment of messy-ness and fun.

- I want to cherish the little moments.

- I want to live IN grace. IN peace. IN rest. IN joy.

- I want to grow. Spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and in my photography.

- I want to write. There was a time where I could do this for pleasure. Those days have passed and I miss them.

- I want to see things around me. I have friends - real and never-met-before "friends" who seem to grasp the little things in each day. Maybe even in just one day a week. But they catch something. They see something and it brings them into a string of insight and they see God; in the details, in the big picture, in the moment. I want to catch those things. I want to see my Creator in everything - tie it all together as He intended. But I can't.

I feel stuck. Stuck in a never-ending cycle of "I want"'s. So, how do I get out? How do I get back into habits and routines and practices that HELP me achieve these very attainable wants? I don't know, really. But I plan to continue to try to figure it out. I will share something I read last night from "Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches" by Rachel Jankovic.

"Are you holding yourself back on things, afraid that the end result will not be worthy of your labor? Are you afraid to fail? Is there some domestic activity that you would love to know how to do, but don't want to try in case it doesn't turn out? Are you afraid to try new recipes? Are you afraid to put energy or money into something that might turn into nothing? Do you think fondly of some day when you might bear fruit, but resist getting right down to business this year? Do you evaluate the necessity of everything, passing it by if it doesn't add up to be practical? Are you limiting the branches upon which you are willing to bear fruit?

...

"You cannot know the depth of His plan for your fruit. SO throw it out there on the ground when you have no plan for its future. Waste it. Waste homemade pasta (and the mess it makes) on your family. Don't save cloth napkins for company only - sew a dress your daughter doesn't really need. Be bountiful with your fruit and free with it. The only thing that you can know for certain is that God will use it."

The analogy here is of an apple tree. Apple trees take no stock in their apples. Their apples fall to the ground all the time and get wasted often. The branches are what we need to be concerned about because without well cared for and tended branches there would be no apples at all. Our children are our branches.

This one struck me today:

"There are abundant things to be thankful for that are not on our radar at the current moment. So you have a headache. So the kids are fussing. Well, are you looking at what you don't have (energy and quiet) or what you do have (a head and kids).

...

So make sure before you start rebuking them, your own heart is in order. Thank God for the headache. Thank Him for these prime opportunities to teach. Thank Him for the scuffle that your children are currently having over who unbuckled whom and why. And then, after your own heart has been sorted out, move on to theirs."

I Heart Faces: Best Face Photo of 2010

2011-01-04T11:59:00.002-06:00

I've never entered in I Heart Faces's contests before but I've always looked at them and thought "I should really try that." So, here I am, trying! This is my entry for their contest this week (and I'm cutting the deadline reeeeeaaaal close) for their Best Face Photo 2010. And it was really hard to choose. (Click on the image to see it enlarged.)

Oh, and this week's challenge is a voting challenge! So, anyone who feels that my picture is worth winning, you can vote for it HERE! #838

Final Amazing Christmas Give-away!

2010-12-30T11:50:00.000-06:00

That's right, the final one. So after this post, I will stop bugging you all with these give-aways! Ha. But this is your last chance to jump in and win one of the amazing prizes offered in the give-away from Soulographer and Work of Heart Photography.

Prizes include:
3 Workshop Workbooks
Personal mentoring session with Skye Hardwick of WoH
Florabella Collection
Kelly Moore Bags
WoH's Posing Guide
Simplicity Designs
Picture Me Props
Easy Accounting Solution
Crave Photography Photoshop Mentoring
Kelly Ridgedell Logo
Mamapatrice
Darn Fanciful Props
Capture the Hearts Designs

Check it all out at: http://www.soulographer.com/final-christmas-giveaway/

Happy winning!

Merry Christmas, the wait is over!

2010-12-25T08:08:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas dear friends and family!

I cannot believe that this day is already here.

I had such high aspirations and hopes of what the month of December would be for us as we celebrated the birth of our Savior by creating an atmosphere of awe and amazement and anticipation.

Instead, I was overwhelmed and stressed with the list of things that needed to be accomplished before this day came and our daily readings often took a back seat to the "to-do" list.

The wonderful thing is that it only takes a few moments to stir anticipation and excitement into a child. So, I relished those little moments where I could whisper to Emma, "Jesus's birthday is coming!"

One other continuous challenge, especially now that we have many young children, is reinforcing the belief that this day, this time of year, this blessed moment, is about everything except presents. Presents are the last thing on the list, not the first.

It is a challenge to remember to pour into our children the truth that we are awaiting Christ, we are anticipating the majesty of His birth, and all that that means for our world and for us, personally. We are not anticipating the next material gift.

But with children that's a hard goal because almost all they see around them are celebrations of presents, many presents.

Thankfully, (yes, thankfully!) Mike is without work this Christmas season and our budget is limited so our children will only receive 2 gifts each, instead of the normal 3. And yes, I AM thankful for this. I'm thankful for this because even if children are enraptured by receiving gifts, another wonderful thing about children (especially young children) is that they are fully surprised and joyful with EACH gift they receive, no matter what it is! And this creates the perfect atmosphere to be thankful and joyful for every small thing we receive (for me as well) and to draw us back to the truth that we open these gifts in remembrance of our Christ, our Lord, who gives us the ultimate gift of salvation.

I set my sights a little high this year but that's ok. Next Christmas we'll try again with our Jesse tree and celebrating Advent and maybe we'll get a little further in that journey.

But I do so choose to praise God for the little moments He gave us this Christmas.

One such moment was last night as we read from Luke 2 and I watched and listened to Emma as her eyes widened and she gasped as I read,

"Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

¹⁴ “ Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Beautiful in the eyes of a child.

Remember that this day is a day where years upon years of waiting and prophecy were fulfilled. The Messiah that so many had been anxiously awaiting was finally here! He had come. He had come in full humility and He was ready to give His life to save ours.

"We are not simply to believe, but to watch; not simply to love, but to watch; not simply to obey, but to watch; to watch for what? For the great event, Christ's coming...

With much love, Emma, Diana, Clara, George, Wyatt, and Mike!

Amazing Give-away #3!

2010-12-23T08:11:00.000-06:00

If you're a photographer you NEED to check this out! Work of Heart Photography and Skye Hardwick are the creators of soulographer and the Workshop Workbook and it's all amazing!

And she's put together a fabulous bunch of vendors that are giving amazing products or service away!
They include:

Angel Baby Treats
Silver Salt Designs
Shaun Paul Productions
Chic Pretties
Tonee Lawerence Photography (actions)
J. Melcena Scarves
Zozobugbaby
The Posing Guide from Work of Heart
Pure Photoshop Actions
The Organic Bloom
Deluxe Modern
The Workshop Workbook

http://www.soulographer.com/the-christmas-giveaway-3/

Amazing, amazing, amazing!

Photographer Friends!

2010-12-06T17:48:00.000-06:00

Hear ye, hear ye - an amazing giveaway from the wonderful Skye Hardwick of Work of Heart Photography! And many of her friends and vendors!

If you have never heard of her Workshop Workbook, you need to. It's ah-maze-ing. You want it. You need it. Seriously!
If you want to pursue children's portraiture work every - you need it!

Check out her give-away here: http://www.soulographer.com/the-christmas-giveaway/

Don't miss your chance!

Tuesday Tellings

2010-09-28T20:45:00.000-05:00

Personal confessions of a stay-at-home-mother:

- The television was on too much today.

- I fed my children corn dogs for lunch because I didn't know what else to make.

- I am in desperate need of a shower but was too busy picking up, doing dishes, and editing to take one. Thankfully, my husband thinks I'm sexy still.

- My house is a mess. Yep, a big fat ugly mess.

- I have fallen into a habit of threatening instead of acting when it comes to discipline and first-time obedience.

- We surely went through all our character traits today and had a great Bible Time ... not.

- There's red kool-aid on the bottom of my fridge that I was too frustrated to clean up ... and still haven't.

- I desperately need motivation to T-Tapp because I actually slept through my children AND my alarm this morning!

Motherhood surely is NOT pretty. Praise God He walks with me through each day otherwise I'd be more thoroughly stressed than I already am, lol.

W Family & Belly Sneak Peek!

2010-09-25T09:21:00.000-05:00

This family was a joy to photograph! They have two adorable, sweet, calm (at least for the shoot) little girls and are expecting their third - a boy. Mama had an amazingly beautiful belly, and you know me, I love those baby bellies!

Thank you again for letting me come into your lives and create memories with you! I had a blast!

Natalie is One! | Peek

2010-07-13T23:24:00.000-05:00

I recently got the privilege to take pictures of miss Natalie - a spunky, adorable, fun 1 year old! I got to see her as a wee babe and it's amazing how much changed in 1 year - talking, walking, facial expression, personality! So much fun. And she has wonderful, gentle, calm parents. Thank you guys, for letting me enter your home and life.

Baby Callen | 3 Months

2010-07-10T17:57:00.001-05:00

This is Callen. He's 3 months old and adorable! He's so easy going and laid back and it was so much fun to be able to get out and practice with some new props and new ideas! Kassi, his mom, is amazing and I am forever thankful that I've been able to meet and know her.

Callen is their second child and second boy and I'm so thrilled beyond belief that he's actually going to be a big brother, already! :)

My Favorite Family | G Family

2010-07-10T17:47:00.000-05:00

My favorite family, after my own that is! This 3/4ths of the G family. I have known them since I was 14 and Jana was my small group leader in youth group. Talk about history and knowing my skeletons! She's one of the few people who has seen my highs and lows, failures and victories, flaws and growth. She could ruin me in one second. Haha.

This woman is one of the most beautiful women I know - inside and out and she radiates joy, laughter, and fun. When I'm having a crappy day she is who I know to call!

And her boys - handsome as ever and such a hoot! Her Bazz is my Emma's future man, seriously.

Henry:

Bazz:

Brothers:

Family:

Isn't she gorgeous?

Henry snuggles miss Clara:

Thank you guys for letting me have fun capturing these pictures! I love you!

Come and Get It: Granola!

2010-07-01T22:36:00.000-05:00

I heart granola. Almost passionately. I really hope there's granola in heaven. We had a bake-athon a couple weeks ago and made granola and this is what we do!

Master Granola Recipe:

2 Cups Old Fashioned Oats (or steel cut)

1/2 Cup Wheat Germ

2 Tb Dark Brown Sugar

¼ tsp Salt

1 Cup Extra Ingredients

¼ Cup Maple Syrup

3 Tb Vegetable or Canola Oil

1 Tb Water

Flavoring: ½ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp almond extract, 1 tsp vanilla extract

Extra Ingredients: Chopped nuts, sunflower nuts, flake coconut, sesame seeds, mini chocolate chips, dried fruit.

My modified recipe:

4 Cups Old Fashioned Oats

1 Cup Wheat Germ

Flaxseed (I dump a bunch in)

4 Tb Sucanat

1/2 tsp Sea Salt

2 Cups Extra Ingredients: sunflower seeds this time - but I usually also add almonds

1 Cup liquid: I mix molasses, honey (I do raw), & syrup (pure is best!)

3 Tb Canola/Olive Oil: I keep it 3 because I haven't found it necessary to have 6Tb even though I double everything else

3 Tb Water: I do add a Tb here.

Flavoring: I just add in a bunch of cinnamon, some vanilla, and some almond - I don't measure. :)

Mix dry ingredients in large bowl.

Place wet ingredients, including flavoring, and heat on low heat until combined.

Add heated wet ingredients to dry ingredients ...

... and stir until all combined. Let cool slightly. (10 mins)

Add the best part: mini chocolate chips! Yum. Totally optional but really, why would you ever want to omit them? I just throw in what looks good.Mix well.

Place on greased pan.

Bake at 275* for 30 minutes. Add dried fruit, if applicable, and then bake additional 15 minutes. Check after 45 minutes and if not crisp/lightly browned then continue to bake until browned.

It says to make clusters but I usually don't! I just dump it on the greased pan and bake.

Tips:

Make sure you bake at that low temp.

Wait to add the dried fruit.

Choose the right oats - old fashioned or steel cut taste better.

Create clusters - a smidge of water helps.

Use dry (brown sugar) and wet sweetners (molasses, syrup, honey, etc).

And finally ....

Eaaaaaaaaaaaaat! Yum.

Keeper of the Home Giveaway - $125 worth!

2010-06-17T16:59:00.000-05:00

I have been shamelessly promoting giveaways lately but you know what? I don't care! Because these are AWESOME giveaways and I figure someday, somehow, I'll be lucky enough to actually win something, lol.

This is an awesome giveaway from Keeper of the Home.
If you've never visited Keeper of the Home and you are interested in eating naturally, organically and on a budget - I HIGHLY recommend it!
She also has two fabulous books that I plan to purchase in the very near future called Real Food on a Real Budget and Healthy Homemaking: One Step at a Time. Great resource! And she makes it all encouraging so that you don't get overwhelmed - which I did when I first started reading the blog and started thinking about changing our food.

So, the giveaway I'm promoting is: 5 Homestead Blessings videos and a $25 gift certificate for FBS books - all of which are great if you homeschool and if you have a desire to prepare your daughters with practical skills as homemakers! Fab.u.lous!

Check it out more HERE!

What Do YOU Do? - Groceries & Meal Planning

2010-06-11T15:47:00.001-05:00

This is the continuation of a series that my friend N is doing on her BLOG called What do YOU do? I think I've participated in one or two so far and saw this one just the other day and thought I'd jump into the fun of sharing again! Please feel free to continue the sharing on your own blog or if you don't blog share here on my blog in the comments section about how YOU shop for groceries and do your meal planning.
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I had a good system worked out before Clara was born! I planned my meals per pay period (every 2 weeks roughly) and shopped at SuperTarget or Super Wal-mart for ALL my groceries. After Clara was born we received numerous meals (thank you all and praise the Lord) so I didn't need to meal-plan and ever since then I haven't quite gotten back into meal planning. The main reason is because I don't want to expel the energy it takes to bring 4 children that are 4, 3, 2, and 3 months to the grocery store. It becomes an excursion that takes alllll morning long and can often times (though not always) end with children falling apart and a mama who's at her whit's end. Plus, I have since learned that the grocery stores up here (including Target and Wal-mart) either don't have the giant carts at all or they have them but you can't seat a child in the regular cart seat because they close the legs holes.
That poses a problem when you have numerous children who are all still small. I can remedy it by having Emma walk and wearing Clara - but it still frustrates me! Why is our culture only accommodating up to 2 children?! (Sorry, getting off soapbox now!)

Alright, on to what I do actually do!
We get paid twice a month (on the 1st & 15th) so the easiest way to stretch our money, stretch our food, and keep things fresh is to shop each pay period - so twice a month.
I organize my meal planning in Microsoft Excel where I have a main list of all my entrees and then another page where I break up the pay period into weeks and days and input each meal for each day along with sides and activities that we have going on those days that may affect what we have or my prep. On that same spread sheet I make my grocery list based off those meals that I've planned.
Example:
Week 1                       Main                  Side
17-May Monday      Spaghetti                 Garlic bread, salad
18-May Tuesday      Tacos                      Rice, chips, guacamole
19-May Wednes      Chick Pasta Salad    Potato salad, green beans
20-May Thursday     Brats                       Grilled veggies, fruit, chips
21-May Friday         Pasta Bake              Rolls, corn, salad
22-May Saturday     T's Party
23-May Sunday        Leftovers

So that's where I start. I do utilize my crockpot a lot! We are currently changing some of the ways we eat and therefore are changing the way and where we shop.
Right now I am shopping at Aldi's, Trader Joe's, Sam's Club, and Wal-mart/Target. I also have certain products I order online because it's cheaper than purchasing them in the store!

Aldi's:
I get a majority of our dairy products - whole milk, sour cream, cottage cheese, butter, creamer, eggs, cheese. Their milk & cheese carriers are not organic but they are hormone free.
Certain baking goods - baking soda, vanilla, baking powder, sea salt.
Produce - VERY reasonably priced, though not organic.
Bread - they have whole grain, no HFCS bread for less than $2.
Pasta - have whole wheat Fit & Active pasta
Chicken - 3lbs chicken breasts for $5.50
Corn chips - blue corn and regular both organic and cheap.
Lunch meat
Hot dogs

Trader Joe's:
Select dairy - Greek yogurt, milk - occasionally
Select lunch meat
Unfiltered 100% apple juice
Organic produce
Whole grain crackers
Whole grain tortillas - that actually taste good

Sam's Club:
Ground meat
Produce - occasionally
White popcorn
Formula - occasionally

Wal-Mart/Target
Spices
Diapers - Target brand are the best for disposable!
Wipes
Dressings/condiments
Baggies
Garbage bags - Target
Olive Oil
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels

Online:
Natural sweetners
Raw honey

I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things, but that's the jist of it! I don't use coupons but I'm very careful about our spending. Aldi's has HUGELY helped our budget and allowed for the Trader Joe's and online ordering that we've added into our shopping! I know it can be socially unacceptable to talk about numbers but I wanted to put our budget on here because that gives a realistic idea of how we shop and how we spend/save. We try to stay at or under $150 per pay period so, $300 per month. We have a family of 6.

Raising Homemakers: Give-Away!

2010-06-02T09:13:00.000-05:00

I just found this Facebook page and blog but I'm already excited to read more! Raising homemakers is all about teaching and preparing daughters in the art of homemaking for the glory of God. How awesome, right?!

Well, they are also having a give-away on their BLOG for an awesome 10 DVD set called "Homestead Blessings". I don't know about you but I'm thoroughly excited! You can see a preview there or find out more HERE!

Amazing Give Away

2010-05-20T20:59:00.000-05:00

Sassy Designs is celebrating 8 years of business this month!

So, in honor of Sassy Designs, Ltd.’s 8th birthday she has decided to GIVE AWAY HER ENTIRE STORE to ONE LUCKY WINNER!!!!!

Bellies | Birthdays | Fun! | B Family Sneak Peek

2010-05-13T16:15:00.000-05:00

Thank you Sandra and Isabella for letting me into your world for a couple hours! Isabella just recently turned 1 and I had the privelege of capturing just a little bit of her personality and let me tell you, she's fantastic! Energetic, sweet, curious, and adorable. I also got to take a few of Miss Sandra's beautiful belly! Thank you for sharing your day with me!

I was also blessed to meet Sandra's mother, who is beautiful and full of life! And how special to capture a 3-generation shot!

Baby Belly | S Family | Sneak Peek

2010-05-07T19:45:00.002-05:00

I was blessed to be able to take pictures, again, of the wonderful S family! They currently have 3 girls and are expecting their fourth. Mama S knows the gender of the new little blessing but Papa S does not and it's so fun! No beans were spilled so Mama S is still the only one who knows. :)

I love J&T as a couple and as individuals. They are amazing! Full of love, full of Christ, and wonderfully gracious.

Awesome Juicer Give-away

2010-05-03T09:25:00.000-05:00

Now, I'm not a juicer, normally. I only know a little about it but I'm extremely interested in it - especially since I, personally have a hard time with vegetables! I know that it would benefit our family and I know that it would be great for our kids.

I have friends who are juicers so, if I were, by some off chance, to win this juicer - expect many phone calls and e-mails!

It is a Champion Juicer!

And the giveaway is going on HERE, thanks to Lynette Kraft!

Random Rambling Thoughts

2010-03-19T15:30:00.000-06:00

Random thoughts that I need to ponder more on or pray through over the coming days, weeks, and months:

- I do not necessarily have the time that it is going to take to develop my photography and my business the way that I want to. Having 4 children under the age of 4 is an all-consuming job. And I've realized that lately my mothering has taken a hit - not because of photogrpahy but because of life. Mothering is supposed to be my number one, top priority and if that comes in the way of my photography and moving things forward the way *I* want to, then so-be-it. That's how it SHOULD be.

- On the same thought train - I need to work while I mother, not mother while I work. And yes, there is a HUGE difference - one that I have noticed has seeped into my daily life. I'm not ok with that and I need to nip it in the bud.

- Also along that same thought train, I do not have the time I need to learn the new crafts that I so desire to learn like knitting and sewing. I can learn more about knitting but it's just going to be more slow-going than I hoped. For example - I had hoped to have 4 matching winter hats knit for my children two months ago ... and I haven't even started them! It's ok if I'm not a great knitter this year or even next - I just hope to be able to do it with my girls within the next few years. And the sewing ... who knows if we'll ever accomplish that.

- While it will always be my goal to honor the Lord and be a Proverbs 31 woman I need to be much more realistic with my goals, ambitions, and expectations! I am not going to be able to knit and sew (therefore clothing my family) or get my photography business up and running with huge success (taking a field and turning a profit) or live every day with a smile on my face (laughing at what's to come) in ONE day. It's going to take TIME. Much more time. And I need to be ok with that, because God is ok with that.

- I spend far too much time on the computer and in front of the TV. Which affects my effectiveness in the above areas. I find myself sitting in front of the computer when room time/blanket time/table time roll around instead of accomplishing things I should be accomplishing - laundry, dishes, dinner prep, Bible time, character training, etc. While I have more recently tapped the internet for it's knowledge on cloth diapering, healthier eating, and delaying vaccinations, I have been known to spend more time surfing Etsy, ebay, and Facebook. The same is true for nap time.

In fact, here I sit, typing this while I have 3 loads of laundry that need to be folded and put away and another load that needs to go into the wash and another into the dryer. My kitchen could stand to be picked up and wiped down and my house could use some organizing. Seriously!

But, I praise God for my husband - who is helpful and doesn't care if all the dishes are done or dinner's on the table at precisely 6pm and I praise God that He knows me, my heart, and my intentions. He knows my struggles and better yet, He UNDERSTANDS my struggles! He can look at me in my hard moments when all I have to give Him is a 2x2 section of "clean" floor in my living room and rejoice that I'm striving to serve Him - and that makes it all worth it!

Live Simply

2010-03-02T15:11:00.000-06:00

I found these today through a trail of sources! My good friend KASSI became a fan of Maternal Lens on Facebook which sparked my interest because I basically cyber-stalk Kassi, because I heart her! From the fan page of The Maternal Lens I was directed to that BLOG and on that blog I found this POST about custom wooden photography blocks, sold HERE that I absolutely fell in love with right away!

I would LOVE to win a set and be able to customize them for our family but I'm thinking that even if I don't win them I may end up ordering them anyways just because they are so amazing! And I'm going to file her etsy site away (in my bookmarks, not my mind because we all know my mind is not a safe filing system!) for future gifts. Can you imagine the endless possibilities for aunts, uncles, grandparents, new parents, your business ... ?!? Amazing.

My Beautiful Baby

2010-03-01T16:50:00.000-06:00

So, I have a LOT to learn! I had the privledge of watching and "helping" a great friend {Jenna} take pictures of our precious Clara on Saturday. It was a great learning experience and a great visit with their wonderful family!

Despite the chaos, created by 6 children ranging in ages from 4 to 8 months, Jenna created some exquisite images and I am so excited to share them with you!

You can see them here: http://jennastevens.blogspot.com/2010/02/little-miss-clara-sneak-peek-newborn.html
Leave her some love too! She's amazing!

A Beautiful Birthday

2010-02-24T21:44:00.000-06:00

I am more than pleased to announce that we have a brand new beautiful member of our family!

Clara Faith arrived February 22, 2010 at 02:45.

She bounced out weighing 6lbs 15oz and was 19" long.

The contractions started right around midnight of what would technically be Monday morning. Of course, thinking that this was just another fake out on Clara's part I tried to go back to sleep. I quickly realized she wasn't teasing this time, she meant business.

By 00:35 she was, quite literally, a huge pain in my back and I figured I better wake the husband before she decided to make her grand appearance right there at my in-laws house.

We left for the hospital by 00:45 and on the way Clara decided to take my breath away. The little beauty.

Mike dropped me off at the entrance to the hospital around 01:00 and I slowly, grudgingly made my way up to the 6th floor to labor and delivery. Why they put labor and delivery all the way up on the 6th floor is seriously beyond me.

By this time that tiny girl had me bent over and breathing heavily. She also had me quite weak at the knees because she was stealing all my fluids.

By 01:30 they had me in a room and checked me and I was 5-6cm. Around 01:45 I was pushed to the edge and ended up asking for an epidural, after previously banking on a drug-free birth. I can see this girl is going to push my boundaries.

At 02:10 I was 8cm but I allowed them to do the procedure anyways, knowing that it may not kick in. A true example of the delusionalness that labor creates. "Sure, poke a giant needle in my spine when there's only a minuscule chance that the medicine it contains may take effect before my child is actually making her way out."

By 02:30 I was 10cm, fully effaced and that peanut was telling me she was ready to see the world.

2 pushes and 15 minutes later she graced us with her presence, rather quietly, at 02:45.

She is absolutely perfect.

I would prove it with photographs but sadly my computer was wiped last week and I'm still in the process of re-installing all my programs.

But never fear, I will have photographic proof of her perfection very, very soon!

Blogging Break

2010-02-10T08:17:00.000-06:00

I know that I haven't blogged in a while as it is, but it's gotten even harder since for the last week and a half we've been at my in-laws home. Just harder because I don't have any of my binders with my thoughts on mothering or on character traits - so I can't blog about those, and I don't have MY computer which has all my photos on it - so I can't even do a photo blog at the time being.
And harder because I am now 38 weeks and 3 days pregnant (who knew!) and am too tired to even try doing more than is necessary right now!

So, I'm taking a blogging break for the time being. If we get back home and miss Clara still hasn't made her grand appearance I may try catching up a little but otherwise I won't be back to blogging until after she's arrived and we've settled back into life!

I do want to comment on today though - because 3 years ago today - at this time - I was in labor with our George! He made his debut at 3:34pm on this day, 3 years ago. I cannot believe he is 3. Where did those years go? And even more shaking - did I use them wisely with him and his training?! Because 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 are CRITICAL training ages and I don't know if I used that time wisely with my George.
But, I praise God for him! He is an amazing, wonderful, sweet, tender, strong, silly, car-loving little man that I adore.

What Do You Do?

2010-01-21T16:13:00.000-06:00

I am participating in something a friend of mine started. A series called "What Do You Do?" She is posting on her blog and will choose a topic and post her thoughts on it and then those who want participate and share what they do on that subject.

This is the first one!

What Do You Do: Children's Bibles, Family Devotions, and Such
From N's blog :

Does anyone have any thoughts on these titles? What Bible storybooks do/did you use with your kids? What is your routine for reading them to your kids? Do you have a “family devotions” time in your house? If so, what does that look like? WHAT DO YOU DO?

We do not use any of the titles that N mentioned in her blog: The Beginner's Bible, The Big Picture Story Bible, or The Jesus Storybook Bible.
Quite simply we use the Bibles that we have gotten as gifts because I'm too cheap to go spend money on a new one!

We started with this Bible:

It was a little too "advanced" for my liking at the time. Emma was only 2 and George was only 1 and it took things quite a bit over their heads. Although, I do think we're getting close to being ready to use it again.

So, the Bible we currently us is this one:

I like it because the stories are short and pretty simple so that George is able to pay attention. It also has questions at the end that are good for Emma (she's almost 4) and help her to be able to go over things again and therefore take in more from the reading. The only thing that I don't like as much is that sometimes it's VERY simple. Too simple. So, I add in details that I feel my children are ready for or that I feel they can comprehend and don't need omitted.

To be honest, which I hate to be at the moment, our routine is totally off right now. Especially with Bible Time. Ugh. I had JUST started a new, what I felt was an awesome, routine when I got put on modified bedrest because I had dilated.

So, to answer the question of what is our routine for Bible reading here's what I was doing and what I hope to get back to very, very soon:

At 10:30 Emma and George start Blanket Time and play on their blankets for 30-40 minutes.

At 11:00 or 11:10 (depending on how my morning is going) we start Bible Time. Bible Time takes place during Blanket Time. This is very helpful because it keeps them contained to one place and allows them to focus better.

We start by reading a story from our Bible - the second one mentioned above. We go in order - meaning we started at the beginning and each day we read the next story. I go through the story twice usually because they're short and then I go through the questions with Emma to make sure she gets the details. :o)

Then we go through our Character Quality of the week. We have a quality with a definition and verse to go with it. Then we talk about how we apply that quality and what it means and then we usually sing a couple songs that correlate.

Our new routine also included reading from Psalms in the evening before the kids went to bed, though we haven't implemented it yet.

Clara Through the Camera

2010-01-09T16:42:00.000-06:00

Today, or tomorrow, depending how calculate it, I have made it 34 weeks! This was our second of three goals. The first was 32 weeks and the third, and final, is 36 weeks. January 24.

Part of why this was such an important benchmark to hit is because of the development that is acheived by this point. She's fairly filled out by now and will continue to fill out every day. Her lungs are developed and so is her central nervous system!

It may be hard or comical to picture but I am currently doing a very happy dance with my very pregnant belly.

According to my babycenter e-mails Clara should be about 5lbs, which I believe considering the major belly I'm sporting. They compare her size to a cantaloupe which I also believe because that's about what my belly looks like! Don't worry, you'll see photographic proof in just mere moments.

So, from here we strive for 36 weeks. I cannot even believe that she could be here in 15 days. 2 weeks. Wow.

33 Weeks

Captivating Clara

2009-12-26T11:23:00.000-06:00

I'm technically a day early, but I know that I'm not in labor so I'm counting today as "making it" to 32 weeks! For those who do not know my history I will give you, well, a little history. (If you know the stories feel free to skip ahead.)

Clara is my fourth child in four years, less than, actually. My first, Emma, was born March 30, 2006 and Clara's due date is February 20, 2010. So whether or not she arrives before that day, she will in fact arrive before Emma turns 4. For a short time I will have a 3 year old, a 2 year old, a 1 year old, and a newborn.

With Emma my water broke at 31 weeks gestation. I was taken to Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis which is connected to Children's Hospital and has the best care for premature babies. I spent 12 days in the hospital on complete bedrest while they continuously monitored me to make sure I didn't get an infection. Each day you sit with your membranes broken increases your chance of infection.

After 10 days the collected amniotic fluid and tested it to see if her lungs were developed and it came back that they were in fact very healthily developed and she wasn't in any danger.

The next day we talked to the doctors about inducing because her risk of having development issues had significantly decreased while my risk of infection had significantly increased. So on day 12, we induced.

She was born at 32 weeks 4 days weighing 4lbs 1oz and was 16 inches long.

She spent 1 month in the SCU (Special Care Unit) before she was able to come home with us.

We found out we were pregnant with George when I was 8 weeks post-partum from Emma. And if you know anything about preterm labor/births, you know that getting pregnant so quickly after delivering increases your chances of having preterm labor or delivery and my chances were even higher considering I had already had one premature delivery.

At 29 weeks gestation I started to dilate - 1cm and was immediately put on bedrest and Terbutaline - to stop any contractions I was having. Though my body was dilating, I never felt any contractions - at least not painful ones. I moved from 1cm to 4cm within just 2-3 weeks. Thankfully, I had numerous people pitch in and help me take care of Emma and our house so that I didn't have to do anything. My mom and mother-in-law were especially helpful.

George was delivered full term, at 37 weeks exactly (7lbs 3oz) - the day after I stopped taking the Terbutaline.

We found out we were pregnant with Wyatt when George was about 5 1/2 months old. So again, the risks or chances of preterm labor/delivery were there. I started Progesterone shots around 16 weeks or so that were to help slow any progression my body would try to make. The kids and I spent much of the winter in North Carolina at Mike's aunt and uncle's house (that they graciously opened up to us) so that we could be closer to Mike while he was at school in Jacksonville. At 27 weeks, while we were there, I started to dilate and was 1cm dilated. I went home with the kids, with the help of Mike's aunt, the next week. I was put on bedrest and Terbutaline again and the kids and I stayed with Mike's parents where his mom took on the immense task of caring for the kids and I every day! We returned home once I was 32 weeks along and Wyatt was born slightly premmaturely at 35 weeks 5 days. But he was a strapping boy of 7lbs. 2oz. and came home with us just like a full term baby would.

Now, here we are with Clara. We didn't get pregnant with her until Wyatt was just over 1, so my body did have a little break. I started Progesterone shots with her right away at 14 weeks because they did help slow my dilation process with Wyatt. At just over 28 weeks I did start to dilate - 1cm, 50% effaced. I was recently checked again at almost 31 weeks and had NO change at all! I did get Betamethazone shots to help her lungs develop. I am not on Terbutaline currently, which I am glad for. And I have not really been able to be on much bedrest considering I have 3 children at home ... that are 3 and under. I'm sure you can guess that I don't have the chance to rest much. It's also been amplified by Mike's December schedule - he worked from November 29 - December 23 straight, including weekends and most of that was 12+ hour days.

So, our first mini-goal was to get to 32 weeks, which is tomorrow! I am counting today as being there ... because, well, I definitely feel 32 weeks pregnant. If not more.

Clara is now the weight of a large jicama (3.75 lbs or more) and at least 16 inches. Developmentally she should have well developed lungs by now and would definitely be able to live and grow outside the womb, if she decided to grace us with her presence so early. She is measuring ahead of schedule and is continually testing the space limits of my uterus.

Our next mini-goal is 34 weeks. Sunday, January 10th. Then after that it's the long-term goal we've had of 36 weeks. Sunday, January 24th.

Not Me Monday!

2009-12-21T16:46:00.000-06:00

This is going to be my first attempt at the hilarity that is "Not Me Monday." I do not claim to be very witty with words, but hope to at least amuse myself as I think of things this last week that were definitely not me.

I have not been incredibly stressed the last two weeks due to my husband working 12 hour days, 7 days a week and being put on modified bedrest where I am only supposed to eat, pee, and shower. I have also not been completely frustrated with the fact that my children have decided to boycott naptime.I awake with joy and cheerfulness every single morning and keep that throughout the entire day.

If the above were in fact true of me I definitely would not get Caribou and eat S'more cake twice in one day, once being for dinner, just to calm my emotions. No way, not me!

I also would not DVR three Disney movies off of ABC Family for the sole purpose of having something to occupy my wonderful, well-rested, beautifully behaved children in the evenings while we wait for daddy to get home, so that I can "rest."

And there is no way that I would let the stress of the last two weeks dictate me so much as to stop having Bible Time with the children and instead just lay on the couch while they do Blanket Time. I would never do that! No way! We always make sure to maintain our routine, even when stressed.

Finally, I would never feed the children leftovers 3 nights in a row and make George a separate meal of pancakes just so that they would all eat peacefully. I would never do something like that! Our meals are always well planned and executed beautifully. And my children always eat peacefully.

Snippets of Saturdays

2009-12-19T21:59:00.006-06:00

Not just this Saturday. Actually, it's mostly just snippets - not confined to any particular day. I'm not quite that organized!

Mothering Moments: Why Not Timeouts?

2009-12-12T16:58:00.002-06:00

So, I know that many, many people today use timeouts as their primary disciplinary action, but we do not. There's been questions posed as to why we don't use timeouts, so I thought I would answer that question quickly today.
Plus, being forced to sit more than normal forces you to find ways to occupy your time. I can only sleep so much in one day!

No Timeouts
Basically, it comes down to a pretty simple concept. When your child disobeys, acts out, talks back, or does something else to make your innards cringe repeatedly and you place them in a timeout, separating them from yourself, you are communicating that if they displease you they cannot stay in your presence. Saying that, "if your actions are not appropriate then you cannot be in my presence."
Basically telling them that they have to perform a certain way to stay in your presence.

We feel like that is a poor representation of God because God does not deal with us that way when we disobey Him. He does not remove us from His presence until we finally get it right, He gives us consequences but continues to love us and allows us to remain in His presence despite our disobedient actions.

So, we choose to discipline differently!