Going Camping

It's going to rain. Need I say more. I hope God chooses to send some sun this weekend. Tenting with 4 children along with other relatives can get messy to say the least when you are in the midst of rain, mud, and puddles. I really am trying not to make this a big deal. My daughter thinks I have no fun. I'm not really that bad. Truthfully, we have done quite a bit of fun this summer. I just don't personally like to be cold and wet and have to clean up after everyone who doesn't mind getting wet and really dirty.

Don't get me wrong, please. Dirt comes with camping. That's just life. My kids do have a great time with their cousins. We eat well. I do get some reading done. I can go for a walk if I want to. I just like sunshine when I am camping.

I will not bring my computer camping. That wouldn't seem right. It's kind of like blow drying my hair at the campground. (That's why I made sure I got my hair cut this week.) I do, however, bring a heater and air mattress. Mom has to have some element of comfort.

I do look forward to sitting at the fire just talking – or listening. The stars are amazing. Living near the city is wonderfully convenient, but it blocks out God's amazing creation of stars. Last year I was able to show Matthew the "Big Dipper" as huge as I have ever seen. What a neat blessing to share with my son.

I am sure a camping blog will follow next week. Enjoy your weekend.

 

 

I have been here many times before. Tonight seemed different somehow. I was reading a book while waiting for my pictures to be developed. My tea was hot which is not always the case. I was alone which in itself should make the night unique. I looked up from my book and saw ideas. Thousands of them. Thousands of books about everything from food, to politics, to education, to fitness, to fill in the blank. A wall of magazines that appealed to every interest and desire. I sat there quietly, yet my mind was spinning. I wished I had my computer to write.

I could go crazy in a bookstore. It almost seems like anyone could publish a book about anything. Everyone has ideas. Which ones do you take as truth? A Christian can't hide in himself or live in the past. Our culture is changing - good and bad. How does a Christian filter all these ideas that affront us? Again, I refer to a previous post. Think!! What is really truth? God's Word is the basis for all of this. One may say that the Bible is not relevant to us today. Remember all those things you could look at in the bookstore? God cares about all of that. The principles in His Word make sense for today as well as for when they were written. Some may want to rewrite their own doctrine to make it fit their own world. Cant' do it!

I like to read. Presently I am reading something that I particularly don't agree with, but will finish it so I can be more knowledgeable. My husband and I have chosen books that have led to some great discussion. It's good to read outside your circle. Some of my reading has made me angry. None of my reading, however, can take the place of reading the truth of God's Word. I sat there tonight looking at a world of ideas. Many good. Many funny. Many helpful. Many dangerous. I am thankful for the power of God to lead me in all understanding and conviction of truth and lies.

Just Like Christmas

My children woke to a special surprise today. A good friend of our family decided that he had no more room for his Legos. He knew our love for them and gave the children a box load of various sets. There were both traditional sets and ones with motors and gears. Fun!! It was amazing how quickly the kids finished their Friday chores. All four of the kids sat in my son's room for a few hours and went to it. I love to see creativity and thinking in action! They were very proud of their creations. I am sure that this is not a one time thing. My oldest, who is 14, still has boxes of Legos under her bed and pulls them out every once in a while. I could do a commercial for Legos - they are great toys, only they don't fell too great when one gets stranded from the set and finds its way into the bottom of your foot.
Thanks Chris for thinking of our kids and sharing your "toys" with us.

Thankful Thursday

I have survived my first week of school. We have had our moments and I have sat the kids down to reinforce our goals for the year. One of the hardest things is finding the balance: mom, teacher, wife, self. I haven't found it yet. The kids don't get it either.
It will be a good year, though. At least that is what I am seeing thus far.
I am so thankful that I can teach my kids at home. What a blessing.

Just Think

I do like to think. I have often said that if I could teach my children to think that they could succeed at most anything. Thinking can be hard, though. It takes work. Sometimes it involves conflicting ideas. Take Christianity for instance. Why do we get so lazy and stop thinking as believers? Loving God includes all our mind. Wouldn't that include thinking? Maybe I am rambling. I didn't say I was always a good communicator. I am saying that I am frustrated with so many people who just buy into the current thinking, disregard what Scripture has already proven as true, and let life go one without thinking of what God would have for them or what consequences exist for those who don't think. I love Philippians 4:8. God is very clear about what to think about: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praise worthy. So much out there is junk!
My husband and I have done some reading on how some churches have tried to reinvent what church or dare I say Christianity is all about. I'm sorry, but their thinking is very skewed. They seem to be missing the truth of God's word and substituting whatever fits their world and feels good. Sorry to be so blunt. They're thinking - about what is right for them.
God help me to know God and His word so well that I can spot wrong thinking a mile away. I pray that I will be able to help my children to be thinking individuals. Not critical, but discerning. It all goes back to God's Word. Preferences, methods, people change. His Word will always stay the same.

Final Day Before School

My kids went all out today. It was absolutely gorgeous outside and I didn't give them the option to be inside. We start our school year tomorrow and they were enjoying the "freedom" of today. My little one created her own menu in Play-Dough (I rarely allow this inside so it was a treat). My artistic daughter went to work on her scrapbook from camp. I love to see her creativity at work documenting great memories. My little man and his teenage sister established their own Olympic games. Mind you the games were very inventive. We did get to enjoy the beautiful day while we ate lunch outside as well.
Our summer was great: busy, but not too crazy - many memories made - hundreds of pictures taken. Thankfully we can ease into the fall.

Anticipating the New Year

I am excited about the new school year. My kids think I am nuts and maybe I am - a little. There's just a lot of teacher blood in me. I have never been one to wish the summer over so I could get my kids out of my hair. I really do like my kids - at least most of the time. When God moved in our family to keep our kids home to educate them, I knew it was going to change our lives. It has - much for the good. This year I will be schooling all four of them ranging from K4 through 9th grade. It is not impossible as many would like to think. Actually my kids like to school at home. I was thinking the other night what things I am looking forward to this year. It will be busy as usual, but there are some new things in the schedule that will change things up a bit. Introductory Logic will take more work on my part (please, no blond jokes:) Being able to think and think well is essential for learning. This class for my two older children will take it up a notch I think. Another class I am excited about is OT Survey for my oldest daughter. Again, it is more prep work, but well worth it. My little one will be schooling formally for the first time. She is excited and I am excited to teach her. Honestly, she is an easy one to teach. It will be fun to see the light go on in her ever-growing mind. I really think she will be reading by the end of the year - how fun!! My days will be very full. Honestly I need to have some energy and patience injected into my being. God is so good and I know He will be my teacher and helper as I enter this new school year. I still have so much to learn.

Late Summer Fun

We had a fun day at a friend's pool. I think at one count there were 15 kids. They had a blast and we moms had a nice time to chat. When we woke up this morning, it didn't look like swimming was a possibility as the rain was passing through. Thankfully the sun came out and we packed up lunch and headed out. I didn't brave the water and told my kids that my swimsuit was on for emergency purposes only. My kids are not the little ones anymore, as many others were today. In more than one way it is nice to have independent children, but it is also a little saddening to see that your babies are not babies anymore. I say that as I look across the room at my little one asleep on the couch.

A Pleasant Surprise

Maybe I have bought into our culture or maybe I didn't give my daughter enough credit, but I was pleasantly surprised at her phone call yesterday. She said she called just to say hi - there was nothing wrong and she really wasn't homesick at soccer camp (she has her dad with her, so she shouldn't be). I guess I think she will only call if she needs something. Maybe she needs to hear me more than I think - and not only me telling her what to do and what not to do. I actually like my teenager. Am I weird? I think not - just blessed.

Ahhh, Quiet

I was in a mental dilemma. My little one was in desperate need of a nap. Yet I was enjoying holding her and reading to her. These moments are gone all too fast. I just saw her precious eyes close in sleep. Her body is resting, finally. It was a busy morning with her cousins aged 4, 3, and 2. Six kids in the house brings a level of controlled chaos. I think I will join my daughter in a nap.

Packing and Unpacking and Packing Again

Here we go again. Our summer has been busy, but not out of control. At least up until these past two weeks. My logistics manager title has been put to the test. Someone is always coming or going. Of course that means loads of laundry, packing, shopping, and transporting. This past week we only had my little one at home. We eventually got everyone back today. The noise level rose significantly, but I was thankful. Tomorrow, my hubby is taking my oldest to soccer camp for the week. I will miss him terribly (I'll miss my daughter too :). We make a good team and I struggle being the single parent. I am thankful for busyness to a degree. I am also looking forward to a quiet night at home. School starts soon so that will add another dimension to our family. I am very blessed and I have been reminded of that many times over this summer.