Super Mom or Abiding Mom

The below is from a blog I frequent: Confessions of a Homeschooler

Are you like me? Constantly striving to be more Christlike? Here are some reminders.....great words.....

Super Mom	Abiding Mom
Does	Is (Psalm 46:10)
Tries to impress others	Pleases the Lord (Eph. 5:10, Proverbs 29:25)
Is controlled by an agenda (curriculum, schedule, etc)	Is controlled by the Holy Spirit: (Gal. 5:22-26) (Uses curriculum & schedules as tools for orderliness so she's more free to follow the spirit)
Her self worth is found in her accomplishments (clean house, perfect kids, the perfect bulletin boards, etc.)	Her self worth is found in an accurate view of who she is in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:10)
Her peace is found in the “perfect” environment	Her peace is found in Jesus in the midst of any storm (Is 26:3)
She is discouraged by failure	Failure reminds her that God's strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9-10)
She expects perfection from herself and others	She practices grace with herself and others (Eph 4:32)
She teaches her kids to be good	She teaches her kids to be Godly (Proverbs 22:6)
She is frustrated with her lack of spiritual fruit	She abides in Christ and bears much fruit (John 15:5)
She does things with her children	She builds a relationship with her children (Deut 6:6-7)
Her perspective is based on what is seen	Her perspective is based on what is unseen (Col 3:2)
She chooses quantity of activities	She chooses the most excellent Way (I Cor 13)

New additions to the family

Itsy Bitsy and Teeny Weeny!  I'm being a foster mom until we open our Educational Facility. Aren't they cute?  They are red-eared sliders.

Here they are in their tank....the kids are loving them!

Riding Bikes

We've had a lot of great weather this year...and when it's nice we play out front. Everyone has an assortment of bikes and wheeled things...Here's Elias and Sebastian right behind him!

Often our neighbors come out too. Here's Elias, Robert & Sebastian on a 3 wheeler and Zanthippie in the background waiting.

1st orange

This is our first orange off our orange tree! It has taken quite a few years to produce.But it looks worth the wait!

Here's Maddie, Gracie and Faith sharing the juicy goodness

We've gotten a few more off since then...looks good for next year!

Infant Death

 Sometimes in life we have to deal with things that just shouldn't be, like infant death. Here's the contents of an email I sent a friend, she had a friend who's baby was dying. These resources are neat things, that if we know about, we can share and help our friends during such awful times. Hopefully they will help someone out there too.

"I am so sorry to hear about your friend's baby. That's such heartbreaking news. I want to share some resources with you that I've found...maybe it can make this time a more memorable experience. You decide...but I'd talk openly with them about various options, see what they might like.

1) Hand/feet casting. There has got to be someone in your area that does it. This is such a memory. It captures every single little line in their hands, every jagged nail. Maybe a set for grandparents too...etc. When Elias was in the hospital, it was Chawna who thought of this, paid for the lady to come to the hospital and do it there....we thought for sure we'd be losing him. Check with local attachment parenting loops etc, midwives etc for resources

2) There are companies that can come out to the hospital when you know the time is near...or after the fact. They will take beautiful photos of the family, and the little one...they retouch them and make them all beautiful. List of TX ones Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

3) Bereavement Gowns. Something to think about now. This link has various sites and also patterns to show you how to make one
Baby Bereavement Gowns
Heaven Sent Baby-Burial Gowns
Patterns
Heavenly Angels In Need

4) This video....it's so sad, but so wonderful....to celebrate every day we have with our kids. The 99 Balloons Video

5) This blog...a mom of a little girl with trisomy 18....it's also sad..but the mom shares a lot of good stuff...and just wrote a book about her journey with grief. When it comes out, it should be a good read. http://poppyjoy.blogspot.com/ These are people, like your friend, who know ahead of time that they have precious little time with their baby.

6) Meals. Chawna uses this place in Dallas thats pretty cheap. You can go in and make meals to freeze, or they can make them...you get a bunch that you pick for a certain price. Freeze and then when you're not up to cooking you just defrost and voila. Look nearby for freezer meals, or pre-made meals. That would be a great present.

Some Additional Resources:

Resources Page...to donate breastmilk, find unique headstones, etc etc Infant Loss Organizations

MEND: Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death

Caring Hearts at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas Bereavement support for parents, 214/345-2613

http://heart-to-heart-tx.org/  "


This was an email directed to my friend in TX. While those local links may not help you, rest assured there are plenty of organizations out there by you that can lend assistance.  If you need help researching, send me an email, I'd be glad to help you find something. Just leave a comment with your need.

Baby Love Letters- Friday Letters

I found this site and think it is such an inspiration. It gives us a starting point for journaling to our children.

Friday Letters

"The purpose of this blog is to help parents create a meaningful letter to their child, even if it's only one paragraph long and takes 15 minutes to write.

Each Friday a new question will be put up on this blog. Your response to this week's question can stand on its own or be joined together with answers to future questions."

The World's Strangest Cat

While I'm not a big cat lover, one of ours sure gives us a lot of laughs! She sits and lays in the craziest positions. It doesn't help the giggle factor that she's hugely overweight. Ok, I'll be politically incorrect..she's fat! No two ways about it.

Here's how we found her one day



Comfy?!?

JetStream Writing

Elias and I were at a local grocery store (Not Albertsons, they won't let anyone sell during the week...even if one of their managers previously approved it) selling Cub Scout Popcorn.  We looked up and noticed
an N and a heart in the sky. As we watched the pilot drew the P.

Wow, N "heart" P.  The first time he wrote it  (or the first time we saw it) it was horizontal. We were all amazed and talking about what a lucky gal "P" is. Then the pilot started doing it again only a different direction!  I got a photo this time.

Alright, "P" , he loves you! Lucky girl!

The Store

My husband co-owns a triathlon store here in town. My mom and I recently went on a "decorating binge" and painted it, added some signs. etc.





Don't know why the pics are all grainy, but it's truly beautiful inside! Check it out! lvmultisport.com

Caterpillar Drama

You may remember our death experience with our recent caterpillar experiment....well, we got to try again....in a BIG way.

We have a big side garden, and there's a bed of grapes....one day a friend was over and happened to notice like 20 caterpillars on the back of a leaf! Weird....didn't think much about it...we must have been busy because I really didn't think about it for awhile...maybe a week or so.....(big mistake!!)

The next time we went to look at them, there were not so many clustered...and I though, cool, they're dying or going away (nope). Came in and started researching what they could be.

Meanwhile I decide...hey, this is a cool free experiment for everyone..I'll put a bunch in a cup and give them away! Yeah, no buying mulberry leaves, etc, we'll just give away the leaves that are already damaged. So, I offered them up to local homeschoolers....figuring I'd let them come get some in the next 3 or 4 days and then I'd kill them off over the weekend (another bad bad idea....)

Well, I did give many away (if you have some, kill them after you watch the metamorphis...they are nasty nasty procreating buggers!!!)

It was while gathering them that we realized just how many we had....and how many had already become moths, and how many more eggs were laying around. Ohmy....but still I waited till the weekend to kill them!

Anyway...turns out they are Grape Leaf Skeletonizers (AKA Harrisina Americana). Beautiful caterpillars and even more beautiful as moths. If they just didn't lay eggs they'd be perfect! Or eat my grapes......

So, we researched organic killers and found a great one...BT...bactillus thuringiensis....it is a bacteria that does not affect humans but kills these little buggers. I felt bad...but I had saved as many as I could....

Now every day I am out there swatting the moths with a toy shovel, clipping off leaves with eggs and dipping them in boiling water...and trying to get rid of these pests/educational opportunities. (They are weighing heavier in the pest category lately....)

But we did get to see eggs, caterpillar, moth stages...and loved doing so!! See, we can even turn pests into learning!

To spray...add liquid BT with water and some vege oil...it helps coat the leaves and stay!

Whats Wrong With This Picture?

Right about now, the men are stumped, the kids are like, "What, what's wrong? I hung them up!" and the moms are going
1) where's the missing bottom rack towel? And is that really folded nicely?
2) WHY is a tag showing on the top rack?!?

Can you tell I have lots of little people who wipe hands, lose towels to the floor and sometimes do and sometimes don't, put them back up? 

Oh, the joys of motherhood! Guess I better enjoy it before I end up with perfect towels all the time, and no children making messes.

I Love IKEA

I do, I really do, I love IKEA. What's there not to love? Great products, cheap prices, super easy to put together....Now if only they'd open one in Vegas!!!!

Well, I am blessed enough to have friends that go to LA often, and sometimes PURELY for a trip to IKEA...so I send along my list!

Here's my recent catch!

In the back are 10 circle soft spots...I'll be using them for our upcoming preschool co-op class. Then there's a salad spinner. I recently found out people do Spin Art in salad spinners! How fun!
Then there's the toddler plates, tumblers and bowls. I've had a set of their bowls and sets of their toddler utensils and they last for years and are so great. I need more (especially with preschool co-op coming up....I figure why keep using paper plates?!?).
Then there's plastic tumblers that look like glass....for the play kitchen set. Very cool! I got an apple corer and a timer (no significant educational meaning there!) and not pictured are 2 white wood children's chairs for Elias' treehouse. All this, under $100!

Did I already say I Love IKEA?

Wills and Living Wills

Recently, my husband and I decided to get our wills drawn up. We've been putting it off forever and ever and after 9 years of marriage, and with 5 kids involved, it was high time!

We had a wonderful experience. Through word of mouth we found a great family-oriented attorney skilled in wills and estate planning. She rocked!!! We went in for a free consultation, gave her all of our info, and then she drafted it up, ready for us to sign 2 weeks later.

A few key things she brought up.

1) She looked my husband dead in the eye and asked , "Do you have life insurance?" When he said, "no", she responded, "Why not? You're the man of the family, the one responsible, you need to get it." Period. No question. Statement. Rock on!!!!!!!!! I love her. So, yes, we made an appointment with an insurance agent and are talking about the various types of life insurance and long-tern healthcare.

2) As part of the wills, she includes LIVING WILLS. You know, do you want the plug pulled, when do you want it pulled, etc. And also Durable Power of Attorney, which is who can speak for you if you're in a coma or incapacitated. Very Very helpful! She also gave us the information that once signed, copy them and print a set for each of your cars. Which I promptly did, and put in the glove boxes. She also told us about a neat program the state of NV has, called the Living Will Lockbox. Basically you fax them or mail them your documents, they scan them into their registry and assign you a #. They send you a card with that # on it to affix to your drivers license. Then, if you are in a car wreck or something, they can quickly call the # provided and get access to your documents! Very cool!! Here's the website for that Living Will Lockbox


It's never a bad time to discuss what to do when you die. We're all going to die. We sat down and discussed organ donation, pulling the plug issues, what we want to wear in the casket, songs to be played, cremation, etc.

I've printed a lot of the basics out to also send to both of our Durable Powers of Attorney picks. In case Chris and I both bite it at the same time...someone will know what to do!

Here's a funny....ever since I've been married to Chris he's always said, "When I die I want to wear a button that says WHO FARTED?" Off and on through the years he's said it more than once.

So, when we sat down to discuss these things, I asked him if he still meant that, and "Did I haveeeeee to?" whine. Yup. UGHH.

So, I went on Ebay and found a seller's store that makes buttons and emailed her the most embarrassing email....can you make a WHO FARTED button for my husband, who wants to wear it in his casket?! Yup, I told her the whole truth and nothing but the truth. She said her son got a kick out of it. So...here's what Chris will be wearing.

Button


What a wacky sense of humor. Oh well, here's to hoping he goes first and I don't have to!! HAHAH Just kidding honey, of course I will. Your button is safely put with the wills, so it's ready and waiting for you!

Treehouse

My parents were here in May...prior to coming Dad always wants to know what projects I need doing around the house. Usually I keep a running list of loose doorknobs, squeaky chairs, cupboard doors that need rehinging, etc. This year though, Elias wanted a treehouse. Dad spent months drawing up plans, revising, pricing the items needed and more. Elias was soooo excited!

So Nanny and PopPop come....in May...in Vegas....and it was the hottest May yet! Eureka it was nasty outside. But PopPop plugged away building this fort for his grandson. Our neighbor came over and helped a lot, and loaned us all of his tools too! Another friend donated much of the wood needed...and it all came together!





We did run into a snag or two....called neighbors and HOA. The height of the floor was at 7ft, and then there was going to be a 6 ft high area inside....but my back wall is only 8 ft high. SO when we put up the walls for the fort, and there was 3 or 4 ft above the fenceline, my neighbors were not thrilled. After meeting with them we agreed to lower the height of the walls and we added latticework to the top section to maintain their privacy.



PopPop worked on it up to his last morning here...and Elias is so proud now to show it off! There's not enough room to stand, but we bought an indoor/outdoor carpet for the interior...a bunch of chair cushions for seating and a little table. It's SOOOO cute in there!


Because it's so high in the air, we have plenty of SHADE underneath, so I put a few chairs and some of the play toys underneath...it's perfect!!


All of the kids love it. It's already been used and used and used. Thanks PopPop for loving us so much and for always looking out for things we want (not need!).

Elias' Triathlon

Elias's version of a triathlon....yes he's the son of an Ironman!
He came up with this on his own!
Skateboard, Bike and Scooter

Elias on skateboard


E on bike



Elias on scooter


Sebastian, not to be outdone!

Playing in sprinklers

When I lived back East we had sprinklers that were toys....they attached to the hose spigot and then you turned on the water and the sprinkler rained out water. We used to have a blast with this!

Here, in the desert....I haven't ever seen such a toy! I would never have known they exist. What do kids in the desert play with instead? Our built in lawn irrigation!

Here are the kids at a neighbors house. They go lawn to lawn playing in various yards, depending on who has water on when. It's so pathetic, but also cute. These pictures were actually taken before summer started, this was one of the first warm days, and the kids couldn't wait to run through the water!



Sebastian wasn't sure at first, but he went along with brother and stripped!


Every once in awhile I cringe at city living, but the joy on their faces says it doesn't really matter where the water comes from.

Brian's 2009 Formal

People that are interested in homeschooling often ask, or say things like, "Well, I really want my son to be able to go to a Prom, or Graduation....." And I say...."We do all that sort of stuff too!"

If no groups in your area sponsor a Prom/Formal or Graduation, all that's needed is someone willing! Step up, take lead. Find a nice place with a good price for dinner. Then go back to someone's house and have finger foods and some dance time.

The kids this year went to a local Fondue restaurant and then back to one of the kid's houses for a dance.

Here's Brian. He chose the shirt color months before the Formal. It actually looks rather dashing, doesn't it?!


Here's Brian and his friend, Cassia. Could they look any more awkward? Come on guys, this is supposed to be fun, not painful!


Brian always sticks his own brand of uniqueness to everything. His black belt may look plain in the front, but it's actually from his favorite "cause" To Write Love on Her Arms a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.


Group photo. What a bunch of good looking kids huh? And nice too!

Playing with buttons

Lately I've been surfing crafty blogs and a lot of these moms are very Waldorfy-Montessori, full of simple great ideas. I had recently bought a huge bag of buttons, so after washing them I set them in a bowl and gave Sebastian some spoons, and another bowl and let him play away!


Yes I see the plastic in this picture! I'm not claiming I'm Waldorfy, although I'd love to apply more of those principals. But this was a good idea, and Elias even got into it!