Tuesday

Just realized I missed a couple of days of the Joy Dare over the weekend.

Jan. 28 - 3 graces found in your friends:

• a listening ear (by phone or by email or facebook)
• encouragement
• laughter

Jan. 29 - a song heard, a soft word, where you saw light

• Great God of Wonders (hymn sung at church)
• prayers
• the light of God's Word as we studied it in Sunday School and Church

And then, Today:

• a gift found on paper - the words of a good book
• in a person - Miss Barlet.  Such a gift to me & Zach.
• in a picture - the smiling faces of my children

In other news, Janae is much better.  She slept well but seemed tired this morning so I kept her home from school another day to recuperate.  I expect she'll go back tomorrow.

Now I need to go decorate a birthday cake...

Later on Monday

• I added the "Joy Dare" button above in case you're curious about what I'm talking about.  I downloaded the February joy dare list.
• Menno Tea.  After consuming the final bottle, I've decided that it's good, but I probably wouldn't pay the premium price.  The flavor is supposed to be similar to "Meadow Tea" but I found the smell/minty flavor more along the line of the candy butter mints that I make.  I did enjoy it, but it is pricey, and in general I prefer black tea over flavored.  Locally it's available at Oregon Dairy and some other places listed on the website.  I do like that they donate 5 cents per bottle to Everence Sharing Fund to help those in crisis.  And buying it does support a small, local business.
• Janae's fever was at 103 tonight (it was 101 this morning).  Hopefully a good night's sleep will help her body to heal.  She is pretty good while on ibuprofen, but totally "sick" when it wears off....and it has not been lasting the 6-8 hours it's supposed to.
• Joy Dare for today:  3 old things seen new.  1)  the old thermometer works better then the new one for taking temperatures.  2)  I'm still enjoying wearing a sweater my mom gave me for Christmas several years ago (probably longer ago then I realize).  3)  The woodstove that Randy bought many years ago is still a wonderfully cozy source of heat for our home.
• Joy dare for tomorrow - I need to look for a gift found on a paper, in a person, in a picture.  And I need to remember to look....

Random Tidbits

• We had a fun time Saturday night with 3 other couples...I experienced something new and fun...we visited a hibachi grill at a Japanese restaurant.  Lots of fun and laughter...and surprising to me, I enjoyed the food as well!
• I've toyed with the idea of having a birthday party with friends for each of the kids at some point, but so far birthdays are low key and consist of just our family or occasionally extended family.  However, this year's the year, for one child at least!  Josiah is turning 12 and we are going to do a friends party...Should be interesting having lots of 11-13 year olds in this house in the middle of winter.  :-)  He does not want it to be a surprise.
• I've been reading some books again and plan to do another "book review" post in the near future....it's been awhile that I've done that.
• My revised "works for now" schedule has been working out fairly well for me.  I now take the first 30 minutes to an hour of naptime for the things that I used to do before the children got up.  It's working out fairly well.  I would like to add into that spending some "preschool" time with Zach.  But so far that's simply a good intention and not a reality.
• Janae is home from school today.  She woke up with a headache and fever.  I think there is sinus drainage as well.
• Time to go to my naptime routine, figure out supper, and fold laundry.  :-)

Friday

I have a roast in the crock pot so the house is smelling delicious right now.  I planned to serve baked sweet potatoes with it...but am currently contemplating if I should do leftovers with it instead....need to decide...

The Menno Tea that I won from Coupon Cutting Mom is delicious.  I found it quite minty and refreshing.  I doled out half cups to each child (I won 2 16 oz. bottles) for them to try and saved the other bottle for myself.  Josiah did not like it...to minty.  But the others all begged for more.

Joy Dare for Jan. 27 - 3 gifts that might never have been.
This one's easy!  Zach, Mark, Micah.  Had we never taken the step of foster care, we would have missed out on our 3 precious, unique children.  Of course, Josiah, Autumn & Janae are also gifts that we would have missed if we wouldn't have taken the path of parenthood.

Well, I'm going to go drink some more of my tea and finish paying bills.  If I'm not on again this weekend, have a good one!

January is almost over

This morning I babysat 2 sweet nephews and a niece.  Love spending time with my little relatives...and cuddling a baby...it's been awhile since Micah was little.  After they left, I dropped off the boys with my sister-in-law and went in to school to have lunch with the school kids.  It was delicious...Amish Roast (chicken & filling combined), Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Gravy, Red Beet Eggs, Chocolate Ice Cream Cake Dessert, Iced Tea and/or Lemonade.  Tonight Josiah is at Jr. Youth Bible Study at church.  Someone is dropping him off so I could still put the little ones to bed at their normal time.

We got a new mattress today.  I'm looking forward to realizing how bad the old one really was.  :-)

Joy Dare for today:

• A gift before nine am - time with those nephews & niece
• gift before noon - eating lunch/chatting with my school kids
• a gift after dark - quiet (well, it's really not yet...one is moaning/crying that a sore spot needs a bandaid, 2 are fussing loudly about where is "I-Ah"...but it will be.)

I got the Menno Tea that I won today and will let you know what I think after I drink it....somehow I doubt that 8:11 at night is a very good time to do so.  :-)

A few days after the last post.

Tuesday morning I read that it was officially "the most depressing day of the year".  I did not feel depressed at all!  My foster & adoptive parent playgroup was meeting at our house.  We have a small group that meets one Wednesday a month and a larger group that meets one Tuesday a month.  I had missed the December Tuesday group since the stomach virus was in our house.  We had several newcomers this time and it was delightful to get to know them.  I always feel so encouraged and energized after these times.

In the afternoon I took Zach to a neuropsychologist for a consultation.  We are looking to find out a bit more specifically what we're dealing with to help his current therapists (a counselor and an occupational therapist) work with him.  He said that Zach has ADHD and possibly some other things.  And sent me home with lots of paperwork to fill out and return after which he'll write an official report and we'll go from there.  So last night I filled out all the paperwork.  I want to look over it another time though before I mail it to make sure I have it fairly accurate.

This morning my house got cleaned.  Micah was cranky most of the day.  I read a lot of books to the little boys.  We played with the Snap-N-style Dolls (Fisher-Price).  We had gotten them out for our girl company on Tuesday and even the little boys enjoy playing with them...although they usually end up throwing them around.  I did laundry.

Randy was home for the afternoon.  His schedule's been a bit different recently allowing him to be home some afternoons...delightful for us all to have a bit of extra time with him.

Tomorrow I am planning to go eat lunch with the school kids.  They have a hot lunch and the parents are invited.

In other news, I won a giveaway!  And I'm excited to taste the tea that I won.

Joy Dare Update:

January 24 - 3 things blue

1. jeans
2. sky
3. pottery bowl I received for Christmas

January 25

1. one grace borrowed - books....love borrowing books :-)
2. one grace found - the invitation to my cousin's babyshower.  I lost it immediately upon receiving it and my friend who cleans found it this morning.  I now know the details.
3. one grace inherited - how I look to a certain extent is due to genetics...so I guess you could say I inherited my outward appearance from my parents and grandparents.

Monday

I'm feeling a bit down...maybe it's the weather...anyway, perhaps catching up on the Joy Dare will help...

Jan. 21

• one thing in the sky - the sun.  I'm always grateful for sunny weather (except perhaps in the heat of summer).
• one thing from your memory - the memory of going to Maine...twice to teach Bible School and once for our honeymoon.
• one thing that's ugly-beautiful - hmmm.....not sure about this one....

Jan. 22

• one thing wrinkled - faces of the elderly...and mine will get there slowly but surely.
• one thing smoothed - a freshly ironed shirt/skirt/dress.
• one grace unfolded - a tissue for a little boy whose nose was running in church.

Jan. 23 (today) - 3 gifts found in Christ.

• the gift of sonship (daughtership) through adoption.
• the gift of forgiveness through the cross
• the gift of eternity through the resurrection.

I saw this linked to someone's facebook page and it is quite a challenge for me....

January 22

Today is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.

Today I'm thankful for my younger boys...for Zach, for Mark, for Micah.  Many would (and do) say that they should never have existed because (how can she keep having children, can't they stop her from having more, etc.)  But I'm so glad that their birth mother chose life for them (and her other children).  Even though she couldn't keep them, she gave them life.  And in turn, they have changed my life.  And I am forever grateful.

Jeremiah 1:5
Before I (God) formed you in the womb, I knew you.  Before you were born I set you apart.

Psalm 139:13-16
For You (God) created my inmost being.  You knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

"He's Been There"

Today I ran across this song which I had never heard before....and I really appreciate it.

Joy Dare for today:

3 Gifts you only saw when you got close up...and I haven't figured it out yet, hopefully I will come back and insert them when I think of 3 things that fit this category.  How about nose hairs, ear hairs, and arm hairs...I'm sure they have a good purpose.  :-)

In other news, I took Micah to the doctor today.  He has a "textbook" ear infection.  I went to the pharmacy to get the prescription filled but the pharmacy didn't have it.  So now I'm waiting for the doctors office to call back and let me know that they changed it.  If they don't call soon I'll call them....I think they close at 5:00 and it's already 4:16.

Another Day of random thoughts

Perhaps the boys are both much better...they wouldn't stay in bed, kept getting together to play.  Last night they both slept well...unheard of recently!  Can they make it 2 nights....I keep hearing someone coughing so I have my doubts...

I had a fun time at MOPS this morning.

Joy Dare for today:

1. a grace in the kitchen - my dishwasher.  I love my dishwasher.  :-)
2. a grace in the weather - saw a bit of sunshine today.  I love sunshine.  Chance of snow tonight...considering we only had that freak October snow storm, it would be nice to see a bit of snow.
3. a grace that might never have been - a full wheelbarrow load of wood.  I'm always so thankful when I go to do the woodstove when Randy's not home and find that he has all the wood ready for me.  Such a blessing.

Tomorrow's Agenda (subject to change of course):

1. laundry (of course)
2. dishes (as usual)
3. clean up the house (again)
4. errands (I'm down to 5 eggs....which means that in 2 weeks we went through 7-1/2 dozen eggs).
5. pay the bills

Randy's on his way south from Ontario dealing with ice and snow and all that mess....I will breathe a sigh of relief when he's home safe again.

And now I should go to bed....

Antibiotics again...

...this time for Mark.  I took the boys to the doctor for their well-child check-ups.  Both were the picture of health (except for the..umm...nasal drip!) as the ran laps around the exam table.  As I mentioned yesterday I was suspicious that Micah might be coming down with something but no, he was perfectly fine other then that cold (although he slept much more today then normal which is quite odd so I'm still suspicious).  Mark, on the other hand, had a very nice ear infection.  This kid has had various ear infections, and I don't think I have ever taken him to the doctor for one, they've always been diagnosed when I took him for something else.  He must have an extremely high pain tolerance or something!  Anyway, he is now on antibiotics to clear up that and all the nasty mucus in his head.  He did not act at all sick, but there you have it....you never know!

Joy Dare for Today - 3 Gifts from God's Word.

1. Genesis 1:1 - In the Beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. - The gift of creation.
2. Psalm 103 - I was going to type a few verses, but there is so much in here that ministers to me.  He redeems me and forgives ALL my sins.  He has compassion on those who fear him.  He remembers that we are dust.  verses 17&18 - But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children--with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. - The gifts of redemption, of forgiveness and of restoration.
3. Revelations 21:4 - "He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." and Revelations 22:3 - "No longer will there be any curse." - The gift of setting things right

Random Thoughts

Joy Dare for Today:

• one gift that you made laugh:  Micah...tickled his tummy and he giggled and giggled.
• one gift that made you pray:  My children...constantly praying for wisdom!
• one gift that made you quiet:  hmm...God's Word, I love to be quiet and read the Bible.

In other thoughts:

I mentioned that Saturday we had a family dinner in the evening.  I was assigned to bring a dessert.  I planned to make a lovely Black Forest Torte...brownie layers with cherry pie filling and cool whip...easy and elegant.  However, a sweet little 3 year old walked by the rack where the brownie layers were cooling.  When I glanced over a few moments later, I noticed that the one layer was missing a hunk of brownie...so much for my lovely torte!  So, I remembered that for Micah's adoption party I had made a trifle that contained a brownies.  So I searched and found the recipe, and instead took a lovely Mocha Brownie Trifle to the gathering.  I did tweak it a bit for our tastes...I substituted chopped peanut butter cups in place of Heath bars.  It was delicious!

This morning Zach had therapy with Miss Barlet.  This week's session was markedly better then the last session.  Tomorrow is Mark's speech therapy and Mark & Micah have well-child check-ups.  I'm glad they do because Micah's been quite cranky and I'd really like his ears looked at again.  He's been having an ear infection (and subsequent antibiotic) once a month in November and December so I'm really wondering if that's the reason he hasn't been sleeping well the last few weeks.

I do need to bake something tomorrow as well...all out of baked goods around here.

Last night I started watching "The Sound of Music" with the 3 little boys while the older kids were ice skating.  Tonight we all finished watching it.  I did skip the scary parts because Janae is highly sensitive to anything remotely scary.  I also skipped the song that Captain & Maria sing to each other about "somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must've done something good."  That song always kind of annoyed me...I guess I rebel against the thoughts that "falling in love/getting a spouse" are a result of "doing something good" at some point.  Although I certainly do believe that our actions have consequences for good or bad.  But the Bible teaches that God gives gifts to both the good and the evil...and that we are all bad, except for His grace and mercy through Jesus Christ.  But anyway, some people do lots of good things, and don't "get a man" and other people do not do lots of good things, and do find a partner...so that song just doesn't make much sense to me.  I do love the movie though...love the music, love the scenery, and the little things that seeing it now I catch that I missed when I saw it as a child.

Monday noon.

We had an enjoyable weekend.  Saturday evening my mom's side of the family had their Christmas gathering...love hanging out with my relatives.  :-)  Sunday morning Autumn was baptized.  Also quite exciting!  Most of our family came and then came over to our house for lunch afterwards.  Then late afternoon I went to the Ladies Tea at church.  Ladies (and older girls) are given the option of being "Secret Sisters".  We pray for each other and give small gifts throughout the year.  At the tea we find out who was our secret sister last year and draw names for the next year.

Today I'm doing laundry.  Zach went with Randy for a couple of hours this morning which appeared to be quite thrilling.  :-)  Now the 3 little boys are playing nicely until naptime (which comes earlier if they stop playing nicely).

Joy Dare Catch Up:

Jan. 14 - 3 ways you glimpsed the startling grace of God.

1. Well, I had thought about this on Saturday...but can't remember what I thought of!  Another breath perhaps.
2. Another glorious sunny (albeit cold) day
3. another day to love my family.

Jan. 15

1. One thing you wore - my tall black boots...I love them!
2. One thing you gave away - I gave a t-shirt to my secret sister that I bought from www.arethesekidsallyours.blogspot.com to support their next adoption.
3. One thing you shared - Lots of laughter and friendship at the Ladies Tea.

Today, Jan. 16 - 3 ways you witnessed happiness today

1. The look on Zach's face when he got to go with Daddy on the truck.
2. The sunshine makes me happy...as do the lovely yellow walls in my kitchen.
3. The expressions of my little boys.

Today is a "day off of school" for most of those I know, but our kids have school today.  It's a make-up day for a day we missed in September (I think) due to flooding.

3 Joys...and other random thoughts

Todays Joy Dare:  3 Sounds you hear:

1. "napping" children chattering quietly to themselves in their make-believe world.
2. the wind whipping around the house
3. the low murmur of the computer.

I love the quietness of naptime, even if I hear quiet chatter...a calm respite in this noisy household.  The chilliness has returned to our area with strong wind gusts.  It's cold out!  But the wind reminds me that trees are strengthened by wind, and without winds, they would snap easily in gales like this.  And in life we face lots of "winds"...some gentle, some strong and blustery...but with them we are strengthened so that we don't "snap".  And I'm certainly grateful for the computer...makes bookkeeping easier and the internet connects me with others in ways not possible just a few years/decades ago.

This morning I ventured out in the cold and wind to get a few things at the grocery store.  I stopped and had a cup of coffee with my sister-in-law.  I baked some "Place-and-bake" cookies that I found at the discount grocery store.  After I get off the computer I'm going to work at straightening up the kitchen and figure out what's for supper.  My meal plan says "cheeseburger soup"....but unfortunately, my extensive supply of ground beef appears to have been exhausted so I need to come up with a new plan for tonight.

I'm continuing to try and declutter/organize my house (a constant battle for a family of 8 with varying age ranges and interests!).  Earlier this week I rearranged some furniture and in the process sent another tub of toys down to the basement toy room/closet which is kept locked to minimize clean-up and help us with the "one (or 2) things at a time"...before we locked it everything would be out and dumped and nothing played with. 

Yesterday I worked at organizing my tea/hot beverage tray which was overflowing.  I found a spot to store some of the things piled on it that is still convenient if I decide I want one of them.  Next thing on my list...my cookbook cupboard.  I love looking at cookbooks...far prefer it to searching online, although I prefer searching online if I'm looking for something specific and am in a hurry.  Anyway, so I have quite a collection of cookbooks and cooking magazines.  In fact, the shelves are full and the space between the cookbooks and top of the cupboard is full.  So something obviously needs to go somewhere!  Usually what happens, though, is that I'll pull a cookbook and think, "I don't use this one much or ever, I'll send it to Reuzit/Goodwill/etc."  And then I make the mistake of opening it, see a good recipe, and think, "I'll use this soon"....anyway.  Maybe I should just put the ones I don't use but want to sometime in the basement or attic and see if I miss them...

Jan. 12

Around here, when someone looses a tooth, the tooth fairy comes to visit.  Now, it's a huge joke; everyone knows it's actually mom, but it's a fun little tradition we have.  Another part of the joke is that the tooth fairy is very flighty and irresponsible.  She forgets...nearly every.single.time!  Anyway, Janae lost another tooth last week or the week before or sometime...and the tooth fairy (aka Mom) appeared to be oblivious.  So she told me she wrote me a note to remind me.  And yes, she did.  There are a couple of notes on the counter...one large, one small...and both say:  "Give Janae money!"  :-)  And yes, the tooth fairy finally remembered.

January's Joy Dare for today:

1. something above you - the ceiling and roof of my house.  Not everyone in this world is so blessed.
2. something below you -  Ditto for the floor beneath me (and basement beneath that)
3. something beside me - empty space...the air I breathe...a blessing that without I would cease to exist.

Am I supposed to be this literal about this?!

Wednesday

My post headings are always so original!

Anyway, today was a lovely day.  Randy was home for a good part of it which was nice!  I got to go to play group this morning and it was such fun to hang out with my friends while our kids played again...I'd missed this for awhile due to sick kids.  Yesterday Zach met Miss Laura, his attachment/trauma therapist.  Miss Laura will be working with him every other Tuesday.  Miss Barlet will continue doing occupational therapy with him the other Tuesdays.  This morning Mark had speech with Miss Susan.  Since Randy was home this afternoon, I went to the discount grocery store all by myself....and got a chore out of the way that would've taken most of the morning either tomorrow or Friday.  I also got a lot of bookwork done during naptime.

Tomorrow's agenda...catch up on the laundry.  I think a friend is stopping in for a cup of tea.  Play with boys.  I'm also working on getting my 2011 digital scrapbook done since there's a sale right now that runs out on the 15th and I'd love to take advantage of the discount!  And I still need to get my office back in order.

Joy Dares:

Jan. 10

1. a gift that's sour - lemons
2. a gift that's sweet - sugar
3. a gift that's Just. Right. - Lindt Lindor Truffles...scrumptious!

Jan. 11 - 3 yellow things that strike you as fresh mercy (???  I shouldn't have used lemon as my sour thing for yesterday!)

1. the walls in my kitchen
2. light (although not exactly "yellow")
3. my son's warm winter coat...a good quality hand-me-down.

Joy Dare continued

Jan. 8 - a light that caught you, a reflection that surprised you, a shadow that fell lovely.  (hmm...no ideas here....)

I love the way light glistens on icicles.

One year when we were camping Randy and the kids walked around a lake (and a not very nice one at that) and the pictures came back with nice reflections.

I love the shadow of a tree on a hot summer day, providing respite from the heat of the sun.

January 9 - a gift in your hand, a gift you walked by, a gift you sat with  (okay, really, I do not think like this...and so I'm afraid my answers are either more shallow or more repetitive then what the author has in mind...nonetheless, it's still a good exercise!)

• chocolate in the hand is ALWAYS a gift
• Walking with my husband and children is such a pleasure
• sitting with my husband or child or friend and talking is a privilege. 

Assorted Thoughts

I am trying one more time (I think I said that the last time) to make a homemade laundry detergent.  I got this recipe from a friend who got it off another blog.  This is a powder detergent instead of a liquid.  Saturday I bought the ingredients at a grocery store, and this morning I mixed it up.  I did fudge the recipe a bit as the boxes of Borax and Washing Soda did not come in 4 lb. sizes, I just used the box it came in (4 lb. 12 oz. of borax and 3 lb. 7 oz. of Washing Soda if I remember correctly).

This weekend we had a family get together with my dad's side of the family....nice to see my aunts and uncles and cousins again.

Sunday afternoon/evening we had Transport for Christ event planning meetings.  In the afternoon we planned the Truck Rally (4th Saturday in June).  If you're reading this and have been a part of it, you can help us spread the word that this year there will be no judging of trucks.  We still invite you to bring your truck and be part of the truck parade and hang out and enjoy looking at lots of great trucks, but there will be no judging and no trophies.  In place of the trophies there will be 10 door prizes.  All drivers who register their truck will be eligible to win a door prize.

In the evening we planned the Transport for Christ Dinner concert.  This year it will be on March 31.  As usual, it will be held at Yoder's Banquet facility in New Holland, PA.  The concert will feature Gospel Harmony (or something like that...I can't remember their exact name), a local bluegrass group.  Ticket cost is $20/person, $14/ages 3-10 and must be purchased in advance.  Contact me for more information.

Now we're back to a normal week.  Zach starts meeting with the attachment/trauma therapist on Tuesday.  He will be meeting with her every other week and continuing with his occupational therapist every other week for the time being.  Mark has speech on Wednesday.  And hopefully I will be able to go to play group this week as well...haven't been to one in awhile because of the sick kids.

No one else has gotten sick yet, but I won't really breath easy about that until 2 weeks go by.  Janae is much better and went back to school today.

Today I'm concentrating on laundry and getting the house back in order from our busy weekend.  I also try to clean out a cupboard or drawer as I have time....

On with the Joy Dare

Okay, backing up and "capturing the gifts" from January 1-5

Jan. 1 - 3 things about yourself you are grateful for (okay, this is hard, I'm really not up on introspection!)

1. that I'm fairly laid back (okay...I admit, I have a love/hate relationship with this trait...sometimes I wish I had more drive).
2. that I can play piano (does that count?)
3. I have no desire for a career, and never have. (which works well since I'm a stay-at-home mom...not sure what'll happen when the kids grow up...we'll see how God leads!)

Jan. 2 - a gift outside, inside, on a plate

1. Our shed...so much nicer to get around in the garage now.
2. my KitchenAid Mixer...nearly 15 years old and going strong.
3. on a plate....does that mean a food item?  There is nothing currently on a plate in this house...oh yes, I do have some leftover (baked from frozen) pizza from lunch.  And I was quite thankful for that pizza since I had no bread thawed for sandwiches and the kids were tired of canned soup (had that the last 2 days).

Jan. 3 - 3 lines you overheard that were graces.

Okay...no idea at all....possibly things I overhead people say that blessed me?  Really, can't think of anything!

So, in other gifts:

1. chai tea with milk and sugar
2. Tilly Mint's Tea Room Royal Wedding Tea - a Christmas gift from my cousin/friend, and my first experience with loose leaf tea
3. Cone shaped coffee filters which fit nicely in a mug to use with above loose leaf tea.

Jan. 4 - one gift old, new, & blue

(I've got to say, I'm assuming "gift" to mean "person/place/thing I'm thankful to God for"

1. My grandparents (who don't really seem old to me, but in the scope of life, they've been in mine for all these years.)
2. a Doll.  My Aunt is a collector and recently blessed my sisters and I each with one of her (very nice!) dolls.  Actually, I'm getting it tomorrow (I think).  My doll is beautiful and named Suelynn.  I think I'll pick a new name though....
3. Blue...blue is a color I don't use much anymore, but used to so that makes it a bit tougher....hmmm...I have a beautiful ball ornament that is white & blue that my friend got me for Christmas one year.  I have it hanging from a curtain rod in my kitchen and it reminds me of her.

Jan. 5 - something you're reading, you're making, you're seeing

1. reading - The Laughing Cavalier
2. making - Zach's afghan (come to think of it, that would qualify for blue for the 4th as well)
3. seeing - The Sound of Music (I got it for Christmas and plan to watch it soon).

Did Jan. 6 on the 6th, so just:

Jan. 7 - 3 graces from people you love

1. the gift of listening
2. the gift of an encouraging word
3. the gift of a hug

And all caught up....

Blogger Friends

When I started blogging, I never guessed that I'd enjoy friendships with other bloggers whom I had never met...but what a blessing it has been, both receiving others' comments and reading others' blogs.  Recently another blogger reviewed the book "Nearing Home" by Billy Graham.  When I commented that I'd like to read it, she graciously mailed it across the country to me!  I've read the first 3 chapters and am enjoying it.  Another blogger sent me her family Christmas card.  I love the blogging community!  :-)

My sweet girl

Yesterday, when  I took Janae to the doctor (speaking of whom, we had the new P.A. at our practice and absolutely LOVE her), the PA prescribed Amoxicillin.  Janae, sweet child, said "good my sister isn't sick.  she can't have that...she's electric."  It was all the PA and I could do not to burst out laughing!  And yes, she meant "allergic"....

Happy Thoughts

• that Randy will be home tomorrow...after having him home from Dec. 23-Jan. 2, having him gone all week is a shock to all of our systems!
• Chocolate chip cookies, still warm with gooey chocolate
• Kneading bread
• Eating fresh baked bread (plain, particularly the ends)
• Baking without a deadline
• children playing contentedly (although no doubt making large messes)
• Coffee with creamer

Hmm...should I be concerned that so many of these concern food?!  :-)

Anyway, I've been hearing a lot about the book "one thousand gifts" and the joy dare to record 1000 gifts in January.  I even printed out "January's Joy Dare:  capture these gifts".  Now, I can probably come up with 1000 things I'm thankful for...but doing it from the list...I think whoever wrote this thinks much deeper then I do...I guess that means I'm much shallower?  But honestly I draw total blanks at some suggestions.  Nonetheless, it's a great plan, and I'm thinking about doing the ones I can figure out and perhaps I can still come up with 1000 till the year is out.  :-)

Today's dare:

1. one thing in your bag - my Kindle Touch, I love having it when I'm stuck in a waiting room without any magazines...and I love the free books I get on it (haven't bought a book yet)...wonder how long it will take to read the 104 books I have on it (after all, I still prefer real books and read them instead when possible).
2. one thing in your fridge - well, that would have to be the mocha coffee creamer...love creamer in my coffee (although I will drink it black if it's weak).
3. one thing in my heart - huh?  like blood?...I am thankful for that!  I assume the writer means in my figurative heart...something/someone I care deeply about?  That would be Randy...so blessed to be his wife, so glad he's my husband.

I should go back and do days 1-5...but I'd better make that another post...this is getting long...

Today

Earlier today, I posted some verses from Isaiah.  I was in a hurry so didn't elaborate...so here are a few more thoughts.

The past 6 months my schedule has been all out of whack.  My "typical" morning schedule had been:
5:30-6:30 - get up, dressed, have a cup of tea and spend time with God (read the Bible, pray, journal), and if time, check facebook & email.
6:30 - 8:00 - kids get up, breakfast, start laundry, get kids dressed, older kids off to school, clean up breakfast.

However, my "ideal" schedule has just not been working ever since Micah learned to crawl out of the crib and we moved him to a regular bed.  He seems to be a very light sleeper and will usually get up as soon as I do (or when Randy leaves).  For various reasons, putting him back to bed and telling him to stay there is simply not ideal at the moment (even if I'd really, really like to do it...and I will...when the time is right).  Anyway, naps were also horrible (as I've blogged about in the past).  They got better when I separated everyone back in September or October (when I was having my health issues that we eventually figured out were due to stress and sleep deprivation).  So, I've been very frustrated with not having my morning time with God, and having naptime not working real well as an option since the boys weren't staying put well consistently, and I was exhausted by bedtime.

This week I finally let go of my "ideal" for the moment and decided that I simply must come up with a new schedule.  So, for now, I am sleeping in (6:30-7:00) even though I sometimes complain about it and wish it were different (and still have the alarm set for 5:15, even though it's not working out).  At this point, this is best for us (but it will change in the future....after all, nothing is certain except change!).  And I recently discovered that if I put Micah to bed at naptime and shut the door, it (usually) works better, so I started doing that.  So I am now making an effort to have my "morning time" as soon as I put the boys down for their nap...and I don't even have to worry about making noise when I make my tea or coffee like I do in the morning.  :-)

Last year I started reading through the Bible chronologically (inspired by Kimmie).  I was using a reading plan designed to get through the Bible in a year.  That didn't happen, but I'm picking up this year where I left off.  And hopefully it doesn't take me all year to finish the last weeks.

Today my reading was Isaiah 40-43.  When I read:

"He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young."
Isaiah 40:11

I thought "that's wonderful, so encouraging, just what I needed to hear...why go on?!"  I love that God leads me.  But I did go on and continued to read these wonderful chapters.  I fully admit that I don't understand everything in the prophetic books.  I know some has happened, and some is still to come, and He is in control.  And I find such comfort in words such as "he gently leads those that have young." as well as the others that I posted early including "I have called you by name, you are mine".

(Pause while I check on noisy little boys who may or may not be in their respective beds.)

Anyway, those are a few of my thoughts today.  And it was good to sit down tonight and remember what I had thought about earlier...tonight when I have worked hard at getting the house in order today and it again looks like a hurricane hit it (guess what some kids will be doing after breakfast?!)....and so I'm feeling discouraged....and then I read the verses again and gained strength to keep going instead of just giving up.

Enjoy your weekend!

Random verses from the book of Isaiah

"He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young."
Isaiah 40:11

"He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak."
Isaiah 40:29

"So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name;
you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze."
Isaiah 43:1a-3

Janae is sick

Yesterday I picked her up from school...low fever, headache, sore throat.  By last night she had a fever of 102.  Today, whenever her medicine (acetominiphen or ibuprofen) ran out she was miserable.  Although I thought she had a virus, I took her to the doctor "just in case".  Turns out she has "acute tonsillitis"...maybe so, maybe strep.  Since she was going to get amoxicillin regardless, I didn't bother with the strep test...no use paying for something that won't change what happens.  So, she started on the antibiotic tonight.  Hopefully by tomorrow night she'll be perking up....

Since she's sick I stayed home from MOPS today...did some laundry, rearranged some cupboards.

I'm off to bed.  Micah's been sleeping poorly so even though I feel like it's to early to go to bed, I think I'll go...

Christmas Gift

One of my favorite Christmas gifts this year is the original hoodie-footie pajamas from Pajamagrams.  Knowing that I tend to be cold all the time in the winter, Randy got me these.  There are so cozy, like a cross between a bathrobe and a sweatsuit.  Sometimes our house is cool over night and these keep me quite cozy!  They are worth every penny.  :-)  They are available in all sizes and for the whole family.  (And no, I am not the lady in the picture...I copied it from the website.)  :-)

Childhood memories

• In August, while on our beach vacation, I found the game "Clue" at a consignment shop.  I fondly remembered sitting in my friend's farmhouse kitchen and playing it with her on Sunday afternoons.  So I bought it and gave it to Autumn for Christmas.  She is now hooked just like I was, and we've enjoyed playing it several times since she received it.
• It is freezing cold around here.  One of our neighbors created a small ice rink in their backyard with wood, plastic, and runoff water from the spouting.  Josiah & Autumn had a blast over there today!  And that brought back memories to of going to the same friend's farm where there were little ponds in the meadow.  Before the ice on my Aunt's larger pond was frozen, we could skate (again, on Sunday afternoons) on these little ponds.  Somehow I don't remember the cold...

Potty Training - Round 5

So, it's time...I think...I guess...time to work on potty training child #5.  I have no methods, no tried & true, guaranteed plan of action.  This is probably my least favorite aspect of toddlerhood/preschooler years.  But, I have survived the first 4.  So we will need to try again.  I never try until they are 3 (although any interest ahead of time is certainly encouraged).  I bought some generic "pull-ups".  And Mark is thrilled.  He'll even sit on the potty once or twice a day.  So I guess that's a step in the right direction.  I don't think he has a clue what he's supposed to do...but it'll come.  I know I could go right to underwear....but I really, really hate cleaning up messy underwear so we'll wait a bit to go quite that far.  I've contemplated waiting until next January and training Mark & Micah together....but that puts Mark at 4-1/2 which seems a bit old to only be starting.  We might still be working on it then, but we'll start now...I guess....  I do like to potty train January-March.  Summer tends to be very busy and the fall/early winter has assorted holidays.  January-March is probably the slowest time of year around here.  Anyway, when it happens, it happens.....I just need to make sure I do my part....

Christmas Photos

 Mark (w/Micah behind him)

 Zach

 Autumn & Janae each got an organizer for their scrapbooking stuff.

 Micah

 Florescent lighting always changes the coloring!

Here's Randy & Mark.

 Micah

 Zach (Mark behind him)

 Josiah - I discovered I hardly have any photos of him!

Micah & Me.

And now it is time to go fold laundry....

Christmas 2011

Alright, I'm getting around now to discussing our Christmas vacation...

The kids had off school from Dec. 23-Jan. 1.  Randy had off that whole time as well as Jan. 2.  We were all spoiled having so much Daddy-time!  While home, Randy made the girls a new set of bunkbeds.  I'll show you the photos when I get them uploaded.

Christmas Eve we spent with my family at my parents house.  Sunday morning we opened the small gifts in our stockings (toothbrushes, cheap DVD, hair clip for girls, etc.).  Randy's parents joined us for lunch.  After naps we opened our gifts to (and from) the kids.  We spent Monday at Randy's parents home with his family.

During the week we did normal household stuff and worked at projects around the house.  Randy cut a bunch of fire wood and got his truck maintenance taken care of.  Really, I can't remember much any more!  The girls spent a night at their cousin's house.  Josiah attended a birthday party and a Lock-In (although I picked him up at 11:00 from that).

Dec. 30, while Josiah was at the lock in, a friend and I shopped the clearance sales at the local wal-mart and k-mart.  New Year's Eve our friends joined us for a few hours.  They did not stay late and we did not stay up late.

Anyway, it was a great week.  I'll post some pictures shortly.  And now we're back to normal...

2012 - Random

• How long until I get used to writing 2012 or /12?
• Love hearing my 4-year-old son singing a song from a VBS that Janae went to this past summer:  "I am not forgotten, I am not forgotten, I am not forgotten, God knows my name!"
• Doing laundry today.
• Did not see the New Year in (and haven't since we were youth advisors back in 2000 or so...unless a baby happened to wake up then).
• trying to get back on track with reading the Bible...these early rising preschoolers put a crimp in my schedule!