A Day Of Firsts

Today two of my baby girls encountered more "firsts" in their lives. Walking, talking, reading and writing marked exciting milestones for them but it's adorable to see how thrilled they are with these next stages :)

Joy In The Mundane

The alluring and greatly-missed sunshine had been the object of my happy conversations with people lately, the small talk at gatherings, the phone calls. It had been the reason why we began to run around again, somehow finding more errands to run than usual. Family visits, places to go, things to do. I started to notice the busyness and how our schoolwork was waning. I pushed the thoughts away since we were finding joy in the balmy temperatures. It's often said that the weather has an impact on our emotions and our attitudes, even our physical bodies. I got carried away with it's beckoning and I knew it was time to rein-in that draw I had to dance in the sun's beams.

Rain fell gently outside my window and I drew back the curtains. Mmmm, I love this kind of day. The kind that exudes that cozy feeling. The kind that allows a cup of tea and a settling down with the books again. We were finding joy in the coming back and the organization and the goal-keeping. I wanted ten more days like this!

But where was my drive coming from? What got me up in the morning and what sustained my days? What was I teaching my children? That my mood could drive our days? That all our goal-setting depended on the weather? I was like a leaf tossed to and fro with every whim and fancy.

I read, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12) and "See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time..." (Ephesians 5:15). These scriptures broke me. Redeeming the time is not only about scheduling here, it's also about what is filling that time. When I thought about how little time I actually have with my children before they leave my home for good, I re-evaluated my training process. It was becoming too willy-nilly and the Lord was convicting me. I yearned to watch my children grow in self-discipline and hard work. Teach them my ways, not yours, is what I kept hearing from His whisper.

I praised God for the freedom in homeschooling to be able to relish in a day here and there, a treat unlike the grind of school buses and scheduled hours but I also praised Him for the accountability He nudges in me. So now, I am learning to find joy in the mundane, ordinary schedule of life where truth and training are found... no matter what the weather. We'll do our math on the fresh, velvety grass in the backyard or paint pictures by a rain-spattered window, but we will do our work well.

Gratitude 235. various kinds of weather

236. convicting nudges from God (my ultimate accountability)

237. the other changes He's making in me (miracles, really)

238. new hope for the wrongfully imprisoned!

239. golf

240. lisps and mispronounced "r" from little ones

241. friends for corporate fasting

242. family walks on Sundays

A Healthy Attitude

We baked "Auntie Kathy's Banana Bread" this morning--my youngest three, scooping, stirring and slopping. They were commenting on how slimy it looked and ew!, those ripened bananas! Emily, who eats all of her vegetables and chooses an apple over chocolate treats boldly announced,

"The more yuckier it looks, the more healthier we are!"

Well, this one's certainly not sugar-free but I love her healthy attitude! :)

Tween

For the first time I think I understand what people mean when they say, "tween years". It takes having a child in this stage to fully grasp this concept. Meghan vacillates between being an adult and a child. At eleven years of age, she is a great help to me. There's not much I can't trust her with and she rises to the challenge when I present her with any new endeavour. However, there are those days when she just wants to be a little girl, to play and to imagine and to be carefree. In recent days, I've seen more of the former and it truly feels like we're entering a new era. What an immense blessing for me to watch this precious girl blossom into a fantastic young lady (a term she isn't fond of-- still, the little girl side of her :).

Falling Down Laughing

My mom picked up this little gem from a garage sale one year.

It has been the item of much joy for her grandchildren ever since.

Two children hold on tightly to each other and roll down the hill in Mom's backyard.

At least one of them always falls off.

And then tumbles, giggling all the way.

If you could only see the very slight grade this hill has, you would laugh.

But, oh, the falling! Somehow, it seems to be the funniest thing to all of them at this age.

Here they go!

Pure joy!

This is so fun!

Let's do it again!

I love it when you fall on me, Oliver!

Good times at Mama and Papa's house.

The Best Kind Of Mess

Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up

is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.

Phyllis Diller

(Oliver and his blanket fort in the living room)

Gratitude# 234. A house with children's messes

Family Togetherness at Easter

Two families: mine and my husband's.

(Many are missing from the photos, including my husband's parents but what a great time we had together)

More Than Just A Man

This is what our church's Easter musical is called this year.

Dramatic presentations of the death and resurrection of our Lord touch our hearts once again.

From His great miracles...

to His commands about loving the poor and sick, orphaned and widowed...

to His gentle and inviting words...

Jesus' life beckons our response.

What will we do with this Jesus?

One day we will all give an answer for what we've chosen.

He is more than just a man.

He is the Son of God.

"But the angel answered and said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.' " (Matthew 28:5,6)

Happy Easter!