Jesus- my example in all things

Before I had my first child, I was given one of the best pieces of parenting advice I've ever received. The dispenser of such amazing wisdom was pregnant with twins-her 8th and 9th child- at the same time I was expecting my first. Needless to say she had been around the block a few times, and I had yet to even walk out of the house! What was the morsel of wisdom that altered my not-even yet-budded parenting style?

If you say no, be willing to die for it!

At the time it sounded very harsh.

After I thought about it it began to sound like advice I could take or leave. The poor woman was obviously more experienced than I with all of her children, and with that comes great wisdom- but also a touch of insanity and not just a little bit of paranoia. (I can now say this with first hand been-there-done-that experience!)

But... as with anything good, there comes a moment of true reckoning. As I became the mother of older and still older children (notice I am not the one aging here- only getting wiser!) the more this golden nugget of knowledge has become a bold thread in the fabric of my life. I weigh out my answers much more than I used to. They (the.children.) know better than to ask me something in a harried, chaotic or emotional moment. It is at those moments someone might die... and more than likely it wouldn't be me! :) (Really, I am kidding here!)
My yes's are not given lightly, but even more weighed out are the no's.

Why? Because it is so important to be consistent, and if I am going to cave, I don't want it to be over something that could have been allowed if I hadn't been so hasty. My kids are very social, active and in general trustworthy. If I can say yes to their requests I will, and they, like any selfish, "I" oriented creature, will like me more. Which if any parent will be honest is a good thing! (though I admit it is not the ultimate goal, just a nice little side benefit!)

So why weigh out the no's so heavily? Because...

1. They will push back. At least the first 78 or so times. Eventually they will learn you are not kidding !
2. If I cave once after 10 minutes of pushing, it encourages them to do it harder next time in order to shorten the time frame of their gratification delay.
3. If I don't cave, it teaches them integrity, consistency, and love in the face of adversity.
4. Because it is the example of God in the person of Jesus Christ.

While I don't have to literally die for my "no", he did. God said there shall be no sin in Heaven no matter what, and there is no one righteous enough to earn it. The Bible clearly states, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; and As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: and For the wages of sin is death; and For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

God said "no" to us wicked and vile creatures because of our nature of sin, but he was willing to die for that no- literally- to make a way to say "yes". He paid a price I could not pay.

One more reason for me that Jesus is my example in all things.

The Creative Mind...

...of a home schooled teenage boy! Just a small survey... should I count this as PhysEd?





If only it wasn't Tuesday!

This could be a late "MM" post, as this one example (...of hundreds more like it!) explains why we won't be needing a container to transport any of our personal belongings to the mission field.

This could also have been a "wordless Wednesday" as there really aren't words to adequately cover his thought process/my reaction to this.

Did I mention, that couch is the only furniture we have ever purchased new? From a retail store? As in not just "new to us"? Um, yeah.

Did I also mention that every one of my kids had seen this. Weeks ago. Not a word from any of them. How did he manage such "silence guarantee" control over them? He has abilities I have yet to tap in to!

*note- he uses my camera and puts it on my computer, but figures I won't ever see it. I am not sure what I think of that.

Any ideas?

Where has the time gone?

It has been days since I have even thought of "down time" on the WWW! I cannot believe we are already over a week past Thanksgiving! Lest you all thing I have been just sleeping in late and enjoying bon-bons when I awaken, I have some pictures to share!

Last year at this time we were still on the African Continent, and weren't even home until after Dec. 9th. Knowing we would be moving shortly after the new year, the thought of decorating, Christmas cards, or even a family picture (which all you with more than one child know it is an all day affair!) didn't even cross my mind! Well this year is certainly much different!

We are in an amazing home that has a perfect place for our tree! We didn't have to rearrange the living room, nor are we sitting on the couch with a pine bough (albeit FAKE) in our faces! These things are a very big deal! There are electrical plugs in close proximity to the windows for the single candle light I love to put there. So Pretty!

As for social events, I am actually having, in my home, a cookie exchange party! I am expecting upwards of 16 people, and I am not stressing (too much!) about seating room! Yeah! for a big living room! Making 12 DOZEN cookies has me a little freaked, but that cannot be helped right now! I can only contemplate the mess it will create because I can't bake them until the day of. You all do remember what is in my freezer, right? Many pounds of salmon with very smelly tasty seasoning all over it! I would be thrilled to offer Chocolate Buried Cherry Cookies with just a hint of fishy gourmet goodness for interest, but my guests might question my sanity decision! So Tuesday has been officially BLOCKED to all activity outside my home. Nothing but baking, cleaning, and deciding how to arrange seating for 16+ ladies and teens! (Also figuring what form of entertainment and food choices will be the best to keep three adolescent boys occupied so that they will be sufficiently distracted and not plotting ways to crash join my LADIES ONLY evening! ) Not too much to do in an average day in the life, huh? Oh, and I forgot! I have to take Molly to the Vet for an ultrasound at 9:00 am. It had to be that day, too, of all days because it is DAY 30 of her pregnancy, and will be THE MOST ACCURATE to determine how many puppies she will have! Of course it was the same day! For sure more to come about the puppies!

OK enough BABBLING! Here are the wonderful pictures! Only after I had agonized over outfits and color schemes, did I remember my bloggy friend's decision to do hers in sepia!!! Wise girl! I had settled on brown and pink and did OK after all! Ready? The following is for your visual pleasure!
My beautiful oldest daughter Olivia. It is beauty inside and out!

#1 Son, Josiah. A true gentleman, and quite the artist as well. At 13, he is 5'8" and already has a size 12 shoe... we are truly afraid of what a growth spurt will do to him!

#2 Son, Levi. The quieter of the bunch, but do not be fooled! When you least expect it, he will say the most hysterical things and you will just crack up!

#3 Son, Micah. Name your children on purpose! This boy is an evangelist from the get go, and will surely be a Prophet of the Gospel and reach many for Christ! Those eyes get more "yes's" than are good for him!

Child #5 and daughter #2. Alliteration does well to describe her! Precious, Peppy, Precocious, Persuasive, Positive, and Pulchritudinous. (go ahead...look it up!) There are five years between her and Micah. The Lord knew we needed to gear up!

Here is a sneak peek of our Christmas card picture!



Many thanks to Kate, Olivia's BFF for the amazing photography! Thanks K8! We love you!