My plan of attack!

When asked to tell what the usual signs of spring are most people would respond by talking about the robins chirping or buds on trees, maybe the grass starting to green or the last lonely snowball melting in the front yard. Around our house today we knew that spring had arrived a few days early...and this was the tell tale sign, I looked out my front window and there it was...the mob...about 8 boys were coming up the driveway climbing over the rock wall...with Nerf guns slung over their back. Spring had arrived...the days of sleds being carried to the backyard was once again replaced with high powered Nerf guns and bullets everywhere...and I can once again listen to plans of attack out my kitchen window...aah the sounds of spring! So tomorrow when the temps continue to rise, I will have my own plan of attack....chocolate chip cookies...to feed the mob...

Today

We are on vacation in Texas, and have been having a lovely time. We have played many a Uno Flash game and read lots of books. As a family we are reading Under the Overpass...and I am enjoying the children's perspective as they learn how the unfortunate among us live.

For supper today we are making zuppa tuscana and Caesar salad..and fresh bread! just before supper my hubby and myself are going to go for a massage....talk about luxury!

Vacation is great!

Making Music

My family has always been known for making music. My grandfather was an amazing violinist who used to play for the silent movies. He told tales of how his teacher would hold out a huge darning needle at the edge of his elbow, just waiting for him to make too broad of an arm movement. He also told of all the fun he had playing at the fiddling contests. We would watch the glimmer in his eyes as he picked up his instrument as it found its home in his hands. His children all sing and play the piano or the guitar, and we have had many hours of entertainment during my childhood. Many of my cousins play instruments and every time we get together we always get out the instruments and start to sing, and always the favorites are played. We usually call out the next songs...always..'Pool', 'the cookie jar song,' 'goofus,' the lop eared mule', the piano man' and many others.

Tonight while on vacation in Florida we joined in with my mom and dads Thursday night music group. Many of the old time songs were played. We enjoyed a beautiful rendition of a poem titled, The Masters Hand...which talks about how an old violin was going to auction and it was only bringing a small fee, until someone walked up and started to play the violin, sweetly and softly...and as she played the auctioneer continued and the price went up considerably...you see in the masters hand the violin made beautiful music...

and I could not help but remember how quiet my grandfathers violin was the day of his funeral, this was the same instrument that made music and brought all of his grandchildren running into the living room by the piano listening at his feet...feet that tapped out the time. This violin was silent...with nobody to play it.

So tonight as we sat listening to all of the musicians playing...I watched proudly as all four of our children got up and played a song for the crowd. We had a piano player and three on guitars...and I realized that the music that has always been a part of our family gatherings will live on. Most of my cousins children play instruments...we have a young violinist, and many guitar players, some amazing drummers and many beautiful singers in this next generation.

The only difference that I see in this generation is that they do not seem to mind playing in front of people....I asked my little 6 year old how she felt playing in front of the fifty or so people there tonight...and she just shrugged and said, "no problem, I will be playing in front of much more people one day." So I sat and watched and clapped and saw my youngest boy tapping out the rhythm just like my grandpa, and saw the glimmer in my daughters eyes...and new memories were made.

It's been a long time....

It has been a long time...we have had some health issues in our extended family...and it has consumed most of my thoughts and prayers.

I am thankful that we have been blessed to have many family and friends praying for us in this time. I have been tired and emotionally drained. My eyes have welled up many times over the past month or so, sometimes it takes me by surprise and most of the time I do not even know why, they just do. I am thankful that I have Someone to lean on, Someone that is greater and knows the answers to the questions. I am also thankful for our family, and the close bond we share.

Thank goodness for long distance phone plans....they have provided hours of instant communication when the miles apart are long.

So today I am thankful...we do not have all the answers but we have many things to be thankful for!

331) a day full of friendship and family...just the way I like it best!

332) a sparkling ring-a smiling couple-a brand new adventure just waiting to happen

333) toothless grin and blue eyes sparkling

334) 3 brand new puppies....too cute

335) pizza at my brothers...the fresh make your own not from a box kind!

336) worship service this morning... Pastor Nathans amazing piano during

How Great Thou Art!

my eyes could not help but water...

337) Welcome kisses from one of the most beautiful one year old girls I know!

338) sitting on the couch with my very special niece....I treasured our time together today!

339) enjoying the beautiful pink sunset tonight

340) enjoying the simple things today...thankful for a quiet restful day.

Out of the mouths of Babes

I just love listening to my children. The other day my youngest son was looking over the pictures that we were going to put on our Easter Tree (kind of like a Christmas Tree but with pictures that tell the Biblical Journey of why we celebrate Easter). I got these beautiful pictures from Holy Experience and as they came upon the garden scene with Adam and Eve, young blond haired boy said to oldest son turned man, "That's disgusting!!!" of course he says this with so much emphasis like only a 9 year old boy could muster. Young man of mine says with a smile in his eyes, "Do you know what? If Adam and Eve did not sin, we ALL would be naked." Then young boy of mine looks up into his big brothers eyes and then with all the innocence of youth he says,

"Phew, thank goodness!"

Milestones

Big-little man with blonde hair, loudly counts out 14 more days till his birthday. Gentle husbands smiling eyes look back and reflect on 40 such days.... and I too wonder how time has flown by....first kisses, first dates, dreaming and waiting. First kicks and fluttering of child with-in. The sounds of first words. You see, I was famous for saying, 'I can't wait for ....., and before I knew it the time had come. The question of who I was to marry, what my children would look like, when would I marry....always looking to the next milestone, the next phase. Its funny how things change. I know that new milestones are coming, they seem to be knocking on the door, only this time I am content to enjoy the present, and yes, I can wait.

151) 40 birthdays for hubby, friends and family to celebrate with
152) quiet mondays
153) conferences in October, I can't wait...oops!
154) the making of our Easter tree
155) the warmth of his hug
156) family dropping in...yummy big breakfast!
157) the calming routine of our schooldays
158) joy unspeakable
159) saran wrapped car.....okay, fess up!
160) nail polished toes

And Joy Springs Forth!

The numbers inch closer, the thermometer climbs higher and someone calls out....it's 72 degrees(in the sun) and our footsteps get lighter,

the outlook looks brighter and the children break out.

They exit the doors with sweaters instead of coats

for truly there is 'spring' in their step.

Beauty emerges, like bulbs in the vase, fresh, crisp, new.

The streets become alive, with people and pets,

the season is coming... bringing fresh winds and renewal.

It is same with our hearts, as this season draws close,

a time of renewal for all He has done.

He has made fresh, He has made new, and my JOY emerges bright.

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. Isaiah 61:11

141) sunshine... barefoot on the driveway... no coat sunshine

142) watching little one with snow white sweater... delicately playing in mud

143) the results of Master Reader on my Master Reader...thank you Hooked on Phonics!

144) the gentle humming of birthday boy this week....

145) homeschooling..the time we have together

146) not even having to write a Honey-do-list....it just mysteriously gets done

147) hugs from little ones

148) microwave popcorn....it just was one of those days!

149) a strong foundation, steady walls and roof of protection...The Map

150) sounds of music from guitar, drums and piano

Finding and Enjoying Rest

For the past few weeks I have been doing a study on 'rest', I guess that phrase in itself is an oxymoron...but those of you who know me, you would know that if I wanted to find out what the Bible says about 'rest' and the purpose for it in our lives...I would have to do a study. So out came the books, The Bible, Strong's Concordance...and lots of Internet linking and I worked and studied and thought and prayed.....about 'rest'. My thoughts went something like this, I know God created a day of rest for a purpose, it is one of His commandments, God desires us to find rest and comfort in Him. All of this does not seem like rocket science, but as I studied I thought back on what a typical week looks like for our family. We spend our week doing many things, all(well most) of which we find much enjoyment in, working, teaching, cooking and cleaning, laundry and bill paying and church activities and responsibilities and the list goes on and on. The weekend comes along and Saturday is our catch up day, cleaning the house, running around...shopping and cleaning(I know I already mentioned this...but we do seem to do a lot of cleaning on Saturdays!) Sunday for our family, is a day we all look forward to. We have been blessed with a wonderful faith community, very much like family to us. We typically spend Sunday mornings going to church, and enjoying worship and teaching. We are blessed to have an amazing children's ministry and three of us are involved in various aspects of teaching in the a.m. and p.m. services. Our older children are involved in our youth program and worship band and love all of the incredible activities that they are able to participate in. My hubby spends many hours doing maintenance at the church during the course of the months, and he also has various responsibilities at the church. All that to say, even though Sunday is our day of worship and a day to gather together corporately, we are very often running from one church activity to another. Throw into the mix a few family birthday parties and sometimes the calander is busier on the weekends than during the week.
So that's when I started to think about 'rest' and how our busy family could experience rest. In our culture and community it almost seems wrong to rest, when people ask you how you have been doing, the general answer is 'busy' ...after all our self worth seems to be wrapped up in our busyness. Many questions went through my mind as I was studying, could I possibly get everything done that needs to be done in the course of the week to take one day out and rest? Does it even matter if we experience 'rest' each week? What constitutes rest? If God requires a day of rest for His people, what does that look like for our family? By this time if you are still reading, you are probably guessing that I am very much a type A personality. With all of these questions in my mind, we thought that as a family we would try out this new day of 'rest' for a few weeks and see what it was like. And I must say that I am loving it! We have been spending Saturdays sleeping in, reading, watching movies, lighting a candle and having tea in glass teacups, playing in the snow, working on motor home(this seems to be fun for my dear hubby), spending time with friends, playing card games, or baking with the girls. We have been putting on our favorite radio station and enjoying this 'mini-vacation' from the rest of the week. Oh, and by the way, it is funny but I am getting all of the work done that needs to be done in the rest of the week. The kids love to have a full day with no schoolwork, and no requests for laundry, and a quiet relaxing atmosphere to enjoy their day. So, as this first month of 'rest' comes to a close, I am very thankful that God encouraged this 'child' to seek rest.

131) smiles of little ones, when there is time to bake, play games
132) the quiet and warmth of home, as snow again falls
133) glass teacups and candles
134) friends and family...late nights at TGIFridays...smothered chicken and laughter
135) french toast and bacon
136) many hands making light work on Friday
137) snow, beautiful packing snow for children to play in
138) home filled with peace
139) nail polish and little fingers
140) rest

By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had Done (Genesis 2:2-3)

The Sounds of a Home

Today I have time to listen, time to reflect on the things I am thankful to hear:

111) white and black keys, memory guided fingers

112) copper tones in windows

113) the ticking of kitchen clock (with four children...it is seldom heard) can quiet be this loud?

114) the silence of snowflakes

115) dear husbands heartbeat, steady...quiet, just like him

116) laughter as they play... together

117) music that lifts the soul

118) knock on door....quick visit from one whose name means same as mine

119) words from ancient book with new telling; Mathew 5.....thoughts on giving (I especially like the Message version of this)

120) sweet nothings.....that mean everything...

What is the sound of a home? What do I want our children to remember as they grow older and eventually make homes of their own? They...the experts..say that certain sights, smells and sounds can bring memories flooding back to us. I am challanged today to make the sounds of our home wonderful pleasant memories. May the sounds of our home be filled with warm encouraging words, laughter...those deep belly laughs inherited from family of mine, tears of joy from some family story re-telling, this is the cadence of sounds I want remembered. The warm conversation of ones that drop in...kitchen table conversation, comfortable sit back and stay-a-while conversation. To be drawn to the melody of our home, this I want. The harmony in discussion of ones whose lives reflect Him. The sound of husband and wife whispering, the safe secure sound of silence when volumes are spoken within a glance. For these things I am thankful....Lord, thank you for teaching me to listen.

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. Psalm 70:4

First 100 Gifts

As I was writing this list, children were peering over shoulder and reading with emphasis the words I wrote...so if you want, use your imagination and your radio voice to say the list, and if you are like me you too will be smiling.


91) pairs of little hands playing 'Heart and Soul' on the piano
92) same young hands helping younger sister
93) lolling chairs for reading
94) smell of bacon and pancakes through house
95) deep, warm tub
96) family time
97) teaching, learning, loving
98) phone calls from afar
99) bar b que in winter
100) first 100 gifts

The Call

81) long drives, safe roads
82) family opening up home for us
83) coming together to remember
84) memories of days gone by
85) laughter of such days
86) cousins...more like sisters
87) children being so good on trip
88) Christmas gift baby, staying another night
89) Thoughts of sledding...on a real hill
90) Husband doing dishes so I could get ready

The last few days have been ones of sadness for our family. A dear Aunt of mine has suddenly passed on. This has brought lots of preparations for the coming week. We got The Call, on Sunday morning shortly before we were leaving to worship. My emotions were pretty much in check, for the better part of the morning, preparing for church, and getting ready for Sunday School. As we started to worship, the voices filled the sanctuary, and tears filled my eyes. The chords rose and fell as I let the tears roll down my cheeks. I will miss her; my dad will miss her, the one whose name he mistakenly calls me so very often. I am greeted by many, and special friends ask if I am okay. I explain with few words, mostly just eyes. They know, we hug and move on. As church draws to a close, and we go home, gentle husband of mine tucks me into bed, bringing me bread and drink. He says that I need time, time to reflect and possibly cry. It is then I get The Call, one that means so much. My Mom calls to ask how I am feeling, and tears run down. I nod head as if she can see, she asks if I am okay, I nod and utter yes, quietly, softly. So she begins to talk, knowing that I just need to hear her voice, hear her talk, to make it all okay. It is then that she says something that changes the way I am to look at things. She talks of a lady she knows who has lost a grandchild and daughter in law in last few years. This dear woman said that when she is asked how she possibly manages her grief after losing so much....she states simply that she doesn't borrow grief, she owns only HER grief. It gets too hard you see, when you take on the grief of someone else. In her case it is the grief that she knows that her son is going through, having just lost a child and wife. It gets to be too much if she takes on the grief of others. The Lord gives you the grace to handle your portion of grief. He will be with us and walk with us through our difficult moments, but when we start to focus on what we imagine someone else's grief is, it becomes too much. I later told her that what she said was profound to me....and she hardly remembered saying it. Isn't that the way life is, we never know what may speak to someone or what touches their heart.

Thank you mom, for speaking to me and taking the time to touch My heart.