Random Thoughts Thursday

Well, if you've noticed I've been an MIA blogger a little lately, or the fact that I haven't posted a "new" picture in about 2 weeks, that would be because my camera has died... Yep. It's a goner. Lost it to a broken lens.  I've had my Kodak Z1285 Zoom for a couple of years now and it has served me well, may it rest in peace. Okay, so not blogging may have something to do with working 15 hours a week, homeschooling my 3 kids, keeping my other 2 entertained and all of that other stuff a mother and wife does...
But, yeah. One drop and WHAM, my camera received a fatal injury. *sigh  Don't you ever wish things were made the way they used to be? Strong, durable and outlasting the people who bought them?  Lasting in fact longer than you'd like them to for modern-in-style-gag-me-green's sake? Man, you don't see that much anymore.  I guess that's what we get for having the ease of 21st century technology. More fragility. People have become more fragile because of technology, too! We depend on it more and more every day. More often than not, I say "Phooey on technology"! 
Seriously.  Technology is such a catch 22 for me.  I don't want to live completely without it, but it sure does ruins a lot of "real"-ness. Let me explain what I mean and what my heart is saddened by:
Texting, Red Box, facebook, world wide web, email etc. simplify, yes completely "save" some of our lives for time and conversational means... but they also take away from "real" life. Face to face RELATIONAL moments in life. They make life easier. Yes. They make sure everyone knows what is going on in our lives and how we are feeling immediately. Yes, but sadly they take away that special human connection, dependency, closeness and contact that we ALL NEED.  I believe people need and should be inconvenienced a little to know the true meaning of comradeship, trusting solely in God for the means and the joy of being thrust into a completely blind situation, using people and those around you to navigate through... I'm not saying Texting, Red Box etc. is wrong... it just has it's uses and more than not, it's abuses.  Life moves forward. The world keeps on turning... our perception of God and His calling for a life set apart, in relation to life, metamorphoses to the changes physically around us... good or bad?  I don't know.
The holidays are over. The snow is starting to once again fall. Schooling my kids is my all-time priority. My camera fund, fueled by the tips I receive from work, is to the halfway point of finally being able to buy my dream camera and snap those precious moments once again.  Life is roaring on. I'm striving to live purposefully. Impart wisdom. Live unregrettably. Guiltless. Sacrificing my fickle feelings. Blessing others when I can.
Oh, my goodness... when I think about my life, circle of friends, family, church, husband and every other good thing around me, I feel overwhelmingly blessed. Blessed beyond what I deserve for sure. The least I can do is smile at everyone I pass.  Open the door for that burdened stranger. Listen to my child "read" that book to me. Sit still to cuddle with a sleepy baby when the sink is full to the brim with dirty dishes. And not because I have to, mind you, but because I am full. Completely and utterly full of the blessings bestowed on me by my Maker, to where it overflows on those around me!  I can only hope that the meager smile or "time of day" I give to those around me will in turn top off their cup of blessing and overflow onto someone else.
I love my job. I "love" coffee. God is good. No, make that GREAT! I love that I along with every other human being, I am not perfect because in confessing that, it makes myself more approachable and understood by others. I am really enjoying my new Ipad.... I love training my children. I love that my life challenges me. I love that I get that little bit of contact with people outside of my home because I get to have that split second of planting seeds into those souls that God has created and loves dearly.  It doesn't matter where you work, what you do or your GPA, you can ALWAYS bless. Whether with a smile, a little grace, patience, sacrifice, honesty or heroism... it will impact and make a difference.  Are you making a positive difference in those around you today?  Not just that little safe circle of people around you but those who require faith, trust and forgiveness to love? It's something to think about!
So much more I could say. Rant and rave about my children, the lights of my days and my greatest accomplishment and calling. Talk about divine appointments, the many science experiments cluttering up my kitchen counter which may or may not contain one or more or none of the following: Chicken bones, soil, roots and vinegar... The remnants of homemade Christmas in the form of color crayoned mistletoe hanging above my many archways. The beautiful friends who amaze me. The mouth-watering delicious talapia recipe I made last night. The fact that a professional personality test has labeled me as DD... more on that later.  My husband who completely completes me yet at times completely infuriates me.... but life calls. "Real" life. So I bid you adieu for tonight and many blessings for tomorrow...  may God guide your steps, guard your hearts and keep you from eating that delicious frosted doughnut that would completely spoil your New Year's resolution... *wink

Goodnight.

Christmas replay-part 1

Decorating the Christmas tree!

Eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hair... kisses and goodbyes!



A Happy New Year

... or should I say that I am already completely exhausted... not the best way to start out the year. God is good, though. As I reflect on this past 2010 year, I am in awe of God's faithfulness.  He has been faithful through it all, to see us through the good and hard times, to bring along growing seasons, yank me back to reality and most of all, bless our family's socks off.

 Christmas Eve Photo

This year is a biggie in the travelling-a-path-never-before-taken by this family of seven. I'm NOT pregnant!!  Haha, it may sound funny, but seriously with all of my kids with the exclusion of my first two who we're 12 months apart, I have gotten pregnant consistently when my baby is 18 months old and so my last four kiddos have all been 26 months apart in age.  Craziness I know. It was completely not a purposeful thing. My husband and I are terrible planners. Honest!  We wouldn't be able to have even planned that, let alone see it to fruition!

The kicker is that my baby has turned 19 months old today and once again I AM NOT PREGNANT! Can you sense the excitement?

Wow. I'm a little amazed still. I may need to sit down... She's 19 months and I am not pregnant. Okay, anyway... So this year marks a first for us. Probably, barring a miracle, no more babies. My fifth blessing is and always will be my littlest baby.

 So we look forward to this 2011 year of walking a never before trodden path. We also, from time to time look back on all of those times we've stumbled, not to be condemned once again, but to remember from what He has saved us from and brought us through. How He's been faithful and cares enough to change our hearts. We are thankful for last year's many joys, those times of walking in the light along with the times we we're stuck, in the dark, groping for a way out. Only then to see that the Holy Spirit's hand was upon us even then, in the blackness. Growing us. Making us lie still, listen and dig deeper still. Rest. Depend on our Lord for everything and look to Him for everything. Learning patience and finding direction.

"With You is the fountain of life; in Your light do we see light."

Psalm 36:9

Hmmm, New Year's resolutions. I'm not big on those. But I am big about purposing my days lately. Making a plan and sticking to it, seeing it to the end. Persevering through the pain, through the uncertain dark places. Never losing hope, but trusting in His Word that He never leaves us, never forsakes us and waits expectantly to give us His glorious crown of life, made specifically for each one of His children.

So here's to a happy new year, walking in His love and grace, bringing my children up to know and love the Lord and His ways and loving on my dear sweet family just a little more every day. Thank you, Lord for the blessing of another year to walk with YOU!

Christmas Gingerbread Houses

A week or so ago, my kids and I made gingerbread houses out of gingerbread graham crackers, GOBS of candy and frosting.  We had a blast!  I had totally forgotten about these pictures until today. 

My firstborn's



My second in command's

My Little Angel's

My little man's



And My Fifth Blessing's and mine

These houses we're COMPLETELY and utterly demolished by late that evening.

Worth the mess?

Totally!

A Long Winded Christmas Story

It all started with a misplaced ring, a backache and a dream--a real one to be exact!

My Main man and I have been married for 10 years this year. WOOHOO!! We celebrated by taking our family on a trip to the coast for 5 days. It was so appreciated and restful, our only trip of the year. I love my husband and kids and can't imagine life without them! Sadly, a couple years back I LOST my original wedding ring. I've cried over it and kicked myself about how it came to be lost many times since. We've often talked about how it would be neat to get a new one. It's horrible to not have a ring to wear but I knew it would be awhile until we could afford a new one so I make do by wearing a quite cheaper substitute ring when I can.  

Our bed mattress was gifted to us by our wonderful Pastor and his wife in Texas many years ago. It reminds me of them and the tender parenting they did for my husband and I both spiritually and physically speaking. It is showing it's years, though, it's old, warped, uncomfortable and the reason for many morning aches and pains these days. My husband and I decided that we should get a new mattress for ourselves this Christmas. Because of how expensive those are, and how financially stretched we already are, we decided to forgo buying any other gifts for eachother. I awoke one morning about a week before Christmas, a little stiff in the neck, glad we would soon be remedying the situation exclaiming to my husband that I had this crazy dream that He thought we should get a real puppy for Christmas. It's crazy because though we've often pondered the thought and would LOVE to get a dog, right now with a small yard, tight budget and 5 kids 9 years old and under, I don't feel we are ready for another family member just yet... someday, though we will welcome a wonderful dog into our family!

So we joked about that dream throughout the day and I soon forgot about it. As the days passed and Christmas morning dawned, I received a large box from my husband with a card on top. I opened the card and inside it read,"Merry Christmas, love. I know we weren't getting eachother presents this year but you DID have a dream!"

I open the box almost expecting to see a puppy... and I did! A STUFFED toy one. (: I named him Brownie, then I noticed a small box in the corner under the stuffed animal. A huge smile crossed over my face as my brain started reeling with what it could be. I opened it up and lo and behold it was a new wedding RING all sparkly and new!!! I was elated, my heart was full of joy as I put it on my ring finger... I was shocked! With the help of my dad, my husband is planning to work extra hard to pay for this beautiful wedding band, and I am so so grateful for him and all of the hardwork he has put into this heartwarming gift to remember. Our marriage is "official" once again!! (:

So a brand new beautiful ring, hopes for less of a neck and backache and a dream still yet to come true... this was definitely one of the highlights of my very merry Christmas 2010!