Multitudes on Monday #27-35

"Oh that my words were written!  Oh that they were inscribed in a book!  That with an iron stylus and lead they were engraved in the rock forever!  As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives and at the last He will take his stand on the earth.  Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God..." Job 19: 23-26

27.  The promise of eternal life with God.  Father, thank You, for overcoming the grave, that I may say with Job that, yes indeed, my Redeemer lives.  And because He lives, I too can live...here on earth and in Heaven with my Jesus. 

"And then one day, I'll cross that river.  I'll fight life's final war with pain.  And then as death gives way to victory, I'll see the light of Glory, and I'll know He lives.  Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.  Because He lives, all fear is gone.  Because I know, He holds my future, and life is worth the living just because He lives."

Someone sang this song at my Pap Paw's funeral in 1995.  And I remember...although it was one of the saddest days of my then 16 years... I remember that song making me happy.  In the midst of my sorrow, the words of this old hymn brought me peace.  I think I now understand the song a little better, now that I've doubled my age.  Because of Christ's sacrifice, we are able to rest securely in His arms in our present and our future.  That song clearly says He holds that future, but life (the here and now) is worth the living because of that sacrifice of Christ.  I stand amazed all over again at the power of the cross...and of the Resurrection.  We can't leave Jesus on the cross or in the grave.  Without the Resurrection, the grave is as far as we would go...but HE LIVES!  And so can we...

And everything seems so trivial after that, but I do have more to thank God for today...

28.  Cooler weather.  We sure did bake this summer in Middle Georgia, and I'm glad to have some 78 degree weather.  The boys (big and small) have been enjoying it, too.  In general, I just love this time of year.  October through December just make me happy.  It's not simply because of the holidays that we celebrate...not the way we celebrate them anyway.  We skip through Thanksgiving just to get to Christmas, when the one thing that most of us could stand is a little less 'stuff' and a little more gratitude.  That's not why I love this time of year.  It's sort of the idea of retreating into my home with my guys and welcoming in those we love.  It's the cooking I get to do because it is my way of showing people that they are important to me.  It's the smell of oranges and cinnamon and apples and cloves bubbling away on my stove.  It's the warmth inside and the chill outside.  The sharp smell of little boys who have just come in from playing in the cool air. 

29.  Thankful for a week off to enjoy the lovely weather.  It's our Fall Break!  And though we're staying close to home, we've got lots to do.  We're going to visit Grandmomma and Granddaddy tomorrow and Wednesday.  We'll hit the fair this weekend, I'm sure.  The boys and I are going to paint some tiny wooden airplanes...I don't really know why; they found them at Walmart for a dollar a piece; I had the paint and brushes...there just wasn't a very good reason to say no.  I may even get some pansies and mums and get some pots going by the front door.  Or maybe something like this...

30.  Jason and I have decided to host a Halloween party this year.  It's our first time to host a real party where I'm getting to decorate and just kind of go all out for it.  A silly thing to be thankful for, but I'm so excited to be hosting it!

31.  A new down comforter that let Jason and I sleep with the windows open last night.  It was glorious! 

32.  A husband who did every.  single.  piece.  of.  laundry.  I'm serious...I did not touch laundry this weekend, because I have the best husband ever...period.

33.  A new book waiting for me on my Kindle.  Charles Frazier's new book Nightwoods.

34.  I am thankful for the blessing of counting these gifts.  That I am able to look past my circumstances (which aren't all that bad to begin with) and thank God for what he has poured out in my life.  I will not let people (at the hands of the devil) steal my joy.  I want to spend my time praising God for his blessings, not harboring anger and bitterness in my heart. 

35.  Where I'm From (With respect to George Ella Lyon)

I am from front porches
from porch swings and creek banks
I am from maple trees and mountain breeze.
(cool--napping at midday in the summer
     heat)

I am from white half runners and "better boys"
the old barns
whose smells I remember
as if they were they were as fresh as a new baby.

I'm from chocolate balls and homemade dills
     from Doris and Rondal U.S.
I'm from sneaking out at nap time
     with Pap Paw for an ice cream
     at the country store.
I'm from unknown languages and
     Victory in Jesus
Mam Maw's strong soprano in the choir

I'm from George and Neva's land
     Day-old biscuts and black coffee
From the leg my grandfather lost
     in the War.
From the scar on Daddy's foot from
     the pitchfork

In my closet--quilts and afghans
an old cow bell--remnants of by-gone days
when the world seemed simpler.
I am from the warmth of these moments
The distant flicker of
lightning bugs in the night.

Did some writing with my kiddos in class today...

Here is what I got on paper...

"Mother and the Baby"

You can never have too much baby.  You can fall asleep and wake up to realize that you've fallen in love all over again, and a baby can save your faith when you think hope is lost.  In this world there is too much anger and not enough baby.  Dimples and grins are too few and so are chubby toes and most things that are beautiful.

Mother, who is weary, who sometimes wishes for a peaceful evening of rest, realized something in the wee hours of the morning.  Mother, who longs for a quiet bath or a chance to sit with a cup of coffee and a book, this morning breathed in that intoxicating scent of a new baby-the spell of heaven. 

She turns to face her husband in bed, the new baby nuzzling her skin, and says come smell this. He looks at her funny, and she says I'm serious.  He slides closer and puts his nose into the baby's fine, blond hair.  Do you smell that?  Do you know what that is?  That's  a second chance.  A second chance?  the husband asked.  A second chance, the mother said, and made it that simple.

Testing...testing...is this thing still on???

It's been way too long since I've posted.  An entire month of school has come and gone.  Elijah and Sawyer both have grown so much in the new school year.  I've met and grown to love a whole new batch of kids.  We come home every day and play and do homework and cook supper and play some more and take baths and brush teeth and study God's word and say prayers and read books and sing songs and tuck in and clean the kitchen and grade papers...all to start over again the next morning.  It's all very routine, but these are the moments in my life that God whispers to me..."Look around you...I've done this just for you."  The school year is in full swing for all of us and in the midst of what can sometimes be chaos, God still pours out his blessings on this unworthy vessel. 

22.  Listening to Elijah read each night.  He's becoming such a little reader...which I absolutely love.  We got his first progress report home last week, and he's right on track with reading, writing, and spelling.  Math is a separate matter.  We have to do some extra work to stay caught up in math...but he is my son.  Insert clever math joke here about the 2x not falling far from the quadratic formula or something like that!

23.  Sawyer is now going to Meadowdale in Perry.  I get to take him to school every day.  I love having that time with that sweet boy each morning and afternoon.  Our favorite things to do are to sing "Oh Happiness" at the top of our lungs and count how many "big trucks" we see between Bonaire and Perry.  He is enamored with the trucks that carry live chickens.

24.  A long weekend.  I know school has only been going for five weeks, but an extra day this weekend was much needed.  We spent the weekend at my parents house surrounded by family.  My sister and her family came (those boys sure do love playing together).  My aunt Joyce and Uncle Harold and cousin Lynn came to visit on Sunday.  Sadly, all too often, I don't get to see my aunts, uncles, and cousins except for Christmastime, so a visit with them this weekend was so much fun.

25.  Listening to my babies say their prayers every night at our family prayer time.  Elijah is growing out of saying the little "poem" kind of prayers.  He actually talks to God, thanks God, praises God...for His goodness and grace, for the cross and the resurrection.  I can't wait to see what God does with this sweet, precious little boy who has such a tender heart.

26.  Sawyer's new teacher talking about how smart he is.  She has been working with her kids on learning a letter of the alphabet each week.  How to write the letter and everything.  Sawyer already recognizes all of the letters and can tell you what each one "says."  He even knows how to write many of them.  Ms. Rachel says that by the time the other kids have written one or two of the letters, Sawyer has filled his paper.  He's such a bright little stinker!

So no pictures tonight.  I just wanted to continue on with my 1000 Gifts list.  I've started one at school as well.  My students are helping me put it together.  This thankfulness project has changed me...well, God has changed me through it.  I find myself being made aware of all of the blessings that I do have in my life instead of dwelling on those that I don't.  I find myself being kinder and more patient with my husband and boys, which is the whole reason I started the journey (go back to see this post).  And continuously saying to myself...

Praise the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his blessings.
Who forgives all your sins,
And heals all your diseases.
Who satisfies your desires with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 

New beginnings, new babies

A new school year.  I've never not been in school; I've always been either a student or a teacher.  I refer to a year in terms of August to May.  I've ALWAYS loved the start of a new school year...even as a student.  And...really...even though I may complain about going back to work tomorrow, I am so very excited about the possibilities of the new year that lies ahead of me.

My mind has been turning all day long; running through ideas for the first few days of school.  This is the beginning of my seventh year of teaching, and I'll admit to having butterflies in my stomach tonight.  Questions swirl in my head.  What will my new students be like?  How big will my classes be?  And the ever important...What am I going to wear tomorrow?

As I prepare my heart and mind and my classroom for a new batch of babies (because even in high school, they're still babies), I'm reminded of all new beginnings in life.  We always prepare ourselves for new beginnings.  I mean, we wouldn't bring a new baby home from the hospital without at least some preparations of our homes.  Most of us don't even begin a new day without strengthening our bodies the night before with a good night's sleep.  I have not gone without preparing my classroom for those precious students that will walk through my door tomorrow.  So my question (to myself) is; is my heart prepared for what God wants to do in and through me this year (August to May and beyond)? 

Father, I pray, as this new year begins...please use me.  Make me a minister within the walls of my classroom.  A minister of encouragement, peace, healing...that we may all say at the end of the year, "To God be the glory, great things he has done."

Multitudes on Monday 18-21

18.  Shopping for school supplies.  I always loved this as a kid.  A new lunchbox with a thermos.  A new box of crayons.  These little purple and pink pencils with the individual lead cartridges (they smelled like grapes and strawberries)

 Now I'm getting to take Elijah shopping for school supplies.  He is so excited to start first grade.  I love seeing these moments through the eyes of my own children. 

19.  A weekend visit to my grandmother's house in North Carolina.  I'm so thankful to have been able to grow up visting these mountains during the summer, and now I'm thankful to have been able to take my own children to visit this place that is so vivid in my memory.

20.  A few date nights with my husband before school starts.  Momma and Daddy have the boys, so we don't have to pay daycare for them this week.  God bless my parents...they are the BEST grandparents in the world.  I know how exhausting my two kids can be...read the post called "War Zone" for a picture of what a day with my kids looks like.  It is quite an adventure.  I sure do miss those little boogers when they're not with me.

21.  A new school year.  It makes me sad to see the summer come to an end; all that time with the boys now behind me until next year.  But I am excited to see what God has in store for this new school year.  Having lunch at the Swanson with all of the ladies was the perfect way to start the school year.  Now I just pray that I can get everything done before next Monday.  And I pray for a blessing on this new year.  New students.  Clean slates.  Lord, use me in the lives of my students.  Help me to be a blessing in the lives of the people I come across every day.  Be glorified in my classroom, Father.  Allow it to be a place of peace in the lives of my students.  Help me impart wisdom to these young ones that you are trusting me with. 

Multitude on Mondays #11-17

11.  The boys were up early this morning.  Jason came to the bedroom and shut the door so I could stay in bed for a few extra minutes...My word, how  I love that man.

12.  The smell of freshly perc-ed coffee when I got out of bed this morning.  Made by Jason...did I mention that he's the best husband...EVER?

13.  Watching the news in bed this morning with a cup of that coffee.  I'm enjoying all of these little moments in my last week of summer...next week, it'll be a cup of coffee while I'm driving to work.

14.  A bright, sunshiny day.  I am thankful for the rain and reprieve from the heat we got this weekend, but I'm glad to see the sun again.

15.  A pool and a float.  Again...not too many days left for this!

16.  Angry Birds on the iPod.  It keeps Sawyer busy while I take a shower. 

17.  Have you heard the song "Oh Happiness" by David Crowder?  It is ah-mazing.  Download it to your iPod immediately.  It really makes me happy.  It's about God's grace being big enough to take care of me...yet there's still enough to go around for you, too.  It's a funky little upbeat song.

I'm feeling a bit misty-eyed today...

Here's why...

Where are you going, little one, my little one...

7/17/2005...my sick little boy

Going home...8/5/2005

Where are you going, baby, my own...

On oxygen...

Finally off oxygen...

Turn around, and you're one...

Happy 1st birthday!

Turn around, and you're four...

1st day of Pre-K

Turn around, you're a young man going out of the door.

My big 6 year old man...

Happy 6th birthday to my precious Elijah.  "I'll love you forever.  I'll like you for always.  As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be."

Love,
Momma

My War Zone

6:45 am-Saturday morning.  I wake to the sounds of their feet on the floor-something that sounds like choppers flying through the house...tat tat tat tat tat tat...I'm glad they don't know how to be quieter.  I can brace myself against the coming attack and shake off the fog of my early morning dreams (Oh how I wish I could hang on to those dreams).  When I hear those feet on the floor, I always ask, "Why so early?"  But there is no sleeping late when there's a war on.

                They climb on the bed (not IN...ON...IN would imply that they were getting under the covers to go back to sleep.  Oh no...they climb ON...to jump) and immediately start firing.  "I want (JUMP) french  toast sticks...I want (JUMP) a banana...I want (JUMP) yogurt."  I make my escape while they are attacking—they are attacking my comrade.  But they follow me...still firing..."I want to watch a movie...No!  It's MY TURN...I want to watch Spiderman...Momma, is Spidey a good guy or a bad guy?  Momma, is Spidey a good guy or a bad guy?  Momma is Spidey a good guy or a bad guy?”  I usually dodge this one every time with "I don't know, baby, you tell me."  Then the volley continues with, "Momma is Black Spidey a good guy or a bad guy?  He's got my Spiderman mask...I want some juice...Momma, he hit me...Wahaahha...Shriek, cry, scream, cry, scream, shriek...tat tat tat tat tat...It's now only 7:00 am... 

                My arsenal usually consists of "STOP THAT!  SIT DOWN!  DON'T CLIMB!  YOU'RE GOING TO GET HURT! DON'T HIT YOUR BROTHER! GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN! BABE!  CAN YOU HELP ME!!!  DO YOU NEED TO GO TO YOUR ROOM?  DO YOU NEED A SPANKIN'?  NO!  DON'T!  QUIT!  STOP!"  My stores are much more limited than theirs...and I know they're bored with it, because I am, too.  It's 7:15...

                The living room looks like the train table hit a land mine.  Thomas and Percy, James and Gordon all laying exposed and vulnerable where they were tossed the night before, casualties of these destructive little whirlwinds who reside here.  We were entirely too tired last night to survey the damage and account for our fallen...they lay where they fell, waiting for someone to come and claim them.  No sooner than the casualties are accounted for and reported, the war front changes and the battles start all over again. 

                The day continues in much the same way-with "gun-fire" and running for cover.  They turn ham and cheese into grenades at lunch-but if I can make it through this battle, I know a TEMPORARY cease fire is coming.  Naptime.  A two hour break in the madness is a welcome reprieve; but it is not completely peaceful.  Naptime is a chance to clean up messes, reconfigure, and re-strategize...all while walking softly and keeping vigilant for the attack I know is coming.

                The war resumes, but we move to a new battlefield.  Outdoors.  At least now they turn on each other to wage war instead of coming after us.  They argue over bikes, swings, and rights to the slide.  They bomb each other with pea gravel and dirt clods.  The noise they make is not so deafening out here.  As dinner time approaches, I know the truce is coming. 

                Bellies full, bath, books, and bed.  These sleepy terrors, for a few brief moments, grant us sanctuary.  They now attack with hugs, kisses, and the sweet scent of their lavender soap.  They snuggle into our laps and eagerly listen to books about sharks and dinosaurs and trains and tractors.  We hear the sweet sounds of prayers instead of shrieks and cries.  We quiet our voices for lullabies instead of yelling for them to cease and desist.  As I tuck them into bed, kissing and saying "I love you, little man," I realize that, even though I am weary, and I know that the truce is only temporary, I would not trade this war for the peace I'd have without them.

Godspeed, little man

Sweet dreams, little man

Oh my love will fly to you each night

On angels’ wings

Godspeed

Sweet dreams

                                                                                --The Dixie Chicks

Twenty years gone and back again...

Ok...so unlike Odysseus, I haven't been gone for twenty years.  I did, however, go off a-roaming for a while.  My little family spent a week in the mountains of Tennessee "camping."  I use quotation marks because our "camping" trip was spent in my parents RV with beds, a refridgerator, stove, and most importantly...AC!  So while we weren't without some luxuries, we did go for a week without the things that so distract us in our modern world.  No cable television.  No internet.  We did take a few movies with us to fill the time between the boys bath and their bedtime.  But aside from those movies, we spent our time busy as a family with trips to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, days at the campground pool and waterslide, by the creek and trout pond, s'mores and coffee by the campfire.  When the day came for us to leave, Elijah, my oldest, cried.  And it sort of made my heart hurt.  Made me long for days spent tossing rocks into the creek and making simple memories with these boys.  That week did my heart good for a few reasons...

Look at God showing off...

Brothers actually loving each other

We got to do things like this...

...and this...

We got back from our trip just in time to celebrate America's birthday with some friends.  And then one week later, Jason and I celebrated 7 years of marriage.  July 10, 2004, Jason and I made the committment to love, honor, and cherish each other for as long as we both shall live.  And it's been 7 good years...blessed years.

Be patient while my heart skips a beat!  Oh how I love this man...

This past Saturday, we celebrated Elijah's 6th birthday.  He won't be 6 until July 17...but our friend Mindy and her kids are leaving for Texas that weekend (leaving Shawn behind...we'll feed you Shawn!), so we decided to have the party a week early so they could be there.  I'm going to do a whole post on Elijah and his birth story on Sunday.  I'll finish today with my "Thankful Thursday" # 6-10.

6.  America!  To quote Lee Greenwood...I'm proud to be an American.  Thank You, Father, that you blessed me by letting me be a part of this great nation.  Lord, I pray for this country.  Turn the hearts of the people back to you.  Hold off your judgment.  Stay your hand just a bit longer.  I'm praying for revival.  Send your Holy Spirit fire, Lord God.  Let us stand with Israel.  Let us live within our means.  Let us learn the value of hard work and simple faith once again.  I beg of You, Father, start with me.

7.  My parents...I love you Momma and Daddy.  Thank you for everything you do for us. 

8.  Reconciliation...with people here on earth and with the Heavenly Father through the blood of Jesus Christ.

9.Friends...Shawn and Mindy, Ian and Owen.  I'm so thankful that God brought this family into our lives.  We are truly blessed to know them and to love them!

10. Time away from the bustle of my crazy life. Time away from the computer, television, running here and there. Time to witness God's handiwork. Time to see that boys really do love each other (even if they don't act like it most days). Time to fill them up with sugar because there hasn't been time for a nap.  7 years of time that have gone by in a blink, but 7 years of time that have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams.  Simply...time. Precious Lord, may the time be long...amen.

The beginnings of our "Thankful Stars"

My new cookbook...

Is my new favorite cookbook for two reasons...

1.  It was written by the Mennonite women from Montezuma...the Yoders.  And has recipies in it such as Colorado Peach Pie, (which I made today with fresh peaches from Lane, and it is divine) Amish Friendship Cake, and cough syrup.

2.  It has this poem
"My God, I sit beneath Thee,
My little child upon my knee,
My little one looks up to me,
And I look up to Thee."

As I flipped through this cookbook this afternoon looking at all of the wonderful recipies that I can't wait to make for my family,the only page I marked was the page on which this poem appeared...no cake, casserole, or cookie.  That poem caught my attention.  And as I crawled into bed next to each of my precious boys tonight, I was extra careful to drink in their smell.  Snuggle them extra tight.  And simply pray that these boys know how much I love them.  I also whispered a prayer to God that memories of nights like tonight would be enough to last a lifetime.

My God, you have given me these children as an inheritance.  As they climb up in my lap every day, as I gather them close, may I remember that I should be in your lap every day as well.  Father, as they look to me, may they see You in me.  May they see You changing me.

Thankful Thursday

3.  I am thankful for this idea from Ann Voskamp.  On her blog, A Holy Experience, Ann posted an article titled "How to {help} raise grateful kids."  In it, she talks about how every day she has her children write on a flower shaped sticky note one thing they are thankful for.  She then hangs them on her window in her "garden of gratefulness."  So I am totally swiping the idea...I bought some star sticky notes and we are going to "count our blessings that outnumber the stars in the sky."  We're starting tonight.  I'll post pictures of it later.  I also bought some thank you notes, so we can start thinking of the people in our lives we should be grateful to.  Watch out!  You may get a thank you note from the Cooks at some point :)  Look at the cute flower pen Elijah made at VBS today :)

4.  RAIN!!  It's coming a decent little shower here right now. 

5.  I'm praising God for these sweet baby blues that greeted me after naptime.  He crawled up in my lap to snuggle while he woke up.  There's nothing in the world like little boy lovin'!

From the 1000 Gifts Blog...

How long do I really have to figure out how to live full of joy?
So my husband might find himself married to a woman he loves being with, a woman who knows how to laugh at the days to come? So our children have these memories of a mama who smiles easy, listens long, makes jokes and praise and all these good days out of crazy messes? So the Christ in me, Joy Himself, “the gigantic secret of the Christians,” is apparent to the world around me, Joy to the world, rescuing the world?


So I sit here, asking myself these same questions.  Why don't I find more joy in my life.  I know it's there.  God has blessed me with the most amazing man for a husband, boys who are funny, smart, kind.  I have a job I love, a beautiful house to live in, plenty of food on the table...so why do I grumble and always want more?

As I approach my 32nd birthday, and watch these boys grow up so fast around me, God is pressing on my heart that I need to be more aware and more thankful of what He's blessed me with.  So it is with a humble heart that I start my own 1000 gifts.  I don't know how long it will take me to get to 1000, but I will...I know I have much more than that to be thankful for.

1.   I'm obviously going to start big.  I'm thankful for the Blood of Jesus that cleanses me from all sin.  Without the hope that comes from being adopted as a child of the King, I'm not sure where I would find myself today.
2. I'm amazed at God's grace, that he would see fit to trust me with these three in the picture below.  After the Blood of Jesus, these three "men" are the most important things in my life.  They love me inspite of how mean and hateful I can be.  Sitting here writing this makes me realize how I need to be more patient, loving, gentle, and kind.  Please, Father God, make me so.

Goodnight

It's time to close those sleepy eyes

It's been a busy day.

Snuggle in to momma's lap,

So we can rock and pray.

Thank You, God, for stars that shine

For the moon that glows above.

For trees and dirt and lightning bugs

and thank You for Your love.

For loving me even though

I can be stinky and mean.

For giving up Your only Son

So I can be made clean.

"Goodnight, my love," I say again

"Tomorrow will be new.

Sleep tight. Sweet dreams. God bless, little one,

And know that I love you.

William Wordsworth Said...

"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart." So this is me taking that advice to heart. I'm not exactly sure what it will become. Lot of things, I think. Writing, photography, cooking, kids...whatever strikes me on the days I write. I hope people will read it and be blessed by it. Check back often...it's going to grow...I hope!