This morning as I groggily wiped a little hiney, I remembered why I love being a mom. :) Rebekah (2.5) was leaning over, with here chubby little arms wrapped around my legs and said,
" I like you mom. I love you too."
I told her that I loved her too. My heart felt warm. It is times like this and the little whispers, the thank you's, the tight hugs that make this VERY demanding job so worth it. Jesus, thank your for my children and for showing me your love through them.
The Good, The Great and the Cuties
Happy to be rid of the tricycle!
Sarah wiped out right after the party!
We love you Sarah Katherine.. you are God's Pure Princess!
John truly is an incredible husband, but I do know that Jesus is the only perfect husband a girl can have!! I believe Jesus wants to reiterate the very fact that He is my husband FIRST and that He is my very present help in times of trouble. I always think that I have this down until….John leaves!!
My "earthly"husband is an amazing guy. Not only is he a wonderful, totally-takes-care-of-me, romantic husband but he is also one of the best daddy’s that I have ever seen. He always puts us first and when he is here, he is all the way here. Not a checked-out-watching-TV kind of dad but totally involved in ALL aspects of our kids lives. He changes poop diapers, bathes kids, plays with them, trains them and does WHOLE nighttime process for me!! I mean it when I say, “What would I do without him??” He even keeps my gas tank full all the time!! I don’t even know when he does it!!
It has been a while since I last posted so here goes a little update!! We are busy, busy, busy with school right now. Hannah is in the 4th grade and Joseph is in the 2nd. They are at such a great age and we are learning some really fun things this year...American History happens to be my personal favorite!! Sarah (4 on Saturday) has been begging me to teach her to read for the past year and so we have started. She is so very excited and when she reads a word she claps and smiles so big! I love watching her little face light up and I love getting to be the one that is right there with her as she learns. Rebekah (2 1/2)does some coloring, reading and most of the time tries to do everything the older ones are doing. John (16 mo) eats crayons, climbs on everything and begs to go outside. This semester we have Katie living with us as our total God-send-nanny!! She is wonderful and helps me so much!! When the little ones get too busy, she takes them outside or plays with them so I can have great one on one time with the big kids. Not only is she wonderful with the kids but....she LOVES to cook!! I am so thankful to John for allowing me to have her and for Katie for being a great friend and helper!
I so enjoy getting to be with the kids all during the day and can't imagine not having all 5 at home. Don't get me wrong....there are times when -WOW- I really need a break and take great pleasure in a trip alone to Wal Mart!! However, I do feel honored and extremely blessed to get to stay at home and be a mommy, teacher and friend! Here are a few pictures from the last few weeks:
The other night while Hannah and I were doing dishes, John walks in with a silly grin.
Our conversation went something like this:
John: “If you can guess what I found in John Alexander’s diaper I will give you twenty bucks. I have NEVER seen this before in 9 years of changing diapers.”
Nicole: “A penny?”
Hannah: “A grape?”
Nicole: “A bean,…a quarter?”
Hannah “A crayon!”
John just sat there shaking his head at every random answer we threw his way! He finally smiled and showed us this:
God is so faithful to speak when we are willing to listen. Last Tuesday was an incredibly hard day…everything seemed to go wrong! I literally sat on the couch at the end of the night and felt like I could not move or speak! My husband asked me if I needed some counseling! Yes...it was that bad. Although he was joking with me, I really did need someone to talk to!! I lay in bed that night and cried. I felt like such a loser mom! I had been so fleshy…so easily frustrated, not walking in peace, not being gentle in my tone of voice, etc. The next morning I woke up early (totally God because I am NOT a morning person) and pulled out my Bible. I told God I had to hear from Him, that I could not make it without some direction from Him.
First I read some Psalms and then turned to 1Thessalonians.
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were as gentle among your as a mother feeding and caring for her own children. 8 We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too.
Ouch!! God showed me that as a mother I could be demanding but I should be gentle and caring. I should not only share His Word with them but also my LIFE. How many times had I been demanding and not gentle with them? How many times was I frustrated if they interrupted what I wanted to do...or in other words MY life? God has called me to lay down my life for my children. Surely if Paul did this for people that weren’t his flesh and blood, how much more should this be true for my own children that God blessed me with? I then remembered reading a few verses before when Paul said:
1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 5 For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance* that what we said was true. And you know that the way we lived among you was further proof of the truth in our message.
Sometimes we Christians can get so caught up in “our ministry” or in “saving the lost” and yet we don’t live in a way that is proof of God’s goodness & love in our own home. I am guilty! If I am grumpy, frustrated, or tired-- if things aren’t easy and going my way it seems that I give myself the right to be fleshy. What kind of gospel am I showing to my own children? It is not attractive I know that. I would never let my flesh rear its ugly head if I was trying to witness to someone that was lost. I surely would never talk to my friends like that! Yet with the most important people in my life, I can sometimes live in a way that does not draw them to the Good News.
Now please let me clarify!! I am not saying ministry and reaching out to the lost is wrong. I believe in both. I am also not saying to be fake and put on a front for our children. I desire to be genuine but I also desire to give them my best.
God was so kind to give me this correction. I desperately want to present my Savior as one who is loving, merciful, powerful, and gentle. I definitely don’t want my children (or anyone for that matter) to be turned off by the “way I live.” Later I shared with my kids what God had shown me and asked their forgiveness. They were all shocked and reassured me that I was a great mom. God is so kind to cover our mistakes! But I still want them to know that I mess up and God can not only forgive me but also change me. I want them to know that His word is powerful and alive and can speak to us today. They all laid their sweet little hands on me and prayed the most amazing things. God ministered to me through their heartfelt prayers.
I thank you Lord that you do lead and guide us. Thank you that I know I am your child when you discipline me. Lord God, help me to be gentle and lay my life down for my children’s sake. Help me to live in a way so that my children can taste and see that you are good…because you are that and so much more!
This means, "Where is the barber shop?" in Portugese. You see, this blog is dedicated to my dear friend Michawn at Michawn's Meanderings - a missionary in Brazil! She has been a part of the "family" for almost 9 years now. She and I were in an accountability group together and then she lived with us for a while. Now she is all married and grown up with a little family of her own! Michawn and Joel recently moved to Brazil to be missionaries. They have 3 little ones under 4 and... a bun in the oven! She is THE woman. When she was single working as a nurse, she sold EVERYTHING because she wanted to go on the mission field. God wanted her to marry a wonderful man of God FIRST, have 3 kids and wait several years before He brought her desire to pass!! :)
We have had some really great memories (it scares me that so many revolve around food...bowls of brownie mix, lemon pepper chicken, SWEEEEt tea). But there are many other awesome ones as well like praying for the fullness of God in my kitchen, talking about her future man, watching God bring them together, her wedding.....the list goes on! As I was driving home last night I saw something that brought another memory to mind! Before they left for Brazil, we got to hang out a bit...that is go eat!!! On our way home we passed this barber shop:
We got hysterical! Only in East Texas!! Can't you just hear the barber saying, "Who next?" Maybe you had to be there : ) Michawn and I definitely bring out a certain chemistry in each other when we are together! But for you, Michawn...a little bit of East Texas and hopefully a good laugh! Know that I cherish your friendship and love and MISSSS you dearly! Ate mais tarde...
Our Nana is seriously wonderful! I am very blessed to have such a kind and loving mother-in-love...yes not mother-in-law because she is much more than that! She is so thoughtful and giving and is always there for our family. Her creativity always makes our holidays so special. I am thankful she raised such an awesome man and always encouraged him that he could do anything. I am thankful and honored to be a part of the family!
Each year before school starts, all of her school aged granddaughters are privileged to have a special tea with their Nana. They get to dress up, bring their American Girl doll (her birthday gift to each one when they turn 4) and have loads of fun.
This year they met at Nana's house to eat dainty sandwiches, chocolate covered strawberries and then watch the Sound Of Music. Nana even made them chocolate Eiffel Towers on a stick in honor of her recent trip to Europe!
This has become such a special tradition that Hannah always looks forward to. I know it will provide her with many fond memories of her Nana.
Thank you Connie for being such an amazing mother and Nana! We love you dearly!
Wow...my kids are growing up fast! I can't believe these are my first two little muffins!! It seems like yesterday that they were just barely toddling around! I loved that stage...but I love this stage as well. Watching God's gifts unfold in them is really amazing. I look forward to walking with them as they discover what all He has for them. Like I tell them, "God has big plans for your life!" I cant wait to see what they are!
When I first began this whole blog thing, my husband wasn't too sure about it. He did not understand me wanting to read about other people's lives. He also wasn't too sure about putting our private life out there in cyber space. I tried to explain it in terms he would understand. You see my husband is a big believer in having mentors and accountability. I have had a few and loved it. However, for me it is REALLY hard to get a babysitter and actually get out of the house on time. I explained that in reading these blogs I receive encouragement, ideas, and many times a much needed laugh in the middle of a crazy day. Most importantly, I am reminded that I am not alone in this journey. That is one of the great benefits of the blogging world.
A down side is this: If not done at the proper time, crazy things can happen! I know many of you are saying "DUH" right about now, but I guess I am slow! The other day I got up early, had time with Jesus and my oldest daughter and then sat down to check emails and a few of my favorite blogs. I was really only going to be a minute! While I was reading Raising Five, my 3 year old comes in and says, "Mom, Rebekah (2) is on the calendar and spilt the Grape Nuts." I immediately knew that "calendar" was her way of saying "counter" and ran to the kitchen to find this!
Ok, first of all let me get this straight. I was raised in Houston and am pretty much a city girl. I had never heard of purple hull peas until I was introduced to them by my dear husband. They look like black eyed peas to me, but those were always from a can and were only eaten on New Year's Day. I surely never grew them, picked them or shelled 'em! That all changed last week!
It has been a little crazy around here lately. We painted and re-carpeted two rooms in our house. So...everything is in my dining room. The house is therefore a mess and this makes me "feeeel" very out of control at times. It is hard enough keeping the house clean on a normal day with 5 kids, but this is just over the top! Well, after cleaning all day as best as we could, in walks my sweet husband. He explains that he is so excited because he wants to introduce them to something from his childhood. He then goes to the car and walks in with a VERY large trash bad of these peas! A bushel of purple hull peas!! My first thought is, "Oh greeeaat, more mess for me to clean!" Yes, I know..totally selfish.
Not so with my very wise and spiritual husband who NEVER shrinks back from a big project! He begins to explain what they are and how he planted them when he was a kid and actually made a great profit off of them. He explains the conveniences of our time and how back in the old days people had to work for their food. They all got a bowl and were told when one bowl was full, they would be given dessert. So, the shelling began! Little peas were flying through the air, shells were getting dropped, and bowls were spilt several times.
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This went on for at least an hour. Dear husband then begins to explain about working together and sacrificing for a common good. They all worked feverishly trying to fill up "their" bowl when the light bulb finally went off. My two oldest combined theirs and then began to compete with the little two - who received support from Grandpa and Dad. It took them another hour and tired fingers to wise up to the full lesson. When they saw bedtime was approaching and they were about 1/2 way there(with their combined bowl),they began to lobby their 3 year old sister! She was quite proud of her growing bowl of peas and had no intentions of sharing nor any concern for the bigger picture.
She finally gave in after some very persuasive arguments given by her two older siblings. At last, the bowl was filled and dessert was enjoyed with little, purple stained fingers!
They worked hard the next day and on the third day, desperate to get the peas and all of the extra mess out of my house, I finally joined in on the fun and we finished. We enjoyed peas and cornbread for dinner...the fruit of our labor!
I love seeing the kids learn a powerful lesson. I love that my husband is so cool and wise. I love that in ministering to our kids, he still ministers to me.
Lessons of the cow pea patch:
1. Work Hard: All hard work leads to profit. Pr 12:14 & 14:23 & 13:4
2. Work Diligent: Blessed are the hands of the diligent. Pr 10:4 & 12:24 & 21:5
3. Work Smart: Sharpen your ax and it makes for easier work. Ecc 10:10
"Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty." Pr 21:5 NLT
"The appetite of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the appetite of the diligent is abundantly supplied." Pr 13:4 AMP
In the midst of my rainy days, my sweet husband came home with these!! Awww...that man and Jesus! They sure do make me smile!
" I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1
So..who was it that said life is good?? Was that me?? Blah, blah, blah....
Seriously, the last several days have been well, you know...."one of THOSE days." Not just one...but about three! I have had major sinus headaches that start each morning about 10 am. They are those dull, nagging headaches that just make you want to lay down and close your eyes in hope that the pain will subside. Baby has had the runs and severe diaper rash because of it. He literally pooped 8 times yesterday. I tried watching his diet, baking soda baths, hair dryer on the bottom, olive oil, Desitin, Boudreaux's Butt Paste and as you can see in the picture...letting him run around "free!" The latter only resulted in 3 pee pee accidents (one right at the crescendo of a praise song I was singing so that I could REJOICE in all things) and a poop accident in the tub!! Fun stuff. I literally kept thinking, "I can make it til 6." Then found out my husband had to work late. The rain and humidity just added to the whole atmosphere inside the house! SO..are you getting the picture?? Yes..life is good, but some days life is messy.
I KNOW I am blessed. I am a sinner saved by grace, I have a wonderful husband and five healthy children. I KNOW what I should do: think on things that are true, honorable, etc., pray without ceasing, pray scripture over my situations. Yet, on days like this I feel like I am barely hanging on.
So far this morning I do have a headache but Baby has only pooped 3 times this morning!! I can be thankful for that. I love my children and my husband. I have a nice, dry home to watch the rain from. We have food in the fridge and a friend bringing us dinner tonight. I thank God for His refining in me and His grace. I love Him dearly and couldn't imagine my life without Him. Especially on rainy days...
