Saturday, September 27, 2008

Midnight Insight

So, yesterday was all in all a pretty good day. We did our normal Friday errands, ended up needing to go to the big metropolis to pay the mortgage..soooo...decided to have a fun field trip day. Met my sister and her hub for lunch (with ice cream, mind you) and then ventured over to this awesomely huge indoor play land for the boys to run off some energy. After that, we stopped at Grandma's, picked up supper at McD's, and went home....

Where ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE!!!!!!!!!!!

I was so upset that here I had spent pretty much all day giving the boys the "perfect" day and this was how I was getting repaid?!? J and Riley were arguing so I sent them upstairs. On the way up, J poked...no stabbed Riley on the butt cheek with a pencil (the eraser end, but still!). I lost it! Sent all of them to bed at 7:30...spent the next 2 hours yelling at them to get back in bed and was about ready to cry myself to sleep!

Later that night, with my mind still reeling over the days events, I got this insight:

They weren't intentionally trying to ruin my night. In fact, their behavior had nothing to do with the days events. I know that boys don't think "hmm, if I do this, I'll get into trouble" they just do it....but last night was just my breaking point. What do I need to do to get through to these kids!?!

It's simple stuff really: "We don't choke our brothers" "You can't throw rotten apples from the neighbors tree at each other" "Leave the neighborhood's ferrel cats alone" "BE NICE" "OBEY"

...the list feels like it goes on and on! I hate always riding them about what feels like everything, but then if I don't what kind of spoiled brats will they turn into...ARGHHH!

This weekend our church is starting a new series: Parenting: wii need help........funny, couldn't have come at a better time!

Friday, September 26, 2008

I'm Not Dead Yet!

Yes, I'm still here....tired and frazzled, but I'm still here!


School has been going good. We have been really hitting the books hard and the boys are picking it up so quickly! Jim just started the last leg of his medic class.....here we go again! I've been trying really hard to get the boys cooking at least once a week. A couple of weeks ago they made french bread...not perfectly shaped, but they tasted sooo good! Yesterday, Riley and I made chocolate chip banana bread. He loves to help in the kitchen! Here's the recipe that I used:




Chocolate Chip Banana Bread:

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar (I used less, but do whatever you like)
3 ripe bananas
2 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup chocolate chips



Preheat oven to 350. Cream butter and sugar. Add bananas. Once the bananas get mushed up, add the eggs. Sift baking powder and soda with the flour and mix into the banana mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour batter into 2 greased loaf pans. Bake for 35-45 min......try to keep the kids away from it for more then 2 seconds (I went up to take a shower and came back down to only 1/2 of a loaf left out of 2 loaves!)



I am also starting my first sweater. It's a pattern that I got off of Ravelry called the February Lady Sweater. It's top down Raglan cardigan with 3 big buttons at the top and a lacy pattern for the body and most of the sleeves. It is too cute on the picture...hoping for the same results!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Hope


I love this video~~helps that he's Scottish (you gotta love a Scott..can't help it!) I wish everyone took the election so seriously! I don't care about the designer of their glasses or the hairstyles that their wives wear....I'm not interested in buying a Coach purse from them..I want to know how they are going to run this country!!!!!!

As most of you know, I have been obsessing over this election. It has become an all consuming burden that is driving me nuts!!!! In the meantime, I have been trying to read a book by David Jeremiah called Slaying the Giant's in Your Life. The other day, I read the chapter on worry...arghhh! Here's the point that smacked me right in the head:

Matthew 6:27

Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to your life?

So true! Who can make themselves taller, or prettier, or richer by worrying? Dr. Jeremiah goes on to say: "Worry divides the mind and multiplies misery. It subtracts from our happiness. But it never adds."

In the end, worrying never gets you anywhere. It distracts you, burdens you, robs you of your joy...but it never gives you anything! I've come to the conclusion that the only thing I can control on Nov. 4th is MY vote....the rest is out of my hands.

We are valuable to God...he takes care of the sparrow and clothes the Lily, how much more does he care about the people he created in his own image! He has a plan, He governs the planets and the stars, He is the present, past and the future....we are in his hands and he is in control!

On a lighter note, I finally finished Riley's blanket....well, I still have to weave in the ends (yuck), but that's close enough for me to consider it finished!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Batter Up!!


batter up!!
Originally uploaded by princess and the purl

Today was the first time Corey really took to playing baseball. Usually he doesn't want anything to do with games that involve a lot of hand/eye coordination. BUT...for some reason today he wanted to play. At first it was a lot of swing and miss, but then all of a sudden he connected (and I mean connected....he almost took my head off!!!!) and he kept on hitting it like 10 times in a row!!!!

Whooohooo Corey!!!!!

The look on his face cracks me up! He was so serious, eyebrows furrowed, no smile....he's ready to smack that ball!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Indifferent

It seems like the last few weeks have had me in a strangle hold of indifference. I'm neither up nor down, the boys are neither exceptionally good nor bad....life is just strange.

I don't know if it's because things are settling down after all of the chaos that's been going on that now I don't know what to do with myself.....or maybe I'm just exhausted. I find myself wanting to retreat inward, to lay down with a big blanket and sleep. Our former youth pastor gave a sermon on God being your covering. He likened it to being wrapped up in a big fluffy comforter. That seems nice right now. I would love to be snuggled up in the arms of God, protected, loved, restored.

On one hand I can't seem to focus, but on the other I am constantly mulling things over in my head. I find myself in a constant period of self doubt, am I a good mom, should I be home schooling, why aren't the boys listening to me....the list could go on and on.

Tried prayer.....just can't concentrate long enough to get business done.

Tried reading my Bible...but nothing is jumping out at me.

I know that this is a spiritual attack, so I went upstairs, closed my bedroom door, and layed it all out there. I open my Bible to Proverbs (at first I thought great, another wasted moment, but then I read the passage):

Proverbs 3: 13-18

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who gains understanding,
for she is more profitable then silver,
and yields better returns then gold.
She is more precious then rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand
in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths lead to peace.
She is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

hmmm..I could really use some wisdom right now.....paths that lead to peace don't sound so bad either!

Then there's the election: I have never felt so emotionally divided!!!!! It is seriously making me question the para dimes that I have held for so long, but I still have no answers. I don't feel especially drawn to either candidate....the pressure to choose the right one is driving me crazy! So much weighs in the balance: natural resources, gas prices, money and taxes, abortions, health care, war and to top it all off, I have my children's future to worry about. No matter how much soul searching I do, I don't feel any better about our options (not like politicians actually do what they promise anyway right).

So I read further down in my verse from Proverbs:

Proverbs 3: 21-26

My son, preserve sound judgement and discernment,
do not let them out of your sight;
they will be a life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down your sleep will be sweet.
Have no fear of sudden disaster
or the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your feet from being snared.

I need to relax, pray for wisdom and discernment, and let God be God. Perfect love casts out all fear. The Lord is my confidence and he will keep us safe.

As I was ending my quiet time, I landed on the first page of Habakkuk. I use a study bible so there is always this front page that describes the coming book. The very first paragraph talked about how life is full of questions, most with answers not wrapped up and tied. Habakkuk asked the hard questions. Through boldly asking God for answers, he gained an understanding of God's power and love. In the end, even though he knew Judah would have to go through a terrible time of trials, he rejoiced in who God was and what He would do in the future.

I ended up studying the book of Habakkuk for another hour....more later because this post is already crazy long!

Have a great weekend. Remember to ask the tough questions, search your heart, and wait patiently for an God's answer.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

first day of school

Haven't had much time to blog....school is in session!!!! Our actual first day was yesterday, but I didn't get around to posting till today....it's a lot different teaching 3 kind of the same curriculum, but not....oh well, the kids did a good job even if I'm a little frazzled!

Hopefully I'll have more soon to write about (my brain is completely gone!!!!)