Saturday, July 28, 2012

Decision Time

 It's getting close for the kids to decide what they want to be for Halloween.  Yes, it seems early.  But when you have 4 costumes to design & create, August is just enough time.  If you think I'm a little crazy early, take a look at last year (2011):

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

July 4: A respite

We had a day full of visiting friends for meals.  They all know about 7 & they also know that regardless, we would honor them as hosts.  I think they spoiled us.  We had hot dogs (all natural ones), peach cobbler, a quinoa & black bean salad with chopped veggies, s'more brownies . . . as you can tell, I did not abstain where some, including Jen(the author of the book) & my husband did.

Our hosts wanted to bless us & they did.  It really was a great respite.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Garden Check-In

We have been so blessed by our garden!  And I think we will be for a few more months.  We just need to keep it watered, which is pretty easy when the kids want to play in the sprinkler.

Snap Peas:  Next year I need to plant 3x as many.  We get ripe pods pretty sporadically & the kids argue over who gets one.

Green Beans:  Plenty to go around almost whenever we want.  Dinner is much more special when we have our home grown on the plate!  Now, if only those darn Japanese beetles would stop  nibbling the leaves.

Sunflowers:  We have an early sunflower.  I think the birds must have planted this one.

Basil & Cilantro:  Well, my cilantro flowered while we were camping, so I missed it.  I think I'll just try to collect seed for next year.  The basil is doing well.  Here's a photo of a random cilantro in my basil (that I didn't get to thin out).

 Tomatoes:  Grandpa came to help build a second raised bed.  We have 10 tomato plants in it, one of which is a sungold cherry tomato that has fruit well on it's way.  

And I forgot to take a picture of the lettuce!  But that's probably for the best.  It's pretty picked over as the kids do snack when they are outside.  They haven't figured out how to get at the beans & the peas are too high.  I know, from previous experience, that as soon as the tomatoes are even close to being ready, they will disappear before my eyes.

This has been such a wonderful opportunity to share my love of gardening, growing & eating fresh, whole foods.  The littles have taken a surprising interest in the garden, helping me weed, water, harvest & as mentioned early , eat & enjoy.  We're so thankful for the beauty & nourishment God has blessed us with in our garden.  May we have many more years to come!


I'm linking up w/ HSV Garden Challenge to share w/ other homeschooling families.  Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Day 8: Monday, July 2

It's hot.

I'm 99% sure I'm PMS'ing.  I struggle with being easily angered the 3-5 days leading up to that time of the month. 

I really want some chocolate, and quite frankly, I'm pissed that I can't have any.

But then I pray a few minutes later & I'm OK again.

But then I'm crabby again.

And it's hot.  Oh, is it hot.

And I didn't get breakfast right away because we need to go the library after swimming lessons, so I need to pack clothes & diapers & a snack & . . .

So I took my homemade, whole wheat bread & peanut butter (natural, all nuts & salt, perfectly within 7) to lessons.  I got 4 bites between talking with a new friend & my 3 little pirahnas.

Note to self:  next time, bring enough to share.

________________________________________________________________________

It's confession time.  And not something fun & silly like my enjoyment of zombies . . .

I really have an anger problem.

My anger is epic.  And I hate that.

Yes, there is a righteous anger that is OK, as even Jesus was angry & tossed tables around in the temple.

This is not righteous.  It's not pretty.  It's not OK.

I can't control it.  I can try.  I can white knuckle through it sometimes.  But it comes on so stinking fast.  I don't know what happens to the rest of my brain.

J & I have decided that swats are OK in our house - as long as it follows a talk, at eye level, that addresses the issue first.  And then the swat is to be followed by the child apologizing, J or I forgiving them & then hugs all around.  But . . . with this anger . . . sometimes, in the name of discipline, I've swatted my kids when the anger surges.  


And really, what gets me, shouldn't get me.  Like, B ran into the open van when I needed him to get his shirt on while we were still at the pool.  Not the end of the world, right?  But, it was.  In retrospect, it's easy for me to tell myself what I should have done.  But that anger took over & I spoke harshly through clenched jaws(I'm going to have teeth issues from this someday).  I grabbed him by the arm & carried him back over to the picnic blanket (where we were having oranges & changing clothes).  Come, Heather, really??  I got so anger about A not letting AMP help him buckle that I quietly yelled (so those outside of the van couldn't hear) & told them all that their disobedience lost them the trip to the library.  


2 minutes later, I was able to calm down, re-evaluate & explain that indeed we could still go to the library, etc . . .  


And I know that this is something that runs in the family.  My maternal Grandmother struggles with anger & holding on to it.  My mother struggles with it.  My dad struggles with it.  I see my brother & sister struggle with it.  And I can only talk with my sister about it.  She's the only one in my family that also loves Jesus.  


Two Sunday's ago (find it here, 6/24/2012), our pastor spoke about how sins of the parents are passed down to the next generations.  This is obviously being passed through my family - this anger is being heaped in my lap.  He went on to say that I have a choice, to do the easy thing & let it continue on to my children or work faithfully, seeking the Lord to change.  


I want to change.  I don't want to be angry about this stupid stuff.  I want to be able to always speak with kindness to my family.  I don't want my sins to be heaped into their laps.  


I think I may have found what  I need to be praying for when I want something outside of 7. 

Day 7: Sunday

No church today.  Everyone slept in!  Even A got up an hour & a half later than usual.  

I spent the day jamming it up.  Not rocking out with music or anything, but making jam . . .

About 7 batches:
  • 2 peach
  • raspberry
  • grapefruit jelly (simply out of curiosity)
  • raspberry-peach
  • strawberry-balsamic vinegar
Ok, it was 6 . . .

Near dinner time, I admitted to J that I don't like cooking for the kids while we're doing this food fast thing.  This was something that I told him during the weeks prior, wouldn't be a problem.  But really, it's like torture to try to pick out something they will eat in it's entirety.  They do a great job of trying new things when J & I are eating with them.  They won't even eat the usual when we don't eat with them (except for pizza).  After not even a full week, I'm frustrated about this.  

So, turkey brats w/ cheddar, fresh plums & canned green beans it is . . .  

On another note, this is how we handle PJ disputes with the twins:  
 

Day 6: Saturday, June 30

Today was a great day!

J had to work, so I was initially a little bummed about a Saturday without him.  But, with AMP in swimming lessons, keeping us from our usual Thursday or Friday AM grocery shopping, we braved the store today.  I was not excited about going to the store on a Saturday with all the kids.  I don't mind so much when I'm on my own, but these 4 little people can really either stretch out a grocery shop to 2 hours or drive me crazy.  It's moments like this when I wish I could slow myself down to remember that Paul admonishes us to not worry, but pray about everything.  Jesus even speaks about not worrying - telling us to look to nature, how it does not worry, but trusts that it's Creator will provide.  You see, I should not have stressed & worried all morning about it, because my children were wonderful!!  They were helpers, they walked with me rather than running away & they didn't touch everything on the shelves!  One mom was so impressed that she told me how well behaved they were!  Wow!  Thanks Lord!

After we got home, I got this crazy idea in my head to take the kids to see J at work.  He was part of a Civil War Education day & plays the role of a regular soldier.  J shares about what life is like - food, pastimes, letters home, equipment, etc.  Well, we didn't stay long.  There was one station in which the re-creators were loading & firing (no shot/ball) their muskets.  A & B did not like that at all.  So, home we went.

The afternoon when quickly - I scrapped while the youngest 3 slept & AMP read & played Legos.  Next thing I now J was home.  We all had to get ready to go out for a graduation party & Soberfest, an alternative to the community celebration for Independence Day.  Since Soberfest wasn't going to have anything on J & my 7 menu, we packed dinner.

Upon arriving at the graduation party & going through all the formalities, KK (J's former childcare provider), was so proud of the meal she prepared for everyone - her oldest son had even gone pig hunting - that after we fed the kids, J & I looked at each other & confused . . . what should we do??  I remembered some wise words that a friend had provided, though after the fact, about last Monday night's dinner invite.

"i thought on Paul saying he eats basicly with his company....there is no condemnation in the food. Your hosts desire is to bless you , and personal relationships are what Christ died for...first to be united to Him ...and to others. i believe eating the meat....salad... Or what else best resembles your 7 would be the best way to accommodate the situation. Your heart behind '7' is what matters....being diligent matters...but not to be legalistic....which Paul warns against..... Balance is key....God knows your heart and desire for Him
There may be independant situations to sift our '7' through God's Word.....there may not always be one right way for all..."

I shared this with J & off we went to try some of JJ's pig. I can't tell you how much peace God gave me as we stood at that buffet table & scooped up the juicy strands of meat.   It was delicious!  Our twins ran circles in the pole barn with LaLa taking her dessert over by the 3 mth old twin baby girls & AMP was off to talk with the graduate, who used to babysit him when J & I would attend small group when he was just 12-18mths old.  It was a blessing to see KK & her family again (and the pig too).  


Then off to Soberfest we went.  It was a great time!  The kids got all sugared up with free cotton candy & sno-cones.   The clown rocked their worlds with balloon swords or kitties . . .  The inflatables were frustrating for the twins - they REALLY wanted to go, but not alone.  And I can tell you I am NOT going on one of those things on a 95+ degree day!  It was so hot, everyone was a little crabby.  But after the sun started moving behind the trees, we were able to settle down on the lawn with some good friends, chat & listen to some amazing music - Chastity Brown & Hello Kelly, along with some of our local favs.  Our children were kept busy by our good friends children.  The older ones would even take my LaLa to the bathroom & bring back free popcorn & rootbeer floats (of course, none for me or J).  It was the first time in 2+ years that I was able to sit & enjoy a church gathering.  


J & I prepared to stay late enough for the fireworks (starting at 10), but planned on leaving around 9:30.   You see, our children don't like loud noises.  We've done this since AMP was 1.  And he only liked it the first year and I don't think that counts.  Well, LaLa has the biggest crush on our friend's 10 year old son & she had to be brave.  So we made it about 5 minutes in.  The LaLa & twins were borderline getting upset, so we packed up & watched from the van.  But other than the noise, the LOVED them!  First time EVER!!  I am so excited!  There will be another fireworks show on Wednesday - if I get my way, we'll drive them downtown for it.  ;)

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Day 5: Friday, June 29th

The first day I've woken up & really wanted a cup of coffee.

I don't think I would have, except J was drinking out of a mug.  I saw the mug & wanted coffee.  Can we say Pavlov's dogs??

I need to find something . . .  or really God to give me something to focus on.  As Jen would get frustrated with her dry chicken breasts, she would pray for Ethiopia.  I need to get my butt in gear & do the same thing.  

Have I mentioned how hard it is not to finish up my kids plates??  I really dislike waste!