E-X-T-E-N-D-E-D Family

As you know, I have a mother named Barbara...

     ...who, as you may not know, has a sister named Joyce...

          ...who has a husband named Jay...

               ...who has a sister named Betty.

That's her, holding Moriah this morning.

Betty has a son...
     ...who married a girl...
          ...who has a mom named Gail (who, by the way, has the cutest burp cloths and so forth in her Etsy shop...if I get to have another baby, I want to shop here.).  :)

That's her, in the back beside Josiah.

Betty and Gail might not be considered to be our family in the strictest sense of the word.  But who cares?  We'll claim 'em anyway.  :)

They happened to be traveling through our area on their way back to (cold!) Ohio from (warm!) Florida, and we were THRILLED to learn that they would be arriving around dinnertime on Thursday and would be willing to pause on their trek to spend the night with us.  Just so you know, none of us had ever met Gail, and the last time I saw Betty in person was so long ago that I can't even remember it.  However, Betty and I had connected through Facebook a little while back, and I had begun to feel a real kinship with her, helped along by our mutual affection for the family members that connect us.  Having her here in our home felt so natural, and I could tell that my kids quickly picked up on that--especially Moriah, who is not always quick to befriend strangers (a shy smile is OK, but giving them a hug is quite another!).  As soon as Betty walked through the door yesterday evening, I gave her a big hug; and immediately Moriah went to her and held out her arms to be picked up.  Then this morning, before Betty and Gail left to continue their journey homeward, Moriah kept wanting Betty to pick her up.  I have a sneaking suspicion Betty didn't mind in the least.  ;-)

Betty and her husband Bill (who will hopefully come along for the next visit) :) knew my parents way back when, and it was a JOY to hear Betty tell some of her memories of those days.  Getting fresh glimpses into who my parents were as young people means more and more to me as the years go by--and as my mother's memory fades.

Betty and Gail were the easiest kind of guests to have.  They jumped right in and helped in the kitchen, chopping tomatoes, washing lettuce, doing dishes, and even (this makes me smile) scrubbing my stove top (Gail did that, and then later said, "It occurred to me that that might have offended you.  Did it?"  I laughed and laughed and assured her that it did not.  As a matter of fact, I encouraged her to come back in another six months because I was sure it would be in need of her cleaning touch by then.)  :)  Betty brought some little gifts for all of us (even though it was an impromptu visit, she managed to pull that off!) which delighted the boys--and me, too, every time I look at the beautiful "Love Grows Here" plaque she gave me.  :)  They both dealt so graciously and warmly with the energy and antics of my children, which is no big surprise because they both have lots of children and grandchildren and know what it's like to have rambunctious youngsters around.  :)  Betty even smiled during David's bunny ears this morning.  :)  They were exactly the kind of guests I'd like to be.

It's a funny thing: I think it was last weekend when I found my thoughts jumping ahead to the beginning of March.  Ah, March!  Month of springtime, of flowers beginning to bloom, of warmer temperatures, of new life.  I was so ready.  But then I felt like the Spirit of God whispered gently to me, "Don't waste this last week of February."  That made me pause.  "OK," I decided, "I'll try my best not to waste it.  But what does that MEAN?"

Looking back, I believe that God was preparing me to pour out my time and energy on what matters most--that is to say, people--because, during the past three days or four, I've had more "people time" than I probably had during the whole month and a half preceding.  "Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed," Proverbs 11:25 tells us; and you know, it's true.

I am refreshed.  And I am grateful.  :)

Guests at the Table

Can you spot the newcomers to our table?  :)

We were blessed to have two special ladies with us tonight!

More about them tomorrow...  :)

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday {♪ Make New Friends, but...}

"...keep the old." ♪

Tuesday evening: Paul, Jennifer, and little Austin  :)

Wednesday morning: Trinity, Houston, Elissa, and Ana  :)

School Snippets

So much I'd like to write about.  So little time.  Story of my (blogging) life, right?  ;-)

For tonight, I'll just jot down two special parts of our homeschooling recently.  Go ahead and file these under "Homeschooling Is a Lifestyle, and Not Just School at Home" because it's not as if these are part of our regular, "official" curriculum.  But they've been fun ways of learning and experiencing new things.

OK, first up, this morning I took the kids to a not-too-far-away glass studio where we were able to watch artisans working with molten glass: spinning it, stretching it, bending it, etc.  It was fascinating to see them work, and we enjoyed asking them questions as well.  And the gift gallery!  My goodness, what an experience of walking in beauty.  If I had not been so attentive to my four "bulls in the china shop" (as well as a small heifer, but she at least was strapped into a stroller) ;-), I would have enjoyed just looking and looking and looking for a long time at the gorgeous works of art.  When Jeff's mom comes again for a visit, we want to take her there.  :)  

That little field trip this morning wasn't hard to do, and it didn't cost anything (well, a little gas money, but that's all), and it really wasn't a big deal...but it reminded me of how much value there is in getting out and doing stuff.  Listening to my kids talk about other field trips they remember made me realize that I need to do things like this more often.  If nothing else, the bonding and memory-making that happen as a result are well worth it!  :)

Second, we've enjoyed a new-to-us series of books during the past month or two: the I Survived series by Lauren Tarshis.  The action and excitement of them sure make history come alive, and that's always a good thing.  The reading level is way easy for Josiah, but he enjoys them anyway...and I'll tell you a secret: I do, too.  ;-) Sometimes while eating a late lunch, I'll pick up one of them and read it for fun.  The last few David has read, he's come to me afterwards and said, "Mom, if you read this one, I think you'll cry at this point."  Can you believe that he's usually right?  :)

I continue to thank God for the privilege of homeschooling my beloved scholars, and I look forward to learning so much more in the years to come--together!  :)

In the Big Ol' Net, Vol. 4

I had grand intentions tonight.  I was going to finally finish and post something I've been working on for a few nights, a report of sorts from our encounter with sickness last week.  But then...

Jeff opened a package that arrived in the mail today, and it was...drumroll, please...my first birthday gift.  Yes, I know it's 36 more days until my birthday; but hey, it's never too early to start celebrating!  :)

It was a Kindle.  A Kindle Fire.  I, who for several years had insisted that I didn't need or want a Kindle, am now a VERY happy owner of one!!  :)

I guess it was a week or two ago when I told Jeff that for my birthday, I was kind of interested in having a Kindle--one of the main reasons being that I could get rid of some of the books on our shelves because I could get them for free (or really cheap) on the Kindle.  A new way to declutter is always welcome!  I thought it would be fine to have an old, not-fancy Kindle--and told Jeff that--but he went and got me a Kindle Fire.  I feel very loved.  :)

Anyway, I was having so much fun with it that I couldn't pull myself away from it to work on that other blog post.  If my blogging becomes really sporadic, the Kindle might be to blame.  ;-)

For tonight, a few links I've enjoyed recently...  :)

(Vol. 1 is here.  Vol. 2 is here.  Vol. 3 is here.)

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One night when I was just in the right mood for some silly humor, I stumbled across this and laughed and laughed at the expressions on these people's faces.  Then I reaffirmed my commitment to never, ever go in a haunted house, not only because I would HATE every single second of it, but also because someone might photograph me.  ;-)

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A modern-day example of "her children rise up and call her blessed" from a dear real-life friend of mine, who happens to be incredibly open about the challenges of motherhood.

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One Sunday, Jeff gave Josiah and David the task of reading and comparing 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21.  At first glance, those passages appear to contradict each other; but this chart that Jeff found and taught us from that morning was really helpful in understanding those chapters.  I always enjoy seeing how supposed inaccuracies and contradictions in the Bible, which some nonbelievers hold up as good reasons to abandon faith, can actually be explained, if the full picture is known.  And of course, I believe that only in heaven, when we know fully, will we REALLY see how it all fits together.  Until then, it's nice to have glimpses like this insightful chart gave.  :)

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Ever since I first heard about it, the Tiny House movement has intrigued me.  Obviously, it's difficult to live in a tiny house when you have five children!  And also obviously, I'm more than grateful to currently live here in the home in which I grew up.  :)  But someday, when Jeff and I are 90 years old...  ;-)

If I did ever live in a tiny house, I'd like one like this.  It wouldn't be much of a hardship at all to live in something like that!  ;-)

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A perspective-changer.  Sobering.  Needed.  GOOD.

We're All Trying to Conquer Something

Last evening, for Josiah's Family Night, his activity of choice was a fierce game of Risk...

...and while the menfolk in the family fought valiantly to conquer the world (which, in the end, David did)...

...this little girl worked just as hard to conquer something else:

putting these pieces on these prongs.

We got (or were given, I can't remember) this activity when Josiah was a very young child.

As a matter of fact, the writing on the box is in Hebrew--a happy reminder of Josiah's toddler years when we lived in Tel Aviv.

Now Moriah is the 5th child...

...to face the challenge...

...of carefully stacking these colorful shapes on these poles.

She did it!

A jubilant conqueror.  :)

(And for me, a reminder that even though the obstacles each of us is facing might not look like much to anyone else, each person's challenge is truly just that: a challenge.  How can I help those around me, in whatever way they're seeking to conquer something, rather than thinking less of them because their struggle seems easy to me?  May my eyes be open to this.)

savior {with a lower-case "s"}

I was upstairs yesterday evening, changing Moriah's diaper, when I heard the minivan drive into the garage. Quick as a flash, this thought sprang into my head: "Oh, good!  Jeff's home.  Everything will be all right now."

It wasn't as if everything had been not all right until that point.  There were no major disputes happening, no meltdowns, nobody bleeding, no pots boiling over on the stove.  But I was feeling depleted from the demands of the day, and it was easy to see Jeff as a rescuer.

"I wonder," I mused, "how many women, especially stay-at-home moms, are awaiting the arrival home of their husbands right now, just like I've been doing.  I imagine that all up and down the East Coast, and soon in other time zones across the country, there are thousands of women probably counting down the minutes until relief, in the shape of their man, walks in the door."

I know, of course, that there is only one Savior; and I would never suggest that Jeff or any other husband could possibly come close to offering what Jesus did.  So I'm not talking about eternal salvation from sin and hell!  But this is how at least one stay-at-home mom (me!) sometimes feels by the end of the day:

~ I'm so tired.  Save me.

~ My ears are buzzing from all the noise I've been hearing all day.  As much as I love the sound of my kids' voices, I need a break!  Save me.

~ I ran out of words at approximately 3:18 this afternoon, but for some reason my kids haven't.  They still want to tell me things and ask me questions, and it's all I can do to force myself to respond graciously to them.  Save me.

~ I'm so discouraged by all the household things that I can't seem to find the time for.  I don't know how to meet the needs of my children AND catch up on the laundry.  Save me.

~ I can't even think of one interesting anecdote from the day to relate at the dinner table.  I hope someone else has some funny stories to tell.  Save me.

~ The boys are pushing all of each other's buttons, and I've run out of creative solutions for restoring peace between them.  Save me.

~ My brain is mush.  Save me.

~ My heart is heavy by all the needs of those I love, both here and far away.  Save me.

~ My little girl's been so clingy this afternoon, and I feel like a one-armed wallpaper hanger trying to get anything done with her in my arms.  I know she just wants comfort, but I just want two arms to work with!  Save me.

~ These cold winter days and early nights have driven us all a little mad.  We need a cheerful diversion.  Save me.

And so it goes...

I've learned during the past 16 years of marriage, that it's not fair in the least for me to expect Jeff to swoop in and solve all of these problems every evening as soon as he gets home from work, so I don't lay that expectation on him.  But there are times--like yesterday--when he does just that.  

The wonderful thing about being married so long is that sometimes, without exchanging words, the partners in the marriage dance can pick up on clues about what their spouse needs.  I didn't even need to say last evening, "Jeff, please be lively tonight, because I'm dragging so much I couldn't beat a snail in a foot race."  I didn't need to let him know that I was tired of talking and I couldn't think of anything else to say and please answer the boys' questions because I just can't.  I don't know whether he even thought about it or whether he unconsciously did it, but he stepped into the gap beautifully and showed his strength in all of my weak areas.

See how they clustered around him?  That whole "Jeff is the sun" thing at work again.  :)

The big thrill last evening was Jeff showing them some things about how to do CPR.

David took a turn being the unfortunate "victim."  ;-)

Learning about CPR was fun for them, it was useful, and (best of all for my mental state last evening), I didn't have anything to do with it.

My savior to the rescue.

He might arrive in a green minivan rather than on a white horse; but when I hear that familiar hum in the garage in the evening, one thing is for sure: my Prince Charming just showed up.  :)

And sometimes, just when I need it most, "salvation" is near.

Wordless Wednesday {The Anticipation of Spring} :)

Smoothie 6: The Tobin

For months, maybe years, Tobin has been bringing up the topic of smoothies: specifically, when he was getting to get his own smoothie named after him.  (If you click on my "About the Word-Spiller" button and scroll to the bottom, you can see the smoothie recipes I've posted there, named after the members of our family.)  :)  Every time he talked about it, it seemed like he mentioned different ingredients and changed his mind about how exactly to make the Tobin Smoothie; but finally, last Sunday evening when I happened to have two bananas lying around (an ingredient he had always mentioned), I decided that it was time to get down to business and solidify the recipe for Tobin's very own smoothie.  The result?  :)

Into the blender, I put (by Tobin's orders) ;-)...

2 bananas
1 pint frozen blueberries
1 pint grape juice
4 ice cubes
a generous helping of strawberry yogurt

If we had had any fresh spinach, I would have put that in, too, since I always throw spinach into a smoothie if we have it on hand.  Like many people told me back in my skeptical, you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me, SPINACH-in-a-SMOOTHIE? days, you really can't taste the difference at all; and the nutritional oomph it gives the smoothie is powerful.  But this time, I didn't have any, so the color ended up a beautiful purple.

I'm so glad we finally got to make Tobin's dream of having an official smoothie named after him come true.  :)

Ironically, just a few hours after drinking this, Tobin was throwing up.  I'm absolutely sure, however, that it had nothing to do with the smoothie and everything to do with a virus that started with Moriah and got passed around in our family during the past few days.  Needless to say, I'm looking forward to making this smoothie again sometime soon--with a healthier outcome this time!  :)

A Daily Dose of Cuteness

If that expression "dying of cuteness" were true, I'd have died a thousand deaths since I became a mom.  

These days, it's very often this small girl who makes me feel that way.

 Especially when she goes into her brothers' room...

 ...and finds a bear that's nearly as big as she is.

 Tobin named the bear Honeysuckle.

 A very good name for a bear this cute...

 ...this soft...

 ...this adorable...

 ...this huggable.

 That's it.  I'm dead.

From the cuteness, you know.

;-)