Is This Normal?

As I type, my boys are getting their kicks by running outside in the snow with bare feet. Do you think this will help Caleb get over his runny nose and hoarse throat??

Odd and Ends

Time to end my long silence… Keith is at a prayer time at the church and I should be in bed, but I really have to peck out a few lines to you, my faithful friends! So, what have I been up to?? Several things spring to mind…

-I still feel like I’m catching up from the busy-ness of the last few months. Last Saturday I took Caleb and Logan over to Dad and Dru’s in the morning and hired my niece, Erica, to come help me clean. That was sure a boost! My floors, bathroom and dusting finally got done! I feel like I’m slowly getting “caught up”, whatever that means. On some days, though, I still feel overwhelmed with all the demands on my time – and the seemingly endless list of things a homemaker, wife, Mom, and “school teacher” needs to do. At least one day this week I was feeling really discouraged and overwhelmed. I’m really glad I don’t feel like that every day!

-Okay, here are some true confessions. Because I’m “better at it”, it falls to me to do the budgeting, banking, paying bills, etc. I put that in quotes because of the following confession: In all the craziness around here and for some reasons unknown even to me, I fell WAY behind in my book-keeping. We use “Money Matters” on the computer so I balance the budget and checkbook, etc. on the computer. Anyway, a few weeks ago I spent an hour or two entering receipts, paying bills, etc. It was then I discovered that I had forgotten to pay our Visa bill. It was about 10 days late. A day or two later, I discovered that all the work I had done on the computer n the previous few days had not been saved for some reason. Arrrrgggggg!!!! That discouraged me and I didn’t get back to it for another week or two. By that time, several more bills were late. Also, the next Visa bill had arrived and I saw that we paid $32 in interest for my forgetfulness. Wouldn’t you agree that this is inexcusable!?!?!? So, I’m now almost caught up with the budgeting and I’ve determined to change my ways!

-Did you know Christmas is almost here? Yeah, I know it’s a month and a half away, but you know how fast that goes! I was having a really hard time getting excited about Christmas. I was feeling rather scrooge-like in relation to gifts, decorations, etc. I think it’s partly because I’m already so busy with home-schooling, etc., that it seems like there’s no way I can do all the extra stuff of Christmas. It might also be partly because of the heavy stuff that Keith and I are going through right now. Anyway, we did sit down and start to think about what gifts we might want to give and that helped get me going. When we went to Stormer Lake I took the Lee Valley catalogues along so we could start “shopping”. Now I’m shopping on-line and almost ready to start ordering a bunch of stuff. I really like shopping from my living room! So, most gifts this year are coming from Lee Valley, Amazon (free shipping!), and Christianbook.com! I also want to make Christmas more simple and meaningful. One thing I want to do with the kids this year is an Advent calendar. I need to go pick one up at Treasure House. So, I’d like to hear if you have ideas for keeping Christmas simple and meaningful.

-I got invited to a scrap-booking shindig at the high school. So I went last night from about 5:30 – 11:30. It was a lot of fun. There were a few people I sort of knew or had met before, quite a few strangers, and my friend, Kim. Some of these ladies are hard-core, crazy scrap-bookers/card-makers. Talk about paraphenalia! It was amazing. I’m doing “scrap-booking lite” right now because I just want to get my pictures in books! So I’m not decorating most of the pages – mostly just cropping pictures and writing. So I didn’t feel like I was in the same league as most of the ladies, but it was fun anyway. They get together once a month, so I hope to go again. It was fun to meet some new people outside of my little circle!

-God has been changing/freeing/healing my heart in some neat ways. I’m so grateful to my Lord Jesus for His mercy, grace and unfailing love. One of the latest “praises”: I’ve battled with an anger problem for a long time,and after praying and being prayed for at Stormer Lake, I have a new freedom like never before. And you should see the changes in my kids because of it! I’m able to enjoy them so much more these last few weeks – even when they’re naughty. :-) I’m so grateful! “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord.”

-That’s all. I must go to bed!!

A Question for You

I'm starting to think about Christmas presents... I think we'd like to give Caleb a magazine subscription - preferrably something about nature/animals. And preferrably something that's not too expensive to send to Canada. Any ideas??

The mighty hunters and some of their catch. We had some for supper last night and it was tasty!

Doing some school work at Stormer.

Stormer Lake

Well, Stormer Lake was good! The retreat was a refreshing time of worshiping, sharing and praying for each other. I’ve experienced some new freedom in my heart! Maybe I’ll tell you more about it later. :-) Our two days of vacation were really relaxing. What did we do? We:
-played games (Caleb learned to play Phase 10.)
-watched movies (I discovered I’m not as “high-brow” as I thought. Phantom of the Opera was a little too intense/dark for me.)
-read books (maybe I’ll tell you about my latest book soon. It’s really good.)
-played outside (Josiah really doesn’t like sliding) :-)
-shot grouse (a total of five and two of them were with one shot! What a mighty hunter man I’m married to!)
-slept – Oh Bliss!
-ate good food
Sound like fun?? It was much-needed and now I’m trying to get back into a “normal” routine. I’m hoping to find some fine young girl that I can pay to help me clean my house tomorrow. It’s been too dirty for too long! I’ve had it with dirt and clutter!

The Giant and the Shepherd

I'm Still Here!!!

Oh my, where to start? I’ve had all kinds of cool blogs bouncing around in my brain yesterday and today. But, in the end, I only have a few minutes to dash something off. Why, you say? Well, we are on our way to Stormer Lake this weekend for a Retreat and much needed vacation! We’re so excited!! Marvin and Yvonne invited us to the retreat which is a gathering of a network of people from Ontario, Manitoba and North Dakota. I’m looking forward to being refreshed and hearing what Jesus has to say to me/us. Then, we are staying on at Stormer Lake for Monday and Tuesday – just for a rest! The last few months have been full of busy-ness (how do you spell that?)and lots of pressures. So we’re going to just chill out! We have books, games and movies – oh and lots of good food and a sled. What more could a little family want??

Other items of note (to me at least!)

- We just finished a wonderful month-long visit with Matthew, Rhonda and family. We almost got to spend enough time together. Rhonda and I finished it off nicely with a late-night chat and a fun ride home in the truck in a blizzard at midnight. It was so much fun to get re-aquainted with the girls and see them getting to know their cousins. It’s hard to think of not seeing them all for another two years! Sigh! Makes me anxious for heaven…

- Josiah started pulling himself up last week and this week he’s even cruising around furniture a little bit. My baby is growing up! Oh, and I don’t think I ever mentioned that he got his first two teeth (top center) a few weeks ago. It wasn’t too traumatic. Especially not with the help of a little Advil! :-)

- Last weekend was crazy!! And fun! Wanna know how? Sheldon and Darla and kids came on Thursday night for INM board meetings. On Friday we women and kids were hanging out here so I thought I should invite the rest of the family to drop in if they wanted… So, Wendy and her kids came over. Rhonda couldn’t come, but I went and got her three oldest. That made 9 kids 8 and under when they were all here! Dad and Dru also came over for visit. And all of this while Keith was trying to prepare a sermon at his desk in the living room. :-) He did retreat to the basement after awhile. The kids really did quite well. It think it helps when there are a few older ones. And Sara (12) played with them for awhile too. It was happy chaos. That night Matthew, Rhonda and Caitlyn came over later to spend some more time with Sheldons. There was an intense game of Settlers. :-) Keith and I also spent a few hours with Don and Marilyn Showalter praying and talking through some heart stuff Thursday and Friday evening/night. Thank God for people who can help and encourage us! Sheldons left Saturday afternoon,and that evening Matthews and Mark and Kim and kids came over for supper and a games of Cities and Knights. I think we were all still friends when it was over. Oh, and I think I won. (They say the first thing to go is your memory.) As much as I like to win, you’d think I’d remember when I do! On Sunday, Chris and Lisa invited us over for lunch. Then in the evening it was Ladies night at church. Then I crashed. :-)

- The Baptist Church had a Noah’s Ark party again this year on Halloween. We had never gone before, but this seemed like a good time to start. (Because I was so well-rested and had so much extra time.) So, on Monday and Tuesday between housework, music lessons, and swimming lessons, I made costumes for the boys. They were David and Goliath and they were so cute! They had a lot of fun at the party and came home with sufficient treats. Now the hard part is rationing them. I’ll try to post a picture of them in their costumes next week.

- Yesterday Caleb asked me, “What is infinity times infinity?” and “What number comes after infinity?”. Where does he come up with this stuff???

My Favorite Guys

Oh, can you tell that I got my digital camera? :-) We're having fun with it!

Family Getaway

My family all (except Sam and Tyler) went to Stormer Lake last weekend. We had a fun time being together and doing some of the stuff we enjoy together: playing games, staying up late and being silly, singing, eating, making gingerbread houses, exchanging gifts, etc... I came home quite exhausted!! Here's a picture of Dad and Dru with all the kids. I'd post a picture of the whole family, but Derek didn't send me one yet (hint, hint). :-)

Presents! We had a little gift exchange and Matthews gave us presents from Madagascar. That's the guys all wearing shirts from Madagascar. And Larissa (Matthew's youngest) opening her presents.

Making "gingerbread" houses. From the top: Wendy (Jeff's wife) and their oldest, Tia. Sierra (one of Matthew and Rhonda's four) and Helen (Mike's wife), Caleb.

From the top: Matthew, Alicia (Sheldon's oldest), Alabama (Jeff's second daughter) and the newest member of the family - Scott Jacob. He's Derek and Elise's first baby. He's just over a month old.

My Latest Decorating Endeavors

The picture arrangement in the living room is finally done. Thanks to Iris for picking out a picture of Josiah to put up. (It's the bottom, centre one.) The quilt is hanging in the basement. The quilt is one that my Grandma Slaubaugh made for my Mom and Dad - I think for their wedding. The wrought-iron quilt hangar was made by my uncle Paul Eichorn. I'm very pleased with it. Some time this winter (hopefully) I'm going to put up framed black and white pictures of our ancestors - a grouping by the quilt and a bunch on the wall beside it.

Here's Another Good One

I know I should be doing something profitable like laundry, but I just have to share another quote with you from the same author. This one hits me right between the eyes!

"...develop an attitude of gratitude. Be thankful. God is more concerned about your being thankful than just about anything else.... How you tell your story (the story of your life, family, ministry, church, etc.) to yourself and others will be a powerful indication of your thankfulness or bitterness. You have the power to put different spins on all the phenomena of your life. You can (without lying) tell your story so as to make people cry for you out of pity or envy you out of awe. Let others sense your thankful heart when they hear your story."
-James Abrahamson in "Lessons In Leadership"

Yes, well! I struggle against bitterness and negativity as a lifestyle. So, this is a kick in the pants for me!! I'm now asking God to give me a thankful heart in the midst of my struggles. I want to see God and His goodness in all of my circumstances - even the hardest ones!

And now, my hubby is going to take me out for lunch! So there's something to be thankful for right now!

Quote For The Day

I read this yesterday and it really struck a chord with me. I suppose it's all stuff I've known before, but it was said in a different way, or I was ready to hear it in a new way. I hope you're blessed and enlightened like I was...

“…always remember that God accepts you without approving of all that you believe or do. Avoid the cult of “grace lite” (which is usually accompanied by “law lite” and “sin lite”). When you doubt God’s grace you will be tempted to make the Law manageable and sin tolerable. Don’t be afraid of acknowledging your depravity. Things are not as bad in your soul as you think they are; they are much worse! But God’s grace is able to cover the greatest sin. So let the holy Law of God convict you deeply – but don’t ever base your relationship with God on the verdict of the Law. In other words, don’t link the fact of God’s acceptance of you in Christ with God’s appproval of all your beliefs or behaviors. Remember that you walk with a God who “justifies the ungodly” by faith.
Similarly, God’s love for you is not increased by your obedience nor is it diminished by your disobedience. The exact same love that the Father has for Jesus, His Son, is also offered to you because you are hidden in Christ.” -James Abrahamson in "Lessons In Leadership"

Once Upon A Time...

Long, long ago there were three silly young girls. They liked to talk and talk about many things great and small, go canoeing and camping, climb rock cliffs, talk about boys, make true confessions, read Winnie-the-Pooh, make up and play crazy group games, struggle through the issues of young-adulthood together, do crazy skits at youth retreat, sing, listen to music, laugh and laugh, play preposterous tricks on each other, work (work?!?) together, and just plain hang out.

And then those silly young girls grew up and life got harder, but better, and suddenly, between the three of them, they had 10 (yes, ten!) children. And all the children were beautiful and precious, and the now-not-so-young-and-silly girls still enjoyed getting together to share their lives and rememeber the past and get to know each other’s kids. Oh, and one of them still had enough silliness in her to get marshmallow shooters for the kids to play with!

A Few of Those Ten Adorable Kids

Who's Confused??

The other day I was trying to phone a company that sells supplements, to see if I’m giving Josiah the right dose of his iron supplement. Part of the conversation went roughly like this:

Nice guy: hello, mumble, mumble, mumble
Me: May I speak with Lida, please?
Nice guy: Lida who?
Me: I don’t know, I was just told to ask for Lida.
Nice guy: Give me your name and number and I’ll check for you.
Me: Jenni, etc, etc,
Nice guy: And what was your question?
Me: I’m giving my baby the Floradix iron supplement and want to be sure I’m giving him the right dose.
Nice guy: This is General Motors

So, if anyone wants to phone General Motors, I have the number! (And I did get the correct number for the supplement company.)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

We were going for a little drive after church and drove through the cemetery. Here’s a rough reconstuction of the ensuing conversation.

Logan: What are we doing here?
Keith: I just wanted to see the place where Grandma is buried.
Logan: Married?
Keith: Yes, buried.
Logan: People get married here?
Keith: Yes, buried.
Logan: That’s a stinker place to get married!

At this point I intervened and translated for Keith and the whole misunderstanding was cleared up. And we laughed and laughed!!!