The Day God Opened My Eyes

 

~Reposted from 2010~

When we moved to the farm six years ago, I wanted to bring our wooden play structure with us. Husby said "no way", and I translated that into..."we'll just get a new one, I guess". I'm not the only one that makes those giant LEAPS of assumption, am I? Fast forward six years, and there is still no play structure, though there are three more little ones. I still think it would be very valuable.

Since I'm not technically saavy, I can't scan a photo of Josh and Jenna swinging on the swingset when they were 2 1/2. So imagine two little blonde-haired cutie pies swinging back and forth with all the energy they have, and I'll tell you a little story about the day GOD OPENED MY EYES.

From the kitchen of our little Craftsman style home in the village, I could look out to the backyard and see the swingset. While I did the dishes that sunny summer day, my very well-behaved, obedient twins were swinging merrily and, no doubt, singing hymns. They were trained to first-time obedience, had impeccable manners, and I was quite proud of the progress I was making with them. So far, parenting was working out fairly well, and I was certain that my methods of control were paying off. Not only did they need to use "please" and "thank you", but I did not allow disrespect or rude speech like "hate", "fat", "shut-up" and grossities like "poop". We instead, used formal and appropriate terms such as "B M". Bowel Movement...I know, laugh at me, but that's what it is.

I was enjoying the sweet sounds and cheery little voices...I was loving mothering.

Hmmm, what hymn are they singing?

And then my parenting world was shaken. With all their might, Josh and Jenna were swinging to the heights saying "Poopy, poopy, poopy!" And back again,"Poopy, poopy, poopy!!!!" And again...and again...and again.

Can you believe it??? They had no idea I could hear them, and that's the day God opened my eyes and began the GREAT CHANGE in my parenting. Now, I'm the first to admit that I am far from wise regarding this whole idea of parenting, and the more children I have, the less wisdom I seem to have. But on that day I began to see that all my efforts were sincerely and earnestly aimed at their OUTWARD BEHAVIOR, not their HEART.

I know there are multiple authors who have dealt with this issue, so I don't need to delve too deeply here, but suffice it to say that the Lord used that little incident to get my attention and show me the need to minister and disciple my children to love the Lord, not simply follow a set of rules and laws.

The twins and I love this story, it makes us laugh. We laugh at their naughtiness, we laugh at my legalism-doesn't-work approach to parenting, and we laugh at ourselves. But I also love the humor God used to open my eyes to a better way. HIS way of reaching the heart of His precious children.

Who Is Teaching My Children???

*Reposted from April, 2010*

Unintentionally, I've taken a small sabbatical from blogging. It has felt like college days all over again...remembering that feeling of back-to-back exams during finals week, and just believing that "if I can get through this week..." I can return to some normalcy.

But guess what? I did make it through last week, and "normalcy" doesn't exist. After having my family up for Easter, then preparing for my sister's baby shower last week, I am scrambling to get caught up (will that ever happen???) with the house, paperwork, laundry, decluttering, spring cleaning, changing clothes from winter season to spring...piles and piles and PiLeS of clothes. Progress can be a bit elusive, but there is some good news... giant stacks of clothing are leaving this house and never coming back!

 ...the farm is busier than ever now that nine little Wilber's have arrived. Some one of us will soon have pictures up of their arrival, and the three little girls right in the middle of the hog pen taking charge and making friends.

Remember the snake habitat? This was the day of capture, and brave little Natalie in charge of transport. For those animal rights people out there, yes, they were set free after a delightful time of education into the life of humans. We don't do much with formal "lab" studies in our science time (OK, None), so I free myself of guilt and instead embrace the hands on approach! My children are naturally curious and don't seem to be afraid of spiders, snakes, placentas...you name it, they are willing to try it! But again, progress can be difficult to measure...and stepping outside the "norm" sometimes requires our schedule to be flexible...and flexible can sometimes make us uncomfortable...

Little Running Squash is LoViNg the outdoors and wants to keep up with the others. I'm not teaching her a foreign language, she doesn't know her alphabet, and she isn't a fan of vegetables, but she's happy, energetic, and loves her family. She can put toys away, pet a hog, and sing any song you sing, so why get bogged down in early pre-school education? :)

I'm still trying to get a weekly menu together (don't give up on me, Renee), rooms remain slightly unorganized, I'm not sure if my dining room will ever get painted, my sewing pile is taller than me, I haven't been able to do that "early to rise" part of life yet, and our daily schedule needs a major overhaul, BUT,

"All my children shall be taught by the Lord,

And great shall be the peace of my children.

In righteousness I shall be established;

I shall be far from oppression, for I shall not fear;

And from terror, for it shall not come near me."
Isaiah 54:13-14

So, dear friends, if any of you are feeling just slightly behind in your homeschooling due to being a momma of many, or perhaps you have the amazing miracle of life in your womb or in your arms, or illness has you down, maybe your domestic responsibilities threaten to overwhelm, or you are facing personal or financial loss, some may be burdened by moral failure...this is my comfort:

...That no matter how weak and incapable I am feeling, my children are ultimately being taught by the Lord. Could there ever be a better teacher??? Even at my best, I will always choose to defer to HIS educational plan, knowing that it is far superior to anything I could accomplish. Remember that He gave us these precious children, and He loves them dearly! He won't abandon us as we fulfill our responsibilities!

How about resting in this promise? **sigh of relief**

Enjoy your week~

Kathy

Labor and Delivery

 

 Two does + two hours of labor = four kids!

 Monday was filled with kidding on the farm with two does kidding AT THE SAME TIME! A first for us! Read more detail on Jenna's blog at the above link. 

This is always such a busy time with extra clutter around the farmhouse kitchen and babies bleating in the mudroom, but a great opportunity to put into practice all those thoughts of gratitude, capturing the moments, engraving memories into the heart, and mothering with patience, not pessimism.

So how did I do? It's just a little funny that my kiddos thought the day was difficult for everyone. By dinner time, obedience was non-existent for some (which raises the frustration level on momma's part), all were tired, and offenses against one another were adding up.   

"But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth."

Colossians3:8

Here's our chance! If you find that you have failed in this area, confess your sin and go to your children...ask their forgiveness! Purpose to walk in the Spirit, blessing one another and encouraging one another.

When Courage Rises...

It happens often that I wonder about our effectiveness with the learning style/approach we have chosen here on the farm. Responsibilities, animal husbandry, genetics, business skills and more seem to count, yet shouldn't we be doing that other subject? What about outside classes? Lessons? Teams? (because I forget who is teaching my children ) and I still fear man...

But tonight the farm is still in the swirling winter white and I have yet again witnessed the extraordinary courage and faith of my children. When faced with the pending death  of yet another goat (they are always more dear than just inventory) a decision was made to act immediately once we watched her final breath escape. There was no one here but us, and Josh courageously performed an emergency c-section on his sweet friend in a heroic attempt to save her kid. Knowing that she was two weeks early, it was a long shot...but worth it. Who wouldn't try to save a life? Or three? Yes, three kids were found inside.

Without turning back, we ran desperately though the snow to bring our little ones to the NICU by the wood stove in hopes of survival. Heat, massage, slinging, and my first mouth-to-mouth resuscitation proved unsuccessful, and in the end, all that remained was another life lesson lingering among all that needed to be cleaned up.

There is much to think on, many questions to ask, and perhaps surprising to some, processing with God on His plans and purposes. And back to all that we learn here on the farm, I wouldn't give these days away to anyone else. I'm here on the farm with my children (with my children is the key, not being on the farm) and that what we are learning is vital and real, and that what we have is immeasurably precious. 

And the courage Joshua had today was the courage of a man...taught by the Lord.

The Clock Is Ticking!!!

"...that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers (keepers of the home), obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."       Titus 2:4-5

I am not ready for August. Soon I hope to post pictures of summer on the farm, but the immediate crisis is, summer is fast...ending!! Oi! As a home~educating momma, I feel the pressure rising, especially as I evaluate what I have (or have not) accomplished this summer. If we were being honest with eachother, I'd confess that I am not nearly as organized as I long to be, and I suffer from a deplorable inability to make a decision. After all, it has to be right the first time...no mistakes...there's no going back, there's no making up for lost time...

This may resonate with some of you (thank you) as you plan for the fall. While I know that there will be "mistakes" or "regrets" or changing of plans, curriculum, etc., and it's not always bad,  I don't always believe that.  Perhaps I've lost a little time in some areas, but God is good. This verse in Titus is such a blessing to me as I am reminded again as to what is important. At the end of the day, have I been an example to my children? Are the girls desiring to be a wife and mother because of what they see in me? Are the boys placing high value on the biblical definition of what characterizes a Godly young woman?

"She knew how good it would be to stay at home again, to help with the housework and to do the chores and work in the garden..."

Little Town on the Prairie~Laura Ingalls Wilder

OK, dear mothers, persevere! Stay focused on what is good and right and true so that we are not guilty of blaspheming the Word of God.

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

Galatians 6:9

Those Stinkin' Vegetables! and That Elusive History Curriculum...

Last week we spent the day canning carrots and kale with the intention of using it in soup this winter. It was hard to imagine cold weather and snow, but we KNOW it's coming, so we were a little excited about our experiment. 
Today Josh opened the cabinet, and ...wow...what a stench! Not one of those buggers stayed sealed! So this morning we fed the 21 jars to the hogs (minus the jar that got swiped off the counter and spilled all over the floor). All that by 9:00 a.m....
Other pressing matters on the farm are not really farm in nature. Now is the time to be wrapping up plans and ordering materials for our schooling/educating for the fall. Is there ANYONE else out there looking for that perfect history booklist and companion schedule/study guide? Under $500????  Have you found it???? I'd like it to be a Charlotte Mason philosophy, literature based, organized by time period (American history right now) with a daily schedule that is organized and easy to follow. Please make it rich in all the beautiful books out there, honest with the issues facing the culture of the day, and something that will inspire my children as they see the hand of God throughout HIStory.


Some that I've looked at/tried:
~Truthquest
~Notgrass
~Sonlight
~Queen Homeschooling
~Ambleside Online
~Winterpromise
~Mystery of History

I'd love to hear from you, friends! Am I missing something out there?

I Was Checking My Mental List...

...and I didn't accomplish anything today! Of course, that screams "Really? Are you sure?" Okay, perhaps it's better said that the Holy Spirit asked me those questions in the still, small voice that characterizes our God, and when re-evaluated I decided that many things were accomplished.

~Bible time was spent together this morning

~Words of encouragement were spoken

~Reminders of the truth in scripture were repeated

~Love was demonstrated

~Acts of service were done

~Admonishment was given

~Laughter was shared

~Playtime in the snow was fun with eachother

~Relationships were invested in

~Songs of praise were sung and enjoyed

• 
  

I realized again, that I am so blessed and privileged to be together with my children all day long... to be a part of the great journey of their life...to witness in the growth and development of their character. To be a mother. To be their mother.

So what if my "projects" didn't advance today. Maybe there will be time tomorrow.

What did you do today that made your role worthwhile? Be deliberate as you reflect on that good thing that did get done and thank the Lord. It has far more value than any project will ever have.

Almond Milk and Something Else...

Feeling frustrated with myself for not taking our eating and health to the next level, I decided to try making almond milk since our goats are drying up, and the cow is not due until the end of January.

This is a great tutorial, and I was pleasantly surprised at how simple it is to make the almond milk. Not only is this a great source of protein and is casein-free, this process is also soaked overnight!

My only obstacle: those family members who remain resistant. To me, it tasted a bit like vanilla ice-cream (can't go wrong there, can I?), but even to my littlest, she promptly produced the most genuine "dry heaves" a 15 month old can muster up. How is that? It is as confusing to me as that moment when a baby reaches for a green m&m (having never seen or tasted it before) yet unequivocally rejects a green pea...

Which brings me to the next green food item...do you know what this is?

Jenna wrongly said these were like lima beans (which I shall never induce my children to such punishment), and Josh , though incorrect, gets the award for identifying it as only a homeschooler-who-loves-science, would. His answer? Whale ovum.

REALLY???

The correct answer: Edamame. We boiled it in the pod, then gave the task of shelling them to Natalie, who diligently podded them all. Quietly, I might add, as she was given to great concentration. Sea salt was sprinkled on them in the bowl, and served warm at the table.

Pumpkin Fudge

My friend Sherry requested the Pumpkin Fudge recipe, so here it is. Don't even think for a minute that there is any nutritional value from the pumpkin to offset the sugar!

Pumpkin Fudge

2 c. sugar

1 c. brown sugar

3/4 c. butter

2/3 c. evaporated milk

1/2 c. canned pumpkin

1 1/2 t. pumpkin pie spice

12 oz. pkg. white chocolate chips

7 oz. jar marshmallow creme

1 c. chopped pecans (optional)

1 1/2 t. vanilla

Combine the first six ingredients in a heavy saucepan; heat over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Continue heating until mixture begins to boil, stirring constantly; continue boiling until candy thermometer reaches soft-ball stage or 234 to 243 degrees. Remove from heat; stir in chocolate chips until melted. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Pour into a buttered 9x13 pan. Cool. Cut into small squares, store in refrigerator.

This has become Josh's job every Thankgiving, so go ahead and get those guys in the kitchen to help out! We love the kitchen when preparations are going strong...memory-making, laughter-filled, multi-tasking moments that to the untrained ear of a stranger may dangerously resemble chaos, but to us...a lovely symphony of what every home should sound like.

After the Blessing...

After receiving the blessing of children, a whole new reality set in. I remember strangers, with twins older than mine, wearing the badge of "survival" as I faced yet another foggy day. Older women with teens wistfully encouraged me to enjoy each day...their youth goes by so fast. And my own dear momma telling me gently that perhaps it is time to "call it a day and make some lemonade and cookies...go sit in the shade of a tree."

Somewhere over the years, all the physical needs of my little people have turned into emotional needs and spiritual needs, and the ever-present needs of emerging adulthood. Exhausting. Completely and wonderfully exhausting. Countless hours are spent in heart-probing discussion, challenging conversation and comforting encouragement. We laugh, we cry, we face struggles and temptations head-on. We talk of dreams and the death of dreams. We probe the depths of ought to's and ought not's, walking in the flesh, or walking in the Spirit.

Our one great Standard? The Word of God. Do we fail? Absolutely. But there is that opportunity to again experience the redemption and forgiveness of God. And last night as the conversation drew to a close, there was a decided peace which of course, is from God alone. But it gave me cause to realize again how important it is to build genuine relationships with our children so that they come to mom and dad for insight, encouragement, counsel, direction.

I am so jealous (vigilant, concerned for : Webster's 1828) for their heart and so very thankful for the time I have at home with them.

The days are going by much too fast.

An Answer to Your Prayers

Thank you to all my friends for praying that my back would heal. Although I have more recovery ahead, each day I am able to move with less pain. Ice and rest have been my companions and I am mentally preparing for what must occur next: exercise on a regular basis. How I shall fit in one more thing, I do not know. But after this week it became so apparent that my children need a healthy momma! I have been blessed with tremendous helpers, but not being able to function in my role significantly impedes progress around here and my husband has mentioned more than once how difficult it would be for them to have to wheel me around at such a "young" age...
So this next week I will be reorganizing my days to include not only time with the Lord, meal planning and schooling, but also exercising. I'll keep you posted on my progress...

November On the Farm

A surprise of beautiful weather these last few days has allowed us to finish up much needed chores around the farm. I stole a few minutes to capture the early days in November before the final leaves fell...

...and then after. Very beautiful, but very bare.

This is a favorite autumn treat. I love the bright red set against the brown-gray bark of the tree...the cardinals love the berries...

"Come now, and let us reason together," says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land." Isaiah 1:18

May your November be filled with blessings and beauty!

Thoughts on raising boys to men...

Give him a little time and guidance...

...a chance to succeed...


...opportunity to build strength and endurance...

...a new project to challenge and inspire...

"Anybody knew that no two men were alike. You could measure cloth with a yardstick, or distance by miles, but you could not lump men together and measure them by any rule. Brains and character did not depend on anything but the man himself. Some men did not have the sense at sixty that some had at sixteen. And Almanzo considered that he was as good, any day, as any man twenty-one years old.

Almanzo's father thought so too. (His) father had put his boys to work early and trained them well. Almanzo had learned to save money before he was ten and he had been doing a man's work on the farm since he was nine..." ~Laura Ingalls Wilder in "The Long Winter"

Feelin' Feminine Challenge Day 6

Not feeling very "feminine" today as I spent the day in my pajamas trying to recover from a migraine. Everyone has learned how best to help momma when I'm down with one of these, and today daddy took the five oldest along with Laura to visit friends. That left me with Anna and Natalie (four and two), who tried to nap, then tried to play school next to me while I laid on the couch. Anna insisted that she work on her math, as that had not yet been done. Immediately she headed for the sums of nine, and I had to convince her that she was jumping in a bit to deep. Natalie was just content to mimic whatever Anna said.

"The husband, weary from work...comes to his home, and sudden rest falls on him like a mantle, when he sees by a neat hearth children with smooth heads and clean pinafores, and the wife, who has not forgotten the pretty wiles of dress wherewith she first pleased his eye. If the lover has a pleasure in seeing shining teeth, well-dressed hair, neat hands, a well-shod foot, a throat tastefully arranged, has the husband necessarily deteriorated that he will care for none of these things?" The Complete Home by Mrs. Julia McNair Wright, 1879

Feelin' Feminine Challenge Day 5

Oops...Day 5 and there are no pictures of my challenge"! Imagine this...THE SAME denim tiered skirt again, this time with a black long sleeve T and a denim jacket (it is so cold already, and no fire in the wood stove yet). For the hair, another ponytail!
Some good news, a friend stopped over this afternoon and helped me alter a $2 garage sale find, so I now have another dark denim skirt that fits. Perhaps there will be photos tomorrow~
Kathy

Feelin' Feminine Challenge Day 4

Day 4 of the Feelin' Feminine challenge, and I (Jenna) am posting the pictures of my beautiful momma for her:)

Mom encourages me in my journey of femininity and she leads by example! I love you momma!!

Her hair is in a loopy/bun!!

This is Abigail's hair in a claw. She put her hair in a ponytail, then twisted it up put the claw in it and let the rest of her hair lay over the claw!

She is wearing a green jumper with little white flowers and a pretty, white shawl.

Blessings,

Jenna

Feelin' Feminine Challenge Day 3

Twirling with Laura...I love to twirl
Our group is dwindling...but here are the faithful four! I'm back in my denim skirt (told you it would be a multiple repeat) and a black velour hoodie. The hair is not picture-worthy, but I put it in a ponytail then twisted it around and shoved all the random ends in. Here's a struggle for me with regard to the femininity issues: How much time ought one spend with all the preparation? It's a rhetorical question, but the season of my life right now seems to go well with quick and easy.
I did decide to change into a pair of capri pants when I went outside to paint the porch. I suppose I could have done it in a skirt, but just didn't feel like tripping all over myself.

"Where the eye is the jury, the apparel is the evidence; the body is the shell of the soul; apparel is the husk of the shell, and the husk will often tell you what the kernel is."

"Attention to Dress in the Home" The Complete Home, by Mrs. Julia McNair Wright 1879

Feelin' Feminine Challenge!

Day 2
Oh boy...this is going to be a long week. It is one thing to dress for my family, but quite another to be sharing so publicly. I started the day by squeezing into a different denim skirt with a chartruese zip-up hoodie, but that just didn't last long. Back into the denim skirt from yesterday with a brown hoodie. And the hair? Another ponytail.

Feelin' Feminine Challenge!

Jenna and I have decided to do the Feelin' Feminine Challenge this week, and all the girls are joining us. You can check it out here if you would like to join us too. Over the years we have been on a journey with the whole "how a Christian woman ought to dress" issue, from wearing dresses all the time because I thought it was more spiritual, to wearing jeans again to test my heart. Today I can say that wearing dresses/skirts is a delight to me because it represents beauty and femininity, among other things. It is no longer bondage, but freedom and joy.

The purpose? Girl time as we find ways to promote continued femininity in our home. The challenge for me? Well, throughout the week I will see how many different combinations I can come up with using the same skirt! If anyone feels like they don't own enough options, be encouraged with this post-partum mom (I'll try not to share too many secrets), and by-the-way, how long does "post-partum" last? :)

Day 1

Wearing the all-time favorite denim tiered skirt I bought at a garage sale for $3 with a tobacco brown Lands' End blouse I found at a thrift store for under $2. Laura is wearing a Baby Gap denim jumper that grandma bought Abigail ten years ago !!!

Jenna chose denim...

Abigail also chose her denim skirt...

Abigail did some cute little loopie with her hair, and Jenna did a giant braid. I'm lucky if I can get a ponytail in...

That is us for the day! Nothing historic or unusually beautiful, but practical and comfortable. Have fun taking up the challenge!

When Momma Sleeps...

The goal this weekend was to teach little one how to sleep through the night. So far, unsuccessful. Going on just a small amount of sleep, I woke to a very productive household. A delicious breakfast of biscuits with sausage & apples was prepared, a double batch of blueberry muffins was in the oven, laundry was started, barn chores completed, inside chores were well on their way to completion, and the coffee was on! Goodness! I began to see the wisdom in sleeping in late in the morning...so much more seems to be accomplished without me present :). Truly, I owe a big thank you and lots of hugs to my children for jumping in to help a very weary momma.

"Let us not grow weary while doing good,

for in due season we shall reap

if we do not lose heart."

Galatians 6:9