Farmhouse Logic...

"Mom? Since you're going to die before me...well, probably...but not soon...I hope...but we don't really have to talk about it...

...will you please write down the instructions for cutting my hair...

...since I have NO IDEA how you do it?"

"Sure, sweetie..."

~Caleb, during a precious haircutting conversation

Serve Tuscaloosa 2011

It finally came, that phone call shattering the late night silence. His voice is there, and strong, but too far away for this momma. I bend to the required release of a mother to her almost-adult-son, but I'm going on record to say... I just don't like this.  It's only a week in Alabama to serve those suffering from the tornado, but it's a week of preparation for me of what lies ahead. Going to serve is good, and we are all thankful for the opportunity, (isn't this what we pray for??) but I'm wracking my tired brain to figure out some way to turn back the clock...

He Giveth, and Giveth, and Giveth Again!

I didn't do it. My mom said "No, Kathy, what are you thinking?" And as the piles of laundry mounted, I thought the charm of the wringer washer might be a little overrated at this point in my life.

And then God, who is rich in mercy, sent us $540 dollars through the generous giving of a beloved family....and I found a beautiful new washing machine for almost the exact amount!!! I thought it would have been fun if I could have found something for the amount the check was written in, but this is wonderfully close, and once again we are living the tender hand of provision from the Lord.  Doing laundry is surprisingly delightful again.

We are almost recovered from Josh's performance of Meet Me In St. Louis at the end of January. This was his first major production, and it was amazing. The 89 person cast and directors were fantastic, as was the set, choreography, and Josh! Some may think I go a bit overboard, but I am one very proud momma!

On the farm, amidst the spilled milk, sticky honey dribbles, and snapping mouse traps, my sweet four year old informs me that she would like a tiny diamond nose-ring and wonders...

"How old will you be when I am 61?"

"Oh dear, I'll be 102...let's not talk about it..."

Enjoy the February sunshine tomorrow, and thank you all for your sweet comments...I love hearing from you!

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

Some Thoughts on Raising Sons...From Fear To Free...and a Hot Dog

What is a momma to do when her little boy is no longer a little boy...when that little energetic toddler turns into a young man ...when, independent of that adoring momma, he's quite good at something he loves?

She turns some of that nurturing into good old-fashioned boastin' on her boy! Now, with all due propriety and modesty of course, instead of doting on him or restraining his emerging manho*d, heap on the praise! Let your little man know just how proud you are of his work... let him know how amazing his talent is...tell him he is essential to the success of the team...make sure he knows how SWEET his play at the plate was (has anyone ever seen that before in Little League???  

Make sure he knows that OF COURSE, when he is drafted by the Tigers as their next greatest catcher, OF COURSE you'll be at every game eating a ball park hot dog...cheering him on to another victory.

Giveaway at While I'm Waiting!

I have made a great many mistakes as a parent, and I'm sure there are more to come. One of my earlier mistakes was with guns. I know there is an entire subculture out there who, like myself, eschewed the very touching or handling of any weapon whatsoever. Wickedness, wickedness, wickedness. My son would be different, and we would start with the effective removal of anything that resembled guns.

And then a banana was a gun. One day a quite-perfectly-shaped stick was a gun. And "why?" I would ask, does he even consider constructing a gun out of his interlocking toys??? There had to be an answer and I was certain to find it. I need to confess here, that one place I knew was NOT the answer was my husband. Enter...

VisionForumMinistries

This is not an advertisement for the ministry, although we have been tremendously blessed by it in many ways. I simply give credit here to the place God directed me to (since I wasn't listening to or respecting my husband) which began to bring about great change in my heart. I not only began to understand boys and young men a little better, but I began to acknowledge the wisdom and understanding that God had equipped my husband with, especially in matters as they relate to raising sons. Remember my first sentence about making many mistakes...and I still continued, but change was happening, and God was at work.

Guns and boys together no longer frightened me, and I began to have a vision for "courageous boyhood". But I needed more. Recently, Josh and I read WILD AT HEART by John Eldridge. While I haven't completed the book, it didn't take me long before I was asking for forgiveness. This is a fantastic read for young men, dads, moms, and I even would like my daughters to read it when marriage is near.

The good news: Josh is hosting a giveaway for this book! Head over to his blog, read a review, Josh's opinion, and enter if you'd like. I think you'll be blessed.