Kindergarten Already?!

Stella with her teacher, Mrs. Hubbard, at Kindergarten Orientation last night.

Finishing story time and getting their ladybug craft.

 

Poor tired Stella! This is what happens when you have Ruby as a roommate!

Snacks with delish cherry Kool-aid!

The theme was perfect for our little Stella-girl whose life has been immersed in ladybugs since birth! :) What fun Stella will have in Kindergarten - if we can bear to part with her come August. And that's a big IF for this Mommy!

i love this face

one of my favorite things about my first few weeks w/ my babies is watching their little eyelashes unfold lash by lash each day. such sweetness i wouldn't trade even for a full night's sleep. :)

DO

That's my theme word lately. From the beginning of this year I have been gearing up mentally for the life change of going from 2 to 3 kids. Everyone warns that it's the hardest transition since you and your husband are outnumbered and since you only have 2 hands...and for a variety of other reasons which I am soon to find out, I'm sure. I certainly haven't hit the worst of it yet since my mom just left Friday, but nonetheless have been counseling myself with encouragement from 2 sources. One I read a few months back and the other I read many years ago.


The first article is called "Do what you Can" by Don Whitney. I was challenged by the mom's determination to have spiritual priorities in the midst of a hectic home life with young kids. I might not have the time I did in my single adulthood to color code theme words in the book of the Bible I'm studying, but I can read a verse here and there and meditate on it and pray through it. Something is better than nothing.


The second resource is one I first read back in college quoted in a book by Elisabeth Elliot. It's called "Do the Next Thing." When I'm tempted to get overwhelmed with life and my to do list and discipline issues and household management issues, it is good to remember just to take the next step. I don't need to think about tomorrow. I just need to do the next thing God has for me right now. What a life simplifier that is!


Of course, I would be remiss to focus merely on the DOing, since, as Don Whitney points out in his article, "God does not love us more when we do more, nor less when we do less. He accepts us, not because of what we do for Him, but because of what He's done for us in Christ (emphasis mine)." I DO because of what I AM. Accepted in Him. Now that promise gives this weary mom some MUCH needed rest.

An Anti-Cookbook Cook

I've almost given up buying cookbooks. I use the internet so much for recipes and I am an anti-clutter person so unless there's a cookbook with a unique twist, I'm just not interested. But this cookbook just might be one of those exceptions. 

I heard about it here and the recipe shown sounds great. Do you have any recommendations for cookbooks, like this one, that have something special to offer?

transitioning

you know you haven't been out of the house for awhile when your 4-year old says, "mommy! there are green leaves on the trees now!"


when we were getting out of the van to go into barnes and noble last night matt said, "honey, it's not man to man defense anymore. we've got three kids now. we're playing zone!"

happy 1 week birthday, sweet schaeffer!

and He gives more grace

j. schaeffer owen

may 4, 2010

2:58 pm

7 lb 9 oz

19 1/4 in

"from the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another."

john 1.16

our gem

kisses or hugs? kisses

indoors or out? out

over or under? over

yes or no? no

"cup", "bup" or "buck"? now "buck"

laugh or cry? yes

lover or fighter? yes

dolls or trucks? yes

dogs or cats? yes

run or walk? run

loud or quiet? loud

serious or silly? silly
gentle or rough? ask stella :)

And that's Ruby..."A little name for such a person." 

I always get sad when I know our youngest will be losing his/her place as baby in the family. So I've been trying to cuddle and snuggle up Ruby all that I can. She is going through an extremely willful spell now - the worst to date - so our consistency, patience and love are being tested at a new level. We are counseling ourselves w/ the truth of Scripture when we're tempted to grow weary in seeking to drive the foolishness from her heart. We are desperate for grace in this task of child-rearing but God is faithful even when we struggle. And as long as there is grace, there is hope for us and for her.

As I mentioned here, I have a hymn picked for each of our kids. It's a special song I sing to them from early on and really is my prayer for them. Ruby's hymn is "Jesus, I am Resting." It is the perfect song for her and the way God made her...and it is the perfect song for me as I work with her and strive to train her in the way she should go. 

Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.

Chorus:
Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.

O, how great Thy loving kindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O, how marvelous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Beloved,
Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed!

Ever lift Thy face upon me
As I work and wait for Thee;
Resting ’neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory,
Sunshine of my Father’s face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting,
Fill me with Thy grace.

credits

from All I Owe, released 07 November 2006
Words: Jean S. Pigott
Music: David B. Hampton