Apr. 21, 2008 - A Birth Announcement

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Apr. 12, 2008 - Review of TEACH Magazine Spring 2008, Vol XII, Issue 1

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Apr. 10, 2008 - More Tornadoes

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Mar. 29, 2008 - Yea!!! I got my first nasty comment!!!!

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Your child a speech issue YOU need your ego stroked by her so you can feel good about denying her what she deserves?  How sad is that, I can imagine the damage you are doing to your child.  I doubt God is thinking “WOW great job mom, your holding your child back because you need to feel good about you” INSANE!!!!

It came from the post "Update on my non-conforming 5 yod."

Mar. 18, 2008 - Drowning in Texas

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Feb. 18, 2008 - Television?

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Feb. 16, 2008 - This is what we woke up to this morning!!!!!!!!

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Feb. 4, 2008 - Today is my birthday!!!

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Jan. 17, 2008 - What's Your Hidden Name

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What Karen Means

You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life. You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip. People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

Jan. 16, 2008 - Just a Couple of Notes

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Dec. 16, 2007 - Behold the Lamb

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Nov. 28, 2007 - A Quote

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Sep. 27, 2007 - Review TEACH Magazine Fall 2007 Volume XI, Issue 3

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          I just recently started receiving TEACH Magazine in the mail.  I must say that I am very impressed.  They go to great lengths to produce a good quality periodical.  The photos are simply beautiful.  It's printed on glossy paper.  You can tell that Lorrie Flem puts alot of love into her work. 

          TEACH Magazine is designed to have a central theme with each publication.  The Fall 2007 theme is "The Taming of the Tongue."  Isn't it always interesting and mysterious how God seems to be working a character trait in your heart and then drops encouragement in your lap with a perfectly timed magazine, books, or simple article online?  This is how I felt as I devled into my first issue of TEACH. 

          There were a few articles that really spoke to me in this issue.  The first article was written by Lorrie Flem "Yelling:  You Know How To. . .Here's How Not To."  Talk about needing to tame the tongue.  If there is anyone in this world that needs more help with NOT yelling it's me.  Lorrie points out a few problems with yelling at our children.  She used a quote that simply split my heart in half when I considered my own children.  "Yelling overpowers children, it makes them feel frustrated and angry, and what can happen is that after awhile kids become immnue to being yelled at.  They tune it out."  This was a quote from Dr. Myrna B. Shure of Drexel Univeristy.  As I read that quote I was reminded of the command for fathers not to exasperate their children.  That command is for mothers as well.  Lorrie offers a simple suggestion for stopping the yelling in our lives toward our children. . . .train them.  Simple but true.  She gives examples of just how she does this and point us in the direction of other resources in needed.  It was definately an article God used to pull me out of my complacency with my children and pushed me back in doing my job the right way. 

          Another very good article in this issues was in the Swinging on the Back Porch section written by Marylin Boyer.   Now this article was timely.   I have been reading a book about not wasting my life.  It's centered on ways to serve the Lord to bring Him full glory.  But this book is geared toward all of life.  Marilyn article broought to light the many ways I can be training my children in the areas of service toward others and glorifiying God in the process.  The article is called "Serving With Responsibility."  The basic premise behind Marilyn's writing is that "each family member needs spheres of responsibility."  (pg.7)  That is so true.  If we want our children serving outside the home as they grow older, they must learn to serve in the home first.  They will not learn to glorify God in their lives if they are not taught to carry responsibilities beyond what they like to do.  Marilyn gives specific ideas to help you train your children in the act of serving.  And the Spirit can use some of her ideas to help spark other ideas.  I know I already have a few that I am cooking up for my children.

          Finally, the most convicting and helpful article that I read in this issue was written by Shelley Noonan.  If you don't much about Shelley, you can check out her website Pumpkin Seed Press.   Shelley's article was titled "A Queen in a Home of Her Own."  I simply loved this.  She wrote in regards to training our daughters to be keepers at home.  But what I enjoyed most was finding that someone else whose gone before me shares my view that young girls should be taught to keep a home at an early age.   I have always had a goal to have my daughters (well all my children for that matter) able to run my home by the time they are 16 years old.  Shelley sets the bar higher and says by 11 or 12 years old.  Now that just gets the motors in my head and heart turning.  She gives three specific areas that every young lady should be trained in:  Cleaning their room, Laundry, and Meals.  Her greatest encouragement to me was the idea that I need to become a supervisor, such as in the role an employer might have over an employee.  My girls are capable of doing so much more than I expect them even to do now.  I am training them very specifically in the area of laundry.  In fact, all my children start helping with laundry around the ages of 2-3 years old.  They also go through training to thoroughly clean their room (although we haven't gone through the training process of cleaning with duster and vacuum.  That is next.)  The area that I mostly fall short is in the kitchen.  And wouldn't you know that God gave me a child that LOVES to cook.  I am constantly challenged by her to be in the kitchen training her.  I did finally train her in how to bake bread.  But I am often guilty of "running out of time" so I take it back from her just to get it done.  I need to slow down and plan better so she has those opportunities to be in the kitchen learning to be queen of her own home at her own pace.  This was simply a wonderful reminder of why God has placed these two precious little girls in my home.  And it's my dream that they will love their homes before they ever get there.   Thank you Shelley for the great reminder.

          If you've never read TEACH Magazine before, I encourage you to check it out.  I have been inspired and encouraged as a homeschool mom.  Homeschooling is so much more than simply pulling out school books to learn.  Life is a school and the books are only the supplement.  This magazine offers help along this journey in the areas that count the most. 

God Bless,

Karen

Sep. 6, 2007 - A Day in Tears

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          After I posted my blog about being "Bad Mother of the Year. . .Again" it only got worse.  I didn't serve them much for breakfast.  I am definately in a period of brain fog right now.  I got all up in arms over my oldest not liking to eat bruised fruit.  I mean, what's up with that?  (Do you hear the sarcasm/)   So I only sort of bit her head off.  Then I called everyone over to sort of bite their heads off.  Mind you, I was very calm during this but rambling about alot of nothing.  I was frustrated and decided to take it out on them.  I finally got mad and just came upstairs.  Then I went back down and told everyone that I didn't need them to do chores and that I would just do it myself.   I threw your basic temper tantrum without throwing anything or kinking anything (except the dog when he got in my way. . .I missed.)   

             After I folded a few articles of clothing, it hit me.  I was just being stupid today.  I burst into tears.  I called my oldest ds back to me and told him that I didn't need to do his chores and that he needed to finished his laundry.  Then I ask for forgiveness.  I cried more when he told me I was the best mommy.  Then I told my 5 yod that she had to finish the dishwasher.  Then I asked forgiveness.  Then I got the best mommy comment again.  (Did they plan to make me feel worse than I already felt or what?)  Then I sent my oldest dd to the craft room for discipline.  She was originally upset over not getting to finish her fruit because of a bad spot.  She got plenty to eat and we can't afford to replace every peice of fruit unless it's bruised beyond eating.  This wasn't.  She continued to argue with me.  That is what upset me in the first place.  So I called her to the craft.  I apologized for not doing the right thing and overlooking her sin.  I gave her mercy at that point.  She didn't get what she deserved.  And I asked forgiveness.  Things got better.  We finished our chores and then left for the grocery store. 

          Little Man has been in tears all day.  He's got a cold and is cutting teeth.  He fell over in the grocery cart and bonked his head.   In the midst of that fall, he managed to hit the top of his mouth with the bottom teeth and cut right into the area where he has a tooth coming in.  He was bleeding everywhere after that.  He's never really recovered.  Poor little guy.  Of course, mom kind of treasures these times because I get to cuddle my babies more.  It's just more time to sit and be with my babies. 

          When we arrived home I determined at that point that I was tired of eating the way I have been and I started a cleanse.  I made juice for lunch (boy, am I am hungry right now.)  They kids ate lunch and then I put Pee Pooh down for a nap.  The Bigs and I started reading "Where the Red Fern Grows."  We only had 4 chapters left.  After we got to the end I decide to throw school out the door and finish the book. 

          A few weeks ago I told Bud that he was going to cry at the end of this book.  He was not, he insisted.  I left it at that.  My oldest loves to cry at the end of books and stories but I don't think she expected what she got at the end of this book.  I have never read this book but I did know how it ends.  When we got to the last chapter, LIttle Man woke up hurting from his teeth.  I just nursed him back to sleep and kept reading.  Then we got to the good part.  I knew that I needed to have my arms free.  There was going to be much more crying from the older crowd than from him.  So I laid him back down in his crib to finish his nap. 

          I didn't last but maybe 2 minutes before I started crying.  JB lost it completely.  She knew from my reaction what was going to happen.  Bud was holdng his own. . .for a while anyway.  JB and I didn't make it past when Old Dan got hurt.  I think I reacted more because I knew the outcome.  But when Old Dan was gone, Bud lost it.  Poor guy.  Even a little boy reading about a boy and his dogs will make anyone emotional.  It's got even worse when Little Ann was gone.  I don't think I have ever seen my ds get so wrapped up in the book.  He began to insist that he needed a dog of his own now.  Unfortunately, that 's just not going to happen since we already have two of them and then our 5 pups running around the house (oh, and don't forget the stupid parakeet, I mean, the pretty parakeet. . .did I say stupid?)  Then I found out that part of the reason he was crying was because he didn't want to cry.  He wanted to be a big boy like daddy.  I couldn't convince him that there were times that daddy had cried.  Not much, but he has.  

          I think I redeemed myself from the "Bad Mother of the Year" award.  We had a great time today.  I was able to demonstrate humility (and unfortunately lots of pride) to my children.  I was able to nurse my little man back to feeling better when he hurt himself.  And instead of having a "normal" school day, we had a good time just being together.  Finishing our book was fun today.  We all needed a good cry.  I know that I did. 

Aug. 28, 2007 - 99 Balloons

Posted in Everyday Grace

Need a smile for your day?  Need a good cry?  Need to stand in awe of an awesome and mighty God?  Watch this!!!

99 Balloons

Aug. 24, 2007 - I have been tagged

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Jul. 21, 2007 - Too Many things for a good title!!!!

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          Boy was this week busy.  We were only home one day this week. . .and I was sick that day!!!  On Monday I decided to take Joshua to get his x-ray a day early.  I was beginning to show signs of getting sick and Underdog was going out of town.  Tuesday was my big shopping day and produce day.  Still not feeling well but managed to work through it.  Underdog got home early but the sickness he had all weekend had worsened (a picture of things to come for me.)  He told me upon laying his head on the pillow that if didn't sleep better that night he was staying home.  Wednesday, I woke up feeling like a Mac truck ran me over. . and so did Underdog.  I decided to make a drs appointment for both of us.  Underdog changed his mind.  Later that afternoon he met with our associate pastor and came home with a mind-ful for me.  Thursday I woke up and decided that we needed our school supplies THAT DAY and I wasn't going to wait (did I add that we were blessed with a pay check we didn't know was coming.)  On Friday I woke with a fever and a cough that simply will not let up. 

          I have been sick all week.  It's still going.   First it starts off as a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes.  Then it progresses to laryngitis.  After that you start to get this cough that only starts up around 8pm.  Not kidding, that is the exact same time that Underdog and I would start coughing all week.  By the 4th day you are coughing up color (ewww, gross).  But since it's only in the morning the dr tells you that it's probably a virus and there's nothing they can do but give you a cough suppressant to help you sleep.  Ok, now I am not one to take medication.  And I wasn't going to take this stuff.  however, after the 3rd night of sleeping because of the cough, I had to take it.  And problem is that I think it's drying up my milk.  So, I am taking milk thistle and nursing Josiah every 2 hours.  So far he's staying satisfied.  I am also only taking half a dose.  It helps me sleep.  Right now, I have been coughing so hard that the back of my throat feels like I split it in half.  Does it even need to be said  that I not going to church tomorrow.  We have family camp coming up next weekend and I don't want to get anyone at the church sick.  There are only a few families from the over 200 member church NOT going so it would really stink if some of them showed up sick next weekend. . . .or not at all.  This stuff is awful. 

          I wish I had my pictures to show you but we have a baby eating solids now.  Well, sort of.  I have really wrestled with whether to start Josiah on solid foods.  He will be 6 months next week.  He honestly acts like he's 7-8 months.  I almost handed him a chunk of banana tonight before I realized there was no way he could eat it.  He keeps trying to grab everything off my plate (which is honestly a first in our household.  My other children never cared what was on the plate until they were much older.)  Since Josiah now has 2 teeth (also a first in our family - everyone else cut theirs at 7 months) I decided to start VVVVEEERRRRYYYYY SSSSLLLLOOOWWWWLLLLYYYYY with him.  It's been almost 6 years since I introduced solids this early with a spoon.  I didn't spoon feed Ally or Drew.  I waited to introduce solids until they were ready for finger foods.  They were fine with that.  They were still nursing through the night as well.  Josiah seems to have his big brothers body type - round and puggy.  he is now officially sleeping through night.  I nurse him one time before I go to bed and then I don't hear from him for at least 6 hours.  It really kind of bums me out.  Nurse in the middle of the night has always kind of been my special time with my babies (see below).   I love to see their precious faces in the light of the moon while they nurse.  Not Josiah.  He sleeps like his brother Josh.  Ok, so I probably won't miss it for long.  I enjoy the sleep.  I had to break my own rules this time around.  I didn't give him much today.  He sure does like bananas though.  I am also going to be making my own baby food.  How stupid of me to wait for long.  It was really easy today.  Next we're going to try mom yummy brown rice cereal.  :) 

          Underdog came home after meeting with the associate pastor with a mindful of stuff for me.  He talked to him about our marriage.  That took me back a little bit.  I guess I didn't realize that he thinks we're that bad off.  The reality is that he's right on the money.  Our marriage has become too child-centered.  So we are embarking on a plan to overthrow the pups and take it back.  That started by making our room and bathroom off limits.  Underdog has reclaimed that territory for us.  (With the except of Josiah but he'll be out of there in the fall when we finally get up the gumption to move the Linebacker Starter Kit to a big boy bed (I am SOOOO NOT looking forward to that move.)  The next thing we're going to do is develop couch time when Underdog gets home in the evening.  No one may speak to mom and dad for 15 minutes when couch time starts.  :)  finally, we are going to dedicate at least 2 nights a week where I can just talk to him (and he will listen to me) for 30 minutes.  That allows me to dump my brain. 

          Underdog also had a discuss about our family size.  Actually, our pastor brought it up.  Not to tell us what to do but as in giving godly counselor to us.  He mentioned that young families with lots of little pups running around can get very overwhelmed.  And he encourages all couples to determine their family size not necessarily on how many children God would give, but on how many children meet the follow criteria: 

1.  The number of children do not interfere with our walk and growth in the Lord. 

2.  The number of children do not interfere and come between the marriage. 

3.  The number of children in the family do not prohibit the father (and mother) from being able to effectively disciple each child one on one. 

          Now I realize in the homeschool community that isn't a popular list.  There are so many who believe that God should determine your family size.  I used to believe that.  however, my dh didn't.  And I prayed for a long time that God would change his heart.  But I also prayed during that time that my heart would be open to change.  After Josiah was born, I "felt" done.  I also felt overwhelmed.  I haven't been able to find some one on one time with the children since he was born.  School is a struggle to accomplish.  Things in our family just weren't coming together like they had in the past.  I believe that is because I was trying to hold onto something God didn't want me to hold on to.  He's asking me to realize my fertility to HIM.  By realizing it to my dh to make the finally decision I am realizing it to HIM.  Would I like to have a larger family?  Perhaps when my children now are a little older.  But if I never have another baby and we never adopt (which we've discussed) then I will be at peace.  I am learning to allow my dh to lead in my life. . .in all areas.  If it's a sin to use birth control, then it will be my dh's sin that he must answer for.  But there is a part of me very confident that it's not a sin. . .at least not for us.  Just like not every family is called to homeschool or wear dresses only (or other controversial GREY issues), not all families are called to have as many children as God can give them.  And God CAN change the mind and heart of my dh and I.  He can do anything.  But as of right now, I am happy and peaceful with our decision.  I love my children.  I have a BIG family.  It may not be as big as other families.  But it's still big.  I have to cook big and shop big and plan clothing in big ways.  There aren't as many to organize as other families, but there is still alot.  And it's exactly where God has us right now.  Plus, I have to admit, I am ready to be the one walking into a store and have only ONE (or many none) in diapers and only ONE that might be a struggle to control because of his young age.  I am ready to be able to do school anytime I want to because my children are older enough not to spill paint or mess up other peoples projects.  And I ready to have all the baby stuff out of my house.  It's time.  I used to love it but I am done with it now.  It ready to move to the next phase of our lives with our children.  I am not ready for them to grow up.  No, I am enjoying every aspect of their growth and development.  But it's time for us now to move out of the baby stages all together. 

        I HAVE GRAY HAIR!!!!!!!!!  No, I am not screaming that in excitement.  I have gray hair.  The problem:  I refuse to dye my hair anymore.  I just simply won't put the harsh chemicals on my head.  I have heard their are more natural hair color sets but Underdog is giving me a hard time about pulling those hairs.  I am a little surprised at how bummed I am as well.  There is a verse in the Bible that talks about gray hair being a crown on your head.  And I have ALWAYS oved the women with long gray hair.  There is just something so beautiful about her.  But on me.  NO!!!!!  I think it bothers me that it's just a few peaces mised in.  I always have funny colored hair.  I don't want to add another color to it.  I am only 33.  Underdog is supposed to gray before I do (he has already started and doesn't seem to mind.)  GRRR!!!! 

And finally. . . .

          Drew, the Linebacker Starter Kit, burned his arm pretty badly this week.  I was making tator tot casserole that night.  He came up behind me while I was making a salad and asked if he could have a tator tot.  I thought he was talking about having it for dinner.  So I said yes.  Well, he meant "Can I have one NOW?"  He reached up into my glass casserole dish to grab one.  He burned about an itch and a half line on his arm.  I was stupid and forgot to put it under cold water.  But I did the next best thing.  I ran to grab my Young Living Lavendar oil.  He didn't like it.  After dinner I looked at it again and it had blistered pretty badly.  I called the dr and she told me to simply put a bandage with antibiotic ointment on it.  so i did.  The next morning it was worse.  I just kept the lavendar and bandage on it.  I change the dressing twice a day.  The blisters finally popped yesterday morning and the dead skn started to come off.  I had to rebandage it so the new skin does because infected.  WE are also continuing the lavendar oil so it doesn't scar.  NOt that scarring is bad (according to Underdog.)  I keep telling Drew after we change the dressing to go show daddy his cool wound.  LOL!!!  He's so cute.  I thought in the beginning we were going to have to take him to the clinic again.  We just finally paid off all the other rushes to the clinic.  Underdog asked me to call the dr (you can do that. . .duh?).  I am glad I did.  It saved us another trip to the after hours ped clinic.  He reminded me that I have 3 boys that this is only the beginning.  I don't like hearing that.  But I guess he's right.  They are going to be scarred and bruised most of their lives.  We've already had 2 stitches, one broken collar bone, and now a bad burn.  All of this with just the 2 big boys (Josiah isn't old enough yet but that will start soon. . .I found him on his knees in his bed after nap today.)  Josh is only 6.  What's going to happen when they really get older and are able to hurt each other?  I think we're in trouble. 

          I told you I had too many things to talk about tonight.  It's late and my cough suppressant finally kicked in. . .no cough, droopy eye lids. 

PS.  Please forgive any typos you may find.  My brain hurts from writing to much and I must sing off.  (Actually, I can't sign up.  I just downloaded Auction Sentry.  I am doing my fall shopping for the girls on ebay this week.  I am using Auction Sentry to do it for me.  :) 

Jul. 5, 2007 - My cat is gone now!!!! My thoughts on death!!!

Posted in Everyday Grace

Well, the deed is done.  Underdog took Jezebel to the SPCA this afternoon.  He didn't stay.  In fact, we don't even know if they actually put her to sleep or not.  He brought home a reliquish form.  We'll never know her fate because we can't call and find out.  Seems pretty stinky to me but I understand their policy.  That is mostly set up for people who are giving up animals that could possibly be adopted.  I guess it's for the best. 

I haven't cried much (yet).  My 8 yod cried more than I did this afternoon.  She's a little over dramatic at times though.  LOL!!! Jezebel hated my children.  She only came out for food or attention when they were in bed or outside playing.   I think I was holding back alot of my emtion.  I really didn't want my children to see me blubbering like a baby over her.  I think it will hit tomorrow when I get up to do my quiet time and she's not there to greet me.  In fact, I know it will.  She won't be there asking for her breakfast crunchies.  She won't meow at me anymore when she's hungry at night.  I can't call her anymore to lap up the yummy tuna juice when we eat tuna fish for lunch.  There will be no more purring at my side while I pray.  She's gone forever. 

I was thinking this morning about how much this hurts.  Why do we get so upset over animals?  They have no soul.  Unless God surprises us in heaven, we will never see these creatues again (anything is possible though.)  Why?  Because death stings.  This is what happened when Adam and Eve fell in the garden.  We will feel the sting of death no matter if it's a family member, friend, or even our beloved pets.  Losing loved ones hurts.  Death hurts.  It's sin that leads to death.  For those that are in Christ Jesus, we won't feel the sting of death.  But in our sinful state in this life time we experience the hurt that goes with it.  I think that is why we get upset even over a simple animal.  We love them.  We put our lives into them.  And they give us love in return. 

I listened to Focus on the Family this morning while I was running errands with my children.  It was seveal military wifes telling the stories of how they found out about their husband dying in combat or simply experiencing death with them (as one widow had experience when her military husband died of cancer.)  I cried with these women.  Not because I have ever experienced such thing but because I relate to the potential that it could happen.  Underdog could leave this home tomorrow morning and never return.  The thought scares me.  But I am learning to trust the Lord with his life, with my life, and with my children.  And I am also learning to love the thought of heaven.  It used to bother me that I would miss out on this world if I ever died early.  But then I started to consider how foolish that was.  This life offers nothing but death.  Life is on the other side of death.  I should crave heaven.  I should long for it.  Come, Lord Jesus, Come. 

Death is hard to experience no matter how is comes.  Some deaths hit closer to the heart than others.  But they all hurt.  Praise God we have His Son to give us that eternal life and allow us to never die.  Praise God that if our loved ones know Christ, we will indeed see them again.  And if they don't, we MUST tell them.  We can't leave them without the knowledge of our Lord.  He's all we've got.

One last thought.  We are created in the image of God.  We feel hurt and pain when someone or something we love dies.  I wonder if we feel just a small portion of what God felt when He found Adam hiding in the garden after his sin.  God knew he and Ever would die and be seperated from Him forever.  That hurt Him so much that He planned Jesus from the beginning.  Think about it.  We hurt when we experience death.  But our Creator does to.  And He loved us that much.  Wow!!!!!  (And to think all that came from a silly cat!!) 

Jul. 3, 2007 - My Furry Quiet Time Buddy

Posted in Everyday Grace

          I have a buddy that meets me every morning when I wake up.  No, it's not God, although He's definately there.  No, this buddy is furry and purrs alot.  Her name is Jezebel. 

          Underdog and I adopted Jezebel about 3 months after we were married.  One afternoon we found an adoption agency trying to find home for cats.  We walked into the cages and as I walked by one, the cage meowed at me.  hehehe!!  She caught my attention.  She was a beautiful cat.  She was black and white and had an upside down hershey kiss on her front side.  As I read her biography I was really moved.  She had been found pregnant on the streets.  All her kittens had naturally been adopted but no one wanted the momma cat.  After reading that, I was moved to begin begging my dh for a cat.  We even walked over to a Taco Bell for lunch to discuss the pros and cons of adopting an animal at that time.  I won.  LOL!!!!! 

          Now, Underdog can't stand Jezebel.  He reminds me on a regular basis that Jezebel means eaten by dogs in the Bible and she's a member of the dark side.  Fortunately for Jezebel, that will not be her fate.  She was my first introduction to cats.   We won't get another one.  Jezebel is moody and temperamental (or maybe just mental.)  Underdog says she's evil, and well, I think I would agree on some level.  When she's mad at you she'll mark anything that belongs to you that is left on the floor.  And she KNOWS it belongs to you or is important (ask me how many diaper bags I have been through.) 

          After the poison pet food problems happened several months ago, Jezebel stopped eating.  We've tried everything.  We could no longer find the food that she liked.  She would eat her cruncies but it just wasn't the same.  I don't know if she's really that picky.  After several months of going in and out of hunger strikes, she looks simply sick.  She's lost so much weight and her midsection is bloated.  So I made the very hard decision to let her go.  We just can't afford to keep at 12 year old cat alive with 5 little months to feed.   Underdog will be taking her in on Thursday morning.  I am struggling with a little guilt.  Will she feel betrayed?  Probably not.  But the thought of MY kitty lying on the table and peacefully closing her eyes for the last time simply brings tears to my eyes. 

          I love my little kitty despite her problems.  She liked me.  She always knew when I was pregnant and would start sleeping at my feet.  That was usually my first clue.  She was a saving grace for me when I suffered from some of my depression in the past.  She got me to laugh with her funny antics while wrestling with strings and paper.  She made me laugh when she attempted to beat up of the dog.  And every morning, without fail, she would meet me in the kitchen for her breakfast and then join me for prayer and Bible Study.  I have pictures of her lying on an open Bible with her eyes closed.  I remember one time Underdog and I were packing for a trip and we walked in to find her in the suitcase.  It was almost as if she wasn't going to let us go.  And right now I feel the same way.  

Jun. 28, 2007 - So Many Books, Too Many Books!!

Posted in Everyday Grace

Of making many books there is no end, and much

study is a weariness of the flesh. 

Ecclesiastes 12:12a

          I love to read.  I posted earlier about how I wasn't a reader when I was growing up.  After college I learned to really love reading.  Of course, looking back on the past 10 years of my life, I am not completely sure I picked the best books in the world.  I tend to be the kind of person that is very drawn to what would be considered "self-help" books.  I didn't purchase and read just any "self-help" books.  These were "Christian" self-help books. 

          I was reading another blog this morning where the author was blogging on her a specific experience she had with one of her children.  In the comments below someone asked is she had a specific book she recommended.   In this particular experience I was a little baffled over the question.  This wasn't something that is a one size fits all deal.  In fact, this particular experience we all have with our children and none of them will do it just the same.  No mom will do it the same with each child. 

           I am all about books.  We learn from books no doubt.  They expand our imagination and if done right, lead us back to God.  But are we trying to read books at the detriment of using our common sense?   Are we caving to our insecurities and looking for perfection instead of looking to the God of all grace for answers to our situations (2 Corinthians 9:8)? 

         Ladies, you can find a book out for just about everything.  And I believe that sometimes those books can be helpful.  But let's make sure we are using our common sense AND that we are seeking the Lord for His wisdom.  When was the last time you prayed about something as silly as potty training to know what to do?  When was the last time you prayed for an idea in the kitchen when you couldn't find a recipe you liked?  When was the last time you attempted to make a craft without a pattern or a picture to do by?  Alot of times we will waste time looking for solutions to simple problems instead of looking to God to give of answers to even the simpliest problems.  Or we allow our perfectionism to paralyze us.  Ever heard of "paralysis by analysis?"  Some of my greatest ideas have come when I was praying about a situation that I didn't know how to handle (even my ideas for crafts and sewing.  LOL!!!  I can sew a whole dress in my mind in a matter of minutes.  Of course, it takes me longer but the imbellishments take no time for me to plan and implement.) 

          There are so many wonderful and awesome websites out there where godly Titus 2 older women are teaching us how to love our husband's and children, how to keep a home, how to be pure, self-controlled, and submissive to our husbands.  And we would be wise to learn from them.  But we are not them.  We have the very specific husband, children, homes, churches, parents, etc. that God has given to us.  So how to submit to our husbands, how we discipline our children, teach our children, and training them in chores will all be different.  We've been given different gifts to use in the home and church.  We are not these goldy women.  It's our responsibility to learn from them and to grow into godly older women to teach the younger women coming up in the next generation. 

          I titled this post "So Many Books, Too Many Books!!" because to want to bring to the attention of all women out there that we don't always need books (or websites for that matter) to give us ideas.  We can really get bogged down with so many books to read to solve our problems.  God has given each of us ideas and gifts to use in our home.  Seek Him for those ideas.  Don't know what to do with your children for chores?  Seek out some ideas from life skills list but then go to the Lord with HOW to implement those.  Don't know what to do with your homeschool?  Oh, dear ladies, seek His face.  He will lead and guide you as you need. 

          Go enjoy a good book for part of yuor day.  But instead of reading a "how-to" book or a "self-help" book, go enjoy some good classic literature.  With your problems, go to God and wait on Him to answer.  And while you wait, do something other than just read.  

(PS:  I need to add two things here:  First of all, I really do love reading.  I am the most guilty of just wanting to sit and read.  And i will use those silly books to solve silly problems as an excuse to read.  But we are called to serve.  We can't serve sitting in a big comfy chair reading.  Secondly, I am not denying the fact that books teach us and are definately necessary for learning.  So don't think I am saying NOT to read these great books.  We can glean much wisdom from the people who have gone before us and paved the way.  But we also need to be willing to do some paving ourselves.  We don't have to reinvent the wheel.  But we must find what's going to work in our particular situation.)