May Garden
• Jun. 16, 2008 - Father's Day 2008
We had a lovely day yesterday.
I made two 9in. jewish coffee cakes with butter cream icing and fresh berries on top.
The girls and I stepped next door and cut some fresh roses the whole front of the house that is vacant is full of beautiful over grown rose bushes!
When everyone was awake we enjoyed singing Happy Father's Day to daddy with 8 candles atop one cake. Mike was a bit overwhelmed as he pondered the candles and said he didn't know what he'd do with out all his children. I know he often says he feels like he doesn't deserve all the love and affection they shower on him. He then gave me a hug and told the children that he couldn't be a good daddy with out mommy and that I have taught him to be a better dad each year! Then of course I got teary...
Sorry, no pictures as my two year old camera was dropped by one of the children last week and broken. I guess God's way of saying not to get too into the blogging camera being ruined the week I was chosen blogger of the week and all.
We haven't decided when to replace the camera yet. I want to get at least a hundred dollar digital and Mike said maybe we can also get a no frills recorder as well before baby comes.
We didn't really do gifts but colored pictures and spent time together. We of course gardened together -this seems to be our favorite family activity.
We went to church in the evening...
It just was a nice day!
Hope your families had a blessed day too!
Jacinda |
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• May. 19, 2008 - Children's Literature about large families
I though it would be fun to record some of the book we find that celebrate LARGE growing families.
One such find has been The Rattlebang Picnic by Margaret Mahy.
Based on whimsy this story touched on reality but made it funny!
When getting married the young couple knew they had to make a choice either they were going to buy an expensive car or they were going to get a rattlebang and have LOTS of children. So riding their bike with a just married sign dangling on the back they went and looked at vehicles and chose an old rattlebang from the junk yard.
Having gone on to have 7 unique children they went on a picnic with fun loving grandma who was HAPPY to have so many grandchildren.
What an adventure unfolded ! |
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• Apr. 10, 2008 - A Reminder
• Dec. 3, 2007 - Seasonal Discipleship
The Lord Has Impressed Upon Me what I am going to dub Seasonal Home Discipleship.
WINTER
In the wintertime we are mostly indoors. Sure it's a temptation to get grumpy and complain about the gray days of the season but the Lord has shown me the first step to getting away from a negative attitude or bad habit is searching for the hidden blessing. There always is one! Many times it is my own heart and mind that seems to cover the treasure that the Lord wants me to enjoy.
Last year I was sorely displeased when Spring came. "What?", you say..." But Jacinda you even named your blog May Garden, you obviously love the outdoors you have all these pictures of your family out exploring and enjoying the created world. "
My answer is "BUT GOD!"
The Lord uses so much to reach us and teach us.
I grew to love the closeness of our physical coziness inside all the time. And then the Lord revealed to me that this is a very special season. This is a time where in depth discipleship can take place! In the Springtime we still stay close to one another but we are so busy going on walks, playing and working in our yard, and meeting friends at the local park... I want the children to have healthy freedom like being able to play freely in their yard with out mama hovering over them! Or without mama being ashamed of their actions. Or afraid they will get hurt.
If I want obedience and good behavior out in public then I need to foster it in private.
I can't tell you how many undue angry times I have had because my children were uncontrollable and I could NOT discipline as I needed to because we were out in the public eye. So what does this do to me? It gives me too much room for built frustration to come out verbally. It 'teaches' me that parenting is too hard and it gives me 'permission' to ignore things that should be taken care of right away.
So at the end of this season I want to be able to confidently go out into the world with my more obedient children and do all the exploring and work we have planned knowing everyone will be SAFE.
As we have been going through the Little House series the children have had really neat discussions with me about the adventures of that pioneer family! They have noticed on their own that these children would not have made it alive if they hadn't listened to their parents warnings! I love literature especially that which gets One thinking deeply. I also love to see literature change lives and I am hoping our Little House studies will do this.
May Garden refers to my special season of life that started as a mama when my first child was born in May! I want to always be reminded of that important season that the Lord has given me to give into these little ones lives. I certainly don't want to be ashamed or disappointed when this season of mothering is over and I am moving into another blessed season as a mom of adult children or that of being grandma!
I don't want a lot of the coulda, woulda, shouldas! that steal joy.
Winter is a great time of inner reflection for me. We live in a small home and when I purpose to get up early there are only a few things I can do that won't disturb and wake my family.
Being limited to reading, having prayer, computer time, and writing has been really just what I need. As it nears day light I shower, dress, and get busy in the kitchen with the meal preparations.
That is where I am headed right now. Let's be content in the season we are in looking forward to the next season we will move into because we know we have done what we could in the present!
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• Nov. 8, 2007 - Happy Birthday Michalina
Three years ago Michalina was born.
Michalina Giovanna Montalto
I woke at 2 a.m. on November 8, 2004 thinking of my baby. I somehow knew baby would be a girl and I wanted to have a middle name fo r her. I knew she'd be born soon!
I'd finally found an old 1930's ethnic names origin book from the library that gave me many to think over. With our last name being so strongly Italian I felt I needed a strong ethnic name.
I prayed about the name Giovanna meaning John in Hebrew and Italian.
John means The lord is gracious.
Oh, how gracious He was to give us another baby. This precious one came after our first miscarried baby.
Michalina Giovanna ... how pretty!
We'd opted not to have a Michael jr. with our first son so Michalina was a creative variation of daddy's name for our first girl!
Michalina means... resembles God. We believe strongly that the Bible is God's words to us and it is written that we are made in the image of our creator.
I was tired and lay back down to rest but by 6 a.m. I was awake in true labor.
I got to pulling the last loose ends of our needs together.
Michael would be home early around 7 a.m. so I figured I'd do best to let the boys wake around that time and give them their breakfast and get them dressed.
Labor was picking up pretty quick.
So I was very sure of myself when Mike stepped in the door I announced
" This is it! " and " We will have baby in arms in a few hours! "
I gave the boys some breakfast cookies I had already made and told them it was going to be an exciting day.
Oh, dear their shoes were full of mud from our last outdoors adventure.
I stood at the sink scrubbing them and counting contractions while dad was upstairs showering.
I labored on the potty off and on.
By the time I was done cleaning the shoes the contractions were strong and close enough together to call the hospital and let them know that I was planning to come in.
The nurses at maternity told me to call the OB at his office. I called and got to talk to the OB on his cell phone.
He told me to give him an hour and a half to get to the hospital. I replied " Well we'll see what I can do."
So before we left I finished a few things up and worked through the contractions. I pretty much relieved my bowels while I was at home. I liked leaning against a counter or a wall or spending time on the potty.
We took time to take a few pictures of me and the boys together. Stop at the bank across the street from our apartment building for a little cash. And take the five minute drive to the hospital. I knew we were a bit earlier than the OB would have liked but I knew I was close to transition.
Mike left me off at the main entrance so I could make my way to the maternity ward I had to stop several times to work through contractions. Mike parked the van and brought the boys up with him. The nurses had told us previously that they were more than happy to have one lady stay with the children when I was almost ready to have the baby if they weren't too busy. So we were unsure if Mike was gonna be able to be with me or not until I reached the floor and announced that I was there to have a baby and they were clearly not too busy.
So all the prep of things for them to do and snacks and such were really not gonna be used but I was glad that I'd done what I could.
I put the robe on and answered a few questions and asked a few of my own. I was able to stay on my feet for only a short while.
Though I'd been told when I first talked to them months before the birth that they had allowed a Filipino woman to deliver in a squatting position I was not allowed to do so.
Of course as soon as I had the monitor around my waist and had to lie down I started to feel real pain for the first time.
Then the I.V. for 'just in case' was put in.
I said I didn't want an epi ... they sent the tech up 'just in case.'
I declined again. She had to take blood for something so after a contraction I gave the go ahead for that.
I was going into shock by now and the pain was great.
Where was the OB?
I continued to pray and work thought the contractions.
I was close to wanting to push.
Ah... the OB was here. He was telling the nurse all about his troubles at the airport during his trip! He told me that I was good to have waited until he returned. I guess he'd gotten in that night.
I am so glad that the suggestion to be induced a few weeks prior was followed up by an ultra sound showing that the supposed 9-10lb baby was only 7lb. !! I suppose his upcoming trip, my largeness and uncomfortable state all contributed to his idea of a big baby. She was a few weeks later ready to come on her own only 2 1/2 weeks early.
He was still putting on his gloves when I wanted to push. Thankfully the LD nurse was a pretty good one and she sensed I was really wanting to get on with it all and told the OB so.
He broke the waters and I almost immediately wanted to push.
I was not comfortable for so long that I was numb with pain.
I did not like having to pull up into a sitting position during pushing.
After the first two pushes I started to hyperventilate a bit. I did not like the oxygen mask it seemed to suffocate me more.
Mike came in and gave me a little moral support the last few pushes. Unfortunately because I was listening to the coached count push I got tired out in the middle of a push and the baby's head was already half out but I just needed to wait until the next contraction came.
Mike almost got to cut the cord but I guess it was wrapped a bit around her neck and so the OB took the scissors away from him and did it himself.
Baby was a girl. Wow!
I was able to hold her almost right away. And nurse her.
They gave me the picotin to move the placenta along.
There was some tearing but not much a few stitches and that was all.
She was briefly weighed and cleaned up and swaddled thankfully she wasn't 'scrubbed.' They did the eye drops and all.
I was sad to see her little nose was off to one side and some blood vessels had broken underneath from me stopping in the middle of that push.
She was a healthy girl at 8.3 lbs. my biggest baby!
The boys were brought in. And marveled over her and hugged her.
She was dark like Timmy dark hair and eyes! Her name was indeed fitting.
It worked out great for the boys. They stayed in the waiting room for such a short while!
Then they got to be apart of our joy.
One of the nurses set up a little table for them to have snacks at and brought me a lunch. I had to decline sausage and sourkraut ... didn't quite seem the best thing to eat after such an event. So a sandwich was brought up and I ate well.
Daddy was exhausted and falling asleep in a comfortable recliner. We had to wake him up and move to the next room.
The family didn't stay too much longer... they went home so they could nap.
A new nurse came on to help me.
I was asked did I plan a tubal ligation because if I did she wouldn't remove the I.V. yet.
I really wish she would have looked on my chart before blurting that out because it was a downer after such a special time of birthing.
I guess she only had two kids and figured three was unusual and having more would be really unusual.
I was having a hard time urinating... I was forcing the fluids to make myself go so I wouldn't have to have a catheter. I even drank a pop which I usually don't do because the nurse said it often times helps one to go.
Well I couldn't go and the pain and unrest from this got to be too much.
So finally I gave into the catheter. It was a good relief as two pans were taken away!
Now I could concentrate more on baby.
She was in the nursery a bit but mostly roomed in with me after the after birth business was complete.
The night was tiring with checks and being in a place other than home.
The next morning was nice. I showered. And got a visit from the family.
And I spent time nursing baby.
This hospital was so different then any other I'd been because it was small and not as busy as the huge one back in Toledo that I delivered the boys at.
I stayed two or three days and wasn't rushed out like the other times either!
Though I missed the boys and Michael they of course visited and I was happy to have some time with baby alone.
I was able to tell the nurses what a big difference this experience was for me.
I did notice that the nurse that helped me deliver was pretty quiet with me when she was on duty again.
I think she knew my experience could have been even better.
So did I but I was very pleased at the time with baby in arms and all.
I was encouraged that the OB did emphasis that I was the one that delivered her.
And I had really one of the most rewarding births because I felt I had prayed a lot more and gotten my strength from the Lord. There was little fear involved and the care was more personal and less hurried than my previous birthing experiences.
I did not have bed rest or an extra hospital stay nor an hour and a half trip away from my family to the big city for extra care involved in this pregnancy all were a possibility none came to pass.
This was another birth to grow on... I'd once again learned more about my God, myself, and others. |
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• Oct. 28, 2007 - Baby Planning part #1
I am so caught up in this issue right now.
I am gonna post random thoughts here and try to formulate them into well written articles in the future.
I am thinking someday I would like to have a web site dedicated to birthing including issues like; the sanctity of life, being quiverful, raising a large family, and homeschooling.
But most of all birthing options are really on my mind now.
In light of the fact that we are quiverful minded we may have several more children.
I want and need to be cared for in a safe environment. My baby needs that, my husband needs that assurance! I need to know that my other children are safe and fairly happy as well.
I am not a particularly activist oriented person.
I believe especially as a Christian 'PRAYER' is what the Lord expects first and foremost out of me.
The simple surrender to Him trusting He can and will protect our family and guide and direct our family is what brings peace.
What does He think about these issues surrounding birthing options in the world today? In my state?
Though the Bible does not tell us I rather believe Jesus was born unassisted. Often times stories of the nativity show the inn keepers wife having helped Mary... I don't know if that is realistic. Was not the Inn totally over run with people? Would she not have been overwhelmed with numerous duties? If she or another woman did assist was that not a blessing... God's will?
Who can say for sure if she was assisted; it is a mystery?
We can be sure that however Jesus was helped into this world the Father was in complete control of it.
Can I be that sure that my son or daughter will be protected in that way?
Yes, I can.
I have labored and birthed in and out of hospital now. Having a good mix of experiences.
If there is one thing that I have concluded it is not *where* you are birthing it is *how* you are birthing that is the *real* factor in how the overall experience is effected.
This may sound like I am going in circles here... the unfortunate thing is often times birthing in hospital effects the *how* you are birthing negatively more so than any other factor.
Mostly because the type of mindset and restrictions the staff has are negative.
I prefer a home birth I would however take help and care at the level I needed at the moment from one I could trust .
For now if I can not trust that a person is going to be helping... then I would rather go it alone.
Just me and my God.
Now one can say "Well you just personally have a trust issue, Jacinda. Maybe you need to work on that!"
No in actuality I am a VERY trusting person. When I was younger I was very gullible.
Today I find myself to be more balanced.
I have coined a new phrase...
We are not Bitter We are Wiser
I hope I can have more time to write. |
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• Oct. 24, 2007 - Looking for a Midwife
The state of Ohio's midwives are in a BAD position. This puts us the families that home birth in a bad position!
Please consider doing what you can to promote CHOICES in birth in your own state!
To all supporters of homebirth and women’s rights,
On Friday afternoon, my house was raided by the local police with a
search warrant for all of my midwifery supplies, equipment, charts,
records, textbooks, etc , along with some of my personal belongings,
(many hundreds of dollars) claiming that I was violating Ohio code of
practicing medicine without a license, practicing nursing without a
license and using titles that I did not have.
I have not been officially charged yet but the search warrant is
usually the last thing done in an investigation, so they will soon be
prepared to charge me.
All who care about a woman’s right to choose WHERE and WITH WHOM they
give birth need to be aware that their choices are being taken away
from them at this very moment.
As a CPM, I have done all that I can to be accountable and regulated,
but without State regulation, ANY midwife is vulnerable to this kind
of persecution. It could be YOUR midwife next!
This is devistating to my calling, to my kids, my husband and all who
I have served. Because of the trauma it has caused to my family, I no
longer will practice as a midwife.
It’s too late for me to be protected under the law, through licensure
and a midwifery board but it’s not too late for the other wonderful
midwives providing selfless care to you and others.
Now is the time to come together and make a change. Before this
happens again! |
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• Oct. 19, 2007 - baby carrying
I am having a good time with inexpensive non complicated ways of carrying Sophia around.
I felt led to try again as she needs training to stay with me so being on me seems to re establish some of our connection.
She's at that time of independent exploration, going on a year and a half. I am carrying off and on through out the day she is use to a play pen but I plan to put that away soon so we can have room for our futon .
I also need to teach the older ones to sit quietly when they are shoulder to shoulder!
We've had the futon dismantled since we did the flooring in the main room in May!
I plan t o carry her this way in Sunday School class and have her in the nursery with her 3 yo sister for church service! That way she won't be afraid this time like she was a few weeks ago!
So far she really is doing well with it. And I am getting a lot more kisses from her!~ What a blessing! |
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• Oct. 15, 2007 - Remembering Little Ones
Today was a day to remember our little ones gone on before us. I think it would be a blessing to have a national holiday. There are some that are trying to get this passed.
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• Oct. 12, 2007 - An Article for Anyone that has been a Parent.
This article is written to the homeschool parent. My dear friend that is a homeschool mom of 6 sent this to me today knowing I was reflecting on these points. I was tremendously blessed by what it said and I hope you will be too.
BTW I purposely did not look to see who the source of the article is from because I think the article speaks so much truth that it doesn't matter if I agree with everything that ministry or writer believes to recommend the article. |
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• Oct. 12, 2007 - Blessing our Children verses Cursing them
Three little kittens they lost their mittens, and they began to cry,
"Oh mother dear, we sadly fear that we have lost our mittens."
"What! Lost your mittens, you naughty kittens!
Then you shall have no pie."
"Meeow, meeow, meeow, now we shall have no pie."
The three little kittens they found their mittens,
And they began to cry,
"Oh mother dear, see here, see here
For we have found our mittens."
"Put on your mittens, you silly kittens
And you shall have some pie"
"Meeow, meeow, meeow,
Now let us have some pie."
The three little kittens put on their mittens
And soon ate up the pie,
"Oh mother dear, we greatly fear
That we have soiled our mittens."
"What! soiled you mittens, you naughty kittens!"
Then they began to cry, "Meeow, meeow, meeow"
Then they began to sigh.
The three little kittens they washed their mittens
And hung them out to dry,
"Oh mother dear, do you not hear
That we have washed our mittens."
"What! washed your mittens, you are good kittens."
But I smell a rat close by,
"Meeow, meeow, meeow" we smell a rat close by...
I was thinking on some parenting issues and this poem came to mind. I think we as parent often too easily chastise what is truly just being a child. Constantly talking about bad boy and good boy.
I want to convey a more balanced mind about this to my family.
I do note that even in this little poem the stark reality is shown that obedience is important and the 'problems' of being a child are time consuming. We must all have the ability to focus on other aspects of life like 'catching our dinner'. How often are we so caught up in the current ' clean up job' from the child like 'mistakes' and 'naughtiness' that we don't get dinner on the table or pay a bill or get a project done. I think I have personally been playing a blame game! You naughty kids just won't let us have organization and peace because you never stop well being kids!
I think a lot of my recent 'problem' in trying to mesh with those ultra conservatives was a special lesson I had to learn sooner or later. Sometimes my desire for my children to be more ' model like' is a wrong thing for me to even be praying or urning for.
They are children they have had a special set of circumstances in their lives and to expect them to try to fit into a certain mold that I think is a better example of 'well trained' children is not fair of me. I need to give then grace along with appropriate discipline. AND pray for them more rather than give into worry.
I think this has been a blessing to bring to light that I have been struggling with the Lord over this concept as well. I have more recently thought about the reality that allowing another pregnancy would more than likely slow down the progress that *I* would like to see in the children's behavior.
I am now so ever thankful to be able to focus on that the Lord has plans for us all individually and as a family unit that I can not completely control.
Sometimes I worry over Tim and Lina's strong willed nature. What will the future bring for them. What can I do to help them. Will they someday find themselves having sinned and brought shame on themselves in a very big and public way. Is this something that the Lord might use to humble them and bring them to himself?
Lina is only three and has not a full understanding of the Lord Jesus Christ. Can I expect her to behave perfectly, NO. Can I work with her to the best of my abilities and pray for her YES. I think it is important that I focus on this positive. That I continue on, don't give up but also remember that as much as I "feel" alone in my role as mom I am not. I am NOT alone, I am NOT alone!
Last night I did something I have been wanting to do for a long time. I explained to the children what 'blessing' is and I blessed verbally and heartily did so.
Tonight I will talk to them about 'cursing' and I will ask their forgiveness for all the times I have sent them to bed having drilled
into them how disappointed I was that they were such 'naughty' children. And then I will bless them in prayer once again. Making this a habit.
I would like this to be tradition in our home. To ask for forgiveness for any anger in the day and make sure that my unconditional love is expressed before I send them off to bed.
I pray that this will be of more help to them in their character growth then the millions of times I have ended the day with an attitude of 'just go to bed I am tired of you all. '
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• Aug. 15, 2007 - Solutions
Sometimes it seems the simplest things can be the solutions we've been needing for a long time!
I was reading over at my friend's blog Stillearning and without meaning to she solved one of my biggest troubles! 
I have been wrestling with " What to do about having a 2yo and a 1yo and homeschooling the older boys 7 and 6. "
The 2yo will sit for good lengths of time and do "homework" with her brothers but as soon as I move away troubles arise such as crayons being bitten etc... and then all the troubles of doing chores with toddlers going right behind messing up as I get one area in order 3 other places may have for instance squashed tomatoes all over to clean up from some fun game that was made up while I was busy!
That is just one example I could give you hundreds more and to my shame it is largely my fault because although I believe in the child training concept called tomato staking _ keeping the child that is too immature to be left alone near your side... I need training too!! I get busy and want to whip through some task to get it done and dread being slowed down by a toddler next to me so I hope for the best and well, only 50% of the time or less does that really work out! Because of the two steps forward and three steps back principal! 
So I was reminded of the child harness that I have seen others use occasionally through the years. Again I have mostly had a reaction of "that just doesn't seems right!" But as a mom that has struggled through this with my boys being close in age and now my girls close in age meaning that the experience is somewhat like having twins, so much being done at the same time!; diapering and potty training at the same time walking and obedience training at the same time!
This past year I have been through the mill with episodes related to our toddler going off on her own! The baby has been safe as she can be trusted to stay in her play pen or in her walker  But she is almost a walker herself and I feel she needs to have some exploration. We go out in the yard or to the park or sit on the floor in the great room regularly for much of that!
The independence seeking is showing in the baby more and more and so I assume in a matter of months the playpen will no longer hold her back! Lina could climb out of everything by 18 months old.
So especially for library and other outings that are supposed to be enjoyable for all I think I will try this harness idea! Using such item along with other methods such as the playpen, constant correction, rewards, stroller etc... should be a great help. I am thinking it may even help with potty training in that i will be able to be more responsive to the children's needs in general and they will be near enough to possibly remember to ask for help rather than ignore signs of needing to go!
I like this article!!!Child Safety
For now we will use the FREE idea my friend gave!!!
Well I am off to hunt for some string for Lina!
Jacinda
PS This is a really nice harness pricey though! CUTE |
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• Aug. 7, 2007 - Chores
 !["Photobucket"></a>"](<a href="http://s186.photobucket.com/albums/x12/cindahomaker/?action=view¤t=IMGP2328.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x12/cindahomaker/IMGP2328.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>)
Work while you work,
Play while you play;
This is the way
To be happy each day.
All that you do,
Do with your might;
Things done by halves
Are never done right.
"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." Colossians 3:23-24
- take dirty clothes to the laundry closet
- fold easy things like towels and wash cloths
- clear table
- take out/ put in dishes in dishwasher
- take out put in laundry in washer and dryer
- help bake each day
- hold Sophia and play with her throughout the day
- help give Sophia and Lina bathe each day
- help get the beds fixed up/ or change linens
- pick up the floor and table tops
- Sweep with broom or vacuum
- get mail
- take trash out/ bring can or recycle bin in
- help dad shovel snow
- help do yard tidying
- mow grass with help :^)
- garden
- rake leaves
Extra projects that are on going: Picking off/ scraping the chipping paint on
our kitchen
cabinets and woodwork until I can totally refinish - the prior owners painted over without dulling finish so day one for us it started chipping - it looks lovely;^)
I want to teach them to actually scrub and wipe off surfaces. And to fold all
types of laundry. And to work more diligently so it doesn't take all day to do this
stuff. This year should provide plenty of opportunities to do so. |
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• Jul. 26, 2007 - Things Daddy Does
I asked Mike to type out a few things about he's interaction with the children. He was very modest in giving his few examples. I can think of a lot more that he does.
Here's his comments
Timothy and Luke have been working very regularly on their reading, math, history, spelling/alphabet and science.
Luke has shown a very high interest in entomology; he knows nearly all of the common backyard insects...
Such as ants, wasps, grasshoppers, bees, moths, butterflies, and worms.
He can describe their habits, life span, procreation habits, and habitats.
Luke also shows a keen interest and knowledge of gardening, planting, watering and transplanting.
Luke’s reading habits include: word recognition, writing his own full name, knowledge of his town, state, street address, phone number, alphabet, and writing letters to others.
Luke and I have planted our garden together. Which includes using garden tools like wheel barrow and shovel, hoe etc...tilling the soil,
planting seeds according to the instructions, and watering the plants.
We have done many projects together, including: putting together their new bikes, home improvement (painting, hammering nails to join wood on our new flooring, washing & vacuuming the van, cleaning windows, sweeping the floors, putting together a table, helping with grocery shopping, helping out with bringing in the groceries, putting the groceries away especially the perishables quickly, putting clothes in the washer and dryer, folding clothes, loading and unloading the dishwasher.
Timothy will do the same activities, but prefers the more project oriented activities rather than chores.
Both Timothy and Luke have gotten better with their basic skills by using educational software.
They are now better with their numbers, letters, fractions, and choice making. They also like logic games, puzzles, and mazes.
Daddy takes Tim's Picture
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Not only does he forget to mention that he has taught them 100's of other skills.
He neglects to mention that he is the glue that keeps the home together well at least in part! We wouldn't want to try to function without him.
All of the children miss him terribly when he has to be away more than usual. And they love it when he can be home more than usual because they know he loves them and keeps their relationships as one of his highest priorities.
This very last week he not only worked a tremendous amount of hours to support our needs but spent hours reading to them, worked on projects that better our lives, took the time to ask them about their days, shopped for them, fixed them snacks, wiped away tears, gave kisses and hugs, baths, made decisions about extra activities they could participate in, told them he loved them and prayed for them. I am sure I am forgetting many things myself.
This past year he has taken them to hundreds of trips to the library, shopping, post office, to get car repairs, buy hardware and home improvement supplies, lumber all while I stayed home doing other projects.
He takes them regularly to various parks as well as walks in our neighborhood for exercise.
He's instructed them on important social skills, spiritual matters, as well as academics.
He's modeled how to be a godly father. And to care for our fellow man. |
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• Jun. 16, 2007 - For the New Parent
 Our oldest and our youngest. Sophia in her first week. 2006
The very things that drew my husband Michael and I together in courtship and then marriage were the things that drew us toward the decision to become parents shortly after marriage. ( conceived 5 mo. after marriage) We discovered early on how much we each wanted to start a family. while we were still courting we worked in some of the children's church ministries together. One afternoon as we were at a local library looking for some books to illustrate our lesson with the 4-5's we had an interesting experience one that I know I will cherish. We were both at the same bookcase I looking on the upper shelves and Michael on the lower. Somehow our eyes caught books of similar subject that had been separated. Both being those awesome books created to teach children about where babies come from. The real photos of baby developing in the womb were just riveting! When we both discovered what the other was looking over we shared our books. That was one of the turning points in knowing that we desired to marry one another. And have many children. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I being the nurturing caregiver in personality was strongly attracted to Michael's boyishness. Oh, how I loved to cook and bake for him; our laundry mat dates where we talked as we washed and folded and our late night / early morning trips to the local Meijer store! Ours was a match made out of practicality. He needed me and I needed him! He worked 2nd and 3rd shifts and I 1st so most of our courtship was over the phone talking until exhausted and responsibility to work or church took us away from one another. I cleaned for and sat with an elderly man so Michael was able to join us several times for a meal and a chat. As well as an evening a week in the home of a lady I lived with. Our friendship encouraged him as he was going through a rough time with his family. Now we have Luke Daniel name meaning illuminated, enlightened / God's judgment He has proven to be a bright light full of joy in our dark world. Someday he may direct people to see our Savior's sacrifice and atonement for us as God's judgment demands a payment for the trespasses we commit in our wicked sin nature. As the dross of our hearts have risen to the surface more and more through our new roles as parents I believe we see ourselves more clearly for who we are ~ this is so humbling! Through these children we see God's grace and mercy and are given days of special blessings. Seeing not only Luke develop into a little toddler but also seeing each other in our roles as mother and father has been special. To be able to let go of our need to fulfill ourselves now with whatever activity WE want to participate in and have a willingness to carry out our obligation to our family has brought more fulfillment than we ever thought we'd experience. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Little glimpses into memories...... Learning to be a team : Michael helping me so much , encouraging me to keep my courage in learning to breastfeed our baby, discipline him in toddler-hood, and choose activities for his development. Also to get out for walks and just breath! Special time alone together talking, planning or snuggling is precious. Being parents changes you for good ~ from the inside out! Many times women experience hard pregnancies ~ feeling as though your body is gonna break and crumble ~ that God is allowing you to be crushed with great afflictions; sickness, listlessness, emotional trauma through the emotional turmoil caused by worry about the future .... believe it or not this is working something special in you! |
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• Jun. 15, 2007 - Sophia our Sweet Baby Girl
| Sophia will be turning 12 months old on 7-7 in just a few weeks. I can not fully express what a special girl she is. It's always easy to say " Isn't she a doll " about little girl babies but really she is so doll like. She has a very delicate and sweet disposition and is petite in size. She handles things in a even tempered way most of the time and interacts with her brothers and sister with character if that can be said of such a young one. She has been the most handled baby meaning not only loved with hugs and cuddles but lots of getting bumped around and plain squished! She had to live through a 2 yo sister playing doll with her constantly... Lina was often telling me how to take care of Sophia ;^) I have really just started in the 'training phase' that includes giving a little swat on the thigh. It is hard to do but I want her to stay sweet and obedient. I have learnt many hard lessons about my weaknesses as a parent and am no longer ignorant of the way the Bible tells us to train. She has the best of me at this point. I am a seasoned mom not perfect but much more sure of myself than I was with baby number one 7 years ago! I am so thankful the Lord gave godly courage to us to have this little one added to our home. It is not easy most days with 4 small children but we have a lot of gratitude for these special blessings in our lives. We have no desire to limit our family and thus even on the rough days I am saying " Oh, Lord it is so hard but please don't let me give up and give in to controlling things I want you to be in control always."The children want to have a " boy, brother " next time and although I usually have no preference I am desiring this also. So we shall see. |
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