Every family has a story, and children are naturally curious about their heritage. They like to hear about the ‘olden days’ when their parents or grandparents were little boys and girls. In fact, they are usually amazed that there was actually a time when there were no cell phones, microwave ovens, televisions, or even indoor plumbing.
But more than that, learning about their own special lineage, culture, and heritage gives children a connection to the past, a foundation, and a stronger sense of belonging as they pursue their futures. It also creates a fun opportunity to delve into history while providing a glimpse into the lives of their ancestors. This makes history seem real or come alive for them.
Here are a few ideas to help spark some interest in learning about your family’s special story:
1. Create a family tree to give the child a visual aid. If possible, use photos along with names and dates. Help the child distinguish his relationship with each person. Can the child find any similar physical characteristics between himself and his ancestors?
2. Create an oral history resource. This can be done using audio or video, but let the child interview family members (grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) about when they were young, what they remember about their ancestors, what was happening in the world at the time, or any special memories. Encourage the child to make a list of questions and give them to the interviewee beforehand so that they can think on their answers. The audio interviews can always be transcribed and put into a special book.
3. Create a family photo album or scrapbook. Many times, older relatives will have lots of photographs that have been passed down through the years. Try to borrow as many of the pictures as you can, make copies, then help your child create a family album or scrapbook. Create captions telling who, what, when, and where. You could also insert other pages to correspond with the photos (if you have enough information about dates) telling what was happening in the world or nation at the time. You could even include newspaper clippings if you have them. Put history in its proper place!
Note: This would be a great time to discuss good photo preservation techniques, taking special care of items that belong to others, and responsibility to return what is borrowed.
4. Create and label a family map. Display a world/country map and use little flags or stickers to label each country, state, or town where ancestors lived. If your family came from a distant place, study the area, the culture, the food, and the language. Check out travel videos, books, and cookbooks to learn more about the special ‘flavor’ of the homeland.
5. Create a family cookbook. Many families have special or secret recipes that are handed down through the generations. Why not create a family cookbook to keep these recipes in one place? Have relatives contribute their favorites, but also include information about where the recipe originated, who taught them how to prepare it, or any special story associated with it. Add an ancestry tree page in the front of the book, and you have a great family heirloom. This would be a wonderful summer project to do with your child, and it would also make a thoughtful gift for each individual family who contributes!
6. Introduce your older child to genealogical research. There are many online websites and databases where you can access records and information. Some are subscription based, but there is also a lot of free information out there as well, if you know where to look and enjoy digging for nuggets. An older child might be bitten by the ‘genealogy bug’ and discover an enjoyable lifetime hobby. A good starting place is www.cyndislist.com where you’ll find lots of lists and links to genealogy sites on the internet.
7. Encourage your child to keep a journal. After delving into his family history, your child will see the importance of recording things that are happening in his world, the weather, special memories, or even just the little details of daily life. Who knows—one day his descendants may decide to research their family history and they’ll already have a fantastic resource right at their fingertips. A priceless gift for future generations!
Check out these resources for more information about researching family history:
· The Great Ancestor Hunt: The Fun of Finding Out Who You Are by
Lila Perl Yerkow
· Me and My Family Tree by Joan Sweeney
· Family Tree: Writing Historical Fiction Based on Family History by
Jennifer Johnson Garrity
· Climbing Your Family Tree by Ira Wolfman
· Who’s Who in My Family? By Loreen Leedy
· Through the Eyes of Your Ancestors: A Step-by-Step Guide to
Uncovering Your Family’s History by Maureen Taylor
· Roots for Kids: A Genealogy Guide for Young People by Susan
Provost Beller
· Creating Jr. Genealogists: Tips and Activities for Family History Fun
by Karen Frisch Dennen
We just returned this afternoon from our annual beach trip with my parents and my sister and her family. As always, we had a wonderful time, but we did miss Chad as he was unable to go with us this year! It's just not the same without Daddy!
Because we are usually still on our 'vacation' on the 4th, we get to celebrate by the seaside, go out to enjoy great seafood, and then watch the fantastic fireworks! Thought I'd share a few photos that Erin took while we were there!
Of course, it was a wee bit disconcerting to watch a fisherman catch a 5 ft. shark about 30 yards down the beach from us yesterday morning and then see a news report last night featuring the same man because he caught three sharks in one day! Gulp! Glad I saw that report AFTER we were done going down to the beach!!!
We had a wonderful Sunday worshipping at church, and then enjoying a delicious lunch and delightful afternoon with my parents and my sister and her family! What precious memories we make each year! I thought I'd share just a few photos from our yearly traditional 'family photo shoot'! I pray you'll all have a blessed week!
A somewhat blurry photo of the unhappy, teary-eyed Birthday Boy!
On Monday evening, we had a few friends and grandparents over for a simple celebration of cake and ice cream in honor of Alexander's first birthday. Needless to say, the Birthday Boy didn't exactly enjoy his little party. He woke up from his nap to find a living room full of people, and he wasn't in the best humor. Despite his crying and wanting to be held, I think everyone else had a good time...and maybe next year he'll catch the 'birthday vision'! LOL He received many nice gifts, and his Teddy Bear cake turned out great thanks to big sister, Elisabeth, with a little bit of 'icing mixing advice and cleaning assistance' from Mam.
First birthdays are always wonderful...even if the birthday honoree is unhappy. We are so blessed to have our Alexander, and we thank the Lord for our special little boy! Thanks for all your birthday thoughts and wishes!
Because tomorrow has been designated as One Day Blog Silence to honor the memory of those who were killed at Virginia Tech, I wanted to go ahead and do this post for Alexander's first birthday! He was born on April 30, 2006, and we've had the joy of his presence in our home for one whole year!
We have certainly discovered that Baby #6 is just as wonderful and special as Babies #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5! Alexander is a sweet, precious blessing, and we can't imagine what our lives would be like without him! We thank the Lord daily for adding little 'Zander' to our family! His happy personality and beautiful smile are like rays of sunshine to all of us!
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So Happy, Happy Birthday to Our Sweet Little Boy!
WE LOVE YOU, ALEXANDER!
Note: This week is shaping up to be extremely busy around here without much time to blog, so I thought I'd dust off one of my favorite posts to share with you. It was originally published on my blog on September 26, 2006.
These days, I don't spend nearly as much time at the kitchen sink doing dishes as I once did. Now that I have older children, they do most of the washing and/or loading and unloading the dishwasher and cleaning up the kitchen after meals. But I have done my time...standing at the kitchen sink, that is.
Many, many hours during the last 17.5 years have I scoured, scrubbed, washed and rinsed. Was that time wasted? Oh, no. For one thing, I was doing a service for my family, and in turn I was doing a service for the Lord. We have to be faithful in the little things as well as the big things--and most moms I know would consider cleaning up the kitchen 3x a day/ 7x a week a BIG thing!
But I also decided to use that time to pray for my family whenever possible. So what did I do? I put favorite pictures of my husband and children on the window sill above the sink to remind me of the most important and precious people in my life...and that I need to lift them up in prayer daily. I also put a framed teapot print with the words "You Are Special" that was a gift from my husband there, along with a wire-bound "flip" book that contains Bible verses and special messages for mothers. Then there are also three small ornamental teacups on matching hankies that were gifts to my three daughters from a dear relative.
Each time I stand at the sink, I am greeted with happy smiles from days gone by, as well as newer and more current photos. I, too, smile and I remember! Such precious, precious memories. Not only do I pray, but I also realize that the days are passing quickly. Before I know it, my children will be grown and gone...and I will be back at the kitchen sink full-time. So, I am reminded to take each day and make the most of it. As I've heard before (and I think Marybeth said it on her blog not too long ago)--the days are long, but the years are short. I pray that I'll keep that in mind, even on those long, hectic days when it seems as though my sink runneth over!
The Lord has His ways of getting our attention and reminding us of basic spiritual and biblical principals. Sometimes He uses people to convey His message, and sometimes He uses other forms of communication. But in any case, He WILL succeed!
The other day, I had not one, but two, of His 'reminders'...and all in one afternoon. But in my case, He used my children and two accidental phone calls as His instruments. The result: A good old helping of humble pie and an exhortation to remember the importance of a meek and quiet spirit...even during the hectic and busy times...and even when our children are trying our patience!
It was my husband's birthday, and I wanted his birthday supper celebration to be special. But I didn't plan very well. That afternoon, instead of readying the house for his arrival home from work and getting a head start on cooking, I was scurrying to one town to get our car tags before we had to pay a penalty. I also needed to pick up a few items in another town that I'd 'forgotten' the night before when I went grocery shopping. Plus, a couple of the children wanted balloons and streamers. I also needed to stop by the bank before it closed. And to top it off, I didn't know if I'd even be home before my husband...and remember, supper wasn't even started yet. The two youngest children were also extremely whiny and fretful from no nap (once again, my poor planning). All of this hurrying to and fro was not making for a very peaceful Mama! I admit my nerves were a bit (!) stretched and I wasn't long on patience. No excuses here...just the plain unvarnished truth.
In a futile attempt to get the baby to hush, we handed him the cell phone to play with. Um...not a good idea unless you turn it off first. Without us knowing it, he hit the speed dial button to one of my friends. Here was the conversation that was taking place in our van at that time:
Me: "John, hush."
John: (For the gazillionth time) "Waahhhh! I want my sucker!"
Me: "John, hush!"
Erin: "John, we're heading to the bank. We'll get a sucker."
John: "Waahhhh! I want my sucker!"
Me: "John, I will specifically ask for a sucker."
John: "Peas, Mama."
Me: (MANY decibels louder and with much irritation)..."JOHN. IF. YOU. DO. NOT. HUSH. YOU. WILL. NOT. GET. A. SUCKER!"
John: "Es, Ma'am. Es, Ma'am. Sniffle Sniffle."
Now, instead of all of this escalating yah-yah, I could've calmly and rationally handled the whole situation and administered appropriate discipline as needed...all while possessing a meek and quiet spirit. But no, I was the frazzled mom tearing madly down highway trying to get to the bank before it closed.
Then all of a sudden...R-i-n-g!
Me: "Hello!"
Friend: (Laughing) "That was quite an interesting conversation I just heard."
Me: (Cringing and face beet red) "Um, really?"
Friend: (Still giggling) "Uh-huh. I just got a glimpse into the window of the (our last name) world."
Me: "Um....I hope I didn't say anything too bad."
Friend: "Well, let's just say that when I heard the raised voice saying, 'If you don't hush, you WILL NOT get a sucker'...I figured I better hang up!" (Still laughing)
You would think after that little embarrassing episode, I would've learned my lesson. But nooooooo.... Fast forward to finally getting home...right before my husband pulled in. And let me set the stage here. One of the twins was staying home doing more spring cleaning. Almost our whole living room was out on the front porch, because she wanted to really deep clean, dust, and vaccuum without anything in the way. And because we were focusing on other areas of the house, the kitchen was a TOTAL wreck...as in, there was not ONE surface that was cleaned off in there. The sink was full of dishes, and I was frantically trying to get the lasagna concocted and in the oven. And two of the children are wildly trying to blow up balloons and hang streamers in the living room before Daddy drives up. You know, in the room where much of the furniture and knick-knacks are still out on the front porch!
Husband drives up. He has to navigate around the coffee table at the top of the porch steps, nudge beside an end table, and step over the magazine rack to successfully make it to the entrance. Door slams in his face. "No, Daddy! Don't come in yet! We're not ready!" LOL Can you imagine? His children won't let him in the house because they are 'surprising' him, and his wife is running around the kitchen like a maniac, hair flying in all directions, ugly look on her face as she is trying to get his favorite meal in the oven...fussing at anyone who cares to listen!!! Happy Birthday, Honey! LOL
So the soupy lasagna is finally in the oven nowhere near to being ready. I think..okay, we'll change the order of things and give him his new coffee maker...so he can use it after supper to make coffee to go with his chocolate birthday cake (that still isn't finished)! "Have a seat, Honey, and I'll get your present!" (Happy smiles through bared teeth)
Phone rings.
Friend: "May I speak to Wesley?"
Elisabeth: "Wesley, telephone."
(I tear out the room in my haste to get the gift. Wesley leaves the kitchen and disappears into his room, so I assume he's off the phone. Um...don't make assumptions.)
Me: Wesley, come on. We're giving Daddy his gift. Wesley, where are you?"
Wesley: I'll be there in just a minute, Mama. I'm looking for something."
(Finally, the stress of the day catches up with me big time, and I HAVE HAD ENOUGH of children who apparently aren't minding their mama. By the way, is that burning garlic bread I smell??!)
Me: (Gritting teeth) "I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU ARE DOING! GET IN HERE RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE! WE. ARE. GIVING. YOUR. DADDY. HIS. GIFT! NOWWWWWWW! (I think there was a growl in that last word)!
Wesley: (Enters room with pale face and points to the waiting phone receiver...that IS STILL OFF THE HOOK ...and connected to friend!) When he picks up the receiver, silence...obviously hung up on the other end. I probably scared our friend half to death...especially since my yell-fest was right beside the telephone! What kind of mother am I??!!! I'm sure our friend was thinking...I'm glad that's not MY mama! Poor Wesley! LOL
I sort of threw the coffee pot box into my husband's lap with a quick "Happy Birthday" and hurried to call our friend back to apologize! Yes, it was definitely one of 'those' kind of days and after some contemplation, I learned a few things!
I would never ever talk to my friends or acquaintances in a hateful or impatient tone of voice...and how much more important is my family??!! I've often heard that 'character is who you are when you think no one is looking.' Yes, that's correct. But true character is also who you are in front of your children! Sometimes, I need to carefully examine my character! I do realize that there is a time to deal with disobedient or fussy children, but there are proper avenues for that. Losing my temper shouldn't be an option. In all things, self-control.
Also, no matter what level of stress or irritation I may be experiencing, the Lord still commands and exhorts me to have a meek and quiet spirit...no excuses! It is of great price in the sight of God! (1 Peter 3:4) My children are my treasures. I need to treat them as such! And I want them to remember a mama who was patient, loving, and kind. That's the legacy I want for them. I want them to remember me as one who drew strength from the Lord during the trying times and valiantly tried to crucify the flesh. Oh, how I fail in this area so many, many times!
Even though it was an extremely embarrassing and humbling experience for my friends to inadvertently hear me lose my temper at my children's expense via telephone, there is Another who hears me all the time...24/7. And He's much more important than any other. I need to remember His presence, His teachings, and His exhortation for me to strive to lead a godly life. I need to pray for His guidance and mercy, every day, every hour. Without Him I am nothing!
That's the lesson I learned, and I thank the Lord for loving me enough to get my attention...even though He had to recruit my children, some unsuspecting friends, and a telephone to do it! He is faithful...may I be as well!
Edited to add note about tobacco sticks at the bottom!
Introducing the outdoor version of Lincoln Logs! So what exactly do country boys do for fun? Well, just give them a bunch of wooden tobacco sticks and see what happens!
My son, Wesley, likes nothing better than getting together with his friends, the Hancock boys, to design and build tobacco stick forts. No one in my family grows tobacco anymore, but my daddy still has a barn full of old tobacco sticks from his farming days...and they provide hours of entertainment! You can't see it in the photo, but Wesley dug an entryway at the bottom of the fort on the other side for quick and easy access...if one is young, small, and limber, that is! LOL Yes, he does get his clothes extremely dirty, but hey, that's what washing machines are for!
So, forget expensive outdoor structures and toys! These sticks are perfect for creative, after-school fun...and all for free! It doesn't get any better than that! LOL
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Note: I had to laugh when I read Bethanyrae's comment, so I thought I might better add a little more information about tobacco sticks and tobacco. Growing up on a farm and being familiar with the term 'tobacco stick', I never considered how it might sound to someone else. But yes, the tobacco leaves were 'cropped' or harvested, then strung (tied with string) onto the sticks. The tobacco was then hung in a barn to dry or cure. Then the leaves were 'unstrung' from the sticks and 'sheeted' (packed/stomped) into bundles of up to about 250 pounds. Then the tied-up bundles were taken to the tobacco market to be sold.
My husband grew up on a tobacco farm about 2 hours from here, but they didn't use many sticks when he was old enough to work. They put their leaves on racks to dry instead of 'stringing' them onto the sticks.
When I was a little girl, my daddy was no longer growing tobacco, but my cousin paid us 10 cents a stick to unstring tobacco. But like I said in the post, no one in my family has grown tobacco for probably the last 30 years or so.
It's so hard to believe that seven years have passed since our 'princess' joined the family back on March 2, 2000. Ellie is very loving and affectionate, and we are so glad that the Lord blessed us with our sweet little girl! She's all 'girl' and a 'mommy-in-training'...she loves cooking, homemaking stuff, and babies! That's a good thing, because when Erin and Elisabeth (who are almost 16) grow up, get married, and leave home...it will just be Mama and Ellie to tend to all the 'men' in the family! Hmmm...I don't even want to think about that! LOL
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLIE! WE LOVE YOU! "Miss 7-Year-Old"
Ellie with Gangy (Chad's Mama) at our niece's wedding last April. Ellie was a flower girl!
Cheerleader...Go 'Dawgs'!
Ellie with all of her brothers and sisters back in October! Our family circle wouldn't be complete without our 'Princess Ellie'! She's a joy!
Right now, we are experiencing some pretty bad weather and more is coming! I'm in need of a good dose of 'warm and fuzzy'...so below you'll find a sweet poem to enjoy. I've read this poem before, and my children have used it for copywork in the past. I happened upon it again today at a 'new to me' blog called Letters From A Hill Farm. Hmmm, a nice cup of hot cocoa and some animal crackers might just be what we all need!
Animal Crackers by Christopher Morley Animal crackers and cocoa to drink, That is the finest of suppers I think; When I'm grown up and can have what I please I think I shall always insist upon these. What do YOU choose when you're offered a treat? When Mother says, "What would you like best to eat?" Is it waffles and syrup, or cinnamon toast? It's cocoa and animals that I love most! The kitchen's the cosiest place that I know; The kettle is singing, the stove is aglow, And there in the twilight, how jolly to see The cocoa and animals waiting for me. Daddy and Mother dine later in state, With Mary to cook for them, Susan to wait; But they don't have nearly as much fun as I Who eat in the kitchen with Nurse standing by; And Daddy once said, he would like to be me Having cocoa and animals once more for tea!
Happy 3rd Birthday to our very special little boy! We love our little 'Rooster' and we are so blessed to have you in our family! You keep us hopping and laughing! God is good! In your very own words...Oh, Yesh!
February 4, 1989... Eighteen years ago today, I was blessed to marry my very best friend in the whole world! Chad was 24 (almost 25) and I was 21. He is a wonderful, godly man, the spiritual leader of our home, a very loving daddy, and a good provider for his family He loves us all so much, and shows us that love in many ways each and every day! I couldn't have asked for a better mate, and I'm so glad that the Lord, in His wisdom, knew we needed each other. I hope our sons grow up to be just like their Daddy, and I pray that our daughters will be blessed to find someone just as special as he is! So, please allow me to look back through the years and share a few memories!
THEN:
Now...18 years later...
After many memories and many babies from the hospital:
Folks...your prayers have made a difference! Believe it or not, it looks as though Drew will be going HOME today! The doctors did a CT scan, spinal tap, MRI, and EEG, and everything was NORMAL! My sister said that they will be meeting with an endocrinologist later this morning to discuss having Drew come back for blood tests to concentrate on the blood sugar factor. Apparently, since everything else checked out okay, this is the next step.
But, we are so happy and prayers have been answered! Yesterday Drew was moved out into a room on the floor, given something to eat (no, not the cheeseburger and Reese's cup..yet), he took a shower, and he got to put on his own PJ's! My sister said that the staff/doctors/nurses at Egleston have been fantastic, and they couldn't have asked for better care!
We will be heading up there later today, and we can't wait see Drew! I know that God is still in the 'miracle business', and we do appreciate your prayers, well-wishes, and concern! Thank you so very much!
I've been reading the Bryson City series by Dr. Walt Larimore, who is now associated with Focus on the Family. These books are about his first years as a young doctor in a small Appalachian mountain town during the 1970's and 80's. They are very interesting, and I just finished the third one entitled Bryson City Secrets.
There was one part in the book about the importance of "mental photographs" that really got me thinking. Dr. Larimore was remembering his childhood, and he told about how his grandparents could not afford a camera in their early years of marriage. So they simply agreed that whenever they were experiencing a "Kodak moment" they would give each other a nonverbal sign and then focus on the object of their attention or observation--"snapping" a mental photo they would keep for life.
I think in today's world we've become so dependent upon modern technology such as cameras, camcorders, etc. to make our memories for us that we've forgotten how important it is to purposefully focus on special moments and really enjoy them for what they are. I learned this the hard way not too long ago. Foolishly, I never saved my digital photos from my computer to a disk--and when my computer crashed a few months ago and no information could be salvaged...I lost everything. That included photo documentation of two births and everything that went with them! Of course, grandparents and friends did have some to share, and we are grateful for those. But now, even though I do recall certain things, I wish I could remember more details about those "life" moments! I wish I had focused and really 'etched' those first few precious days into my mind a little bit deeper. But I was relying on the camera!
But honestly, there have been times in my life when I do remember saying to myself, "I really want to remember this moment forever." And just last night, I did 'snap' a mental photograph that was so sweet. My husband usually does Bible reading and nighttime prayers with the children. But he was really tired last night after a long day at work, and went to bed early. He is a minister, but he also works as an underground utilities locator for a nearby town during the week. He also has his own locating business on the side as well, so he stays real busy!
Anyway, I did the family devotion last night, then allowed the children a little bit of extra reading time before they went to bed. The baby was asleep, and the 2yo fell asleep in my lap while I was reading him some books. I looked over at the other children and just had to smile. All four of them were on the couch reading. All I could see were legs, arms, and the tops of heads above covers of books! Just like a row of little ducks sitting there...all engrossed in what they were reading and lost in another world! It was a cozy scene...a real "Kodak" moment...and for a minute I contemplated getting up to get the camera. But I didn't want to wake the 2yo, and I didn't want to ruin the 'moment'. So I sat there and took it all in, and I think it's something I will always be able to recall. I used all my powers of observation, noting the sounds, the smells, and even the way the light from the lamps shone softly on the hair of all my little 'blessings'. I realized that in just a few short years, they will all be grown up and living in their own homes...and they won't be the little ducks all sitting in a row on my couch. I WANT to remember!
As an educator, I agree with most of Charlotte Mason's philosophy and try to incorporate many of her ideas. She was a firm believer in encouraging children to develop the 'art of seeing'...aka the powers of observation. She delighted in fostering 'picture painting' and seeing with the 'mind's eye'. She also admitted that adults tend to lose the power of observation, and I think she's right. If we don't purposefully use all of our senses to remember and make memories, we will forget and lose the capacity to do this effectively. I hope I always cultivate this important skill with my own children...and I believe it makes life more enjoyable!
Now don't misunderstand me...I LOVE being able to take photographs and videos. Cameras and camcorders are wonderful tools! And I'm so thankful to have pictures of births, birthdays, our wedding, etc. But I also know that these snapshots can never fully replace the ability to recall and relive precious memories. So I hope I'll always take the time to enjoy life's special moments as they happen and sear them into my longtime memory. Some dear friends of ours lost their home in a fire on Thanksgiving...so of course, many of their photographs were also lost. That gave me pause. If I lost all of our precious pictures...would I remember? Would you? It's something to think about!
We recently attended a 50th wedding anniversary celebration for some dear friends of ours. I commented to the wife that she sure didn't look like she'd been married for fifty years! She smiled sweetly and said, "It doesn't feel like it either, and the time has gone by so quickly. But it's been a wonderful fifty years, and we've been so happy together."
I thought that was such a lovely testimony of their years together, and it really got me thinking...whatever happened to commitment? In today's world, marriage is experimental, and if it doesn't work out...oh well...there's always the next person. Many marriages fail before the first five years are over, and I've even heard of a couple that got divorced after only a few weeks!! How sad! Marriages that last for 50-70 years are becoming more and more rare...and I think our society today reflects this.
I was blessed with an exceptionally happy childhood and parents who loved me and each other. They have been married for over 46 years! My husband's parents have also been married for almost 46 years (next month), and his grandparents just celebrated their 70th anniversary. All of our other grandparents are deceased, but they all stayed married until 'death do us part'...(an interesting note: I am only 39 years old, but my maternal grandparents were born in the late 1800's...I've always thought that was kind of special). My husband also has a great aunt and uncle who have been married for over 76 (!) years...WHAT A LEGACY!
I realize that there are biblical grounds for divorce (adultery), but that's NOT what I'm talking about here (although that certainly relates to the topic at hand). I am really talking about plain old lack of commitment in many of today's marriages...taking the easy way out....jumping ship...running away when things get tough...bailing out when life gets down to the nitty-gritty...whatever you want to call it. My husband says that you really learn about a person's true character when the 'bullets start flying'...and he's right. Whether it's financial trouble, communication problems, health concerns, family quarrels, disagreements about child rearing...whatever...LACK OF COMMITMENT! You get down on your knees together and beseech the Lord to help you find a way to get through the storm...together. That's the real answer...PRAYER! He will honor those who honor Him! And He can take a seemingly hopeless situation and turn it completely around!
The dictionary refers to 'commitment' as a pledge. So I looked up pledge...it's a promise. I looked up promise...it's a solemn oath. That is not something we can take lightly. When we said our vows to each other during our marriage ceremony, we made a solemn promise BEFORE GOD! Through sickness and health! Good times as well as bad times! Until death do us part! Not "I will stay with you until the going gets tough, and then I'm outta here!" But sadly, that's becoming the norm.
I am so grateful that I had parents who modeled what a good marriage is all about, and I am so blessed to have a husband who has stuck with me and loved me for almost 18 years. And while we certainly don't claim to be 'marriage experts', there are three things that have served us well during our years together: pray together, never go to bed angry with each other, and never let the "D" word (divorce) become part of your marriage vocabulary!
I once read somewhere that marriage is not a 50-50 proposition...it's a commitment of 100-100 percent from each spouse! Amen and amen!
Today has been a much slower day than yesterday. We finally delivered the rest of the 4-H entries for the Georgia National Fair to our county agent yesterday. Thank goodness! I won't shock anyone by telling you how late the girls stayed up to finish their projects and mini-booths...but let's just say that it technically wasn't late. It was early....as in EARLY IN THE MORNING! Bless their hearts, they inherited my 'procrastination' genes.
This morning we did school, and this afternoon the children had their picture taken. The newspaper in our county hosts a "Future Leaders of Tomorrow" photo op each fall, and then all the pictures of the children are featured in the newspaper around the next Valentine's Day. We've participated for the last fifteen years, and come to think of it, we've had the same lady photographer every single time. I think she knows us by now! The quality is always good, and the price on the packages is reasonable. I always buy several to use for extra Christmas gifts for grandparents and other family members.
Below are two photos. One I took before we left home, and the other one I took right after the photographer was finished. The baby was all happy and smiled a lot...the two year old...um...didn't!
I'd also like to tell you about my friend Beth's new blog, Beth's Bountiful Blessings. She just started posting yesterday, and she's already shared some great thoughts and a really neat link to a site that has interactive computer activities for little people. And she plans to share a lot of delicious recipes. I'll tell you this much...BOY, SHE CAN COOK! I'll put her cooking up right next to my Aunt Zelda's cooking, and that's saying a lot! Be sure to drop by and say hello!
I finished up the newsletter for our homeschool group and got them all mailed out yesterday...I know...it was already October 2nd...but remember I'm my daughters' mother! Below you'll find The Home's "Cool" Comic done by my 15yo 'Artist' twin. I thought it was really cute!
Now, in honor of that comic, I'll leave you with the following poem that I also included in this month's newsletter. It will be done as a copywork assignment for my 9yo and 6yo sometime this week. I use the lined paper with a blank 'drawing' area at the top that I found at Donna Young's homeschool resource site for these assignments. The poem is entitled "Autumn Fancies", but I don't know who the author is. I found it in Favorite Poems Old and New, compiled by Helen Ferris.
Autumn Fancies
The maple is a dainty maid, The pet of all the wood, Who lights the dusky forest glade With scarlet cloak and hood.
The elm a lovely lady is, In shimmering robes of gold, That catch the sunlight when she moves, And glisten, fold on fold.
The sumac is a gypsy queen, Who flaunts in crimson dressed, And wild along the roadside runs, Red blossoms in her breast.
And towering high above the wood, All in his purple cloak, A monarch in his splendor is The proud and princely oak.
I think Anne of Green Gables coined it aptly when she referred to those days when nothing goes right as "Jonah" days! We've all had them at times--some more than others--but "bad" days, all the same. You know, the days when you'd rather pull the covers over your head instead of getting up out of bed. The laundry and dishes are piled high, the pipe under the kitchen sink is leaking, the house needs a good cleaning, the baby is running a temperature, you need to buy groceries, you're out of toilet paper (!), and you ESPECIALLY don't feel like teaching any school lessons today!
At times like this, it's tempting to lock ourselves in the bathroom or better yet, go back to bed! But we can't, and we don't. We pray for grace, grace, and more grace, and we move forward...even if it's at half-speed. We do what needs to be done, because it's what we've been called to do...even when we don't feel like it....and even when we do it out of 'duty' instead of joy! The Lord picks us up and carries us through the "Jonah" day (or days)...for in our weakness are we made strong...apart from Him we can do nothing! We have to look up, and eventually we do feel that joy again.
Then there are days that I will refer to as "Julie" days. These are the days when we feel like twirling around with arms outstretched (ala Julie Andrews as Maria in 'The Sound of Music") and belting out..."The hills are alive with the sound of music..." Everything is going right. We love everybody, and they love us back! Life is good, and we are just happy to be alive! Now granted, we don't have many 'hills' down here in south Georgia, but I'm sure you get the general idea! And I think that the Lord does give us "Julie" days just when we need them most...sort of like a good rain after a drought!
This morning I got up early and went for a long walk. I'm not much of a morning person by nature (especially on Saturdays), but when I do make the effort to get up and take my 'daily constitutional' early in the day, I find it's always worth it! I started down the farm road towards the pond...praying and meditating on scripture. The air was cool and crisp (how did these cold mornings sneak up on me?), and the atmosphere was calm and peaceful. The cows eyed me suspiciously for a moment--then ignored me. I moved along at a brisk pace, just enjoying the beautiful morning. All was well.
As the pond came into view, I just stopped and took in the lovely scene before me. As misty clouds surround majestic mountain tops, so did the will o' the wisp whiteness hover above the water's surface, like steam swirling above hot coffee. It was breathtaking, and I was in awe of God's creation and His greatness! It was definitely a "Julie" moment! But I contained myself, as I didn't want to disturb the cows! ~LOL~ I "drank it in" (to steal another quote from Anne), then I started home.
One of my daughters described it best not long ago. As she looked at her baby brother, she said, "I can hardly stand it; it feels just like "love bubbles" welling up in my heart." I knew just what she meant, and I couldn't have said it better myself. That's real joy, and as I got close enough to home to see the top of the barn and the roof of the house, I felt it too. I guess you could say I felt "happiness bubbles" in my heart. I felt so blessed and content with my life and my family. Now, I'm no Pollyanna....just ask my husband and children...especially before I've had my first cup of coffee. But, at that moment, all I could feel was absolute joy. My heart quickly headed home, and my feet followed! I felt the Lord's presence in a mighty way, and it was a special moment. I knew my husband and children were there at home, waiting on me...well, okay, most of the children were still asleep, but they were still there...safe, happy, and healthy. And in today's world, that's saying a lot! I'm very undeserving, yet so richly blessed! God is good!
I'm glad that amid the "Jonah" days, there will also be "Julie" days to refresh us and remind us that no matter what, God is there...during the good days and the bad, the happy and the sad. He will never leave us nor forsake us! I pray that your weekend will be blessed, and may "happiness bubbles" find their way into your heart today!
These days, I don't spend nearly as much time at the kitchen sink doing dishes as I once did. Now that I have older children, they do most of the washing and/or loading and unloading the dishwasher and cleaning up the kitchen after meals. But I have done my time...standing at the kitchen sink, that is.
Many, many hours during the last 17.5 years have I scoured, scrubbed, washed and rinsed. Was that time wasted? Oh, no. For one thing, I was doing a service for my family, and in turn I was doing a service for the Lord. We have to be faithful in the little things as well as the big things--and most moms I know would consider cleaning up the kitchen 3x a day/ 7x a week a BIG thing!
But I also decided to use that time to pray for my family whenever possible. So what did I do? I put favorite pictures of my husband and children on the window sill above the sink to remind me of the most important and precious people in my life...and that I need to lift them up in prayer daily. I also put a framed teapot print with the words "You Are Special" that was a gift from my husband there, along with a wire-bound "flip" book that contains Bible verses and special messages for mothers. Then there are also three small ornamental teacups on matching hankies that were gifts to my three daughters from a dear relative.
Each time I stand at the sink, I am greeted with happy smiles from days gone by, as well as newer and more current photos. I, too, smile and I remember! Such precious, precious memories. Not only do I pray, but I also realize that the days are passing quickly. Before I know it, my children will be grown and gone...and I will be back at the kitchen sink full-time. So, I am reminded to take each day and make the most of it. As I've heard before (and I think Marybeth said it on her blog not too long ago)--the days are long, but the years are short! I pray I'll keep that in mind, even on those long, hectic days when it seems as though my sink runneth over!
The photos below are of the state fair entries by 15yo "Artist" twin daughter.
Polymer Clay Pumpkins in a Pot
Colored Pencil Drawing of Depression-Era Newsboy
Acrylic Painting - Self-Portrait
Acrylic Painting - Blue Jay
Colored Pencil Drawing - Hummingbird
Polymer Clay Manatee on Seashell
Polymer Clay Pumpkins in a Pot
The photos below are of the state fair entries by 15yo "Photographer" twin daughter.
Color Photography - "Reflections"
Black and White Photography - "Lil' Barefoot Boy"
Altered Photography - "The Busy Bee"
Color Photography - "Dreamin'"
The "photos of the photos" really don't do the originals justice...I will take better close-ups after we get them back when the fair is over. Hopefully, they will have ribbons attached! ~Smile~
I thought both girls did great, and we are so proud of them and the hard work they put forth! Super Job!
I think it's sort of nice to have a face to go with a 'blog'...so after we had a 'photo shoot' today, I decided I'd post a few of the pictures that I thought turned out really well. One of my fifteen-year-old twins took these (and about 80 more!), and I think she did a great job! My husband's aunt is a professional photographer, but her camera is being repaired...and I really wanted to get some new photos now. We'll be going soon to get some done of the baby for his album...but I thought my daughter took some quality shots to add to our collection. I want to use the one shown here as my avatar picture, but for some reason I can't get it to upload there tonight. I'll try again later, but for now...here we are! Don't you just love that "sticky-uppy" hair???
And here's one of Baby's fingers resting on Mommy's hands...I love this one!
I'm a very happily married pastor's wife, former schoolteacher-turned-homeschool mom of six wonderful blessings, and freelance writer--and we live in the great state of Georgia! I'm a southern girl through and through...but most importantly, I'm a child of the King! We have just finished up our twelfth year of homeschooling, and our two oldest have now graduated! This is my place to record thoughts about homemaking, Classical-Charlotte Mason based homeschooling, writing around the fringes of family life, and more...so welcome to my little corner of the world!
It's just not the same without Daddy!
"Miss 7-Year-Old"
