walking the narrow path hand-in-hand with my Jesus, my firefighter husband and my four little wanna-be firefighters http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Sun, 6 Jan 2008 17:45:00 -0600 Sun, 6 Jan 2008 17:45:00 -0600 I have a dear group of friends and we are in our second year of a secret santa gift exchange.  As today is the day to reveal who our secret santa is ... I decided to do it right here.  Last year, my secret santa sent me a sweet assortment of things for the twelve days of Christmas.  This year I was delighted to discover not only that this particular friend had drawn my name again ... but that we had actually drawn each other's names!   Sandy (who blogs about as often as I do) is such a fun secret santa.  Not only does she remember details about you like your favorite colors ... but she remembers hilarious details, like conversations which we had some time ago - and then turns it into a gift.  Without further ado, I present the gifts:   There was a lovely writing about thoughts Sandy has had regarding our friendship and living on opposite sides of the nation, very soft blue and chocolate angora socks, a tin of delicious treats which were very much enjoyed, a blue and chocolate journal (have I mentioned my favorite colors?) ... and, hilariously, a box of Kandoo wipes.  You would have had to be there to get the joke.  But suffice it to say, I am still giggling about it.  I can't believe she BOUGHT these!    Lastly, but not least - this wonderful bag, handmade by Sandy.  She did a wonderful job (take a look at those colors) and it is just the right size for all sorts of uses.  I am the delightful recipient of something I definitely wanted the first time I heard about them.   I want to thank my dear friend, Sandy, for her iron sharpening of iron, her heart for all those around her, her love for the Lord, her perseverance in difficult circumstances, her desire to please Jesus and her dedication to raising her four little girls in Jesus' name.  I love you, Sandy.   P.S. Did anyone happen to notice that I discovered how easy it is to link properly? http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/456535/ Sun, 6 Jan 2008 17:45:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/456535/ Voices.    I hear voices.  We all do, really.  And it can overwhelm us.  The voices of all those who want help in this or that ministry, the voices of the assumptions of what we ought to do, voices of the clothing store that has a sale and the dear friends on my answering machine - and now that we can hear voices from all around the world anytime of the day or night via the internet and all the mailings that show up in our snailboxes ... we should all be committed. [I'm so glad I don't have text messaging!]   In the midst of the noise there are some voices that can get drowned out.  And they are the voices that I most want to want to hear (that's not a typo ... sometimes I have to want to want to).  Mentally, I know these voices are important.  But in practice, I want to act on this knowledge more often this year.  I come now to my theme for this year [kudos to Dana for this wonderful theme idea - links are at the end of my post].   The Voice of God in the Voice of my Family   I didn't want to have a theme, really.  I didn't want some contrived theme-because-that's-what-I-do.  After prayer, I really felt one particular thought impressed on me.  And my husband liked it.   One of my greatest fears is that I will knowingly not do what I know to do.  I fully know I need to heed the voices of my children and husband.  I have often thought that if I were to hire someone to care for my family, there are so many things I would put on the list as non-negotiables ... but do I do them regularly myself?   By God's grace, this year I will do those things that no one else will do for my family - those things which I know matter to my husband and boys.  It will be little ... like giving them vitamins every morning.  It will be big ... like sticking more to a schedule, because the important things will not get done if I am not managed by something.  It will be geared to my own family ... like giving massages to my husband because he loves them.   To me, it speaks of simplicity, beauty, habits, obedience, focus and endurance.    I find complete joy, no guilt whatsoever, total fulfillment, a sense of true peace and feel closest to Jesus ... when I do what I know to do.    My first step is to make a list of those things which I know matter to my own family and will bless them.     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/454484/ Thu, 3 Jan 2008 00:37:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/454484/ I have been sneakily tagged by Rachel over at The Jacobite Rose (and if I can ever figure out how to link in a beautiful way, I will ... but in the meantime: http://jacobiterose.blogspot.com/ ).  Rachel just wants me to post. :)  I'm game. 1. One book that changed your life: Doesn't every book somehow become a part of who you are?  Besides the Bible, which (if you know me) is THE answer to this question, I ... I can't even pick!  This isn't a fair question.  My mind flows with a river of people and places and events, real and fictional, who have changed my life when I entered into theirs.  Sorry, I just can't choose. 2. One book that you have read more than once: There are three which I have read over and over again since I was a little girl:  Heidi, A Little Princess and Little Women.  I can't even fathom how to describe how much I dislike reading "childrens" retellings of these special books.  The words were so beautifully written by the original authors that I am sad to see little children who think they know the story.  They are missing out --- because stories that are penned so eloquently become your best friend.  A quick encapsulation does not.  So ... that's how I feel about my favorite books that get changed.  3. One book that you'd want on a desert island: I agree with Rachel ... a "how to" book of the best kind! 4. One book that made you laugh: Oh, so many!  I loved Rachel's quote.  But I am awful at remembering such things. 5. One book that made you cry: The Calling by Brother Andrew.  Towards the end, he tells the story of a 70 year old pastor who literally stands out his faith.  And it is beautiful. 6. One book that you wish had been written: Is there any book that hasn't been written?  There are so many out there, it is overwhelming. 7. One book that you wish had never been written: My women's history textbook from college.  8. One book you are currently reading: Secrets of the Koran by Don Richardson.  But if you want to read one of his books - do NOT miss Peace Child. http://www.amazon.com/Peace-Child-International-Adventures/dp/1576582892/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198734996&sr=8-1 9. One book you've been meaning to read: All of Charlotte Mason's volumes.   Merry Day-after-Christmas-shop-til-you-drop-play-with-your-new-toys-go-to-bed-early-because-you-worked-so-hard-to-get-ready-for-yesterday!   brooke http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/450765/ Wed, 26 Dec 2007 23:46:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/450765/ Antonia said: "didn't you advise me to let my 3 month old watch baby einstein to stop the screaming?! :)"   I got caught! No one can hide from Antonia's trapdoor memory. I most certainly did give her that advice. And I confess that my second boy (and only baby terror) was allowed to watch fifteen minutes of TV at a time. I had forgotten my sins. hee hee ... Survival does trump certain principles now and again!    I also confess that the day after I posted about not letting my babies have sugar before they turn one ... well, I gave my littlest his first dose three weeks shy of his first birthday.  I was desperate to help him be happy and it didn't even help.  Of course, can you technically say he hasn't had sugar if he spit out every last drop of frozen yogurt and made faces? http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/359244/ Wed, 18 Jul 2007 22:34:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/359244/ Most people think that by having four children I am all four of the following:   A. Very relaxed B. Insane C. A saint (they MEAN insane, but they SAY "You must be a saint") D. I must have my hands full   Before I comment on that, you have to know that I don't think four children is a large family. Now, I admit that we have tied the largest family at both the fire department and our church. People do frequently comment on our family size (see A,B,C & D). But, of my four sisters-in-law, one has nine children and another seven. A number of our friends have a number of children (5-10 ... and I don't mean their ages). So, I don't really consider myself to have a large family.   Now let's talk about A - how relaxed I am. I have found that there are people who assume that I permit my new babies to eat dirt & sugar, watch tv and rarely read them a book. These latter children will all work at McDonalds (we all know what their IQ will be, right?) and will grow up in rags if they don't drown in childhood. {By the way, my ob is the youngest of eight. According to the studies, she should be on the street rather than one of the most popular ob's in town.}   What people don't know is that the more children I have had, the more precious each one has been to me in a way I can't describe. They aren't "one in a crowd" - they are an adorable individual that melts my very heart. Take little Si, for instance. Yes, he's our fourth boy. But boys aren't old hat to me merely because I've seen three. Will I be surprised when he shoots me with his banana? No. But his little self that blows out his lips in a crooked fashion, his four-tooth-grin, his hugs and slobbery kisses, his fears and happinesses are all new to me. Because he is new to me. He isn't just part of the pack. He is Silas. And I know how quickly he will be a toddler, then a preschooler and then married, because even though my oldest is only 8 - that is something I do have ... perspective. When a new baby comes home, I know just how long that "fresh from water" baby skin will last. So, I am not relaxed. I am vigilant to know, absorb and love my babies. I work very hard to parent and I don't see my littles as being disposable or unimportant merely because I have others.   For the record, my babies cannot: ~ watch tv for the first two years (except on accident) ~ eat sugar for one full year (barring what their big brothers feed them on the sly) ~ crawl through the house without being surrounded by books. A benefit to having three big brothers and two parents is that you get MORE books read to you than any previous babe.   They do eat dirt. Just so you know, I have always been "relaxed" ... the first three ate dirt, too.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/357478/ Sun, 15 Jul 2007 22:27:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/357478/ Can you guess what that is?  My three year old said it today.  And it only took me three times to figure it out.  Here's a hint to help you figure it out: Everlasting Gobstoppers.  Does that help?    I just love three-year-old-talk.  Love it.     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/356547/ Fri, 13 Jul 2007 19:26:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/356547/ I'm not a nerd.   Not that I know what one is anyway.    The fact that I can't even get the image to link effectively proves I'm not a nerd.  hee hee So, here's the very nonnerdy way to link and find out if you are nerdier than I.   http://www.nerdtests.com/ft_nq.php   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/353249/ Sat, 7 Jul 2007 14:20:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/353249/ ~ Begin with boys (the more the better). ~ Stir in plenty of water and snakes - at least one for every three boys added.  ~ Mix in free time ... ahem ... "masterly inactivity" a la Charlotte Mason.   Pound in a pail of nails.     Fold in some great books (and enter the contest below while you're at it!)     http://www.biblicalwomanhood.com/2007/07/giveaway-ballantyne-christian-adventure.html   It's really pretty simple. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/353158/ Sat, 7 Jul 2007 09:55:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/353158/ After his precious early months ... after the sweet blessing of a happy baby who crawled late ... just when I've been allowed to frequently lift this little darling ... we present "The month of Silas." Of course, I must mention first that he cemented his place in my heart by being my first baby to have his first word be "Mama."  Yes, "Mama".    One after the other, our little Silas: ~ learned to crawl for real (and I'm not used to it - I keep expecting commando baby to enter the room)  ~ push to a happy sit ~ clap his pudgy hands (proud Sammy taught him how) ~ point a cute finger ~ pull to a stand ~ say "Dada" ~ cruise the furniture ~ and reach around my neck to give me a slobbery baby kiss. I wonder what he will learn tomorrow? It's still June, you know. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/349597/ Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:27:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/349597/ Well, that kind of mud is really nothing.  You should take a peek at THIS. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cobbles/  Look at my sweet friend, Antonia's, second post down.  It's worse.  Way worse.     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/347778/ Tue, 26 Jun 2007 01:09:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brooke30/347778/