Participating this week in The Homemakers Haven Challenge, sponsored by Stephanie over at A High and Noble Calling.
1) Begin Your day in God’s Word
I've been "love dare-ing" my hubby this month. So in addition to my regular Bible reading, I'm also trying to read a chapter of the "Love Dare" book each morning. We pray together as a family before hubby heads out the door.
2) Complete Your Morning Routine
wake up (the hardest part, lol)
get coffee ground and brewing
get breakfast on the table (read Bible while brkfst bakes/cooks)
wake hubby and son
eat breakfast
pray w/family
get hubby out the door, on time (w/lunch and coffee)
get breakfast dishes in dishwasher and run it
mom's coffee/Bible time (if didn't have it earlier)
check email, read blogs, etc (basically the quiet before the storm of the day begins)
Quite a few of our family members (from different states) got together this year, and decided that it would be nice if we could all spend Thanksgiving together. My brother and I had been contemplating meeting up in TX to see my parents and younger siblings anyway, so this sounded like a good idea to us. Since we're all pretty spread out, we had to decide on a central location, which ended up being AZ. Not very central to us over here on the East Coast, but it works for everyone else who lives in CA, AZ, and TX, so alas, we were outnumbered, lol. (Plus my grandparents are in AZ, and they obviously had dibs on who gets to NOT travel, know what I mean?) None of us are exactly raking in the dough during these tough times in our economy, so this has taken some advanced planning to try to make it work. My aunt started sending out the list for what dishes to bring around the first week of Oct., even though the majority of us hadn't even made travel arrangements just yet. We all agreed though, that it is imperative that we at least make this effort to see my grandparents (as we haven't been to visit for quite some time, and our beloved "Papa" is getting along in years...)
For us, it has been touch and go, as to whether we'd actually be able to make it or not. But hubby sat us down and explained that if this trip were gonna happen, it would take the work of us all.. So, we've all been chipping in and doing our part to raise/save $ for this family trip. Since this is a slower time of year for DH's business (construction), he's trying to prep ahead of time by working extra hours, and as much as possible to be prepared (often after Thanksgiving, he goes w/o work almost until the new year) for when we get back. In addition to this, I've reduced our grocery budget down to almost nothing, trying to use our available resources instead (thank God we are still getting a harvest from our garden, and the chickens have not stopped for their fall/winter break from laying, yet.) I've also been selling quite a few things on Ebay and Craigslist, and have been able to get a bit of money saved up.
But, I would have to say that the absolute STAR OF THE SHOW, has been AJ! He took our little family talk to heart, and has taken it upon himself to attempt to single-handedly raise enough $ to go. I'm not sure if the prospect of seeing his former "siblings" (teenage aunts/uncle that lived w/him as siblings for 2 yrs - actually my siblings, lol) and all of our family has been his motivation, or if it was a spin off of our family book study "Created for Work" (AWESOME book for ages 12+ on which I'll do another post on this book w/a review). I'm assuming that it's both. After reading this book together (and we still haven't finished), and hearing of our plight of lack of $ to go on this trip, AJ decided to create a "landscaping" business. He has been maintaining the lawns (cutting, weed-eating, raking, sweeping driveways/in front of curbs, etc) of our neighbors for $20-30/yard. He has taken this job very seriously, purchasing his own gas for the mower, line for the weed-eater, bags for raking, and has checked out several lawn mower repair books from the library in order to provide maintenance to the (3) lawnmowers that we have. The Lord has been truly blessing him in his efforts because it seems like each week, another neighbor will stop him (upon seeing him work on someone's yard) and give him more work. I would daresay the child has earned enough to pay for his own ticket AZ! (Although, he doesn't realize that Daddy's planning on purchasing the tickets and allowing AJ to keep his $ for spending cash and such while on our trip. ) He's worked so hard, and we are so proud of him, and the example that he's setting for homeschoolers to our neighbors.
We know that many family's are caught in a dilemma over whether or not to relay to their children how the economy is affecting them. We sometimes feel like we don't want them to worry their young little hearts over such adult matters. But, we also don't want to sugar coat the world so that our children grow up unaware of tough times that may lie ahead. We have decided that we will allow our son to share in the good times as well as the bad. So that not only will he understand how the world really works, but also be able to find joy in all circumstances. (Being able to fully understand what Paul meant in Phil 4:11-13). We're happy that he's learning that the family is a community, in which we must all do our part to make work. He truly feels valuable as a part of the family unit, and sees that when the time comes, he will be "just like Daddy" in doing what it takes to get out, and try his best to keep his family afloat, even in the toughest of economies.
The other day, while getting showered and ready for the day, I heard some banging noises. This is actually not unusual, because the older gentleman that lives next door, is often hammering at one thing or another daily (he breaks down metal to sell or something). However, as I came out of the bedroom and into my kitchen, I noticed that the noises sounded a little closer than usual. I had the windows open on the backside of the house (where the chicken coop is) and it sounded as if the banging and screeching (at this point) sounds were coming from right outside of the window! Concerned, I went over to the window, while at the same time calling AJ's name to see if he was anywhere out there and could check on the girls for me, and investigate the source of the racket. Then he answered, and told me that HE was the source of the racket ...
All of those "motherly" thoughts began to run through my head of "oh my goodness, what is that child breaking now?" and "ugh! let me go out here and see what the damage is this time", etc... So, I throw on my outside adornments, gave myself a pep talk of how I'd try not to yell, and even grabbed the camera (mainly to have proof of what happens when an only child is left to his own devices for only a few moments, but saying out loud, that I may as well take some pics of the fall crops coming in). So I take a deep breath, round the corner (slowly, like a stealth ninja), and I see this...
He took it upon himself to build a latch for the chicken pen, "because Daddy hadn't gotten around to it", and he was "concerned about their safety".
Here's a pic of it before (yes, that tiny little yellow thing at the foot of the gate is what we've used for the last 3 mos to "secure" the gate, lol - it only gave us security, NOT the chickens!) (and yes, that's a chicken on the OUTSIDE of the pen ):
And after:
I must say he did a darn good job too, but man I felt lousy for all the thoughts that ran through my head! I was however, one proud momma!
Soooooooooo, one of our biggest fears became a reality this past Friday, and put a damper on our weekend. My suspicions were confirmed after many weeks of wondering and waiting (for eggs!), when we found out that my hubby's beloved little "hen", Nugget, is a rooster!!! So the clock is ticking as we scramble to find a place for that little guy, that is as FAR away from our home as possible. If there is any steadfast rules we Suburban Homesteaders agree on its NO ROOSTERS!! He has not gotten his manly voice completely, yet, so they are just half-hearted "wannabe" crows (hey, maybe he does belong here w/the wannabe, lol), but believe me it is just a matter of days before it becomes the real thing. An anyone that really knows about chickens know that roosters do not just crow at the break of day, and that's it. Oh no! They crow ALL DAY LONG!!! And that's what he spends all day doing now, practicing for his big crowing debut.
Oh, man. I don't think the State Trooper next door, will be too happy on that day.....
I got a comment on my last post from 2boysmom about limiting my son's time w/that particular cousin. And I gotta tell you, I couldn't agree more!. His time has been limited for quite a while now.
We began limiting his time w/this particular cousin with the very first signs of growing pains, that's why I noted the little comments my SIL was saying back in 5th grade. She thought some of it was cute, and other things she just thought was part of being a boy. Well, I beg to differ. I will not just sit by idly while my son just does whatever, and dismiss it as "oh its just part of growing up" or "man, I can't believe it's time for this already". Those are the types of comments she makes about his behavior, as if she has to adjust her life according to his whims and fancy's because it's just *time* for that particular behavior to start. From the very beginning, I saw her take on that mentality, and I knew that there would be major changes in her son because of it. That's when I began to warn my son, with the old mother's cry, "you just watch the changes that you'll see in that boy when he hits middle school", and now he admittedly sees them. It's very sad, but we are glad that we made the decision when we did to lessen the time that those two spent together (only a few times/year for the last couple of years).
I hate that we have to be that way with family, but I do believe that's why Jesus was so clear on *who* exactly the word "family" included. So that we wouldn't feel so obligated to be around certain people, simply because we share the same blood. Sometimes, it seems that we can get so wrapped up in, "but they're family", instead of truly realizing the effects that being around them may have on our/our child(ren)'s spirituality, that we end up cuttting off our nose to spite our face, know what I mean?
While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.” But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
Matt.12:46-50
"If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple."
Luke 14:26-27
"Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
Luke 12:49-53
***Of course, we convince ourselves that we are having compassion, or are "witnessing" to them (I mean, how will they ever get saved w/o us ). But fortunately, Jesus was quite clear on how we handle that as well. And it was not from spending unlimited amounts of time w/them. If we don't monitor time spent with non believers, even if they're family, someone will begin to change. And if its not them, then guess who?***
Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them." Mark 6:10
NOTE: all scripture emphasis (bold/underline/italics) added by me
Today we were invited to my sister in law's house for a small BBQ (just our fam and hers). She has 2 boys one, age 8, and the other is the same age as my son (12 - they were born only a month apart). Being so close in age, the two older boys had always been rather close, and enjoyed each other's company. AJ could not wait for family gatherings, so that the two of them could run off, and ride bikes, play hide-and-seek, etc. For quite some time, they even lived right around the corner from us, so they just went back and forth over the two houses, especially in the summer. When my SIL was going through a rough time, with a divorce and other issues, the boys were practically living with us. I would get them dressed, feed them, and take them to school in the morning, and often the school would even call me when problems arose. The boys were very loving, playful, and my son enjoyed spending time with them. Eventually my SIL got back on track and her and the kids moved about an hour away. The boys began seeing each other less, yet still relished in the few rare occasions when the families got together. And then it happened...
Public Middle School
I knew it would, and I tried to prep my son for it but the inevitable split began. It was ever so slight. On the first couple of visits we had we began to notice little things. My son would come back complaining about being teased about homeschool/personal beliefs. My SIL would say things like "I don't know his [her son's?!] email address", and "he's got a little crush", "he doesn't want to be seen w/me" during his 5th/6th grade years... Then as time progressed (7th grade) she'd say "he's talking to some girl on his MySpace", "he heard that he could get mono from kissing, so he asked me to have him vaccinated", and "he wants to go to the movies with his little girlfriend, and asked if I could drop them off/pick them up".... All the while she is talking in a rather everyday tone, as if this is just the way it is at that age (12- remember?) and my mouth is on the floor.
Fast forward to today. While catching up on the past couple months w/my SIL, and my hubby chatting and watching the game with her boyfriend. I would often notice her 12 yo come in and out of the kitchen by himself, and I'd often ponder, "that's weird, where's AJ"? Then whenever I'd see AJ, I'd notice something that piqued my interest further, he'd be running around playing and having a good time...with the 8 year old! I only saw the two twelve year olds' in the same vicinity maybe once or twice. I finally asked someone where the kids were, and they said the my son had been playing legos in the 8yo's room, and the 12yo was in his room alone.
So on the way home I asked AJ the magic question. "Are you beginning to notice a difference in his behavior?" And he spilled the beans, he said that all the older boy did the entire time was text on his cell phone, and play video games. Every once in a while he would attempt to muscle his little bro and AJ into playing some sort of game of his choosing, which usually involved him pounding his little brother. When AJ would refuse, or suggest a more fair way of playing, he would result to name calling, hitting, or just leaving. In AJ's own words, "I don't understand Mama, he just seems so 'cocky', he's not any fun anymore, I'd rather play with [his little cousin] instead". He told us that he was called the "f" word (3 letter, meaning gay), and the "p" word (then he clarified, the "p-e" word, mom--5 letters, indicating the male pelvic region) over and over throughout the day. When my son threatened to tell his parents, he told him to go ahead, he wouldn't get in trouble. How sad that these words that my son still feels are as bad as any 4 letter word, are tossed around so freely.
So, once my son came to the conclusion that he would get along better with the younger son, we commended him for his assessment. Then we once again reminded him of the conversation we'd had just a couple years ago. As his friends progress through the "grade levels" of the public school system (not that it couldn't happen among HSers, but all the more, we feel, w/PSers), he will undoubtedly see greater and greater changes in the way that they live, vs. the way that he/we have chosen to live. When those times come, we pray that the Lord will continue to provide him with the strength to act as he did today. Standing up for those that are being wronged, and staying true to who he is in Christ.
Forced maturity, just another sad reality of the public school system....
I'm a wannabe in every sense of the word. I wanna be good enough to make it to heaven, but Jesus died because I will never be. I wanna be a mom of ten living on a farm in the middle of nowhere, training my girls to honor God & their husbands, by being content, happy homemakers...yet God has seen fit to bless us with the opportunity to help rear for Him two boys (22 and 12), in the middle of suburbia ;) I wanna be a helpmate to my husband in every way possible, yet more often than not, I'm in his way, lol. I wanna be the perfect parent, that raises perfect children, yet I am constantly humbled by the fact that only He is perfect, and I must allow him to lead. I wanna be the ultimate caretaker of my temple, and the pinnacle of health to all around me, yet no amount of healthy eating/exercise keeps me from dropping to my knees often, in need of healing from the Great Physician. I could go on and on about the the things that I am trying to be, but I invite you instead to come and join me as I travel on my path toward virtue... ~Proverbs 31:10-31~
... 
let me go out here and see what the damage is this time", etc... So, I throw on my outside adornments, gave myself a pep talk of how I'd try not to yell, and even grabbed the camera (mainly to have proof of what happens when an only child is left to his own devices for only a few moments, but saying out loud, that I may as well take some pics of the fall crops coming in). So I take a deep breath, round the corner (slowly, like a stealth ninja), and I see this...
):
I was however, one proud momma! 
So the clock is ticking as we scramble to find a place for that little guy, that is as FAR away from our home as possible. If there is any steadfast rules we Suburban Homesteaders agree on its NO ROOSTERS!! He has not gotten his manly voice completely, yet, so they are just half-hearted "wannabe" crows (hey, maybe he does belong here w/the wannabe, lol), but believe me it is just a matter of days before it becomes the real thing. An anyone that really knows about chickens know that roosters do not just crow at the break of day, and that's it. Oh no! They crow ALL DAY LONG!!! And that's what he spends all day doing now, practicing for his big crowing debut. 
). But fortunately, Jesus was quite clear on how we handle that as well. And it was not from spending unlimited amounts of time w/them. If we don't monitor time spent with non believers, even if they're family, someone will begin to change. And if its not them, then guess who?*** 
