I was thinking in the shower this morning. (It’s about the only place a mother can have a few quiet minutes with her thoughts.) I was thinking about how having another newborn around the house will be so nice. Our life changes and busyness have clouded my mind the past few months and robbed me of some of my creativity and effectiveness. The sickness I felt made it hard for me to focus on anything but just getting through the day. But I’ve been around a few newbies lately and have been reminded of those precious few weeks when life is both calm and restless. The house is often quiet, except when it’s not. And the smell of baby pervades.

I remembered that I was inspired to write a poem when my first girlie was born. (And not again since then!) I remembered the peace that came over me when I watched her sleep. Have you ever watched a newborn sleep? They run the gamut of emotions: huge smiles, then looks of worry. And they make all sorts of strange shapes with their lips. It’s just a fun way to pass a little time. That is, before you pass out from lack of sleep yourself. Still, the experience is definitely worth your time.

Glimpses of a mystery dream will flit across her face,
Pleasures, fears we’ll never know, and waking will erase.
Smiles that melt my heart; who are those smiles for?
I wonder what she’s thinking and when I will know more,
About this little one in front of me who sleeps,
So restlessly, peacefully, beautifully.

She cannot tell us what’s inside because she cannot speak.
But every day we spend with her we get a tiny peak,
Into her world of little care and far less complication.
Our job seems huge and so we pray with fear and trepidation,
That we will teach her important things,
Like love, wisdom and Truth.

Yes, I think our house needs one more baby in it. This crazy crew needs another member. And I am finally looking forward.

I recently had a conversation with an amazing and funny 12 year old named Aedan. It’s probably not all that unusual, but hearing him use the word ‘oblivious’ in casual conversation was just so charming. Anyway, he happens to be a budding artist (you can see some of his work here). My husband and I quizzed him on how he would encourage a younger kiddo (our 6 year old is quite obsessed with his pens and markers) who loves to draw. His advice? In so many words…

1. Find a picture you like and try to copy it.

2. Practice a lot. Just keep drawing and drawing and drawing.

I also met the fellow that illustrated this scene from The Hobbit, Justin Gerard, aged not-12. So, we have a pretty good source to aspire to. (Aedan also had plenty to say about his admiration for Justin’s work.)

Click to see image enlarged.

This may seem daunting, especially if you have littles who are, well…little. So another great option would be to find some of your favorite picture books and let your little artist choose a picture he or she likes. We love Arnold Lobel, of Frog and Toad fame. This is a bit more accessible, yes?

Obviously, there are just so many styles of art out there. My daughter is more drawn to “girlie” stuff (like you might see from Sarah Jane ) and bright colors, as seen here at Elvie Studio. The main thing is to provide inspiration for our children in any area of interest. Set them up for success and enjoyment. And, even if they are trying copy a Justin Gerard illustration, help them laugh off the idea that they can really copy Justin –at least now. Remind them it’s a journey and big part of the whole thing is to have fun. The Louvre can wait.

The Hubs and I spent last weekend in Nashville, TN with lots of lovely folks…creative types, at a thing called Hutchmoot (sort of a conference/retreat/hang-out for writers, musicians and artists hosted by The Rabbit Room). That’s not intimidating at all, right? Hmm. Well, that’s not exactly how I looked at it to begin with. I went into the whole experience determined to keep Proverbs 17:28 fresh in my brain. “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” My translation: Don’t say anything stupid and make yourself or your husband (or yourself! ) look like an idiot. I’m not really calling myself a fool, I just wasn’t sure I could speak intelligently among all these bookish, artsy types. I even cringe to post this after reading such beautiful things from some of my new friends about their reflections of Hutchmoot. Pride, be gone!

See, I like to read, but don’t really consider myself “well-read.” I don’t know much about poetry, although I like to listen to it. And music…I either like it or I don’t, but please don’t ask me to expand on that any further. So you can see why heading into a weekend where all these things are the focus can be rather intimidating to a person whose main focus these days is diapers, potty training, 1st grade math and keeping chaos at bay. Still, I took away so much and have a heart that is full. All my fears were unfounded and my misgivings melted away within minutes of arriving. I’m pretty sure they were gone completely the moment Andy Osenga laughed wholeheartedly when I referred to him as “Dr. Spaceman.” (If you don’t know about his spaceship project, well, just go on over and check it out. And there really is a spaceship. I saw it with my own two eyes!)

There were so many moments I will treasure and take with me…so many thoughts that will continue to inspire, but since I’m not the writer in the family, bullet points are all you’ll get from me for now. After all, before I’m even done writing this, someone will have peed in the floor, spilled a drink, called China or be desperately seeking my help in finding a matching sock. (Heck, any old sock will do at this point!)

So here goes:

• Finally meeting a friend in person and finding out she was just as cool and just as much of a kindred spirit as I had imagined.
• Square Peg show–phenomenal, all of it. So excited for Jill Phillips to make her new album.
• Meeting new friends! (Dawn, AshleyE, Kristen, Laura, Laura B, Breann, Lindi, Kate, Evie and her mom/dad, Aaron, Deb, Tom, Dave, Leanne, Tricia, Travis, the Boggs’, Janna, Jonathan and Lou Alice, Jen, Heather, Mike, so many more that I wish I’d had more time to connect with…)
• Beautiful and unexpected gifts.
• Singing kids’ songs in a room full of grown-ups, who were unabashedly doing the hand motions.
• The Children’s Lit. talk and being inspired to provide an environment of wonder for my kids through story/words. Jennifer Trafton of Mount Majestic fame spoke so beautifully about teaching our kids about joy and hope and to see that war/death, etc. are but “stains on the floor of a giant ballroom.” There is a bigger story. Holy cow. Not the first or last time that tears welled up in me this weekend. (Oh, and my husband’s pee pee jokes. He provided the laughing kind of tears. He’s good for that.)
• Seeing husby with “his people.”
• Jason Gray–”There’s No Thief Like Fear,” among other great songs. Booyah! You said it, homey.
• THE FOOOOOD. Evie Coates, you sure know how to win over a pregnant lady…and about 140 other people. She’s a gifted artist in the kitchen as well as out. It was all so good, but my favorites were the Panzanella (yes, I just Googled the spelling of that), Salmon/Apple Salad, Shrimp w/ Orzo, the breakfast of cheeses (“I’m just crackers about cheese!” from Wallace and Gromit–tee hee), breads, spreads, yogurt and yummy granola, Focaccia w/ goat cheese, and the Israeli couscous. YUM.
• The Poetry Talk. Need I say more? Well done, Sam and Andrew!
• Sally Lloyd-Jones‘ wonderful (seriously–full. of. wonder.) presentation. Building churches with books…more tears.
• Sunday morning at Church of the Redeemer, a beautiful time of worship.
• Knowing my kids were being well taken care of.
• Realizing, upon coming home that I am surrounded right here at home by many inspirational and creative people–my closest friends and family. I’m so thankful, because I’m coming to understand that not everyone has that.
• Watching/listening to my kidlets enjoy the new Slugs and Bugs stuff, which is where the title of this post comes from, in case you think I’m just a weirdo who really thinks she’s a robot. (I know I give that impression.)

So, there you have it. I’m sure that this experience will continue to change me. I know I will think of a bunch more highlights over the next few weeks and months, but for now I’m going to continue to process and enjoy what happened over those four blessed days.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything from my friend, P, who graciously and at my request sent me a letter of parenting advice shortly after my first child was born. I’ve gone back and read over it numerous times and started recording it here on the blog sometime last year. I love sharing what has been helpful to us in our journey and as with anything I write here, want to make it clear that I don’t think I have everything figured out. I still feel like there is so much to learn and I reserve the right to change tactics when things aren’t working anymore. Still, I hope you find this helpful and can adapt it to your own situation, if it seems appropriate to you.

I’m pretty sure this is the last bit I have to post from P. And I kept putting it off, honestly, because for a long time I wasn’t sure if I agreed. So, this post has been sitting in my queue for months, but here it is.

Never let kids be disrespectful or display bad attitudes.  I told mine they may not

be happy with me on the inside, but don’t let it show on the outside, and never let them

talk to me with a bad tone of voice.

See how good I am at this? Just kidding.

I have to admit I struggled with this one for a while. I wondered if not accepting the display of bad attitudes would somehow promote hypocrisy in my children. Would they hide their bad attitudes from me? Would they let them fester and rot inside? Would it somehow put a wall between us? A few months ago, I read this, from John Piper and it all sort of made sense in my mind. See what you think:

No parents have the luxury of teaching their child nothing while they wait for his regeneration. If we are not requiring obedience, we are confirming defiance. If we are not inculcating manners, we are training in boorishness. If we are not developing the disciplines of prayer and Bible-listening, we are solidifying the sense that prayerlessness and Biblelessness are normal.

Inculcated good habits may later become formalistic legalism. Inculcated insolence, rudeness, and irreligion will likely become worldly decadence. But by God’s grace, and saturated with prayer, good habits may be filled with the life of the Spirit by faith. But the patterns of insolence and rudeness and irreligion will be hard to undo.

Wow.  If we’re not teaching one thing, then we’re teaching something else. I guess I just never looked at it like that before. Now, what to do about it?

We have realized that by communicating with our children, our fears about what was going on inside were slowly starting to subside. When conflict arises, we’ve sort of developed a series of questions to ask our kids after the lecturing/discipline has occurred, like: “Are you feeling sad or angry about all this? Because it’s okay to feel that way.” and “Is there anything you would like to ask or tell us? Because we want to hear you and help.”It’s easier for one of our kids to respond to this than it is for the other, but with a little probing, we can usually end a conflict with contented kiddos.

One evening our 5 yr old came down after everyone had gone to bed and said he had a question. He respectfully told us that he didn’t quite understand why his older sister got to read in bed and he didn’t. He said it seemed unfair and he just wanted to tell us. We had the sweetest time of explaining our decision to him and sent a happy boy back to his bed for a good night’s sleep.

So thanks, P…for making me think and for loving me enough to share your thoughts.

Things are looking up! I’m feeling so much better these days. Still so much to do around the new “home place,” But I am finally  feeling like doing most of it. Granted, I’m moving at a slower pace than I prefer (this blog post has been in the works for weeks!), but I’m learning to roll with it and get the rest I need.  My wonderful family is making that happen for me. I’m so blessed.

We won’t officially start our school year until after the hubs and I come back from Hutchmoot, but I can’t avoid getting lost in Ann’s posts and the resources she links to. The goal in our home really is to have an atmosphere of learning all the time. But that certainly requires me to avoid procrastinating. The more I mother these little ones, the more I find out how selfish I am. But by God’s grace, I will progress to be less so, because they are such beautiful gifts to be treasured. Well worth my time and energy.

I loved reading all about vintage sheets, from a new-to-me decorating blog called Farm Fresh Decor. Also, making one of these cute scrappy necklaces from Cakies is on my to do list. Quick and easy projects are all that are on my radar presently.

Oh, and check out the newest use I found for a magic eraser! My son’s filthy shoes were instantly restored to cleanliness…

Bright and shiny camo-goodness.

So that’s the deal around these parts. I’m alive and well, but these big life changes make it difficult to maintain my typical blogging prowess.  I love hearing from you lovely readers though, so don’t be strangers!

Here’s just a little glimpse into the last several weeks. Just a few of the thoughts that I actually had the presence of mind to type out. Don’t know when I’ll get back to regular blogging, but I thought you’d like to know that things are coming together around here. Slowly, but surely. I’m learning patience and that my body needs more rest than my mind thinks it does. God is good, as always, and continues to meet our needs above and beyond what we could ask or imagine.

*****

Two days before we moved, I was so so sick. Couldn’t even move or the yucks would get complete control. Feeling awfully sorry for myself…

I sit, sick and tired. Literally sick, and very very tired. I feel sad that I can’t take my kids to the pool or story hour or small group this week and that I can’t do my work around here. If I can just be still, I can keep the nausea at bay. I wonder if everyone in my family is suffering because I am temporarily immobile…

Meanwhile, the kids are laughing hysterically in the next room because they’ve made up a game that involves jumping on the couch. Then it’s quiet and I rouse myself to take a peek. I need to make sure all is well. What do I see? A big pile of blankets with the younger two listening to big sister read them a story.

Husband comes home with good eats and everyone is content but me, it seems. I need some perspective.

Why can’t I let these unrealistic expectations go? Why can’t I just rest and let everything be? Granted, there are still squabbles to be dealt with and diapers to change and mouths to feed and a MOVE to be made, but it will all get done. One day at a time.

Thankfulness is in my heart, but not in my mind yet. There’s still a struggle going on there. I cry for no reason, but it feels good and then I claim His grace once again and acknowledge His goodness to us. It’s a daily occurrence.

Friends from all over the place, that I’ve known at different times in my life have encouraged me and I see His mercy in that. Even as I write this, an email that says “I prayed for you today.” floats into my box to bless my heart.

*****

For those of you who are wondering, the past few weeks have been extremely full. We truly felt all of the prayers that you, our friends, were praying on our behalf. The day of our move was hot and exhausting, but all the help we received made things move right along and we accomplished everything we needed to and more. I was not nearly as sick as I had been, even the day before, and I am starting to have more days when I actually feel pretty good.  And I’ll take “pretty good” anytime–believe me.

Okay, so here we are, moving out of the home we’ve lived in for the past 8 years. It felt so big when we bought it. (And it was big, compared to the trailer we had been occupying for the first 3 years of our marriage.) We thought there was no way we could ever fill it up!

It’s the only home our children have ever known and I’d like to do something to make a memory of  this place that has been our haven. Do any of you have any creative ideas for a photo we could take or memento we could make to mark this big change for our family?

We have loved this house, this land, this cozy refuge from life’s storms. We’re excited about the future, but a teeny bit sad to say good-bye. What would you do to keep a little memory of your house?

Remember Sarah?

She and her husband are on their way to Ethiopia to meet their little son. Please join me in praying for them as they continue their journey of adoption.  Here’s a great place to start! And here is a prayer you can follow along and agree with, from one of the elders from their church.

Father, we all are humbled by the salvation you give to us so freely.  Thank you for painting such a beautiful picture of this gift in the life of the Perrys. Please grant them safety and peace and rest on their journey. Bless the time they have with their new son and give them smooth and quick interactions with all the necessary authorities along the way. We have seen your hand at work in so many of the steps they have taken so far and we look forward to seeing how you work out all the details to follow. All of this, in the name of your son…

Are you tired of wondering about watermelon? Me too. Partly because my previous post has been there for way too long, and partly because of the olive sized human being that is now living in my uterus. That’s right, I literally cannot stand watermelon any more. It maketh me sicketh, along with just about any other food item you can think of. Boo hoo. But YAY for new life!!

We are enjoying our summer and anticipating a couple of big changes, one of which is the new baby and the other, a new place to dwell.  All the hard work to transform our place really paid off and the Lord blessed us with the quick sale of the house. I’m not sure we’ve ever been as busy as we are now, so thanks for understanding my absence! I can’t wait for things to settle down a bit so I can share a little more with you about all that is happening…

I can’t honestly think of a time when watermelon does not appeal to me. My husband disagrees. He says it’s too much work and I have yet to get him to try a seedless one in order to put that argument to rest. Oh well…he’ll just have to miss out.

How many things can you do with watermelon? I’m not sure, but I have seen some pretty fun things around the web as of late. We love to serve it up on straw skewers inspired, as always, by creative friends. Cutting it into shapes is also fun!

Something else we accidentally discovered recently while on a little picnic adventure is that pretzel sticks make great edible toothpicks/watermelon stabbers. The teeny bit of salty with the sweet sweet melon is an added bonus to the fun of stabbing and grabbing. YUM!

The watermelon popsicles pictured in this post look so easy and festive.

So, watermelon has been a staple in our fridge this summer, how about yours?