Sowing and Reaping

What started as this, four months ago...

Ended as this, last night...

Praise the Lord for seeds, soil, sun, and rain!!

May I just say...

...how much I am enjoying reading the Little House series to my children?! What a blast from the past! It's been so much fun!

My own Little House books were worn and used when I got them, long ago. The covers fell off some of them and I have since disposed of them somewhere along the line, knowing that I would purchase a new set with my own children.

I noticed that just this year Harper Collins released new versions of these classics but with "photography" covers and without Garth Williams illustrations. (Viewable here.) What a travesty! While the new books do look adorable, and I do enjoy a lovely photo (these covers look especially charming in a "Road to Avonlea" kindof way), we're talking about classic American children's literature. The Garth Williams illustrations were what we were raised on! You can't change that and call it "classic." :)

So earlier this summer, I purchased this set, as well as the remaining titles in the series from the same publishing date. Because...they took the Williams illustrations and....(drumroll)...colorized them!! These books are absolutely breathtaking and soooo reminiscent of my childhood, I could have just eaten them up when they arrived on my doorstep! And what could be better than the originals with full color? So beautiful!

We have been thoroughly enjoying making our way through these books! We're part-way through Farmer Boy (the 2nd title) now. And may I just say that Almanzo has quite an appetite! Nine-year old farmer boys in the middle of winter can eeeeeat! I find myself growing hungry everytime we read his delicious descriptions of his meals and snacks (an open doughnut jar, available at all times...can you imagine?!) It seems that all he talks about is work and food. Twenty-first century children are such slackers compared to Almanzo. :)

And now I have grand ideas of developing unit studies on the Little House series and doing all sorts of fun projects with the kids!! We have enjoyed the First Little House picture books for years and have collected some of the other, newer titles as well. I was excited at how ready my children were for the real deal, and Scott, too, has read aloud some of these books. (He admits that he is reading for the doughnut descriptions. Haha!)

Just thought I would share some of what we have been reading. You can check out the beautiful full-color pictures on Amazon...I didn't want to infringe on the copyright. :)

From the Organization Department...

Here is a neat, little idea I picked up somewhere that helps in one cluttery deparment of our household, and that is- papers. Namely, Lily's artwork, coloring pages, SS papers, school papers, etc.


She LOVES this type of work, but we accumulate so much of it that I could literally wallpaper your house and mine with all of her artwork. Oh, the trees that this household kills. Soooo, something has to be done. And that normally consists of me waiting until she goes to bed, and then "hiding" the papers in the trashcan. Because if they are just thrown in and not hidden under something, the next morning, when she lifts that lid to throw something away, you will experience guilt like you have never known in conjunction with a waterfall of tears. :) Now, she does know that we don't keep them all, but it's a lot easier on everyone if she doesn't visualize their demise. So the basic plan for papers is: Don't keep most of them. :)


But what about those nice ones that you want to keep...you know the special treasures..."cards" or "special pictures" she made for us? I had collected a bunch of them, but didn't want to just stick them in a file somewhere...what's the point of keeping them, if they're simply going to be filed away? So, I purchased Lily and Joey each a binder, and I bought a big box of page protectors at Sam's.

And I slid in all of their keepsake papers, as well as a few other things like Sunday School awards, etc. Now, they have a neat, organized place for their papers. And we all enjoy sitting and paging through them. The kids especially like seeing their artwork and chattering on about them. It's been good for Lily, especially, to see her own progress in the art department. Plus, it's a visual way for her to see that we really don't throw out everything. :)


This is working nicely for me, too. I can keep some empty page protectors in the back. And then when I'm hemming and hawing over which papers to keep, I can imagine how quickly things will fill up in the binder(s) etc, and make better decisions, rather than just stashing them for later. I also like to write in pencil on the paper, something about the picture...the occasion, maybe something they dictated to me about the picture, and the date.

Here is a tracing that Scott and Lily did of their hands several years ago. Of course, you can tell it was a Daddy-inspired project because it appears that when they were finished, they folded it up into a paper airplane.



And I love this family portrait from when I was pregnant with Grace. Don't you love my belly? Motherhood is nothing if not completely un-glamorous!


Poor Joey is not much for arts and crafts at this point. His notebook has very few entries. Here is his very first SS coloring page. When he realized how slim his binder was, he went right to the kitchen to "color something." I think building blocks and train tracks are more his media-of-choice. :)


So there you have the fruits of my organizational labors these days.

Most of those labors have been spent doing my Super-Duper cleaning in the church nursery, and some work I have done to the decor of Scott's office. He recently switched offices, and hired his "assistant" to touch the place up a bit. We had to re-hang his diploma and licenses. Plus, I purchased some nice Scripture artwork and a verse plaque or two, and a desk accent with a really great George Washington quote about integrity and honesty (sooo needed in the work world). We hung everything yesterday and I put out some greenery and re-arranged his photo frames and put out a candy basket (I want my husband to have a good rapport with his co-workers, after all!) I think it turned out well. But Scott is swimming in projects this month, and honestly, there were so many papers, and stacks, and plans everywhere, that there really was no point in taking before and after photos...you couldn't see the forest through the plans. :) He really likes it, and that's all that matters.

I think this disorganized post had something to do with organization, so I had better close now. :) Ta-ta!

I'm very sad to report...

When Granddaddy came to stay with us at the beginning of the month, he took the kids to a local chocolatier/ice cream place for "ice cream" or if you are a Mommy..."for dark chocolate." :) I just shared a scoop of homemade strawberry ice cream with Gracie, that day, and was quite content to bring home a box full of dark chocolates. But alas, I'm sad to report that there are only a few lonely, little dark chocolate cashew clusters laying in the bottom of that big, practically-empty box. **sigh** I guess I'll get through my days, somehow...

Here is a picture of my three cuties from that day. I love Joey, even though he doesn't like to have his picture taken, sometimes. :)

Where is your faith?

"Jesus has a very special love for you. As for me, the silence and the emptiness is so great that I look and do not see, listen and do not hear." — Mother Teresa to the Rev. Michael Van Der Peet, September 1979

I have been absolutely astounded to read (in articles like this and this) of Mother Teresa's inner feelings and struggles as she labored for others for so many years. And I keep coming away with a heartbreaking feeling of tragedy. How sad to have spent your life doing so many good works, and yet to have battled so sharply on the inside about what really matters most...the destiny and fellowship of one's own soul! I am amazed at each poignant record of what she was wrestling with...and recoil, mainly because it reminds me of my own inner battles before I came to know Christ. My memory vividly recalls many times that I felt my prayers were "bouncing off the ceiling" as I attempted communication with Him. "Why did He seem so far away? Why can't I get through?"...I thought to myself many times.

I praise Him that I DID come to know the peace of soul that accompanies a relationship with the Lord! What abiding joy is available to me, as a converted child of the King! And how sad that Mother Teresa longed for it so sharply for so long, and seemingly never found it.

But what is almost as tragic is a Christian who has Christ living within, and doesn't live like it, doesn't communicate with Him like we should, doesn't realize the power of Christ in our lives...how utterly sad. And shameful. Where is my faith? If I am a new creature, where is the difference?

The last several weeks have been a distinct test of faith in my life. The Lord has been speaking to me clearly through my daily walk with Him, as well as through sermons, lessons, friends sharing words of Scripture, songs, and even my children, at times. :) I have been reminded daily that my faith lies squarely and solely in the Lord. If not for Him, I would be able to do nothing.

This morning, I read this passage in II Chronicles 20, "...for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee."

I don't know about you, but there are many days where my strength seems very small or gone completely, when faced with the particular "great company" that is in my path on that day. Neither "know I what to do" most of the time, but I am amazed by the leading of the Lord each and every time I call out to Him asking for guidance. He's always there. Always listening. Always working. Always answering. He never fails. I don't have to seek for him earnestly and not be heard. I don't have to long for Him behind a "mask" or a "cloak" and not find my heart's desire. He's real and alive and vibrant in my life! As long as...my "eyes are upon thee." That is the key, isn't it? As long as the focus of my faith is on the Lord and not my own personal agenda, He will not suffer my foot to be moved. Hallelujah! What about you? Where is your focus during the storm of life that you are in? As long as it's in Christ, you're standing on bedrock. Amen!

A Day at the Zoo

Our M&M (Mommy and Me) group went to the zoo today! We had lots of fun with our friends. Here is a picture of my three cuties...

More photos from the day can be found here. Enjoy!

School in a Crate

I wasn't going to "officially" start school until next week, but at the last minute, I decided to dive in yesterday and begin. And it was a fabulous start! Lily loves all of her new curriculum and worksheets and really enjoyed her first day. I'm really pleased with the curriculum choices we made this year (thus far). I was a little leery when ALL of these boxes arrived a few weeks after the homeschool conference, where I ordered it. But, the best way to tell if something is workable is by just plain doing it. So my initial thoughts are that I am going to really like what we chose. At least Lily likes it so far. :)

And here is what I organized ALL of those books/boxes down to...this is what we use on a daily basis. Isn't it cute? Lily (and I) love the pinkness! Why, oh why does the color pink motivate me??! :)



Anyhow, off for day #2 of school on this rainy August morning. Perhaps it was the weather that made me feel "fallish" yesterday and prompted me to start school? Either way, I know the Lord had a hand in it, as His timing is always perfect!!

How Happy??

Lily and Joey like to "wake Gracie up" in the mornings...ie go in her room before I get there to get her out of the crib. My little "Mama's girl" is often less than thrilled at seeing their faces, as opposed to her Mommy's. But she is warming up to their cheerful greetings. And this morning, when I followed them in a few minutes later, Lily said, "Mommy, guess what?! This morning Gracie is as happy as a Clarke!" :)

Here's a random sampling from Joey's vocabulary... Recently, he colored one of those Color-Your-Own-Mugs that his Sunday School teacher gave him. He was quite pleased with it that day, and when we woke up from his nap, he wanted a drink and asked, "Where's my plug?!" :)

And since I'm on a random theme (bwahaha!), I will pleasure you with the details of my dental appointment this morning. No, I'm only kidding. (Aren't you glad?) But I will say that good genes have persisted and three babies later, I am still cavity-free. Amazing! And please realize that there is not a shred of pride in that statement, because other than regular brushing (and too "maniacal" at that, according to the hygienist), my dental routine is rather "low-key" you might say. You know the occasional white strips, but practically zero flossing. I hope these genes have passed to our offspring.

Lily had her first ever dentist appointment, and she enjoyed it quite a bit. Anything that makes her feel like a big girl, is tops in her book.

Anyhow, there was enough randomness for one post. I'm off to dig up something for dinner. Toodle-loo!

Speaking Sunset

Tonight the kids and I went to the library. When we approached Hour 13 Since Daddy Left for The Day, I decided it was time to pack up and get out of the house for a little bit. :) Thank the LORD for a beautiful evening and a free place nearby to escape to. We played at the library for a little bit, gawked at the turtles and fish, and tapped the side of the hamsters' cage to wake them (shhh...don't tell the librarian!). We left and walked around the fountain outside to kill time, and listened to the bells play "Onward Christian Soldiers"...one of the benefits of living in a small town. :)

With still more time to kill, we decided to drive around town to take a "tour." From the parking lot of the highschool, Lily pointed out the most gorgeous sunset...you know the type...a flaming, enormous ball sinking behind the skyline...totally not-bright, but still ever so brilliant. It was gorgeous and my spirits were instantly lifted as I thought about the fact that God gave this sunset just for us! A sunset is one more testament in nature of His faithfulness to us. The sun goes on rising and setting at His command, even if we don't notice it.

As we found the right spot to stop and watch the short show as the sun quickly disappeared behind the horizon, I happened to switch on the CD player. I had no idea what was in there or what track would start playing. And you'll never guess what came on at that very moment. The song "When the Sun of My Life Goes Down"...how is that for "coincidental"?? I think the Lord was trying to get me to "stop and smell the roses" and notice the little things in life like sunsets and a few, thoughtful moments with my children.

Checking In

Well, hello there! I am still here and just checking in. We have had much craziness lately as Granddaddy stayed with us for a week...resulting in much chaos, lack of schedules, lots of fun, and most importantly (!) minimal cooking. :) But we are numbered among the living and still kicking!

The Lord spoke to me through these verses in the last few days and I thought I would share them with you:

Psalm 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

Verse 117 "Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually."

121 "I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors."

And verse 124 "Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes."

Jeremiah 33:3 "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

Psalm 62:8 "Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."


I have been challenged in the area of prayer lately...obvious by the above verses. The Lord used a congregational song during last night's service, Ask and Seek and Knock (which I can't find the words to anywhere on the internet, strangely) to speak to both my husband and I separately. And very un-coincidentally, our Pastor preached again last night on that very topic. Imagine that.

You know, sometimes in life we are up against a difficult situation...one outside of our ability and resources. It's easy to focus on those things, isn't it? "How much can I accomplish?" or "Is this something that I can do?" Or maybe, "Surely this couldn't be God's will. Why would He bless me in this particular way?" But God's Word is always there...lighting our path if we will just look to Him. If we're in God's Hands and walking in His will, we are safe, free from fear, covered with mercy! What an awesome place to be! May I never step out of that protected place where He wants me to rest and be blessed, in His way and time.

I'm not sure where I'm going with all of this...I guess I'm just looking forward to how the Lord continues to speaks to me! And I want to be absolutely sure that when He does open His heavenly windows, that I have sought His face about the matter and my mouth is opened wide, ready to receive whatever He gives me!

Book It!

I loved the Pizza Hut Book It! program when I was a child. And now homeschoolers can join without being part of a homeschool association. Go here for more info. Pretty cool!

I think...

... this pianist is incredible! Hhmmm...it kinda makes what I call my "inabilities" look ridiculous. Enjoy!