I was writing up school reports for my girls and really like one of the stories I always read and giggle about. here I was living my own craziness, and seeing the blessing and joy in it. This is my gift to share today.

I took Sarah with me to do a major grocery shop last week. I took all 3 girls actually, so that they could really get into the shop and understand the dynamics, lol. We had 2 carts, overflowing, tons of coupons, the store was about to close, and we had a set budget and to stick to the list. Sarah did an amazing job, and loved to help. She was not allowed to push the overflowing carts, but got things in great numbers (lol) off the shelves. She and Natalie were solely in charge of unloading the groceries from the carts while Ang bagged and organised the groceries into the cart, and I made sure that coupons were with appropriate products and things were rung through properly. We then needed to get it all into the van, and head to the next store before they closed! There was stuff on the seats, in the back, under seats, in the middle, on laps, you name it, we found a spot! as soon as the backopened, everything flew out into the snow! She had fun, and I think it was a great experience for her. I often will take one helper, but I really felt my girls were able to help on a larger scale level, without bickering and horsing around, not to mention, grocery shopping is getting to be too big a job for me alone. All the girls got so many compliments with their manners, training, and their helpfulness. WTG SARAH!!

It's been a long time since I posted in here. I have been so enveloped in reading...One Thousand Gifts, and The Duggars "A Love that Multiplies." I am almost at the end of both books, and they have given my heart so much joy, hope and freedom. Freedom? I will have to explain in another post. I felt led to   start another book called Captivating, by Staci Eldridge, as well. A good read, emotional, a journey....about beauty. Not our own views, but Gods. What he created us, women for. His purpose for us as the undergirders and WARRIORS. I have so much flowing through my heart and my head, and I feel like my time is limited right now. I have been feeling well, and although we are not to get caught upon the to do's, I have been physically focused on my kids, the house and getting things back into place before the time comes again where I physically slow down. If history repeating itself,  I only have about 7-8 weeks. I ahve been putting my heart into establishing my kids in their school, structured routines, and instilling Matthew 18 into their hearts and practicing wiht one another. A hard task iot is proving to be so far, and a lot of eye rollsfrom certain kids, but I stand convicted. God felt me to be trustworthy to raise these children and undergird this man in my life, so that is my current heart task. this, in turn, has brought so much joy. Till next time!!

This is encouragement from a mom of many! I need to work on this, which I find hard, especially on days when I am struggling with being joyful. It can be hard to nurture those hearts! I am thinking I am going to start a list of ways that we can nurture our childrens hearts daily. 

1. leave them, little notes at the end of the day for them to wake up to about how great they did, or special they are.

"The hardest thing about raising any number of children is purposing to keep up with their hearts. With as many as we have that is a fulltime job. We try to have regular talks with each one individually on a weekly basis. It is important to learn how to ask the right questions and not have a condemning spirit. They need to know they have a safe place to share their hopes and dreams, challenges and mistakes. This creates a very close relationship."- Michelle Duggar

Children and Puppies Alike?

Children are like puppies? Or are puppies like children? We got a new puppy addition to our already crazy household. His name is Bishop; he's a German Shepard X Great Pyranees. 2 years ago, we had Toopy and Binoo join our family. They came home at 3 weeks of age, so cute and cuddly! Training went well, but it was long. I talked to a trainer who trained the Air Bud dogs, and she gave me some spectacular tips! We taught them tricks, leash walking, and manners. That was the hardest thing was the manners, and determining what WE thought to be important for OUR dogs. Now there is Bishop; the newest addition to the family, and he is in training. He is a different dog, different personality, different energy level, and listening skills, as well, I am 2 years older myself. Do I remember how we trained Toopy and Binoo? I was trying to make a mental checklist of the things I wanted to teach Bishop, and I could not remember some of the past things we did! I needed to go back through the books, and possibly even contact the trainer! How is this like my kids? Well, about every two years we are blessed with a new addition to our family. It dawned on me that other day as I was troubled over puppy training, just how similar puppies and children are. We don't do the same things with John for school that we did Natalie. I don't remember some of the disciplining techniques used for a two year old! But I have had 6! Shouldn't it be second nature?! Sometimes when we get focused and caught up in the new stages of life and learning about those, we forget about the past training. When this really occured to me that we need to get refreshers, I felt like a lightbulb went on! Of course! I need to go back through the books, go back through the journals! I need to look back at activities and crafts for John and Adam in Pre-K, I need to go back through the puppy training manual! I need to REMEMBER all those things that helped!! What a different attitude when I realized this!!

A couple of days ago I started taking the Joy Dare, from One Thousand Gifts. I have started to assess what kinds of things steal my joy, and what kinds of things bring it. Since my love language is I words, I have learned how much the depth of words impact me, name calling, complimets, tones, even sighs! Did you know there is a tone in a sigh? I have started trying to guard myself from these things which I know will be joy stealers for me, so that I can move through more moments in my day experiencing the joy that God has in store for me. Through taking the joy dare, I have started to notice things that bring little glimpses of light. Some so small, and some large, but things which would normally be by-passed as I am grumpily stomping or trying to bury my hand behind a blanket. Yesturday, my son John created a picture on the whiteboard. 4 year old John drew 4 people, shaky stick men, standing in the rain, one of them was Daddy, and some smaller figures. It was so cute, but by the time I had the camera it was wiped away by little fingers. Today, I was standing in the kitchen, and a beautiful little blue, black, and white finch landed in the willow tree outside the kitchen window. It was a moment of peace and calm. It would have been great to capture the moment of the finch on the bare branch, but instead, I just sat there watching him jump around and eventually fly away.  Tonight, a gift from my fridge is my new favorite salad! Cucumbers, tomatoes, vinegar, italiano seasoming, and olive oil. It was so crisp and delicious!

A New Year!

It's the end of one chapter, and the beginning of another, as the New year unfolds. I have spent the first few days of the New Year really reflecting on the past months and days, wondering why I do what I do, and how to bring joy into my life like I felt it years ago. This past year has brought many great blessings, but with it, there have been some very shadowy times. I felt in my heart to start blogging. I am a writer at heart. I am creative. I love to reflect through pictures. I can express and reflect in a way that will hit my own heart, and perhaps others at the same time. God has a purpose and a vision for all of us. This year, 2012, I am seeking out JOY. I am seeking the JOY of homeschooling again. I am seeking MY purpose and vision for motherhood, and through all that, to become someone that God can use to minister to other flailing hearts.