Tracey's Tidbits

2012-01-19T12:55:00.001-08:00

1,000 Things to Be Thankful for (con't.)

7.Today, I am thankful to God for my living room….because it is a “living” room…the kids make tents, build towers, and create a wrestling ring in my living room. My Bible-before-breakfast occurs there almost every morning. We watch movies as a family, and use the computer to discover new things for science class. It may need to be repainted, and the couches aren’t new, but it is a room full of life; it is my living room.

2012-01-17T11:42:00.001-08:00

1,000 Things to be Thankful for (see earlier posts)
5. The deep well-meaning voice of my husband as he reads scripture out loud. To see the man I love loving the God I love is not only heartwarming but also inspiring.

6. This simple warm cup of coffee in my hands. Creamy, rich and hot as it heats me from the inside out. Coffee warms the bones and I am grateful for it.

2012-01-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

1,000 Gifts (con't.--see earlier posts)

3. Crisp sunshine and a blue cloudless sky in January with no snow to reflect and make us all squinty-eyed.

4. Small paper triangle bits on the floor, hundreds of bits, leftovers from cutout snowflakes now taped to window glass.

One mediocre step at a time

2012-01-09T15:41:00.000-08:00

And now….the misadventures of mediocre mom. Striving to be above average, but falling short far too often, this mom has come to the conclusion that she is not a great cook, not a great driver, not a great writer and basically, not that GREAT at anything.

She ponders this, sighing deeply and knowing she loves her God, her man, and her kids with all she’s got….even if it isn’t quite as big as what someone else has got. She’s not politically savvy, not especially witty, and especially not very good at the technical stuff, although she tries….

She’s not afraid to work hard, does the dishes, makes the meals, makes the bed, does the laundry and prays with the children almost every day….and that’s really not so bad, is it? But is it enough? Is it all there is? Should she be doing more? She’s got a good heart and she belongs to Christ, striving to please Him every day.

She realizes she is grateful for all she’s got all the time, has a good attitude about life, and loves to encourage others to do their best. She knows she is deliriously happy and blessed and wonders rarely about the mediocrity/averageness of her life, except for a few occasions where she tries to use it as an impetus for improvement rather than the path to pathetic. To be growing is the goal…stagnant is the enemy.

Today is one of those days. She reads scripture and prays it will sink deep into her psyche. She knows she is an individual and she acknowledges her maker regularly, especially on these days, these humbling hubris days when the weather is not especially all that great or all that terrible. These days will come, these days are necessary, dependable and …mediocre.

Perhaps I need my thousand things list…you know, listing a thousand gifts from God, as Voskamp does in her book of the same name….today…Every list starts with one item. It’s reminiscent of the proverbial journey of 1,000 miles beginning with one step. So today is the first step and I wonder where and when step 500 will happen.

The unknown looms, but not terrifyingly so, just looms...unknown. So I begin, one mediocre meter at a time…although I am certain, like Much Afraid In Hinds Feet on High Places, there will be mountaintops, valleys, and interesting companions along the way…

1. The ability to move my lips and read good literature to the boys. They love the Squire and the Scroll and I love its message---keeping your way pure.

2. The warm, crackly heat as it comes through the metal vents upstairs—feeling the toasty metal of the grate on socked foot bottoms as you press in for warmth.

2012-01-06T11:31:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year --Five Things
My new year’s reso-- (not really resolutions, but just reminders)
1. Listen more, speak less.
2. Encourage, uplift, edify.
3. Obey God right away, all the way, and with a good heart.
4. Communicate the five second gospel –1. God loves us. 2. We blew it. 3. Christ paid for it. 4. We must receive it. Use words if necessary
5. React less, plan more.

2011-12-21T06:38:00.000-08:00

Westphals’ 19th. Annual Christmas Letter 2011

Once upon a time (the year 2011), a brave and noble knight (named Ryan) set out on a quest. He was joined by his bride of many years (our 18th. Anniversary this year), and their four brave children—three young squires and one fair maiden.
The adventure began quietly enough with a commitment to education and then the brave knight wrestled his first mighty foe, the time dragon. The battle ended in the knight’s favor and the vanquished dragon gave out study time, school time, work time, church time, and family time in just the right amounts. His stalwart family proudly stood by his side as he was honored. (He graduated from Cornerstone University with a bachelor’s in business degree). The knight raised his sword toward heaven, giving God the credit and the glory for the battle’s victorious end.

The adventure continued and the knight carried the lantern for his brave wife and children as they learned part of their destiny included vision trials. (Marcus, Lucas, and Sarah’s genetic tests reveal they have Retinitis Pigmentosa, a progressive eye disease). The lantern was lit by the light of Christ and would always shine the way even as physical vision would dim for some family members. The two youngest squires and the fair maiden discovered they too, would battle the R.P. dragon, as their mother and maternal grandfather, another brave knight of the King, continued to fight regularly. They took the news well, remembering and stating “God always has a plan,” which calmed their mother’s heart. (Ryan and Tracey also co-chaired the inaugural Visionwalk in West Michigan to help raise money for research/clinical trials to fight eye disease. Thank you to all who donated).

The brave wife of the knight taught the children well in many homeschool subjects. They enjoyed family adventures, and for the first time, conquered the waters of the Great Wolf Lodge on a real vacation. The oldest squire (Tim, age 10) and the fair maiden (Sarah, age 8) also engaged in battles of the feet, where weapons and hands are not permitted (soccer). Both teams completed the season with no defeats. Squire Tim even scored twice. Knight Ryan rewarded him accordingly ($5.00 per goal).

The brave knight and his family lost a great aunt (Bertha Bezemer), great uncle (Jay Jones) and a grandfather (Bill Jackson) to the lands beyond the battle this year, and they value your talks with the King (prayers) for their families’ losses. So this brave, growing family continues to fight the good fight. They bow their heads regularly, ready their weapons, and boldly vow to “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14). They also wish you and yours a blessed Christmas season and a new year filled with evidences of the King’s grace upon us all.

Sunrise, Sunset

2011-11-30T10:32:00.000-08:00

And so the sun shines forth in the morning illuminating our darkened world once again in its seemingly never-ending flow of night, day, night day and yet, He who numbers the sunsets knows my final one. Will it be today? Thank-you, Lord, for saving my soul that I may trust you with my eternity, for I and it belong to you. I am yours wholly.

2011-07-15T21:04:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and Family,

“I can’t find it, Mom!” six year old Marcus is frustrated. The lid to his red marker has rolled onto the floor and he simply cannot find it while I am able to spy it from across the room.

“Close to the chair, Mark,” I direct him. “Aha!” he cries triumphantly, “You can’t escape so easily!” he says to the marker lid.

These moments happen on a regular basis in our home. As you may know, our six year old twins, Marcus and Lucas, are affected by the eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative retinal disease that will rob them of their sight within the not so distant future unless a treatment can be found through laboratory research. “You can’t escape so easily,” is our response to this disease.

As you may know, we have been supporting the Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) for the last year and now we are pleased to announce that we will be co-chairing the Foundation’s first West Michigan Vision Walk. FFB is a nationwide organization and is the biggest fundraiser in support of the research for treating and/or curing these eye diseases. 80% of every dollar they raise goes directly to this research.

In the last few years, the FFB has initiated and funded the first-ever human clinical trials for LCA, a disease that causes blindness from birth; Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a disease that causes loss of peripheral vision in all ages, and Macular Degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in adults over the age of 55. This research is very promising for our family’s future and we strongly admire the FFB’s dedication. Proceeds from Vision Walk 2011 will support the Foundation’s strong commitment to finding treatments, preventions and cures for sight-robbing retinal diseases.

Every day 10 million Americans, including my dad, experience the adverse effects these diseases have on their lives and on the lives of their families. My dad now must use a cane to navigate his own wooded property and has often become disoriented. My husband must do all of the night time driving for our family. We took the boys out of soccer because they couldn’t follow the ball across the field.

That is why I am asking you to support our team, “Team Westphal”, by walking with us or sponsoring us at the West Michigan Visionwalk, Saturday, October 22, 2011, at Millenium Park in Grand Rapids. Our team’s goal is to personally raise $2,000.00 for the walk. Please consider donating to us online at www.visionwalk.org. Otherwise you can mail a check made payable to the FFB at our home address: 127 Port Sheldon Rd. SW Grandville MI 49418

We sincerely appreciate any help that you can provide to our family and to others who are affected with retinal disease. Together we won’t let these diseases escape so easily- together we will walk toward a cure. We look forward to seeing you at the walk.

Sincerely

Ryan and Tracey Westphal

2011-06-16T14:04:00.001-07:00

“Mom, I am so ready to go to heaven.” Nine year old boy.

“I have those days too, my son.”

“What’s your pick for Jesus’ return?”

“I don’t have one.”

“You don’t have one?”

Nope. It’s kind of like this. You are waiting to go on vacation and you keep asking your Dad, “Is it time to go yet? Is it time to go yet?”

Dad finally looks at you and says, “I will let you know when it is time to go, just trust me. You aren’t going to miss it.” It’s like that.

“Well, I’m just waiting for God to say, “Kids, get in the van.”

“Me, too, son, me, too.”

The Five Laugh Challenge

2011-06-15T12:48:00.000-07:00

The Five Laugh Challenge

“I challenge you to laugh five times today.” A facebook challenge from an out of state cousin. The post itself made me laugh. Did she forget my family? The six year old twins are good for at least six laughs each….but I will try one laugh for each family member today.

I ran around chasing madly (never quite catching him) this morning, in search of my Bible for Bible study. In desperation, I left a voicemail for the husband, but then the children found it, on the living room floor between the vent and the golf clubs, definitely not in its usual spot. The funny part was when I returned home and the answering machine message intoned, “It’s by the vent and the golf clubs.” This was in my husband’s voice and I was astounded. I didn’t expect an answer, and certainly not an accurate one. That made me laugh since this is usually the man who needs me to find things for him. It was a role reversal today and it made me giggle.

During Bible study, Lucas disobeyed his teacher and Mama had to intervene. When I told him he was going to go and apologize, he said, “I need a moment. I’m just too cryable.” That one made me laugh, albeit not at the moment, but later.

During the Bible study, called “Loving Your Husband,” there were at least five laughs as we encouraged each other and shared experiences regarding those men we married and how best to love them. The three s's were shared and had us all laughing: Sex, Sports, and Sandwiches

Last week was the daughter’s birthday. She is now eight years old and finished her end of level spelling test. She is now in 6^th. grade spelling. Her open mouthed expression and wide eyes as she said, “Sixth grade? No Way!” made me laugh too.

The nine year old makes me laugh every day too. His antics while carrying the kiddie pool on his head today with such a silly face made me laugh out loud at the store.

Maybe I’m just an easy laugher. I put the kiddie pool purchase as a facebook status. One friend asked, “Are you going to let the kids use it, too?” That made me laugh.

Marcus read his whole “Jet Bed” book today and told me that the Web men in the book were only real in his imagination. That made me laugh, too.

Yikes, it’s only 2:00 pm and that five laughs a day quota is long filled. I hope tomorrow is as laughable as today.

A funny thing

2011-06-14T07:11:00.000-07:00

A funny thing happened on the way to our first family vacation. This was to be the first family vacation since we’ve had children. Our children are 9, 8, and 6 year old twins so it has been at least a decade.

We picked a short vacation. A two night stay at a Great Wolf Lodge (Water park Hotel) about 3 hours from our home. We packed up the van, got water for the kiddos, coffee for ourselves and we were off into the wild blue yonder!

Did I mention a funny thing happened? Well, we passed the highway entrance and decided on more of an adventurous route. At the next stoplight, we stopped for the red light. When the light turned green, and we waited to turn left, our brakes did not work. Yep, you read that right. Pedal to the floor and NOTHING. We tapped the truck in front of us, effectively stopping us and thankfully, causing no damage to either vehicle.

Sure enough, brake fluid was leaking out onto the pavement. Apparently, we had blown a brake line. We called the police, put on the flashers and headed for the sidewalk. We were still less than two miles from home and Ryan’s sister and brother-in-law were available to come and rescue us. While we waited, I took the kids on a little walk around to the back of the shops facing the street. As we turned the corner, we saw what looked like a huge multicolored tarp being spread out in the back parking lot.

“In five minutes,” a man informed us, “this will be a bounce house.” Then two kids came out of the store carrying balloons and animal crackers so the kids went in and each received their own balloon and crackers, which mom got to hold while they were able to bounce in the “Noah’s Ark” bounce house.

One woman shared some Bible story books with us, and another gentleman asked for permission to videotape the kiddos for the store’s facebook page. My sister-in-law soon arrived, retrieved booster seats and we were on our way back home.

Thank you Lord, for providing. Thank you that our brakes didn’t fail after we were on the highway and far from home. Thank you that we weren’t involved in a serious accident. Thank you for providing entertainment while waiting. Thank you for providing a way home. Thank you, Lord that we have two vehicles and can take the other one on vacation. Thank you, thank you.

Wonderment

2011-06-10T07:14:00.001-07:00

Wonderment

Deep jade tips

poke through fresh dirt

small in their beds, like

sleeping little girls growing every night.

White and green party ribbons uncurl

Stretch and explode like

a young maid's long legged dance.

Hostas unfurl

from green tips to full leaf beauty

before Mother's Day

Leaving us

Breathless with

wonderment.

2011-06-09T08:14:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to my eight year old daughter, Sarah, on taking second place for second grade in the PBS Kids Go! Young Author's contest. Here is her prize winning story.

The Rabbit Who Thought He Was a Dog

Once upon a time in a beautiful green meadow, there lived a group of rabbits. One of these rabbits was named Rex. Rex did not believe he was a rabbit. He thought he was a dog. He walked like a dog, sat like a dog, and even tried to bark like a dog. Worst of all, he chased the other rabbits.

The other rabbits were very worried about Rex. They sent their leader to have a talk with Rex. “Rex, we are very worried about you,” said the leader, “You seem to think you are a dog.”

“but I am a dog,” replied Rex.

“But you are not a dog,” insisted the leader, “you are a RABBIT! And you should do rabbity things.”

“But I am a dog,” said Rex, started to make a low, strange sound.

“What is that noise?” asked the leader.

“I am growling,” answered Rex and he chased the leader away.

The rabbits were still worried. Until one day when everything changed. A large brown furry creature with a large wet nose entered the meadow and began sniffing the ground. The rabbits all ran into their holes. But Rex did not.

Rex approached the large brown furry creature with a large wet nose. Rex began making a noise that almost, but not quite, sounded like barking. Rex tried to look like a dog and perked his ears up.

The large brown creature responded with a large “BARK!” and bounded toward Rex. Rex screamed very loudly and turned to run. As he ran as fast as he could, he realized that yes, he was a rabbit and not a dog. He dashed into a hole and the dog ran away.

The End

2011-06-07T09:18:00.001-07:00

Do you have a sign on your bedroom door? If you did, what would it say? I bet we are the only couple in the neighborhood with a sign on our bedroom door. It says “Club for Mom and Dad love Mark”.

Of course, every sign has a story. Our four children, then ages 5-8, were making “clubs” out of their bedrooms, complete with paper signs. “Mama, can you PLEASE help me with my sign?” Mark begged.

There were dishes to be done, lists to be made, laundry to be folded, and….I sighed. I sat down at the table, “Sure, what will your sign say?” We had these sticky letters Dad bought that were leftover so we used those. He told me he wanted to make a sign for mom and dad’s door. “You need your own club, Momma, it’s important.” He didn’t want us to feel left out.

This was a very generous thought from a young five year old who knows what it’s like to be left out of older kids’ play. I handed him letters and he stuck them down carefully, very pleased with his work. I handed him the tape and let him attach it to our door. That was over six months ago. The kids’ clubs are long forgotten in a long line of hide-and-seek , dress up, legos, and all kinds of other games. My sign remains taped to my door. Perhaps I am sentimental but I just can’t take it down.

It’s a visual reminder of so many things:

1. Teaching my kids generosity. To always remind them to put others’ needs ahead of their own and avoid selfishness.

2. That Mom and Dad do need time together, and time together without the children. We need our own “club” to have a great marriage and to be great parents.

3. That my kids need my help with things, and that I do need to take time to spend with them. I can set aside laundry and dishes for a few minutes of quality time.

As parents and spouses, we need reminders about what is important, and this sign has become a symbol, a reminder of what’s important. Do you have a sign on your bedroom door?

2011-05-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

The Coming

The woman came, Samaritan by birth

To the well by divine appointment.

The Jesish man spoke to her

“Give me water.”

At first shocked, she defined the cultural taboo,

“I am a Samaritan; you are a Jew.”

“If you knew me,” he answered,

“you would want living water.”

“Are you greater than Jacob?” she asked.

Oh, yes, she knew her history.

She also knew her need.

“Living water,” the Jew mentioned it again.

She stepped closer, her errand forgotten.

“Yes, this is what I want.”

“You have had five husbands and the man you have now

Is not your husband.”

Ah, yes, he knew her history.

He also knew her need.

“Prophet, sir,” she countered with respect,

“some worshipped in the mountains

Some worshipped in Jerusalem.”

This man spoke of true worship,

“in Spirit and in truth” and of

“salvation”.

Her hopes soared at the word,

“Messiah will speak this way…” she ventured,

Her heart realizing the truth, as he answered,

“I am He.”

Spirit soaring

Waterpot abandoned

She turned, splashing through living water,

To tell others

Messiah had come.

2011-05-17T08:24:00.001-07:00

This is the link to Cowboy Mark, episode three.

"How Beautiful Are the Feet"

2011-05-15T15:32:00.000-07:00

“What is up with the feet?” asks my friend who is watching my slide show scroll past while we visit in the living room. “There’s been like six pictures of feet, and I think they are all Tim’s.”

My son loves to take pictures of his own feet. Anytime he is given the camera, he will inevitably snap a straight down photo of his feet. Usually just one, and then he takes other normal pictures of events, sculptures, flowers, etc. My boy is nine years old, but has done this since he first started using the camera. He’s at a great age to be in charge of “taking pictures” and it keeps him busy at family events. I know he will get carried away and in amongst all the great shots of his sister’s birthday party there will be the one token shot of his own feet. We have pictures of sandaled feet, bare feet, feet in the sand, and feet in boots.

It’s usually just one, sometimes two shots of his feet. I think it has become a habit. Camera in hand simply means “feet in frame”-- click. The feet in his latest pictures have grown noticeably bigger and I am certain he will tower over his “tall” mom someday in the near future. While I have deleted several of these “feet” shots through the years, I did choose to let some go. Just so we will always remember that Tim loved to take pictures of his own feet.

Recently, there were pictures of my husband’s graduation on the camera. A nice one of the family, a nice one of Sarah and Marcus walking, one of a total stranger pushing carts, uh-oh, here it comes…one of his own feet…yet again…at least he had dress shoes on for the occasion.

I am so glad my children are unique, with their own quirks, favorite knock -knock jokes, and yes, even a fascinating photographer of feet. Psalm 139:14 says “I praise you because I am beautifully and wonderfully made.” It’s all these little individual facets of my children that make me smile when other people mention them. If you ask my son why he takes pictures of his feet, he will simply shrug his shoulders and answer, “I don’t know; I just like to.”

God has given my young son many wonderful unique attributes that are uniquely his, and this penchant for foot photos is just one aspect of his individual personality. I am grateful to God that my Tim has chosen to be a Christ follower, and that he shares his faith in Jesus with others whom he meets. He recently told me his language tutor is a Christian.

“How do you know that, Tim?” I asked.

“Well, I asked if she truly believed Jesus died for her sins, and she said yes.” It’s simple when you are nine years old, and I am grateful for his boldness, his candor, and his faith. This facet of his personality lends new meaning to those many pictures of feet. It brings to mind the Bible verse I will end with, “How beautiful are the feet of them who bring good news.” Romans 10:15

So the next time someone asks me, "What is up with the feet?" I may just share about my son's beautiful feet.

2011-05-14T13:15:00.000-07:00

On May 7, 2011, my wonderful husband donned a black cap and gown and joined the graduation ceremony at Cornerstone university in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This had been a long day coming for his family and we were very proud. I wrote about the day as a Yahoo Contributor. Click here for details.

2011-05-05T09:41:00.000-07:00

"In my opinion, the teaching, rearing, and training of children requires more intelligence, intuitive understanding, humility, strength, wisdom, spirituality, perseverance, and hard work than any other challenge we might have in life." ~James E. Faust

The Case of the Missing Jacket

2011-05-02T05:59:00.001-07:00

I have failed miserably as a parent. Not in totality, but at least in one area with my nine year old son. It’s in the area of personal responsibility. That is, personal responsibility for his jacket. I have pointedly reminded him that his jacket is his responsibility and that he needs to keep track of it. I see you nodding as you read. You have had this talk. You see where this is going…

Wednesday afternoon: “Mom, I can’t find my coat, I think I left it in Aunt Lisa’s van.”

“Alright, then you need to call and check.”

“Can’t you call?” His voice borders on whining and I raise an eyebrow (sort of).

“Your coat is your responsibility. I will dial the number for you.”

The coat was not in Aunt Lisa’s van, but thankfully, she remembered seeing it on the back of the chair during our McDonald’s lunch. Later that night, the husband and son go to McDonald’s and find the jacket. Dad gives the “your jacket is your responsibility” talk. I sigh with relief. Whew! That oughta do it. DAD has spoken.

On Thursday (yes, the very next day), we took Grandma to the doctor. Guess who couldn’t find his coat later in the day? Same boy. I called the doctor’s office. Sure enough, it was there. Tim and I trekked over in the van, “Go in and get your coat.”

“Aren’t you coming?”

“No.”

“Will you please come in with me?” The almost-whine is back. So is the eyebrow (sort of).

“Your coat is your responsibility….etc…etc…” The boy went in and retrieved the coat.

Saturday (two days later, of course, it was over 60 degrees on Friday, who needs a coat, anyway!) after soccer, I see a strange blue shape on the grass…. “Tim, grab your jacket!”

Did I mention we also have a convenient set of hooks behind the back door where said-jacket is supposed to reside? Happily hung with the other little people jackets, only Tim’s hook is mysteriously empty. I notice this Sunday night and simply sigh and head for bed.

Monday morning and my son wants to know, “Mom, where is my jacket? It’s cold outside.”

I sigh, I say, “You mean, ‘Mom, I lost my jacket.’”

Red-nosed, and growing taller by the moment, my nine year old stands in the kitchen, a blank look on his face. I can tell he has no idea where his jacket is; he is completely clueless. I take pity on the boy this time…I hunt for the back-up jacket. You know, the garage sale one with the sticky zipper? (One of mom’s creative solutions for just such an occasion). Nope, I think that one got left at soccer practice. My dear son, bless his heart, is roaming the backyard this morning in his mama’s shrug….and later, we will have to figure out (once again) what happened to that jacket.

http://traceystidbits.blogspot.com/2010/02/five-things-that-i-love-to-wear-in.html

2011-04-28T08:05:00.000-07:00

Found a new word today….Tornage…..that would be the damage and the carnage left by a tornado. Devastating, life changing events have occurred in our nation’s south. I was pouring morning coffee when my husband mentioned that over 100 people had perished in Alabama.

I set my cup down quickly. “Are you serious?” was my immediate reaction and probably echoes what many were thinking this morning. Yes, tornadoes do kill people, especially in “tornado alley”, but over 100 people, no way. My mind immediately went to my southern red-headed Alabama college friend who taught me to say “y’all” the proper way.

“This is WAY bad” was my next thought as I hopped onto facebook before turning on the television. My friend was alright, but Tuscaloosa, Alabama and many other states were not. I parked in front of the TV for awhile, my dazed brain trying to take in the devastation while scenes and facts from the Twister movie paraded through my thoughts. I also thought of Dorothy and remembered assuring my nervous kids that it wasn’t real. Only this was reality, and I am certain even children lost their lives. My heart and my prayers go out to those parents and families. Perhaps you feel that same sense of dazed loss that I do this morning, that “Are you serious?” feeling. Will you respond as I did? Will you pray?

Name Them One by One

2011-04-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

Another day on the planet to count my blessings. Thank you Lord, for, (in random order):

1. Family

2. Friends

3. Hot coffee

4. Heater in the van

5. Washer and Dryer

6. Chocolate

7. The Bible

8. The ability to read

9. The best husband ON THE PLANET!

10. The smiles of my children

11. The humor of my children

12. The ability to drive

13. The telephone

14. Soft pillows

15. The internet

16. My Lord and savior, Jesus Christ

17. God

18. Life and liberty for all who believe

19. Freedom

20. Food

2011-04-09T19:23:00.000-07:00

Here's a piece I wrote about home school spelling. How do you do spelling? Enjoy.

He who Calms the Storm (Sometimes)

2011-04-05T05:48:00.000-07:00

Mark, “Mom, why is God doing this to me? Why is God making me sick?”
Mom, “Oh, honey, God isn’t making you sick,” I say as I hold him and rock him, “we live in such a fallen world.” My answer falls flat even to me as I comfort a feverish child and my own storms loom over me. Two days later, the boy is well and yet, his questions linger in my heart. How do I answer? How do I encourage his faith to grow?
God met me again and used our pastor’s message to help answer my son’s questions (and my own). In Luke chapter 8, the disciples wake Jesus because of a terrifying storm and Jesus calms the sea. But why was there a storm in the first place? God uses storms in life to draw us near to Him. Why does He do this? There is a certain truth that we will never know the full knowledge of God. Our childish intellect will always fail us in this area. It brings to mind a certain song, “Sometimes He calms the storm; other times He calms His child.” (Scott Krippayne).
Another thing to remember is that you are not alone in your storm. You are a Christ follower. Jesus is in the boat with you. He sticks closer than a brother. You must turn to him in your hour of need. And, ultimately, He will answer, in your storm and in mine. He went through the worst storm ever at the cross for us. As this truth sinks in, my questioning heart is stilled; there is peace after the storm.
“Come sit next to me, Mark. Mama wants to read to you about Jesus and a storm.”

2011-04-01T18:19:00.001-07:00

This free slideshow design made with Smilebox

April is National Poetry Month

2011-04-01T17:58:00.000-07:00

Were that I were a better poet

Could that I could spread a picnic

tablecloth on grass and

invite you all to sit

and share God’s love like

watermelon.

Would that I would

answer all your questions

see souls surrender

and watch His love

light up your eyes.

Were that I were a better poet

Can that I can

act in His walk

talk with His talk,

my own faulty gait

like an arrow

or a signpost.

Could that I could point you the way

were that I were a better poet.

2011-03-29T07:53:00.000-07:00

A Patch of Old Snow

There's a patch of old snow in a corner

That I should have guessed

Was a blow-away paper the rain

Had brought to rest.

It is speckled with grime as if

Small print overspread it,

The news of a day I've forgotten-

If I ever read it.

2011-03-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

Today, I am announcing my first guest blog.

Today's guest is Ms. Sarah Westphal, age seven. She is an avid reader, writer, and enjoys typing as well. I hope you enjoy her book review.

Library Lion-- A Book Review by Sarah Westphal

The Library Lion is written by Michelle Knudsen and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes.

This story is about a lion and a library. The lion goes into the library and becomes friends with the children and helps them reach high places. The lion loves story time. When they are done reading, the lion roars at the storyteller and Miss Merriweather tells him not to roar at the story teller. The lion helps the librarian (Miss Merriweather ). But Mr. Mcbee doesn’t like the lion. I like the book because it has a library and a lion and because it has the lion help the children and because Miss Merriweather always says, “Don’t run in the library.”

One day when Miss Merriweather was trying to reach a book, she fell off her stool and she couldn’t get up and so she told the library lion to go get Mr. Mcbee to come and help her. So the library lion ran to Mr. Mcbee’s office and roared in his face. Mr. Mcbee said, “You are not being quiet. You are breaking the rules.” The library lion knew that he broke the rules. The library lion left. Mr. Mcbee ran calling, “Miss Merriweather! The lion broke the rules!” Miss Merriweather was not in her chair. She said, “Sometimes there is a good reason to break the rules. Even in the library.” Miss Merriweather said. Miss Merriweather’s arm was broken.

The next day things were back to normal. Miss Merriweather’s left arm was in a cast and the doctor told her not to work hard. Miss Merriweather said, “Well, I have my lion to help me.” But the next morning the lion didn’t come. At three o’clock Miss Merriweather went to the story corner and the lion was not there. The people kept looking for the lion but they couldn’t find him.

One evening, Mr. Mcbee stopped by Miss Merriweather’s office on his way out. She was sad. He thought there probably was something he could do for Miss Merriweather. Mr. Mcbee left the library. But he did not go home. He walked around the neighborhood, looking for the lion. Finally he circled all the way back to the library. The lion was sitting outside, looking in through the glass doors. He told the lion, “No roaring allowed, unless you have a very good reason.”

The next day, Mr. McBee told Miss Merriweather, “There’s a lion in the library.” Miss Merriweather ran to meet her lion.

It is a very good book and well thought out. There are also very good illustrations in this book. You should read it.

2011-03-19T08:34:00.000-07:00

Your Move

"Poets do not go mad; but chess-players do." ~Gilbert Keith Chesterton, Orthodoxy

Recently, (okay, not THAT recently), I visited a Christian coffee shop I love and played Scrabble with the man. If you have ever played Scrabble with the man you will know that he is a canny strategist who must weigh each decision. For him, scrabble is chess. This leaves a little down time between moves for me.

So I wandered to the books...bible, bible, Dobson,...a few others, but Nooo christian poetry...(well, other than the Bible, psalms, parts of the prophets, etc...) Not even good old dependable Helen Steiner Rice. What a travesty!

I was a little disappointed. I told the man. He muttered something about getting a z on the triple word score and didn't even make eye contact....I decided I must get some Christian poetry over here soon. Young minds are being deprived!

Later, when I returned home, I realized I did not want to part with any of my Christian poetry books. I love my Elizabeth Rooney, my Lucy Shaw, my Ruth Calkin, and even my Robert Frost (a small well worn paperback book I left at a park somewhere, arghh...must replace that soon). This resolve may be more costly than I'd supposed...

Good intentions sometimes lie dormant....no, I have not yet made my poetry delivery, but I found a wonderful poem to share today....if not with the coffee shop goers, then at least with my own little blog world.

It's Your Move

All through the long dreary hours

Of this rough toilsome day

I have struggled to believe

That Your plan is good

that the blows and bruises

Will stablish me

That the staggering changes

Will settle me.

I have struggled to believe

That Your way is perfect.

But waiting here alone

Shrouded in thick loneliness

I confess I don't see it.

Frankly I just don't see

That Your way is perfect.

And now I hear You say

I didn't say you would see it--

I only said--it is.

So, Lord, it's Your move.

Good-night.

By Ruth Harms Calkin

Five Things (Books this time)

2011-03-18T20:15:00.000-07:00

Five Things (I try to post my "Five Things" on a semi-regular basis so if you see "five things" in my label list, some interesting things may turn up.)

five things (18)

The five books closest to this computer are:

EsEssentials of Strategic Management (school book for Ryan)

2. 2. Love Wins (Liberal Theology)

3. 3. His Thoughts Toward Me (uber devotional)

4. 4. B-I-B-L-E (Real Theology J

5. 5. Clep guide to Algebra (for Ryan’s school)

Weird, there were no kids' books in my five….

Okay, five books that are in the library bin.

1. Biography of Charles Lindbergh

2. The Prince and the Pooch (Wishbone’s take on the classic Prince and the Pauper)

3. Crab Cab (Can you say learning to read?)

4. The Periodic Table of Elements (Yep, that’s science)

5. Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig (By the way, Mercy really is a pig)

Homeschooling Without a Dedicated Classroom

2011-03-18T13:55:00.000-07:00

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7833136/homeschooling_without_a_dedicated_classroom.html?cat=7

Homeschooling without a dedicated classroom. Click the link for tips.

2011-03-12T08:39:00.001-08:00

The Continuing Adventures of Crazy Mom-- Episode 3, the Field Trip

Today Crazy Mom was feeling especially adventurous. She even let those kids destroy an old dolly bed with a hammer. Can you say demolition? Can you say repurpose? Can you say tiny bits of wood all over the place that had to all be picked up and swept up by the four happy hoodlums. In an especially generous moment, she also let them get out the legos. Yup, the tiny ones that usually hide in the back of the closet (Crazy Mom’s own closet). Yes, Crazy Mom was feeling especially jazzy.

Spontaneously, she declared it a field trip day. She stalwartly refused to leave the house until all those itty-bitty-teeny-tiny-owie-to-step-on-little legos had been picked up. She also used her drill sergeant voice to encourage shoe putting-on and coat zipping-up. The six year old twins grinned, the daughter placated, and the nine year old boy actually rolled his eyes. Hup, 2, 3, 4, Hup…

Crazy Mom was in a mood. She was rejoicing in the day that the Lord had made. The sun was shining. She had been up early. She had her coffee and her BBB (Bible Before Breakfast). She was ready! And, now, let the field trip begin.

They arrived at the Frederick Meijer Gardens to view the butterflies in the tropical conservatory. But first, they had to park in East Kabudaville (That’s Crazy Mom talk for “wow, we had to park far away” and “whoa, what a hike to that, what do you call it? Oh yeah, the entrance.”)

So it was a little busy. There were masses of children here to see the butterflies. Unfortunately, most of the visitors were of smallish size similar to that of the four happy hoodlums. Crazy Mom instructed the troops to stay close but Lucas’s eyes were already sparkling. He had spotted his first “new family” of the day. He was already making friends with the four year old blonde while mom hung up all five coats. The nine year old looked impatient…think..think…aha! Crazy mom handed him the camera. Sure enough, his eyes lit up as he wandered away. Crazy Mom silently praised that God of hers for such a great idea.

She made her way out of the coat room back into the large entrance hall. The daughter stuck like glue, but not those boys..Was that Marc? “Marc,” hollered Crazy Mom, “get back here and get your coat off.” No, wait, it was just a boy weating a coat just like Marc’s. That’s not fair, she thought, Marc already has a twin. Aha! There was Marc. She marched over to take his hand and turned to see a boy who was far too old to be lying on the floor actually lying on the floor. He was looking at the sculpture suspended from the ceiling. His camera looked very familiar. Oh dear, Crazy Mom prayed for patience as she snapped her fingers. “Just a minute, Mom…there! Now that’s a picture, look!” Poor boy, he got the “Yes, dear, that’s very nice…please don’t lie on the floor…now where are your brothers?” speech.

Crazy Mom deep sighed, “Alright, Lord,” she prayed silently, “I’m responsible for Your kids on this field trip. Thank-you for allowing me to be the one they call Mom.” Crazy Mom felt the peace that passes understanding wrap itself a little tighter around her heart and she actually smiled and truly admired the boy’s photo—it was a unique shot. Her aspiring photographer beamed at the genuine praise and surprisingly, even offered to let his sister take a picture.

While this moment of sharing happened, Crazy Mom realized Marc was still nowhere to be seen and Lucas was….she scanned the area… Of course, he was chatting up the blonde and her family. But they were ready to move on. The mom pointed out Crazy Mom to Lucas but he pretended not to see. Crazy Mom had to actually walk over to collect him.

Then she heard a small slam. The sound was familiar..she tried to connect it to something…anything….piano? aha! A piano. A piano lid over keys, that’s it..that’s MARC! Plink plink. “Honey, don’t touch this piano, it’s not yours.” “But mom, we don’t have a piano.”

Okay, collect Marc. Return to see three children lying on the floor under the suspended sculpture taking more pictures.

As Crazy Mom reminds herself to lean not on her own understanding but to trust in the Lord with all her heart, she realizes she can still see the coat room, and they have not seen a single butterfly. As she lies on the floor and studies the sculpture, yes, it is a unique perspective, she realizes it may be awhile before another spontaneous field trip.

Join us next time when Crazy Mom discovers teaching the art of sharing is far more difficult than she realized.

A Wink from Heaven

2011-03-10T06:10:00.000-08:00

Don’t you love accidental Bible look ups? I think they may be God’s way of making us smile, kind of a wink from heaven.

My first remembrance of an accidental look up was when I was a teenager and that awful boy, Ryan, broke my heart and broke up with me AGAIN! I cried and cried and my friend encouraged me by sending me little slips of paper with Bible verses like Psalm 147:3, “He heals the broken-hearted, binding up their wounds.” But that wasn’t my favorite…I’m not sure what she originally intended, but I looked up Hebrews 7:17, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchisedec.” Given my very limited knowledge of scriptural types and shadows in eschatology, et cetera, and having no idea how to pronounce Mel-kis-a, Mel-chis-a…..it just made me laugh.

I called my friend immediately to ask her if she knew that we could be priests forever in the order of Mel-cheese-a-deek. This verse became a standard of encouragement between us for years. I think God was winking at me back then and winks at me still. (After all, He is the creator of my individual slightly warped sense of humor).

Recently, I headed to Galatians for a word of encouragement after a particularly difficult day dealing with those other human beings on the planet. (I can tell from your expression that you’ve met them too.) I was headed for Galatians 5:25, “if you live by the Spirit walk by the Spirit”. That one seemed to fit right in with how I was feeling toward those people. You know, a “just keep swimming” verse.

Instead I turned to Galations 5:15, which was actually much more convicting of my own attitude and actions. It stated, “But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.” Ouch.

Perhaps that one was a wink AND a reprimand. So next time you have an accidental look up, take a moment and reflect. It may have, indeed, been intentional on the part of Him who created you and knows you best.

Dinosaur Cookies –How to Entertain Your Grandma

2011-03-08T06:08:00.000-08:00

If you are seven and you want to entertain your Grandma, you should mention that you like to make cookies. You should show excitement when Grandma shows you her “dinosaur” cookie cutters. Wash your hands and be ready to roll out the dough.

You should push the cookie cutters into the dough all the way. Always put love in the cookies. Make the love sign by crossing your arms over your chest and pretending to put some love in the cookies. Be patient with your older brother as he shouts, “Love Gun!” and pretends to machine gun the cookie dough.

You should use the spatula to move the dinosaur from the counter to the cookie sheet. Stay calm if his foot falls off and Grandma will stay calm too. She will show you how to push it back onto his leg.

You should watch the cookies through the little oven window as they grow and spread. Grandma says “Be careful, it’s hot,” lots and lots of times so stand back from the oven so you won’t make her nervous.

While the cookies are cooling, help Grandma make several colors of frosting. Gather paintbrushes and anything else Grandma needs.

After the cookies have cooled, paint with colors and keep smiling. Use lots of yellow and don’t get frosting everywhere. Remind your younger brothers not to put the frosting brushes in their mouths. Grandma will remind you, “Don’t get carried away with that frosting.” While the frosting is setting on the cookies, you can find some books for Grandma to read. Try to pick the ones you know she likes best.

Don’t forget to say thank-you when it is time to eat the cookies. They will taste great and make sure Grandma eats one too.

The Ruined Waistband

2011-03-01T05:47:00.000-08:00

The Ruined Waistband

The human brain loves illustrations. We like stories that make a point, poetry that must be tasted, and even jokes and riddles that make us laugh. Humanity was designed this way. From the parables of Jesus to the fables of Aesop, we love those “aha” moments.

The Word of God is sometimes like that big box of your great great aunt’s jewelry that “you kids are allowed to play with carefully” when you visit great grandma’s house and all the grownups want to do is talk, talk, talk. Inevitably, you discover that one beautiful piece you hadn’t seen last time and its beauty delights your sense of touch and sight.

An avid Bible reader for decades, today I touched a jewel. In Jeremiah 13, Jeremiah bought a beautiful linen waistband and wore it for awhile. Then he hid it in rocks by the Euphrates River and later, retrieved it. It was ruined.

Verse 10 says, “This wicked people, who refuse to listen to My words, who walk in the stubbornness of their hearts and have gone after other gods to serve them, let them be just like this waistband, which is totally worthless.”

I can see Jeremiah, stretching forth the ruined waistband, seeking desperately for the people to turn their hearts to God.

I do not want to walk in the stubbornness of my heart.

I do not want to serve other gods of my own making.

I want to be wrapped tightly to the waist of God, to cling to His truth and justice, for His praise and glory.

I want to listen and obey. I want to be fine linen, and not a ruined waistband.

Decent Christian Woman

2011-02-26T18:33:00.001-08:00

Apparently, a decent Christian woman has the ability to hold her tongue. No, this was not recently illustrated to me by a pastoral sermon, my scripture reading or any spiritual retreat, book, or even another Christian sharing truth with me.

No, this revelation was made through television. Yes, television. If God can use the donkey to talk to Balaam, then He can use whatever means necessary to communicate truth to his servant.

So Friday night, I made popcorn for the kiddos and we settled in to watch that old classic, The Wizard of Oz. This being my first time seeing it since….well, probably childhood, I was amazed by my adult perspective on the movie. You remember that woman who came to get Dorothy’s dog? Well, here are Auntie Em’s words for her, “I’ve waited thirty years to tell you what I think of you, Elmira Gultch! And I still can’t tell you because I am a decent Christian woman.” She then storms out of the room. My popcorn about fell out of my mouth. An actual reference to Christianity in pop culture? An acknowledgement that a relationship with God affects your behavior? An actual on screen manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit, self-control? I was stunned.

Less than forty-eight hours later, I am listening to the T.V. while trying to fall asleep. The husband is awake and watching an old Denzel Washington movie called Johnny Q. Public, where a father takes hostages because his insurance company will not pay for his son’s heart transplant. The negotiators want to use the wife to talk him down, but when she sees the insurance woman, she states, “I will not be used, and I will not talk to that woman,” Then she turns to her, “I would tell you what I think of you but I am a decent Christian woman.” End of conversation. I was flabbergasted. Another bit of self control because of a relationship with Christ! This was, at least, what, forty years after the Wizard of Oz?

I sat up in bed, “That’s just what Auntie Em said on Friday!” I exclaimed. The half-sleeping husband raised an eyebrow in my general direction; he had not been home for movie night and was not in the loop. “That bit there, about the decent Christian woman! It’s straight from the Wizard of Oz!”

Having been married for a long time and having grown used to these strange outbursts, he calmly asked, “Should I rewind it for you?”

“No, no,” I responded, “I am going to sleep now.”

But as I lay back down, I thought of television’s portrayal of these two “decent Christian women” and their ability to hold their tongue. I wondered if one writer had borrowed the line from the other. I wondered if today’s Christian woman is too quick to complain, too quick to speak, too quick to denigrate others. I thought, am I holding my tongue as I should be? Am I a decent Christian woman? Lord, let me be self controlled in all areas, not in myself, but because of my relationship with You.

2011-02-20T15:20:00.000-08:00

Take A Step

A smooth sea does not a good sailor make. It’s the rough seas, the pirate encounters, and even the mutinies that make the man. Times of adversity reveal true character.

When my husband lost his job, someone told him, “I guess your faith in God is real after all.” Apparently, this person was waiting to see Ryan fall apart. They wanted to know if his talk matched his walk. Ryan did not fall apart; he didn’t even fall on his faith. He leaned back comfortably, acknowledging to Whom he belonged. My husband did not panic, cry, or whine. He even smiled. A doomsday cloud was not above his head. He rested in the calm assurance that God had it all under control. He has always been a good sailor (and granted, he’d faced rougher seas then unemployment). True, this bystander had been looking at the Christian, and not the Christ. (Not to worry, the husband pointed him in the right direction).

Still, the point remains. Do we truly rejoice when we face trials of many kinds? Or do we believe we are the masters of our own destiny. Do we acknowledge that ALL we have is because of our Creator, God? No, this does not mean we sit in our unemployment and wait for God to drop the perfect job in our lap. Faith is an action word. It’s a walking word, and a place where God meets us. Remember Indiana Jones and the “step of faith” he made into the seemingly bridgeless chasm? There was the bridge, the once invisible made visible. This is what happens when we take that first step.

Of course, this is all easier said than done, or is it? Doesn’t it become easier in the doing? Don’t be a sailor afraid to set sail. Stop worrying about the weather. Acknowledge to Whom you belong and walk in it. Go ahead. Take a step.

A Toddler’s Top Five Books

2011-02-18T14:01:00.000-08:00

Again? You want me to read this again? Am I the only adult who can recite Sandra Boynton’s, But not the Hippotamus from memory? A hog and a frog do a dance in the bog….

Young children generally love books, and my twins are no exception. As a homeschool mom, I want books that educate my kids. Not boring facts, but something that sparks the imaginative process. If I teach my kids to absolutely love reading, there’s no limit to the information they can find out as adults. So here is a list of their favorites (and mommy’s too.)

1. But Not the Hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton. A hippo watches the action from the sidelines while the phrase is repeated, “but not the hippopotamus”. At the end she is invited to join the action….and the answer is… “but YES! the hippopotamus.”

2. Hello Shoes by Joan Blos. A little boy and his grandpa hunt the house for his favorite pair of shoes. They look in several places without discovered the favorite footwear. When at last the missing shoes are found, he buckles them BY HIMSELF for the first time, and the grandpa sings, “This is the boy who buckled his shoes…buckled his shoes…”

3. Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French. This “Australian raccoon”, the nocturnal wombat, discovers his new human neighbors. He digs up their flowers, wrestles their welcome mat, tears down hanging laundry, and pounds on their metal trash cans until he receives carrots. It is told from the wombat’s point of view. It ends when he decides he likes his new neighbors and they are very trainable.

4. The Christmas Crocodile by Bonnie Becker. The Christmas crocodile didn’t mean to be bad, not really..This story tells of all the havoc a crocodile causes when delivered to the wrong address, and all the things he eats, including the blue spruce, a big one. It ends with the crocodile being hauled away to his rightful home and the little girl, Alice Jayne, smiling because she has a secret, a newly hatched baby crocodile upstairs.

5. Have you Got my Purr? by Judy West. A kitten searches the farmyard for her purr, asking all the animals in turn if they have it. The sheep send her to the dog, the dog sends her to the mouse (this is a little tricky as she is a cat) and so on, until late in the day, she is sent home to her mother and realizes she had her own purr with her after all.

Not only are these five books entertaining, they all have a surprise ending that widens the eyes of young listeners. What makes these five books exceptional is that they take their little listeners on a journey. Their little minds revel in this thought process. They anticipate the ending; they absorb the art of suspense and employ their imaginations. These are the kinds of books that “teach” children. These books are good for their development and yes, inevitably, they will implore you to “Read it again, puh-leeze.”

Crock Pot Writing

2011-02-17T06:41:00.000-08:00

I love to write, but cooking….not really my thing.. but the crockpot..now the crockpot is like writing.

You start a piece, throw together the ingredients, chopping some big, some small. You put it in the pot and let it simmer. A piece of writing simmers in my mind; I pen some of it to paper. Look at it, toss in some small bits, maybe some big ones. Try a crunchy carrot or two…hmm…pretty good…turn on low and leave it be for a couple hours. Walk by later and smell it, it’s coming along….add a phrase or two….stir the pot a little. The smell permeates the house. You can even smell chicken and dumplings upstairs. By four’o’clock, I want to print it up, post it to the blog, send it to a friend, read it to a child, but wait, it’s not finished yet. It needs more….time….By six, it’s perfect prose, thick goodness ready to be ladled onto plates, steaming in its perfection. Makes me want to take a picture…but hey, it’s only food, prose, true soul food…don’t let it sit too long in the pot…then it’s overdone…over metaphored….over concised…let it cool….ladle it into containers for the overnight in the fridge…Next day, at lunch, it’s still perfection, maybe even better after the hot words have settled, and now, like a favorite paperback, reopened once again…Ahh, satisfaction.

Musical Beds

2011-02-15T05:47:00.000-08:00

At our home we have the phenomenon of Musical Beds. Perhaps you have experienced this. We have four children and four designated sleeping places. The girl has her own room with a single bed in it. The three boys share a room with a bunk bed in it. It has a single on top and a double on the bottom. You see, adequate sleeping arrangements for four children. Yet, almost every night when I check the kids before I go to bed, I find at least one empty bed. This used to alarm me. Where is my child?

My twins have always shared a bed, and since they were babies, they always slept better together. It’s like they have to be touching each other to fall asleep. I remember putting two fussy infants on either end of the cradle and trying to rock them to sleep..no luck…but cram them in side by side and instant relaxation. This worked so well we only used a single crib. When they graduated from the crib to the toddler beds, I would find them tangled asleep in the middle of the floor. We finally put the little beds side by side so they would sleep in one or the other.

Now they are big boys, just turned six, and happily share the lower bunk. Usually, I untangle their arms and legs, make sure heads are on pillows and both are covered up before I crawl into bed for the night, but sometimes there’s an extra long leg sticking out or longish girl hair on a pillow…and usually at least one empty bed somewhere. This used to freak me out a little. Oh, my poor kids, how can they even sleep. I would haul each back to their bed and tuck them in. Only now, they are much heavier. Now, I just count limbs and make sure everybody has a blanket. I vaguely wonder if it’s like that new study about having pets. Pet germs supposedly boost your immunity…

It’s worse when you have one child with a cough or a fever. You tuck them in a single bed so the sickness is isolated but later, you may find yourself trying to move the coughing child to a sitting position in the dark and realize you have the wrong child as there are really two children now in this bed.

I don’t get it. I only had one sister. I only ever had my own room and I loved sleeping alone. I still love the feeling of having the whole bed to myself if my husband is out of town or I am napping on a restful Sunday afternoon. So this tendency to sleep like puppies is beyond me.

As they grow bigger and older, I am certain, the game of Musical Beds every night will be a thing of the past. It doesn’t freak me out anymore. I just find all four heads, pat them tenderly, make sure everyone is covered up, thank the Lord for my children and head to bed. Someday, Musical Beds will simply be another mommy-mind memory to chuckle about later.

Something Gold Can Stay

2011-02-12T07:01:00.000-08:00

Morning Light

Perhaps the light in heaven

Will be like

The light on a June morning

Where it comes

Slanting across the fields,

Gilding the green

and shoots straight through

The windows facing east.

Released within the room

It penetrates

The green shirt

Hanging from a bureau drawer,

The socks and loafers

Heaped upon the floor.

Everything gleams with gold.

Transformed

As we shall be

When morning comes for us

And God's great love

Illuminates our souls

And sets us free.

Elizabeth B. Rooney (1994)

2011-02-07T14:04:00.000-08:00

My daughter cried during swimming lessons today.

No, she was not injured.

No, she wasn’t freezing.

She just wasn’t having fun. She had run up against a challenge. A task she could not do. A task that could not be accomplished without work. She did not want to work. She wanted to give up. I saw it in her eyes, although she didn’t say it.

I saw those words settling there, “It’s too hard,” even though she didn’t say them. I called her over, held her hand, and first stated, “There’s no crying in swimming.” Then I told her, “Be diligent, work hard, and never give up. Keep trying. Persevere.”

She sucked it up and kept going. She finished her lesson. She wasn’t her usual chipper self, but the crying was over, thankfully. Next time, she would do better.

Today, the children pushed all my buttons. I yelled. I threatened, I did not listen. I just wasn’t having fun. I had run up against a challenge. A task I could not accomplish without work. I did not want to work. I felt those words settling in, “It’s too hard.” I felt the tears well up, and then, like a hand holding mine, words of Scripture comforted me and saved me once again. “So do not fear, for I am with you.” Isaiah 41:10

Be diligent, work hard, and never give up. Keep trying. Persevere.

The Snowstorm

2011-02-02T08:53:00.000-08:00

Announced by all the trumpets of the sky,
Arrives the snow, and, driving o'er the fields,
Seems nowhere to alight: the whited air
Hides hill and woods, the river, and the heaven,
And veils the farmhouse at the garden's end.
The sled and traveller stopped, the courier's feet
Delayed, all friends shut out, the housemates sit
Around the radiant fireplace, enclosed
In a tumultuous privacy of storm.
Come see the north wind's masonry.
Out of an unseen quarry evermore
Furnished with tile, the fierce artificer
Curves his white bastions with projected roof
Round every windward stake, or tree, or door.
Speeding, the myriad-handed, his wild work
So fanciful, so savage, nought cares he
For number or proportion. Mockingly,
On coop or kennel he hangs Parian wreaths;
A swan-like form invests the hiddden thorn;
Fills up the famer's lane from wall to wall,
Maugre the farmer's sighs; and at the gate
A tapering turret overtops the work.
And when his hours are numbered, and the world
Is all his own, retiring, as he were not,
Leaves, when the sun appears, astonished Art
To mimic in slow structures, stone by stone,
Built in an age, the mad wind's night-work,
The frolic architecture of the snow.

1835 [1841] Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Presidents' Daughters

2010-12-31T07:30:00.000-08:00

Mark asks me, "Mom, who is the president of the United States?"

"Mr. Barack Obama."

He considers this for a moment, "Mama, does the president have any sons?"

"No, he has two daughters."

He is silent for a moment, "What about the president before him? Did he have any sons?"

"No, he had two daughters."

Mark sighs deeply, obviously disturbed about this lack of boys.

"What about the president before him?"

"No, he had one daughter."

Mark flops his head onto the counter. Without lifting it, he says, "Oh, brother...what about the president before him?"

Mama has been waiting for this one, "Yes! He had sons." Mark lifts his head as Mama continues, "and one of his sons became a president too."

Mark lifts up his head and looks at me with renewed hope. All he says is "Whew!"

2010-12-22T13:49:00.000-08:00

I have a Veggie Tales plastic nativity set on my counter that my twins play with every day. Sometimes they leave the figures in very interesting positions.

I know other families who do this and you end up with little people and pretty ponies visiting baby Jesus…how sweet…

Things are a little different at my house. I found baby Jesus propped on the roof of the stable, three wise men lying down in front and everyone else behind the stable, except for one green army guy with a gun lying near the wise men. “Hey, Mark, what happened?”

I knew I was in for a story because he sat down, grabbed a wise man and started, “Well, mom…”

“You know how Herod wants Jesus dead? Well, he tricked these wise man into becoming his minions!

They came here to kill Jesus, but this army guy shot at them. Pshoo! Pshoo!

And he killed one, but the other two wise men got him…arr!!….

So everyone ran for cover screaming ahhhh!!

Except Joseph because he just had a dream about the whole thing and was already behind the stable. He just didn’t have time to warn them or maybe he forgot. Oops!

But Baby Jesus can’t run. And, because he’s really God, of course, and He’s got power. Woosh!! So his manger flew up into the air, waashoom!!

and he killed the other two wise guys with red-hot laser beams!” uh,,uh,,, and they fell down. Amen!, I mean, the end.”

This left me wondering what will happen tomorrow?

2010-12-08T04:54:00.001-08:00

The Westphal Christmas Letter 2010 by Marcus and Lucas

Mom’s been kinda busy this year so we decided to write the Christmas letter. We turned 5 in February and Mom and Dad abandoned us for three days to fly to Dallas, Texas. Apparently, it was a research trip to the Retina Foundation of the Southwest and the docs got to look at mom’s eyes, but we think it was a vacation. They even sent postcards and went to the Sixth Floor, a museum all about JFK’s assassination. The museum is actually located on the same floor of the bldg. where Oswald fired his rifle. They also saw Phantom of the Opera. We are sure it was a vacation.

We also finished soccer in the spring. It was really fun to knock the other kids down so mom signed us up for swimming lessons instead this fall. We love to splash and move. Tim and Sarah did soccer this fall so we still got to go to their games and run around like maniacs. I think Mom and Dad only lost us twice. If you cry loud and pray to God, someone will help you find your parents. You can also make all the ladies smile if you tap their arm and say, “you’re so beautiful”.

Mom also got to be a pirate at night. She had to wear eye patches because she had cataract surgery. She said it was actually good news because her eye disease isn’t encroaching on her central vision yet, which is what they thought was happening at first. The good news is that now she can drive again. It was tough when we were stuck at home, but we did have some good people help us out with rides. One car even had a TV in it. We prayed for rides and got them. God’s so good to us.

Dad has been busy with his new job, and we “pray for sales” every day. It’s called ICR, and they repair electrical components and robots in all kinds of industries. So if you need a repair, call our Dad. Dad’s also doing school at Cornerstone College for something called a BA in Business Management, and he only has a few classes left. He was able to take a break for his new job and it’s been fun to wrestle him more. If we take turns, he doesn’t get a break, and we never get tired of playing with Dad.

Mom is our teacher. She does school every day with all four of us, but the good news is, that if the weather is nice, we get to take a “field trip.” We like phonics and numbers, and Tim likes science, and Sarah likes typing. We can’t read very much yet, but when we ask Sarah to read to us, she says yes. If we ask Tim, he says, “Ask Sarah.” Tim is nine, and Sarah is seven, and Mom didn’t really want her and Dad’s ages in the letter. Thanks for praying for our family as we keep following God’s path.

Monsters

2010-11-19T06:52:00.000-08:00

Do you remember those commercials with the little orange fuzzy guy trying to get someone's attention while the narrator talked about fighting hunger?

This commercial made me shout the first time I saw it. "Ah, ha!" I cried, "That's what he looks like!"

My husband, used to strange outbursts from the strange woman he married, merely glanced over and waited while I pointed excitedly at the screen.

"That's HIM!" I continued, "That's the Goody Monster."

The Goody Monster? Yes, and actually, the not-strange-at-all man I married coined the term. The Goody Monster is my husband's monster. I was shocked the first couple time he started going through the cupboards and the fridge at 9:00 to 10:00 at night. "What are you doing?"

"Oh, looking for a goody.."

"A goody?"

"The Goody Monster's hungry."

If I could raise one eyebrow, I would have, and I would have done it surreptitiously. Instead I settled for, "Oh?"

"A goody sounds good."

The bad part is the goody monster is like a stray cat. You feed it and it just comes back. It even grows bigger and more demanding at times. The Goody Monster had even demanded that my husband drive to Russ' restaurant after 9:00p.m. for a piece of strawberry cheese pie.

If Ryan walks into the bedroom holding a plate of cookies with his glass of milk (visual sleep aid), and I surreptitiously raise my eyebrow (at least in my imagination) and say, "Oh?" He just shrugs and says, "Goody Monster was hungry."

After 17 years of marriage, the goody monster is just part of our lives. You can imagine my shock when I saw him in ACTUAL PHYSICAL form on television. Now I have a fuzzy orange mental image to accompany the words, "Goody Monster."

2010-11-11T06:09:00.002-08:00

Things overheard from the kids:

“I really want a canyon. That way, I can really blow things up.”

“Luc! You already chopped that leg off!”

“Now pretend I’m really short.”

“Mom, what’s a blaz, er?” “A what?” Daughter points to the sign in women’s clothing—“BLAZERS”.

“I killed you, and now, you’re alive again.”

“Oh no, I’ve found the dead monkey!”

“Owie, owie, owie…I banged my toe….REALLY HARDLY!”

“I always check out the bathroom trash when I go potty.”

“You have to wake daddies up gently.” Little girl

“Nahh, I wake up my daddy aggressively!” my son.

2010-10-14T12:35:00.000-07:00

Five things to love about fall

1. Homeschooling the kids (Wait,that happens all year long...)

2. The bee-yoo-tee-full fall foilage.

3. Hot apple cider steaming on the stove.

4. kisses from five year olds (wait, that happens all year long...)

5. Watching kids play in the leaves

2010-10-04T10:33:00.000-07:00

"Cultivating a thankful heart in your child." Sounds like a great book title, doesn't it? I am not writing it, I am looking for it. One of my children seems to be having some trouble being grateful for anything in his life these days, and this cultivation is my new goal... Granted, cultivation takes time, and the seeds don't grow right away....

Seed #1 Got a kids book from the library, Casey, the greedy cowboy. He has all this cowboy stuff and just wants more. His mom gives him the "you have so much already, be grateful" speech, but he just gets angry. While he's angry, he finds a poster for the rodeo and forgetting all else, asks if mom and dad will take him. The parents agree, and at the rodeo, Casey sees a "kid cowboy" and thinks "wow, that's the life for me." then he discovers how sad and lonely the kid is because he has no family. Casey is immediately thankful for all he has, including his new friend.

My child's take-away lesson from all this--"Mom, if I find a poster for a rodeo, will you take me? Puh-leeze...."

Seed #2 Telling God what we are thankful for before bed. Mom's prayer, "Dear God, we are thankful for our salvation, our family and our friends, and our beds and pillows.."

Child's prayer, "Dear God, I am NOT thankful it is bedime. AMEN!"

Anybody got any more seeds for me here?

A Typical Day in the Westphal Household

2010-09-23T03:46:00.000-07:00

(Did that say "a typical" or "atypical" ? No matter...)

"Silly Putty doesn't come out of hair good," announces Tim.

"Oh?"

"I'm still workin' on it."

"Something happened, Mom," Mark announces.

"Oh?"

"I just pulled the light chain and the glass thing fell!" (He means the light fixture cover. It's the third one we've had in that room.)

"Is it broken?"

"Into total BITS, Mom, total BITS!"

"Cheers!" Lucas says, holding his lunch glass aloft, "To liberty and beyond!'

Mark, defending the living room with an invisible sword, "Prepare to be BATTLED!"

Grandma, "We're going to the Asian Market today."

Much later, Papa mentions his sore neck. "Maybe you can go see the doctor at that place," offers Lucas,.

"What place?"

"That shopping place that Grandma said."

"The Asian Market?"

"Yes! Maybe they have a doctor there."

"Mom, I'm cold!" says Mark.

"Do you want your bathrobe?"

"I don't need my robe! I believe in the power of the living God!"

Other items of note.....(typical, atypical....you decide)

We read about Sumerian cuneiform, listened to Adventures in Odyssey, explained adultery, and found out what magnetite looks like.

The kids and I read about DaVinci. We say "DaVinci" and "Mona Lisa" in our best Italian accents. (I love accents, go ahead, try it, it's fun. "Da Vinci!" see? ). Sarah and I draw pictures across the table of each other. We walk Sarah to GEMS (church on the corner), while my neighbor takes Tim to soccer. Mark and Lucas and I pick acorn squash and eat broccoli at the garden.

Tim's spelling sentence for today is "My orange farm heard you." This cracks him up for some reason. Older two timed themselves in typing and math flashcards. I read Richard Scarry's Peasant Pig and the book KAPOW! at least 5 times today (Counting the days until we can get to the library again.)

We danced to the song, "There's a zombie on my lawn," and Sarah and I read Romans Chapter Five together in our "dramatic" voices. All this, plus five loads of laundry and the ten commandments all in a typical day at the Westphals. Thanks for joining us and tune in next week when Marcus says, "Uh-oh, sorry Mom."

2010-08-20T12:59:00.001-07:00

Five Easy Steps to a clean bathroom floor

1. When the children ask, "Can we wash the ponies in the sink?" Say Yes.

2. Ignore all the laughing and splashing you hear for at least twenty minutes.

3. Pull the plug and give each child a rag for clean-up.

4. Let the oldest child use the mop.

5. Voila. Nice clean floor.

Possible side effects include:

1. Dry sets of clothes for each child.

2. At least 4 wet rags, one wet bath stool, one soaked bathmat, etc...

Vacation (Have to get away) Bible School

2010-08-07T14:33:00.000-07:00

My parents live on at least half an acre of wooded land near a lake in northern Michigan. It makes for a nice vacation for the kids and Mom. We can swim in the lake, ride in the paddleboat, build forts in the woods, and have a great time. In fact, we go every year for one very special week. It is special because my parents’ small country church hosts a huge Vacation Bible School event. Monday through Friday, 7-9 pm with music, games, craft, Bible story, true evangelism, and snack for preschoolers to pre-teens. The kindergarten-1^st. grade class my boys were part of boasted 15-20 kids each night.

While I still envy those parents who simply drop off and pick up their children, I am glad I stayed each night. I hung out with the boys’ class and helped them line up, take turns, and deal with disappointment. Story time was the best. The pastor dressed up and had props. One night he was a drill sergeant hollering orders and told us the story of Naaman. One night he was a fisherman who followed Jesus. One night he was a doctor named Luke. It was so good to see those little hands raised when he asked if they wanted to give their hearts to Jesus.

My boys, five years olds each, and full of energy, imagination, and their own ideas, were two of almost 20 in their class. They pulled the horn of a snow plow, watched the lights of a firetruck, and washed hands with a real nurse. The boys made crosses with real construction workers, and quickly turned them upside down so they could be swords. They ran when they were supposed to be still, talked when shushed, pushed others when told to line up, flatly refused to color anything, cried when they didn’t get picked to do an activity and choose not to obey their mom….experienced time outs, discipline from Mom, and talkings to, but not all the time…they also listened to story time, learned how to be a HERO for God, learned Bible verses, asked questions, sat in a circle, played duck, duck, goose, ate snack, listened to others, and one night, both raised their hands to give their hearts to Jesus.

So while part of me still envies those drop off and pick up parents, part of me is eternally grateful for the opportunity to watch my boys grow and learn, especially about my savior, Jesus. Thank you, Dighton Wesleyan Church, for evangelizing children.

Visual Sleep AId

2010-07-20T05:59:00.000-07:00

I am used to clearing an empty glass from the bedroom each morning. My husband almost always has a large glass of milk before bed. But recently, I found a full glass of milk next to the bed. Ryan is a very hard worker, and I think it caught up with him. He just fell asleep before he could drink it.

But I had to tease him a little. "What is this? You just need to look at it to fall asleep?" Last night, I asked him where he was going, "Downstairs," he replied, "I need my visual sleep aid." Presenting "The Visual Sleep Aid" . That's right, folks, just pour yourself a glass of milk, set it next to the bed, and voila, before you know it, you will be sound asleep. Caution: don't stare at this picture too long or you may fall ..zzz....zzz

I Love Surprises

2010-07-16T00:30:00.000-07:00

It finally happened. The realization that my husband and I actually read ONE of the SAME books in our childhood! This wonderment came as we were driving to pick up kids from camping. Books on tape are a wonderful thing on a road trip. We have heard everything from Adventures in Odyssey to The Tale of Despereaux. Today's choice was Beverly Cleary's The Mouse and the Motorcycle.

The husband was a little grumpy as he had planned on staying home to work while I road-tripped for over two hours, but the clouds rolled in and put a damper on all his plans. So we listened to the adventures of Ralph the mouse as he made friends, discovered the joy of the motorcycle and felt the crushing disappointment of losing such a precious thing that was loaned to him. As Ralph admitted the loss, Ryan looked at me conspiratorily, "Don't worry," he whispered, "he gets it back."

"Wha?" I responded, "You mean you know this story?"

"I read it when I was a kid."

I was dumbfounded. My jaw dropped. Then I smiled a little. After years and years of marriage, another surprise! I knew Ryan spent every childhood summer outside. He'd play monopoly all day, or hide and seek, or ride his bike all over, or play in the gravel pits. Meanwhile, I spent summers escaping into books of all sorts. Many was the time I had mentioned a beloved childhood book only to be met by a blank look.

After I recovered from my shock and repeated, "You've READ The Mouse and the Motorcycle?" more times than I should have, I couldn't help but smile again. I love surprises.

summer 2010

2010-06-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

Five things to love about summer

1. The feeling of toes in warm sand

2. The smell of suntan lotion

3. The sound of sprinklers

4. The taste of ice cream on a stick

5. The smiles of my children

2010-06-22T10:19:00.000-07:00

What’s the deal with the Bible stories I never heard about?

I mean, I grew up in church, I memorized John 3:16, I can recite the Old Testament, and yet, this remarkable book of God’s keeps surprising me.

Perhaps it’s the fact that I am not a scholar or these stories aren’t in ALL four gospels or perhaps they contain something controversial that my simple mind is missing.

Still, it’s rather surprising, entertaining and enlightening. Take for example, today in John chapter 12. I read of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus coming back to his house for the Passover, and riding the colt into Jerusalem. Lots of visual pictures from my memories, Sunday school posters, plays, palm leaves, real and construction paper….it’s the next passage that got me.

Greeks wanted to see Jesus, they talked to Philip, Philip talked to Andrew, Andrew talked to Jesus and then….there’s these wonderful words of Christ predicting his own death and a voice answering him from heaven. Jesus says, “Father, glorify your name.” God says, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” Wow! How could I not even know of this exchange?

Is it just not as incredulous as “This is my son, in whom I am well pleased.”? Harder to explain than Noah’s Ark? Perhaps I just didn’t read the Bible enough as a kid and relied on my Sunday School teachers too much.

Thanks, God, for always surprising me. For more details, see John 12.

"Well-liked by All"

2010-06-15T06:15:00.000-07:00

Christian parents,

Do you want everyone to like your children? Think about it carefully. Yes, this is a trick question. It points back to you.

Do you want everyone to like you? Think about it carefully. Yes, this is a trick question. If the answer is yes, you are living for the wrong purpose. This is not a good goal, not in your personal life, and certainly not in parenting.

The goal of your life should not be "She was well-liked", and yet, we get sucked into this people-pleaser trap, much to our own detriment. Inevitably, you are placing your sense of significance in the hands of people. I have bad news for you. People mess up all the time. Do you know you can't even completely rely on yourself?

Yes, it's true. You will let yourself down. You've seen it in your past and it will likely happen again.

So, where does your significance lie? In the hands of others? Or in the hands of a gracious God? Are you striving for "Well done, good and faithful servant, " ?

Back to parenting. Do you want everyone to like your children? Should this be your desire? No.

"...building a significant purpose into your children invariably guarantees that some people won't like them." -Tim Kimmel, Grace-based Parenting. What? Someone not like my child? Yes, and you need to be okay with that. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you encounter trials of many kinds...."

Do not push your child to be "well-liked by all". That is not where you want their significance to be based. Jesus loved all, but was not loved by all. If they're goal is to be "well-liked", they will not stand up for their faith. If you are striving to be "well-liked by all," your children will strive for this as well.

Set your goal higher, for you and for them. Strive to please God and not man. "well done, good and faithful servant," instead of "well-liked by all."

Increase our faith

2010-05-13T13:16:00.000-07:00

1. "Marc, you left your dominoes out."

"Sorry, Mom."
"I forgive you."

2. "Marc, do not put checkers in your mouth."

"Sorry, Mom."

"I forgive you."

3. "Marc, come flush the toilet."

"Sorry, Mom."

"I forgive you."

4. "Marc, do not put the silly putty in your hair."

"Sorry, Mom."

"I forgive you."

5. "Marc, do not unroll that much toilet paper."

"Sorry, Mom."

"I forgive you."

6. "Marc, do not throw blocks at your brother."

"Sorry, Mom."

"I forgive you."

7. "Marc, do not use the tape without asking first."

"Sorry, Mom."

"I forgive you."

"Be on your guard. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, "I repent," forgive him." Luke 17: 3, 4

The mom job of forgiving again and again can be wearisome but I must reflect God's grace to my children. He forgives me again and again for my daily mistakes. I am grateful for my children's repentant hearts. Sometimes seven times a day is more like 70 x 7, especially multiplied by four children; however, I have faith that God will supply His grace.

"The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!'" Luke 17:5 That is my prayer, as well.

Okay, so I attempted to share this post with Tim and Sarah. You know, to demonstrate how important it is to forgive others, especially their brother. Sarah asked what "rebuke" meant and after a quick explanation, Tim interrupted, "Oh good, I thought you said re-puke. You know, throw up on your brother!" This dissolved the little girl in giggles and even mama smiled, but I'm trusting that God's word will not return void. "The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!'" Luke 17:5

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-10T12:49:00.000-07:00

My own mother, bless her heart, was stranded at my home with a horrible cold that swelled up her eyes so much she couldn't drive home, so she and Dad stayed an extra night, and I got to help take care of her.

Then my Tim woke me at 5:00 Mother's Day morning, "Mom, I think I'm going to throw up." Sure enough. So I got to take care of my first-born, also. Quite a morning. Tim says to me, "Mom, remember all those times I'm not glad you are my mom?"

"Yes, Tim," I answer.

"Well today, I am REALLY glad you are my mom. You are taking care of me when I'm sick." As the morning went on, he felt a little better but we all skipped church. Mom's eyes were better enough that she headed home. Ryan stayed with the kids and I drove in the car (all alone) to I-HOP (all alone) where I got a newspaper and ordered my favorite breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes and a cup of coffee. Did you know they give you your own coffeepot there? Did you know pancakes are supposed to be eaten when they are hot? It was a wonderful breakfast, although I kept yawning for some strange reason. They even gave me a carnation.

Later, I got a nice, long nap, miniature roses, and a chocolate, chocolate cake from my wonderful family. I love being a mom.

2010-05-05T10:32:00.000-07:00

We now have a scale in the bathroom. I have always been opposed to this practice. Remember those commercials with the people chained to their bathroom scales? I have never wanted to be a slave to the scale or obsess over those daily changes in my weight. Hence, I have NEVER had a bathroom scale. Why now?

It’s actually Ryan’s scale. He used to keep it at work, but now that his office is home, the scale lives in the bathroom. I hid it in the closet for awhile, but it kept mysteriously reappearing. I have flatly refused to step on it. Instead of my becoming a slave to the scale (whew!), something else has happened. Something I didn’t, but should’ve, anticipated.

I now get daily reports, sometimes twice a day, on how much my eight year old weighs, how much a game weighs, how much the trash can weighs, how much…you get the idea…

So, we now have a scale in the bathroom.

Soccer begins

2010-04-16T08:56:00.001-07:00

Timothy's soccer schedule:

Sat. April 17 10:30 field 6

Sat. April 24 10:30 field 3

Sat. May 1 1:00 field 3

Sat. May 8 8:00 field 6

Sat. May 15 11:45 field 3

Sat. May 22 8:00 Field 6

Marcus' and Lucas' soccer schedule:

Tues. April 20 6:30

Tues. April 27 6:30

Tues. May 4 6:30

Tues. May 11 6:30

Tues. May 18 6:30

Tues. May 25 6:30

Soccer is played at Georgetown Township Port Sheldon Sports Complex

Elephant Guns

2010-04-15T16:49:00.000-07:00

People who seek spiritual contentment do not want to be challenged or moved. What I love about my God is that He does not let me stay as I am; he wants me to grow, and like a parent, He rejoices in my growth, and nothing is better than that Hallelujah!

Someone who is pure will not be afraid to offend, or call "a sin", "a sin". Many Christians today do not want to confront sin or stand apart from the world. We are surrounded by sin. But we don't call it that. We are surrounded by the proverbial elephant in the room. Those with true purity are elephant trackers. They carry elephant guns. They do not ignore the signs of an elephant. My husband, thankfully, is such a man.

With the Holy Spirit's guidance, he recently pointed out one of my elephants. I closed my eyes and waited for him to shoot it. But instead, I felt him touch my hand and heard him ask, "Where does your help come from? Who do you trust?" You see, my elephant was self-defeating self pity. So I opened my eyes and found a large elephant gun in my hands. Yep, I had to look my elephant right in the eye and take aim. It wasn't an easy task. This elephant had been following me around for quite awhile. No one else had mentioned it... it wasn't even that big of an elephant but it had to go. So, listen to the elephant trackers in your life, and when they hand you the gun, take it boldly, take aim and fire.

The Continuing Saga of the Pine Cones

2010-04-13T12:36:00.000-07:00

We have the largest pine tree in our neighborhood. It’s at least 3 feet in diameter and twice as tall as our house. It makes a huge noise when the wind whips through its branches, and the pine cones rain down everywhere. It’s the pine cones that are the problem.

Mom –“Don’t touch the pine cones. There’s sticky sap on them.” This was not fair of Mama…all those tempting pine cones..Hand sanitizer is the best defense against sap. Just rub a big glob of it on the sap-encrusted foot or hand and voila, sap free…

Mom – “Don’t throw the pine cones at the deer.” There’s a nursing home behind our home and their deer pen is behind our shed.

Mom – “Don’t throw pine cones at the house.”

Mom – “Don’t throw pine cones at the cars.”

Mom –“Don’t throw pine cones at each other.”

Kids –“What can we throw the pine cones at?”

Kids—“Ahhhh! Sap! I need tizer, please!”

Kids—“See how far I can throw this pine cone, isn’t it AMAZING?”

Kids—“Mom, watch me twist this pine cone in half!”

Kids—“Look, I can draw with chalk on the pine cone.”

Kids—“Sorry Mom, I didn’t mean to hit you. You moved at the wrong time.”

Mom—“Let’s pick up ALL the pine cones and throw them away.”

Kids—“bummer.”

2010-04-11T16:21:00.000-07:00

Thankfully, God designed men and women differently. We all know this and live with it every day as husband and wife or in watching our parents as we grow up. Still, for some strange reason, we expect our kids to learn the same way. We seem surprised at their differences sometimes. This subject extends far beyond gender, as each individual is a unique creation of God, but I am always being surprised by my children. So here’s a reminder that boys are different than girls.

Boys SEE Differently

“Males have more rods in their eyes versus cones. Rods help us to see distance and speed. Females have more cones than rods. Cones help us to see color and shape. Because of this difference, boys tend to draw verbs with little color variation in their pictures while girls tend to draw nouns with lots of different colors.

When asked to draw a picture, Sally will draw a house with people and flowers and lots of pretty colors. Steve will draw a tornado which is knocking down a house - and his picture will look like a large black swirl.” August 13, 2008 -- Homeschool-Your-Boys.com - Boys Learn Differently Than Girls From Homeschool-Your-Boys Homeschool-Your-Boys.com - FREE Advice on How to Homeschool ...

Allow me to illustrate in these two great pictures from my 8 year old son and 6 year old daughter. See if you can pick who drew what. J

2010-04-02T07:17:00.001-07:00

Another beautiful Michigan summer day in Spring. Unseasonably warm at 77 degrees and sunny. My happy yellow daffodils are trumpeting spring's arrival with all their hearts in the flowerbeds. Today we abandoned our books for the park.

The wind blew last year's leaves skittering, paper thin and brown, along paths and over ground just beginning to green. The four children climbed an inviting tree, rejoicing over footholds and handholds and what they could see from the heights. Even Mama looked tiny. Finally, in their red-cheeked exhaustion, they came to stand under the tree. But it had no leaves to shade them. Even its buds were still closed up tight. We walked through the woods and along the creek bed, searching out signs of spring other than the sun warming our heads. We spied racing water spiders and the green glow of algae on still creek waters. Three friendly dogs greeted us while their owner clung to their leashes.

We headed back to 9our waiting water bottles and the drive home with windows down and radio cranked to the sound of an audio story. This time --Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of Nimh. It was a beautiful day.

2010-04-02T07:01:00.000-07:00

Good Friday

"Whatever you do, work at it with your whole heart, as though working for God and not man." Colossians 3:23

Work. Work. Work. Some days it's downright tough to do the dishes one more time or do yet another load of laundry or spend time making one more meal. I call it the deep-sigh day. It means I need an attitude adjustment from my spiritual chiropractor. All these deep sighs and unspoken complaints are simply symptoms of me-ism. Yep, focusing on myself again instear of my creator and sustainer. Me-ism = selfishness = sin= repentance = J.O.Y. = Jesus Others You.

That's right, "you" is last. "But what about ME? It's isn't fair. I've had enough; now I want my share. Can't you see?. . . " Another selfish 80s song floats through my brain looking for a home, but I know another, "It's no about me, Jesus, that you should do things my way...it's all about you."

Isn't true worship the humbling of ourselfves? Admitting we were wrong and walking in grace, grace--like wrapping up in a dryer-warmed blanket after a cold walk outdoors.

In Luke, the Roman centurian discovered something. He viewed Christ's horrible death from beginning until the end. Darkness covered the land, the veil was rent in two, and we all know his statement, "Truly this was the son of God!" yet we miss the verse before it. Our pastor pointed to this little remembered phrase in the book of Luke and it seemed to lodge in my heart. The scripture says, "He PRAISED God." It's hard to imagine PRAISE at such a time, but there it is. He PRAISED God.--That one little verb I need for my attitude adjustment.

My life needs to be that praise, tha tacknowledgement, that daily love song, even my dishes, my laundry, and my dinners.

Love Song

Today my powm will be written
Not in words
But in the work I do
To make this house
Shining and welcoming.

Today my poem will be written
Not with pen
But with my mop and broom
With my iron and parin gknife

A love song, yes--
One written with my life.

By Elizabeth B. Rooney

A funny thing happened at the hotel

2010-03-26T07:41:00.000-07:00

We had our first family hotel stay. (Did you know if your family is larger than 5-you have to have another room?) It was a local hotel. My aunt and uncle and cousins and kids were visiting from Illinois and they were staying one night at the hotel so we joined them. Our "large" family had to book a suite--where the mysterious middle door opens. Our suite had a little kitchenette and living room with a fold out couch attached to the regular 2 bedroom hotel room. Very unique to me.

A great time was had by all. With seven kids under the age of 9, the pool was a huge attraction. It had a kiddie pool right in it for the little ones and a seperate hot tub for the big ones. :-) Ahh!! (Ryan even got to show off his painted big toe nail that he let Sarah paint bright pink because no one would ever see it.) We swam and ordered pizza and swam some more (yes, we waited 20 minutes-my cousin has lifeguard training). Then we slept all night and swam again in the morning. We said our goodbyes and the kids and I cleaned up, packed up, and headed to the van (Ry was already at work).

As I shut the back door on our luggage, I noticed some scratches accross the back. I followed them. They were all the way around the van, at least twice! Someone had viciously "keyed" our van. I calmly let the hotel know, and my husband, and we called the police to file a report. It was now lunch time, so I pulled out the emergency box of graham crackers for the kids while we waited for the officer. "Do you have any enemies, Ma'am? Perhaps an angry ex?" Perhaps the vandals had you confused with someone else.

We left for home but had to stop to get gas first. When I opened the gas door, a small pile of dead leaves fell out. Something a child would do - no doubt. SOmething clicks in my brain. I ger a flash of everything my boys have destroyed--wallpaper, furniture, toys, walls, closet shelving, towel bars--I bend closer to look at the scratches near the gas door. Yes...there and there again...that looks like the letter "m". Only one boy makes "m"s like that.

I calmly bring Marc to that side of the van. I smile. I control my voixe. "Is that your "m"?" I ask.
He smiles, swelling with pride. After all, mama loves his "m"s. "Yes," he says expectantly turning his eyes toward me.
"And what did you use to make your m?"
"Oh, a sharp shiny rock."
"Did you go all around the van?"
"Yes, " he's still smiling a little but he's wavering. Perhaps my fake pleasant tone is fading, "I wanted to make it beautiful for you, Mama."
I hugged him. I was glad his heart was in the fight place, but we need to work on modes of expression here. So now you know, the rest of the story.
:

Weekly (sort of) Wrap Up

2010-03-21T11:35:00.000-07:00

Science week this week. Tim and Sarah worked on reports on Body Systems. Tim is tackling the Skeletal System and Sarah is doing the muscles (She was quite delighted to learn the heart is a muscle, as her last report was on the heart.) Tim loves games and we found one about bones. ABCya! Skeletal System Game: Learn the Bones! We use the Power Point program and then have the kids present and grade one another on presentation, including points for eye contact, smiling, and knowing their slides well. Mama grades them as well. This week, they also did some of their own typing! (Thanks, Heather, for BBC - Schools - Dance Mat Typing - Home

The weather won on Wednesday. It was so beautiful, sunny and warm for Michigan in March. The boys had story time at the library while Tim and Sarah worked on their writing and daily grams, but that was it for school today. Sarah had dance at 1:30, and while I usually stay at the studio and do school with the boys, we left and went to the park. We played pirates at the playground, threw rocks in the water, watched a swimming duck leaving trails on the pond, and tried to catch a couple seagulls. Tim even dug holes in the sand. After dance, we ran errands, and headed to another park for one more hour of the glorious feeling of sunshine warming up your clothes and hair, and made it home just in time to leave for church.

We are also entering Reading Rainbow’s Young Author’s contest this year (k-3^rd. grade). Reading Rainbow Young Writers & Illustrators Contest Sarah created a great story called “bunnies and raspberries” contrasted to Marc’s “The Scary Pirates”, which is also great in its own right.

I love it when God winks at me. One of my goals this year is for Tim and Sarah to learn their books of the Bible and that’s also the current focus of Children’s Church. We read the list of books every day and found a song on youtube. YouTube - Bible Books

We listened to Stuart Little by E.B. White (author of Charlotte’s Web) and enjoyed it but found ourselves disappointed in the ending, which didn’t feel like much of an ending at all as Stuart had not yet found his bird friend, Margalow.

Tim is also reading Tom Swift and the Aerial Warship (our 2^nd. Tom Swift book) and Sarah has started Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.

The week ended with Sarah and I attending the ballet, “The Squire and the Scroll”. It’s based on the book of the same name by Jennie Bishop. Wonderful book about the importance of living by God’s word. Check it out at your library. It has knights, a dragon, a princess, and a quest. Wonderful to see live performance that gives God the Glory.

2010-03-18T05:38:00.000-07:00

Packages
By Elizabeth K. Rooney

If I could wrap
a field of butterflies
I'd package them
for you.
I'd put in all the colors
and a lot of sunshine, too.
I'd gather up a summer breeze
and all the fluttering
and wrap them with brown paper
and tie them up with string.

I've only words for wrapping
and only rhymes for string.
With these, beloved of my heart,
I give you everything.

Gentle leading

2010-03-13T11:13:00.000-08:00

Crazy Mom has been at it again. This time, she again got right down on her knees and pleaded with God to forgive her mistakes and let His grace fill in all the gaps where she has messed up with the kids. She asked for wisdom, patience and gentle leading. The Lord brought to mind one of her favorite verses from Isaiah, “He gently leads those that have young.”

Boy, did she need that gentle leading. On Tuesday, there were pencil marks on the boys’ wall, but no pencil. She vaguely wondered how long the marks had actually been there and if a pencil would fit in the floor vent. On Wednesday, they had dumped out all their toy baskets and built a “barricade!” so “no one can enter!” No wonder they were playing so good and quietly in their room. ”We did it shushly mom! Isn’t that great?”

“It’s great that you know the word, ‘barricade’”, managed Crazy Mom as she chalked up another chapter in her endeavor to always find the positive. On Thursday, the little girl cried during Science and the boy flatly refused to do his daily gram and sat on his bed for a LONG time.

But Friday was library day and all went well, all had fun, all got books, and crazy mom was once more counting her blessings. “Are my twins really five already?” She wonders one moment, while “Thank goodness they are finally five,” is her very next thought. As the days start to blur into weeks and months and years Crazy Mom will continue to rely on her faith, and she is grateful for coffee, chocolate frosting (yes, out of the container with a spoon), and that gentle leading.

2010-03-08T18:28:00.000-08:00

What are the chances? Note the picture on the computer screen (yes, it's a TV screen). My slideshow was running. The picture of the two babies in the highchairs are my Marc and Luke on their first birthday, eating cake. Meanwhile, in the foreground, Ryan is carrying Marc and Luke's fifth birthday cake! I couldn't have planned this photo better, and I love it! Thanks, God, for winking at me again.

Texas Highlights

2010-03-06T13:22:00.000-08:00

Finally, for those of you interested, the highlights of our Texas Trip:
1. The bad news is that I am a “severely affected” female carrier of XLRP. The part of my eyes where my vision loss is most severe are the best parts for driving. Genetic counselor seemed happy I had given up night driving and also strongly suggested that I only drive in ideal conditions in the middle of the day. (Only 7 short years and the Tim-taxi can drive). It was also very cool to see a 3d image of my laser-scanned retina on the computer. Technology is so amazing. The good news is that my three cousins are “mild, no symptoms, and no symptoms.” Retina Foundation of the Southwest - Dallas, Texas

2. More good news is that on the research front, great strides are being made, and the future possibility of gene replacement therapy as treatment is very exciting. The gene that carries XLRP has also been isolated and that holds the promise of genetic testing for families sometime in the future.
Other highlights:
1. Who shot JFK? Lone gunman or conspiracy? We went to “The 6th. floor”. It’s the 6th floor of the book depository building where Oswald shot the president. You can look down onto Dealey Plaza and parking is behind “the grassy knoll”. The 6th. floor is now a museum with a really cool audio tour. For you history buffs visiting Dallas, this one’s for you.
2. The Phantom of the Opera. Yes, I’ve finally seen “the Phantom”. Fabulous music. I love live theater.

Things Kids Say

2010-03-04T05:57:00.000-08:00

These are Marc's eyes. He has been saying some interesting things these days. Here are a few tidbits for your amusement. Marcisms:

"Mom! You are making the kitchen smell all dinnery! yum...."
"Why does my body tell me to stop running and get all tired when I just want to go?"
"Why do we need night time?"
"I wish we had battlestations, Mom!"
"Why don't we have any armor?"
During Bible, we are learning Luke 1:37 "Nothing is impossible with God" and Mark wants to know, "why don't we have a Mark verse? There's a Mark in the Bible you know!"

Lucism:
While waiting for dance class, there is a room full of moms just for Lucas to entertain. He overheard one mom mention her husband, Tim. He went right over and joined the conversation, putting his hand on her shoulder, "That's my brother's name."
"That's my husband's name," she replied. Lucas immediately turned to the other mom in the conversation and asked, "What's your husband's name?" "My husband's name is Mark, " she answered. "That's my other brother's name!" he exclaimed, smiling widely. He immediately turned to the woman seated in the next chair. "What's your husband's name?" he inquired. "His name is Vince," she answered. "Oh," he intoned, obviously disappointed. Not to be deterred, he moved to the next woman and repeated his question. As he made his way around the crowded room, the original two ladies turned to me, "what is his name?" "It's Lucas," I answered. "I don't think he's going to find one," she said.

"Could you please die over there? This is MY space."
"Mom, why don't you call me "your majesty" today?"

Here's a couple Sarahisms too.
"Do not argue or complain about anything. PHILISTINES 2:14"
"Look, Mom, I can melt snow with my bare hands!"

Do you find yourself joining in with the fantasies sometimes?

Momisms:

"Even the King has to wash his hands."
"All knights will remain seated while eating lunch."
"Your mission, should you choose to accept it, will be to retrieve the mail today."
"If this room is not clean, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur!" (Oops, I saw the Phantom in Dallas--guess that was my own fantasy imposing upon reality).

God is winking at me again

2010-02-24T04:07:00.000-08:00

God has been so gracious to me. (Perhaps He knows me best and that I do like to have cheerleaders in my life to motivate me. I am not motivated by criticism, but rather devastated.)

I have only ever encountered positive feedback about homeschooling. Even complete strangers have said, “That is great!” (Granted, I’m not one of those homeschoolers who feels everyone should homeschool or that public school kids are somehow “less” educated than mine.) Sometimes I hear people explain how they are persecuted by friends, family, or complete strangers for their homeschooling choices, and I am amazed.

I have very supportive family and friends, and have not had to face this struggle (yet). In fact, I feel God sends complete strangers to encourage me. Case in point: The children and I were walking across the parking lot to the mall entrance on Friday. It was quite a walk but a pleasant day and I was talking about the signs and lights in the parking lot with Sarah and keeping the boys close, and as we neared the entrance, a woman kept step with us for a few moments and commented, “You can always tell the homeschool moms,” she began. I smiled and she continued, “not that your kids aren’t in school at this time of day, but that you guys are ALWAYS talking and teaching your kids.”
I laughed, “The world is a classroom.”
“That’s great,” she replied, “keep at it. Some parents don’t teach their kids anything,” and off she went.
It was just a moment, a little wisp of encouragement, and it made me walk a little taller as we headed indoors. Thank you, Lord, for your encouragement.

2010-02-20T07:16:00.000-08:00

I didn’t get as much school accomplished as I intended. (I seem to write this every week—perhaps I need to review my goals so I am actually achieving them.) Coughing kids this week didn’t help things either.

Highlight: Tim and Sarah read chapter books all by themselves! We have some Magic Tree House books, which despite the “magic” have great history lessons and accompanying study guides. Random House Kids Magic Tree House
(Our local bookstore also did a class for homeschoolers based on this series a couple years ago..I keep hoping they’ll bring it back). Anyway, we have about four of these books on the bookshelves, and the kids came down and told me they each were reading one. That’s great, kids. I tucked them into bed so I could watch the Olympics. At 10:00, Tim came downstairs with his book. “Mom, guess what! I finished the WHOLE book!” He was so excited and I was so surprised and proud, that I had to pretend it was only 8:30. We’ve also listened to these on audio from the library.

We use Accelerated Achievement Accelerated Achievement
as our base curriculum and add to it as necessary. It’s nice to have a baseline. They use McGuffey readers http://www.mcguffeyreaders.com/important.htm
and next week, Sarah will finish the 2nd. grade reader and Tim will finish the 3rd. grade reader. I am very proud of them both. I love to hear them read their lessons out loud. Some days I am just amazed that they can read. I now have Tim asking if he can read over my shoulder. “Mom, can I please read what you are typing?”
For Science (Tuesdays and Thursdays), we put our reports into PowerPoint. That way, they can present to Dad.

For my kindergartners, we are tracing letters 3 days a week, doing phonics, and lots of counting. I also need to incorporate daily games for these guys too. I find it best to do school with them in the early morning, starting with a book and related lesson of some sort. I really enjoyed Before Five in a RowFive in A Row Literature-Based Studies with Tim and Sarah and I am just finishing it with Marc and Luc. I love anything that’s literature based.
Friday morning is “Library Day” each week, and all four of my kids fill up all four of the kids computers at the library.

2010-02-20T07:01:00.000-08:00

Ryan and I are headed to Texas next week so I can take part in the following study (this can get pretty technical and is not my usual blog fare, but for those who may be interested, here it is.) I am excited about going and being part of this and a little apprehensive about leaving my kiddos. Please pray for all of us and our children's designated caregivers: Aleesha, Tiffanie, Kristin and Scott, and my parents. Thanks so much for your willingness to help us out. (We leave on Wed. and return on Sat.)

-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa Carrier Phenotyping Project: The Search for Modifying Factors for Disease Severity

The purpose of this project is to detect genetic factors that influence the clinical consequences of mutations in genes causing X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Mutations in X-linked RP genes can lead to strikingly different clinical outcomes, even among individuals with the same mutation in the same family. While clinical variation is often seen among males, the most striking differences are seen among females. Phenotypes in “carrier” females can range from no detectible symptoms, to early onset, rapid progression of disease. Finding the factors that account for these differences will improve our understanding of the disease process. Of more importance, though, identifying these factors may suggest ways to slow or arrest the loss of vision in affected individuals. That is, if we can understand what makes individuals with X-linked mutations either asymptomatic or mildly affected, we may be able to use this information to treat patients with more severe symptoms.
The major focus of this project is the X-linked RP gene RPGR (retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator) and the clinical consequence of interest is the disease severity in female carriers of RPGR mutations. Mutations in RPGR account for 80% of cases of X-linked RP and affect more than 10,000 Americans. Further, studies suggest that approximately 30% of isolated RP is caused by mutations in RPGR, making mutations in RPGR the most common cause of RP. Males with a mutation in an X-linked gene such as RPGR are almost always affected, because males have only one X-chromosome, but female carriers of an X-linked mutation are often unaffected since females have two X-chromosomes and the second chromosome may provide protection from the mutation. However, many females who carry an RPGR mutation have clinical symptoms of RP, ranging from undetectable or very mild in some cases to severe loss of vision in others.
The project has several key aims. The first aim is to identify, enroll and characterize the families and patients with RPGR mutations. This will be done by Drs. David Birch, Dennis Hoffman, and Dianna Wheaton at the Retina Foundation of the Southwest in Dallas. The goal is to enroll as many individuals with mutations in each family as possible, to evaluate each individual with a panel of tests including advanced retinal imaging, to determine the range of clinical expression associated with each RPGR mutation, and to collect blood and DNA samples for genetic testing. Thus, one outcome of the project will be a comprehensive genotype-phenotype characterization of RPGR mutations.
The second aim is to test the hypothesis that genetic modifying factors may play a role in altering disease severity. We plan to approach this in two ways. First, we plan to investigate the role of two genes that interact with RPGR to determine if slight genetic variations within these genes can affect the behavior of RPGR. Secondly, we plan to test a large class of random genetic variants by microarry analysis in a genome-wide association study.
Finally, the third aim is to extend these studies to clinical variation in males with RPGR mutations.
The detection of factors modifying inherited diseases is a relatively new field of investigation. Completion of the project should substantially expand our understanding of the clinical consequences of mutations causing X-linked RP, and may identify new targets for treatment and prevention of retinal disease.

Things Kids Say

2010-02-16T07:18:00.000-08:00

“When I grow up, I want to have five kids,” says Marc, holding up five fingers, “two boys and two girls.”
“When I grow up, I’m going to marry you, Mom.” –Marc
“Little Bo Beep SAT on her sheep,” says Sarah, giggling.
“And she always knew where to find them,” added Tim.
“Can I have another five birthday?” Lucas inquires.
“No, but you can have a six birthday next year,” answers Mama.
“Can I have another five birthday tomorrow?”
“Jamey, do you want to go outside with me? Deal or No Deal?” asks Marc.
“No Deal,” answers Jamey. (Jamey is our little friend who visits a couple days a week).
Sarah is finding all the states on her map that begin with N and saying them out loud,
“North Dakota, New Mexico….Nevada….New Hamster.”

Postcards from the Past

2010-02-16T07:14:00.001-08:00

As homeschool parents who seize every opportunity to teach, and view the world as our classroom, we have added some learning ideas around our home. We have a clear tablecloth on our table over a map of the United States. We also have the times tables, the planets, and very large write-n-wipe A, B, C, D, and E, but this story is about the map.

I love to hear people’s comments about the map, not about the map as a tablecloth, but their stories about the places they’ve visited or lived.

Someone left her purse behind while traveling through Texas. Someone lived in Arizona and fell in love for the first time as a young girl. Someone else traveled to northwest Iowa every summer of her childhood. Someone else traveled to Minnesota every summer of her childhood. Someone was born in Florida. Someone wants to visit California some day. Someone has been to Mexico, but not Canada. Someone took his senior trip to Washington, D.C. Someone has been to Toronto. Someone toured a missile silo out west. Someone saw the Grand Canyon. Someone’s been to Vegas.

Listening to these stories is a little bit like receiving postcards from the past, and I like it. I have printed up blank maps for my children. They can color the states they have been to or driven through. Tim’s map includes five states, including California while Sarah’s has Kentucky and Ohio, and Marc and Luc each have the same four states. What would your map look like? http://www.nationalatlas.gov/asp/popups.asp?imgFile=../printable/images/preview/outline/states(u).gif&imgw=588&imgh=450

Five Things (that I love to wear in winter) and a shrug

2010-02-11T07:11:00.000-08:00

1. Soft jeans-nothing better than my well-worn blues, one stretch away from a hole in the knee.

2. Bathrobe – warm and fuzzy from neck to ankles, this is what I wrap up in for Bible Before Breakfast.

3. Supersocks – comfy, warm, and handknitted by Mom, they go over the regular socks and

keep the toes toasty.

4. Clogs- knitted, soft slippers with leather bottoms; they go over the super socks (we have COLD floors).

5. Make-up – this means I am either off to church, or friends are coming over.

6. (Yes, there’s six; I saved the best for last). The Shrug

What’s my shrug? Oh, my shrug is wonderful. My shrug is what I wear around the house when I’m cold (basically, all winter). My shrug is burgundy, white and black. It’s plaid, and flannel, and a little ripped. It’s quilted and it’s missing at least two buttons. It’s actually a shirt of Ryan’s (the man who is rarely cold and has no practical use for a quilted flannel shirt). So it’s mine. It’s been mine for about 14 years now. I LOVE my shrug. Some mornings I heat it up in the dryer before wearing it. The shrug is not allowed out in public, for obvious reasons, but at home, I wear the shrug, proudly, happily, and cozy warm, ahhh….

2010-02-05T08:57:00.000-08:00

Weekly Wrap Up (or tri-weekly )

Actually accomplished some school EVERY single day this week. This does not always happen, for various reasons, including appointments, running errands, or visiting Grandma.

We start every day with Bible with all four kids. It takes 10 to 20 minutes. We sing a song or two (or three), we read a Bible story from The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes by Kenneth Taylor. It always has great comprehension questions. Songs included “Joshua fought the battle of Jericho” (thank you, Tammy, for this CD), “My God is so BIG!” and the ever popular “B-I-B-L-E! that’s the book for me.” Then we all pray and say the pledge to the Bible. Then Marc and Luc are free to go, and the older two say their Bible verses from memory. We are also starting to learn books of the OT. (Who Judges Ruth? Joshua, Judges, Ruth).

We use 2nd./3rd. grade Daily Grams from the Easy Grammar program (which I used to teach when I tutored). Each page ends with a sentence combining exercise. Ex: Mary wants a pet. I want a pet, too. = Mary and I want a pet. Sometimes we turn these into really fun verbal stories. Mary REALLY wants a turtle, but I’m holding out for a kitten. We ended up getting a gerbil and naming it “Kurtle”, although Dad wanted to call it “snakefood”.

Science happens Tuesday and Thursday. We started reports on body systems. We watched a DK video about the “human machine”. (While these videos tend to be evolutionistic, they do have great info, and the kids get to tell me how the narrator got it wrong.) We also used the book “My Body” by Rayston and Hewitt, which has simple experiements (like dropping a pencil between open fingers and seeing if you can grasp it or if it falls down), and easy to read pages, so my kids did their own research on this one. Tim is doing the brain, and Sarah is doing the heart.

This week was good. All four kids attend the local CRC church on Wednesday nights, where Tim is in Cadets (he got to use a sander this week and had that predictable power tool gleam in his eye.). Sarah is in GEMS, the girl program, and loves it. She has an orphan card, and we pray for Hope, an orphan girl from Zambia every night. M and L have YOkids (young ones) and they have a blast in there, playing toys, doing a craft and snack. They also have gym nights, and movie nights, and they met a firefighter and learned about fire safety this year.
Those are our highlights this week. We do reading, writing, and math every day also.

2010-02-04T07:29:00.001-08:00

The Adventures of Crazy Mom (Fellow Crazy Moms pictured here also).

When we last left our heroine, she was babbling incoherently into a thrice-heated cup of coffee while locked in the bathroom. Small children knocked, then pounded, making some sort of vague demand about tying balloons, but Crazy mom was oblivious to all.

But that was last time. Today, Crazy Mom is up to all new incredible stunts. Thankfully, Crazy Mom loves, adores, worships, and serves Jesus. Contrary to some beliefs, this does not make for an easy perfect live but can actually make life more challenging! Thankfully, there are benes. (you know, benefits), like her stalwart belief in John 3:16 and that Philippians 4:13 credo. She only exists as Crazy Mom through this faith in Christ.

Today, Crazy Mom was able to resist yelling at the children (except when they tore the living room curtain down after being told to “calm down” at least twice. Crazy Mom realized anew how much she needs God’s grace and forgiveness. She apologized for yelling. They apologized for their sin. All ended well.)

Crazy Mom was also able to convince two four year olds that “yes, indeedy, they did know how to clean up and that insisting to the contrary was not only unproductive, uncooperative, unkind, but also untrue and wrong.” Crazy Mom did tend to go on a little long as the lecture finally ended along the lines of “obey right away, all the way, and with a good heart.” Crazy Mom did that deep sigh thing she does, breathing in with the whisper“less of me” and breathing out “more of Jesus.”

Crazy Mom found herself in need of God’s grace as the day continued. She punished one twin for the other twin’s error and didn’t follow up in the “no more TV today.” promise because she needed a shower and TV keeps the troops stationary. She flatly refused to read a book because she was “making dinner” and yelled at the older two for goofing off while they were supposedly doing the dishes, “we are only making it fun, Mom!” Deep sigh thing again.
As the day ended and Crazy Mom felt the despair of her mistakes creeping in on her, she again turned to that Bible she loves and believed that God’s grace is sufficient and God will provide a way.

She tucked the precious hoodlums in, read them stories, kissed and hugged them, and prayed with them, genuinely thanking God for the responsibility and awesome privilege of being called Mom.

Maybe “Mom” to some, but to others who know her well, she is known as “Crazy Mom”. Tune in next time as Crazy Mom attempts library day, and the birthday party for two.

2010-02-02T11:42:00.000-08:00

God, in His infinite wisdom, gave children only two commandments:
1. Honor your father and mother (Exodus 20:12a) ATTITUDE
2. Obey your parents (Ephesians 6:1) ACTIONS
Matthew 18 points out that we are all children of God. So these children’s commandments apply to us as well. Our children will see us honor and obey God in our lives, especially if we share how we are honoring and obeying God. They need to hear and see our actions. We are not perfect parents, but we need to be an arrow pointing them to God.

I think sometimes we spend so much time trying to be "perfect parents" instead of being real parents. Do I share all my struggles with my eight-year-old son? Certainly not. But I do want him to see me go to God for forgiveness when I make mistakes. I do want to share why we all, even parents, need God's grace in our lives.

2010-01-20T06:46:00.000-08:00

A good deed does not go unnoticed, but it should.
A good deed always has strings attached, but it shouldn’t.
A good deed should never expect return, yet it does.

Few among us have mastered the art of true generosity. To give and hold nothing back. To give and expect nothing in return. Fewer still can recognize it. We look for and create the ulterior motive. Is no one truly magnanimous? Society no longer even recognizes the word, and yet, every now and again, we see it.

There are soldiers still sacrificing their lives for others. (Did you know that the “red” in the American flag represents the blood shed for our freedom?) There are mothers who feed and care for the severely handicapped until they are no longer able. There are those who foster the angry teenage orphan without expecting anything in return.
Not me, God, thankfully not me. Why not you? Are you willing? Why not die to yourself-your desires-and pursue God, yes, pursue God and see what happens…..who will you love in His name?

Choices-Choose this day whom you will serve

2010-01-10T13:06:00.000-08:00

The proverbial “Spiritual Buffet” has many offerings but it is based on the faulty premise that man is basically good. And if man is basically good, what need is there for a savior? If you walk down the spiritual buffet, picking the parts you like, (Kindness is a fruit of the spirit), and rejecting the things you don’t (homosexuality is a sin), you have just invented your own spirituality. It’s one where you feel loved and comfortable, and yet, it seems to be missing something.

Look carefully at the small table there at the end of the buffet. Do you see it? Yes, the one with the red tablecloth. No, it’s not empty. Walk further down. There, the simple carpenter’s wooden cup, and the small sign. Can you read it without tears? It states, “Can you drink the cup I will drink?”

The Heart of Hannah

2010-01-03T13:24:00.000-08:00

You know the Biblical story of Hannah, don’t you? She was heartbroken because she couldn’t have children. The other wife with the kids tormented her. The well-meaning husband asked, “Aren’t I better than ten sons?” Year after year it went. The passage does not say how many years, and I have pondered on this many times. Perhaps we just need to know it was year after year. Until the year they were again at Shiloh for the annual sacrifice, and again, Hannah was so sad in her heart, she couldn’t even eat. (See I Samuel 1).

This time, however, she stood up and went to the temple. She had business with God. I do not think this was the first time Hannah pleaded with the Lord for a child, but I do think this time was different. Hannah had a change of heart. She no longer wanted this child for herself, or for her husband, Elkanah, or even to spite her tormenter, Penninah. She wanted this child for God. So she could give him back to temple service. She didn’t bargain; she didn’t ask for any more children to be hers. It was a simple ‘if, then’ request. ‘If you give me a child, then I will give him to you.’ She recognized that God was in ultimate control and it was up to Him.

At first, the priest did not understand the distraught woman in his temple. He assumed she had been drinking, but when he realized the sincerity of her heart, he told her to go in peace.
The last part of this passage amazes me. It says, when she went away, she no longer had a sad face. God hadn’t promised her anything, she wasn’t suddenly pregnant, she had no idea about her future, but she no longer had a sad face. Why? She had surrendered it to God, completely, and now she could carry peace.

I spent many years studying this passage, trying to figure out Hannah’s formula for conception, wondering why God had closed her womb, as the passage states. I finally had to set aside all my own questions, and trust God completely, whether my future included children or not. I am still learning to trust Him, each and every day. There are many things I have had to surrender in order to “go in peace,” and peace is so much better than a sad face.
Go in peace.

2009-12-31T05:24:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year 2010 Miscellaneous things kids say and yodeling.

Today is actually the last day of 2009. It's also the first day of the rest of your life. (By the way, so was yesterday, I just forgot to remind you.)
We have had a great vacation thus far. I asked Tim yesterday if he was enjoying his "vacation" from school. "Oh good," he responded, "we are on vacation. I was afraid if I asked, you would say, "time for school!' ".
I found Lucas in front of the register in the bathroom, soaking up the heat. "My toes are comfy-cozy," he said, "but my back got all melty."
Tim was explaining about ninjas to Sarah, "They can cut through cement with their bare hands!"
Marcus was listening intently, "Where do they get those bear hands, Tim?"
Tim built an elaborate carriage from blocks and was explaining the people and their jobs. "The queen is inside; these are the horses."
"What about that guy on the top?"
"Oh, he's the Heiar."
"The Heiar?"
"Yeah, he says, 'Hei!' to the horses to make them go."

I recently found one of my favorite songs on You-Tube. Yep, it's that yodeling one from the disco saints. "I like to yodel with my friend, Jesus." I am so grateful to be saved.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rEod75JTCw

2009-12-18T17:54:00.000-08:00

Weekly Wrap Up
Let's see, Lucas had dental surgery Wednesday morning, I contracted a terridl code in my node on Tursday. Aaa-aaa-chooo, and yet, school still happened.. Most days anyway.

Highlights: SCIENCE (Tuesdays and Thursdays) We are learning about invertebrates. Can you name the 8 classifications of invertebrates? We can't yet either, but we are working at it. We learned about regenerating flatworms, jelly fish that weigh 60 pounds, earthworm predators, and I got to share the starfish story again. (You know, the "it made a difference to that one:" one.)

MATH: We also played math games. All you need is a deck of cards for math for young ages. You can play everything from war to base 10 games, and do counting and add and subtract. Base 10 games are where 2 cards have to add up to ten. like a 6 and a 4. We play base ten go-fish, and base ten matching. You can do sorting and matching and even the classic "cards in a hat", where you sit against the wall and take turns chucking the cards toward the hat to see if you can get them in. Actually, this is how I got Tim to start flashcards. If he got it right, he got to throw it. My older two now know older games, like rummy, which develops their strategy thinking. Let me just say, they have beaten me several times. I like TLSbooks.com to find math sheets. Free printable worksheets for preschool through fifth grade

Reading and History: We are working through our McGuffey Readers with 3 spelling words a day, and Tim and I are doing American History. It mentions the presidents and whenever a year is listed, Tim asks me if I was born yet. No, not 1814, no, not 1870....you get the idea. Last weekend he and I watched part of "The Presidents" series on the History Channel and they talked about part of the history we had learned. He also wants to know what dollar bill will have Obama's picture on it.

BIGGEST STRESS: It is tough to school Tim and Sarah and Marc and Luc. I know I did more with Tim and Sarah when they were Marc and Luc's age. I just seem to run out of day. During Wednesday's dance class for Sarah, I have a planned activity, book, and game with M and L so they get that once a week, but it's not once a day like it was with Tim and Sarah. T and S did school every day during Marc and Luc's naptime. I'm gonna rethink the schedule after Christmas, I think.

No field trips this week. We didn't even make it to the library. (yikes!)

2009-12-16T04:11:00.000-08:00

http://www.homeschool-your-boys.com/HomeschoolYourBoyscom_News-august.html
This article confirms the journey I have been on in homeschooling my eight-year-old son and my four-year-old twin boys.
I am such a girl. Not only do I think and learn like a "girl", I grew up with sisters and girl cousins. The only boys I knew were at public school or church and they were just awful.Now I have three little boys I adore and I am still learning! Sometimes through trial and error, sometimes through prayer, and sometimes from little tidbits like this article, so I thought I would share.Here's the article:

Boys require a very different educational environment and teaching approach if we are going to help them reach their full potential.
In This Issue:
1. Boys SEE Differently

2. Boys HEAR Differently

3. Boys THINK Differently

4. Boys SEE THEMSELVES Differently

1 - Boys SEE Differently
Males have more rods in their eyes versus cones. Rods help us to see distance and speed. Females have more cones than rods. Cones help us to see color and shape. Because of this difference, boys tend to draw verbs with little color variation in their pictures while girls tend to draw nouns with lots of different colors.
When asked to draw a picture, Sally will draw a house with people and flowers and lots of pretty colors. Steve will draw a tornado which is knocking down a house - and his picture will look like a large black swirl.
Implications for teaching boys
Do not ask boys to draw something recognizable or to draw something with lots of colors. When we find fault in this way, boys begin to think that art is for girls and not for boys. Allow them to draw verbs and to do it in a way that is fast and furious. Don't hold eye contact with a boy unless you're disciplining him.

2 - Boys HEAR Differently
Baby girls can hear ten times better than boys, and this difference gets even worse as they get older. Boys can only hear every 3rd word or so of soft-spoken teachers. When boys can't hear what their teacher is saying, they tend to drift off - getting some boys the incorrect diagnosis of ADHD.
Boys also tend to make little noises wiggling and tapping pencils which are irritating to girls - but they don't even realize they are making them.
Implications for teaching boys
Speak more loudly than you normally would and be very expressive. Use lots of voice fluctuation and hand motions to engage boys. While working with your son, sit down next to him, spread the materials out and look at them shoulder to shoulder.

3 - Boys THINK Differently
We don't know all of the differences in how boys and girls think but we now know that their brains are arranged differently. We've all heard that we use the left side of our brain for verbal activities and the right side for art. Actually, we now know that this is only true in males.
Males who have a stroke on the left side of their brain lose 80% of their verbal ability. The verbal ability in females who have a stroke on the left side of their brain is much less impacted, proving that their verbal ability is spread across both sides of their brain.
There are many other differences in how male and female brains are arranged. For more details, see Dr. Sax's books.

Implications for teaching boys
Book learning is essential; but, without practical, hands-on experience, boys will hard a hard time grasping concepts that seem simple to us. They will disengage from their lessons. Boys need real world experiences in their education which engage all of their senses. Boys also need plenty of time outdoors. Boys have a hard time processing their emotions. Don't ask boys "How would you FEEL if..." questions. Ask them "What would you DO if..." questions. Boys like to have at least some control over their environments. Put each day's schoolwork into a folder and let them decide the order in which they will complete it. When studying literature, try these tips: Have boys draw maps based on clues in the book. Assign articles from the daily newspaper. Have them read books with strong male characters doing unpredictable things (i.e., C.S. Lewis, Hemingway, Dostoyevsky, Twain, etc.)

4 - Boys SEE THEMSELVES differently
Girls tend to underestimate their own abilities. Boys tend to overestimate their own abilities. Boys also enjoy taking risks much more than do girls. The more a boy takes risks the more favorably they are seen by their peers.
Danger itself gives boys a pleasant feeling of exhilaration as opposed to the fearful feelings it causes in girls. Moderate stress also helps boys to perform better as adrenaline causes more blood to flow to their brain. Stress has the opposite effect on girls.

Implications for teaching boys
Boys respond well to a challenge if there are winners and losers. A competitive team format works better than individual competitions for boys because they don't want to let their teammates down. Participating in single-sex activities such as boy scouts or team sports are very good for your sons. If your son seems to crave danger, take these necessary steps: Give them lessons with a professional (i.e., skiing) to help them to more accurately evaluate their own abilities. Supervise your child. Their risk is lower if they aren't allowed to be alone with groups of peers because they will be less likely to try to "show off" for their friends if an adult is present. Assert your authority - don't argue with your son. Don't negotiate. Just do what you have to do (i.e., lock up their bike).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By the way, the optimum tempature for learning for boys is 69 degrees, while it is 74 degrees for girls. If you set the temperature so that it is comfortable for you, you may find your sons falls asleep or their minds wandering instead of focusing on their lessons.
If you have the opportunity to set up a single-sex learning environment for your children that works well. Try using different methods to teach your sons as opposed to the ones you use to teach your girls and you will be amazed at how your sons respond to your efforts!
Armed with this knowledge, we can set up more ideal learning environments where we can engage our sons and help them to reach their full potential.

2009-12-14T13:01:00.000-08:00

Psst...hey, yeah you...it's me. I'm the house of the Westphals and let me tell you, if walls could talk...these people are some interesting folks. Seriously, they have these four little kids that are always saying the weirdest things. The four year olds pretended to be birds this morning and then got in an argument as to whether a "seagull" or an "eagle" was after them. The six year old girl colors all the time, and the eight year old boy is definately in charge. When all four dance around the house, my very walls shake.
They aren't your average family and some interesting stuff happened to them this year. The Dad started school at in January at some Christian university named Cornerstone where he goes to class one night a week. He hasn't been around much; that is, except for April and May, as he lost his job. It was a bit of a surprise for him but he's one of those who relies on God and the whole family started doing that praying thing they do. Sure enough, by May, he had a job. Not as much money as the first one, but it's an opportunity, right? Thankfully, they didn't miss any payments on me.
The mom is busy, but seems happy. She reads to these kids all the time, and does "school" at home almost every day, even in the summer. Don't get me wrong, they went to the beach and the parks alot too. Their van was always pulling in and out of the driveway, and they were as loud as ever. Singing and talking, and arguing too. But I do like having the kids around all the time. I think I like to hear them read as much as their mom does.
I think the mom is hard of seeing. (you know, like hard of hearing?). She never drives at night, and she always has lights on, really bright ones. It makes for a cheery house and I like it.
The little girl took up dancing this year, and it just tickles me when she tap dances on the floors, but her smile is huge and she loves to dance. All of the boys have soccer balls on the back porch and kick them all over the yard.
You know, I may not be a very large house, and although my siding isn't new, I'm pretty happy here being home for this family with all their fun goings on and their reliance on God for everything. Yep, I hope they stay here a long time, and I hope they have a merry Christmas. You have a merry Christmas too, and believe me, if you got this letter, I know that they love and appreciate you too.

2009-12-13T11:51:00.000-08:00

Weekly Wrap Up of our Homeschooling Week

(This is a new feature to my blog I borrowed from a friend, I hope I can keep it up. It will be under the Weekly Wrap Up Label)

A blizzard blew in this week, and public school was closed, but not the Westphal Academy. We actually moved school upstairs this week to a card table in Sarah's room. (Her dresser is now in the boys' room.) Our downstairs gets really chilly in the winter so this gives us a new environment for a season.
My base curriculum since starting schooling is Accelerated Achievement. It's based on grade level and goes K-12. It has lots of literature, and as you homeschoolers know, curriculum is only a suggestion. I can add and subtract what I want to meet the needs of my family. I really enjoy the phonics program and so far, all of my children have enjoyed learning to read by using this method. There are cards to print and games to play. I just started it with Marc and Luc. I had forgotten how fun and easy it really is.

Each day this week, Tim and Sarah did their reading lesson, including a McGuffey reader lesson, and vocabulary words to learn and spell. There is quite a literature list (which I love) and we are currently reading Alice in Wonderland (this is on CD in the car). We also read Heidi, Charlotte's Web and Little House on the Prairie this fall. So, the weather outside is frightful, but inside it's so delightful, and since we've no place to go, let us learn, let us learn, let us learn!
Tuesdays and Thursdays are Science days and we are currently learning about Invertebrates. My power point is currently not working and the kids miss doing their reports that way. We are actually writing things down. Not much fun.

On Saturday we had a movie day. We read "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," earlier this year (on CD in the van) so we watched the movie. We all enjoyed it.

More things kids say

2009-12-08T18:19:00.000-08:00

1. Tim recently picked out some stickers as a prize for some schoolwork he completed. As I looked up from our work, I saw bits of stickers all over his face. He was grinning from ear to ear, "look mom, I've got the sticker pox."
2. At mealtimes we share the worst and best parts of our day. Marcus asked Sarah what the worst part of her day was. She responded, "when I cried at the dentist." Marc's genuine response was, "How do you know?" This made everyone laugh.
3. In church on Sunday, Lucas asked me, "why do we sing, Mama?" "Oh," I whispered back during the song, "we sing because Jesus is in our hearts and we are so happy and thankful about it." "And mama," he whispered back, "we live in Jesus' heart, too. That's why we sing."

2009-12-08T17:11:00.001-08:00

What's the deal with your ornaments?

A friend asked me this the first year Ryan and I put up a Christmas tree as a married couple. We had trekked out and picked out our first real tree. We put it up in our apartment, all green and bushy and larger than it looked on the lot, and wondered about ornaments. Well, we had one little box from my dear Aunt Bonnie. I think she had included it with our wedding present. It had about 9 blue and green shiny glass bulbs. So we hung those. It still looked big and green and bushy and mostly empty. I considered my friends question,"What's the deal with our ornaments?"

Hence, the first Westphal Christmas tradition was established. We decided that we would not buy ornaments for our tree. No, not just because we were newlyweds with little extra money, but because we truly wanted all our ornaments to be gifts. We wanted each one to be special. Although we didn't start soliciting ornaments from our family and friends, they had been to our house. They had seen the tree and they wanted to know, what's the deal with your ornaments?

That first Christmas we also put our Christmas cards in the tree, along with Aunt Bonnie's bulbs, and we liked it. That year, when husband hauled the tree out, a small bird's nest fell out, and we kept it. I like to think of it as our ornament from God. As the years passed, we received more and more ornaments. My mom put them on our Christmas gifts with the tag. My mother-in-law would give out ornaments to her family every Thanksgiving. Finally, the year came when I picked up an ornament and couldn't remember who had given it to us. That was the year we started labeling them. I put little tags on each one, including the year and the giver's name, sometimes a description. There was "Handmade Bell from Dave and Annette, 1996", and "Christmas Tea 1997 with Sandie". Each of our beloved ornaments had these cute little tags. Interested guests would want to know, "What's the deal with your ornaments?"

Then we would get to share our little story, our first tradition, and they would start to peer at the tags and ask questions. "Yes, that ornament was made by some missionary friend in Papua, New Guinea." "Yes, that's another one from the Dosenberries." "Yes, we received that when we were Children's Church leaders." "A student made me that snowman when I was tutoring at the Homeschool Building." "Yes, my mother-in-law loves snowmen, aren't they cute?" Now, my children ask me, "Mom, what's the deal with ALL these ornaments?"

They are gifts of love, I tell them. Each one has a story. I love to sit and look at the tree and think of all the wonderful people God has placed in our life, and how He has cared for us through the years. "Baby's first Christmas 2001 from the Bible Study girls" catches my eye. "Walnut Phillips 2000 made by Kristin" "Tim's first ornament made with Ellen 2003" "from your Dad 2009" Every now and then, I can still find one of those original blue bulbs, and smile, thinking back to how it all began, "What's the deal with your ornaments?".

Black Friday

2009-11-29T19:01:00.000-08:00

You know how much I love shopping? NOT. So what spectacular deal could possibly entice me out to the mall on Black Friday?

Breakfast with Dad. Yep. My wonderful Dad, all to myself, albeit in a myriad of shoppers, albeit under the guise of his Christmas shopping for Mom, but yes, time without anyone but my Daddy.

Black Friday does bring interesting things to light. As you know (or you may not--you blog surfers know who you are), my dad is blind and carries the white cane. This does allow the crowds to part like the Red Sea for Moses, and the clerks are much more helpful. I can also say that I did not touch shoulders with anyone (except Dad) all day. And, who can say that while shopping on Black Friday?

But still, one of the most interesting things I noticed was while Dad and I waited in line. I saw a man who seemed out of place in the department store with his ball cap and Carhart jacket. Sure enought, I spied a tape measure at his waist. He held a nice pair of ladies pants up and looked them over front and back. Then he laid them on a display and pulled out his tape measure. He measured the waist, nodded and then flipped the pants over and measured the other side! He smiled approvingly, zipped his tape measure shut and returned it to his belt without looking. He waltzed off with an air of satisfaction about him. I thought to myself, "sizes, schmizes, all ya need is a good tape measure!" I also thought, what a guy! completely out of his element, and finding a present for someone he loves, isn't that sweet?

When I shared this story with my grandma, her reaction was completely different than my thoughts. She said, "Well, I sure hope he measured the inseam!"

2009-11-24T06:29:00.002-08:00

Have you ever seen that classic movie "Overboard" with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell? She's a rich debutante who treats the sweaty carpenter terribly, but then she falls off her boat, loses her memory and the carpenter picks her up and claims her as his wife. He lives in a disaster zone with four boys, and she is so lost, it's hilarious. There's a scene where she is attempting to cook a chicken in a pot on the stove and half the body and toes are sticking out of the pot. She keeps rearranging the feet and mumbling, "I feel as if I've never done this before in my life."

Today, I am roasting my first turkey. I've read lots of articles, and been properly intimidated by Lynn Casberger's splendid table and the GOOD EATS scientist guy, so I think I'm ready to unwrap the package in the fridge. I don't relish the idea of touching raw meat. I read about how to rinse and even rub the turkey to clean off any bacteria. Ugh...I need gloves. I read about giblets (disgusting) and found the meat thermometer so this is it. Gulp. That scene from the movie keeps floating through my mind. "I feel as if I've never done this before in my life."

Things Kids Say

2009-11-17T13:44:00.000-08:00

Things kids say

Marcus the Pirate, "Mom, Mom! Can you draw me the Jolly Robert?"
"You mean the Jolly Roger." "Yes! Draw it! Please!"

Lucas accidentally scratched Marcus while they were getting into their PJs, "Ow! He NAILED me."

I told Lucas it was time to put the game on the shelf. "Can you do it, Mom?"
"No, you are a Westphal, and you are going to be helpful."
"I don't want to be a Westphal," he said as he sadly walked away with the game, "I want to be an INDIAN."

Finding a Solution

2009-11-13T05:19:00.000-08:00

I love it that I am teaching my kids to "find a solution" to their troubles.

I like it that they are becoming self-starters. They can formulate and implement ideas with an end goal in mind. They learn to think about their questions and investigate the answers. These things are important to a child's education.

As a parent, I love to watch this process develop. Usually.....

This morning I heard a crash from the bathroom, I heard, "uh, mom..." from my eight year old son. Then I heard water. I am very grateful for the water shut off valve to the toilet. This stopped the water from pouring onto the bathroom floor. While we used four bath towels to mop up the mess, I got the rest of the story.

"For some strange reason, mom, the toilet would not flush. So I decided to see what the problem was. But the lid was very heavy, and it fell into the back of the toilet and now there's a big hole, and all the water fell out."

Yes, this is our only toilet. Thankfully, I have a very intelligent father-in-law with loads of life experience. My husband explained to me that the toilet works on a siphon and if I simply dump a large bucket of water from the tub into the toilet, it will flush. My skeptical mind imagined a disaster, but I had a dancing beep boy next to me and an encouraging husband on the phone, and lo and behold, it worked. Yeah!

2009-11-10T18:14:00.000-08:00

Five Things (in the cupboard) Five Things is my weekly (supposedly) interesting (supposedly) tidbit that sparks five things in your life that you are thankful for today.

1. Chocolate chips (need you ask?)
2. Coffee (see number 1)
3. A CPR chart for infants (hmm..twins are four..maybe I should take that down now..)
4. Cream of Tartar (you need this to make play-doh)
5. The calendar (a must-have, at least I feel organized)

Thirty Dollar Trip to the Children's Museum

2009-11-06T17:43:00.000-08:00

Thirty? Isn’t that a little hefty? It is when you have a membership and you were expecting to pay nil. Last Christmas, we got some money from Grandma. So we bought a membership at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. Grand Rapids Children's Museum - A place where learning is ...

Not that expensive, really, and a fun place for all. Today, we finished school and off we drove, over the river, and through the city to the Children’s museum we go… A fun time was had by all. They all dressed like firefighters. Mark also dressed as a horse, a farmer, and a beekeeper, but I digress…

The tough part about the children’s museum, as with most things downtown, is the parking. We parked at a meter. It’s two hour parking. So it was either feed the meter or head for home. We headed for home, but by the time we said goodbye to all our favorites, returned the firefighter jackets and hats to the right place, picked up craft projects and went potty, we’d lost about 20 minutes. Sure enough, I had a bright chartreuse envelope stuck under the wiper.

It screamed the words Parking Ticket in all caps, in a font of 72. So, I opened it. Do you know how much a parking ticket is? I’m thinking maybe 8.00. Noooo…the city is bitter about how those college kids keep ripping up their tickets. It’s 20.00! Yes, twenty! I almost ripped it up in protest. ( You all know that’s not me.)

It’s payable to the county clerk treasury. So I called the treasury to get directions to the building, (after all, we’re already downtown and in ten days, the amount due will DOUBLE!) We promptly got lost, turned the wrong way on a one way street, turned around and called again. No, the number is not on the building, you have to go into the parking tunnel. Is there a sign? I think so. What does it say? I don’t remember, just turn into the tunnel. The tunnel? You can’t miss it.

We crossed the river (twice), Oh look, kids, the river! We missed the tunnel and turned around. Showed our bright chartreuse folder to the parking attendant. She smiled and nodded. We were in the right place, sort of. There were about six exits from the parking area, and none said “treasurer”. We asked the attendant. She still smiled a little as she pointed us toward the green double doors, can’t miss those.

Two information booths later, and two elevators (yes, two), we arrived to pay our ticket. Mark got his shirt all wet at the drinking fountain. Do you know what my kids do when they get wet? Yes, Marc lifted his shirt and was bare-chested for all to see. Put your shirt down. I can’t! IT’s WET!

Paid for the ticket. $20.00 please. Found our way out. Could not find the ticket for the parking tunnel. Talked to the attendant. She did not smile. $10.00 is the lost ticket fee. Ten! We’ll look for it. Hmm.. Back inside the green double doors we went, both elevators, asked at information to see if we left it there, asked at the pay ticket counter. Nope. Officially out of luck.

Parking attendant asked if we found it. Nope..no one was smiling now. Put my $10.00 in the machine, (at least it’s not $20.00) Left the parking tunnel.

Now, how do we get to our highway? It was actually above us. There must be a way. We crossed under our highway twice….I wonder how we get up there…we crossed over a historic bridge. Oh, look, kids, the river…(again). Finally found an entrance ramp. There was a yield sign at the end. (somebody let me in....)

Ok, we are on the highway. It’s 5:00 traffic, and look, construction ahead. The sun was sinking low on the horizon and we were headed, yep, you guessed it, west.

Four tired kids and one tired Mama made it home before dark (Praise the Lord! I can’t drive in the dark) and in time to make a quick noodle supper.

Five Things

2009-11-05T19:10:00.000-08:00

Five Things on my “To Do” List
1. Pick up Ryan’s pants.
2. Bathe the kids.
3. Get wedding card and birthday card
4. Make cookies
5. Check Email

Five Things on the “I Did Today” List
1. Cleaned a spider out of a spy scope (Hot water works best).
2. Made a high chair from waffle blocks (It takes 9 blocks).
3. Sang like a pirate.
4. Shared the Thanksgiving Day story of when I sat in the blueberry pie (twice).
5. Found out “crayons aren’t born, Mom. They are made in factories.”