Category Archives: Daily Life

Bible Study, Daily Life, Musings, Project 365

P365 – Day 57 (Advisors for War)

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Perhaps that title is a bit misleading, considering the news these days, but it is none the less appropriate. As I’ve shared before, we take our scripture studies seriously and Proverbs is part of our “daily” (i.e. when we actually get around to doing our devotions) homeschool reading time. We take a chapter of Proverbs each “day” (I have to put that in quotes to keep things on an honest level – gotta watch that sanguine tendency to slightly exaggerate) and read it aloud. Each “child” (okay, grownups read as well, not just the children. Boy this honest thing is difficult) reads a verse and then does their best to explain the passage. We are on our second month of studying Proverbs this way and it’s interesting to see how everyone is beginning to recognize the verses and glean some wisdom (I hope and pray!!).

In a moment of pure spiritual mightiness, we even did our family Proverbs reading on Saturday. Do you get extra points for each person who sits down and opens their Bible on Saturday? Do I lose points for even asking such a question? Is anyone actually keeping track of points?

Of course, any moral superiority we might have had went down the tube as a few tense moments came along and the entire thing ended up in a full blown parental conflict.

Is that clear enough while still preserving parental dignity?

There is just something really wrong about having a fight in the middle of Bible devotions. Not surprising, though, as Satan must just HATE having families sit down (on a Saturday no less) and read the Bible.

Thankfully Tim and I are learning mightily from our Love and Respect class (this being a parental conflict moment and not a problem with the progeny). We managed to get off the “crazy cycle” before things went on to ruin our entire Saturday. We found ourselves saying things like, “I think I felt really disrespected when you…” and “Oh, is that why you reacted in such an unloving way?” Yikes! We’re turning into little Dr. Emmerson clones.

Somehow, just using those phrases and recognizing what was going on, ended the tensions and brought us back to a place where we could communicate more lovingly/respectfully. All those opened Bibles helped, I’m sure. Apologies were issued, tensions faded, and the Proverbs study continued. I highly recommend the Love and Respect materials (and Saturday devotions).

Whew! I’d like to think that the children benefit from these little moments (sitting there like quiet dears) in that they can see how conflict can be handled in a positive and godly way. That’s my hope, anyway, otherwise Tim and I really should have gone upstairs and had that whole conversation in private.

What does this have to do with today’s blog? Sigh.
Nothing, I’m easily distracted when I write late at night.

Proverbs. That’s where I was going when I began meandering down this little path. Today’s Project 365 pictures illustrate how carefully the children apply scripture.

advisers

A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength; for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers. Proverbs 24:5-6

I mean, this girl is playing a game where she has great power and strength. Her brothers know that and thoroughly support her. However, they also know that, in order to wage war, she needs many advisers. Isn’t it great having such godly brothers!

watching the game

This group definitely looks solemn. They are dealing with serious stuff here. The fate of many lies in their hands. Help her out, boys!

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22

We go to great lengths to apply the scriptures here in our home; from Pirates games to diligent chores, sleepless children to Noah’s potential destruction. In silliness, joy and all seriousness, we’re reading the Word, memorizing it and living it!

Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.

Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.

Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Psalm 119:33-35

Kathy

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P365 – Day 56

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What a day! It’s evening and the house is finally quiet. Daniel did a great job of cleaning up the kitchen from dinner (a rather impromptu affair but still involving dishes and food to put away). Joshua helped me put together a lunch for Tim, so that is all completed. Rachel and Sarah did some laundry for me which is always a tremendous help.

Just before bed time the little ones were restless and starting to lean toward becoming downright rowdy. Rachel graciously (she only charges me a nickel per book, which I think is a pretty good deal) took them to the living room to read some books.

reading

smiling

Our Sunday School class was very small this morning. Nonetheless, we had an excellent discussion of the first part of I Corinthians 10. Daniel and I worked in Sarah’s preschool class during the second hour while Rachel helped lead worship for the elementary age kids and Tim took the rest of the children to church.

After church we went to Target – mainly to stock up on cereal (great prices) and a few other things. I had my camera with me and almost took a picture of our cart full but was afraid to shock my readership with the amount of sweet cereal that ends up on our pantry shelves. I’m not even going to mention the rogue package of Pop Tarts that somehow managed to find its way in to the shopping cart.

By the time we got home I was thoroughly hungry and practically shoved aside the family in my rush to get inside and make myself lunch. That’s what happens when you work in the preschool room and miss out on the Sunday sermon, all your base, 4 year old tendencies rise right to the surface. After lunch we got an e-mail about an important (last minute) meeting that we needed to attend. Whew, not much time for resting or relaxing. No naps for us.

When I was growing up my parents always took a nap on Sunday afternoons. I’m afraid my mother spent most of the time trying to keep us quiet, while my dad dozed fitfully to the sounds of “Shhh, quiet, you’re father is trying to sleep. Why don’t you take a little rest as well.” Followed by our ‘helpful’ cries of, “OH! Guys!! Dad’s sleeping, be quiet!!!” shouted up and down the stairs. I doubt Mom actually got a nap herself until my brothers hit high school. At that point it was routine to come by our house on Sundays and find a movie playing quietly in the background and all sorts of people (some of them even related to me) relaxing and napping in the family room.

The meeting went very well although it was draining. I did manage to score a latte in the process (always a plus in my book and one of the great joys of holding meetings at coffee shops).

tim coffee shop

We had about an hour until our next outing so I snuck into my favorite quiet spot, my cozy bed. We have a heated mattress pad which is wonderful! I use it every day and am completely spoiled by never having to get into a cold bed. Tim gave it to me for Christmas last year and it’s probably one of my all time favorite presents. It makes the bed all toasty and warm – nothing like sliding under those pre-heated covers. We also have our down comforter on the bed (wedding present from my mom’s siblings – thank you!!!!) with a denim duvet cover. Add to the mixture lots and lots of pillows and it’s just a dreamy spot.

Tina – try not to sweat just hearing me talk of down comforters and electric mattress pads. What’s the temperature in Thailand this week?

Mind you, it wasn’t a very “quiet” quiet spot since the three younger children kept popping in to tell me different things and eventually Tim came upstairs to read The Silver Chair to the kids in the hallway. Still, it was a moment of solace and I claimed it as MY TIME (all 15 or 20 minutes of it).

Right around dinner time we went to the Concert of Prayer at the church. It was a good time of singing and prayer. I was pleased to see a woman from our small group. We sat together and even got the chance to be in a “prayer huddle” for part of the time.

It is interesting to me how God orchestrated the events of the day. He knew we weren’t having Small Group in our home and could afford the time for an afternoon meeting. He also knew I would be in Sarah’s classroom during church and arranged for a special worship service to be scheduled that evening. He’s so creative and all-knowing and loves ME.

Tim was a sweetheart and filled the van up with gas after dropping us off at home. I managed to come up with a dinner that would feed the hungry masses while he was gone. We watched the end of a movie and were settling in for the evening when I got a phone call. Turns out there was an important e-mail waiting for us on the computer and needed some attention. So much for relaxing over the last bit of the day.

I am really in awe of how my dad, father-in-law, and other pastors, handle the many relationships of their church flock; the ups and downs, trials, conflicts, and joys that come with working closely with a diverse (and flawed) group of people. The small bit that I have experienced over the years (and today in particular) was exhausting. I am so thankful that Tim and I have been committed and faithful in our prayer time, both alone and together, since the beginning of the year, as it is only through God’s grace and strength that we can meet these challenges with humility, love and patience.

Truly we can hold firmly to those familiar verses in Philippians 4.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

It is one thing to know the verses, to memorize them and it is altogether another to live it and see God’s faithfulness shine through them.

Be sure to lift your pastor and his family up before the Lord.

Kathy

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P365 – Day 55 (Forts and Food)

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Sigh. I think they are out to get me. If I didn’t know better I would think Daniel had read my Fort blog and was eager to push my buttons and test which was stronger, my love or my hatred of forts.

beginning of a fort

This used to be my living room.

Daniel, however, doesn’t really read this blog. Joshua and Rachel are regular subscribers. Joshua reads faithfully each morning, forgiving me graciously when I am slow to post, and Rachel catches up every other day or so. Daniel looks over the pictures but doesn’t actually bite into the meat of the blog. If he did see the fort blog, he probably focused in on the photos and went away inspired.

couch

Underneath this mess is some nice living room furniture – and maybe a child or two.

I don’t really blame them. It’s rainy and cold, perfect Fort Building Weather. Here is Fort Number One – a true masterpiece.

fort 1
sarah and the fort

How could the boys resist this face? It cries out for some fort building assistance.

As the day progressed and players changed, another fort evolved in the living room. This one involved secret paths and tunnels, going under, behind and, in some cases, through, furniture.

david and the fort

going through

Here she goes! Sarah climbs her way THROUGH the coffee table.

here she goes

To offset the distress of all this fort building mess, I turned quickly to chocolate and got Rachel started on some chocolate chip pancakes.

rachel 1
rachel bakes
rachel eats

Thankfully Rachel was willing to help in any way she could. Actually what happened was I told the kids they could have pancakes for breakfast if they wished. Since I did not leap up with great vim and vigor in the morning – being the serious student of Saturday morning sleep – Rachel decided to make the pancakes for the family. Way to go, Rach!!

These pictures were taken later on in the day, when there was some leftover batter and everyone begged Rachel to add chocolate chips and fix a few pancakes for snacking.

Our game of choice today (yes, as accused we are a SERIOUS game playing family these days) was Puerto Rico. We played it Friday night with a friend from church and were eager to play again (especially those of us who lost, oh that would be ME!!).

Puerto Rico is a fun game. It’s creative and interesting but not too difficult or competitive. I especially missed the Burts, today, when we played. They would like this game and wouldn’t mind the several hours that it takes to play. The only problem is only 3 to 5 players can play. That would mean if all four adults played then only one child could join us. Something to think about. I wonder if you could combine two games and include more players. We find www.newspiel.com to have the best prices on these Rio Grande and May Fair games.

The grey day and chilly temps required some nice hot apple cider. Tim’s sister, Posie, gave us some of these drink packets for Christmas one year and the children are hooked.

apple cider

I bought this box at Costco.

Daniel and Joshua set up the game while Rachel worked on the hot cider. Tim did a little computer work while waiting for the game to be ready.

daniel and the game
tim works

We had to work hard to get Rachel to join us for a game of Puerto Rico. She had the (VERY misguided) impression that the game was either boring or too difficult for her. Reinforced by mugs of hot cider, we marched forward.

hot cider trio

All of our prodding and begging and arm-twisting worked because Rachel, not only played the game, but won the entire thing! I’m sure it was all those chocolate chips that gave her the strength to overcome her worries and come out triumphant.

Again I was driven to some serious chocolate. This time I took no chances and went straight to the pantry for the right antidote (chocolate has medicinal properties, right?) and placed it in Joshua’s capable hands.

chocolate brownie mix

Worrying that regular brownies would not sufficiently console the group of Puerto Rico losers, I steered Joshua in the direction of something, shall we say, MORE chocolatey.

chocolate pizza recipe

Any time you have the word chocolate and overload near each other, you are bound to end up with something delicious.

Joshua, a true son of his chocolate-loving parents, more than outdid himself with the chocolate pizza. He fixed the brownies on a round pizza pan, adding chocolate chips to the batter, then frosted them. Next, he sprinkled two types of chips on the top and drizzled chocolate sauce over the entire concoction. Rachel said it was BEYOND chocolatey and went into some other realm of sugary goodness. There was a manic sort of jittery look to the children after they had their slice of ‘pizza.’

Of course, we sent them straight to bed. Isn’t that what good parents do? Feed their children sugar and caffeine and then expect them to settle down to sleep?

chocolate pizza

Ooey, gooey goodness. Why do chocolate desserts have such lethal names? Death by Chocolate or Devil’s Food Cake. I’ve even seen Triple Bypass Chocolate Fudge. And why are chocolate treats referred to as sinful?

Excuse me as I try not to drool. I had better end here.

Kathy

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P365 – Day 52 (Sleepy children?)

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In keeping with Tim’s comments from yesterday’s blog about bedtimes, I thought I would post some pictures of the children tucked sweetly into their beds.

Daniel

I’m not sure Daniel really looks very sleepy. Got a little carried away with the chapstick there, kiddo.

Daniel and David had their lights out (flashlights don’t count, right?) so they were close to sleep. Maybe. We won’t go into what time it was. Definitely past “bed time.”

david in bed

David looks WAY too awake and cheerful for someone who is supposed to be ASLEEP!

Of course, look what happened when Adam drifted off to sleep in that pretty little garden.

So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Genesis 2:21

Yikes! Didn’t he have a few surprises coming. Now I doubt the boys need to worry about this sort of thing happening again but there are other scriptures that talk about sleeping.

Proverbs 6:9-11

How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest
and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

sarah in bed

This girl is NOT a sluggard – we have pictures of her cleaning!

rachel's reading in bed

Turn the light off and go to bed, girlie!

Of course, as an ever hungry 13 year old, Joshua hopes this Proverb will prove true in our house.

Proverbs 29:13
Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
stay awake and you will have food to spare.

joshua

Would someone please feed this growing, hulking teenager! Oh, wait, I think he’s chewing on a piece of leftover piece of pizza in this picture. Never mind, that should hold him for 15 minutes or so.

Tim, who has been up since ‘oh dark thirty,’ was still working when I took these “sleeping” shots. He looked a bit bleary eyed and focused and asked to be excused from the photo shoot. He was the only one of the bunch who really WANTED to be asleep.

“Ah, youth is wasted on the wrong people.”
[Obscure Movie Quote - can you name this movie?]

Or perhaps Tim was just afraid his ‘shaggy’ look would be too much for the cameras. Sorry, Hon, maybe tomorrow you’ll get that haircut.

Again – we did lots of other things today (including school, a luncheon with some Bible study ladies, an eye appointment for Rachel, chores, church activities for some of the family, and a power walk this evening for me) but none of them were captured on film so they end up in this P.S. section. Such is life on the blog.

Kathy

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P365 – Day 51 (Sarah Cleans)

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Sometimes you have long hours in which to think up creative and witty blogs. Other times life intrudes (the nerve) and you actually have to make meals, do dishes, and teach school. Sigh. This was one of those days. The entire day went by with nary a picture taken. Gasp. It looked like Tuesday would come to a close with no picture in sight.

Thankfully Sarah stepped forward and did something note (or photo) worthy. Finally some inspiration for today’s blog.

sarah and the wipes

Yes, it was bedtime and she was supposed to be tucked away under covers but we can overlook a great deal when there are disinfective wipes in hand.

Sarah has taken great ownership of the kids’ upstairs bathroom. This is the second or third time I’ve found her cleaning it – WITHOUT BEING ASKED. Really, this is unheard of among my children. They are wonderful helpers but there is usually prodding, money or candy involved in some way shape or form.

Here Sarah works away straightening up the counter. Must have those cups in a proper line.

cups in line

Her entire day was made when I came by and offered to let her wash the mirror. Ah, it’s a privilege to bring such joy to my children. “Gasp! I can clean the mirror LIKE THAT?” she said as I boosted her up onto the countertop with paper towel and Windex in hand. It did make me pause, just a bit, to wonder what OTHER ways she was cleaning the mirror. But there was no time for reflection it was time to scrub.

sarah's mirror

There’s something so sweet about a little one helping with chores around the house (especially in her purple pajamas). Look how she lives out the verses in Proverbs 31:

She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

You are an inspiration to us all, Sarah.

Later on Tim took the boys off for some sit ups and push ups instructions (those Army days are never too far away). It also would have made for a great blog but I was settled under the covers with my BSF lesson in hand and couldn’t be budged. Next time.

Kathy

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