Fall Field Trip...and Following Up

Our homeschool co-op had an optional field trip yesterday to a local corn maze, so I took Josiah and David while my mother stayed here with Tobin who was having a peaceful morning nap (and actually stayed in bed the whole time we were gone, making it an easy babysitting job for my mom...so instead of keeping herself busy with Tobin care, she used her time to do my laundry--lots of it...what a saint!).

I had never been to a corn maze so wasn't sure what to expect, but I was actually impressed by the variety of activities at the farm; it was definitely much more than a corn maze...which was good because the boys and I actually decided to not do the maze...or rather, to do it some time when Jeff is with us so that if we all get lost, he'll help us find our way out of there. :) In any case, we had tons of fun; and I'd be more than happy to make going there a new family fall tradition.

~ Josiah by an "outhouse"...it's hard to tell what he's doing, but he's actually playing mini golf on a course there, and the last hole just happens to be up that ramp and in the outhouse :)
~ one of the boys' favorite things was this slide that actually "goes under the ground," as David excitedly and repeatedly informed me
~ duck races with old-fashioned pumps--what a neat idea!

~ this corn tunnel was a little less intimidating to the boys than the huge corn maze!

~ making music, the country bumpkin way :)
~ the boys really enjoyed these swings, especially when they got to bump into each other :) ~ David liked being on this because it made him taller than me
~ time for a little bowling...

~...and a tractor race...
~...before climbing on a cornstalk horse...
~...and a tractor
A merry time was had by all!

*******

Now, the follow-up... I have been so appreciative of the responses--ALL of them--to my "Perfect" post. The thoughtfulness expressed by those who left comments really ministered to my soul and gave me excellent food for thought as I sought to change my perspective on the sad fact of truly being imperfect. :)

One of the reasons I decided to go ahead and write that post was because I would never want someone to look at my blog and feel discouraged because of how "put-together" I seem to be. I'm actually laughing as I write that because, really, how could they even think that? But I know how we are; and when we see a picture of brothers getting along well and we read a story about how tender they are, we think (often unconsciously), "It must be that way all the time in their household. What's wrong with me that my family can't be that way?" When I mentioned recently that I was starting to work on my Christmas letter project, I thought, "Oh dear, I hope no one assumes that I'm so organized that I'll surely have all my letters written, envelopes stuffed with correct addresses on them, stamped and ready to go by--oh, maybe the day after Thanksgiving, because that's just not how it is around here!" (In fact, every year I start valiantly in the "A" section of my address list, and then run out of steam somewhere around the "J" section." My friends with "W" last names are to be pitied because I never seem to get that far, and they probably think I've abandoned them.) But my point is that it's so incredibly easy to take a snippet of success off someone's blog and build it into a huge idea of how "perfect" they are, when really, that's so far from the truth. (That's why I have a "Keepin' It Real" category of posts; they're a good reality check as well as being a lesson in humility for me.)

In the last few days, several things have stood out to me about this topic. First, when I was talking about this with my parents, my dad teased me by saying, "And you know how perfect my office is: a perfect mess!" Of course, his office isn't really that messy, but he does have some piles of assorted papers/medical journals/who knows what else sitting around in a few corners. :) I was reminded, once again, that almost everyone has places like that; and you know, they don't bother me when it's true of someone else. I don't see someone's messy corner in a blog post--like #7 in this post :) --and think, "Oh my goodness, how could they leave it like that?" In fact, I usually do quite the opposite and think, "I'm so glad I'm not the only one!" :)

Second, Sally's comment about my perspective on my mother being shaped differently than hers because I'm the youngest in a "small" family (which is funny to me because I've never thought of our family of four children being small, but I guess to Sally who grew up in a family of 10 children, it is!)...anyway, what she wrote about that was literally a brand new thought to me. I can't count how many times my mother has told me that she wasn't a perfect mother and she wishes she could change some things and she never did figure how best to handle this or that aspect of parenting, etc. I guess I unconsciously tune all of that out, however, and still maintain this image of her having it all together...and me not coming close to that. But Sally's comment made a lot of sense, and I'll keep it in mind.

Third, this post from Julie was exactly what I needed to read to alter my outlook on my imperfections to a much healthier perspective.

And finally, a quote from Ravi Zacharias, that was left by Lea in a comment on Debbie's blog, Cheaper by the Baker's Dozen: The primary purpose of a home is to reflect and to distribute the love of Christ. Anything that usurps that is idolatrous. Wow. What more can I say? Only that I long to leave idolatry behind me--the idolatry of worshipping the unattainable vision of a perfect home and perfect self--and press on to reflect and distribute the love of Christ...first, to the precious ones that, like me, call this space home, and then to all who enter or are reached from this place.

Tobin's Nine Month Birthday

Isn't it great how babies get to celebrate their birthday every month for a whole year? :)

So, yesterday, Tobin turned nine months old...but before I get to that, I want to share the beauty of nature around our home that drew me in yesterday afternoon. I had gone outside to feed the animals, thinking to do it as quickly as I could so I could hurry back inside...but before I had gotten my chores done, I was captured by the unique beauty of a late afternoon in the fall. I did hurry back inside, but only to get my camera so I could hurry back outside to take pictures. :)

The first thing that caught my eye was this tree...
...every year, it astonishes me to see the leaves change colors. Such a gorgeous transformation!
And then I noticed how, if the sun is shining just right, even the watering trough shines brilliantly...

As I walked over to the woodshed to shut the doors, I noticed the pleasing sight of a tall stack of wood, ready for winter fires...but then I noticed my shadow against it. Even though Morning did a wonderful series of "Shadow Shot Sunday" posts, I would never have thought of planning to take such a picture (finding a place, waiting for the right light, etc.), but the strong light shining behind me created the perfect opportunity...and for that, I was grateful.
Then I walked by the garden and noticed the bright red peppers still hanging on the vine, shining in the late afternoon light. Although frost will soon be nipping at these plants, I plan to have the peppers safely harvested and tucked away in the freezer before then.

Across the garden, in the fencerow between our land and the neighbor's field, stands this crimson column of leaves that has been intriguing me. I don't know what it is, but I admire it every day.
After my sojourn with the camera outside, I returned to the house and opened the door of Tobin's room to find this:
A happy, smiley nine-month old boy, awake after his nap, surrounded by his stuffed alligator and bear and a special blanket that Millie from the barbershop made for him. Only recently have I felt comfortable even having anything in his crib, but he seems to enjoy the toys and at least the blanket has a lot of holes in it so even if it got on his face, it wouldn't cause too much trouble. Actually, where the blanket normally gets is under him...so much for keeping him warm!

Here are some tidbits about Tobin at this stage of his life:

~ he weighed 16 pounds and was 28 and 1/2 inches long yesterday at my dad's office...he also received two shots, and cried a little but recovered fairly quickly...I was a little concerned about his light weight, especially after holding a baby in the church nursery yesterday morning who is about half Tobin's age but weighs 18 pounds...Dad said, "I think if you look at what David weighed at 9 months, it would be about the same as Tobin's weight"...sure enough, I looked in David's baby book; and at 9 months, he was 16 and 1/2 pounds...that was comforting :)

~ Tobin has no teeth yet; and once again, I had to look in his brothers' baby books to compare...Josiah got his first tooth when he was 9 months old, but David didn't get his first until he was 13 and 1/2 months old--quite late!...when they did come in for David, the top front ones came first, rather than the bottom front teeth which is normal

~ recently I've gone through Tobin's clothes, packing away the ones that are too little and getting bigger clothes out of the storage boxes...I discovered that he has very few sleepers in the 12-month size, and I wasn't sure why--until I remembered that Josiah was 12 months old in the summer, in Israel, and didn't need many sleepers there in that heat...even for David, by the time he reached that size, it was spring; and apparently he didn't need that many either...usually I have plenty of clothes for Tobin from the things that his brothers wore, but I'm thinking that this winter baby of mine just might need a few more warm, cuddly, 12-month sleepers!

~ Tobin continues to be a pretty good eater...I think his favorite food right now is probably yogurt, but he's also been thoroughly enjoying finger foods, like Cheerios and the fruit and veggie baby food puffs that are made these days...yesterday was the first day that he seemed able to very consciously move his hand to pick up a puff and then get it into his mouth...he didn't succeed on every try, but was surprisingly consistent...it's a huge blessing to be able to put those on the highchair tray in front of him and have him feed himself part of his meal!

~ he seems to be in a period of extremely rapid development...my parents keep commenting on how much he's changing in just a very short amount of time...he's so social: vocalizing as if to really express what's on his mind and even moving his arms as if he's waving...of course, this is the period of wondering "did you really mean to do that, or did you just accidentally say "mama" and wave goodbye??"...but even if it's mostly accidental, it still shows that he's on the path of learning how to communicate in those ways

~ he very easily rolls over and can scoot himself around that way, but he's definitely not crawling or even showing any signs of being near that skill...he's not sitting up by himself either...I'm not the least bit concerned because my babies always tend to be quite late in reaching those milestones...we have noticed, however, that when he's in the circular farm toy, he spends a significant part of the time actually standing up and supporting his own weight...with crawling or sitting up or walking, I have the attitude, "he'll get there...no worries...I'll keep enjoying this pre-mobile easier-on-me time for a while!" :)

~ Tobin very easily goes to sleep at night (and at naps, for that matter), and is usually more than ready by 8:00 p.m...I've been trying to keep him up a little later the past week or so because he's been waking up in the morning a little earlier than I'd like...maybe it's because the sun hasn't come up yet by 6:00 a.m., but I tell ya, when he wakes up in the 6:00 hour, it's tough on me (even though I'm incredibly grateful for the 10 straight hours of sleep he's just had!)...I'm so completely not a morning person...if only it were light outside when I first heard his wake-up sounds, it would be so much easier!...oh well, what can you do?...he still takes two naps which are usually a few hours each...if he hasn't gotten his normal amount of sleep during the day, once in a while he even needs a short third nap in the early evening...he's an excellent sleeper for which I'm continuously grateful

~ Tobin LOVES to watch his big brothers play...in fact, in the afternoon when Josiah and David are having quiet playtime (each in separate rooms, of course, or else it wouldn't exactly be quiet), I'll often put Tobin in the bouncy seat and set him where he can watch one brother, then I'll move him after a while so he can watch the other one, and then I'll tuck him in bed for his nap...he is so entertained by them, and both Josiah and David have learned how to do things to make him laugh...they are great with him, and often come running with a "I want to give him a hug and kiss" when they hear me starting to sing his lullaby before I put him in bed

~ I'll end with a Tobin first: today was the first day that he--drumroll, please--took off his own pants...none of my children has ever been the kind of chronic undresser that I've heard about from other moms, so I was very surprised to enter Tobin's room after his afternoon nap and find him pantless...Tobin was at one end of the crib, and his pants were at the other, and he looked mighty pleased with himself...silly goose :)

Tobin, you are an unspeakable treasure and a beautiful reminder that God is indeed good. We give heartfelt thanks for the past 9 months. What would we ever do without you?

Simple Sunday - Sunset in the Country

Whew! After such a heavy post yesterday, it's refreshing to simply pause to say that I'm...

~ thankful for a country sunset God painted over our neighbor's hill one evening this week

Perfect

If I had to choose my least favorite verse in the Bible (and please, may I not be struck down for even mentioning that I have a least favorite verse), Matthew 5:48 would be a strong contender for the top of that list. It's a simple verse really, and short...Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect...but oh, so difficult. In fact, it's impossible. Literally. So why is it in there?

It's obvious that I'm a sinner, and I am confident of God's abundance of grace towards me. I know there are a multitude of verses that speak of His mercy, that describe His role in the process of salvation. It's all about Him--I know that very well.

And yet, I strive to follow and serve Him with all of my heart--not in hopes of being good enough to make it into heaven, but out of the overflowing love and gratitude I have for Him.

There must be a balance in all of that: not for a moment thinking that I can or need to be good enough to make it on my own, yet at the same time not taking advantage of His grace by wilfully sinning. But it seems to me that when I get to Matthew 5:48, that balance is lost. Why are we commanded to be perfect when it's not even in the realm of possibility? Might as well command me to jump off Massanutten Peak and fly. It's just not gonna happen.

At times like these, I wish so much that I knew Biblical Greek because I'm sure that there is a depth to the word translated as "perfect" that escapes us English speakers.

Three things recently have led me to dwell on this verse and this idea of perfection. The first was Jeff's mother's visit and my strong realization that all someone needs to do to see how far from perfect we are as a family is to come and stay with us for two weeks. Actually, you wouldn't even need two weeks; two days would probably do the trick. The portrait of us having it all together might stay in place for two hours, but not much longer than that. It was hard for me to watch my boys act like little sinners (imagine that!) with their grandma here. I didn't like the conflicts that arose between them as they were given new toys and didn't want to share them. I grimaced at the sound of harsh words between them. I asked myself whether there was always this much tension between them, or whether it was exacerbated by the unusual circumstances and lack of normal routine. And lest I seem to be casting stones at them, I'll freely admit that I was a sinner as much as anyone during her visit. I grimaced at the unkind tone of voice that came from my mouth. I asked myself whether I always had this much tension despite my desire to set a peaceful tone for our household. To be honest, I didn't like everything I saw in myself under the extra scrutiny of a fresh set of eyes in our home.

Let me be clear: these accusations were NOT coming from Jeff's mom! In fact, when I would bring up the boys' behavior and try to apologize for how disagreeable it was to endure an argument over who got to play with a certain new toy (when they had both been lavishly blessed with new toys), she would brush it off with a smile and say, "Oh, they're just kids." So I don't mean to imply that she went around with a judgmental attitude--far from it! It's just that I had on my hyper-sensitive glasses and was analyzing everything more than I usually do.

The second aspect of this perfection topic is that I've realized recently how I let myself feel pressure to be perfect and keep my house perfectly because of having my parents so close and having them in our home so often. I can't count how many times I kick myself and tell myself "I should be better!" when they walk through the door and see a counter littered with dirty dishes or a bench piled with books, backpacks, grocery bags, etc. which should have been put away five days ago! It's silly, I know, because just like with Jeff's mom, they are not judgmental at all! All the stress on me in this area is self-imposed which is absolutely ridiculous, but I've been having a difficult time getting rid of this recently. I think as little girls growing up in basically functional families, we look up to our mothers as "perfection" and keep that image in our mind when it's our turn to be a wife, maintain a home, and raise children. I don't know about anyone else, but I look at my mom and think, "I'll never be as good as her. I'll never keep my house as clean and organized. I'll never do the gardening as well. I'll never be as calm and patient as she was. I don't remember her ever raising her voice with us; how did she do that??? I'll never measure up to that." And then I try to console myself by saying, "Well, yes, but she didn't homeschool; and by the time David and I [the youngest in the family] were born, the older two children were in school all day, so that's why she did better than you at all of this." But that's just silly, too, because a voice in the back of my head still nags, "You're not as good as her. And in fact, you're just not good enough at all."

Third, as I've been able to spend a little bit more time reading other blogs this week, I've realized that what used to ENcourage me was actually DIScouraging me. There are some blogs that are "perfect," that show things that are good and lovely and creative and and wholesome and frugal and...well, all the right stuff. But this week they've been driving me nuts because obviously, I can't live up to that. I'm not that good and lovely and certainly not that creative...and oh, by the way, I'm exhausted and can't even seem to finish any little project that I attempt...and have you seen how high in my laundry chute the dirty clothes are piled? (High enough to be seen from the top of the chute, in case you were wondering. You can imagine how thrilled I was when Josiah excitedly exclaimed about actually being able to see the pile when he was throwing his clothes in the top!) I seriously had to consider whether for the sake of my heart, I should stop visiting certain sites for a while because I was falling into the contemptible practice of comparing myself to others...and obviously, coming out on the short end of the stick. One thing is for sure: I definitely have felt more encouragement this week from blogs that are "real," where women share about all aspects of life: the good, the bad, and the laundry piles. :) I happened upon a new blog today--yes. they're. all. ours.--and practically shouted "hallelujah" when I read this: I'm posting these pictures, just so you will know this isn't going to be one of those "picture perfect" blogs, with only idealistic pictures of the "perfect house" and the "perfect children" having the "perfect homeschool day!" Instead, I hope to give you a realistic glimpse into the daily life of a family of twelve!! With all of our ups and downs . . . Thank you! That was what I needed to read.

I feel like I need to qualify my above statements by saying that, of course, every woman has a right to form her blog into whatever she wants it to be; and if someone desires to have a blog which only highlights the good, that's perfectly (typed with a wry grin) all right! Really! That's even scriptural, right? After all, Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." So I'm not condemning those who have chosen to make their blogs a perpetually positive place. If I've offended anyone through this, please let me know so I can personally apologize to you...because really, my intention is not to challenge anyone to change the way they blog...and it's certainly not to be hurtful.

I guess I write all of this to just be real myself...to lay open my heart which has been feeling the burden of imperfection extra heavily recently. I even hesitate to post this, but I guess I will. Here I go..."publish post"...click...

Seen...

...in our kitchen last night: Josiah and David, side by side, looking through new books from the library...and giving us all the pleasure of a quiet, peaceful moment.
Eaten: a new recipe, Wild Chicken, from Between Here and Home. Delicious!
Observed: Bartimaeus, our blind (at least partially) calf, licking our dog Molly this morning. Molly just stood there and let her (yes, Bartimaeus is a girl...we didn't know that when we named her) lick and lick and lick her. We knew our animals were close--after all, they eat each other's food (very true...the calves eat the dogs' food, the dogs eat the calves' food, the rabbit eats the chickens' food, and the chickens even peck at the rabbit's food...speaking of rabbit, our last one dug a tunnel and escaped from his enclosure recently, but he's still spotted around our yard sometimes, bringing much excitement to Josiah and David who insist on chasing the poor thing around and around, as if they could ever really catch it!)--but I didn't know they were that close!

Heard: Poiema by Michael Card has been playing in my CD player today.

Worked on: I've been continuing the never-ending project of organizing pictures on the computer, as well as beginning the process of preparing addresses and envelopes for the Christmas letters we'll send.

Read: Sarah by Kaylene Johnson...my parents bought this book on Wednesday, my mother had finished reading it by the next day, and she passed it on to me. It's a quick read, but very helpful, I think, in learning more about who might be our next Vice President. I realize that the information about her is presented in the book in such a way as to shed a favorable light on her--of course!--but I do think it's impressive how an "outsider," a "normal" American woman, challenged the wrongdoing that she saw in the establishment...and, in many ways, won. This upcoming election is so much more interesting to me because of her presence in it!

Accomplished: Tobin learned to drink from a sippy cup today.

Pondered: Jeff's recent suggestion that it might be unrealistic to expect two brothers (Josiah and David) to share the same tenderness that a brother and sister (my brother David and I) shared as children. Maybe two siblings of the same gender experience an extra helping of competition?

Two Tags...and Tobin

Recently both Michelle and Sally tagged me to write seven random things about myself, but Sally's tag included this: make all seven things relate to the kitchen somehow. I'm going to combine these tags and do one post, then consider my obligations to both these lovely women fulfilled! :)

By the way, a bit of history about them... Michelle and I met when we both spent the spring semester of 1996 in Jerusalem, studying at the same school there. She was an eyewitness to the very early stages of Jeff's and my relationship. She's the one who laughs affectionately but derisively when I mention how much of a secret Jeff's and my blossoming romance was. No one suspected a thing, right, Michelle? ;)


Sally has known me for a very long time; in fact, I started kindergarten with her big sister Gail. Gail is the firstborn and Sally the secondborn in a family of 10 children: 8 girls followed by 2 boys. They grew up on a farm, and a very fun memory I have with them is being invited to visit them at some point after Jeff and I were married. We had come back to Virginia from California for a visit and were fortunate enough to eat supper with Sally's family and have a tour of part of their farm that evening. That visit made SUCH an impact on Jeff. He still talks about it, as a matter of fact. :)


So...seven things, kitchen-related...let's see...


1. I have this shelf hanging in my kitchen with this beautiful pottery made by none other than my very own husband. Is he amazing or what? :) (By the way, he made the pottery, not the shelf. But he could probably do that, too, if he tried...and had the right tools!)
2. On the top shelf of one of our bookshelves in the kitchen is an odd assortment of things: pictures of both sets of my grandparents, old jars with various sewing-related items (like old wooden thread spools), and this huge pepper grinder. It's a lot of fun to bring this out when guests are here and offer them some freshly ground pepper. :)
3. If I collected anything--which I don't, and don't need to since I'm trying to declutter not "reclutter"--I would collect pineapple stuff since I love, love, love them in decorations. (As a matter of fact, I love to eat them, too, but they sure look prettier in decorations than they do in my stomach.) This particular pineapple wind-spinner hangs over my kitchen sink and was from our very good friends Robert and Liberty who sent it to us after their vacation in Hawaii. Hawaii--can you believe it? Don't you think they should have invited us along? ;)
4. This next picture hits a few points about my kitchen. First, I got a new harvest tablecloth the other day. Found it at Walmart...paid a few dollars for it...isn't it grand? It's plastic, by the way. We are in the season of life known for its grimy handprints on the walls and plastic tablecloths. Wouldn't trade it for anything. Second, I love to have a deliciously-scented candle on the table to light often. When cooler weather comes and we have to keep the windows closed, I surely miss the fresh air of the outdoors and the breezes that blow through the house. So now when the air inside feels too "close" and I detect a faint odor emanating from the trashcan (or from the frig...or from a child...or from anything else), it's refreshing to light this candle. ;) Third, we got this horse-and-buggy napkin holder during our visit to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, during our recent trip. I had been wanting a napkin holder to keep out on the table within reach of Josiah and David so they could help themselves when they needed one; and when I saw this, I was sold on it immediately. Black iron (or some such metal) with a horse and buggy--perfect for me!
5. To help remind Josiah and David to use their manners and speak politely, we've been playing the penny game; and here are their bowls of pennies on the table. I learned this game from my grandmother (my mother's mother) who could never have been accused of being a silly, frivolous soul. This, however, was one (among hundreds) of the things we looked forward to when we visited her. She would get out the pennies, and we would all be on our best behavior, trying to avoid making a mistake--like forgetting a "please"--and thus losing a penny, and simultaneously we would try to catch someone else in a mistake. The very best part of the whole game was when a grown-up messed up, and we could catch them with a huge "aha, you forgot to say 'thank you'!" moment.
6. One of my least favorite "ordinary" kitchen jobs (as opposed to huge projects like cleaning the oven) these days is cutting up tomatoes. You wouldn't think that would be such a hassle for me, but I have terrible skin on my hands. I guess I've had atopic dermatitis off and on for most of my life; and for some reason, at this stage of my life, my hands are particularly troublesome. Do you know how much the acid of tomatoes stings when it gets into the cracked skin on my fingers? Tonight I chopped some for our salad; and after I was done, I wanted to scratch and scratch and scratch my fingers--scratch them right off, it seemed! Whenever anyone else is around and asks if they can help in the kitchen, I always give them the job of cutting tomatoes. :)


7. I have a fairly large kitchen (but no dining room). Whenever I clean up and organize the kitchen, I mentally divide it into five zones and finish one zone first before starting the next (usually). The easiest one tends to be the counter between the stove and the sink, then the next easiest is usually the table, then it's a toss-up between the long bench (an old church pew) which sits in the kitchen (and is one of my very favorite things in that room, by the way) and the counter between the sink and the refrigerator, and then last comes the counter by the telephone. That poor spot is my downfall. I cannot seem to keep it neat and organized. It attracts clutter like a moth to a flame--truly, one of the Hot Spots that FlyLady talks about. One of these days, I'll get better at keeping it under control. I will...I will...


Before we leave the kitchen, let me record a first for Tobin since it occurred in the kitchen. Today was the first day that he ate Cheerios! :) I wonder how many thousands of those things he'll eat during his lifetime, especially during the next year or so? They're the ideal first food for self-feeding, right? And even though he isn't really coordinated enough to get them in his mouth, he loves trying to hold them...and he loves it when I put them in his mouth.


Here are pictures of Tobin and Cheerios from several angles...I was having fun experimenting with the camera. :)


Now, on to the really random stuff... Today while Jeff took Josiah and David and ran errands this morning, I took Tobin and headed to one of my favorite stores: Goodwill. As far as thrift stores in general, I like Gift & Thrift better; but when it's time to do some serious clothes shopping, I head to Goodwill because they have tons of clothes there and I can take the time to sort through them and find what I want. My goal was getting clothes for Josiah since almost all of his pants that fit him around the waist are too short, and he didn't have very many long-sleeved shirts that still fit either. I had so much fun! Along the way, I found a few things for David and...surprise, surprise...even a few things for myself. :) An even bigger surprise came when I got home and was throwing the new-to-us clothes in the washing machine. As is my habit, I reached into all of the pockets to see if there was a stray tissue just waiting to wreak havoc in my washing machine. No tissue...but I did find a dollar! Now who in the world would NOT check their pockets before dropping off clothes at Goodwill? ;)


And one more thing: recently I was made aware of this unique form of advertising for Campbell's soup. You click on this link, and then on the little barn button, and they donate $1 to help support farmers. Pretty cool, huh? How does it work? you ask. Well, Campbell's uses advertising dollars for this because when you visit the site, you see the beautiful big red barn and you think, "how nice and peaceful," (because you can't smell the manure pile)...but you also see the Campbell's logo and that sticks in your head and then you start thinking about your favorite kind of Campbell's soup and then your stomach starts growling and then you leave the computer and head for the cupboard to find a bowl... Or not. You choose. But they still donate a dollar for every time you click!

Bits and Pieces

I don't know what's wrong with me.

I find myself in such a slump--not only with blogging, but also in most areas of life. Probably the best two areas right now are my devotional life and my relationship with Jeff...and those are the most important...but why does everything else feel so blah? I'm tired. Even this morning, after a pretty good night's sleep, I was so sleepy that after reading some school stuff to Josiah and David, I had to tell them that they could have a break (oh, they love that) and I was going to sleep on the couch for 15 minutes. Well, the 15 minutes stretched into 45...they didn't seem to mind. :) But more than physical fatigue, I simply find myself unmotivated--not happy with how household things are going right now, but not finding the time or energy or motivation to change them. And I really don't want anyone else coming in to "fix" it for me. I want to get back to my old self so that I can do it...or even more, I want to grow and become a new self who can do it even better--myself! Sigh...

Anyway, a few huge topics (the NYC trip, for example) are hovering around my head that I don't want to let get away before I capture them through blogging. For now, however, all I can do is jot down bits and pieces of recent events.

********

Yesterday, a very mysterious thing occurred around here. I had gotten two pounds of hamburger (in two separate packages...that's important in the story) out of the freezer to thaw for supper. I had put them in the draining rack in the sink; but while I was with Josiah at his swimming lesson, my mother realized that they wouldn't be thawed in time for supper so she moved them out to the picnic table so they could get the sun and breeze on them--a very reasonable thing to do. When she checked on them later, however, there was only one package left. Hmmmm...where could the other one be?

Option A: she moved it and forgot about it.
~ I don't think so. None of us could find it anywhere we looked, and besides, why would she just move one of the packages?

Option B: a person came by and took it.
~ Not likely at all. Nobody just "walks by" our house, and again, why would they just take one package?

Option C: a hawk swooped down and carried it off.
~ Maybe.

Option D: an animal climbed up on the picnic table and grabbed it.
~ We're thinking this is the most likely scenario, particularly since just the evening before, I had seen an opossum in the yard when I was taking some scraps out to the compost pile after dark. I wasn't sure an opossum could get up on the picnic table, but Jeff assured me one could...and he thinks it's highly probable that it was our culprit.

So, Jeff set a live trap to see if he could catch the critter. When I looked out on the patio this morning, we had indeed caught something--Smoky, our neighbor's cat.

********

About a week and a half ago, our community was saddened by the tragic death of a man who was using his tractor to clear a path and prepare an outdoor campfire for a retreat to be held that evening on top of Mole Hill. Jeff and I did not know Lowell personally, but he was one of my dad's patients, and a number of people that we know knew him. Farming accidents seem to have a particular punch-to-the-gut effect in this community.

On Sunday afternoon, as we were driving home, Jeff looked up at Mole Hill and asked me if I had ever been to the top. "No," I said. He asked, "Why not?" Ummm...maybe because I never thought about going? Why would anyone want to climb Mole Hill anyway? :) Jeff, being a man who likes to climb things just because they're there--that's why I married him ;), decided to set off that very afternoon with Josiah to enjoy the lovely early fall weather and conquer a "mountain" that he's always wanted to climb. So off they went...

They didn't really know how to get to the top, so they parked the Jeep off Mole Hill Road and started climbing. Sure enough, they reached the "summit" and then they found the fire ring with the wood stacked neatly, ready for the campfire retreat that never happened. They discovered a number of people from the community, particularly Old Order Mennonites, who had come to, in a way, pay their respects to Lowell. Jeff spontaneously asked the group if he could read a psalm; of course, they agreed, so he read Psalm 42, then led in a silent prayer. Even though I've never had an overwhelming urge to climb Mole Hill, I do wish I had been there for that.

From that point, Jeff and Josiah discovered the trail running down the other side of the "mount," so they followed it and passed by the site of the accident, with the tractor still lying haphazardly on its side where it had rolled. At the bottom of the trail which emptied on the opposite side of the hill from where they parked, they were fortunate enough to get a ride back to the Jeep from someone who knows Jeff from the barbershop (and who has known my family for years). It turned out to be a great father/son outing, and a moving experience all at the same time.

~ "land that I love" - as they begin the ascent, the beautiful rolling farmlands of this part of the county stretch out behind Josiah
~ with no trail on the way up, the going was a little tough...not too bad though for my wild man Josiah :)

~ the tractor: a sobering reminder of the fragility of life...in an instant, everything can be changed
~ ah, a path for the way down! :)

********

On a more upbeat note, Jeff and I had the opportunity to go out to see a late movie while his mom was visiting. She was willing to stay with the boys who were all in bed, and we went to a 10:00 movie. I can't remember the last time I went to a movie that late. :)

We saw Fireproof, and I can't recommend it highly enough! It was the perfect date night movie.

********

Nothing good lasts forever, especially when the item in question is a sleeper passed down through three sons. Here is Tobin this morning...such a happy face...

...but look! What's peeking out of his sleeper? My goodness, it's his toe! That's not supposed to happen!
I remembered that my brother David and his wife Lori had given that sleeper to us when Josiah was a baby, and of course, I had to dig out a photo of Josiah wearing it. The picture below shows Josiah and I in late 2002 when the sleeper was new.
I guess maybe it's time to retire it. :)

********

While reading Blessed by Baseballs and Bows recently, I saw this post about a boy in China who desperately needs a family. Jeanette, the author of the post, asked for others to please pass on his story so that prayers will reach heaven on his behalf and maybe--just maybe--his forever family will find him before he becomes unavailable for adoption because of his age. If you have a moment, click over to her blog and see his picture and read his story.

Linking to her post is the least I can do...I only wish I could do so much more.

Simple Sunday - Liberty

~ thankful for Lady Liberty...for our safe trip to visit the Statue...for the significance she has held for countless immigrants through many years...for the numerous liberties we enjoy in this country every day...and, most of all, for the freedom we have as citizens of heaven

Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you. - Galatians 5:1

Creative Kids Co-op

We are blessed to be part of a wonderful homeschool co-op; and I was especially blessed today to be able to wander around with my camera (when I wasn't helping the 1st graders learn chess or science), snapping pictures of some of the students in their various activities. I know the names of some of the children, but certainly not all...and I find myself doing what the "old people" used to do when I was little; I say to myself, "Oh, there's a Nichols boy," or, "He must be a Hottinger." I don't know their first names, but I sure know in which family they belong!

~ little miss M. comes from a gorgeous family :)
~ kindergartners waiting for their turn to go through an obstacle course
~ a little cutie pie in the nursery
~ David listening to our friend Christy read a story in the 3 year-old class
~ Christy's son...one of them, anyway...I don't know his name, but I know he belongs to her!
~ since I got to hang out in chess class with the first graders, I took a lot of pictures of them!

~ crayons in the kindergarten classroom ~ a little hands-on learning...a turkey chick in the kindergarten science class
~ a seventh-grader (I think) drawing guitars

~ I know this girl's mama...in fact, she took care of Tobin in the nursery today (thanks, Julie!)...I don't know if I've ever seen someone wear as many of those rubber bracelets as this girl does :)
~ handsome little K. helped himself to the crackers...his portion was much more satisfactory, I'm sure, than the small, reasonable piece the nursery workers would have given him! :)
~ products of 1st grade art class
~ the first graders intrigued by the book their teacher was reading to them

What a fun way to learn!

The Highlights

I've surprised myself with my lack of blogging during this visit with Jeff's mom. The days have flown by...she's been here almost two weeks...and tomorrow she flies back to California. So much has been packed into these days together; but even though we've been busy, I fully expected to post on a fairly consistent basis. After all, if I could write regularly in the immediate aftermath of Tobin's birth, why couldn't I do it now?

Last night, I finally realized that one of the reasons I've been absent from blogging is that, as an introvert, I lose energy from being with people. This time has been so full of people contact that by the end of the day, I feel like I have nothing left to give and am completely unable to pour anything out, even if they're simply black and white characters on a computer screen. I only want to crawl into a cave, be it my bed or some totally mindless activity. I'm not complaining...obviously, it's been wonderful to have all this people contact and I wouldn't have it any other way...but my realization last night did help me understand what had been a puzzling issue for me: why didn't I want to blog? Not that I feel obligated in any way to blog, but I usually enjoy it so much that when, suddenly, I didn't even want to do it, it was perplexing to me.

In any case, here I am again, ready to record the bits and pieces of this and that which make up this grand thing we call life.

I guess, to start, I'll mention some of the fun things we've been doing during Jeff's mom's visit...

~ today, we spent the morning at our Children's Museum, then met Jeff for lunch at the Indian Cafe downtown...later this afternoon, we'll go to Josiah's SVCC class...Jeff has his Perspectives class at the seminary tonight, so we won't see him until late...but my mom and Jeff's mom are planning to go this evening, after a light supper of cannellini bean and Italian sausage soup, to the Mennonite Relief Center (I'm not sure what the real name is) just over the hill from us to help with the apple drying project that they're doing there...the goal is 500 bushels of apples to be cut and dried, then shipped all over the world to wherever they're needed to feed the hungry

~ yesterday, we took Josiah to the swimming pool in the morning to be tested and registered for swimming lessons, which start next week...after that, we went to the farm store to get some chicken food and dog food...then we stopped by the barbershop to see Jeff, just for fun...after we got home, I cleaned off half of our side porch while Josiah and David ran around outside and Jeff's mom worked in our front flowerbed: weeding, digging out some lilies of the valley that I want to move to another place, and planting some pansies that she bought for us from our neighbor's wagon at the end of their lane...those same neighbors came over for supper last evening, and Jeff's mom got to experience food and conversation with real horse-and-buggy Mennonites :)

~ Grandma Fisher got lots of "help"...what are you doing, David? planting a ski pole? :)

~ I love pansies' cheerful faces!

~ on Sunday, we participated in our church service in the morning, followed by a meal together in Shady Oak, then a business meeting for the members...I was glad to leave Jeff at the meeting to represent us, then come home with the boys and Grandma Fisher for a nap :)...that evening, Jeff took everyone but me to the park, and I stayed home alone--really alone, for the first time in a long time--a time of refreshment for me (and Jeff brought home Kline's chocolate ice cream for me, so I was doubly spoiled!)

~ Saturday was a rainy day, but we did make a stop at Walmart before going on to Josiah's soccer game...his team didn't do as well as they had done previously, and Josiah said afterwards that he was "disappointed" (his exact word)...so disappointed, in fact, that as soon as the game was over, he came and hugged me around the neck and fought back tears, swallowing them enough to go back on the field to do the "good game" ritual at the end...that evening, we, along with my parents, went to Golden Corral for dinner, and what a feast!...then we all--and this is very exciting--went to Home Depot and made a major purchase of--are you ready?--a toilet...the previous one was, according to my dad, probably the original one; and the house is 36 years old...the toilet leaked; and Jeff had tried several times to fix it but with no success...the leaky sound of the toilet really bothered Jeff and actually kept him awake at night--something that practically nothing else ever does--so it was obviously time to take action...it cracked me up to have Jeff and I, our three sons, and the three grandparents all standing around in Home Depot pondering the merits of various toilets...we finally reached a decision, and Jeff installed the new one that very night...and then he slept well :)

So much more to write, but I need to awake sleeping boys, then soon head out the door to Josiah's choir class. It is a start, however, and hopefully will help me break out of this blogging slump.

Sweet

...to be safely home again.

...to be settling into familiar routines and places.

...to have this picture from our fun photo shoot with Lisa.
...to be married to a man brave enough and talented enough (and crazy enough?) to drive all around New York City. I have this little tradition, when something particularly admirable about Jeff is mentioned, of saying, "That's why I married him!" which is true in part, but not fully, because, of course, many thousands of his good qualities combined to convince me to marry him. But it's a fun, silly habit; and I'll continue it here by saying, after seeing Jeff's ability to stay calm, cool, and collected as he drove through the unbelievable pot of stress that is NYC...that's why I married him. ;)

Neglected

I've been neglecting my blog recently which actually makes me a little sad since I feel like life--especially the details of Jeff's mom's visit with us--is slipping through my fingers and I'm not being successful at capturing it...but what also makes me a little sad is that I'm neglecting the other blogs that I love to visit for the inspiration found and the friendships cultivated there. I miss knowing what's happening with my blog buddies in Arizona...and Australia...and California...and even here in Virginia. I've been sporadically popping in to various blogs, but my Google Reader is absolutely lit up with numerous entries I haven't gotten to--not because of a lack of eagerness, but simply a lack of time.

Things won't be different in the near future, since tomorrow afternoon we're off to the great North: Pennsylvania and New York. I'm looking forward to a family photo shoot with Lisa, some time with my brother and his family, and at least a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty; but I'm sure unseen adventures lie in wait for us, and I welcome them.

When things settle down, I will also welcome more time in Blogland. :)