Wow. The house is quiet at 9:15 pm. I guess all the excitement of the ice storm we've had has worn down the kids and they're all sound asleep. Oh yeah...I could get used to this.
We are now entering week 5 of this difficult season of being apart. Matt was laid off from his job a few days before Thanksgiving and just 2 weeks after Nathan's birth. After a lot of prayer we decided to leave Oklahoma (our home for 5-1/2 years) and move to Indiana. So, while I stay here with kids #2-8 trying to sell the house, Matt is pursuing work and Zac is attending high school there in Martinsville, IN. They are staying with Matt's awesome brother and sister-in-law, Adam and Beth and their two children. Matt has made a trip home once but will probably remain there for quite a while before coming back home again. Zac has remained there the entire time. It's been four weeks since I've seen him, but it feels like so much longer.
I know that this is just for a season. I'm excited to see what the future holds: who will buy our current home, where we will live once we move, Matt's new job, what is in store for us as far as school for the 6 oldest...There are so many pieces that must fall into place. There are many times when all I can do is throw up my hands and say, "Lord- I can't make these things happen, but I know You can. I've done everything I'm able to, and I trust You to take care of the rest". There is such a peace that comes from knowing that everything will work out according to His perfect will and timing. It's hard to wait, though.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Thankful
During the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving this past year, some of my friends posted something each day that they were thankful for. I decided it would be a good thing to do year-round. Afterall, a thankful heart is a happy heart, according to Madame Blueberry. So...
Today I am thankful for the comical moment in our kitchen, which still makes me laugh when I recall it. The kids and I were putting away groceries after a quick run to the store. In all of the clamor, no one paid attention to the fact that Luke was beating the tar out of a grocery sack. I turned around in time to see him slam it to the ground with a mighty "Ha-Ha!!!". It was then that I realized grocery sack's contents:
a carton of eggs.
Omelet, anyone?
Today I am thankful for the comical moment in our kitchen, which still makes me laugh when I recall it. The kids and I were putting away groceries after a quick run to the store. In all of the clamor, no one paid attention to the fact that Luke was beating the tar out of a grocery sack. I turned around in time to see him slam it to the ground with a mighty "Ha-Ha!!!". It was then that I realized grocery sack's contents:
a carton of eggs.
Omelet, anyone?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
It's the Little Things...
Every six months my kids receive a postcard from the dentist reminding them of an upcoming appointment, which reads "A Gentle Reminder...". God has given ME some "gentle reminders" this week. They have been reminders that He orders our lives and that He will sustain us where He leads us.
We had our first showing of the house last night. I picked up the kids from school and we worked solidly for 2 hours to get the house sparkling clean. Since it was dinner time when we had to leave the house, I contemplated where to go: didn't really feel like undertaking the hassle of a sit-down restaurant but wasn't eager to let the younger ones play in the "Pinkeye Pit" at McDonald's,either. What to do, what to do... I prayed aloud in the car with the kids and asked the Lord to bless the prospective buyer going through our home AND asked for wisdom where to eat dinner. I kind of chuckled with the kids that no request is too small or unimportant to God.
After driving around for a few minutes, Katie declared that she had to use the potty. To avoid a messy situation I decided to stop at the nearest restaurant, and --ta-da!-- McDonald's it was. We walked in and discovered it was Family Night, complete with a clown, face-painting and balloon animals. Best of all, the place wasn't busy at all! The girls and Luke were so excited about the festivities that they didn't even ask to play in the icky-sticky play area. High-five for mom!
While we were eating, a gentleman came over and complimented the kids on their excellent behavior and me on my ability to raise such a nice family. He stopped by our table repeatedly, but not rudely, to comment on our family. He seemed so encouraged to see a large, well-behaved group of kids. All the way home I was thanking the Lord for blessing my kids with a fun evening.
Okay, secondly: my phone died today. I guess I had dropped it one too many times and it just quit working. With Matt out of town, an ice storm imminent and no other phone available, I had to go to Radio Shack and purchase a new one. I debated whether to take the kids with me. Seth and Abby are fine left home alone while I run errands, but I wasn't comfortable leaving Luke and Nathan home. I was really torn -- take them with me to a non-kid-friendly electronics store or leave them home and worry about them the entire time? Literally, at the moment I decided to leave them home, our neighbor knocked on the door and said, "Abby mentioned that your phone broke. I'm not doing anything right now, so if you need to leave to get it replaced, I'd be happy to stay with the kids." Ha! Problem solved!
So...why did I make you read all of that? It's because as I was driving to Radio Shack, I remembered His promise that He knows our need before we even bring it to Him. He knew my kids needed somewhere to eat dinner and that my heart's desire was to bless them for working so hard to get the house ready. So, he gave us Family Night at McDonald's. He knew that I didn't want to leave them unsupervised today, so he sent Rachel over. Most of all, however, He knows that Matt needs a job, we need to sell our home and our family needs to be back together under one roof. Those are BIG needs. He cares about the little insignificant things like babysitters and restaurants; how so much more does He care about the major ordeals we face! Those little blessings were His gentle reminder that He takes care of us. He cares for the little sparrows, and He cares even moreso for those whom He loves. Thank you, Lord for reminding me that we're not left on our own. He'll take care of us.
We had our first showing of the house last night. I picked up the kids from school and we worked solidly for 2 hours to get the house sparkling clean. Since it was dinner time when we had to leave the house, I contemplated where to go: didn't really feel like undertaking the hassle of a sit-down restaurant but wasn't eager to let the younger ones play in the "Pinkeye Pit" at McDonald's,either. What to do, what to do... I prayed aloud in the car with the kids and asked the Lord to bless the prospective buyer going through our home AND asked for wisdom where to eat dinner. I kind of chuckled with the kids that no request is too small or unimportant to God.
After driving around for a few minutes, Katie declared that she had to use the potty. To avoid a messy situation I decided to stop at the nearest restaurant, and --ta-da!-- McDonald's it was. We walked in and discovered it was Family Night, complete with a clown, face-painting and balloon animals. Best of all, the place wasn't busy at all! The girls and Luke were so excited about the festivities that they didn't even ask to play in the icky-sticky play area. High-five for mom!
While we were eating, a gentleman came over and complimented the kids on their excellent behavior and me on my ability to raise such a nice family. He stopped by our table repeatedly, but not rudely, to comment on our family. He seemed so encouraged to see a large, well-behaved group of kids. All the way home I was thanking the Lord for blessing my kids with a fun evening.
Okay, secondly: my phone died today. I guess I had dropped it one too many times and it just quit working. With Matt out of town, an ice storm imminent and no other phone available, I had to go to Radio Shack and purchase a new one. I debated whether to take the kids with me. Seth and Abby are fine left home alone while I run errands, but I wasn't comfortable leaving Luke and Nathan home. I was really torn -- take them with me to a non-kid-friendly electronics store or leave them home and worry about them the entire time? Literally, at the moment I decided to leave them home, our neighbor knocked on the door and said, "Abby mentioned that your phone broke. I'm not doing anything right now, so if you need to leave to get it replaced, I'd be happy to stay with the kids." Ha! Problem solved!
So...why did I make you read all of that? It's because as I was driving to Radio Shack, I remembered His promise that He knows our need before we even bring it to Him. He knew my kids needed somewhere to eat dinner and that my heart's desire was to bless them for working so hard to get the house ready. So, he gave us Family Night at McDonald's. He knew that I didn't want to leave them unsupervised today, so he sent Rachel over. Most of all, however, He knows that Matt needs a job, we need to sell our home and our family needs to be back together under one roof. Those are BIG needs. He cares about the little insignificant things like babysitters and restaurants; how so much more does He care about the major ordeals we face! Those little blessings were His gentle reminder that He takes care of us. He cares for the little sparrows, and He cares even moreso for those whom He loves. Thank you, Lord for reminding me that we're not left on our own. He'll take care of us.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
My First Entry...for lack of a better title
So...this is what it's like to blog. I've often reprimanded myself for not journaling over the years, so I hope this new endeavor will fill the need to write down the funny, sweet, absurd things my kids come up with; the tidbits of wisdom I learn from others, and the insights I gain from this journey that is called life.
I suspect that in order to keep up with this I will need to make a sign for my bedroom door that reads, "Mommy Needs Ten Minutes!" Yeah, good luck with that.
Let me introduce those who have given me the title of wife and mother. I first laid eyes on Matt the day I turned 22. I stopped into my workplace on my day off and saw the new guy from a distance. We officially met the next day, and were married a year-and-a-half later on May 14, 1993.
Zachary was born just after our second wedding anniversary, followed by Seth, Abigail, Allyson, Madalyn, Kathryn, Luke and Nathan. Yes, that would be 8: 2 boys, then four girls in a row, then 2 more boys. Whew! Now that you've met the crew, perhaps you will understand the insanity-mixed-with-joy that makes my life what it is. And now, I shall blog.
I suspect that in order to keep up with this I will need to make a sign for my bedroom door that reads, "Mommy Needs Ten Minutes!" Yeah, good luck with that.
Let me introduce those who have given me the title of wife and mother. I first laid eyes on Matt the day I turned 22. I stopped into my workplace on my day off and saw the new guy from a distance. We officially met the next day, and were married a year-and-a-half later on May 14, 1993.
Zachary was born just after our second wedding anniversary, followed by Seth, Abigail, Allyson, Madalyn, Kathryn, Luke and Nathan. Yes, that would be 8: 2 boys, then four girls in a row, then 2 more boys. Whew! Now that you've met the crew, perhaps you will understand the insanity-mixed-with-joy that makes my life what it is. And now, I shall blog.
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