I woke up just after midnight on Thursday, March 6th feeling a little odd.  At 9+ months pregnant, getting in and out of bed can be quite a chore but I managed to roll out of bed and started wobbling toward the bathroom when my water broke.  I went back to the bedroom, turned on the light and instantly Phil woke up.  You see, every Thursday we have a paper route job that starts at about 4:30 in the morning when Phil leaves to go pick up the papers from the warehouse.  As soon as I turned the light on Phil jumped up and asked if he was late getting up to get the papers.  I promptly told him that my water broke and Mr. Efficient had his clothes and coat on and was ready to whisk me off to the hospital.  Now, anyone who knows me knows that I really, REALLY dislike hospitals and since I was not having any consistent contractions I was really in no hurry to rush to the hospital for who knows how long until baby arrived.  I was able to put him off for almost an hour but he got me to the hospital about 1am.

We tried calling and texting my doctor but our new cell phone provider was not playing along that night and he didn’t know I went into labor until a couple hours after baby was born.  Fortunately, my doctor’s back up was at the hospital in no time and was quite good at helping me stay focused through the pain.

Anyway, Phil would say “and 4 pushes later” our 5th child was born.  Now, that kind of implies that not much happened before those 4 pushes and I honestly think it was more like 6 pushes but who’s counting!  At 5 hours this was the quickest labor.. thankfully!

Without any further rambling please meet Peanut, Buttercup or something else… haven’t settled on a nickname for her yet.  She was born at 5:09 am Thursday, March 6th weighing 8 pounds and was 20 1/4 inches long.  And yes I said HER!  We did not know ahead of time what God was going to bless us with and it was fun to hear ‘it’s a girl’ after all the hard work.

With big sister Pooh Bear!

With big sister Belle!

She’s beautiful and healthy and perfect for our family!

The nurses were shocked when by 7am that same morning I asked when I could go home.  Remember… I don’t like hospitals and unless there is a medical reason to keep me or baby I see absolutely no reason to stay.  Right about that time my OB walked in, looked me over and gave me the thumbs up to go home and all we needed was for the hospital pediatrician to give the OK for baby.   Originally, the hospital wanted me to take a parenting class before allowing me to be discharged but my nurse came in and told me I didn’t need to go to the class.  Around 1pm the pediatrician said baby was ok for us to take home (of course, that was after I got a lecture about how we should stay and be monitored for at least 24 hours, yada yada yada) and we were out the door by 2pm.  YAY!  Less then a 12 hour hospital stay!

Fast forward 2 weeks and baby gained 22 ounces (she lost 8 ounces the first day or two) and is a very calm and beautiful baby.  All the kids absolutely adore her and are big helps around the house.

We thank God for this amazing blessing!

I’ve never really been a big fan of Valentine’s Day.  For me it was just a marketing tool used to rake in thousands of dollars and convince millions of people to buy and eat large amounts of sugar…. commercialism at it’s best!

However, five years ago I started a new Valentine’s Day tradition with our family.  A special evening where we focus on God’s love for us and the love we have for each other.  I decorate our house with lots of hearts and bible verses that express God’s love for us.  I usually make chicken cordon bleu because the entire family really likes it and then I make a special dessert.  This year, dessert was VERY simple as being 37 weeks pregnant I’m low on energy!  I bought gluten free pretzels and put a Hershey’s kiss on each one and popped them into the oven at 170 for about 5 minutes.  Then I topped each one with a pink m&m.  They were a huge hit.

I also try to make something special for each family member.  This year I made each person a presentation of 10 things I love about each one.  Each night starting on Valentine’s Day everyone scratches a heart off to reveal one thing I love about them.  We have all really enjoyed this nightly activity.

Rather than give in to the commercial take on Valentine’s Day try making it a family devotional time and an opportunity to be a blessing to your family!

As a homeschooling mom I often hear from those that don’t homeschool about the lack of socialization in homeschooling kids and it just makes me wonder how much time they actually spend with homeschooled kids.  More then likely, it’s an issue they have heard about and assumed must be correct or they see some odd and rare example on the news or internet about a secluded homeschool family.  Therefore, this must represent all homeschool families.

The Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) recently posted an article about a bill proposed in France to limit homeschooling rights to only those with physical or mental disabilities.  All other students would be required to attend the government run public school.  The main reason as stated by the Union for a Popular Movement is they believe homeschooling drastically limits socialization.

I believe this reason is just an excuse because the government just wants control of what the kids in their country are taught.  If they truly spent time with kids that have been homeschooled they would see that a vast majority of them actually have better social skills then those taught in the public school system.

My children spend times with other children of all ages, not just their peer group.  I get many, many compliments when I’m out and about with my kids.  Here are a few:

• Eating lunch at a fast food place recently, an elderly woman had been sitting close by and as she was leaving she stopped to talk to the girls and said what a lovely family we have.  There are all so pleasant.
• While recently looking at used vehicles I had Pooh and Belle with me.  The owner’s father in law stopped to talk to us about all kinds of things. He engaged the girls in talking about school, crafts and family life.  After the conversation the girls went to look at a different car and this gentlemen said to me “Whatever you are doing with them keep it up.  I’m retired and I drive a school bus part time and I always take my sunglasses off and make eye contact with the kids as they get off and on the bus (middle school age) and very, very few of them make eye contact with me let alone hold a conversation.”
• My mom has had many dentist appointments over the last 3 months at 3 different offices.  I usually leave the 3 girls in the lobby while JT and I go back with my mom to talk to the dentist.  Staff from all 3 offices have told me how pleasant my children are to be around and how they can be left alone in a lobby and they still behave without me close by.  I’ve even been told by staff that when they see several children come they cringe inside because it’s usually not a pleasant experience for the staff or the other patients.
• As a family we got to a nursing home once and sometimes twice a month to sing songs and give hope and encouragement to the residents.  My girls LOVE the day we go to the nursing home.  Without any prompting from us they approach the residents and talk with them and show them love.
• Because my kids are together everyday they’ve learned to play with each other, learn together and encourage one another.

If this is what non-public school socialization looks like then I’d say it’s more successful then the government controlled, lacking in morals, God denying public education system.

Unfortunately, so many parents in our society say the typical attitude of children is just the way they are rather than maybe the way they are being raised.  Children (especially teenagers) are given a pass because of hormones or puberty or whatever excuse the parents can come up with.  It’s ok to not acknowledge an adult speaking to them, it’s ok not to show respect or be annoyed with those they just don’t want to take the time to talk to.  Well… this is probably another post all by itself… maybe titled Teenage Years and It Doesn’t Have to Be as Bad as Society Says…. hmmm… I like it!

I will take our homeschool socialization over public school socialization any day!

Two days after Christmas our van was stolen.  Phil filed a police report and started a claim with our insurance.  Needless to say it was a stressful day.   On New Year’s Day the police left us a voice mail at 3am stating the van had been found and was involved in a hit and run with 2 parked cars.  The thieves jumped out and stole another vehicle and escaped.  The next day I went to the impound lot to take pictures, take anything out that was left and of value (which wasn’t much) and to release it to our insurance so they could inspect the van.  In the end it was declared a loss as they estimated the cost to fix it would be more than $10,000.

There are several reason why I would prefer to have the van repaired and returned then a settlement.  It was a wonderful van and it made our weekly paper day run quite a bit more smoothly.  It was also nice to have a 3rd vehicle (in Oct the Lord blessed us by giving us my grandpa’s minivan after he had passed away) that my mom was able to drive.  It was a blessing to have a 3rd vehicle so that when the other van or the Honda needed work it wouldn’t have as much impact on us.  I know, these are 1st world problems right??

To add to my frustration, the van we still have has suddenly developed issues, some of which cannot be fixed by replacing parts.  The one and only side door is now broken and takes quite a bit of strength to open and close.  The sensor for the door doesn’t work properly and at times the van thinks the side door is open and will not stop the ‘open door’ dinging.   So, we are praying about using the insurance money to buy another van that will better suit our family and paper route needs.

Phil has had a really great attitude about the whole thing and has lead us in prayer, almost daily, about the thieves somehow being impacted by Jesus and coming to see the grace that only Jesus can provide.  He has been a wonderful example to me and the kids on how to handle this situation.  I was quite angry but his commitment to pray for the thieves has truly helped me work through my anger.

I do want justice for those that stole our van but the Lord has convicted me that their salvation is much more important…. and so I too pray for them and finally my prayers have been sincere.

It’s been a busy Saturday for our family.  Phil spent the entire day with other men from our church attending a Bravehearted Man Conference.  He pours so much into his family in so many ways that it’s great that he finally gets a day where he can be fed spiritually (and literally!) and enjoy some much needed guy time.  Alex was blessed to spend the day with Grandma Joanne making cupcakes and enjoying each other’s company.  That left me with Pooh, Belle and JT.

The girls really wanted to got to the zoo but at 33 weeks pregnant and moving VERY slowly I didn’t think I could keep up with JT so my mom volunteered to spend a few hours with him playing outside and having lunch together.  That left us 3 girls to wonder around the zoo for several hours admiring all of God’s creation.  The weather was gorgeous and we even got to see two tigers have a bit of a fight with one another.   It was pretty amazing to hear them growl and roar at each other.

Addie the sea lion did lots of neat behaviors (guess they don’t call them tricks anymore!) and showed off her amazing speed with laps around her pool.  Billy the 5 year old male elephant showed off his behaviors in the Denver Zoo multimillion dollar elephant habitat.  It’s quite extensive… still doesn’t look much fun to be an elephant!

We saw lots of fish, snakes and lizards.  The two brown bears were curled up on rocks sunbathing paying no attention to the crowds.  We quickly went through birdland…. I’m not a huge fan of birds and it was very hot inside so we didn’t stay long.  The girls said it stunk 🙂

Overall it was a very good day at the zoo.  I was blessed to spend some concentrated time with my 2 oldest before the newest Wilson arrives in the next 6 – 7 weeks.

For various reasons this past year has been a bit tough for my mom but it has also brought about a major lifestyle change for her.  In April, 2013, I rushed her to the hospital and we were told she had a bad case of pneumonia.  She spent two nights in the hospital and was sent home with antibiotics and oxygen.  It was a scary situation but overall it was one that changed her life.  Because of being in the hospital and being sent home with oxygen she was strict to follow doctor’s orders of no smoking and guess what???  It’s been 8.5 months since she quit smoking.  She’s had many challenging and tempting days to start smoking again but has shown her incredible strength and made the decision to keep persevering.  We are so proud of her!  We know she will continue to have some rough days but am confident that she can stick to it.

Unfortunately, she is not insured (and Obamacare is a joke… the so called Affordable health insurance isn’t anything close to something she can afford) and she is paying for this hospital stay herself.  I was able to talk with the hospital and all of the various offices to get her bills lowered by more than 90%.  She faithfully mails her payments every month and hopefully will have most of it paid off by the end of 2014.

At the end of August, 2012, her wonderful dog Sadie became very ill and had to be put down.  This was a very tragic event for my mom.  Her and Sadie have always been close (Sadie was 13.5 years old) but became even closer once my dad died in Dec 2005.  They both missed my dad so much and relied on each other’s company.

On the bright and adventurous side she did get 2 cats; Callie and Lulu.  They both provide a lot of entertainment for my mom and for the kids!

A week before my mom’s birthday I again had to take her to the emergency room where she was diagnosed with gall stones.  For now, the doctor recommended a non-fat diet and my mom has been very diligent in following those guidelines.  She has been able to get the pain to a more manageable state.  Depending on the outcome of an ultrasound done on her mid section it will be decided if she needs to have it removed.  We would like to avoid that if at all possible!

Magaw, as she is affectionally called around here, continues to love all of us and help us take care of the kids.  The kids all love the fact that we all live together and are constantly asking when they can go visit Magaw upstairs.

She has a servants heart and we would be lost without her.

Happy 62nd Birthday Mom!  We love you!

Of course, Magaw avoids the camera like the plague but this is the only one I could find right now!

Gaylene

In all honesty I’m terrible at scripture memorization.  Every year I commit to some sort of memory project; every year I fail to finish the commitment.   Yet I believe wholeheartedly that God’s word is our armor in a fallen world and shows us the amazing grace and hope we have in Jesus!

This year, Ann Voskamp’s memory project is Scripture Memorization for the Rest of Us: The Jesus Project.  The words of Jesus from the Gospel of John.  Ann has an absolute amazing way with words and uses them to encourage others.  Check out Ann’s link with all of the details of her memory project with free downloads and tips about effective bible verse memorization.  You can set different goals for yourself; memorize 12 verses for the year, one per month or double or triple that goal.  My goal is to memorize at least 24 verses throughout 2014.  Two verses a month…. how hard can that be?

In my bible time this morning I focused on John Chapter 1.  My first memory verse is John 1:1 but I meditated on verses 1 through 18.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

God’s word is TRUTH and without Him nothing was made.  His light shines in the darkness.   In a very dark world verse 5 gives me much peace and hope.  I don’t have to be the light; I just need to let Jesus shine through me!

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The Word became flesh…. JESUS became flesh and lived among us.  Can you imagine being in his presence as he walked on this earth?

15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[b] is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

I long to touch Jesus; to curl up at His feet and to be in His glory.

Will you memorize John 1:1 with me?  1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

I’ve been wanting to start a blog for a few years but the busyness of 4 young children and one on the way has been my excuse!  Becoming a Christian almost 14 years ago has changed the way I view the world and has enabled me to see joy in everyday life.  The Lord blessed me with my first child nearly 11 years old and our family has been growing ever since!

We homeschool our children and with a family of 6, soon to be 7 and an elderly parent who lives with us I’ve got a lot going on and a desperate need to prioritize, organize and stay grounded in my faith that energizes me.  I’d like to use this blog to share our family stories, recipes and ideas on organizing, crafts and homeschooling.  Of course, as my tag line mentions I’d like to share my thoughts on just about anything that fits my fancy!

Thank you to my husband, Phil, who is supportive and encouraging of my goals and desire to better serve our Lord, be a better helpmate to him and mother to our children.

Enjoy!