happy, happy birthday

We celebrated the births of these two precious children this month!  Time is passing by so quickly - it seems like every time I turn around, it is someone's birthday or Christmas!  E, our oldest, turned 11 and J, our only son, turned 8.  We all enjoyed a trip to the fair as part of the birthday celebrations!

Daybook

For today....Saturday, October 23, 2010

Outside....it is perfectly breezy and such a pleasant temperature.  I've had the window open all day!

I am wearing.....a green knit shirt, capris and flip-flops.

I am hearing....my different windchimes, chiming.

I am thinking.....how deeply blessed that I am.

I am reading......Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World by Dr. David Jeremiah and Like Dandelion Dust by Karen Kingsbury.

I am creating.....beautiful spaces in our home, scrapbook pages, our monthly meal plan

God has shown me recently.....that being a good parent is less about trying harder and more about being transformed by reflecting on the character of God, all the grace He has shown me and the fleeting-ness of childhood.

From the learning rooms......continued studies in grammar, math, reading....

A few plans for this week......Keeper's meeting, church, grocery shopping, prepping meats for this month, schooling, lots of reading (both personally and with the kids)

Just click on the picture above to join the fun!

182.  quiet moments

183.  boisterous moments

184.  the weight of a newborn baby (or two) in my arms

185.  kind words

186.  patient words

187.  a new printer cartridge

188.  a working printer

189.  the wind in the trees

190.  open windows

191.  rearranged spaces

192.  favorite movies

193.  new movies watched together

194.  a new day

195.  school work completed

196.  new concepts to be taught

197.  reading blogs

198.  our new homeschool group

199.  children wanting to be near

200.  aired up tires

on my heart...

....birthmothers who voluntarily relinquish their parental rights to their children in a timely fashion.  So many times when we are out and about with our foster babies, the question gets asked - "How could any mother give up her own child?". 

The mother of our current foster babies just signed away her parental rights.  And she is unequivacably devasted.  She is now bereft of the sight, touch and knowledge of the futures of the children of her own womb.   Why?  How could she?  I beg to propose she did it BECAUSE SHE WANTED MORE FOR THEM THAN SHE COULD GIVE AT THIS TIME.  I also propose that it was by the grace of God and from the great stores of her own mother love that she had the strength to go through with it. 

She has chosen rather to bear the horrid personal sacrifice of not having them in her life, in order to offer them life more abundant. 

I beg your compassion and support for all who have so chosen for their children.  I beg your prayers for like birthmothers and birthfathers everywhere, for personal healing and for life more abundant.

a place of prayer

There is a sweet woman who has a ministry surrounded around encouragement and prayer.  Her name is Holley and I have been blessed abundantly, many times, from the words God gives to her.  Each Sunday, her site is a place of prayer, where people gather to let their heart spill forth in need.  A place where it is agreed that each will commune in prayer for the other.  A good place.  Feel free to subscibe to her blog, thus recieving her short, timely devotions in your inbox.  http://holley.dayspring.com/

meal planning

Being intentional about meal planning is something I've been trying to do for the past couple of months.  I am still working out some kinks, but so far it has been a good thing for our family.  This months entrees include:

Pasta Salad (twice)
Grilled Cheese/Soup (twice)
French Dip Sandwiches
Orange Garlic Chicken
Asian Marinated Chicken
Southwest Marinated Chicken
Three Bean Chili
Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
Pork Loin
Swiss Steak
Meatball Subs
Beans, Coleslaw & Cornbread
Nachos Supreme
Pizza (twice)
Rustic Chicken Fritatta
Cowboy Casserole
Shepard's Pie
Black Beans and Sausage

Other than having the items needed for these entrees on hand, I prep all the meats ahead of time and bag them accordingly.  This afternoon, I am putting together mixes for cornbread muffins, mix and match muffins and peppery cheese bread.  It has been lovely also having on hand many of our other food and side items.  This is definitely a work in progress for me!

our camping trip

fresh air, perfect weather, lush green trees, blue skies, tubing, splashing, roasting marshmallows, grilled hamburgers, impomptu concerts, laughter, good times