Sugar Plum

I've been experiencing some sad emotions over a certain fact. The fact is: I'll never be pregnant or hold my newborn babies ever again:( *sniff, sniff* {funny side note here, I didn't even LOVE being pregnant, yet I miss it }I have shed a few tears over this fact. No more firsts. First roll, first real bottle, first tooth, first word, first step. Boohoo me. I guess I do have some firsts to look forward to, but they don't really count 'cause they're kinda scary. First date, first time driving alone, first kiss, first wedding, first kid to leave and then empty nest. AHHHHHH!

There is a bright, shining, silver cloud in my life though! My dear, dear friend (who lives around the corner) has a 7 month old girl. Ahhhhh! This Girl sooths my mothers heart!

We watched Ella last night and even before she was brought in the kids were arguing..er..I mean discussing who would get first dibs. Sadly, she was tired and ready for bed soon after arriving. As I was changing her diaper, I was cooing and calling her 'sugar'. Zach thought this was sweet and named her Sugar Plum. Isn't that cute! Joey went further and called her Sugar Plum Princess.
We love you John, Steph and Sugar Plum!

Come Just as You Are....

is not just the title to one of my favorite songs. It's a whole new way of life for me.

This post may need to be continued, as I don't want to be to heavy for to long. Considerate of me, eh? Please hold the applause....;-)

This idea first came to me when my Pastor Brother and his Wife were visiting. She said their church was changing it's whole philosophy about worship and thus each church service. She referenced the book No Perfect People Allowed (I have yet to read it), but said it basically was about accepting and loving anyone who comes in the door. No matter what they look like or how they're dressed. About not having requirements or rules for people to follow. The idea being that we want to create an atmosphere, at church and everywhere, to welcome not hinder those who need it most.

**The Problem** I am an avid rule follower and feel that if there is a rule, there is a reason for it and thus think little about why the rule was organized in the first place. I was so intent on this rule following that I became a little legalistic. So, this was a hard truth for me to chew let alone swallow. Yet, I knew it was truth. Look at Jesus. Who occupied most of his time? The cheating tax collectors, prostitutes, beggars and drunks! But a year ago, before I would welcome any such person in my church, they would need to remove their hat before entering the sanctuary and at least be sober. Don't get me wrong here. Rules are good and for protection. But rules do not save. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, not make those who followed rules fell good. In fact, he threw the most religious rule followers for a loop! The rules were established to point to sin, not to encourage legalism. Romans 3:10 "There is no one righteous, not even one..." Isaiah 64:6 "All of us have become like one who is unclean and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags."

**The Transformation** While we're on the subject of transforming; did you know that while a butterfly caterpillar is still crawling around scarfing like crazy in preparation for the chrysalis, it still has the DNA of a butterfly? Cool, huh? This is how God views us. He sees us complete and beautiful, not the worms we sometimes feel and look like. This reminds me that the problem is with me!

Okay, back to my transformation. God has been working on my heart and opening my eyes to His purposes. Is there a better place for a drug addict or exotic dancer to be than in church? Isn't this the place where healing should be found? Sorry to say, often times not. We wrap ourselves in our own righteousness and ivory towers that we feel we cannot clasp the grungy hand of someone who may not have showered for a week. Trust me, I was there. God have mercy on me.

**Hope**Romans 3:21-23 "But now a righteousness from God, apart for the law, has been made known, to which the Law and Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Now for a bit about the song.....

Come just as you are. Hear the Spirit call.

Come just as you are. Come and see, come receive,

Come and live forever.

Life everlasting and strength for today.

Taste the living water and never thirst again.

Treats

Up with the sun my Children awoke. The anticipation of a night filled with candy and costumes shone on their faces. The first prayer was out of Zach's mouth "Thank you God for this food and this day. Thanks too for the costumes we get to wear. Amen."

I was amazed when my requests and commands didn't need to be repeated. Because the tasks of the day were done quickly, by hands waiting for fun to occupy them, not tests and chores.

As darkness starts to enfold the day, it is welcomed, not fought. And the preparation begins.

We soon are visited my two Mysterious Mask Wearers. Later to be revealed as Gramps and Grams! The parade of costumes is in full force now, as each child wants mouth time to explain who or what they are. Gramps and Grams cannot stay long.

The Children and Daddy all trek out the door, in search of the donors who offer the whole bar instead of the fun size. 45 minutes later they come back home with more than a boat load of sugar, but with stories to boot!

A knock at the door is answered to a nine month old, white Bunny! It's Ella Lou, daughter of Uncle John and Aunt Stephanie.

Now with anticipation and a twinkle in my eye I tell the Kids they can watch movies and stay up 'till they can't keep their eyes open. Jaws drop and eyes pop. And when the last movie is finally over the clock shines midnight, all 8 eyes are bleary with unclaimed sleep.

So here I sit in silence, all my Treats are still sleeping, and I'm thanking God for a safe, fun night.

Harder than Anticipated

I haven't worked out in two weeks. *sigh*
I want to slim down a little and in the proses to find the right eating plan (I was seriously contemplating starting the meal replacement plan or taking weigh loss pills) I learned about the healthy way to lose fat.
Yes, I said fat not weight. Weight is a terrible indicator of the body's fat content.
I learned :**the best way to burn fat is to first increase metabolism, not starve or majorly cut calories**anything less than 40min. of aerobic exercise is just burning carbs not fat**this should be hard and tedious work**results shouldn't been seen overnight**slow and steady is the key**pills are a crock! They (pills) do not help take care of the problem.....fat. This is a lifestyle plan, not a diet.
So, now I get to think and plan strategically to create my own tone up/slim down plan.
To commemorate this occasion, I ate dessert after dinner tonight! ;-)

Yikes!

We had a big day yesterday. For the kids at least....not for the Mama.

We have a new pet. One of the creepy, crawly variety. The kind I like to stay away from. Far away.

The kids think it's a 'she' and named her Slithering Alice. Nice, cozy, comfy name; don't you think?

She hasn't eaten anything (Ben purchased a dozen crickets for it to consume and 12 are still in her new home.) so we might be releasing her back to her family. I'm sure she misses them. I'll pack her bags:)

When telling the kids we might need to let her go, he adds....to my horror...."But we'll have to get a lizard or something if we have to do that." I now have a great reason to stay away from the half of the house that contains our bedrooms.

I really don't dislike them (anything crawly or creeping)THAT much. I just never want to look at it, or watch anyone hold it.

Trust me, I'll literally keep you posted.

Just in case you're wondering, Esther took most of the pictures. I was not in the room.

Deep Thoughts by Katy

Okay. I was participating in a discussion recently about blogs. The majority voiced that they felt less than perfect when reading others blogs. It was said that, for the most part, the posts are of fun or happy times or events and there is an assumption that this is just an all the time occurrence.
I've had this whole topic on the brain for about two weeks and I'm gonna try and explain my side.

Every body has bad days. From crazy hair to tired kids. For me these bad days are like hiccups. They eventually go away and I don't have them again for a while. With one exception: moving, home school and PMS. Yea, you got me. There were three exceptions!

Yet, my life, to me, is awesome. Because it's mine. No wonder it seems good, 'caus I'm the one living it and writing about it. Now, if you were living my life, you may not think it pretty at all. The view from the side lines are always gorgeous. You don't see the toilet cleanings, or the arguing kids or the oil changes with four hungry, worn out kids trying as hard as 8, 7 and 5 year 0lds can not to be whiny for 30 minutes all together in one vehicle:) No, this has never happened to me before. I just read about it. He, he, he!

Life can be crappy sometimes. But it's the roses that grow out of the dung that I try to focus on. (Dung not to be associated to husband or children:)

So, if my life starts to seem too perfect......join in! Come over and try to figure out (then explain and TEACH!) fourth grade Math to a girly girl who wants nothing more than to color or braid her Barbie's hair. Then you will realize there is more to this fairy tail. And you will start to understand why I contemplate sending this dear child out of my house to be schooled!

Oh yea, and I mess up....alot. I often am too firm when I should be gentle or gracious. I apologize quite a bit to the kids and Ben.

Funny thing, I actually think I do live in a fairy tail. But even in castles, someone has to clean the windows and take out the trash! Since I don't have servants....it's me (or I ask one of the kids to do it;)
This has been my verse for this year. We've had a very hard year but I've felt comforted by God through the following verses.

Isaiah 40:29-31 "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

This just reminds me that I will fall and make mistakes. But there is always a loop hole. God.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is within us, to him be glory...." Ephesians 3:20+21

I Love Consistency. So, What's the Problem?

I love order. I mean LOVE.

Last school year, I was up by 5.45 (at least) and had the kids up by 6.55 every school morning. We'd put our rooms in order, complete our chore list, be finished with breakfast and starting school by 8.30am. School was completed by 11 and the kids would play or run errands with me the rest of the day.

This year is a far cry (for me at least) from last year.
I haven't been getting up until 7. This pushes our schedules out more than an hour. I haven't worked out at the gym this week....at all. Last year I would have been there twice by today. Arrrrrg! Since I get up late, I'm unable to have my devotions alone. Which means I am interrupted every third verse I read. This leads to the thought process "Why am I doing this now?" and I close God's Word, pull myself out of the comfy chair and organize the kids. *sigh & frown*

The thing is, except for the loss of gym time and inconsistent devotions (I still have my quiet time, just not the same time every day), I actually like our scheduled time more this year. I am more rested and more even emotionally.

So why would I have tried so hard to get back to last years schedule??? You got me there! I was thinking today and pondering why I would try so hard to change when this is working better. Because I like order so much, and I'm dense sometimes. Just because it worked great that way last year does NOT mean that it will this year. Silly Katy!

Now, if I could just find a spot to squeeze in gym time.........PERFECTION!

It Works

O.K. I needed a new apron and couldn't find one I liked, so, I made one. It took me about 4 hours and my old one is still my favorite! (thanks to Ben! He gave the old one to me Christmas of 2004) I'm hoping that when this one gets all messed up by a little spaghetti splatter or cleaning chemicals that it'll feel more comfy.

10 Great Dates

Ben and I just started a new class. It's called 10 great dates. Visit the web site here http://www.marriagealive.com/index.cfm. The idea is that when a couple is dating the marriage is stronger and will have less chance of divorce.
Last night was our first of the ten dates and it was soooooo fun! We met at our church for 30 min. prior to the date to get our date ideas and conversation ideas (talking about the first time you noticed one another, first date, wedding day.) then you leave and go on your date. We went to Linnens n Things to shop for an apron for me (isn't Ben great!) but didn't purchase any (I'm gonna make mine) but DID buy some new pillows for both of us (after walking out of the store we realised it had been 16+ years since either of us had used a new sleep pillow......gross!) Then we went to Applebee's, shared appetizers and talked. I love Ben so much!
I would recommend getting the 10 Great Dates book and doing this for your marriage even without the formal 'class'.
I will be posting later today about the treasure hunt my Mom made for the kids last week. (He, he, he. Gotcha! I won't be posting these photos until Tuesday.)

Job and Bedroom Charts

I have a friend that asked some questions on her blog about family chores for her Bible Study. Questions like, why have kids do chores, at what age kids should do what, etc. So, I told her I'd post some pictures of how our family gets things done!

Both our job and bed charts are laminated for durability. The kids use a dry erase marker for the job charts. We use velcro for the bedroom charts. This enables the child to move the arrow down the list as he accomplishes the items......all without the child using a pen in the bed room :)

The first pict. is the job chart. Each child has one and they are located on our fridge. I rotate each kid between the jobs. They include:unloading/loading dishes, unload hamper and sort, bringing in the mail and paper, making lunch/breakfast, taking out the trash, taking care of pet, open curtains and vacuuming.

On major cleaning days I make a separate list the kids help me with....sweeping, washing sinks and toilets.

The next pict. is our bedroom charts. We have a morning chart and an night chart. This idea came to me when I was CONSTANTLY answering questions like "I've already made my bed, now what do I need to do?" Between the four children I was getting worn out! Beside each item on the list are pictures so Zach and Joe can understand (they only read short vowels).

The items to accomplish on the am chart are:*read Bible*make bed*get dressed*put jammies away*put toys away*no clothes puking out of drawers*only sleep toys on bed*brush/comb hair*turn off lights*eat breakfast*brush teeth. Pm chart: Get jammies on*put clothes in hamper*put toys away*no clothes puking out of drawers*go potty*get drink*turn on night light*family devotions.

This is how I help myself stay sane!