I've Gotta Start Somewhere...

1 Corinthians 10:23

""All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up."

At the beginning of this pregnancy, when I was surviving my morning sickness, I got all of us into some really bad habits--specifically, the boys.

The biggest one of all, was TV watching.

We actually have chosen not to have TV stations in our home, but we do have DVD's...and we were watching A LOT of DVD's.  Almost every morning that's how our days started...then every afternoon...and again after naps until Our Hero got home. 

I was too sick to handle too much activity, so DVD's just seemed to always be the answer...

To ward off too much guilt, I tried to always balance the entertaining DVD's with the educational DVD's!!  And it worked at the time...I was able to rest and the boys weren't getting into too much trouble!

But once the morning sickness starting waring off, I began to notice some behaviors in my boys that I did not like.

Ryan and I were so surprised by some new "innocent", on-the-line phrases they had picked up along with some rough behavior and a little attitude that wasn't there before.

It didn't take us long to realize it was all stuff they picked up on from their DVD's...sadly, even kids Christian movies display bad attitudes and actions!

We knew we had to put an end to their new, developing alter-personalities ASAP, but I just didn't know where to start.  It seemed like they all needed such huge attitude makeovers and with three little guys, the task seemed a bit daunting!

But one day I just decided "I've gotta start somewhere!" So I packed up all the DVD's and put them in a box in our attic.

It's now been 3 weeks since our "NO TV kick" and we are so glad for the decision we made!  

The boys are getting along better, they are using more creativity, they are enjoying being outside and we are loving just being together--not just physically being in the same room, but really interacting--reading, talking, baking, playing!

I don't know how long we'll keep up our fast (we love our Friday night "movie night") but for now it's accomplishing it's purpose.

We don't think all TV is bad or evil...or that DVD's are always harmful, but we were just discovering that the hours they were spending watching videos day after day was not beneficial to their souls.

Now I honestly have so much peace knowing that I am feeding their souls not just what is good but also what is beneficial!  And I can SEE the difference it has made in them!!!

To be very honest, the boys don't seem to miss it.  After the first week, they caught on and haven't asked to watch a DVD...But I AM the one that is still getting used to it!!!  Because it does make more work for me...TV has always been an easy crutch to fall on when I'm busy or trying to get something done, but I'm finding the reward of training them (instead of just entertaining them) is so worth it!!


When we do decide to start allowing it back in, I'm just curious how your family does it?


Do you have time limits on TV?  How often do your kids watch DVD's?  Do you notice a change in behavior after lots of TV viewing?  What is your rules on TV when they are at friends or grandparents houses?


I wanna hear from you...and even your thoughts if you don't have kids yet!

Bah Dah Bah Bah Bah...

THANKFULLY my morning sickness is tapering off!  I'm feeling better and better every day!

What a trial that was!...I usually have several "tricks" up my sleeve that help when my morning sickness kicks in...

But this time, for some reason, very little worked to cure my morning sickness.

Trust me, I've tried it all in the last 2.5 months...

~Ginger (and Ginger ale)

~Preggy pops

~Sea Bands

~Vitamin b6

~Half a Unisom at night

~Crackers before your feet touch the floor

~Laying on my back

~Eating every hour

~Sweet-tarts

~Peppermint

Thankfully, protein is what I crave...and sometimes that does help...

But when all else fails, this pregnancy, my "life-saver" has been these:

So yes, BAH DAH BAH BAH BAH...

I'm LOVIN' it!

My Hero

Some of my post titles take a little more time and energy to think up with than other titles do.  You see, I like my titles to be "catchy" but also true to the subject matter.  So when I get writers block in my post title, I sometimes have to conger up a lot creative brain power to find the perfect fit.

This post, however, wasn't like that.  Titling this post was "easy par-cheesy".

This post is about my hero.  My husband.  My best friend.


I've wrote a whole post about my obsession with him HERE, so I'll spare you too much mush and just tell you how wonderful he has been to me lately!

This has been a hard season for me.  I haven't struggled this much with morning sickness since my very first pregnancy.  So, need-less-to-say, having morning sickness this bad with four other kiddos in the house has been a challenge like no other.

But my sweet husband has gone out of his way to lighten my load for me.

Ryan knows that the direction he is leading our family in isn't always an easy choice (to learn more about this, I recommend this article that my friend wrote with her husband about being "quiverfull") .  Don't get me wrong, we LOVE our babies.  We LOVE the peace that comes with trusting God with my womb.  We LOVE watching how the Lord supplies all our needs when we are not "leaning on our own understanding" or "being wise in our own eyes" (Prov 3).

But must of you know, following the Lord isn't always easy.  And as my husband likes to say, "Just because it's hard doesn't mean it's not good".

So my sweet husband has recently been seeking out ways to bless me and ease some of my daily responsibilities.

Along with helping me keep up with dishes, folding laundry, bathing kids, and more, he's been going the extra mile each morning...

For the past three weeks, I've woken up to this scene:

~Cereal in bowls, waiting for milk.  Cups full of orange juice.

~Liberty's tray waiting with a banana and dry cereal.

For a momma who wakes up to 4 hungry kids with her own tummy doing cartwheels, this is such a blessing!

I'm so thankful for my servant leader!  He inspires me more and more everyday!

To top things off, the other day when I was CRAVING a chicken burrito from Chipotle, my husband went to GREAT efforts to recreate a Chipotle burrito in our kitchen with his own hands.

(The nearest Chipotle is 1 hour, 45 minutes away!)

He worked so hard and honestly, it tasted just like the real thing!!!

I couldn't ask for a better hero!!!

He leads us bravely in unpopular choices and blesses me abundantly with his servant heart.

Praying for the Persecuted

This year, one of my very favorite things in our day has been kinda "hit and miss" lately while I struggle through morning sickness.  But when we are able to do it, it ends up being one of my favorite parts of our day! 

We have been praying for persecuted Christians all around the world!  I love this part of our day SO much, that I just had to share it with you all!

First, I signed up to get weekly updates from the Voice Of The Martyrs website (see here, the sign-up is on the right side).  So at the beginning of each week I print off the update, then every day, we read about the featured "stories", find the country for each story on the map, pray for them, and then as we spin the globe, we sing (and claim) a song like "This is My Fathers World".

I can't tell you how many times, after reading a story and praying, that as we begin to sing I end up just breaking into tears.  Sure, sure, I'm a bit emotional right now...But it is more than that.

There is something that strikes a cord so deep within me, that after reading to my boys these horrible stories of things happening to Christians all over the world, then being able to tell my boys in word and song, "But we have no reason to fear, because this is our Fathers world.  He holds it in His hands..."!

Monday and Tuesday last week, our focus was on Afghanistan.  Since we have a young lady from our church serving over there as a teacher right now, the boys already knew Joanna and about her mission.  We have been praying for her almost a year now.

(she is at the bottom left-hand side of the board)

So we read about how 10 of her friends were killed on a mission to help sick people, and we talked about how sad Joanna is about them dying, but that she knows they did not die in vain.  Trusten reminded us all that in the end, the Lord will have the victory...that this is OUR FATHERS WORLD after all!!!

It's powerful to pray and sing with your kids over issues like these and discuss the Lord's soverignty.  Plus, I love that they are learning about other countires and how to locate them on the globe!

It's also quite amusing at times to see how these story/prayer times inspire the boys:

Here Trusten drew a picture of the Christians being protected by the "bad guys"...

He explained that Jesus has put a shield in front of them-and that is just what he's been praying for Joanna, that God would put a shield around here!  Amen to that!

The "bad guys" in this story, weren't so fortunate...

Where He Leads, I Will Follow

After my last post, I was SO encouraged by your many comments spurring me on and telling me I'm not alone!  Thank you so much for blessing me with all your wisdom and encouragements as I talked about my recent doubts in my ability to home-school while I battle morning sickness and as I figure out our homeschooling "style" in general. 

The Lord used you all to bring me back to some basic Truths that He's been walking me towards for a while now, but I keep straying because of the distractions that are brought on by my fears and worries.

I am SO thankful for His faithfulness and steadfastness in reassuring me and showing me the way even when I get myself lost time after time!


What He's been speaking to me, actually started this summer while I was home alone, vacuuming the house.  The Lord brought me specific direction for this school year... to study the 9 fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5 by focusing on one "fruit" each month.

At that time, I took some mental notes and thought of some ways to incorporate that into my already planned out schedule...


But a few weeks later, when we found out we were pregnant, the doubts and worries, about homeschooling at all, started.  How can I home-school with so many distractions (the little kids, the morning sickness, etc)?  Will anything get accomplished this year?


The Lord spoke to me again by encouraging me to daily do what "school" I can, but focus mainly on the fruits of His  Spirit.  I was freshly excited about having my kids with me all day so that we can discuss minute by minute how to practice and live out each fruit we learn about--even if it's being taught from the living room couch!

So I did some specicif planning and decided to make the Fruits of the Spirit our main focus...

But as my morning sickness got worse and worse, the uncertainties crept back in yet again (thus, my last post).  I could hardly keep up with anything around the house and I was loosing my vision in all my doubting.  This was just not how I pictured it...I was so disappointed in myself and in my inability to "push through" and accomplish "by the books" education each day, let alone the extra effort I wanted to put into creatively presenting the Fruits of the Spirit to my kiddos.


But this weekend, He reeled me in once more and spoke to me about centering our home on the fruits of His Spirit.  (I'm SO thankful He hadn't given up on my by this point!)  I have now seen more than just His desire for my days, I have seen His vision for my days!  I am still feeling sick and tired, but I'm now full of joy and thankfulness that He was faithful to teach me and re-teach me about HIS will for this school year!

It will probably be lacking cute activities and colorful handouts for a while, but it will be rich with scripture and Truth from our own experiences in our home.


So as I look again into the first fruit of the Spirit (love) I am reminded that if I'm loving my kids in the Spirit, none of my efforts will fall short. (see more HERE).

BUT if I push a curriculum on us all, even when I'm sick and even when their hearts are needing something else, and we complete my perfectly planned school year, but I do it without Sprit-filled love, I am nothing but a "clanging symbol" and we "gain nothing" (1 Cor 13).


The Lord has now added to this vision by directing me to teach the boys a hymn each month that corresponds with the fruit we're learning. (Love-"O How I Love Jesus"; Joy-"Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee"; Peace-"Peace Like a River", etc).


As I was finding each "fruit's" hymn in my "Amazing Grace" book, the Lord brought it to mind to take it beyond just the hymn, and talk about the author of the hymn, the story behind the hymn and anything else I can find!


So suddenly, my mission to teach about the fruit of the Spirit turned from "just" a spiritual lesson to now include, music and history!


Then yesterday a friend who is getting rid of some books, had set aside a stack for me to look through...and there in the midst of the books was this one:

I was so blessed by the Lord's purposeful ways to get my attention and say, "You're doing well...keep it up...and here's a little extra help..."


Now, on days I feel well, we are still following the plan to complete the original plan ("My Fathers World Kindergarten" for Trusten and "Handwriting Without Tears" for Brahm).  Thankfully though, they already know beyond what is being expected of their ages, so skipping a day here and there in our week hasn't slowed down our pace yet!


My goal right now in our homeschooling isn't my daily planner anymore (Praise God!) it's in teaching and practicing loving my boys in and by the Spirit...


And when I begin to doubt myself, I'm disciplining myself to give thanks for realizing how I was making it about me, and freshly turn my eyes to the Lord for help!


God is so faithful to quiet our storms (even the storms WE create), quiet our doubts and come to our aide...He loves to help His children!

Honest Thoughts (and Doubts) On Homeschooling and My Shortcomings...

Right about now, I'm feeling very incapable.

Not only am I struggling with morning sickness and fatigue, I'm also struggling to figure out how homeschooling looks for our family.

Just about every other day this week, I've been doubting our decision to homeschool.  I constantly feel like I am seconds away from vomiting, which makes teaching and reading pretty challenging...this means I'm usually either rushing through or skipping over stuff.

The doubts come from fear.  I know those aren't from the Lord...He has made clear to us His desire for us is schooling at home...even though someday that may change.

But I think my biggest struggle right now is just figuring out our homeschooling style...and not having the energy I need to apply some creativity to figure it out!

In a lot of ways, I think the whole whopping year I was an "education major" at my Christian college did me more harm than good.  Even though my college education was Christian-based, there was NO shortage of worldly indoctrination about "why kids learn so well and thrive in a classroom".

I know that's not true...I do~ESPECIALLY with boys. 

Still, I let their indoctrination seep into my thinking and now I can't let go of the guilty feelings that my kids need to be sitting still at a desk, learning from "the books" and having a classroom setting replicated in my home.

But I am NOT homeschooling to create a classroom atmosphere at home!  I am homeschooling so that each of my kids can thrive in their own, unique, God-given learning styles where they are NOT hindered, held back or confined by a classroom.

Trusten and I doing school on the front porch late in the evening...

Talk about "unconventional"! 

 I've been loving reading these two posts lately (and looking forward for the other ones to come)...they really inspire and comfort me...

So why can't I let go of this "picture" I had of a traditional school setting in my home???

Why can't I stop thinking their learning has to be from 9am-noon???

Why am I trying SO hard to fit a mold that simply does NOT fit our family???

I am learning...

I am growing...

I am opening my mind to the Lord's plan for our homeschooling...

I am falling freshly on the homeschool vision that the Lord gave us at the beginning of this year, and crying out for more understanding!

I am trying to let go of my ideas and indoctrination of what "education" should look like...and I am excited to find out what the result looks like for our family!

Proverbs has so much wisdom for me...I think I'll start there!

And then maybe re-read this, and this. 

And before it's all said and done, I'll just trust His path and find rest in the this Truth...

Isaiah 54:13 
"All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
And great shall be the peace of your children."

While Mommy Is Down And Out...

I always struggle with morning sickness in my first trimester.  This time around, though, it seems to be worse than my last few pregnancies (however, my pregnancy with Trusten is still the worst, hands down)!

But don't worry about me too much, 

I've been well-entertained...

I've been serenaded by a Jedi Knight~

I've been amused by a novice gymnast~

I've been captivated by a backstage pass to watch Toby Mac's newest back-up dancers~

And the kids are having fun too!

They've been...

Lounging in their jammies...

Making new forts...

Snacking on Mommys saltines...

And bypassing potty-training...

Can it GET any better folks?!   :)

So right now in this season of morning sickness, we're doing our best to survive enjoy the laid-back pace of our life!

How We Used To Do Chores--Chore Cards

I've been cleaning out my "school" area and found my kids' old chore cards!  Most of these ended up lost or chewed up, but I found a precious few still in tact and thought I'd share them with you!

When Trusten was 4, Brahm was 2.5, and Samuel was 9 months, I became pregnant with Liberty and had awful morning sickness.  Unlike my past pregnancies, it was just in the mornings, so I knew if I could get to noon, I'd be good to go!

So, in order to survive mornings, I came up with these picture chore cards to help my kiddos know what they were to do while mommy was laid out on the couch!

Trusten and Brahm each had their own envelopes for their morning responsibilities that I kept in the desk drawer.  When they woke up, I'd fix them breakfast (that was about all I could manage!) and then they'd head to the desk drawer for their cards.

These cards gave them some direction for their mornings and because of their ages, my expectations were really low, it was just the fact that they were trying and learning a routine! 

The last "chore" was quiet time with me in the living room.  And we loved this SO much, we still do it!  After all the morning tasks are checked off our chore board (for my new method, see HERE), we'd have quiet Bible time.

I'll write more about that in a future post!

Have a GREAT weekend, friends!