Our Little Readers

Here is Emma again doing what she loves to do...READ! This time she is reading to Oliver. She often gets stacks of books and sits on the couch and reads while her other two siblings finish their school. Many times, Oliver fights to get some of her books from her that she's holding in her lap...this time he is waiting patiently...listening...and when she's done reading a book, she hands it to him. At one point he laid his head down on her shoulder. It was too sweet. I tried to get a picture, but he caught me doing so and lifted his head up to say cheese. I love my babies!!!!

Elise had to get in there for one...

Happy Valentines Day

The kids, along with Travis and I, got a valentine package from Grandma last week. These handy dandy lip suckers were one of the sweet treats they got. So here's a kiss from the kids to Grandma & Grandpa Jameson...they miss you guys and wish they could SMACK a big one on your faces in person! Hope you enjoy the picture as much as they enjoyed the suckers :o) Thanks for making their Valentines Day special!

Btw, Oliver was not available for pictures...so sorry. Oh, and one more thing, why didn't Travis and I get suckers too? That would have definitely been a "sweet" family photo :o)

Encouraged & Rebuked

During Bible time with the kids this morning working through our study on the character trait of gentleness we were in Isaiah 40 verse 11.

He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

Obviously the study was using this Scripture to remind us of Christ's gentleness to his flock, but in light of my struggles these days with parenting and feeling like a failure...desiring so badly to change...He spoke directly to my heart this morning with "and gently lead those that are with young". Oh that I may rest in His leading me...carrying me...gently and tenderly caring for me as I care for the children He has gifted me with...pouring grace in abundance on me...HE cares! I so often sprint forward in life forgetting I NEED HIM and He wants to lead me if I would just follow!

I was also challenged this morning by my reading in Matthew 18. One of my great downfalls is my anger...impatience...self-centeredness...and my selfish-ambition and how this effects the way I treat my children daily. I admit these shortcomings not to air my sinfulness, but to confess an area of my life that the LORD is working in me. I want to change. I want to honor the LORD in my parenting and training of His children, but I certainly NEED HIM to change me. I was struck with a healthy fear this morning as I read verses 5 through 6...

Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Ouch! Now obviously I know I am covered by His grace everyday, but I also see the warning against causing "little ones to sin" by tempting them and neglecting or demeaning them (18: 7-14). I so often exasperate them, point out the negative (very critical) and use harsh words and body language that show forth annoyance and frustration...complete opposite of "gentleness". It disgusts me and I think I have taken too lightly my call and the influence the Lord has given me. So this Scripture struck fear in me, but coupled with Isaiah 40:11 I know He is gently leading me. I am praying for a godly sorrow that leads to repentance and a holy fear of God.

What a gracious God to give us His Word to teach us, rebuke us, encourage us and challenge us. How gracious of Him to give us His Spirit to help us and most of all how gracious of Him to sacrifice His Son that I may be forgiven. Oh what a God we serve! May I through grace apply His Word...to be a doer of His Word and rest in His promises as I continue on in my pilgrimage.

The hymn the kids and I are currently singing daily is so fitting for the many lessons and Truths the LORD is teaching me on thankfulness, joy, depending on Him and His grace that sustains me.

Come, thou fount of every blessing

Come, thou fount of every blessing,

tune my heart to sing thy grace;

streams of mercy, never ceasing,

call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

sung by flaming tongues above.

Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,

mount of thy redeeming love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;

here by thy great help I've come;

and I hope, by thy good pleasure,

safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,

wandering from the fold of God;

he, to rescue me from danger,

interposed his precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor

daily I'm constrained to be!

Let thy goodness, like a fetter,

bind my wandering heart to thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

prone to leave the God I love;

here's my heart, O take and seal it,

seal it for thy courts above.

Recent Snapshots in February 2010

Here's Travis on our big love seat with three little readers...I seriously don't know what my kids would do without books!

My sweet Elise working on her math during school...can you tell if she likes it or not?

My two tiny readers...this is what Emma does when she's finished with her school...she reads ALL DAY!...this girl is addicted to books! She actually reads my teacher instructions during her lesson...it is amazing how quickly she picked up on it. BTW I use The Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading by Jessie Wise and Sara Buffington. I used this program with both girls and they have become excellent readers quickly. Emma is reading words we haven't even gotten to in our book. I'm so thankful they love to read! It's not because I'm a good teacher...it's only by God's grace...may He alone be glorified. May Oliver follow in their footsteps.

Oliver is attacking Daddy from behind...

Each of the kids just got their magazines in the mail...they couldn't wait to read them...so they all had a seat and they each read OUT LOUD their magazine (Avrie read to himself). Thanks Grandma for your generosity and providing these for them! We are grateful for you.

A little fun in the toy basket. I believe Emma stuck him in there and piled his toys up on him. He definitely enjoyed himself.

These are the beautiful long-stem roses that were delivered to me today from my sweet husband. Completely unexpected and so beautiful. He is so good to me. Such a sweet gift from the LORD. I'm so blessed.

Global Warming in Texas

This is what we woke up to this morning... I had just got through telling my mother, in Indiana, last night that I was glad we lived down here in Texas...well...guess it doesn't matter huh?!

It has been snowing since before we woke up this morning (6:30 a.m.) and as I'm typing it is 4:30 in the afternoon and will continue to they say till 8 o'clock tonight. I must say it is quite beautiful...

Here are the kiddos all bundled up and ready to go play in the snow. The next two are them outside playing in it...they said it was perfect packing snow! Oh...and after being out for a little while I hear Emma crying coming to the door....Avrie "accidentally" hit her in the face with a snow ball...he said he was aiming for her feet...I guess he missed. Didn't get a picture of it, but I'm sure you can imagine for yourself how it all played out :o)

January 2010

So here are some moments captured during the month of January. They are pictures mostly of the kids, except this first one...this is my dear friend Erin and I at a birthday party. I included this one to put a face with the name for those of you that live a thousand miles away and have no idea who I'm talking about when I refer to her. :o)

Here's Avrie holding Erin's newest blessing, Augie. Oliver is having a good time! We have some very handsome little men in our lives!

Oliver being silly...

Man, he is so stinkin cute!

Here Oliver is again with his Hello Kitty sunglasses. He loves to wear these. He loves them so much that he had them on the other night as I was putting him to bed and when I went to take them off as I laid him down, he SCREAMED, then I put them back on and he stopped...went to sleep with his shades on...such a ham!

Oliver having fun riding on Avrie's back...there's nothing like the sweet giggles of siblings.

My princesses...such beauties...

Oliver had to get in this one...

Oliver dumped all the blocks out and got in the basket, so I decided to pile them up on him. He loved it...this boy has a priceless face.

Oliver has to vacuum every time I do....I start training early...this is the secret to keeping a clean and tidy home for those of you who wonder how I do it...I don't, my 18 month old does with the help of three others :o)

Here's Emma entertaining herself while I finished school with Avrie and Elise.

My Most Recent Creations...

Here are my most recent creations...

I finally finished the girl's piano bags I had cut out long before their birthdays in November. Their grandma ended up sending piano bags to them for their presents though...so I was in no big hurry to get them done. Now they just have an extra bag to tote their books and things around in. I thought it was going to be difficult to sew, but it ended up being rather easy. The hardest part is cutting everything out....it just takes so much time. Sewing them took no time at all. They love them!

Here is what I call a "sword sheath" or you could call it a "verse purse". I have always desired to take the advice to write Scripture that I want to memorize on index cards and keep them with me throughout the day to refer to and memorize...well...that suggestion is great and all, but not real practical for me considering I don't usually have any way of keeping them on me because I wear stretchy pants so often...I like to be comfortable :o) So, in an attempt to fight against the sin that so entangles me daily, I have thought of a more practical way for me to "keep His Word with me"..... and since The Word is referred to in the Bible as a "sword" that is where I came up with calling it a "sword sheath". I just wear it like a necklace throughout the day. I just used old jeans I cut up, ribbon, and added a little bling to dress it up a bit. I also thought, if you didn't want to go through the trouble of making something like this, you could buy one of those things you can wear around your neck that has a clip hanging from it and just attach the index card(s) to it and then you could just turn it around and look at it easily. Where do you get these little "things" I'm referring to? I don't know...good question. I am on a quest though and will share if I find what I'm talking about.

This here is an owl adhered to a long-sleeve onesie. I got the idea from another site...but the owl was on sewn coasters. I just bought some fusible web (Steam-a-Seam...you can get it cheapest at Joann's or from Hobby Lobby) and used it according to the directions. I cut out my owl first, without hemming any edges, and followed the directions of the webbing. It makes a permanent bond so the fabric doesn't fray. I love it! I can't wait to make other things using this idea. You can use this fusible web on fabric, paper, and more... I can't wait to make birds, elephants, flowers...oh my just so many options... Good craft idea for kids too! Mine will sure enjoy this.

That's it! I will share more as I create....