Sick Days

It's this time of year when the holidays are over and we are looking forward to spring that cabin fever sets in and so does the sick season. We are in full swing at our house with every child sick. We give new meaning to "No Child Left Behind".

I posted good sick food just last week, but we have both cold and stomach symptoms listed and I the mom, have started to get sick too. Who knows what to cook and who feels like cooking it anyway.

Soooo, my post is short and sweet today. I know it is hard when mommy gets sick with everyone. It stinks actually. I mean I am so out numbered here 5 to 1. I think of that verse, "Never grow weary of doing good." It looms over me on days like today, but it keeps me going too. Even on our sick days when everyone is cranky we are creating memories, we slow down and I may sit with a child in my lap that has needed it and hasn't had it in awhile. Work is out the door and just being with each other in our sickened state is in. There is that moment when everybody is almost well and all bodily functions have stopped there flowing states and there is that lull, sort of a peace. Then, the energy kicks back in and it's back to the hustle and bustle. I won't say I enjoy it I just know I'm doing good. Even if it does smell weird.

A New Decade

Wow, 2010 I cannot believe it. I feel so.....dare I say it....old.

I've been a little weepy and tired lately...okay, a lot tired lately. We welcomed our 5th child into our family recently. He is a treasure to us all. He does, however, bring a lack of sleep. I was holding him in my arms on New Years Eve and watching all the coverage about the last decade. It has been a rough patch for the United States. We had our feeling of security torn from us when the Two Tours fell, a bad economy, and the business world as a whole disgraced in so many ways I couldn't even write it all down here. I saw all this play over and over again to usher in our new year and new decade.

Although it could have been somewhat depressing, I couldn't help but to think about my family's life in the last decade. We brought in New Year's 2000 with our first brand new baby. What a different feeling that was. I had no idea what to do with this little baby God had given us and one year later we had another baby. That's right, two in one year. Along the way each day the Lord showed us what do to with these kids and continued to give us a heart for "Just one more."
I reminisced about the vacations we had taken, the holidays and birthdays we had had, and all the spontaneous days of joy that came without any planning. I also thought about the bumps, bruises, stitches, and hospital stays we had accumulated along the way. It brought joy to my heart and a little tear in my eye...okay, okay, multiple tears to both eyes.

Then I looked forward and I saw 2020, the beginning of the next decade. At that point my nest will be beginning to empty. I will have two adult children and one teenager with a license. Will I be able to stand proud of what we will release into the world? Will I even be able to release them into the world? Again, I am looking forward feeling as if I have no idea how this will all be accomplished in this next decade to come. I have, however, grown more confident in the Lord's ability to guide and show us his path as parents. In that there is peace, excitement; and yes, lots of tears in both eyes in anticipation of what the Lord can accomplish.

Happy New Year to all the new and old mommies. How are you anticipating the Lord's hand in your life this year?

Stick With Me

I think about my blog these days like an extra bedroom that needs tending to, but somehow I never get to. I can just close the door and walk away and it feels like it will go unnoticed. I have had a few complications with this pregnancy and the wait for this new arrival is feels like I'm standing over cold ice water waiting for it to boil. Other things go unattended as well for example, laundry. I just know after I have this baby and get everything caught up I'm going to pull that perfect maternity shirt out of a pile of fresh warm laundry and think,"Oh, yeah there's that shirt. Where has this been?" Which isn't too big of a problem because I'm not going anywhere anyway. Needless to say some of the usual essentials are going by the wayside.

Don't worry about us. People have been so good to bless us. I am seeing God's goodness in different little ways. God's timing is funny though. Shortly before everything got harry around here I made the commitment to be less negative. You know....half glass full and all that. Trusting in God's goodness. It seems we have been tested to the limits on this in so many different ways. During this time the school our kids go to twice a week has not been as easy as we hoped, a family member has had to deal with some health issues, and then there is just day to day life. Which can be rather messy at times, can't it?

The awesome thing about God is, he is sufficient. Life is messy and sometimes challenging at best. A relationship with the Lord does not guarantee a problem free life. Having a attitude were I am more trusting of God says," Okay, your God and I'm not in this situation. Show me how this is going to work out for my good and ultimately your glory." I haven't exactly nailed this attitude, but I continue to renew my commitment daily.

During this time of far and few between post, please know I have not lost my heart for moms and encouraging them. I am working on ideas for more interviews and I am looking forward to posting them in the new year. Even though the body is week right now there is more to come for Crazy Days of Mommyhood so please, please, please stick with me. With my commitment to see his active hand in my life I have been convicted that right now more than ever moms need to be encouraged that what their doing is so worth there investment for today and eternity.

copyright 2009

Leaving the Library

It's 3 o'clock in the morning and I just noticed my pants are on inside out and yet I sit here determined to write a blog. Pray for me ladies.

Being a very noticeably pregnant mother of four we get some attention when we are out and about. Getting comments here and there. Children are not the favored fashion accessory these days. More people aren't having them and many do not like to see them out in public. Especially when the family begins to resemble some type of field trip or daycare.

I was in our local library with my four kids and my youngest decides to act out. I pick her up and hold her as opposed to having her climb the shelves. Upon picking her up a fit broke out. At this point I'm thinking, wow, I better get out of here.

My other children were sitting at tables and looking at books. Said toddler was the only one misbehaving. I had to find one more book for one of my sons to check out. Which wasn't too hard because I had just picked up a book to look over when the fit began. Then, a tap, tap, tap on my shoulder.

"Excuse me miss. You really need to take your child and go. This is a library and she is being too loud," says a man I've never seen in my life.

"What!? I'm doing the best I can. I have four children here. Can you just cut me a break?"
says me, almost on the verge of tears and holding it back with all my unhealthy pride.

"Well this is a library and...."

"Wait a minute." I interrupt. "Do you even work here?"

Needless to say, he didn't. That's right, some random stranger had taken it upon himself to ask me to leave when the librarian denied his request to do so.

It was a frustrating evening and I felt a little peeved after the whole episode . I mean, after all, who did that man think he was? Then I remembered my kids were seeing all this unfold. How should I continue to react?

I wasn't rude to the man. I was firm, telling him I would leave after I found my book. After all, I hadn't planned on staying much longer. I didn't want to deal with a crying toddler as much as he didn't want to listen to one. I was barely handling this all in front of the watchful eyes of my three older ones.

I decided that I wanted family, our family, to prevail. People can say what they choose, but how I deal with it affects how my children view people and our family as a whole. After leaving, I calmed down, and we talked about how we should probably have sympathy for a man that cannot have empathy for women and children. In the end my oldest suggested we say a little prayer for him.

The lesson learned for me: I cannot control what others say to me or about me in front of my children. I can however, control the kind of impact it has on us. Now, I just feel sorry for that man and the childless world he chooses to live in.

copyright 2009

Superhero Training

I have been having crazy dreams at night about having super powers. It is actually a pretty awesome dream. I usually do something outstanding like super speed or shape shifting. I am able to solve common problems in a single bound. I have put some serious thought into it and in the end I think I would probably have to go with speed. I believe these dreams have something to do with being pregnant. Although, I'm not sure what? That's what I hear. I have had some pretty crazy dreams with the last pregnancies. I just can't remember being so excited about them or being so disappointed when I woke up.

Being a mom has given me some serious training in superheroes. Sure, when I was younger I had an older brother and was exposed to the Justice League, but it went in one ear and out the other. As a mom I am required to participate in conversations were I choose what superhero power I would want and why or which Incredible I would be. Which is always redundant because I will continue to be typed cast as the mother; Elastigirl. Even though I secretly would like to be Violet the daughter with force field and invisibility abilities.

I now feel like I am a dictionary full of resources on Superheroes. It is not just my sons that enjoy it, but my daughter as well. I have even at times slightly embarrassed myself in front of other moms with this wealth of knowledge insured by all of them.

For example: When pregnant with my fourth child I was invited to a pregnant mommies class. I had the upper hand on superhero education as most where either first time mommies or second with only a toddler. When introducing ourselves a mommy had mentioned her husband did all the sound and computer work for the church. To which I made the comment, "Oh, he is a technopath."

To which I laughed.....and only I laughed. It was a hard crowd because no courtesy laugh was extended. None of the other young moms knew YET that a technopath was the super power to control electronics. I mean, I didn't break down into complete scifi mode and introduce myself like Yoda. "Athena, I am. Nice to meet you, it is. Mommy I will be, of the fourth," and yet strange looks, I did receive.

It's okay because their turn's coming. As moms we are all submerged into some type of unexpected culture. Yours may not be science fiction or superheroes maybe it's having to learn all the names to the Doodle Bops or unwillingly memorize all the words to Jonas Brothers latest hits or God Bless you, maybe even have to sit through their "concert" on the big screen. So,I guess I would rather dream about being a superhero in my pregnant state then dream about something like living in that weird dome shaped house as a Teletubbie. Really, what are they anyway!? and do I need to dream about being any rounder than I already am?



copyright 2009

For Keeps

My oldest daughter is a kind, softhearted child. She helps with dishes. She will also help with odd and ends around the house occasionally without having to ask. However, walk into her room and it is a danger zone. I don't let the baby walk in there for fear of bodily harm. Keep in mind, I do not keep a spotless home, but we do require some resemblance of order.

I noticed very early on that she did not like to throw away anything. She would for example: have a piece of candy wrapper from a family outing. I would have picked it up from her floor and thrown it away. She would walk by the trash can and say something like, " What is this wrapper doing in the trash?" in a very pained sort of way. "You cannot throw it away I got this when we went to the movies. We really enjoyed that movie. How can I throw that away?" As if, I myself was rejecting the whole event by the simple action of throwing away the said wrapper.

I became somewhat of a student of this behavior when I was in my early twenties. I stayed with friends for a summer. In a act of good will I decided to clean out their refrigerator. I was proud of myself for taking on a task that most would avoid. After throwing out a few outdated and moldy items my friend became unglued. I was in shock. I came from the kind of people that followed the rule "When in doubt throw it out." I was truly clueless as to what I had done so offensive. All the emotion that could come from trying to throw out moldy salsa that I was forced to return to it's rightful shelf in the refrigerator, was lost on me.

I have had the benefit of observing different subjects over the years since then. I have made the connections genetically were my daughters hording tendencies come from. I was on the phone one day with my sweet sister-in-law when I admitted I do not hold on to birthday cards forever. Sure, I keep them out for awhile and I am always happy to receive any card that comes our way. However, I throw them out after a decent amount of time. She sounded sad and I regretted it instantly. With this conversation came the realization people who hoard attach memories and when they throw it away the memory just may go with it. I also recognized the kindred spirit that my daughter and her aunt share. The wanting to hold onto everything because someone or something special is associated with it. I understood why both my daughter and sister-in-law would give me things they thought I could "use" over the years. Which became a code word to me for: throw it out. But this connection to what may seem like stuff and clutter is an overflow of their sentimental, tender hearts.

While having the opportunity to study in my daughter the ability to hold on to tiny scraps of paper, cards, invitations, brochures, magazine clippings, church bulletins, memento cups, confetti dropped at midnight, and pictures of people we have long forgotten the name of because we barely knew them anyway, I do not believe I will ever truly get it. I do however, enjoy learning about my children and discovering their funny little quirks and idiosyncrasies. I'm not interested in mothering someone exactly like me. Recognizing and excepting our children's bent is what helps makes us good mothers and our young ones feel appreciated. So, to indulged her a little I think I will print this out and cram it into her large memento drawer.

Copyright 2009

Brand Name Wars

The problem that continues between my husband and I is simply; off brand food or name brand. Which is best?

I am in favor of Aldi. A smaller store where everything is off brand so it's a sure thing to save money. Some of the food I would even say, taste good. My husband on the other hand does not think we should have to suffer off brands. We should for example, really eat a Dorito not a imitation chip with a peculiar cheese after taste. Making our children eat off brand food is somehow in his mind, damaging their growing up experience and possibly their taste buds.

I became desensitized to this at a very young age. My parents were always on a very tight budget. I remember coming home from school and my mom announcing she had just been to the store for a big grocery trip. Walking to the pantry and opening up it's big wooden doors you would see yellow from top to bottom. Yellow boxes of cereal, yellow bags of chips, and many many yellow boxes of hamburger meals. Value Brand everything. So, in my mind for my own children to actually see food inside the box or on the outside of the can is a benefit all its own.

Getting used to the idea of being a larger family I broke down and went shopping at, you guessed it Sams. It was a good compromise for my husband and I. It is supposed to be cheaper and it is mostly name brand. I was a little overwhelmed at the thought of having to buy there for most of our groceries. I mean, is this really me shopping somewhere that large gathered boxes are needed not bags for my groceries? However, we are home all the time and go through plenty of food.

Walking through the isles I began to get a little excited. "Look! A whole box of granola bars. Oh, and there is a giant block of cheese."

The idea of not having to make multiple trips to the store in between big shopping trips took over. I was feeling the money we were saving going to something more meaningful like going out to eat.

The children were with me and the excitement soon spread. We made it to the condiment isle were I met my down fall. Three gallons of salad dressing. The kids thought we needed it. "But, we will never eat all that." I said

"Yes, we will mommy. We love salad."

"We never eat salad."

"We will." They pleaded.

Not only was Sams solving the grocery store issues between my husband and I, but quickly conforming us all into daily salad eaters. What a great place!

I brought my booty home feeling very satisfied with myself. "Look at all this stuff," I said to my husband. "I really think I saved us some money this time."

"Really? What's this?" he asked pointing to the two three gallons of dressing?

"Dressing. We are going to start eating more salad." Looking at his face even I no longer believed this line of reasoning.

Needless to say it's been almost two weeks and we haven't eaten any salads. What can I say? We got carried away in the moment. If it's between a whole cabinet of yellow boxes and some old dressing in the freezer I guess for the sake of peace I'd go with the dressing and maybe just maybe a little self-control.

copyright 2009

moms day

Mother's Day! A day we all love. Hopefully you were honored and blessed. I love to watch The Sunday Morning Show on Sundays. I was somewhat disappointed to see a story that they had on motherhood. The story told how hard motherhood is and we all feel as if we can't live up to the standard set, scene cuts to a image of Harriet Nelson and then June Cleaver giving advice and or vacuuming. A blog was mentioned where moms anonymously write in their guilt over mothering. An example given was biting of a child's nails instead of cutting them and other examples. Don't get me wrong, I think mothering is a hard job and I do think we should be able to talk to each other.

My disappointment is with this standard that is set by the world and the media and that we all bow down to that idea of femininity and motherhood and that we as mothers are never good enough. Instead of God's standard which I think some can feel, can be even more daunting. Let's take a closer look in Titus 2:3&4 " Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, but teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."

What is amazing about God's design is there is a support system built in. Where one women comes in along another and teaches her how to mother and care for her family. It is always so helpful to me to hear other moms say, "I've been where you've been" or "I remember feeling the way you feel." Most importantly, "It will pass, be patient." The need to drudge up some false guilt over mothering is gone. The truth is we've all done crazy things. My kids are lucky if their fingernails get cut at all. But, where God is peace abounds.

The kind of relationship in Titus 2 takes time. It is coming along side each other and supporting each other. Young mothers need this and older moms need to be perpetuating this. Our job cannot be finished just because the nest is empty.

Pray with me that God would knit your heart to a fellow woman or a group of fellow women to care about and grow into motherhood with as God designed it. As mothers we influence every generation. Let's us purpose to set our standard to God's so that we may come along side our daughters as mothers and teach them well and He would be honored.

I hope you had a happy Mothers Day. Blessings on the job you are doing.

copyright 2009

Seventh Heaven???

I love that show. Kids everywhere, a mom that is perky and doesn't have quiet all the answers but just enough, a loving meddling dad; who wouldn't love that? Upon announcing we were pregnant with our fifth child our oldest son's immediate question was, "Does this mean we are going to have our own show now? "

Although he meant a reality show, my mind goes to Seventh Heaven. Isn't this a commentary on our day to day lives that television is always our first go to? I have to admit I loved the Cosby Show growing up. I wanted a family like that. Now that I am older it's Seventh Heaven. Although somedays around here it feels like Seven Heathens with kids fighting, laundry piled up, and finding the remote is our biggest goal for the day.

So why, why would we want another child? I have been asking myself this. With your first child there is all the excitement of the first time experiences, the second brings the opportunity to give your child a sibling, the third a given because there was three in my family. However with the fourth and now fifth it feels like complete insanity. I know there are those that say we consider each child a blessing and family a gift. The kind if women that look like a momma duck with all her ducklings following in some random parking lot. The thing is, somewhere along the way my husband and I became one of those "people". We had a softening of the heart and we prayed about it. We asked God his opinion and he continued to confirm his desires for our life.

I may not be Annie Camden and I will never be Claire Huxtable, but God is doing some amazing things with Athena these days. So, go ahead and ask me why five kids. I'll just say, "Children are a blessing and family a gift. Now please excuse me while I look for our remote."

copyright 2009

Homeschool Covention

We are all recouping from our state homeschool convention. It is an exciting place where you walk around and look at books and attend seminars for hours and hours and still come home and feeling as if there is something that you didn't see or get that is somehow pivotal to your school year ahead. Homeschool conventions can make those teetering on the edge of decisions complete converts. Also, reminds the rest of us why we do what we do. Homeschooling is something that most are convicted is the best thing for our kids. While doubt still lingers weather or not our children wouldn't be better in the hands of another each and everyday. Even going to the extent of threatening to send them anywhere else that would take them on crazy days. Yet, just two days of being around others that are in the same boat can be sooo amazingly encouraging. So, even if I have forgotten something I'm reminded I'm on the right path.

copyright 2009

Keep On Keeping On

I have been dragging and pushing our kids through the last few weeks of school and I'm building up a sweat from that alone. It seems everyday I have a conversation that goes something like, "Okay let's get our math books out. What do you mean you can't find your math book? Why isn't it in the bucket I so cleverly made for you? (We homeschool moms thrive on finding new inventive ways to organize.) Wait a minute were are you going? You cannot do math outside if you don't have your math book."

If you are someone who thinks homeschoolers have it all together I hope this little glimpse will show you, we don't. I think like every mommy we are ready for summer.

I have to admit that I get a little sentimental at the end of a school year. The year is over and one more step toward adulthood has been reached. Remind me of this when I'm ready to walk across the street to the elementary and enroll my kids.

I want to enjoy this summer as mommy not teacher. I am making a little mental note of what is important for this summer.

1. Do not over plan activities.

2. Enjoy your kids.

3. DO NOT OVER PLAN ACTIVITIES SO THAT YOU MAY ENJOY YOUR KIDS.

Push on moms we are almost there. I know you are counting the days. Summer is a great time to get caught back up with what is going on inside our kids' little minds. Also, to refresh ourselves and spend time with the Lord in prayer. We are on the homestretch so, keep on keeping on. Your doing great!!!

Have I Told You Latley That I Love You

I walked into my kitchen this morning to see my kids making me breakfast. I know, how sweet is that? Also, on the counter I see a present opened by one of my little ones that I had bought for my sister who is graduating college soon. What are you doing I asked? or better yet demanded. I wanted by dear sister who has worked so hard to graduate to be the very first one to open that gift. Somehow it took away from the gift that a little persons hands had messed with it. I wanted it packaged nicely the way the women at the store had done it.

We have this great rule in our house it is very simply. "If it's not yours do not touch it." I can ask any of our children. What's our rule? They will mumble, "If it's not yours don't touch it."

To which I usually carry on saying something like, "That's right if it's not yours don't touch it. It is a great rule. One of the best we have. If it's not yours don't touch it. (saying it over and over is my way of getting it to take) I love that rule. If it's not yours don't touch it. Please follow it next time."

A little too much drama is at times, my downfall as a mom. I missed the opportunity to praise my kids for thoughtfulness, putting someone else first, and working together. After all they had not had breakfast yet either. It is soooo much easier to do right the first time than to come back and apologize for blowing things out of proportion. I could have still dealt with the gift situation and it probably would have been more effective. Catching our kids at doing a good job is just as important as catching them misbehaving.

Push Through

It is very deceiving outside. The sun is shining but the high is somewhere close to 40 degrees. Still, spring fever has set in and pushing through to finish up homeschool is getting very hard. The kids want to play outside. Spring weather is very promising for the end of the week. Maybe, by Easter it will be nice.

This was our first full year of homeschooling. I have to admit, I have been a very reluctant homeschooler. Hoping and believing they would all be back in school next year. By early January I had the school picked out and everything. I was already visualizing a clean house and caught up laundry. Then the bubble burst. I prayed about it. I mean really prayed about it. I knew in my gut we were supposed to do one more year.

I had had a few conversations with people that went something like this prior to prayer...

"You, homeschool? Oh, I could never do that. You must really enjoy it. I mean that is really a calling. How many kids do you have?"

My reply....

"No, actually I don't enjoy it." (If I'm anything, it's honest.) "We are NOT going to be doing this next year. I've found a great school for us that is going to be the perfect fit. I'm not like most other homeschool moms that love it. It was just for this year."

Just as the weather is deceiving us today I too had deceived myself into believing what I wanted was best for all of us. Instead God's best is what we needed for each of us. It was a pretty amazing thing though, I received such a peace after the decision was made to go one more year. (I can only think that far ahead.) The house can wait. I've witnessed that this year. However, growing children do not.

So, I'm going to push on through to summer and then wade into next fall. Who knows maybe by then I'll be a full fledged homeschool convert.

Oh, the Horror

My baby, my little sweet girl as been neglected. By of all people, her parents. She has....ringworm. Oh, the horror. I feel like I need a bath just writing it down. It makes me feel so dirty. It is comparable to telling people you have lice. We have no clue were she got it from. What's worse it's all over her tush which is why we let it go so long. We were treating it as diaper rash. I can see it right now, me in the doctors office with the doctor questioning my ability to parent a child, let alone four. We are trying natural and over the counter remedies. We will see.

It's amazing how God can take anything and teach a lesson from it. I can't help but to think if there are little sins in my life that I wouldn't tell anybody until it got so out of control I had no choice. For example how often would you share something like..."Today I yelled and yelled at my kids until the youngest one cried and the older ones just shut down completely." Something we as mothers would probably not share, even with a close friend. But, if someone else told us that and then asked you to pray with them would you maybe think yourself the better parent? Or would you relate and admire her boldness to expose her own flaws? Sin is eventually exposed,if to no one else, our children.

TODAY MY PRAYER IS THAT GOD WOULDN'T EXPOSE ME, BUT MOLD ME.

By the way any of you way knowledgeable moms know any natural remedies for Ringworm, please send it my way!!!!!!

Live, Laugh, Love

I was going to start this post with, it's early in the morning, I have a cup of coffee in hand, and the house is quiet. That is how I planned to sit and write on my blog this morning. However, the baby woke up, it's 8 o'clock and the others are playing there DS enjoying a little break from school. I do have a warm coffee though. It's the little things that please us.

Having kids makes us enjoy the little things. The essentials we'll say. For example: sleeping, going to the bathroom,taking showers. Maybe the "essentials" is why people are willing to pay five dollars for a cup of coffee. You know, the truth is, I wouldn't change it. True, I would like more showers, but now I truly am thankful for them and if left in there long enough, miss the craziness of it all. Or at the very least feel sorry for leaving my husband alone with the natives.


Kids are great and they add such a dynamic to a household that one can never dream of before hand. In putting some thought into this, I came up with a list of ten things I never thought I would hear myself say before kids.


1. When is the last time I showered?

2. When is the last time you showered?

3. Is it okay to wear to Wal-Mart what I slept in last night?

4. I think I have adjusted to the smell.

5. Never, never put something from your nose in mommy's mouth or anybody else.

6. I love you, but back up from me for a few seconds while mommy counts.

7. I never even imagined that I would ask for a description of bodily fluids. Although, this does come in handy during sick season.

8. Are you sure you want them to spend the night? I know you are the grandparent but, it's a lot of work.

9. What's in your mouth? Should we call poison control?

10. Yes, she is growling. We are trying to teach her not to do that.


It is a great time of life. After all, a cheerful heart does the soul good like a medicine. When I loose the ability to laugh then I become out of focus. If there is something you've said you never imagined either, let me know.

Recycled Encouragement

I posted a blog about a month back "I Don't Want to Be Famous Anymore." I mentioned someone that had encouraged me before we had kids. The Lord laid it on my heart to contact her and let her know what she had meant to me and my philosophies on motherhood. I have not talked to this person in about four years. I went to the Lord again in prayer wondering if I heard right. It is always easier to appreciate someone from afar, then to tell them and hear something like "Who are you again?" I mean, who wants to know that? The person I admired could not even recall my name. I didn't.

I set out to track down a number, e-mail, or something. I thought I remembered something about getting a number, but again it had been awhile. I made a week attempt to ask someone on Facebook for info. Predictable, I heard nothing. To which I assumed I had tried and God would most certainly be satisfied. To the contrary, I was cleaning and rearranging our homeschool area and opened a file that had been collecting dust for about a year or so. In it contained a church bulletin with her number, address, and e-mail. Okay, God okay. Arrogantly, I assumed she must really need my encouragement right now.

I ended up calling her. She was very gracious and glad I called. She asked for all my information. One day this week I received a family picture and newsletter from her. When I took out the picture and saw the family of nine, I got it. You see, they were about the age we are now when we first met them. There oldest is now 21. It was another life time ago when we were young newlyweds and thought homeschooling and large families were a little cooky. We are now cooky ourselves, homeschooling our brood of four. I looked at the photo and was encouraged to know the children I am raising today, will one day be the adult that through Gods grace, I can admire in the future. I needed that because as you may have read it has been a little crazy lately. I am so thankful that God continued to press me to obedience.

Mommy Wise

Okay, it has been a crazy two weeks in my house. Now, being a homeschooler we have to get back on track from those weeks and get back into school. On top of everything else we have not been able to do school. It would have been nice these past few weeks to have sent at least two of them to school instead of having to juggle everyone at doctors appointments and with grandparents. But, you have to take the bad with the good and still, homeschooling is our choice.

Having said that. I am having mommy burnout. I love my kids and our choices but wow, what I wouldn't do for a warm beach and a good book somewhere far away. Making meals and taking care of sick kids can be very overwhelming. I think some moms just slowly go inward when stressed out. Others maybe denial or shopping. I think in the realm of Christianity we feel that it is a sign of a bad mother to say I am stressed out and I don't want to be a mommy or maybe even a wife anymore today. So, what do we do from there? We move on, not from motherhood or marriage, but from those feelings. Recognize they are just feelings and although very valid, feelings change.

First, I would ask is burnout stemming from a legitimate issue? Are you never alone? Do you need support in a way your not getting it? Look into that. Then, don't be afraid to try something new. Above all do not feel guilty for it.

Second, realize motherhood is hard and give yourself a break. Realize sometimes your husband does not know what to do either. Wade through it together.

Sometimes its right there in front of our faces, other times it feels as if it is gone like flowers in winter, but know this, God is faithful to complete the good job he started in and through you.

Baby Wise?

Hey Moms, a little advice please!!

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Ok, here's the situation. I've been trying to do the whole "Baby Wise" thing with Caleb - you know, keeping him on a schedule. His schedule is he eats every two hours and sleeps every two hours. And all you "Baby Wise" moms will probably get after me for this, but he uses a bottle to get to sleep for naps. This is the only way I can get him to sleep without a HUGE cry out! And I mean HUGE!! So, alas, I let him have his bottle and fall asleep. However, lately he doesn't always fall asleep and then I'm up a creek and he won't go to sleep. I know some of you think I should just lay him in his crib and let him cry it out (namely, my mother), but I just can not do it. I can let him fuss, but it turns into a huge temper tantrum. So, if he just drifted off to sleep I could do that, but it never does. It always turns into something awful that lasts FOREVER and I can't do it.

My theory is that although Baby Wise is a good thing to go by, not all babies are going to go along with it perfectly. Some better than others.

So, what advice can you Moms give me on this? OH, and another thing, when he does go down for a nap it's for 45 minutes and then he wakes up. He gets like 2 and if I'm lucky, 3 of these 45 naps a day. A little side note, I think he might be teething, which could be playing a role in this... Am I expecting too much sleep? I think he's not sleeping enough during the day. Ideally I would like him to take like 2 big naps a day... HELP!!! I'm very frustrated!
Thx!

By Krista Grien

A cry out by a worn out mommy. We all know the days. What do we think though? How close do we stick to a book that claims precious slumber for our little ones if we will just follow their directions. I know moms that love Baby Wise. I know others that would not sell their copy in a garage sale. What do you think? Should Krista feel guilty for not following their rules?

Hooray For Diffendoofer Day

This is an excerpt from a Dr. Seuss book. "Hooray for Diffendoofer Day". It was published after he died, actually Jack Prelutsky a poet and Lane Smith the illustrator helped finish a book he had originally started. I feel in love with this little book. As a homeschool mom I'm always wondering are they getting it? Are they were they should be accidemically? This book imbraces different approaches and I found that so encouraging.

I want to keep this little book. It's funny when I get a great book from the library I love that other children have checked it out and for a few weeks it was their favorite too. I just want to keep it for myself and buy it from the library. That is why used book sells are so great. I don't think the library encourages keeping them.

Mr. Lowe appeared and howled,
"Attention, girls and boys!"

He began to fuss and fidget,
Scratch and mutter, sneeze and coough.
He shook his head so hard, we thought
His eyebrows would come off.
He wrung his hands, he cleared his throat,
He shed a single tear,
Then sobbed, "I've something to announce,
And that is why I'm here.

"All schools for miles and miles around
Must take a special test,
To see who's learning such and such-
To see which school's the best.
If our small school does not do well,
Then it will be torn down,
And you will have to go to school
In dreary Flobbertown."

"Not Flobbertown!" we shouted,
And shuddered at the name,
For everyone in Flobbertown
Does everything the same.

It's miserable in Flobbertown,
They dress in just one style.
They sing one song, they never dance,
They march in single file.
They do not have a playground,
and they do not have a park.
Their lunches have no taste at all,
Their dogs are scared to bark.

Miss Bonkers rose. "Don't fret!" she said.
"You've learned the things you need
To pass that test and many more-
I'm certain you'll succeed.
We've taught you that the earth is round,
That red and white make pink,
and something else that matters more-
We've taught you how to think."

"I hope you're right," sighed Mr. Lowe.
He shed another tear.
The test is in ten minutes,
And you're taking it right here."

We sat in shock and disbelief.
"Oh no!" we moaned. "Oh no!"
We were even more unhappy
Than unhappy Mr. Lowe.
But then the test was handed out.
"Yahoo!" we yelled. "Yahoo!"
For it was filled with all the things
That we all knew we knew.

That is just a little excerpt from Dr. Suess "Hooray for Diffendoofer
Day"

I Don't Want to Be Famous Anymore

I’m a wife to a great man and mother to four beautiful children, I am Athena. It seems at times this is all I am; a wife and a mother. I get up I make coffee, I change a baby’s diaper, I teach school, I get a shower on days that I am lucky and I move from my day to day life in what seems like a mundane way, at times. I have actually had someone not recognize me without all my kids. The comment made to me was “You look so much younger without your kids.”

Who says that?

It’s easy when your in your early 30’s to sing the song of “Is This all There Is?” I know, thirty is the new twenty and all that jazz but, I believe that 30 is just that, 30. I did everything the traditional way. I married young and had kids young. However, I do believe it is the age of self discovery and becoming comfortable in ones own skin. I remember walking through a book store one day with the aroma of coffee in the air and a vanilla tea in my hand when I realized “I no longer care about being famous.” I only cared about being known to myself. For me becoming more comfortable in my skin was knowing that I had value because of who I was in Christ as a christian, no longer needing the accolades of men. For a homeschool mom of four this was crucial moment of growth.

My husband and I married young, we were impulsive and no one stood in our way, so we married. Getting married young for two impulsive kids was a good thing. It protected us from ourselves and further bad decisions. Not that getting married was a bad thing it is just challenging at 18 and 19. We both started to go to church regularly in Stillwater, where my husband went to school. We fell in with a group of young marrieds many, of whom we continue to be friends with to this day.

During this time we were taken under different peoples wing. We were invested in as adults and not children. One couple named the Spillmans loved us. Eileen was the wife and she would share little honest bits of truths with me about life. They at the time had six kids. What I really enjoyed about her is she never tried to put a perfect face on raising a large family. It just was what is was: hard, but worth it. We were learning to be adults with others our age and guided by those further down the road. A few of the couples we had come to love were homeschoolers. The seeds of interest were being planted before we even had our own children. We watched from a distance.

Parenthood did come though, one week before graduation. I thought to myself “What am I going to do now.” It hadn’t been that long since I’d graduated highschool but, I felt I was slowly loosing my own identity. I wasn’t that cute little cheerleader from Bethany High School anymore. Then 13 months later I had our second child.

My mom’s comment to me was “Oh, Athena!”

Nobody was appreciating me for being pretty, or saying really witty things. Baby’s cannot talk and they do not care about pretty. I was officially an adult and was up to my elbows in poopy diapers and babies.

Before too long we had to decide what we would do for school with our own little brood. Homeschooling was the choice we had felt lead to. I had become excited in the process, picking out books, going to the homeschool fairs were encouragement abounds, and buying all the other supplies. I was excited until, I actually started school and realized, this is hard. Especially with an ADHD child I had no idea what to do with.

The next year I ran to the closest private school and gladly enrolled the two school age children.
This was a perfect plan, until they too had no idea what to do with her either. Once again the self pity fell like rain. What was I going to do? I hated homeschool. I pulled up my bootstraps and we all got to work and gradually we all started to enjoy it and find our way. The Lord made it all work out for both mine and my child’s good.

I prayed and I parented and somewhere along the way I learned who I was. I no longer need to hear how great I am from others. I still think I’m a little charming at times, and I appreciate that about myself. I can be a very good friend to other women and to my husband. Most importantly I know that family and parenthood is something I chose not something that just happened to me. I have been molded by my Lord I serve and the road he put me on. I love the idea that 30 years from now I will look around my dinner table at Thanksgiving and when we hold hands to pray, the circle will be wide, because like my friend Eileen Spillman I will know it was hard but, worth it.