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Motherhood and Peanuts

Jun
19
2013
1 Comment

It always seems that I desperately long to curl up with a book or ten when I’m in the throes of the homeschooling year, but there never seems to be enough hours in the day for that.  So, I get a mental list going, or I even purchase something to save for these lower key months.  Now that the move is behind us, I’m breaking into my stash with great enthusiasm!

On the docket right now is a book by Sally Clarkson called The Mission of Motherhood.  The back cover reads:  Do you long for your home to be life-giving and peaceful?  Is it your desire to pass on a legacy of righteousness to your children?  Do you struggle to balance the duties of motherhood with a loving relationship with your children?  Would you like creative ideas and direction for keeping your child’s heart open to you and to the Lord?  It goes on to say that no calling is greater, and our influence is like no other, despite the fact that our culture minimizes it.  The book seeks to encourage us in our God-ordained role and so far, I’m very encouraged by all that she has to say.  For those of you that went to the Teach Them Diligently convention, she was one of the keynote speakers.

An interesting side note is that two new friends here, in Charleston, have felt led to start a mom’s group for encouragement and they asked me if I would be willing to help them lead.  I can’t even begin to tell you how this is absolutely my heart.  I have always had a desire to minister to mamas and to encourage them in their calling, and God has given me that opportunity through various roles in the past, but in recent years, as my family has required my full attention. I’ve had no outside ministry in this area after years of having something, and while it was needful, it was a hole that I hoped God would fill again.  What a precious, precious, precious opportunity that God placed right into my lap (they approached me!!) within 2 weeks of arriving.  It was such a sweet confirmation between the Lord and I that this is exactly where He wants me at this time.   The Mission of Motherhood (linked above)  is the book that we will start off with.

I also downloaded the entire Charlotte Mason Original Homeschooling Series, which has SIX VOLUMES (can you say ambitious??  haha, yeah right, I’ll never got through it by the end of summer)!  It is A LOT of reading, but so far, I’m enjoying it.  It’s funny how two books from completely different time periods are reiterating the same sentiments, though.  Actually, it was Sally Clarkson’s book that reminded me that I even downloaded the C.M. one, because Karen Andreola, author of A Charlotte Mason Companion had a review printed in the front of The Mission of Motherhood.  See how all that tied together??  I was SO glad I remembered that it was there because it came very close to my Kindle abyss.  Anyway.  If you are interested in reading it, I definitely recommend the Kindle version as it is drastically cheaper.  If you do decide to read it, let me know, because I’m hoping to bounce some of what I’m reading off of others.   Admittedly, there have been a few times where I’m been like “what in the world is she saying??”, but overall I’m loving it so far.

Now to transition to mothering in the Westie abode;  I’m 99.9% sure that Isa has a peanut allergy.  :/  A few months ago, I gave her some peanut butter and she got a little rash around her mouth.  I took a mental note and decided that I would wait awhile before trying to introduce that again.  Well, after I took the kids to the pool a few days ago, I made her a PB&J for lunch, and before I could even get her out of her highchair, she was covered in a welt-like rash all over her little face.  Here’s a very blurry pic that I took with my phone:

 

I texted this pic to our pediatrician back in MS since we’ve not had time to find a new one here, and he said “no more nuts, and get her to an allergist to check for food allergies”.  Just as I suspected.  So weird, though, but I gave her one of those organic pouches last night that had oatmeal, peaches and apples in it, and she broke out AGAIN!  I’m wondering if it was the oatmeal because she’s had a TON of peaches and apples with no problem.  Ugh…  My poor little darlin.  I think it really bothers her because she gets as angry as a bear after she has had something that causes a rash (I’m wondering if her eczema flare-ups are food related, as well), and claws herself like crazy.  I just feel so sorry for her.  For any of you that have dealt with food allergies, does this seem like what you’ve dealt with?

Alright, children are screaming and I smell something burning… gotta go.

Filed Under: Blog,, Good Books,, Homeschooling,

All Together Now…

Jun
16
2013
4 Comments

I always have ideas of grandeur when it comes to blogging our BIG life experiences, and almost every single time, I find myself reliant on my pea-brain to recall the details weeks or even months later.  I had it in my mind to log in and post about our adventures along the way, and believe me, there were no few, but things were beyond hectic from about the week before the move until about a week after we got here.  I don’t have enough time or space to go back over all of the events, but I will say that for moving a family of 8 across three states, it went relatively smoothly.

On Memorial Day weekend, Mark came home to help us get all of the last things taken care of, and then went back to Charleston.  He then turned around and drove all the way back to Mississippi to retrieve us on May 3o, then on May 31st, we loaded up two HUGE moving trucks and hit the road with sad tears away from Mississippi.

We left the big boys at Mark’s mom’s house for that first week because they had worked hard and paid for their Boy Scout summer camp, so she brought them up to Meridian the following week so that they could still attend.  Jake was inducted into The Order of the Arrow while he was there, which is a big deal, and we are so proud of him!  It is such a bittersweet thing all around because we are not going to find another troop here in South Carolina.   So, alongside a huge move away, the boys (and Mark, who has been a leader for years) are also saying goodbye to a very important and special activity between father and sons that has been a part of our family for nearly a decade.

Back to the move, though.   After stopping over in Covington, GA (just outside of Atlanta) we made it to our new home on June 1, at around lunchtime.  My mom and brother & family drove down from the upstate to help us get things set up.  It was complete chaos, as it is with any move on that first day, and by the time we hit the bed in utter exhaustion late that night, both babies decided to freak out.  I am 100% positive that, if they could have spoken, they would have unequivocally informed me that they’d had enough of all the shenanigans and “could we please go home now, thankyouverymuch”?  It was a loooooong night.

All the next day, we worked hard to get a functioning kitchen, and made great head way in other rooms as well.  We actually laughed our heads of after about the 40 gazillionth “Hey!  Where’s the ______??”  That phrase flew out of someone’s mouth about every 10 seconds on our first week here.  The second night after our arrival saw everyone in their beds by about 9 o’clock and out cold.  We rested well and it’s been pretty smooth sailing ever since.  The babies are both pretty well adjusted to their new surroundings, so that is a great big praise.  We were internet and cable free (still are cable free) up until mid-week except for my phone and, I have to say, it was pretty great for the kids.  They seemed to really use those imaginations so I’m freshly determined about keeping the devices at bay while we enjoy our summer.

Speaking of enjoying our summer; I didn’t wait very long before jumping into exploring this new place.  My kitchen was mostly packed up in Meridian for over a month, so I’ve been CRAZY with desperation to cook.  Couple that with an unmet gardening itch, and I beat feet to the first u-pick strawberry place in the area.  We picked several quarts of strawberries and bought some fresh squash, zucchini , and cucumbers there, too.  I quickly made a few jars of jam, and they are already almost gone!

Last weekend, we went to one of the local Farmer’s Markets, and there I scored farm fresh (as in, laid that morning!) eggs, corn, peaches, and RHUBARB.  Are you kidding me??  I almost died when I rounded the corner and saw that!  As someone who grew up with it, I found myself in a ferocious craving when I was pregnant with Isabella for that stuff.  I searched high and low, and even had my Mom searching in Alabama, but it was to no avail.  I even repeated that craving the very next year when I was pregnant with Carah, and STILL, no rhubarb.  So when my very UNpregnant self saw those purple-y stalks, I think I freaked that poor old farmer out when I lunged toward them with wide-eyes.  The funny thing is, it is still in my fridge… haha!  I’ll get around to making a compote this week.  At least Ill know where to find it if I ever find myself in desperate need again.  :D

This last Friday, while Mark trekked to get the boys, my mom drove down to spend the night with me.  We woke up yesterday morning and went downtown for the day.  We walked all over and enjoyed another Farmer’s Market (although, I really like the smaller one from the weekend before, better), the pier and waterfront park, a great lunch of amazing fish tacos and then a walk to get some delicious ice cream.  Finally the boys arrived home late last night, and after chatting for a few hours about everyone’s happenings, we all went to bed completely tuckered out.  Which brings me to today (I’ll be amazed if anyone is still reading):  After a late start, we went to tour Fort Moultrie and enjoyed a little beach time on Sullivan’s Island.  It is so very good to have my whole family under one roof again.  Now we can *really* start on our new normal.

I’ve got a boatload of pictures to accompany all of the above, but I just don’t feel like doing all the resizing and shuffling that it takes to post them ~ HA!  It’s just going to be an 0ld-fashioned blog post without pics.  I’ll try to get them on a slideshow soon so that they’ll be here, though.

That’s pretty much it for now!  I’m so glad that the move is behind us and we are settling in.  Thank you so much for your precious prayers as we were in transition.  They were so very needed and felt!  If you think of us, you still wouldn’t waste a prayer on us as we look for our new church family.  We have already visited one place and have several more that we will try out in the coming weeks.  We are excited about all of the precious people that we are meeting, but we need God’s direction on the best fit for us, of course.  We’ll keep you posted!

Much love,

 

Filed Under: Blog,, Moving,

Bubbles!! {The Cure All}

May
20
2013
0 Comments

Some days require breaking out the big guns. {Look Isa!!}

Peanut Butter Fudge Milkshakes… and BUBBLES!  {Here’s how it’s done…}

Those little spheres of soap make everyone happy.  {Now you try!}

And who can’t use a little happy?  :D   {YAY!!}

We ALL could! {Eventually, even the biggest boys got in on the fun}

 

 

Filed Under: Blog,, Children,

New Toy

May
16
2013
1 Comment

image

I guess I will take this opportunity to play with my new phone since my desktop is otherwise occupied.

We’ve used the same cell phone provider since we’ve been in Mississippi, and they were awesome, but they don’t cover South Carolina without roaming fees so we had to find a new provider. We went in yesterday and signed a contract with Verizon because I’ve heard they have great coverage and we get a discount through Mark’s company. I’m always a little skeptical when starting with a new provider for any kind of technology because it seems like terrible issues always come up right after the ink dries on that 2 year contract, but hopefully that won’t be the case this time.

I really do like my new phone! It’s a Samsung Galaxy 3 and it came highly recommended. I couldn’t decide between this and the iPhone for the longest time, but in the end, I like the camera on this one better and it has a faster processor. There were a few other things, too, but I realize that this is THEE most boring ever, so I will spare you. ;-)

Alright, now that you’re asleep, I will move on… this week has been blessedly busy for the Crew and we are so grateful for that because it really helps to pass the time. The kids are covered up in end-of-the-year parties so the babies and I are happily chauffeuring them around. It gets us out of the house (and maybe gives us… ok, ME… an excuse to stop by Sonic). We are feeling that familiar breeze of Summer right on the horizon and we are ready.

And with that, I must put my new toy down and make breakfast lest the natives revolt.  Hope your day is a blessed one!

Filed Under: Blog,

Provision

May
13
2013
4 Comments

Ok, I have about 10 minutes that I am stealing from my beckoning to-do list for today to update that last post.  About a week and a half ago, Mark asked me if I would load up part of the Crew to come to Charleston for an extended weekend since it just doesn’t make any sense for him to make the 10 hour trek back here for -what ends up being- less than a day.  The mission was, of course to see him, but really to try and get things accomplished in the house department.  It was a whole lot of business and a little Taco Boy (best fish tacos in the WHOLE wide world), Krispy Kreme (missed it like crazy, but it was a lesson in never trusting GPS’s again because they get an innate pleasure in steering me straight into the most dangerous parts of any town I ever go in… even if it is a SOLID 30 minutes in the other direction.  We hate each other.).

And a tiny bit of this:

It was a cold and windy rain most of the time, so we didn’t get outside too much lest we be blown away, but I did snap a few shots.  I love all of the colorful window boxes downtown {taken from a moving van, so quality is bad, but still…}

We even stopped at one of the Forts, albeit very briefly because it was just too cold.

We’ll definitely go back and explore all that there is in that beautiful city once we get there.  As I said, though, the name of the game was looking at houses to rent.  We begged a few agents to let us see some since I was there {and still, we were only able to get into 2}, but we looked outside and in neighborhoods, ect.  I am happy to say, THANKS BE TO GOD, that we found one we really like and we were the first ones to get to it.  We signed the lease last Thursday!

It wasn’t available until the first of next month, but it actually works out better that way since we have had to line up movers {which has turned into a major production in and of itself} and get it all approved by Mark’s new company, ect.  Plus, it gives us a clean break with no pro-rating from our rental here, which is nice.

With all of my heart, thank you, to those of you who prayed for us.  We felt it and we needed it.

Ok.  My 10 minutes are long up and I’ve got to get this house ready to be shown to other prospective renters tonight along with piles and piles of laundry.  I hope you have a great Monday, friends.

Filed Under: Blog,, Moving,

Waiting

Apr
29
2013
12 Comments

A lot of times I keep from posting my struggles on here because 1.)  It’s the World Wide Web and while I know that only of a fraction of a fraction stop by here, I also realize that not all of you really know me well, and that I really do try not to be a whiner.  2.)  I like to remember the good things that happen in our lives on this blog for posterity’s sake.  I’m no Pollyanna, but giving “space” to complaints just make them bigger than they are/were, so I try to avoid it.  And 3.)  There are people all over the place that would give anything to take my miniature-in-comparision “lot” over their monumental one.  I get that.

With that being said, I’m struggling.  I miss my husband.  He has only been gone for a little over a week, but it’s not been an easy one.  Aside from wee ones who have randomly decided to wake up for the last 2 nights every 2 hours, and other wee ones who do things like fall head first out of high-chairs, the main thing is that Mark is having a hard time finding a home for us to rent in Charleston.  We have been interested in several places, but they keep getting rented by someone who gets there just before us.  Also, times are just not meshing.  He obviously can really only look at prospective homes in the evenings or on the weekends, but these rental places work only weekdays from 9-5 and don’t seem able to meet when Mark takes a lunch, so it’s making it next to impossible for him -who is at a new job and can’t just take off- to view places.  Not only that, but we are only days from the end of the month at this rental.  We can probably stay here for another month, but the thought of being away from Mark and parenting alone for that long is really, really hard.

I remember, when I had 4 little ones at home a few years back, Mark had to be gone for 9 months to a job that was out of state.  It was hard, but we fell into a routine because we knew that he’d be home eventually and things remained pretty status quo apart from him being absent.  This time, it’s entirely different.  We’ve got everything all packed up and we are just waiting; ready for that “go” button to be pushed.  Books are packed, school is finished (and what isn’t will resume when we get there), activities are over and we’ve said several goodbyes.  Things feel mostly wrapped up here except that we are in a perpetual holding pattern, ready to get started in our new place.  It’s mentally draining, just like it is on an airplane when all you want to do is land.  I know that this may sound waaaaay dramatic, but when you consider that we’ve been in limbo with this move, and whether or not it was happening since February, I’m feeling a little over all the limbo.  Needless to say, I’m not a fan of it.  At all.

However, I know that I know that I know that God is using this.  I know that He has been teaching me patience and to trust completely in His timing and His goodness.  Mark and I had our “plans” for the way that this would all work out:  He would leave and during that first week, he would find us a house.  Then, in two weeks, which fell perfectly at the end of the month, he would come and get us and we’d all be together.  The End.  “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21

I don’t know every single purpose that God has in telling us, His children, to wait, but I do know one thing, it is only for our good.  Completely and totally.  I am asking Him to help us rest in that.  Would you do the same for us?

In the meantime, I will tell you of a few things that have been fantastic over the last week.  Carah has been working on her “snoot” face and it has had us in absolute stitches:

On Saturday, it was just the big boys and the babies, so we took advantage of the beautiful day and went for a walk. Isa found all kinds of fun things to explore. She had a great time smelling {and trying to taste} several pretty flowers. She found a stick that was just her size.

And as it turns out, it was perfect for drawing:

Eventually, she abandoned the stick and simply enjoyed digging in the rocks.

Ty got ahead of us, so he popped a squat on the rocks to wait with my phone {technology in the woods seems like sacrilege to me, but I digress…}

His baby sisters think he hung the moon.

Jake was there, too, but informed me that I didn’t call his agent, so there’d be no pictures.   Oh well, that’s what the babies are for, I s’pose

Filed Under: Blog,, Moving,, What His Word Says,

Wonderful Weekend!

Apr
23
2013
2 Comments

This past weekend was a whirlwind!  On Friday, Mark’s mom and her husband came to stay and help with the babies while we worked at packing up the last of the non-essentials {which some things, incidentally, may have been underestimated when thrown into the “non-essential” category creating a bit of a quagmire… hello, bowls??}.

Jake had all of his Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat performances this weekend, too.  Mark and I went out to dinner on Friday night ALONE to celebrate our 19th anniversary that kind of snuck up on us amidst all the boxes.  The actual date was a week and a half before, but beggars can’t be choosers when it comes to childcare.  After dinner, we went to Jake’s opening show and it was IN-CRED-IBLE.   I just can’t get over how much talent is stuffed into this little town and how it’s shared with it’s young people who also display awesome ability.  And I’m not just saying that because my kid was in it. ;)  I really hope we can find something comparable in Charleston.

Here are a few pics of Jake as Joseph’s guard:

 

We mostly spent Saturday packing and wrapping up loose ends before Mark left early Sunday morning.  It was tough to see him go knowing that it would be weeks before we’d see him again, but we know it’s a good thing.  So when we heard through a little birdie that one of our favorite kids was turning 18, we decided to throw our attention into hosting a spontaneous birthday party.  That night.  So we all got busy.

Honestly, as crazy as it is, this is how we work best.  If we plan something for weeks, it always winds up stressful and nuts, but if one of us looks at the other and says “Hey!  Let’s do this crazy big thing and let’s do it RIGHT NOW!”, it just somehow works and it works so much better.  I think I’m an overthinker and when we do something spur of the moment, I don’t have time to *think* it to death.  We’ve done full-on weekend vacations this way, and they are always the best ones!

Anyhow, we called up all of Ty’s class and told them of our idea, and just like the awesome kids they are, they all showed up except one who was sick and very unhappy about missing.  PJ was surprised {for the second time that day since the drama team surprised him with a big cookie cake there} and had a great time.  We had pizza and chips and then birthday cake:

Afterward, the kids all just hung out by the fire and made s’mores until well after dark.

I even caught some brotherly love on camera.  I’m happy to have proof that they’re actually best friends! {Please know that the boy in the front is not really sporting a 5 o’clock shadow; it was his stage make-up.. ha!}

It was such a good time and a great weekend overall!   God has blessed us in this little town in Mississippi, and we are grateful.

Filed Under: Blog,, Friends,, Moving,

Marvelous Mayhem

Apr
18
2013
2 Comments

This is my view as I type this post:

I’m not sure why I’m laughing so hard over this except that maybe it’s maniacal, but I really do think it’s funny.  It sums up life for the Westie Crew quite well right now.  We have gotten to the point where most of our belongings are in boxes and that’s a GOOD thing!

We still have plenty left to do {we will start on the kitchen today which makes me want to break out into hives}, but great progress has been made despite continuing life at full tilt.

Mark has been working half days this week so that he can help get things taken care of.  It is our goal to have everything mostly ready to go by the time he leaves on Sunday so that I don’t have much left to do because it’s next to impossible with wee ones!

Speaking of wee ones,  I’ve got a sick baby.  Isa’s been running a fever since Monday night.  I was hoping it was just a virus that would run it’s course in 24-48 hours, but it’s not budging and my poor baby feels terrible, so it’s off to the pediatrician today.  I would sure love extra prayer for her to get well soon if you think of it.

In the meantime, we’ve been gearing up for Jake’s big production with his drama group this weekend.  They are performing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and these kids are IMPRESSIVE.  I’m not kidding.  I am astounded at the level of quality that this team has.  If you’re local, you certainly don’t want to miss it!  It’s kind of funny because Jake’s been coming home each night with his stage make-up on – or as he says - ”guy-liner”  HA!, and I have to break out the eye make-up remover.  I said to Mark last night that I never expected to have to do this to my {almost} 15 year old boy.  Ah, well… ;)

Alright, I need to shut this down before I miss my opportunity to shower while the girls are subdued.   Enjoy your day!

Filed Under: Blog,, Moving,

Moving! Again!

Apr
5
2013
7 Comments

I always get annoyed with myself when I don’t post important family updates here on the blog because this is only record of us, but I have finally realized that the reason is that I am so busy with actually living it out that I don’t have the time to sit down and put it all on here.  That’s a GOOD thing!  So, from now on, when there are big gaps between posts, I will try to look back and remind myself that those were the times that I was  completely hands-on instead of beating myself up for not recording it.

With that being said, we’ve had A LOT going on here in our home!!  First, we had the majority of my immediate family here for Easter weekend.  It was such a huge blessing.  The kids played hard, the babies were loved on continuously,  and we ate, ate, ate because that’s what my family enjoys most.. haha!  We love to have great big feasts while we laugh our heads off.  We are not a serious bunch AT. ALL., and haven’t been for countless generations.  I’m glad about that.  My family knows how to laugh, and laughing is fantastic for the soul.

On Easter Sunday, we were so blessed to have Andrew and the babies baptized as covenant children.

What a special, special thing it was.  I have been studying the sacrament of baptism recently and the beauty of God’s promises.  I have just been blown away at how it all knits together (but that’s a whole new post)

We love our church family so much.  When we moved here 2.5 years ago, we came straight to this little church and were welcomed and loved right away.  We have been blessed as they have seen us through 2 pregnancies and babies in rapid succession and ministered to so beautifully.

This is why it is so hard to say goodbye.

About a month ago, Mark was approached by another company to fill a position in Charleston, SC.  After several interviews and mind-numbing limbo, Mark accepted the job.  We will be moving there in about a month.  The great news is that… well, it’s CHARLESTON.  I don’t know a single person who hasn’t commented on how absolutely beautiful it is there.  We are looking forward to the beach and the culture and the history and the TARGET… haha!!  Sorry, I think it should be sinful not to have a Target in a city.  ;)   Plus, we are an adventursome bunch so we are always up for something new and exciting.  The biggest plus is that we will be closer to lots of family.  Both mine and Mark’s brothers (and their families) will only be 2 hours away from us.  We haven’t been that close geographically for many, many years so we are all so excited to be able to be present in each others’ lives more.  My mom also moved near my brother from Alabama about a year ago, so it will be nice to be closer to her again, too.

However.  Goodbyes are awful.  I hate them so much.  When we had to do it back in our beloved Alabama, it was so tough, but I kept a stiff upper lip because I knew we’d be only 2-ish hours away.  Now, we’ve developed relationships here (and still in Alabama), but I know that there is a BIG difference between moving two hours away and moving ten.  I know from experience that chapters are closing and that is painful.  Plus, it’s hard to start all over with getting to know people and people getting to know us.  Friendships that we’ve invested in for years – people who know and love us despite our quirks – will not be as intertwined in our lives because of daily interaction anymore.  We will have to start over with new people and new situations, and while that’s got an element of excitement to it, it also feels wearying.  Can I be that honest?

I know that God will provide.  I know that we will be blessed.  I know that it will all work out for his glory and our benefit.  I know it and I trust it.  But this week, it’s stinging.  And I’m grateful for the sting because it means that there’s been love.  And that is exactly the way it should be.

Filed Under: Babies, Blog,, Children,, Moving,, What His Word Says,

The Naked Truth

Mar
27
2013
1 Comment

Jacob just posted this picture to Facebook:

To say that we are covered up in laundry right now would be a drastic understatement.  It’s amazing how it can sneak up on you, and before you know it, you’ve got a full-on SITUATION.  We are so there.

I need to call in the reserves.

I need everyone to stop all the clothes wearing for about a week.

I need 50 gallons of detergent.

I need valium.

Just kidding on that last one… kinda.  ;)

Filed Under: Babies, Blog,, Housekeepery,, Keepin' It Real,
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