The Mission We're On...
"And the Word became FLESH....and LIVED AMONG US....."
How can we live it out any other way?
Why Cabella's Works For Me
Or another working title might be: "My answer to Rachael A.'s always astounded,'WHAT do you see in CABELLA'S?!!! WHY would you EVER want to go THERE on a day trip?'"
That title just seemed a little too wordy, though.
So, Rachael - this one's for you. A list of sorts as to why a family day trip to Cabella's seems to take place (quite often, I admit), but why I'm actually totally okay with it.
Especially in the winter.
On cold days.
Options are limited sometimes.
(1). Kev and I are always up for a good roadtrip. We love an excuse to get outta' Dodge for the day - leave our work and the world behind for a few hours. The kids are always a gamble. We know it will either go down:
a. with them all being loud but happy
b. with them all being loud and at least one of them UN-happy
c. on rare occasions - with them being quiet and happy
d. or a combination of all at some time or another
Today - shockingly - the way down, at least, option c. took place.
Miracles still do happen.
The only thing I DON'T love about a good road trip - especially in the winter - is THIS:
10. They also have free fudge samples. Ahem.
11. On the ride home two of three kidlets were crying, so we decided to have an intervention. We stopped at McDonald's for a teensy little snack. I told Kev that I would give him $10.00 if when he ordered my honey mustard snack wrap he enunciated it like this: "Honey MusTURD." The stipulations were that he had to enunciate it loudly AND he had to elicit a reaction from the employee. He wimped out. He says he did it, but it went down more like this: "Yes. Can I get one honey mus-tuuuuur... wrap." It wasn't loud. There was no enunciation. And no reaction was elicited. So the money remains safely in my pocket. Immature. I know. I live with boys. If you can't beat 'em - join 'em.
12. We get home early evening. Cereal is what happens for supper. The kids are tired. They go straight to bed after eating.
13. Silence reigns supreme from about 6:30 on.
14. We eat candy and watch t.v.
15. It rocks.
That title just seemed a little too wordy, though.
So, Rachael - this one's for you. A list of sorts as to why a family day trip to Cabella's seems to take place (quite often, I admit), but why I'm actually totally okay with it.
Especially in the winter.
On cold days.
Options are limited sometimes.
(1). Kev and I are always up for a good roadtrip. We love an excuse to get outta' Dodge for the day - leave our work and the world behind for a few hours. The kids are always a gamble. We know it will either go down:
a. with them all being loud but happy
b. with them all being loud and at least one of them UN-happy
c. on rare occasions - with them being quiet and happy
d. or a combination of all at some time or another
Today - shockingly - the way down, at least, option c. took place.
Miracles still do happen.
The only thing I DON'T love about a good road trip - especially in the winter - is THIS:
Do you SEE where the temperature gauge IS? In the winter? Mr. Sweats-a-Lot has to have it fah-reezing in the car or else he needs his window rolled down. Okay. I'm over it. Moving on.
(2). If option c. does INDEED take place, then my love and I have a nice little chunk of (fairly) uninterrupted time to visit, solve all of the worlds problems, make our grand plans for the future, and reconnect after a busy week. It's good.
(3). Nine times out of ten a good road trip involves a warm cup of coffee to sip during the entire drive down. It also compensates for the freezing car.
(4). In the Fall, the drive down to Portland provides me great scoping-out-opportunities for the elusive bittersweet vines and winterberries that I so love to collect. I am WAY more up for a roadtrip to Cabella's during the months of October and November because Kev and I have a nice little agreement that he'll stop for me if I see a rockin' patch of berries. It's a good deal.
(5). A WHOLE lotta' car dancing and rockin' to some tune-age.
(6). Once we arrive to the big city, for the first little bit, wee little Rancey Pants and I drop off the Large Ones, and he and I drive a mile back up the road and check out the Christmas Tree Shoppe. While I do not enjoy shopping very much, there's just something about that store that I do so enjoy. AND...this is where I put the temperature:
Ah. Bliss.
Once we poke around a little bit, we go back and meet up with the rest of the crew.
(7). And for some reason, all four of my boys are just SO happy in this place! Seriously, they're like kids in a candy shop. Even Ransom, despite his missed naps, is very content and quite mesmerized the entire time he's there. This is what they love:
Tents to explore.
The shooting gallery.
Check out that pose!
MORE things to shoot at.
Wait! Runaway Child!
Side Story: The LAST time we were here, the store almost had to pull a "Code Adam" because Jesse wandered away and we couldn't find him. It was a little bit scary. A code Adam involves them pulling their entire staff from every single area of the store, immediately locking all of the doors, and doing a mass sweep of the entire place. Glad that didn't have to happen. A worker named Henry found him. When asked what his name was, Jesse said: "Micah." That's your middle name, Dude, but whatever.
They also love the aquarium.
They like the grossest thing in there the best.
See the eel staring right at them?
(8). Seeing three brothers exploring together.
(9). Another weapon of mass destruction has been added to our household.
Okay. It's really just another multi-tool. But, with Jesse anything can be qualified as mass destruction.
(10). And honestly, Rachael...the decor is really quite breathtaking:
And, they even have some cute little animals showing you the way to the dressing rooms! Awww. Aren't they cute?
10. They also have free fudge samples. Ahem.
11. On the ride home two of three kidlets were crying, so we decided to have an intervention. We stopped at McDonald's for a teensy little snack. I told Kev that I would give him $10.00 if when he ordered my honey mustard snack wrap he enunciated it like this: "Honey MusTURD." The stipulations were that he had to enunciate it loudly AND he had to elicit a reaction from the employee. He wimped out. He says he did it, but it went down more like this: "Yes. Can I get one honey mus-tuuuuur... wrap." It wasn't loud. There was no enunciation. And no reaction was elicited. So the money remains safely in my pocket. Immature. I know. I live with boys. If you can't beat 'em - join 'em.
12. We get home early evening. Cereal is what happens for supper. The kids are tired. They go straight to bed after eating.
13. Silence reigns supreme from about 6:30 on.
14. We eat candy and watch t.v.
15. It rocks.
These Stuck Inside Days
Boys were made to run.
They MUST have wide open spaces or, I am quite certain, they will become wild(er).
During these early days of the week when the weatherman highly recommended parents to have their kids stay inside...well, it got a little hairy around here.
Almost every day without fail, my two big boys play outside for at least an hour or more. Two or three days in a row of confinement resulted in all sorts of hooliganism taking place.
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
I think I hear the funny farm calling my name....
They MUST have wide open spaces or, I am quite certain, they will become wild(er).
During these early days of the week when the weatherman highly recommended parents to have their kids stay inside...well, it got a little hairy around here.
Almost every day without fail, my two big boys play outside for at least an hour or more. Two or three days in a row of confinement resulted in all sorts of hooliganism taking place.
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
I think I hear the funny farm calling my name....
More Stats on My Hooligan Brother
Aaron and I have a thirty year history. We go way back. He's one of my most favorite boys and one of the two reasons (the other being my OTHER hooligan brother) why I wanted to have all boys.
I've entitled this segment - "Getting to Know my Little Bro":
:: He used to have a wicked temper. As kids, having a four year advantage over him actually meant something. Now, he could probably throw me out a window with one hand, and I'm no lightweight. But, back in the day...whenever he started losing control of his faculties, I can remember countless times where I would just pin him down and sit on him until he stopped his flailings and his freak out sessions.
:: I can remember one Saturday night baked bean supper. Back then, he wasn't so much of a fan of the baked beans. Mom told him he had to clean his plate, Dad seconded that or discipline would ensue. So he finished his plate....and promptly puked it all back up ONTO his empty plate! The brother on my OTHER side, laughed so hard - he fell off of his stool and HIS plate of beans fell all over him on the floor! That was one of my most favorite meals....
:: I waitressed at a family restaurant up home the year before I got married. My nickname up home to a lot of people was "Amos." (Nevermind the fact that Amos is a boy's name. Whatever). Anyway, Aaron would take GREAT enjoyment in walking through the restaurant doors and yelling. loudly. my nickname......only he would change out the "m and the o" for an "n and a u." Put those four letters together and see what they spell. It was awesome.
:: As kids, BOTH of my brothers had interesting ideas of what they would classify as "fun." Our summertime play often involved all of us bundling up into our winter finest - thick jackets and vests. We'd all hop onto our little bikes and Clay and Aaron would empty their b.b. guns into our backs while we pedalled for our lives. Looking back, I can see that it was TOTALLY unfair that I didn't get a gun. They took complete advantage of me.
:: Our wintertime fun often involved the infamous "Killer Hill." We'd usually invite our cousins and neighbors in on this one. The boys would make a "jump" at the bottom of this (what seemed like at the time) cliff, so that we'd catch some air once we hit bottom. The only problem was the jump was made out of rocks - not nicely packed snow like most people with half a brain would use. It NEVER failed - one of us was usually hanging upside down out of a tree and bleeding before the "fun" was over.
:: I rarely see this boy cry. According to his wifey, he does...but the only time - other than when we were wee - that I saw him cry was on my wedding day. That was one of the highlights of the day for me! Him? Not so much.
:: When he comes to visit MY hooligans, he takes great joy in using vast amounts of potty talk around them and putting ALL of his bodily functions into overdrive. It's all good. Baby #1 for them is arriving this summer. And Aunty Amy? She's keeping a list....
:: I hope he gets a girl.
:: And I hope she's frilly and froofy.
:: And then Aunty Amy is going to work HER magic....
:: Payback will be DE.LICIOUS.
I've entitled this segment - "Getting to Know my Little Bro":
:: He used to have a wicked temper. As kids, having a four year advantage over him actually meant something. Now, he could probably throw me out a window with one hand, and I'm no lightweight. But, back in the day...whenever he started losing control of his faculties, I can remember countless times where I would just pin him down and sit on him until he stopped his flailings and his freak out sessions.
:: I can remember one Saturday night baked bean supper. Back then, he wasn't so much of a fan of the baked beans. Mom told him he had to clean his plate, Dad seconded that or discipline would ensue. So he finished his plate....and promptly puked it all back up ONTO his empty plate! The brother on my OTHER side, laughed so hard - he fell off of his stool and HIS plate of beans fell all over him on the floor! That was one of my most favorite meals....
:: I waitressed at a family restaurant up home the year before I got married. My nickname up home to a lot of people was "Amos." (Nevermind the fact that Amos is a boy's name. Whatever). Anyway, Aaron would take GREAT enjoyment in walking through the restaurant doors and yelling. loudly. my nickname......only he would change out the "m and the o" for an "n and a u." Put those four letters together and see what they spell. It was awesome.
:: As kids, BOTH of my brothers had interesting ideas of what they would classify as "fun." Our summertime play often involved all of us bundling up into our winter finest - thick jackets and vests. We'd all hop onto our little bikes and Clay and Aaron would empty their b.b. guns into our backs while we pedalled for our lives. Looking back, I can see that it was TOTALLY unfair that I didn't get a gun. They took complete advantage of me.
:: Our wintertime fun often involved the infamous "Killer Hill." We'd usually invite our cousins and neighbors in on this one. The boys would make a "jump" at the bottom of this (what seemed like at the time) cliff, so that we'd catch some air once we hit bottom. The only problem was the jump was made out of rocks - not nicely packed snow like most people with half a brain would use. It NEVER failed - one of us was usually hanging upside down out of a tree and bleeding before the "fun" was over.
:: I rarely see this boy cry. According to his wifey, he does...but the only time - other than when we were wee - that I saw him cry was on my wedding day. That was one of the highlights of the day for me! Him? Not so much.
:: When he comes to visit MY hooligans, he takes great joy in using vast amounts of potty talk around them and putting ALL of his bodily functions into overdrive. It's all good. Baby #1 for them is arriving this summer. And Aunty Amy? She's keeping a list....
:: I hope he gets a girl.
:: And I hope she's frilly and froofy.
:: And then Aunty Amy is going to work HER magic....
:: Payback will be DE.LICIOUS.
The Little Big Brother
My youngest bro and his wifey came to spend the night with us last night. It was a very spur of the moment visit that started with a crazy phone call in the morning from him - trying to sound like a woman on the other line telling me that he was "in the woods somewhere cutting up a roadkill moose, and would we like for him and Jules to come up to see us and bring a big ole moose feed along with him?"
"Rock on!" said we. So up they came.
My "little" brother is a whopping six foot seven - a very large boy with a super intense personality to match. To give you just a little idea of this man's idea of a "good time" - he volunteered "for fun" to do a five night/six day survival course with the military where they first jump into a river and then have to fend for themselves in the woods for the rest of the time with no sleeping bags or tent to boot....as in like, they're doing it THIS month!
I don't know about you, but that's right up there on MY bucket list of things that I want to do before I die. That sounds like WAY too much fun for me.
NOT.
He also likes to bring me gifts that are very.....uh....feminine and that....um...appeal to my softer side.
Exhibit A:
(A roadkill moose shoulder)
Yup. It makes my heart all a-flutter.
(Too be honest....I am actually a little bit excited about this....)
Maybe this explains a wee little bit my #3 on the list that I made yesterday?
Just a smidge?
"Rock on!" said we. So up they came.
My "little" brother is a whopping six foot seven - a very large boy with a super intense personality to match. To give you just a little idea of this man's idea of a "good time" - he volunteered "for fun" to do a five night/six day survival course with the military where they first jump into a river and then have to fend for themselves in the woods for the rest of the time with no sleeping bags or tent to boot....as in like, they're doing it THIS month!
I don't know about you, but that's right up there on MY bucket list of things that I want to do before I die. That sounds like WAY too much fun for me.
NOT.
He also likes to bring me gifts that are very.....uh....feminine and that....um...appeal to my softer side.
Exhibit A:
(A roadkill moose shoulder)
Yup. It makes my heart all a-flutter.
(Too be honest....I am actually a little bit excited about this....)
Maybe this explains a wee little bit my #3 on the list that I made yesterday?
Just a smidge?
Amy's Top Three
I hosted a game one time at a Young Mother's Tea. It was an M & M game, and the mom's were rewarded according to different items that I read off the list. Here are some examples:
~ Give yourself an M&M if you left a sink full of dirty dishes.
~ Give yourself 2 if you came to this event unshowered.
~ Give yourself 3 if you are wearing something right now that you wore yesterday.
~ Give yourself 1 if you have no idea what you're making for supper.
~ Give 4 if you left all of your beds unmade.
~ Give 3 if you haven't shaved your legs in a week.
~ Give 1 if you haven't brushed your teeth yet.
You see where I was going? We all tend to beat up on ourselves for all of the things that we don't feel we get done, or that we don't do right, or we compare ourselves to other's who we think have it all together. So, I decided it was time that we reward ourselves for some of those things! And it was FUN, because all around the room you could see the comraderie between Moms at similar stages in life who are doing the best they can...and you could see the laughter and relaxing in realizing that we're all in this together!
So, in honor of that fun little game....today I give you the Top 3 things that I stink at, as of late, - (well, to be honest, ALWAYS....) when it comes to parenting/keeping house/doing what I assume "good mothers" do or whatever.
Just for funsies.....
(1). I'm horrible at making sure my kids get baths. My goal is once a week - preferrably the day BEFORE church...and not the day after....like it was today. (Ransom gets more because he gives me such ginormous explosions that literally reach halfway up his back. I have no choice, the little dear). But, my two biggies...well, sometimes we're entering week #2 or worse before I chuck 'em all in the tub. Today was one of those "day AFTER church baths." I stuck the two littlest ones in the tub while I buzzed Kaden's hair in the bathroom, and then I threw him in there with them. THEN, I had to hose them all down after they got clean, because Kaden had a kajillion little black hairs floating in the water attaching themselves to everyone.
Yeesh. I'm exhausted. Baths are totally overrated in my book.
That's why I'm a fan of the naked slip-n-sliding in the summer months. I'm pretty sure they stay cleaner in the summer than in the winter.
2. I'm also quite wretched at changing their sheets. I honestly can't recall when the last time was that I dug under Kaden's most amazing stash on his bed and changed his sheets out for a nice, cozy new pair. HE doesn't care. He's quite happy in his filth. But, seeing as how I have NO idea when the last time was, I decided that today needed to be the day. Holy Hannah the crumbs and grit that rolled off of their beds! I'm pretty sure they're eating full course meals in their beds while Mama thinks their napping.
What's the proper etiquette in this, anyway? Once a week? Twice a month? I honestly have no idea. I always have fresh sheets on for company, and I sleep in mine, so I know when they're needing changing...but for the boys... I'm sorely lacking.
3. My mercy gift is really quite wretchedly low. It's probably good that I have only boys. Maybe it's because I was raised with all boys, or maybe it's because it's a whole different world up in the County - but for whatever reason....I'm pretty bad at it. I'm working on it. I really am. But, if one of them falls off the bench at the table for the zillionth time, or if the blonde one hits his head on the SAME doorknob for the 5th day in a row....man....I just can't find where I placed my mercy. I guess I need to dig deeper. Lucky for my poor little Loves, their Daddy's mercy gift is off the charts. Usually my initial reaction is either to laugh or to say something like: "So, did that hurt MORE than yesterday's bonk, or about the same?"
So, there you have it. Three of MANY.
Anyone else want to play?
~ Give yourself an M&M if you left a sink full of dirty dishes.
~ Give yourself 2 if you came to this event unshowered.
~ Give yourself 3 if you are wearing something right now that you wore yesterday.
~ Give yourself 1 if you have no idea what you're making for supper.
~ Give 4 if you left all of your beds unmade.
~ Give 3 if you haven't shaved your legs in a week.
~ Give 1 if you haven't brushed your teeth yet.
You see where I was going? We all tend to beat up on ourselves for all of the things that we don't feel we get done, or that we don't do right, or we compare ourselves to other's who we think have it all together. So, I decided it was time that we reward ourselves for some of those things! And it was FUN, because all around the room you could see the comraderie between Moms at similar stages in life who are doing the best they can...and you could see the laughter and relaxing in realizing that we're all in this together!
So, in honor of that fun little game....today I give you the Top 3 things that I stink at, as of late, - (well, to be honest, ALWAYS....) when it comes to parenting/keeping house/doing what I assume "good mothers" do or whatever.
Just for funsies.....
(1). I'm horrible at making sure my kids get baths. My goal is once a week - preferrably the day BEFORE church...and not the day after....like it was today. (Ransom gets more because he gives me such ginormous explosions that literally reach halfway up his back. I have no choice, the little dear). But, my two biggies...well, sometimes we're entering week #2 or worse before I chuck 'em all in the tub. Today was one of those "day AFTER church baths." I stuck the two littlest ones in the tub while I buzzed Kaden's hair in the bathroom, and then I threw him in there with them. THEN, I had to hose them all down after they got clean, because Kaden had a kajillion little black hairs floating in the water attaching themselves to everyone.
Yeesh. I'm exhausted. Baths are totally overrated in my book.
That's why I'm a fan of the naked slip-n-sliding in the summer months. I'm pretty sure they stay cleaner in the summer than in the winter.
2. I'm also quite wretched at changing their sheets. I honestly can't recall when the last time was that I dug under Kaden's most amazing stash on his bed and changed his sheets out for a nice, cozy new pair. HE doesn't care. He's quite happy in his filth. But, seeing as how I have NO idea when the last time was, I decided that today needed to be the day. Holy Hannah the crumbs and grit that rolled off of their beds! I'm pretty sure they're eating full course meals in their beds while Mama thinks their napping.
What's the proper etiquette in this, anyway? Once a week? Twice a month? I honestly have no idea. I always have fresh sheets on for company, and I sleep in mine, so I know when they're needing changing...but for the boys... I'm sorely lacking.
3. My mercy gift is really quite wretchedly low. It's probably good that I have only boys. Maybe it's because I was raised with all boys, or maybe it's because it's a whole different world up in the County - but for whatever reason....I'm pretty bad at it. I'm working on it. I really am. But, if one of them falls off the bench at the table for the zillionth time, or if the blonde one hits his head on the SAME doorknob for the 5th day in a row....man....I just can't find where I placed my mercy. I guess I need to dig deeper. Lucky for my poor little Loves, their Daddy's mercy gift is off the charts. Usually my initial reaction is either to laugh or to say something like: "So, did that hurt MORE than yesterday's bonk, or about the same?"
So, there you have it. Three of MANY.
Anyone else want to play?
A List of Gratitudes
:: For mountains of snowfall where little boys can be kings, and build forts, and dig tunnels...and for the excuse to stay inside with baby...
:: For a husband who takes care of us, who blows the snow away - and makes paths to the henhouse and mountains for his boys. Who takes flat tires and broken snowblowers in stride and doesn't lose his cool. And for an 80 year old father-in-law who comes to help with the snowblower and accepts a peice of pie and a crazy houseful of boys in gratitude.
:: For nighttime cuddles and first thing in the morning blonde alarm clocks...who, without fail - no matter the time they went to bed - wake up with the dawn. But, all is forgiven when the freezing cold feet snuggle under the covers with Mama and her face gets plastered with sweet, spitty kisses.
:: For the book which helps me to remember to savor. And for the author whose pen writes the most beautiful words that bring tears with each page read.
:: For the big boy and his cat and the snuggles on the couch. For the middle of the night potty breaks, and the "Tuck me back in the bed, Mama?" And for the huge, unashamed boy hug and the "Pray with me before you go back to bed?"
:: For the waiting for spring but seeing beauty in the snow.
:: For the girls and their eggs...and again, for the Husband...who caters to his wife's worries about the freezing of the wattles and the combs...and who goes out to buy another heat lamp to ease her stress.
:: For the home full of love.
:: For the friendship between the one who asked for forever and the other who said Yes.
:: For the loudness and mess.
:: For the journey we're on.
:: For the Savior we follow.
:: For the life we are living.
I am grateful.
And I savor.
:: For a husband who takes care of us, who blows the snow away - and makes paths to the henhouse and mountains for his boys. Who takes flat tires and broken snowblowers in stride and doesn't lose his cool. And for an 80 year old father-in-law who comes to help with the snowblower and accepts a peice of pie and a crazy houseful of boys in gratitude.
:: For nighttime cuddles and first thing in the morning blonde alarm clocks...who, without fail - no matter the time they went to bed - wake up with the dawn. But, all is forgiven when the freezing cold feet snuggle under the covers with Mama and her face gets plastered with sweet, spitty kisses.
:: For the book which helps me to remember to savor. And for the author whose pen writes the most beautiful words that bring tears with each page read.
:: For the big boy and his cat and the snuggles on the couch. For the middle of the night potty breaks, and the "Tuck me back in the bed, Mama?" And for the huge, unashamed boy hug and the "Pray with me before you go back to bed?"
:: For the waiting for spring but seeing beauty in the snow.
:: For the girls and their eggs...and again, for the Husband...who caters to his wife's worries about the freezing of the wattles and the combs...and who goes out to buy another heat lamp to ease her stress.
:: For the home full of love.
:: For the friendship between the one who asked for forever and the other who said Yes.
:: For the loudness and mess.
:: For the journey we're on.
:: For the Savior we follow.
:: For the life we are living.
I am grateful.
And I savor.
On Holiness...
"God is SO good, that ALL things give Him glory - if you mean that they should." ~ Ignatius Loyola ~
So...
If this is true...which I believe it is, then...
:: the laundry
:: the dishes
:: the diapers
:: the meals
:: the baths
:: the bandaids
:: the sweeping
:: the loving
:: the LIVING
:: the rocking
:: the holding
:: the discipling
:: the disciplining
:: the hugging
:: the praying
:: the playing
:: the teaching
:: the serving
:: the cleaning
:: the nursing
:: the wiping of tears
:: the bringing order out of chaos
:: and sometimes...allowing the chaos to reign supreme
ALL bring God glory - IF we mean that they should.
What we do is HOLY.
What we do is GOOD.
What we do blesses our Savior - if we mean that it should.
The BEST POST EVER on proper perspective regarding being keepers of our families and our homes....
So...
If this is true...which I believe it is, then...
:: the laundry
:: the dishes
:: the diapers
:: the meals
:: the baths
:: the bandaids
:: the sweeping
:: the loving
:: the LIVING
:: the rocking
:: the holding
:: the discipling
:: the disciplining
:: the hugging
:: the praying
:: the playing
:: the teaching
:: the serving
:: the cleaning
:: the nursing
:: the wiping of tears
:: the bringing order out of chaos
:: and sometimes...allowing the chaos to reign supreme
ALL bring God glory - IF we mean that they should.
What we do is HOLY.
What we do is GOOD.
What we do blesses our Savior - if we mean that it should.
The BEST POST EVER on proper perspective regarding being keepers of our families and our homes....
A List of Loves...
Enough seriousness for awhile. Heavens.
It's so easy to get caught up in the stresses and messes of life - in the interruptions and irritations. And it's far too easy to skim over all of the simple joys - the little things in life that are really what bring delight to the mundane, in the first place!
For me, anyway, often my days are about intentionally CHOOSING to see the beauty amidst the mess, the sacred amidst the chaos, and the joy in the middle of the mundane.
Perspective is everything. SO, to remind me of this tidbit of truth, here are just a few, simple things TODAY that I love and am thankful for....
Thankful Thursday's Ten Things I'm Thankful For!
:: My morning cup of coffee. Holy Hannah, it makes me happy. I go to bed the night before excited about this first cup of coffee in the morning. And this brand is my all time absolute fave. And it's only sold in January. I also love the man who makes my morning cup of coffee. (I love him MORE than my morning cup of coffee). Did you know that almost every single morning while I'm getting ready for the day, he makes all of us breakfast? He's a KEEP-ER......
:: Our books. Reading with the boys all snuggled up beside me on the couch is probably my most favorite way to bond with them. They love it. I love it. It's (almost the only time of day where the house is) quiet and peaceful, and I savor it.
:: Getting greeted with these first thing in the morning. You GO, Girls!
:: And speaking of my girls. I really do love them. They like me too.
:: The boy's hot chocolate dates on the deck after lunch. I'm quite sure that they're talking about the size and weight of the human heart. Ahem. (More likely burping the entire alphabet to each other amidst hearty congratulations).
:: Ransom's and Mama's tub dates while the large ones are outside. It's not too often that #3 gets Mama's 100% undivided attention.
:: The boy's fort in their bedroom....which is allowing me to type this blog post. They're inside in their undies with snacks and songs talking about their boy's club. I love their friendship. I love Kaden's patience with Jesse. And I love the way that Jesse can make Kaden laugh like no-one else.
:: My basement. It's finally cleaned and organized. It makes me REALLY happy to walk downstairs now. I will no longer call it the Basement of Death. I think that stressed Kev out a little bit.
:: My kitchen reminder.
:: This bum. Delicious.
So, what ten things are you thankful for today?
It's so easy to get caught up in the stresses and messes of life - in the interruptions and irritations. And it's far too easy to skim over all of the simple joys - the little things in life that are really what bring delight to the mundane, in the first place!
For me, anyway, often my days are about intentionally CHOOSING to see the beauty amidst the mess, the sacred amidst the chaos, and the joy in the middle of the mundane.
Perspective is everything. SO, to remind me of this tidbit of truth, here are just a few, simple things TODAY that I love and am thankful for....
Thankful Thursday's Ten Things I'm Thankful For!
:: My morning cup of coffee. Holy Hannah, it makes me happy. I go to bed the night before excited about this first cup of coffee in the morning. And this brand is my all time absolute fave. And it's only sold in January. I also love the man who makes my morning cup of coffee. (I love him MORE than my morning cup of coffee). Did you know that almost every single morning while I'm getting ready for the day, he makes all of us breakfast? He's a KEEP-ER......
:: Our books. Reading with the boys all snuggled up beside me on the couch is probably my most favorite way to bond with them. They love it. I love it. It's (almost the only time of day where the house is) quiet and peaceful, and I savor it.
:: Getting greeted with these first thing in the morning. You GO, Girls!
:: And speaking of my girls. I really do love them. They like me too.
:: The boy's hot chocolate dates on the deck after lunch. I'm quite sure that they're talking about the size and weight of the human heart. Ahem. (More likely burping the entire alphabet to each other amidst hearty congratulations).
:: Ransom's and Mama's tub dates while the large ones are outside. It's not too often that #3 gets Mama's 100% undivided attention.
:: The boy's fort in their bedroom....which is allowing me to type this blog post. They're inside in their undies with snacks and songs talking about their boy's club. I love their friendship. I love Kaden's patience with Jesse. And I love the way that Jesse can make Kaden laugh like no-one else.
:: My basement. It's finally cleaned and organized. It makes me REALLY happy to walk downstairs now. I will no longer call it the Basement of Death. I think that stressed Kev out a little bit.
:: My kitchen reminder.
:: This bum. Delicious.
So, what ten things are you thankful for today?
She Rambles On...
I realize the past two posts that I have just written may have seemed like I'm talking out of both sides of my mouth. On the one hand I say that I'm going to take the church to the world...I'm going to BE the church. And on the other, I say that I'm homeschooling my kids this year!
When Kev candidated for a church position awhile back, he was asked his opinion on this hot topic: "Public school, Christian school, or homeschool?" And his answer was: "Yes! Yes to all!"
He went to our area's largest Christian school for his entire enducation, and it was as really positive experience for him. We know of many others who went to Christian school who absolutely hated their experience AND gave away their virginity, had abortions, and smoked a whole whack of weirdness after practice. I went to a public school my whole life, it was where my faith became my own, and it was a really positive experience for me. I know of others who say their years of public highschool were the most horrible years of their life. And this year, for a plethora of reasons, we are choosing to homeschool Kaden, and it's been a really positive experience for us. I know of others who have tried it and hated it, others who will NEVER try it, and still others who feel a very clear calling to educate their children via a different route.
All options can be really great...and all options can be really horrible - on a whole HOST of levels.
And it's a really personal decision to make between families and the Lord.
I will never say that I know what I'm going to do all the way up through the 12th grade. I will always say that I'm taking it year by year. And we may even find - because of the different personalities and needs of our children - that we have one doing one thing with another doing something else.
I think the point is to be always striving to do what we feel the Lord may be asking us to do. For us, for this year anyway the option to homeschool has helped in our fight to maintain simplicity, it's given me one more year to dictate my own life's schedule, and with both my work and our ministry involving many evenings and funky days, it gives me my days to be with my kids.
Who knows what the future will hold? But I DO know that I want my kids in on being the church to the world around us. I want them to make friends at the library, on the playground, and with the little girl across the street. I often find that it's much easier for little kids to create genuine relationships with no alterior motives, anyway. I think that we can actually learn much from our children.
Do we protect them? Yes. Do we teach them about the evils in the world? For sure. But, can they learn to view relationships through the Lord's eyes and see their little friends the way that He would see them? They sure can, and I think that they often do a better job at it than we do. We see someone who might be a bad influence or who might teach them a swear word. They see a new friend who loves legos as much as they do. Hmn. What would Jesus see and do, I wonder?
A delicate balance and a tricky dance, for sure. A decision up for a whole host of speculation and judgment. But I don't think God ever intended for us to ONLY hang out with people that are just like us and to live in the safety of our own little bubbles forever. He sure didn't.
When Kev candidated for a church position awhile back, he was asked his opinion on this hot topic: "Public school, Christian school, or homeschool?" And his answer was: "Yes! Yes to all!"
He went to our area's largest Christian school for his entire enducation, and it was as really positive experience for him. We know of many others who went to Christian school who absolutely hated their experience AND gave away their virginity, had abortions, and smoked a whole whack of weirdness after practice. I went to a public school my whole life, it was where my faith became my own, and it was a really positive experience for me. I know of others who say their years of public highschool were the most horrible years of their life. And this year, for a plethora of reasons, we are choosing to homeschool Kaden, and it's been a really positive experience for us. I know of others who have tried it and hated it, others who will NEVER try it, and still others who feel a very clear calling to educate their children via a different route.
All options can be really great...and all options can be really horrible - on a whole HOST of levels.
And it's a really personal decision to make between families and the Lord.
I will never say that I know what I'm going to do all the way up through the 12th grade. I will always say that I'm taking it year by year. And we may even find - because of the different personalities and needs of our children - that we have one doing one thing with another doing something else.
I think the point is to be always striving to do what we feel the Lord may be asking us to do. For us, for this year anyway the option to homeschool has helped in our fight to maintain simplicity, it's given me one more year to dictate my own life's schedule, and with both my work and our ministry involving many evenings and funky days, it gives me my days to be with my kids.
Who knows what the future will hold? But I DO know that I want my kids in on being the church to the world around us. I want them to make friends at the library, on the playground, and with the little girl across the street. I often find that it's much easier for little kids to create genuine relationships with no alterior motives, anyway. I think that we can actually learn much from our children.
Do we protect them? Yes. Do we teach them about the evils in the world? For sure. But, can they learn to view relationships through the Lord's eyes and see their little friends the way that He would see them? They sure can, and I think that they often do a better job at it than we do. We see someone who might be a bad influence or who might teach them a swear word. They see a new friend who loves legos as much as they do. Hmn. What would Jesus see and do, I wonder?
A delicate balance and a tricky dance, for sure. A decision up for a whole host of speculation and judgment. But I don't think God ever intended for us to ONLY hang out with people that are just like us and to live in the safety of our own little bubbles forever. He sure didn't.
Some Thoughts On Homeschooling.....
I go to a little homeschool meeting the 3rd Monday of every month. I actually went all last year just to sit in and listen, because I felt that the Lord might be leading us in this direction. I just had to see for myself if MY generation of homeschooling moms truly was different than the image that I STILL have in my mind that I had as a child! (You know - the jean jumper, hair in a bun type image).
I have a handful of very dear friends who have done it for years who I think are pretty rockin' (a shout out to Rach and Chantelley...and to the Burt's even though you aren't my age).....but still. I had to see it up close and personal. And I wanted to ask some tough questions, I wanted some real answers, and I cared nothing for their sunshine and roses days. I wanted the nitty gritty stuff.
AAAAaaaaand sooooo, here I am today.
HOWEVER.
I got sent a link just yesterday entitled "You Know You're a Homeschooler When..." that made me cringe, and I had to laugh because...maybe the stigma is still out there just a bit. So, for any of my friends who are contemplating this journey, let me ease some of your qualms with a more, shall we say, balanced view:
Here we go....
"You know you're a homeschooler when your kids are in the kiddie pool playing Lewis and Clark, paddling down the river with lacrosse sticks."
Hmm. Here's "Amy's version for outside summer play" for MY children. Well....let's just say it involves a slip-n-slide and a WHOLE lotta nakedness. Saturday night baths, anyone?
Here's another. "You know you're a homeschooler when you find yourselves and your guests at your birthday party, at 10p.m. embroiled in a lively discussion/explanation of the heart's size and function...with your five year old, who just had to get out of bed and ask because she couldn't sleep until she knew!"
Oh gag me. "Amy's version" (after hurling) involves my kids getting out of bed only to see if they can have some of whatever we're eating....and ANY discussion at all that might take place usually involves some sort of bodily function when company is around.
And the third of about a kajillion: "You know you're a homeschooler when you're out with non-homeschooling friends and they expect you to know the answers to everything."
Amy's version: Hmn. I can't really respond to that one. That's never happened to me.......but I will let you know if anyone ever does expect me to know everything.
And all of the homeschooling families that I ever knew growing up....on Sunday mornings had their children lined up in perfect order in the pews, squeaky clean, with nary a word leaving their lips the entire sermon.
Amy's version looks a little more like....bathed if they're lucky, sitting about as well as a crazy puppy would sit, and I swear the lips they never stop a movin.'
So, for as long as we take this journey, it will be my honor and pleasure to shall we say, balance the scales a bit on this whole little topic of homeschooling. We are far from perfect, I'm pretty sure the nakedness outside will be a battle for many years to come, bodily functions will always take precedence over more scholarly topics, and the Sunday squirmies JUST might send me over the edge........
I have a handful of very dear friends who have done it for years who I think are pretty rockin' (a shout out to Rach and Chantelley...and to the Burt's even though you aren't my age).....but still. I had to see it up close and personal. And I wanted to ask some tough questions, I wanted some real answers, and I cared nothing for their sunshine and roses days. I wanted the nitty gritty stuff.
AAAAaaaaand sooooo, here I am today.
HOWEVER.
I got sent a link just yesterday entitled "You Know You're a Homeschooler When..." that made me cringe, and I had to laugh because...maybe the stigma is still out there just a bit. So, for any of my friends who are contemplating this journey, let me ease some of your qualms with a more, shall we say, balanced view:
Here we go....
"You know you're a homeschooler when your kids are in the kiddie pool playing Lewis and Clark, paddling down the river with lacrosse sticks."
Hmm. Here's "Amy's version for outside summer play" for MY children. Well....let's just say it involves a slip-n-slide and a WHOLE lotta nakedness. Saturday night baths, anyone?
Here's another. "You know you're a homeschooler when you find yourselves and your guests at your birthday party, at 10p.m. embroiled in a lively discussion/explanation of the heart's size and function...with your five year old, who just had to get out of bed and ask because she couldn't sleep until she knew!"
Oh gag me. "Amy's version" (after hurling) involves my kids getting out of bed only to see if they can have some of whatever we're eating....and ANY discussion at all that might take place usually involves some sort of bodily function when company is around.
And the third of about a kajillion: "You know you're a homeschooler when you're out with non-homeschooling friends and they expect you to know the answers to everything."
Amy's version: Hmn. I can't really respond to that one. That's never happened to me.......but I will let you know if anyone ever does expect me to know everything.
And all of the homeschooling families that I ever knew growing up....on Sunday mornings had their children lined up in perfect order in the pews, squeaky clean, with nary a word leaving their lips the entire sermon.
Amy's version looks a little more like....bathed if they're lucky, sitting about as well as a crazy puppy would sit, and I swear the lips they never stop a movin.'
So, for as long as we take this journey, it will be my honor and pleasure to shall we say, balance the scales a bit on this whole little topic of homeschooling. We are far from perfect, I'm pretty sure the nakedness outside will be a battle for many years to come, bodily functions will always take precedence over more scholarly topics, and the Sunday squirmies JUST might send me over the edge........
Friend of Sinners
I would never have said that I have the gift of evangelism.
Back in the day when we were youth leaders and we'd take our kids on those trips into the inner city New York or downtown Bar Harbor to "blitz" the town with tracts, I used to cringe. I HATED these trips. (Yes. It is now safe for me to say this. We are no longer employed as youth leaders). These were, hands down, my very least favorite kinds of trips to go on. So very far out of my comfort zone. But, that's okay...there's a place for those kinds of trips, for sure.
But what I would do...is I would go and find myself a bench where I could see all of my kids and make sure that they were all right....and I would find someone my own age who was sitting by themselves, and I would strike up a conversation with them...and we would happily pass the time away getting to know each other!
So when we all got back in the van to share our success stories...I never had any. But I would often have the feeling of, "Wow. I think I just made a new friend!" Many times I would end those trips feeling like I was a failure and that I hadn't been a very good example to my girls....who were, by way...doing a rockin' job of bravely blitzing and preaching the word!
But, as I've been reading this book, I'm having a complete 180 degree turn and shift in my thinking in this whole arena of evangelizing and witnessing. I know for a fact that very few in my generation would be affected by the "blitzing" method nowadays. And I can pretty much stake my life on the belief that the generation coming up behind me wouldn't be too keen on that as well.
Why? Because we all want relationship first. We want to see authenticity before we hear the truth. We want to see those words lived out before we ever hear them. People want to feel and experience the Gospel way before they ever get preached to about it.
I think that Jesus was pretty much a rebel in His day. (Maybe not....this is just Amy's ramblings...but I can do that....it's my blog..) But he was KNOWN as a "friend of SINNERS." This was one of the titles given to Him.
I have been told that He was a friend only so long as He shared the good news with them...and if they rejected His teachings He took a stance and was a friend no more. But, I'm not so sure about that. Jesus hung out with the unlovely. He ate meals - one of the deepest forms of fellowship and communion - with all sorts of the untouchables of His time.
And, if what they say is true - how does Judas fit into the equation? We know for a fact that he was a sinner...and I'm pretty darn sure that Jesus knew He was going to ultimately betray and reject him. Yet...he walked with and lived life with Jesus for three years. I'm pretty sure that's called being a "friend."
Just stuff I'm chewing on. Stuff I'm thinking about in the context of my workplace.
Before reading this book? This is how it would've gone down in my workplace:
:: I would have let them know that I was displeased with their swearing in front of me.
:: I would have proudly made a point that I would NOT be needing to clock out for smoke breaks, because I don't smoke.
:: Early on, I would have snuck in the little tidbit that Kevin and I did NOT live together before we were married.
:: And to be honest...among many other things I would have taken early stances on....I probably wouldn't have even considered working at a place that sells beer...because the area that I grew up in sees drinking on equal footing with murder. Just kidding. Kind of.
But, do you know what? I don't want to be seen as just another one of those Christians who has a list of things they don't do that's a mile long. I'm kind of done with that. I want people to see something different in me. I don't care if they swear. I don't care if they drink and smoke. I don't care if they're living with their boyfriend.
I DO. But I don't......
I care more about THEM. And I want them to see JESUS in me...NOT a non-smoking, non-drinking, clean as a whistle mouth who doesn't approve of what they do. They know already, that there's something different. It doesn't need to be said. And if I'm going to do ANY preaching to them - especially in the early months where they really don't know me from a hole in the ground yet, I'm going to LOVE them the way that Christ loved the woman caught in adultery, the way he loved Judas - the betrayer of their friendship, the way he loved Zaccheus and chose to eat at HIS house above everyone else's, and the way He loved the woman at the well.
All outcasts.
All hurting people.
There were no sermons preached or stones thrown.
There was relationship. And there was trust built.
There was something attractive in Him that they WANTED.
A delicate line to walk? For sure.
Potential risk? Yup.
Possible judgment and misconception from others? Planning on it.
Am I going to go and get sloshed with them after to work so that I can fit in? No.
Am I going to start throwing the F-bomb around? Uh. That's a negative.
Am I going to throw a party for the girl who moves in with her boyfriend? Nope.
But if one of my young co-workers invites me to lunch and wants to share her heart with me....and she chooses the local pub as her restaurant of choice....I'll go.
And I'll walk outside and visit with my co-workers while they're having their smoke breaks.
And I'll get a baby gift for the little pregnant, unwed, single Mama.
And if one of them asks me to babysit their children, I will.
And if I get an invite to their home, I'll go.
And I'll go to our Christmas party at our local casino.
I'll be a friend. I'll walk alongside. I'll live life with them.
Do I have the gift of evangelism? Not in the traditional sense...NO, I do not.
But do I want to be a friend of sinners - a true friend?
A million times yes, I do.
I know for a fact that they're not ready - nor do they have any desire to step foot into any church any time soon. So, I'm going to take the church to them. I'm going to BE the church. I'm going to live the way that I think Jesus lived. And once they know that I really do love them and accept them for who they are...then maybe, just maybe....they'll want my Jesus too. I want them to FEEL Jesus..and then when they ask....I WILL explain it.
And if I'm called a rebel for doing all of this and for living it out this way....well, I'm sure Jesus got that title a few times, too. And I guess I'm okay with that.
More to come......
Back in the day when we were youth leaders and we'd take our kids on those trips into the inner city New York or downtown Bar Harbor to "blitz" the town with tracts, I used to cringe. I HATED these trips. (Yes. It is now safe for me to say this. We are no longer employed as youth leaders). These were, hands down, my very least favorite kinds of trips to go on. So very far out of my comfort zone. But, that's okay...there's a place for those kinds of trips, for sure.
But what I would do...is I would go and find myself a bench where I could see all of my kids and make sure that they were all right....and I would find someone my own age who was sitting by themselves, and I would strike up a conversation with them...and we would happily pass the time away getting to know each other!
So when we all got back in the van to share our success stories...I never had any. But I would often have the feeling of, "Wow. I think I just made a new friend!" Many times I would end those trips feeling like I was a failure and that I hadn't been a very good example to my girls....who were, by way...doing a rockin' job of bravely blitzing and preaching the word!
But, as I've been reading this book, I'm having a complete 180 degree turn and shift in my thinking in this whole arena of evangelizing and witnessing. I know for a fact that very few in my generation would be affected by the "blitzing" method nowadays. And I can pretty much stake my life on the belief that the generation coming up behind me wouldn't be too keen on that as well.
Why? Because we all want relationship first. We want to see authenticity before we hear the truth. We want to see those words lived out before we ever hear them. People want to feel and experience the Gospel way before they ever get preached to about it.
I think that Jesus was pretty much a rebel in His day. (Maybe not....this is just Amy's ramblings...but I can do that....it's my blog..) But he was KNOWN as a "friend of SINNERS." This was one of the titles given to Him.
I have been told that He was a friend only so long as He shared the good news with them...and if they rejected His teachings He took a stance and was a friend no more. But, I'm not so sure about that. Jesus hung out with the unlovely. He ate meals - one of the deepest forms of fellowship and communion - with all sorts of the untouchables of His time.
And, if what they say is true - how does Judas fit into the equation? We know for a fact that he was a sinner...and I'm pretty darn sure that Jesus knew He was going to ultimately betray and reject him. Yet...he walked with and lived life with Jesus for three years. I'm pretty sure that's called being a "friend."
Just stuff I'm chewing on. Stuff I'm thinking about in the context of my workplace.
Before reading this book? This is how it would've gone down in my workplace:
:: I would have let them know that I was displeased with their swearing in front of me.
:: I would have proudly made a point that I would NOT be needing to clock out for smoke breaks, because I don't smoke.
:: Early on, I would have snuck in the little tidbit that Kevin and I did NOT live together before we were married.
:: And to be honest...among many other things I would have taken early stances on....I probably wouldn't have even considered working at a place that sells beer...because the area that I grew up in sees drinking on equal footing with murder. Just kidding. Kind of.
But, do you know what? I don't want to be seen as just another one of those Christians who has a list of things they don't do that's a mile long. I'm kind of done with that. I want people to see something different in me. I don't care if they swear. I don't care if they drink and smoke. I don't care if they're living with their boyfriend.
I DO. But I don't......
I care more about THEM. And I want them to see JESUS in me...NOT a non-smoking, non-drinking, clean as a whistle mouth who doesn't approve of what they do. They know already, that there's something different. It doesn't need to be said. And if I'm going to do ANY preaching to them - especially in the early months where they really don't know me from a hole in the ground yet, I'm going to LOVE them the way that Christ loved the woman caught in adultery, the way he loved Judas - the betrayer of their friendship, the way he loved Zaccheus and chose to eat at HIS house above everyone else's, and the way He loved the woman at the well.
All outcasts.
All hurting people.
There were no sermons preached or stones thrown.
There was relationship. And there was trust built.
There was something attractive in Him that they WANTED.
A delicate line to walk? For sure.
Potential risk? Yup.
Possible judgment and misconception from others? Planning on it.
Am I going to go and get sloshed with them after to work so that I can fit in? No.
Am I going to start throwing the F-bomb around? Uh. That's a negative.
Am I going to throw a party for the girl who moves in with her boyfriend? Nope.
But if one of my young co-workers invites me to lunch and wants to share her heart with me....and she chooses the local pub as her restaurant of choice....I'll go.
And I'll walk outside and visit with my co-workers while they're having their smoke breaks.
And I'll get a baby gift for the little pregnant, unwed, single Mama.
And if one of them asks me to babysit their children, I will.
And if I get an invite to their home, I'll go.
And I'll go to our Christmas party at our local casino.
I'll be a friend. I'll walk alongside. I'll live life with them.
Do I have the gift of evangelism? Not in the traditional sense...NO, I do not.
But do I want to be a friend of sinners - a true friend?
A million times yes, I do.
I know for a fact that they're not ready - nor do they have any desire to step foot into any church any time soon. So, I'm going to take the church to them. I'm going to BE the church. I'm going to live the way that I think Jesus lived. And once they know that I really do love them and accept them for who they are...then maybe, just maybe....they'll want my Jesus too. I want them to FEEL Jesus..and then when they ask....I WILL explain it.
And if I'm called a rebel for doing all of this and for living it out this way....well, I'm sure Jesus got that title a few times, too. And I guess I'm okay with that.
More to come......
Weekending
:: Farkle and coffee with Mr. Lew
:: Snuggles with Daddy during family movie night.
:: It's been a good one.....
And a poem I just came across that I love....
Here's to all my friends with boys....and busy girls, too!
THE BOYS CLUB
We know who we are.
Ours is like one of those ancient, fraternal orders
whose identifying rituals
include elaborate hand signals and
mysterious primal grunts.
In McDonald's of course,
the cue tends to be
a series of short, repetitive barks:
"Sit down!"
"Give me that!"
"Come here!"
"Now!"
People who aren't in the club
look distainful, or annoyed,
or disgusted, or smug.
But fellow members grin.
Slowly, at first, as they
identify and empathize...
then broadly, as they catch your eye
and nod slightly to acknowledge
familiar phrases
and well-known responses.
"Boys are something, ain't they?!"
~Jayne Jaudon Ferrer~
:: Snuggles with Daddy during family movie night.
:: It's been a good one.....
And a poem I just came across that I love....
Here's to all my friends with boys....and busy girls, too!
THE BOYS CLUB
We know who we are.
Ours is like one of those ancient, fraternal orders
whose identifying rituals
include elaborate hand signals and
mysterious primal grunts.
In McDonald's of course,
the cue tends to be
a series of short, repetitive barks:
"Sit down!"
"Give me that!"
"Come here!"
"Now!"
People who aren't in the club
look distainful, or annoyed,
or disgusted, or smug.
But fellow members grin.
Slowly, at first, as they
identify and empathize...
then broadly, as they catch your eye
and nod slightly to acknowledge
familiar phrases
and well-known responses.
"Boys are something, ain't they?!"
~Jayne Jaudon Ferrer~
A New National Holiday!
Who knew?
And who made the crazy logo-designy thing, anyway?
Okay....so I really REALLY have NO idea who reads this little ditty of mine.
Would it be possible, if just this one time - in honor of this crazy holiday - that you, whoever you are, could mayhap post a wee little comment just so I could maybe know? That would totally rock.
Aaaaaand...... I guess this means I need to go comment on about 15 blogs that I read, as well.
Hm. This could take awhile.....
Family Fun
I love family day.
I love LOVE LOVE it. No matter what we do or how busy life gets, we (almost) always stick pretty hard core to one family day a week where - no matter what we do - we are together....playing, working, bonding, whatever. But we're making memories, and we're living life together - and we are NOT going in a billion different directions.
This morning, while all FIVE of us snuggled in our (not so very large) bed, Ransom told us that he wanted to spend the Christmas money that his Great Grammy gave him for Christmas and take us all out to breakfast! Aren't we awful? I mean.....wasn't that awfully generous of him?
So, we tromped off to a lovely Governor's breakfast together, and then we came home for many MANY hours of work and play outside.
ALL the boys - minus wee one - worked on building us a nice little fire.....
This fire is a bit weak. This pic was taken before the ceremonial burning of the Christmas tree. It got better.
Then, we worked on cleaning out the garage, burning whatever c.r.a.-pola we could find, and took two honking car loads of junk to the transfer station.
We had ourselves a fire-side lunch while the girls looked on....
Don't tell them it was chicken sausage. I think that would offend them.....
And the rest of the day will be spent watching a fun family movie and playing a whole lotta' FARKLE!
Super fun game, Farkle is.
And really fun to say.
Sounds like potty talk, doesn't it?
You don't need to buy it...all you need is six dice to be able to play.
Want to know the instructions? Thought so....
OBJECT OF THE GAME: Be the first person to score 10,000 points. (Or 5,000 if you want a shorter version).
* Only single 1's and 5's are worth points.
1's = 100 points
5's = 50 points
* Other numbers count only if you get three or more of the same number in a single roll.
* Other combinations of numbers are worth points if you get them in a single roll. Note: Dice from multiple rolls cannot be added together. For example, if you set aside one 5 (50 points) on your first roll and have two 5's on your second roll, you have 150 points. You cannot add them together to make three 5's (500 points). Clear as mud?
* Some scoring dice must be removed after every roll.
HERE ARE THE POINT VALUES
3 1's = 100
3 2's = 200
3 3's = 300
3 4's = 400
3 5's = 500
3 6's = 600
4 of anything = 1,000
5 of any number = 2,000
6 of any number = 3,000
1-6 straight = 1,500
3 pairs = 1,500
4 of any number with a pair = 1,500
2 triplets = 2,500
Okay. So when it's your turn, place the six dice in a cup and roll 'em.
After each roll, set aside Dice that are worth points and roll the rest of them.
You must remove at least one dice after each roll and keep a running total of your points for that turn.
If you're lucky enough to set aside all 6 dice, you can roll them all again to build up your running total.
If you cannot set aside any Dice after a roll, that's a FARKLE! You lose your running total of points for that turn, and play passes to the next in line.
A FARKLE can happen on your first roll - or at any time, really. So, you decide when you want to be done rolling. Wanna gamble and maybe get a FARKLE, or do you wanna play it safe?
To score for the first time, you must have a running total of 500 points or more before you stop rolling.
After your first score of 500 points or more is recorded, you may stop rolling at any time and add your running total for that turn to your accumulated score. Once your points are entered on the score sheet, they are safe and you cannot lose them.
Whew. Sounds involved, but it's not. It's super easy - even Jesse can play. And amazingly, Jesse is our best player. Although he doesn't have the concept of the entire game completely down, he is by far, our best dice roller! And Daddy is, hands down, our biggest gambler! Mama and Kaden play it safe, and Mama almost always loses.
Hmn. Not so much my favorite. But I do so love the game! Give it a whirl...
I love LOVE LOVE it. No matter what we do or how busy life gets, we (almost) always stick pretty hard core to one family day a week where - no matter what we do - we are together....playing, working, bonding, whatever. But we're making memories, and we're living life together - and we are NOT going in a billion different directions.
This morning, while all FIVE of us snuggled in our (not so very large) bed, Ransom told us that he wanted to spend the Christmas money that his Great Grammy gave him for Christmas and take us all out to breakfast! Aren't we awful? I mean.....wasn't that awfully generous of him?
So, we tromped off to a lovely Governor's breakfast together, and then we came home for many MANY hours of work and play outside.
ALL the boys - minus wee one - worked on building us a nice little fire.....
This fire is a bit weak. This pic was taken before the ceremonial burning of the Christmas tree. It got better.
Then, we worked on cleaning out the garage, burning whatever c.r.a.-pola we could find, and took two honking car loads of junk to the transfer station.
We had ourselves a fire-side lunch while the girls looked on....
Don't tell them it was chicken sausage. I think that would offend them.....
And the rest of the day will be spent watching a fun family movie and playing a whole lotta' FARKLE!
Super fun game, Farkle is.
And really fun to say.
Sounds like potty talk, doesn't it?
You don't need to buy it...all you need is six dice to be able to play.
Want to know the instructions? Thought so....
OBJECT OF THE GAME: Be the first person to score 10,000 points. (Or 5,000 if you want a shorter version).
* Only single 1's and 5's are worth points.
1's = 100 points
5's = 50 points
* Other numbers count only if you get three or more of the same number in a single roll.
* Other combinations of numbers are worth points if you get them in a single roll. Note: Dice from multiple rolls cannot be added together. For example, if you set aside one 5 (50 points) on your first roll and have two 5's on your second roll, you have 150 points. You cannot add them together to make three 5's (500 points). Clear as mud?
* Some scoring dice must be removed after every roll.
HERE ARE THE POINT VALUES
3 1's = 100
3 2's = 200
3 3's = 300
3 4's = 400
3 5's = 500
3 6's = 600
4 of anything = 1,000
5 of any number = 2,000
6 of any number = 3,000
1-6 straight = 1,500
3 pairs = 1,500
4 of any number with a pair = 1,500
2 triplets = 2,500
Okay. So when it's your turn, place the six dice in a cup and roll 'em.
After each roll, set aside Dice that are worth points and roll the rest of them.
You must remove at least one dice after each roll and keep a running total of your points for that turn.
If you're lucky enough to set aside all 6 dice, you can roll them all again to build up your running total.
If you cannot set aside any Dice after a roll, that's a FARKLE! You lose your running total of points for that turn, and play passes to the next in line.
A FARKLE can happen on your first roll - or at any time, really. So, you decide when you want to be done rolling. Wanna gamble and maybe get a FARKLE, or do you wanna play it safe?
To score for the first time, you must have a running total of 500 points or more before you stop rolling.
After your first score of 500 points or more is recorded, you may stop rolling at any time and add your running total for that turn to your accumulated score. Once your points are entered on the score sheet, they are safe and you cannot lose them.
Whew. Sounds involved, but it's not. It's super easy - even Jesse can play. And amazingly, Jesse is our best player. Although he doesn't have the concept of the entire game completely down, he is by far, our best dice roller! And Daddy is, hands down, our biggest gambler! Mama and Kaden play it safe, and Mama almost always loses.
Hmn. Not so much my favorite. But I do so love the game! Give it a whirl...
My Life These Past Few Days
It's blizzard-ing in these here parts, right now! So, while I'm sitting on my rump in my warm, cozy house...this is what the hooligans are doing:
And in other news....
~ Just for funsies, I thought I would dry ALL of my favorite clothes that I wear just about EVERY day of my life with a nice little tube of Chapstick. The results were just awesome. Really - you should try it sometime.
~ Just last night, Kevy and I went on a gloriously, rockin' date at Luna's in downtown. Fabulous food and a very fun, funky atmosphere. I highly recommend it. When we went to bed, I promptly woofed all of my cookies. Not sure if the two were connected....but I would STILL highly recommend it....barfing not included.
~ At work the other night, I took a fan-flipping-tasticly amazing digger in the kitchen after one of the girls mopped the floor. She yelled out that it was wet, but I was out in the restaurant delivering a meal, so I missed the memo. Me and the ginormous trashcan became best friends when it caught me with my feet clear up in the air. That was fun. Hilarious, I will admit....but my body is STILL feeling that one. I am getting old.
~ And let's see - what else? Oh yes....the basement of joy. Still in slight chaos. But the end IS in sight....I can feel it.
~.....AND THIS:
....is Kaden asking to come in approximately 3.4 minutes after having gone outside...
~ Yup. Pretty much a normal week in the Booker abode. How's it going in your neck of the woods?
Yes, Jesse is wearing my hat...but he's secure in his manhood.
THIS is where school took place this morning:
By the fire AND in their p.j.'s. Everyone else is having a snowday, so I figured we should chill out, too! And Yes, Kaden is doing a puzzle while I read to him. It's all good.
We had tea and popovers for lunch yesterday.
It was lovely.
If one were to pan the camera pic a wee bit larger, one would see how boys REALLY do tea parties.....If one were to pan it even farther, one would have seen about six more lego kits in the works at the far end of the table. Such decorum.
Jesse has become my interior decorator these past few days. I told him that it's lovely. Truly. Mama would never lie......
And in other news....
~ Just for funsies, I thought I would dry ALL of my favorite clothes that I wear just about EVERY day of my life with a nice little tube of Chapstick. The results were just awesome. Really - you should try it sometime.
~ Just last night, Kevy and I went on a gloriously, rockin' date at Luna's in downtown. Fabulous food and a very fun, funky atmosphere. I highly recommend it. When we went to bed, I promptly woofed all of my cookies. Not sure if the two were connected....but I would STILL highly recommend it....barfing not included.
~ At work the other night, I took a fan-flipping-tasticly amazing digger in the kitchen after one of the girls mopped the floor. She yelled out that it was wet, but I was out in the restaurant delivering a meal, so I missed the memo. Me and the ginormous trashcan became best friends when it caught me with my feet clear up in the air. That was fun. Hilarious, I will admit....but my body is STILL feeling that one. I am getting old.
~ And let's see - what else? Oh yes....the basement of joy. Still in slight chaos. But the end IS in sight....I can feel it.
~.....AND THIS:
....is Kaden asking to come in approximately 3.4 minutes after having gone outside...
~ Yup. Pretty much a normal week in the Booker abode. How's it going in your neck of the woods?
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