Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Missions in the Home

I was running an errand this afternoon and listening to the local Christian radio talk show. I didn't catch the entire topic, but it was talking about getting caught up in the everyday grind of our lives. A young mother of two had called in and was struggling with not being "in a mission field". She said something to the effect that missionaries have it easy because they are able to have something to show for what they are doing, that they were living it everyday. She didn't word it that way, but that is what she meant. I wanted to be able to shout through the radio to her (I try not to make phone calls on the road:)) MOTHERS, WE ARE ON A MISSION!!!!!! Everyday you are able to train up your children for the next generation. There is no greater mission than this. We are losing our children to the "world" at an alarming rate. And the key to this is it is not about what or how you are feeling, it is that self sacrificing love that only we are able to give to our children. Why have we lost this today? Is there just too much other stuff out there that we can not focus on this key element in our lives? I realize that I am needing to somehow step up to the plate more to somehow to mentor to these young mothers out there with this mentality. Now don't get me wrong, there are days, especially during the long, long, winter days when my kids are bouncing off the walls, that I too struggling with the choice to be home. This is the greatest job ever, because if you do it well, the rewards are everlasting. I don't know about you, but I would much rather spend time now training my children to be mature, responsible adults. Than to not, and struggle as I watch my grown children struggle through their lives and make all kinds of mistakes, because I was too selfish to spend my time training them up as children.

Goodbye Ardee




January 10, 2008 - February 23, 2010

Monday, February 22, 2010

It isn't over yet!




Well here we are with another storm that is moving through, and the third week in a row I have had to cancel a visit with my sister. Kristy lives up in Bay City and 2 weeks ago we were hit with 9 inches, last week my niece was sick and now today we are dealing with another storm. (Sorry Krissy!) The kids spent a couple hours outside playing in it. Homeschooling can be a bummer when mom doesn't give snow days:) But they did get some playing in.



We also have worked on notebooking for history this morning. Things have gotten a "blah" on the creative side of things so I tried to inspire them this morning with some ideas that they could do. So far this is what they have done this morning.



I have been BUSY this morning also. I have 3 loaves of bread in the oven right now in my new pans that I love. I also have my 5th block of cheddar cheese in the press right now. I am finding out when you have the right equipment and do it a few times, it almost becomes second nature. We get raw milk shares from friends of ours and we were able to trade extra gallons of milk every week for a block of cheese for them!! So we also then have extras for our cheese. We also had 6 chicks hatch a couple of weeks ago. They are much bigger now, but it is always fun to see them come out of their eggs!!

Friday, February 19, 2010

Packing up

A couple months back I had posted that we had some news that might come to pass, but we weren't certain. Well we have taken the leap and are putting our house up for sale. Scott's grandma passed away back in August. She lived in a farm house that her and Grandpa bought back in the 60's. We have drooled over this house for about 10 years now. As our family was growing by leaps and bounds and Grandma's health declined we offered to move in and take care of her and purchase the house. With Grandpa being gone for almost 30 years, Grandma was independent and didn't like that situation, so we went ahead 8 years ago and purchase this house. We love this house and have put a lot of time, money, and energy into it, which has made this decision somewhat difficult. There are several things that make it easier and that is SPACE! We have 5 kids stuffed into a house built for 2 or 3. Homeschooling means we have A LOT of stuff most people don't. We are just crowded. Now don't get me wrong, we have always made do and will if this falls through, but Grandma's house is very, very appealing. Just the basement alone (it is the entire floor plan of the house, open, and newer, very usable space) is worth trying to sell our place. That will be the hard part. Michigan has been HARD hit in a lot of things, but real estate is the big one. 8 years ago when we bought this, houses were EXPENSIVE. We had very few to choose from and especially any that would fit 5 kids comfortably, which is how we ended up here. At this point we won't get back what we put into this. On the same side though we are able to get grandma's for much, much lower than we could of dreamed of 10 years ago. If we are able to make all this work and put some time and money into grandma's we will get a lot of this back (if the market ever returns:))) So we are on a mission the next two weeks, Clean, paint, de-clutter and pray HARD! One bonus we have is his Uncle and Aunt own the local real estate agency and they will be able to maybe give our house a "push". Time will tell. Hubby has been VERY busy with the radio hosting job. He was just made for this position and LOVES it. This week alone he has been able to "book" Dr. Voddie Baucham (Family Driven Faith, excellent book, it will really change your thoughts on the "youth ministry driven culture" we live in), Dr. Emerson Eggerichs from the Love and Respect Ministry (He was our old Pastor in the first church we started attending after becoming Christians) and Alex Kendrick from Facing the Giants (the coach) and Fireproof!!!! I have the link on the side bar to the Christian Devotions Speak UP! site and you can listen to Hubby interview some great authors, speakers and ministry leaders. I have enjoyed listening so much. All these people have some great stories to share.

Sad News

In the midst of all the exciting things happening around here, life has found a way to throw us a blow. Last weekend our daughters had a sleep over. Saturday morning they were playing a game with hubby running through the house and between the two decks outside. I was out doing chores and let our male Lab Ardee out of his kennel so I could feed and water him (he was banned there because our female is in heat and we did NOT want another batch of puppies this spring) I put him on his leash and went into the garage to do something and the next thing I know one of the girls was screaming. I went running, Hubby went running and come to find out she had slipped and fallen near Ardee and he bit her...BAD. We were devestated. We got the girl calmed and dressed her wound, called her folks, called the police, called the vet. Everything we needed to do. After talking to the vet we made the very, VERY, difficult decsion that Ardee will have to go. We unfortunatly have to wait 10 days before he can be put down due to the laws here in Michigan. This is the hardest thing we have had with our animals. He is in his kennel outside my kitchen window and it is killing me. I spent two days crying and then reality kicked in and know there is no other choice. He has a record now (we have a record now) and if we were even able to find him a new home (no one will take them usually after something like this has happened) and he bit again, we would be in trouble. We have tons of kids (and adults) running through this house constantly and I would be stressed all the time having to watch him...it just can't be. It is so hard knowing this is the dog that lays on our beds when we are sick and won't leave until we get up. This is the dog my kids wrestle on the floor with, and the two younger ones have been known to "ride" him. We have many memories with him, thankfully until last weekend...all good. Thankfully the girls parents were WONDERFUL, and made us feel better over what happened. I look forward to next week when this is all behind us.