This year I've had two big losses in my life. One loss is my Grandma Dixie who passed away in November. Although, I can't say we were really close, she did have an impact on my life. When I was about four years old, my mom stopped attending church because of her phobia about hearing about the end of the world. My dad would still take my brother and I to church every Sunday. It became increasingly more difficult for us to go when our mom stayed at home. Since my dad and grandfather sang in the choir and had to rehearse early, my Grandma Dixie would pick us up for church. As we sat in grandma's car, we knew to hold on tight because grandma had a lead foot. My grandma was always kind and would try not to say anything about my mom not attending. She loved us and loved my mom and dad. She was secretary of Rogers Middle School in Long Beach. When she went out of the office, she would say, "If anyone calls take a message, but if my daughter in law Cynthia calls, come and get me." She knew she needed to be there for my mom. Although, we didn't always understand what my mom was going through, I love how my Grandma loved her anyways. Isn't that reflecting God's love? I think so. I always saw her serving whether it was stuffing church bulletins, bringing someone a meal or helping in a ministry. I will miss her!
Another great loss this year was my dearest and closest friend, April and her family who moved on the other side of the United States to Massachusetts/Rhode Island area. We will still remain great friends and plan to find a way to visit each other, but I was very sad when I found out that they were moving. About a year ago, she called me and invited me to lunch. As we ate our lunch, I braced myself for what she was going to share with me. She already had twins boys. Was she pregnant? Did I do something to hurt her feelings. I had no idea. Let me back up 32 years ago. We met when we were five years old in the Kindergarten sandbox as our moms were signing us up for Kindergarten. Although, April was held back in Kindergarten and went to another elementary & jr. high school we remained close friends. Our moms took us shopping together. We were in the YMCA's Indian Maidens program together. We hung out a lot. Since we were at separate schools until high school we had a different group of friends. After college, she moved to Nevada and we began writing each other. When she moved back to California, we were able to hang out again. But what really astonished me was her transformation. She has always been a sweet and kind hearted person. But now she was a sweet and kind hearted person with Christ in her life. I remember her asking me about my family's church when she moved back to CA. April and her husband started attending our church and then God did the rest. The transformation that took place was that she learned to trust in God and let Him decide what direction to go or which path to take. So fast forward back to us eating at the Elephant Bar where she is telling her best friend that she is leaving/moving. She shared with me that afternoon that she had prayed and God placed it on her heart for her family to move to the East Coast to be close to her husband's family. She was scared, had never lived in the snow and didn't know the plans that God had for her. I cried that night and have continued to cry this past year. She is a dear friend that accepts me for ALL of my mistakes. I can't wait to visit April, Ken, and their adorable twin boys. I know right now life has been challenging for them, but I am amazed at how faithful my friend has been in relying on Christ.
One of my favorite bible verses:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Monday, February 6, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Our Little House
We got back this week from visiting Allan's sister's family in Arizona. We really enjoyed our time with them. They have a large home which we love because there is so much space to just hang out even with our family of six temporarily occupying it. Victoria can find quiet places to read without much interruption. Benjamin and Nicholas have plenty of room to play and wrestle with their cousin or uncle. Lizzie loves roaming up and down the stairs looking for the dog, two cats, and her siblings. Allan and I love spending time with his sister's family. They are great hosting us and just letting us relax while we are there. After visiting there, I remembered dreaming of a really large home. Before kids artwork cluttered our refrigerator, we used to put goals on our refrigerator of things we wanted. One of my dreams was to be a stay at home mom and the other was to own our own home. Not just any house, but a 7500 square foot home with all the amentities. I also dreamed of a housekeeper to keep that place clean. We did end up buying our own home right before our first born starting walking, but the square footage was quite smaller than the 7500 I once dreamt of. It is not wrong to dream or to have goals, but my dream was based on what I thought I needed to make me happy. Now that I'm a little older and I hope wiser, I've learned that it is not stuff that makes you truly happy. I have struggled with my desire to have more than I have..... a bigger home, more stuff, more clothes, more toys, etc. But God continues to humble me and to lay on my heart to be satisfied with what I have. One verse that I always refer to when I'm "wanting" something and not "needing" another something is...
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:19-20
Allan and I would love to buy a bigger home for our party of six who occupy a 3 bedroom 1 bathroom. The bathroom gets quite stuffy when all of us are trying to get ready at once. If you don't want someone to walk in on you, you'd better lock the door, but someone will usually find the key to unlock it or pound on it until it is opened. I've learned to love our little house because we are able to grow closer together in it. I can hear what the kids are doing at all times and you know when it's quiet someone is up to something. I can see from the kitchen into the dining room, living room, the boys room and the backyard. I can smell if something is burning or if someone has gotten playdoh out of the cabinet. I can hear whispers, giggles, stomping feet, wrestling bodies, laughter from games won, and tears from hurt body parts. I am able to find each child quickly and gather them for dinner with a call "It's time to eat! Wash your hands!" We see each other every day. We pass each other in the hallway. We occupy the bathroom together. The kids share bedrooms. We eat together at the dining room table. We talk. We help each other with chores. We talk. We watch movies together. We talk. We laugh. We hug. We love. Love grows here in our little house.
Here's the lyrics to the country song "Little Houses" sung by Doug Stone which reminds me of my family.
A little white house, in the heart of town,
On a little sad street, just a little run down,
Became a home, for Bill and Sue,
Two newlyweds, who did the best that they could do.
And when they brush each other, passin' in the hall,
Sue would smile and say: "This place is pretty small.
But you know, love grows best in little houses,
With fewer walls to separate,
Where you eat and sleep so close together.
You can't help but communicate,
Oh, and if we had more room between us, think of all we'd miss.
Love grows best, in houses just like this.
Before too long, Sue and Bill,
Were makin' plans, for Jack and Jill.
Oh, happy day, when the news came in
But what to do, when they found out Sue was having twins.
When they could not pass each other in the hall,
Well, Sue would smile and say: "This place is really, really small.
But you know, love grows best in little houses,
With fewer walls to separate,
Where you eat and sleep so close together.
You can't help but communicate,
Oh, and if we had more room between us, think of all we'd miss.
Love grows best, in houses just like this.
That little white frame house still keeps them warm,
Though it's been thirty-two years, since the kids were born,
And when they look back now, they hold each other tight,
And whisper in each other's ears: "You know you were right.
Because love grows best in little houses,
With fewer walls to separate,
Where you eat and sleep so close together.
You can't help but communicate,
Oh, and if we had more room between us, think of all we'd miss.
Love grows best, in houses just like this.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:19-20
Allan and I would love to buy a bigger home for our party of six who occupy a 3 bedroom 1 bathroom. The bathroom gets quite stuffy when all of us are trying to get ready at once. If you don't want someone to walk in on you, you'd better lock the door, but someone will usually find the key to unlock it or pound on it until it is opened. I've learned to love our little house because we are able to grow closer together in it. I can hear what the kids are doing at all times and you know when it's quiet someone is up to something. I can see from the kitchen into the dining room, living room, the boys room and the backyard. I can smell if something is burning or if someone has gotten playdoh out of the cabinet. I can hear whispers, giggles, stomping feet, wrestling bodies, laughter from games won, and tears from hurt body parts. I am able to find each child quickly and gather them for dinner with a call "It's time to eat! Wash your hands!" We see each other every day. We pass each other in the hallway. We occupy the bathroom together. The kids share bedrooms. We eat together at the dining room table. We talk. We help each other with chores. We talk. We watch movies together. We talk. We laugh. We hug. We love. Love grows here in our little house.
Here's the lyrics to the country song "Little Houses" sung by Doug Stone which reminds me of my family.
A little white house, in the heart of town,
On a little sad street, just a little run down,
Became a home, for Bill and Sue,
Two newlyweds, who did the best that they could do.
And when they brush each other, passin' in the hall,
Sue would smile and say: "This place is pretty small.
But you know, love grows best in little houses,
With fewer walls to separate,
Where you eat and sleep so close together.
You can't help but communicate,
Oh, and if we had more room between us, think of all we'd miss.
Love grows best, in houses just like this.
Before too long, Sue and Bill,
Were makin' plans, for Jack and Jill.
Oh, happy day, when the news came in
But what to do, when they found out Sue was having twins.
When they could not pass each other in the hall,
Well, Sue would smile and say: "This place is really, really small.
But you know, love grows best in little houses,
With fewer walls to separate,
Where you eat and sleep so close together.
You can't help but communicate,
Oh, and if we had more room between us, think of all we'd miss.
Love grows best, in houses just like this.
That little white frame house still keeps them warm,
Though it's been thirty-two years, since the kids were born,
And when they look back now, they hold each other tight,
And whisper in each other's ears: "You know you were right.
Because love grows best in little houses,
With fewer walls to separate,
Where you eat and sleep so close together.
You can't help but communicate,
Oh, and if we had more room between us, think of all we'd miss.
Love grows best, in houses just like this.
 |
| A Dream Home |
 |
| My Little House |
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Family Traditions
A few weeks ago, I was sitting & eating lunch with some homeschooling moms and their kids. One of the moms asked me if we had any family Christmas traditions. I couldn't think of any at the time, but realized later we have lots. Some traditions we have tried to do every year and other traditions we do every other year or every few years. Here are some of our family traditions:
1. Decorating a gingerbread house (not building one - been there done that and I won't do that again)
2. Making, baking and decorating sugar cookies (We do this for most holidays since it is easy enough for all kids to participate in)
3. Make a cake and sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus (It is his birthday afterall. My kids asked what Jesus' favorite color was and what his favorite kind of cake would be. I told them I'm sure he'll like any flavor and color cake we make.)
4. Make treats for friends, neighbors, teachers, and family to give as gifts (We've made cookies in a jar, pretzels dipped in chocolate, cookies, brownies, etc)
5. Drive around and look at Christmas lights (We get bundled up in our car with coats & blankets and have hot cocoa to drink as we drive around in local neighborhoods or walk through Naples in Long Beach).
6. Go see or perform in Christmas performances (The last two years, Victoria has been in Christmas Joy, so we've gotten to see her perform at our church).
7. Decorate the Christmas tree together while listening to Christmas music even with toddlers (There is sometimes broken ornaments and I often have to rearrange ornaments, but the kids LOVE decorating.)
8. Make an Advent wreath (This year was our first time doing that with our church. We decorated a green wreath with ornaments, pinecones, and ribbon. We placed candles into the candle holders which were attached to the wreath and lit one for the first week. We sang songs together and meditated on scripture.)
9. Watch Christmas movies together (old ones and new ones too- Still my favorite is "It's a Wonderful Life")
10. Read books together about Christmas (I like "The Crippled Lamb" by Max Lucado)
11. Have the kids help put up the Nativity scene decorations (One year they put on a play at home about the birth of Christ. Victoria was Mary and Nicholas was Joseph. I think Ben, Allan and I were wise men and Lizzie played baby Jesus if she cooperated.)
12. Buy gifts for family or friends that have a missional purpose (Our church has been doing a missional marketplace the last 2 or 3 years. They have all kinds of gifts that you can buy and the profit goes to specific missionaries around the world. We bought coffee and homemade jam this year. And we bought and wrapped a toy for a foster child. I was able to explain the needs of other people in the U.S. and other countries to my children)
These are some traditions for Christmas that our family will continue to do. I want to find more ideas that I can do with my family where we can really focus on the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of Christ. I have in the past gotten sucked into the gift giving event that Christmas has become and I don't want that for myself or my family. Yes, we buy gifts for my kids and yes Santa comes to visit. But my fondest memories of Christmas are not of the toys that I received, but the time I've spent with my family and friends celebrating Jesus' birth. Email, comment or facebook me if you have any fun Christmas traditions.
1. Decorating a gingerbread house (not building one - been there done that and I won't do that again)
2. Making, baking and decorating sugar cookies (We do this for most holidays since it is easy enough for all kids to participate in)
3. Make a cake and sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus (It is his birthday afterall. My kids asked what Jesus' favorite color was and what his favorite kind of cake would be. I told them I'm sure he'll like any flavor and color cake we make.)
4. Make treats for friends, neighbors, teachers, and family to give as gifts (We've made cookies in a jar, pretzels dipped in chocolate, cookies, brownies, etc)
5. Drive around and look at Christmas lights (We get bundled up in our car with coats & blankets and have hot cocoa to drink as we drive around in local neighborhoods or walk through Naples in Long Beach).
6. Go see or perform in Christmas performances (The last two years, Victoria has been in Christmas Joy, so we've gotten to see her perform at our church).
7. Decorate the Christmas tree together while listening to Christmas music even with toddlers (There is sometimes broken ornaments and I often have to rearrange ornaments, but the kids LOVE decorating.)
8. Make an Advent wreath (This year was our first time doing that with our church. We decorated a green wreath with ornaments, pinecones, and ribbon. We placed candles into the candle holders which were attached to the wreath and lit one for the first week. We sang songs together and meditated on scripture.)
9. Watch Christmas movies together (old ones and new ones too- Still my favorite is "It's a Wonderful Life")
10. Read books together about Christmas (I like "The Crippled Lamb" by Max Lucado)
11. Have the kids help put up the Nativity scene decorations (One year they put on a play at home about the birth of Christ. Victoria was Mary and Nicholas was Joseph. I think Ben, Allan and I were wise men and Lizzie played baby Jesus if she cooperated.)
12. Buy gifts for family or friends that have a missional purpose (Our church has been doing a missional marketplace the last 2 or 3 years. They have all kinds of gifts that you can buy and the profit goes to specific missionaries around the world. We bought coffee and homemade jam this year. And we bought and wrapped a toy for a foster child. I was able to explain the needs of other people in the U.S. and other countries to my children)
These are some traditions for Christmas that our family will continue to do. I want to find more ideas that I can do with my family where we can really focus on the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of Christ. I have in the past gotten sucked into the gift giving event that Christmas has become and I don't want that for myself or my family. Yes, we buy gifts for my kids and yes Santa comes to visit. But my fondest memories of Christmas are not of the toys that I received, but the time I've spent with my family and friends celebrating Jesus' birth. Email, comment or facebook me if you have any fun Christmas traditions.
 |
| Benjamin, Victoria and Audrey (Victoria's friend) decorated this gingerbread house. We had to place the houses up high away from little fingers. |
 |
| Nicholas rolling out the dough for sugar cookies. |
 |
| Benjamin loved picking out fun Christmas cookie shapes. |
 |
| As you can see, Victoria's cookie making station is very clean. She was such a great big sister helping the little ones roll and cut out their cookie shapes. |
 |
| Here Lizzie is decorating her cookies with frosting and sprinkles. If you look closely, you'll see a mountain of sprinkles. |
 |
| Victoria and her friends from the Christmas Joy performance. |
 |
| Our first Advent wreath in antipation of Christmas, the birth of Christ. |
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Celebrating Birthdays
December is always a fun and busy month for us. We have Victoria's birthday on the 3rd. She turned eleven years old on Saturday. She has had a birthday party most years, but this year we are going to go to a tea house with just her, myself and Grandma Cynthia. Victoria celebrated her birthday on the first day of Bethany Church's Christmas Joy performance which she is singing and dancing in. They performed last weekend and again this weekend on December 10th & 11th at 3:30pm and 7pm. Anyway is welcome to go. She plays a hangtown kid and they sing and dance to many songs. She also gets to dress up in a sheep costume which she wasn't too happy dancing in. But doesn't she and her friend look adorable. We celebrated her birthday during breakfast time with cinnamon rolls, eggs, and pineapple. I decorated our dining room with streamers and signs. I have no pictures of her on her birthday because I left my camera at my in-laws the previous weekend. She was very excited to get some Paris-themed items as her birthday present since we are in the process of redoing her room in that theme. Paris is one of the places on her bucket list that she says she will be visiting or living one day. Victoria is a wonderful young girl. She is a sweet and loving daughter and sister. She is growing up ever so quickly. She still wants to sit on our lap or snuggle really close to us. I try to really take advantage of that time and not hurry to do something else because one day she may not want to sit next to me. Allan stops what he is doing whenever she wants to talk and he just listens. I love watching him joke around with her.
On Monday, the 5th, we celebrated Allan's birthday. Victoria & Nicholas helped me make a chocolate chocolate cake from scratch and boy was it DELICIOUS!!! You can see it in the photo and it doesn't look that pretty, but it sure tasted good. We never finish cake around here and I think there may be one slice left for Allan's dessert tomorrow. Nicholas and Victoria have never really decorated a cake before and I am not a cake decorator myself, but Allan loved it anyways! All of us made him a card and he really seemed to enjoy his time with just us. I have to say he is an amazing man. He is so humble and kind! He really cares for us and I am fortunate to have him as my husband and as a father to our four children.
 |
| Allan with all his crazy, I mean adorable kids. |
 |
| Allan and his mini-me, Benjamin. Ben would be in all the pictures if he could. |
 |
| Lizzie & Daddy- He loves his little girl! |
 |
| Nick & Daddy - They spend lots of time doing cub scout stuff together. |
 |
| Victoria & Allan- She really enjoys her dates with daddy. |
 |
| Here are Victoria and Audrey posing as good sheep. |
Friday, November 18, 2011
My Little Cupcake
I can't believe Elizabeth is two and will be three years old in January. She is a very busy little girl and always getting into something. We have to move things, hide things, and keep her away from lots of food and household items. Since she has three older siblings, she thinks she can do everything they do and have everything that have. In my opinion, you do have to parent a little differently with your third and fourth child. They are just exposed to more things more quickly. I do try to shelter her as much as I can like with the tv/videos she watches and the toys/games she plays. Lately, I've been working with the boys on etiquette and it is going VERY slowly. I've been trying to teach them that you hold a door open for girls/women and allow a girl to walk through the door first. Lizzie has heard me encouraging them and she runs to every door and says, "Girls first!" She cries when the boys push past her. Although, she is very stubborn and knows how to get her way in many situations, she is also sensitive when her brothers or sister pick on her. I'm really enjoying watching my youngest and last child grow up. As I cuddle her, I whisper in her ear, "You can't grow up, you have to stay little forever." She usually says, "No mommy, I getting bigger" and sometimes she replies with, "Okay."
 |
| We heard her giggling from our bedroom and this is what we found. The next day she used a black marker. There was punishment after that incident and it hasn't happened since. |
 |
| She's not afraid to get messy and gooey! |
 |
| She might suck your blood if you get too close! Mahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! |
 |
| She's good at organizing and she even shares! |
 |
| She has a weapon and she WILL use it on you if needed. |
 |
| Ahhh! My little cupcake! Doesn't she look sweet & innocent! |
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Things That Make My Heart Smile
Nicholas playing piano pieces and skipping ahead in his music book simply because he loves to play.
Victoria & Elizabeth swinging on the swings together and singing goofy songs.
Nicholas teaching Benjamin how to swing on the swings. (this is unbelievable if you know my boys)
watching all four of my kids compare two dead bees (not the death part, but the investigating part)
having fun singing, chanting, reviewing our Classical Conversation memory work with my older two(Ex: What are four types of tissue? Four types of tissue are connective, epiltheal, muscle and nerve. It is fun to see them learning.
Allan fixing another household problem - the bathtub plumbing. "Another satisfied customer," he says.
Snuggling with my two littles in their jammies as we snack on Kix cereal.
Playing Uno with Benjamin twice and the Ladybug game and he beat me everytime. I loved seeing his winning smile and dance.
watching humming birds visiting our backyard for nectar everyday, such amazing creatures
friends who pray for me and ask how I'm doing and then listen
washing dishes as Allan dries them and puts them away and we talk about our day together
There is so much for me to be thankful for! My family and I are all healthy! I need to keep these memories when I have hard days so I can remember all the things that make me laugh & smile. I thank God for creating me, my family, friends, and all the beauty that surrounds us. How fortunate I am to be living for Him!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
One of those Mornings
Do you ever have one of those days? Or mornings? Or _______ you fill in the blank? You know when everyone is getting upset, things aren't going your way, someone gets hurt, no one will listen or obey..... That's the kind of morning I experienced. Everyone was mad at me and I was mad at them. Victoria was upset because she had piano lessons and knew that she had only practiced once this week. She was upset at herself, but that anger turned to me. She also couldn't find her recital sheet music which she realized that she had crumbled up out of anger a few days prior. It was now in the recycling bin.Nicholas was scrambling to find all of his piano music for his morning lesson. I think he is the only that didn't yell at me this morning. Benjamin became angry after getting a privilege taken away because of his disobedience. On the way to school, he told me he hated me at least twenty times. I think he sang it to me. Lizzie was crying because she couldn't have candy at 7:00 in the morning. Her fingers got pinched in the door right before we took Ben to school. So, I had Ben sobbing as he put on his shoes and Lizzie whimpering over her hurt fingers. I was angry the whole time trying to keep everyone on schedule to leave to take Ben to school. It was a very stressful morning!
If I would have written this in the morning I would have had even more details, but some of the incidents of the morning have been erased from my memory for sanity purposes. Unfortunately, I allowed the anger in me to take over. I allowed it to take over how I acted, how I responded, and how I cared for my children. I wasn't loving, gentle, caring, patient, kind, or peaceful. I certainly didn't demonstrate self control, so how can I expect my children to demonstrate those characteristics when I wasn't even modeling those for them. I know I need to be more prepared and organized for the morning and teach them those things as well. But there will be days that no matter how prepared, organized, or ready I am things will go wrong, someone will get hurt, or a child will disobey. It is up to me to respond with love and gentleness. It is up to me to pray for my attitude and behavior. I hope as someone is reading this that they can relate and say, "Yes, I've had one of those days before."
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
James 1:19-20
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)