Book organizing

Pre-books

many books

Happy organization

I haven't posted for a while.  The summer pretty much ate my lunch.  Don't get me wrong--we had a great summer filled with fun and great memories.  But I had precious few moments to myself which is when I like to blog.

At this moment the Aggies are playing on TV, engaging all the males in my home.  I'm sitting here in the room with them but I can focus my attention on this.  How's that for mult-tasking?

This summer we were given some new furniture for the boys' rooms so we've been able to upcycle other pieces.  This dresser was actually in my little girl room and I'm so happy it's now in the play room, holding books to read to my boys.  Really, really nice.

There's nothing like the feeling of completion that a short, sweet organization project brings.

Wisdom for endurance

This is our new token system.  I copied this idea from a friend of mine as a way to help guide good habits in my boys.  Kindergarten is creeping closer every day and I want to get the boys ready so the transition will be as smooth as possible.

The token system is in place so they can see very easily when they do good and when they do bad, with the hopes that they'll choose to do good more and more.

When I taught school, I used a marble jar to teach classroom procedures.  I would drop in a marble when they did good things.  It was a beautiful way for them to know immediately when as a class they were following our classroom rules.  The magical little clink of the marbles were so powerful in shaping our classroom rules.

So, as a mom, I'm trying to do the same.  It's way harder.  In class, I never took out marbles.  With my own kids, I do.  My students didn't kick each other, weren't mean to the dog, didn't talk back, throw things at me when they got mad, disobey what I said or make a mess of wherever they were.  I'm sure my students did all of those things when they were 3 or 5 and probably at 7 or 8 at home, but I was their teacher--not their mom.

Yesterday I hit a brick wall when I realized I focus so much on the things they do wrong I rarely notice what all they do right.  That was a yuck moment.  It was Monday--cleaning day--and they weren't doing their tasks well.  I felt myself morphing into this nag woman, demanding that they work harder, etc.  I realized if they didn't become cleaning wizards immediately the whole token system would go bust because the whole point is to gain tokens.  They were just losing them.  Uncool.

So, I chose to postpone cleaning day.  We didn't have to clean yesterday;  it would easily wait.  Instead, I took a deep breath and decided to focus the day on rewarding my boys for all the stuff they did well.  Not easy for me, but a good choice.

Today we had to take Sardina, our second dog that will get her own post another day when child #3 isn't waiting on me to do a Lego project, to the vet.  On our way back, we had an adventure.  We went to a new park that was fantastic.  We also did Target which can be a beating with all 3 boys, but today it wasn't.  I used the token system to reward them for following directions and it was great!  Not quite as magical as my marbles once upon a time, but better than it could have been.

Motherhood is an endurance race.  Some days I have to decide having the cleanest house on the block just isn't worth the fight.

Letting them loose

I realized the other day the reason I enjoyed teaching 2nd grade so much was because I had control.  Yes, I had to teach lots of procedures and develop a sense of family in the classroom for all to go smoothly, but by george, I did it.  And I loved it. 

Looking back, I had every moment of the day scheduled for my students and I liked it that way.  I didn't give much chance for misbehavior because I was expecting them to act like little robots in my care.

My own kids don't work that way.  As I write this, I'm letting them just be and well, they're being.  They've moved #3's bed to the door of his closet and who even knows what mischief they've gotten into.  No one is crying, yelling or hurting anyone else.  There will be a mess to clean up, but there was a mess before they began.

I'm learning as a mom that I want my own kids to be able to fill free time without my constant guidance.  I'm also learning that for me to recharge my own batteries, I have to disengage from them sometimes and do something completely for me. 

This morning #1 discovered the joy of making mud pies.  That's one of those things you read on someone else's blog and you think of how delightful that is.  When it's on your blog, you have to be the one to hose the kid off (while he yells and runs from you) and do the lovely laundry that's associated with such fun.

I needed to recharge, so I set the timer for 15 minutes and told the boys I was going to play the piano and sing and no, they couldn't get out the instruments.  They also had to leave me completely alone.  They did.  I played my heart out I'm glad I did. 

This afternoon we're planning to go to the pool.  3 non-swimmers and me.  Promises to be a whipping on my part, but such is the joy of motherhood.

Shamefully prissy noises

I'm many things.  Talkative, optimistic, boisterous, inquisitive are a few that come to mind.  Tough?  Not really.  I was raised to be more of a princess than a field hand.  Unfortunately, I married a man who despite wooing a princess, he really wanted to marry a field hand.  So, in marriage I'm learning how to do such glamorous things, like fix fences, herd cattle and wrestle fish.

We were fishing the other day at our pond when a neighbor came out and needed to talk to Aaron.  Before I realized what was happening, Aaron had disappeared across the fence with the neighbor and I was left alone with the 3 boys on a small dock.  I had a fleeting moment of what I would do if:  one fell in, they all fell in or heaven forbid, one caught a fish.  I know how to swim, but dealing with fish is a new kind of adventure.

I have to brag on myself--I took a deep breath and enjoyed the time fishing with the boys.  They didn't catch anything in Aaron's absence except the dock a few times and unfortunately me once.  Luckily, no blood was drawn.  We had fun.

When Aaron came back he cast lines for the boys and all of a sudden, they all caught fish.  I dutifully went about taking hooks out of fish mouths which I'm still very new at.  I make this ridiculous prissy noise when I touch fish.  I'm not proud of the sound, but ick.  They're slippery and slimy.  #1 was helping me with my task.  When I made that silly sound, he asked, "Mommy, is that noise Spanish for Daddy, please help?"

If you would have told me 10 years ago that this moment would be on my short list of favorite parenting moments I would have laughed at you, but so it is.

Maybe one day "tough" will be in the list of adjectives I use to describe myself.  

I love VBS!

There are many things in this world that I love:  the smell of coffee, crunchy apples, freshly baked bread, the sound of voices blending in harmony while singing praise to Jesus and connecting with others. 

VBS is also on my short list of things I love.  Always have.  It's a time we open the doors to the church and welcome everyone in.  It's a week-long party, Baptist style.

My boys love it.  They love the music, the games, the crafts, the bible stories and fun with their friends.  They love the teenagers that are silly and fun.  They love the decorations all around the church.  It's so neat to watch them so fully enjoy church.

As a grown-up, I'm also really enjoying VBS.  Above is a picture of me and my friend, Chris, on crazy hair night.  Her wig was fantastic!  At the party store I opted for a more subdued option of a headband with crazy blue hair springing up.  My third son was very impressed with my crazy hair as were the kids I taught Missions to.

I love teaching.  Even more than that, I love sharing my passions in the hope of igniting the passions of others.  I have always had a heart for missions.  This world is full of such hurt, pain and disappointment.  The hope is Jesus Christ.  I remember back when I was a youth my youth minister nicknamed me Paul because I felt such a burden to share God's love with others.

This week, I get to share my passion with these kids.  I love it.  The lesson I put together is about 2 missionary families and how they boldly share God's love with those around them.  It's tricky sharing this because I know most of the kids at VBS have heard about Jesus' love, but many haven't.  The message to teach is that they are called to share God's love and the hope of Jesus, too.  I'm depending on the Holy Spirit to guide me as I teach each of these groups.

Last night with one group, I felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit to spend more time on what it means to be like Paul--change from being someone who doesn't know the love of Christ to someone who confesses his sin and accepts God's love in his life.  I had that beautiful moment as a teacher when I saw light bulbs come on in their eyes when they understood what I was talking about.  Very, very cool.

VBS is lots of work.  My boys are worn out from so many nights in a row out past their bedtime.  I'm tired, too.  But as a church, we are joining together to make something really fantastic:  an opportunity for kids to have a great experience in church.  A time of fun, laughter and excitement while they learn about Jesus' love for them.

Lots of fish and legos

J,D,Aaron & Walt fishing

Lego Camp--Michelle, Ms Linn, Walt & John

Last Sunday, our family went fishing at our pond on the farm.  John really got casting down and loved doing it.  Aaron and I took turns casting for David and Walt.  Aaron found a new kind of lure that the fish were crazy about.  As soon as we would cast, they would bite.  We caught 19 in all.  We even through a few back.  The boys loved the thrill of catching the fish, but their size was nothing to sing about.  When Aaron fileted them, all 19 produced all of 14 oz of meat. 

It was a great way to spend Father's Day.  We had such a great time we decided to make it a family tradition.

Lego Camp has gone on this week.  Walt and John have liked it, but they're not crazy about it.  There are 12 kids in the class, ages 4-7.  One girl.  Each day they're given a kit that makes an object.  The first kit made a carousel and somehow my boys made it into a windmill. 

Ms Linn, the teacher, is wonderful.  She's sweet, caring and very patient with the kids.  I think Walt is in love with her.  She commented that my boys are very polite and caring of each other.  No comment about their skill with the actual task at hand.

The beauty of the frame

For the past few days, I've been kid-free.  I called my fabulous mother-in-law on Sunday, hoping that her schedule would allow for her to have some time with my boys so I could have a break.  Our trip to the beach was great, but it left me worn out.  The boys needed a break from me, too.  Happily, she was available and they've had a great time at Camp Nana.  It's been wonderful for me.

I've been able to take a slower pace than normal and just be.  Being is not something I'm good at, but I'm proud to say I'm getting better.  I've played the piano and sung favorite songs--loudly.  I play the piano sometimes with my boys, but I allow them to play also which I think is neat, except that what they create is a far cry from music that soothes my soul.  I've read books and magazine articles, I've shopped, I got a hair cut, I renewed my driver's license, I did an errand that has literally been on my to do list since June 2012, I got a great new pear of jeans, had my oil changed, enjoyed cooking an omelete and I've watched plenty of my favorite shows.

It's been good.  No, great.  I've also had amazing quiet times.  I want to share a lovely illustration I read in my book I'm currently studying:  Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow.  The book is one I've been meaning to read for a few years and I'm so glad I decided to do it now.

The chapter has to do with being content with the way God made you.  She uses Psalm 139 as her basis.  I love that chapter.  She encourages us to think of ourselves as a painting, hanging on the wall for the world to see.  The frame is what we start with--our physical characteristics, our personality, gifts and abilities.  What's inside the frame is who we are today.  God created the background and the brushstrokes show how God is working in you.  If you yield to his artistry, Christ's character will be reflected.

The question that arises from this beautiful illustration is this:  when someone sees the masterpiece that God made in me, what do they see?  Christ's character or frantic activity?  Do I paint with the color of character or accomplishment?  Do I focus so much on the frame (wanting to change myself) that I miss out on what's in the portrait?

Army Wives is a show I watched for one season.  It was interesting, but I quickly figured out that it was going deep into waters I choose to not let my thought life swim in--adultry, namely.  But I do remember one of the characters also making reference to a portrait.  She said her husband was the frame that supported her while she was free to show her best self in the portrait.  At the time, I was newly married and thought that mental image was great.  As an illustration of marriage, I still think it has validity.

However, Dillow's illustration is biblical and liberating.  I've already arrived.  I don't have to be a better mom with perfectly behaved kids, every meal nutritional, have a sparkling home and always something witty and charming to say.  I can just be me.  Quirky, deep thinking, softed-hearted me.  God created my frame that way.  He bedazzles some, others are rustic and made of rought iron while still others are not ones you see on the shelves at Michael's.  But He made them all.  The key to finding contment is accepting the frame God chose when He created me, celebrating it and using it for His glory.  My frame is very different than my boys' and my husband's.  Very different than my family.  Similar to my sister-in-law, but still unique.  Unique is good.

Today I go for my boys.  I'm ready to see their sweet faces again.  I'm recharged, ready to start swim lessons with them next week.  It was really good to take a deep breath and have some down time.  God used this time to pat me on the back and remind me that regardless of the season I'm in, He created me just the way He wanted and He thinks I'm wonderful.