First day...

The first day of the New Year is here. And gone. Elliott was off today and we planned on a nice day at home. The weather being cold, for Texas anyway, kept us tucked away inside our cozy, warm house. Since we allowed the children to stay up until midnight to enjoy the fireworks for New Year's Eve, our day started after 10am with the last of the children trickling in. And that pretty much set the tone for the whole day, relaxed and laid back.

The children were enjoying time spent in different diversions: LEGO, chess, crochet, knitting, marble runs, Playmobil, "camping" in the garage. I caught up on laundry, worked on a plumbing disaster and finally finished addressing the Christmas cards. Elliott played with the children, cooked and helped clean the kitchen.

The day was lovely. I was thankful for the pace, and despite unexpected distractions, I was also thankful for some productive things we were able to squeeze in: putting up a sewing desk, moving the red chair back to the living room, moving the rocking chair back into our bedroom. We had family devotions in the evening, and caught up on some read aloud time as we got close to finishing The Long Winter.

Tomorrow morning I will be seeking the children's forgiveness, as right at bedtime, when I saw the lack of cleaning done following the fun play of the day, I spoke harshly and impatiently about their messes. I keep trying so hard to not lose it, I desire to more like Mary Poppins during "cleaning up the nursery" than Attila the Hun conquering a new land, but today I failed. Sometimes I grieve because I feel like I fail so much, I grow discouraged by how often I fail to speak kindly or cringe at how quick I am with sarcasm.

So, if there is anything I am praying for in 2013, it is this, that I would be more conformed to the image of Christ, especially in regards to my conversations and responses in my home and with my family. I am praying that I will be quick to hear and slow to speak, that I would do better at speaking a soft word to turn away wrath and have less harsh words which stir up anger in my children's hearts. And that I will remember to count it all joy, even the mundane, perhaps especially the mundane, seeing God's mighty hand of blessings moment by moment.

What are you praying for in 2013?

New Year coming...

... ready or not...

I haven't really decided if I am ready for the New Year yet. I didn't do a lot of things I thought I would have done this year. And yet I accomplished some things I never would have dreamed of last January. Through God's providence, I have continued to learn how to be flexible, try to be a good steward and make plans but hold them lightly so that when God changes them I can walk in faith.

Going into 2013 there are some areas I really need to be diligent in... time in the Word and prayer... exercise... drinking enough water... memorizing Scripture, and applying it... cultivating a gentle spirit... using kind and loving words and eliminating sarcasm...

The last few days I have been pondering... and organizing... and thinking... and praying... I feel like I am nesting, trying to get everything just right for when the New Year ushers in. But then I realize that I do not need to be fully prepared for the whole year all at once, instead I need to remember Lamentations 3:22-23:

    The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
        His mercies never come to an end;
    they are new every morning;
        great is Your faithfulness.

On Christmas morn...

Earlier today, Elliott and I overheard a rather impassioned discussion between two of our children. As we investigated further, we learned that the point of debate was a rather serious theological matter. The question at hand was this, "Where did the animals in the stable eat after Jesus was born?"

One child asserted that the animals would still eat from the manger, it was, of course, their feeding trough. The other child's conscience was obviously shaken by this thought as everyone knew that baby Jesus was now using the manger as His bed.

After some discussing, we all came to accept that Joseph likely chose a neat little corner of the stable to move their hay and feed to until Jesus was no longer using the manger for His bed. Thankfully that was an acceptable answer for all parties.

Then later this evening, after putting children to bed and picking up in the dining room, I came across this little scene on the dining room table. Apparently the last child who played with the nativity scene was trying to be as accurate as Playmobil could allow.

Do you see the new happy parents?
Did you spot the angel?
Can you find the shepherd and his sheep?
How about the wise men traveling from afar?

Merry CHRISTmas!

Finding new traditions...

I have always enjoyed hearing from friends what they do for Christmas (and all other holidays too). I love hearing generations of the same family retell of their favorite traditions and laugh at all the "remember when" stories intertwined within them. And every year I feel a little sad as I can't much participate in the discussion much beyond, "the kids get a new pair of PJs every Christmas Eve night".

And every year I have these grand plans to change that...
And for many years I have given birth just weeks before Christmas...
And the last few years was having surgeries or dealing with ailing parents...

This year has been different. In many ways, I see it clearly as God's hand of grace, helping the children build some traditions seems to be carrying them through their first Christmas without their PawPaw. We started two little traditions that I hope will be a memory we will make and re-make every year. The one that I have enjoyed most has been a nightly devotional and activity throughout the Advent season. The children call out for it each night and hate missing it! We light a new candle every night, and now the candles are all ablaze as we come to the eve of Christ's birth, the excitement of the Savior's coming continues to mount...

The other thing we are doing is building a Winter Village out of Legos. Growing up I remember my mom having a small collection of porcelain houses that we would set up each Christmas. I remember the little guy and girl ice skater that we would set up on a hand mirror that was set under a white sheet with a hole cut out to be "more realistic". So, last year when a friend told me about the Lego Winter Village, and I thought of that little Christmas town growing up, and I had to decide between porcelain or plastic, I just knew I wanted to get it for this year. And Lego releases a new piece each year, so this year we had a few things to put together, but next year we will just have one. The kids and I sit around the table, taking turns on assembly, ooohing and aaahing at the intricate details and clever uses of specialty pieces.  

We still hope to make some cookies for neighbors...
We still want to do some caroling on our street...
We totally forgot to have the kids exchange names for each other and purposefully seek to do good for one another... but that is ok, they all made each other gifts out of duct tape...
We are planning to do something really cool with our Christmas tree to look forward to Easter... I will let you know how well we execute that...

What are your family's traditions?
How do you make the season shine for Christ?

Where are the gifts...

As my children and I worked on folding the laundry this morning, one of the youngers innocently asked why there were no gifts under our tree. We have been visiting friends whose homes are decorated quite sweetly, including beautifully wrapped gifts tucked under the tree.

I sheepishly admitted that there were no gifts because I had not bought any gifts for them. At this comment, the two oldest children began informing the younger children that the real reason for Christmas is not about receiving gifts likes toys, but that God sent His son as a gift to us. It was a sweet, totally unscripted moment and it was encouraging because sometimes in the midst of living life together and the squabbling over who gets the last piece of cake, I wonder if they will ever "get it".

In all seriousness, there is nothing under our tree. I have been obliviously walking through this Christmas season, the busyness of teaching the kids, and co-op and choir concerts were distracting me. I almost forgot to get gifts for my two December birthed children last week and Christmas seemed way far off. However, the dates on the calendar prove otherwise, and thanks to a dear husband (who watched the kids), a shopping buddy (my mom) and Amazon.com, I was able to rectify the presentlessness that was our current state of affairs.

We are keeping things simple... and practical... and I am excited. I can't wait to tell you what we got everyone, and show you the fruits of their labors as they employ themselves with their gifts... but I can't just yet because sometimes my kids read my blog. :)

Finding a balance between...

creativity and order...
productivity and fun...
living life and cleaning...
goofing off and being serious...
drinking coffee and consuming water...
waking up early and going to bed at night...
schedules and flexibility...
humility and accomplishment...
quiet and loud...
talking and listening...

Can you tell that I am pondering things?!?!?! Feel free to add... or offer ideas... 

As birthdays go...

Today was a relatively normal day... Grocery store, homeschooling, piano lessons, dirty dishes, kids fighting and making up... Our flock went out to dinner, a rare treat but one that was greatly enjoyed by all!

Earlier, I had a grand surprise... around noon my phone started receiving text messages non-stop for like five minutes. I couldn't even respond without another text coming in... A dear friend of mine had arranged for some of my closest friends to all text me birthday wishes as the noon hour approached. My grocery shopping buddy was still hanging out and was laughing at me, which is how I figured out it was a conspiracy! That was a highlight of my day!

And one friend put it so well in her birthday greeting, "I pray that you will discover more of your loving Savior's care and faithfulness this year and you will be inspired to graceful obedience." Me too.