Six-year-old sweetie and newborn cutie!

Birthdays are a special time in our family and during May we celebrated two special birthdays.

 

 

On May 2nd, Braewyn turned 6 years old!  Six means you are no longer a little kid but officially elementary age and turning more into an independent individual every day.  It's been a joy to watch Braewyn grow and I think it will be even more exciting over the next several years.  She is quite head-strong, but I think that's a great asset as I believe Braewyn will be a leader instead of a follower.  She's our little princess who does not want to be called cute or even pretty, but awesome and cool instead.  She does like her Barbies but says her favorite color is blue and not pink.  She's a wonderful girl and a loving "Sissy" to her sister and brothers...

If you haven't heard, the baby in my belly was born on May 19th and we'd like to introduce Rylan Judah!  I was actually due on June 3rd, but after having contractions all day on Saturday, May 18th, Matthew and I decided to drive to the hospital at 10pm, leaving at home Philip, Braewyn and Juliet with Grandma Ruth Ann.  I wasn't sure if I would be admitted as the contractions weren't that bad and coming every 10-15 minutes apart. Once in triage, the monitor said my contractions were 3-4 minutes apart so I was admitted.  Moving into the labor and delivery room, my nurse said my obstetrician would like to break my water but she was telling him no.  I thanked her and said my main request was to get a nap sometime before the baby was born!  I tried to get comfortable in the bed while Matthew slept over on the sofa/bed built into the wall.  Around 2:00am, I decided it was probably a good time for the epidural as I was dilated to around 5cm.  That procedure went very well despite the nerves that creep up when getting a big needle stuck into your back.  After that I tried to relax but was fighting off more nerves wondering if my OB would break my water or not.  Closer to 5:00am, the nurse said the OB decided to go to sleep for a while and just let me rest too.  That was what I needed to hear and I did sleep soundly until around 6:30am.  At that time, Pitocin was started to keep things moving and the contractions got pretty bad.  I asked for more pain medication and the anesthesiologist said he didn't want to dull all my pain.  I told him I understood but needed more to take the edge off.  Once the epidural was increased, I almost immediately felt the need to push.  They thought I was still around 8cm, but then the nurse began to call for back-up.  Matthew knew the baby was coming quickly the way everyone began to get things in high gear.  My OB made it in and I pushed through two contractions.  After the first set of pushes, I did have a quick moment of fear and asked, "Is it stuck?!"  Matthew reassured me that the baby's head was almost out.  Next set of pushes and Rylan was born!  I don't remember seeing him as I heard Matthew say we had a boy, but I do remember seeing the tear roll down Matthew's cheek.  It was a wonderful moment.

Our life will be forever changed as of that moment, now being the parents of two boys and two girls!  Rylan, you are only 14 days old and already we love you SO MUCH!!

 

You might be able to tell who gets the MOST excited holding her new baby brother!!!

 

HS Conference recap -- part 2

Just to follow up my last post, here are my notes I took for the seminar entitled "Teach Them Diligently - Part 2".  It didn't immediately follow the first but it will cause less confusion for anyone reading.  :)

**Teach Them Diligently, Part 2 -- Lou Priolo (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
III. Scripture is profitable for CORRECTION
- use scriptures to convict of sin (prosecutor) but also to put back on their feet (physician)
- useful to correct any attitudes, actions and motives that are not Christ-like
- correction is very similar to putting off sin; training in righteousness is putting on biblical character.
1. Identify specific patterns of sin in a child's heart; don't focus on one sin but look for the pattern (i.e. selfishness, pride, fear, worry); deal with the arsonist not just the little fire.
2. Identify portions of scripture that address the sins; i.e. selfishness - Phil. 2:3; Anger - James 4:1; worry - Matt. 6:25. Also look for people in the Bible who struggled with same or similar sin and how they dealt with temptation, confession and restoration.
-must explain Biblical reason for not sinning.
- keep a list of sin and reference in back of Bible for each child.

Questions to ensure thorough correction!
1. Does child need to change his mindset about _____ ?
2. Have I addressed thoughts / motives of his heart?
3. Has he confessed to all involved parties?
4. Is restitution in order?
5. Does he understand what God expects him to do when he finds himself in the same circumstance next time?

IV. Scripture is profitable for TRAINING
- if momentary sin is corrected still not the end.  If it is habitual, it will return unless child is trained in righteousness.
- GOAL is to help our children live Christ-like not just not like the devil.
- 1 Tim. 4:7 "exercise yourself town godliness." Good habits can be called 2nd nature.
- sword of the spirit is "ramah", different word than "logos" which is Word of God;  Bible used for defense should be in their hearts and on their tongues.  Ps. 40:8; Ps. 119:11; Matt. 4:4; Ps. 119:72
-train children to communicate properly; Communication Pie: 1/3 words / 1/3 non-verbal / 1/3 tone of voice.

Homeschool Conference recap -- part 1

Matthew and I attended an awesome Christian homeschool / parenting conference over the weekend.  We attended last year for the first time and this year was just as great.  I love it because it's a little flashback to college (making it to class on time, meeting back up for lunch, etc.) and a lot of encouragement for where we are now (hundreds of like-minded people, kids and babies EVERYWHERE with our family of soon-to-be 4 kids on the small to average size, and a little dose of romance as Matthew and I share a kiss in the hall before heading to different seminars).

Anyway, here's a recap of the seminars I attended (hopefully covering all over the next several days).  It helps me to remember what I heard by typing out my notes and you get to benefit of reading if you want to also!

** Teach Them Diligently, Part 1 -- Lou Priolo  (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
-Family Devotion Time: start with questions, "What's going on in your life?", find Scriptures to solve problems.
I. Scripture is profitable for TEACHING your children
- Benefits of teaching in the milieu (daily life)
1. Children learn better, faster and more eagerly
2. Children put into practice what they learn because they are learning for the purpose of doing (not academic - not fact to be learned but truth to be lived), i.e. Great Commission; Col. 1:9, Ps. 119:96
- my job is to teach clearly
-children need to learn that the Bible has to do with life
    -"bind them as a sign on hand" -- actions
    -"frontals on your forehead" -- thoughts / motives
    -"write them on your doorposts and gates" -- in and out of the house
II. Scripture is profitable for CONVICTING your children
-Rev. 3:14: children do not know to the extent they are sinning, we must convict them of the crime they have committed.
-child cannot confess of sin they have not recognized.
**Two essentials of Conviction
1.Know the appropriate Scripture portions; 1 Peter 4:2, Phil. 4:13 for encouragement
2. Be able to thoroughly explain them. Don't just dispense Scripture like Pez but to minister it to my children's hearts.
**Guidelines for convicting with scriptures
1. Examine motives - restoring relationships; if only used for conviction children hate the Bible; must follow up with showing and leading toward righteousness.
2. Use Biblical terminology (prideful/rudeness - not shy; fearful - not paranoid; foolish - not idiot)
3. Argue case that sins are committed against God. Prov. 12; James 4; do not compare child's behavior to another child unless other is acting like Jesus.
4. Choose the right time.
5. Choose the right words.
6. Reprove with a gentle spirit (do not be angry, even righteously angry, over their sin), Prov. 28:23
-when kids are fighting, administer discipline justly.
-to calm the situation, remember it's not me versus them; 2 Tim. 2:4; 2 Tim. 4:2 -- Patience!!
- REMEMBER, good parenting doesn't send kids to heaven, bad parenting doesn't send kids to hell. Children must be directed to the gospel of Christ whenever it's not operating in their lives.

What's Going On

Have a moment to recap what's going on, so here goes.  I was going to write this an hour ago when the house was quiet but now I hear "Brave" playing in the background as Braewyn and her BFF neighbor Anna watch it and Chloe crying as she wants to go outside but where she will then just bark at the neighbor's cat.  Philip is next door with Anna's brothers and Juliet is asleep upstairs on her big-girl bottom bunk.  Matthew is at work and due home in about an hour.  I'm typing this post and feeling a baby stretching to make room for him/herself inside my every growing belly.  I am very thankful that this is my life.

There are moments in life when things change drastically without any future warning.  And then there are moments when change is coming and you don't know whether you want it to hurry up or cower in a corner for fear of it.  I'm expecting a baby and a change in life on or around June 3.  I told Matthew last night that a new baby will be in our house in about 8 weeks.  He said he is excited.  I'm excited to kiss that newborn-smelling skin, nurse that little one and know I am still nourishing him/her, and see Philip, Braewyn, and Juliet fall in love with their new baby sibling.

I am pushing to the back of my brain the fears of preparing meals when a baby needs to be nursed, making sure Juliet adjusts well to no longer being the youngest, functioning well enough to do more than just survive on little sleep, and trusting the Lord that this is His will because I have placed my life in His hands even when what He gives appears to be more than I can handle. 

That's the secret right there.  He doesn't want me to handle any of this in my own strength.  He desires things to be just tough enough so that I will run to Him in prayer and ask for His provision and extra grace.  I long to live in a place where life is always a bit overwhelming because there is where I cannot lose sight of my Savior.  Jesus died so I might not receive my due punishment of hell, but He lives today and intercedes for me daily so I might know His power in my life.

The apostle Paul asked the Lord why He wouldn't take away an ailment he struggled with.  What he found is recorded in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."

I want Christ's power to rest on me.  This last week I decided to sleep in until Matthew was out of the shower and then begin my day with getting the kids' breakfasts ready and everything that follows.  For one, I wasn't sleeping soundly until Matthew got out of the shower and each day that passed, I knew my emotional stability was crumbling a little more.  

Last night, I made the decision that 45 more minutes of sleep was not worth the loss of feeling Christ's power resting on me.  I got up at 6:15 and headed to the bonus room couch with my Bible and BSF lesson.  I will confess to almost falling back asleep as I prayed, but knowing that I was making the effort to meet with the Lord before beginning my day brought peace that I have been missing.  I will begin tomorrow like that again and the day after.  

I do love my life but it is a lot on me.  I praise Jesus that He is walking me through this life and wants to see me do well.  When I do well, it brings Him glory and that's really the true reason I am here.

  

Big Girls in Bunkbeds

With the new baby coming, Matthew and I knew we had to rearrange the girls' sleeping arrangements.  Not knowing if we will be having a boy or girl, we decided to move Braewyn and Juliet into bunk beds.  If I am carrying a girl, the crib will remain in the girls room and three beds will not fit on the floor.  After spending an enjoyable yet grueling day (we're talking 11am until 5pm!) toting the three kids to every furniture store in our town and the next one over, we had seen LOTS of choices of bunk beds.

As is usually the case for us, we chose a set in the first store we had visited.  Nothing wrong with seeing what  is offered out there, but it just made sense to buy the one that fit our needs and happened to be pretty close to home anyway.

The beds were delivered (and assembled -- extra $60 was well worth the money!) three weeks ago now, and the girls are doing wonderfully.  After my slight panic attack that first afternoon (Will Juliet climb to the top bunk and jump off? Will she be crushed during the night when Braewyn's bunk falls on her?), it has been such a joy to see Braewyn experience more independence as her "Big Sister" role was more fully established and for Juliet to grow before our eyes into a toddler and no longer a baby.  She has such a sweet demeanor and has not left her bed once during the night.  Ok, second night in, Matthew did give her two spankings a few minutes after we put them to bed, but I praise God that these girls sleep soundly through the night once they are asleep.  Here are the pictures from our three week bunk bed  journey!

One of the MANY stores we visited. Not where we bought the beds though!

Braewyn's DREAM bed!  Sorry, we're gonna have to pass.

The girls' room before bunk bed delivery.

And the awesome new bunk beds! It smelled like a furniture store in there for about a week.

 Juliet loves the stairs but has been instructed NOT to climb them unless someone is with her.

Sweet dreams, bottom bunk little one.

Sweet dreams, top bunk big one.

 Such a big girl able to get out of bed by herself in the morning.

 Sissy and I love our new bunk beds!!

Come On, Summer Break!

According to my homeschool record book, today we finished week 30.  To meet state requirements, my children must "attend" school for 180 days which is 36 weeks.  I usually go a little over to finish up our curriculum as we've thrown random field trips in through the year.  Either way, the goal is to finish school 2-3 weeks before Baby Brooks is born.  No big nesting plans in mind.  Laying on the couch is my target!

This has been a good school year no matter the trying days filled with interruptions of doctor's appointments, disciplinary issues, and just lacking plain old get-up-and-go.  However, the year has also been invigorated by the encouragement of other moms walking the same path through life I am on.

Last spring, I attended a gathering at a woman's house who has been homeschooling for several years.  The ladies were very friendly and very informative, but for the most part the conversation was over my head.  They discussed preparing high school transcripts, upper levels electives offered through various sources, and other things involving middle and high school home school opportunities.  I liked the fellowship but needed it on my early elementary grade level.

After pondering the idea the next few months, I decided to begin my own get-together time for homeschool moms journeying this path 5 years or less.  Long story short, we began meeting in my home on the last Monday evening of each month from 6:30 pm until around 8:30 or 9:00 pm.  My contact list includes 10 ladies but our usual attendance is 3 or 4.  Makes for nice, quaint gatherings at which we really pour our hearts out on the good, bad and ugly of homeschooling.  It's been amazing how God has worked it so that each lady whom attends has something in common with each other lady!  God is so good!

As Valentine's Day approached, I thought hosting a Valentine's Day party was something I definitely wanted to offer the other moms.  Most of us grew up attending public school and remember decorating our Valentine's bag and swapping cards in class.  I knew my kids would love to do so as would the others.  It was a great afternoon with our house bursting at the seams with 7 moms and 18 kids comfortably hanging out inside!  Thanks so much for coming, C, H, K, K, K, and T, and bringing your sweet kiddos! Here are a few pictures from our fun afternoon.

 The snack area

 Decorating Valentine bags

 "Minute to Win It" game (kids had to pick up candy hearts with two pencils)

 Another view of the game

 Juliet (in red vest) watches Braewyn and Philip pick up hearts

 Let's see who can keep their balloon in the air for a minute!

 Passing out Valentines

  Everyone seemed to have a great time.  I know I did!!

Little Miss is now 2 Years Old!

While Philip was growing from birth to 1 and then to 2 years old, I really didn't know what was coming next so everything was new.  When it was Braewyn's turn, I was juggling a toddler and a newborn so the days ran together most of the time.  Now over the last two years of watching Juliet grow, I've tried my best to remember milestones and appreciate each stage.  I remember more of her life but still it has flown by incredibly fast!  She has become such a joyful, little child.  Juliet loves to help whether by finding scraps of paper to take to the trashcan or bringing dirty cups to the sink (she can push them up into the sink but just can't see them land in the sink!).  She gets SO excited to see animals on TV or in person and is happy to give Chloe a dog bone when it's time to lock her in the crate.  She is also quite expressive when things are NOT the way she wants them.  Juliet has mastered a scowl face and the make-you-bite-your-lip-to-keep-from-laughing, long drawn-out Southern drawl "Noooooo!"  She says this when Chloe is chewing on the kids' toys or if her brother or sister is bothering her.  Unfortunately, Juliet has bitten Philip and Braewyn each just once or twice in a moment of toddler rage when the words were not there to express herself, but just the next day you might find her wandering up to each of them, arms outstretched and uttering, "Huuuug?"  She's a great tight-arms-around-your-neck hugger!

Anyway, I cannot imagine our life without our little Ju-Ju-B!  Here's a glimpse of her birthday happenings and birthday party the following night.

Happy Birthday, Sleepy Head!  7:30am

My how big she looks!  8:30am

Just another morning shot of the cutie!

All dressed for church in her birthday dress.  9:00am

Hanging out in Sunday School.  11:00am

So excited to see Grandma after church. 12:30pm

Lunch with the family at Panda Chinese restaurant. 1:30pm

Ahhhh!  Naptime. 3:00pm

Heading back to church for Awana with some neighbor kids along for the ride. 5:00pm

Dinnertime with Daddy.  7:30pm

Washing dishes with Mommy!  8:30pm

The following night we celebrated Juliet's birthday with a spaghetti dinner, cupcakes and presents. We invited her grandparents, my Aunt Liz who was visiting my parents, and our special friends and neighbors Greta and Mark.  Juliet was surrounded by all the people who love her most!

Matthew or I would tell Juliet who gave each present. She would then carry it to them and open it with their help.  Such a thoughtful little girl without any prompting from us!  Yay, a new purse from Grandma and there was even MONEY inside!

Philip shows her the books we gave her.

Unwrapping her hew princess piggy bank from Aunt Greta and Uncle Mark.

The end of a long birthday weekend.  Love my three munchkins so much!

 

I praise Jesus for allowing Matthew and I to be Juliet's parents.  For her Baby Dedication at church when she was 5 months old, we chose these verses to be her life verses.  Juliet Hope, you are a blessing and so loved!!

 

"Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:30-31

Places to go, People to see

I am thankful that Matthew and I are able to provide fun, memorable experiences for our children.  These are the things memories are made of!

For Philip's birthday outting, he, Matthew and my dad visited Cowpens National Battlefield on the Saturday before his birthday.  There were reenactment activities to watch and participate in. Philip enjoyed serving as a member in the kids' militia training!

Next up was our night at the circus.  After traveling through a torrential downpour praying all the way (we're talking 15-20 miles per hour on the highway!),  we arrived at the big top!  Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey shows are definitely worth attending. It's like a mix of broadway musical and death-defying stunts.  The circus is definitely tagged as a family event, but I left thinking, "Wow, a bunch of those people just risked their lives and all for the sake of our enjoyment!" Anyhow, Juliet was SO CUTE as she just about jumped off Matthew's lap when the horses came out and again off of mine when she saw the tigers.  We have a little animal lover in our family! 

We had so much fun at "The Greatest Show on Earth!"