Monthly Archives: July 2006

Now Introducing…

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We worked most of the day Saturday to post our new features…we still have a couple of things left to go, but I thought I would take the time to introduce you to the new parts of the site.

Along the left column, current postings and archives are still awaiting their new graphics but our Top 5 list is in it’s final form and is different every time you visit the site! It’s still going to be receiving code to allow RSS feeds for other web sites…we’re pretty excited about this!

Our new “We Want To Know” poll feature at the bottom of the middle column, we’re hoping, will allow moms to speak out on issues important to them. Look for new questions monthly!

To the right, we’ve added our “Kid Pic of the Month”…please send in pictures of your children. Tanya was sweet to send this one of her little one in …..I have to say that it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who finds her children in these “situations” from time to time. It brought a chuckle to see little Todd helping himself to his diapering supplies….children are so much fun!

Further down, “It’s Been Said” is a collection of my favorite quotes. It’s not in it’s final form as of yet. Once complete, it will also change with every visit. I can’t wait!

“Everyday Living, Everyday Learning” is a column that will rotate every two weeks. I’ve worked on this feature for almost a year. It is my desire that every homeschool mom realize that even if she doesn’t crack a book open, there are opportunities for a child to learn all around, in everyday life. This feature is not in it’s final form yet. Paul has to do some behind the scenes work on it and we’re going to also be adding an RSS feed to it to allow other web sites to carry it if they wish.

It’s been a busy weekend. The “web page guru” had smoke flowing from his ears by about 6 p.m. on Saturday….he did so much, and I’m so proud of him. We share a common vision of what we would like our web spaces to be, and he’s working extra hard to get them there.

Last week was very draining. It seemed like we went from one bad thing happening to another. It was very hard to just push through. I have a much deeper respect for the older people in my life knowing that they have experienced a lifetime of sorrows and joy. I for one, was ready to go to bed and pull the cover over my head. I’m so glad that I have my Lord to cling to in times when things seem to be at their very worst. I wouldn’t want to be one without faith because there would be no strength and no comfort.

This week, I’m preparing to have my wisdom teeth removed. I would like to make sure that my family doesn’t have a messy house to deal with, on top of Mom resting. As always, there are also sewing projects that I have to work on and a couple of recipes that I would like to try.

Prayer Requests

Please continue to pray for Nate and Nayda. The news coming from the doctors is not at all encouraging, and at this point, they just need comfort and wisdom concerning their new little son.

For my friends who are tending and praying. I know for me this situation has been draining, and yet like each of them, we all know it is nothing compared to what these two parents are feeling. Please pray that the Lord provide peace and comfort to those who provide comfort during this time of need.

Please pray for Roberta who is having a biopsy performed this morning.
Please pray God’s touch over her body.

Our car is still not 100%. I’m not sure if you could say it’s 60%. There is so much that needs to be done. Please pray that God will provide for this need in our lives.

That the Lord would use these web spaces for His will….we want to be instruments for His greater glory.

Today I’m Thankful For

New pumpkin blooms!

A new week!

A nice time of fellowship yesterday with some new friends.

Hopefully, a few, rare moments of fellowship with some old friends! (Not that you are old ladies!) :)

Rain! It rained over the weekend. All my little (well, some not so little) plants are so happy! (…and thank you Christy for your comment over the weekend! I am so glad that it rained. I’m so glad that Jesus has living water…that washes and waters so much more!)

A song that comforted me over the weekend from Michael W. Smith’s praise album:

Healing Rain

Healing rain is coming down
It’s coming nearer to this old town
Rich and poor, weak and strong
It’s bringing mercy, it won’t be long

Healing rain is coming down
It’s coming closer to the lost and found
Tears of joy, and tears of shame
Are washed forever in Jesus’ name

Healing rain, it comes with fire
So let it fall and take us higher
Healing rain, I’m not afraid
To be washed in Heaven’s rain

Lift your heads, let us return
To the mercy seat where time began
And in your eyes, I see the pain
Come soak this dry heart with healing rain

And only You, the Son of man
Can take a leper and let him stand
So lift your hands, they can be held
By someone greater, the great I am

Healing rain, it comes with fire
So let it fall and take us higher
Healing rain, I’m not afraid
To be washed in Heaven’s rain

To be washed in Heaven’s rain…

Healing rain is falling down
Healing rain is falling down
I’m not afraid
I’m not afraid…

Tracy’s Task

Get my home in order for Friday! “…and that’s all I have to say about that!”

What I’m Learning

O. K. This is the truth, as ashamed of it as I am. I really have never cared for Michael W. Smith’s music. I went years and years of liking one or two songs here and there but nothing ever really spoke to me. I’m not sure why, maybe it was that I was young and just couldn’t appreciate it? I have to say that the last few years have changed my mind completely. This man helps write and perform some of the most heart-felt songs that I have ever heard. I’m not afraid to admit when I’m wrong and in the case of Michael W. Smith…I was REALLY wrong.

Today’s Scripture Meditation

On Living Water……

John 7:37-38
“On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
(NIV)

So grateful for the living water of a loving Lord,

Saturday, at last!!

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I‘m so very grateful for Saturday this week. The only thing that would make this day better for me would be a cool, refreshing rain.

For whatever reason, the week of my birthday is always surrounded with what only could be described as chaos and turmoil.

This week was no different.

Thursday was my birthday. Over the last week, we’ve had huge home repairs, even bigger car repairs, have mourned the loss of someone we knew from our former church, and have grieved over a new life that doesn’t seem to be filled with the hope that a new birth is supposed to bring.

It’s been rough. I’m hoping with the arrival of the weekend will also come a much needed rest.

I’m not going to write much today…just an update to the things that we are adding to the website this weekend. You’ve probably already noticed the addition of new colors and new arrangements for the things we already had on the site. The last couple of days have brought the archival of the posts and just last night, our new top 5 lists that will eventually find their home on HomeSchoolAvenue.com.

Today, we’re going to be busy uploading our poll, ads and articles so if you are visiting, don’t forget to bring your hard hat because we are officially “under construction” today.

Now, onto our weekend format (which I’m sorry doesn’t get used as much as I would like!):

Remembering Your Family

July brings an excellent opportunity for family fun. If you have never tried making ice cream it is a blast. There are some very simple recipes for making homemade ice cream, even if you don’t have an ice cream freezer.

This is my favorite:

Ice Cream In A Ziplock:

Put in a sandwich size Zip-Lock bag and seal:

1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup milk or half & half
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Place in a gallon size ziplock, the smaller bag and 2 T rock salt and ice cubes to fill the bag so that it fills the gallon bag to 3/4′s full. Shake and roll (or let the kids do it!) the filled bag over and over until frozen (about 15-20 min.)

Don’t be too concerned if the bag seems to leak a little bit and once frozen, feel free to add whatever you might have around the kitchen such as fruit, nuts, etc.

Remembering Your Body

The other thing that the July heat brings is a much needed reminder to drink lots and lots of water. The following are the facts on water found at http://www.resultsproject.net/water_facts.html

Top Water Facts

67% of the human body is water. It is almost impossible to drink to much water, although if large volumes of water are taken in a short space of time, it can provide short lived symptoms similar to being drunk

75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. This likely applies to an even higher percentage of entire world population.

37% of Americans have a thirst mechanism so weak, it is often mistaken for hunger.

Lack of water is the #1 cause of daytime fatigue.

Even MILD dehydration will slow down one’s metabolism as much as 3%.

A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger; fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen, or on a printed page.

Preliminary research indicates that 8 – 10 glasses of water daily could significantly ease arthritis, back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.

In a University of Washington study – just one glass of water, instead of food, stopped midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied.

Drinking just 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and a person is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. In Dr’ Batmanghelidj’s book, Your Body’s Many Cries for Water, “Dr. B” argues that “water activates your body’s systems, and the lack of it causes a variety of thirst responses that we call disease.”

Drink your water girls!!!

Remembering Your Spirit

This week I’ve had a hard time not holding on to the stresses that seem to have found me from every crack and crevice.

Job comes to mind:

Job 30:20
“I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me.”
NIV

If you have never read the book of Job…bless his heart, my week wouldn’t have even been one drop in the bucket of his sorrows.

The Lord sends His word like that refreshing rain that I mentioned earlier:

Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
(NIV)

John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
(NIV)

Habakkuk 3:17-19
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.”
(NIV)

Malachi 4:2
“But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.”
(NIV)

Lord, please send your rain!

Jessica’s Story

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It was a cool October day when I was blessed with my sweet little girl Jessica. The trip to the hospital that day was full of anticipation and excitement knowing that I would return in a few days with a new little pink bundle to grace my home.

I think, even being my fourth child, I took the birth process and the baby inside of me for granted never giving thought to the fact that something might be wrong….something may not have went quite the way that we were expecting.

I labored throughout the day…the day seemed to take forever.

As the evening approached, things began to move faster. What started to be some concern raised by a nurse ended up with a rolling rush down the hall to an operating room to take my sweet pink bundle from me because her heart was failing. I was devastated lying on that bed. I prayed for the life of my baby and I mourned for the loss of this perfect birth experience that was fading before my eyes. I was scared and I felt alone, though surrounded by many working on this or monitoring that.

I was quickly sedated and my little girl was born C-Section. There were no moments spent with her…no sweet kisses. They rushed her off to the NICU after telling me that she was really small compared to my other babies and that there had been an umbilical defect. Paul was such a source of strength for me, but I know that he must have been as terrified over what was happening if not more so, because here was his young wife on an operating table and his new little baby in the intensive care unit.

The next couple of days were filled with a whirlwind of activity. We made multiple trips to the ICU to see our daughter. They did allow her to stay in our room some but were watching her very closely. The mornings in the hospital we were asked to come and line up with the other parents and their little babies that had “special” circumstances so that one by one the neonatologist could speak to us about what was going on with our children. One by one, each parent talked with the doctor….the couple in front of us had a son born with an extra finger. We stood in line quietly and listened to the Dr.’s words and the parent’s reactions. It was hard to be excited about a new birth in the midst of so much wrong.

It was finally our turn. The neonatologist pretty much went over what we already knew….she was very small, she had a single umbilical artery, she had a cyst but she seemed O.K. to him, other than those things. Then we started hearing “the rest of the story”. He explained that single umbilical arteries are usually indicative of other things. He said that in the future, we might want to check out Jessica’s kidneys because she might have one kidney or there might be one horse shoe shaped kidney. Either way, there was no reason to worry unless there was a problem. Paul and I insisted that they do testing to make sure that her kidney’s were O.K. We were so relieved to find out that they were normal and felt like maybe it had just been some fluke and that yes, we had experienced some weird things, but now she was here and things would be better for her from here on out.

We were so fortunate to take her home. I wanted to kiss her and I was so thankful to the Lord for her. She was so tiny and sweet and she was mine.

Nine days after she was born was our first “encounter” with what we didn’t see. I was nursing her when she had her first post birth arrhythmia and complex partial seizure. I thought that she had died in my arms. Literally, a cold, gray and lifeless baby, I cried out to God….I couldn’t let my little girl go. When I realized that she was indeed still breathing, I felt such a relief flood over me. We had her seen by her Dr. who told us that maybe she just had a little tummy ache and to watch her.

The next few years brought about many of the episodes.

At first, it was just me who would see them.

If you knew me then, you would understand why when I was once a parent who would listen to everything my doctor said, this experience has changed me. I found the best doctor….we have a relationship and an understanding. This is my child…if I tell you that something is wrong, I expect it to be taken seriously. If I disagree with a method of treatment, I expect that my wishes will be weighed and that I ultimately make decisions on my daughter’s behalf. As her mother, I am her best advocate.

There was a time, when I was actually accused of abusing Jessica.



Her neurologist, who had never seen her seize, actually asked me in front of my other children if I had thrown her against the wall. She said “they see children all the time who are turning colors and we find out later that their parents have been slapping them up against the wall”. She also asked one time if I was catholic. She said that it had been her experience that only catholic parents were this concerned about their children. I’m still trying to figure this one out.

Over time, others began to see these “episodes”. It was the day that the ER staff witnessed one of them that she was diagnosed with epilepsy (but not before being told on the phone that there was really no reason to bring her in because she had been at the park that morning and she probably just needed to go home and take a nap). Her neurologist came into the ER room and said “well, it looks like you are right…Jessica will need to be put on anti-seizure meds”. I was furious. I looked up at her and said “You need to remember this moment. You have chosen to accuse me of the unthinkable….don’t ever tell a parent that you think that they are abusing their child until you know for sure that you are right”. Needless to say, I grew tired of her very quickly and found a doctor that I felt like I could trust, and would make good decisions for my family.

Visiting this new doctor, Dr. Mattheson, was an eye opening experience. I wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or even more frightened over my daughter’s condition. His suggestion to us was that with all of the events of her birth and the constant seizures (sometimes several a day) that he felt like we needed to go to the Kirklin Clinic in Birmingham and have genetic studies done. It was six or seven long weeks that we waited to receive the results of her chromosome study. The genetic doctor was fairly up front with us that they felt that she had some type of chromosomal “syndrome”. The day the phone rang I was on the sofa. I sat for a long time after that phone call. They were so very patient to explain that although she did indeed have normal chromosomes, everything that she had mimicked something called DiGeorge Syndrome, the differences being that she didn’t have the facial deformities associated with this genetic disorder.



About that time it was also suggested that we see a cardiologist. In my effort to find some kind of answer for my daughter, we agreed and went to meet with Dr. Walter Johnson at pediatric cardiology, here in Birmingham. He did a number of tests but it was during the echo-cardiogram that we first saw the first of her two heart conditions. He showed us by ultrasound the blood escaping from the little hole in her heart. He told us that we would need to watch and wait until she was five because we would want to consider having an Amplatzer Device installed to close the hole in her heart.


Watching Jessica as we left the hospital that day, was amazing.
This little girl, playing in the water sprinkler outside of this huge hospital that held our lives in their hands. “Would anyone ever really know how much this child means to me?” “I hope that they care and know that my life will stop if I have to say goodbye to this precious child after only knowing her for these few short years”. These are the thoughts and feelings that plague the heart of a parent who has a child with serious physical problems.

It would only be three short weeks before we were on our way to the emergency room again. This time following an episode picked up by the little heart monitor during a seizure that sent her heart racing over 300 beats a minute. It was explained that she might be going into cardiac arrest and at this speed, the human heart actually begins to skip beats.

We have since seen our daughter through a heart procedure that has changed all our lives.
I have learned so much from our experience and my daughter.

As a girl, I volunteered in a number of hospitals and at a camp for children with cancer. I can remember feeling that I shouldn’t talk to grieving moms in a waiting room. How could I ever have the words.

I’ve now been that grieving mom. I was right, there were no words that could have comforted, there was nothing that anyone could have done. What does help is to know that there are people around you who love you. What does help is to know that things in this life are so temporal. What does help is to know that some good does eventually come from these experiences. Eventually, you do meet someone that you can pat on the back and let know that you have been there.

It’s an awful thing. It’s an awful thing to live through.

So much sadness, and so much bad news.

I remember being a little girl thinking if Jesus could just wait to return so I could be married, see my children or even to see their children.

Those days are long past. There are day when I am surrounded by so much sadness that it feels hard to stand under the burden that sits on my shoulders.

I’m just going to list my prayer requests today….

Please pray for Nayda and Nate who have witnessed the birth of their first child, born with trisomy 18.

The Smith family, with three lovely children…the Dad, Troy, passed away yesterday after struggling with cancer for several years.

Please continue to pray for our finances. Things have been really tough here.

Today, I’m Thankful For

(These are the days that I really need to remind myself to be thankful.)

My daughter, who seems so healthy and wonderful and is now growing so strong.

This experience that has in many ways made me so much more knowledgeable as a parent.

Some blessings that came Paul’s way this morning.

Listening ears and strong shoulders yesterday. Everyone around me is so saddened for these families. It’s nice to be able to turn to each other.

The opportunity to be able to share this experience with others.

Tracy’s Task

If I could ask everyone today to one thing it would be to pray for the two families above. Please pray that God would comfort them and give them wisdom during this time.

What I’m Learning

My daughter is one of the strongest and most compassionate people that I have ever met. I don’t just mean this because she is my daughter, I say this because I’ve watched her live through more than anyone I’ve ever known with grace.

Today’s Scripture Meditation

The Lord is so good to give us His promise during our darkest of times. It is only through Him that Paul and I were able to get through all that we did with our daughter.

I’m comforted when I read passages like the following:

Psalm 62:8

“Trust in Him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Selah”

Psalm 9:8-10
“He will judge the world in righteousness;
he will govern the peoples with justice.
The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

Psalm 5:11-12
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”

On my knees,

Car Repairs, Again?

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I guess it’s rather obvious that we have some work going on “under the hood” of the website. We’re hoping to add a few more features to make the website more informative and interactive. It’s going to take a little while to tweak it all, so please excuse our construction mess for the time being.

I postponed our sew-along. It should be up before the end of the weekend. Paul is going to be adding to the page for it to all be in one place faster than I thought so we’re going to wait….this should allow you to read the instructions from beginning to end.

This has been a rather long week already.

I’ve mentioned before, in the Lambert home, things seem to fall apart all at once. Last week it was the toilet and the hot water heater. This week, a bathroom faucet fell apart in Jacob’s hand, our bathroom plumbing seems to be leaking under the sink somewhere and yesterday, the most dreaded of all, the car, again.

We have for quite some time been trying to live out of debt. This is not easy. It keeps us living in a way that no one else we know does. We have not had a new or even a newer used car. We only have one car. We live in a very small home …especially with the size of our family. We’ve not been on a vacation, that we have paid for, since Jacob was 1 year old. We try to save money anyway we can, meaning we hang our laundry, we hand down clothes and we try to waste nothing.

So here is the whine….our car does not have a working radio….I guess this would be horrible to some but we’re used to it, and we have not had a car that had air conditioning since very early on in our marriage. In the Alabama summer heat…there are days when it still does feel almost unbearable. I’m willing to live with those…I have lived with those for a very long time….but would it be too much to ask to be able to go just a couple of months without a $500 car repair (or more)? *Sigh* I think if we had been willing to go into debt to do it, we would have made a car payment with what we are paying in repair work. As it stands right now, that would not even be an option. It is very depressing.

We hope to get good news regarding our car a little later today, but $400-$500 just seems to be the magic number.

I’ll stop whining for now. I guess that will bring us to our prayer requests:

Prayer Requests

Our car and our finances.

My husband who worked until late in the night to have a good day at work and find the energy he needs to get through the day.

Tanya’s family had a computer problem that seems to have erased all of their baby pictures for the last couple of years.

The events taking place over in the Middle East.

Today, I’m Thankful For

A good visit with the oral surgeon yesterday. My wisdom teeth are still scheduled to be removed next Friday but as it turns out, they will only be removing two and he assures me that I will remember nothing. What more could anyone ask for?!

My new watermelons growing on the vine. We have at least 4!! My mouth is already watering.

The website upgrades my dear hubby is making.

I finished another dress and a little doll that I’ve been working on.

The housework that I’ve finished this morning. (I still have lots more to do!)

Tracy’s Task

Today, I’m continuing to work on the dresses that I had started. I would like to finish Jessica and Courtney’s (and maybe mine!).

What I’m Learning

In an effort to save money and to make my GAIN (I love this stuff) clean more effectively, I modified my detergent. I added 1 part of baking soda to every 1 part of GAIN. This will make my detergent much less expensive than it originally cost and it removes and cleans far better without sacrificing any of that great GAIN smell!!

Today’s Scripture Meditation

I need this today:

Phil 4:12
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
(NIV)

That brings me to this…

Just a question….what would happen if every Christian helped other Christians pay off their debts including their mortgages and cars? What if Christians really invested in other lives by helping them receive the education or the resources that they needed to start their own business or get a better position to allow them to be able in turn help someone else?

Think about where you are right now. How much better would you be for this kind of assistance? Do you think that the Lord would bless the gifter? Would it improve your life to the point that you would want to help someone else do the same thing? What kind of witness would this be to outsiders watching these blessings unfold?

Learning to be content,

Hurray! It’s Friday!

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Happy Friday!

I love Friday! After a long week, Friday always brings a calm knowing the weekend is coming.

This weekend, we’re hoping to get back to the web programming projects that we started last weekend when the hot water heater decided to fail. Hopefully, this time, we’ll be able to get more done.

We’re also working to gather our supplies for next week’s sew-a-long. We ran by Walmart for a few minutes last night to pick up our fabric. We’re going to make a few extras for Christmas gifts!

Today’s posting is on the short side….we’ve got lots of things that need our attention today including an upcoming camping trip for scouts. My guys are all so excited!

Prayer Requests

It’s still looking like my Grandmother might need surgery on her foot. Please pray for her.

Tanya and her family live near the area that experienced really bad weather this week. Pray that all is well with all of them.

Emmie got a great report from the Dr. yesterday but she is still sore and not feeling well following her baby shots yesterday.

Today I’m Thankful For

A great scout planning meeting last night…it’s promising to be a really exciting scout year!

Rain….rain….rain….rain….rain….we are so thankful!

My husband ….he encourages me so much. He made it a point to tell me how glad he was that I went with him to the meeting last night…he just said that it means a lot to him to have me there! I love this man! He makes me feel so special.

A good baby Dr. visit yesterday.

My visit with Angie over the telephone yesterday! (I enjoyed talking to you Angie!!!)

Tracy’s Task

As mentioned earlier, we’re getting a start on Christmas gifts this weekend. Today, I’ll be laundering the fabric needed for this sewing project. This is the first step to the sew-along….wash and iron your fabric to be ready on Monday!

What I’m Learning

A grumpy two year old can make an entire home miserable. Ben did not get up on the right side of his bed this morning and my whole house is suffering. I think some extra attention will be sent his way today.

Today’s Scripture Meditation

Mal 3:16-17
“Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. “They will be mine,” says the LORD Almighty, “in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.”
(NIV)

Sewing, Anyone?

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This is dress number 2 that will be posted on EBAY. I finished it yesterday….I think it turned out pretty well. It’s a little big on Emma.

We’ve not done a project in a while so I thought that Monday, we would begin a sew-along.

For those with no sewing experience, this should be a great beginner’s project: a rice sock. We will begin on Monday with an explanation of the basic parts of a sewing machine and work our way on from there.

This project will require the following:

sewing machine
white thread
rice (always use white rice for rice socks….brown rice develops a nasty smell after awhile!)
no fray or a glue like Aileen’s that will not wash away
1/4 yard of solid fabric
1/4 yard of printed fabric
1/2 yard of ribbon to coordinate with fabric

That’s it. You can look back in the post from May 15 entitled “Mother’s Day” to view a sample of our project. We’ll just take a couple of steps a day so don’t feel overwhelmed…and when we are done, I’ll enlist Paul’s help in posting the instructions all in one place so they will be easier to read.

This will be the first of many sewing projects…maybe we’ll even get around to quilting one day!! : )

Late last night, I came in to read a post that my friend, Angie, posted on her website (http://kittenwhiskers.blogspot.com).

I actually woke up this morning thinking about this.

Uuuummmmm, this is the part where I warn you that I’ve just dusted it off and I’m about to take a step onto my soapbox.

Let’s see where to begin….I have years worth of venting on this subject. (Don’t worry, I don’t think that this post will take too long.

I am a mom of eight. Yes, gasp, I know……most of you already know this but for those who don’t I just thought I would place that on the table so that we know the important facts here.

I did not start out to be a mom at all. In fact, growing up, I can remember thinking that anyone who would have more than one or two children must be foolish and irresponsible.

All through high school I planned my life…college and then career. Paul and I dated for a few years before we were married and we still had no plans for this life that we are living…our lives were going to be much more “tidy”….college, career, go to church every Sunday, buy a house…have a good life.

It’s funny the twists and turns a life takes. I felt so “enlightened” then. So much like I had the world at my fingertips and I would have that perfect life by doing everything that those around told me would put me there.

Now, fast forward to the morning at the big church I was attending, to my dear friend Christy and I sitting at the welcome center as people brought their children into church and signed them into the children’s department. I’m not sure how many people made comments about the size of my family that morning while Christy and I were sitting there, but it was with the comment that went something like “it must take you all day to sign all your kids in…” that made Christy turn to me and ask “don’t you ever get tired of that?”.

I thought about that for many months and still do from time to time. I guess I had gotten so used to it that it was easy to ignore. After all, I know that they most likely weren’t trying to be rude, or were they?

I have, in fact, listened to these comments for years…..I even met a friend in the grocery store who has 10 children once…after she left I could over hear the cashiers saying to each other things like “what is wrong with that woman”, “doesn’t she know that people are supposed to know better than that these days?” and so on and so on.

So, Angie, this one is for you, and for my other friend, and for all those who have ever made a comment about stay-at-home moms, or big families, or home schoolers, or just for women who make the decision to (ooohhhh, another gasp, gasp) stay married and work at home in a day when the world would tell you that it’s better to “shop around”.

First, I would like to say that I AM more enlightened now.

I am following the Lord’s direction for my life. That’s about as enlightened as anyone can get! This does not mean that my life is easy. In fact, I have to say that it is much more difficult to go against the world’s standards. The Scripture tells us that we are strangers in this world (1 Pet 2:11 “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.). We have to resist the things that are not of God. This means that we should be living life according to the Word and not according to the world.”

I’ve got to interject one more thought here and it is this: there are many pastors (not to be read as all pastors), that are not teaching the word of God. They are teaching the world. I’m not saying that they mean to (or maybe they do), but in their efforts to not ruffle feathers within their congregations, they refrain from teaching the very Word that they profess to teach! The Bible says: 2 Pet 2:17-20 “These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity– for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.” NIV

I would like to say to the things that Angie (you were right on girl!) mentioned in her post:

On The Duggar Family: It’s time that for once America had some real role models. At best, our children see musicians who in vast majority have filthy mouths and even filthier lives, politicians who will say one thing and do the opposite, how about anyone on T.V.? Is there even one that is a good role model? I bet you could count them on one hand. …but, here, is a family. A really big family (praise God!) working together to build their own home (debt-free, I might add!), spending precious time with their children, working in their local government and trying to follow the Lord’s leading in their lives. I’m not sure why it is so easy to make fun of people who seem to be doing the right things. Why are we not more likely to single out those who parade themselves around half dressed or make no time to parent their children or will not give up their seat for a pregnant woman in a waiting room? What has happened to us?

Am I being irresponsible for having so many children?: Absolutely not. My faith for everything is in my Father. Luke 12:22-24 “Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!” (NIV) God will provide what we need…in one way or another. I would rather always that my faith be in Him….I can’t imagine having depend on anything or anyone else! : )

We’ve even apparently been responsible enough to plan our retirement…though this part was not intentional! My cousin once commented that while everyone is worried about paying for their retirement….we have created the ultimate retirement plan. He said that surely out of eight children, one of them would be willing to care for us when we were elderly! I chuckled…I had never thought of this before.

Are we “backwards” for having so many children? I mean, people just don’t do this anymore!: On the contrary, I was not raised to believe these things, I’m an only child and Paul is one of two children. We have prayed and felt directed in this area. We made these tough decisions when we knew no one else doing so. Is this backwards? I don’t think so….I’m applauding those who are making tough decisions even though they know that others are not going to approve.

Here are the questions we hear nearly every time we are out with our children…. (and I do mean every time…many of you have been with me and heard these or have had these comments yourselves)……..

“My goodness, are these all yours?” “Yes, they are.”

“Your hands must be very full!” “Yes, I’m very blessed!”

“Don’t you know what causes that?!” I’m not sure at what point it became O.K. to ask such a personal question but our responses range anything from me saying “yes” to a comment that my husband makes that you’ll have to ask him for yourself because I won’t type it here! LOL!

“You need to fix that!” “I’m not broken! In fact, judging from the sweet little faces gracing my home these days…I would say I’m quite good at growing little ones!

“You need to get a TV!” Yes, this was a comment made to my husband in front of a group of men he works with. He decided that this was rude enough…it didn’t merit a response.

“I’m glad it’s you and not me!” “Well, me too!….I’m so glad that God is blessing my home!”

“How do you afford all of them?” The fact is, if you read Parent’s magazine, most of us can’t afford a child, much less a house full of them, but let’s get down to reality. Children really don’t need all the things that we give them. Any Grandmother will tell you that she lived without half the things on the “must have for parenting” lists and so can we. Even so, we’ve never went without. Things may be tight but they are wonderful.

“Don’t you worry that someone will be left out?” These people have obviously never been in my home. There is no where for someone to be left out. I would dare say that there is never a moment when someone could be left out. I had someone say to my newborn son, Benjamin, “bless your heart, you probably get stuck over in a corner and forgotten about!”….I giggled knowing that I have to tell the children constantly to put the littles down in my home. Just this morning I had people lining up to play with Emma. If anything, it makes them a little rotten!! :)

“You can have it! I have one and I can’t handle him!” This is the saddest of all comments to me. Parenting is very easy. There is no secret formula. Children are no different today than they’ve ever been…parents on the other hand, are becoming more and more selfish. They are more concerned about having “their time” or money to spend on new clothes or a new car than they are with spending time training and loving their children. Don’t think for a minute that the children aren’t aware of their parents motives.

15 years and I wouldn’t change a thing. I hope that the Lord continues to bless our home and our family. There is no greater blessing than the gift of a child. I’m surrounded by people who hate their jobs and after years and years of them are burned out. On the other hand, I’m so blessed that the Lord has allowed me this time to be in my home with my family. Each day is a new adventure….a new experience…..another hug…..another “I love you”!

I’m a stay at home mom…not because my husband demands this of me but because we both have made this decision knowing that our investment of my time and energy now will reap rewards so numerous they can’t be counted.

I’m sorry for the “hot topic” this morning….I’m usually very nice about this topic and just smile and go on (I have witnesses to this!). This morning I just had to speak out.

I’m tired of feeling singled out for trying to do the right thing. When did it become wrong for a woman to want to be a Mom or a wife?

For the record, when my friend (mentioned earlier in the posting), left the store, I walked up to the cashiers and told them that I knew the woman personally that had just left. She had a wonderful and loving family and that they had no right to talk about her.

Prayer Requests

Emma has a Dr. appointment today.

The Botkins are speaking in town this week. Pray that ears will hear, eyes will see and hearts will be changed.

Rain, rain, rain,….

Today, I’m Thankful For

God placing like minded people in my life. I’m so blessed by others around me I see that are following His will in their lives.

The beautiful cardinal that has been feeding outside my office window this morning.

Almost completing one of the dolls I’ve been working on.

Paul’s meetings yesterday all went well.

Sprouting garlic in my garden.

Tracy’s Tasks

Today, because of the Dr. appointment, we’ll be rushing to get many of our tasks done. I am going to take the time to make appointments for my other children.

What I’m Learning

I’m learning how to make dolls…this may be one of our sew-alongs some time soon!

Today’s Scripture Meditation

“Lord that you might write Your Word on my heart….”

2 Tim 3:13-17
“while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
(NIV)

From my heart,

1st EBAY Posting

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I‘ve taken the plunge. My first “for sale” item is now listed on EBAY…item number 180009060191 is the first dress that I’ve made to sell.

I have had experience selling some smaller items so I’m interested to see how this one turns out.

The dress took me a little longer than I was expecting but I think it turned out well! Even if it doesn’t sell, Ms. Emma will have a new dress in a couple of months (she can wear it now, but it’s still a little too big).

Today, I’m posting the second dress…this time, a long sleeved one. I think I’m going to sit on these auctions and see how they do before I post any more. Either way, it’s exciting to me to help moms, even if in some little way, to be able to provide modest clothing for their little girls.

It should be a big day for us with one of our other businesses. Paul has an appointment to speak with a potential investor, our business mentor and the Birmingham Business Incubator Program. I’m not expecting anything to change *today* but it is yet another crucial step in the process. We are inching our way forward, but boy(!), it takes so long to get things started. Sometimes I find myself growing really impatient.

He has been really busy…he’s working on creating an archive for this site as well as having just added the “Send This Posting To A Friend” button at the top of the page.

Prayer Requests

Paul’s meetings will go well today.

Kimberly Greenlaw’s Dad has some additional testing to go through.

The Fuchs Family has some upcoming medical things that they are dealing with.

For our scout planning meeting on Thursday night (I know that this is small in comparison to some, but we would like to plan the best year possible for our scouts).

Today, I’m Thankful For

A good night’s sleep!

Seeing some projects that we’ve been working on coming to an end

My dear friends

Hitting the 2000 visitors mark on Lines From The Vine!! Woohoo!! : )

My joyful Jacob. He is a child that would have been labeled in a public school and probably placed on medication. I’m so grateful to the Lord, that He allows me to home school and work with Jacob. He is such a happy and very intelligent young man. I can’t wait to see where the Lord will lead his life.

Tracy’s Task

I’ve been really working on the Proverbs 31 model of having some type of small income that I can in turn, invest in my family. My goal today is to further develop the ideas for this. I’ll share more as I get my thoughts together!

What I’m Learning

How shall I begin this? Hmmmmm. First, let me say that my home is not flooded.

I noticed late last week that the bolt that holds our toilet down on one side in the children’s bathroom had come out. I have no idea how this occurred but it was on one side and I was thinking Paul could come home and fix it that evening.

As I’m sure you well know, sometimes life gets really busy around here and with the hot water heater needing to be changed out it is something that slipped my mind.

When I went in to clean up yesterday, I reached over to begin wiping it down and it tilted!! The toilet, the entire toilet tilted away from me! I know, I know, it’s that bolt that holds it to the floor but I didn’t think that one bolt would make that big of a difference….and normally it doesn’t, but when I looked over at the other bolt, the toilet around it is totally busted.

My lesson for today is this: when or if you ever see a bolt off or even coming loose….Don’t walk, RUN!, to your nearest hardware center.

My hubby’s lesson (actually he’s done it once before in the other bathroom) will be in installing a new toilet (sorry, honey!). These things always seem to come in abundance in our home. UGH!

Today’s Scripture Meditation

Praise God!!

Rom 6:22-23
“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
(NIV)

That I might walk on His path today,

What Is Important?

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Today my Mom asked me to post….so I am filling in for her.

Upon watching my younger siblings, Jessica and Matthew, playing spaceship in our living room last night with some Play Hut tents,I was transported to a time about 6 years ago when another set of children were doing the exact same thing.

Joshua and I would stack the tents on top of each other to make a spaceship, and then we would pretend to launch off and explore the moon with coats as our space suits.

I’m fourteen now, we were 8 and 6 then, Jessica and Matthew are 8 and 7. I still enjoy playing with them sometimes because they love my company. But last night I was content just to watch.

Children grow so quickly. Now, Joshua and I are doing other things, just like Jessica and Matthew will be someday, but as an older sister, it is part of my responsibility to take advantage of every moment, making them feel important when they are talking to me or playing with me.

Don’t hesitate to spend time with your children, young and old. Older siblings, take advantage of the little time you have with your little brothers and sisters. Build that brother/sister relationship and think twice before you start a fight or say an unkind word. You won’t be in the same house forever……So ask yourself, what is really important?

What I’m learning:

Do not leave food unattended…..lest the two-year-old might just sneak a finger into your eggs……Benjamin!

Prayer Requests:

My family’s growing businesses.

My Mom to have a great day!

For those who read Lines From The Vine to feel blessed.

Today I’m Thankful for:

The laundry blowing in the breeze outside

Our many growing fruits and veggies

My family

Courtney’s Task:

My task is to help Mom with anything she needs help with

A Poem To Share:

The Author

I was in the company of a talented Christian lady when a friend said to her,”Why have you never written a book?” “I am writing two,” was the quiet reply. “Have been engaged on one for ten years, the other five.” “You surprise me,” cried the friend,”what profound works they must be!” “It doth not appear yet what they shall be,” was her reply,”but when He makes up His jewels, my great ambition is to find them there.” “Your children?” I asked. “Yes, my two children. They are my life work.”

Scripture Meditation:

Matthew 19:13-15 “Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.”

Courtney, posting for: