A Little Update from Our House

I thought I should get on here and do a little family update, if nothing else! 

We are doing great!  I am tired, worn-out, and extremely round, but like I told Gabe last night- if I start to sound unhappy, remind me of how happy I am!  Here's a few things we've got going on around here...

Baby is scheduled to arrive in 4 weeks and 3 days!  And by scheduled, I mean if he doesn't show up by then himself... But I haven't gone into labor yet, and I'm really not expecting to this time :-)  I have been having some pretty impressive contractions if I'm not careful, but it's probably just my body giving me a reminder not to over do it.

About the decluttering:  Annie came over last week and was extremely motivating!  She helped me rotate and clean out the girls' clothes.  Hopefully she'll come help with the boys' room!  I would still like to paint it, but I've got to do something about all the trucks and trains first!  I've failed completely at "cleaning one thing per day" idea, but I am trying to keep working at those problem areas :-) 

Gabe completed the TV area- and it's much more functional now!  We have a place for our new-to-us TV and all those black boxes that needed a better place to sit.  In addition, with the back half of that space, we have floor-to-ceiling shelves in the back room... Which aren't exactly organized *yet!*  But we've moved things around in that room to allow half of it to be for school, and that is helping a ton in the dining room because all our school was taking place out there.  As for school, Melia clued me in to a fascinating little fact about her... She does much better focusing when I leave the radio on (and it has to be Positive Life Radio :-).  Her reading is really picking up as well, which is SO fun to see!  Kiera's perfectionist mindset is slowly making room for her own creativity.  She's drawing a LOT now, and not being quite so frustrated when something doesn't look just right.  With numbers and letters though, she's still irritated that they don't look exactly like mine, which, ironically enough, often means her penmanship is better than Melia's :-)

I still have a ton of stuff to do before baby comes, but hopefully we'll get the main stuff accomplished.  If not, we'll figure it out when we bring him home!  If there's one thing I've learned, it's that I have to let go of my preconceived ideas and be flexible.  It'll all work out :-)

And no, he still doesn't have a name.  We stopped looking a while ago, just hoping he "looks" like something when he's born.  If not, we do have a small list of possible fits :-)

March 1st

It's hard to believe I will have another birthday this month, as yesterday was so full of blessings it felt like my birthday!  First, I had a massage with my favorite lady at Hurst Chiropractic, and discovered that she, too, is expecting!  Then I had my 30 wk appt... and became SO thankful for the essential oils I've been using to help with the sometimes-excruciating pain that has been plaguing me this pregnancy!  Dr's only recommendation was a pregnancy belt, which I had read doesn't *really* help, it just assists a little, whereas the oils have given me pain-free days!  Lastly, God paved the way for me to not have to work so that I could attend a new local homeschool encouragement group which blessed me in a variety of ways! 

Happy Not-Quite Birthday to Me!  Thank you Lord, for Your abundant blessings!

Big Resolutions, and a funny quote

Our (my, but I can't do it alone) main resolution is to simplify our lives by decluttering.  I know I've said that before... but we are both unorganized and scatterbrained, so I feel like if I could choose one area of our lives that would effect all the others, this would be it.  We would save money and time and energy by not having so much stuff!  And being able to find the important stuff we have!  I'm hoping to fit in a date night soon so we can really make some goals and hard plans... cause baby is only 18 weeks away! 

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Yesterday the toothpaste moved from the kids' bathroom to a kitchen cupboard (thanks to a post by Tammy a while back) because I caught Melia with a mouthful of it... just because she liked it.  (Another reason they really shouldn't make it taste so good...)  Thankfully, she hadn't swallowed any of it, but she really had a lot in there.  After reiterating to Gabe this particular event, he said "She needs a swat every time she forgets to think."  I thought that was awesome... Although if you have any suggestions about lack of "thinking" punishments/consequences, I'd love to hear them.  I was completely lost as to how to respond to this incident, since she knows not to swallow the toothpaste...  and while Gabe's thought was accurate, we totally recognize that sometimes swatting is not the answer.  (Emphasis on sometimes :-)

Sorry Lady... And a Christmas Prayer funny

I think we bothered a lady at the store today...

She was a nice, grandmotherly type, and she asked my kids if Santa was going to visit our house very soon.  Kiera told her right up front "Santa's not real!" 

I tried to soften it a little by saying "But Mommy and Daddy put presents under the tree..."  But she was already disturbed.  She said "Oh, well... Happy Holidays," with a not-so-happy look on her face.   I made sure to say "Merry Christmas!" as she walked away.

Just another moment feeling awkward because we choose to do our parenting thing differently.  

Oh well~  Merry Christmas!!  *grin*
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The other night, while praying...
Melia:  "And Jesus, thank you that we just don't celebrate a tree at Christmas, or presents, or Rudolph, or Santa, or Satan, but we celebrate how you came to earth to die for our sins..."

And Kiera:  "Jesus, thank you that you came and died for our sins on Christmas..."

We were really having to hold in the giggles that night!  But at least they're getting it, right?!!

30 days of Thanksgiving: Part One

I really enjoy doing this every year, even if I only do it in my head!  So this year I though I would write down 30 days worth in 3 days, if I can find the time *sigh* But I'll give it a shot... and include some verses I've been thankful for as well.

1.  I am so thankful for God's provision.  Even when I stress, He always takes care of us and reminds me that I need not worry.  "Be still, and know that I am God.." (Psa 46:10)

2.  I am so thankful for God's faithfulness.  Even now I have a couple "thoughts" about some scripture that I've been pondering for nearly a year, but my faith does not waver because I know that if He brought something to my attention, it's because He has a treasure for me at the end.  "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter."  (Pro 25:2)

3.  I am so thankful for God's sanctifying lessons.  Though often uncomfortable, I can look back and see the walk He's led me on and appreciate the person He is molding me into in place of the one I once was.  "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ..." (Phil 1:6)

4.  I am so thankful for God's people.  I am learning to appreciate that we are all on different walks with Him, and each is unique.  While we may not agree or understand the priorities or callings of others, we are still one body.  "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."  (1 John 1:7)

5.  I am thankful for God's comfort.  Life hurts.  It just plain does.  People can be so hurtful and have no idea of their actions or words.  I know I am the same way.  But when we abide in Him, we can know that His opinion is the only one that matters in the end, and it is He who we must follow.  "This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life."  (Ps 119:50)

6.  I am thankful for God's peace.  Depending upon your perspective, the world is on a variety of perilous paths.  But I know that He is in control, no matter how out-of-control everything appears.  "Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?" (Ps 2:1)

7.  I am thankful of God's sovereignty.  He knows all and sees all.  No action or thought passes by Him, and all will pay the price or reap the rewards of their earthly existence.  "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are your judgements."  (Rev 16:7)

8.  I am SO thankful for God's Redeemer!  "..Behold!  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)

9.  I am thankful for God's love.  I don't think there are words to describe His love... but many grateful tears.

10.  I am thankful for God's victory.  We have hope; not in this life, but in our Savior and our future with Him.  "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord, "That I will raise to David a branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgement and righteousness in the earth."  (Jer 23:5)

Thoughtful things to remember

This morning we were discussing dreams.  Mine were nightmares about purple praying mantis' and Melia trying to eat one and having it bite her tongue- you can see why I needed to talk that out...  But Melia began to tell me about hers:

Melia: "Mommy, remember that girl... oh wait.  I'll need my photo book for this one."  (runs and gets photo album and shows me a picture from preschool)  "Remember this girl?  I just don't understand why she liked all the other kids but not me.  Everyday I'd ask her to play with me, and everyone else would, but she always said no." 

I found this fascinating that she was putting into words what she wouldn't talk about three years ago.  We knew this was a problem because the teacher told us about it, but Melia never would really articulate that her feelings were being hurt by this snubbing and bossing (she was also bossy about who could play with who).  Interesting.  So just because they don't mention it at the time doesn't mean they don't feel it inside.

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Saturday, the girls were instructed to clean up their room because it had been a disaster for days.  And I really mean it by disaster.  Long story short, things did not go well because of arguing, tattling, etc... So finding myself nearly in tears, Gabe and I entered the room with two garbage bags and a storage bin, and cleaned up for them.  Half a bag of trash, one bag of "donate" items, and one bin later, we'd removed all but the very minimum of their toys. 

What was astounding was the lack of tears!  They even continued to bring us toys that they found hiding!  At one point I just said to Melia, "Why don't you just keep that one?" because I was tired of digging out the bin over and over.  But she says, "But I can't have it until I show you that I can keep my clothes picked up.  Then I can play with it again."  Well, ok then.  I'll just drag that bin out again.  How can I argue with my own logic?  :-)

A Healthy Reminder

This was in my recent Pioneers update:

" (talking about heading out to the mission field again...) But, we do it again and again because we really do believe there are things worth fighting for. And there are times when giving up or quitting isn’t the thing to do. But what makes this hard is that sometimes the exact same action that is right for one person can actually be wrong for another. Obviously, I’m not talking about moral or sin issues, but about life choices that can only be determined by walking in the light (Eph. 5:8-10) and listening to the still small voice (1 Kings 19:12)."

I found encouragement from this paragraph.  I often find myself comparing my life and experiences to others, and measuring myself against some imagined yard stick.  The wrong part is, I am measuring against a stick of my own creation, not the one God is measuring me by.  And just because God has called others to do certain things does not mean He has called me to.  I need to remember that I should make my goals what He has put before me, and not what He has put before others.  His best for their life is not His best for my life, and vice versa, even when it is all "good!"  I feel so tempted to get involved in all sorts of "good" things, but constantly must remember to measure things by what He has called my family to and if He is saying "yes" to that activity.  

Hope this encourages you today :-)

Another Homeschool Encourager

I love running into veteran homeschoolers!  People in general are pretty nice when they ask (and they always do!) "What grade are you in? Where do you go to school?"  Some are even sweet, saying "bless your heart momma!"  or "good for you, I could never do that!" (like it's not overwhelming for me! Ha!)
But homeschoolers who have been there and done that are SO encouraging!  I met one today while waiting for my bountiful basket.  She said something that brought me to the verge of tears right there in line..  "You will never regret homeschooling your kids.  No matter how much they learn, or how hard it is to teach each one individually, or how endless the days may seem..  You will never regret that YOU were the one to spend that time with them, and that you were there to see the light bulbs turn on.  No one can take that from you." 

Wow!  (Sob!)   It was like she had a message sent especially for me, here as we struggle to "find our groove."  Thank You Lord, for Your encouragement :-)

Wow, time flies.

It's been days since I posted, and yet every day something happens that makes me think "Blog that!" Too bad I can't remember all the funny things they do... Anyway- just a quickie: We're good :-) Got a little cold going around, hoping to keep it little. We got our Silverwood ticket reading done for March, but I was late in turning it in, so I'm hoping we still get the tickets... We'll see. We're also looking at planning that together with a vacation package we bought 6 years ago (!) in Montana.... Hoping that will work out this summer sometime! I also won a 7 day vacation from Cascade Autocenter, but it's a promo thing so we're hoping it won't cost a ton out of pocket to make it work. Online reviews went either way. ****************************************************************** God is good. In every circumstance. He blew me away today when an old song that I LOVE came on the radio, and I quickly found myself with tears streaming down my cheeks as He reminded me that HE IS SO MUCH BIGGER than I can ever realize. Even when this world appears to be tanking, HE IS IN CONTROL... and at the end of it all, we get to be with Him forever. What problem do I have that is even visible when I'm focused on HIM? None. But sometimes, because we are who we are, it's terribly easy to get distracted by our details. So I need to remember to keep Him as the center, then life's "stuff" will stay at the priority level it belongs. :-) He is good. And I am His.

Boys sure are different...

Just today, I was reminded of that fact by the insanity (according to me, a female!) of Isaac's actions.... He belly-flopped off the couch, then seemed genuinely suprised that it hurt. He took one look at his sister, then took off running... with her shoe. He doesn't just play with toys... he takes them apart. And consequently gets mad when they don't work. :-) Such fun!

Melia's Future Plans

After visiting the dentist (again) for her lastest cavities... (again- this made EIGHT- but that's the last of them- on her BABY teeth...)

Melia: I'm just so confused about what to do.
Me: What do you mean?
Her: Well, I really want to be a dentist. But there's three things I really want to do. I want to work at Costco. AND I want to have an animal shelter.
Me: It takes several years of college to become a dentist. You could think about being one of those girls who helps the dentist, like a hygienist or an assistant, because lots of them only work part time, like mommy does.
Her: Ooooh, that's a good idea. 'Cause then I could spend more time with my kids. Plus it would be good when I'm pregnant because sometimes that really hurts.

(Me-thinking: how do you know? :-)

Later...
Melia: I really don't want to go to college.
Me: Why?
Her: I don't want to go away.
My heart smiles :-)

This kid just won't give my heart a break. She has such a sweet spirit... most of the time. Until Kiera stomps on her a little. Then she's not quite as sweet.

Thought from Sunday School this Morning

Anytime I choose something over God, I am setting up an idol. Anytime I prioritize my will and wants over His will and desire for my life, I am setting myself up as an idol.

It's important to look deeper than my wants, to the desires of my heart. Is my desire to choose my way in life, or to choose to follow God's way for my life? Isn't the answer always that I struggle with choosing His way or my way, doing things in His strength or my own? But it helps to LOOK at the choices I make from this objective standpoint. Not from my viewpoint, but from HIS.

LOVE IT!!!

Novilhos Restaurant

So, my extended friends and familia... Anyone been to Novilhos? It sounds like Gabe's dream come true! But what I haven't heard is a price tag.... Care to share?

Novilhos Brazilian Steakhouse

Nostalgia...

Just in case you can't tell, it's Jello :-)

Ugh... Growing Up...

I'm so proud of my little Melia. She went over to play with the neighbor kids while we were outside this morning, but when she got to the group (they had friends over) one of them starting teasing another one about "liking her." She came back home.

I asked her why. At first she said it was just "too funny" over there. I pushed a little more, (with a pretty good idea of what happened) asking why it was "funny." She said she wasn't sure, but she didn't like the way it made her feel. She finally got around to telling me what they said, but I was just so happy that she left right away when she didn't feel good about what was going on, even if she didn't understand it.


Guarding her heart will prove to be quite the challenge I'm afraid.

$1000 and Spanish Names

As we're finishing up the $100K episode of America's Funniest Videos, Melia asks me "Do you know what I will do when I send in a video and win the $1000?" I have no idea, guessing buy an American Girl doll or.... a pony? She says "Go to a hotel! Because I love going to hotels!"

Today in the car, Melia's trying to say some things in Spanish. We're working on the numbers, and then... "Mommy, how do you say Kiera in Spanish?" I tried to explain that when you are using someone's or something's special (proper) name, it doesn't change. I could not explain it well enough. Then she asks, "How do they name their babies in Spanish?"
**Brooke, you wanna help me out here? ;-)**

An Argument I Don't Know How to Win...

Kiera thinks that she needs a new name when she turns nine. She asks me what we will name her... Her name choice? Melia. And when I tell her that we gave her name to her special when she was born, she starts to cry and says she doesn't like her name and wants to be named Melia.

The thing is, Melia is not nearly as spicy as Kiera. It just wouldn't fit. And besides, what then would we call Melia?

Fun New Stages

I love that now at random times I can feel a "brrrring" truck running up and down my leg...

Yesterday I gave myself permission to lay on the floor with Melia and help her work on her "adult" paint by number, and listen to her tell me all about everything... So much better than trying to organize the Christmas chaos.

And Kiera can get orange juice all by herself... unfortunately without asking... :-)

My Grandpa Elliott Memories and Jokes

You know how they often allow people to share memories at services? Well, as much as I would like to, I know that I can't do that because I would feel strong until I got up there, and then I'd look out over the sea of faces that share such a love for the person we're celebrating... and that would be the end of my strength. But I thought I'd list a few of my personal thoughts here, memories and jokes...

In my personal memorial basket, I included some vegetables and a jar of sweet relish. The vegetables were a remembrance of being one of those crazy Elliott kids who won't eat their vegetables... But I'm trying to now, Grandpa, really. The other part is something I cannot change. I cannot eat sweet relish. It gags me (same with Miracle Whip or sweet pickles). I included it because a funny memory I have is one time when I was little, Grandpa prepared my hamburger for me. He put sweet relish on it, and you know, once you put it on, you can't take it off. He made me eat it, but when I tried to swallow that first bite, I gagged and threw up all over the plate. :-) I think he believed me after that.

I also chose to carry Coke to the table, because although it was called "Peanuts and Pepsi time," I always remember drinking Coke and thinking that was pretty odd. :-)

A couple funny things I was thinking about...
It's a shame that Grandpa Elliott didn't get to know Melia better. She'd have given him enough material for his repertoire of blond jokes to last until she grew up!

About Grandpa in Heaven.... he's probably giving the angels a hard time about "being blonde..."

When we were growing up, we always sold things for school fundraisers and asked for sponsorships for 4-H. I would go up to Grandpa, give him the whole shpeal (is that even a word?) only to have him tell me that I had to ask Grandma 'cause she had the checkbook. I remember thinking "Can't you just say yes and tell her to write me a check?" :-) Anyways, I was considering when the Lord will ask him if he's been responsible with that which he'd been given, and Grandpa will shrug his shoulders and say to the Lord, "I dunno. You'll have to wait until Leota gets here, 'cause she's got the checkbook!" :-)

Another thing is I always remember Grandpa getting frustrated with me for not picking all the berries. I'd only pick the biggest, prettiest ones. After all, I didn't understand why you'd want to pick such little, puny ones. I'd obviously never made raspberry jam :-) Now I know sometimes those little ones have the best flavor!

In my yard I have some grafted fruit trees. I will be joyful when I have a variety of fruits harvested from the same tree because I remember being amazed at his variety of plums, all on one tree!

Melia's Many Observations

Melia: I sure hope winter doesn't last to long, because I REALLY don't like winter.
Me: Don't you like the snow?
Melia: Yes, I like the snow. What I don't like is falling down in the snow. I get so freezing cold when I do that.
My thought? Sounds like a personal problem!! :-)


Melia: The wind blew hard last night? I hope the bridge is ok!
(Kiera then explains to her that the bridge has big things under it that hold it up. :-)


Melia: What's the name of the person in charge of the whole world?
Me: There isn't one person in charge of the whole world.
Melia: You mean there's only Jesus?
Yep. You got it right, hon!