Deep Thoughts...

Remember that skit from Saturday Night Live in the 90's....deep thoughts with whoever...because I'm good enough, smart enough and darn it people like me...

This isn't one of those kind of posts, but it made me giggle a little.

I have had good mothering days, and bad mothering days.  I have had good wifing (that's not a word) days and bad wifing (still not a word) days.  And at the end of all of these days, I lay my head on the pillow and still contemplate my lack.  Lately God has been showing me SO much of who I am, where I belong and where my dreams will lead me.  It's funny really, how much you can learn.  I never really thought when I was younger what sanctification, growing in grace looked like.  And here I am, 36 (I think, I'll have to double check with Tim on that one) and still feel like I am 21 and have a whole life ahead of me.  I see my sweet children and I question... I think a lot of mom's do.  Question.  But maybe I am wrong, maybe I am the only one questioning.

When I was little, I remember specifically thinking that I wanted to be a teacher because that was the BEST job for a mom.  I think back to elementary school and remember one of the girls in my class, here mom was a teacher, and she was able to play on the blackboard all she wanted, was able to go to her mom's class during recess and after school.  And I thought...BEST.JOB.EVER.  Or maybe I thought, luckiest girl, because lets face it, I wanted to play on the blackboard.  But I look back on that and the perception I had.  What a mom "had" to do.

I have been reading a lot lately.  Mind you, when I say reading I mean, half a book, followed by another half of a different book, followed by a few chapters in a third.  I'm a  bit ADD when it comes to reading.  But in reading and talking with my tribe, you know the people who know you, who listen to you when they don't want to, and love you anyway; I'm finding so many questions.  Am I doing enough?  Will my child be...? Am I doing enough to keep him/her from being...?

On Sunday our preacher spoke about ordinary.  And it haunts me.  I have grown from the thought that I need to be extraordinary, that everything is based on the feeling you get.  The excitement that comes from this or that.  To understanding that the extraordinary is an experience, not a lifestyle.  The extraordinary is short lived.  I think of giants of the faith.  Jonathon Edwards, Jim Elliott, Martin Luther, John Calvin and think of the extraordinary they lived.  And yet I can't help but think of what led to that.  Luther's 95 thesis weren't written in an experience that was short lived, but was hammered out through the ordinary.  Jonathon Edwards wasn't writing all of his statements in a moment, but in the ordinary lived well.  Ordinary begets extraordinary.

One of the books I spend my time in is "Disciplines of the Spiritual Life" by Donald Whitney.  Get this book, it is worth it.  This book preaches the ordinary.  It screams ordinary.  And yet, I have found more extraordinary in my life in the last few months through the ordinary things I am doing.  Being ordinary, focusing on the disciplines, that is what answers those questions I am asking.  That is what is driving me to the throne of grace.  That is what, in my hope, will by God's Sovereign will drive my children there as well.  I have a defender for the ordinary.  A Savior who was so "ordinary" those waiting missed him.  I know, know, know that will not return void.  All for HIS Glory and my good.

I will be ordinary.
   
And will experience an extraordinary life.

Because THAT is what I "have" to do.

Fall is in the air!

Going on 7 years now (I believe) I have had a party every fall. There are rules to this party. 

Rule #1- No Husbands

Rule #2- No Kids

Rule #3- Bring a "fall inspired" dish to share

And every year I look forward to it. 

And every year it is a hit! 

I am so thankful for my tribe.  For the people that enrich my life on a daily basis.  For the women that encourage and walk through with me.  I am reminded of this EVERY time I have this party. 

Here are just a few pictures from the extravaganza.

I am so thankful God gave me this "sister". I could not have asked for family more wonderful in her. 

We had several "out of towners" return for the festivities and Trish was one of them. 

I believe last count there were 41 ladies here last night, and SO.MUCH.FOOD. I should have gotten a picture of the spread.

This beautiful soul is battling cancer and is winning I might add. I love her so much.  She has been a great source of encouragement and I am so thankful that I get to be a part of her life. 

Stephanie has recently joined my life and I am thankful God brought her to Sun Valley.  She is a major blessing to all of us. 

This one...whew, God blessed me with this girl.  Heather and I have been through a TON and I couldn't ask for a better friend to walk through life with. 

Above all I am so very thankful for our church and homeschool community that has brought many of these ladies together. A blessing for sure!  

Until next year...

An American Girl Dream

Avarie wanted desperately to go to the American Girl store with her best friend Ella for her birthday.  So we set a date and Ella, Avarie, Heather and I went to Seattle for the day.  

It may have been the highlight of her year. 

Avarie had been saving money for months to be able to do this trip.  She had racked up almost $200 to spend, thanks to family that contributed to the cause.  Avarie forgo having birthday presents asking instead for money or American Girl gift cards. 

 They can barely contain their enthusiasm.

 This place was a marketing marvel.  Walking in makes you want to spend money.  It is all pink and girly, and like entering a little girls dream.  I mean they even have a holder in the bathroom for your "girl".

 For some reason my phone isn't uploading all the pictures so I don't have a picture of the cake/lunch the girls had.  But they got these crowns to celebrate their birthdays.  

These sweet girls have been best friends since birth, similar to their brothers. I look forward to many more activities like this. Praying they grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord as they make these sweet memories.  

First Duck

Tim and TJ went hunting this weekend during the youth hunt and TJ was able to shoot his very first ever duck!  He was SOOOO excited and is hoping to have it mounted.  We'll see....

When God paints the sky

First Day..

Well...it has begun, another year of Classical Conversations, another year of homeschool.  

Homeschooling has been one of the GREATEST decisions we have made regarding our children, and we are so thankful to continue to be called to this.  We love Classical Conversations and our kids have been counting down the days until it started up again.  

We started Monday, Sept. 9th and it was AWESOME as it has been!  

TJ is in the 5th grade now! (How did that happen?)  

He is in both Foundations and Essentials through Classical Conversations.  

He eats ALL.THE.TIME. which I am told happens.  

TJ is not a huge fan of "school" but if he had to pick his favorite subject would be his memory work for CC. 

Avarie Rae is in the 3rd grade (Again, how?).  

She is in Foundations with CC, and loves it!  She has made some sweet girlfriends there and I love that she is surrounded by such precious girls.  

Avarie loves to write and asks everyday when we are doing "school".  Her favorite subjects are Art and Bible

Lylah Rose is in pre-K, and though very shy is enjoying being in "school".  Lylah loves to write her name, and though she is still  behind in speech, she is making progress. 

They are having so much fun together. 

Advo-twins

My sweet Avarie wanted to match today and so they decided this was a great combo.  I agree!