Tom's Job

Tom made sure that no schoolwork happened this week.

And definitely no wash either.  

As an aside, I'm certain that the term "barn cat" is laughable.

This is a Sign!

 

Doesn't this sum up my parenting philosophy perfectly?

I was so thrilled to snag it on my annual thrifting/shopping trip with my sister this past weekend!

It's Not Over If...

At Ladies Bible Study last night, we were talking about stepping out in faith.  We turned to Matthew 14:25-32, where Jesus walked on the water.  Peter called to Jesus and then, stepped out on the water and started walking toward Him.  Until he saw the wind and waves...

I always feel like Peter gets a bad rap.  

When he walked on the water, he sunk.  And everybody stops right there.  

Never mind that he's the only one audacious enough to call out and clamber over the side of the boat in the midst of a wild storm...

and then, to walk on dangerous water.  He did walk on the water; don't forget that!

Sure, he started looking at the raging wind.  

I can relate to that.  Starting out with wildly audacious faith and then, faltering along the way.  When that happens, I feel like I've failed and there's no more chance for victory.

However, something happens between verse 31 and verse 32.  

v. 31 ~ Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” 

v. 32 ~ When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.

How did Jesus and Peter get back to the boat?  Did Jesus carry him?  Did they walk back together?  I don't really think it matters.  

Peter sank.  Jesus reached out immediately.

And then, they made it back to the boat.

It's not over if you sink.  

It isn't.  

God loves it when we step out, practically exercising out faith, boldly listening to His voice, but He never leaves our side through the whole storm.  

Even when we sink.  

Even when we falter.

Even when we doubt.

To you today:

It's not over if you sink.  Jesus will get you back to the boat.  

"It's not over if you sink." I wrote it in my journal and vehemently underlined it.  The ladies around me laughed and I did too.

Getting overwhelmed by the wind, the storm, the chaos, doesn't have to be the end.  

When Jesus calls to you as you're drowning, remember that He never left.  He'll get you back to the boat.  

It's not over if you sink.

I Always Need Another Zipper Pouch

Mamas, 

Sometimes our disorganization just needs a simple solution, a little thought toward fixing the problem.

Currently I'm spearheading two separate t-shirt and sweatshirt orders, a ticketed four course formal etiquette dinner for my co-op students, and a 4-H fundraiser.  

There are lots of people handing me money.  

You think you'll remember who handed you what... until you don't.  

I picked up a cute zipper pouch at the thrift store, threw in sticky notes, and a pen.  I even included a sign-up sheet so I can check off people's names as they pay.

Voila!

When someone hands me money or a check, it goes in there and gets labeled immediately.  

I can be a good and faithful steward of what is entrusted to me, without fear of losing someone's payment (or my mind.)  

That's big, y'all.

Mama is the Glue

We're just busy.  I plan and I plan.  And we're still busy.

I remember it being a lot like this when my brothers, sister, and I were this age.  We were just very involved in a lot of ministries and activities.  

That's a lot like where we're at here.

So, lunch and supper together are like glue for us.  Joking about who knows what, telling rabbit trail stories, and doing impersonations of random people.  

Just glue.

And Sunday afternoons with a football game and some Buffalo chicken dip.  We lounge about in crewnecks and leggings, with cookie dough in hand.  With feet up and books around and pillows near.

And morning devotions, with Kindles and journals, tea and favorite blankets.  We pray, then we linger and plan and figure out how we're doing life together today.

I do my best to guard these times.  I try my best to keep them pleasant.  

Sometimes mama is the glue.  

Sometimes mama is the one that gathers everybody around... 

calling that one Blossom from another room to be present too.

Sometimes mama's job is to plan supper for the time that is most convenient for the working Blossom.  

Sometimes mama makes the Blossoms set the table and wait til everything's ready, 

even when it's "just leftovers" and the microwave is getting its workout.

Sometimes mama has to make herself stop juggling just one more thing 

and be alert and attentive here and now.

Mama is the glue.

 

Choosing in the Moment

We had a lovely weekend of girlies in several different directions.

The Rugged Mountain Man had two of the Blossoms away at the cabin for pheasant hunting.  Blossom1 was away at a college group retreat.  That left Blossom2 and me holding down the fort at home.  We were on chore duty, plus there were college assignments and other obligations to deal with.  What a fabulous weekend for all though!  We mixed fun with the work!  

However a plan shakes out, we're striving to sip the joy from it.  

Blossom2 and I thoroughly enjoyed our time together, even if it meant I was responsible for feeding a boatload of rabbits.  We also tackled a few home organization projects that needed to be done.  

It's a constant conscious decision to keep caring for our home and homestead amidst all the other things that we have to do.  I'll say this, for how busy we are in this season, it makes me constantly stop and think, 

"What is the next most important thing that needs to be done?"

That's what I need to keep doing.  Choosing the most important rather than the most urgent.  

Spiritually.

Relationally.

Educationally.

Organizationally.

And I'm believing that He is giving me grace and peace to do this moment by moment.

Snapshots from a recent walk through our childhood park with my sister.

Handiwork

I needed a craft for Blossom4 for a Wednesday afternoon.

A friend pointed me in the direction of a woven wall hanging,

woven on a homemade cardboard loom!

We gathered up some pretty scrap yarn

and Blossom4 was thrilled to pieces with her project.

It's already hanging in her bedroom!  What an amazing little reminder for Blossom4 on the beauty of sticking with something!

That Weekend & The Best Parts

We had our busiest weekend since the Fair.  It was the kind that everything falls on the same weekend and there's not much you can do about it except for hang on for the ride.  

Blossom4 had her first Junior Bible Quiz match of the season.  She finished with Second Place Overall High Scorer, which is quite an honor.  She was grinning from one pixie ear to another!

Blossom2 and Blossom3 headed to the cabin with the Rugged Mountain Man for some pheasant hunting.  They got a turtle.  No pheasants though.  The weather really didn't cooperate, but the girls were in full on cabin mode.  

Relax.  

Tramp about the woods.  

Breathe deeply.  

Snack thoroughly.

Nap frequently.

Breathe deeply again.

Apparently we were at risk of them not coming home for a few days, or so they informed us.  Nonetheless, Blossom2 made it home in time for Poultry Judging practice.  That's pretty important when you're studying for Nationals.

I taught Kids' Church Sunday morning.  Although I looked over to see one kiddo licking a chair while we were quietly giving God time to speak to us, we truly had a good time.  

Kids are just so cool!

Blossom1 and Blossom2 were at a neighboring church helping a close family friend to lead worship there.  You could call it networking.  I'd rather call it "pitching in where needed in the Body of Christ."

They drove home, scarfed down some lunch with us and then, we headed out for the long-awaited gem of the evening ~ an Anne Wilson concert!

The girls and I really enjoy her heartfelt music with a rustic flair.

We don't need to be told twice to get those boots out!  Dressed in our rustic concert best

and well-armed with 500 Cal Chocolate Chip Cookies made especially by Blossom2, we embarked on the 3 hour drive there.

There may have been some PSLs too!  

Road trips are THE best!

Especially when there are friends and family involved!!

We may have arrived home at 1:30 am, but we concluded the weekend with these thoughts,

"It was worth it."

"We should do more road trips together."

 

To the Lumber Museum

It's been a bit different with Blossom1 and Blossom2's college work loads.  They just aren't available for some of the extra curricular activities that we used to do altogether.  

They are having to carefully choose where their time goes.  I'm thankful that they are managing their time well, but I don't want the younger Blossoms to miss out on the things I did with the older Blossoms at this age.

My philosophy is something like my mom's was.  

If you don't have enough kids to take along, rent some.

(that's a joke)

If there's still space in your minivan, fill it.

The more, the merrier!

In any case, it's a super fun philosophy.

Another mom friend of mine and I loaded our minivans and took the younger halves of five different families to a museum detailing the Lumber boom. 

This is a quintessentially autumnal activity!

Peak foliage!

Pumpkin bread on a random bench!

Intriguing facts and artifacts.

Hoodies and jeans!

Low-lying fog.

And gratitude to be outside on a pleasant day.

Wait, I don't think I mentioned delightfully weathered old buildings against a palette of reds, golds, rusts, and aging verdure.

The kiddos asked lots of questions and experienced the grounds to the full.

When asked, I believe the camp blacksmith was their favorite of the day!

Sure, we missed having the older halves of these families around, because they're all such fabulous people! 

However, I truly enjoyed the relaxed time with my mom friend and all these younger ones.  

They are intelligent, vibrant, creative, and truly fun to be around.  

We wrapped up the day with a campfire picnic at my friend's camp.  The Blossoms and their friends ran around, hung out on the playground, played cornhole, and enjoyed a delicious lunch, complete with a generous helping of fresh air.  It was glorious! 

And the fun word games they played to entertain themselves in the van on the way home entertained even me!!

Truly, children (and fellowship) are a blessing.

A Choice for Me

Mama's busy.

All the time.

There are ways to be attentive, even when I'm busy.

Squeeze a hand.

Put your phone in your back pocket.

Stop and play a game.

Read a silly poem (or two or three or four.)

Crack a joke and laugh together.

Share a cup of tea.

Ask an interested question.

Listen to a request.

Every day is made up of so many little choices to be busy with the truly important things

instead of the most urgent things.

Autumn School

This is how we walk to school.

It was a beautiful day and by 11:30 am, some Blossoms were struggling with focus, despite their most valiant efforts.  

"Hey girls, why don't we do school down by the creek?

Hearty cheers ensued!

We loaded up the books and some snacks, and marched down the driveway, breathing the fall-ish air and basking in the sunshine.

Fresh air and sunshine are game-changers!

There was a little toe-dipping and some serious favorite-creek-spot-inspecting, but the Blossoms settled down contentedly.  

Especially since there were tiny snails to keep us company.

 Listening to the melody of the gurgling creek while working away at our tasks was a soothing change of pace for all of us, including me.

New Mug

I've been eyeing up this mug at Dollar General for a while now and I finally grabbed it the other day, probably on a random run to pick up a jug of milk.  

What is done in love is done well.

Everything I do for Jesus and, correspondingly, for my family, 

if it is done in love, is done well.

My day is full of mundane tasks, important emails, tiny details, various conversations, and logistics, logistics, logistics.  

Have I done these things in love?

My heart is convicted.  

Did I do everything today in love?  

"What is done in love is done well."

Lord, let love drive me today!  Let Your love influence every part of what I do.

Amen.

PS - The Blossoms are terrific barristas!  That Caramel Chai Latte was magnificent!