Cultivating a thankful heart, looking to God as provider and sustainer, each day this month I’m posting that for which I’m thankful. . .
* My second son’s birthday
* His thoughtfulness
* His expressive eyes
* His love of the unusual
* His patience
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Th 5:18
Cultivating a thankful heart, looking to God as provider and sustainer, each day this month I’m posting that for which I’m thankful. . .
* My youngest baby’s birthday
* His rascaliness
* His crazy laugh
* Flexible fun
* Family
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Th 5:18
This year my parents and sister will not be coming down for Thanksgiving, breaking with a not-quite-tradition which we hadn’t quite established. Last year we had a casual, immediate family only Thanksgiving dinner with the kids pitching in a lot. This year we’ll continue with the low stress theme, but probably have a few guests. To keep it low key, however, we do need to do a little bit of planning ahead. These are my notes, to access as we go along and to refer back to next year — not advice for anyone else’s Thanksgiving! Though, feel free to share your keeping it simple Thanksgiving ideas with me!
Tentative Thanksgiving Dinner Menu
Dad’s Roast Turkey and Stuffing (I’ll make, my Dad’s recipe)
Gravy
Green Bean Casserole (R9, make ahead)
Red Mashed Potatoes
Green Peas (C7)
Corn (C7)
Dinner Rolls (baked from frozen)
Cranberry Sauce (make ahead)
Hot Mulled Apple Cider (T10)
Pumpkin Pie
Ambrosia (J12, make ahead)
Bailey’s Irish Cream (continuing a Kyiv tradition)
Maybe. . .
Green salad? Pumpkin dip? Appetizer?
Other things to keep it simple. . .
Remember to check the oven is on “bake” not “broil”
Remember 10 am Thanksgiving service at church
Remember to thaw the turkey
A glass of wine while cooking
Do as much ahead of time
Kids participate
Peaceful music
This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.This is my Father’s world, dreaming, I see His face.
I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, “The Lord is in this place.”
This is my Father’s world, from the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His Only Son,
Came—a pledge of deathless love.This is my Father’s world, should my heart be ever sad?
The lord is King—let the heavens ring. God reigns—let the earth be glad.
This is my Father’s world. Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.
No place but is holy ground.This is my Father’s world. I walk a desert lone.
In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze God makes His glory known.
This is my Father’s world, a wanderer I may roam
Whate’er my lot, it matters not,
My heart is still at home.
The other night my nine-year-old called me over to the couch, hymnal in hand, and sang to me.
“Has anyone seen Roots of American Order
J12 and R9 started looking through the shelves. “It’s the one with the gold cover,” I reminded them.
“Is it the one by Russell Kirk?” C7 asked.
I burst out laughing and affirmed it was.
He scampered off to the bedroom and came back with it.
My kids. They crack me up.
Just some things I’ve been reading. . . thinking. . .
Immigrant families. . . A few weeks ago, Camille shared a series about her family and then I read about Tom’s grandfather who has recently passed away, and that brought tears to my eyes. When Hubby was working on his thesis, we had so many conversations about transnational migration. Though so many families are very firmly planted in one place, even for generations — moving and migration have been very common throughout history. In our lives, we’re at the 3+ year mark here in Florida. I have itchy feet. I’m not used to living somewhere this long. And yet. . . we’re finally settled in a church, part of a community. I can imagine staying here longer (not forever) and am not sure I’m ready to leave yet.
I like Pandora even more now than when we first discovered it. I’ve been listening to a station called Michael Card and John Michael Talbot today.
If you live in Florida and aren’t registered to vote, you still have one more day. October 6th is the deadline to register to vote in Florida.
I won a special giveaway from Karen Campbell who does the weekly ThatMom podcasts. How fun it is to get a package in the mail! I have the Campbell family cookbook, a handcrafted apron with a comfy neck, a Sally Clarkson
Our family has been involved in a lot of civic activities this week. The boys had volunteer roles at a grassroots rally on Thursday night (and we stayed after the rally to watch the debate.) This election cycle has been interesting for me, in that there are those in my circles online and in person who share a very many similar views and yet are supporting different candidates this election cycle. In the past, my friends who supported different candidates also had different understandings of basic approaches to life. . . With those friends it seemed as if we had an easier time coming together and discussing or debating issues — even heatedly — and yet easily accepted one another and our differences. This time around it feels different. . . Perhaps because those friends who are vocal about supporting a different candidate share so many other views than in the past? In any event, I’ve been pretty hesitant to post that much about political issues lately (not that some would think so!)
This weekend the two older boys attended the Leadership Institute political action conference. I accompanied them yesterday, and Hubby attended today. They’ve been absorbing it all. One interesting thing, something I felt acutely lacking, was the mention of God’s sovereignty in the realm of culture and politics. Of course, I don’t think it would have been appropriate to be honest. Still it was illuminating to see how much of our thinking in infused in looking to the Providence of God, and rightfully so.
We’ve “inherited” two computers for the boys and their schooling. . . We’re thankful for them and are thinking about how to best utilize them. As our primary desktop was moved into the bedroom when Hubby was working on his thesis, we have the “kitchen office” to set up a work area for the boys. (My Dad bought me a big, beautiful wooden desk. . . oh, maybe 15 years ago? . . . and I still love it.) The desk is big enough to set up both computers and have all four boys work together there. One computer is linux based and the other is windows. I think it is good to have a linux computer in the house — the boys will now be able to develop more geeky skillz. Still, I’m much more comfortable with windows. I think I’m going to be downloading Homeschool Tracker (thanks to Kirstin, referral code 2RNSD) and see whether I can do weekly updates with that and have the boys do daily tracking. I’d be interested in hearing how others have incorporated more computer stuff into their schoolwork.
My nephew is three years old and beautiful.
My cousin is celebrating four years of marriage.
My brother-in-law has started blogging.
Autumn reminds me of how much I miss canning. R9 is asking me to make apple butter with him. I miss Ukraine.
I had a bunch of other misc thoughts on my mind this week. . . but the rest will have to wait for now. The younger boys have asked me to read aloud and I’m off to snuggle with them.
We’re having our own little McCain/Obama debate watching party at home tonight with the kids, watching online at CNN.com. I think we’ll make popcorn, too. . .
Who wants to be my kitchen helper?
That’s a common question around here — at least, when I cook, which isn’t quite as often as it used to be. Over time, having a Kitchen Helper has become a special time to work together, talk together, be together. Tonight, R9 was my kitchen helper. We made hummus, with chickpeas that we thawed from the freezer. Hummus and fresh veggies. Yummm! That’s been enough for a summer dinner at times.
But tonight it’s overcast and windy, even though we are feeling just the very edges of Ike. So we made comfort food, too. A big wok full of potatoes, onions, and sausage. I cut the veggies and my kitchen helper stirred them, keeping them from burning and telling me when they were ready. Much of my cooking these days is impromptu, so I’m hoping that the boys are learning not just basic culinary skills, but also the abilty to look into the fridge and figure out what could be prepared that is somewhat nutritious. Hummus and sausage? Not exactly traditional combinations, but it worked tonight.
I’ve been reading “Hold On To Your Kids: Why parents Need To Matter More Than Peers,” which my friend Carol gave to me. I’m still in the first few chapters, and so far it is very insightful. And it has made me thankful for the rituals we have in our family — rituals like Who wants to be my kitchen helper?
My boys woke at 4 am this morning (yes, four!) to start their training for men’s gymnastics. Now, they haven’t actually seen men’s gymnastics, but the neighbor kids’ enthusiasm is infectious. I told them they MUST go back to sleep (they already had the mattresses off the beds, ready to tumble!) and train when they woke at a more sane hour.
Edited to add: The boys really DID train hard today — and ended up worn out and took a two hour nap this afternoon!
While Hubby now has his master’s, I’m still plugging away at school. My parents gentle encouraged me to finish my bachelor’s before getting married, but with stars in my eyes I just wanted to marry and have babies. (That combined with a disillusionment with the system of higher education, tending towards the autodidactic, and wanting real-life experience. . . well. . . I’m surprised I finished my associates before tying the knot!)
Eleven years and four babies later, I started back at the local university a few semesters ago. With Hubby in school, and the boys homeschooling, it just seemed like the right time for me to start back. The boys have been my biggest cheerleaders, and we’ve had the fun of all sitting around the dining room table doing math homework. They’ve also been tolerant of the end-of-semester push to finish papers and study for finals, even when that’s meant a grumpy mommy.
We’re still working on our plans for the boys’ homeschool year, but I’m registered for classes and begin next week — Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Religion in America and Bible (Old Testament) as Literature. See a theme? I’ve been focusing on the intersection of psychology and theology (even though the local uni doesn’t exactly offer much direction there.) At this point, I’m on track to graduate in December. (!) Blogging tends to go by the wayside during the semester, though. . .
The women’s Bible study at our church is going through Judges and Daniel. It seems like it is an excellent complement / counterpoint to the classes I’m taking. Even though I’m not able to go every week, this Bible study has been just what I’ve needed. And between the Bible study and the OT as Lit class, I’m starting to read through the OT, something I confess I haven’t done in years. This morning I woke up before the alarm clock, and it was as if the Lord were nudging me. . . Go on. . . spend some time in the Word now. . .. It was good.
Colorado, July 2008. Papa and Mo with 6 of 7 grandkids.
The 7th was asleep in a sling.
R9, T10, C7, Jh2, Th7, J12
Two weeks, eight states and five thousand miles. . . Hiking mountain paths, rafting white waters. . . Sketchbooks and pencils, reading by dim car light and moonlight. . . Throwing up in a plastic cup. . . Long flat endless plains, sulphery gnatty bayous, crazy curvy cliff-edge roads. . . Photos, sketches, stories told. . . Great-grandmother, great-uncle and their cats. . . Grandparents, itty-bitty cousin, family reunion. . . Real cowboys, roadside trinkets, route 66. . . Texas barbecue in Colorado, New Orleans seafood on David Street, cousins cooking dinner. . . Sweeping grandeur, rocky mountains, breathtaking canyon. . . Elk, deer, hawks. . . Waterfalls, alpine lakes, hot springs. . . Chasing cousins, climbing rocks. . .
We’re home from the best family roadtrip ever.
Hubby has done it. He has finished his master’s program. And he has finished well.
He started working towards his history degree in 2006. His major is in Modern American and minor is Modern Europe, with a focus on transnational migration. He plugged away steadily at his schoolwork and research. His research led to him having his own room at the library and a microfilm reader in our living room. He translated countless newspaper articles, teaching himself Ukrainian along the way. And while commencement is a beginning, for now we are celebrating this significant completion.
Along with his studies, Hubby also homeschooled our four boys boys and worked. How did he do it all? Tenacity and grace, determination and faith. Looking at him in his cap and gown. . . I don’t know how he did it all — but he did it, and did it well.
The heights of great men reached and kept,
Were not obtained by sudden flight,
But they, while their companions slept
Were toiling upward in the night.
–Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
In a few weeks days, our family will be heading out for a family roadtrip!
The boys were great travelers as little ones — we made countless long trips in the minivan. But in Ukraine we were free of a vehicle, and the trips we took were overnight by train. Lots of fun, but a totally different experience.
Last fall we went up the east coast to Pennsylvania (and took a midnight tour of D.C.) and had a wonderful time. However, we’ll be taking the mother-of-all-roadtrips this fall — driving east to west, not quite to the west coast. We’re all really looking forward to it, but I’m realistic enough to know we’ll likely have a few bumps in the road and in our relating to one another as we drive across long, hot, flat expanse of west Texas.
Plus, the boys are older now. . . Older and bigger and sometimes feel cramped in the back of the minivan. We’re stocked up on snacks, books, dictionary and hymnal (you’d be amazed at how often a dictionary comes in handy on the road!), sketchbooks and audio books.
Any ideas or advice or great road trip stories to share?
With joy and peace, we welcome a new baby girl to our extended family. Much love to my sister’s family!
Today was one of those days that I got a break from my normal responsibilities and indulged in summery routines. I reread To Kill a Mockingbird. Kristen mentioned it the other day. But it moved me in a different way than it did with previous readings. I’m still processing it, so no commentary yet.
I took R9 to an appointment and with a positive report, it looks like he’ll only need occasional check-ups for now. As is our ritual, we stopped for coffee on the way to the appointment–we each had an iced latte. I stocked up at our bread store and Frank told me the store was closing next month. That makes me sad. Even though the store isn’t in my neighborhood, Frank is part of my “community.” He’s a retiree who works there part time. He said Whole Foods has offered him a position, I mentioned Starbucks has good benefits for part-timers. He wasn’t sure he could put up with the sort of customers who tend to frequent those shops, compared with the bread outlet where he currently works. (But, he likes me. . . and I go to both.)
We stopped at the produce market to stock up on fruits and veggies. It seems like we go through food a lot quicker these days. The boys are growing so fast–J11 is almost as tall as I am. This must be what people were referring to when I announced each pregnancy and they incredulously responded, “How can you afford to feed all those kids?!” I have a black thumb and doubt we’ll ever have a garden. But the fresh cucumber and tomato salad we’re having with dinner tastes summery and gardeny and good.
Hubby just started another load of laundry. Towels. Somehow the bulk of our towels ended up on the lanai, wet from boys swimming in the pool. We need to do a load before anyone can take a shower. But daily swims in the pool are part of summer, and even without being part of any sports teams my boys are athletic and active.
It’s starting to thunder and lightening. I love Florida summer evening storms.
O worship the King, all glorious above,
O gratefully sing His power and His love;
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.O tell of His might, O sing of His grace,
Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space,
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
And dark is His path on the wings of the storm.The earth with its store of wonders untold,
Almighty, Thy power hath founded of old;
Established it fast by a changeless decree,
And round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.O measureless might! Ineffable love!
While angels delight to worship Thee above,
The humbler creation, though feeble their lays,
With true adoration shall all sing Thy praise.
When the boys were toddlers, we started having a “morning circle time” ala waldorf/montessori which included singing hymns from our red Trinity Hymnal. As I don’t read music well, we started with hymns with familiar tunes. O Worship The King was one we sang frequently.
Today one of the boys was very upset, the kind of upset that breathing gets ragged and it is hard to calm down. In our family, no one cries alone–unless they want to be alone. So I was cuddling with him and silently praying. . . words just weren’t appropriate. So I sang softly to him, his special lull-a-bye song, Baby Beluga, Amazing Grace and O Worship the King. His breathing became calm during O Worship the King. We prayed together, and he went out to play.
So, this morning R9 and I were snuggling on the couch talking about books we’re reading, making pancakes, and other lazy Saturday morning meanderings. Out of nowhere he asked,
“Mommy, what is sex?”
I gulped. I so did not want to have this conversation. The boys know some basics of the birds and the bees, but in general we’ve gone with a slow, natural progression of talking about this topic.
I stayed calm. “So, where did you hear that word?”
“Right there. . .” He pointed to the bookshelf. “The Joy of Sects
Hubby’s old army buddy back from DLI days has recently re-enlisted to go serve in Iraq. He’s having a quick Florida vacation and visiting us before heading out. We haven’t had houseguests since Rebecca and Sara were here over a year ago. Considering how often my ILs have company and the fine Florida weather, I’m surprised. Then again, staying with a family with four active boys isn’t exactly everyone’s idea of restful.
It’s been really enjoyable. I’m online to look up my favorite pancake recipe. We have fresh blueberries and strawberries (and whipped cream!) for toppings, and should make for a perfect lazy Saturday breakfast out on the lanai. It’s been overcast and rainy, and today is sunshiny–a perfect beach day. We’ll probably head out to Siesta Key (though usually I prefer Lido or Turtle Beach.)
Ahhh. . . gotta love Florida.
I’m feeling loved and cherished by all my boys this Mother’s Day. I spent almost all day abed, with coffee and books.
And I’ve read some mothering encouragement the past few days that I’d like to pass along. The first is from Camille, with Scripture and medieval mommy-inspiration from Martin Luther.
Karen writes a mother’s day tribute to both her mother and her daughter, and the journeys the Lord has walked the three of them through.
I was able to have a long, enjoyable conversation with my own Mom yesterday. So much I’m thankful for, so much I appreciate, so much I see of her in me. . . so much to say that just can’t be written online. I love you, Mom.
Happy anniversary, with much love!
We joined the other families in our homeschool baseball team for a game at Ed Smith Stadium tonight. Our team won, and our family had a fun. The whole atmosphere of the game was great; the cool fresh air, the excitement, the game announcer’s voice reverberating, the hot dogs. . . I remember my folks bringing us to a game in Racine when I was growing up. It was the same thing. Minor league games are are the best. (And the boys understood a lot more now that they’ve been playing baseball, compared to their first taste of the classic American sport.)
These three precious little ones were born within a month of each other. Twin girls in one family, and a firstborn son in the other. And yes, I’ve volunteered to babysit! My boys seem so BIG when I see these newborns.
We’ve been continuing our mellow-weathered springtime. The lanai is still our makeshift office, and the kids are running around in the backyard or swimming in the pool for hours each day.
I finished up this semester’s classes with a sigh of relief. I toyed with the idea of not taking any classes in the summer, but scheduling wise have ended up with two–Statistics and the Psychology of Religion. Ought to be interesting, to say the least. (And challenging–statistics, to me, is like a foreign language. Requires a lot of work and repetition before things “click.”) Speaking of, I’m also having my Russian language skills evaluated in a few weeks. I’m a little nervous about that. I can have long and ongoing conversations in my head in Russian, but tend to stumble over my tongue when I try to speak. That, and my listening comprehension. . . well. . . it’s slow even in English! Classes start the week after next, so I’m trying to fit in some “fun” reading this week. Not exactly light reading, but Samuel Martin’s book is on my to-read list (and it is now available in electronic format at no charge!)
T10 has had an ongoing fascination with whales for several years. He’s read all the books on whales and related species at the library (and even pointed out errors in some.) I could totally see him out on a boat with a beard and binoculars and a notebook, like the cetologist on a video we watched. Last year we went to Shedd Aquarium with Mo and Papa John, and T10’s special gift there was a book on how to become a marine animal trainer. Since then his obsession seems to have waned to mere fascination. . . Yesterday after watching Shamu and seeing the other dolphins, whales, porpoises, walruses and myriad sea creatures, he’s again certain that he wants to work with and study sea creatures. I know that there are padi scuba lessons for kids as young as 12, but I’m so nervous about that–even if it is a few years away. Our neighbor is a scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory. I’d like to look into what volunteer opportunities would be age-appropriate and work within our schedule. Or, maybe we’ll start with the Saturday morning program–that would be a fun Mommy-Son date.
We pretty much do year-round homeschooling, with lull times when Hubby or I are at the end-of-semester crunch, holidays and trips. But I think it is time to reassess the school books we are using and refocus on our education goals with our children. The boys have been learning by leaps and bounds. The most exciting thing is that C7 made the great leap from beginning reading to avid reading. They are all readers! That is so reassuring. Still, it’s time for assessment and decisions.
The boys are still active with their Young Conservatives of Our Neighborhood club with the neighbor kids. They are in the beginning stages of planning a 9/11 remembrance service. It has been interesting watching them take a broad idea, and then walking them through breaking it up into little steps.
My morning glories have not yet sprouted, but Kathy’s roses are blooming.
Life is good.
Tomorrow is our much anticipated family trip to Sea World! Considering we have a whale lover in the family and we’ve lived in Florida for three years, I’m surprised it has taken us this long.
Rejoicing with dear friends who have had their firstborn son (he was 9 lb, 15 oz!) Our love and prayers are with you.
“Instead of one of those stereotypes, I’m one of those Smeagol-types.” –C7, as he prances around in his pajamas-cum-loincloth before bed
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls, now
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me
Welcome, little baby J! Hubby’s little sister has a firstborn son, entering the busy, breathing world today.
