Are We Done Yet?: August 2009

Sunday, August 30, 2009

I am so glad.....

I am not the only one.....:)

During the last week I have sat down to blog about the upcoming school year and all the exciting things in store for us, but all my books and curric are still packed in boxes to be unloaded in our "new" school room-- well new floor- thanks to my sweet hubby and some great friends (thanks for all the help guys!) and as I was typing trying to remember the curric and the activities i STARTED TO GET OVERWHELMED..... all the wonderful, exciting things started to make me panic- "Am I doing the right thing", "are they going to learn", "can I do this with a newborn", "Am I committing to too much this year?" and, "Wow, that bus outside my door sounds awful great to load them up on right now!" Ohhhh the complaining I did about it all..... then I read this post and this post. Other HS mommas feel it too!! After a great Sunday school lesson ( even if I did only hear a little of it! Briggs doesn't luv it as much :)!)and having a "talk" with My Father I do know what I am doing is what God has planned for me and my family.... I want to follow Him completely. Even on days when I feel I can't do it or it's just all to much ... I can because He is with me all the way:) Not to say I don't need to cross some things off for this year and please pray for me to get focused, organized, and have more patience with everyone...... thanks! One day my calling may be something else and I will miss these days. Until then I am listening, learning from some awesome little people in my life and hope they are doing the same:)! Now I can't wait to see what this school year brings with a MIDDLE schooler ( Kayla is in 6th this year!), a 2nd grader, a big boy who starts Kindergarten, a wild preschooler, and of course a cute, chubby little baby !

* I am not starting school until end of Sept officially, it may even be first week in Oct ( my really great hubby booked a trip to Hilton Head as a surprise for last week of Sept- SURPRISE!! {winK} but it will be fun to get away after all this work I'm doing the next few weeks!!).... but we do have a few things we are doing in the month of Sept that are really exciting so stay tuned... will post our first service project some day this week!!

Monday, August 24, 2009

beach trip 09

can u tell all the fun we had......thank goodness I took

so may pics towards the beginning of week- thurs

Cash was so soo sick I

ended up taking him to urgent care-

then came home one day earlier due

to nursing issues ( clogged is all I need to

say to u breastfeeding mommas- sorry men

that read this!! lol) I am much better- Cash is

wayyy better and while we had the best time

we all are glad to to b home:)

ps- d u see what lil Briggs has picked up on?

comment if you know or think u know from pics!!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Back!

We r back from a 9 day trip to Wild Dunes- it was a blast- super busy ( vacations are supposed to be relaxing huh? lol) so I am catching up on blogs, emails, FB so see ya soon and have lots of posts of pics, school happenings, and life happenings too- just not sure when the time will allow to get it all out on my post ( have it all on my head though lol!!)

While catching up I came across this from one of my FAV blogs ( yet I dont have her on my roll??! lol) and read this statement.... perfect words...I couldn't have said it better myself- the last few days at beach I was feeling so guilty for eating bad, letting the kids eat bad, drinking WAYyyy to much sweet tea and the list could go on--- thanks Mckmama I feel so much better, but still have a caffeine withdrawal headache!! tee hee

I love cloth diapers. But we don't always use them.

We drink organic raw milk. But sometimes I drink Diet Coke.

My kids eat really, super healthy. Except when we're eating at McDonald's.

And, truly, I don't swear, even sometimes. But, in most other areas of my life, where I am "really good/natural/healthy" I am still not perfect.)

See, I love sharing--on my blog, and in real life--about our natural way of life. About babywearing and delaying vaccinating and breastfeeding and organic eating. About cloth diapers and raw milk. About being an on-the-go mom with lots of kids and a photography business to boot.

But.

Those are not the things that define me. Having a natural, healthy way of life for my family is not my end game. While I do care if the kids eat well, while I don't want their private parts getting messed up by chlorinated diapers, while I want them to feel attached to me and never to a television, there is much more to my mothering than that. "That," in fact, doesn't matter--eternally--at all.

Regardless of what my children eat, they will all eventually die. Sure, I want them to have the healthiest life they can, to feel good, treat their bodies well, and be good stewards of what God has given them. But being a natural mom is not my highest calling. Throwing our tvs out two years ago didn't win me any jewels in my eternal crown.

This is what it is all about: raising my children to know Jesus.

I can give or take if they love broccoli. But it is the desire of my heart that they love Jesus. It is around values of eternal significance that I work to place my emphasis while raising my MSC. For it is what we do on earth that transcends this life...it is what happens after this short blink of an eye is over...that truly matters.

I love cloth diapers, but they won't get my kids into Heaven. Only knowing Jesus and accepting His gift of life everlasting will get them there. And since I'll be there after my time here is done, there is little more I could wish than for our kids to join me there when they are done with their earthy journeys.

And maybe, when they get there, they'll bring me an order of french fries, just for old time's sake.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

2 months ago....

2 months ago today I still looked like the first pic.......little did I know how much my world was going to change and that would b my last belly shot--- Tomorrow Briggs will b 2 months old!

Friday, August 7, 2009

daddy...

thank u for all u do for me:)

These Boys

I enjoyed my girls as babies and feel as though I rushed my two older boys, but this time I have learned not to rush... One of my many joys these days is watching the 3 brothers interact together:).....

I know I have not "talked" a lot on blog really focusing on family, getting ready for a new school year, and yes photography. Some months I go all out on cooking ( more like baking and learning to can/freeze food all while trying to do with all organic, natural ways), some months sewing.. u may can say I have a little ADD when it coms to learning and trying new things! This month my camera seems to be stuck on my hip ... now if only I could do that with cleaning, laundry, and dinner??!! lol

Monday, August 3, 2009

Playin around

These are my first shots with out using the auto setting- I have a lot to learn but for my first time - I am loving these!! These were taken at Latta Spray park- we plan on going back soon!!

We went with some friends-- one of my friends Beth had her twins a few weeks before I had Briggs- they r soo cute!! Adding a whole book of FB so check em out there too!!