There’s a Battle Going On

 

There’s a battle raging on top of my antique dresser in our living room.  It’s been going on for days. 

Sometimes I think these guys are winning.

Other days it looks like these dudes have it all wrapped up.

It’s hard to tell but I think this guy just might be enjoying himself a little too much.

And this guy, well I’m pretty sure he thinks he’s a bad to the bone gun slinger.

The other day I walked in to see this bad scene goin’ down. I yelled, “Hey! cowboy dudes watch your back!”  But, they ignored me.  Go figure. At least they can’t say I didn’t warn them.

The outcome is yet to be seen. Replacements have been called for and at times the war whoops can become ear deafening, but when one has boys, what can one expect. The battle must go on!

Simply Saturday~ 01/29

Welcome to the first Simply Saturday!  Would you like to participate?  Grab your camera, take a picture of anything that speaks to you of simplicity and home. Your post can be as wordy or as wordless as you like. You decide!  Then come back here and link up. 

We had some beautiful snowy weather this week.  One morning it was a bit foggy and as the fog dissipated it left a trail of crystals.  I grabbed my camera, put on my winter garb, my oldest son’s bulky winter boots and trudged out to the fence row.  All went well until I tripped on the boot lace.  Usually I can regain my balance pretty well, but in boots several sizes to large for me there was no recovering.  Thankfully as I was falling face first I had the presence of mind to hold up my camera.  If you can picture this all in slow motion that is how it felt.  I landed flat on my belly with my chin inches above the fluffy stuff and my right arm extended just above my head. Simple, huh?

ANYWAY this is one of the shots I got before gracefully plunging to the snow. I love the simple beauty that the ice crystals create on this burdock. Who knew pesky burdock could be beautiful!

Now for those of you new to linking up (this ones for you Bevy! :) here are a few steps to help you out

Click on the add link button below and it will then require you to fill in some information.

You will be asked for your site address.  PLEASE put the address of your Simply Saturday post. To find this, mouse over the title of your post on your blog it will give you your exact address.  For example:  my address for this post is http://homeschoolingonjuniperhill.blogspot.com/2011/01/simple-saturday-0129.html

The rest should be pretty easy to understand. (If not shoot me an e-mail or leave a comment)

You are free to copy and paste the Simply Saturday button at the top of this blog.  And while your at it do you mind  linking to my blog on your post, just to let others know where we are gathering! Thanks! :)

****The following is a disclaimer....I don't know if I did the linky right SO if you have difficulty linking up PLEASE let me know via my comment section or through e-mail! Alrighty! I think that about wraps it up. NOW show me what you got!

God’s Beauty

Just had to post another bird picture!  I’m loving all the lovely winter photos I’ve had the opportunity to take lately.

I’m At The Well today. Here is an excerpt from my most recent article head on over to The Well to read more…

Shiny and boisterous, warm and inviting, vivid and lively, functional and sturdy, the buttons from my jar pour out across the table.  I run my hand lightly over them, scoop up a handful and let them filter through my fingers.  They bounce back into the pile of light and bright, dark and muted.  The variety scattered across my table brings beauty and completeness.

Twelve! How Can It Be?

You, my little spit fire, are growing up. My boy. My love. Energy encapsulated.

In your eyes shines a joy for life. You are imagination and play wrapped into a high bouncing ball. Always ready for the next adventure.

You are my tender soul, with a heart ready to gush with love and affection. In you I see a desire to soften life’s blows for those you love.

 

You are tough and tumble.  You are vibrant and alive.  You are strong and tenacious.

You are hugs and kisses.  You are snuggles in the quiet moments. You aren’t ashamed of climbing into my lap for some mom and boy time and for that I am forever grateful.

You ARE mine and I cannot tell you how thankful I am that God gave you to me. My heart is bursting today with the love I store there for you.

 

Another year is ahead of you and I know you will do much with it.  Play, love, learn, grow I’ll be right here cheering you on.  My hand in yours, my heart fully for you.

I LOVE you, my handsome boy!

A Pure Covering

It’s snowing today.

Lots of great, big, fluffy flakes. Falling, swirling, floating, drifting.

Covering, hiding and transforming the world out my windows.

 

I love the snow! I couldn’t imagine living where the winters are snow free. It speaks to my heart of a cover of purity.  Of a surrounding cleanliness.

Brightening, cleansing, covering.

Just as Jesus does for me and for you.

It reminds me I am forgiven. And not just once, but often, always and forever!

Yes, the snow is a blessed reminder of how Loved I am by my Savior.

“Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7b

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This Saturday will begin the new meme of Simply Saturday here on my blog.

If you would like to join in, take a picture in or around your home that speaks to you of simplicity or of the joy of home.  Any level of photographer is welcome! Then on Saturday come here and link up your post! If you look on the side bar I have created a button, feel free to grab that and add it to your blog sidebar or Saturday post. I’m looking forward to seeing what speaks to you of home and simplicity!

Simply Saturday

 

It’s Saturday!

Breathe in, Breathe out!  Can’t you feel it! The simplicity of an unrushed day!  I’m cherishing this day.  Mmmm-Hmmmm!

My praise and worship music is playing and I’m singing right along as I do my housework and prepare for a birthday party for my middle son.

We’ll be celebrating 12 years tonight.  He’s super excited and I love to see the joy in his eyes.

On this Saturday I’m focusing on simplicity. 

There’s untold beauty in it!

 

I’m tossing around starting a Saturday theme called Simply Saturday. It would focus on a picture you have taken of something in or around your home that speaks to you of home and simplicity (all photography levels welcome).  It could be as wordy as you want it or wordless.  What do you think?  Would you participate or not? 

Also if you are interested I’ve added more to my Etsy shop.  Take a look….

Two more 8x10’s and an inspirational 5x7 (minus the watermark, of course!).

Happy Saturday everyone!

Toot! Toot!

I’ve been keeping busy here lately.  Ya know with all the normal stuff like schooling, cooking, cleaning, disciplining, nose wiping, laundry, disciplining…yes there’s been an extra dose of that going around. 

My children seem to be at each other more than usual lately.  I just finished breaking up another heated and semi-physical argument. BOYS! (Insert extreme exasperation here!).  The offenders are showering as we speak.  They will be going to bed before 8:00pm.  I’m sure that will teach them.  See me patting my back!  Not only will they learn this momma is sick and tired of the crankiness, arguing and down right selfishness being displayed, but I’ll get some peace and quiet. (Yah, I know I’m displaying a bit of selfishness, but I’m SURE they didn’t get it from me!)

Anywho…this post wasn’t supposed to be about naughty children and a frazzled mother, but there you have it, that’s been my life recently. 

And there’s been a few other tid bits like…I opened up my ETSY shop (check out the sidebar)!  I’m hoping and praying that I will be able to sell some of my photos.  I’m just getting started, but I am hoping to have more for sale soon. I would love to make a business out of my photography, any wisdom you could send my way would be welcome.

   

Also I made a page on facebook for my Photography.  It is called Sycamore Lane Photography and I would love it if you would “like” me. 

Continuing on with this whole train of thought, I just received a writing assignment from a company that publishes Sunday School and church material.  If or when this article is accepted I will receive payment for it!  I am both excited and nervous!  I have always wanted to write for a publication. Yippee!  Now that I have been accepted I am quaking just a wee bit, hoping, hoping, hoping,  I can pull off the requirements.

Well, I think I’m done tooting my own horn and all my public announcements are out of the way.

So, now I guess next on my list is to head to my boys bedroom and have a little tete-a-tete.  Things are gonna change around here if I have anything to do with it. I am momma hear me ROAR! :)

Precious Newness

This past weekend we celebrated Christmas with my side of the family.  As per tradition we always get together in January when the Christmas rush has subsided and we can truly enjoy one another’s company in a relaxed state of mind!

It was especially special this year because we got to celebrate this little bit of preciousness.

 

My sister, Marisa’s sweet, little son!

Oh, how I loved to hold this preciousness in my arms, burying my nose in his sweet babyness.  Trying my best to store up in my memory my newest nephew, a beautiful bundle straight from God.

Oh! And I took a few pictures, too!  Which will of course help this Auntie remember how wonderful it felt to hold such wonderfulness in my arms again.

Truth

Do you know the TRUTH?

The one and only.

The Lord Jesus is our TRUTH.  He is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6)  There is no other way to heaven, but by excepting Him as your Lord and Savior. 

Cry out to Him, confess your sins, voice your belief in Him as the Christ who died for your redemption, accept His free gift and receive eternal life.

“Then you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free.”  John 8:32

Free!

With Jesus we are free to lay our burdens on Him.  We don’t have to carry them any more. We just need to hand them over to our Rock and our Salvation.  He will release us from all that weighs us down.

He will quiet us with His love. (Zephaniah 3:17)

He will be our strength and our song. (Isaiah 12:2)

Fly to Jesus, reach out and receive.

 

Everybody IS Somebody

 

Whenever Lauren and I watch a video or read a book together, she picks out characters for us to be.  We are always the girl characters.  Usually she is the main girl and I’m the sidekick! We must each take part.  We have to be somebody.

And each of us is somebody.

Some of us are strong, boisterous, leaders of those around us.

Some of us are quiet, compassionate and meek.

Others are opinionated, bold and in charge.

Others maybe gentle, patient and followers.

Some of us are fashionable, trendy and modern.

Some of us are comfortable, classic or farm worthy.

Some may be short fused.

Others longsuffering.

Some of us see the positive around us.

Others may dwell on the negative.

These attributes make up our characters. It is who we are.  We may be the main girl. The one who leads the show and enjoys it.  Or we may be the sidekick, living our lives quietly, but still making an impact on those in our lives.

When I stop to look at the uniqueness of those around me I am once again in awe of our Awesome Creator. Each of us is created to be a special individual, one of a kind. God’s special design and love wrapped up into a package of humanness.

And when this uniqueness and quirkiness of others sets me on edge.  I try to remember God is the Creator of that person who is rankling me.  He is the one who loves each and everyone of us, because he formed us with His love.

I try to remember that we can’t all be like me, because if you all were, well then, we would all be waiting for someone to lead, waiting for someone to speak out, waiting, waiting, waiting, because I’m not one to step up and take the initiative.

And if you were all like me then there would be a lot of quiet, listening people just staring at one another waiting for someone to talk so we could all listen!

And if you were all like me we would all have clean houses and full tummies, but there wouldn’t be those who would teach, nurse, and run businesses.

I Corinthians 12:4-6; 12 says, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. (5)There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  (6)There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. (12)The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.”

Today and in the days to come, I will be embracing the godly differences I see in those around me.  I will be thankful that God created us uniquely different from one another. I will hold my tongue and capture my thoughts when they threaten to belittle someone for their differences.  May God help us all to be more loving to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

Snow, Gingerbread and Life

It’s been snowing these past two days.  I am so thankful for the fresh, pure, white that is covering the ground.  The contrast to the drab browns and grays does my heart good.  And who wouldn’t be happy about all the sledding, fort building and snow ball fights that can take place in a winter wonderland!

 

I mean really what would there be to cry about on such a fine winter day?

It’s not like her mother was forcing asking her nicely for a cute winter photo shoot!  She did not comply.  WAAAAA!

So, I took to finding pictures else where.

Less combat from these photo subjects suited me just fine!

 

On a completely different note, we are going to make Gingerbread men and a Gingerbread Daniel Boone and a Gingerbread Snow White today.  Yah, it could be an interesting decorating session with a couple of my children.  I’m looking forward to seeing that Daniel Boone gingerbread man and little sis is already asking me how we’re going to make a yellow skirt for Snow White…oh dear!

Normally this cookie baking fest would have taken place around Christmas, but with sickness in the house, this momma couldn’t stomach the idea of making cookies.  I thought maybe I could just slip this in the file for next Christmas, but OH NO, nothing doin’ we gotta make those cookies.

So today we bake.

Have I ever told you…I love Fridays! (Maybe just a time or two, huh?) It is a more laid back day of schooling for us.  We do the bulk of our work Monday-Thursday and then on Friday we focus on finishing up science, reading and history.  Today my children decided to do a bunch of science experiments just for fun.  How can I object!  Learn away my dear children, learn away!

And that is that…a peek into my life in the snow, gingerbread dough and school.

In the Still of the Night

 

The clock on the wall murmurs its steady rhythm.  The dishwasher swishes and rumbles.  Sneakers, sis’ kitty, sits in my lap vibrating ever so gently with his soothing purr.  Lights from the Christmas tree send a steady glow of warm, cheery light throughout the room.

It’s past 11:00.  Darkness and quiet prevail.  It’s Friday night and just kitty and I are awake.  He wants to play.  I want to type.  I’m not sure who’s winning, but it might be him!

I cherish these hours when all is peaceful and still.  It’s in these moments I recount my day. It is during this time of soothing quietness I remember why I cherish being a mom. 

During the rush of the day, when my name is called at least a hundred times, I can get frazzled.  I don’t mean to.  I don’t want to.  But sometimes I do.  Sometimes having them all home all the time can be so difficult.  Those days, when nothing seems to go right. When there is fighting between brothers. And whining coming from discontent little people. Those are the times I feel hunched over with failure.  I begin to question my ability. I begin to question my desire to to this mom job.

But, in the hush of the night the Lord graces me with His wisdom.  These children, the very ones, who can be sweet as sugar one moment and in the space of a breath terrible stinkers the next, are gifts.  He reminds me to be thankful for the hard, irritating, life-consuming times.  It is growing us all.  In the midst of these trials I tend to forget that these are learning moments for us all.  My viewpoint is on the present.  My focus zeros in on how rotten my kids can be at times and how it seems I am failing to make a difference in their behavior. 

Thankfully, in the still of the night, the Lord opens my mind.  He shows me what I need to do.  First, I need to pray fervently for each of my children daily.  Second, I need to set a good example with my words and actions.  Third, I need to be consistent.

Oh, this sweet time of quiet and contemplation, when my children are peaceful, slumbering with sweet dreams and gentle expressions gracing their faces.  I am thankful for the reminder from my Lord that YES, I am able to do this.  Yes, He will guide me on my mommyhood path.  Yes, I have wonderful, beautiful children who only sometimes morph into freaky little monsters.

Yes, there is hope for my children and His name is Jesus!

*****This post was in my drafts started on 12/17/10…finished this morning when I was graced with a smidge of inspiration on how to finish it!