SIMPLIFYING

I am constantly considering the way that I do things and the reason I do things the way I do. Most commonly, I rethink the way that I am parenting this small village of people under my roof. After spending a long weekend with our good friends, away from the kids and the constant motion, I learned a lot.

1. Teaching our children to respond appropriately to injustice is more important than catching the instigator.

They will continue to be antagonized throughout their lives in various circumstances. This is the perfect time to catch and correct their impulsive tendencies.

2. Modeling produces the best results.

Monkey see, monkey do.

3. We are training our children to become responsible adults by establishing good habits.

I have been toiling over the ever-growing list of rules that exist in this house. I fear that I am burdening my poor children with yoke of the law. I decided to limit video games to 2 days a week several months ago. It was a good change, but now I find some of my niños spending the entire remainder of the day, post schoolwork, buried in the mines of Minecraft. I have made casual mention of my growing disapproval of this behavior, but not wanting to place further restrictions on them without good cause, I have not established a time limit on game days. Any advice concerning this matter is most welcome!!

Tonight it occurred to me that I am not restricting these activities to be cruel or harsh, but because it is an unprofitable habit to spend countless hours mining!

The same is true for staying awake into the wee hours of morning.  (ironically, I am writing this at 1:38AM!) Haaaaahahaha! I really thought about this one though, before announcing the new "lights out" policy. I had a few children that were coming down late in the morning, crabby during the day, and displaying a bad attitude when asked to do chores not assigned to them. Come to find out, these very children were up until 2:00AM the night before. Hmph! It gave me great confidence to announce the new policy when I realized that it is an investment into their future patterns of behavior. When my daughter cried at the prospect of having to sleep at night, it shook me a little, but I stood my ground, knowing that she would see improvements right away after correcting her former habit.

I am applying this new found insight to most of the house rules. Some, of course, are for safety. Others are preventive measures to keep the peace in a house full of people. But most of them are training for life. It has helped to weed out some of the unnecessary restrictions.

In recent news, my sweet dreams of baby chicks coming home to lay have been bashed in by the ding-dang zoning laws. Because of this I have felt feverishly compelled to ready our house for sale, and I have been in search for an acreage. Please pray that the Lord will give us His favor in both of these endeavors! He is good and continues to bless us in the coolest ways. I want to please Him. On the farm. Where my destiny and the destiny of my precious country crew lie!

One more thing! I would really like to be out of one and into the next by the end of July, before Dale starts the PhD program. I'm afraid I will be on my own past that date, and frankly, I might not want to do it so badly if I have to do it without his hulking muscles!

Happy days to you, my sweet friends!

Lvb

Wonder

I find myself not writing because what I have to say is maybe not worth reading. Or maybe I'm afraid you won't find it interesting. I write with you in mind and find myself not posting because most of my readership has talked or tested me recently about the very thing I am posting. Then this morning I had this thought. I find myself not reading my Bible somedays because its not enough. Either I don't have time or the attention span to finish a chapter and so I read nothing. It occurred to me that a little is certainly better than nothing! And the same principle applies here. I need to write, for me! It's a lifeline that I deny myself on account of my concern for your interest. Time for a new chapter!

One of my biggest pet peeves on Facebook, my social life, is when people list all their accomplishments in a day. But then I sit down to write an email or text or even a post on Facebook, and I am doing the same thing. It's so bizarre! What is it about that? Am I trying to impress you? Am I looking for validation? I don't really know. I want someone to care how many times I got up in the night with a sick baby. I want someone to notice that I got up early to bake break for breakfast and that I have dinner in the crockpot so that later I can sit and talk to Dale when he gets home. I want someone to say, "Hey, you are makings your own chicken stock? That's so economical and convenient!" But instead I strive in vain for that very thing by overmentioning it and the people I talk to get used to hearing me say it.

I have this great son that wakes up with a life threatening ailment every morning. I never pay attention because it's always the worst thing that's ever happened. I'll never know when he's really hurting. Same deal with me. Every day is so full of my accomplishments that no one really notices. So maybe that's what I want. I just want someone to notice that my life is a minute by minute race to help and do and prepare and clean up and organize and wipe and hold... That's why ungrateful responses send me into a tirade. I know your life is the same way. Maybe you handle it with more grace than I do.

Having said all of that, I will say this. There is nothing else in this world that I would rather do than to be the matriarch of this house to this guy and these kids. I dreamed about it til the day I joined ranks with Dale Sutton and started this journey. I am grateful, and I really do love it.

Lvb

United on the Homefront

I am so, so happy to have all of my children home!!

I know it's difficult to imagine, but my life is more simple, more quiet, more organized, more laid back when even one of my seven children are gone. But it's just not right. I miss them so much. Usually I use the time to clean out the missng link's room. It's always a relief to unload the countless trashbags and vacuum the carpet. Once tha's done, I am ready for them to come home.

This past week Leila and Deisha were at my mom's for Little Girls' Camp. They had the time of their lives. Leila even cried a little on the way home because she already missed her sweet Nana. I can't blame her. I miss her too.

I wish I could take you all to Nanaland. My mother is one of the most selfless and most hospitable people I know. She is a shining symbol of godliness to our children without fail!

I know I will tire of the rat race at some point, with a houseful of children, but right now I am really loving my life. The Lord has blessed us and I am grateful!!

Lvb

What's goin on

Maybe you heard, I'm pre-ga-nen-te!!! And this while working a real job for too long on top of raising seven and schooling five children leaves only a wink for anything extra.

I seriously miss writing. I miss telling you my funny stories and amazing epiphanies. I miss knowing that we are connected here. And that, my sweet friend, is what brings me back.

So this morning God answered my prayers definitively. I have been agonizing over my job since before the positive pregnancy test. My children, these blessed gifs of life, have needed me here at home with them. I struggled to let the extra income go but felt the end coming. After I announced the new baby coming, the hunt began for my replacement. I thought I would continue to work one day a week after she was hired, but I found out this morning that I will not have that option.

It's funny... I should be thankful, and I am. But I feel strangely about leaving. I want to be as productive at home as I have been at work.I want to work as hard at saving money as I worked to earn it.

Ultimately, I am anticipating a wave of relief in two weeks when I wake up early to serve here at home as Dale's wife and Kennedy's, Micah's, Jasmine's, Tre's, Leila's, Deisha's, and Scarlette's Mom.

And maybe I can spend a little time here with you too!!

Lvb

Life

I am sitting at the kitchen table with my feet propped up on Scarlette's booster chair, feeding her chicken noodle soup.

Deisha and Leila are drinking hot chocolate out of tiny tea cups. Deisha is laughing hysterically at herself while Scarlette looks on. Leila is scrolling through the Ipod in search of a song to play.

The big kids are all down at the park. It's the end of January at 7pm. 50°. So bizarre. The Oilers came over to play for a couple of hours, so naturally none of them want to waste a single minute eating dinner. I can't blame them.

Dale is working late because it's Monday. I cleaned house all day... for someone else. Now I'm too tired to clean mine.

Leila picked Friday Night by Lady Antebellum, hence the wild spontaneous dance party.

Love it. What you doin'?

Lvb

Gratitude...

I love my life. I am in love with my husband. I adore my kids... I have a great house, messy as it is! I love my church... imperfect, but tight-knit.

I wake up happy. I feel deeply joyful. I am contiually struck with gratitide.

God has given me a ride in the good life. I have tasted, and seen, and lived this "abundant life" that Jesus  promised to His followers.

I don't know why He has chosen to bless me, but I continue to thank Him for the showers of blessing. I just wanted to tell someone, and thank God for making my dreams come true.

My Boys

I love these guys!

Whata greeaat life!

Last Picnic of the Year!

Dale planned a walk on the trails and a final family picnic with the little girls while the rest of us finished school this morning.

The picnic tables are 1.5 miles from the starting point of the trail, so the big kids rode bikes and skates.

I have to tell you, I loved it. This girl almost never volunteers an idea that involves being outside. It's just not my thing... But I do try to have a cheerful attitude when I know I have to be a part of it. Today proved that, that pays off sometimes. Besides, I burned 300 calories with the deal!

I hope you are enjoying these incredible fall days!

Lvb

P.s. I just realized my big kids are.all frowning! Hahaha! Crazy kids!!

Forty Years

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad! You are amazing...

Cabellas

If you have a chance to visit a Cabellas, it's on par with Bass Pro, as far as having things for kids.
We are in the aquarium here checking out the fish and turtles. Even the big kids are thoroughly entertained!
Lvb

Little Prayers

"Jesus, please help (inmate) get out of jail. Help him not take drugs. Help him not shoot anymore cops. In Jesus' name, amen."   -Leila

Sweetest prayer ever!

Lvb

Day Three of the Sickies

The kids sat at the table long enough to endure a history lesson, but from there it was to bed or couch for most of them.

I made a second trip to  the doctor after another sleepless night and agonizing morning. I wish I could say I am fine, but there was minimal resolve to my back issue.

A few happy events came from all of this suffering. Dale took the day off to drive me to the doctor, which I was so grateful for. And Dana came up to sit with the kids while we were gone, which we were all grateful for.

I despise being sick, but I have to say there is something endearing about being quarantined together.

Lvb

Sick Days

I rolled out of bed with a terrible backache and moved to the recliner. It was a rough night.

Deisha came down first. She snuggled up next to me and said, "I'm sad." She felt feverish so I gave her some tylenol and sprite. As the others made their way down, I realized we weren't going to be able to have school today.

I went to the doctor for my back, then came home to clean up and check on my crew.

They must be feeling better; Tre is singing, and the others are fighting over who is sicker. The quiet was nice while it lasted, but I am glad they are on their way out. I dont like it when they're down.

Seven months

This sweet baby...

This morning the pediatrician said, "This is a cute baby. I mean it, I have seen a lot of babies. I don't care what anyone says, there are ugly babies. This is a cute baby!"

Sometimes I feel a little guilty that she has such a great life. It took me a long time to figure this parenting thing out. I'm certainly not saying I have it all figured out, but when it comes to a happy textbook baby, it's a piece of cake.

Happy seven, Little One!

And All That Jas

Her eyes were sicky yesterday when she got up, but she insisted that she was fine. She couldn't bear the thought of missing  the first day of co-op.

This morning she didn't even get out of bed to tell me that she was too sick to get up.

It's awful quiet around here when there's an engine down.

Ladybug Pants

Naughtypants took her bath and got fancied up for lunch. She cracks me up!

Busyness

I'm busy.
I don't want to be,
I don't like to be,
It is rare for me to be,
But right now I am.

I seem to thrive in spite of the exhaustion.

One of my two jobs was temporary, it was just a week of looking after my sweet little neighbor lady.

My other job is indefinite. It is housekeeping in a big house three days a week. It should slow down in a month, but for now I am super busy.

It's interesting to me how possible it is to get everything done when there is a time crunch, but when I am just drifting it seems impossible to finish even a simple list. I suppose it's the pressure that drives me to be more productive. At the end of the day when I fall into a heap, I am continually surprised at the number of things I have accomplished, which is a nice by-product of the busyness.

I would love to be one of those people that takes it in stride, waltzing through the days with grace and ease.
I am not.
This is a season that I will not tolerate for long.
I need the days of drifting to savor my life. The Lord has blessed me and I want to drink it in.

Plus, I'm a lot nicer when I'm drifting! Hahahaha...

Lvb

Prayer Conditioning

I was praying for some extra income.

After a month of rice and beans, I had two jobs
in two days.

The week I started both jobs, our air conditioner retired.

I was praying it was just a cry for help in the way of a new filter...

Without warning, he just walked off the job.

It was 104° that day.

Let's do the math, shall we?

2 jobs
6 month old baby
7 kids living on the main floor
110° heat index
5 fans running constantly
2 fifteen-year-old window units
0 meals from the oven
4 three weeks
= 1 cranky mommy

Dale was gone for a long weekend toward the end. I was on the verge of tears almost every day.

I spent a lot of time praying.

Today we have a new system, thanks to a spontaneous electrical storm and our friendly abd compassionate insurance adjustor from Country Financial.

I am thanking God that: a. Our house didnt burn down,
and b. The new filter and desperate plea didn't convice it to stay on.

The Lord is good.

Lvb

A little bit

This baby makes me want to get pregnant again
Right away...

sweet sweet sweet

Let me just say, blogging is my favorite.
I can't tell you how many times I have made mental notes to
"blog about this"
only to lose it in the flurry of activity that is my life.

Now I can, as quickly as I have the thought, send word to you
Regarding aforementioned items.

I am blogging from my phone right now!

And guess what else!

If I had not promised to watch phineas and ferb with Tre on his ipod,
I could photograph myself right now and post it!

That will take a few minutes, so when I figure out out, I'll be back!

Haha!
lvb