I'm Sorry...

"God pardons like a mother who kisses the offense into everlasting forgetfulness."
-Henry Ward Beecher

 

"Garden's At Cotswald Cottage" Greenfield Village, Dearborn, Michigan"
By Jean Smith

When our children are young and they've been caught doing something naughty, they get this innocent look on their wee little face and sweetly give their apologies...'sorry mommy...'  What mother wouldn't just grab up that child into her arms and tenderly forgive?  Some offenses may be more minor than others... like snipping up a favorite magazine or snipping at a new dress... bit of frustration either way, but one is by far more serious than the other. 

Well yesterday was one of those days for Evan... my sweet little Evan.  You see, he has taken quite a liking to scissors and every now and then he happens to get this internal inclination to 'snip' away at something. He'll sneak off and just start snipping at things... I have no idea why other than it must be a full moon coming! Well, yesterday he got caught cutting some papers of no importance, thankfully... but it was still the 'I'm sorry mommy'. I tried to explain to him that he mustn't snip at things because he doesn't know if those papers are important or not... like a mortgage note!  He gave that innocent little look that I know and so I reiderated how he must not snip at my papers! He went off with a hug and smile, until next time...

We, like our children do things that need to be made right... and again some are little things while others are major. When we apologize don't we want that unconditional forgiveness... a hug and a smile from the ones we've wronged? A let's move forward and leave this behind us... Of course we do. It isn't difficult for us to forgive our children... but what about our spouse... or a dear friend... or a co-worker... it's not always so easy to forgive those offenses. Yet it is necesary for all involved so healing can take place, for both the offender and the offended.

Isn't that the way our Heavenly Father is with us? As we come to Him with a sincerely repentant heart and ask forgiveness He gathers us up into His arms and cast's that offense into everlasting forgetfulness.  Our hearts desire should be to grow into this kind of love and remember that "...as far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."  Psalms 103:12

Until next time,
Jean
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"Dear Jesus..."

Poor little boys... stomach flu has struck. Last evening we started in with those terrible words that every mother hates to hear, "Mommy, my stomach hurts..."  Not much later things started to fly~ literally ... I didn't get much sleep last night and decided it would be wise to sleep with the night light on so if Aaron happened to have round two in bed... I didn't feel like changing the sheets again! Four thirty in the morning called for a change of clothes and diaper for the wee man... what a mess.  Such is the life of a mommy...

Earlier today Evan was lying on the couch and wanted me to sit with him because his tummy was starting to hurt again... so I snuggled in with him and the bucket. I was talking to one of the other children when I heard Evan muttering something. I turned to ask him what he said when I saw his sweet blue eyes closed and small little paddies folded... he was whispering a prayer. As I listened quietly, he was asking Jesus to make it so he didn't throw up again and to please make him feel better.  When he opened his eyes I was just smiling at him... he said he hoped Jesus would help him.  I told him to have faith and believe... "What's faith mommy?"  Oh my heart... this sweet little child...so I tried to answer as best as I could on such a complex question to a five year old... "Faith is believing that God can make you feel better and trusting that He will."  He looked at me with hope in his eyes... "Okay mommy..."

But right now all is well... Aaron is playing with his favorite toy... the electric hand mixer~ he loves to hear it go and Evan is cuddling with his kitty on the couch... I am working on supper... all is well and good.

Until next time,
Jean

The Heart Of A Child

"Father and mother are the most precious jewels to children as children are the most precious jewels to father and mother." Philippine proverb

"I want you to be proud of me..." say's my little Evan as he is working at zipping up his jacket.  You see he just learned this task that we adults pretty much take for granted.  He was so pleased with himself and wanted so badly for me to be as thrilled... and so came those precious, innocent words. His big blue eyes just shining with excitement... then a bit of frustration because it wasn't going so well suddenly, and then back to joy when the thing finally went up... about two minutes of labor!  Now that doesn't sound like a long time but seriously, just sit and look at a zipper for two full minutes... it's a long time...even more so for a five year old.

After all this he scampered outside just as happy as could be to where Neil & Kyle were cutting firewood to help.  He is such a big, cheerful helper... he is not content with just running the lever on the log splitter, no he wants to haul the firewood and stack it!  He want's his dad to be proud of him...

This is such human nature isn't it? We all want to feel appreciated and liked... to have friends that care for us... There is nothing wrong with this, it is natural and well meant.  We are by God's design created to be 'together', not alone.  Even the Bible talks about not forsaking the gathering together... God want's us to be together in our church services... God designed the family... He gave Eve to Adam so he wouldn't be alone...

Today as we look around at the ones we love, let us be thankful for what we have...

"You are the trip I did not take, You are the pearls I did not buy, You are my blue Italian lake, You are my piece of foreign sky." Anne Campbell

Until next time,
Jean

The Love of a Mother...

Their smiles... their tears... watching them while they're sleeping...
I love to watch them when they have no idea... their care free spirits... their realness...

I wonder if they could ever imagine the love that overflows in my heart for each of them...
I wonder if they realize that their souls are intertwined with mine...
When they hurt I hurt...
When they laugh I laugh...
When they long I long...

Sometimes the frustrations we feel as mothers can be overwhelming... sometimes we just feel like giving up... then you look into their eyes and the heart pull is so strong.

Sometimes it seems useless and they just will never learn or understand...

I watched him this afternoon outside... he didn't know I was watching... his strong hands playing with the dog... his smile and jolly demeanor... his sensitive nature for all creatures...

I watched him today walking through the yard... looking around for his brothers... he is growing so fast and becoming a man...  in between little boy and big boy...

I watched him today as he strode up the stairs... manly and strong... so handsome... quiet natured and deep... I have always said that deep waters run silent... that is his soul...

I watched her today as she drove away... a young woman she is becoming... working her way in the world... trying to find herself and know herself... she is so tender hearted and warm, yet with a wild streak...

When I look at them and watch... my heart wants nothing more than to protect them from every harm in the world...  to just make them listen to me and trust what I tell them...
Then I remember myself when I was that age... experience

Prayer is a mothers weapon... it is our ever trust worthy weapon in this war fare for their souls...  We can never give up praying, trusting the Father... praying that hedge about them...

"Love is unselfish, understanding, and kind, for it sees with its heart and not with its mind.  Love gives and forgives; there is nothing too much for love to heal with its magic touch.  Love is the language that every heart speaks, for love is the one thing that every heart seeks.  And where there is love God, too,will abide and bless the family residing inside."  Helen Steiner Rice

Until next time,
Jean

Deep Roots...

" Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17

I was reading about the Sequoia trees of California this morning in one of my daily devotions... It went on to describe that these massive, towering trees have a very shallow root system that sprawl out rather then go down deep.  It also described how you will not see a lone Sequoia tree because it would be blown done in great winds, but rather they grow in clusters and the trees root's intertwine giving the entire group support...it was fascinating to think how God, not evolution, has designed all this.

As I read on the analogy was to compare each individual Christian standing alone as apposed to being within a group of believers... especially in times of trial's.  I pondered this for awhile and thought how thankful I am to be a part of the church body that the Lord has brought us too... The best way to describe the feeling is if you can imagine yourself standing within a circle with all your brethren facing you, hands held tightly that nothing may get to you... kind of like a sheep fold... When the storms of life are there we don't have to stand alone to face the raging winds, but we are protected and cared for by those that the Lord has given us.  It is such a comforting feeling to know that you are cared for by so many.  But it doesn't stop there... sometimes it is us in the circle of held hands protecting another brother or sister in the Lord. We are there one for another as Christ so designed it to be.

This is also the way the family unit should be... holding each other up in times of struggle, not tearing one another down.  I have mentioned at other times I am an only child, but I see the bonds that our six children have... I see the closeness that they share. I understand that there will be times of disagreement between them which there are now, but my heart prays that as they grow older they can become closer, leaning on one another, lending the helping hand and not criticizing but allowing each other to have their differences... agreeing to disagree, yet loving.  We are all created differently yet we are together to give Him glory in all we do...

Our roots like the Sequoia's need to be shallow and outstretched to all around us... yet we must have a deep tap root which can only be in Jesus... then we can stand in the days of trouble...

"Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." 2 Corinthians 1:4

Until next time,
Jean

Loving Kindness...

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:14).

We are faced with challenges every day. They can come in many different forms, but yet they remain challenges that we must face and deal with.  I see this real close up in my children's relationships with each other... I think I have mentioned that I was an only child and don't always get the bickering that happens in everyday life between siblings... although with six children I have had to learn to 'get it' as time as pressed on.  It always amazes me how they can be getting along famously one minute and the next be fighting like cats & dogs... ahh, parenthood!  I try to understand that just because they are children doesn't mean they don't have frustrations as well as happiness. They are people too with likes and dislikes...

Loving kindness is the lesson that must be taught though.  This is a challenge in itself as a parent... how to train this in children when you yourself have this struggle... The blessing in all this is that I don't have to do it all alone... I have my Lord and He is there each and every day as I seek His guidance in all life's challenges I face. He is there to encourage me through His word, church messages, through my family and friends.  Life may present those challenges, but I believe that 'I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me'...

"Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth: keep the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3).
Until next time,
Jean

Want's & Needs...

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:19

Wants... well those are the things that we look at and think about how nice it would be to have. Or they can be things that we genuinely feel we need... maybe it is something we think will bring us joy... for the moment... 

Instant gratification kind of falls into this category.  I am all about instant gratification... yes, this is a confession.  I do also know and whole heartedly believe that, 'all good things come to those who wait...'   I always tell my friends that's why God made me to love gardening so much... there is no such thing as instant gratification in this department...  I am one of those gardener's that loves to trade plants with friends... every time they bloom you can smile with the thought of that person.  I also always look on the clearance racks in the plant department for the half dead plants that they are about to throw away, but just know that I can revive it.  I also have learned to be patient and wait till the end of the season when everything goes on sale!  Want's to some degree can be temporal and notwithstanding although they may make us feel good for the present moment.

Needs... on the other hand fall into most often a not so glamorous category... food, clothing and shelter. Relationships too are a need I believe...  I wonder if many people realize their need for Him... He will always provide to His own the needs in life... not always the wants but always the needs.  He provides His love and forgiveness for free to any and all who ask... all He asks in return is for your love and adoration, a commitment in your life to Him and daily relationship...

Wants and needs... it takes daily seeking and asking of wisdom to be able to distinguish between the two.

Until next time,
Jean
    

"What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd realized it sooner!" Collette

What a thought provoking statement... I wonder how many people at some point or another think this very statement.

There are people out there that have had some tragic things happen to them in their lives... things I can't imagine in my wildest nightmares.  I personally know some folks who have endured such horrible instances that it makes my skin crawl. To think that any human being could do to another person some of the evil things that happen doesn't seem possible... it  doesn't seem real... except to the victims... it is very real to them.  There is a sadness and despair that must be overwhelming at times... life is not so wonderful.

Then there are those who 'seem' to have been born with a silver spoon in their mouths... everything always goes their way, life treats them seemingly fair, there don't seem to be a whole lot of bumps in the road... but there still seems to be a sadness and something missing. 

We hear about healing and therapy and yes all this is well and good and most definitely necessary. Often times I have heard people say that a loving God would never allow these kinds of things to happen.  I always say that it is not His perfect will for such horrific instances to happen but we live in world that is filled with sin; He has given us all a free mind to make choices and act accordingly... unfortunately sometimes bad people hurt good people...

But God is there for each hurting soul... every person that has suffered He is waiting with outstretched arms, waiting to heal and bound up the broken hearted... He is faithful and loving as we cast all our cares upon Him, for He careth for us...  He want's us to be able to say we've had a wonderful life... with Him.  Don't delay, He is waiting.

Until next time,
Jean

Winning Their Hearts...Having Their Love

"Mother is the heartbeat in the home; and without her, there seems to be no heart throb." Leroy Brownlow, from Flowers For Mother

Being a mother is one of the most fulfilling things in my life.  I love my children more than words could ever describe... more than they will ever understand until, Lord willing, they have a precious child of their own.  At times I don't feel worthy of the title, but I keep pressing on with that faith that someday it will all be worth it... line upon line... precept upon precept... so the saying goes.

Today Ethan and I planted two new climbing rose bushes.  The one is yellow and I told him that the color yellow is for friendship in the world of roses... I told him I want this to be his rose from me because he is my friend and I love him... he looked at me and said, 'thanks'.  That may not sound like much to you, but believe me that was a thousand words for Ethan.  You see he is my 'still water's run deep' child... not to mention his first choice of activities is not gardening!  He is so very sweet and loving... yes he can be a stinker just like any other child, but his soul is so deep.  I long to 'train him in the way he should go so when he is old he will not depart from it'...

Training is the hard part with children; consistency, loving discipline, tender words, occasional stern looks, gentle touch... oh for wisdom.  Most of you know we have six children and each one of them is so unique and different in their own ways.  There are obvious similarities among some of them in the way of looks and temperaments... but they each have their own likes and dis-likes, favorite foods, hobbies and the list goes on.  It can be a challenge to know how to deal with each one and their own special 'needs'...

As a mother, mom and mommy my days are filled with loving and caring for each of these blessings... I couldn't ask for more.

Until next time,
Jean

A Hard Day's Work...

I love working with my children.  The boys are hard workers, tilling, hoeing, weeding, planting, hauling wheel barrows of straw from the barn for me to mulch the beds.  I love my children, they bring a joy to my heart that only a mother can know...

Yesterday we planted another row of asparagus and a new patch of raspberries... how exciting to me. We mulched the grapes and one of the asparagus rows... Ryan and Evan picked up weeds to dump and Ethan tilled away... it was a good day! 

Taylor was with the youth yesterday in Chicago at The Museum of Science and Industry.  They were going to go into the coal mines... she was nervous... I don't blame her, you couldn't pay me to go into that thing... claustrophobia... no way!  I told her to use me as an excuse and say that I told her she wasn't allowed to go in... (I did try that) she is eighteen now, but I told her that she can always use me for an excuse whenever she doesn't want to do something.  I don't care if any of her friends like me or not... it is her that I care about.  It's not that I am  worried about her friends trying to get her to do bad things or her doing them... I just want her to know that my only concern is for her well being because I love her so much...

Isn't that what we as parents need to be for our children... their advocates right?  After all no one will ever love your child as much as you do... they will never know the depth of that love unless they have a child of their own.

But wait, there is One...  Have you ever thought about the depth of that love... I often think about God's love for me and the depth of His love... giving His only son to die such a horrible death as the cross... for me... what love, what unsearchable love the Father has bestowed upon me...  and you.

Until next time,
Jean

To Be A Mother

"There's no job more noble on this earth, than to care for those whom we've given birth."

"Mommmmmm, he won't give me my toy!!!"  "Mommmmm he hit me!!!"  "Mommmmm, she's teasing me!!!!" And so goes the life of mommmmmm!  Well it's not always that bad is it?  There are the times when we hear, "Mom, know how much I love you?"... "Mom, thanks for getting me that piece of fabric".... "Man mom, this is so good... what is it?" 

Mother's resume would read quite elaborately; we are professional's in many areas. To name a few~ doctor and nurse at the same time, counselor in every field of life, sometimes a coach~ but I usually hand that job over to dad, seamstress~ that job usually gets handed over to Taylor, chef, organizer & planner, home decorator, gardener, I leave the lawn care up to fellows in the house, and of course teacher. 

I believe first and foremost we are teachers. Our children learn how to do most things in life from mother.  The first and most impressionable years for most young children are in the arms of mother.  This is where they learn to share, to be nice, get dressed and tie shoes, ABC's & 1,2,3's, colors, shapes and animals... all in the lap of mother.  There is a saying though, "More is caught then taught."  This is the challenge I feel as mother most often in my duties.  Sometimes I am grumpy and not always as nice as I truly want to be... sometimes I get frustrated more quickly than I would like to... sometimes I am just having a bad day and don't feel all that nice... what am I teaching them then?  I realize no one is perfect and we all have those bad days, but love must shine forward. These little people need to know we tried and that they are unconditionally loved, not only when they are good, but even when they are not so good.  Our Heavenly Fathers grace and forgiveness shines on us and we as parents must let that love shine through onto our children.  May the Lord give us grace to carry on and love them to Him...

Until next time,
Jean
    
     

Mothering

"Every true mother realizes at times that her children are only loaned to her- sent from God- and the attributes of her body and mind are being used by Power for a Purpose.  The thought tends to refine the heart of its dross, obliterate pride and make her feel the sacredness of her office.  All good men everywhere recognize the holiness of motherhood- the miracle by which the race survives." Elbert Hubbbarb

At times being a mother is terribly difficult.  When training is necessary for the good of the child, yet the mother heart longs to simply hold and make everything alright for them.  Learning life's lessons are surely a trial and a difficult part of life, but also a part that will hopefully build the character they will need to make the right choices as adulthood comes. Life is filled with choices.... some choices are by far more weighing and life influencing than others.  It is such a trial for me with allowing my older children to try their wings... to let them fly away a bit and trust them to make good decisions... youth is so exciting and the senses become so enlightened.  As parents we do all we can to try to protect them from making the same mistakes we have made... we try to ensure they don't experience the pains of those mistakes because we love them so much...

But then where is my faith and my trust that God really is in control?  I know He has promised that, '..train them up in the way they should go, and they will not depart from it..."  I must believe and trust.

Until next time,
Jean

Mother's Love

"Mother's love grows by giving." Charles Lamb

We often hear that it is better to give than to receive, and I believe in the area of love this is so true.   Being a mother typically means selfless devotion, limitless sacrifice and commitment that passes all understanding.... If you are a mother you will understand this from the bottom of your heart and the depth of your soul. Mother's will if at all possible do whatever needs to be done for our children. The bond between mother and child I believe starts in the womb.  The growth and development being an intricate part of her whole being... everything we consider taking into our bodies are first considered to be sure it will in no way hurt our unborn child. Young children are most often closest to mother... she is the one to kiss the boo-boos, snuggle with a story and rock to sleep.  Being a mother is the deepest blessing that one can have been given.

When I look into Evan and Aaron's little faces as they clamor up unto my lap to rock and snuggle, I can hardly contain my love for them.  They are so little and sweet and just need to be cherished.  They won't be little long though.... As I look at the four older children and think of the cuddle days with them, it seems as though it was only yesterday. I want to hold onto these days for as long as I can, for soon the older ones will be adults and the little ones will be teenagers. Time keeps moving on and on... lets hold on to these precious moments as long as we can and not become so busy that we miss them...

Until next time,
Jean

Parenting...

"A father's goodness is higher than the mountain, a mother's goodness deeper than the sea." Source Unknown

Being a parent is one of the greatest challenges as well as joys any human can know.  It brings with it a multitude of responsibilities including teaching, nurturing, admonishing and unconditionally loving to name just a few.  All these things are part of our daily lives from the moment they are born into our families until the day they leave the nest.  I have often said that I don't think I will ever go through that 'empty nest syndrome'. I don't know... It seems like each stage that they go through from baby days of crawling into walking into running and then the day of marriage taking them of to start a life of their own is something I look forward to.  Those future days to come, Lord willing... I don't see them as a loss, but as part of a completion to hopefully 'a job well done'.  A day that they can go forth on their own and live a life that will bring them happiness and fulfillment serving God in their lives. 

Children can cause us parents both joy and sorrow and I believe that can go the other way as well.  I pray that our children will know the love in our heart's for each of them all the days of their life.

"We never know the love of our own parents for us until we become parents." Henry Ward Beecher 

Until next time,
Jean

Mother's Heart

"The mother's heart is the child's classroom." William M. Thackeray

Everyday I look into these six children's faces and the love I feel for them is quite overwhelming.  I often tell them that if it came right down to it I would be willing to give my life for them.  Often times when I watch them play, read or sit at the dinner table and listen to their jabber I get both chuckles and irritations.  Of course this is natural and all mothers experience this.  I just feel bad when I lose my patience and am not as kind as I should have been.  I am thankful they are so forgiving to my failures and my faults; and I certainly hope they know I too forgive them for theirs.

Live is full of lessons and the home is often referred to as the ultimate classroom.  What are my children learning in this classroom we call home?  Is is unconditional love & forgiveness?  Is it temperance & moderation or over indulgence and  gluttony? Is it patience mingled with love or irritation mixed with unkindness?  All homes have good & bad days, I do realize this... but I strive to be their mommy, teacher, mentor.... to kiss their boo-boo's... to be the shoulder they need to cry on... to be the listening ear when no one else understands... to guild them in the direction that will make them the happiest in life. By happiest I don't necessarily mean the easiest, but more so one that they can handle the storms of life that will inevitably come... to turn their eyes & hearts upward to the One that can make life easier to live.

There was Someone who gave His life for me... Someone more committed than I could ever dream to be... Someone whose love I could never match...  all I am today is because of His love for me.

Until next time,
Jean

Mothering

"A mother is not a person to lean on but a person to make leaning unnecessary."  Dorothy Canfield Fisher

Being a mother is no easy task, nor should it be taken lightly.  These little souls that we have been given charge over are not our own, but His above.  The love we show them while here in this world will give them the basis of the love that they too will share someday.  Each one, and we have six, are all natured differently~ yes a few are more alike than the others, but they each have their own skills, likes & dislikes, short comings, good & bad habits and all the rest that goes along with them.  It can be a real job trying to keep everyone happy & feeling loved.  Of course they have bad days just like us parents/grown ups and need to be respected and nurtured through those times as we would like to be. 

Taylor is a girl and has all the common emotions that girls have, but she is so sweet, funny, quit witted, the best baker I know, super thoughtful & generous~ these are just a few of her wonderful traits.  Although sometimes we butt heads, I need to continually remember she is trying to figure herself out and understand the changes that are coming all to quickly in her life.
Kyle is in the that in between stage of trying to be a man and still acting like a little boy yet.  He is awkward sometimes but he is always ready with a smile.  He is typically a happy, good natured boy who loves his baby brothers, he enjoys construction and gardening and loves to play ball and hockey.  He won't be my little boy for very much longer.
Ethan is our quiet one~ 'deep waters run still' I always say about him.  He too is at that kind of in between stage~ not yet a man, but not a little boy either.  He loves to do anything handy and mechanical and I know I can always count on him to get it done!  He has a will that if directed in the right way will do great things some day.  I don't mean be the president or rocket scientist, but a wonderful father & husband and God serving man.
Ryan is still my little boy even though he wants to be a man, he has a while to go yet.  He is always full of smiles & giggles and belly laughs- he's a lot like his dad~ so I know he will be a fine man some day.  I am in no hurry to get him there though.
Evan & Aaron, well they are still my babies and happy to be~ and that is just fine with me.

"Her children arise up and call her blessed." Proverbs 31.28  I pray someday they will all be able to this....

Until next time,
Jean

Raising Them Up...

"To bring up a child in the way he should go, travel that way yourself."  Josh Billings

I had so much fun with Evan today; we planted in the Kitchen Garden!  We were talking about potatoes and the eyes on them and how to plant them; as I dug the hole and cut the potato, he patiently waited and then would set it into the hole and carefully cover it with the dirt.  I explained to him that a green plant would grow up and when it gets flowers we can start sneaking potatoes from under the dirt off its roots. He was pleased to know that when it was time to dig them up we would all say 'thank you' to him for planting them.  He also got to seed some spinach and plant some onions and garlic.  He was so happy to tell his big brothers what he had done when they got home today. 

This week we have been hard at it outside. Neil finished putting on the front of the one hoop house today; when the boys got home from school Kyle helped him get the door made & hung; Ethan fixed my leaky hose and put a new end on it; Ethan & I weeded some of the raised beds; Ethan & Ryan fetched several loads of straw from the barn; then Ryan & I planted three kinds of beets and mulched the beds with newspaper & straw.  What a wonderful day it was when we can all work together.

Some of you may be saying, "Where was Taylor & the baby?" Well Taylor was doing what she loves to do~ she was baking brownies and getting supper ready. Although she did get one of the flower beds 'almost' fully weeded.  She likes to be outside, but not near as much as in the kitchen.  We balance each other out perfectly~ she loves the inside stuff & I love the outside stuff!  Although when the work is heavy, we work together both in & out!  She is with the youth group 'sucker fishing' this evening having a grand time I am sure!  And the baby, he is 'everywhere', literally!

As I thought on this quote the first thing I thought of was being in the garden with the children; but then my mind moved on to a different place I also want to be them.  I need to live my life so that they will see the road I am trying to stay on and want that road for themselves as well~ the road to the most beautiful Garden there ever will be....Heaven.

Until next time,
Jean

Got Mud?

Mud is a big factor around here in the spring, one we all can get a bit frustrated with. Taylor bought a sign that says 'got mud?' at a flea market last spring which now hangs in our back entry.  This is where we typically all come into the house. She is often the one that 'get's' to clean the back entry, so she felt very justified in putting this question out to, um, should I say 'the men of the house'.  The big boys do have this chore at least once a week, but they do all the outside in the cold chores and Taylor & I 'get' to do the warm & cozy inside chores.  Yes, I do mean 'get to'.  Here we go on perspective again.  I would never want to do Neil & the boys chores~ not any day of the week.  They 'get' to feed & water the hogs, clean pen's & put fresh bedding down, cut firewood, haul the trash out to the dumpster and do what I believe to be the 'hard' jobs.  Taylor & I get to do what I refer to as the 'cooshy' jobs, like cooking meals in a warm & cozy home, wash dishes with warm water, do laundry in a warm laundry room, rock the baby in a soft rocking chair with a soothing cup of coffee, flipping through magazines or a good book.  I am so thankful that Neil & boys enjoy their jobs and they in turn I believe are thankful we enjoy ours.  Now don't get me wrong, Neil & the boys also love to be in the kitchen, can & do switch loads of laundry, sweep floors, set & clear dinner tables, wash & put dishes away.  My men are very resourceful! Now, Taylor & I 'could' also load & unload fifty pound hog feed bags, run the tractor and clean pens~ if we really had too~ but thankfully Neil never asks me to do any of those things :-) !

The key here is that there are things that each of 'need's to do to help the others.  We are a team and need to work together to get 'all' the jobs done. 

Until next time,
Jean  

The Little Things...

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize that they were the big things."  Robert Brault

The little things in life are typically the things that get overlooked wouldn't you agree?  In this world of technology and all the 'fast' everything, what are we really missing? 

How often do you lay flat on your back on the cool summer grass with your child and look for shapes in the clouds.... How often do you go for a walk down a shady lane and just listen....  How often do you look at all the stars in the sky on a clear night and just gaze in awe.... How often do you sit on your porch in the evening and listen to all the night sounds.... How often do you sit by a quiet stream and just watch the water trickle past...How often do you just talk to your spouse or child... How often do we just do nothing?

I have a picture of Evan bending over to smell some lavender, he loves lavender!  It is so sweet and innocent.   I love to watch the children climb the trees, play hide 'n' seek, hear them tell spooky stories (all mostly taught to them by Neil :-) ) around a campfire eating & making a mess with s'mores.  These are the things memories are made of.  We don't have to take over priced vacations and camping trips to do these things.  We have it all around us everyday.  We just have to take the time to find them and then do them. That childlike innocence and simple way of just being, we as a people are losing faster and faster everyday.  We need to stop and grab hold of it and hold on tight!  Today, make the time. 

Until next time,

Jean

"A house without books is a room without windows" Anonymous

I found this quote interesting as I looked at our book shelves and studied our small library.  I thought about some places I have been in that had no windows, and as I recall they all seemed very cold & eerie.  I love windows and I love them open with full view of all nature happening around me. 

Our children love to read and be read to.  Even Aaron, our eighteen month old will bring a book to 'anyone' who's outstretched arms offer cuddle story time. Our children also enjoy when I read a 'family' time story.  Right now we are reading 'My Side of the Mountain', by Jean George, it is a boy book for sure.  The boys sit an listen very attentively as I try to make them feel like they are in the story.  In the winter we often play board games or get a puzzle going that everyone helps with. Making soft pretzel's on Sunday evenings is another welcomed activity, not to mention eating them. Our supper time can be a 'feast' of information on the days activities of who, what, where, when and why.  There is lots of lively interaction and sharing during our family devotions as well. 

 As I think on how busy our life get's and all the things that we need to do, quiet family time is so special.  I know it is for the children as well. 

Until next time,
Jean
What do you and your family do together? There are so many things that families can do together to be closer and to get to know each other better.  This week lets focus on family...