Let Me Tell You About My First Birthday

Hi. I'm Cap'n. I'm the youngest member of this crazy delightful family of 10.

Once upon a time, about three months ago, I turned ONE. Sadly, I spent it away from my family because my PaPaw, whom I had never met, was very sick and died.

I would have rather hugged his neck, anyway, than have a party. I'm glad I at least got to see him and touch his arm. That was a most special birthday gift. I'm told that he thought I was handsome and looked like my big brother, Ink. Who could complain about that?

Anyway, my wonderful family did throw me a birthday party in July, but because Mama has been a bit busy, she's just now sharing these amazing photos with you. Cut her some slack, ok? She's a bit behind in everything these days, except dishing out the hugs and kisses.

July 16th started out as a typical day for me. I woke up to a delicious breakfast, crawled around a bit, looked cute as usual, but I knew something was up. Everyone was busy in the kitchen, and there were extra smiles that day. "Happy Birthday, Jedediah!" everyone would say. I had to ponder these words for a bit. Didn't I just have a birthday?

Then I realized we were gonna have the party I'd been hearing about. There's something BIG about turning ONE.

I had been caught earlier in the day trying to sample Mama's baking. Step stools are the greatest invention, I think. Unfortunately, someone stopped me before I got into the confectioner's sugar. I can't remember who ruined my plans to get a little sweetness rescued me from a fall.

I was excited to get to the presents, but I wondered, "Why do those big people bother to wrap gifts for us little people?" After all, we usually need someone to get things started for us (because of all that tape),and we really wouldn't care if you just handed us the gift. Unwrapped.

I think the whole ritual is for them. 

Nonetheless, the unwrapping was a bit fun after I got the hang of it, and there was this cool hat and this great ball inside the packages. 

 The Ball. It's my favorite.

I guess some were of the opinion I needed a bit of help with my walking. So, they gave me the clapper. Not the kind that turns the lights on for you. This was a clapping alligator walking thingamajiggy.  

I didn't think I needed any help in the walking department, so I decided to CRAWL with it. Everything happens in its time, I say, and I think of all the babies in days afore who learned to walk without the help of Melissa and Doug.

(Ok. I confess. It's a cool way to chase my sisters, now that I'm walking.)

Mama made me a baby-sized cake. And don't even think that's pink trim...it's red. The box said so.

I couldn't believe Daddy was giving this cake to me. All mine. Just for me. Dig in without caution. I'm wondering, too, why no one bothered to clean the peanut butter off of my tray before my big celebration. 

Here I go!

 I soon discovered this was good stuff. Very good stuff.

I loved making my sisters squeal with excitement as I stuffed my cutie pie of a face.

Look at Clairesy. Just like a sister. Exuberant, emotional, and excited.

Dearest Little Big thought she was giving me lessons, but I had the whole licking the icing thing down pat. It came naturally.

And I'm not a stingy guy. I like sharing. Everything except Mama. 

Don't worry. Reaches Up didn't take me up on my offer. He was just humoring me.

 Here are my handsome brothers. Quite dignified looking, I say.

This good thing had to come to an end. I loved everything about ONE. The cake. The presents. The laughter. The joy. 

And especially my loving family.

Of course, I let them clean up the mess. 

*****

Mama interrupts this narration to praise God for a year of lovin' and livin' with Jedediah. What joy you've brought us, dear son. May you never remember a time when you didn't love Jesus. May you serve God wholeheartedly all the days of your life, and may you always know the true meaning of living the good life.

Why Did You Do It?

When I decided to end my posting at A Multitude of Mercies, I told no one. Not even my husband and children.

Why? Because even though in the counsel of many you'll find wisdom, sometimes you just need to obey, and not analyze something to death.

And I knew they'd try to stop me. :)

Even now, as I get the questions, I start second-guessing, like the clueless person with "stupid" stamped on his forehead, who wonders why everyone is looking at him like that.

I love my other blog, and it was never a burden to me. So, I didn't quit because I didn't have anything else to say or because it was laborious to write there. In my heart, it was a sacrifice to walk away for now, but I do believe it's what God directed me to do.

There is a season for everything. After managing both blogs for a year and a half, having so many Littles who need Mama very much, grieving over my Dad's death,  begging God to pour out His mercies on my cousin, Michele, and managing everything in between, I knew I needed to let something go.

The Good Life is our family blog, and we started it three years ago. Ink used to write here with me, but then he flew the coop and ventured out on his own. Occasionally, one of our other children will have something to say, but for the most part, I write here.

And anyone who blogs knows that blogging takes time, and God has sobered me up these days about how I'm spending that time.

So, essentially and unintentionally, I've morphed the blogs into one. That's not easy, I know, because family who want to just see what we're doing and what we look like doing it, aren't often interested in my thoughts and prose on deeper things. On the other hand, those who want to be encouraged by what I'm learning along the way, aren't necessarily desiring to see my baby take his first steps or watch my daughter recite Scripture.

Yet, it is what it is, even if I don't know myself what it really is. :) Thank you to those friends who followed me over here and have already encouraged my heart a million times over. Thank you, too, for the faithful friends and family who have read and commented since day one. I thank God for your steady presence and support!

Much love,

Thankful Thursday~A Ticket Home and a Bandaid, Too

Two long awaited things have happened this week, and we're rejoicing!

First, my cousin, after almost two weeks in the hospital, arrived home last night. She'll get to feel the comfort of her own bed, delight in the hugs of her children, and savor everything that makes "home" home. I'm so excited for her!

Please continue to pray. She'll return to Utah to begin her stem cell transplant on September 18th. It's another long road, full of pain and loss and maybe even a hospital room. But it's also another journey replete with God's mercies.

The other big news is that after almost 4 months, my Mom's wound from her surgery will most likely just need a bandaid. :) This is a big deal, after months of major wound dressings and changes. Thank you for your continued prayers for strength as she reaches the finish line of at least one trial.

It doesn't end there. Below are many more proofs of God's lovingkindness.

I'm thankful for boys at work, and I LOVE this picture. Look at all the great "manly" stuff in it. The hole in the jeans from the running and playing that boys do. The injury on his arm, a given in a boy's life. And the watch. Telling time. Keeping time. And yet, so unaware of time. I think this one's going in a frame. It just brings me joy!

Reaches Up showed up with sander in hand as well as a can of paint and brushes. He tidied up our flower boxes. Now we just need to pull LOTS of weeds and add the flowers. 

I'm thankful for a daughter who's learning her way around the kitchen. What a blessing it is to wake up and have her cook a delicious breakfast for everyone. She's mastered the Tater Pie as well as our basic frittata recipe.  Great job, Miss Emma!

I'm thankful for boys who surprise me with hugs and kisses, and yet, bring me snakes and lizards. And I'm thankful when the boys carry these critters right back out of the house. :)

Isn't he purty??

I'm thankful for sleeping babies. Not because it gives me a break. Rather, it's such a beautiful thing to behold. The peace. The calm. The soft breathing. You want to suspend time and just linger. Just linger near the sweetness.

Look at those eyelashes. :)

Finally, my heart has been especially heavy of late, and as I sat down to reflect on God's provision, I realized that we often misperceive the giving of thanks, as well as those who are doing the praising.

Perhaps we think that gratitude lists are born from perky people with perfect lives. How untrue!

When David would praise God for His mercies and provision, he was most often in trouble, enduring affliction. The thanksgiving was an act of the will, a choice to remember God's goodness, to declare what he knew to be true of His God, even though his circumstances were desperate.

When you're overwhelmed, go to the Rock that is higher than you are. Go to our God and ask for grace to see the mercies all around you. I promise you, they're there. Soon you'll find that even in the midst of the hurting, your lips and heart can't help but declare the praises of God. 

With love,

Easy Peasy Art Portfolios

Anyone with children or grandchildren knows that they love to draw and doodle and paint. This means lots of pictures everywhere.

I've always meant to purchase one of those fancy art portfolios, but I never got around to it. I think the price made me forget to follow through.

In her book, Making the Most of the Preschool Years, Valerie Bendt suggests making art portfolios out of poster board. Making this project even easier was the designer poster board we found at Wal-Mart.

Just fold your poster board in half. Staple the sides, and tape staples if you're concerned about injuries. :) Decorate as desired.

We used stickers, and then I labeled the portfolios using a Sharpie marker.

Punch holes in top and make a handle with yarn or string.  See. It's easy peasy!

These make great gifts, too, for those little people in your life. Just toss in some drawing paper and colored pencils, and you have a memorable, but inexpensive gift. 

Hang on a hook, and the portfolios are always ready for use. 

Grandmas can do this with their grandbabies, too, or make their own.

Art Treasures from My Grandchildren...

Have fun!

With love,

***I'm linking up with Petra today at This Good Steward, home of Wednesday's World of Work. :)

Before You Were a Blogger

I remember playing Scrabble with my Beloved several years ago and trying to use the word "blog." He quickly declared that "blog" wasn't a word since it hadn't yet made it to the dictionaries, and he then managed to win the game. (I'm sure his victory must have hinged on the points I lost with "blog.")

I have no doubt, however, that he'd not make an issue of "blog" now since it's such a common word, AND it's in the dictionary.

I've thought a lot lately about the three years I've been blogging. It's been a profitable time of recording memories, sharing pictures with family members, as well as the precious details of daily life that we soon forget.

It's kept me disciplined to know what I think, put those thoughts on paper, and communicate them at least somewhat coherently.

I've also reflected lately on what I used to do with my time before I blogged. Because whenever we choose to do something, we're also choosing to not do something else.

I think it's a good question to ask ourselves about those things we do that are outside our primary responsibilities. Most of these things are good in themselves. It's the attachment we have and the importance we connect to them that can be deceiving.

What did you do with your time before you discovered Facebook? Or a favorite television series, or a new hobby? What important, even life changing, things do you not have time for anymore, but you could easily do if you gave up or reduced the time spend doing any of the above?

Would you work on relationships at home more? Write more letters to friends and your children? Give more hugs and kisses to your Littles or read them more books? Would you play games more? Decorate your home? Teach your children better?

Would you be a better parent or friend? Show more hospitality? Would you be in the Word more and cultivate a stronger prayer life? Would you sit and watch that sunset or listen to your child tell the same story for the tenth time and actually remember what she said?

Would you have time to play hide and seek or make play dough or a favorite dessert? Would there be room for bedtime stories or cuddle time?

Yes, these are good questions. What was life like before blogging or Facebook or _______?  Is the trade-off a good one, or do I need to make changes and let something go?

With love,

And He Walks

The crowds cheered as Cap'n put one foot in front of the other! (Look at Ella. We had to calm her down!)

He amazed us with his strong sense of balance.

He was glad to reach "base."

He made sure he came to each one of us.

Blessing us with a hug at the finish line.

I declare there has never been another child who knew such celebration just because he moved from one end of the room to the other.

All I hear from the siblings....."Is Cap'n a toddler, yet?"

I emphatically reply.....NO!

Do not rush these things. They take time. 

We'll call him a toddler in a couple of years.

(Don't you love the laundry basket in the picture? I think it gives off a strong "normal family" vibe.)

Low at Thy Gracious Feet I Bend

Low at thy gracious feet I bend,
My God, my everlasting friend,
Permit the claim; O let thine ear
My humble suit indulgent hear!

Lord, thou hast bid me seek thy face,
And ask of thee thy promis'd grace;
O may thy favour, bliss divine!
With fuller, clearer radiance shine.

But, O my heart, reflect with shame;
Can I prefer so bold a claim?
Conscious how often I have stray'd
By empty vanities betray'd!

How oft, ungrateful to my God,
Have trifles call'd my thoughts abroad!
Till heavenly pity saw me roam,
And bade affliction bring me home.

And when the snares of earth were broke,
By kind affliction's needful stroke,
Have not I own'd, with humble praise,
That just and right are all his ways?

Yes, gracious God, before thy throne,
My vileness and thy love I own;
O let that love, with beams divine,
Forgiving, healing, round me shine.

Whene'er, ungrateful to my God,
This heedless heart requires the rod,
Thy arm supporting I implore;
The hand that chastens can restore.

O may the kind conviction prove
A fruit of thy paternal love;
Wean me from earth, from sin refine,
And make my heart entirely thine!
~Anne Steele, 1717-1778

Weekly Rewind 8/28-9/3/11

"They who have been monuments of God's mercies, 

will be trumpets of His praise."

~Thomas Watson, All Things for Good

****

The mornings are changing around here. There's actually the faint smell of autumn's arrival, and it's refreshing to feel that cooler breeze in the morning.

As much as I love autumn, I'd like to hold onto summer a bit longer. Where did it go?

We finally finished up the school year this past week. 

Done.

Not done with learning, of course, because that happens everyday, most of the day. But we're done with certain books and moving onto others. I think this past year was our hardest year, yet, and the one that seems the foggiest to me. After a short break, we celebrate the start of another year of learning sometime in October.

This lovely piece of laminated scrapbook paper infused much sanity into my brain this week and lots of peace into our days. It was filled out completely last Sunday evening. It was such a wonder to me that I pulled it off of the fridge and did a brief show and tell with the children. I was excited to have in front of me everything we were going to be eating, knowing the food was on hand.

I think most women have a menu-planning gene. We want to do it. We know it's good planning for our families, but we argue that we don't really have the time. It's not that I don't plan our meals, but too often I wing part of the week, filling in things as I go and making myself think over and over about the same decisions. 

It's a ridiculous thing to do to oneself.

Instead, it's much wiser to invest a couple of hours in planning and then start the week by seeing God's provision so boldly displayed. 

Sweet Ella brought me this lovely flower one morning this week.

However, it came with a price.

The dreaded Cactus injury. 

I have a feeling she'd do it all over again for me. :)

Cap'n decided to nap AFTER he finished his food this time. Even this experienced Mama often wonders..."Do I leave him or move him?" 

I decided to check for damaging binky imprints, adjust his head a bit, and let him enjoy an upright snooze. Isn't he simply adorable?

Emma and Elisabeth found these horned lizard twins. So tiny. So cute.

I think we should have kept them, come up with names for them, and made them famous in some way. Twin Lizards Hot Sauce or Twin Lizards Fly Removal. Something like that.

And I've always heard about things like this, and I know those blessed ones to whom it happens. Finding insane deals.

Finally, the person was ME!  Why don't I think more often to look at the thrift stores for books? As I dropped off my three bags of clothing (such a weight lifted!), I couldn't pass by the 10 books for a dollar offering. Yippee! (Because everyone knows our family needs a few more books, and yes, I'd trade clothes for books any day.

And Cap'n did something very exciting this week, but his accomplishment deserves a post of its own.

God has provided over and over this week, just as always. What a blessing it was to watch Mountain Man drive away to work each day without hearing metal against metal. Those repairs have made a big difference!

Now we're off to tackle some yard and house chores and then enjoy our children's new favorite past time, Ultimate Frisbee. :)

Much love,

So Much Better Than a Sleeping Cat

Especially better than this kind of cat.