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We school year-round, so this post may not be as pertinent to some of you during the summer.  Nevertheless, it can be implemented for all situations.

It can be a real challenge to devote needed time to older students with toddlers who also need real, practical interaction suitable to their stage of development.

I basically stick to two important ideas regarding this dilemma:  routine, and play.

Often we “schedule” a certain activity with little ones (Disclaimer:  I really am not a very schedule-oriented person–schedule for me doesn’t mean certain times, but more like “chunks” of time, if that makes sense).  It may mean that they have coloring time, or block time, or some other activity at regular time.  The routine of doing a certain activity seems to make them feel even more a part of “school” and has usually worked very well.  They can do the activity right there in the same room with everyone else to feel involved.  Even if they don’t want to color, sometimes I”ll just declare it–“this is coloring time”.

Without going into specifics,  I believe one of the most important aspects of bringing up well-rounded children is routine, sameness, and daily rhythm.

Along with that theory we could talk about the importance of mom being home–not just being a “stay-at-home mom”, but literally working on being AT home most of the time. Children just seem to thrive in a steady environment.

Secondly, we don’t underestimate the importance of play.  To me, play is to a toddler what a curriculum is to a student.  It is essential, in fact, that they get plenty of exploratory play.

Here is a list of things you may consider making available for your toddlers:

• Any age-appropriate craft supplies
• Clay or Play-Doh–only if you’re brave.
• Blocks
• Lincoln Logs
• Puzzles
• Coasters (one of my baby’s favorite things to stack 😉
• Boxes
• Any stackable objects–even measuring cups
• Big beads on a string
• Board Books
• Balls
• Spinning globe (be sure to talk to them about aspects of it while they play)
• Rocks
• Outside toys

Electronic toys may be fine for a little while, but I think the simpler ones are more useful for developing motor skills along with the right “brain connections” that need to be made.

Obviously, having several small children who can play with each other is ideal–another perk of a large, closely-spaced family 😉

But if you’re in the early season with just a few, have them play beside you when you’re not available to play *with* them.

Consider rotating activities as well.  Maybe Monday is “block day” and Tuesday is “box day”, etc.

With a little forethought, it can be less stressful to keep everyone involved and still spend the needed time with each child…a challenge, yes, but a normal challenge of motherhood.

“Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold.” –Joseph Chilton

Important message from Kim, a Canadian reader:

“Listen up, Americans! Don’t let it [socialized health care] happen in your country!  The news about our socialized medical establishment never changes – hospitals too far in debt to keep services or proper staffing available.  Make it a business between doctors and patients – the cost and services will be much more competitive and much more attentive to the patient!  (BTW – I not just a Canadian, I’m a Canadian nurse)”

“I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

I don’t know…I’m thinkin’ twins.

I confessed to a friend that right about now I’m feeling “overwhelmed even with life”. (Which lasted about two hours and then I was better again 😉

She took the opportunity to heap a big dose of encouragement my way by saying…”You probably didn’t realize it, but what you just said was beautifully poetic…two lives, one body–what’s not overwhelming?”

I am 36 and expecting my 8th child.  I’m not pretending it’s easy.  I’ve also developed a severe case of anemia (very tired and winded) which has ignited pruritus (severe itching) and the anemia treatment is as bad as the condition (I’ll spare you the details.  By the way,  if anyone knows how to choke down black strap molasses, I’d be more than grateful.)

I’ve gained more weight than ever and  sometimes it seems more than my frame can bear.  This week I’ve been prone to bursting into tears over nothing more than dropping something on the floor that necessitates my bending over 😉  I know, I’m a big baby, and feel guilty for even complaining…sort of.

But I’ve never been one to deny that having children is HARD, and yet that fact has never been a reason for me to NOT have them.   My husband works in the scorching hot sun complete with dripping humidity all day and it’s hard too…only he doesn’t complain as much as I do.  “Do hard things.”

This condition has caused me to ponder a few things lately…

1.  I have a deep compassion for people who suffer chronic pain.  Pain that has no end in sight and worse yet, is not working to bring a joyful reward that will last forever.

2.  My children are awesome. They have delighted in helping me.  They clamour over getting to feel the baby kick, they ask me how I’m feeling every 15 minutes, or what they can get me, and the silly thoughts that many adults have about their “working too hard because mom’s pregnant again” has not even crossed their minds.  The joyful expectation of another baby completely wipes out any thoughts of a little extra serving they’ve had to do.  It’s an innocent, beautiful thing.

3.  My husband is amazing. Not only does he not complain about his work, he goes the extra mile to take anything he can off of me–even if it’s bringing in paper plates or piling us in to go out for pizza.  Oh, he also pretends that the 45 extra pounds weight I’ve gained “only adds to my beauty”…yeah right.

4.  “This momentary, light affliction is producing for me an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison…” 2 Corinthians 4:17

I’m still going natural–especially since we found out the epidural, which we thought would be covered under our “universal fee”–just in case–is, in fact, not covered.  So whereas if hubby had a shred of doubt about whether he wanted me to go natural, all doubt has been removed to the tune of $900 (price of an epidural).  He is VERY pro-natural now.  His “cheering plan” involves the scene from “Facing the Giants” where the coach is banging on the ground and screaming to get the blind-folded Brock to the end zone…y-e-a-h…if anyone has hints for him, I’d be grateful. (I’m trying to ignore the fact that I’ll probably be giving birth to a 13 pound baby.)

(Forget that last paragraph. It was a terrible idea and totally worth $900.)

All your prayers are coveted as I enter these last days.  I’m collecting and pre-publishing posts so that you won’t get bored while I’m gone 😉  My daughter will be the official photographer, so maybe we’ll have lots of sweet pictures to share when it’s all over.

I heard a professing Christian say, “Anything I believe may be wrong.”  “Come again?”  Is that supposed to be a sign of humility?  I was floored. 

I think a phrase like that is a terrifying thing for a Christian to say, particularly if he really believes it.  

“In the beginning, the Word existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

I have never seen more Christians being duped by the lie that “we really can’t know truth”.  And if we think maybe we do, don’t dare “tell anyone”, because that would be arrogant and presumptuous (never mind how many times we’re commanded to teach and admonish one another in sound doctrine and truth.)  It is the scariest thing happening in the church, hands down.

Dear fellow believers, if we can’t know that what we believe is true, then Jesus was a liar and there is really no point in calling one’s self a Christian.  After all, what do you believe? 

In fact, why did He die?  For the probability that what God said might be true?    If “anything I believe can be wrong”, why believe anything at all? There is no such thing as BELIEVING in a world of relative truth.

Is this the language of a disciple?  “I’ll leave everything to follow You…I’m just not certain that what I believe is right.”

And how encouraging is that to the lost–those who are searching for TRUTH, searching for something to stand on, to believe in, when we look at them and say, “Well, it’s all a big question mark”?

And now, to the one who believes nothing is absolute, Scripture holds no merit for persuasion.  The devoted followers of Christ would have shuddered to hear such theology…

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

“The sum of Your word is truth [the total of the full meaning of all Your individual precepts]; and every one of Your righteous decrees endures forever.” Psalm 119: 160

“But when He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the Truth.” John 16: 13

“Sanctify them by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.” John 17: 17

So that’s where we are…an all out war on the truth of God’s Word, which is the only power unto salvation for those who BELIEVE.  And if we don’t believe, but call ourselves Christians, we are exactly what the Bible described as “having the form of godliness but denying the power thereof”.    

“For it is better that you were hot or cold; but since you are lukewarm, I will spew you out of My mouth.”

We’re in the war that Paul described.  Against the principalities and rulers of the darkness.  And gearing up with the armor of God is the only way to fight it.  We must gear up and prepare our children as well.  They must know what they are up against.  And above all, don’t forget the “belt of truth” that will hold it all together.

Visionary daughters.  Daughters with a purpose.  Call it what you will…it’s a beautiful–AND RARE–thing.

I mention them on the blog from time to time, but we have some friends who live with incredible purpose.  And they’re raising their children to do the same.

When we came home last night, my kitchen cabinet was covered with food.  And not just any food…a huge roaster oven full of savory chicken, a massive pan of homemade, oven baked mac-n-cheese, homemade muffins, a large breakfast casserole, a salad, and a couple of hand-picked veggies from the garden.

These gifts were bought and made by 19-year-old Olivia, and 15-year-old Emma (and they took another meal to another expecting couple the same day.)

They were not prompted or asked, they just chose to bless two families who they knew would greatly appreciate a meal (and boy did we!)  By the way, this wasn’t a random act…they’re constantly busy serving families in some way.

“What do you do all day?”  A question commonly asked of girls who aren’t living the typical school/college/job life.

I thought back to what I was doing at that age…scary.  It was all about ME, and if I wasn’t staying busy with school stuff, I was either with boys, or sprawled out on the couch watching TV.  (We didn’t have video games…oh, OK we did, but–I’m about to date myself–it was like Atari or something.)

I was not looking around to see how I might serve, or offer relief or encouragement–sadly, not even to my own mother and family.

“What do you do all day?”  I can’t speak for others, but these girls are being the hands and feet of Christ, in a real way, and I’m so thankful for their lives of purpose.  It inspires me to hold up the vision of service to my children. 

“….the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”   Matthew 20:28

Cleaners: Do they have to be the pre-packaged, store-bought ones? Many are now seeing the hazards of the chemicals in commercial cleaners, so there’s a double benefit to making your own.

We use a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water for many of our cleaning jobs. We spray counters and stovetops (it cuts grease well) and also use it to mop the floors.

We use a bleach/water solution for bathrooms, though I know the chemical dangers of bleach. My friend at Seeds to Sew quoted from a site that said cleaning with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide simultaneously gets rid of almost all bacteria. So maybe we’ll replace our clorox with peroxide (although I do love the clean scent of bleach!)

Scrubbing with baking soda has the same effect as Comet, and even better when using a lemon sliced in half for added bleaching effect.

Remember, companies want to convince you that you have to have the latest, newest products–close your eyes, and remember that you’re smarter than that!

Post your thrifty tip with a link back here, and link to your tip below!

Apparently there’s a movement among more mainstream evangelicals to WAIT about kissing until marriage.  (You know, prior to this, it was just us weirdos who would think of such a thing 😉

While I’m not that big on “movements” as it relates to this sort of thing, I’m encouraged, nonetheless, at the official recognition of such a counter-cultural idea.

It solidifies what most of you said yesterday to answer the question about kissing before marriage:  kissing is indeed foreplay in most cases.  We consider kissing other people off-limits once a couple is married–why not before?  Why is it OK to perform what is considered adulterous in marriage before you have found your spouse?

(And, by the way, I’m not just suggesting this is an issue of simply *not kissing* before marriage; I believe it is an issue of not even considering a romantic/intimate relationship until one is ready for marriage.  More on that later, but basically, it is fully possible and should be expected, in my opinion, to save all one’s self–emotionally, mentally, physically–for one’s spouse.)

And what about the commands in Scripture to “flee temptation”?  Why aren’t Christian parents willing to actually live out and enforce in their families what the Bible plainly says?  And is anyone willing to suggest that kissing is not, at the least, a temptation?

It kind of reminds me of Jesus’ taking the commands from the Old Testament and “tightening up” their meanings…”You’ve heard it said ‘thou shalt not commit adultery’, but I say if you even look at a woman lustfully you have committed adultery already in your heart.”

Below is an excerpt from Albert Mohlers Blog:  True Lips Wait

“This will come as no news to most younger evangelicals, but The Tennessean [Nashville] has just taken notice of the fact that a sizable number of younger evangelical couples are saving their first kiss for their wedding ceremony

There is no explicit biblical ban on premarital kissing, but any honest person knows that there are kisses that can only be considered sexual, naturally leading to the sex act itself.  These young Christians are not afraid of their bodies, they are afraid of sinning against God and losing something precious to themselves as well.

In a world that has made monogamy an embarrassment, these young Christians want to offer their future spouse the gift of monogamous lips.  In an age of instant sexual gratification, these young believers believe that true lips wait.  This is what a counter-revolution looks like.”

Excerpt from Albert Mohler’s Blog