The 4th!!!!

The 4th of July is the biggest day of the year in our town.  It's one ginormous party from dawn to dusk, with firecrackers and fireworks going off all day long, tons of tourists and visitors in town, town parties and rodeos and events galore.  It's also our most social day of the year as we hop from BBQ to BBQ celebrating with friends.  It's also the one day each year you get to experience feeling like you are in a warzone.  I was surprised we had a house left after seeing what our neighbors were doing with fireworks all night long!

 

 

 

My friend Amanda let us sit in the shade, which is funny since their last name is Shade, in front of her husband's office building with them for the big town parade.  She brought drinks for the kids and made red, white, and blue drinks with sprite and colored ice cubes for the adults to drink.

 

KK, enjoying the parade.

 

My friend Amanda's daughter Heidi, ready to collect candy at the parade.

 

The Robesons are like a second family to Josiah; he watches football at their house weekly during the fall and winter and they continually bless us with venison and beef extras they have and it helps our family out so much.  They asked Ali and Jer to be in their business float and squirt people.  The kids loved it and they got to keep the t-shirts and super soakers!

 

Considering that outfits like these are plentiful at the thrift shop (KK's cost between 25 and 50 cents), we all get festive for the 4th!

 

I made another water blob and this time I put blue food coloring in it.  At our friend Amy's house, the teens usually end up in some kind of water fight/wrestling match so I figured it would be a great place to wrestle this year!

 

 

Our friend John is a former chef and makes the most amazing.......EVERYTHING!  He always wins the chili cook-offs and dessert contests at church.  Their homemade ice-cream on the 4th is a yummy tradition!

 

The kids enjoying John and Amy's pool.

 

 

 

At another BBQ, Josiah grabbed one of the teen boys' unicycles and took it for a spin.

 

I forget what this thing is called, all I know is that the teen boys made it and Josiah loves to drive it wildly around.  Here he is showing Jer how to do it!

 

 

Girls hanging out and having fun!  At this party we got to watch a neighbor light off a strand of 8,000 Black Kats and see a bunch of teen boys (and my husband, of course) blow up a stuffed animal........YIKES!!!

 

Our friend Seth showed us some cool tricks he'd learned:  juggling fire, swallowing fire, and breathing fire.  He's a homeschooler....what can I say? =)

 

Jer and Ali having fun with sparklers.

 

 

This year, the rodeo fireworks were the best I'd ever seen.  They doubled them up since last year fireworks were banned due to wildfires around the state and dry conditions.  The finale was so bright I had to cover my eyes, the booming and flashing was just to much to watch!!!  Our friends live near the rodeo arena so we got to see them for free!

 

Our 4th get-together of the day involved hanging out with some new friends and their visiting relatives while they enjoyed the first chance in a long time to be pyromaniacs on the 4th, since CA, where they used to live, doesn't allow fireworks.

 

 

I don't have a lot of people pictured here partly because I don't want to put friend's pics up on the internet without their permission.  But there really were LOTS of people at these events and we got to hang out with almost everyone we know in this town and my parents at various parties throughout the day.  I didn't need alcohol to feel like I had a hangover the next day!  The kids thankfully slept in until 9 or 10am and we had a slow day on the 5th, recuperating!

 

Fun! Fun! Fun! 

I'm not exaggerating one bit in saying that no one does the 4th of July like our little western town!

 

 

 

Note to Daddy

 

I'm a single mom for a few days as my husband is out of town for work, building a log cabin.

Alathia wrote this letter for Daddy to sneak into his luggage before he left.  He's hoping to be home in time to participate in a bike event where people get to test mountain bike prototypes for free.

 

So far, the kids are behaving themselves and we're having fun together.  We're going to snuggle up and watch Nim's Island this afternoon and tonight I'm throwing a Girl's Night Out party for my friends, where we'll get together to visit, craft, eat fondue and snacks, and relax!  I'm hoping that while my husband is gone I will get Katri's baby scrapbook done, finish this book, and start this audio book!

 

 

Josiah and Dad made this in Dad's pasture, then took it apart, much like Lincoln Logs, and they drove it to another town to put it together on the buyer's property.

 

Friends

 

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about friendship and what a blessing from God it really is.

I've been noticing that the novels, movies, shows, and even music I'm drawn to the most display people who have incredible friendships.  There is something absolutely compelling about a duo, trio, group, or band of people who love and serve one another and prioritize living their lives together as a team.

 

As I sift through my memories of how friendships in my own life started, I am reminded of just how amazing God is and how faithful He is to answer prayers for great, God-fearing friendships.  The other day a friend and her husband stood on my doorstep and, like a lightning bolt had exploded in my brain, I recalled praying for friends exactly like them back in lonelier times.  That prayer wasn't answered instantaneously then, but it is incredible to be finally seeing the fruition of those prayers.

 

Another one of my dearest friends is in my life because of the Lord's leading.  I was at a picnic, visiting wtih a bunch of friends and family and I felt God leading me to go to talk to a gal and her husband who were by themselves in the corner.  Pregnant, tired, and wanting to visit with a favorite relative from out of town, I didn't feel like making a new friend.  But after a few promptings by the Holy Spirit, I went over and introduced myself.  We had tons of things in common, we were both pregnant with our #4's, now pictured here in all their adorable-ness, and both of us had 2B/2G families.  Needless to say, she became an instant friend.  Over recent years we have done so much together: swapping kids, Bible studies, women's retreats, fondue dates, craft nights, clothing drives, developing and leading Pray and Play, raising money for Africa, PJ parties, Book Club, de-cluttering or dieting challenges, etc. etc.  I often think how empty my life would be if God hadn't stepped in and ordered me not to be shy in that moment when our paths crossed.  I'd be missing out on one of the best friendships of my life, and so would my kids!

 

Because I firmly believe in God's sovereignty, I know that every friend he has brought into my life is there for a reason.  Not all have been "easy" friendships.  But they have all taught me something and they all are precious for different reasons. 

 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

⁹ Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
¹⁰ If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
¹¹ Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
¹² Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

 

 

A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same.

-Elbert Hubbard-

I'm thankful today for each of the friends God has given!

The Bulk Effect

 

 

One of my favorite reads from last year was "Loving the Little Years" by Rachel Jankovic.  In it, she talks about The Bulk Effect.

 

The "Bulk Effect" occurs when you have lots of kids, especially little kids.  Endless demands, one after the other, can overwhelm you and cause you to snap over something very minor.

 

Although all of my children are wonderful blessings and have various gifts and ways that they enrich my life, they all have different struggles too.  One kid struggles with complaining and discontentment.  Another tries to argue with me and is a world-class tattler.  Another wants constant attention and help with everything.  Another is always getting hurt and screaming many times a day.

 

(The boys in their usual summer hang-out spot)

 

 

It's all too easy for me to get overwhelmed by the continual demands for training/attention/love/time and their endless energy and noise and just snap.  "GO OUTSIDE!  I CAN'T TAKE ANOTHER MINUTE WITH A KID OR ANYONE'S DEMANDS!"

 

This chapter, and others in the book about knowing and treating your kids as individuals even when you have several of them, helps me remember to stop and consider whether or not The Bulk Effect is taking over the situation of the moment in my own parenting.  It's helpful to put myself in their little shoes, so to speak, as well.  To remember what it's like to be a kid, dependent on others for everything, with few choices and need of training. 

 

When we were gone on our anniversary trip, my folks took care of the kids.  My dad was mostly gone during the days they watched them but he did spend one day with them and my mom camping.  I called him from the road on our way home to ask how things had gone with the kids.  He talked about Justus' astounding energy levels (3 hours of non-stop racing a wheelbarrow through the dirt stirring up dust clouds one night!) and suggested we should consider public school and soccer for that little whirlwind.  He mentioned that the kids sure do "ding at you" all day long.  He said, "They sure are cute kids but that doesn't diminish the demanding factor." 

 

(The girls playing "fancy ladies.")

 

My mom enjoyed the kids but she did say that they didn't have a moment to talk as a couple and watching the kids really helped them to see just how desperately we need time as a couple to talk.  From now on they want to volunteer to watch the kids one evening a month so we can do a date night....HURRAY!

 

Being a mom of many little ones is hard. 

There are few days off.

If you have sick kids or infants, you work both days AND nights.

You end every day emotionally drained.

 

While there is no formula or cure for easy or perfect parenting and no one is doing this job just right at all times, these things are helpful to me in parenting my many, young children:

 

Prayer

Getting enough sleep

Having a routine

Rising before the kids for some quiet time before the chaos hits

Time in the Word

Enforcing a quiet time/rest time every afternoon

Taking the kids on individual Mommy & Me dates every month or two

Support of other godly women in Bible Study and strong friendships

Being honest with my husband about my need for help or a break from the kids

Teaching the kids to be more self-sufficient

Pretending that the child needing something from me is an only child

Having the kids spend a little time away from me during the week (biking with Daddy, at playdates, clubs, or classes, helping Grammy in the garden, etc.)

Vitamin smoothies, good nutrition, and regular exercise

Being careful not to get over-committed with activities and playdates

Having a fenced-in backyard

Movies or kids' shows on Amazon Prime (Veggie Tales/Garfield/Dora)

Making some time for my own hobbies (Book Club, photography, reading, crafts, blogging, etc.)

 

 

 

Blessings to all of the tired mamas out there with little ones!

Yellowstone Trip

This is just a little glimpse of the highlights of our 10th Anniversary getaway to Yellowstone!

 

 

Dining at the Jackson Lake Lodge over-looking the Tetons

 

Cooking over a campstove was relaxing and fun without kids underfoot!

 

Standing at the Lower Falls overlook was terrifying! 

 

Mammoth Hot Springs

 

 

Fun breakfast

 

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

 

Grand Prismatic Spring

 

The Dragon's Mouth Cave has hissing gurgles and rumbles coming out

with plumes of steam

 

 

Mama elk comforts baby elk who kept burning his toes trying to take a drink from a hot stream

 

This little guy tried to sneak a bite of my pancake one morning!

 

Josiah took this wonderful pic of a bull elk

 

 

A mama black bear with her two cinnamon-colored cubs

 

 

My pic was blurry, but Josiah got this nice shot of the black bear crossing the road.

If the ranger hadn't moved everyone back, we could have reached out and touched him (not that I wanted to!)

 

Our van, sans seats, made a great little camping spot, and was warmer and more bear-secure than a tent!  We found out later that a black bear was shot in our campground one of the nights we were staying there!  In June, it's still cold at night in Yellowstone.  Most of the tourists hadn't even brought jackets.  It was 26 degrees at night!  BRRR!

 

Old Faithful

 

 

We don't have to outrun the bear....just the tourists!  =)

Josiah built lots of fires to keep us warm in the mornings and at night.

 

2 Grizzly cubs

 

 

 

We did a lot of shopping in touristy gift shops and little places along the way, but my favorite stop was at the world-renowned Meeteetse Chocolatier's in tiny lil' Meeteetse, Wyoming.  This young cowboy has traveled to Europe to learn his secrets.  His truffles, though pricey, are the best chocolates EVER!  We also stopped in Thermopolis, where the world's largest hot springs are located, to swim in the free mineral springs bathhouse.

 

What a blessing to be able to have 4 kid-free days with my husband of a decade!  He was so sweet to plan this trip and make it special, even if we couldn't afford to go on a cruise or fly to some exotic locale.  He set aside his own agenda whenever I wanted to spend an hour or two chasing after bears to get pictures and allowed me to convince him that our kids really should have some souvenirs.  We found out that some of the best trips happen right in your own "backyard!" 

Summer Slumps?

Summer should be a time for fun, family, enjoying the outdoors, and some relaxation.

 

Yet, it seems that about 95% of the women I talk to are stressed, overwhelmed, and just plain exhausted.

 

While we can't escape the need to work in this life, whether it's parenting, a job, caregiving, home ownership, etc. we really have more choices than we think in regards to our schedules.  The thing that is hard is that there are soooo many good opportunities out there that it is beyond easy to get over-committed.  It's a downhill slide into too many activities, too much information, and too many friends and an uphill climb to live within our priorities.

 

My Mom always said, "If I can't get my dishes done, I'm doing too much."

 

 

Even though I do two dishwasher loads a day minimum, I don't know if I'll ever catch up 100% on dishes, so I've tweaked my mom's phrase for myself:

 

If I can't do our Bible verse memorization in the morning with the kids, then we're doing too much.

 

If we can't have read-aloud time every day then we're doing too much.

 

Ladies Bible Study and our mother/daughter Friday Bible study in Ali's room are more important than trips to the circus, the pool, the lake, or a friend's house.

 

Most days this summer I feel like we are having lots of "down time" and are not too stressed out.  Our kids aren't doing summer sports, and I've been evaluating each activity in our week and considering whether it is worth the effort involved or whether it will add stress to our family life.  I'm definitely not perfect at this though!  Sometimes, without even thinking, I will say yes to something only to realize it wasn't a good idea and I chose the good thing over the best thing.  Here are some guidelines that I jotted down to help me stay in line with my priorities of glorifying God as a wife and a mom when considering my children's activities/playdates:

 

 

1.  Ya Wanna?

 

Do I want to do this?  Does my child want to do this?

Sometimes we get asked to do things that we don't even want to do.  Sometimes we push our kids to live out our dreams instead of theirs.  Yes, there is a time and a place for sacrifice and selflessness, but if you hate babysitting why do you say yes every time someone asks you if you will do it?  It sounds like a no-brainer but so many gals I know are guilted or pressured, whether by friends or their spouse, into doing activities they hate.  Keep in mind, I'm speaking of chilren's activities and playdates here.  We will all have to do things we don't like to do (cleaning the bathroom, math homework, etc.) but in regards to things we have choices about, it is a question to consider.  Better to be honest and tell someone you don't like playing basketball, or hiking or taking care of their dog when they go away, etc. than getting roped into doing it and becoming bitter about it!

 

2.  Nighty-night!

 

Is it during my child's naptime?  Though only one of our children still naps, and usually doesn't sleep during naptime anymore, I still enforce rest time and feel it is a necessity in our days....if only for Mama to have an hour of peace and quiet!

 

3.  Housework Happy!

 

Will this cut into time I need at home to finish chores?  Being a homemaker does involve spending time at home (go figure!) and a home is NOT an easy thing to manage.  There is cleaning, cooking, laundry, yard work, bills, phone calls to make, etc. etc. to keep a family and home running smoothly.   

 

4.  Peace and Quiet

 

Does it leave margin in my day?

Will being involved in this activity leave me with no "quiet time" or free time in my day?  As an introverted person I need a little bit of time each day to have no talking and no people in the room with me.  If I don't take that time during the afternoon, I will need some in the evening so that I can recharge...otherwise I get very crabby.

 

5.  Bless or stress? 

 

Will this inspire or teach my child or just stress them out?  Will hanging out with that friend encourage them or contribute to bad character?  Will this event or opportunity pack their day with too much activity or cause me to have to drive around like a taxi service?

 

6.  Cha-ching!

 

Can I afford this activity?  Living on one income in a two-income world takes a lot of careful planning and self-restraint.  Contrary to people's opinions that say I'm lucky to be a stay-at-home-mom, I know it takes a lot of saying no to things that the rest of the world thinks are necessities.  One of our friend's daughters asked her mom for restaurant pizza and said, "Just put it on your card mommy!"  A perfect opportunity for my friend to explain that the debit card isn't magic money and that sometimes we can't eat out, or buy toys at the circus, etc. etc. etc. because we don't have the money to do so.

 

7.  No Rush

 

A friend and I were talking about the stress of last-minute invitations.  Spontaneity can be fun if it's rare, but on a typical day, it's stressful to have a last-minute change of plans.  If you are asked to do something or go somewhere, take a little time to think it over.  Check your schedule/appointment book/calendar and talk it over with your husband.  I once had a young friend who would pray over EVERY opportunity that came her way...down to the most minute thing.  She was wise beyond her years!  One of my friends has decided that she will say "no" to anything that she is asked to do the day of.  I guess I'd better make sure I invite her to things a few days in advance! =)