AWANA Games

AWANA Games is a half-day of fun and competition. Teams of kids from AWANA clubs around town meet up in a gym and compete against each other in a series of games that include running, bean bags, balloons, tug-of-war, and noodles. They are many of the same games that are played at AWANA each week. The kids have a blast.

This year, we had 3 kids participate in AWANA Games. Two participated in Sparky Games, and two participated in T&T Games. Does it seem odd that we made 4 participants out of 3 kids? The answer is that Jersey #2 was able to participate in both events. Being a 2nd grader, and a younger sister, has its privelages. 2nd graders (the oldest Sparky's) can "play up" to help form more participants for the T&T games. Since her older sister was signed up for T&T Games, Jersey #2 was recruited too.

Last Saturday, we loaded up the whole family and went to the Games.

This was the largest AWANA Games event we have attended. It seems more and more churches are offering AWANA. More and more clubs are participating in Games. We saw many folks we already knew, from various other kids programs around town.

There were 4 circles set up in the gym. Each circle had the ability to hold 4 teams. Our kids were on Green teams. The AWANA colors are Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow.

I managed to get at least 1 good picture of each kid participating in a game event.

At the end of the Games, awards were given. There was a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place for every circle.

For T&T Games, Jersey #1 was on a 1st place team. Jersey #2 was on a 3rd place team...

For Sparky Games, Jersey #2 was on a First place team, and Jersey #3 was on a 2nd place team. They also received a patch for their AWANA vests.

Sometimes there are clubs who do not have enough players to form an entire team. When that happens, kids are recruited from one team to another to help out. For T&T Games, Jersey #2 was recruited to help another club. The incentive for being a good sport about switching teams is that the player receives the awards for the team they are on, AND for the team they came from. In this case, Jersey #2 received the 3rd place awards from the team she was on, and the 1st place awards from the team she belonged to originally. Getting double awards just made her day!

Jersey #4 was a restless spectator. She looked for every opportunity to leave the stands and go to the restroom, or to seek a snack from the concession stand.

Jersey #5 started was a happy spectator originally. He clapped. He cheered. He climbed up and down the bleachers, pointing out each of his siblings.

But, a few hours later, he was a sleepy spectator, unable to endure the entire event. He fell asleep on the bleacher, mid-clap, and had to be carried to the van when Games were over.

We Like To Eat

Recently, all of my children have been asked what foods they like to eat. Their answers certainly fit their personalities and differences.

When our family doctor asked what her favorite foods were, Jersey #1 gave him a full explanation:

"I love bread. I eat a lot of carbs. So, my Mom reminds me to eat some vegetables and protein so that I don't get a tummy ache. If I only eat a bunch of bread and drink Dr. Pepper, it makes my stomach hurt."

The doctor confirmed that Mom is right, and she needs protein and vegetables too. He also praised her for having a good grasp on nutrition.

Jersey #2 and Jersey #4 had well-child check-ups this week, and the doctor asked each of them what was their favorite thing to eat.

Jersey #4 answered: "bread....and milk."

The doctor looked up at me and saw the surprise on my face. I was certain she was going to say powdered sugar donuts. He assured me that bread and milk were good favorites for a 4-year old.


Jersey #2 answered: "strawberries."

This is so true. The child can eat an entire quart of strawberries in one sitting, without sharing. Strawberries never go to waste at our house. She made the doctor laugh when she told him that she likes to eat all the strawberries and not share with her siblings.


As I was driving home from the doctor's office, I was pondering food. The kids were telling the truth about what their favorite foods were. The part I was pondering was the fact that if ever asked what MY favorite food is, I always answer: cheeseburgers.

I prefer cheeseburgers. My daughters prefer bread, carbs (bread & pasta), and strawberries.

Hmmm. Is it any wonder why they are slim and I am overweight? I think I might see a connection here.



Jersey #3 made us laugh when he announced that ALL food was his favorite.

That is so true. He has not mentioned a single food that he does not like. He is always hungry. He eats every two hours, and has since birth. He tells me every day that the meal I just served him was the best "lunch" ever. (Yes, every meal is lunch, according to Jersey #3).


Jersey #5 was asked by his AWANA teacher what was his favorite food. He answered: "Cheetos and bananas."

It sounds like he likes to snack.

Hot Topics: Pacifiers

I was at the dentist the other day....completely on my own, without any children in tow....and happened upon a conversation about pacifiers. The office had a news show on the television, and a segment came up about some celebrity's child who was caught in photographs with a pacifier in her mouth. She was 4. This was apparently newsworthy.

I was appalled. A pacifier at age 4 is national news? Wow. There must not be much going on in the world, if this is the sort of thing that people are getting upset about. Sure enough, experts were brought in to discuss this breaking news topic. One expert was a Mom who never let her children go near a pacifier. One expert was a physician, who was going to give us all the appropriate response to pacifiers. One expert was a Mom who did not think pacifiers were much of a problem. Judging from the way the newscasters were acting about the subject, I knew that last Mom was going to get eaten alive on this program.

Thankfully, I missed the rest of the segment, as the dentist approached and was getting ready to work on my teeth. His hygienist could not resist sharing her thoughts on the subject while they got things ready. Her comments made me wonder if she even had any children.....or if she had even been around any children. I know that I knew a whole lot more about parenting before I ever had any children. The more kids I have, the less I know about what is best.

The hygienist began to explain to me that children should not use pacifiers after their teeth come in, because it could move their teeth out of alignment. I stared in awe, wondering if she knew what age teeth arrived in a baby's mouth. That would really limit pacifier use, if the arrival of teeth were the limit. I tried not to laugh as I thought about the number of times I have seen a toddler hold their pacifier to the side of their mouth, using their teeth. Kids can get really creative with the combination of teeth and pacifiers.

I didn't say anything. I just listened. I am really not passionate about pacifiers. Some parents like them, some don't. Some kids like them....some kids REALLY like them....and some kids don't. I really can't see where the world is going to come to an end if a child does or does not take a pacifier, for whatever length of time. There are so many choices that parents have to make for what is best for their children. Adding more rules, fears, and stigmas is not helping grow great parents.

When the hygienist was finished giving me her report on the damage that pacifiers do to teeth, she turned to the dentist for affirmation that she was correct. I really had to work hard to not bust out laughing at his response. This man has been around the block a few times. He has seen it all. He simply said that he has not recalled ever putting a person in braces because they took a pacifier. He knew of some thumb-suckers who moved their teeth. Some. He said that some people have teeth that move easily and some people just have crooked teeth.

Then, he added that if a child was already showing signs of crooked teeth....and already going to need braces....then you may as well let them have the pacifier and enjoy themselves, because that need for braces is in their future regardless.

Lunch Date With Daddy

Jersey #4 got to enjoy lunch out with Daddy today. She had a blast.

This is a birthday tradition that The Referee started many years ago, when Jersey #1 was a preschooler. He takes each child out to lunch for their birthday. Just the 1 child and Daddy. It is such a sweet tradition. I just love it. I know the kids love it too. They take great care to pick the restaurant they want to go to.

The Referee takes great care to fit the birthday lunches into his busy work schedule. He makes a point to let the kids know that they are special to him. So special, that he makes time for them.

It is also nice to be an "only" child once in a while, and get all of Daddy's attention. That is a rare treat for a child in a large family. It is entertaining to see the kids react. Jersey #4 smiled so big as she got to go off with Daddy on her own. The Referee reported that she looked a bit surprised when she got to go get her food immediately after finding a table. (She didn't have to wait for any siblings to get settled first.)

I like this Daddy-date concept so much, that I am seeking a Mommy-date version to implement now too. I don't want to detract from the special tradition that The Referee has established. I just want a piece of that sweetness too. I've thought about a movie night, or an activity with Mommy. I'm still brainstorming. With Jersey #1, I took her shopping at the mall for an afternoon. I have not yet decided what to do for some special time with Jersey #4. I hope to figure that out soon.

Number 4 Turns 4

We enjoyed a VERY full weekend of birthday celebration. Jersey #4 is FOUR!

It just doesn't seem possible that she could be 4 already, but I know it is true. As I reflect back on her birth, and raising her to this point, I realize that I am more surprised that I made it through these past 4 years of being her Mom.

She is a handful......all by herself. When God takes that much beauty and that much brains, and wraps it into one package, adding in a level of determination that is undefined...the result is one frazzled, worn-out, humble mommy who is constantly entertained by the depth of my experience raising this child.

I have never met another child like her.

There are parts of her that resemble others in our family, so we are pretty certain she is ours. She looks like a duplicate copy of Jersey #1. She has a strong will, like Jersey #2. She also pays attention to detail, knows what she wants, and knows how to behave.

As soon as we think we have a grasp on her, she throws us for a loop. As an infant and toddler, she did not like anyone. She was not friendly or social in any way. At 4 years old, she loves being the center of attention. It was not a gradual process--it was as quick as the flip of a light switch. That is how she operates. She goes in one direction right until we think we have her figured out, then "flip" she switches course. I is always an adventure with her.

Jersey #4 led us on an adventure with her birth. Starting in the womb, she was in a footling breech position. She was standing on one foot like a flamingo, refusing to be born head-first like majority of the other babies of the world. We used modern medicine to our advantage, and she was born feet-first, via c-section. She made sure to disrupt the c-section plans, by starting labor 2 days earlier than scheduled.

From the moment she was born, Jersey #4 has been in charge. It took mere minutes for the doctors and nurses to give in to her wails, regardless of hospital protocols. It took her less than 24 hours home to have every member of our family running the moment she cried. She demanded her attention and care, on her terms, in her time. I have never seen anything like it, and I was suppose to be a "seasoned" parent by then.

Each year, the adventure continues. She caught the flu for her 1st birthday, forcing us to cancel her party.

Going against the norm, once again, age 2 with Jersey #4 was probably the easiest age so far...

By age 3, she was certain that the birth order of our family was incorrect, and she should be the firstborn instead.

She loves to try to do everything her older siblings can do. When she masters a development younger than they do, it causes quite a stir. That fuels her to try even harder....to upset them even more. The way she can dribble a basketball already, makes me wonder what she will be like when she is old enough to play sports.

Her early interest in "schoolwork" makes me wonder where she will go academically.

I can't even begin to predict where this precious child will take us. I do know one thing for certain--buckle up, we are bound for adventure!

No one said parenting is easy. Jersey #4 reminds us of this truth on a daily basis.

Let the adventure continue...

The Boy Can READ!

We have one proud fella here at our house.

Jersey #3 can READ!

It was a landmark day when he sat down and read Green Eggs and Ham to me. He calls that a "real" book. Apparently, the little paper readers we have with our homeschool curriculum are not fooling anyone. Our kids do not consider them real books for some reason.

That's Ok. I've got a whole shelf of "real" books for my new readers to tackle when they reach this point. Jersey #3 was thrilled to realize he can pick up other books and read them too. His confidence has soared.

I am proud. I am pleased. Mostly, I am relieved. Whew!

This boy has never been as easy as either of his older sisters. (His younger sister is no piece of cake either, so I have a double whammy coming at me with these two in the middle). He was not an easy baby. He refused to participate in preschool. (His actual statement to me was, "Mom, I am too young for school...I am only three!") So, I really should not have been surprised that kindergarten has been a challenge.

Our entire focus for kindergarten is teaching our children to read. If a child can read well, they can learn anything. A child who cannot read well, typically has decreased confidence about their educational abilities. We want our children to read well.

It was easy enough with Jersey #1. I waited too long, thinking she was suppose to be in kindergarten before I taught her to read, and she ended up teaching herself. The summer before kindergarten, she would start spelling out words she saw and street signs, and ask me what they said. It didn't take her long to figure out how to take the sounds each letter made, and put them together to make words. By the time I actually pulled out my well-researched "perfect" curriculum I wanted to use to teach her to read, she had already blazed through half of the process on her own. She was reading easy readers to me her first week of kindergarten. So much for the perfect curriculum.

I started earlier with Jersey #2, using my perfect curriculum. She was eager to learn. She caught on immediately. She was reading the summer before kindergarten. I wish I could credit my curriculum. But, it really is not perfect. It is organized and clear, at best. But, Jersey #2 is a whiz kid, and no curriculum can take credit for that. (I wonder if I can take credit for it, though? Can we say she has MY genetics that is making her so smart? Hmmm, I think I may be on to something here....)

After the whole "I'm too young for school" attitude with Jersey #3, I did not even push reading prior to kindergarten. Actually, we started off a bit slower even when he started kindergarten. I started to wonder if I could just get a kindergarten curriculum for the Wii? It didn't take him long to realize he was ready for school, and actually enjoyed it. He has been very cooperative in his studies. It turns out, he is a natural at math.

He was willing to learn to read. But, he was not able. This was a new experience for me.

He struggled with the orientation of letters. A visual-spatial thing. As far as he was concerned, there was no difference between M or W. Same thing with b or d. I am suspicious it has something to do with his ambidextrous abilities.

It took months for him to figure out a system to identify each letter as a separate letter from its mirror-image counterpart. I was starting to worry. The Referee assured me that most kids do not even learn to read until 1st grade, so there was no reason to worry about kindergarten.

Then, one day, he asked me, "is that a "b" or a "d"?"

He finally realized they were TWO different letters.

From that point forward, his reading progression began to actually progress. He started identifying each letter and its sound. He started blending a consonant and a short vowel. Then, he started reading 3-letter words (with short vowels).

Then, we hit a bump in the road with the sight word, "the". That is a difficult word to pronounce when you are missing so many front teeth. It took 3 weeks for him to reach a point of recognizing it, and pronouncing it consistently.

After he grasped "the", he grasped long vowels. THAT was the point when I realized he was actually reading. His confidence increased more and more as he was reading those little paper readers.

The day he read a reader without my assistance, I pulled out Dr. Seuss.

He chose Green Eggs and Ham. It is has lots of repetition. That helps me see how much he is retaining, after he learns a word the first time.

The more he read, the more he smiled.

When he finished the last page, he shouted, danced, and gave us all a high-five! His excitement was contagious.

Sick Days

We have been having a lot of sick days around here, for the past month.

I am growing suspicious that the children's museum we visit frequently is the germ culprit. There is such a pattern with visiting there on Monday, and Jersey #5 coughing through the night by Wednesday. We took a week off, then it will be Spring Break. So, I am hoping to get everyone healed again in that time. Part of me wonders if we should return for science classes there for the rest of the semester, or if I should just cut my losses and not return for a while.

I am not normally a germ-a-phobic individual. Actually, I am a big fan of natural immunity, letting kids get dirty, and childhood fun. I teach the kids to wash their hands, as the best means for staying healthy. Even with a daughter who is a heart patient, I consider myself realistic in the precautions we take.....more precautions when she is weakest, and less precautions when she is healthy.

I find myself in unfamiliar territory now. Jersey #5 seems to catch a cold, cough, or some sort of upper respiratory infection every other week. He takes longer to get over them. He gets so congested. To make matters worse, he is already allergic to 2 classes of antibiotics, so his treatment options are not as open as my other children. We try to let more illnesses run their course with him, before rushing to the doctor, and hope that his respiratory tract grows stronger as he grows. A little Tylenol and/or Benedryl at bedtime goes a long way for helping him sleep and breathe, pain free.

Lately, staying home in our PJs, resting more seems to be the best medicine for him. He sleeps a lot more when he is sick, which is a trait he must get from his Momma and his PawPaw. We both do the same thing. Resting at home has become such a frequent thing in the past month, it is really helping me see where my real priorities are.

It is hard to see the little ones sick like this. I had really been hoping that the warm weather would bring a healthier winter all around. Unfortunately, that has not been the case.

Can it be summer time yet?

Running Shoes

I finally bought a real pair of running shoes.

Yes, I am way late on this. Running shoes are expensive. I had no idea how truly valuable they are.

But, I knew that I wanted some. Most running information I have read talks about a good pair of running shoes being worth the cost.

So, I decided that I would take my birthday money this year, and buy myself a pair of running shoes.

My birthday was a month ago. I finally made it to the store to buy the shoes this week. I have been that busy.

I went to a store that was recommended by a friend. It happened to be near the church where the kids go to AWANA, so I took the opportunity to shop after I dropped the older 3 off for AWANA Games practice.

To say I was impressed is an understatement. I had no idea that running shoe shopping could be this cool.

The store folks were awesome. I admitted right from the start that I needed running shoes. I had never bought them before. And, the folks who tell me I need them also told me to come to this store. The sales lady was thrilled. It turns out she was the owner. Her niece fitted me for shoes, while she talked me through the process. It was process.

First, they had me take off my shoes and walk on a treadmill for a couple minutes. They had a camera set up to monitor my gait while I walked. It was no shock to me when they informed me that my arches collapse as I walk, because I walk inward. Yes, my parents have noticed this my entire life. When I was younger, I ran really funny. I would like to say that I have improved in that, but I think I still run funny. The shoe lady says it is my pronation that is my problem, and that there are shoes that are designed to remedy that. The shoes will keep my arches intact, which will align my knees and hips, which is suppose to reduce risk of injury.

All of that sounded awesome. When I started trying on the shoes, I learned that she was speaking the truth.

I still can't believe that a pair of shoes can support my heels and arches this way. My feet feel so good in my new shoes. I wore them out of the store, just like a kid. I wore them all night at work. I actually wondered if I could wear them to bed.

I can't wait to try them out on the track.

School Supplies

Granny & PawPaw gave the children an old-fashioned classroom pencil sharpener for Christmas.

Granny told the story about how when she was a kid, she loved sharpening her pencil because it was the only acceptable reason to get out of her seat. She joked about times when the pencil would be sharpened down to the nub, as she stared off out the window, daydreaming while she sharpened.

Granny wanted her grandbabies to enjoy such fun. Since most of the grandchildren (including our children) are homeschooled, the odds of them having this pencil sharpening/daydreaming experience are slim.

Also, technology has advanced. We have an electric pencil sharpener in our schoolroom.

The kids love the old-fashioned pencil sharpener from Granny & PawPaw. They have been sharpening pencils all morning.

Jersey #2 is making it her job to sharpen every pencil in the house.

Jersey #5 decided to try to sharpen an ink pen. (For a moment there, I thought he had broken the sharpener, but I managed to unjam it and pull out the shredded pen).

It turns out, this old fashioned sharpener does a much better job than our electric sharpener. The kids are amazed by how sharp their pencils become.

I saw the opportunity and informed them that their school work needs to be neater now that they have sharper pencils! Ha! Sometimes, I crack myself up.

Friendly Competition

This particular little sister is causing quite a stir at our house...

She has grown brave enough to hang from the monkey bars, and even drop to the ground. So far, she can make it across to the 2nd rung.

Considering Jersey #2 was 7 years old before she crossed the monkey bars entirely on her own, she is upset that her little sister is working on it at a younger age.

It is worse for Jersey #3. He is older. He is the big brother. He does not want his little sister accomplishing something that he is too scared to do.

At first, they both wanted me to make Jersey #4 stop.

Instead, I praised her for her bravery and advised her to land on her feet or butt. She beamed with pride.

Jersey #3 and Jersey #2 set out to accomplish more. Their response fueled Jersey #4 to try even harder to get across those monkey bars.

This competition went on for a few days around here. It has been highly entertaining. I have enjoyed how much they are playing outdoors, strengthening their arms like this.



The sibling order has been restored today: Jersey #3 crossed the entire monkey bars on his own this morning, and dropped to the ground at the end.

His little sister is still on rung 2, so that makes him feel much better.


Jersey #2 decided to "raise the bar" by skipping bars as she went across. Now that she has accomplished something even more impressive, she feels on top of the world again.

This sparked Jersey #1 into action. She has been able to cross the monkey bars for a while now. Her height eliminated the fear of dropping a long time ago. She does not usually push herself into more daring physical tasks, so she did not even consider skipping bars as she went across.

She did not want her little sister (Jersey #2) to show her up, so she tried skipping bars too. She can do it already. Whew! The sibling order remains restored.

Since I would not even allow Jersey #5 to swing out on the monkey bars, the kids can rest at ease a while longer that baby brother is not going to show them up....

....at least not this week.

I Love AWANA

I cannot seem to say enough positive things about AWANA. I am constantly reminded of how awesome this program is. It is helping me achieve major goals for my children.

Initially, I looked at AWANA as a club, similar to scouts. The kids make crafts, sing songs, hear stories, eat snacks, and play games. It is a Bible club, so they memorize Bible verses to earn patches for their uniform. When Jersey #1 and Jersey #2 were in Cubbies, I thought of AWANA as a fun activity for preschoolers.

Then, I had an experience at Vacation Bible School that changed my viewpoint. There was a boy who stood up in front of his peers and recited the Bible verse for each day of the VBS week. I was impressed. I wanted my kids to develop the skills to be able to stand before an audience and recite scripture. I asked his Mom, "how did you do that?" I wanted what she had accomplished with her child.

Her answer was simple, "We are an AWANA family."

I immediately started taking a closer look at AWANA. As the kids get older, I meet more and more "AWANA families." They expect their children to fully participate in AWANA, to complete the scripture work for a book each year. When a child goes through the AWANA program, completing a book a year, from 3rd grade through high school, they earn a "Citation Award" which is in equivalence to the Boy Scout Eagle Award and the Girl Scout Gold Award. That is now a goal for our family as well.

When Jersey #1 was in kindergarten, it was an AWANA activity that paved the way for her to accept Jesus as her Savior. She was learning so much scripture, learning about missionaries, and learning about prayer. In the end, it was me who learned the most about how a child comes to make such an important decision.

I also appreciate how AWANA provides group structure and activities for our homeschooled children. They participate in a classroom, meet kids who are nice (and sometimes not-so-nice), and have to obey other adults. It is a controlled environment that lets me see how they relate with the world.

The scripture memory is amazing. The kids memorize a ton of Bible verses. The part that stuns me is how they then recognize those verses in songs on the radio, in Pastor's sermon, in lessons at home, and in their Sunday school lessons. They start to understand as each verse is brought up in different contexts in their lives. Hiding the Word of God in their hearts is what it is all about!

This week, I enjoyed another opportunity to realize how great AWANA is. Jersey #1 and I visited an enrichment/tutoring program for homeschoolers. The kids attend class 1 day a week, and learn independent study skills, note-taking skills, and paper-writing skills. They have discussions and learn to think about things on their own. Jersey #1 felt so comfortable with the group and the topic, that she joined in the discussion, much to my surprise. As the other children were reading a specific Bible verse from their own Bibles, Jersey #1 raised her hand to participate. When the (surprised) teacher called on her, Jersey #1 explained that she did not have her Bible with her, but she did know that scripture by heart. She quoted it from the King James Version, which is written in Old English. The teacher followed-up with a question about who the "thy" was speaking about. Jersey #1 accurately answered, "God."

I sat in the back of the room, with my jaw dropped open, wondering who was this child and how did she learn such skills? I would never have done such a thing as a child. I would have been too shy and too nervous in such a new situation. Why does Jersey #1 have the confidence to speak up like this?

AWANA.

I love AWANA.

Caught Working

My supervisor took this photo of me. She was shocked by the workload on my bench that night. I had petri dishes EVERYWHERE! They were stacked on both sides of my lab bench, and filled an entire cart as well.

I was a bit embarrassed when she posted the picture on the bulletin board for all to see. I suppose I should just be happy she caught me working. That should come in handy around review time, right? Some of my coworkers joked that maybe management will begin to realize how big the workload really is in the lab.

Later, I decided to take a picture of the picture, for myself. I don't have many photos of me at work. My job tends to be one that has limited access to the public.

In the end, this not-so-glamorous photo is really a blessing.

B.I.G.

Jersey #5 appears to be the largest 2-year old in America.

When I took him for his well-child check-up, we learned that his height and weight measurements do not even fit on the growth chart. The nurse declared that she was just going to write "greater than 95th percentile" on his chart, and leave it at that.

So, when we tell him he is a "Big Boy," we are speaking the truth.

There is an emphasis on BIG.

3 feet, 2 inches tall

40 pounds


Our pediatrician joked that we may not be feeding him enough.

The good news is that his height and weight are proportional to each other, even if they are not proportional to his peers. He is healthy.

He is simply hearty as well.

I find it funny that the baby of the family looks like he is going to be the tallest of them all. There are tall genes in our families, so it will not surprise anyone if Jersey #5 grows over 6 feet tall by adulthood.

Crazy Hair

I consider myself to be a pretty tame being. My hair is a natural color. I do not have any tattoos. I have only 1 earring hole in each earlobe. I keep my belly covered (although, after being pregnant 8 times, I am pretty sure that no one wants to see my abdomen anyway...but that is not the point).


So, what does a Mom like me do when it is "Crazy Hair Night" at AWANA?




Well, I ask The Referee to run by the store on his way home and pick up spray cans of temporary hair color and glitter, of course!

Then, I proceed to color the heads (and some ears) of all of my children....as well as the others who are riding in my van that night...

Go Red For Women

Jersey #2 participated in a fund-raising event for the American Heart Association this month. She does some publicity work for them on occasion. We say that she is the cutest face of heart disease.

This time, she took us to the Go Red For Women luncheon. Go Red For Women is a national campaign to raise awareness about heart disease in women, the warning signs, and how to seek prevention and treatment. The girls of our family were invited to attend the fund-raising luncheon for this event. (The boys decided that it would be more fun if they stayed home in their PJs and played video games instead).

We dressed up in fancy red dresses. I was proud of myself for buying dresses at Christmas time, when red was rampant in the stores. I bought the dresses on sale too! We felt like princesses.

Part of the luncheon presentation was a "Survivor's Fashion Show." Each heart disease survivor walked the runway, modeling red outfits from a local department store, while the MC read a short speech about their heart condition and experience. Each survivor was escorted by a loved one. We chose Jersey #1 to accompany Jersey #2, thinking that the girls would love to be runway models for this event.

Jersey #4 and I sat in the audience, enjoying the fancy luncheon.

The event was spectacular. It was fun. There was a huge turn-out. It was the largest crowd yet. 550 people attended.

And, we learned that Jersey #1 does not enjoy being in front of the crowd. She would rather that Jersey #2 keep the spotlight. She liked the outfit. She liked the food. She did not like being on stage in front of all those people. She developed a stomach ache and stressed about it for hours. She did a great job holding herself together for the fashion show. But, she is certain that next time she would rather be in the audience.

Jersey #4, on the other hand, decided that she liked the spotlight. One of the survivors motioned her on stage at the end, and she did an encore lap up the runway, with Jersey #2. They were adorable.

They actually ended up walking that runway ramp over a dozen times after the event ended, because they enjoyed it so much. I finally had to coax the older girls into changing their clothes and returning the fashion show outfits.

Then, we took a sassy model pose on the catwalk before returning home

Servants

Our church received the opportunity for a new ministry recently.

A BIG ministry.

We are a small church. Sometimes we worry that we are not going to have enough manpower to host a Vacation Bible School, so it still sounds crazy to me that we recently took on a rather large outreach to the homeschool community.

Yes, I said crazy. And, I am right there in the midst of the insanity. I am too busy. I am too tired. I do not have the time or energy for my current commitments. So, why in the world would I jump in with both feet to help our church in an even bigger ministry?

I volunteered to organize it.

Yes, I said it: Volunteered. I missed the first meeting, so I wasn't sure if someone was already slated to organize the whole transition. I was full of emotion and excitement. I could barely contain myself because I wanted to shout, "LET ME AT IT!"

Lucky for me, no one else seemed to want the job. When I told The Referee what I had just signed up for, he asked me how I get myself into these things? When I mentioned I volunteered for it, he asked me, "What were you thinking?"

At the time, I was thinking this looked like an awesome ministry opportunity that God had placed before us. I wanted to help. I wanted to serve. I wanted to utilize my gifts for Him.

I wasn't thinking about the time commitment, or the fact that I am way too busy. I wasn't thinking about how much work would be involved.

I thought about those things later. I was up to my elbows in sick children, falling behind in every aspect of my life. That is when I started to wonder if I had gotten myself in over my head.

Somehow, I managed to keep moving forward. I trusted that if God wanted me to do this, He would see me through it.

Then, I heard a song on the radio that I have now decided is my new motto and justification for being so busy. The song is "I Refuse" by Josh Wilson. This is the line that got a hold of me:

I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

Pastor preached a sermon last week that truly inspired me. I was strengthened by the knowledge that my Faith will keep me strong. God will provide the way for me to accomplish what He asks of me. I just have to be willing to serve.

I am not alone. I have friends all around me who are willing to serve the Lord.

Serve the LORD with gladness (Psalm 100:2)

I am amazed by the number of families I know who are going through the adoption process, to follow God's call to care for the orphans.

I am amazed by the number folks who are raising money for various charities and people in need in their own church, in the local community, and all around the world.

These people inspire me. They make me think about my own activities. Am I serving with gladness? Is my heart in the right place? These friends help me focus and prioritize. Sometimes all it takes is their blog posts, websites, or Facebook updates to help me realize that if I am crazy for jumping in with both feet, then I am in good company. There are many other folks jumping in with both feet too.

I have been meaning to share the website of my friend, who is one awesome servant, so I will take the opportunity to do that here. Check Out Mavuno Market and help bring hope to Africa.

I Love You Too?

The children and I were discussing Valentine's Day and Love.

I said, "Happy Valentine's Day, children. I love you all."

Jersey #3 answered immediately:

"I love your food."

???

Hmm. Ok. Thanks, son.

The Gift of Language

This is my first attempt to post a video to my blog. I am excited about this one.

Jersey #1 was required to learn John 3:16 in a different language, for AWANA. She shocked me with the announcement that she wanted to learn the verse in Hebrew.

Hebrew?

Couldn't you try something simpler like Spanish? You know, something Mommy might be able to help you with?

No. She was determined to learn it in Hebrew.

She knew that our Pastor's wife studies Hebrew. She knew she could get the help she needed to learn it. She was right. She received help in finding the verse, and pronouncing the verse in Hebrew. Our church family is cool like that.

Then, she memorized it.

I stood in awe with my video camera poised to capture it all.

Then, we laughed as she stumbled over the verse in English, since she was so nervous and speaking so fast.

Yep, that is my child. My daughter who has a gift for language. She was an early talker and she continues to pick up new languages easily.

Now, she can recite John 3:16 in Hebrew. And, stumble over it in English.

Awesome!

Juggling Work and Family

This week marks 5 months that I have been working at my lab job outside the home.

Personally, I think it stinks.

I do not enjoy being a "working" Mom. For sake of argument, yes I know that all Moms work. Moms work hard. But, what I am saying is that I do not like the type of work that constitutes employment outside the home. It is challenging to balance work and home. It is a struggle to meet the needs of my family. It is exhausting. Instead of finding balance, I feel like I am simply failing at more things right now. I am spread too thin, and there is not enough of me to go around. My heart goes out to single Moms and to Moms who feel as though they have to work and have no other choice. That really stinks.

I like the lab. I like the job. I like my coworkers. I like the fact that it is giving us an income to pay those hospital bills and our consumer debt. My job is a blessing to my family in the way it is helping us meet our financial goals. Returning to the lab has helped me see what direction I would like my career to go, once my children are raised. It is not the job itself that troubles me.

Motherhood is a season. A short season. You don't get a re-do. It is so much easier to be home with the children than it is to be juggling a job and the children. It is not easier work. Actually, being home with children is a lot harder, and more exhausting. There is no sick leave. There are constant interruptions. Working in a busy medical lab is definitely a "break" compared to being a stay-at-home Mom. But life is easier when Mom is at home, caring for the children and the home. I have grown to enjoy that simpler life.

That was the first thing The Referee and I noticed when we made the decision that one of us needed to be home with our kids. At the time, we were both working full time, in our respective careers. We were attempting to balance marriage, parenting, and career all at the same time. It was challenging. Along came Jersey #2, oxygen, heart surgery, and the realization that she was not going to be safe in a daycare setting. Our priorities shifted. I had such clarity that the needs of my children trumped my career goals. The first thing we learned as I started staying home with our children is that 1) there was NO WAY I was going to get bored and 2) the ups and downs of life were simpler and easier to manage with me at home. A child could get sick, and it did not disrupt our schedule. I was home to take care of her. The Referee was able to work and build his career. We no longer had those battles over whose job was more important that day--who got to go to work and who stayed home with the sick child. The level of stress and chaos decreased significantly.

That lesson is confirmed again, as I am back in the workforce right now. This time, we thought we were smarter about it, because daycare is not an issue. I work when The Referee is home. The Referee works when I am home. There is always someone to care for the kids, sick or well. But, life is still chaotic. The parents are exhausted. The commitment of 2 full time jobs is intense. I do not know how families do this as a way of life. For me, this is temporary, and it is still kicking my butt.

I work in a field that is predominantly women. So, I started asking them about how they did it....how they found balance. I was shocked to hear them all tell me that they hated it. Not one of my coworkers enjoys being away from her kids. All of them tell me that they are exhausted and feel as though they are not meeting the needs of their families. It is truly sad to know they struggle with this too. Then, there are the older ladies whose kids are raised. They do not share positive stories about working when their kids were young. Instead, they are stuck questioning themselves and wondering if their kids might have turned out better if they were home with them more.

The Referee comforted my emotions when he shared with me his opinion. He said that he has no idea why some of his coworkers want their wives to work. He said that after having me at home for the past 7 years, the double-income way of life seems awful. Money just can't buy the simpler way of life that we enjoyed. We miss out on a lot of family time as we juggle two jobs.

He also reminded me of why I took this job in the first place: money. When you work solely for money, it is the hardest work to accomplish. The passion is missing. So, we sat down and looked at our budget, our family, and our priorities. We agreed that my working outside the home should be temporary....and as temporary as possible. We started with a 2-year plan. We are now looking at ways to cut that timescale down. The Referee inspired me when he mentioned that if we paid off our consumer debt, it would free up enough of our budget to feel as though we had my income without me actually working. That helped. That fueled me.

To be able to live financially free AND be home with my children, would be the most awesome way to live.

So, we tightened our budget even further, and I work my hours with gusto. Last payday I mailed the final payment to the Children's Hospital that treated Jersey #2. Our first debt eliminated! Oh what a feeling! We are on our way.

...on our way to bringing me back home as soon as possible.

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentines Day!

Or, I should say, Happy (Belated) Valentines Day. I am a day late.

Actually, it has been nearly 3 weeks since I have written a blog post even. I am way behind. It is not for lack of material. It is for sure that life has been blazing by. So, I decided to pull myself together and start with Valentine photos and stories, and attempt to work my way backwards to share about our busy life over the past month.


Granny & PawPaw sent the kids Valentine's cards in the mail. It is always a happy day when mail arrives from grandparents. There is just something about 5 identical-sized envelopes to get the kids to squeal. Granny has a tradition of sending a dollar for each grandbaby, stickers, and a balloon.

The balloon is a requirement for Jersey #3. Granny used to only include balloons for birthdays, until Jersey #3 wanted to know where the balloon was in one of his holiday cards. Granny also sends cards for the 4th of July, even though that is not a normal greeting card holiday. Jersey #1 once asked her Granny why she did not send her a card for the 4th of July. Ever since that day, grandbabies receive 4th of July cards.

We also enjoyed an afternoon of making Valentine's cards to send out to grandparents, and to hand out to friends. I let the kids pick out a box of valentines at the store, and they wrote their own names on them. The valentines that I mailed out made it ok. The Valentine's that went to AWANA that evening made it ok. The rest of the Valentines that were suppose to be hand-delivered over the weekend at basketball, church, and science class did not make it. Illness swept through the house, and we missed most of our regular activities.

This year, Nana sent Valentine's cards to the kids. Those bright red envelopes looked real sharp in the mailbox. The Referee and I joined in the squeals of delight this time, as there was a card and cash for us too!

The kids woke up Valentine's Day morning, to find a little heart of chocolates and plastic lip whistles for each of them. The Referee took this picture of the 4 awake children, before he left for work in the morning.

Jersey #2 and I were both sick in bed, and sleeping in.

This is how we spent Valentine's Day. Home. In bed. 4 out of 5 children and 1 mommy were sick with colds and coughs.

I am pretty sure we have spent the majority of the month of February in our PJs so far. We share the love....and the germs. I am SO looking forward to warm weather, airing out the house, and getting outdoors much more.