My Family Needs All of Me

This is a note to myself.  It's a hard post to post.  I thought perhaps sharing my thoughts might stir some to action as well, however not all need to make any changes. Just those of us who find computers more than just machines! 

Often, I am drawn to the wonderful world that is available to me via my fingertips.  I find valuable friendships.  (I love my online friends!) I find knowledge, which I ponder.  I find encouragement, which I treasure.  And I get a chance to express myself right from the comfort of my very own kitchen.  What more could I ask for?

Actually, more self control comes to mind!  It is so easy to allow the good things to take over.  My family needs all of my mind, not just fragments.  These are the years that count. 

The following list comprises my personal computer use guidelines.  These are set by myself in order to control my time spent away from my home duties.  Because let's face it, when I am reading blogs, I am not available to my family.

I am sad to say that my love of learning can take me away from the very ones I am trying to serve better by learning more!  Therefore, I have decided a little prudent reminder is in order.

• Strive not to be on the computer when my family is not actively engaged in other activities. 
• Set regular times to check email, Twitter, my cbox  and stick to these.  (After morning chores, during lunch break, a few times before bed.  No peeking in between!)  
• Do not read blogs via my phone during school time, even if there is time while a child is working independently.  I need to be available, not distracted. 
• Limit online time in general when my husband is home.   

I saw this very neat disclosure, recently.  I want it to be true of my blog.

IDSP Camping Trip #2

Oh wow!  We are back and pretty much in one piece.  I have a few bug bites that are really "bugging" me, but otherwise OK, other than being tired.  *yawn* 

We had some cooler weather, which actually was not so bad.  The day we came home was HOT, in the 9o's.  I'd rather have the cooler temperatures, but at least it was dry all but one day.  And that day was not a total wash out.  The weather did not stop us from doing all we wanted. 

Here are some of my favorite pictures from this trip.

Eating ice cream from the camp store.  

A quiet moment at the camp site. 

Lots of sand!

Pavilion Roof Top

Hiking down to "Ecology Cove"

Train station tour

Snakes Alive program

My happy boys

Finally a hot day! 

Jeff and Jenn

Playing at the beach

This Week At Home, No. 23

In which summer vacation begins in earnest.

Enjoying lunch with Nana and Grandma

Sunday:

Finished  3rd grade Sunday school, although it was a little sad to say good-bye to my sweet boys and girls.  We had a great discussion about spiritual things to end our time together.  They are precious!

Rushed home to start the grill.  It was sunny at this time.  The grill was hot and ready in no time, but the weather had changed just that quickly.  It poured!  The coals went out.  However we were able to cook the burgers and dogs before the coals were totally out.  We enjoyed a lovely afternoon with Grandpa and Grandma.  We are so thankful they have moved back to Indiana. 

Monday:
First full week of our summer vacation is here!  It seems so odd not to have lessons this morning.  We will start our summer lessons next week.  I want one week of freedom.  :-)

Today we go visit Grandma with my Mom.  It promises to be a warm day with possible storms. Grandma is doing well.  She has recovered from her pneumonia.  She is failing in her mental abilities more and more.  That is to be expected. We just love on her all we can while we have her.  Usually we bring Little House on the Prairie DVDs.  It amazes me that she remembers so much of them. 

Tuesday:
Mowed as much as we could, given that we were almost out of gasoline.  Yes, I could go get it, but it is a smelly job and in my book it's a man's job!  I mow, he gets the gas.  That's a good deal, I figure.  After lunch, we made it to the library before a dentist cleaning visit for the kids.  Praise the Lord, no one had any cavities! Summer Bible study started this evening for me. What joy to be digging deeper into God's word with a group of women, including my dear mother.

Wednesday:
Dear husband brought me some gasoline last evening, so we need to finish that job.  It rained two times this morning.  I hope to get it done before the next round of rain that looks like it is on the way.   Need to work on gathering camping supplies and start a pile in the family room near the garage door.  Trevor was not feeling his best today.  He says his tummy is bothering him and he was happy to lay around reading all day.  Wild storms passed through right at bed time.  Sirens blaring.  Thankfully they passed without harm, but to our south there were houses leveled and people injured. 

Salad buffet from last Thursday's Bunco gathering. 

Thursday:
Able to get the lawn finished yesterday.  It can be an enjoyable project to work on with the kids, I've decided.  It's raining right now.  I hope to get provisions for camping today.  Need to working on finishing packing.  This evening is judo promotion night.  Grace and Ryan are getting their next belts.

Friday:

Jeff got the whole day off!  Yippee, we'll eat breakfast, hook up the camper and be off!   

Lovely Grace.

Saturday - Monday:
Indiana Dunes here we come!  So far the forecast is favorable for a lovely weekend.

Camp Menu:

Friday:  Having grilled, marinated chicken tenders with grilled zucchini, pasta salad, and smores.
Saturday:  Grandma & friend joining us for burgers, brats, baked beans, grilled corn on the cob, and smores. 
Sunday:  hot dogs over an open fire, grilled veggies in foil, and smores!

Do you see a common theme?  Smores!  I will need to be careful.  :-)

Campground Activities:

Friday evening crafts at the campground shelter with the naturalist.  (A kid favorite!)

Saturday morning hike in the woodlands (Got mosquito?)

Saturday mid-morning work on IN State Park patch requirements
Saturday afternoon:  Dunes Jeopardy!  (my husband's favorite game)

Saturday evening:  Pavilion Sunset History Tour! (Really looking forward to this!)

"Meet the park interpreter for a view of Indiana’s best sunset!
We’ll meet in front of the beach pavilion for a look at this
unique Indiana icon, a special tour, and then we’ll head
to the top for a great sunset! It’s a one of a kind way to
enjoy an evening on the beach!"  

Sunday morning church service at the campground shelter.
Sunday morning hike to Mt. Tom
Sunday after the hike, work on park patch for an hour, ie,. volunteer to clean beach?
Sunday afternoon:  Snake show, get to touch a snake. (Yippee or yikes?) 
Sunday evening:  hike in the dark  (I will be skipping this one.)
Monday morning:  feed the birds (I can do this at home!)
Monday afternoon:  wetland hike (We will probably be getting ready to come home.) 

2009 sunset, Lake Michigan

Habits, Part Two

Thank you for your responses to my first post about habits. I knew that I was probably not alone in all of this. I have decided to be proactive and not get down on myself.

There has already been much said about habits.  Experts seem to agree that forming new habits takes time, as much or more than 30 days.  I am generally pleased with the progress we have made in changing our habits over the years, although I do get impatient and discouraged (perhaps overwhelmed is a better term) at times.  If we were not disciplined at all, I doubt we'd be done with 180 days of school before the end of May. And feedback I get from family and friends seem to suggest that I am doing a good job with my kids. 

That said, however, I crave more progress!  I've decided to make this our summer theme, putting off the old and putting on the new. I am going to challenge my children to think about their habits.  And then to take on the work of rooting the bad ones out for good.  One at a time.  One month at a time.

For me, that means I am going to piggy back new habits onto more firmly established ones.  For example, I am in the firm habit of getting up early, reading my Bible and praying.  I would like to add exercise to that routine.  (Oh dread! Did I just say that?)

I do need to be very careful not to add the top fifty habits I'd like to acquire all at once.  I am tempted to launch into a totally new routine.  I think building on my already good habits is the key for me.  One at a time.  One month at a time.  That will be my motto. This will probably take the next 25 years, if the Lord allows.  (lol)

I will continue to strive to maintain the good, solid habits we have and then endeavor to add on to those new ones until they too are part of our lives.

Summer break just seems like a great time to work on these things. Want to join me? What habits would you like to "put on?"
~Jenn

Ephesians 4:21-23 (ESV)

...assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,

Romans 6:6 (ESV)
We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

Habits

Good morning friends. I pray you had a lovely weekend, too. I've been thinking about habits lately.

"In early childhood, you lay the foundation of poverty or riches, in the habits you give your children."

Mrs. Lydia Child, The American Frugal Housewife


"Therefore, the first rule, and the most important of all, in education is, that a mother govern her own feelings, and keep her heart and conscience pure."

Mrs. Lydia Child, The Mother's Book

Oh, how I feel the weight of these statements as I wrestle with my own feelings and keeping my conscience pure.  What are the habits that I have given my own precious children?  Are they worthy ones?  No, not all of them.  Rooting them out at this age is proving to be as difficult as rooting them out of my own heart.  Habits can be a constant struggle, when you are trying to change them, especially at my age.  Fortunately, I do have a compassionate Savior.  He sympathizes with my weaknesses.  Only through Him can I overcome and hope to be the mother my children need.  I feel trapped by my habits.  I must not allow them to be my ruin!

1 Corinthians 10:13 (New American Standard Bible)

 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

This Week At Home. No. 22

In which we finish strong!

Sunday:
Rainy and in the 50's.  Hard to believe it was 90 degrees just last week.  I am not complaining.  Not one bit!  I love this sort of weather.  So, we did not do a whole lot today after church and Sunday school.  It was a good afternoon to just hang out and watch original Star Trek episodes.  We did go buy rain coats for a couple of us.  The rain coats are for camping.  As my husband says, "If life gives you rain while camping, put on rain coats."   

Monday:
Home today.  Worked on lessons in the morning.  Mowed and did the weeding as a team again in the afternoon.  The temperatures are still in the 50's but the sun was shining. Grace's green beans are doing very well.  So are the weeds.  We are not making any progress weeding.  It's discouraging. 

Grandma's birthday cake. 

Tuesday:
Cloudy and cool day, in the 50's.  Last day of school, day number 180!  Grace made us shortbread cookies with homemade strawberry jam on top for a celebratory treat.  We are taking a week off and then we will start summer school.  The children have decided to be smart this summer and keep working on their math.  We will also have daily devotions and be reading a family read aloud.  This afternoon, I lost myself in Elizabeth Prentiss' book, Stepping Heavenward.  More about that wonderful book later. 

Wednesday:
A rainy, cold morning.  Need to shop for bunco which is here tomorrow evening.  After shopping, we spent time putting away things in general so that tomorrow's dusting and sweeping can get done with less effort.  I am trying not to freak out.  I have had a lot of socializing this month and I am really looking forward to bunco being over with.  How's that for a hospitable attitude?  It's just the truth.  Tonight is the last AWANA.  It's closing ceremony night.  Jeff is giving his testimony. 

My sweet girl. 

Thursday:
Bunco is tonight.  12 lady friends are coming.  Decided to make a conscience effort to do this unto the Lord.  It is my offering of worship to Him today.  Spending the day cleaning, baking, and chopping vegetables for the salad bar buffet I have planned.  My family will be at the karate spring tournament tonight. 

Friday:
Recovery day!  And I need to get groceries for the week.  Trevor has a sleep over with Nana and Granddaddy.  He's really looking forward to that.  We have decided to pop up the camper and spend the night outside tonight.  The weather will be awesome.  Why not?  It's cheap entertainment! 

Changing his looks again? 

Saturday:
Hope to not have to do a lot today.  Just want to enjoy being a family and being home. The farmers market opens today.  We might drop in. 

Sunday:
Grandpa and Grandma are coming after church for a cook out.  Today is my last day in 3rd grade Sunday school, too.  Bitter sweet.  I love the kids.  Next year I'll be with 6th grade girls in AWANA. 

My almost 4th grader.

More regarding Elisabeth Elliot

Hello again friends.  It occurred to me that you all may not know about a wonderful, encouraging, free resource that has been such a blessing to me. 

Have you ever been to Elisabeth Elliot's website, ElisabethElliot.org?  Did you know that you can access her newsletters from 1982-2003?  Do you know what a wealth of encouragement she poured into those newsletters?  And the best part is that they are not lengthy, so you could read them, soaking in the godly wisdom, in little bits of time.  Bits like this:

"Experience has taught me that the Shepherd is far more willing to show His sheep the path than the sheep are to follow.  He is endlessly merciful, patient, tender, and loving.  If we, His stupid and wayward sheep, really want to be led, we will with out fail be led.  Oh that I am sure."

Elisabeth Elliot Newsletter Sept/Oct 1992