So much has been happening...
I decided to not do a full organizing and packing up of the playroom and just get my bedroom moved downstairs. I figured if i did it the way I really wanted to, I might not have my room ready before baby comes. So I paid 3 of my oldest children to clean and pack the room for me on the condition that they had it done before the end of the day. They had it done in less than 3 hours, and that place was trashed, bad. And they worked together without fighting and complaining, another requirement to get the reward. I did not tell them what I would give them until I gave it to them, only that they would be happy with it. So a few days later I took them to Yogurt Extreme, let's just say that they were about as satisfied as I was. When they were done cleaning, Daniel and I moved our room downstairs, and got it set up all in one day.
Last week, Angelina and Serafina decided to dye their hair again. My boys wanted too also, I broke down and let them. It is just temporary, but I have been not wanting it to stain their blond heads either. Whatever. I can cut it off later. I don't think that it will. So Nehemiah got blue like Angelina and Jedidiah's is green, bright green and you can only see it in the sun or a bright light. Their hair looks cool, they are just dip dyed so just the last 2 inches of it, about half. I keep forgetting to take pictures and so the long wait for me to post about it. I figured I should just post. I can add pictures later.
We also started our garden... finally. We are doing it at a friend's house because we don't have enough water at ours during the summer to have one. I keep forgetting to bring my camera to the garden so we can take pictures there. I remember to take them while I am there but kinda need something... my phone's camera is just not that good. This year I had everyone pick some things that they wanted to grow and then I separated our space up by what needed what for space and sun. We go almost everyday to water in the mornings and everyone but Shekynah helps. She tries to be helpful but is not quite able to yet. But she sure keeps us all on our toes. Some of the plants that we bought she pulled up right after we planted them and then we replanted them. She walked around one day with a tub of water and helped water some seedlings, and I had to add some more dirt around them.... and she makes us all laugh a lot too. She is loving to see everything coming up now as much as the rest of us. It just took some slowing down and getting on her level and talking to her about what is happening. I some times still forget how much they can really learn at such a little age if we just take the time to tell them. And also how much they really do learn by doing and experimenting and not by reading textbooks.
I am just past 13 weeks along in this pregnancy and I am feeling a lot better than what I was. I am no longer feeling nauseous and a lot more food sounds good, and healthier too. So I am glad that I now can get busy more on de-cluttering and simplifying our house and life.
I am really excited to simplify our house (and in turn, life) and I have a growing vision of how much better life will be when it is all gone. I even heard a tidbit today on how too much stuff, too much information and too busy of a schedule can cause Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome symptoms on a preschooler. I was taken back on that. Then when I really thought about it how true that can be, especially after all the other things that I have read and researched about it, and what other people were saying changed in their lives and their children's lives, it really makes so much sense. So to say the least, I am excited to really get going on it and my goal is it have it all done by the end of summer with enough time for a yard sale, if I don't just go a dump it all first... which might happen. Now where to start....
Summer, Our Season of Change
Summer is here and even though I am always glad that all the stuff that goes on all year long wraps up for a short season so we can take a breath and relax... it never really ever happens. The only thing that is ever different is the activities and the times of them. This summer is going to be really crazy... and emotional. I am entering a new season in life, but remaining in the same one as well. As I am expecting a new little one again, I am also diving into letting go of my eldest one.
I knew that letting go was going to be hard. I wanted to ease into that process but I should have started about a year ago. Now Angelina is preparing to go on a missions trip to Mexico (just for a little over a week and with my mom) at the end of July, 2 days after she turns 16yrs old. The farthest and longest she has ever been gone from the family is for church camps for about 5 days, and still in Oregon, within a 4 hour drive. In a way I feel a little silly. But I am letting go of something that I have invested over 16years of my life into. I am glad that I am releasing her to JESUS and HIS work, but I know (a bit) better how my mom felt. I was not headed in a good direction, BUT thankfully GOD intervened.
With all the rest of us, we have all kinds of fun and changes in store for the summer. We will be rearranging rooms our house, mostly because I am ready for the little boys to be out of my room! But also so that we are not trying to move out bedroom downstairs a month before baby comes like we did last time. We are also dumping SO much of our stuff. I am determined to get us all out of being pack-rats and be clutter-free (at least junk-free)! I am SO ready to have a simpler life and I am sure that when we are there they will enjoy it too.
We have a couple of camping trips, short and long. And lots of play dates with some of our wonderful new friends and some great old ones. The LORD has really opened up a season to really connect with some people in ways that we have not been able to before. It is a real sweet time and blessing for us all.
All that being said the overall pace of summer will be slower, but will also be full of adventure, challenges and a whole bunch of memory making.... I hope someone remembers to grab my camera this summer. I know that I will forget.
I knew that letting go was going to be hard. I wanted to ease into that process but I should have started about a year ago. Now Angelina is preparing to go on a missions trip to Mexico (just for a little over a week and with my mom) at the end of July, 2 days after she turns 16yrs old. The farthest and longest she has ever been gone from the family is for church camps for about 5 days, and still in Oregon, within a 4 hour drive. In a way I feel a little silly. But I am letting go of something that I have invested over 16years of my life into. I am glad that I am releasing her to JESUS and HIS work, but I know (a bit) better how my mom felt. I was not headed in a good direction, BUT thankfully GOD intervened.
With all the rest of us, we have all kinds of fun and changes in store for the summer. We will be rearranging rooms our house, mostly because I am ready for the little boys to be out of my room! But also so that we are not trying to move out bedroom downstairs a month before baby comes like we did last time. We are also dumping SO much of our stuff. I am determined to get us all out of being pack-rats and be clutter-free (at least junk-free)! I am SO ready to have a simpler life and I am sure that when we are there they will enjoy it too.
We have a couple of camping trips, short and long. And lots of play dates with some of our wonderful new friends and some great old ones. The LORD has really opened up a season to really connect with some people in ways that we have not been able to before. It is a real sweet time and blessing for us all.
All that being said the overall pace of summer will be slower, but will also be full of adventure, challenges and a whole bunch of memory making.... I hope someone remembers to grab my camera this summer. I know that I will forget.
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