It All Started With Puppy Sitting. . .

We picked up a puppy last night.
She is six weeks old. That shot is terrible (these are from my phone), but it gives you an idea of her size (SMALL!).
She is well-loved, although her name is not yet determined. The older kids are leaning toward Little Ann (from the beloved "Where the Red Fern Grows"). She is a "meagle"--a beagle and min pin mix. Before we went to pick up a dog, the little kids wanted to name our new pup "Reginald Von Hoobie Doobie" from one of Mo Williams' books (Edwina). I thought that might work, as we could call him Reggie for short, but we ended up with a female so the naming game continues.
This is all my friend Breanna's fault! :) We had the pleasure of puppy sitting her two puppies recently and the little ones simply loved having puppies to play with. Mr. Feeney is a calm, cute little thing and both mama AND the kids fell in love with him. He is a meagle and Breanna was so kind as to let us know where we could get one of the same mix.
We also got to play with Zeke (the red one on your right) who ran around with the kids tirelessly. The poodle on your left is the neighbor's dog who thinks he is ours! chuckle
How could we *not* have a blast with these adorable pups. The truth is, the dogs babysat my little ones for me more than I "puppy sat"! They played, and played, and played. And Easton proved himself responsible in overseeing their food and water.
Below you can see what Zeke looked like while the kids were napping--he was a smart dog to take advantage of the break!
Since our beloved Sunshine, an Australian Shepherd/Golden Retriever mix, died earlier this summer, our little Pom, Maggie May, has been our only dog. I guess it was time to get another dog--and the first puppy for Easton, Kiana and Tyrell!

Fall Into Reading

I just love this idea of setting goals for the books I need/want to read (or finish) in the next three months. I frequently read so many books at one time (and get so disorganized!) that I forget what I'm reading and get overwhelmed. What a great idea to wrap some things up as the year ends with the aid of a little goal-setting and accountability, not to mention a nice little list here in one place.

I've already referenced Debra Bell's book, and I'm lovin' it. I just haven't taken a lot of time to read it yet, so I'm only about a third of the way done. It's one of those I'll reference over and over again.I've been reading Purely Woman, subtitled "Awakening the Heart of God Through Pure Living in Our Generation" for about six months now. It has some good thoughts in it, but I'm just not excited about it. It was written by three sisters who were homeschooled and are now adults (two of them married). I appreciate their balanced perspective as they have learned about being a woman, and I really like the many scriptures they reference. It's just a book that keeps getting pushed back (perhaps because I have read *so many* books trying to prepare my daughter for womanhood!). I'm ready to finish this book (I'm about halfway through) and tuck it away on the shelf.
I'm enjoying this short book in just a small bite (chapter) each day after lunch. The words are delicious morsels to savor, but the book is simply a joy with its delightful paintings and overall feminine aura. I just started it this week, but should finish it before the end of the year (if I don't bury it in a pile on my desk or in a basket beside my couch, sigh).
I downloaded this book for free on my Kindle a couple months ago and I think it's such a smart book! I started prereading it for Alan (didn't want to suggest it to him if it wasn't any good) and now we fight over the Kindle to read it! lol It's divided into short little chapters, about three Kindle screens each, with each chapter focusing on one rule or idea. There are 107 "rules" and I am on number 68. I really just need to finish it.
I just started this book a couple weeks ago (also free on my Kindle!) and I'm finding it very interesting. It focuses on a "character study" of Jesus from the gospel accounts and intends to help the reader connect with Him and thus be more like Him. I don't agree with every word so far, but I do find it both convicting and thought-provoking.
I've also been reading about Bonhoeffer for. . .FOREVER! This biography is simply outstanding--I don't know why I haven't focused and just finished it. Once I set it down, I tend to just not pick it back up again for a few weeks. I find the man himself fascinating, and the writing is perfect. This biography is so thorough I feel like I know Bonhoeffer personally. I think I just get bogged down in the time period--it's just *so* *horrifying*!
I started this book with my friend Kristina when we started our big weight loss adventure a couple months ago. The idea was to read a chapter each day to help us stay motivated about our need to surrender this area of our lives to the Lord's control. I'm halfway through chapter 13 (out of 19) which is titled "Overindulgence". A-hem. Definitely need to get back into that one!
Our "reading the classics" book club has chosen The Woman in White for our October read. I'm looking forward to it (especially after Carrie's review) but a little intimidated at its length when I have so many other books in progress. . .Speaking of the World War II era, concentration camps, death and other horrors, I have long wanted to read Elie Wiesel's "Night". I picked up a copy recently and am determined to read it before the end of the year.
I've long been enthralled with quotes from Tozer, though I've never read any of his works. I have The Pursuit of God (freebie on the Kindle! smile) but I think I'd like to start with this introduction to his work. Every time I read a quote attributed to him, I just sit and ponder its depths, so I'm really looking forward to delving more into his writings.
I picked up Sidney Poitier's autobiography for just a few cents early this summer because it looks so interesting. I'm determined to find time to read it.
I got this book about transracial adoption at a garage sale, and have just been unable to muster the excitement to open its pages. The topic is near and dear to my heart, but after I got home and read (lukewarm to negative) reviews on the book, I just haven't been interested. I need to at least give it a shot and form my own opinion.
I picked this book up for about a quarter because, again, it just looks interesting. I'd love to curl up with it on a lazy Saturday afternoon--if I ever have such a luxury again!
Another thrift store find, this book looks quite intriguing to me. This nearly 550-page fiction novel has some rave reviews and its setting in Africa makes it even more intriguing. Based on the reviews, I'm a little afraid it's going to be one of those books that keeps me up until about 3:30 am once I start it, so I keep setting it aside.
Finally, I read this little delight last month intending to hand it to my 15 yod to read. It's so good, however, and so engagingly written, that I decided to read it aloud with both my elder daughter AND my 14 yos. We are having a blast getting to know Hannah Farver, discussing topics relevant to every teenager, and ultimately growing in our relationships both with one another and with our Lord and Savior. I could gush about this book, but the purpose of this post is to share reading goals for this Fall, so my goal is to finish reading this with my teens. This will be an easy goal to meet as we are ready for chapter 10 (out of 12) and *they* remind me each day to read another chapter (yes, they like it that much--and I'll refrain from gushing yet again. Stay tuned, however, for the full gushing review!).

Keeping It Real

Most days I have a positive attitude as my hubby is going through this job change. Most of the time my spirit it peaceful and trusting and I look forward to seeing what God is going to work out of the whole situation, knowing that it will certainly involve personal growth.

Yet there are times my human frailties get the best of me. I think my biggest worry is for my children's first parents. I worry that they will be scared. They chose us to parent their precious babies because they thought we were stable. Well, not that we aren't stable, but let's say *settled*. We thought we were settled, we expected Alan to stay with his former employer until he retired and we expected to live on these 65 acres until we were too old to take care of ourselves. They liked our little farm and the lifestyle it would provide. What if we end up selling our place and moving to a house in town? What if we move farther away from them and the frequency of our visits is reduced? I'm afraid they will be sad or regret their choice--or feel like we're letting them down.

For myself, I trust in God and am sure He will provide our needs and work in our lives for our good. But for those who don't have this same relationship with Him. . .well, that's just an added responsibility that has come with the adoption journey that I never expected. I didn't realize I would feel a need to answer to my children's first parents when life brought about changes in our circumstances.

My human frailties also try to get the best of me when I think about friendships. I am sad that people I considered friends are simply not there--here--as we walk this journey. I have some hurts in this area that sometimes leak into anger. And as small-town rumors (lies) reach my ears, I am again forced to face mama-bear anger and turn it over to the Lord knowing that vengeance is simply not my place. I'm not really used to resisting anger. I tend to more often deal with other emotional temptations rather than anger, so this is a learning experience for me.

Ah yes, constantly learning, constantly growing. I'm finding Alan's resignation to be rife with opportunities for me to grow yet again.

They're Here, They're Here!!!

The baby chicks arrived in the mail and the little ones were sooooo excited!
Destry had the brooder all set up with heat lamps, waterers and feeders awaiting their arrival. When the chicks are first placed in the room with the brooder, you have to dip their beaks in their source for water so they know where it is.
Briana and Destry were in charge of this job, as well as counting the chicks to see how many of the ordered fifty had safely arrived.
I have a rather macabre sense of humor as this picture makes evident. Someone set the box of chicks on top of the chicken plucker Alan built several years ago. In a couple months, these chicks will find out just what that plucker is for! :)
Easton could hardly wait to get the little guys out of their box and help pass them to Briana and Destry.
There were a total of 52 chicks the first day.
The kids loved them. . .
and held (squished??) them. . .
and played and talked with them.
These chicks had playmates at least five or six times that first day.
Big sis Kiana had fun introducing Tyrell to the baby chicks. I've never heard a better imitation of the "peep" sound that day-old chicks make. Tyrell sounds as much like a chick as the chicks do themselves!!
His little hand is covered with feed, which might be why this downy little guy was so friendly.
Or maybe it was because Tyrell tried to feed him some hay. . .
But my guess is the little chick loved the kisses Tyrell so generously shared.

The chicks have been well-loved, but Daddy says they can only be visited with supervision now since five of them got baptized and are no longer with us.

New Adventures

I got more pictures of our Kindergarten work this week than I did of anything else. It's been a good (BUSY!) week, and the pictures make me chuckle as I realize how unorthodox some of our learning methods have been this week. Easton is learning about money and enjoys making piles of the various coin denominations and counting how many he has of each. Yes, he enjoys doing that while lying on the table. sigh, funny kids
He's also doing well with writing his letters--although I wasn't too happy when he practiced his lowercase "e's" on the top of the kindergarten shelf!! Fortunately, the Magic Eraser worked its reputed magic. I never bought one of these erasers until Easton came along--that child has written on so many surfaces in this house. One of these days, I'm thinking he will be famous for painting highly acclaimed murals on people's walls and we will laugh together at how often he got in trouble for writing on mama's things!This week our curriculum suggested starting a countdown of our days of school until we get to 100 and then having a "100-party". The kids were very excited to start a chart and they keep talking about the party (mama thinks it's going to be a long 100 days!). It's a fun way for Easton to practice writing his numbers as he writes each number in the squares, and it's a great way for Kiana to practice her counting.
Kiana has the daily job of adding another straw to our cup. Once we reach 10 straws, we will band them into a "ten" bundle and put them in a shoe box. This is a pretty fun way to introduce the concept of tens and units (place value), and she LOVES adding the straw each day. I don't even have to remind her--she reminds me!
The little ones were most excited this week about the arrival of the ants for our ant farm. After cooling the ants (and thus their activity) for a few minutes, Easton placed them in their home with its dampened sand.
The instructions said the ants would likely be a little sluggish for 24 hours as they adapted, but I think we got especially hard-working ants because they started right in carrying grains of sand and forming tunnels.
We're all fascinated at what they're able to accomplish! This was supposed to be a Kindergarten project, but my teens are just as entranced and I keep catching them watching the ants at work. I love that they quoted Proverbs 6:6-8 as they observed its truth in how diligently the ants work--and without anyone even telling them what to do.

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.

In looking over pictures taken this week, I also noticed my children's personalities being made manifest in their attire. :)Doesn't it just make sense that a little girl would wear her fancy ballerina dress and a boy his Spiderman outfit while doing their schoolwork??

Easton is doing very well picking up reading. I have to confess, however, that I am glad he is not in public school as I think I would have needed to keep him home for another year. While the academics are not difficult for him, he is veeeerrrrry wiggly. So wiggly, in fact, that he frequently jumps off the couch between successfully sounding out words to do a cartwheel or somersault across the floor. (?!) I try to be patient. . .but I'm seeing short lessons alternated with lots of activity throughout the year.

I am thoroughly enjoying our study of worldview with my teenagers. We read from "How to Read Slowly" (Sire) and "Know What You Believe" (Little) this week and I'm finding our discussions to be my reward for persevering through these years of homeschooling. I'm having a blast with these kids!

I've also had fun the last couple weeks introducing them to Edgar Allen Poe. I read the first short story to them, which was "The Tell-Tale Heart." Oh, what fun that was! I reverted back to my days of oral interpretation and read with drama as I flashed quick peeks at the kids to see their reactions. It is so much fun to share literature with them and hear their insights into both the work itself and what the work tells us about the author and his or her worldview.

Personal Hygiene

My precious little Tyrell is growing up on me. He's doing all sorts of fun things now like identifying body parts, making lots of animal noises, folding his hands in prayer, and spinning in circles and falling down to the tune of "Ring Around the Rosies."

But most telling of all, he has taken an interest in independence. He wants to do what the "big kids" do. And he wants to do it all by himself.
One of his favorite toys is the toothbrush. I say "the toothbrush" because I can't really say "a toothbrush" for all toothbrushes are fair game to him. But how cute is that little face?!
He just crawls up in that big-boy chair and sits there chewing on the toothbrush. Sigh. Be still my heart.
We are past the hair-combing battles--hurray! Well, okay, now the battle has changed slightly--I have to wait my turn to use the tangle teezer brush because he has to comb his own hair.It's just the cutest thing, him combing his own hair, and then wanting to comb mine, and then sissy's.And then there's the fork and the spoon. Does that count as personal hygiene? I don't know, but definitely part of growing up. I don't have a baby any more--he's 13 months old and fully a toddler, not an infant. Each stage is fun and precious in its own right, but this sure is going fast!
Those eyes--that fat little hand--the spoon accurately depositing ice cream into his mouth. Yep, he definitely thinks he's big stuff takin' care of his ownself!

Jehovah-Jireh

The Lord Will Provide--Genesis 22:14

It's been an interesting week and a half since Alan submitted his resignation. I've learned through previous trials in my life that God is faithful but He never promised life would be easy--He "never promised us a rose garden." It's when things get difficult, when security becomes uncertainty, that we grow the most--and it's also when we can most clearly see His working in our lives.

I've found it rather humorous that Alan and I have been letting our emotions/feelings rule us on opposite days (which is a blessing in itself!). One day last week as Alan was home, piddling around outside, taking a nap after lunch (ten-minute power nap, but still!) I was starting to freak out. "Don't you think you should be online looking for a job?" I asked. "Or sending out some resumes or making some calls or. . .something???" He peacefully looked at me, reminded me what leads had been pursued and said "It will be okay. God will provide."

Then Monday, just a couple days ago, he was wound up pretty tight. "Today's my last paid day and I don't have a place to work tomorrow," he said. "I don't know about this. How is this going to work out?!" I calmly replied "It will work out. God's taking care of us, we're okay."

Isn't God so good to keep at least one of us focused and able to encourage the other?? :)

Then yesterday he received a call asking if he wanted to take a temporary job replacing a man who got fired last week. It's a temporary job, maybe three months, but it's doing what he loves and pays more than enough to meet our basic needs. It's local, and it gives us time to relax a little bit and watch to see what doors the Lord opens and what doors He closes.

And he started the job today. How amazing is our God?! Only one day without pay. That's Jehovah-Jireh. The Lord will Provide. The Lord will be Seen.

To borrow a phrase from Linny,

He is always faithful.

He does not waste any of our life's struggles.

Not ever.

I peacefully and trustfully wait to see what the Lord does in our lives. I have no idea what it will be, but I am confident one day hindsight will make us smile as we see what He has done.