September Learnings

While this month is quite a busy one for most, it is a nice quiet one for us. Almost too quiet though. September is still an exciting month for me, filled with anticipation with the start of school. I know, I know, no one in my family is actually in school, but when you've had 26 straight Septembers of starting school in one form or another, it takes a bit of time (I'm learning) for that excitement to not be there. Oh well. I guess I am excited for everyone else then! With a 4 year break of schooling, it'll be us next year with Keziah starting Kindergarten. So I am learning to enjoy each and every day that comes my way, because in less than a year, we will be somewhat tied down to a schedule that is not made up by us.

Onto the month's learnings. Most learnings have pictures, while I've learned a few things that does not have a photo to go with it:

Keziah learned that fashion hurts. She wanted so badly to wear her princess shoes grocery shopping. I warned her that they aren't comfortable for that, but she insisted. So I relented. Not even 4 minutes into our grocery shopping (still in the produce section), she taps me on my hip and whispers "My feet hurt, mom!". Good thing I snuck her flipflops into my purse for her :o)

(apparently I need to learn how to rotate the picture once on the blog.....)

I learned that not only does this boy need a tan, he needs a haircut!

And he learned to sit still to get one!

Now if only he'll sit still so I can take a picture of him :o)

Lincoln isn't the only one that got a haircut! No, Keziah learned, much to her surprise, that getting a haircut doesn't hurt (it's been about a year and a half since her last one).

Lincoln has always loved babies. Here he is learning how to care for one. He'll make a great daddy one day (pictures before his haircut....my, what a mop!)!!

Keziah learned there are some interesting things in mommy's closet for her to dress up in. She came out of my room one day like this :o)

We all learned a tough lesson earlier this month, and that is just because someone is 4, that doesn't mean there is no reason to nap anymore. And so we are back to napping. Every afternoon.

I learned that I now have two helpers to help me with the dishwasher. Oh joy oh bliss!! A task that should take under 2 minutes was taking 8 minutes. Now with the second helper, it takes 14 minutes!! He passes her one at a time, and she puts them in the correct place. One at a time. Sigh.

I've learned to always have the Kleenex ready. For things like what I found one night just gets me all gushy. I know! It's just a couple of brooms!! I guess when you've seen your own broom stand all on its own for so many years, then yeah, this makes me a wee bit tearful. Of thankfulness.

Lincoln is learning how to use keys.

Speaking of keys, the other day while sitting in Nathan's driver's side of his truck, Keziah turned to Nathan very seriously and asked him if he would teach her how to drive. :o) That time will come before we know it!!

Lincoln has learned our nightly routine quite well, yelling "Carkepit! Carkepit!" and then lays there. He does this because he knows what comes next......daddy and wrestling!! (yes, we know our carpet is stained....time for replacing it!)

I've learned what a Scandinavian Spa is all about, thanks to my sister. However I did not take any pictures but one:

What does that have to do with a Scandinavian Spa, you ask?! Well, we left the night before and spent the whole next day together. Of course that means chocolate!!

Lincoln has learned to tell me when he is going to the bathroom. Me? I am learning to ignore him. I so do not want to train him yet. Training is hard work!!! But nevertheless, I still stick him on the "loilet" just for fun. At least he isn't scared of it!

Oh, and I've learned that if I am not ready to train him, someone else will for me!!

And when she is not busy training him, she has learned how to be a puppy! Her imagination cracks us up!

* I learned that Keziah apparently does not know all her body parts. The other day she came running to me, crying "Mom, I hurt my ankle!!!". She was holding her elbow. :o)

* I also learned that life can be more interesting when thrown for a loop...like getting a call for Keziah to have surgery 2 days later! (other blog)

But I think the most valuable lesson we all learned this month was to LOOK before using the facilities!!!

Any guesses as to the mischief maker? I'll give you a hint.....

Don't let that innocent look fool you! I am still learning that...:o)

Our Days

So what is there to blog about now?! It seems like the last few months everything was about camping, camping, and camping :o), which was easy to blog about as there were lots of pictures and activities going on.

Now that September has hit, life has slowed down for us, so opposite of everyone else, whose lives have picked up speed with the start of school. But for us, our days have definitely calmed down. This is a good thing, something that was much needed. It gave time for reflecting, and re-focusing, especially on parenting and behaviour. 

Last week was oh so much better on both ends (parenting and behaviour), with everyone catching up on some much needed sleep (apparently she wasn't ready to drop her afternoon naps like I thought). And I was once again reminded on how much I need those morning devotions before the kids get up. It just puts my day into perspective. 

September brings back routine for many families due to school starting. Although Keziah is of Junior Kindergarten age, we have decided not to send her (I know....we are depriving our child. Not.). And yet, despite not having anything to do with school, our own home has once again also picked up the rhythm of routine and structure, things that kind of went out the window when summer started. And when these two things are back into place, it leaves for a much calmer atmosphere to be in.

Our days are filled with playing, going to the gym regularly, grocery shopping, swimming, napping, reading, walking, playing at the park and just enjoying time at home together. So while we aren't camping or doing anything "exciting", we are enjoying our September days:

For a few days, we had the pleasure of the Tooth Fairy living with us. While no one has lost any teeth yet, she felt the need to stay with us for awhile. Over time I got used to hearing "Spell!" "Spell!" "Spell!" with every touch of her wand.

These two play so nicely together more often than not. Today, Keziah declared she is going to grow up and marry Lincoln. I kind of told her that sisters and brothers don't marry each other, but I stopped once I saw the devastated look on her face. So for now, she is allowed to marry him :o)

Most of Keziah's friends are in school, but every once in awhile we still manage to find time to see them. These two could be sisters!

And so activity continues on here, just at a much slower pace. The leaves are starting to change colour already which makes Keziah incredibly happy. She just can not WAIT for winter. Crazy girl!!

Do I Dare?

Despite many camping trips all summer, there was still plenty of time to cook, relax by the pool, bake and read. I know, rough life, eh?!

Shall I really tell you how my last month went in regards to parenting?!?! Nah, sorry, not ready to share that (yet?) with the "world". Just know that I am far from perfect, and my children are busy every day, teaching me to lean on God for strength, wisdom and encouragement.  And I am so thankful for the close people around me as well, who God is using to keep my head above the water. You are probably thinking "but she only has 2 kids.....how hard can it be?!". Just pray for me and not judge. Thanks!! :o)

But I digress. What I really wanted to focus on now was what I read throughout the summer, particularly a "Christian" book. And see, this is where it has taken me some time to gather up enough nerve to write about the book that I read. Let me give you a bit of a background.

Every summer, a number of women in our church try to get together once a week or so, to do a summer study. I don't want to call it Bible Study, because it isn't really studying the Bible. In my mind, studying the Bible is choosing a book from His Word, taking it verse by verse, keeping it in context to the verses around it, the book and the whole Bible itself, and glean from what God is revealing to us about Himself, about His plan of salvation and us, His children. What we did this past summer definitely involved the Bible, but we studied a topic, rather than a Bible book.

The book that was chosen for this summer was "Becoming More Than Just A Good Bible Study Girl" by Lysa Terkeurst.

I don't know about you, but when I read that title I was completely turned off. I'm not sure if I can explain why, but I do know I immediately judged the book and thought "Oh here we go again......".

Another book on how to do things better? On how to be a good Christian? Is this just like all the others out there that have me navel gazing rather than having an upward gaze toward God? A book that focuses solely on 'us' rather than on God? Will it have me thankful only for what God has done for me and that's it, not thanking Him for just being Who He is? A book that mentions God's Word maybe 2 times throughout the whole book?

So I definitely had my reservations when I signed up. But can I say I am so glad I read it and went (almost) every week??!

But this is where the title of this post comes in: do I dare. You see, I would love to recommend this book to you. As you might note, I haven't recommended a book yet on my blog. It isn't for lack of reading. Oh no. I love to read (proof? Come and visit me unannounced. My house will scream SHE READS!!).

The reason I am fearful of recommending a book, particularly one that is topical yet with a Christian theme, is that I am afraid that I have not discerned well enough. There are soooo many books out there, ones that "sound" good....that is until you talk to others and find out that you didn't discern well enough. There are many different "levels" of Christianity due to human interpretations of the Bible. I don't know about you but I can have a hard time discerning it all. I know the difference between different religions. I know why I am a Christian and not a Muslim; or follow Buddha; or don't keep the Jewish rules and regulations of today. That is black and white for me. But to discern the varying ways of thinking in Christianity? Well, that can be very grey for me.

I've had it before where I've read a book, talked about it with someone, only for them to point out something that actually goes against what it says in God's Word. But I didn't catch it!!! I was fooled by the sound sentences and flow of the story/experiences. I was mesmerized by their way of putting it all together. The wool was pulled over my eyes through their delivery (thinking of sermons/speeches). And this isn't the author's fault. It is MINE and my lack of wisdom and knowledge of the only True Word out there, of not even having the Bible open.

So it is my lack of discerning "well" that makes me nervous to recommend this book. Yet I still want to say something about it as I found it to speak loudly throughout many parts of it. I found so much food for thought, which benefitted me in many ways (except the last section......didn't care for it so much, but that doesn't nullify the rest of the book). I caught myself many times wishing I had read this book earlier, but then it most likely wouldn't have spoken straight to me like it did this past summer.

(I would lend you my book, but I may have underlined a sentence or two :o)

But the best part? She uses the Bible as her guide, not her guide as her Bible. And isn't that the key to all of this? That the Bible is always the first Book to go to for guidance, for help, to gain wisdom and knowledge?

So while I recommend this book, read it discerningly. But most importantly, don't let this book take over your time with the Lord and His Word. Ultimately it is His Word that we need to immerse ourselves in to "become more than just a good Bible Study girl." It is quotes from the Bible (taken in context) that need to come to my mind first throughout the day before quotes from any "good" book. But in order for that to happen, I need to be in His Word, walk in His Word and pray for understanding of His Word. And when you do that, and you still have some "extra" time, by all means, read this book! Pray for discerning eyes, and if you want, do let me know if I missed something that my eyes should have caught.

*it also comes with DVD and a day by day study guide, which you can see in the first picture. But you don't need the study guide or DVD to understand the book. The book on its own works.

August Learnings

Please tell me this is not the last month of summer!!! Sigh. Time just keeps on ticking. Good thing we are trying our best to enjoy every moment, learning along the way.

Lincoln learned that the Library doesn't only have Strawberry Shortcake movies, but TRUCK movies too!!

We learned we aren't the only turkeys living on our property. We've discovered this flock of wild turkeys milling about and so far they have no plans on leaving!!

I learned that when hosting a baby shower, Keziah likes to be included. I set up the chairs, left the room to get the coffee going, came back, and noticed an extra chair was added :o)

Lincoln learned how to take his sleep sack off while he should be sleeping. Thankfully he hasn't discovered how to take his diaper off. Yet.

I learned that the number of my children grows from 2 to 3 when the Lego comes out:

Lincoln learned what an ipad is all about. He watched it once and now every time daddy enters the room, Lincoln runs looking for the ipad while yelling "ipad! ipad!"

Keziah learned that her great uncle John is a fantastic story teller

I learned it is never too late to give a birthday card. Especially when it contains money!! (I was 2 and 3 months late for their birthday. Or 8 and 9 months early....:o)

Speaking of birthdays, I learned that I will probably never get hired to wrap presents:

Keziah learned how stale the candies are from the candy canisters at the store:

Lincoln learned to hide quickly when he hears me say "Time to get pajamas on!"

I learned you can never be too safe riding a bike, baby and all!

Lincoln and Keziah learned it is hard to choose a flavour of ice cream:

Keziah is learning to "read" books to her brother. Lincoln is learning to sit through a whole book. I am learning to sneak a picture (still haven't learned how to prevent my heart from turning into a puddle....):

Lincoln finally learned how to climb down the playground steps!!

Keziah learned that having a butterfly coloured on her face isn't so bad after all. I learned that the reason why she finally wanted this done is because I didn't use the words "face painting" but "face colouring".

We learned you can make a lot of things out of sand other than castles:

I learned that the next time we take the kids for a walk by the lake, I should have extra clothes for Lincoln. Walking by the lake quickly turned into walking in the lake:

Lincoln learned that daddy is harder to pull down into the water than he thought:

I learned a very sane lesson, and that is, when it is time to help Lincoln with feeding himself, use another spoon. I've always taken his spoon away from him to use which results in a very upset boy. Now, I let him hold his own spoon while I finish up his food with him using a different spoon.

Keziah is learning to listen for particular words during Bible reading. When she hears the word, she puts up her hand:

Lincoln of course is learning right along with her (not having a clue why he's putting up his hand, but he figures his sister is, so why can't he?!)

Keziah and Lincoln learned how tasty brown sugar and tomatoes are. Me? Not. What a waste of brown sugar.

I learned you don't need to play a whole lot of soccer to earn a medal and certificate!

Lincoln learned to say "No!!!", finger and all!

And Keziah learned that duct tape CAN be fashionable!! I learned that if the poor girl needs to wear it all the time for her warts, spending the extra money on her two favourite things (pink and zebra) is so worth it!

And on to September we march. Cooler weather is in the air! Time for soups, sweaters and stampot!!