This is why our family does what we do--not the homeschooling part, but the ministry part. I will not be guilty of standing by with my head in the sand when we are questioned on why we could let it happen--either by future generations or by our Lord. Who will stand up for those with no voice if we don't? Who will stand up for the woman who feels backed into a corner?
A Glimpse of the Future: Abortion Museums
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Our Trip
We got a late start, but had a great day at Lake Mineral Wells State Park. It was such a beautiful day! We tried Letterboxing and Geocaching for the first time (as a family, we'd geocached with my dad before). It was a lot of fun, but as you can read in the post below, it was a bit of work!
I think we're hooked on geocaching-it was a lot of fun. Letterboxing was fun, too and there's no reason not to combine the two and get outside. Being outside together making memories is what counts-finding a treasure is just icing on the cake.
Oh, and one of the coolest parts was that there were some people there on bikes. They all had matching shirts that read, "5th Annual Halloween Campout". There were a lot of them-a dozen or so just on the bikes, so it must be a big deal for them. I would like to kick our tradition up a notch-make it a full weekend and maybe do some cool shirts and invite a bunch of cool friends and family...
I think we're hooked on geocaching-it was a lot of fun. Letterboxing was fun, too and there's no reason not to combine the two and get outside. Being outside together making memories is what counts-finding a treasure is just icing on the cake.
Oh, and one of the coolest parts was that there were some people there on bikes. They all had matching shirts that read, "5th Annual Halloween Campout". There were a lot of them-a dozen or so just on the bikes, so it must be a big deal for them. I would like to kick our tradition up a notch-make it a full weekend and maybe do some cool shirts and invite a bunch of cool friends and family...
An Ode to a Hike
I’m feeling extra inspired
Probably because I am so tired.
Yesterday we went on a hike
And by mile 2, I wished I had a bike.
But Dad, striking out so bold,
Found a great rock with signs of old.
We went on a search for a geocache
But the GPS and I didn’t match.
Dear Hubby figured it out
But not before we’d extended our route.
Finding the stash while hiding from briars,
Our four year old’s excitement flew higher and higher!
Bethany, while looking under a rock
Found what all of us had not!
In a can that had held bullets that kill,
We found prizes and toys to thrill!
We even found a travel bug, I have to boast
It will be moved along to the Ivory Coast!
Off we go, to head back to camp,
Sure wish we had a handicapped ramp.
The reason Dad’s old back is sore
Is that little Bethany said, “Carry me more!”
Jaybird was content in the sling
But her 25 pounds weren’t no little thang!
I got worried; Dad had left to answer the call
Dark was falling and we had to haul!
Mom alone prods the girls-"Go with all your might
We have to get out of the woods before night!"
Safe and sound we finally arrived at the head of the trail
There was Daddy-looking a little frail!
“Rest” is a good adjective for the room
We all raced there in the night’s gloom!
Safe and together at last, we headed to camp
Where the Fluitt family had our dogs under a lamp.
We ate and ate and retold the tale
Of when we all traveled that Mineral Wells trail.
Probably because I am so tired.
Yesterday we went on a hike
And by mile 2, I wished I had a bike.
But Dad, striking out so bold,
Found a great rock with signs of old.
We went on a search for a geocache
But the GPS and I didn’t match.
Dear Hubby figured it out
But not before we’d extended our route.
Finding the stash while hiding from briars,
Our four year old’s excitement flew higher and higher!
Bethany, while looking under a rock
Found what all of us had not!
In a can that had held bullets that kill,
We found prizes and toys to thrill!
We even found a travel bug, I have to boast
It will be moved along to the Ivory Coast!
Off we go, to head back to camp,
Sure wish we had a handicapped ramp.
The reason Dad’s old back is sore
Is that little Bethany said, “Carry me more!”
Jaybird was content in the sling
But her 25 pounds weren’t no little thang!
I got worried; Dad had left to answer the call
Dark was falling and we had to haul!
Mom alone prods the girls-"Go with all your might
We have to get out of the woods before night!"
Safe and sound we finally arrived at the head of the trail
There was Daddy-looking a little frail!
“Rest” is a good adjective for the room
We all raced there in the night’s gloom!
Safe and together at last, we headed to camp
Where the Fluitt family had our dogs under a lamp.
We ate and ate and retold the tale
Of when we all traveled that Mineral Wells trail.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Annual Family Camping Trip
Okay, so reading the post below, you might think we're cruel and just make our kids sit in the dark on the couch eating raisins while cute goblins ring the door bell. We don't. I promise.
In order to avoid Halloween and to make good memories, we go camping the day our town trick or treats. It simply removes us from the day-out of sight, out of mind kind of thing. Any bad attitudes are quickly left behind when we're outside experiencing God's beauty at a State Park.
We have had attitudes, too. Believe me. A couple of years ago, when we started this traditon, we were at Mineral Wells State Park and our oldest protested most of the day. We cheerfully restated our case and moved on. In a few days, I overheard her telling someone else what a good time we had and that she doesn't want to celebrate Halloween with her kids (someday) either.
Last year was quite an experience! I wish Halloween fell earlier in the month. In Texas, October days are usually stunningly beautiful but the nights get chilly by late October. I was overly optimistic about our ability to handle the cold--with a three month old! It was cold in that tent. We froze. I started to run a fever and froze even more. The only fever meds I had were for the kids. A half a bottle of Children's Tylenol later, my fever broke and I was burning up. Ever hear the phrase "If momma's cold the kids put on a sweater"? Well, when I was frozen, I cuddled little Jay close and piled the covers on us. When I was hot, I was sure she was hot, so I practically uncovered us, leaving her pretty bare! I promised I'd never tent camp again!
This year, we're day camping ;)
In order to avoid Halloween and to make good memories, we go camping the day our town trick or treats. It simply removes us from the day-out of sight, out of mind kind of thing. Any bad attitudes are quickly left behind when we're outside experiencing God's beauty at a State Park.
We have had attitudes, too. Believe me. A couple of years ago, when we started this traditon, we were at Mineral Wells State Park and our oldest protested most of the day. We cheerfully restated our case and moved on. In a few days, I overheard her telling someone else what a good time we had and that she doesn't want to celebrate Halloween with her kids (someday) either.
Last year was quite an experience! I wish Halloween fell earlier in the month. In Texas, October days are usually stunningly beautiful but the nights get chilly by late October. I was overly optimistic about our ability to handle the cold--with a three month old! It was cold in that tent. We froze. I started to run a fever and froze even more. The only fever meds I had were for the kids. A half a bottle of Children's Tylenol later, my fever broke and I was burning up. Ever hear the phrase "If momma's cold the kids put on a sweater"? Well, when I was frozen, I cuddled little Jay close and piled the covers on us. When I was hot, I was sure she was hot, so I practically uncovered us, leaving her pretty bare! I promised I'd never tent camp again!
This year, we're day camping ;)
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Why we don’t do Halloween
First, let me explain-we used to do Halloween in a mild way (no scary costumes, just visiting a few houses) and we have friends who do it and our church kind of does it. We aren’t on any campaign to get people to not do it. I think that for the most part, parents of young children have fun memories of dressing up, using fun glow-in-the-dark sticks, staying up late getting tons of candy. There was always an elderly lady on our trick-or-treat route who’d give out popcorn balls and then there was the house you avoided because they gave out raisins you had to con your brother into trading his starbursts for them.
There are several versions of the origins of Halloween. Here’s one from a Neo-pagan who makes Christians look pretty stupid.
This is not my reason for not celebrating (this is from the link above):
Every year in October, some folks begin shouting that Neopagans must be “stopped” from celebrating Halloween, which they describe as a “Satanic” holiday. Many Christian Fundamentalists say loudly and publicly that we Druids, Witches and other Neo-pagans kidnap children, sacrifice babies, poison or booby trap Halloween treats, drink blood, and hold orgies at Halloween. As W. J. Bethancourt puts it, “These opinions are backed up with some rather unusual and very frightening fantasies masquerading as historical facts.”
My original views that led our family to stop celebrating a few years ago were more from this line of thinking (although now I read this as a little extreme-in the rest of his essay, he tends to put a lot of emphasis on the day of Halloween instead of on the warped behaviors of those in the occult-who are practicing every day of the year, not just on Oct. 31.
Here’s where I am right now (quote from the link immediately above):
It does not have even one single redeeming virtue. It is custom born out of pagan superstition. It is a demon-inspired, devil-glorifying, occult festival. It is an evening holy unto evil, death, and divination. The Scriptures tells us to "Abstain from all appearance of evil." [1Thess. 5:22]
In our current culture obsessed with death (and indeed, with abortion and euthanasia, and the general devaluing of human life, we act on that obsession), I don’t want to participate in a holiday dedicated to at best making light of death and at most glorifying it. I see our culture has made witchcraft into a mild Saturday morning cartoon theme and I'm rebelling against that. Witches and spells and the like are listed as things God hates in His own Word, and I see allowing our kids to "play" with those issues is only flirting with fire.
All other holidays we (our family) seriously celebrate we celebrate for positive reasons. Obviously Easter and Christmas focus on our Savior. Although many people think Thanksgiving is just about cranberries and pumpkin pie and football, our family takes it seriously-as a day to focus on the many blessings God has given us. Even the 4th of July is meaningful to me-I am deeply moved by the sacrifices, both past and present of those who risk—and sometimes give—their lives for our freedom.
So, why would I want to celebrate Halloween? I struggle enough with my weight—I don’t need 4 children’s full plastic jack-o-lanterns taunting me to sneak just one more tootsie roll. I frankly am not a bit interested in the dramatics (I have girls, e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g is dramatic) of choosing and making/buying four costumes. And I will not expose my young children to images that will give them nightmares just for the sake of making childhood memories. There’s nothing left of the day to point to the Lord, so why even bother?
The bottom line for our family is that we feel Halloween glorifies evil. We aren’t into glorifying evil, so we skip Halloween. We do something else instead-I’ll post about that tomorrow!
Does this stir you up? Am I taking too strong a stand? Not enough of one? I'd love to hear comments on either side of the issue-just be nice :)
There are several versions of the origins of Halloween. Here’s one from a Neo-pagan who makes Christians look pretty stupid.
This is not my reason for not celebrating (this is from the link above):
Every year in October, some folks begin shouting that Neopagans must be “stopped” from celebrating Halloween, which they describe as a “Satanic” holiday. Many Christian Fundamentalists say loudly and publicly that we Druids, Witches and other Neo-pagans kidnap children, sacrifice babies, poison or booby trap Halloween treats, drink blood, and hold orgies at Halloween. As W. J. Bethancourt puts it, “These opinions are backed up with some rather unusual and very frightening fantasies masquerading as historical facts.”
My original views that led our family to stop celebrating a few years ago were more from this line of thinking (although now I read this as a little extreme-in the rest of his essay, he tends to put a lot of emphasis on the day of Halloween instead of on the warped behaviors of those in the occult-who are practicing every day of the year, not just on Oct. 31.
Here’s where I am right now (quote from the link immediately above):
It does not have even one single redeeming virtue. It is custom born out of pagan superstition. It is a demon-inspired, devil-glorifying, occult festival. It is an evening holy unto evil, death, and divination. The Scriptures tells us to "Abstain from all appearance of evil." [1Thess. 5:22]
In our current culture obsessed with death (and indeed, with abortion and euthanasia, and the general devaluing of human life, we act on that obsession), I don’t want to participate in a holiday dedicated to at best making light of death and at most glorifying it. I see our culture has made witchcraft into a mild Saturday morning cartoon theme and I'm rebelling against that. Witches and spells and the like are listed as things God hates in His own Word, and I see allowing our kids to "play" with those issues is only flirting with fire.
All other holidays we (our family) seriously celebrate we celebrate for positive reasons. Obviously Easter and Christmas focus on our Savior. Although many people think Thanksgiving is just about cranberries and pumpkin pie and football, our family takes it seriously-as a day to focus on the many blessings God has given us. Even the 4th of July is meaningful to me-I am deeply moved by the sacrifices, both past and present of those who risk—and sometimes give—their lives for our freedom.
So, why would I want to celebrate Halloween? I struggle enough with my weight—I don’t need 4 children’s full plastic jack-o-lanterns taunting me to sneak just one more tootsie roll. I frankly am not a bit interested in the dramatics (I have girls, e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g is dramatic) of choosing and making/buying four costumes. And I will not expose my young children to images that will give them nightmares just for the sake of making childhood memories. There’s nothing left of the day to point to the Lord, so why even bother?
The bottom line for our family is that we feel Halloween glorifies evil. We aren’t into glorifying evil, so we skip Halloween. We do something else instead-I’ll post about that tomorrow!
Does this stir you up? Am I taking too strong a stand? Not enough of one? I'd love to hear comments on either side of the issue-just be nice :)
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Schoolhouse
We're a few days behind my schedule as far as academics go, but I'm actually quite thrilled about how this school year has gone. God's blessed us with some nice enrichment--it had to be him because the fun stuff I plan usually never makes it off the planning sheets.
Earlier this month a real live missionary came to our house! When I was a kid, I recall a few missionaries coming to Vacation Bible School but they were like untouchable celebrities in my childish mind. We certainly never had one in our house. (The preacher came to our house once or twice, but my parents didn't like the attention and it was always a little tense!).
It worked out for Shannon (my friend Terrie's best friend) to come to our Life Group while on a break. I knew my girls would love to meet her so I asked if she'd mind coming over while she was here. She came with her laptop full of pictures, great stories, some Indonesian language training, and she even brought Indonesian purses for each of the three oldest girls!
We just finished reading Torches of Joy, about missions in the area near where Shannon serves. That was a great tie-in. Our curriculum this year is called Eastern Hemisphere and we're studying the history, culture, and outreach to that side of the earth-very neat.
The last two days have been more of simple country living field days. The 3 oldest girls were gone 2 full days to a family friends' home about 45 minutes away. She has a great log cabin home in the country, a pool & hot tub, incredible fun stuff to do outside...she led them on one of her traditional treasure hunts with 20 questions leading to their prizes! They made cakes and swam in the hot tub (I hear my oldest took a bet/bribe and jumped--and fully submerged herself!--in the regular, unheated pool! It was in the 60's today after getting into the 40s overnight!). Some of them skinny dipped (okay, so that's not exactly enrichment, lol).
I feel like this has been a great year so far-the karate has pushed them socially but especially physically. Ash's new Bible Study has her digging into the Word like never before. She calls Bible Study her new favorite subject. Having friends go into the mission field and praying for them as a family, meeting Shannon, reading about missions, training Ash & Hope in childcare through watching Adri, and the blessing of them making incredible, invaluable memories with my mentor (who's becoming their mentor) is better than I could have plotted out in the homeschooling planner. God is good!
Earlier this month a real live missionary came to our house! When I was a kid, I recall a few missionaries coming to Vacation Bible School but they were like untouchable celebrities in my childish mind. We certainly never had one in our house. (The preacher came to our house once or twice, but my parents didn't like the attention and it was always a little tense!).
It worked out for Shannon (my friend Terrie's best friend) to come to our Life Group while on a break. I knew my girls would love to meet her so I asked if she'd mind coming over while she was here. She came with her laptop full of pictures, great stories, some Indonesian language training, and she even brought Indonesian purses for each of the three oldest girls!
We just finished reading Torches of Joy, about missions in the area near where Shannon serves. That was a great tie-in. Our curriculum this year is called Eastern Hemisphere and we're studying the history, culture, and outreach to that side of the earth-very neat.
The last two days have been more of simple country living field days. The 3 oldest girls were gone 2 full days to a family friends' home about 45 minutes away. She has a great log cabin home in the country, a pool & hot tub, incredible fun stuff to do outside...she led them on one of her traditional treasure hunts with 20 questions leading to their prizes! They made cakes and swam in the hot tub (I hear my oldest took a bet/bribe and jumped--and fully submerged herself!--in the regular, unheated pool! It was in the 60's today after getting into the 40s overnight!). Some of them skinny dipped (okay, so that's not exactly enrichment, lol).
I feel like this has been a great year so far-the karate has pushed them socially but especially physically. Ash's new Bible Study has her digging into the Word like never before. She calls Bible Study her new favorite subject. Having friends go into the mission field and praying for them as a family, meeting Shannon, reading about missions, training Ash & Hope in childcare through watching Adri, and the blessing of them making incredible, invaluable memories with my mentor (who's becoming their mentor) is better than I could have plotted out in the homeschooling planner. God is good!
Monday, October 22, 2007
Rainy Day Fun
Update on the sleeping thing: I realized that I'm pushing for Jaybird to be out of our bed too soon. She's not ready and I'm not sure I am either. Hope is going through a fearful stage and wants to sleep with Ash, so to move Hope to the top bunk alone so Jay can sleep with Ash is a bit too much to ask. I think we'll wait a few months until Jay is closer to 2 and try it again. Meantime, I'm making myself actually be ready for bed or in bed when Shane leaves, which puts me in bed about an hour earlier. I woke up feeling rested Sunday morning after doing that Saturday night-I didn't even need coffee!
It is sooo chilly outside! On my porch a few hours ago it was 52 degrees. I woke up before dawn and it was cold and rainy. The 3 oldest left this morning about 8:30 to head to a friend's cabin in the woods for a day of play. That leaves Shane, the babies (Jay & cousin Adri) and me. I keep a long mental list of things I want Shane to do on his next day off and what I'll do the next time the girls aren't around. Today is the perfect day....
It is sooo chilly outside! On my porch a few hours ago it was 52 degrees. I woke up before dawn and it was cold and rainy. The 3 oldest left this morning about 8:30 to head to a friend's cabin in the woods for a day of play. That leaves Shane, the babies (Jay & cousin Adri) and me. I keep a long mental list of things I want Shane to do on his next day off and what I'll do the next time the girls aren't around. Today is the perfect day....
Adri & Ash taking a nap last week...
....for a nap! That's what we've done so far. Jaybird & I got up at 11:00 from the cuddle-fest under the quilt and Adri was just waking up, so I brought them into the dining room and gave them some brunch (their first meal of the day...but at almost noon-what am I supposed to feed them???). Jay ate banana, part of Adri's nurtigrain bar and a bunch of peas. Adri ate 2 bites of her bar and a bunch of pretzels. We listened to Todd Agnew's Better Questions CD and it was precious to see the little girls sway, clap and do a toddler style headbang thing to the music.
So, now there's more food on my floor than I thought I even served :) and one of the girls insists on climbing on top of the table just to show she's big. Don't worry, Jamie, it's mine who's doing it. I wouldn't let Adri get away with that. I know Jay won't fall-she has a lot of practice balancing on top of high surfaces lately.It's her new favorite game-to see how high she can climb. We caught her on tip top of the piano last week. Adri just sits and watches it all. I'm trying to get Jay to see sitting down is a good thing. She won't hear of it.
My stubborn child....or at least the smallest of the stubborn children.
My big plans for the rest of the day? Bake bread. Cuddle under a quilt somemore...maybe with a movie on? R-E-L-A-X...something I don't really do enough. But first I have to clean up those peas & pretzels on the floor and change diapers and put another load of laundry through...
Friday, October 19, 2007
Needing some insight here
Okay, all five of you readers-I need some help. When I get tired, I start to think my life is spinning out of control. When I think about my life like that, I start to think "I hate my life" which is a terrible thing to think! I don't want to walk around feeling defeated day after day.
I think it all stems from my need to get up early to get school started (there is no option but to do school at this time of day b/c of my job and other afternoon/evening activities like piano lessons, church, & karate). I can't easily go to bed early because of Shane's schedule. On his worknights, he sleeps until 11, and leaves shortly thereafter. If I got to bed before he leaves, either I wake him up getting Jaybird and I to bed (she sleeps with me) or he wakes me up leaving, or both.
There are no extra bedrooms...I'm not seeing a good solution...how about you?
I think it all stems from my need to get up early to get school started (there is no option but to do school at this time of day b/c of my job and other afternoon/evening activities like piano lessons, church, & karate). I can't easily go to bed early because of Shane's schedule. On his worknights, he sleeps until 11, and leaves shortly thereafter. If I got to bed before he leaves, either I wake him up getting Jaybird and I to bed (she sleeps with me) or he wakes me up leaving, or both.
There are no extra bedrooms...I'm not seeing a good solution...how about you?
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