Currently..

Planning to make this a first-of-the-month tradition.

It is Tuesday, May 1, 2012, 10:45pm EST.

1. LISTENING to nothing but the AC running (continuously...it's almost summer.)
2. EATING carrot souffle.  Did not time out our dinner meal well tonight. It was going to be a side dish, but I forgot that it takes 1 hour to bake and my people were hungry.  So I'm eating it for dessert and promised the kids they could have some for breakfast instead.  It's that good.  :)
3.DRINKING organic green tea with honey.
4.WEARING an anniversary gift from Dan.   A knit top with this print: and a swingy, knee length black skirt. I feel cute today.  It's amazing how a shower and matching outfit can do that for me!  :)

5.FEELING tired but grateful that I might actually make it to bed before midnight.  Also,  happy that Dan and his brother are enjoying some time together at the airport before they pick up my in laws from their two weeek trip to the Holy land.
6.PLANNING to get up and finish my Community Bible Study lesson at 6 in the morning.
7.WANTING some Becky Higgins Design A Page protectors that should be restocked this Thursday on Amazon...can't wait cracking on the kids albums.
8.NEEDING to sand and paint the desk I dug out of our neighbor's moving-day trash.  I'm going to make it my scrapbooking desk.
9.THINKING about how I go to bed almost every night with a list of "wish I had time to's".  Maybe I need to make a list each evening of "glad I did's".
10.ENJOYING the quiet + this little exercise.

I am....{the Hannah Reece edition}

I am Hannah Reece Oedy.
I think I want a computer and camera.
I wonder how my friends are doing in Africa.
I wish I had my own diary.
I always have friends around.
I never get to see Tom, Otim + Yeimy, but I get to send them letters.
I love my brothers and sisters in Africa.
I believe in the Lord.
I pray for my friends.

I am... {the Graham edition}

I am nice.
I think I am gifted with a good family.
I wonder what I'll be when I grow up.
I wish I would be good at ice skating like the other kids in my class.
I always think that my family is cool.
I never leave my family.
I love playing with my daddy.
I believe I would be pretty good at skating one day.
I pray that I would have a good life, and that my family will too.

shooga booga

shooga booga*sugar shine*sweet graham*delicious baby*punkin' pie* darlin'*sweet sunshine*baby doll*

*honey buns*

there are many names I call you, because I'm so glad you are mine!

all snuggled up in momma + daddy's bed

a mystery particle on Camille's finger

Oh boy, hope that's not what I think it is!

helpful big sister

Funny brother

pearly whites + provision

Tuesday was a big day...a trip to the pediatric dentist for all three of our people.  We have been visiting a family dentist, who also happens to be my parents' neighbor, since Graham's first check-up at two.  She is so sweet and I'm grateful for the ways that she and her staff set the stage for a positive outlook on going to the dentist for Graham and Hannah Reece.  They both started out by straddling daddy and I during our cleanings, even getting to spray our teeth with water or suction the water out of our mouths...which had everyone in the office in hysterics.  :)

Last week Graham and Millie had their well-checks at the pediatrician and I pointed out that Camille's top teeth seemed a little crowded to me.  The doctor checked and counted and counted and checked...and guess what?  She has an extra tooth on top! So off to the pediatric dentist we went.  Nana came along too, and I'm so grateful for her help!

First stop:  the sink for a good brushing.  Then a pink rinse to show the spots we've missed.  A little talk and lesson on proper brushing (need all the help we can get in this department!)

Look up here!  A tv playing a movie, just for children! 

Uh-uh.  Not having that daddy, not even with a movie on the ceiling.  I'm outta here!

Graham  handling it all like a champ, and Reecie did too!  They actually looked relaxed!  I even heard Hannah Reece say, "this tickles!"  I was amazed at their bravery.  

It was so convenient to have Dan run over, the office is directly across the street from the church. They had an "open" exam room with three chairs, so we filled the place up!   After x-rays, Millie does indeed have an extra baby tooth.  Right in the middle, on top.  Thankfullly, so far there is no sign of an extra adult tooth.  Eventually, the dentist will have to remove that extra tooth, but not just yet.

When Hannah Reece was 2 1/2, she had a fall that left her with a chipped front tooth.  The root was not damaged, so she was able to keep the tooth.  Over time, the tooth has turned light gray, and she has developed a small abscess that is quite painful.  The dentist told us that the grown up teeth are descending, putting pressure on the nerve that has already been aggravated, causing the abscess and inflammation.  She has begun a course of antibiotics, and will have the tooth removed in about a week and a half.

No cavities and all in all, the visit was pleasant and positive.  At the end of our visit, we were talking to the dentist and Dan mentioned how convenient her office was for him to hop over to be with us.  This led into a conversation about his position at the church and she almost immediately asked Dan and I if she could speak to us privately in another room.  My mom took the kids and she told Dan how grateful she was to meet him, that she and her husband (a periodontist) are looking for ways to "give back" to those who need dental treatment but are unable to pay because of circumstances beyond their control.  She said if we ever came into contact with folks in this situation to contact her business manager, and gave us a card.  I was almost in tears at that point, and Dan looked at me with a knowing glance and a smile.  Little did this dentist know that on Sunday, only two days earlier, such a need had presented itself.

Camille's nursery teacher at church is a single mother.  I often share new developments with Camille and we were talking about her well check-up and impending visit to the dentist.  She went on to share that they had once been patients at this particular dentists office, but they no longer had dental coverage.  Her daughter hadn't been to the dentist in quite a while and had some issues that needed to be treated.  I could see the look of concern on her face, mixed with sadness.  Her daughter's father had cancelled her insurance benefits without any notice.  I felt so burdened for her and after church, mentioned the need to Dan and we brainstormed some ways that maybe we could help out, although we are certainly not in a financial position to pay for someone else's dental care.  Dan said, let's pray and ask the LORD how he might provide for this need.

Back to our little meeting with the dentist.  I was all teary and shared this story with the dentist, she got all teary too, and said to have her call the office right away.  Our friend's daughter could receive treatment completely free of charge.  I am so grateful and amazed at God's immediate provision.  It was an incredible gift to share the news with Millie's teacher, and to witness her encouraged heart and strengthened faith through this experience.

This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 (NLT)

Louis Zamporini

Last week, Louis Zamporini spoke at our church.  What an extraordinary man!  Graham is our resident history buff, and he has even read portions of Unbroken on the Kindle.   There were over 4,000 people at church that Tuesday evening, some had flown in from other parts of the country.  Louis is 96 years old.  I asked Graham to type a few words about Louis and the parts he'd remember most from Louis' talk.

"Louis Zamperini was a HERO.  Louis fought off sharks survived many dangerous situations he was amazing."

pure joy

I confess.  I think this is the most challenging season I've experienced as a mother.  Three little people.  Different personalities, different learning styles, different stages, different needs, and everyone has needs.  Lots of needs.  And I still have needs!  :)

When Graham and Hannah Reece were in school, I could always look forward to Camille's naptime for refreshment.  A cup of coffee. Chores done in silence, or maybe while listening to an encouraging podcast.  A few minutes in the scriptures.  Quiet.  Sweet silence.  As rare as these moments were before, they are now close to non-existent.  This is due, in part, to the ages of our children.  It is also due {mostly} to the fact that the bulk of Graham's schooling must be done during Camille's naptime, to lessen the distractions for both of us.

Another thing-homeschooling is HARD. I see other mothers paint this picture of one big blissfully happy family...reading classic literature together, planting gardens together, laughing together, baking bread together (with freshly-milled, organic wheat, of course).  This picture is not our reality in any way.  I am daily dying to myself.  My selfish desires to surf online for a few minutes, eat a bite of chocolate without anyone knowing and begging for some (that wrapper can be heard for miles!), or just to enjoy having an uninterrupted thought, or a bathroom break-alone...this is not my reality in this season.  A season...this is a season!  Then the mom guilt....this is such a short season!  I need to enjoy this, take more pictures!   write that cute saying down!  smile and laugh with my children more!  get in the floor and play more!  teach them God's word more!  and on. and on. and on.  Throw in some kid attitude and I might. just. lose. it.  (oh wait, i have-lost it!)  ugh.  It's been a rough week.

Lately the enemy's whispers have turned into accusations, filling my heart with guilt and shame for everything I don't do.  So, to combat these lies...I'm putting on the armor of God, fighting these lies with the  sword of the spirit (GOD's word).   (Ephesians 6:10-18) So here I go:

GOD has ordained me to be the mother of Graham, Hannah Reece and Camille.  All of their days were planned and ordained by GOD before one of them came to be!  (Psalm 139:16)


GOD made each child with a special purpose.  GOD'S ways are not my ways, they are higher than mine.  When I turn to the LORD he will have mercy on me.


GOD has plans to prosper me and not to harm me (or them), plans to give us hope and a future!  When we seek him with all our hearts, we will find Him!  He is right here!  (Jeremiah 29:11-12) 


This is spiritual battle, a war waged by the enemy for our hearts and the hearts of our children.  But I do not need to fear!  I will be still and watch the LORD rescue us.  Be still!  The Lord himself will fight for us.  BE CALM.  (Exodus 14)


Contentment, strength and courage can be mine because GOD has promised to never leave me or forsake me!  (Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:6) 


When I feel like freaking out, ready to give up, I will choose to TRUST GOD.  When I trust God steadfastly, He will keep me in perfect peace (even when my house is noisy chaos!)  :)  (Isaiah 26)
  
As I live in God, my love will grow more perfect for Dan and our children.  Fear and love cannot co-exist.  Where God's love is, fear is gone.  LIVE IN GOD.  ABIDE IN GOD.  GOD IS LOVE.  (I John 4:16-19)


If I do nothing but love my children and teach them God's word, I've done well.  God's word will never return empty.  It will accomplish what HE desires, and achieve His purposes.  (Isaiah 55)

****************************************************

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

 ⁹ Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.¹⁰ But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. ¹¹ For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

 ¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

 ¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴ but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

 ¹⁶ Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

{sigh}  Thank you, Lord.