Just thought I'd let you know that you won't see me on here much anymore. I've started a blog... wearelivingforhisglory.blogspot.com
There you will find my thoughts and recipes and pictures and whatever I feel led to put on.  \"/
Blessings to you all...

Recently I've had many early mornings. Somehow when I'm trying to paint and now sew, it just works better early in the morning while the children are still snug in their beds. Painting w/ a roller in one hand and a 23 lb baby in the other somehow gets tiring very quickly. And sewing w/ a 2 yr old on your lap doesn't work well, either... esp. when she thinks the flashing needle looks very interesting!!

I've also discovered that early mornings are a good time to think... and ponder a good many things.  My mind goes many places, but probably the thing I think about most is babies. My babies. My babies that I love dearly. The two that I take care of everyday, and the three in Heaven that I have never seen. I think about the baby that should have arrived this coming October, ( I know what you're thinking. A 2 yr old, a 1 yr old and a baby. Good grief!!) but isn't going to. I long to see my babies, to hold them and cuddle them... And I wonder...

Why is it that when somebody announces that they're pregnant, the first thing that gets asked is, "Was this planned?" ( Esp. when your other child is 7 months.) And when you reply, "Well, I don't care that I'm pregnant! We're really excited!" That they reply, " Oh, I'm sure you're ok w/ it, but was it planned??" And I think, "Why is that any of your business? Why do you have to know???" God plans every child, whether we do or not. He sends each one at his perfect timing. When you try to get pregnant for many months and can't, it horrible, because God isn't giving you a baby. But when you're trying NOT to get pregnant and God gives you a baby, it's also horrible, because this child wasn't 'planned' and everybody is going to think that you don't know how things 'work'. whatever happened to the thing about children being a blessing?? Does God bless us w/ children or do we 'make' them when we want them??? Now less you totally misread me, I don't think it's wrong to 'space' children. I don't think there's anything wrong w/ trying not to get pregnant.  Everybody's situation is different. I've just been thinking.

I've watched a few friends walk the sad and lonely road of infertility. They long for a baby to cuddle and care for, but for some reason, God doesn't give them a baby. It's hard for me to know what to say sometimes. They think I'm blessed to get pregnant so easily...

And then you see somebody that has 3 children, one every year. His job isn't the best and so financially things are tough... and some one says " They don't know how things work!"

And I wonder, do we really look at this whole children thing right? Yes, life is overwhelming at times, but that's life, whether you have kids or not. Now I'm NOT saying that I think you need to have a baby every year. Pregnancy and tiny babies are very tiring and trying sometimes. Finances can sometimes be an issue, or health problems. I'm not going to judge you if you put 5 yrs in between your children or if you have 1 yr inbetween. I once heard a Mennonite preacher say that he loves the Mennonites because they live the closest to the Bible of any denomination. Oh really??? Why do we get more encouragement to have children and enjoy them, love them, and view them as blessings from God from 'world' Christians then we do from Mennonites??  Sometimes I think we become far to comfortable being 'good' Mennonites and forget to really seek God and what his plan for us is...

Ok. I'll stop. I know I've seriously stuck my neck out and you may 'chop it off' if you like. I have no answers and I don't claim to have God figured out. This is just one subject that I've been rolling around in my head.

Another thing I've been thinking about is how to enjoy my children.

I find myself switching into 'survival' mode at times. I'm tired and I feel like I can't take one more step. I had a day like that on Saturday. I was attempting to finish dresses for Aubrey and I.My house was a disaster and Sunday School was bothering me, because I was anything but ready!! Wes had gone hunting, w/ my blessing, so I couldn't blame him for my stress.  Finally I sat down and bawled... and my daughter was horrified. She sat down across from me and said, "It's ok Mama." She said it over and over and over. She gave me the sweetest little smile.

I'm finding that at times like that, the best thing for me to do is drop all my work and play. Saturday night, Wes and I each had a child on our shoulders and we chased each other through the house. They laughed and laughed and laughed. Nothing is better for my 'stressed out ears' then to hear the giggles of a child and know that I am making them happy. I'm trying hard, w/ my husband's support, to pop in less movies, and spend more time down on the floor playing toys, blowing bubbles, and reading stories. Sometimes I think it wears me out more, but I feel happier, because they are happier.

Yesterday's sermon brought more thoughts... Do I really know Jesus?? I can dress modestly, support my husband, love my children, take meals to another busy Mom, read my Bible, teach Sunday School... but do I really know Jesus??? Thanks Marcus for rekindling a fire in my soul!! I truly want to know Jesus!!!

Well, this has gone on long enough and could go on much longer... I have work to do. In less then 2 wks we leave for Colorado... for 2 wks!!!! I'm SO very excited!!!!!

Love and blessings to you all....

I'm having a lazy day... and it's fun!!!    I dug some potatoes and played outside with the children for a long time. They loved it!!    I love seeing their smiles and hearing their giggles!!!

My Dad, Mom, Micah, Hannah, and Rhoda were here last night for supper. This morning they went to PA to be w/ my brother Joseph and his Little family for several days and then they'll be back here for the weekend. Aubrey and Kyler LOVED their aunts and uncle! I wish they all lived closer!!!

This past weekend was a fun one! On Saturday we were at Grandpa Hostetler's all day. I picked the beans and tomatoes out of the garden and Wes helped his Dad work on finishing the bathroom in the shop and they changed the brakes on Wes' truck. We had pizza for supper and afterwards there were five little children who badly wanted to swing. They were all looking for their shoes/flipflops and Callie announced, "Sara sell nos gi n oons pusha!" It's hard to say no to a 'request ' like that, so I went out w/ them and ran off my supper!! 

Ydana was sick, poor girl!! But she was so very happy and kept saying "push me!" in a scratchy little voice.

 

Kyler had to borrow a shirt from Ydana... thus the little boy in pink!

The Innocence of a child...

Say cheese!!!

 

And we had a few monkeys...

 

 

On Sunday we went on a picnic. I think we picked the hottest day of the summer to go, but it was fun!!

 

 

I do believe Aubrey could live on Animal crackers and bluberries!!!

 

Our beautiful little girl...

 

Our handsome little boy...   \"/

 

We walked down to the dam and the kids were thrilled with all the water!

Today I am thankful for:

poopy pampers! ( I smell one right now! ) Because it means that I have two very precious little children. I love them so much!

I am so thankful that God has allowed me to be the mother of these 2 sweet children!! Sometimes I feel like all I do is say no and spank and get them out of trouble. Sometimes it looks overwhelming to teach them to love God and serve him w/ all their hearts. But I'm thinking a lot right now about my life and how they 'see' so much more then what they 'hear'... On Sunday we had a wonderful sermon... well, i should say that what I heard was wonderful! ( I'm sure the rest of it was too...) The thing that stuck w/ me is how much do you want of God? How badly to you want to hear from Him? Do you want more of him? And I can truly say that YES! I do!!

I am also thankful for my husband!

 

 

I married this amazing man a little over 4 years ago.He is so wonderful! He's a very calm, quiet, easy going, not easily angered sort of person and that is so right for this emotional woman. He's such a good Daddy to our children! I love you!!!

Well, I should run along! I'm sure Kyler would appreciate a clean bottom and supper needs to get started!!

BTW thanks to all you who gave potty training advice!! I think it's clicking for her! She keeps adding smiley stickers to her chart and she loves her pretty panties!!  \"/