Tiny Pieces

This morning for Bible study I had planned on bringing some delicious baked oatmeal for our brunch. Mouth watering aromas wafted through our home all morning as I got the kids dressed and ready to go.

First batch done and the kids were happily eating. Second batch done and cooling on the stove. I ran upstairs to curl my hair. Yes! We were on time and I still had a few minutes to curl my hair! Uh huh, oh yeah (insert happy dance) I was almost finished and I hear a huge crack, shatter, and POOF followed by "Mommy! COME LOOK! That was AWESOME!" To my horror, my lovely delicious oatmeal had exploded all over. Yep. Not an exaggeration..it literally exploded all over. The stove, the kitchen floor, the sink, the first batch of oatmeal, the kitchen table, the carpet...everywhere. Okay not here, it didn't quite make it to the car. This was just added for dramatic effect, but you get the picture! EVERYWHERE!! The kids stood there looking between me and the oatmeal. I really wanted to yell some choice words (why do those always pop in my head?!) but I didn't...it wasn't in our curriculum for the day. ;) (lame joke I know...it's my homeschooling humor) Anyway, I decided to leave it. Ryan couldn't believe I was just going to leave the mess everywhere. As we all sat together putting on our shoes sweet little Tyler praised God, thanking him that none of us were hurt. I am learning everyday from these precious children.

We showed up at Bible study late and empty handed... (a dear friend reminded me that I was not empty handed, I had my sweet children with me- thank you for that) but at least my hair was curled! *eye roll* My friends made me laugh, I ate delicious food, and together we sang our praises to God. I came home to the mess...still there, no cute little leprechauns to clean while I was away. They must have been busy. So, instead, we made the mess into a home school science lesson. We learned that the Pyrex dish, which was set on a still hot burner, caused thermal shock. "Stress produced in a body or in a material as a result of undergoing a sudden change in temperature." It was a pretty impactful lesson!

And now...to clean the mess of a beautiful day! All in a day of homeschooling these four beautiful children! xo

**No children, beta fish, or ants were harmed in this 'experiment' ;)

Thankfulness

Here are our Thanksgiving pictures, almost in time for Christmas. :) We made an unexpected trip down to the farm to have Thanksgiving with my parents. There is so much to be thankful for in our daily life. Food, clean water, shelter, warmth, family, friends, and a loving Father who sacrificed his only son so that we may live.

Life on the farm is simple, beautiful, peaceful, and full of laughter. Here are some pictures from Thanksgiving at Walnut Acres.

Stuffing that home grown bird, mmmm.

The cutest walnut crackers

Oh the games...

Cozy by the fire with Papa

Chasing the three Irish pigs around the walnut trees, a Thanksgiving tradition

Sweet sleeping Aiden with that handsome guy I LOVE

Me and kissy cheeks xo

The feast

I am looking forward to Christmas on the farm!

**Miss Anna wasn't in many pictures...I can assure you she was there. :)

In Christ Alone

This is my favorite song. It speaks so much truth to my heart and soul.

"In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depth of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my all in all,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand."

Blessings to you, and happy Saturday!

Home

In loving memory of Yvonne Cadd Everly,

September 16, 1956- December 7, 2009.

Sweet Yvonne, you precious woman, you are home and whole again. Free of pain and free of cancer, full of eternal life. I am so thankful to have known you, to have learned from you. Your gentle smile and sweet spirit will go on in the lives of so many. Rest in heavenly peace.

Kindness

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile."

-Mother Teresa

The Girl Effect

Change

*These are thoughts that have been bouncing around in my head, I like the thought of journaling, but never seem to sit down to write. So I am using this space to write out my thoughts. This is where I'm at...

Do you ever feel an unsettling feeling? You know that change, big change is coming, but you are completely in the dark to what that may be. I've been feeling that way for the last few months. Those of you who know me well are probably rolling your eyes and thinking 'Oh Lord,what is she going to do now?' Some may chalk it up to be that I'm a crazy hormonal nursing mama of four...that may be true, that I am impulsive...that may be true, that I'm not a content person...that may be true as well, but not for reasons that you may think. I do not feel content, living my privileged American life while a great number of the worlds population are going to bed hungry, cold, without a home, without clean water, without health care, used, beaten, sold...the list goes on. If I'm cold I flip a switch and the heat comes on, if I thirst I turn on the faucet and can drink clean water to my hearts content, if I'm hungry I open the fridge and eat until I am stuffed, if I'm feeling lazy I can go through a drive through and have a hot meal within minutes, when I am sick I can go to the store and buy medicine, if I need to get to the store, I hop in my car (that if sold could feed a village for a year) and am there within minutes.

Learn to do right. Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:17 As a follower of Jesus, as a mother, as a human being...this verse makes me called to change. To do what I can to make a difference. Yes, I do want to change the world. Yes, I know we live in brokenness and it won't be fixed until Jesus comes back, but until that day comes whether it's tomorrow, next month, in ten years, in a thousand years, I want to be actively seeking Gods peace and justice, being his hands and feet here on earth, serving Him through helping His people.

There is a very real part of me that wants to stuff this uneasiness down, go buy an extra large coffee and forget that I feel this way. To save up and buy the dream house, to go to the fancy stores and buy the trendiest clothes, to taste the finest cuisine, to decorate my house to perfection, but what purpose would this serve? Surely this would not be growing the fruits of the spirit in my life. But what does? Should I sell our possessions and move to Africa? Central America? Be a missionary? What do I want to be doing when Jesus comes back? Who am I serving? Am I being obedient? Oh the questions.

Yes, change is coming. Maybe next week, maybe in a year, but it is coming.... I can feel it.