Is My Life Intentional?

The past three days have been crazy.

On Sunday we had : bloody noses, black eyes, burns, and broken glass. All accidents, no tempers involved.

On Monday: constant phone calls, two hours of mopping with a two-year-old, making dinner for the family with the new little cousin, and meeting said new baby. Not to mention sub-zero temps!

On Tuesday: taxes with my sis, then bustling her wedding dress, calling a plumber because the kitchen sink won't drain, babysitting more little cousins, running out of dishes to cook with, and a bridal shower in the evening, coming home to find my desperate husband cleaning the foul-smelling kitchen sink (wondering all the while if his wife had to use so many dishes).

On Wednesday: the plumber came with diagnosis of ice in the pipe, so the rental company needs to call in some bigger guns. I am trying to avoid the further piling of dishes by using paper plates and ordering pizza. My son had a crazy emotional day (I thought that was a girl thing?!) and my daughter is testing boundaries. Pregnancy has my body tense, emotions high, and ...well, just being five months pregnant!

It is almost nine pm. The wee ones are bathed and in bed, my husband is working, and I am reflective.

I received Tsh Oxenreider's book in the mail this week Notes From a Blue Bike.

Even before I became acquainted with Tsh's blog, the concept of living intentionally was one Roman and I had talked of a great deal. I think it is the historian in me that wants to make of the most of life. I started following Tsh after having a potty-training post recommended to me (hardly glamorous, but necessary).

When the book was announced I was really excited, and the first chapters have me intrigued.

The past few days have felt anything but intentional, and mostly chaotic. And looking ahead my calendar boasts more chaos to come (weddings, auctions, babies, living life with toddlers).

Whatever the calendar says, however my children behave, no matter how hormones are affecting my day, intentional living is the very idea behind Mommy, Hold My Hand. Taking care of all kinds of needs, being the available to my sister-in-laws, embracing the stage of renting, knowing that some days I can't do any of it let alone do it all. So thank you Tsh, for your timely book. I look forward to the rest of your journey on a blue bike. My own path will be different, but I pray it will be intentional.

Real Motherhood: In Sickness and in Health

Welcome to the October Real Motherhood Link-up, hosted by Mandi and Sarah!

The past month held a lot for our family, including a week with the flu, a week with guests (with whom we shared the flu), the rapid onset of chilly autumn weather, and of course the common cold, which turns me into something of a giant hankie. The bright side to all the sickness is the extra time cuddling and reading to the little ones. The dark side...well every mother knows that!

 

Roman's cousin and his family from TN visited us for about a week in the middle of September.

It was a fabulous experience to open our home in Christian hospitality that blessed me a great variety of ways. I hope I will continue to have opportunity to bless others with my home.

My kids favorite visitors were the furry ones. Goodness, they just love dogs!

My battle of the month: Ethan hated being in the car. The second he was in he wanted to go home, he cried and screamed until we reached our destination (grocery store, grandmas house, etc.) and would do fine while out. When back in the car it was another tantrum until we arrived home. I thought I would never have a peaceful car trip again. Then suddenly, last week the tantrums ceased. I have no clue why they started or why they stopped. Sometimes you just have to ride the phase out.

Chilly autumn walks!

And now I must go wipe the noses after explosive sneezes, and wash sheets, and....

Real Motherhood Link-up

Link-up: What Real Motherhood Looks Like

As mothers we all want to be awesome. And most of the time we are, it just doesn't look like we think it should. So if you are feeling like a failure as a mother (or maybe just as housekeeper) check out this link-up hosted by Sarah from Mommy Notes and Mandi from Messy Wife.

For everything that gets done something else must be left undone. 

This does not make a mother lazy, it simply means she must prioritize her activities.

Clothes waiting to be put away because I folded them while the kids napped and then sat on the couch taking weird pictures with my son.

The piano becomes the regular drop off from my planners, Roman's business ideas, and all sorts of other random stuff. (An unopened birthday present, an orange felt beret I made, etc.)

It seems inevitable that the dishes are stacked two days high when I need to make dinner right away. So I was the pan I need and return it to the stack. I try to be diligent, but dishes are my least favorite of all household chores. I frequently mop the kitchen floor while letting the dishes sit for tomorrow. Baby crawling into every mess down low takes priority over the ones she can't reach!

And so many days motherhood means no make-up, tousled hair, and clothes that have done double duty as napkin and hankie. What can I say? Everything in life takes time, and the to-do list will never grow any shorter. Each day I am presented with choices about what needs doing right now. 

We move forward and I will look back someday to see how things have changed. I hope also to see that we lived a full and happy life, with children who carry a zest for life, a passion for the Lord, and a deep love for home and family in every undusted, unwashed corner.

Videos to Make you Smile

Do you love the feel of a book in your hands? Do get a sense of satisfaction from turning pages of print, eagerly awaiting what is in store next? Do you prefer the compactness and quantity that your device allows for avid readers? Either way enjoy this French video about The Future of Paper.

Check out this adorable video on How to be 2. With a two year old son and a one year old daughter this little video feels very familiar.

The Compliment Fairy might be a way to teach children the power of kind words. Teaching Ethan and Saoirse to be kind a daily challenge, but slowly and surely I see signs of progress. This evening Ethan was thirsty so he found his cup and got himself a drink of water. Then he brought me a glass of water too! Sometimes that boy will go out of his way to be kind!

A Few Links for Motherhood and Life

I missed my post writing evening, so I will play a little catch-up. Life is all about choosing where you are most needed every moment. As a result there will always be something left undone. Still, when I look back I see that I usually got around to the most important stuff. My presence on the Internet is of less importance than the well-being of my little family. So here a few interesting little things that I found encouraging in the care and keeping of my life.

For those of you setting up your home education systems, check out this planner that Tsh has put together: Simple Mom Planner

What Real Motherhood Looks Like ~ it is rarely ever photo ready! When I came back from vacation to my tidy, clean house it did not feel like the place I remembered leaving. Within two hours of being
home I looked around and said, " Oh yeah! This is the place I remember."

3 Ways to Live the Ultimate Romance ~ Watch the videos at the end for a sweet love of a 50 year romance.

Jesus is bigger than any mistake and you don't have to live life in a fishbowl

On Hurrying Children ~ Their little minds are eager to see and explore the world. I am the one who is stressed by the clock and calendar

Read, you will find help and encouragement for something. We don't have to do everything by ourselves.

Aunt Laurel spent a lot of time with us this weekend. She and Saoirse are so cute together.

The Best Book You've Never Heard of...

I am joining a link-up sharing books of every shape and origin. Thanks Modern Mrs. Darcy, this will be fun!

The best book you have never heard of... how about The Wit of Martin Luther by Eric Gritsch.
So many people think of church fathers as heavy reading, deep theology, etc. This tiny book shares just how much Martin Luther had a sense of humor and zest for life (and a great deal of passion for his beloved wife Catherine!) So break away from weight of ages past and learn how to enjoy every gifts you are given with a hearty German appetite.

 

Amazon: The Wit of Martin Luther

Reading List: The Web Edition

Happy Birthday to my lovely sister-in-law Rayia!
My husband adores his older sister, who taught him so much about being a loving man. Thanks Rayia, for everything you give to Roman. I am glad we are all such great friends!

My reading this week has been a smattering of blog posts and articles from all over.
So I figured I would share some my favorites with anyone else who enjoys looking at links.

Petit Collage I am wishing I could spruce up my nursery space and toy collection with this company. Utterly darling. And just about everything is wooden, which I like more than plastic.

A Prayer for All the World's Sons {in honor of the Royal Baby}
I am looking forward to watching William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, raise their son George Alexander Louis. The couple seem to be setting the standards high, but we all have a world watching in our children.

I'm Trying Not to be the "Just Wait" Mom Hayley @ Carrots for Michaelmas has some great reminders for all mothers.

Le Petit Chaperon Rouge If you feel like a classic fairy tale in French! (Little Red Riding Hood) My kids enjoyed it! It is a video

So explore the world wide web of blogs. Maybe you'll find your cup of tea!

Reading to my Children

No book is really worth reading at the age of 10 which is not equally worth reading at the age of 50. ~C.S.Lewis

I want my children to read, a lot. So I try to read to them on a daily basis. It has had the desired effect so far, they both love to look at books. Saoirse is just starting to turn pages, so very reading actually gets done, but she is learning to handle books. She likes the books that are as big as she is:

These books have beautiful illustrations with a variety of stories and poems from all cultures.

I loved looking through them when I was little and now Saoirse does too.

This is the only one I have, but someday I hope to have the rest.

Go to Amazon to find more of this great collection.

Currently the two books below are Ethan's favorite books.

The inscription in the front of my copy reads:

Dear Caitlin, Happy 5th Birthday! Love, Aunt Andrea

in her lovely script. 

Some books are worth holding onto.

Ethan loves this collection of train stories (and I like it better than Thomas the Train.)

What books do you read to your children?

Simple Mom: Twaddle-free books for preschoolers

Sidenote: Check out this gorgeous video

Thoughts from another blogger (and an anniversary)

Ladies, you should all take a few minutes to read this article.
The Proper Lady: The Subtle Details of a Feminine Lady

Nina has some wonderful thoughts on femininity. As I raise my little girl, I want to exemplify to her all the delights of being female. I want my son to admire feminine traits, as his father does so very well. And I wish to show the world how delighted I am to be a woman, happy with my children, joyous in my home, filled with pleasure by my husband. God has been so good to give me a full life!

On the 3rd of July, 2010, it had been a fairly normal Saturday. I had worked in the garden, planned dinner with my beau, and gone to visit a friend recently returned from a missions trip. As far as I knew the evening was going to be a quiet one with Roman and my parents. But when I returned home from my visit, Roman showed up with his parents and a pile of gifts. A silk dress, light blue sweater, a blue topaz jewelry set, and shoes. I was overwhelmed and eagerly anticipating the coming evening which I hoped would hold a proposal. I will never forget his reaction to when I came out in the outfit he had so carefully planned for me. He looked down the hall from the couch, stood up, and as I entered the room his knees buckled and he sat
down.  Best compliment he could give me was the overwhelming inability to speak.

So we went to dinner and then to Flathead Lake, auspiciously to watch the sunset. At the end of the dock Roman presented me with a diamond ring and an anxious question. My answer sent him into utter delight; he spun me around, and we hugged while fireworks were going off all around us.
It has been three full years since that magical evening. We have moved four times, traveled some,worked a lot and have added a son and daughter to our lives. Each year we have gone back to Wayfarers Park on Flathead Lake to consider just how joyous our lives have been. Our date this year was short, but still magical and more meaningful. How full of bounty is our life! How good it is to be married! How glad I am that the Lord has brought Roman and I together forever!

July 2010 (Right after the proposal )

2011 (pregnant with Ethan)

July 2012 (pregnant with Saoirse)

July 2013 (just the two of us)

Things I Learned in June

There are always little things going around the blogosphere that people share in, contribute to, etc. I barely have time to manage the posts I make let alone join in a list of other things. But since I was drawing a slight blank on what to write, I was inspired by these bloggers to share of the things I have learned over the past month.

1. My not-yet-two-year-old son talks in his sleep, mostly about balls and dogs. He also sleep walks.

2. Changing lanes on a the freeway is about watching around you and not always minding your car manners. You just have to be a little selfish.

3. Each of my children can eat a whole banana faster than I can make a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich.

4. My grandparents funeral arrangements (and they are in great health).

5. The only piece of furniture we have that I cannot move by myself is the piano. Full dressers, beds over shag carpet, bookshelves with everything remaining intact, DID IT.

6. The battery in our car was the original, therefore 10 years old. It died while we were in Oregon.

7. Saoirse has a great deal in common with Goldilocks. She likes things just right, not too hot or cold.

8. Roman panics more over a cleaning emergency than medical one.

9. The difference between monkeys and apes:  monkeys have tails, apes do not.

What little things did you learn over the past 30 days?

From Our Other Blog

A little post I wrote to prepare for our adventure:
Laundry on the Road



We will see how I feel about this statement after two weeks on the road!

Be A Lady

One of my favorite lady blogs is:

The Proper Lady

She has so many wonderful things say about being true lady in the modern world. Spend some time browsing her blog. You will find it very interesting.

An Extra Gift

I found the thoughts on Simple Mom to be really stimulating this morning. I will go forward with a renewed vision of my own way of being an artist. Check out this post : We are all artists

From my little son