no more debates!

I have a heavy heart today.  I've realized that I've been 'proud.'  It is never my intent to hurt or to make others feel less than myself, or less than they are, or just less.

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.  -Proverbs 16:18

My wise friend so graciously discussed this topic with me and I realized how prideful that I thought my ways were.  I've argued that homeschooling is the best option for students, and even (embarrassingly) implied that those who don't home school don't have a tight-knit family.  Oh my!  I'm so sorry for that implication!


I've ordered my curriculum for the boys just today, and I'm so excited for it to arrive and for us to start 'school.'      Both the boys are so excited too, as they've realized they will have more play time, even more friends, and more flexibility...and that we will get to study what they want, like cars and dinosaurs!
This is what God has layed on my heart.  I'm perfectly okay if it's not the same for you.  I do ask that as I accept your method of education for your children, that you accept my method for mine.  Please remember that you are raising yours the way you feel best and that my children belong to God that He is letting me raise for a time.  I've decided I no longer debate (mostly because I have learned I don't debate nicely, and neither do others).  I've also decided that those who don't accept our raising of our children the way we do it will no longer be with our children.  It's actually no body else's business.  :)

Please forgive me for being inappropriately prideful of my ways.

Love to all,
Ashley

My first Wood Working!

I've been working the last month on my very first wood working project.  I've quietly been working and photographing away to present the before and after photos altogether...and I'm SO PROUD!

Some of you remember me posting on FB about my horrible back entrance, which is our main entrance, because the only thing worse than the BACK entrance is the FRONT entrance!  Anywho, I decided to do something about it!  

Note the dark wood paneling and the ugly 1960's tile.

                

Here is the back door that from the stairwell.  Note the shelving unit, also from 1960.

              

And here is the main thing I set out to do!  I originally planned just to remove this peg-board in the hanging area and put up wainscotting.

As you can see below, it quickly became a very big job!

By the time I got to this point, I realized that there was no way I was going to fit the big plywood pieces of wainscotting paneling behind the shelving unit as it was.

So I let it sit for 3 days and thought about what I was going to do.  I finally got the nerve to rip the shelves all out!

First up, was the paneling!  Clark had to help me hold it against the wall while I screwed it to the studs, since Justin wasn't home.

Of course I don't have any pictures of ME actually using my new Dremel Saw Max, but I did!  I used that to cut every piece of wood!  I also dreamed up this whole design myself and drew a picture with dimensions and went up to my Assumption lumber store!

 Below is the ONE area I had to have Justin's help.  He had to hold this top support board while I screwed it in.  Poor Clark was too short!  :(

I then used my Sherwin Williams adhesive primer (latex) to prime it all, after a stunt of staining...which was hideous!

I noticed the lid to my 2 year old can was getting rusty so I decided to use every last drop of primer on those ugly paneled walls and trim work!

I went ahead and painted the shelving unit gateway grey from SW...the same color as my living room walls. Hey, I had an entire gallon!

I painted the entry walls camel back from SW, which I had used on my first/second floor stairwell and hall.  I decided to paint that ugly brown paneling dover white from SW.  All these colors are in the HGTV color collection at SW, so I know they all 'match.'

And here is the finished product with coat hooks!

I plan to add some pictures to that top part along with crown molding.  I also plan to add more pictures to the white walls of our family doing outdoor activities in sepia.  I also have a couple places that I would like to add some wall word decals, such as "Happy trails to you, until we meet again!"

I'd really like to thank Ana White for her amazing website and blog and her encouragement and inspiration!  Although I didn't use any of her plans because mine was a special built in unit, I did look at several of her plans for ideas on how to build my own!  She has amazing free plans to build almost anything.  

Happy building,

Ashley

James 1:27 & Hebrews 13

Blame it on my optimistic attitude, but I just don't understand.

I don't understand a lot of our culture's views, but my heart hurts, and I get sick when I realize our views on children.

James 1:27

Today's New International Version (TNIV)

²⁷ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Jesus tells us, through his Word, to 'look after orphans.'  So you see, I'm a little confused when I see churchy people doing churchy things, and when I hear churchy people talking churchy talk, but I don't see them taking initiative and being God's hands and feet and caring for the least of these...children.  It's simply doing what God has called the Body of Christ to do.


I hear lots of arguments from mothers over what is the best or right thing to do for your children or the best or right way to parent your children...from homeschooling vs public school (myself included on this one!), breast feeding vs formula, when the appropriate time to stop breast feeding is, attachment parenting and co-sleeping vs. crib sleeping, and all the other crazy fights we mothers get into!


The thing is, these children, that belong to those mothers...they actually HAVE mothers!  I'm not worried if a caring mother is still breastfeeding her preschooler.  I'm so happy that child has a mother that feeds him!  


Here is what I don't understand. So please help me.


I don't understand what the big deal is when it comes to taking children into your home to give them a loving place and a loving family, while the issues with their own families are being worked out.  I don't understand how the fear of the unknown trumps the hurt in that child's life...how your fear is bigger than a child without a home and family.  I don't understand that even if it is impossible for you to foster children, why you can't help them in some other way.  


I'm trying not to judge.  I know that fostering is beyond hard.  I know the problems involved in fostering.  I know the 'what-if's'.  What I'm trying to understand is how these things are bigger than God and His help.  Help me understand what it is that keeps the Body of Christ from helping the helpless.

Let me tell you a story I got from my friend Jami.  Jami is a foster parent and advocate for foster children.  She has a great site here.  I searched and searched Jami's blog for this story, but this is what I remember her sharing with me.

'Kyle' is a little 9 yr old boy living at an orphanage, although here in the States, orphanage sounds too bad so we call them Residential Facilities.  Anyway, every week his momma comes to visit him and each and every week she says and promises to him "I'm gonna get you back this time. I'm gonna fix this and I'm gonna bring you home."  'Kyle's' mom made these very promises right before she got into her car, already packed with everything she could take, and left for Las Vegas...for good.

There are currently over 500,000 children in the foster care system in the United States.  A large fraction of those are in an institution, or facility, waiting for a foster home to take them in.  While these children have just been taken from their homes, they are also being separated from their siblings, because a foster home won't take a sibling group.  These children are alone, scared, and broken.

I'm urging you to ask God what you can do for these children, for these Forgotten Children.  
Please ask me what you can do to get involved in helping these children, and click on over to The Forgotten Initiative to see what people all over the nation are stirring up and ways to 'look after orphans'!  And when you need God's encouragement...Hebrews 13.

Love you all,
Ashley

Not Just a Hat Rack!

Happy Monday!!!

My husband has 2 sayings for me.  When I say something semi-intelligent its' "So it's not just a hat rack!"  And when I say something not so intelligent, it's "Sooo preeeetty," as he caresses the back of my head.

The truth is, I wear a LOT of hats, but I'm not just a hat rack.  Sure, I've been called 'flighty' a time or two...mostly by people who have long ago gave up any dreams or passions they themselves once had.  As a stay at home mom, I have the privilege to try just about anything my heart desires...and of course, as long as I can scrape up the money to fund one of my little ventures!  The blessing of being a housewife and mother, is that I have the time and energy to find out what makes my heart skip a beat. 

 How many people really get to say that?!

One of my latest interests is essential oils.  

Ya, that 'Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman' ...I can heal all ailments with a special concoction all of my own.

Stay tuned for part 2...how to use essential oils.

-Ashley

Our Homeschooling Plan!

I've had so many moms email or say to me "You are so motivated!  I could never be disciplined enough to homeschool my kids!"  I used to think the same thing when it came to homeschooling.  Here's the real scoop, though:

I'm not disciplined enough or motivated enough for traditional schools!

We've already established that I am not a morning person!  No amount of diet pepsi is going to change that!

I want to let anyone who's considering homeschooling, or even, has had the same thoughts above, to see my plan of action and what I did as a homeschooling mother to preschoolers, and what my homeschooling days will be, starting next month.

Preschool:  This was easy-peasy!  I did actually have curriculum but threw it out.  What worked best for us was TIME4LEARNING, an online curriculum.  We also read, went to the library, and I tried to be intentional about teaching the boys things from everyday life.  It's preschool, folks: letters, shapes, and numbers!  We also did lots of crafts, projects, and field trips.

This year, I will have a 1st grader and a kindergartner, both boys, both completely different!  We start our school year Tuesday, June 5th this year.  We won't usually have 'school' on Mondays.  I don't like Mondays.  I'm still tired from our busy weekends, the house is usually a disaster from the weekends, and plus, lots of national and state holidays are on Mondays anyway.  I use Mondays to clean up and prepare for the week ahead.  The kids use Mondays to play  :)  We will also be schooling year-round, with a break every couple of months, or whenever we are feeling a little burnt out, or decide to go on vacation...whatever.  We like flexibility.  With this approach, we won't have to 'catch up' and re-teach what was spent 9 months teaching the previous year either.

I won't label my schooling approach, except to say that we are not 'classical.'  Yuck!  Classical is what we hate about traditional schools!  We will start school whenever Baby goes down for her nap, usually around 9/10 am and usually be done by lunch.  However, learning is a lifestyle and we will do that all through the day!  

Curriculum:  I am using Apologia Astronomy this year, a creation-based science curriculum.  It's for grades K-6 and adaptable for each age.  This will be our main study this summer, as it has Bible memorization, copying, and fun project things too!  Heith LOVES cars so we will be reading lots of car books and also using cars for our math...Heith is hands-on and needs actual tangible items to learn math concepts.  I haven't decided on a phonics/reading program yet.  If I start one, it won't be till the fall.  I really don't believe in forcing reading upon children, however, once they know how to read, their whole world opens up!  And it's so much easier for momma when little ones know how to read!  The boys are also having lots of fun on abcmouse.com.  It's age appropriate, learning geared, computer games.  I also plan to talk about important holidays and have crafts and projects each week.  We will also take lots of field trips...mostly because momma likes field trips.  And for those who wonder about art, music, physical education, and library...our public school barely touched on those subjects, so I think that piano lessons, songs to help in learning, crafts, lots of playing, running, and league sports, and our weekly walks to our public library will cover all that for a while.

I almost forgot!  One of them most fun things about homeschooling is our homeschooling group!  We belong to a county-wide group of other homeschoolers.  Some of the families come together to teach their children certain subjects, have reading groups, plan group field trips, holiday parties, play groups...we even go swimming in our friend's indoor pool each week during the winter months!  It's a great way to make friends with similar values, and even more fun for the mommas who love moms' night and gaining knowledge from each other.

I am most excited about getting my kids back.  They will learn patience, how to get along with each other, how to work and clean up after themselves, how to respect adults, how to serve others, and how to be a part of our family.  My values and 'character training' isn't based on some false value system, but the Word of God.  I can show them in black and white, what God's plan for his children is.  And when asked the almighty social question, I say "if they can love and get along with their own family, they can love and get along with anyone."

The truth of the matter is, any responsible adult can teach their own children.

My school is different than the next homeschooler's.  There's not a right or a wrong way, but your way.  I'm so thankful that in Illinois, we have the freedom to teach what, when, and in what method, we prefer!  There are never-ending resources available both online and in your public library regarding homeschooling.  You can pick and choose what you want, how you want to use it, what your family's beliefs about different methods are.  I have found a ton of neat stuff on pinterest!  

Beating Around The Bush!

My sister and I took an evangelism personality test yesterday with some members of our church.  Our conversation went like this:

Me: Amy, you are not a "don't beat around the bush person!"  IIII don't beat around the bush!  *I said in my best unsolicited, looking over her shoulder at her answers, answer.

Amy: I am, it's just that YOU have NO FILTER! 

...and that about sums it up, folks!  My personality test (for the Bible Study Contagious Christian) said I am "Direct"...definitely.


Well, after my post about the teacher feeding his students sperm, I got some comments on my facebook page and also a private email, which I will keep private.  However, the gist of the email was that I hurt her feelings and also may hurt the other parents and/or staff of our small community school with my negative thoughts on schooling.

Folks, in my mind, I have only touched on the TIP of the iceburg with my thoughts on government schools and homeschooling!  I know!  'What on Earth else could I POSSIBLY have left to say?!'

Here's where these two subjects connect:
I am so direct, at times, that I am mean.  I don't, usually, ever try to be mean.  In fact, that's why I keep many of my thoughts and convictions on homeschooling vs. government schooling private...I know they would be hurtful to many people, because I am horrible at telling stories beautifully (like my blogging friend Glennon).  I am horrible at sugar-coating, showing the glass half-full...whatever you want to call being 'gentle and respectful'...I am really bad at that.

So, for hurting feelings, I am so sorry.

This class is opening my eyes on cautions I need to take with my personality.  I know that being direct has so many positive aspects...Peter in the Bible had a 'direct' personality!  My sister also pointed out that Peter was murdered.  How's that for a caution?!

In seeking Him first, I am trying to be kind, gentle, respectful, and when I tell the Truth, to remember to tell it in love.

 Colossians 3:12

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

I do not judge (I try not to anyway!).  Most of the time when I tell my stories, my convictions, it's because of my experiences, because I WISH someone had shared those things with me before I had made so many mistakes.  

And, for those of you who so kindly, gently, and respectfully remind me of who I am called to be and correct me when I may be hurting feelings, THANK YOU!

Ashley

 

Teacher Spoon Fed Students His Semen

If I had more time, and interest, and brains, I would totally be all over the conspirator theories of when man first walked on the moon, Watergate, 9/11, aliens...the whole bit.
The "what if?", it's really, probably, what feeds my skepticism of government schools.  That, and the undeniable research that home-schooled children are better prepared for both college and life than their traditional schooled peers.  And because so many willingly stick their heads in the sand about the statistical, educational, benefits of homeschooling, much of society will continue to believe that government schools are the best thing since sliced bread.  Did I mention that sometimes I make my own bread...and slice it myself?  It's not hard.

I went with my kindergartner on a zoo and museum field trip today...it was fine, rainy, but fine and the kids had a blast.  What "got" me, were the other parents, mothers mostly.  You see, grade school has a kindergarten sleep over planned for this Friday night, 7pm-7am Saturday...all of the kindergartners.  The permission slip implied that parents were not welcome...some of the teachers would be chaperoning.  Immediately I told Clark no when he presented the permission slip to me.  Mostly because after 35 hours spent at school with state appointed teachers, of whom I don't know, at all, another 12 hours on 'my time' seemed over kill...especially for 75 five and six year olds.  Then there's the fact we have tball Saturday and I can't have a sleep deprived 6 year old throwing fits at tball.  However, it appeared most of the mothers were more than willing to drop their kids, their children, off at the school for the night.

I was beginning to wonder if I was the only mom who thought this was more than weird, but I found another, that agreed.  When I told my mom about this and told her that a few of the other moms made fun of me for not letting Clark attend (which I did not defend or give any reasons on why), she said it was completely my choice, but thought it was weird.  "Exactly!!!" I said!  "Me too!"  And, folks, my mom is pretty liberal, pretty 'go with the flow' and do what's normal; as in she's not a skeptic of government schools like I am.  So then I asked my sister about this, who has a soon to be kindergartner...she had me google this:

"Teacher spoon fed semen to students"

You read that right!  The well known, well liked teacher photographed 23 different children, ages 7-10 years, bound, gagged, and even with cockroaches on their faces, spoon feeding them his semen.  And before you think that your child would tell someone, none of these children told a soul!  He was turned into the police by the person who was processing his film.  DNA evidence was later found in his classroom.  It also took a year before this man was arrested after he was fired.

Here's the video news clip...very short but summarizes.  

Now I know some of you are naively thinking "but that was in LA, and I know my kids' teachers very well, and that would never happen at my school."  Let me remind you, these parents knew this man very well too,  he was regularly invited to students' private parties as a friend, and these parents never thought this would happen to their child either.

And for those of you who say "but we can't protect our kids from everything."  You are right, we can't.  BUT, we CAN protect our kids from something like this.  The truth is, horrifying things like this, happen all over the world, all over our safe country, and if you look hard enough, perhaps in your own community schools.

My children will not be attending government schools next year, or the years following.  My job is to care, protect, teach, and raise my children, and one way I can do that is to home-school them.

One Bible version reads Proverbs 24:12 this way

  "Once our eyes were opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do.  God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us responsible to act."  Prov. 24:12 

I'd love to hear your comments, as I'm sure this will be controversial.  The right things usually are because they usually aren't the easy things.  Your comments are welcome, but please remember they will only be published as long as they are kind and loving...you may disagree in a respectful way.

Ashley

Menu Plan 04/15/12

Some weeks I'm on top of the meal/menu planning.  Sometimes, I'm even on it enough to make an extra batch to freeze!
This week is going to be one of those weeks!

I've gotten some emails wanting to know where I get some of my recipes, so I will share a few here, with each menu item.

THIS WEEK...
1. Garlic Chicken Alfredo...I use store bought alfredo sauce and penne noodles with baked organic chicken breasts
2. Chicken Salad Sandwich-for lunch or hubby's snack
3. Chicken Pot Pie
...obviously I'm not going to serve all this in a row, BUT I WILL bake/boil all my chicken at one time.
4. Spaghetti and Garlic Cheese Bread
5. Oven Baked Round Steak and Ranch Roasted Potatoes...the steak I just bake with crm of mushroom and butter, at like 350/375.
6. Ham and Cheese Sliders

Also, on my grocery list are things like frozen pizzas, bacon, velveeta cheese (for homemade mac&cheese), and ingredients for healthier pancakes, for breakfast.  We will also try these super smoothies.  I try to keep a couple of basics on hand like ingredients for cheeseburgers or tacos, in case I don't plan well...those are fairly easy and quick to make.

And...for anyone wondering, my boys will probably not eat much any of this.  I will only serve this, but they will probably beg their daddy, who doesn't want them to go to bed hungry) for a peanut butter sandwich, and he will probably cave in and make it for them.

Ashley
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.  Proverbs 16:24

Lions and Tigers and School... OH MY!

I've been a little concerned about Heifer's approaching school year come this fall 2012.  Mostly, because he hates school and hates learning.  And I never want my kids to hate learning!  I believe Heith's biggest obstacle is the pressure to learn, on par, what came so naturally to his brother, Clark.  Clark is a typical first born, a people pleaser and does very well in school...the top of his kindergarten class!  Everyone in Clark's school, kids and teachers alike, love him!  Heith, on the other hand, is a little fire cracker!  He definitely marches to the beat of his own drum...and I absolutely love that about him!  He is what some might call a 'strong-willed child.'  I was a strong-willed child.  I was also a lot like Clark, so it's hard for me to understand not wanting to learn...I make a point to learn every day!

After much research, I am content and at peace with letting Heith learn through daily life...approaching everything we do with a teaching/learning perspective.  After all, he is FIVE!  However, sadly, too many of his close family still expect him to be on par with Clark.  They just simply haven't done the research that supports my beliefs and methods.

Side note:
I have learned to 'pick my battles' with Heith.  He knows I am in control, that I am the boss, but I also know it is important for him to feel in control...so he wears shorts on a lot of days that it is too cold.  He also eats cake for breakfast some mornings.  That's okay...some mornings I eat cake too!

I love this excerpt:

The “Moore Formula” includes three elements in approximately equal portions: study, work and service. They do not recommend formal academic studies before age 8 and in some cases, as late as 12. (My younger daughter fell into this older category.) This does not mean that the child does not learn anything until age 8+. Children are learning voraciously from birth and only the roadblock of clumsy “schooling” can retard or stop a child’s otherwise insatiable thirst for knowledge. Books are useful and important tools, but for a young child, the world is filled with much better learning opportunities than can be found on the printed page alone. When a child is allowed to explore and question and wonder, whole worlds of interest can open that might never be discovered otherwise. In this homeschooling style, a child might learn to read at five, at seven or at twelve, depending on the child.

You can read the entire article and see related sources here.  Some people can't see the forest for the trees...I want what is best for my kids...in the long run.  I want them to excel all through their school years and beyond.  I want them to never stop learning and never stop wanting to learn.  I want them to graduate, being able to read well, even if that means waiting for a few more years to start.

What have your experiences been with 'strong-willed' children and learning to read?

-Ashley

Sex Ed

There was this time that my sister and I took our 3 boys to the zoo.

There was a turtle, the ginormeous turtles, display...and they were...ughem!
Amy and I had 'no idea' what they were doing!!!

Here is a hilarious, laugh until you cry, piece of advice...of maybe what not to do!

Enjoy!
-Ashley

State of Affairs

We've had A LOT going on lately, so I'll try to condense some of our activities into one post!  After being called a lazy mom, by someone other than myself, I thought I'd try to not appear so lazy!  :)

Last month, we all took a Saturday trip to a local car museum.  Blaire liked the chrome.

 Heith found his favorite car.

Clark couldn't decide on the real cars but he was impressed with the wall FULL of antique tiny cars.

...and the crew together!

We've also been REALLY enjoying the warm, sunny days this past month!  It's felt like early summer!

And in Heith's spare time, he has been painting any. time. he. can!

 In mid-March, we also celebrated Justin's 32nd birthday!

Tonight, we colored Easter Eggs.  Here the boys are waiting for their eggs to color, and Blaire is snacking...trying to keep her occupied so she didn't pull the whole project off into the floor!

Blaire and I taking our own picture with my new iPad.  She looks a lot like Heith at this age...it's the blonde hair!

OH...my proudest DIY project this week...a growth chart.  I found it at dearlillie and was forbidden to spend over $100 (with shipping and tax) on this...SOOOO...I made it, yes, made it myself...ALL BY MYSELF!  For ONLY $16!  It turned out great and it's just perfect!  I can measure and mark my kids' height and have this forever.  If we ever move I can take it with us, I don't have to worry about painting over it when my doorway needs repainted (like every 6 months)...perfect solution and keepsake!

We also had Blaire's 12 month pics taken.  This is her new car!  She turns ONE tomorrow!  

See ya later,

Ashley

My eyes were opened...

Those of you who follow me on facebook, have seen me post recently about foster care.  My heart has always been open to foster care, but unfortunately, I didn't know much about the foster community, or where I could help. 


My Foster Story:
Well before I knew who I would be marrying, I thought about foster children and having them in my home.  I grew up knowing some foster kids and saw a tiny bit of their needs.  So a few months back, I brought up the issue of becoming foster parents to my husband.  He, very matter of factly, said NO.  I spent some time on-line looking at the requirements for becoming a foster parent, local statistics (WOW), statistics and stories in other countries, and approached him again, with the 'look into my eyes' approach...I still got a NO out of him.  Then a couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege to hear Jami Kaeb speak and tell her story...how God has led them through adoption, foster parenting...the whole bit.  I think I cried through her entire talk!  She showed us this video.  Wish I could figure out how to upload it to my blog.


So I went home, looked up her organization The Forgotten Initiative, and knew I had to get involved.  God had been preparing my heart for these forgotten children over the last several months.  Once my eyes were opened, I felt such an urgency to act, to help, to care.
  "Once our eyes were opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do.  God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us responsible to act."  Prov. 24:12


I've been contacting the local agencies in Christian County.  Kemmerer Village, in Assumption, IL, has a big, immediate, need for snacks...for children to take on visits, particularly ones that have a long expiration date, like single packages of goldfish crackers, 100 calorie snack packs, etc.  They also need gift cards to McDonald's or other places where they have to stop and feed the children.  Any $ increment would help.


This is something that we can do to encourage the workers at these agencies, but to also let these kids know that they are not forgotten.  God has not forgotten or forsaken them, Jesus loves them, and the Body of Christ loves them.
"Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble.  Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon." Isaiah 58:10


My prayer is that the local Body of Christ will get involved, will see this need, and will act.  I am praying that God will do something miraculous because I know that He is able!
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen."  Ephesians 3:20-21


Please contact me if you have donations or are able to help these forgotten children in anyway.


-Ashley

The Glue Holding Me Together

(I don't know WHY there are linked ads to my page, but please ignore the underlined words with links.  I will try to get this figured out but I have seen them on several other blogs too.)


I've been having this weird thing recently.  I'm not sure what it is...guilt maybe?  Some would say I have plenty to feel guilty for..and I do.

I live a pretty normal life...if there ever were such a thing.  I'm mostly happily married to a pretty great guy.  I have three beautiful, healthy kids, live in a big, beautiful home, and get to stay home to raise my kids.  Most would say that's pretty lucky, blessed.  And I am.  By normal, I mean, I like to think I'm pretty low-key.  Most days I just shower and put on sweats...maybe some foundation and mascara, and I might straighten my hair.  Most days I just stay home, with my only outing being the ten minute drive to pre-k.  I usually can be found either in my kitchen or outside with the kids and my great neighbors.  Mostly, I don't have much to think about, or do, except take care of my family, mostly.

So I was sitting in church Sunday...with my make-up on, hair done, wedding rings (I don't always wear them), a sweater and long skirt, Bible in hand...looking pretty 'Christian-ey.'  I found myself looking around at everyone else, who seems so 'put together.'  I wondered what was on their minds and hearts.  I wondered if they had secret sin or a wretched past that they couldn't forgive and forget, or "what if they were really as put together as they looked?".  I found myself wondering what the worst thing my pastor's wife had ever done, what about the lady two rows behind me, the cute married couple holding hands...had they come to that bad times in their marriage yet?  I say 'yet', because the pastor at weddings say 'in good times and in bad,' assuming there will be bad times.  I'm comparing these people to myself.

I know the Bible says that God's grace is sufficient, but that doesn't stop me from thinking that I'm not worthy to be called a follower of Christ.  It doesn't stop me from thinking I'm not worthy to be called a Christian.  I know, in my head, that people mess up, that I mess up, royally.  I know that God has forgiven me, because he says so:

1 John 1:9- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 So my guilt, your guilt?  I think it's just a consequence of our sin.  God's Word says not to conform to this world, but to be transformed.  So I'm taking that as Him telling me to start fresh again tomorrow.  My sins are forgiven, I have His Peace, and I am fixing my eyes on Jesus.  He already bore my sins and my shame that day on the cross, and my sins have been removed:

Psalm 103:12- As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

So, next week in church, I will be sitting there, hopefully fairly put-together (it's usually my one-time-out from my rural town during the week), and I will know that Jesus has already forgiven and forgotten my sin.  I will rejoice and give Him praise.  I will be confident that I have learned a valuable lesson from my sin and His grace.  I have a story of redemption that I can share with others, others who are struggling to be and feel as 'put together' as they may look.  And my greatest hope is that I will be open, smiling, and approachable; that I will be able to encourage someone, to let them know that I'm not 'put together,' but that the glue holding me together, is Jesus.

-Ashley

Meeting the Duggars!

That's ME!  With Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar!  After standing in line (for only 45 minutes), I got to meet them, shake their hands, talk with them, get a signed family photograph, and get my picture taken with them!  

I had a wonderful time this past weekend at Hearts at Home!  I sat in on some amazing workshops of ladies sharing their hearts, their wisdom...And of course, while I knew I would have a nice time at something like this, I really went to meet the Duggar Family!  I was so happy that I had the chance to meet them!  I didn't even have to stalk them to their hotel rooms or restrooms!!!

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I was completely and utterly star-struck once it was my turn to meet them.  I had rehearsed in my head for days what I would say and once I got the chance all that came out was "Hi!  I love your show!"  Duhhh...

Michelle was so nice and graceful though...she got right into conversation, offering a signed photograph, pictures, and talking about her daughter Joy Anna, who was sitting next to her.  I cropped her out because she was completely bored with me enthralled with something else.

So, that was my fun celebrity meeting!  Nobody else I would rather have met!

-Ashley

For such a time as this

Any of you who know me, I mean know me, know that my house is usually a disaster.  I've been better though. I've been trying to get it cleaned up and keep it cleaned up.  However, this week hasn't been my best week.  It's been so nice out so we've taken some field trips, played outside a lot, and indoor cleaning has been put on the back burner.

Today, I lay Blaire down, and decide it's the perfect time to go to the basement and tackle the laundry.  The windows are open, Heith is on the back patio playing with cars...
Then...the door bell...

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven   -Ecclesiastes 3:1

Love is Kind

So here's the deal, folks...

I try my best to pour myself out on my blog, mostly as a personal diary, which happens to be very public, but also with the hopes to encourage other women in the same season of life that I am in.  While I don't claim to know everything, I know a few things...mostly because I practiced ignoring God's Word for far too long, and gained painful wisdom as a result.

While I may not be a very good comedian, the majority of my blog posts are meant to lift your mood, and make fellow parents, fellow mothers, laugh.  The rest of my posts are simply meant to explain my views on things, however narrow they may be.  And in 15 years, those views may be polar opposite!  But, again, it's my diary.  It's something to look back on in the future and laugh at my days, thoughts, and crazy moments.

As a result of my lazy parenting post, I've received a few harassing comments from a 'courageous' anonymous reader.  While I posted the first one, because I thought it showed someone's honest opinion and I didn't find it outlandishly rude, I have not posted the others.  I will continue to post comments, as long as they are kind, loving, and uplifting, even if they are not in agreement with my thoughts and views.

And because I know a few things, I know enough that any response of mine will never be good enough to help that person's heart.  Because I'm trying ever so hard to be a better person, to be an encouragement, and to give others the benefit of the doubt, because I believe, that people really are trying their best to get through the day, I'm remembering that love is patient and love is kind.

With all of that said, have a great weekend readers!  We are off to do some fun stuff today...mostly because Heifer woke me up at 6:30 ready to go outside biking.

love,
Ashley

GCB...

I DVR'd a new television show the other night: ABC's GCB.  And I laughed!  Mostly because the story line is all too familiar to anyone who knows anything about southern women who live in wealthy communities.  I wondered what GCB stood for, but figured someone would fill me in eventually.  I was surprised that that someone was HSLDA.

Here's the facebook post that caught my eye.

HSLDA

A note from Michael Farris, Chairman of HSLDA.

ABC TV has decided that it can take direct aim at Christians with what amounts to hate speech. This is the premise of its new program GCB (which stands for Good Christian B*****es). We need to fight back.

This program ridicules Christians, Christianity, the Bible, and Christian symbols in ways that would be unthinkable if aimed at any other religious group. For example, in the official FB page for GCB it said that "cleavage will help keep your cross straight." Can you imagine the reaction in the Muslim community if that kind of message (complete with a highly suggestive photo) would have been made aiming at a symbol of the Islamic faith?

Here is why this impacts homeschooling. There was a decision of the Supreme Court of New Hampshire about a year ago affirming a decision to take a girl out of homeschooling because this method of education had the impact of advancing the girl's Christian faith. The government of Alberta is trying to force Christian schools and homeschools to affirmatively teach the moral equivalency of homosexuality--and specifically forbidding any instruction that homosexuality is sin--during the school day.

These decisions are being made because it is becoming publicly acceptable to demean Christianity. Our freedoms go with our faith. If they can attack our faith, they surely will attack our freedom. There are law review articles which I have written about in the past with law professors at major universities arguing that homeschooling should be eliminated in the United States because it is necessary to teach our children tolerance.

These anti-Christian homeschooling arguments are a subset of anti-Christian hate-speech and bigotry. We need to stand up and fight back.

I am going to post a list of all of the sponsors of this program in a series of comments. I especially want to urge all of you to contact Wal-Mart. How dare they sponsor a show aimed at the ridicule of Christians--particularly southern Christian women. But please start your protests by contacting ABC Television with an email. The link is provided.

Thanks for your action.

Michael Farris http://abc.go.com/site/contact-us

ABC's Contact Us

abc.go.com

And now, I'm a little uncertain about the show, the government, laws, my rights, and certainly my faith.  I can see the negative side to this show.  I really can.  I see it as just one more stepping stone to an even more insane, immoral nation, with consequences we have never imagined.  My problem is this: at what point can we just be?  What point can we have a good laugh and say "I know a town like that."?  What point can we stop worrying every minute of every day about homeschooling rights, parental rights, gay rights, religious rights, socialism and communism, abortion, the millions of starving children, and the other 2billion things there are to screw with our heads and society during the day?

I don't know the answer to this.  I wish I did, because I worry about many of these things and how they will affect me, my family, and my great nation.  I worry how the future will look in 50 years, and if I will even be able to recognize our Country.

But, God says this

Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

And I'm secure in His love for me and my relationship with him, that He is in control.  Ultimately, I rest in His hands.  I think the best that I can do is raise my children to be good, God fearing men and women, and leave the rest up to Him.

-Ashley

Found my "really good" thing!

I'm pretty average at a lot of things.  It's a gift.  I might even go so far to say that I'm efficient at a few things.  However, I'm not really good at hardly anything.  It's a down-fall...one of many, I'm afraid.  

I can, most mornings, get my kids to school on time, roughly.  I can even do a pretty good job with the Christian thing.  I strive for those really good things, but they come very few and far between.

My mornings usually go something like this:

Clark (6): Mommy, it's time to wake up and get ready for school.  (He's been secretly playing on my phone since he got up at who knows what time, and the school alarm just went off."

Me:  Okay love.  I'll be down in a few minutes.  Go brush your teeth  and if you want, eat a banana.

 Clark: (10 minutes later)  Mommy, I didn't feel like eating breakfast this morning but I brushed my teeth and you need to get up now, lazy bones.

or sometimes it goes like this...as did this morning...all the above happened, but I decided we were going to have a late start to our day.  My town's appropriate school start time and my appropriate school start time differ.

Heith (just 5): Mommy, I'm hungry and I can't find the poptarts.

Me:  They are in the pantry.  Scoot a chair over so you can see higher or ask Clark to help.

Heith: Well, I'd really like for you to cook me something!

Me: I'm not cooking.  What do you want?

 Heith: I want like some sausage.

Me: (thinking) You can do that.  Get a microwaveable plate, get the sausage and push the 1 on the microwave.

Heith brings me a plate to my bed, on the second floor: Is this plate microwaveable?

Me: YES BABY!  It sure is!  Good job!

Heith: (roughly 2 minutes later) Here mommy is the sausage.  I brought you a knife and the syrup so you can cut it for me and I need you to open the syrup and poor it on.

At this point, I'm a very proud momma!  Not only has my just turned 5 yeard old son figured out how to make himself breakfast, while I lay trying to go back to sleep resting in my bed, I figured out what I'm really good at...

Are you ready?

I'm really good at...

RAISING SELF-SUFFICIENT KIDS!!!

Obviously, I TOTALLY rock at it!



What are YOU really good at?
-Ashley

THE LATE MOM

Anyone who has kids and does school pick-up, knows about the late mom.  The mom who is always late.  The mom who brings her daughter/son 20 minutes late and then picks them up 20 minutes late. The poor kid just sits there, in the hall, all alone, waiting...


Today, I pull in the school parking lot, late, and Heifer says "We're the first ones here, mommy!!!  I'm never the first one here!"  I had to burst his bubble and explain that he was still not the first one here, that we are, in fact, the last ones here.

So for pick up, I pull in the school parking lot, late.  Disclaimer: I am never early for pick up, BUT I have a theory, that I strictly adhere to...If I get there early, then I have to sit in my car and wait on the teachers!  THEN, I have to wait in line, in the cold, to grab my kid!  So there, that's why I don't believe in being early for pick up.  And if I am?  Well, I have a magazine (a very old one because being early doesn't happen often) in my van that I pick up and read until all the other responsible, waiting kind of parents, have grabbed politely waited in line for their children, and exited the parking lot.

So, back to the late mom.  I always figure if I get there before the late mom, then I'm still a semi-responsible parent.  Right?!  Guess, just GUESS who was already there today, before I got there!  The freaking late mom!  I, yes me, the semi-responsible parent, who just tried to take a bath before returning to preschool to grab my kid, was the late mom!

But then, as I was pulling out of the parking lot, like a good 15 minutes after school got out, another late mom pulled in!  I was GOLDEN!!!

I've been sloooowly transitioning to natural products, even food...which is going even mooooore sloooooowly.

Anyway, this week, I have made my own dishwasher detergent and today, laundry detergent.  I've pinned on pinterest some other natural things I'm planning to try, including going shampoo free and a new natural face cleanser.  And my vinegar and water all purpose cleaner is working really well!

Below, is me grading the Fels Naptha Bar Soap...I'm using my pampered chef cheese grader...not the best tool and it took a good 10 minutes just to grade the soap, but it's the only grader I owned.

 After I graded it all, I added in the borax and washing soda into this big silver bowl.  I noticed it wasn't mixing well, so according to the blog from where I got this recipe, (hilighted above) I decided to grind it in my food processor.

 And this is the full mixture after grinding it all.  I had to do about 1-2 cups at a time for about 2 minutes each.

 And since I just made the dishwasher stuff the other day, here is a pic of it.  I have borax and washing soda in the clear container, I use 3 tblsp per load, and I put plain white vinegar in the rinsing spout, as the rinse agent.  Perfect!  And it ONLY took about 5 minutes.

 Many websites say to put the detergent in the wash water FIRST, then add clothing, so the detergent can dissolve.  I don't have that option since I have a front loader.  I put 2 tblsp (recommended amount) in my dry detergent spout, the bleach (for whites) and my fabric softener in each of their spouts.  I'm switching fabric softener, but haven't done it yet.

I just switched my wash load over to the dryer and it seems just fine!  There is NO smell, except the bleach smell I used on my whites.  They look clean, the powder seems to have dissolved and what hasn't dissolved, I'm confident my dryer with catch in the lint screen.

The whole laundry detergent process, from beginning to end, took about 20 minutes, maybe a max of 25.  I'm really excited to see how long this batch lasts me for my family of 5.  OH!  And I DO intend to use this for Blaire's cloth diapers, as well.

Have fun!
-Ashley