Another Nancy Campbell post-be encouraged!
ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE
Psalm 27:4, "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple."
David longed for the "House of the Lord." It was his favorite place to be. But David could not be in the house of the Lord continually, as much as he longed to. He was king of a nation. He had battles to fight; administration to attend to. But dear mother, we have the opportunity to live David's longing. Let me explain.
The house of the Lord is no longer one temple as it was in David's day. It is not even a church building where we attend on Sundays or Saturdays today. The house of the Lord speaks of His presence. God wants your home to be His house where His presence dwells; a place where you abide in Him and He abides in you. The house of the Lord is abiding fellowship with Christ. The house of the Lord is your kitchen where you prepare the meals; the house of the Lord is your dining table where you feed your family and make every meal a love affair; the house of the Lord is any room in the home where you are working or interacting with your children.
In your home you can behold the beauty of the Lord. As you abide in Him and look to Him, He will impart His grace to you in your time of need. He will show you that He is the God who is Enough for every challenge and every situation. He is with you, in your home, and will never leave you or forsake you. No, not even when everything seems overwhelming and you feel like tearing your hair out! You are still in the house of the Lord at this moment. Instead of despairing about the situation, stop for a moment and realize that God is with you. He has promised that He will not fail you. Thank Him that He is with you. Thank Him that He cannot fail you.
In your home you can inquire in His temple. David had to go God's temple to inquire of the Lord. He faced battles, enemies and challenges; He needed God's discernment, wisdom and strength. You also long for God's wisdom. You are desperate to know what to do. You cannot go on without His strength. Praise the Lord, you don't have to get into your car and rush off to a church building. You are in the house of the Lord right now. You can inquire in His temple right now. He will give you His wisdom. He has promised, remember.
All you have to do is abide--that literally means to live in His presence. It means to acknowledge that Christ is living within you and that you are in Him. You are inseparable. You are one. He is your life source. You can't live without Him (well, I can't anyway!). Your own strength wains; you need His. Your wisdom is human; you need His divine wisdom. Your love runs out the door; you need His agape love. You are depressed and down in the dumps; His joy does not depend on how you feel. You feel your life is worthless; you can only bear fruit to bless your family and touch other lives as you abide.
John 15:4-5 says, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me can do nothing." There it is. The secret to living in the house of the Lord all the days of your life.
How I love those words... "all the days of my life." It doesn't matter what my day is like, God is with me. It doesn't matter whether I think God has left me; He is bigger than my thoughts. My thoughts deceive but God doesn't change.
See your home in a new light. It is the house of the Lord. You can live in it all the days of your life.
Love from NANCY CAMPBELL
PRAYER:
"Thank you, Lord, for showing me that my home is the house of the Lord. Help me to enjoy my home in a new way. Thank you that I don't have to visit the house of the Lord. I live in it! Amen."
AFFIRMATION:
I am not a visitor but a dweller in the house of the Lord.
SCRIPTURES REFERRED TO IN THIS DEVOTION:
Look up Isaiah 41: 10, 13; Hebrews 13:5-6; James 1:5-8.
______________________________________________________________________We are an unaverage American family living on 2.5 acres in Texas with our 5+ homeschooled children and a handful of farm animals. We are taking one day at a time and living under the Lord's grace. May you be blessed as you read and learn more about "our road."
Friday, September 19, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
The Sounds of Life
This is such a beautiful picture of the home I pray for daily. The one I hope my children can look back on their childhood and remember. This is what I want my earthly family life to look like. I love this part the most, "fathers eating the fruit of their labors, of moms who radiate the glory of being fruitful vines, and of brothers and sisters who gather around the family table like precious olive plants (Psalm 128)." I encourage you to read Psalm 127 and 128. They are the perfect picture of what a biblical christian family should look like. These verses encompass all of who I am and daily strive to be.
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By Douglas W. Phillips:
Fatherhood and the Sounds of Life
Every day there are thousands of sounds competing for the attention of fathers.
There is the sound of the television set. This is the intoxicating call of the ancient siren, lulling men to slumber, urging them to check their brains at the door of their homes and float into a sea of passivity until they crash upon the rocks of life. There is the sound of the city and the business world. These sounds sometimes give men the false assurance that corporate success is the true test of manhood.
Then there are the diverse sounds of the world in general — a never-ending barrage of sound coming from the hum of machines, the chatter of people, and the background music that follows modern man from elevators to his car to the local coffee shop. These sounds remind us that we are not alone. But they also train us to be incapable of sitting in silence and communing with our God. Like a drug that takes away the pain of life at the expense of the clarity of the mind, these sounds often fill our heads with unnecessary distraction, such that it is a struggle to focus on the most important things.
We live in a world of sound pollution — too much sound, all the time. We spend so much time listening to indiscriminate sounds that we often fail to hear the music of life. We need to reduce the pollution and start listening to the most important music — the sounds that make a Christian household a Christian household.
There is music in the sound of a family worshipping the Lord together. There is music in the sound of babies laughing, of children studying at the family table, of sisters preparing meals for their family, and of moms reading bedtime stories to little ones. When these sounds truly reflect hearts that long to please their Heavenly Father, they make up the aroma of a life well-lived before the Lord.
Of course, the most beautiful music to a father’s ear are any sounds which allow him to experience the blessing of watching his children walking in truth. On this point, Jesus Christ, the author of Holy Scripture, wrote, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 1:4).
I am persuaded that the sounds of a household are a window into the soul of the family.
For most American families today, the sounds being projected are filled with the noise pollution of the television or even with the discordant shouts of family turmoil. In other cases, the modern household is an empty tomb — a shadow of what family life was meant to be. In these households, there is little sound because there are no children. Or perhaps the silence stems from years of family fragmentation in which mother, father, and children each have their own individualized lives largely lived out far from home.
For most American families today, the sounds being projected are filled with the noise pollution of the television or even with the discordant shouts of family turmoil. In other cases, the modern household is an empty tomb — a shadow of what family life was meant to be. In these households, there is little sound because there are no children. Or perhaps the silence stems from years of family fragmentation in which mother, father, and children each have their own individualized lives largely lived out far from home.
The Christian household is meant to be different. It is a place of love and living
And that means noise. It means houses filled with the glorious echoes of babies crying, of children playing, of mothers teaching, of fathers training, and even a few animals chirping, meowing, or woofing. It means life — with all of its glory, sadness, and joy. It means happy homes of highly eccentric families, each with their own unique vision, style, personality traits, and expressions.
And that means noise. It means houses filled with the glorious echoes of babies crying, of children playing, of mothers teaching, of fathers training, and even a few animals chirping, meowing, or woofing. It means life — with all of its glory, sadness, and joy. It means happy homes of highly eccentric families, each with their own unique vision, style, personality traits, and expressions.
These homes are not museums. That means they are rarely immaculate. Gloriously organized chaos is sometimes a more apt description. They are homes made up of grateful and forgiven sinners who recognize that there is no greater joy than to daily experience the nobility of the commonplace, from the simple disciplines of Christian life — prayer, studies, work — to the thrill of watching fathers eating the fruit of their labors, of moms who radiate the glory of being fruitful vines, and of brothers and sisters who gather around the family table like precious olive plants (Psalm 128).
Look for these households. For their number is growing. They are part of a great spiritual work where the hearts of parents are turning to their children and children to their parents (Malachi 4:6). And when you find them, listen.
Excerpted from the chapter “The Art of Home School Opera: The Blessing of Family Eccentricities,” from The Little Boy Down the Road: Short Stories and Essays on the Beauty of Family Life, by Douglas W. Phillips, to be released from Vision Forum, October, 2008.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Pox, Flu, & a Hurricane, Whew!
My previous post called "What a Day" should be renamed to "What a Week!"
Here's a day-by-day guide to my weekend. Just add it on to Tuesday when i got locked out of my car at Sam's and then went looking for my lost Ergo, wah!
Thursday:
This morning Claire woke up with spots all over her belly. Some even looked like a clump of spots, more like hives. Since she was exposed to Chicken Pox 2 weeks before, I just assumed it was beginning. We got lots of oatmeal ground up for oatmeal baths and i kept close watch on her spots all day. She also started running a fever that night.
Kate also popped up a really spotty looking diaper rash which i assumed might be chicken pox since she had possibly been exposed too. She was also finishing up antibiotics for an ear infection though, so it could have been a rash from that??? Very fussy!
Then Kenneth started running a fever and feeling sick/sleeping all day. Stomach flu???
Friday:
Claire woke up with no spots, hmmm...interesting. But within an hour, new spots emerged. Not definite raised pimple-like spots, like the books say, just red dots all over her lower body and arms. The fever continued all day and night getting up to 102.7. She loved her special oatmeal bath twice today. Girls are so girly!
Kenneth felt much better today, but then Owen started running a fever. By Friday night, he threw up all over the couch and continued throwing up all night. Poor guy even slept on the floor in our bathroom because he didn't think he'd make it to the toilet in time if he went to his bed : ( Lots of laundry today!
As if all of this wasn't enough, we had a major hurricane, named Ike, coming up our alley. What time i didn't spend bathing, holding, rocking, giving medicine, cleaning up throw-up, etc, i was running around outside cleaning up all our stuff and "hunkerin' down" as our neighbor called it. We were told to expect hurricane strength wind and lots of flooding rain beginning during the middle of Friday night.
Between the itching, crying, nursing, head-holding, tylenol giving, and crazy hurricane winds tonight, i think i slept about 10 seconds. One time, all 3 of the kids were crying for me at the same time, what to do? Of all times, out of 365 days a year, a major hurricane, chicken pox and a stomach flu all hit my house in the same night. Amazing! It is amazing how God gives us the strength to get through what ever may come our way.
Saturday:
Owen woke up feeling fine, hmmm. Claire woke up with new spots again, hmmmmm. Kate was extremely fussy, ugh, and outside the wind was blowing so hard that when we tried to open the door it actually came flying open into the house along with rain, yikes!
The blessing of all of this happening at the same time was that Kenneth wasn't able to go work at all today, yay! So I did get to sleep a little extra in the morning and even take a short nap in the afternoon. He and Cody even "braved" the hurricane force winds to go get us all donuts! I was watching the news while they were gone and the reporter was laughing that Starbucks was actually open during a hurricane. Several cars drove by and he laughed more wondering where all these people would be going in the middle of a hurricane. If i was not so shy, i would have called in and told him they were probably all headed to the donut shop just like my hubbie! We wound up watching movies and eating donuts in our pajamas most of the day, how fun! And of course, Claire and Kate enjoyed more oatmeal baths. We did actually drive into town Saturday evening to pick up some dinner and check out all of the damage.
Sunday:
We spent today cleaning up all of the wind blown stuff and assessing the storm. The only major thing we had happen was the trampoline net enclosure ripped almost all the way around. So now the enclosure is not really "enclosed." The kids think its fun to wrap their bodies all around in it like fish, though. We were very blessed to get through a hurricane this easily. We never even lost power once!
Claire spots are the same as yesterday, finally, but only one spot has opened and scabbed. I could just as easy think it was a scratch??? So, i have no idea if she really does have chicken pox, maybe just a mild case or something totally different. She's acting and feeling great. And Kate, i'm not sure about either, maybe just a mild case too. I guess we'll know in 2 weeks if she or the boys show up with chicken pox.
Has anyone else had a similar experience with chicken pox?
I have some great pictures of all the shannanigins this weekend, hopefully i can post them soon.
Hopefully this week will be better!
Here's a day-by-day guide to my weekend. Just add it on to Tuesday when i got locked out of my car at Sam's and then went looking for my lost Ergo, wah!
Thursday:
This morning Claire woke up with spots all over her belly. Some even looked like a clump of spots, more like hives. Since she was exposed to Chicken Pox 2 weeks before, I just assumed it was beginning. We got lots of oatmeal ground up for oatmeal baths and i kept close watch on her spots all day. She also started running a fever that night.
Kate also popped up a really spotty looking diaper rash which i assumed might be chicken pox since she had possibly been exposed too. She was also finishing up antibiotics for an ear infection though, so it could have been a rash from that??? Very fussy!
Then Kenneth started running a fever and feeling sick/sleeping all day. Stomach flu???
Friday:
Claire woke up with no spots, hmmm...interesting. But within an hour, new spots emerged. Not definite raised pimple-like spots, like the books say, just red dots all over her lower body and arms. The fever continued all day and night getting up to 102.7. She loved her special oatmeal bath twice today. Girls are so girly!
Kenneth felt much better today, but then Owen started running a fever. By Friday night, he threw up all over the couch and continued throwing up all night. Poor guy even slept on the floor in our bathroom because he didn't think he'd make it to the toilet in time if he went to his bed : ( Lots of laundry today!
As if all of this wasn't enough, we had a major hurricane, named Ike, coming up our alley. What time i didn't spend bathing, holding, rocking, giving medicine, cleaning up throw-up, etc, i was running around outside cleaning up all our stuff and "hunkerin' down" as our neighbor called it. We were told to expect hurricane strength wind and lots of flooding rain beginning during the middle of Friday night.
Between the itching, crying, nursing, head-holding, tylenol giving, and crazy hurricane winds tonight, i think i slept about 10 seconds. One time, all 3 of the kids were crying for me at the same time, what to do? Of all times, out of 365 days a year, a major hurricane, chicken pox and a stomach flu all hit my house in the same night. Amazing! It is amazing how God gives us the strength to get through what ever may come our way.
Saturday:
Owen woke up feeling fine, hmmm. Claire woke up with new spots again, hmmmmm. Kate was extremely fussy, ugh, and outside the wind was blowing so hard that when we tried to open the door it actually came flying open into the house along with rain, yikes!
The blessing of all of this happening at the same time was that Kenneth wasn't able to go work at all today, yay! So I did get to sleep a little extra in the morning and even take a short nap in the afternoon. He and Cody even "braved" the hurricane force winds to go get us all donuts! I was watching the news while they were gone and the reporter was laughing that Starbucks was actually open during a hurricane. Several cars drove by and he laughed more wondering where all these people would be going in the middle of a hurricane. If i was not so shy, i would have called in and told him they were probably all headed to the donut shop just like my hubbie! We wound up watching movies and eating donuts in our pajamas most of the day, how fun! And of course, Claire and Kate enjoyed more oatmeal baths. We did actually drive into town Saturday evening to pick up some dinner and check out all of the damage.
Sunday:
We spent today cleaning up all of the wind blown stuff and assessing the storm. The only major thing we had happen was the trampoline net enclosure ripped almost all the way around. So now the enclosure is not really "enclosed." The kids think its fun to wrap their bodies all around in it like fish, though. We were very blessed to get through a hurricane this easily. We never even lost power once!
Claire spots are the same as yesterday, finally, but only one spot has opened and scabbed. I could just as easy think it was a scratch??? So, i have no idea if she really does have chicken pox, maybe just a mild case or something totally different. She's acting and feeling great. And Kate, i'm not sure about either, maybe just a mild case too. I guess we'll know in 2 weeks if she or the boys show up with chicken pox.
Has anyone else had a similar experience with chicken pox?
I have some great pictures of all the shannanigins this weekend, hopefully i can post them soon.
Hopefully this week will be better!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
More Sowing Seeds of Peace
Here is Part 3 of SOWING SEEDS OF PEACE from Nancy Campbell of Above Rubies. May you once again be encouraged in your walk with the Lord!
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Psalm 34:14, "Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it." (1 Peter 3:11)
Nothing in this life happens by chance. What we sow we reap. It is an eternal principle. I love what Henry Drummond says, "The Christian life is not casual but causal." To live in peace, we must sow seeds of peace. Jesus said,"Blessed are the peace-makers..." Peace doesn't just happen; we have to make it happen.
Let's look at a few more today.
Love Righteousness
Psalm 85:10 says, "Righteousness and peace have kissed each other." You can't have peace without righteousness. They are inseparable. But righteousness is more than turning away from evil. It is doing righteous deeds. Righteousness is not stagnant. It is alive. It is revealed in your facial features as you smile at your family and speak positive things; it comes out your fingertips as you work and toil for the blessing of your family or hug and embrace your children; it shows itself as you walk to do good deeds for your family and others.
We see this in Isaiah 32:17, "The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever." Do you notice that righteousness is a work? And do you notice the cause and effect? The effect is peace!
This following verse says, "And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places." If we want peace in our home we must sow seeds of righteousness. That will mean saying No to certain TV programs, DVDs and websites. It will mean taking a stand against the spirit of the world entering your home. Peace does not come by compromise or even by feeling good. Sometimes people equate peace with calm. Anyone can have peace when everything is going perfect. True peace rests on a foundation of righteousness. (Hosea 10:12)
Seek Reconciliation
You cannot have peace if you have estranged relationships. To enjoy peace you must seek healing and restoration. Sow seeds of reconciliation. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. You won't have peace unto you do. (Ephesians 4:26-27)
Forget your Worries
Ephesians 4:6-7 says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." In other words, don't worry about anything! Easier said than done! But if we want peace in our hearts and homes it is habit we must practice.
Each time you face another problem, instead of worrying, choose to turn it over to the Lord. Look to the Lord rather than your circumstances. It takes a while to get into this habit, but it will change your life. You can then walk in peace even in the midst of the storm.
My favorite Scripture, a special one for mothers, is found in Isaiah 26:3-4, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusts in thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength." When we sow the habit of bringing our thought life to the Lord, we will have peace. Not only peace, but perfect peace. It is actually a double word in the Hebrew meaning, peace, peace!
Husband/Wife Unity
Sow unity in your marriage relationship. If you don't have unity together, you won't have peace in your heart or home. And nor will your children know peace. When there is estrangement between you and your husband, the children will feel the brunt of it. Once again, you have to sow the seeds. It won't just happen. Realize the truth that God has made you one--not two, but one! Sow seeds to make this oneness a reality. Say Sorry. Forgive. Swallow your pride. Humble yourself. Shut your mouth. Speak soft words. Submit for your own blessing. As you sown these seeds, you'll reap peace.
Order your home
It is difficult to have peace when you live in a mess. 1 Timothy 5:14 tells us that the young women are to "guide the house." This phrase is translated from the Greek word, oikodespoteo, coming from two words: oikos - home, and despotace - master. God has given you the responsibility to manage your home--to keep it in order and running smoothly. Don't forget the principle of cause and effect. If you want peace, do things that will bring order and peace.
Declutter your home
If you have clutter everywhere, if your dishes and laundry are piling up, you will not be able to think straight. Order brings serenity. Sow seeds for a harvest of peace by de-cluttering your home. If you have loads of junk it can be daunting to start on this venture. Take one room at a time. Be ruthless. Get rid of everything you don't need. Purge. The more you eradicate, the more serenity will come to your soul.
Keep sowing your seeds of peace daily and your harvest time will come.
Love from NANCY CAMPBELL
PRAYER:
"Lord, thank you for reminding me that you want me to make peace. Help to be a peace-maker! As I sow seeds of peace, you will bring the wonderful harvest. Amen."
AFFIRMATION:
Peace-making is my job today!
*********************************************************************
Psalm 34:14, "Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it." (1 Peter 3:11)
Nothing in this life happens by chance. What we sow we reap. It is an eternal principle. I love what Henry Drummond says, "The Christian life is not casual but causal." To live in peace, we must sow seeds of peace. Jesus said,"Blessed are the peace-makers..." Peace doesn't just happen; we have to make it happen.
Let's look at a few more today.
Love Righteousness
Psalm 85:10 says, "Righteousness and peace have kissed each other." You can't have peace without righteousness. They are inseparable. But righteousness is more than turning away from evil. It is doing righteous deeds. Righteousness is not stagnant. It is alive. It is revealed in your facial features as you smile at your family and speak positive things; it comes out your fingertips as you work and toil for the blessing of your family or hug and embrace your children; it shows itself as you walk to do good deeds for your family and others.
We see this in Isaiah 32:17, "The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever." Do you notice that righteousness is a work? And do you notice the cause and effect? The effect is peace!
This following verse says, "And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places." If we want peace in our home we must sow seeds of righteousness. That will mean saying No to certain TV programs, DVDs and websites. It will mean taking a stand against the spirit of the world entering your home. Peace does not come by compromise or even by feeling good. Sometimes people equate peace with calm. Anyone can have peace when everything is going perfect. True peace rests on a foundation of righteousness. (Hosea 10:12)
Seek Reconciliation
You cannot have peace if you have estranged relationships. To enjoy peace you must seek healing and restoration. Sow seeds of reconciliation. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. You won't have peace unto you do. (Ephesians 4:26-27)
Forget your Worries
Ephesians 4:6-7 says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." In other words, don't worry about anything! Easier said than done! But if we want peace in our hearts and homes it is habit we must practice.
Each time you face another problem, instead of worrying, choose to turn it over to the Lord. Look to the Lord rather than your circumstances. It takes a while to get into this habit, but it will change your life. You can then walk in peace even in the midst of the storm.
My favorite Scripture, a special one for mothers, is found in Isaiah 26:3-4, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusts in thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength." When we sow the habit of bringing our thought life to the Lord, we will have peace. Not only peace, but perfect peace. It is actually a double word in the Hebrew meaning, peace, peace!
Husband/Wife Unity
Sow unity in your marriage relationship. If you don't have unity together, you won't have peace in your heart or home. And nor will your children know peace. When there is estrangement between you and your husband, the children will feel the brunt of it. Once again, you have to sow the seeds. It won't just happen. Realize the truth that God has made you one--not two, but one! Sow seeds to make this oneness a reality. Say Sorry. Forgive. Swallow your pride. Humble yourself. Shut your mouth. Speak soft words. Submit for your own blessing. As you sown these seeds, you'll reap peace.
Order your home
It is difficult to have peace when you live in a mess. 1 Timothy 5:14 tells us that the young women are to "guide the house." This phrase is translated from the Greek word, oikodespoteo, coming from two words: oikos - home, and despotace - master. God has given you the responsibility to manage your home--to keep it in order and running smoothly. Don't forget the principle of cause and effect. If you want peace, do things that will bring order and peace.
Declutter your home
If you have clutter everywhere, if your dishes and laundry are piling up, you will not be able to think straight. Order brings serenity. Sow seeds for a harvest of peace by de-cluttering your home. If you have loads of junk it can be daunting to start on this venture. Take one room at a time. Be ruthless. Get rid of everything you don't need. Purge. The more you eradicate, the more serenity will come to your soul.
Keep sowing your seeds of peace daily and your harvest time will come.
Love from NANCY CAMPBELL
PRAYER:
"Lord, thank you for reminding me that you want me to make peace. Help to be a peace-maker! As I sow seeds of peace, you will bring the wonderful harvest. Amen."
AFFIRMATION:
Peace-making is my job today!
Only at a Homeschool Conference!
A couple of weekends ago, I was blessed to be able to attend a Homeschool Conference in the Woodlands. My friend Kim kept my children one night and Kenneth the next. Of course I had the baby with me. It was so nice to be encouraged by all of the great speakers and I learned lots of great tips on HSing. I also loved getting to go through the vendor hall with lots and lots of neat and fun curriculum, books, etc. I was able to get everything I needed for this school year except one item.
One thing that struck me as I spent these two days trekking up and down escalators, elevators, and through mazes of people, was how kind and helpful everyone was to me and the baby. So here is my list of things you will most likely find or experience only at a homeschool conference:
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*Complete strangers you don't know at all will offer to hold your baby while you go to the bathroom just because they remember those days of having a little one and only 2 hands, and you let them!
*Vendors notice your struggle with choosing between curriculums and let you just take anything you want over night so you can sift through them and choose. He didn't even want my name and number, just said to bring it back the next day!
*People offer to hold your baby during a speaking session just so you can take notes without a squirmy baby in your arms! They will get the notes from a friend.
*You are not the only one walking around with a baby in an Ergo and most people actually know what an Ergo is!
*You attempt to go up the escalator with a baby in your arms and a stroller loaded down with everything but a baby and stuff starts to slide out the back of the stroller basket all over the escalator and people run up to grab it all and help you get off-yikes!
*Everywhere you look you see other mothers nursing their babies under a nursing cover and no one looks at them funny or gets mad that they are nursing in public!
One thing that struck me as I spent these two days trekking up and down escalators, elevators, and through mazes of people, was how kind and helpful everyone was to me and the baby. So here is my list of things you will most likely find or experience only at a homeschool conference:
***************************************************************************
*Complete strangers you don't know at all will offer to hold your baby while you go to the bathroom just because they remember those days of having a little one and only 2 hands, and you let them!
*Vendors notice your struggle with choosing between curriculums and let you just take anything you want over night so you can sift through them and choose. He didn't even want my name and number, just said to bring it back the next day!
*People offer to hold your baby during a speaking session just so you can take notes without a squirmy baby in your arms! They will get the notes from a friend.
*You are not the only one walking around with a baby in an Ergo and most people actually know what an Ergo is!
*You attempt to go up the escalator with a baby in your arms and a stroller loaded down with everything but a baby and stuff starts to slide out the back of the stroller basket all over the escalator and people run up to grab it all and help you get off-yikes!
*Everywhere you look you see other mothers nursing their babies under a nursing cover and no one looks at them funny or gets mad that they are nursing in public!
For my fellow homeschooling mama's out there, if you ever get the opportunity to go to one of these conferences, do it! You won't regret it.
Happy Homeschooling!!!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
What a Day!
Actually, couple of days.
Yesterday, Monday, was a crazy day. I don't know why. Maybe the weekend was so full that Monday got the brunt of not enough sleep and moodiness. Either way, it was an unpleasant day and everyone got to bed early!
So when Tuesday got going, everything was great. We got all of our school work done and everyone was in a great mood.
After nap time, i thought we'd quickly run to Sam's to get some grocery's. As we were getting out of the car, i had already locked the doors and put the keys in the diaper bag. Realizing my Ergo (baby carrier) wasn't where i normally keep it, i walked to the back of the car to see if it was there. As soon as i realized i had already locked the doors as started walking back, bang, the door was closed by one of my children. Of course the diaper bag with my wallet, cell phone, and keys, not to mention my other sling and the baby's paci were locked inside. I was so wanting to get one of those nice big cokes for us all to share too! Oh well!
So we went in looking for a phone to call Kenneth. Of course I couldn't get ahold of him, so i tried our neighbor also, but couldn't reach her either. I left messages for both and told the clerk to page us if either one called.
So off to the book section we went. The kids love looking at all the books and I actually got to look through a magazine and even got some really cute decorating tips (the high light of the day : ) It was probably only 20 or so minutes before we were paged. Kenneth said he would head home and get the spare keys and bring them to us. So we went on with our shopping and mozied around the store for probably 2 hours until he finally showed up.
All-in-all, we were there over 2 1/2 hours, but of course we made do. Free cookies from the bakery were a plus!
As if that whole escapade wasn't enough, when we finally got home around 5:30, I began thinking again about where my Ergo might be. My stomach sunk as I remembered the last place I used it was on Sunday at the GOODWILL store. I'm sure you all know that Goodwill is a resell store based on donations. Can you see where my story is headed!!! If someone just happened upon this crazy looking contraption called an Ergo and wanted to buy it with out a price tag, the clerk would just slap some ridiculously cheap price on it because they would have no idea what it's real value is (over $100!). Sick feeling again!
(Side note-I do not normally spend so much $ on stuff, but i had literally tried just about every baby carrier sold in the stores with my 1st 3 children and none of them held a candle to the Ergo. It really is that good and worth the price, assuming you only have to buy one ever!!! Thankfully we got some Christmas money the year Claire was born, so that's what paid for ours.)
I immediately called the store and of course no one knew anything about it. So i picked up my overly tired sleeping baby from our bed and loaded everyone back up in the car to drive back into town to the Goodwill store to go look for myself.
We looked for an hour and a half with no sign of it and picked up a few bargains along the way (I can't pass up a good deal), then left empty Ergo handed : (
So somewhere out there, someone is so excited that they just got the bargain of a life time. A $100 Ergo for $5 or some crazy price like that! Or someone saw it just draped there over a rack and thought, hmmmm, this looks neat, i'll just stick my baby in it and walk out, no one will ever know. Either way, I lose and so does my baby (she loves the Ergo!)
As we were going through the Arby's drive thru (since i was in no mood to still get home and cook dinner at 7:45), my dear, sweet children were plotting in the car, under their breath (not very quietly), about how they could save enough money to buy me another one for Christmas. I felt a little better listening to all of their giggling as they discussed it. Then, not long after that, my hubbie called and consoled me that we could buy another one, but of course me being so thrifty, it really kills me to do that.
Maybe the store will call and say they found it or someone amazingly turned it in after seeing the very tired woman with 4 children in tow helplessly searching the store for hours. That would be the hand of God!
But, for now, i will wait a few days, then go to Cloud Nine, here locally, to pick out a new one. This could be fun since they have updated them since i bought ours 3 years ago. I also love looking at the selection of cloth diapers she carries there. If you live in the B/CS area and are interested in any of this kind of stuff, stop by and check out Cloud Nine (its in the little strip where Bea's Alterations used to be just off Hwy 6 on Harvey).
So when you see me with a new Ergo on, just remember my totally crazy day and smile. Maybe it will make your day seem a little better!
________________________________________________________
I woke up this morning and remembered that my nursing cover was not in the diaper bag either. As i mentioned this to my hubbie he said that i also used it in the store. So now, not only did I lose my ergo, but also a nursing cover. I am totally kicking myself!
In the future, i will be putting my name and phone # in all of my stuff like this!
Yesterday, Monday, was a crazy day. I don't know why. Maybe the weekend was so full that Monday got the brunt of not enough sleep and moodiness. Either way, it was an unpleasant day and everyone got to bed early!
So when Tuesday got going, everything was great. We got all of our school work done and everyone was in a great mood.
After nap time, i thought we'd quickly run to Sam's to get some grocery's. As we were getting out of the car, i had already locked the doors and put the keys in the diaper bag. Realizing my Ergo (baby carrier) wasn't where i normally keep it, i walked to the back of the car to see if it was there. As soon as i realized i had already locked the doors as started walking back, bang, the door was closed by one of my children. Of course the diaper bag with my wallet, cell phone, and keys, not to mention my other sling and the baby's paci were locked inside. I was so wanting to get one of those nice big cokes for us all to share too! Oh well!
So we went in looking for a phone to call Kenneth. Of course I couldn't get ahold of him, so i tried our neighbor also, but couldn't reach her either. I left messages for both and told the clerk to page us if either one called.
So off to the book section we went. The kids love looking at all the books and I actually got to look through a magazine and even got some really cute decorating tips (the high light of the day : ) It was probably only 20 or so minutes before we were paged. Kenneth said he would head home and get the spare keys and bring them to us. So we went on with our shopping and mozied around the store for probably 2 hours until he finally showed up.
All-in-all, we were there over 2 1/2 hours, but of course we made do. Free cookies from the bakery were a plus!
As if that whole escapade wasn't enough, when we finally got home around 5:30, I began thinking again about where my Ergo might be. My stomach sunk as I remembered the last place I used it was on Sunday at the GOODWILL store. I'm sure you all know that Goodwill is a resell store based on donations. Can you see where my story is headed!!! If someone just happened upon this crazy looking contraption called an Ergo and wanted to buy it with out a price tag, the clerk would just slap some ridiculously cheap price on it because they would have no idea what it's real value is (over $100!). Sick feeling again!
(Side note-I do not normally spend so much $ on stuff, but i had literally tried just about every baby carrier sold in the stores with my 1st 3 children and none of them held a candle to the Ergo. It really is that good and worth the price, assuming you only have to buy one ever!!! Thankfully we got some Christmas money the year Claire was born, so that's what paid for ours.)
I immediately called the store and of course no one knew anything about it. So i picked up my overly tired sleeping baby from our bed and loaded everyone back up in the car to drive back into town to the Goodwill store to go look for myself.
We looked for an hour and a half with no sign of it and picked up a few bargains along the way (I can't pass up a good deal), then left empty Ergo handed : (
So somewhere out there, someone is so excited that they just got the bargain of a life time. A $100 Ergo for $5 or some crazy price like that! Or someone saw it just draped there over a rack and thought, hmmmm, this looks neat, i'll just stick my baby in it and walk out, no one will ever know. Either way, I lose and so does my baby (she loves the Ergo!)
As we were going through the Arby's drive thru (since i was in no mood to still get home and cook dinner at 7:45), my dear, sweet children were plotting in the car, under their breath (not very quietly), about how they could save enough money to buy me another one for Christmas. I felt a little better listening to all of their giggling as they discussed it. Then, not long after that, my hubbie called and consoled me that we could buy another one, but of course me being so thrifty, it really kills me to do that.
Maybe the store will call and say they found it or someone amazingly turned it in after seeing the very tired woman with 4 children in tow helplessly searching the store for hours. That would be the hand of God!
But, for now, i will wait a few days, then go to Cloud Nine, here locally, to pick out a new one. This could be fun since they have updated them since i bought ours 3 years ago. I also love looking at the selection of cloth diapers she carries there. If you live in the B/CS area and are interested in any of this kind of stuff, stop by and check out Cloud Nine (its in the little strip where Bea's Alterations used to be just off Hwy 6 on Harvey).
So when you see me with a new Ergo on, just remember my totally crazy day and smile. Maybe it will make your day seem a little better!
________________________________________________________
I woke up this morning and remembered that my nursing cover was not in the diaper bag either. As i mentioned this to my hubbie he said that i also used it in the store. So now, not only did I lose my ergo, but also a nursing cover. I am totally kicking myself!
In the future, i will be putting my name and phone # in all of my stuff like this!
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