Egg Carton Owls and Other Thoughts

My favourite craft that the kids and I created during home school is the egg carton snowy owl. I might have enjoyed making these a little more then the kids. We used little sections of tissue paper to represent the feathers. The glue itself is instant entrainment for them. Sometimes I just don’t feel like doing crafts. For all the paint, tape, toilet rolls, markers, and mess that covers the dining room table, it may only amount to 10 minutes of activity. It’s exhausting. But my little ones love it! They get to stretch their creative muscles and make many choices. They get so much out of cutting and pasting bits and pieces together. We’ve moved on now to Science experiments. I mean I am about to willingly buy glitter, white vinegar, and food colouring all so my kids can make an exploding frothy potion go basically everywhere. This is a house keeping disaster. But to see my kiddos faces light up and know their minds are being blown as they learn a little about the world around them… It’s worth it.

Snowy Owls

I have a few other projects lined up this summer which includes clearing out the guest room, utility room, and my car. All of these tasks, if completed, will make my husband a very happy man. I don’t really relish organising things, but it needs to be done. These mundane things really do matter if you can make a loved one feel better. Especially now when the situation we are in is so uncertain. If I am struggling to smile, I’ve recently learned that making someone else smile makes all the difference. Bible teacher and writer, Joyce Meyer, says when you have a problem, “trust God and do good.” I think she is absolutely right. When I am tempted to wallow in my own troubles (and it is tempting to do so) I try to encourage someone else. I also ask for help. I ask my friends to pray with me. Neither of these things are easy to do, but the benefits are so worth it. Instantly, my focus is off of me. Now I’m free for God to show me how I can help someone else. Putting other people first is what it is all about and ironically, brings me joy too.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

It Starts at Home

A good friend of mine said, “Blog!” So, here we go. I’m not sure how we got from March to June without an update. It’s been a whirling merry-go-round of home schooling, coffee, playing, clapping, Zoom chats, reading together, time outs, baking bread, laughter, singing, living room dance parties, news briefings, tears, projects, daily walks, scooters, scavenger hunts, den building, shopping wearing masks, watching SGN, not sleeping, going back to sleep and wearing stretchy comfy clothes around the clock. We’ve had virtual birthdays and virtual date nights. Sadly, we’ve had one virtual memorial. We are tired.

As things slowly open up again, we look for normality. This week our bubble world changes. Our oldest child returns to school on Thursdays and Fridays. It will be a good change for her and everyone. I’m pleased we still have three days of home schooling together. We will miss her. The virus is still a threat, but I have faith that the school’s staff are doing all they can to minimise infection.

We made our own pizzas.

Though physically we have kept our distance, in some ways we are closer to people than ever. How could we not let others into our hearts with so much sickness and loss around us? And there is another virus which has plagued our society for too many years. We have watched the brutality and racism play out before us in the news. Often I feel helpless. What can I do? How can I show love and respect for my fellow humans in pain and fear and righteous anger? So I pray. I examine myself and ask God to search my heart, bring to light my own prejudices and bias. I try to educate myself.

In outrage, I share stories. I raise awareness amongst my friends and family. I realise my greatest power for change starts right here in my home. I teach my children to love and include people. I teach them that we are all made in God’s image. We are all worthy of love, respect, equal rights and freedom. No one should have to live in fear for their lives for the colour of their skin. I ask for wisdom. I vote and stand up for justice as much as possible. I draw near to God and as His word says, He draws near to me. (James 4:8)

If you are feeling overwhelmed or powerless in these difficult and uncertain times, draw near to the Source. Draw near to the light that is Jesus.

Day 3 of Home Schooling or “Mummy’s Rubbish Sheep”

So here we are. Day 3 of home schooling is in the bag. I have to admit it is pretty fun. I feared the schedule, however, the schedule has actually become my friend. I include activities Ivy would normally do and use material from her school website. We adapt as we go along. It’s nice to have a guideline and the kids seem to like knowing what we’re doing next. I try to leave a lot of space for play, especially for Albert who has not yet been to school.

Today Ivy was leading our art time, a master class in junk modelling. Albert and I were encouraged to make whatever we wanted with our egg cartons, oat bar boxes, tape, glue, feathers. Albert opted for a dinosaur with a paper towel roll neck. His name is “Norman.” Ivy designed her dream soft play place with her egg carton, pipe cleaners, and cotton balls. I grabbed the cotton balls too which I glued all over half an egg carton to make a sheep. I thought it was clever and a little cute. Ivy said very casually, “It’s rubbish.” I was stunned! I guess we can’t all be master sculptors.

While Ivy gets full marks for honesty, we will need to work on her sensitivity to others! Tomorrow Albert is going to lead our music time. I sure hope he likes my singing. Gulp!

“A cheerful heart is good medicine…” Proverbs 17:22a (NLT)

Ivy’s soft play, my “rubbish” sheep, and Albert’s dinosaur, Norman.

Happy Pancake Day

Let the pancake frying begin!

I feel really full of pancakes right now. As Ivy and Albert drift off to sleep, my heart feels full as well. This is truly a special time. As we begin the Lent season, I try to focus on what these six weeks are all about. Sacrifice. Preparation. Contemplation. And teaching my children about Jesus. I have decided to give up desserts this year. It’s a broad category including cakes, sweets, and my tired mummy stash of dark chocolate for daily emergencies! It will be a good practice in self control but a small gesture when compared to the ultimate sacrifice Christ made for us. I came across this verse the other day as I was reading. “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) It made me think about the spiritual discipline that I need. Am I harbouring negative thoughts? Or regrets that may be holding me back? What’s in my heart that I need to give up? I hope to dive into these issues and more with the Lord over the next 40 days. Will you join me? Are you observing Lent this year? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. And excuse me as I go eat my last bit of chocolate for the next six weeks!

Embrace the Grace

Art work by Ivy Grace

My original title for this piece was “Embrace the Chaos,” but I think this is the wrong idea. Last week, chaos came in the form of noses bleeds, a flushed iPhone, and one bag with wallet left in a hospital restroom! I am trying to model stability and set a good example for my little humans. Not only is it exhausting but I often feel like I am missing the mark. I don’t know where my idea that family life is supposed to run smoothly comes from, but it’s there in the back of my mind, laughing at me. 

Then in my morning verses I find, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8) Something inside me says, “Ahhh.” I feel a little more relaxed. While I know that I am not sufficient in all things myself, God gives me the grace to do what I need to do. His grace, if I accept it, will keep me calm. My bag, by the way, was safely returned to us and my phone seems to be working. (Praise God!)

Although the kids will bonk heads and get nose bleeds (Albert is okay, bless him) and I will continue to lose things, we will make it through the day. Life will continue to throw some chaos my way, but I don’t have to let it wreck me. I can stand strong in the grace of God. It is very reassuring to this mama to know that the weight of my role doesn’t rest solely on my shoulders.

 So, if your day turns unexpectedly or your having a rough time, try to embrace the grace. That is my prayer today. Dear Lord, please help me to embrace your loving grace. Amen.

 

Coffee Deprived

On Thursday morning I forgot to put the garbage bin out.  On Friday morning I put face wash on my tooth brush.  On Saturday morning I put my shirt on backwards. This Sunday morning I put my daughter’s leggings on before the pull up diaper. This is me before coffee. This is a couple years without normal sleep. This is mom life.

 

Lord of the Harvest

This is the last day of my favorite month. It would not be me if I didn’t write about it. I love autumn. I know this is really trendy now, but I have always loved the fall. It evokes childhood memories of school, zipping up my coat, splashing through piles of red, yellow, and brown leaves. I was born in Ohio and lived there until I was about 6 or 7 years old.  It was a thrilling time. I remember hay rides and harvest festivals, carving pumpkins and dressing in my Mamaw’s clothes as an impromptu costume. When my family moved to Florida and the excitement of the beach wore off, I missed the seasonal changes especially the beauty of the fall. I still love the crisp cool air and changing leaves. I love all things pumpkin and spice. Autumnal flavors are so homey and comforting. I don’t mind the early nights. It is a natural time for me to rest and take stock of the year thus far. It is curl-up-and-read-a-good-book weather when I’m not chasing Ivy now of course!

All four seasons are important. It is God’s perfect design. “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, will not cease.” (Genesis 8:22). We can count on these changes year after year. There is just something about harvest time for me. As I don’t have the privilege of living on a farm and the literal satisfaction of reaping seeds sown, this season takes on a spiritual meaning for me. I feel thankful, thankful for my family and all that the year has brought us. I look ahead to the new year that is coming and hope for growth and blessings. I examine myself. Am I sowing good things in life? Am I someone the Lord of the harvest can rely on? Am I pursuing those things that God has laid on my heart to pursue? I get excited in the fall. I just feel alive. My God loves to bless us and He loves for us to reap the fruit of our good decisions. That is what this season represents for me.

We took Ivy to a pumpkin patch this past weekend. She loved it. It was special for me to be able to share something with her that I used to do as a child. Especially now that I live in another country, it means a lot to be able to show her things that remind me of home. I look forward to making many more memories with our family in the seasons to come. I hope that I can pass on my love for all things autumn. I hope and pray that I can be an example for my daughter. I want to live out my faith authentically before her as a labourer of the Lord. I will hopefully make this time of year exciting and fun for her. Now as we wake up into November, I look forward to Thanksgiving and of course Christmas is coming! And it’s too early yet to stress about it! My plan this week is to work on some pumpkin recipes. I think pumpkin muffins and pie are definitely in my future. So, if you are a spring or summer person, I have no illusions about converting you. I just wanted to share some of the joys this season can bring.

“He said to them, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'” (Luke 10:2)

 

 

Traveling Mercies, Traveling Confession

A month ago, my daughter Ivy and I traveled from the UK to Kentucky to pay respects to my great-grandmother who passed away. It was truly a blessing to be with family. The trip required long plane journeys and one exhausted mama carrying a then 11 month old around in her carrier. Strap about 20 pounds to yourself plus suitcases and walk around your neighborhood a few times. Traveling with a little one is challenging. It is the reality of living thousands of miles away from home and building a new home abroad.

Ivy, surprisingly, is a pro at travel. We went to Florida in March for my sister’s birthday and to introduce her to my side of the family. Ivy loved it. She loves looking at people. Of course, she was also 6 months on our first flight; little, portable, and happy to curl up on mommy and sleep. This second trip to America at 11 months was a little trickier. I really wanted to just let her crawl around. It was cramped. Luckily, she didn’t seem to mind being on my lap and slept most of the flights. It must be the sound of the engines. When Ivy was awake, she was thrilled to practice her new skill: waving hello. I had to tell a few passengers that she will wave for hours and they don’t have to keep waving back. She made people smile.

It has almost become an urban legend how difficult traveling is with a baby or toddler. You expect to be publicly shamed or flogged by other passengers. We’ve all either heard of or experienced that flight ruined with a screaming inconsolable baby. I was extremely blessed with a content little one.  I made sure to nurse her or give her a drink as we took off or landed and that really does help with the equilibrium in her ears. The air pressure affects some babies.  I was also truly blessed with quite a few helping hands on this last journey.  The other passengers were so kind. I have to admit that I was surprised. I had help lifting my suitcases to go in the overhead. Someone helped to carry an extra case I had to bring with me on my flight back to the UK to the airport gate shuttle. While waiting at the gate, a perfect stranger allowed me to use his cell phone so I could call my mom and get flight information back to my husband. These sound like small simple things, but in the moment they felt like miracles to me.

Now here is the confession part. I didn’t deserve any of the help I received.  Pre-baby, I did a lot of traveling. I was the younger single person on the plane who rolled her eyes when I saw a couple with kids inch their way down the tiny plane aisle. I cringed when seated near a baby. I just wanted to sleep or read or watch a film on a peaceful flight. I thought to myself why can’t she just keep her baby quiet. I had no idea what being a parent was like or that sometimes no matter what you do the baby won’t settle. I once asked a flight attendant to find me another seat as I was on the end of a long row of kids whose parents were happily snuggled across the aisle with their earphones placed firmly on their heads on a long flight. I did not want to be a free babysitter. The attendant said, “One day you will have kids.” I remember saying, “But not today!” I was never outwardly mean to anyone flying with kids, but I wasn’t overly helpful either. Inwardly, I judged parents. It’s easy to judge people when you have no idea what someone is going through.

My question is why was I so blessed? I didn’t sow very good seeds for flying with my little one. I reaped kindnesses I was unwilling to give in the past. It’s a blazing example of God’s goodness and my need. Since asking Jesus into my life, I have received so many gifts that I do not deserve or could ever earn. Because of Him, I am not the same person that I used to be. I am a work in progress. I am thankful that God’s grace doesn’t depend on my performance. “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.” (John 1:16)

I am thankful that Ivy is such a good traveler. I look forward to many more flights with my family in future. I look forward to opportunities to help someone else maybe struggling with a little one.

 

Balancing Act

We are going away tomorrow. It will be our first family vacation. (British translation: holiday.) We are spending one day at Stonehenge then heading to the south coast in Devon to stay in a camper by the beach. (British translation: caravan.) I’m excited to see how our little Ivy will react to the ocean. I’m excited for it to be just the three of us with time to play and relax. I need a break from our routine. It’s a good routine. I just need to shake things up a bit. It has been 10 days since my last post. Time to write is hard for me to find. Where does time go? It’s a stupid question, but one I always ask. I have recently officially left my job to be a full-time mom, part-time Avon lady, and house wife. I feel very blessed to be able to leave my work. I am grateful to my husband. That being said, I have never been busier. I simply don’t know what I did before. Time is the great commodity. You can have all the money in the world, but if you don’t have (or take) the time to live, who cares? What good is it?

I feel pressure to manage my time better. I have spent this week getting my chores and errands done before leaving town. The house needed a good clean. It’s always nice to come home to a neat place when you have been away. It really dawned on me that I am “the Mom” as I rushed around to get things packed and ready. It feels like it’s all down to me to make things happen. My husband helps for sure, but he has been really busy with work. (Thank God!) I feel over whelmed at times. This morning as I felt the panic of my to do list, I stopped and prayed. It was like a weight was lifted. I still had a lot to do but my attitude changed. I also played and laughed with Ivy. She is sleeping soundly at the moment. I should be taking advantage and closing my eyes. I’m too wound up to sleep. Plus it is in these little pockets of time that I get to create (or vent.)  I love every minute with my sweet baby even when she is getting on my nerves. However, time to recharge is vital to me. My writing is important to me though I haven’t behaved as if it is. I need to carve out some creative time. I need to prioritize. Perhaps this diary-like rant is one big cry out to God for help. (Lord, Jesus, please here my prayer. Please help me to put you first and everything else will fall into place. Thank you. Amen.)

My goal and dream this week is to enjoy my husband and daughter but to also find some time to write. I really want Ivy to grow up watching us following our dreams and pursuing our passions. It’s time to work on my book again and finish it. Or at least see what story is there. If any. (Big sigh.) I will somewhat unplug while away. I wish you all well out there in the blogosphere. I shall return with fresh posts and energy I hope. I must close by asking you, dear readers. How do you cope? Do you manage your time well? Please click on the comment button above and spill your guts. I need all the advice I can get.

 

From Joy to Joyce

As new parents, my husband and I don’t make it out to the movies that often. I love films. I really wanted to see last year’s Joy with Jennifer Lawrence. I think she is a talented actress and the premise of the film seemed interesting. So I went to our local DVD rental store. Yes, we still have one. No, we don’t Netflix or have movie channels. It felt very 1996 to rent a movie. It was fun. My husband had to work away and my baby girl politely slept for two straight hours. Mommy win! I enjoyed some movie time.

Joy is not a “chick flick.” This film was so much more than I thought it would be. The main character is a woman with an idea, a vision, and a need to provide for her family. Director and writer David O. Russell was inspired by the life of Joy Mangano, the American inventor of the miracle mop. He takes some pretty big creative licenses but the essence of her story is there. The tone of this film was surprising but it brought humor and theatricality to the piece. I found the story refreshing and inspiring. It isn’t often that a female is the lead in a film and the focus isn’t on her romantic life. In Joy, Jennifer Lawrence’s character is bright and determined. Her childhood dreams of inventing are at first buried by life and providing for her children. I especially appreciate how this film portrayed the many pressures and responsibilities that a working mother must balance. It is through Joy’s role  of touchstone for her family that she has a brilliant idea and opportunity to enter the business world.

I must confess in the back of my mind as I watched, I kept waiting for the lead character Joy to find love. Bradley Cooper’s character came a long and I thought oh they will get together. But than I realized this is genuinely a film about her journey to achieve her dream as an inventor. It was empowering to watch. It also revealed a bit of Hollywood programming in my expectations. I found it interesting how Joy and her former husband’s relationship unfolded. They co-parent their children and support each other as friends. By the end of the film, I felt energized and inspired to create. I also wanted to purchase a miracle mop because it is an awesome household invention. Joy Mangano was unique as a credible business woman in 1990. She got me thinking about strong inventive women that have inspired me along the way.

I am blessed with strong inspiring women within my family and friends. However, this film brought to mind an inspiring lady that I have never met, Joyce Meyer.  She is an author, preacher, teacher, mom, wife, and president of Joyce Meyer Ministries including outreach ministry Hand of Hope. Whenever I feel a bit homesick, I watch Joyce’s television program, Enjoying Everyday Life. Like Joy Mangano, Joyce Meyer was a bit ahead of her time. She felt led to preach and teach the word of God in a time when women just weren’t expected to do such a thing. I appreciate her practical Spirit-filled messages because Joyce has lived it. Her testimony is tremendous. With God’s help, she has overcome so much. (If you would like more information on her message and life check out her website http://www.joycemeyer.org.) Her life would make for an interesting film. The theme would be God’s amazing love and redeeming power. He has taken Joyce’s pain and turned it into promise; a message of hope for other people dealing with their own heart ache and trials. To quote Joyce herself, “Jesus is the equalizer.” Whether you are male, female, no matter your race, culture, age, nationality, we are all the same in Christ.  I feel blessed as a woman.  I hope that one day I can inspire my daughter to follow her dreams and rely on the Lord above to guide her.

So, dear reader, who inspires you? Is there a woman in your life that is extraordinary? Please click on the comment button above and share. Thank you.