Spring Cleaning

It is a beautiful day here in Italy. Sunny skies and about 21 Celsius. It is a wonderful Spring Cleaning day!


A day to open the windows and let the fresh air come in!




The children and I have scrubbed and cleaned from top to bottom. My hubby even did the dishes! The floors are swept and scrubbed. Everything is dusted. The windows are washed.




All of the sheets have been taken off the beds, they've been washed, and are now out to dry.

The laundry hamper is empty and everything is right with the world! Ok, maybe not everything, but at least in my little corner of the house.

Our Baby.... Who's not a Baby

Our youngest has just celebrated her fourth birthday! She is my baby, but she is also quick to tell me that she is NOT a baby.

She is our most independent child, by far, but also our most expressive. She is talkative, energetic, loving. She is either smiling or crying and she either makes everyone love her or dislike her.

She enjoyed her birthday very much! She first got to go on a walk with daddy. They went on a bus ride and also on a train. She said she had so much fun. While they were gone, the rest of us decorated. The children made a sign and tried to blow up balloons. The balloon thing didn't work out so well, but it was fun trying!

Later that evening, we had spaghetti for supper and then she opened her presents.

She was very excited to get some brand new Italian slippers!

Later, we ate some dolci (dessert or sweets). Earlier in the day, while she was taking a nap with daddy, my oldest daughter and myself went and picked out six little treats at the pasticeria. We bought candles and some gelato (ice cream) at another store.

I think she liked it. What do you think?!

Another year is upon us. We are truly blessed!

Bountiful Blessings - Part 2

You'll have to forgive me for not writing anything the last couple days. Time has gotten away from me and some things just HAD to be done. They say pictures say a thousand words, so I'll let this picture do the talking!

There are four more five-gallon buckets, FULL of apples, waiting in the garage to replace these. We have been so blessed! My husband works on a golf course, so Monday night we loaded up and went and picked from the apple trees that are on the golf course. What fun! My only regret, is that I didn't bring my camera! We had ladders and poles and golf carts surrounding us and children running around... some even driving golf carts! (Yes, I think I have a few grey hairs mixed in with this blond) We had a fun time though and now the fun continues at home! Stay tuned for some great apple recipes, after I've experimented with them myself. Happy Harvest from our Home to Yours!

A Slow-Paced Day

I'm thanking the Lord today for a Slow-Paced Day. We take some time off of school on Wednesdays and just have a mid-week break. I need it and I think the kids need it too. Right now they are playing and pretending. My kitchen table chairs are set up to be a fire truck and the kids have all been very creative in finding a costume. They are all four playing together and each one has their position. What a blessing to see them having fun with each other and playing so nicely.

I, on the other hand, am just enjoying a slow start. I still have plenty to do, but time is NOT of the essence today. I will be canning some plums and applesauce as time allows. I will also be making bread and pizza and, hopefully, some banana bread. All of this is fun for me though! I can just take care of my family in a way that I really enjoy.

So, on with my day....

My Pride and Joy

Today I thought I would share with you a little about each of my children. It's kinda fun thinking about them and who God made them to be. Their personalities are all so different and they each add so much to our family, all in their own little way.

I'll start with my oldest. He is all boy! My husband and I were married nearly four years before we had him. We were beginning to wonder if we were going to be able to have children, but God has blessed us tremendously with four. Our son is the leader of the pack. He recently turned nine and is now doing a lot of changing right before our eyes. He is no longer a little boy and he is now interested in more "older boy" things. He is starting to make decisions on his own, which can sometimes be a good thing and other times we have to remind him that we're still the parents. He also started working for a neighbor this summer, so this has given him a little more responsibility. Our son loves to tease his sisters and he loves to wrestle with anyone who will wrestle him back. I tease him and say that he is not allowed to hit his momma, but then I just wrestle him to the ground. I tell him that it's my job and that I have to keep him in line. He has a sensitive heart though too.

Our next oldest is my number one helper. She is now seven years old and I remember when she was pulling on my skirts constantly. She was always close to me when she was little and would rarely let me out of her sight. She's grown up a lot since then, but she is still my most reserved, until you get to know her. She can talk your ear off then! She is always eager to help me in the kitchen or help take care of her baby sister. She can definitely be a little momma and she keeps me in line when it comes to remembering our schedule etc...

Our third child is our drama queen! She would also win the prize for being the most talkative. I don't know that she has a still bone in her body either. She is now four and will be starting Kindergarten in the fall. She will keep this homeschooling momma on her toes, I'm sure! She loves to play with her doll house and all her babies and she is starting to enjoy playing with her little sister more. It is fun to watch them actually play and converse together.

Our baby of the family is not such a baby anymore. She is now two and a half and is becoming quite the little independent! We are going through the whole potty-training thing and she just about has it. There are still a few accidents, but not everyday! PTL! She is my most mischievious and I can't tell if this is just part of her, or if it is mommy's fault! I like to think it is a little of both. I just can't keep up with her as much as I could when there was just one child! She is usually so sweet though and it is so special to here her say "Mommy, can I have this? Please!" I figure that she is at least asking and I usually can't say no (unless I have good reason to). She is usually asking in reference to food though. She is also a very good eater. She has always enjoyed her food!

My children are such a blessing to me. I can't even remember a time when they weren't around. Writing this out has helped me remember the joy that they are. Parenting is such a struggle at times and it is often hard to know whether I am training them right or not, but I have also learned to depend more and more on the Lord in this area. He is the source of wisdom and promises to give it to all those who will ask. My prayer is that my children will one day call upon His name as their source of wisdom and that I will be able to say

" I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" 3 John 1:5

Mothers

Mothers Day was a very sweet day for me this year. People say that we ought to show mothers our appreciation more than just one day a year. This is true, but rarely done! I feel for the mothers who are not even shown appreciation on Mother's Day. This year, my kids really got in to it, especially the two oldest. They are at the age where it is fun to plan surprises and do special things for people. I was glad to be the recipient this time and I can only pray that they continue to have a desire to do special things for people.

What really spoke to my heart was the message that our pastor gave on Sunday morning. His number one point was that mothers should have a vision for their children. Do I see in each of my children's future, a child that God can use? Am I training them accordingly? Do I see beyond just the day to day tasks of taking care of these four jewels God has given me?

Motherhood has its rewards and privileges, but it sure has its responsibilities as well. Some days I feel such a burden. Am I doing it right? Am I training them correctly? Some days I just want to throw in the towel! I am then reminded that it is only through Christ living through me that my children have a hope. I cannot do it without the Lord's strength. "Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands" Prov. 14:1 May my prayers each morning and throughout my day be ones that are continually asking the Lord for strength and wisdom and then may I follow the path He has laid out for me.

What Now?

Sometimes life seems like one routine or another. We easily get in to our ruts and each day goes by without much new to write home about. Slowly, OUR life has taken on its routine as we have moved in to our home and adjusted to our new surroundings. Routine can be good with four children, homeschooling and an active schedule. I have noticed that my children and our family as a whole, have done quite better when they know what to expect and what to do when. It is the "rut" of life that concerns me. I don't want to develop a rut where I fail to notice the blessings around me or the needs of those around me. I don't want to be in such a routine of life that it is difficult to adjust when different circumstances occur that are unavoidable.

What does any of this have to do with being a traveling pilgrim here on this earth? Sometimes life seems to be at a stand still as we wait on the Lord. It is during these times, that we have the opportunity to learn and grow as we wait on Him. As a mother, am I taking this opportunity to train my children as we go through out our day? As a wife, am I able to sit and wait on the Lord as a submissive and praying wife? As a friend and neighbor, am I taking the opportunity to share Christ with those He has put me around in this season of my life?

Life may seem like it is just a routine at times, but our focus is still looking towards the goal, our heavenly home. I thank the Lord for the opportunities He has given me at this time in my life. My prayer is that I'll use them to point OTHERS to that heavenly home as well.

Stay tuned for more info on our Routines....