A story about a Boy

Today is another joyous occasion.  We are celebrating another birthday in our home. I know for some of you, it must seem like we party all the time, and we almost do. In our house alone, we have a birthday in 9 of the 12 months.  This birthday today is extra special.  Our fourth child, third son, was born this day eight years ago.  Heath Jr. was a beautiful child, and I have written many things about him.  Being five weeks early, and spending almost three weeks in the NICU, I've written about him often.  So I'll just add in links so you can read about some of his history. 

Heath and Mom, age 2

This year, as always, I look at my now eight year old boy through the shimmer of brimming tears. I melt as I look into those massive pools of chocolate brown eyes; my heart trembles when he smiles and reveals his crooked smile and dimple.  And when he bounces into the room, cheerful as always, and hugs my neck, those tears spill over and I send up yet another prayer of thanksgiving to the God who gave me this child.

age 3

This boy has a heart to serve. Often I have to stop myself from scolding him for being in the way, or slowing me down. He has pushed me to find ways a small child can serve our household.  From reading to his younger siblings, entertaining babies, to asking me, "Mom, is there anything I can help you with", this child has an eye for needs.  He is tenderhearted, easily cries, and takes everything to heart. 

Cousins. They are inseparable.

At the same time, he is also my most adventurous.  I remember the first time he put skates on at a roller rink.  He was five years old, and within 15 minutes he was spinning circles, skating backwards, and teaching all the other boys how to speed skate into a wicked slide.  He has balance and coordination, and hasn't found anything with wheels he can't conquer.  He loves playing outside, and will spend hours playing catch.  He finds more dirt and mud than any other of the boys in my house.  And it never can seem to resist him!

So this eighth birthday, I will try not to hear the echoing of beeping hospital machines, nor see the ghosts of tubes and equipment hooked to my baby son.  I will live in this moment, and choose to see this precious child for what he is today.  And I think I'll cry anyway.

Looking far too grown up with his glasses.

Age 7




age 8

Happy Birthday, Richard Heath Jr. I love you more than I can ever express.

Beth

Had I truely lost my H.E.A.R.T.?

I plopped down on my couch. I was tired, cranky, exhausted, and sick of my daily routine. The dishes from last week's dinner were still all over the counter, the dirty laundry was soon going to eat me alive if I didn't do something with it, and our children avoided me for fear the screaming banshee would return. As I sat there that hot, miserable night, I was hit with the reality of what I had become. And I didn't like me.

After much time spent crying out to God, I picked up a book recently delivered to my house. Titled, How to have a H.E.A.R.T. for Your Kids, I began reading. And it struck the chords of my heart. Showing me how inward my sight had become. How I was only caring about myself. My wants. My needs. I saw my family as a burden. And I needed to change.

From the first paragraph, author Rachel Carman was telling the story of her heart, and speaking directly to mine.  It was as if she had stepped into our home, observed me for a few days, and this was her assessment.

Mrs. Carman takes the letters of the H.E.A.R.T. acronym and expounds each into its own convicting chapter. After marking, notating, highlighting, and dog earring nearly the entire introduction, I hit chapter one thinking my hand might get a rest. But I was so wrong. Each chapter was just packed with wise council and drove me back to my knees. I was encouraged through Mrs. Carman's experiences and through scripture after scripture upon which she shone a light. I was also challenged by the Heart checklist found at the end of each chapter.  Through it all, I was reminded my world, my children, my husband are not my own. Nor does my world revolve around me or my family.  Not even partly. I had to give my whole heart back to God. I had to die to my self, so I could live abundantly in Him. Then, I could have a H.E.A.R.T. for my children.

If you would like to experience How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. for Your Kids for yourself, it is available for purchase through Apologia for $13.00. You can read a sample chapter, to experience the book for yourself. Visit Apologia to see a whole line of resources designed to encourage and strengthen homeschooling families.

Beth

As a member of the TOS Crew I was given a copy of this book for review purposes. I was not paid to write this post and my opinions are my own. 

What's for dinner?

I have been drawn in to the new world of Pinterest.  I tried so hard to not get sucked in. It would just be another habit that would use up what little precious time I had. But as always, I had no willpower and reluctantly looked at the site.  And then waited a week for my invitation to be approved.  Then jumped into the deep end.  For those not on Pinterest, it's basically a fancy favorites list. Only with pictures. Oh the pictures!! 

Well today, I have decided to put my pinning to use.  In an attempt to salvage the time I have wasted, I am making my menu for the week from all the recipes and new foods I want to try.  I'll be honest, it was a little difficult. It seems most all the foods I have pinned are desserts. Go figure. But I've got the list made, with Thursday's being a little questionable since it wasn't actually pinned. It's going to be my interpretation of a recipe. So with out further ado...

Monday: Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps
Tuesday: Chicken and Mushrooms
Wednesday: Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Thursday: White Cheddar Chicken
Friday: BBQ Chicken wraps or Chicken Enchiladas
Saturday: Pizza Muffins
Sunday: Taco Salads

I know there is a bunch of chicken this week.  I roasted three chickens this weekend and have all the meat ready to use this week.  I promise you, you will want to click on the links.  The names just don't do the pictures justice. I just hope they taste as good as they look!! And head over to I'm an Organizing Junkie for more Menu Planning!

My neighbor

This guy/gal has been showing up often at our house. This particular day, it was for a birthday party. One night, it showed up for dinner (found it in the chicken coop eating an egg). As long as it doesn't try for a slumber party, it will be welcome. Living where we do, I'll keep the "good" snakes. While this one isn't the best snake to have around (You want a King snake. They eat all the venomous ones), it does eat mice, rats, and other small rodents. So it has a home for now.

So tell me, do you have odd visitors at your home?

New Adventures

It's the start of a very busy time of year.  It's back to school time!!! And in a homeschooling house, it's just as busy and exciting as in a public school home.  There are new clothes, new supplies, butterflies, and excitement.  Hopefully there isn't any disappointment over what teacher the kids get for the year!

Today, I'm over at The Homeschool Village sharing some practical tips about how we teach with so many students and non-students in our home.  If you aren't a homeschooler, go ahead and check it out here anyway. I know you are dying to see how things work around here!  I'll be at The Homeschool Village once a month on Fridays starting in September sharing with you things from our BIG family life!

There are many new things coming up this fall here at Sew Anyhow.  Guest bloggers, new Reviews, writing a few other places.  Please be sure to sign up to get emails so you don't miss anything!