Spiritual Slumpiness and the Coming of Lent

My oldest daughter dragged herself to her desk this morning, not exactly in the right frame of mind for lessons. (Murmurs of a sister wearing the shirt she wanted to wear were heard under her breath. Yes, even home educated girls have occasional fashion "issues.") She opened her Bible to where we left off in Second Timothy and rattled off the list of godless behaviors found in chapter three. That was all she needed to bring her to a quick apology and a completely new attitude.

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow, as it judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart." Hebrew 4:12.

I see the power of God's word in the hearts and minds of my children all the time. I'd be hard-pressed right now, though, to find evidence of that power in mine. Pregnancy has always been spiritually difficult for me. My energy level is low, my motivation to spend time in His word lags... Everything else suffers as a result: patience? self control? gentleness? Pretty much non-existent. (You may have noticed it's been a long time since I've posted anything remotely spiritual.)

Lent brings an opportunity to do better. With a baby due right in the middle of Lent, I probably won't be giving anything up (like coffee, chocolate, or other such nursing necessities). But I will definitely take on once again a more disciplined routine of fellowship with the Lord. I fully trust the power of His word to do its work in my heart and mind once again.

May God bless us all in our Lenten disciplines. 

Liberty Girls Club: Felicity

We hosted another American Girl Doll book club meeting Friday afternoon, this time focusing on the second book in the Felicity series. The girls made apple sauce (Felicity makes apple butter in the book, but that takes an extra step, and we wanted to serve the apple sauce for a snack at the end of the book discussion).

We also made card stock models of the Brig Beaver, the infamous ship of the Boston Tea Party. 

I love hosting this group because it forces me to do the hands-on stuff that often gets passed over around here.

MOTT

I can't believe I've never posted about MOTT. When I moved to Fargo, I was invited to a dinner group (Moms Out Third Thursday) that had already been in existence for some time. It's such a brilliant concept: the third Thursday of every month is reserved for a girls night out. What's not to love? 

We take turns picking a restaurant and then simply making a reservation under the name MOTT. It's a standing date and you come when you can. It's such a great night. No cooking, cleaning, or even tending to little ones. 

When I moved to Ohio I definitely missed my friends, but also my night out.  So I got the ball rolling for another chapter of MOTT right here. We meet on Tuesdays, so we didn't even need to change the acronym. Another of the moms from the Fargo group moved to Virginia and has a chapter going there too.  Start one where you are and we'll be on our way to a national organization!

Last night my new MOTT friends surprised me with a diaper and wipes shower. I'm stocked with an assortment of sizes for long, long time. How sweet!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Lots of activity around here with our home school group roller skating party, a special gathering with our science co-op, and the annual Dad - Daughter - Dance at our health club. (Which I haven't set foot in since about 10 weeks pregnant). 

Crockett adored roller skating!

There's something extra cute about a 

toothless girl on a date with her dad!

Lots of love from Living Waters to all of you...

Lots of Little Things

• We had a great week of school - probably because my expectations were so low coming home from vacation. I honestly was just hoping to scrape by with the bare minimum but I think we may have had one of our best weeks yet!

• If you didn't notice in any of the Disney pictures, Toddzilla (who else?) cut his hair the night before our trip. We have never, ever had scissor to hair, marker to wall, lipstick to everything issues around here so I haven't even given the "only the barber cuts your hair speech." Bad move on my part. Crockett appears to be following in his big brother's very boisterous footsteps. I will definitely need many more cups of coffee and many more hours of prayer as the third boy will soon join the party. 

• I've been wanting to post more about the Thomas Jefferson Education book for quite a while. Right after I read it, I lent it to a friend and am just now getting it back. Hopefully, I'll have more to say sometime soon. 

• Still trying to finish my patch-work knit blanket for the baby. Still have not made too much progress on my new year's resolution to get the scrapbooks up to date.

• I'm reading Kate's (of Jon and Kate + 8) book, Multiple Blessings, so nicely sent to me by Juli. Wow, there's a book that puts some of life's trials in perspective. Kate is much more outspoken about her faith in the book; it's a testimony to their extreme trust in God's guidance and care. 

• Finally, if you need a laugh check out Spunky. 
  

 

Wordless Wednesday: Magical Moments, Continued Again

This is the whole gang: Hubby's sister in the Mickey Ears, 

next to Gramma and Hubby's Aunt Gerry. 

Wordless Wednesday: Magical Moments, Continued

Wordless Wednesday: Magical Moments

"Happy Day!"

Crockett is two today. Whenever someone wishes him a happy birthday, he says, "Happy Day!" We love you, big guy.

Just Stopping By...

...between loads of laundry, making grocery and Valentine lists, going through mail and email, and catching up with on-line friends...

We've been at Disney for the week and are all exhausted.  My baby threatened to make an early appearance more than once, due to all that walking and general excitement. Lots of memories, tons of fun, pictures to follow. 

Now I can relax. Yes, home schooling and the above list of to-dos really does seem easy after the frenetic pace of "The Most Magical Place on Earth."

Wordless Wednesday: The Waters Family Singers

My Baby's Growing Up

Crockett is feeling all the big boy lately; I'm sure he's sensing the arrival of baby brother in the not so distant future. He rarely allows the girls to buckle him into his car seat anymore -- "I DO IT!" He doesn't like to be carried around quite as much. He's definitely (and loudly) expressing his independence. He'll be two in February.

So I had to smile - and grab my camera - when I saw the girls carrying him up the creek bank, and then holding his hands while bringing him home the other day. They were thrilled to be able to manhandle serve him again. And I was happy to see my baby back.