just because

Until next time...

JenT

change...it happens

Times change.

People change.

I've changed.

Have you?

Do you ever sit back and think about your life?  What were you doing ten years ago that you wouldn't dream of doing today?  Five years?  One?

How has your thinking changed?  How has your view of this world changed?  Of people?  Of events?  Of policies?  Of anything?

Most people want to improve themself.  Do you think you've improved?

Have you changed any habits or a way of thinking about a certain topic?

I have.

It's called growth.

You grow and change.  Hopefully it's to become more like Christ. 

If not, what is stopping you?  What is holding you back from making those choices that will grow you?

Until next time...

JenT

are you a pancreas or kidney?

You hear church members talk about the glorious parts of the body (the body of Christ; the church).  Ever been in a debate on what body part you are?

"I think I'm the feet.  I'm always going out telling others of Christ."

 

"I must be the hands.  I give a lot."

 

"I'm the eyes.  I see the needs of others."

All well and good.  But ever notice how it's always the parts that we see?  The "pretty" parts?

Also have you noticed that it's always parts that we can live without?  It would be difficult to be deaf, blind, crippled, without hands.  But you can actually LIVE without those things.

What about your kidneys?  (Both of them).

 

Your liver?

 

Your pancreas?

When was the last time you heard someone say.  "Well, I'm the liver."  
Who claims these parts?  The unsightly, "ugly" parts.  You can't live without them.  You can have a transplant, sure.  But if you are in a wreck and one of those is damaged, it's a life-threatening situation.

Just how important are those parts?

So...what are you in the body of Christ?


Until next time...


JenT

giving

It's that time of year again.  Time to be thinking of what charity project to contribute to.  It's easy to just give some money, but do you ever get really involved?  There are some ideas that I would love to carry out if we had the finances available.  I hope to do those in the future.  And yes, it involves travel.

 

But for now I like to get the children involved.  I like to have them think about the fact that other kids in this world do not have it as good as they do.  So this year we chose to send Christmas boxes to some children in Mexico.  We are sending them through a missionary family we know about.  Their website is http://www.lockwoodfamilytomexico.com/.  We decided to send 12 boxes (actually we'll send the goodies in some reusable tote bags so they'll be easier to send).  We are getting excited thinking of all the things we could put in there.  It's amazing how just the smallest gesture can mean so much to a little heart.

So what will you do this year?

There are many ways to give, here are just a few:

http://www.persecution.com/actionpacks

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

http://www.toysfortots.org/

http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/ibeCZzpHome.jsp?a=b

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

http://www.heifer.org/gift-catalog/holiday/index.html

And of course I'm sure there are local things in your area; local food pantries, Salvation Army, organizations that give gifts to poor children, homeless shelters.  Look around and you'll find something.  One of the greatest gifts you can give someone is your time.  Taking time to help another human being is priceless.

What will you give?

Until next time...

JenT 

news and gripe

 So here's the new news.  We're expecting again; number 12.  :)  Excited!!

After several pregnancies, years of wearing maternity clothes, I've have a dilemma: I cannot find any suitable maternity clothes.  I wear skirts and dresses which does narrow it down, but not by much.  I recently went searching for a dress to wear to a wedding coming up that we had been invited to.  I could find nothing at Motherhood Maternity.  The dresses were either too ugly or not the right size.  I'm kind of on the short side and one dress I was going to settle for was about a foot too long! lol

So, while I have found a few pretty tops, most of them are blah.  Meaning the color or style is just not too appealing in my opinion.  I found a lot of black or gray things, but not many pretty colors.  The styles; some are cute, but some are just t-shirt styles.

As for the dresses.  Well, let's just say that while I agree that being pregnant doesn't mean you get all dowdy-looking, I do think you should still stay modest.  Short dresses and v-necks do not constitute modesty in my book.

Skirts?  Practically non-existent.  I found one long one; gray and white =  blah.  Most are too short for me personally.

There are many websites out there, but I took these from the dress page of A Pea in the Pod because they have a large variety.








I really like the color and top of this one, but several inches too short for me.  For $150 I would want a little more coverage.

 


Long enough, but ?  the color/design is not too appealing.  And I would want more coverage up top.  If I had something like this I would not feel comfortable unless I added a t-shirt underneath or a sweater on top.

 

Plenty of coverage, but come on - black?  Another color would be so much happier. :)

 

Probably the best one on the whole page.  Personally, I would prefer a few more inches in the skirt.  But if I was told to choose from all of those dresses, I would seriously consider this one.  The style is modest and not blah, and the color is pretty.

So, while you may not agree with me I just felt the need to express myself a little on here.  I feel better now.  Thanks for reading.

Until next time...

JenT

another book published

 My oldest has published another book on Kindle.  This one is the first book of a different series (different from the one she co-authored with her sister).  It's only 99 cents on Kindle so a real bargain. :) 

This one is titled Lost and Found from her series Last of the Dinosaurs.  Go get it today!!
 


And if you missed their first book you can get it here.



Happy Reading!!

Until next time...

JenT

special things for special children

If you've read my blog for any length of time you know that I am friends with Kat over at Art's Chili Pepper.

Their family was recently blessed with a special baby; a Down Syndrome baby.  Their oldest daughter has been busy making owls they named The Henry Owl in honor of her brother.  They are super cute. :) 

Right now she is offering them at 50% off!!  These are unique, one-of-kind toys that you can be happy to own.

Read their story here.

Purchase an owl through their link or this one.



 I tell ya - I had a really hard time choosing just one!!


Until next time...

 JenT

do you get...

...so much going through your mind that you just have to veg out for a while?

Read a totally frivolous book?

Watch a hilariously funny movie?

Just sat and watch your children play?

Or even join your children in their play?

Go on a "Sunday" drive (even if it's not Sunday)?

Just something I thought of late tonight.  Thought I would share. :)

Until next time...

JenT

another birthday!!!

Almost every month we have a birthday in our house.  This month we'll have two (A.L.'s and my husband's).  A.L.'s is first; on the 3rd (almost an Independence Day baby :) ).

She is 6 years old now... 

...and happy about it.

Until next time...

JenT

growing up

So there comes a time in every parent's life when their kids get to that point when they can go on trips by themselves.  Yes.  We have reached that stage in parenthood.  It's scary - but exciting.  You pray, you worry a little, you pray some more.  You let go and trust God to take care of them.  You trust them to remember what you have taught them over the years.  It's not that they are leaving permanently.  It's just a little jaunt off to the grandparents' house.  But it's the beginning.  It's a new journey in life that we must adjust to.

What am I rambling about?  My two oldest went waaaaaaaay out to California last week to spend the 4th of July at their Grandpa's.  They are only 13 and 15.  Only!!  lol   Well, they had fun and I'm glad.  I see more trips in the future, but we will cross those bridges when we get to them.  Such is life, eh?

Until next time...

JenT

cover up!

Dear Young Woman in the Kroger parking lot who changed her shirt next to our van - please don't.

My young impressionable boys were in that van.  I have a 12 year old who is becoming an adolescent.  Must you make it more difficult for him?  I am trying my best to shield them from things they are too young to handle and shouldn't be exposed to.  I realize that they will be bombarded with immodesty in public.  But really?  Changing your shirt in your vehicle?  In the Kroger parking lot?  Next time, leave the pjs at home and go out in public properly clothed.

That's all.

- concerned mom

In this world we live in, I see that modesty has flown out the window.  Men, women, boys, and girls alike are going out in public in such a state of undress.  Almost every time I go into the store I see someone in their pajamas.  Is it that much of an effort to change your clothes?  I make sure that my 1 year old is dressed every day for just hanging around the house - and a 20 year old is in the grocery store in the clothes she slept in?
It's a sad, sad society.
And that's not even half of it.  Not only does this young lady feel that it is ok to change her shirt in public, most feel it is all right to dress in clothing that doesn't cover much more than underwear.  Or that it is cool to let their underwear show.  When I was young, we told our friends when their bra strap was showing.  Now you don't even have to wonder what color a young girl's bra is.  I guess it's even the fashion to wear clothes that show it off.  Or the guys that let their boxers show.  Tsk, tsk.  Some of us know where that came from and it's not a good thing.  Or the short shorts, mini skirts, peek-a-boo blouses...you get the idea.  It's no wonder that there is so much promiscuity in teenagers today.  There is no waiting, no mystery, no modesty, no purity.  Sexually transmitted diseases, abortions, and heartache abound.  Where will it all end?

Well, I highly doubt that the girl at Kroger today will ever see or read this, but I feel better getting it off my chest.

Until next time...

JenT

Don't Blame the Kids!!!

"Hey Mama, just stopping in to encourage you to rest today in the Lord. Your house is not going to be perfectly clean; embrace it. Your dinner might not be ready on time; embrace it. Your shoes don't match your shirt; embrace that, too. You forgot to brush your teeth and you look a bit like Sweetums from the Muppets; embrace the madness.

But you are with your children and you put them first, day after day. You keep them fed and loved on. They're dressed and they're happy (even if they're in jammies). Their hair's not brushed, and the 2 year old is wearing unmatched socks, but who cares?? Look at their faces.
That should say it all. Their faces don't lie.

YOU ARE A GOOD MOTHER. Your kids are loved and YOU are a big reason for their health and happiness. Embrace the day.

Embrace those Sweetum babies, too. Walk, Mama. You done good."

Now my view:

Don't get me wrong, I understand the sentiment behind these words.  I see these posts a lot; on Facebook, on blogs, in articles online and in magazines.  And I understand the message that they are trying to send; don't spend your days missing out on your children's lives.  Enjoy them while they are young and don't sweat the small stuff.
But...BUT...I get a little irritated at how they are presented.  Don't use your children as an excuse to have a messy house.  Don't use having more than "normal" children as an excuse to not fix your little girl's hair.  Don't use those little blessings as an excuse to let yourself go.  Please, please, moms, don't use them as an excuse to be lazy, to have a dirty house, to not teach them valuable lessons such as neatness and good hygiene. 
Now, granted, I'm sure most people understand that the message behind the above words isn't saying that.  But I've seen and heard too many people over the years doing that very thing.  I've seen little ones in large families with their hair not brushed, I've seen parents being too relaxed in teaching their children basic things like picking up after themselves, I've heard and read the excuses of having a messy house because of all the children.
Don't get me wrong - I'm NOT perfect.  I am still working on teaching my own children to clean up after themself, to brush their teeth.  I make myself take the time in the morning to make sure my little girls' hair is brushed and fixed.  I try very hard to keep them in well maintained clothing (hard with 6 boys :) ).  I try to teach them basic manners of life.  BUT at the same time we are picking flowers, reading books, watching movies, making cookies.  We are enjoying life and we are learning too.
I understand that we don't all have older ones that help.  I remember what it was like with 5 little children and no big helpers day after day.  But when you teach those little lessons while they are young, the later years are easier. 
I guess what I'm trying to say is to make teaching just as fun as playing.  Taking the time to keep yourself neat in appearance and attitude, keeping your house clean while teaching your children how to do that, and using those teachable moments is what it's all about.


Until next time...

JenT

jump for summer

it's summer!!!

Until next time...

JenT

disappointments in life

First of all, we are not having a baby in Oct.  Disappointing news, I know.
I have what is called a blighted ovum.  No baby ever developed, so there while there is no baby, at least it wasn't a baby that died.  Does that make sense?
Anyway,


Until next time...


 JenT

cheaper by the dozen?

 Are things really "cheaper by the dozen"?

I don't know, but we're going to find out. :)

Until next time...


JenT

my daughters' ebook

 I wondered if I should do this.  After all, in the years I've been blogging, I've been careful to not mention any of my children's names.  But if I don't share in my daughters' success I will wish I had.  So even though this post will reveal my two oldest daughters names, I have to share it.

They have written a book.  An ebook for teens.  It's totally fiction and a fun story (I may be a bit biased, but I really think it's good).

We're offering it on Amazon Kindle for only .99!!  Or if you are an Amazon Prime member you can get it for free!

The name of it is: Help! A Bunch of Kids are Chasing Me!  If you click on that it should take you to the page.  If it doesn't please let me know asap so I can fix it.

Well - enjoy!

Until next time...

JenT

third birthday in two weeks

 Yet another birthday in our house. :)

AMT turned 8.  She is such a blessing to us.

Until next time...

JenT

project

 ST3's shelf:

 He did an awesome job, don't you think?

I think he's going to use it for this...maybe :)


Until next time...


JenT

You know you're a homeschooler when...

 ...you have an old-fashioned pencil sharpener screwed to your mantel.

Until next time...

JenT