Gathered around the table today, we were discussing our current week of history. We are chatting about vocabulary words; as I read one if they already know what it is, they tell me. Nice and simple, yes?

Anyone know what a Sentry is?

Child left un-named to protect her mother: Oh, that’s easy. 100 years.

Wise, college educated, refined mother: Um, that would be a century, goofball. (said with deep love and respect. I promise, I wasn’t laughing. Really.) This word is sentry.

Child still left un-named to protect her mother: Oh, that’s a soldier. *giggle*

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A bonus episode brought to you by FYI, Inc.

You can make your daughter’s head explode by talking about transitive and intransitive verbs, verb inflections and reflexive pronouns. We did make a breakthrough. Reflexive pronouns seem to make sense when I told her to just think of “I hit myself” and then to hit herself on the head. I had her practice a few times to make sure it clicked. Laughter is better than tears, right?

The official birthday celebration happened on Friday evening; pizza, cake and ice cream!

I think she definitely enjoyed turning 7.

This was Lydia’s cake. Lydia drew a picture of what she wanted and our dear friend Mrs. L was kind enough to create this beautiful cake. Lydia was so excited! We give big thanks to Mrs. L!

Lydia turned seven today!! Wow!

And she was thrilled that on her birthday, Sam was exactly 9 months old.

We only half celebrated these wonderful milestones today. Breakfast was homemade cinnamon rolls using Mrs. L’s yummy recipe; also some delicious brownies for a dessert at dinner to help make the day a bit more special. The official birthday dinner and cake will be served on Friday evening. She was also blessed to receive birthday wishes and song at our church’s prayer meeting.

Lydia Lu is such a sweet blessing in our home; her tender heart, her giggles and her contentment in the little things. She came into this world by an emergency c-section and we were so thankful that her life was spared. I can’t imagine not having my little red head brightening my day with her twinkling eyes and smiles. I love to watch her with Sam. She is a wonderful big sister; always willing to hold him even when he is Mr. Grumpy.

Happy Birthday, LuLu!!!!

Lydia and Hannah played most of the days with the Legos; building houses and people. That is what they were doing when I took the above photo. Lydia grabbed Hannah and said, “Take this picture.”

Big Sister. She’s a pro.

And Mr. 9 Month old spent his day trying to find every little choking hazard within his reach…

Thankfully he was distracted by some quality literature.

Until he spotted the camera…

I was assisting Hannah and she is a chatty kind of gal.

She informed me on the details of best buddies.

All the girls who are wearing skirts are best buddies.

If you are wearing a dress, you cannot be best buddies with a skirt-wearer. You must be best buddies with a dress-wearer.

I pointed out that she often wears a dress and I always wear skirts and couldn’t we still be best buddies?

Her loving, compassionate answer was no.

Do you feel the love, folks?

So if you are in need of a best buddy, you now know an easy way to find one.

When you know you would just feel better…

If for just a brief second let out a little…

But mighty yell?

Oh, you don’t? Right. I don’t every think about doing that either. Nope, not me. Happy, serene homeschool mom. *quietly whistles as I walk out of the room*

Ok. I’ll be honest. I get frustrated. I do. Yes, I do. My day doesn’t go as plan. The baby wants to play at 3am and the 2 year old wants to be up before the sun. Suddenly the 11 year old forgets fractions and the 6 year old is almost in tears over reading. And exactly where are the missing scissors and why is the floor wet in the very spot I just sat down in?

Hmm, maybe I’ll add some tears in with the scream. Yes, I think I will.

Or maybe I won’t.

Every morning I gather up the children for time together in the Word and working on scripture memory. For the months of May and June we read through the book of Proverbs. For the month of July, we have been in Philippians. Yes. The whole month. 4 chapters. We read one each day and have just kept cycling through. There is so many wonderful things to study and pray about in Philippians. I have come to love the words of this book so much during this month.

And tonight, I was sharing with a friend how I just felt like crying. Life isn’t going the way I want it. I feel frustrated. I’m tired. I’d like to just scream and let it all out. And I came to blog about that and make myself feel better by throwing my little online fit.

Then the Lord placed His firm but gentle hand on my shoulder and drew me close. He brought the words we have been studying to my mind and comforted my heart.

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your won salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in both you to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining or disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.”

Philippians 2: 12-17

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4: 4-7

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. The things you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you”

Philippians 4: 8-9

I needed to be reminded of these words tonight. I want to focus on what is true and pure and lovely. I don’t want my children to see me as a mom who is constantly grumbling or frustrated with life. I want them to see that I can rejoice in all circumstances. Will I always succeed? Nope. I won’t. But they will see that I keep trying. Keep pressing toward the goal.

I can’t wait to see how the Lord is going to speak to me in August.

Mary was working on math corrections. She decided for this intense mental task she needed to sit directly in front of the box fan. As you can see in the photo this meant that her pages kept flying back and forth. Hannah was intensely watching Mary reduce, multiply and divide. If she was going to sit there, why not work, right? I told her to hold Mary’s page in place for her. Hannah was thrilled to help. But it might have been a bit too strenuous for her.

Yep, asleep on the job.

No worries. We did not let her rest long. Someone not paying attention ran into her face with a Little People School Bus.

One time dozing off on the job I could understand. But repeat offenses? And in the same week?

(Sam was removed from the sleep cuddle as soon as the pic was taken.)

I guess this shows that when Hannah needs sleep, she needs sleep.

The bigger kiddos have gone with their daddy to prayer meeting. I am stayed behind with the little ones who need a bit of extra sleep. They are sleeping at this very moment.

We are house sitting for friends this week. Since we are in a “strange” house and her room buddies are not here, I grabbed a pillow and blanket so Sarah could snooze on the couch this evening. (I’ll move her to bed later.) She was cuddled up on one end of the couch and I was nursing Sam to sleep on the other end. Every now and then she would look at me and smile, I’d tell her I love you and I watched her eyes getting heavier and heavier.

In a moment she was asleep. I watched her for a bit. Still and quiet. Those two words are not often associated with Sarah.

Before I know it, I hear Sam’s little snores. He has fallen asleep as well. I hold him a bit longer. Yes, I know. I spoil my babies. I’m ok with that. I love to cuddle them to sleep. The time can pass so quickly. I want to savor those sweet baby smells and sounds.

Sam is now in his bed. Sarah is beside me on the couch. I have a kitchen that needs to be cleaned. My clean up crew was running behind and had to dash out before we were done. But I want to enjoy the stillness, the quiet just a bit longer.

Thank you, Father, for this moment. For reminding me to take time to be quiet. To be still and know that You are God. Father, I thank you for this moment to remember how You have blessed me beyond measure. Amen.

Suddenly, there was a change in the discussion. A change that I believe needs to be shared with other moms who are sitting back and thinking of their dream home. I think Mary has stumbled upon the perfect dream home.

Hershey’s Kiss House. Mmhmmm. You read that right. A chocolate house. You buy your gigantic Hershey’s Kiss and you eat out your doors and windows. Once that is completed you eat out rooms, hallways, stairs and secret passages, of course.

Won’t we get sick from all this eating, Mary?

Oh, no. We are specially made to be able to eat the chocolate without getting sick.

Sign. Me. Up.

Brilliant, yes?

I did not burst her dream home bubble. I was enjoying it myself. However, in the South, it would be more of a chocolate pool than a house. Sigh. Back to dreaming……

**Disclaimer: No cute 4 year olds were hurt in the making of this post. What you see here are two sisters with some yarn, paper, crayons and scope of imagination. Carry on.