snapshots.

a classic miscellany monday.

Snapshots. From our excursion yesterday and what is to come. By the way - that is Samuel and Elijah in that green car - I think I just saw my Samuel grow up a bit more yesterday. Sigh.

Spinning Busy. Life has been busy and full of blessings right now. I'm so grateful for this time and for the free time to write in the morning and to share a bit of my heart. Tomorrow night I will be sharing a bit of my story - The Out-of-Breath Homeschool Mom Finds Joy - on the Mommy Jammie Night which is part of the Ultimate Homeschool Expo. The event it free - all you need to do is call in and you'll be able to hear me share why joy and a bit of my story. Here is the link -> MommyJammiesNight

The Zoo. And some snapshots from it. Yesterday, we spent the day wandering around the zoo {which includes a fabulous amusement park area} with my sister and her son, my other sister, and my fabulous parents thanks to a family picnic sponsored by my dad's work. The kids had a blast - and I am so grateful for that time spent together. It always amazes me how a break in the routine gives you a fresh perspective and a view of your family. Joy, really.

Family Pictures are Impossible. At least under a time crunch, and when other people are watching, and when you're trying to set up eight kids {one was my nephew}, and there are only two giraffes for little ones to sit on. Oh well, here's what we got. Enjoy. :)

The Power Band. In order to enter the ride area you either pay for individual rides or you can get an unlimited ride pass. My dad's work secured ride passes for everyone - this was a huge blessing for our family. When the gal handed Samuel's to him he wanted nothing to do with that band. I realized why - it reminded him of the armband that he's had to wear in the hospital and when he's had lab visits. Instant fear. Then my sweet sister Abby told him it was super power band and we all showed him ours on our wrists - and well, after that? He was mighty proud of his band.

The Lion. Samuel told me he didn't like the big lion looking at him. I don't blame him. I noticed that lion moving it's head watching my Samuel. So, I tested the thickness of that glass. Twice.

The Giraffe. Samuel, on the other hand, determined that the giraffes were cute and that he wanted to ride on one of them. Hmmm.... Samuel on a 12 foot tall giraffe?

Salt Lake City News/Deseret. My post Dear Mom who Feels Like she is Failing was reprinted/republished in the Salt Lake City News / Deseret Online edition today. I am so grateful and humbled over the response. And even more grateful to link arms with so many moms and to proclaim that we're not alone! Here is the link -> Deseret News - Dear Sweet Mom Who Feels Like She is Failing

Oh, Yeah. The FreeFall Ride. Hannah begged. And begged for me to ride it with her. After listening to my entire family chanting go go go I relented and strapped myself in that FreeFall ride. {Wasn't there a sign that this ride is only available for those guests under age 18?}. Anyways, grin, at the top right before we fell and I screamed in absolute terror, Hannah looked at me and said, this? this is intentional parenting...you'll have to write about how you did this --thanks mom. Want to know something? That free fall ride with Hannah was one of my favorite moments - and I am so grateful I just chose to do it. Here's the pic. Ignore the hair. 

A simple little post today. I'm linking with a dear friend of mine, Carissa, at lowercase letters.
And, please do pop over to the Deseret and read my post. I'd be grateful!
And, remember about the Mommy Jammie night tomorrow. Hope you can attend!

please don't drive with your bass loud. and other miscellanies.

Miscellanies. Updates. Truth about music volume in vehicles. And motherhood encouragement.

1.  Two weeks ago Samuel would go to bed easily. We'd say goodnight, tuck him in, pull up his John Deere blanket and leave him in his room, sound asleep, until about 9.5 hours later when he'd awake. Refreshed. Cheerful. Healthy. Until last Tuesday when someone decided to drive down our street at 10:30 at night with their bass loud enough to rattle windows on our home thus waking peaceful Samuel up and causing him to scream in terror.  And yes, now, he has hardly slept at all since.

2. That obnoxiously loud bass driver has probably long forgot about the thrill of going deaf with extra loud bass and subwoofers as he drove down our street on Tuesday. But, me? Nope. Night after night with an awake child makes me remember the insensitive move of driving through a residential neighborhood without concern. The things we do? They make a difference in people's lives. In fact, I want my cheerful, well-rested, not afraid of loud noises coming from cars, Samuel back. *** edited to add: last night was the first night Samuel slept all night long since Tuesday. Thank goodness.

3. My 20 {more} Motherhood Tips article was featured on the Blogher main site - Tips for Motherhood. I'm honored that they decided to feature it over there. If I could add another tip -- it would be -- ha -- teaching my kids to not drive residential streets with loud bass and that extremely large amounts of caffeine are allowed if you are only getting 3-4 hours of sleep a night.

4. Speaking of Blogher -- I was blessed to write, review, and be a part of the Capri Sun Super V review and giveaway -- it's for a $1000 Visa Giftcard {Seriously -that would be a blessing!}. My kids loved those juice and veggie {yes, veggie} pouches. Post will be live at 8am CT so make sure to enter! And listen to my Brennan's super fun vlog about the veggies in the drinks.

5. You know, I should have just sent my daughter Hannah and sister Abby out to deal with that driver. After all they make a really good Thor and Captain America. ;) {pic below is a walmart instagram in the aisles exclusive}

6. I've been working on my ebook and another 10 Days of Intentional Mothering Series. Are there any topics you're interested in? If you haven't seen my first 10 Days Series click -- Day One:Awake.

7. I'm also working on finalizing my homeschool plans for this year. It's crazy picking out curriculum for kids from toddlerhood to my {gasp} junior in highschool. It truly does just seem like that it was just yesterday that I was picking out {and over buying} my Hannah's kindergarten curriculum. And, sigh, now we're onto all this advanced stuff that seemed so so so far away. Embrace today. They truly do grow. Very fast.

8. I've had some requests to print out pictures and articles to be used for MOPS groups, Bible Studies, and more. Please feel free {just please drop me a note a let me know}. And, grin, I speak as well....so if you're ever interested I'd love to send you my speaker bio and topics. Which include things like - Living a "Loving the Little Things" Life, Joyful Motherhood, and Intentional Motherhood in a Busy World.

9. Today is my Elijah Nathaniel's 5th Birthday. That precocious boy {which inspired a yet unpublished Dear Mom of a Spirited Child letter} is certainly a dear to me. He's funny, loving, and just an amazing and awesome addition to our family. I'm so blessed by him and am just completely grateful to be his mother. Look at that face - that angelic I never get into anything but really do face. I love him.

10. Motherhood takes patience. And energy. And lots of coffee. And good friends to call to listen to you. And remembering that an almost three year old who doesn't sleep at night anymore will someday grow big. And lots of love.

Remember that this Monday.

And please, please, please....always keep your bass down. :)

Linking with my lovely friend {who was also featured in Blogher -- read Being a Mom and Starting a Side-Gig} Carissa over at lowercase letters.

rest is needed. family matters. most.

taken by my daughter Hannah - first night's sunset

I've been pretty silent in the online social media blog world. Intentionally. We left on Saturday morning for our annual trip to the lake - I've been coming since I was a child - and this week is truly a week celebrating family, embracing rest, and taking a step back out of the busy frenzy of life.

The resort we go to is like a snippet back in time. Simply, no frills, and yet beautifully located, full of memories, and completely restful.

taken last year

It's hard to sit in front of a computer when out of my window is beauty.

So I've chosen to take some time off. Especially after the frenzy in which it took for me to get our family of nine packed. Let's just say I might have been up till 2 in the morning and then up again at 5:30 trying to get everything done. And I still forgot things - thankfully I can purchase those things {like coffee} up here. I didn't forget my Keurig though - just the coffee. :)

I've already been playing in the water with the kids, fishing, on boat rides, playing games, learning to play the game Kubb {any of you played it?}, talking walks, and just being still and laughing with my family.

instagram of Hannah playing Kubb
find me on instagram  - finding_joy

Now, today, it's 7am, and the sun is shining and this is my view.

an instagram morning pic

I'm getting offline. I hear Samuel waking up and he's chattering away about being at Woodland.

Joy.


******

Interested in reading an article on how I homeschool multiple ages? I was blessed to guest post at Home Educating Family last week -- here's the link  -- Six Tips for Homeschooling Multiple Ages
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linking with Carissa, who totally knows my heart about Woodland and why this trip is so meaningful to me. She's a kindred spirit and a dear friend.

read my weekend notes

Weekend notes.

- Vacation -
In less than two weeks our family will be leaving for our annual week vacation to the lake with my extended family. It's a joyous time of family, fishing, swimming, playing games, doing nothing, and eating. I've gone every year since I was either eight or nine - this is a huge deal and is a tremendous defining moment of our summers. My father is proposing a media free week up there. I'm mulling that over. I mean look at this view - high def naturally.

Any vacation plans for you?

- Elijah -
He's doing better since his boy meets captain's drawer incident. Besides having quite the shiner he's been a bit more tired - so we're encouraging that four year old of ours to rest as much as a four year old will. Which, in case you forget, is almost impossible. I'm still watching him carefully to make sure that he mends up and gets back to his incredibly precocious state.

- Momma's Heart -
Somedays the reality of  Samuel never ever eating for gluten hurts my momma's heart. Last night, after coming home from our sweet neighbor Emma's baptism I stopped to grab Grace a treat. One fry remained on the table. One fry with just a bit of wheat starch in it. Gluten. And Samuel came downstairs, holding that lone fry and looked and big sister Hannah. This gluten free, Hannah? And she told me she hated telling him no. As much as I try to make his world gluten free the reality is that he lives in a very gluten full world and will have many of those no moments - birthday cakes, food at the coffee shop, potlucks and not being able to try - and that is hard.

I know in the scheme of life that there are greater sorrows and harder trials. I know to be grateful for all that he can eat. But, sometimes, my friends, I will tell you that it simply hurts my momma's heart. Or his sister Hannah's heart. It is not fair. Short and sweet.

But, despite it not being fair I will not sit in it. I will rejoice for all he can have and only buy him fries that are gluten free. And I honestly will pray that he continues to retain his amazing strength -- he is two years old and knows to ask if something is gluten free or not and then he is content when he hears the answer. Was he a bit sad? yes. But did he sit in it? No. I don't know if I could be that strong.

That boy is amazing.

- BEECH -
For the last several months I have been working behind the scenes on something amazing. That awesome thing? The BEECH Retreat - Blogging to Encourage and Equip Christian Homeschoolers that will be taking place next year in beautiful South Florida at the South Seas Resort on Captiva Island. Yes, island. Yes, Florida. In the winter. You simply must check it out - and be prepared to be blown away by the absolute beauty of this setting. :)

- Sponsors -
And some closing housekeeping. If you are interested in sponsoring/advertising on finding joy I am now working on wrapping up sponsors for July and the third quarter {can you believe that? I had to check twice}. I am truly grateful for each sponsor - thank you.

- Recap -
Go to the BEECH site and do not pass go.
Share with me your favorite vacation destination.
Tell me iced or hot coffee. {random,  I know}
Sometimes auto-publish is not reliable. Like today.
Have you joined Finding Joy on Facebook? If not, today, when it's 13 from 2000 would be a great day. ;)
Gluten free pizza with pesto, roasted veggies, and fresh mozzarella is amazing. {just had to add this}

And thank you for praying for Elijah.

- Linking -
With my lovely friend, Carissa. Who I am so delighted to call my friend. Blessings, indeed.

cultivating breathing space - rest

{part of the intentional parenting series}

My planner is beyond full. Running here, running there, ballet, taekwondo, writing, reviews, cooking, cleaning, laundry {you really don't want to see my laundry room right now}, speaking engagements, homeschooling, being a mom, and so much more.

It, at times, is exhausting.

Life races by. Faster, faster, and faster. Do this, do that, do more.

There's not much room to breathe.

Then it hits me. They're watching me. My children - Hannah, Chloe, Grace, Brennan, Caleb, Elijah, and Samuel - they're all watching me race through life.

The out of breath mom.

Even Caleb will come up to me, and in his sweet six year old way he'll tell me rest momma rest. He sees the busy, he sees the choices, he sees me the busy out of breath mom.

Enter Mother's Day.

They, all of those wonderful children, want me to sit still, to rest, to enjoy, to be happy, to be joyful. They didn't see my overworked to-do list or my ridiculously full inbox or those piles of laundry. They loved me and they wanted me to slow down. They didn't care that we moms give ourselves these pats on our own backs for being busy and getting our list almost finished. They didn't care that I'll be behind in my mind. They wanted me to be rest in their celebration of motherhood.

That meant creating and embracing breathing space in a busy life.

It meant being willing to let go of the entire oversaturated scheduled life and instead meant truly resting - if just for a bit. There isn't an award for the busiest mom or the one with the fullest color coded schedule or the one who doesn't need to rest. Racing through life simply teaches our children to race through life.

We must cultivate intentional breathing space.

Otherwise we will create another generation of stressed overworked individuals. Rest is a gift - and we can bless our children with seeing us, the moms, actually rest.

So on Mother's Day, I rested. I played games, sat and talked with my parents, and spent an hour in my dad's garden with him planting tomatoes and peppers. There was no agenda during that time - it was him and I - enjoying each other's company, working together, and it was lovely. Restful.

Keep working. Keep your schedule. But, know that it's okay to rest.

Cultivate breathing space within your life, mothers. Do not allow guilt, schedules, routine, agendas, culture, and more to suffocate out moments of rest and quiet. Our children, our husbands, our families will be blessed if we allow ourselves the grace to be still, to create, and to breathe.

It is good, it is intentional, it cultivates joy when we allow space to be still.

*****

Several weeks ago I ran a series titled 10 Days of Intentional Parenting. This post is part of the continuation of that series. For those of who you followed that you'll remember that I included several questions at the end and a journal page. Today, for this post on breathing space, here are several questions for you to ponder.

1} Do you rest? If so where and when?
2} How can you cultivate rest, breathing space into your family's life?
3} Take some time today, with your children, and simply rest. Play games, read books, but be intentional to let the schedule be still.

What are your thoughts on rest? Are you intentional about it?

*****

Also, tonight, I'm so excited to share my heart in front of a local homeschool group. I'm talking about finishing the year well - so if you'd think of me later today I'd love some prayers.

Blessings on your Monday - and let it be a Monday filled with a list to do and many things accomplished but also sweet moments of intentionality with your children and times of rest.

Linking my thoughts on rest with my sweet friend Carissa.

facts from my amazing weekend

A little bit silent over here? Well, I'm back -- right after 10 Days of Intentional Parenting wrapped up I found myself on a plane flying out to Washington DC to emcee the Titus 2:1 Conference - the first ever Christian Homeschooling Blogging Conference.

It was amazing.

So today, I thought I'd share some miscellanies with you about it. I've only got some instagram pictures -- imagine that, I was busy speaking and didn't have time for pics... :)

1. Flying. Despite all early cries {like last July} I actually enjoy flying. I've figured out certain patterns when taking off and landing and no longer feel the need to white knuckle grip the armrest. Turbulence? Bring it on. A little. And, oh yes, I seem to like pictures taken from my plane seat right before I take off -- evident by the two instagram photos below. One is in Chicago and the other in Washington DC. Which is which? Anyone know? And yes, I flew United.

2. Washington Dulles Airport is huge. And I mean H.U.G.E. type huge. And, it's not marked clearly. Up here in Minnesota we like labels. Lots of labels. I was standing around wondering where to go to get my bags when I arrived and it was like - go down this hall, down these two escalators, take a right, go around the corner, up one escalator, down a hall that bends, take an escalator down, take a super fast train, look around in the train for baggage claim signs, get off train, go up two more sets of escalators, go through doors that state stuff about not being able to re-enter, have the moment of doubt that you're in the right spot since you've just wandered around a small city, go through the doors, down one more escalator and then your bags are at a baggage claim 1/2 block from where you are. Good luck, get your bags, and come on back.

3. Online blogging friends are real friends. For those of you who've experienced this - you know what I'm talking about. But, for others, it's an amazing experience to walk into a room full of people and already have connections with them. There were tears shed when I left.

My friend Cheryl {on the left - who organized the conference} and me - first night for the Apologia PJ party
pic taken by my roommate {love her} Tara at Feels at Home Blog

4. The microphone.  I've decided that I need a microphone at home. Could you imagine? Okay kids, if you could all make your way downstairs in 2 minutes we'll be starting. Hmmm...

5. My family, after the Lord, comes first. This weekend was so amazing as it was a beautiful combination of topics - blogging and homeschooling - but was woven together by the common thread of our belief in Christ. I walked away feeling refreshed, on fire for the Lord, and motivated to be a better mom, wife, friend, and blogger.

6. The Lord can carry us. I was blessed to be able to give the Saturday morning keynote. Nervous because I hadn't prepared, had no slides, etc, but I truly felt the Lord calling me to step out of the boat and speak -- and I believe He blessed me with the words. I spoke about not comparing, keeping our eyes on Jesus, and that we matter. It's true, my friends, you matter -- what you're doing today, in being a mother it matters. Wiping noses, dealing with sick kids {I came home to a home full of sick children}, writing an encouraging comment, bending on your knees in prayer, all of that matters. The world will tell you that it does not - but friends - it matters.

7. Family. Throughout the weekend I realized how passionate I am about reclaiming family. I realize that our culture, our society, and our world is set out in many ways to steal family from our hands. Just as I wrote last Thursday about family and fighting for it, I'm writing it again today - we must stand up against a culture determined to whittle away at the core of family and instead stand up, stand together with arms linked, and protect, and make family stronger.

8. Intentional with my time. I am convicted to be more intentional. That's it. I just had to put it out there.

9. Pillows. And to wrap it up on a light-hearted note, at the hotel I was at that they had a "selection" of pillows. Note the quotation marks around selection. Here's the deal {that's my instagram photo below} I tested both of the pillows - firm and soft - they were the same. I think it was a marketing ploy - but it gave me something to chuckle about in front and for that I was grateful.

I'm looking to get back in the groove of my writing. The last time I took two days off {was that it?} was back in October. Of course, I'm linking with my lovely friend Carissa. Who, if you'll remember was a friend I first met through blogging, and then in real life last July {back when I didn't like flying} and now I consider her a life friend. You must read it - When Rachel Met Carissa.  God is good.



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pictures, outtakes, eggs, and the color orange.

Where did the weekend go, my friends? I think, perhaps, I am just a bit more tired now then before the weekend began. We've been busy, and celebrating Easter, and spending beautiful time with family. Family is absolutely critical to who we are -- it's bonds, life, connections, and importance.

So today, I'm sharing with you my sweet and most favorite moments from our Easter weekend.

1. Easter Egg Dye 2012. Every year we make a big deal out of dyeing our eggs. And, sigh, every year, I go through those moments of thinking if we're going to really go through with dyeing the eggs -- the mess, the clean-up, the work, and yet, by the time it's done I'm absolutely grateful for those moments spent with messy hands, spilled colors, broken eggs, laughs, and joy. My table covering? Brown postal paper - we write the year and get autographs - and then easy clean up.

2. Samuel loves orange. He went way beyond his seven egg quota and was seen wandering around, grabbing other siblings' eggs and quickly, and not very quietly dunking {but rather dropping} those loan eggs into our very bright orange dye. Ah, yes, those hands of his? Rather orange...

3. 5 Dozen Eggs. 60 total hit the water. 56 were dunked in color. {We might have just tested several before} All together they make a beautiful spectrum of color. This morning? We have 2.5 dozen eggs left. Breakfast has been way too easy the last two days -- could I have an egg mom? Absolutely yes!

4. Organized eggs. Yes, I organized  our eggs by color as they went back in the boxes.

5. Family Pictures. I tried this year, again to capture some pics of all seven of my kids looking together at me and smiling. Not going to happen. In fact, that is an incredible task to get them to all line up, smile, not wiggle, and look at me. I am way impressed with those photographers of the past who could get those whole families {of course they aren't smiling because they had to stand there} to take pics. See exhibit a {pictured below} why taking pictures was a bit challenging.

6. Brothers. My oldest three boys. I love this picture. It captures who they are. Right now in life.

7. Hannah and Brennan. A classic {and perfect} shot of the older sister sneaking a kiss on her younger eight year old brother. His face? Priceless. Those two have the best relationship -- he loves to write, draw, and make up stories just like she did when she was that size.

8. Elijah {in case I haven't established that point} has a mind of his own. He decided he was done with pictures and began wandering off. Brennan looks like he might be done as well. :)

9. I've decided the girls were not the reason the family pictures didn't turn out perfect. It might have had something to do with the little boys. Case in point? Picture below. This was the first one. And, by the way, the best {at least most posed} of the older boys. :)

10. Some more. Those are my amazing wonderful funny crazy busy life-enjoying fabulous kids. And, oh my, do I love being there mom. More pics will come -- between Hannah and I we estimate we took at least 350 pictures yesterday. Love. :)

And now, it's Monday. And that crew pictured above? Well, they've got history, science, math, and more to do. And me? I'm blessed to be the one to spend time with them, teaching them, laughing with them, reading to them, and just being being there for them.

Enjoy today. Monday, April 9, 2012. It's the only one of today that you will ever get. :)

Also, try to pop over to hiphomeschoolmoms to read my post/interview with my  Hannah about homeschooling the highschooler. Click words from the highschooler.

linking with my lovely inreal life friend carissa. By the way, which pic above was your fave?