Summertime Fun!

Our first week back to school and choring earne us a Saturday trip to the lake.  We're hoping that we'll need to repeat the trip again real soon. :)

Honoree' wasn't impressed with the choppy water and chilly temps. She spent her time in the sand.

Lunch time!! Dad grilled dogs on real charcoal briquettes. Impressive!

We brought the canoe in hopes of fishing, but it was too windy to go out.

Digging to the bottom of Lake Winnepesauke.

Kindred slept the day away.



Elizabeth read in the sun. She finished her book, The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. (one of Mom's favorite books. <3 )

Ellacoya State Park.

Beautiful.

The Schoolroom

We got our new school room set up this weekend. It will primarily be used for lessons with the younger children and as a playroom. I set it up so I can read with many snugglers and also have a comfy place to nurse the baby while I work on lessons with someone else. I put gates at each entrance in hopes that will keep the toys in the right room at least. ;)

The boys will likely work on independent work at the dining room table next to the school room. This allows me to see the littles while they play and I help the older ones.  In my head, it all works perfectly. The year ahead will tell for sure. ;)  We started back to school to finish up this year's work today. So far, we've been working all together in the school room so we can work on some bad habits that have developed. Theirs and mine.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

2 Timothy 2:15

Kindred at One Month Old

Sweet Baby Kindy gave me a little smile this day. :)  We're doing well, she's starting to gain more weight and I am loving seeing her connect more with us.  Our nights are still interrupted, but things are feeling a little less hard now.

^""""""For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, " Zechariah 4:10

New Mousers for the New House

Thanks to some great friends, we were able to add these two adorable kittens to our family this week. We intended to go with just one new kitten, but, really, could you have resisted these cuties? (the kittens OR the children ;) )  Nothing more fun than watching the children play with sweet little kitties.

Haddie, their step-momma isn't real thrilled about their arrival. We were tempted to name them Prince Charming and Cinderella because of this fact. However, we decided to go with our bent toward virtue names instead.  We thought about their little personalities and came up with Brave and Serenity.  More formally, Jack the Brave and Lady Serenity.

Father's Day Fun

This year for Father's Day a local community hosted the movie Courageous at a local park. This is one of David's favorite films, so we were excited to attend.

When we arrived, we enjoyed some yummy treats and hanging out at the playground. Before the movie began, there were some group games and contests we enjoyed as well. David even had the opportunity to share a dance with each of his little girlies for the Dad and daughter dance on the lawn.

It was so nice to get out for an evening of fun and relax together. We're so grateful for such a wonderful man to call Daddy in our home.

"I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us.  We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done." 

Psalm 78: 2-4

What's In A Name?

Over recent years, we've been drawn to some unique names for our children. The use of "virtue names" goes back to the old puritan times.  Often, parents used these names as a way to share a message of truth or hope for others. In our lives, we've felt these special names have been a source of challenge and encouragement for us as well as our children who will carry these names throughout life. 

In choosing our four year old's name, Verity Grace, we've been challenged to uphold the truth of the scriptures while we seek to live by the grace the Lord gives. (Colossians 1:3-7) Our hearts were drawn to our two year old's name, Honoree' Faith, knowing that we are to live in such a way that we would honor the Lord with the faith He has given to us. (1 Peter 1:1-9)  The message of the name Kindred Promise is no exception.

Several years ago, I was struggling with the idea of our growing family. Doubts concerning our ability to rightly provide for everyone by way of finances, energy, love, and guidance gripped me tightly.  I wondered if it was "right" for us to keep allowing more children into our lives when we already felt stretched.  I was worried that there wouldn't be Enough for our family if it continued to grow. As I wrestled with these emotions, I poured out my heart to the Lord looking for some kind of direction.  I was not disappointed.

The Lord brought me back to my foundational understanding of His work in this area of our lives. When we were first challenged to trust the Lord's choices regarding our family size, it was a simple step forward in our ongoing journey to hand over all of our lives to the Lord's control. Through reading His word, we were able to see that the Lord is the creator of all life, ours, our children's, and any children yet to be born.  The truth that He alone controls the timing and the creation of all life demands us to humble ourselves to His providential hand. As I pondered this truth, I was comforted that we have been chosen already to be used to fulfill His mighty plans in so many lives.

Once I focused my heart on truth rather than fear and doubt, the Lord revealed a greater truth that calmed my restless soul.  I will say, I don't often hear the voice of the Lord outside of His written word, but the few times I have, it has been lifechanging.  First, the Lord reminded me that He is the author of all life. Each little person in our home and hearts was put there by His design and purpose. Second, He revealed the truth their very life was a sign of His promise to provide, protect, and fulfill His purposes in our family life.  The truth is that BECAUSE He has created each of these little ones, we have the PROMISE that He will accomplish His will in our lives, not allowing us to fall beyond hope. We are His children and need to walk in that promise.

Oh! What a breath of renewing hope to my heart. As I meditated on this amazing love once again revealed to me, I couldn't help but marvel at the incredible blessing Family is in my life. To know that each little face I kiss is a symbol of the Lord's love and promises to me is profound. My thoughts were filled with this concept of Family being a sign of Promise and the name Kindred Promise was born in my heart.

And, in His perfect time, in His perfect way, the person Kindred Promise was then born into our arms.

Definition of Kindred:

noun

1. a person's relatives collectively; kinfolk; kin.

2. a group of persons related to another; family, tribe, or race.

3. relationship by birth or descent, or sometimes by marriage; kinship.

4. natural relationship; affinity.

adjective

5. associated by origin, nature, qualities, etc.: kindred languages.

6. having the same belief, attitude, or feeling: We are kindred spirits on the issue of gun control.

7.related by birth or descent; having kinship: kindred tribes.

8. belonging to kin or relatives: kindred blood.

"The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way;  though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORDupholds his hand. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing."

Psalm 37:23-25