Date Night Kid Edition

The newest Z initiative is a date with each child alone once a month with one parent. The child gets to pick a free activity to do with either mom or dad. They can go swimming, or biking, or fishing (with dad of course, moms more of a biker) or whatever they can come up with We worked out a schedule so that Bryan and take turns with each child. Tonight was the first night. It was my turn with Keegan. We had FUN. He choose to bike down the trails. It was great to go with him alone. We also said that the child could pick a special treat at the end of the night. Keegan picked ice cream. A boy after my own heartOur hope is to make each child feel special and loved. They are all one of a kind and worth treasuring.

Siblings

Today started out rough. Our two boys in the middle seem to have it out for each other all the time (well most of the time). Sounds familiar right? Sibling rivalry, that's what the experts call it. I call it frustrating, tiring and a little annoying. Well today I got frustrated and shouted. I felt bad. I am suppose to be their loving mom who guides them gently. This got me thinking, one of the reasons children are placed in a family is to be trained and raised so that when they are grown they can live effectively in community. Our family is a starting community in which they learn to accept each other for who they are. Even when they don't get along, they need to learn how to like each other. In communities each person has a role, and ideally, each person is respected. So here's to living in community. Here's to accepting each other as God created us. Here's to giving and receiving grace when we fail. Here's to another fresh start, and accepting the fact that we may need to start fresh many, many more times in the days to come. Here's to the power of prayer and the strength of God to raise and train all these siblings.

Contentedness

Philippians 4:11 "I have learned to be content in every situation." This is what I have been reminding myself lately. When the dishes pile up, I will be content with the 6 hungry children I can feed. When the house feels upside down, I will be content with my creative kids. When people make rude comments about how many children I have, I will be content living fully in God's will for me. Being content in the small daily stuff is where it's at. Being thankful in the small stuff is what brings pure joy. It's the dailyness of life that provides the choice to be content. Philippians 4:11 is what I am reminding myself of this week.

Blog Title

Have you ever noticed my blog title? 4 boys and 2 girls. When I started this blog our family consisted of 3 little boys and 1 sweet baby girl, and a mom and a dad. Hence the 4 boys and 2 girls. Well time went on and we were blessed by another son. My cousin in law jokingly said that we needed another daughter to make the title of my blog come true. I did not want this. But God had other plans. A little less than 3 months ago we were blessed beyond measure with our 6 th child, a girl. So now this mom and dad have 4 boys and 2 girls. Wow. 6 incredible blessings. I honestly never thought I would be blessed beyond measure like this. We have more children than we ever thought we would. And we definitely have more JOY than we ever thought we would as well. This is the verse that encourages me regarding our family. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.". I am truly thankful that the Lord's ways are different than my own. So my blog title, little did I know 4 years ago that it would be the perfect title today!!

First Day of School

We are back to the books officially this week. I am really looking forward to the routine and I am so glad that I am still homeschooling. Our oldest is in Grade 5 this year...I can hardly believe. Time flies. We started with a bang on Monday morning. Aliah was completely out of sorts and Hudson had a fever, but we plugged away at the school work. We also took a mid morning break and took the little ones for a much needed walk. It was sunny and warm. As I was walking I realized how thankful I am for the flexibility of home schooling, that when we all need a little fresh air, we can put down our pencils and go for a walk, even if it is 11:12am. God also blessed Keegan and I on our first morning in his grade 3 year. He has been a struggling reader, and when we picked up his reader, he started reading it as if he had never struggled at all. Of course, I started crying and so did he. And then he told me that God had answered his prayer. And I of course felt even more blessed to experience that precious moment with my wonderful son. Home schooling is a journey I thougth I would never take, and now it is a journey I can't do without. Despite the crazier moments, the messy house and virtually no free time, I am so thankful to be where I am today. And I am so thankful that I am able to be with and grow with all my children.

Bed Time

We (Bryan and I) were getting the little kids ready for bed tonight and I asked Bryan to throw down a pajama shirt for Aliah. I had the pants, but not the shirt, so I described the shirt we needed. He couldn't find it. So Brendan went up to get it. He couldn't find it either. I commented, in a very loving way, that they were somewhat blind as bats...seriously it was all in fun, and LOVE :o) Brendan then responded, "That's why we need you mom". Cheeky little fellow.

So how do I choose joy over feeling overwhelmed? I choose to reflect on the happy moments the kids and Bryan and I have together. It can get pretty crazy over here with 5 kids. But it is also pretty fun. There is never a dull moment. I feel like the kids are growing and changing so much. I feel like I am growing in my faith so much. Do I feel busy? Yes! Do I wish for quiet? Sometimes. Would I change anything? Never! I am thankful, and full of joy! (Oh and I think I am done my blogging break...I need the blog to share my joy!)