Field of Daisies

Well, I think the remodeling is almost finished. Hooray! As of now, all I need is to find a fireplace mantel for the bedroom, a rug/rugs for the bathroom, a picture light (to go over one of my pictures in the living room), and I need to paint a shelf and a picture frame in the bathroom. Then I can say I'm done! I can hardly wait....

The living room looks great--although it is considerably darker in there than it used to be--which explains the need for the light. And the bedroom is beautiful! Of course, the rest of the house is a wreck, but we can't have everything, can we?!? ;-)

I have to admit, the process was not as fun as I had hoped it would be. In fact, it was rather frustrating. It was nothing like Trading Spaces, one of my favorite cable shows. Of course I didn't have a designer, a carpenter, and a crew to help me out! (Maybe next time!)

But the interesting thing is that with all that's gone on in my life these past weeks, the remodeling has been the least important of them all--even though I had been waiting for this to happen since December (--this was my husband's Christmas present to me). In the beginning I was so excited about it, but as things unfolded in my friends' lives, and subsequently, my life these past weeks, this remodeling project took on the colorings of a burden, rather than a joy. Just a reminder, I suppose, that sometimes we get side-tracked in life by things that really aren't all that important.

All the more reason to keep working on my priorities.... People before projects; God before people. Without God, the problems in my friends' lives would be overwhelming, and without friends, there would be no joy at all in the projects. (Who would I show them to?) Yup, keeping the main thing the main thing is the main thing.... Funny, how the older I get the more I realize how little I know.... The learning curve for Life is truly great. No crash courses here. Thankfully I have a God Who sympathizes with my weaknesses, loving me in spite of my slowness in "getting it." :-)

My God is good, all the time...and I am forever grateful!

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

--Hebrews 4:14-16

Posted by at 09:47 PM | Permalink

It seems the more I try to de-stress my life, the more stressful it gets. The more I try to de-clutter, the more cluttered things become. Today, I feel like the fish swimming upstream. It *feels* as though the current is against me and I'm losing ground instead of gaining it.

The truth is, however, that I am blessed! I have a family and friends who love me. I have a home that is pleasant to come home to--even with the clutter! I have a church family to worship and grow with, and a dog who loves his "lucy." (Inside joke.) Actually he loves me and lucy. :-) And best of all, I have a God who is always there for me, watching over me, hemming me in behind and before (with His love and protection), and making my path straight before me. All the events of my life are sifted through His loving hands for my highest good and His perfect will.

If anything is a destressor, that is it. I don't have to stress over the bedroom that's still not finished, or the plethora of items that didn't work for the remodeling project that must be returned, or the school books that need to be sorted through, or the new curricula that I need to familiarize myself with, or the laundry that's piled high.... All things will be taken care of in time according to His plan, and I can rest in that.

I can also rest in the knowledge that I blessed a friend today just by being available to her. Even though I didn't accomplish all I wanted to today, I accomplished that, and I wouldn't trade having all that other stuff taken care of if it meant I couldn't be there for my friend.

So yeah, things are still in chaos a little bit here, but that's okay. In the big picture, I am resting in the loving hands of my Father in heaven, and there's no better place to be....

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
~Psalm 139:7-10

Posted by at 09:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Today was the "big day" the kids have been looking forward to for so long, and I can say with some certainty they were not in the least disappointed!

Grandpa Carl and Grandma Velma, Aunt Janet, Uncle Mark and Aunt Carol were all in attendance for our end-of-school party. Zach and Jenna officiated over the presentation, speaking clearly and confidently in front of our guests, welcoming them and inviting them to make themselves comfortable.... ;-) Zach played three songs on the piano and spelled some really tough words. Jenna read a poem--with emphasis and emotion no less!-- and worked some math problems on the board. They both quoted verses of Scripture. Then Dad showed the DVD chronicling our school year, and I handed out the award certificates and their year-end "diplomas." It went off smoothly, and I believe our guests were appropriately impressed. :-)

After the presentation, everyone was invited to the schoolroom to see our exhibit and to look over all the work the kids completed this term. Again, I think everyone was impressed. I have to admit, I did not realize all the work they had done until I started putting it all together in piles on the table. It truly was impressive.

It was fun to stand back and watch as Zach and Jenna told everyone about their work. Jenna, especially, was very proud of herself and beamed as she showed off her work. I need to remember how important this was to them, and not neglect it in future years.

After all was said and done, we enjoyed an indoor picnic, complete with hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, baked beans, and cake and ice cream. It certainly seemed everyone went away satisfied and contented.

It took a lot of work to pull this party together this week, especially in the midst of the painting, but it was worth every bit of it.

Now I can put "school" behind me for awhile, slip into the easier routine of summer, and just maybe I'll get to read a good book just for fun! (Uncle Tom's Cabin is on my list of classics to read, so maybe I'll dust it off and give it a go...!)

Posted by at 10:10 PM | Permalink

Today promises to be another hectic day, but I had to pause in the midst of all the cleaning and preparing to spend a few minutes focusing on my God.

One of my all time favorite devotionals is My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers. (The updated version is much easier to understand than the original, while retaining the significance).

Today's devotion has to do, in some part, with God having His hand upon us. Oswald says, "Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it gives inexpressible peace and comfort, and the sense that "underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deut. 33:27), full of support, provision, comfort, and strength."

I mentioned in yesterday's entry that some of my friends are going through some really difficult times right now. One dear friend was diagnosed with cancer last week. Two others are dealing with chronic pain disorders, in addition to serious financial troubles. Another is struggling in her marriage. And yet another has some medical problems which the doctors have yet to diagnose, much less properly treat.

While my heart is broken for all these friends, I know that God's hand is upon each one. The only way that I know this is that I, too, have been through similarly "hopeless" and fiery situations--and His hand was upon me. I have always said, if He cared for me, He will care for you.... The results may not be what we desire in the physical, earthly realm, but our God is Sovereign, and nothing can hinder His perfect Sovereign will for our lives. If our hearts are open to Him, even--and especially--in our troubles, He will be there for us in a way that is beyond anything we've ever experienced before, with peace, comfort, provision, support, and strength.

Psalm 139 stresses how God has His hand upon us.... And it is because of that we can have hope.

I cannot help but pray for my friends today, that they will experience the reality of God's hand upon their lives today, in a unique, special, and unforgettable way; that He will indeed be their strength, their supply, their peace, their comfort, and their provision--above and beyond all they could ask or imagine.

You hem me in-behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
Psalm 139:5

Posted by at 11:44 AM | Permalink

It's the end of another busy/crazy day! We hit the ground running today, tidying up the school room, filing papers, putting together our "exhibit" for the school party, and even rehearsing the kids' "presentations" for tomorrow. Then we grabbed a quick bite of lunch and I was out the door to meet a friend for a glass of tea and catching up.

I was on my way home when I learned that Joel was having server problems--a recurring thing in our world--so he was off to the office at dinner-time. Meanwhile, I did some more straightening, attempting to get the house back to some semblence of order after the painting was completed--or mostly completed, that is. (So much to do, so little time!)

Joel finally called and said he could meet us for dinner, so we met at the Rib Crib where we had a few minutes to catch our breath. Then he took the kids home while I ventured to Target--one of my favorite places on earth!--to do the grocery shopping for the party tomorrow.

It was almost 9 p.m. by the time I got back home, and time to send the kids off to bed. There were still groceries to put away, towels to fold, curtains to dry, and our bedroom is still in chaos.

But you know what? Life is pretty darn good! I was walking out of Target tonight; the sun was setting, the air was cool and calm; the clouds were beautiful; and I realized--really realized--for the first time in a long time, that I've got it pretty good! So many of my friends are going through really difficult times, and it occurred to me that God has brought me out of some difficult times lately, and has placed me in a time of "rest." Not rest from life, that's for sure! But rest from the heat of the flames, so-to-speak.

So even though I had an incredibly busy week, with some very minor disappointments, my life is good and I am grateful. :-)

"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Posted by at 11:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Day Four of our Two-Day Painting Project:

I was informed this morning by Bobby that he did not recall my telling him the ceiling in the bedroom was to be painted. That wouldn't be a problem except that he's a week behind on jobs and must move on to another job today. He said he would finish everything else here today, and promised he would be back here next week to paint the ceiling in the bedroom.

I must admit I'm a bit perturbed by the situation, but what's a person to do...? Some things are just out of our control. And this is one of those things.

Such is life--especially when one is remodeling...

Posted by at 09:59 AM | Permalink

Zach and Jenna at the musical.

Zach and Jenna had a lot going on this year! Zach continued his piano lessons--for the 6th year, I believe. He did a wonderful job in the piano recital. He also started taking karate lessons (Tang Soo Do) a couple of months ago. He looks very cool in his do bok (uniform)!

Jenna went back to ballet again this year, dancing in her third dance recital. She took ballet, tap, and jazz this year, which meant she danced three times during the recital. (It also meant she had three separate costumes! cha-ching!)

The kids were very involved with the STOMP program at church. (That's the music/praise/worship program.) They sang with the adult choir during the Christmas "Festival" and the Easter Sunday services. And they had special parts in the kids' musical this spring. They both sang solos this year--a first for Jenna! And they performed in some of the dance sequences. Jenna was a napkin in one number--very cute! And Zach was part of the Moses dance.

We also took a few vacations/field trips. In October, we spent a few days in Eureka Springs, as usual. And in November, we went on a fabulous cruise to the western Caribbean (thanks to Grandpa Sonny and Grandma Sheila!). Then in March, we took a short vacation to Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri. In April, Jenna went on her first snow skiing adventure (with Dad--and Grandpa Sonny and Grandma Sheila again!). Then in May, Jenna and I went on a little trip to Springdale, Arkansas with the Handke's and Aunt Carol. (We called it a "girls' trip" even though Grandpa went along.)

Some of our local excursions included the State Fair of Oklahoma, the pumpkin patch here in Edmond, and the Titanic Exhibit at the Omniplex. We bought a membership to the Omniplex this year, so we had several opportunities to go through the hands-on exhibits, and to see a couple of the IMAX movies.

As a family, we also did a couple of community service projects. In the fall, the kids chose the Ministries of Jesus as the recipient of a fundraiser they put together. There were five families involved (about 8 kids), and they raised almost $500! Then in February, we made beaucoup valentines to take to a nursing home here in Edmond.

P.E. was lots of fun this year too. The kids went ice skating several times, they're both excellent roller-bladers, and Jenna took to snow skiing at least as well as Zach did a few years ago. Zach took up skate-boarding this year, too, which has presented some challenges, but he has stuck with it and is showing some improvement. He has also really enjoyed karate. (And it doesn't hurt that his best friend goes with him to karate, as well!) Add swimming, biking, and dancing to the mix, and I think they would say they had a great year!

And I would have to say they're great kids! :-)

Posted by at 10:53 PM | Permalink

We have reached our required 180 days! Woo-hoo! After nine long months, our sixth year of home-schooling is complete. Whew! We made it....

Yes, Zach completed 5th grade this year. He read over 25 chapter books--some with over 200 pages! He completed his math curriculum--Saxon 65--even working some of the supplemental exercises. And he learned more things than I can even recount! As always, he is amazing.

Jenna completed 2nd grade this year, showing marked improvement in her reading, writing, and math skills. Grammar was a new thing with her this year, but she got the basics, and next year we'll study the eight parts of speech more indepth. When Jenna wants to, she can excel, and often does. She is pretty bright herself!

The kids' favorite part of our day was our reading time. We made it a habit to start **most** days off with a devotion (Timeless Moments was awesome!), then we went into the unit study or history study. For history, we read through From Sea to Shining Sea (for kids), which gives an awe-inspiring look at how God had His hand upon us during the first half of our country's history. Then we followed that up with true stories based on real people and events from what we call "living books." (These are attention-grabbing books about real people--like Eli Whitney, for example--the struggles they faced and overcame, and the difference they made in the lives of others.)

We started out the year with a character-based curriculum that I wrote based on the book Boundaries With Kids by Cloud and Townsend. (An excellent book for parents of any age, really. I highly recommend it.) We titled our curriculum, "Pulling Your Own Wagon." The kids enjoyed the study and it laid a foundation in our home for taking personal responsibility, something that is sorely lacking in our society these days.

We finished up the year studying American history from the discovery of the New World to about 1830. We left off with the country on the verge of war over slavery. To give them a better understanding of slavery, we read from the personal account of Thomas Jones, a man who had been a slave for 43 years prior to escaping to the north. Once free, he devoted his life to educating others of the horrors of slavery while sharing the hope and comfort found in Jesus Christ. As we concluded the school term, we started watching the TV miniseries, Roots, by Alex Haley, from the 70's. Some of the scenes in the first couple of episodes were hard for our kids to watch, but I think they are beginning to understand why this issue catapulted our country toward war.

To celebrate our achievements, we will be having an "end-of-year" school party on Saturday. The kids will show-off some of their skills as well as the work they have done for the term. This event is an important part of our school experience. It gives Zach and Jenna an opportunity to show others what they have learned and what they can do. (Rumor has it that Zach will play the piano, and Jenna may read a poem! But, sssshhhhhh! Don't tell anyone!) :-)

Between all the grammar lessons, math exercises, field trips, and endless writing assignments, there was plenty of laughter, a few tears, a fair degree of complaining--they still don't know how good they've got it!--and lots of time together as a family. With all its ups and downs and everything in-between, we remain committed to the benefits of home schooling for our children and our family.

So, how many weeks before the new school term begins?---Ugh! I don't even want to go there yet!

Congratulations to Zach and Jenna on another successful year of home-schooling!

Posted by at 09:49 PM | Permalink

The painter came on Monday, but as most remodeling jobs go, there wasn't a drop of paint on the walls by the time he left. (Couldn't get paint.) Tuesday went smoother. Bobby, the painter, got a couple of coats of the red on most of the front rooms--living room, entry way, and hall--but the paint shop spilled a gallon of the bedroom paint and had to start over. Then, as Bobby began trying to pull down the wall border in the bedroom, he ran into more snags. ("I think they put this stuff up here with Elmer's glue!")

As of this writing, I think he's nearly done with the front rooms, and I'm hoping he's started painting the bedroom. I'm not sure where we'll sleep tonight... The living room is in chaos, as is the bedroom--plus, this paint really smells bad!

I still have some shopping to do for bedroom accessories (grin)--plus, now that I've changed the bedroom colors, I must change the bathroom accessories as well... Wouldn'tcha know!

Thing is, I need to get the house back in order by Saturday afternoon, for the big END-OF-SCHOOL party! :-) (If I believed in luck I'd ask for some now!)

More later as the remodeling saga continues...

Posted by at 02:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I asked Joel to make me a blog, and presto, I'm a blog! Yay!

Posted by at 08:37 PM | Permalink