I.M.H.O.

In My Humble Opinion...

(how well do you know your internet acronyms??)

I've had some questions over the years on how we do family worship (devotions, Bible time, etc).  While I think it looks different in every family and there is certainly not any "right" way to do it, I believe it's so important to gather as a family and worship the Lord together.  It brings a "way-far-out-there-God" into our personal lives and also allows us to share our hearts with our children... to let them see our brokenness and need for a Savior, and also our love-affair with our Heavenly Father.

When Travis is here, he tries to get some time with the children in the Word, but more often than not, he's simply not present for a formal time of family worship.  Which means, that time is usually left for me.  It's not ideal and not even really how we would desire it (we really would love for Travis to lead this time), but it's our lot in life... so we work with it.

Simply because I always am looking for fresh new ideas, especially good books, for time with my children, I thought I'd share our routine and the books we use.  

FAMILY WORSHIP UTENSILS:

++ We begin off our time by gathering on the couch.  When the children were younger,

it was simply a 5-10 minute period, teaching them to sit still beside me and listen.

Now that they've learned that, we open to our memory passage and review the verses.

Right now, we're memorizing Proverbs 2.  

We take one verse a week, and go over it day by day.

I usually make up some sort of hand motions or voice inflections to make it stick,

and the girls are always surpassing me in their ability to memorize.

++ We then read from either the Bible, or a children's Bible.

These are the two we enjoy:

The Jesus Storybook Bible

Classic Bible Storybook

While I think both are excellent, I found it nice to have a variation

(especially after you've read through both multiple times).

++ My kids like to read. A LOT.  So, when the Bible stories are short,

or they simply want more, we love to supplement with the "Miller" books:

My parents read these to us while in our younger years. 

The stories are about a Mennonite family who uses experience and story

to help their four children grow in wisdom, prudence, etc.

Storytime with the Millers is a perfect one for younger children (2-5 years). 

We also have Wisdom with the Millers.  The girls have nearly out-read these

so I think we should be buying the others soon.

++ We end the time with song-singing and prayers.

I copied my sister's idea of choosing a new hymn every month,

alphabetically ("A" hymn for January, "B" for Feb, etc),

so right now, we're on "D", since we began in December.

Again, it's amazing how quickly things are engrained in the children's

minds and hearts by simply repeating daily.

And that's that!  Do you have any good book reviews or ideas that you implement??

evening sunshine

The kids and I played out at the park this evening.  The light filtering in was so perfect... almost dreamy?  I grabbed my camera and had at it for a bit.  With kids, you always need to be so rushed about it.  They lose interest quickly with that black box stuck in their faces; or one inevitably hurts themselves and needs to be loved/consoled; or something betwixt the two.  I was grateful for the quick shots I grabbed of my precious littles.  Ohhhh... these days.  They sure are flying by fast.  Now... I need to be proactive and print these photos!!

end of the year

Grandma and Grandpa have been visiting for the last week... and they leave tomorrow (insert sad face here).  It's been so good for my homesick soul to have them here.  They came when Travis had been out of town for eight days, my home was a mess, dishes were in the sink, kids were in the bathtub, baby was being nursed, and I hadn't showered.  Swooping in, they loved my children and me, they did my dishes, they were our Christmas gift.

Here are a few pictures from the last week.  I'll miss them greatly.  When will we ever get to live near family???

 We went to the beach Christmas Eve.  It was simply gorgeous.

Sooo... I think Rhett resembles Grandma... a LOT.

She thinks he's the second-coming of Travis.

Either way, he's definitely a Fugler and a doll.

Here's his gummy smile we all know and love.

Grandma and Grandpa are dog people.

But they've been very accommodating with Smidge and Velvet.

Which is so good for my girls' cat-lovers hearts... 

I sat with the kids in Rhett's room this afternoon while everyone 

else was busy elsewhere.  

I loved watching them.... and marveled over the fact that I have

THREE kids.

Now, family leaves and the new year is pending.

This new year brings a long deployment.

I am trying not to dread, but to hope in Psalm 121:1-2

"I lift my eyes toward the mountains.

Where will my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth."

Sunday evening swim

The weather is definitely cooling here in Florida.  It's not "cool", by any stretch of the imagination.  But the upper-80's with less than 80% humidity feels glorious after the month of August.  Even so, the pool is still being used.  Less so by me, because the water is cooling as well as the outdoor temps... but the kids and Trav are numb to the fact that the water is less bath-y and more cooling.

After a picnic at the park for dinner and sweaty chases through the playground, we decided to go home and sneak a swim in before bedtime.  I stayed out, as I supposed one of the kids would need to either (a) poop or (b) be fed and put to bed during the twenty minutes everyone was in the water.  I was right.

Even Rhett joined in on the fun... to say he's everyone's little doll is the understatement of the year.

Bella has become quite the fish since we've moved here.  She could live in that pool.

My boys.  Seriously.  Ga.  

I had the bright idea to put their towels in the dryer before collecting them out of the pool.

Such a warm snuggle before bed.

It was a perfect night.

AND lest I sound like my life is too dreamy, here's reality:

Trav and I had a crazy Saturday, with a nice fight to end the evening.

Sunday was left with sour moods and trying to clean up the emotional mess from the previous day.

We had to meet with our pastor's about becoming church members in the midst of our drama.

Which ended up with both of us in tears, talking through problems with our pastors.

Nice.

It was helpful, albeit humbling.

During our picnic dinner, Bella kept talking back and Summer wouldn't eat.

Ants were crawling on our feet and we were all sweating.

So... while I hope you enjoy these photos, know that photography covers a multitude of sins.

So does love.

Happy Monday, all!

Old MacDonald had a farm

Summer's at the delightful age where, if she hears anything that reminds her of anything, her blue-grey eyes grow big and she squeals (and o! how she squeals!... in falsetto, mind you), "MAMA!!!  That's just like ______!"  For example, we're memorizing Ephesians 6, currently.  And every day, when, at the end of verse 3, we say, "...so that it may go well with you, and you may have a long life in the land." she squeals, "MAMA!!!  It say 'land' just like airplanes land!!!!"  Yes, m'darling, it does.

All that Summer trivia so that you can imagine how "Old MacDonald has a farm... E-I-E-I-O" is sung with gusto every time we visit our local farm.  Yes, we are fortunate to have found a diamond in the rough here in Tampa.  Amidst all the hustle and bustle of the city life, we found a farm tucked away at the end of a cul-de-sac, four miles from our home.

There are cows and pigs, chickens and bees, homing doves and kitties.  In fact, two TWIN calves were born just a few days ago and we were able to see them on day 2.  Amazing.  We've been quite a number of times now, and have gotten to know the owner.  He is very gracious and welcoming, allowing us to watch him do his chores and teaching us all about farm life.  He invited us to watch him (and help!) milk the cows, too, so Saturday evening we ventured over.

This farm sells their fresh eggs, honey, raw milk, and has a vegetable garden in the spring.  You pay on the honor system in a bucket out under the porch.  You can imagine how the quaintness of it all give me a warm, gooey feeling all inside.

We were able to watch Rosie be milked, and then took her raw milk home with us to enjoy with our freshly baked cookies made with their hens eggs.  It was DIVINE.  I've read up on raw milk and I understand there are two sides to every coin.  It was delicious.  And it is purely organic.  I SAW my milk being pumped!!  But, it also was $8/gallon.  So... I probably won't be buying all my milk from there, but when we do visit, I'll pick up my eggs and milk.

I'm not completely sold on buying organic 100% of the time.  In fact, organic was just another word for expensive to me up until recently.  I do gain much pleasure, though, from buying local.  And after visiting this farm and getting to know Joe and Marion (the farmers), seeing all their hard work and the beauty of literally working the land, I truly love buying from them.  Really, nothing can beat seeing where your food comes from.  I know the good ol' days were full of trials and hard work, and we (I) probably romanticize them much to readily, but hey, I truly think we'd all be a mite (or lot!) better off if we could live like the good ol' days.  Fresh food, hard work, good night's sleep.  Here's to a bit of the good ol' days right here in Tampa!

home and HOME

We're back in Florida.  After taking the red-eye last night, we arrived bleary-eyed and crabby to our humid, sticky state.  I rather felt like crying.  I missed my Mama.  My sisters.  The fresh, clean air of San Luis Obispo.  The mountains, the warm sun.  The Pacific.  The promise that family is not clear across the United States of America, but rather a drive down the street.

Moonstone Beach
Cambria, CA

But, I kept my chin up.  I smiled for the kids.  After all, this is their home.  Here, where Daddy works and Mama stays home and makes food and does laundry.  It's their room and their toys.

Bee on a flower
Mimi and Granddad's garden

We had a full and beautiful eight days together.  Rhett was able to experience first hand what an amazing (if I do say so myself) family he was born into.  The girls became better friends with their five cousins.  Yummy food was eaten.  Hikes were taken.  Rhett was an angel and kept up his 11-12 hour night sleep schedule.  I love that boy.

Henry and Rhett
3.5 & 2.5 mos old

But now, we're home.  We took naps, laundry is already rolling, we had cereal for dinner and I'm listening to our daily monsoon outside.  School starts up in a week.  My husband turns 30 this week.  Bella's and my birthdays are the first week of September.  Lots to look forward to.  Thankful for home.  And thankful for HOME.  I'm not sure which one is which, for me.  Home is where you live.  But it's also where you're heart is at.  As an Air Force wife, my heart is in a great many places.

As my Mama and I decided... we wouldn't cry because our time was over, but we will smile because we were able to be together.  Here's to holding heads high and being thankful for home... wherever that may be.

the past ten days

1. I got my new camera lens in the mail.  LOVE.

2. My mom came on a red-eye and left this evening.  I love her.  And my heart feels so lonely now that she's gone.

3. Trav was gone on a trip... and then he came home.  Having three adults in the house for three kids seems to work nicely.  :-)

4. We played a lot.  We missed a lot of sleep.  We held babies and wiped bums and potty trained and worked on attitudes and kissed boo-boos.  We simply did life together.

5. Rhett is nearing his one-month mark.  Easiest baby ever.  Updates on him later.

6. For now, Trav and I have an evening (with a little babe at our sides) together.  After one month of having company, we're just "our family".  He and I have lots of catching up to do.  And with that, I bid you adieu.

** All photos are shot with the 50 mm lens and are SOOC.  No time for editing these days, peeps!!**

boxes and betsy

Our home is being packed up today.  Movers come on Wednesday.  We head out of Wichita on Friday.  It's a surreal feeling, watching all your things disappear into cardboard boxes, knowing they'll be unpacked in a new home, new state, new surroundings.  I'm ready for Florida, though.  I'm ready for an adventure.

My sister, Betsy, and her husband came down from Minnesota for a quick visit Friday-Sunday.  Trav and I always wish we could spend more time with them.  They are a perfect "couple friend."  Where the wives totally get along, the husbands are practically the same person, and all four can have a fun/deep/real conversation easily.  I'm thankful that they're my family... because that means that no matter how far I move, they'll always be in my life.

Betsy and James are fellow iPhone users and they taught me the ropes to my own iPhone that came in the mail on Friday.  I have to admit - it's a pretty sweet phone.  And you can use it as little or as much as you desire.  And all the apps that people have - well, they're not necessary to have.  So far, I've loved using it.  Very spiffy.

Sooo... I better get back.  Trav's downstairs filing paperwork that's 2-3 years old.  I'm sitting on my bed upstairs surrounded by piles of "don't pack", "pack ourselves", and "donate" items.  Summer's sleeping, Bella's playing across the street...

Just thought I'd peep in on this Monday and bid you hello.

pregnant sisters and our offspring

In honor of procrastinating .... I edited some pictures last evening.  Pictures I took on our last day in California.  The sweet golden air, spiced with fresh green grass and horse sweat is nearly aromatic in these photos.  We visited Cal Poly, the local university, which has a large agricultural and equestrian units.  It is a familiar past time that my sister and I like to do with our children (when I'm in town, that is).  Of course, the kiddos loved all the horses and on our way back to the cars, we strolled by their stalls - all marked with numbers.  I let each child stand in front of his/her own "age door".  And I love how each personality shines through in the photo.

Suzy: age 7 & 11/12ths

Charlotte: age 6

Bella: age 4

Elizabeth: age 3 & 1/2

Poor Summer's door didn't have a 2.
So Mimi made a two with her fingers...
as did Summer (in her own special way).

Atticus: age 1 (20 mos) -
the sole little man (until baby brother comes along)

My sister and I are also two weeks apart in our pregnancies.  She is ahead and expecting her fifth (!) in the beginning of May.  It's been rather fun to do this one "together."  So, we decided to take a picture of our broods - in all our "pregnancy-glowing-splendor."

Kate at 25 weeks
me at 23 weeks

Oh, baby baby BABY.  Who thinks we need a mite more boys in this fam???

family redemption

We were able to travel south to see some extended family this last weekend.  Three great-grandma's, Trav's parents, three of my aunts, and Trav's sister made up the clan that we enjoyed time with.  Of course, I only thought to bring out my camera at one point, so I missed pictures of everyone but my Nana.

Something so beautiful about seeing generations together.  Especially when I remember playing with the same wooden toys my girls poured over.  And especially when I remember being a youngster myself sitting in those familiar laps, embraced by those warm, soft arms.  I love that I still have grandparents to love my girls.

My Nana was raised in foster care as a little girl and eventually adopted into her foster family.  There is a constant sense of gratefulness to her foster/forever family for taking her in, loving her and raising her to be such a phenomenal woman.  Trav and I hope to do the same one day for a lost little boy or girl.  I know I wouldn't be here today if God hadn't placed my Nana in their lives.  He brings beauty out of ashes.

My mom didn't come to know Christ's saving grace until her mid-20's, after many years of terrible heartbreak and hitting rock-bottom.  Again, I feel such mercy in knowing that my Heavenly Father saved her and made her His.... and my mama.  Beauty out of ashes.

Family is always a reminder of His redemption.  May you choose to see His beauty today.

conglomeration of thoughts

One of the things I love about my family is that we love to talk.  We love to ask deep, personal questions and we love to answer and be heard.  Conflict is not absent, but it is never avoided.  I think it's safe to say that my sisters, brothers and parents know most everything about my life: the good, the bad and the ugly.  And I'm still loved.  Unconditionally.  While living under the same roof with all the siblings and in-laws is not always easy, it's worth it and it's good.  It's good to be stretched.

Last night, while relaxing after dinner, we asked the question, "What do you think about as you fall asleep at night?"  We all went around and answered.  Funny responses and we enjoyed analyzing each other's answers and how they fit each unique personality.

The whole conversation got me thinking of how different life is now for me from when it was before.  My mind isn't filled with many things other than my family.  My marriage, my parenting, and my home life.  It's what rules my thoughts and my endeavors and my whole being.  It's who I am, for now.

While Trav's job the last five months have been grueling, he has been home (for the most part).  So he works 90-hour weeks... he's still home and available.  With him leaving yesterday, it felt as though a crucial part of me was being ripped away.  I wanted to slap myself and say, "Buck up, cowboy!  You've done this separation MANY times and for WAAAY longer than five weeks!"  But, I let myself grieve a little and I let myself cry myself to sleep.  Because, I should feel empty when he's gone.  It doesn't feel good, but it's right and healthy.

My girls are growing up.  Bella runs after her cousins and disappears for hours: coloring, playing make-believe, reading, running outside... she doesn't need her Mama much anymore.  I see her wanting to be big and independent.  And I want to hold her back, to keep her with me.  But I'm learning to let go, little bits at a time.  It's hard for me.  Summer has begun crawling out of her crib while being here.  She tots after Bella always... and also wants to be a big girl.  She still needs my arms and affection, though.  She still needs my security... but I know it's not for long.

Life is changing.  Sometimes I feel ready, and sometimes I just feel so very tired.  I am constantly marveling at how very simple life becomes when parenting enters the picture.  There is no time (or energy!) for fuss and nonsense.  There's no time for the complex and theology past-times.  It's simple: do the next thing and love well.  Love lavishly.  And simply do what needs to be done: laundry, disciplining, teaching, cooking, cleaning, sleeping, showering, holding, reading.  Do it.  And do it with love.

california christmas

California is beautiful.  And full of family.  And fast-paced.  Summer can't get over the TAAALLLLLL trees.  

We enjoyed a late Christmas, time together with all the cousins, 19 of us packed in a house.  

Trav leaves tomorrow and we'll be apart for five weeks.  I'm sad and missing our time already.

But, I'll be with family.  And eventually head back to Kansas to pack up my home.  We'll be moving in a month.

I'm thankful for this year of 2012.  It was good to us.  2013 holds a lot of change.  I believe we're ready.

For now, we'll enjoy the simple things in life:

- sweet girls

- palm trees

- abundant sunshine

- shake and burger joints by the ocean

- family