Wednesday, September 30, 2015

September Blessings

How quickly September has passed! It has been a full month for our family, but so many blessings have come from it. God is working and moving in our lives, which is always a blessing. Here are some of the specific blessings from this month.


  1. Jamey changing a poopy diaper on his own
  2. Going to playgroup
  3. Seeing a lot of people
  4. Getting a chunk of War and Peace read
  5. Good CG time
  6. Catching up with Laura
  7. God moving
  8. Getting almost everything ready to start school
  9. Good date evening
  10. Panera for dinner
  11. Jamey and Lillian helping and learning
  12. Getting my hair trimmed
  13. Nice morning with the Felix family
  14. Jamey helping to dress the little boys
  15. Learning more about discipline
  16. Talking to Brit and Daddy
  17. Working on lessons plans
  18. Hanging out
  19. Very productive day
  20. New shelf 
  21. Organizing School stuff and toys
  22. Making room
  23. Spontaneity
  24. Growing with Jim
  25. Teaching the kids practical things
  26. Sleeping until 8 am
  27. Working on stuff
  28. Enjoying a couple of movies
  29. Talking with Bec
  30. Jim making a cake from scratch
  31. Time to talk 
  32. Direct answers to prayers
  33. Making it through a Sunday with Jim at work
  34. Everyone napping including me
  35. Leftovers
  36. Restful afternoon
  37. Some one on one time with Lil
  38. Dancing
  39. Finishing up the cake
  40. Hanging out with Jim
  41. Reuben turning 4!
  42. Going to the zoo
  43. Seeing Megan
  44. Fun family day
  45. A good Mexican Pizza
  46. Getting some school work done
  47. Family celebrations
  48. Learning to talk and connect
  49. First day of school!
  50. Getting what we needed to done
  51. Making a grocery run in the middle of the first school day
  52. Middle boys excited to learn
  53. Trying new real food recipes
  54. Good CG time
  55. Talking with Jim
  56. Living and learning together
  57. Pizza rolls from scratch
  58. making it through 2nd school day
  59. Jim growing in taking initiative for dates
  60. Getting through school with 4 by myself
  61. Time to read for fun
  62. Thinking
  63. God's mercy
  64. Jamey working well alone
  65. Neo's smile
  66. Sam's laugh
  67. Being able to talk through stuff
  68. Day 2 of school without Jim
  69. Getting finished early
  70. Getting folders finished for co-op
  71. Going to the Fall Festival
  72. Free Chick-fil-A
  73. Sweet moments with Neo
  74. Going to bed early for us
  75. Finishing up our school week
  76. Bec vacuuming
  77. Getting lots of reading done
  78. Making homemade granola bars
  79. Having a productive day
  80. Pizza for dinner
  81. Learning about trials at church
  82. Jim working 8 so he could be off on Monday
  83. All the kids napping 4+ hours
  84. Time to talk with Bec and help with her paper
  85. Dancing!
  86. Jim being off of work!
  87. Working through more heart stuff
  88. Being broken for God's glory
  89. Jamey getting extra school work finished
  90. Date night
  91. Learning as a family
  92. Jim letting me sleep in a little
  93. Getting a lot of school work doing
  94. Reuben doing well with his 4 year old shots
  95. God's mercy
  96. Getting a lot of other things done
  97. Productive day
  98. Learning to work hard
  99. First day of co-op
  100. Kids doing well as a whole
  101. Time to meet new people and catch up a little bit
  102. Going to member meeting for a bit and hearing from our new Pastor
  103. Stories of God's grace
  104. Getting a lot of school work done
  105. Learning what is best for our family at this time
  106. Quiet evening at home
  107. Kids playing well together
  108. Wanting to be home
  109. Jim being home
  110. Making AB and J poptarts
  111. Working as a family to get things done
  112. Learning more of what is best for our family
  113. Becca and Ryan mowing the yard
  114. Talking with Jim
  115. Playing Clue
  116. Sleeping until 8 am
  117. Nehemiah sleeping 11 hours!
  118. Finishing our school week well
  119. God moving
  120. Having some family time
  121. Watching Prince of Egypt and talking through it
  122. Hanging out
  123. Being convicted of idols in my life
  124. Time to really talk with Jim
  125. Getting to deeper heart issues
  126. Kids napping
  127. Learning how to seek God together
  128. Finishing War and Peace!
  129. Getting through a busy day
  130. Evaluating what our days need to look like
  131. God's deep grace
  132. Teaching the kids to clean more thoroughly
  133. Seeing Jim truly happy at home
  134. Getting through a busy day without another adult
  135. Starting The Accidental Feminist
  136. Dawn
  137. Great conversation at CG
  138. Seeing God work around us
  139. Good day at Co-op
  140. Tim to talk with Jo
  141. Encouraging note
  142. Continuing to learn to battle
  143. Nice date night
  144. Great conversation at Sweet Frog
  145. Connecting with Jim
  146. Visit from Shannon, Gage, Courtney and Asher
  147. Growing in community
  148. Notes from Jim
  149. Reuben asking for forgiveness without being prompted
  150. Kids working hard
  151. Growth in our family
  152. Reading with Jim
  153. Gabriel passing out lunch without being asked
  154. Reuben and Gabriel asking to do school work
  155. Time to read
  156. Growth
  157. Spending time with CG Sisters and meeting new Sisters
  158. Neo staying with Jim
  159. Snuggling on the sofa
  160. Sleeping until 8:30
  161. Getting school work done throughout the day
  162. Sweet moments with kids
  163. Full productive day
  164. Trying Moussaka
  165. Constantly learning
  166. Muffins for breakfast
  167. Walking to church
  168. Learning about the 2nd Commandment
  169. Being challenged
  170. God working in my heart
  171. Beautiful weather
  172. Lunch at Harvest
  173. Great family day
  174. Nehemiah turning 3 months
  175. Taking a long shower
  176. Bearing my soul before the Lord
  177. A God who knows what's best for us
  178. Book Club
  179. Being able to talk with Meagan
  180. God breaking me down so I can know Him more
  181. Eating lunch with Jim at work
  182. Rainy day
  183. Kids responding in co-op
  184. Encouragement from friends
  185. Prayer

September Evaluation

Due to circumstances this past year, I'm not really changing my goals. Some will go that are not top priority, but I'm keeping the ones that fit with the overarching goal of having a God-centered life and the things I see Him leading me to right now. So thus far this is how it goes:

Spiritual
  • Spend at least 10 minutes praying daily- Yes, I'm working more directed prayer into my day
  • Spend at least 10 minutes reading and reflecting on the Bible daily- Yes! 
  • Memorize verses with the kids - We have already memorized 8 verses together
  • Memorize Scripture- Doing this with the kids in school time
Marriage
  • Go out for a date once a week- Yes
  • Go on a night away once this yearYes we went away for our anniversary!
  • Read 3 books together this year- Read more this month
  • Discuss plan weekly on Sunday Saturday afternoon- We are discussing plans but still need improvement on consistency and sticking to our plans as much as it depends on us
Kids
  • Spend 30 minutes of one on one time with each child every week- still need to work on this, but am beginning to do this more
  • Go to playgroup each Tuesday- With starting school we have missed a couple as needed
  • Write in individual journals at least 3 times this year- Almost up to date for the year!
  • Finish Jamey's 1st year Scrapbook- Need to go through pictures with Jim so this is on hold currently
Homemaking
  • Keep up with cleaning schedule- We are getting better at cleaning regularly, schedule needs tweaking
  • Keep up with my calendar- Status quo, still need improvement here
  • Being fully present when with my family- Getting better at this but always room for improvement
Ministry
  • Continue sending out Prayer List- Yes
Personal
  • Read a book a month for myself- Yes! Finally finished "War and Peace" 
  • Journal 5 days a week- Yes! God has really been giving me opportunity to do this in the morning
  • Write (books) 3 days a week- Did not work on this 
  • Edit novel to prepare for publishing and research publishing options- No additional work on this during the month
  • Finish Rosetta Stone Russian level 1 - Have not worked on this
  • Continue to meet once a month with writing group- Again, did not happen
  • Blog 3 days a week- Nope
Health
  • Go to water aerobics once a weekStarted back to find out that our instructor was moving and they are going to begin charging for classes so only did this half the month and this will be no more
  • Maintain weight until birthDid well with this, still gained some but far better than other pregnancies
  • Lose weight after giving birth- Have started this, but it's slow, down 3 lbs this month!
September zoomed by this year! It has been a busy month as we started hour homeschool year. God has been moving and teaching us a lot about family and what our priorities should be. We are still figuring this out but we are learning together. Many things did not get done this month that I would have liked to get done, but the important things did! Father keep teaching us?

How was your September?

Thursday, September 24, 2015

August Blessings

August flew by and life has been crazy but full of amazing blessings. God is so good to His people, even though we do not deserve it at all.


  1. Fellowship with Kimberly
  2. Talking about what God is doing
  3. Seeking to understand together, Finishing The Silver Chair
  4. Learning about contending for the faith
  5. Talking with other Sisters about contending for the faith and how God wants to change our hearts
  6. Going to Half Priced Books
  7. Reading with Jim
  8. Hearing Jim's heart
  9. Good day as a whole
  10. Jim getting a good raise
  11. Bonus pay
  12. Jamey helping dress the little boys
  13. Getting clothes sorted
  14. Jim coming home at 1500
  15. Relaxing, fun evening
  16. Starting The Last Battle
  17. Going to playgroup by myself with all 6 kids
  18. Taking the kids to see Jim at work
  19. Meeting another mom with stairstep kids
  20. Going to water aerobics
  21. Rain
  22. Jim letting me sleep in
  23. Chocolate chip cookie dough milkshakes
  24. Nehemiah sleeping well
  25. Doing school work with Jamey
  26. Everyone taking a nap
  27. Washing my hair
  28. Getting Norwex party set up
  29. Going to water aerobics
  30. Making it through a relatively good day
  31. Sleeping in a little
  32. Jamey doing some school work by himself
  33. Going to playgroup
  34. Meeting with Jessica
  35. Getting more things talked through for August
  36. Talking
  37. Writing
  38. Pajama movie day
  39. Getting some work done
  40. Reading
  41. Making it through a Saturday with Jim at work
  42. Dancing with the kids
  43. Going to bed early
  44. Getting all 6 kids ready for church by 7:25 am and to church before 8 by myself
  45. Everyone napping 4 hours
  46. Blog posts
  47. Jude
  48. Planning
  49. Norwex
  50. Sam loving on Neo
  51. Very productive day
  52. Talking through the school year, schedules and routines
  53. Time to hangout with Jessica
  54. Facebook Norwex Party
  55. Looking at possible ministry opportunities
  56. Going to playgroup
  57. Going to water aerobics for the last time
  58. Getting box-tops ready for co-op
  59. Enough box tops to play for all our classes!
  60. Fun time at the playground
  61. Getting co-op paid for
  62. Reconnecting with people
  63. Getting errands run
  64. Good doctors appointments
  65. Meeting with Dawn
  66. Free Coffee
  67. Date night in
  68. Heart conversations
  69. Having a decent day while Jim was at work
  70. Dancing with the kids
  71. Everyone sleeping 
  72. Talking to Brit
  73. Reading with Jim
  74. Having a good day with Jim at work
  75. Lots of dancing
  76. Getting 2 weeks of school plans finished
  77. Movie night with Jim on the sofa
  78. Sleep
  79. Jamey picking roses for me
  80. Meeting with Karey
  81. Becca getting home safely from her work trip
  82. Jim and kids getting some cleaning done
  83. Cheap pizza
  84. Getting homeschool letter sent
  85. Relaxing evening
  86. Church as a family
  87. Beginning the Exodus series
  88. Serving with babies
  89. Lunch at Harvest
  90. Gift card
  91. Deep conversation
  92. Working through more issues
  93. God's faithfulness
  94. First field trip to Schimpff's
  95. Candy
  96. Kids doing well during the field trip
  97. Getting the first hostess package from Norwex
  98. Getting Phase 10
  99. Good blessing us in mysterious ways
  100. Playgroup
  101. Nice conversations
  102. Never being alone
  103. Jamey getting a lot of math done
  104. Same praying at dinner
  105. Great discussion at CG
  106. Jamey finishing handwriting and language arts!
  107. Everyone sleeping
  108. Good doctor appointment
  109. Jim being able to come over for a minute
  110. Chilled evening at home
  111. Spending the morning with the Felix family
  112. Encouragement
  113. Calling Daddy for his birthday
  114. Celebrating Hannah and Abbey's birthday
  115. Meeting new people
  116. Sam swinging Nehemiah
  117. Jim getting extra work hours
  118. Making cookies
  119. Working on more school plans
  120. Going to the Home for His Glory pool party
  121. Lillian dunking herself in the water
  122. Fellowship with friends
  123. Meeting Kimberly for coffee
  124. God using my hurt to minister to her
  125. Nehemiah doing well during our time
  126. Getting a really good deal on folders and binders
  127. Napping
  128. Reading with Becca
  129. Hanging out
  130. Learning more about redemption in Exodus
  131. Meeting to discuss Love to Eat Hate to Eat
  132. Becca sharing
  133. Planning
  134. Talking with Jim
  135. Sharing my heart
  136. God moving
  137. Getting started on co-op lesson plans
  138. Jim working extra
  139. Lillian reading to her little brothers
  140. Sam praying 
  141. Meeting new people at co-op orientation
  142. No TV for 24 hours!
  143. Sarah and Asia coming to visit
  144. Lillian doing well at music class
  145. Good CG time
  146. Being encouraged
  147. Sleep
  148. Day 2 no TV!
  149. Getting stuff finished for N Good Health
  150. Completing first 4 weeks of school plans
  151. Trying a new French restaurant
  152. Making plans to start eating real food more
  153. Only TV for dancing
  154. Working on co-op class plans
  155. Getting prayer list sent
  156. Nice paycheck
  157. Having some fun with Jim
  158. Getting our Norwex stuff!
  159. Going to see the Nina and the Pinta
  160. Terry helping me
  161. Co-op field trips
  162. Time to sit with my girl and love on her
  163. Figuring out what's important
  164. Meeting with Sisters to discuss how God informs every part of our life
  165. Panera for lunch
  166. Adults talking about schedule
  167. All kids napping
  168. Time to talk with Jim 
  169. Learning together
  170. Walking to church
  171. Family day at the fair
  172. Hearing 4 great bands
  173. God growing my heart
  174. Meeting another big family
  175. Double date night in with Ryan and Becca
  176. Getting errands run
  177. Talking through priorities with Jim
  178. Pizza and a movie
  179. Book club
  180. Nehemiah having a good appointment
  181. Beginning to make daily life plans

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

August Evaluation

Due to circumstances this past year, I'm not really changing my goals. Some will go that are not top priority, but I'm keeping the ones that fit with the overarching goal of having a God-centered life and the things I see Him leading me to right now. So thus far this is how it goes:

Spiritual
  • Spend at least 10 minutes praying daily- Yes, I'm working more directed prayer into my day
  • Spend at least 10 minutes reading and reflecting on the Bible daily- Yes! 
  • Memorize verses with the kids - Starting this with our homeschool next month
  • Memorize Scripture- Not much
Marriage
  • Go out for a date once a week- Yes
  • Go on a night away once this yearYes we went away for our anniversary!
  • Read 3 books together this year- Have started 2 books this past week
  • Discuss plan weekly on Sunday Saturday afternoon- We are discussing plans but still need improvement on consistency and sticking to our plans as much as it depends on us
Kids
  • Spend 30 minutes of one on one time with each child every week- still need to work on this
  • Go to playgroup each Tuesday- I think we made it to all of them for at least a little while
  • Write in individual journals at least 3 times this year- Got a little behind this month, but still on track to do this
  • Finish Jamey's 1st year Scrapbook- Finally went through some of the stuff and looked at what I need to do with what I already have, nothing additional
Homemaking
  • Keep up with cleaning schedule- Still really struggling to do this
  • Keep up with my calendar- Status quo, still need improvement here
  • Being fully present when with my family- Getting better at this, but still struggling
Ministry
  • Continue sending out Prayer List- Yes
Personal
  • Read a book a month for myself- I'm 3/4 through "War and Peace" 
  • Journal 5 days a week- Yes! God has really been giving me opportunity to do this in the morning
  • Write (books) 3 days a week- Did not work on this 
  • Edit novel to prepare for publishing and research publishing options- No additional work on this during the month
  • Finish Rosetta Stone Russian level 1 - Have not worked on this
  • Continue to meet once a month with writing group- Again, did not happen
  • Blog 3 days a week- Did well at the beginning of the month, but the later half was crazy
Health
  • Go to water aerobics once a week- Started back to find out that our instructor was moving and they are going to begin charging for classes so only did this half the month and this will be no more
  • Maintain weight until birthDid well with this, still gained some but far better than other pregnancies
  • Lose weight after giving birth- Have started this, but it's slow
August was a crazy busy month and I have no idea where it went, hence me writing this post half way through September. We were still adjusting to being a family of 8 and really working on being together as a family as well as prepping for homeschool. Most of August was spent getting things organized and attempting to figure out schedules. In fact I was on the computer very little during August and have barely been on it in September thus far. Life has been so much about learning and seeking what God would have our life look like right now, in particular what it means to be a family under His rule. This is our top priority right now, and we are continuing to learn this everyday.

How was your August?

Monday, September 7, 2015

Happy 4th Birthday, Reuben!


Today we celebrate Labor Day in a different way. Today we celebrate that 4 years ago, I labored and delivered our third child, our precious Reuben Yates. It's so hard to believe that 4 years have already passed since welcoming Reuben into our family. He is such a blessing to us and our family because he is so different. Reuben is very quiet and mild mannered. But he is opinionated. It makes me laugh how much like Jim he is. He loves being around people, having fun and laughing, but he will not insert himself just because. He is content to be alone and enjoys sitting by himself quietly.

Reuben is so funny, but is very subtle about it. He loves to dance and can keep up with the best of them when we play the dance game. He loves the TV way too much! He will watch anything and play any video game. He enjoys acting out what he watches and plays with his siblings. He is such a bundle of energy and is so fun to watch.

It is a blessing to see Reuben learning to get along with his siblings. He can be very sweet and is generally agreeable. Most of the time he will give them anything, especially Lillian. I pray he will be a great protector of his big sister. They enjoy doing many things together, especially dancing and acting out movies. He also enjoys building with magnets and Legos. I hope he will grow in his love of building.

This past year, Reuben has begun to like reading more, which is a huge blessing. Tomorrow he will be starting pre-school in his first official year of homeschool. He seems to be excited and has grown in a love of learning recently.

Some of Reuben's favorite things are dinosaurs, robots and super heroes. He loves to eat fruits and vegetables, especially carrots. He has also developed a great love of coffee and enjoys sharing a cup with Daddy in the mornings. He also likes his siblings. Occasionally he will ask to hold Nehemiah, which is very sweet.

As our family grows together, Reuben has grown in praying. He likes to pray at meals and at night when we pray together. He is also diligent to pray for his siblings as well and makes sure to tell us who he is praying for.

I am so thankful for Reuben. He has grown and challenged me. I love his sweet smile and love of life. He is such a blessing!

Father, thank You for giving Reuben to us to raise for You. Thank You for Your mercy and grace in parenting. Please save him by Your grace and grow him into a mighty man after Your own heart.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY REUBEN!!!!! May God bless you with many more years.