Day 17 -I'm thankful to be Noah's Mom

Happy 9th Birthday to Noah!

Sometimes I feel as if my life didn't exist before being a mom. And then sometimes, I can't believe how quickly 9 years flies by.

I really couldn't be more proud of who he is becoming. Just in the last few months I have begun to see glimpses of the man he's becoming. I couldn't imagine a better big brother for my kids.

Just a few examples of his wonderfulness (if I may)....

We were busily trying to get through breakfast, dressing, packing for an outing and trying to get out the door in time. I was cleaning up from breakfast, still in my PJs, and the babies were trying to crawl up the stairs. Noah stops me and said "I'll finish the dishes, you can get dressed and get the babies dressed." The same morning he also managed to fill and distribute water bottles to each of the other kids in the car and carried one of the babies to the suburban and buckled him in. I didn't ask any of it of him.

This week at Costco, we return to the car, he opens the door and moves the seat so that Zak, Maggy and Hannah can climb in the back, he stays with one baby in the cart while I'm buckling the other in, he unloads the groceries into the car. He then returns the cart, gladly, to the front of the store "so if someone else needs a dry cart, it won't get wet in the rain." Today at the grocery store, he returned our cart as well as two others to the front of the store.

A week or so ago, the flu trampled through our house. The twins were struck first. Noah was ready and willing to take a fussy, clingy Nathan, even at the risk of being puked on.


I remember being told that it will not be the lessons we teach our children, but what we learn from them, that is more significant. Going back to his birth story, as we rehearsed it with him tonight, and realizing that there has been a recurring theme of challenges and struggles that will make us stronger and bring us closer.

My pregnancy with Noah was faced with abruptions, bleeding, preterm labor and eventually delivery 5 weeks early. I really was so unprepared to be a mother, but because of these challenges, we were forced to charge in and find our way. Not with out mistakes, but better for all of it.

Nursing didn't come easily for the boy who wasn't quite developed enough to suck-swallow-breathe. I was pumping, feeding, supplementing- an exhausting process. Eventually, I got the gumption to end the cycle and marathon nursed for about 4 days until he could be satisfied with a complete feeding in less than 30 minutes. And we nursed to a year. I'm so glad we did.

I remember telling people that we were going to homeschool, to hear their response "I'd kill my kid if I had to be their teacher AND mom." And I could relate! It seemed that we were such different personalities that we might never find a way to work together. And here we are, into year 4, and he's my favorite student! As much as I knew we were challenged in working together, I also claimed that we would find a way to make it work and be better for it.

I thank God for my son, and for all the lessons I've learned by being his Mom!

Happy Birthday Noah!

Day 18 - I'm thankful for the gift of Music

I started to play the piano when I was 6. I started to play the flute when I was 10. I minored in music in college. I have always been drawn towards music. But I don't think that my so-called talent is anything I can take credit for... it is a GIFT.

"My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness."...

2 Corinthians 12 : 7-10

I believe now, that as I look back on my experiences as a musician, and I can see how God was working, even in the times when I didn't know him, to craft and develop this talent and PASSION for music, that it would bring him glory.

This summer, my wonderful husband made plans for us to take a, much needed, weekend away. We got a hotel room and went to FishFest, a music festival sponsored by the local Christian radio station - 104.1 The Fish. (Eventhough the festival was being held in Vancouver - only a 30 minute drive from home). It was a fabulous weekend to reward ourselves for being so intensely engaged in our childrens' lives.

Jeremy Camp

We splurged on a Platinum ticket special that gave us access to meet the artists with about 3 dozen other people. While the general public waited in lines, sometimes for as long as 3 hours just for an autograph. Thousand Foot Krutch - yes that guitarist has MASSIVE dreads - and he rocked them!
Anyone who thinks all Christian Music is mamsy-pambsy needs to meet these guys!

We were seated right in the front. I used to think it was only crazy obsesive fans who would need to be that close to the stage, but no. There is a wholly different musical experience being that close.

Matthew West

These artists are just people, there isn't anything superhuman about them... except Jesus shinning through them. Jeremy Camp, Brandon Heath, Matthew West, David Barnes, Thousand Foot Crutch and, my favorite, Britt Nicole all have an authenitic relationship with God that is clearly expressed in the music and when speaking with t hem in person.

Brandon Heath

I was familiar with Britt Nicole's music prior to the performance, but after seeing her, I realized how perfect of a role model she is for our daughters. The music of her message is love. Scriptures flow from her in normal conversations. We saw her meeting with fans, listening to their stories and then praying with them. Britt Nicole

She gave us an autograph to give to Hannah and she included a reference to 2 Chronicles - calling her to boldly accept her place as a chosen one of God. So cool....

But that weekend has really come to mean so much more to me. It intensified my passion for music, especially for the music of Praise. It seems that since that experience, every opportunity to worship makes me want to move, and dance, and sing and harmonize!

I had someone tell me that they enjoyed standing next to me in church, which really honors and flatters me. But I know that my joy in the worship is greater than any attention I'd ever receive for the worship. It is truly an AWE-some joy, beyond words. It is a gift. I am very, very grateful for that gift.

Thankfulness Countdown 19: I'm thankful to live where we do

I've also been posting my thing I'm thankful for on FB. In response to today's post, a friend said "You are in God's country, out there in Oregon."

Yes, Amber, we do get to see the amazing wonder in God's creation all around us out here. Right now, we have moved into the rainy season. In the car on the way to lunch, after church, the kids were marveling at how beautifully blue and clear the sky was. I was struck by the fiery orange and reds of the leaves, mostly fallen, littering the sidewalks and street curbs. And a 45 degree pan to the west showed the most vicious black storm clouds, like a wall - stopping the sunshine. Other clouds like vertical sheer sheets, that had to bring drenching rain from the high heavens to the ground below. It was an impressive sight to see. And yet, last week, the first week of November, we had two days over 70 degrees- It'll always keep you guessing!

Oregon is wonderful! All with in a few hours drive, we can be in the city, in the mountains, the high desert, the coast, the Columbia River Gorge.


We are close to the city! Shane's commute from home to downtown Portland usually takes about 25 minutes. The public transportation is great and ever expanding. The city is clean and fresh, and since it's inhabited by Oregonians, it's pretty green too!



We have so many local farms to choose from for fresh produce, dairy and meats. (I'm THINKING about trying raw milk!) My freezer and pantry are full of blueberries, strawberries, peaches, pears, apples, and corn. Had it not been for a rough spring, that list would have also included tomatoes, pickles and zucchini as well!

When it is time to play, the options are so numerous and the scenery is just amazing.

Great parks, great museums, great rec centers, great sports.



Simply - Oregon Rocks!

Thankfulness countdown 20 - I'm Thankful for True Friends

We have been so fortunate, in the last few years especially, to be surrounded by a wonderful community of friends. If it were not for our families and this amazing group of friends, raising six children would be a nearly impossible venture. With their support, it become possible and even enjoyable.

Realizing the formidable journey the first year with baby twins could be, their first birthday was as much a celebration of our survival, as well as a celebration of our boys!

Here is the video from Nathan and Micah's first birthday. CHEERS!

Thankfulness countdown 21 - I'm Thankful for My Mom

Sometimes, I'll pass by a mirror and stop, do a double take. I really have days where I look more and more like my Mom.

It's been over 15 years since I've seen her. Yet, her memory and legacy is strong, every day in my life.

Although, I don't feel I've equaled my mother's skills, I am delighted in the pursuit of these things, and relate to her enjoyment in these things.

She was a meticulous semestress, fantastic cook and baker, intense gardener, heartfelt educator with a love for learning, and an awesome home-maker (not a house wife, but one who MAKES a home). When I was small, I didn't find much interest in really any of these things, despite my mother's encouragement. Of course, this is a regret I have, that I didn't know well enough to seize that opportunity while it was there.



I'm so thankful for the foundations she laid in my life, very much defining who I am. I am thankful for the inspiration she provides me as a mother, wife, friend, and teacher.

Thankfulness countdown 22 - Creator God who chose me to be loved!

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

Ephesians 1:4

This morning I attended the WPM (Moms') bible study this morning at Westport Church. We are studying Ephesians. Our wonderful and amazing teacher was showing us a diagram of the Holy Tabernacle, as described in the Old Testament. In the Law, God set out for the Israelites very specific rules about who would be allowed to enter the most holy places in the temple. God gave very specific instructions for the "Holy of Holys", the deepest part of the Temple, which was separated by a veil or curtain, included many specific laws to be kept by the select priests who could enter this place. If he did not follow these instructions, he could die, simply by being in the presence of God and not being completely pure and holy.

And so here I am, today, in 2010, reflecting on that image of God's, literal, supreme holiness, and knowing that when Christ made his sacrifice on the cross for us, that "tore the veil" bringing us into God's holy presence.

He chose me to be loved.
He chose me in Christ.
He chose me to be without fault in his eyes.
He chose me, before he formed the world.

Wow.

Thank you God.

Don't call it a comeback

I just went back to see, it is sad. In the last 12 months I have posted a whoping 12 times to my beloved blog :-(

I know. I 've been busy and have plenty of reasons to neglect this site.

But if I was honest with myself, I know everything is a choice. I do have 6 children to care for, feed, clothe, educate, keep safe, entertain, taxi, etc... But I also have made a choice to divert energy to Facebook.

(I like being able to touch into my friend's lives, with little effort on my part. Giving them tidbits of my life. Letting them know I care with a comment or wall post. And, the opportunities to reconnect with 10 and 15 year long lost friends has been invaluable and delightful!)

I can justify attention to Facebook all day long, but I know that it is only a junk food fix for the real outlet that I need. Likewise, I realize that neither FB nor blogging will ever replace the need for true face to face relationships.

Yet, I loved the process of documenting my life. I imagine that maybe in a 100 years, a great grand child would stumble upon my ramblings about the good ole days.

So, in light of the coming Thanksgiving holiday, and an effort to return to purposeful blogging, I am committing to come here first, before the FB world, to post on thankfulness, for the next 21 days. With any luck, I will also get you reacquainted with myself and my family.

...but lets hold off on calling it a comeback for a bit.