Feeling yucky and sneezy, the weather's gloomy, and so on...

I feel yucky.

I feel sneezy and stuffy.

I feel the need for a nap. (That's probably not going to happen.)

I feel like I don't even want to step one foot outside. It's windy, rainy, gloomy, and a little chilly.

But, life goes on here at Ridgedale Cottage.
(I've decided that's the name for our house. I mean, why can't we have a name for our house like all the other cool people do?) *wink* Such as:

Green Gables from Anne of Green Gables
Pemberly, Rosings Park, and Netherfield from Pride and Predjudice
Gatesehead Hall and Thornfield Hall from Jane Eyre
Tara from Gone With the Wind
Barton Cottage from Sense and Sensiblity
Just to name a few! Need I say more?


(Pop Quiz: Can you think of any more? Because, I can go on and on!)

So, as I was saying, life goes on here at Ridgedale Cottage. Children still need to be educated. Clothes still need to be washed. Meals still need to be cooked. Last night we had a chicken-pot-pie. (Yes, it was probably loaded with fat and calories, but I don't care. It was comfort food.) No, there is no time for mommy to be sick. Thankfully my husband has been a big help. Achoo! Excuse me while I run go get a tissue.


Okay I'm back. (Have I mentioned how much I hate being sick?) I haven't blogged in a few days so I missed my Sunday Character Quality post. Let's catch up real quick.

ALERTNESS vs. Unawareness

- Being aware of that which is taking place around me so that I can have the right responses.

"Watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Mark 14:38

We have been plodding along lately with schoolwork. Hannah is doing great. She amazes me at how fast she can pick things up. Kayla is learning too. I focus on her a little here and there, but I don't want to push it too early with her. I can tell she'd rather play right now. Which is just fine, she's only 3. She's learning that way as well. I don't want to push schoolwork on her too early and create negative feelings towards learning. So when she wants to be like Hannah and do a little schoolwork, we jump right in. I want to encourage that learning is fun! Yes, there has to be some self-discipline and perseverance involved with education, but there's plenty of time for that.

Luke is now 6 months old. Where did the time go? He's a great eater! Which I love because my girls were and still are finicky eaters. It just doesn't interest them that much. He's so close to sitting up by himself, and is starting to really interact with everyone. I love to see him giggle at his sisters' craziness!

I have also found Pinerest! Oh, how I love it! I could spend hours on that site. There are so many cool ideas that I just don't know where to start first. But, it is soooo fun. (What's all the hype about you ask? Just go check it out... and you'll see.)

This weekend, inspired by Pinterest to see what treasure I could find and redo, I went to a thrift store. While I was there looking around I noticed a woman with her daughter. I just remember thinking to myself, "Oh, I really like her sweater." It was a really cute trendy autumn yellow knit with big wooden buttons. I remember thinking, "I wonder if I could pull off that color?" Anyways, I didn't pay much attention to them. I hadn't found any inspiring craft idea and I was in the book section, looking over a well-worn edition of Little House on The Prairie trying to decide if it was in too bad of condition to buy, when it happened. From behind me I heard the woman ask the girl if she brought something in from the car and the girl said that she had forgot it. The mother, I assume she was her mother but I don't really know, then took the Lord's name in vain and exclaimed, "You're pathetic.... just so pathetic!" And stomped off.

I was stunned. The verbal slap shocked me so much that I almost dropped the book.

I'm sure my jaw had dropped to the floor. It took me a moment to realize that I'd heard correctly. When I turned around, about to say something, they were already gone.

What was I going to say? I don't know. I wasn't really thinking clearly, but wanted to say something. That poor girl! I guess it was sort of good that they were gone, because who knows what would have come flying out of my mouth at that time! Thinking before speaking is always wise.

Now, I know I'm not a perfect mom. I have bad days where I get frustrated with my children. But this was TOTALLY unacceptable!

I was shocked. I know I live a sheltered life in our own little loving house, and don't come across situations like this very often. I know there are people out there who are hateful, even to their own children. But this was happening right there for me to see.

It bothered me for the rest of the day. I was angry and sad. That poor girl... being called pathetic for forgetting something in the car! Later I shed a few tears, because I wished I could have done or said something, instead of just standing there tongue-tied. That little girl didn't deserve to be called pathetic, she deserved to know that she was fearfully and wonderfully made by her Creator! I said a quick prayer that somehow, someway God would tell her that she was His beautiful creation. I prayed that God would use someone to tell her these truths.

Oh, how words can hurt and tear a person down! I pray that I would choose my words carefully with my own children. I might not ever call my girls pathetic, but I know I have said things in frustration. Words that were probably not the best choice.

Please Lord, help me to always use words to build my children up. Words that will encourage and affirm them. And, if they need correction, help me to correct lovingly. It's so hard at times with child training. I make mistakes. Help me to rely on You. I love my babies, and they truly are blessings from You. Help me to communicate to them how much they are loved by You and by their mommy.

I will leave you with a happy note. We went to a birthday party on Friday and the weather was lovely. The girls just love birthday parties. Me too, they're such happy occasions! Happy 1st birthday Tre!

I just love fall. (except when it brings pesky colds) October is my favorite month of the year!

(Disclaimer: Please excuse, and don't judge, any grammar mistakes and typos. See there, that's probably improper use of commas. Foggy brain today. I hope I don't go back and read this later and realize I didn't make sense. Oh well. I really need to brush up on my grammar skills.)

Until next time my friends.

Wordless Wednesday... Luke is 6 months old!

Our Extreme Home Makeover... Bathroom Edition

This is the story of our master bath remodel.

It was the one thing that made me hesitate about buying our house.

The master bath was awful, but I knew it had potential to be great!

I knew it would be hard and we would be screaming in anguish over this remodel. But I didn't know how bad it was going to be. (I mean how hard can it be to gut the whole thing, knock down a couple walls, rebuild them, and start from scratch? Really hard... that is the answer.)

In the end, a year and a half later, it was soooo worth it. All of those weekends spent framing walls, rewiring, hanging drywall, tiling, and painting were a pain. But oh, how I love my bathroom! (I never thought I'd ever have a bathroom this nice. I'm so thankful!)

Before Pic:

Yes, the walls in the master bedroom were a horrible brown. The wall was open to the sink area complete with carpet. You can't see it from here, but the counter was a badly chipped yellow laminate. And yes, the door was hanging off under the sink. Dingy blue walls, TINY door to the shower and toilet.... it was almost enough to say "no" to this house. We knew it would be a lot of work to re-do it.

The dark cave of a shower room with very yucky dirty tile. And, I'll direct your attention to the brown crown molding that went around the ceiling. Ack!!

The first thing we did when we bought this house was gut the whole thing. I mean we ripped everything out! We took it down to the studs in the wall. For a few months we had one bathroom for all of us,  which was the hall bathroom. It wasn't that bad. But after a while I was begging Philip to put the toilet back in our bathroom area. (When there was just one potty, it seemed like everyone always had to go at the same time.)

Then well, we needed walls and a door for our bathroom. Because well, hello, I was tired of shutting my bedroom door so I could have privacy. We put in a cabinet that we got off of craigslist with a double sink. But, of course the plumbing was difficult, so we only had one that was working. So that is how we lived for a VERY long time. Unfinished walls and floor, but at least we had another toilet and sink!

We also found a jetted tub on craigslist. (I have always wanted a jetted tub!) But of course it was a royal PAIN to figure out the plumbing for the drain. But, my genius husband figured it out and we eventually had a bathtub too! But no faucet... because that just has to be difficult too doesn't it!

So here we are. We have walls! We have a toilet! We have one working sink! We have a working tub! We are starting to tile..... But do you think this would stop me, being 6-7 months pregnant at the time, from taking a luxurious bath? Why no, it was wonderful! I think that bathtub was what got me through those last few months of pregnancy.

So now starts the debate. What to do with the walls of the shower? Tile? (Philip was about to die thinking about doing more tile at this point.) Solid surface walls? In the end we went with marble walls. The one thing we splurged on, that we didn't buy second hand, in this bathroom. 

There they are! Sigh, aren't they lovely. And there's my yawing child in the pic too.

I put a shower curtain up, and we lived like this for a LONG time too. I mean, everything worked. But it just wasn't finished. I was about to have a baby. And then we had a newborn, so that was the last thing on our minds. We eventually painted the walls. We stalled for a while again, and then my husband surprised me by finishing the tile/grouting and also painted the vanity cabinet while I was out of town for a family reunion. BLESS HIM!!! I have a wonderful husband!

We put the finishing touches on recently and this is what we have to show for our months of long hard work. (A special thanks to Philip's Dad for helping us out on some long weekends too!)

Oooohh

Ahhhhh

Love, Love, Love

You can't see it from here, but there is another sink on the right. Sigh, I never thought we'd have double sinks one day. 

No, we don't have a custom built vanity, or expensive tile, or granite countertops... but I don't care. We got most everything second hand on craigslist.

It's just glorious to me. 

It's so much more than many people have in this world. I know that to have running water, air conditioning, electricity, and a refrigerator for our food (much less a freezer) makes us fall into the category of living luxuriously. 

I'm so thankful for this blessing. All goods things come from our Father in heaven.

Once again: 

Before

After

After all of this, I think I want to take a bubble bath now. 

I'm so spoiled. 

But that will have to wait until tonight. I'm off to finish up homeschooling for the day.

What's that? 

Well, why yes, we still have to putty and paint the base boards and trim in there... and in my bedroom. 

(Who knows when we'll get to that)

But, I'll just pretend you didn't ask. =)

This week's character quality is...

SELF-CONTROL vs. self-indulgence

- Instant obedience to the initial promptings of God's Spirit

 "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:24-25

Oh, how I need more self-control.
Can I say that usually my first response is instant obedience?
(Hanging head in shame) Sadly, it is not so.
How often do we all just react with our own selfish desires in the forefront of our minds.

Oh Lord, give us self-control that can only come through your power in us. Help us to hear your Spirit clearly and obey. Forgive us when we act on our own selfish desires instead of yielding control of our lives to You. Help us to live by the Spirit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I blinked... and she isn't a baby anymore!

Do you ever have those moments that seem so unreal?

You find yourself looking at someone or something and it's like you have an out of body experience?

When you think to yourself, "This can't be happening!"

It's sort of like you stepped out of yourself and are looking at everything and everyone for the first time in a long time.

I had one of those moments a week ago.

It happened because of this:

Wait... what!? She's riding a bike all by herself with no training wheels! No, this can't be right. Wasn't she just taking her first steps last week?

Yes, I'm sure she was just learning to walk, not learning to ride a bike. 

No, it can't be! I refuse to believe it. She was just learning to walk and talk.

Yes, there's my baby. 18 months old. This is what she looks like.

Ack! Who is this?! This can't be my girl riding a bike, she's only a baby.

Okay, okay, I give in. Maybe she's not a baby. Surely, she's 2.

Yes, my little girl, a sweet toddler. 

Um, Hannah what happened? 

Okay, maybe you're not 2 anymore. Aren't you almost 4?

Yes, this is my little Petunia.

... Hannah?

My Hannah at 6 and a half. 

Riding a bike by herself, 

reading at an advanced level for her age, 

eager to learn more and more about God and spiritual things, 

becoming a great big sister, 

and growing into a beautiful girl inside and out!

I'm so proud of you! The years are passing too quickly. 

I love you! 

"A mother's treasure is her daughter." ~ Catherine Pulsifer

Character Quality Sunday

This Sunday's Character Quality to ponder throughout the week is...

RESOURCEFULNESS vs. Wastefulness

 - Wise use of that which others would normally overlook or discard.

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." Luke 16:10

I'd like to think I'm pretty good at being resourceful, but I'm sure if I really took a closer look at my home and habits, I could probably find many more ways to improve. I think the hard part is living in a culture that for the most part is pretty wasteful, and ready to get the newest thing on the market whether the previous item is broken or not. I think that lately there has been a new movement in our culture on being "green" that has helped some people with unnecessary wastefulness. But that is just the tip of the iceberg. So many of us, myself included, are too often ready to jump at the next item that is presented to us before we think about if we are just going to throw away what we already have. I truly want to be a good steward of what the Lord has given us and not waste His blessings.

A not so Wordless Wednesday

I guess this post will not be wordless today.

I have to play catch up.

It has been crazy busy lately and I haven't been able to keep up on my blogging. Sorry to all my faithful readers... um, you are out there? Aren't you? (crickets chirping) Mom, I guess it's just you and me! =)

Anyhoo, this past weekend was a blur with lots of fun. Friday started with a big shopping trip to a really nice consignment store where I found some great deals on barely used name brand clothes! Score! I love upscale consignment stores! Then we had lunch at Philip's dad's restaurant since it was a half a block away.  Later that night we went to a big party in Atlanta. My mother-in-law's families' restaurant was celebrating it's 50th anniversary of being in business. (Yes, there's lots of family restaurants in this family.) We had so much fun and saw lots of family too. Saturday we played outside and Hannah surprised us with learning to ride her bike without training wheels! (More on that later) *Sniff* Wasn't she just a baby? Later that night we went to a CD release at our brother's church. It's a wonderful CD to benefit missions. And then, Sunday we had lunch with Philip's family and spent the day playing outside since it was such beautiful weather. Whew! I told you it was crazy! Monday came and I was out of steam. I did manage to clean the house a little and do some school work with Hannah so I did accomplish some things.

I promised a post on organization. And I didn't get to it. =( I did think about it a lot though. That counts for something, right? The junk drawers under the microwave, (Yes I said drawers, not drawer. sigh... I know, it's horrible) have been calling my name. Hopefully I will tackle that project tomorrow.

I also haven't forgotten the character quality series that usually I like to post on Sundays, but didn't get to it this Sunday. So here we go. This weeks topic of contemplation is: (picked at random)

WISDOM vs. Natural Inclinations

- Seeing and responding to life situations from God's frame of reference

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10

Wow, this is a doozy! I could contemplate this for a long time. When I am presented with a situation, do I respond with my own natural inclinations, or do I first try to view things from God's perspective? Wow, so many situations come to mind. Raising children, money, marriage, work, relationships, and so much more! As always your comments and thoughts are welcome on these subjects. What does this mean to you? The purpose of these posts is to give food for thought during the week, myself included.

So now that I have caught back up, I'll leave you with some pics from Saturday. (Yeah, I also squeezed in some trampoline time with my second born.)

Just call me super-mom.

No really, DON'T!

I'm not. And just to prove it to you:

We had frozen waffles for dinner on Monday night!

Because, well, I was tired and we also didn't have any food in the house. Oh well, not a shining moment for me regarding nutrition, but the kids loved it! Not to worry, we now have a fridge full of nutritious food. Now, if I could just pay someone to come cook for me I'd be set!

Sorry I started rambling again... so I'll stop.

Here you go!

It was a beautiful day for... jumping!

Once a cheerleader, always a cheerleader

After jumping for a while, this old lady could barely breathe!

"Oxygen, I need oxygen!"

Girl talk

Mommy and her Pixie

Washing clothes... in the bath tub?

Our washing machine is broken.

It has been broken for a few days now.

My Mr. Fixit husband is waiting on a part that he ordered to fix it. It should arrive in the next day or two.

Meanwhile... the clothes are piling up!!! Arg!

Ahhh, what's a mom to do??? I thought about taking some clothes to wash at one of our moms' houses, but I decided to do this instead. I am so glad I did!

You should have seen their faces when they saw me throwing clothes in the bath tub!

We're going to wash clothes in the bath tub?!

They thought it was hysterical!

Instead of crushing grapes, they're stomping clothes.

THEY... HAD... A... BLAST! 

I think they'll always remember this! 

I know I sure will. 

I picture us still laughing years from now saying, 

"Remember when the washing machine was broken? And we had to wash clothes in the bath tub!!!" 

(Now, I'm kinda glad washing machine bit the dust! We'll always have this fun memory!)

Wordless Wednesday...

Sharing Joy

If you are a parent, have you ever had a moment when your child does something exemplary and you feel like your heart is about to burst and you thank God because you needed to see some confirmation that all that you are teaching them might somehow be taking root? Well, we had a moment like that recently.

So, I will take this time to share a precious moment with Hannah a couple of weeks ago. Now don't get me wrong here, my children are NOT perfect. And like all children, they need constant training and discipline. Believe me I don't know how many times I've said, "Stop your fussin', fightin', and squabblin'!! Now go give your sister a hug, and apologize for arguing and not not showing each other love and kindness." Moms, can I get a witness? How many times do we do this over and over?

But when Philip and I see them do something that is good or uplifting or kind, we try to praise, encourage, and shed light that act because we do want to make a constant effort to positively reinforce that behavior.

So here's this short story... it made my heart swell. I hope you enjoy it too.

Back in July while we were at a family reunion in TN, Hannah was given a purple monkey (yes, I said purple monkey!) as a gift from my cousin. She loves this monkey dearly and has become quite attached to it, she calls it Blueberry. So for months now she has played, slept with, and thoroughly enjoyed this monkey.

A couple of weeks ago Philip took Hannah along with him to a clothing store to exchange something. While they were there Hannah saw a display of stuffed animals. Now instead of begging Philip to buy her something, what did she do?

Well, I will tell you.

To Philip's surprise, she was thrilled to see a pink monkey EXACTLY like her purple one. She immediately started exclaiming that this was just like her monkey and how she REALLY wanted to buy it for... KAYLA! "Daddy can I please buy this for Kayla, she will love it! PLEASE?!" How could he say no to her unselfish desire to give something to her sister for no reason except that she knew she would love it too. So he said yes and Hannah was thrilled.

When they got home and told me all about it, Kayla was still taking a nap. Hannah was so excited and she wanted to give it to her right then. We took that time to tell her how proud we were of her for thinking of someone else in that instance. We told her that she could have easily wanted something for herself, but we were so pleased with her unselfish giving attitude. We also suggested that she give it to Kayla as a present. Hannah immediately went to my closet and was happy to look through and choose gift wrapping material for Kayla.

When Kayla woke up, Hannah was beside herself excited to give her sister this present.

I could just feel her anticipation... 

Her joy in seeing her sister's joy brought tears to my eyes

A pink monkey like Hannah's purple one!

Hannah wanted Kayla to have the same thing that she she loved, because she loved her! She wanted to share with her the thing that brought her such happiness.

Afterwards, I started to think about everything. And it struck me. Are we just as enthusiastic and jumping at opportunities to share what we love with others? 

Do we love other people so much that we look past our own selfish desires to see the chances and opportunities to share the love of our Saviour? Are we so full of joy and happiness with how He has redeemed us, that we can't wait to share it with others? Do we truly want others to know the love of God and hear the Gospel? Yes, we do. But, oh Lord forgive us, how we often fail in this area. 

Lord, help us to look past ourselves, our own selfish desires, and see people who are in need of you. We want to share with them the joy and love that comes from knowing you. We want our joy to be their joy, knowing Christ as their Redeemer, their Saviour!

 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." - John 15:9,11