Explore, Discover, Collapse.

We rediscovered a state treasure this week!  The Boyce Thompson Arboretum is a fabulous place to stop for a day trip!  The boys and I drove for an hour and landed in an oasis in the middle of the high desert! 

We met a group of lovely ladies there...

...and set off to explore

hidden paths

an old Austrailian shepherds shanty in the "outback"

an old rock house

...and discover!

While admiring some roses, we discovered a baby grasshopper.  The kids had fun admiring the little guy and passing him around before Keegan accidentally (dropped) released him back to the wild! :)

Whew.  It was a tiring, but beautiful day.  I can't think of a better way to jump into our study of Creation than by going out and enjoying it!

Toothless

Xander had quite the adventure last week.  The tooth that he had chipped 3 years ago started to flake apart.  (You can thank Rich for not having to view the scary "before" picture that I took.)

The poor guy.  He could feel it coming apart and would actually pick at it with his fingers, so we quickly booked an appointment to see the dentist.  It was so bad that the exposed tooth just continued to come out in pieces and they were forced to dig out the very long root out.

Xander was a trooper and now only remembers the "prizes" from the dentist and his first visit from the tooth fairy!

He also loves showing off his new "look!"

Sorting and Sequencing!

Ahh the joys of sorting and sequencing.  This is the kind of "work" that has been engaged with relish in our house of late.  We love our doller store find of these bright rocks.  We've had fun sorting by color in trays as pictured and making patterned paths across the table and back! 

It's amazing how such simple things like playing with rocks can build a strong foundation for later math skills!

An interesting article on the importance of sorting and how to implement it in everyday life puts it this way:

Parents may think counting and recognizing numbers are the nuts and bolts of preschool math. While these are important skills for young mathematicians to master, building a foundation for complex mathematical thinking begins in the early childhood years. Sorting and classifying objects helps children begin to notice how items are alike and different, and creates an awareness that is vital for math learning.

It's so amazing that such simple "games" can play such an important role!  Check out the article to find a variety of easy ways to bring this in to everyday life!

Happy sorting...

The Way of Gentleness

I've been struck of late with how the Lord interacts with us -in gentleness.  As I think about how God deals with me when I make mistakes or even outright rebel, I'm reminded to extend patience and grace to my children.

I've discovered that my demeaner and my heart attitudes are so important when interacting with my children.

I'm inspired to imitate my heavenly Father in being "slow to anger, but abounding in love."

Last week, I was trying to hurry through getting Keegan down for a nap.  We were at my parents home to celebrate a birthday and I wanted to quickly get back down to fellowship.  As Keegan began to whine and and make a comment about being lonely, my patience snapped.  On the tip of my tongue were harsh words and a threat of discipline if he didn't quickly obey, be quiet and let me get downstairs.  But something made me stop before those selfish words left my mouth. 

Mercifully, my eyes were opened.  My harsh words turned to words of comfort.  My hands gently caressed his hair.  A minute of cuddling and loving words, calmed his fears and I was soon on my way back downstairs.

I am so thankful that God's spirit is at work in me.  Changing me -daily.

I'm thankful for forgiveness, fresh grace, for new days and fresh beginnings.

Motherhood involves a lot of training.  Over and over and over again.  I have to remind myself that training is a process.  What I did today, I need patience to gently train them on again tomorrow.   Ann Voskamp has inspired me, yet again, as I found this old post where she discusses gently guiding our children.  She reminded us of the following fable where the wind and sun argued over which was stronger:

“The Wind began to blow cold blasts, but the man only drew his cloak closer, tighter about him to keep out the cold. Then the Sun took his turn, shining warm and full. Under the sun’s rays, the man released his grip on his coat, then threw it back, and, at last took it off! The Sun’s gentleness accomplished what the Wind’s force could not.”

So after a day, when I lacked gentleness and patience, I go to the Source and pray that I would hear His nudging and follow His leading tomorrow.   That instead of mighty blowing, I might be a reflection of the Son to my children and watch Him do a mighty work in their lives.

Selah

From my study this morning I read:

"A healthy fear of God bows to His holiness and obeys His precepts, but all the while is compelled like a magnet to the source of its fascination. It seeks Him like hidden treasure. It stretches and strains to peer into His perfections. It yearns to be captivated by His beauty from so near a place that it becomes beautiful too. It longs to approach the One who dwells in unapproachable light. To know the unknowable till faith turns to sight. To be ruined for every other contesting love."

Puzzled

When it's really hot outside, we take hints from those that are homebound because of the cold...

And put puzzles together!

Football

So here we are at the start of another football season.  I'm once again playing fantasy football in my women's league and looking forward to relaxed Sundays watching football with my boys.  ALL of my boys are now obsessed with football.

In fact, a little while ago, Xander stopped me before I left his room one night and told me that he knows all of the Cowboys players.  Amused, I paused so he could tell me what he knows.

"Bonner (his name for all pretend characters of his at the moment) and Jesus."

Nice.  And all of this "God's team" stuff would be why I had such a revulsion for the Cowboys all these years.  God is at work though and I can still say that I'm rooting for them alongside all of my boys this year.  Talk about a miracle...

Composting

I am fascinated with the 'idea' of gardening and I think an important part of growing up is learning where our food comes from.  (Am I the only one that is like this? There are things that I 'theoretically' like, but usually don't have the desire to put the blood, sweat and tears into making it work...)

So I am taking the plunge and will be trying to garden again this year.  

To start with, we are finally getting our compost bin set up and running.  I've only had it for 2 years now.  Thanks to a friend who works at a grocery store, we've obtained several boxes of rotten produce to give it a little jump start.

The boys have had fun dumping stuff in and giving a good stir.

Now if I could just get over the smell and the flies that apparently are only temporary...  With this heat, we are sure to have some compost ready for use within a few weeks!

Next up - getting more dirt for our newly finished raised garden bed.

Cuteness!

I just love little boys in cute diapers... 

And this time of year, little boys love being in only diapers.

Just savoring beautiful moments that come with each tiny season in life!

Almost 2 years of part-time cloth diapering and still going strong.  Although some days I don't care for the extra work, I've become accustomed to the savings.  That and I feel like I can just let him run around in only a diaper without feeling trashy! ;)

Umbrella Play

Since there hasn't been much "real" opportunity to need these, the boys have come up with creative exuses for pulling out the umbrella.

Pretending it's raining:

twirled umbrella = "Helihocker"

Shooting or utilizing a shield (or anything else battle related)

Going around the sun.

And then finally, he tried to step into it as if it was a boat.  I drew the line there. 

Umbrella's: a perfect open-ended play toy that occasionally can also be used to keep one dry here in Arizona.

Any other ideas on what we could do with our mostly useless umbrellas?

Rain Play

Wishing for more of this:

Pretty please?!?!?

Like the desert needs the rain...

Being at the end of a long, hot, fairly dry summer, makes this song even more relatable...

Like the desert needs the rain, I need You.
Like the ocean needs the streams, I need You.
Like the morning needs the sun, I need You.

:sigh:

Fellowship is sweet.  This is the lesson we had for today!

I LOVE THIS SONG!

TO DIE FOR GIVEAWAYS

I'm in LOVE.  Not that my boys need a new backpack, but this vintage-esque backpack is to.die.for.

Grossgrain is hosting a giveaway for this beauty!

And since hope springs eternal that I might someday have a girl (or at least have another niece that I could bless with this in hopes of being able to borrow it if a miracle were to occur) I am also entering in a giveaway for this beautiful combo.

Space Sledding

So the wonderful break in the weather today has us looking forward to cooler things...

The boys spontaneously decided to have their astronauts go sledding today!   It looks like a trip up north this winter or some more 'desert snow' will be added to the docket for this winter!

A Time to Turn Around...

I know I've been writing a lot about Bible study of late.  I've been needing it so much that it consumes a lot of my thoughts and time lately.  I'm so hungry for God.  I don't even know how to explain it.  Spending time reading His words to me has been amazing and getting to talk to other ladies about what God is showing them is amazing too.

It is no surprise then, that my children are picking up on that... 

Last week, they were so cute when they insisted on taking their Bibles when we left for Bible study.  Although they have a lesson in their classes, due to their age and all, they don't actually "study" their Bibles.  It was adorable and I indulged their desire to be like mommy.

Encouraging this is not always easy though. 

Take yesterday. 

I had finally pulled everything together and packed them in the car to head out for week two of my study.  They didn't realize that they had forgotten their Bibles until we were pulling out of our neighborhood.  For those that know me well, you know that I DESPISE being late.  Already I was pushing it to get there in time.  Getting 3 kids into and out of the car and checked into separate classes is no easy task.

I'm so sad to admit that my immediate gut reaction was annoyance.  But as I was preparing to explain to them that they didn't really NEED their Bibles and bracing for tears, I felt a tug at my heart.  I knew that I was supposed to turn around and nurture this desire of theirs. 

That evening, as we gathered with friends for the Truth Project, this verse came up:  "This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3).  

Whether or not I'm on time for things is not important.  Fostering my children's desire to KNOW God is more important than anything.  I pray I always listen to those nudges from the Holy Spirit and give up my agenda for His.  (ETA: And I pray that my agenda would become the same as His!!!)

Amaranth Cookies

This is one of my absolute favorite cookie recipes.  I love the slightly nutty flavor that the popped amaranth gives!  And well, I'm a sucker for the dried cranberry/chocolate chip combo.  So in case you are wanting to try a cookie recipe that is a bit out of the box...

Cranberry/Chocolate Chip Amaranth Cookies
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
* 1 c brown sugar
* 1 c granulated sugar
* 1 c butter
Cream together.

Add
* 2 eggs
* 2 Tbs vanilla
Combine and beat until smooth.

Sift together and add to the above ingredients:
*2 cups and 2 Tbs white flour
* 1 tsp baking soda
* 1 tsp baking powder
* 1 tsp salt

Once beaten smooth, add:
* 3 cups popped Amaranth **
* 1 cup dried cranberries
* 1 generous cup chocolate chips
Beat the mixture well.  Drop cookies 2 inches apart on well-greased cookie sheet and bake for 7-9 minutes.
(if cookies spread out too much, add 1-2 Tbs addl flour)

These cookies also freeze well.  I form into balls and then freeze.  That way I can pop a couple of cookies in the oven for a quick fix, or just indulge in a frozen cookie dough ball.  Yum.

** Directions for popping Amaranth: (general rule is 1/4 c unpopped amaranth produces 1 cup popped.)
Heat pan (that has a corresponding lid).  Once hot, test 2-4 amaranth seeds and see if they pop quickly.  If so proceed by adding 1-2 Tbs of amaranth to the pot.  It should pop quickly.   Don't leave unattended in the pan, it will burn.  Check out this video for a visual on how to pop amaranth.  It is well worth the little bit of extra work for these cookies!

If you try it, let me know!  I'd be especially interested to hear if the guys out there like it.  Rich likes everything about the cookie except the cranberries.  People who aren't familiar with amaranth can be scared to the appearance...

Bear-ing It!

On a recent trip to the zoo with a good friend and his daughter, Treyton decided to embrace some freedom...

After removing a super soggy diaper, he ran back for more fun in the water before I could get something else on him...

Little Bereans!

Do any of you just watch your kids play?  I love quietly observing them while they play.  Their ingenuity is amazing. 

I enjoy planning creative activities for my kids, but there are many days when I just don't have the energy for it.  This week has been one of those times... 

But if I had planned some activity earlier this week, I would have missed this:

Their friend had brought his Bible that matched Xanders.  While I was straightening up the kitchen, I heard the chairs moving around in the front room. 

They were coming together to have a "Bible study".  It was such a treat to hear them find favorite stories and share them with the others.

Then they proceeded into the other room to try and find the same stories in each of their Bibles. 

As my friend and I study the Bible with other women, we are not only strengthened in our faith and love for the Word, but our children are also witnessing the need and joy of being in the Word as well! 

:sigh: 

Life at the feet of Jesus is sweet indeed. 

I'm so thankful for the days when I'm disorganized and leave the kids on their own.  Watching them this last week was a treat!