200th Post: Welcome Luke Joseph!

My sweet Luke Joseph was born Thursday at 4:59pm after another quick and awesome labor. He was 7 lbs. 11 oz and 21 inches long with a head full of hair which is a standard newborn feature for all of our children! We are home resting and nursing and getting to know each other.

When I look at my life right now, I feel incredibly incredibly blessed.

Summer Pleasures

1. Joining a CSA for the first time...Community Supported Agriculture...a new organic farm which is run by Christians who give a portion of the money to the local poor and also provide education to low-income families as to how to grow their own food.



2. A new weekly Farmer's Market...finally I have access to grass-fed beef, artisan breads, and beautiful produce.



3. Sewing a blanket for an orphan in India for Craft Hope.

4. Getting Will and the baby's room painted and decorated in fun, bright colors.



5. Making a Summerhouse pillow...this pattern is awesome!

6. This sweet outfit for the baby...the pattern was another keeper.




7. A weekend in Asheville alone with Mike at a Bed and Breakfast.



8. Reading this book...such an encouragement to me to continue to invest in my family and home.

9. Making easy and effective cleaning supplies for my home from recipes in Clean House, Clean Planet.

10. Finding some caring midwives, a doula, and a chiropractor all in the last few weeks who are supportive, encouraging, and empowering! I feel ready!

Gracious Acceptance

I am just being quiet these days. I feel like I am officially "done" with nesting. Sure, there are things here and there that I would like to see completed, but I am content with what I have gotten accomplished.

And now the waiting-for-baby game begins :)

I am 39 weeks pregnant today. I feel a bit like a waddling gnome. And SC summers are HOT! We have had a milder weekend weather-wise and that has been so nice. I am seeking to rest...and more than rest for my body, I find that I really need heart-rest. I am a bit anxious, a bit emotional...my patience runs thin with my children right now. I worry about juggling the upcoming needs of a newborn, my personal needs, my home, my marriage, my children's schooling, and my children's hearts.

I need big doses of drinking in Jesus' love and grace and forsaking all forms of unrealistic ideals and perfectionism. I shudder at being needy, and here I am at the cusp of entering a "needy" season of life. A season where I must ask for help. I must confess my needs to a community. A season of feeling "undone" in many ways...my i's won't be dotted and my t's won't be neatly crossed. "Control" proves itself to be an illusion yet gracious acceptance can be my reality (and a much healthier reality, I might add!)

Why do we fight so much against "hard"? My children hear me say regularly, "hard isn't bad"...we learn so many incredible lessons about God and ourselves and others when life is difficult and pressing. These are the times when my eyes "look to the hills from where my Help comes from". The times when I slow down, I depend on Jesus, and know that His resources are enough. I am reminded that God plus nothing equals enough.

So I seek to cease striving and instead to accept my circumstances. Instead of clinging to fear and anxiety, to receive peace and the assurance of Sovereignty's hands holding fast to mine. That His goodness and love isn't going anywhere...it's here to stay. And that He will meet me and shower me with mercy and kindness through any upcoming "hard".

On a side note, I read this post tonight and loved it...may we all be enjoying and creating "new normals" that are healthy and rich for our lives!


photo by Ben

Staying Focused: The Notecard

I have had a pretty substantial list to complete before this baby comes in 2 1/2 weeks. House projects and home organization galore. Sewing projects. Maintaining the home. Cooking, baking, freezing meals. Taking the kids places...swimming and bowling and trips. And I have actually managed to accomplish most of my pre-baby goals...and not frantically but steadily and easily. I give thanks for the humble note card.

Every morning I pick about three to five goals I have for that day. I grab a simple 3x5 lined note card and jot them down. I carry that note card around with me and it keeps me focused on "doing the next thing". It might say:

1. Clean a potty and a sink.
2. Bake some muffins.
3. Get laundry put away.
4. Organize a drawer or cupboard.
5. Make two phone calls for needed appointments.

When I steadily keep small, specific, and manageable goals in front of me, it's amazing all that gets done. I am focused and not distracted. If I do get distracted by the computer or something that I see that needs doing, I just come back to the note card and start on the next thing.

I love my note cards! It's not a complicated day timer or bulky notebook. I just keep a stack of them on my desk so I can grab them easily. I also use them to jot down a few chores for each child. And for grocery lists or sewing lists. They are cheap and simple, and they work!