Long Short Update

I find myself coming back to this little blog thinking, "I totally need to update this online diary". I think it a lot. I just don't make time to do so. However, while looking up information on Columbus Day (AND finding it very difficult to get any real info and FACTS on the day) I felt the urge to document how stupid society has become. I've had a "check" in my spirit not to fume about the idiocy of our world so I will refrain...for the moment. Instead, I'm going to catch up on our family life.

We are now a family of SIX! We've moved to our first house. We love our neighborhood and our neighbors are pretty spectacular! Collin is in his fourth year of homeschool and doing well. Nicholas and Audrey are both in the works of pre-kindergarten activities. I'll start more "formal" schooling with Nicholas next year...probably. Living this life is quite amazing if you think about it. You can miss the bigger picture if you let yourself.

I took the kids to the zoo a couple weeks ago and we got to visit the zoo hospital, where they have a huge print of a flamingo probably with a vet. I had the kids start off by looking closely at the wall. It's made up of probably hundreds of little photographs that picture different animals. Next, I had them step back and look at the whole panel. Imagine their surprise when they saw the large image covering the wall! It was a perfect way to teach the children (and remind myself) how even though all we see is our own little story, it's part of a much bigger story that Christ has written out!

Deep in Thought

I don’t know if you’ve ever had those moments where you find yourself just lost in thoughts all jumbled into one massive lump of crazy and wonder if someone were to read your mind right now, you might end up in the looney bin... can I say “looney bin”!?... but anyway.
I’m there. It’s past midnight, when most of my thoughts can run steadily by without interruption by a tiny human who needs a drink or their tooshie wiped or a book read or a conflict refereed. I’ve just finished my Scripture writing and journaling for the evening and my heart is so full! Like, the almost about to explode, full. Explode from joy or anguish, I don’t really know, but it’s full. I feel so blessed. Not lucky, blessed. Luck has nothing to do with it. Only God.
I’m on a journey right now where I’m searching Scripture for truth. You see, I believe the Word of God is truth. I believe I can have a problem and the answer to that problem can be found in Scripture. I believe it is God breathed. I believe the Word of God is relevant today and always. I hear all too often how “The world is not the same as it once was. Change happens and people change too.” And that IS apparent. However, no matter how different we are and different the world is...God IS NOT. He hasn’t changed. And I’m clinging to that. I’m teaching my children that. And I’m making sure you’re reminded of that as well.

A Continual Conversation

Prayer should be a continual conversation with the Lord. Why do I start my prayer as if I'm writing a letter? When I spend an entire day in the room with my kids and try to start a new conversation, do I say "Hi .... , first I'd like to say...."? Of course not. I just spit it out. I have a friend, people (including myself) would consider her my bff, who I get to see mostly at church. On Sunday. Or Wednesday. Or an occasional Friday. And there are times we don't get to say "Hi!" We just continue talking to one another as if our conversation never ends. Shouldn't that be how it is with The One who is always with us? Always. With. Us. My conversations with Jesus are continual. I'm constantly asking for his direction on one matter or another, for his grace in situations where I don't see it, or in laughing with him at the antics of my children. Sometimes I get caught up in "appropriate prayer presentation" that I forget I'm not speaking with some magic genie in the air, but I'm in the presence of the Most High God and am talking to him as a friend, a Father, my first Love! So, next time I pray. Perhaps I need to be more aware of what I'm doing and not just the "how" to do it!

What Am I Doing?

Has anyone else ever wondered, "Is this REALLY what being a parent is about?" I'm sitting on the couch at about 10:30 on a Friday morning watching Team Umizoomi with a 3 and 2 yr old. I know...be jealous. I'm slowly coming to the realization that this is ok. This moment is not making me a failure as a mother (or aunt). I often find myself trying to be who people imagine me being. I've often been informed about how fortunate I am to be so "well off" and surely, I can't imagine the challenges others go through that have to work and earn a paycheck and live without a full time baby sitter on hand. (We've lived with my Mother-in-Love our entire married life and that's how she's been viewed by some.) While Grandma is ever so gracious to be such a large part of our lives, she still allows her son and I to be Dad and Mom. These ideas others have about our family dynamics does not change what is true...Parenting is hard. The decisions my hubby and I have to make for our family sometimes drives us to tears and desperation where all we can do is hit our knees and cry out to Father God for direction. So, what am I doing? How am I living a life that glorifies my God and still meets the demands of wife, mother, Worship Pastor, friend, daughter, sister and everything else? I pray. I sing. I smile. I laugh. I cry. I play. I give kisses and hugs and fix boo-boos. I pretend. I make a pretty rockin' fort, if I do say so myself! I love. THAT is what I'm doing. And it is good. ~*Hope*~

But above all WE LOVE

My life as a mom can be the most fun and exciting adventure there is! I get to experience it all. I have experienced growing a person (Or three) inside my body. I have felt three precious lives move and toss and turn from the inside. I've been kicked in places some couldn't imagine and lived to smile and laugh and tell about it. I've watched three tiny people come into this world with awe over what a miracle life really is. I've nourished them. I've clothed, bathed, rocked, snuggled, and on and on... I get to be the center of their universe for a moment and know that beyond anything or anyone else, they.want.me. I am their comforter. I am their teacher. I am their dinosaur wrangler (because we don't do monsters at our house). I am the "best mom [they've]ever had"! I get to laugh and play and kiss and hug three precious ones for just a moment. Then...my joy becomes more than I can bear. The constant touching and pulling and needing just brings me to my knees where at times I want to throw my hands in the air and scream "I AM DONE!" My dream world of perfect children is non-existent. It's also irrational to expect them to be. It's funny how a moment when my two-year-old and I seem to go head to head in a match that is just unfair, blows up into something out of control. "Listen and obey!" I say. But he hears nothing. Today, after such a collision, I came to my dining room. I walked over to where I have the following saying hanging on the wall: In this house We laugh...a lot We are patient...most of the time We tell the truth We support each other We hug often We make mistakes We never give up We always forgive We keep our promises We always have fun But above all WE LOVE So, big mom fail. In the midst of trying to instill character into my children, do I lose sight of "above all WE LOvE"? I get frustrated and angry. I don't believe these are necessarily bad things. I do believe they can become bad when it becomes sinning in our anger and frustration. Before you start allowing your mind to run off with "How did she sin while disciplining?" I'll tell you it wasn't sin in physical correction but my tongue. Allowing my voice to raise to an octave no human being should ever have to hear and lashing out to get a point across that could very well have waited until I had a time to run to my Savior and ask for a gentle word. I want to leave an impression on my children as a woman full of grace AND a gracious word. Even when correcting unacceptable behavior. I'm thankful for my upbringing. Im thankful for the God of the Universe who chose me to take care of these precious lives. By His Grace and Mercy will I accomplish the goal placed before me. ~*Hope*~ "Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs." Proverbs 10:12

2015 Begins

2015 has come on us like a lion! (Feel free to begin humming "my God's not dead"). Once December rolled around I told Chris the month would fly by. Sometimes, I wish I weren't right... Last year was a great year and many things happen in a year. In short we celebrated a daddy birthday in March, a 2nd birthday in April, a 6th birthday in July, and a 1st birthday combined with mommy birthday in November. Big things that happened: Nicholas fell out of the treehouse, and survived! Audrey ended up in the ER after having (what we know now as) a febrile seizure. Collin has been good at avoiding serious incidents and I'm totally okay with that! There are no potential additions to the Slegers family as of this moment and we haven't done much more than work, homeschool, ministry and more life! We are enjoying life as a family of 5. Days are long but the year still seems to fly by! Parenting three children is challenging and crazy and fun and so full and rewarding! I'm still doing the mom thing. I hear this position is one that will be forever, but my job description will change and adapt as the children grow. I'm clinging to these last days of safety gates, baby monitors, and little tumbles as Audrey is discovering the new freedom of being mobile. She is 14 mos and still not walking but I'm not worried as I know she will be there before we know it! I love my cuddles with the Terrific-Two-Year-Old. Nicholas has two modes: go and sleep. Most of the time I wonder if he actually just closes his eyes and pretends to sleep because he is still moving even when he sleeps! Haha. Collin is kind and thoughtful and generous...until it comes time to play his electronics. Then you better watch out! What is it with boys and their video games? This year we are hoping for some great new and exciting adventures in our life! Some are as simple as eating more natural foods and less processed foods and sugar. Some goals as big as hoping to purchase a home! Chris and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary this year, it's time for this! It's exciting and scary. It's going to probably stretch and change our family dynamic in ways that may feel very uncomfortable at times, but this is a good thing. I don't know if/when I will be posting again. It could come in a week or two. It could be another year before we get a moment to stop and write another blog. But, I hope to do what I am called to do to the best of my abilities. Talk to you soon!

A Lot Happens In A Year

Holy laziness! Has it really been a year since I've posted. I blame it on pregnancy. I blame it on old age (I am now nearing 34, after all), I blame it on...life. I chose to spend the past year with people and not sitting at my desk for hours on end. I've lived life. WITHOUT a blog. But I would like to keep up on posting these things that happen in the Slegers home. Here is a little note I had prepared for our 2013 Christmas family newsletter that never went out. I'll do my best to update things that have changed since I wrote this: DATED December, 2013 I am sitting in the car, enjoying the quiet of three littles resting as we travel to Georgia for Mom's graduation. This allows time to reflect on our family and this past year... We started the year, as most do, with great expectations of another year of blessings. Another year of pressing on toward the goals we felt the Lord had called us to. Another year to become closer as a family. Another year to do and be better. 2013 has been a big year in the Slegers household. We have been covered in blessings beyond our imagination and are constantly shaking our heads in disbelief as the Lord answers prayer after prayer. (As if we expect him to fail or just pass by without giving us a second thought.) Chris is our first example of God's favor. The weather in Oklahoma has been unusual this year. As a dent guy, your work is usually based on bad weather. If it doesn't hail, you don't usually get to work! Well, Chris has been so busy this year with hail and occasional dents and dings. God has provided for EVERY need and many wants! We are nearing the end of the year and Chris still has several hail cars lined up for when we get back from Georgia and it's DECEMBER! Who has hail work in December!?! Totally a God thing. Chris is still heading up our church's evangelism ministry, Evangelism Explosion. His desire to teach others how to share their faith is almost as strong as his desire to share the Good News himself. He pours his heart into this ministry and the others involved. I'm sure he would tell you how each individual brings something special to EE and how spending time with them sharpens him. I am one blessed woman to have such an encourager as the head of our home! Hope (that would be me) is still enjoying her role as wife, mother, worship leader, Bible study leader, Mary Kay consultant, teacher...you get the picture! It has been a challenging year for me as we were surprised to find out in early March that I was pregnant...again. With.a.baby. Those who know me well, know this is big - as I don't handle pregnancy well. Once again, God granted us favor and he granted me strength to keep leading Sunday worship at our church throughout my entire pregnancy (up to the weekend before baby arrived)! Collin turned 5 this year! Am I old enough to have a five year old!? He is growing up so quickly. I guess that saying, "Blink and you'll miss it!" is quite appropriate for the childhood years. His favorite things right now are: Legos, Mario (wii) and basketball. This kid loves him some basketball! If he can't play it outside, he pretends to play inside. If he can't play inside he wants to play basketball with Daddy on the wii. His favorite NBA teams are the OKC Thunder and Chicago Bulls. He also loves to swim in our pool and is excited to announce he can now swim (in the shallow end) without his life vest, AND he can jump in AND he can swim UNDER WATER! Collin has also begun Kindergarten this year. He is pretty excited, as we made the decision to homeschool this year. Grandma Pat is doing the majority of the academic studies and she is very happy with how much Collin is learning and retaining in his studies! Little Nicholas celebrated his 1st birthday in April! His favorite things are his "inka" (blanket), his "maw-ma" (Grandma), dancing and BALLS! He can spot a ball a mile away and his dance moves are quite a site to see! Our little "force to be reckoned with". He is Mr. Independent and Mr. Adventure all in one. I consider him my mini me. Nicholas is just like his momma! His strong will and love of music is quite a mirror for me and we are so enjoying the little man he is turning in to. Sweet Audrey made her long-awaited appearance on November 2, in the early morning around 2 am. She is a very good baby! Being so new, her life consists of mostly nursing and a whole lot of sleeping! It's amazing how much she has settled in to being a member of our family. Her big brothers are so good with her and VERY protective. Even Nicholas will say "why-in" to tell Mommy that Audrey is crying and run to her rocker and try to give her the pacifier...although he usually sticks it in her eye or her ear! What a busy, quick, exciting year it has been! We are really looking forward to what the Lord has in store for us next year! OK...just to remind you that was from 2013. I am NOT pregnant, nor do I expect to be in the near future (or ever). Also, Nicholas is now celebrating his "Terrific Two's!" and has a vocabulary that amazes me. Although, most people are sure he's speaking Chinese. Collin is celebrating his 6th Birthday this week and our precious Audrey is now 8 1/2 months old. I suppose I'll end this post with a couple pic's from the past 14 months.