By His Wounds I am Healed

This is SO my song right now.

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." (Is. 53:5)

On Patience

Fill in the blank.

You know you've lost your patience when____.

1. You start counting to 10.

2. You start praying along the lines of: "Dear Lord, help me not to knock (insert name) from here into next week."

3. You start slamming doors and dishes.

4. You start looking around for anything you can get your hands on to throw/strike with.

5. You can finish this sentence: "If one more person touches me/asks me for anything, so help me God, I will ________."

6. You suddenly feel a connection with those moms you've seen on the news.

7. You find that you're somewhere in your home hiding.

8. You're mumbling something under your breath about not being afraid to go to jail.

9. You got everyone scared to move because you're irritated when others engage in any of the following:

1. Relaxation.

2. Laughter.

3. Leaving the premises.

Your immediate responses/thoughts to these actions are:

*with a crazed look in your eye*

"What are you doing? (pause) Nothing. Exactly."

"What are you laughing at? (pause) Ain't. Nothin'. Funny."

"Oh? Where you going? (pause) If anybody needs to go somewhere, its me!"

10. You have sudden thoughts of yourself with a new name, lying on a beach somewhere wearing dark sunglasses and a wig.

Sleeping Beauty

The Gift of an Ordinary Day

As a mom with young children, I really value the experience and insight that comes from parents who have adult children. Older people usually can't tell me enough to "enjoy your children while they're young! This time goes by so fast!"

This clip of author, Katrina Kenison reading from her book, The Gift on an Ordinary Day is very insightful and gives me a lot to think about as a young mom. It makes me not want to take one moment for granted!

Big Sister, Little Sister

Just as I suspected, Bella is quite the little nurturer. She comes in my room often to check on the baby and asks me if she can "keep and eye" on her.

One night, she took the baby doll that my mom bought for Halle and covered it up under a blanket next to Halle. Bella was proud of her work.

Bella was made sure that both Halle and her baby doll were comfortable. If you look closely, you will see that she even added a "special touch" by using one of my breast pads as a pillow for the baby doll.
Bella even wanted to nurse Halle. I explained that I had that part under control;)

Our Snowman

Hubby took advantage of the Blizzard of 2011 and made a snowman with the kids. This our family's first snowman, and I look forward to many more to come!

The Heart of Courageous

We loved Flywheel, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof. In September 2011, Sherwood Pictures will be introducing its newest motion picture: Courageous! I can't wait!

How to Change a Diaper

Connie, a homeschooling mom of 8 blessings, has a delightful and informative blog called Smockity Frocks. Not only do I acquire many useful tips while browsing her blog, but Connie's upbeat persona and sense of humor keeps me laughing out loud while I read.

Because I am currently at home perfecting my newborn mothering skills with baby #4 (and since she's pooping right now as I type this), I decided to watch Connie's tutorial on How to Change a Diaper. Like me, perhaps you've already changed your fair share of diapers. But, you should watch it anyway. Not only does Connie offer some unique tips and a great perspective on diaper changing, but I'll bet she makes you laugh while doing so:)

Creatively Blessing

There's not much that can compare to the love felt when friends and family go out of their way to bless you during these initial postpartum weeks.

Amidst the bits and pieces of both bliss and chaos that usually surround the postpartum season, we our are so thankful to have been blessed with delicious soups, lasagna, sweets, phone calls, visits, and gifts for the baby. I think that my appreciation for these things grow as our family grows. Moreover, seasons like this one, when I am on the "receiving" end, cause me to think of more ways I can be a blessing to others in the future when I have the opportunity to be on the "giving" end.

There are so many ways in which people can be a blessing to each other. Even when our own resources seem limited, I think it helps to think creatively. Jenn, a blogger and mother of 3 writes;

"...I believe in living creatively. Even if you can't draw a straight line. Can you make a warm and comfortable home? Can you fix an engine? Bake a pie? Write a poem? Living creatively is living in harmony with God's creative spirit. God is the Creator and we were created in His image. We weren't meant to sit uselessly and be entertained. We weren't made to always receive. We were made to move, to love, to work, to serve..."

-Jenn @ Spejory

Lord, give me the creativity, strength, and resources to be a blessing to others in a way causes them to feel your love and care.

Adventures in Postpartum Life

Halle has been with us now for 5 days and I have had a fairly predictable schedule to attend to. It generally repeats this cycle of activity:

Nurse baby.

Change baby.

Eat.

Drink.

Go to bathroom.

Nurse baby.

Sleep.

Nurse baby...and on and on...so forth and so forth...

In between this general cycle of activity I am:

• Letting our children take turns "holding" the baby.
• Frantically repeating "Don't touch her face! Don't touch her face!", while they do so.
• Becoming smitten by my newborn as I gaze into her dark brown eyes. I am convinced that when I smile at her, she smiles back. Oh, You think its just gas, huh? Well...just let me have it. Okay?
• Watching hubby run around the house cooking, cleaning, training, and tending to all of our needs and thinking to myself; "Man! That's alot of work!" "No wonder I'm always exhausted!" "He should really take a load off and get some rest. Poor guy."
• Navigating my way through engorgement. You'd think after 3 babies, I'd have this part figured out. Not so much.
• Appreciating my husband and feeling both blessed and overwhelmed that God has entrusted these 4 little people to us.
• Daydreaming of a trip to Target and Starbucks. Hubby and I agree I am not ready to venture out, just yet. But, to soothe my longing for a caffe mocha, he went out and bought me box of hot chocolate and some whip cream. I know. He's quite a guy. Its these simple acts of kindness that keep me entangled in his web of love.

Here is a picture of all my girls. Obviously, Halle is still trying to figure out who we are.

Got Questions?

Have you any questions about large family living that you would like answered by some seasoned moms? You should check out the "4 moms, 35 kids" series!

Each week, 4 moms with a collective total of 35 children share their knowledge, experience and and helpful tips in maintaining health, order and sanity. There is even one week in which the moms will take a stab at your questions if you leave them in their comments section!

I must say I have been enjoying this series very much. You can click on the button above to read what you have missed and to find out more about future topics in the series.

Meet Halle

Halle Danielle Hutchinson

Born: Tuesday, January 25, 2011, 4:13am

Weight: 8lbs, 12oz

Length: 20in

She finally arrived at 41 weeks! We had a non-medicated birth and are doing fine. Breastfeeding is going well (this kid can eat!) Thanks for all who prayed and wished me well! I hope to get some more pics and a birth story up sometime soon.

No News Here

Silly me. I thought there might be a good chance that since my due date was based on an ultrasound versus my last menstrual cycle, that I might have the baby on or before my due date. Pish posh! There is no sign of labor. No. Sign.

Even the false labor I was having daily eventually came to an abrupt end sometime last week. Every once in a while, I feel some Braxton Hicks contractions, but they come of nothing.

Sure, I found myself getting a bit impatient once I came from my appointment with the midwife, the day after my due date, and realized that there was really nothing going on that would indicate labor for me in the following days. Nevertheless, this time has given me more time to actually rest, pray, and prepare. It was actually MUCH NEEDED!

Furthermore, I have almost become tickled at the unpredictability of this baby. You think you going to figure her out? You can't figure her out. We just new she was a boy. We had a name picked out and everything. Nope, girl. We thought she was coming on her due date. Nope. I usually feel a ton of Braxton Hicks and false labor at the end of my pregnancies. This time, nothing.

She's mysterious that way. She can't be pegged down. She won't be put in a box. A complex and unique creature. I think like her already;)

Wordless Wednesday

Find out more about Adele Enerson at her blog.