Gratitude - today more than ever

I need to do my gratitude post today. While inside I'm in turmoil and freaking out, I need to take time to get back to a place of thankfulness.

56. my husband being the strong one for me when I need it.
57. so many people offering to help.
58. details being worked out beneath the surface by the hand of our mighty God.
59. small victories day by day.
60. patience to wait, trust and move in faith.
61. roasting hot dogs over a fire at a friends' house last night.
62. a "sleepover" in mommy's room while scott was away this weekend - complete with sleeping bags, popcorn, some wrestling and a movie.
63. a new home to move in to at the price we asked for.
64. a new adventure waiting on the horizon - so many unknowns and so many possibilities.
65. living a life of faith - without a salary - we have to trust God for our every need, we are so dependent on Him. It's scary, but the reality is, it's a blessing.
66. Scott, before heading out the door, just grabbing me and breathing a prayer over me. I love him.
67. Knowing that God is good.

Multitude Monday at Holy Experience.

moving in progress

I haven't been posting because we are moving and it's a crazy time to say the least. I'm not really great at transitions. Luckily I am so busy with packing and getting ready, I don't have time to wrap my brain around what is actually happening. People keep asking me if I'm excited. Honestly, I have so many different emotions right now, I don't even know how to begin to express it. So I won't. I'll just get busy and keep moving and I'm sure I will post more later all about it!

Tips for making an ant farm

1. Do not try to put ants barehanded into an ant farm. They will bite, your hands will swell. They will also crawl all over your body - down your shirt and pants, before you can stop them.
2. Do not try this 5x.
3. Do not attack an anthill with a spatula while barefooted and 3 small boys watch. The ants will go crazy, spread quickly and bite.
4. Do put ants you've collected in the fridge for up to 15 minutes before handling them - it does not kill them, but makes them inactive so you can get them into the farm.
5. Realize that the ants will only remain inactive for a few seconds. During this time do not spill dirt and ants all over the counter.
6. If that does happen, screaming won't help the situation.
7. At the end of the process, once the ants are safely inside, enjoy watching them dig their tunnels, it's actually pretty AMAZING.
8. Be sure to read lots of books about ants along with your ant farm project.
9. Beware if guests come and warn them not to SHAKE the ant farm. Yes, this happened. Even my two-year old knows not to shake it. But a full grown adult shook it and in seconds destroyed all the tunnels the ants had spent hours making. I suggest putting a little note or something by your ant farm so guests are warned not to do this. You just never know.
10. Have fun!

More 30-minute Steady Mom challenges are here.

Gratitude

I'm lifting my heart in thankfulness and finding the gifts - sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden - in each day. Counting my way to 1,000....

45. Sounds of imaginary play.
46. New recipes that turn out great.
47. Pressure Cookers.
48. Waiting on God and trusting in his provision.
49. Praying with my boys and their sweet prayers of faith.
50. Weekend guests.
51. My hubby's amazing heart.
52. Rainy afternoons.
53. Drinking rooibos tea, eating cookies and playing the card game "war" with my boys last night.
54. 8 amazing years. What an adventure.
55. Babysitters.



Multitude Monday is here

Is Jude a baby or a big boy? We're not sure!

Hosted by Cecily

Some thoughts on hospitality

Our line of work involves a lot of hospitality. We are in a very relational ministry in which we open our lives and our home to others. Throw 4 children and homeschooling into the mix and things can get a little crazy! For example, here's a little peek at last week: Sunday = 5 people for dinner and meeting (pizza), Tues = 3 for dinner (pasta), Wed = dinner and community meeting at the base, Thursday = 13 at our house for morning classes (egg bake and brownies), 2 for dinner (rice, fish and veggies) and 12 later for a movie, Friday = 12 in the morning and later on a mom + her 2 boys, whose husband is out of town spent the night with us and most of Saturday, too. Each of these events was also completely spontaneous!

My "goal" of hospitality is to offer a nice, relaxing, orderly environment to welcome people into so they can enjoy, share, receive and be blessed. Honestly, I've had to drop this "ideal," because the reality is it can't always happen. But, truly, an open heart to love and bless others can go a long way. I've learned to open my door and let others in even when things are a mess, slightly chaotic and maybe when they walk through the door I'm stirring a pot with a baby strapped to me, sweating like a pig and wearing sweat pants.

Sure, this is not my ideal, this is not perfect hospitality, but this is my reality - this is where I'm at. I can try as hard as I can to appear to others that I "have it all together," and I will fail miserably. I just literally cannot stay on top of everything.

So, when Scott calls at 5:00 pm and says he's bringing 3 people up for dinner, I know that those people are more important than the state of my home or the quality of food we will eat. Here's a quote from Karen's Main's book, "Open Heart, Open Home." She talks about entertainment vs. hospitality. I had never really thought of it this way.

"Entertainment says, 'I want to impress you with my beautiful home, my clever decorating, my gourmet cooking.' Hospitality, however, seeks to minister. It says, 'This home is not mine. It is truly a gift from my Master. I am his servant, and I use it as he desires.' Hospitality does not try to impress, but to serve" (p. 29).

"Working hard to keep people from recognizing our weak points, we also prevent them from loving us in our weakness. Because hospitality has put away its pride, it doesn't care if other people see our humanness" (p.30).

Believe me, people are definitely seeing my humanness right now! But what a joy to share, welcome friends and build new friendships. It's an honor and a privilege. I'm learning humility and it's really good for me.

So, naturally, I'm thinking about a lot of these things as we're searching for a new home in Jaco. What kind of home will we have? What will we do in this home? What will hospitality look like? The uncertainty and transition is excruciating for me. Especially as momma bear instincts kick in, wanting to have a secure environment for my 4 little ones.

A friend emailed me some words of wisdom, " I truly believe deep down that all ministry starts at home – our lives, our marriages, our children, our family – these are the greatest gifts we will give. More than Jaco needs a ministry, Jaco needs you – your thoughtful heart, your dedication to the four little ones entrusted to your care, your strong beliefs in attachment and life. So finding a lifegiving place to live and be is perhaps the first pivotal decision, ministry will flow from that. So take a deep breath, and let God lead you to where He wants you to be for this season."

Amen to that. There has to be balance. I can offer hospitality to people, but if I don't offer it to my own husband and children first, it will have zero impact - and can even be detrimental. Hospitality has to begin in my heart, with my own family, and out of that it can flow to others. So as we search for a new home I'm reflecting on what it means to have a home. I'm also searching to align my priorities and to make sure I have things in the right order.

What about you? I'd love to hear others' thoughts on hospitality.

Open Heart, Open Home: The Hospitable Way to Make Others Feel Welcome and Wanted

not enough time or energy...

I love this blog. I love sharing pictures, stories, it's so fun for me. I have so many things I want to write about and so many thoughts in my head. But there's just too much going on right now: moving really soon, trying to find a place, packing, finishing up the children at risk school, and homeschooling when I can. So, I'll just have to write and share more later. sigh.

Gratitude

I'm lifting my heart in thankfulness and finding the gifts - sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden - in each day. Counting my way to 1,000....

35. My husband waking me up with coffee in bed every morning.
36. Our neighborhood street where the kids can ride bikes and skateboards and run free.
37. New books and clothes from my sister-in-law - it's like Christmas!
38. A donation specified specifically for "household help." Yeeehaw!
39. A cooler day today after some really hot ones!
40. my boys, my boys, my boys! I love them so much!
41. Jude's little voice and new words he says each day - so much enthusiasm! I'm particularly enjoying the way he says, "yes." It's so cute!
42. Ezzy's profound statements and prayers continue to amaze me.
43. Kai's kindness and sensitivity.
44. Koa's smiles, giggles and cuteness - his dark hair and blue eyes.

multitude monday is here

A homeschool afternoon

Start out with a little "pool" because it's so hot!

When everyone's nice and cool we take our supplies under a shady tree on a blanket - alphabet blocks for the little ones, create-a-calendar for Kai and our read-aloud.

Everyone's busy!

I love these blocks - they have the letter and then a little something inside that starts with the letter - great for learning those letter sounds!

A happy baby!

Kai works on his calendar and I read him the last chapter of our book, The Hundred Dresses. Yes, I teared up a little at the end! These books are so good. They lead to some great conversations, too.

Time for a little snuggling!

Kai runs inside to see what our next scheduled read-aloud is and brings it outside to check it out - it's Johnny Appleseed. He's anxious to get started!

Some kisses from Jude

I love this boy.

Giggles.

He's still happy and talking away! I think he just loves being a part of it all.

We even manage to get some math done, too.

Way to go, Kai!

What a lovely afternoon. Time to go make dinner!

Photo Story Friday is here!

Jude's first haircut

So Jude is 2 1/2 and he's never had a haircut. I don't know about you, but I love baby hair. To me having that first haircut is like a rite of passage from babyhood to boyhood. It was definitely time, but all-of-a-sudden Jude looks like a "little boy" and not so much like a baby! sniff sniff!

Thanks, Gaby for such a cute cut!

Mom's 30-minute blog challenge

We're Moving!

For all the details click here: Feb./March update

and here: Freeman Family blogsite

Gratitude

I'm lifting my heart in thankfulness and finding the gifts - sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden - in each day. Counting my way to 1,000....

24. Good sleep this weekend - it makes all the difference.
25. Short, cute haircuts on all my boys.
26. Sharing hot rooibos tea this morning with my boys.
27. A sweet gathering last night of people with hearts full of compassion, hearts ready to go, do, believe and see change. I love these people, handpicked by God for this time.
28. An amazing adventure on the horizon (more details coming soon).
29. Though things are uncertain, I have a great God in whom I can trust.
30. A sweet, sweet baby who loves to snuggle and makes people smile.
31. A Costa Rican driver's license in my hand!
32. Parts for our car arriving today in vans that drove down from California.
33. Saturday afternoon babysitters so my hubs and I could sneak out for a few hours together.
34. A new week! I continue learning, adjusting and getting into a rhythm with my children, myself, my life, my God.

A Better Day

So yesterday I cried. And I prayed. As I went to bed I determined in my heart to have a better day. Basically, I am over-tired, losing my patience, yelling at my children and feeling angry and frustrated. Homeschool is overwhelming me, I'm trying to do too much and things are turning into power-struggles with my kids. This is not how I want to be! This is not my dream for homeschool! So I determined to RELAX, ENJOY my children, re-adjust my priorities, have fun and do better. These posts really helped: A Steady Days Excerpt: Enthusiasm and The Family Hour: Recess for Everyone as well as a good long chat with an encouraging friend. God is so good!

So, I am happy to share with you now my "better day."

I started the morning off having all the boys jump in bed with me and I said sorry for being such a grumpy mommy. They gave me big, reassuring hugs and we started the day off with smiles and love and a few good stories. I've been trying to fit too much into our school days and the things that get dropped are all the science experiments. So today was science day, doing all the fun projects we skipped. Oh, Kai was so joyful. He has truly been longing for this day. "I want to be a scientist when I grow up," he said confidently this morning. That's actually his very first, what-I-want-to-be-when-I-grow-up comment.

We started out examining soil. Kai added one scoop of soil to a jar. Then two scoops of water.

Shake it up and then let it sit for two hours.

The soil separates into layers. The top layer is humus, then comes clay, then sand and finally small rocks at the bottom. Believe me, this completely amazed my children!

Next we examined leaf litter. This is the stuff that decomposes to make the top layer of soil. Kai gathered a bunch in a bag.

We dumped it out on a piece of paper on the table to go through. This stuff is disgusting! We found lots of cobwebs, little creepy crawlies, dead things and other nastiness. All things boys love!

Finally, we examined leaves. Each boy went out to collect some cool leaves.

We took a look at all the different leaves and talked about each one.

Then we did some leaf rubbings.

As I put my boys to bed tonight, things just felt so much more peaceful, happy, calm. My heart is full of love, not irritation. And instead of dreading it, I'm actually looking forward to tomorrow. Thank you, Jesus!

p.s. All these activities and more are part of our Sonlight curriculum and found in this book:

Usborne Science Activities, Vol. 2

spontaneous math

So we have this little odd assortment of plastic toys (which are a GREAT, cheap toy by the way that holds my boys' attention for hours). I've been reading about how sorting is a good skill so I suggested the boys sort them. I had no idea they would get so into it!

They put the little animals into different piles based on categories they made up themselves. These included jungle animals, horses, trees, dangerous animals, animals that live in the woods, farm animals, ninja turtles, people, blocks, weapons, frogs, lizards, dinosaurs, and one alien.

Then they began lining up and counting each pile. I helped collect the data by writing down the numbers for each pile.


Using the data we collected Kai and I made a graph. Sitting around the table at lunch we all studied our graph. The boys answered questions like, "Which piles have the same amount?" "Which is biggest?" "Which is smallest?" "How many more would this pile need to equal that one?" "How much smaller is this pile than that one?" etc.

I can't tell you how much the boys loved this. They now have ideas of all different things they want to sort, it's a new favorite activity. And think of all the math skills involved - classification, grouping, numeration, ordering, comparing, counting, graphing, subtraction, addition! Sometimes, you just never know what is going to excite your children!

more ww posts here.

our favorite part

Hands down, our favorite part our school day is read-aloud time. The books that Sonlight has chosen as part of the curriculum are phenomenal. I'm having such a great time, I just have to share what we've read in the last few weeks.


1. The Apple and the Arrow

I feel like I am learning so much right alongside my son. This is the story of how the country of Switzerland was born though the legendary figure William Tell. It was especially meaningful to share this story with Kai, because I spent most of my pregnancy in Switzerland so it's a very special place to me. I actually cried at the end of this book. My kids love it when I cry reading a book! (Have you ever read "I'll Love you Forever"? I cannot get through that one without tearing up!)The courage of the characters was so inspiring, I couldn't help it. It was interesting to me how Switzerland became free from tyranny with so little bloodshed and that even today it remains one of the most peaceful nations.



2. My Father's Dragon

What a fun, silly, imaginative story this is. Just the type of thing my boys love! This was book was meant to last several weeks, reading a chapter a day. Well, we couldn't help ourselves and read the whole thing in two days!!! We just couldn't put it down. This one even Ezra, (4 1/2) enjoyed.








3. The Hundred Dresses

We just started reading this today and could barely put it down. I know we'll finish it fast. It may sound like a book for girls, and though the characters are mostly girls, it completely holds my 7 and 4 year old boy's attention. It has such a great lesson about kindness and teasing. It helps them to think about how it feels to be teased as well as some thoughts about poverty and immigration and sparks compassion. I can't wait to finish it!




I think there are a lot of benefits to reading these books aloud with my children. Quality time, character lessons, increased vocabulary and increased attention to name a few. One thing I'm finding is that it highly increases motivation for reading. My children are discovering through this amazing literature what a treasure books are. It makes them want to be able to discover that treasure themselves and so increases their desire to learn to read and improve their reading.

If you're interested in any of these books - click my little sonlight button on the left and you can find these books and many more (at below Amazon prices, too).

Happy Reading!

Leslie

This post is linked to Steady Mom's 30-minute blog challenge.