The Queen Bead

 As some of you may have heard, The Queen Bead is in business.

The company consists of me, the brains and developer, as well as my younger siblings, Grant, our sign spinner, and Kate, the "I want to take the money and eat it" girl.

I realized Grant needs sign spinning lessons.

And a possible attitude adjustment.

Kate has no idea how to count money.

She does know how to eat it.

Training is imperative.

That's my first order of business.

Therefore, I thought it best to man the table on opening day.

 

Our first customer, Nathan, proudly spent his money on some bracelets.

 

We hated to see him go. He was a good customer.

So, back to advertising. Since Grant suffered a bit at sign spinning, I thought it fair to give Kate a turn.

It seemed she couldn't keep the sign appropriately displayed.

I really need to hire a sign spinner to train my employees.

Until then, I'll do it myself.

I'm proud to say we earned $9 during our opening day. Thank you to all our patrons who stopped and bought our bracelets/necklaces/rings/hair ties.

All 8 of you.

We are proud to do business with you.

Chick-Fil-A: Eat More Chicken

I'll be the first to admit, Chick-Fil-A wasn't my favorite. Hence, the face when Mommy told me we were dressing up as cows to go eat at Chick-Fil-A. Obviously, I didn't share the same enthusiasm as my two siblings.

I mean, what's up with the huge cow? He's the most intimidating creature I have seen. I've never seen the fibers of Mommy's shirt so clearly before either. And, I'll be the first to admit, I don't eat their chicken. I eat grilled cheese.

But, then I realized a few things about Chick-Fil-A. First, they're kind enough to give me a grilled cheese. They don't force me to eat chicken. And two, I just realized in the past week I DO like chicken nuggets. In fact, I love them. Thirdly, their playground is awesome. Fourth, I get a balloon when I go. Fifth, they always tell me it's a pleasure to serve me...even though I manage to sometimes make a colossal mess. So, my feelings have changed...and I will proudly don a cow costume for a free meal. And, I may even resist the temptation to hide my face in my mom's shirt.

So, I proudly exclaim, "Eat More Chicken!"

Mommy's Moment: Rowena

Today I feel like Rowena.

Who is Rowena? 

I don't exactly know. However, when I picture the name Rowena, I picture long locks cascading down her back and flowing away from her Victorian dress.

Today, I feel like her, minus that whole romantic vibe.

Why?

Because my hair has grown ever so long. Not as long as the above mentioned Rowena, but it might as well be for me. My hair has not reached this length since, well, maybe since I was a young child. I'm at a loss of what to do with it.

Therefore, my Rowena-like hair often gets pulled up into a beautiful, pulled halfway through, "bun."

Now, I can sympathize with those "What Not to Wear" contestants who also must have felt a bit like Rowena, had they "known" her. Their long hair combined with kids meant no hair drying and pulling it up to get it out of the way.

And now, I too have been guilty of the same. And I'll confess, I've enjoyed my no hair drying days of late, but, I've also come to the realization that someone may just be video taping me to be the next contestant on "What Not to Wear" because, folks, I'm looking rough.

Untouched by the hair styling tools of today, my hair is not worthy to be compared with Rowena's. It's just not. And I'm not sure if Rowena had a hair dryer or not. Chances are, she did not and her hair magically dried as if she were headed to a Pantene audition.

So today, I took the time to dry it and straighten it and add some relief to it's flowing tresses that encumber my vision and just plain get in the way. I'm not convinced that I am a Rowenian. I find myself missing shorter hair days. But, until our budget loosens, I will embrace my inner Rowena and make do with what I have, lest I show up on the next episode of "What Not to Wear."

Obviously Kate ain't diggin it.

Just in Case...

Just in case you forgot, or need an example, This IS what awesome looks like.

Or maybe it's what delirious looks like after being cooped up inside for too many hot days.

Either one.

But if delirious looks THIS awesome, well, Grant and I will proudly be delirious.

Video Viewing: For Aunt Ash

Hey Aunt Ashley, this video is for you. Check out my mean kick.

Yes, I did dress myself.

And yes, those are blue Scotty dog tube socks I'm wearing with my navy blue fake Crocs. And yes, my red Spiderman t-shirt is too little and I did pair it with a red pair of athletic shorts. It matched. Red matches red.

But, we aren't here to judge my attire.

Thank goodness, Mommy says.

We're here to watch my mean soccer kick and hopefully begin something beautiful. Professional soccer may be on the horizon, that is, if I was actually interested in playing on a soccer team. . .for four year olds.

Video Viewing: Singer/Song Writers

Besides puppeteering, Grant and I are also dabbling in song writing this summer. As usual, I am the more seasoned song writer but I let Grant go first in sharing his song...much of which was insipired by my song. So, if puppeteering doesn't pan out, at least we have this to fall back on.

Mommy's Moment: Hard

No one told me motherhood was hard.

H.A.R.D.

Or maybe they did, I was just too starry eyed to focus in.

But, it is.

And, while that shouldn't be a surprise, it is.

I'm now almost six years into this and really, it just gets harder.

No one told me the amount of selflessness it requires. Or, let me put it this way, the amount of selfishness it exposes.


And I look in awe at those moms with many kids and think wow, she must be farther down the road in this sanctification process because I know, I KNOW, that each kid you add requires more of yourself to give away.

Of course, my thinking is faulty. I know many a gracious mommies/women who have fewer kids who are quite selfless but I know with each kid we've added I've become more and more frustrated with myself.

Why?

Because I've seen my sin. I've seen my little "fits" I throw in my heart when I have to clean up one more mess, wipe one more bottom, mediate another fight, fix one more head of hair, pour another glass of juice...

the list really goes on and on...and...

it often results in harsh words spoken to my children and a desire to retreat to something where I can just get away...to be by myself and do what I WANT and ignore the fact that I have three needy little people dependent on me for almost everything.

Motherhood is humbling.

Because when those harsh words have come out of my mouth, I know that I will have to seek forgiveness from MY FIVE YEAR OLD or FOUR YEAR OLD.

Ouch.

We memorized early on that "a gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger." Sorry, I can't remember the "address" from Scripture.

I would be a hypocrite if I reminded them of that and yet went on without reminding myself of that. And the best way to do that is model repentance for them. And I'll be honest, a lot of times I don't want to do it because, well, it's humbling. And when I fight it, most likely my little Hannah will be the first one to tell me I need to tell her I'm sorry.

Humbling.

The past year I've felt pretty helpless as this motherhood thing has become bigger than I thought. It's required more than I'm able to give. I've found myself at a loss. All those grand ideas I had prekids or earlier on in this journey have pretty much failed me. Or, I've failed in them. There are some great and grandiose ideas out there, many biblical, in how to raise your children. It's just, a lot of times they leave out a big part of it, the sinful mother (father).

And that's where I'm thankful for the gospel.

Have you ever watched "So You Think You Can Dance?" I know, not the most noteworthy show, but I watch it occassionally. And there's this one dance that sticks in my mind so vividly. A girl and a guy were dancing. He stood on the opposite side of the stage and she, with all power and force, sprints, SPRINTS, toward him and basically, without hesitation, catapults her body and clings onto him. Here's a link for anyone interested. That part just gives me chills.

Dance

And it's popped in my head recently as I ponder Christ and the gospel. Should we not desperately and without inhibition throw ourselves onto Christ who alone saves and alone enables us to do good works? Should we not cling so desperately to Him?

And, praise the Lord that in this motherhood journey, I have Christ. I have His grace, His mercy, His patience, His love, His self control. I have His forgiveness. I have Him.

And so yeah, motherhood is hard. But that's good. It's good because it's another reminder of my desperate need to run with all power and force and catapult myself onto Christ.

I can't do it.

But He can. He did. And He is. And He will.

Puppeteering

Puppeteering.

Who knew?

It's amazing what hot summer days will cause you to discover.

We discovered puppeteering.

And some of Mommy's crazy socks.

Good thing Mommy doesn't wear a lot of socks...even in the winter time. Or with her running shoes, unless she's running, then she'll wear them. But wait, I digress.

With the aide of Mommy, Hannah and I (and Kate...sort of) turned those crazy socks into puppets.

We then proceeded to put on a heck of a show. The audience was captivated (dismiss the fact our audience was also the photographer whose job is to stay captivated).

I told a few jokes.

Mom coached us on proper puppet position. I'm still working on keeping my head down low.

And Kate, well, she just managed to get the overall feel for having a sock on her arm. I don't think she's ready for puppeteering just yet. It's a process.

Trust the masters.

Homeschool Diaries: A New Chapter

It's July. Last month I attended a Classical Conversations practicum (and finished each day with VBS at night...as a rapper...that's another story!).

As I mentioned in a previous homeschool post, I am taking on the director roll for our local community. Inadequate doesn't even begin to describe how I feel in this new position. However, I am always reminded that the Lord does not call the equipped, He equips the called. And I always cling to His Word that says, "my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Honestly, this position randomly opened up after I had been praying that the Lord would provide the finances for our children to go this year. Last year it was just Hannah, now Grant is at the age he must join. And while Classical Conversations is very affordable compared to most other homeschool programs, it is still pricey for us during this season of life. So basically, the Lord dropped it in my lap unexpectedly through the previous director, whom I highly respect.

In thinking through this decision, I prayed. I made my list of why I should take it and why I shouldn't. Most of the reasons why I shouldn't simply pointed to fear. Fear of what more experienced moms would think. Fear of failure. Fear of my own inadequacies. And as far as reasons why I should, well, it was, what I believe clearly now, the Lord's answer to prayer for provision for our family to be able to attend. More importantly it was another opportunity to trust the Lord in MY WEAKNESSES to work and to stretch me and get me to an uncomfortable place that forced me yet again to lean on Him and not my own "abilities." And while it is definitely uncomfortable, it is the best place to be. It seems that has been a lot of what He has been teaching me the past year.

So, like I said, I attended the practicum. It was a great reminder for me as to why I believe this is the best place to educate our children. I honestly get pretty fired up about it. I know it's not for everyone. And that's okay. I'm thankful for those families that are a part of the public school systems (or private schools) who are laboring for Christ there. So thankful.

And I'm thankful to have the opportunity to provide a Christian classical education for my children that I am praying the Lord would use in a mighty way in their lives to go out into the world and defend their faith, Lord willing they become believers, and proclaim the gospel to the lost world.

Also, I see the benefits of this method to produce clear thinkers who understand how to think, how to process what they read and hear, and how to correctly apply it.

We live in a confusing world. It's deceptive in so many ways. Whatever you believe regarding the Obamacare, it is a piece of legislation that requires the understading of the Constitution, how to correctly interpret it, as well as how to think through the role of the government and how it was intended to relate to the people it governs. I will be the first to admit, I'm not a great thinker. It's hard for me to discern good vs. bad legislation at times. Heck, I don't even know that I can tell you much about the Constitution and the intentions of our forefathers who wrote it. But we need thinkers...who can take the information they know and correctly apply it. And I wonder about those men in our government and if they really are "thinkers," men who are correctly looking at a historical document and able to discern what it is saying and what the intentions were behind the men who created it. Or is it each man for himself who wants to make a document say what he wants it to say?

I'm not looking for a debate on ObamaCare. I'm just using it as an example. In Classical Conversations, our children will study the Constitution (in later years), the actual document itself, along with other historical documents and begin to make conclusions on what it is saying and then how to apply that to our society. That excites me. It's something I never did. I believe it would help me be a better citizen in our society. I feel I would be better able to defend what I am saying and better able to draw out strong convictions.

Obviously there is so much more I could say and there is so much more to unpack regarding what is a classical, Christian education.I think most people think I'm a bit crazy when I try to explain it. I would have a few years ago. But I realize, that's okay. I think I am coming to a place where I don't feel that I necessarily need to defend it. Like I said, it's not for everyone. The Lord puts on each of our heart's where He wants us and where He is leading us, even with our kids' education. It's great to see the diversity and the way He spreads out His people in order to build His kingdom. After all, isn't that what it is really about? So it would be crazy to have all homeschool Christian families or all public school Christian families, or all private school Christian famililes. Instead, He has placed each of our families in specific places. May we bold with His positioning and see it as a way to spread His gospel and bring glory to His name.