Cheerful, Authoritative, Consistent

In the Jan./Feb. 2010 issue of No Greater Joy, Michael Pearl sums up their family's child rearing wisdom in an article that shares its title with that of this post.  He emphasizes cheerfulness as being by far the most important of the three--something I have been very convicted about myself as of late.

"Training up a child in the way he should go is a 20 year graduate course in life.  It produces more humility than it does experts.  But know that cheerfulness will cover a multitude of deficiencies. . . . Training without joy is tyranny."


~Michael Pearl

Here's the link to the full article:

http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/articles/general-view/archive/2009/december/03/cheerful-authoritative-consistent/

The Fam

In order to avoid burdening my busy photographer friend in the middle of December, we made a quick stop in the big city to get an updated family photo on our way to exchange tile for the kitchen.  (I'm not talking about how many times we've changed our minds on the flooring issue recently.)  Grammy and Grandad's Christmas outfit gifts made deciding on the wardrobe pretty simple, and I'm thankful for that.

Though this pic is not nearly as creative as Ruthanne's work, I do like it because you can see everyone's personalities pretty well.  Really I'm just glad we were able to get all eight of us looking in the same direction with a halfway pleasant expression.  We also did individual shots of a couple of birthday people while we were at it, but I'm determined to get caught up on summer birthday picture posts before moving on to winter.   

Merry Christmas!

Foodie Link for Vitamins and Minerals

I have a cute video of a couple budding musicians in our household if blogger ever decides to enable me to post videos again.  Until then, I wanted to note this helpful resource for figuring out  which foods to focus on if trying to increase certain nutrients in your diet.  It's nice to have things listed so clearly and concisely.


http://nourishedkitchen.com/best-sources-vitamins-minerals/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nourishedkitchen+%28The+Nourished+Kitchen%29

Giving Thanks

for bonding time,

books read by great uncles,

and blankets crocheted by seventeen-year-old aunts

Amma on the Duty of the Day

2 Chronicles 8:12-13, R.V.: Burnt offerings . . . even as the duty of every day required.

"Sometimes we look ahead and things look rather difficult, indeed impossible. But we have nothing to do with tomorrow, we have only to think about today; and the one thing that matters is that we offer our burnt offering (all we have to give of time, strength, love, everything) as the duty of the day requires."

Oct 24 entry in Amy Carmichael's devotional Edges of His Ways

Jack

a visitor from a couple weeks ago

Vanity, Vanity

While we were washing hands just now, Eva caught sight of herself in the mirror.

Evangeline: "That me?"

Mommy: "Yes, that's Eva."

Evangeline: "My Eva pretty."

(She was probably admiring her DIY bangs--see pic from a few weeks ago below.)

Something We All Desperately Need to Remember

http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/11/08/taking-offense/

Some of the Pumpkin Patch Crew

Happy Birthday, Ian!

The big boy of our house turned nine yesterday!
We had fun with the family at our house first,
and later we had fun with friends at the pumpkin patch.
Thanks for providing such a great excuse to party, Ian!
Look out double digits; here we come!!!

Beauty Shop

Eva decided she wanted bangs--'nuf said.

Another Good Contentment Reminder

http://terrysoapbox.blogspot.com/2009/09/this-morning-as-i-was-on-my-elliptical.html

Ian and Anna's Take on High Art

Ian was the snake photographer; Anna handled the toad's photo shoot.

Bimonthly Blog Update

Though I haven't seemed to find much time for updating the blog lately, the kids have certainly not stopped being creative and cute. The shot above shows Princess Anna and Warrior Lewis. They worked together to come up with Lewis's costume.

Cael got in on the act as court jester.

Both parties enjoyed some sweet moments, too.

Teddy Bear by Anna

Once a little bear named Teddy bear lived with his sister Mary and his brother Mark and his
Mom and Dad in a cozy little house. It was winter, and they all would be hungry next spring.



The End

Another Baby Boy

This video was very difficult to watch--especially with my healthy newborn in my arms. However, the reminder of the many forms God's blessings take was very worthwhile, even through tears.

http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/photography/2009/thomas/

Not sure why the link isn't "clickable," but it does work when you copy and paste it into the browser.

Kitchen Fun

Inspired by a kids' magazine, Anna enthusiastically donned her chef's hat and whipped up a bunny salad.

******************
Then, since the first was so much fun, she willingly turned out four more:

Any guesses as to why there are only three bunnies in the picture?

"Winkle, Winkle"

Maybe Eva will let me capture the rest of her song another time!

Better Than a Lazy Boy

The swing is Cael's new favorite spot as he approaches the ripe old age of two weeks .

He still reminds me an awful lot of Lewis!

Fun Shopping

Just came across this unique site for vintage clothing. I must say the apron and tie depatments are the most fun!

www.rustyzipper.com

Cael and the Birthday Girl

Eva is two today! Happy Birthday, Big Sister!

Making Sense of the Relationship Between Youth Culture and Marriage

Didn't think anyone could get away with saying things like this in such a context as Christianity Today, but I'm glad I was wrong.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/august/16.22.html

Our New Little Man

Many hours of this . . .

(and a short stint in the birthing pool)

. . . finally resulted in this!

Cael Owen

August 1, 2009

11:07 p.m.

7 lb 2 oz

20 inches


And we are very thankful!!!

Welcoming Cael

(Eva is very happy to welcome her new baby brother, too, but we'll wait until her recently acquired fever goes away before we get a pic of the two of them together.)

To Be or Not to Be . . . Patient

Ouch--need I say more? Thanks for the reminder, Jen.

http://www.conversiondiary.com/2009/07/choosing-patience.html

July-August Birthday Bash

Girls ready for a party.

Honorees included Grandpa McLeran, Grammy, Mommy, Anna, and Eva.

Anna did the birthday brownie decorating.

Daddy ready to lead pinata making.
Helpers included Nana, Grandpa, Anna, Cousin Ashley, Lewis, Jocelyn

Helpers ready to do their thing with the newspaper strips, flour paste, and balloons.
Aunt Brittany helped with this phase as photographer.


Cousin Ashley says "Party on!"

Diligence vs. Haste--Proverbs 21:5

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

Today's Random Breakfast Conversation

As we sat happily munching our oatmeal this morning, the following exchange took place out of the blue:

Lewis (5): "I want to be a farmer when I grow up."

Mom: "That's a good idea."

Jocelyn (3): "I want to be a princess when I grow up."

Mom: "That's a good idea, too."

Jocelyn: "Do farmers shoot princesses?"

New Man on Staff

Since Lewis turned five, Tuesday has been his day to help out at "the office." He really enjoys working with Daddy and is learning a lot.

Here's another pic of the team getting a little work in on our house

before leaving for a paying job.



And speaking of our place, here's a shot of some recent noticeable progress. The dining room window has been replaced, and so another room has grown and brightened without moving a wall or adding lights. We love windows!

True Leadership--Psalm 78:72

So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

On Making Sure the Attitude Adjustments Start at the Top

Over on the Femina blog, Lizziejank (or Rachel) recently did a post entitled "Growth Spurts" which had some great insights on life with lots of littles. With a set of toddler twins and "older" girls ages five and three (or somewhere thereabouts), I think she qualifies as an expert in that department.

http://femina.reformedblogs.com/

Success with Cotton

Anna has finished her first crocheted washcloth (complete with shell edging thanks to another crocheting friend). I'm particularly excited about this accomplishment because she gave it to me! I know I didn't get the entire thing in this pic, but it was by far the best smile.

Drawing Near--Psalm 73:28

But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Parenting on the Proper End of the Spectrum

Douglas Wilson put up an excellent post on Blog and Mablog a couple weeks ago. Dated June 13 and titled "Lungs Full of Mountain Air," it hit on key distinctions in the ways people approach life and had great application for parenting. Here's a quote from toward the end:

"There is a vast difference between a legalistic demand of law and [the] demand of gracious example."

Bathing Beauties and Dare Devils

We've pulled the frog pool from last summer back out. It doesn't hold air like it used to, but with an air compressor handy, that's no big deal. At least it still holds water--we think. It's kinda hard to tell with four or five kids in there splashing it out all the time anyway!

******************

After the sisters went inside for a shower, the brothers turned the frog belly up off to the side and proceeded to use the foam board Daddy puts underneath it for a slip-n-slide.

They got it to work pretty well!

The smallest bathing beauty deserves special attention because she is also our resident star potty trainer. Can you tell she's proud of herself?

Viewing Through the Appropriate Lens--Psalm 107:43

Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

It's All About Realistic Priorities . . . Without Comparisons

Jen hit another nail squarely on the head today. Neither of us would claim to implement these principles anywhere near perfectly, but we both agree that this is where pleasant home life starts. Thankfully, God uses both our successes and our failures in His greater plan for our good and His glory.

Conversion Diary: Tips for surviving (and thriving!) in the baby/toddler phase - The diary of a former atheist

McFishes

The eldest two junior Mc's have spent the last two weeks improving their swimming skills at Harding. They've had lots of fun and learned a good bit of important stuff, too. It's always nice when those two features can be found in one activity.

Sacred Union--Hosea 2:19-20

And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.

The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen

Daddy was working late tonight, which meant my Tuesday evening Walmart shopping was out. However, it also meant that we wrapped up our daily routine early with no need to wait on Daddy for the simple "shopping night" meal I had ready. So, after tucking the little ones in, I sat down with Ian and Anna intending just to start the title above which we'd brought home long ago from a library trip.

An hour and a half later, we had finished it! The edition we read was an Everyman's Library Children's Classic--a cute little hardback with a ribbon marker and wonderful old illustrations by T. Pym. An amazing little adventure fairy tale told in rich prose and amply sprinkled with wisdom, mystery, and nonsense throughout! I tried to stop halfway through, but no one (including myself) wanted to wait to hear the ending. I'm quite certain that is the longest I have ever read aloud in one sitting.

Which Spirit?--Romans 8:15

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

This Week's News

Anna lost tooth #8--again pulled by her favorite dentist.

(I think Ian has pulled something like five of Anna's loose teeth so far. We're currently researching career opportunities in bug dentistry, combining his two favorite things.)

Lewis had a blast painting his birthday rocket!
(It's red on the bottom "where the fire's coming out.")

Robber of the Cruel Streets: George Muller

The title above was what Netflix kindly provided us with for entertainment last Friday night (before the aforementioned zoo trip). It was excellent. Among other things, Mr. Muller built orphanages for thousands of nineteenth century England's destitute children without a single bit of "fundraising" as we think of it. He simply prayed and trusted God to provide for His will in His time. Imagine that! We all came away inspired with a thorough admiration for Mr. Muller's faith as it was fleshed out in his long, tremendously fruitful, and generous life. And the video was only about an hour long--perfect for zoo trip prep.

Zoo Babies

Zoo animal pictures never seem to turn out very well for me,

but these shots of our Memphis Zoo Crew tell the story pretty well

even without many animals in them.