What love isn't...

Love isn't a $3.99 greeting card. It isn't a bouquet of flowers or sparkly jewelry. Love isn't going out to an expensive restaurant. Love isn't even a beautiful white gown and a big huge celebration with all your family and friends.

Love is still being happy to see each other at the end of a long day. Love is a sweet kiss on the forehead. Knowing what the other person is going to say, before they even say it. Love is being able to laugh with each other when you are sleeping on a mattress in the living room with three children who are taking turns waking up every half hour to vomit. Love is supporting each other's tough decisions. Love is encouraging each other to grow in faith. Love is biting your tongue instead of grumbling about things that don't really matter. Love is 10 years of marriage and knowing you would do it all over again. Every bit of it.

Yesterday, my dear husband and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. Well, really, since we were high school sweethearts, we actually celebrated 21 years of being together (which in today's culture is like a little piece of fairy tale in the making.) A story like ours doesn't happen very often and I don't have the time to tell it all now but we've got a lot of great memories together. I can't imagine being married to anyone else.
Yesterday was a pretty typical day. We did order some Chinese for supper though, which is kinda a special treat for the 7 Shoes...Yum! Anyway, I'm sure we'd get quite a few really sad reactions to the fact that we didn't even really exchange cards or have at least some attempt at a romantic dinner together. The world has tricked us all into thinking that love is a thing that you can buy or gift or exchange on significant occasions, but true love is simply being content enjoying life together.

We don't have to buy or give each other anything to show our love...

-he works hard to provide for our family and often times helps me "catch up" on his days off.

-I don't mind if he goes for a run, even if I haven't had any "free time" in days.

-he doesn't complain when he walks in the door after a long day of work and trips over toys on the floor and can't find something he needs because our kitchen counter resembles a picture out of an "I Spy" seek and find book.

-I don't complain when there is a major home improvement project that he started over a year ago and has not yet finished.

-he tries really hard to teach the children to respect me and be grateful for my "homemaking".

-I've done my best to teach the children that one of the best things in the world is the time when Daddy gets home from work.

-he still finds me attractive after my body has been forever changed by 5 pregnancies and the fact that I'm often found wearing my unshowered hair in a "mom ponytail" and sporting a t-shirt from the 1990's.

- I don't make "Honey do" lists or grumble about picking up his dirty socks off the floor.

That, my dear friends, is the kind of love I'm talkin' about. Like I said in my original post, we try to keep it simple. Truly, no amount of money or vacations or stuff could ever replace the love my husband and I have for each other. It's the best kind of love: faithfulness, devotion, encouragement, stability, laughter, tears, five beautiful children... What a blessing. How could we ask for anything more?

Don't worry...we are planning a much needed mini get-away in the near future. But it's hard to find a time to sneak away, when you have 5 little ones, there's always something going on.

Like a first-born daughter turning 7 in about a week...

To everything there is a season...

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says, " There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."



Well, it's officially over...not just the graduation festivities, but my sister's childhood. Unfortunately, as probably often happens with a sibling who is 18 years younger, I missed a huge part of it. Her firsts of everything took place as I, myself, was experiencing what my sister just finished enjoying...the last Homecoming, last exam, last times with high school friends. Being away at college got in the way of my opportunities to go to soccer & basketball games, school concerts/programs, and getting to know the little friends she was making. I vividly remember the tears streaming down my face as my heart broke, leaving her standing in the driveway waving, as I made yet another trip back to college. But as they say, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." The time that I did get to spend with her was even sweeter and more cherished because I was away so much.

And now after a weekend of celebrating her grand accomplishments, I've had a chance to ponder how proud I am of the beautiful woman she is becoming. She can't possibly comprehend how much I love her and how much she means to me. May she stay Forever Young, not in the literal sense, but that she would always find joy in the little things of life. I pray that she would learn to be "content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want" (Phil. 4:12). So many verses come to mind...Romans 12:9-16...Romans 12:2...1 Sam. 16:7...too many to list here.

I gotta be honest, I've really struggled with what I wanted to include in this post because there are so many ways I could have gone with it. Reminisce about memories? Give advice? So many choices...I'm so overwhelmed with emotion that I can't really find the words for all I want to say, so unfortunately, I have to lean on my internet resources. I like the way www.gospel.com explained Ecc. 3:1-8, when it says "...this passage teaches that there's a time and place for everything. On the one hand, it's a sobering reminder that nothing lasts forever; but it's also encouraging to know that difficult times will eventually but inevitably be followed by times of peace. God is in control of it all."


Remember that Jac. Whatever the future holds, God is in control of it all. Becoming a "grown up" is not easy but you are soooo ready for this (Phil. 4:13). Trust Him and His perfect plan. Just keep smiling that beautiful smile and let the joy of the Lord be your strength. Pray hard. Use the gifts God's given you. Serve others. Be thankful for the life He's blessed you with. Congratualtions, Jacci. Go out there and knock 'em dead! Not literally, though, cause you're gonna be a nurse and all. Love ya, Sis!

Hop on over to Red Thread Stitches!

I don't know if any of you have checked out any of the other blog links listed on the left hand side of my page but I thought now would be a great time for all of you to do that...Red Thread Stitches is a really wonderful blog and they are currently raffling off an absolutely gorgeous quilt to help raise money for an overseas adoption. I found this blog through a few friends of mine (Megan and Tiffany:), who had organized a "Fun Run" to help this family raise money to bring a beautiful little girl named Mia Hope to the U.S. from China. Red Thread Stitches has been a way for Mia Hope's family to raise money for overseas adoptions, not only for their family but also for others who are struggling with the outrageous costs that go along with saving children through this type of adoption. I don't have the words to explain it all, but Robin clearly has a heart for children and I hope that you will hop on over to the Red Thread Stitches blog to check out the raffle and while you're there click on their family blog button to visit Dreaming of Tea for Three to find out more on this family's heartwarming story.

**I'm busy as a bee helping with a few things in preparation for my "baby" sister's graduation, so I won't be posting again until next week. So take this opportunity to check out a few of the blogs on my list. Peace.

The Tide is High...but I'm Holdin' On

Well, as I said in the last post, Mondays are often times a good day here. But sometimes, by Wednesday, we get a little squirrelly. Yesterday was one of those days when I looked up toward the sky and said, "Really? You think I can handle this?!" I know God gets a kick out of me sometimes, and this was probably one of those days...

We've had a few children with colds. Nothing major, like fevers and such, but coughing at night has been frequent. And sleeping for me has been next to non-existent -- partly my fault because I'm a night owl and don't go to bed as early as I should. But although I learned about 6 years ago how to live on little sleep, I'm gonna be honest, I get a little crabby sometimes. And yesterday, I was not on top of my game.

My saving grace was laundry detergent. I'm not kidding. A few years ago my friend, Molly, who discovers all kinds of fun things, introduced me to the idea of participating in consumer market research studies. It has been such a great thing for me, as a stay-at-home mom who doesn't get out of the house much. It gives me a reason to get out occasionally and I make a little extra cash in the process. I'm currently participating in a study on laundry detergent and I went to pick up my "product" yesterday. My dear friend (and next door neighbor:), Lindsey, so kindly agreed to watch the children while I went on my mission. Not the most super-exciting venture out, but I did have a peaceful drive and 2 whole hours out on my own! And the BEST part is, if I complete the whole eight week study, they pay me 100 bucks!!! They're paying me to do laundry (that I would be doing anyway) AND giving me FREE laundry detergent! Am I dreaming?! It's the little things in life that brighten up a Wednesday. **For those of you who are new to consumer product research, maybe I'll do a separate post on that another time.

And I know, I've probably broken some unwritten bloggers oath by using a an 80's Blondie song in the post title. But since I'm not really allowed to reveal much about the laundry study, I thought it would be reassuring to you to know that it is a high quality brand name detergent. So I'm hopeful that the whole family won't break out in some incredibly itchy rash. That would SO not be worth the $100.

A little bundle of promise wrapped with a pink bow...

Monday. The first day of a new week. A chance to start off on the right foot. Some people don't like Mondays but after being refreshed and recharged on "church day", as my kiddos call it, I often have new perspective on Monday. Especially if I was able to sneak in a little nap the day before:)

Our weekend was a very full one, but full of the very best kinds of things. A chance to serve others, a 1st birthday party for my niece, and a graduation party. It's interesting how the combination of the birthday party and graduation party can turn me into a sentimental mess.

Two celebrations. One celebrating the firsts of everything and the other celebrating the lasts. Both take me on a walk down memory lane... I remember when I got the call that my niece was born. I had been awaiting the news and knew I would be hearing something soon. I could hardly bear the anticipation. So much excitement for my brother and sister-in-law. Excitement because I know that feeling...the feeling of holding your first born child. The excitement of becoming a mom and dad. The unbelievable knowledge that you helped God create a miracle. I was excited for my brother and sister-in-law on so many levels. Knowing the love, that would make them feel as if their hearts would bust, was just beginning. And the indescribable joy that would accompany the first smile, first step, first word. I was filled with so much excitement for them, I could hardly bear it. And instead of being there, I was far away, yearning to see the teeny, tiny hands and feet of that precious baby girl. I had to go, the sooner the better. But who can make a trip to welcome a newborn baby without rushing to Target to buy gender appropriate clothing first? Not us Shoes. Only AFTER a quick trip to Target (with preschoolers in tow), and securing child-care for my little love bugs, I would be able to make the trip. But then, there was that small little detail of four very excited little cousins that would not be able to tag along. They, too, had been anticipating the call. Anxiously awaiting to hear if it would be a new boy or girl cousin. I promised I'd take pictures. That satisfied them for a little while.

I did finally get to hold her at the hospital and she was so sweet, and tiny, and precious. Like a little bundle of promise wrapped up with a pink bow. And this week, she turns one. Where does the time go? She's developing her own little personality. Her uniqueness is just beginning to show itself. She's not a "baby" anymore. I love her. We all do. Happy Birthday, Annabell! We look forward to seeing the little lady that you become.

And well, as far as the graduation thing is concerned, my "baby" sister graduates in less than two weeks and I'm sure there will be an upcoming post about that. Right now, I can't write about it because maybe, just maybe, if I pretend like it's not happening, she'll just stay a kid forever. Maybe she won't graduate and become a grown-up and live on her own and become a nurse and end up getting married and have a baby. Well, I guess that wouldn't be so bad...you know I love a newborn baby.

There's a super bouncy ball in our bathtub drain...

     Most people don't know exactly what to say when they meet a mother of five. A few say nice things. Some think I'm "milking the system" and seem annoyed by our family size. Most, though, seem bewildered and a tad bit amused. They sputter out a phrase like, "You've really got your hands full", or "Wow! You must be really busy!" At which time, I usually smile politely and say, "Yes, I certainly do." but am really thinking (in the most loving, non-sarcastic tone my inner voice can have) "You have no idea." I always hoped to have a large family. 

      I grew up in the midst of a large extended family. I enjoy the action and excitement that accompanies a room full of loud, board game loving, comfort food sharing relatives. My grandma had nine children, so it didn't occur to me that having five would be an absolute oddity by today's standards. Apparently, to many people, it is and fortunately, I don't live my life based on the world's standards. Psalm 127:3 (TNIV) says, "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him." I believe that children are a blessing and a gift, not a burden. I'm learning to ignore the strange looks and odd comments from people who don't necessarily share my view. 

     You may be wondering why I'm here, jumping into the blogsphere with both feet...because clearly I don't have much time for this sort of thing. Most of my entries will be posted waaay too late at night, because in the quietness after the children are in bed and my dear husband has fallen asleep on the couch after a long day of work, I get to reflect on the blessing that is our life. Well, to be quite honest, the computer has become my window to the outside world during this season of my life. Having 5 children, age 6 and under, has somewhat altered my ability to travel outside the home much and has totally changed my idea of "social time." I often think of calling someone to chat and notice, it's after 10pm...so much for catching up with family and friends. I know that there will be a time when I don't need to utilize this form of "communication", but for now, I've come to the conclusion that I need an outlet of some kind (and I'm not talking about a shopping mall:) Although, some days that might be therapeutic, too. 

      I begin this blogging adventure for a few reasons...  My mother is always telling me that I ought to write a book. I think that would be oh, so fun but I can't for the life of me figure out who would possibly want to read it, other than her, which is also true of this blog perhaps. I do this in part to chronicle a little of our family history for my children, a virtual scrapbook of sorts.

I considered starting a blog months ago and realized it was almost a must, the day my husband came home from work and I had to explain to him that there was a super bouncy ball down our bathtub drain. It was time. Time to start writing some things down. Time to start sharing the crazy, wonderful chaos that occurs among the walls of our comfortable, yet not Better Homes and Gardens caliber, abode. We try to live a simple life, as simple as possible when raising five lively children. This blog is also for a few of you who often tell me, "I don't know how you do it". Here's how I do it... 

**As a side note--I am not an expert on anything, nor do I claim to be perfect. Any ideas, tips or hints anyone draws from this blog about parenting, large families or relationships in general are to be used "at your own risk". As a mom with a degree in Child Development, I know, both in theory and from experience, that no one thing works for every child or family. Please know that I am just a mother of five, who knows that the Lord is faithful, doing the best that I can and trusting Him to take care of the rest.