Lacey

I know some of you have heard, but our sweet Lacey needs our prayers right now.  She was admitted to the Mayo clinic a week ago for a lung infection, and she is not responding to treatment right now.  She is currently on a ventilator to breath for her and they are trying various antibiotics to try and stop this pneumonia.

I was able to visit her last night.  I told her that there were hundreds 0f Moms back home praying for her and sending all our love and support her way.  Please continue to pray for a miracle for our dear friend.  Matt specifically asked us to "just believe that God can do a miracle."  So that's what I'm doing.

I'll update as I get news...

Be Prepared

Be prepared.  That's the Boy Scout motto.  Anticipate what you might encounter for the day and make sure you have the tools and skills you will need to rise to the challenge.

This morning it became glaringly clear to me that if - in fact - I WERE a Boy Scout, I would fail miserably.  No fancy badges and medals for this trooper.  For you see, my friends, I was ill prepared to face what I awoke to this morning.   What was this obstacle I faced which caused such an epiphany?  Snow.

Yup.  The first snowfall of the season.  Don't get me wrong - it was beautiful.  Picturesque even.  If it was a SATURDAY morning, I would have put on my fuzzy slippers, made some hot chocolate and settled in front of a window for some soul searching.

But today is not Saturday.  It's Friday.  Which means school.  Which means hats.  Which means gloves.  Which means boots, snow pants, and scarves.   Which means, I'm in big trouble.  If I was a model boy scout, I would have watched the news, saw that the forecast indeed was calling for snow, and spent last night making preparations for the blessed event that I would awake to this morning.

Instead, 5 minutes before the kids needed to leave, I was rummaging through bins, tearing through drawers, and ransacking closets desperately searching for appropriate outerwear.  As my kids watched on, I ran from room to room, upstairs to downstairs, looking for anything to put on their sweet little bodies to keep them warm and dry.

I found a couple gloves... one Spiderman and one Dora - of course, no pairs of anything.  I found boots that were two sizes too small (duh Kristie!  They have all grown two inches since last year!)  Snow pants that have broken zippers and snow pants that barely reach the kneecaps.  Coats that need liners zipped in and coats that need liners zipped out.  I seriously considered sending my son to school in hot pink snow boots.

Finally, I threw my hands up in defeat and said, "Sorry kids.  Just keep your hands in your pockets and don't jump in any snow banks."  I had been defeated.  Minnesota snow storm - 1; Kristie Kerr - 0.

But tomorrow is another day.  I'm going to pick myself up, dust myself off, and try again.  I will face my obstacle head on with perseverance and determination.  How will I do this, you ask? I'm going to Target.  That's how we Girls Scouts do it.

Grace For the Moment

My heart is overwhelmed tonight. I got to spend a few precious minutes with a dear high school friend this afternoon. Amy and I were thrown together in a choir group in the 10th grade - and she quickly became one of my closest friends in high school. I haven't seen her for many, many years, but recently I heard that she had cancer. After tracking her down, I learned that they had discovered Stage 2 breast cancer when she was 12 weeks pregnant with her second child - and despite treatment, it has progressed into her spine.

Today, some high school classmates held a benefit and I was able to see Amy. She is exactly like I always remembered her... upbeat, bubbly, and filled with an uncanny ability to make you feel like you are the most important person in the world. We tried to find a quiet spot and she pulled her chair close to mine and began to ask about what I was doing and about my family. As I told her about my life she beamed, "Oh, Kristie... your life is everything you always dreamed it would be... I am so thrilled for you!"

As we talked, I was overwhelmed by her strength. I was overwhelmed by her courage. She has videotaped hundreds of messages for her children to watch of her as they grow older, so they will always have a piece of her with them. Videos for their wedding day. Videos for the day they become parents. Videos reminding them how much she loves them and how proud she is to be their mother.

I look at her and say, "I can't believe how strong you are." And she speaks profound words to me. She says, "If you were in my shoes, you would be too. You just would." I can't imagine facing what she is facing, but somehow, I believe her. She seems to be drawing from a place in her that she never knew existed until she was faced with this incredible battle.

I've have indeed experienced those times when I felt like I wasn't strong enough to handle what was sitting before me. Small and trite compared to my friend's struggles - nevertheless I have seen the grace of God flood over me in a rush of supernatural adrenaline that has allowed me to face the moments where I felt I couldn't take a second more.

Today, the words of a new favorite song have been constantly ringing through my head:

Stronger. You are stronger.
Sin is broken. You have saved me.
It is written. Christ is risen.
Jesus You are Lord of all.

I am thankful that I have a God who is stronger than me. He is stronger than my deepest fears and lowliest moments. In my weakest...He is strongest.

I am indeed thankful for the grace for the moment.

Homeward Bound

i haven't left my house in a while.  a couple days actually.  if you count total hours out of my home this week, it would have to be less than 15.  moms group on tuesday and wednesday night, a movie on thursday night, dinner at my sisters friday night.  other than that, its been home sweet home.

right now i'm on a stretch of about 36 straight hours by myself with just my kids.  jeff is at the men's retreat (or "boy camp" as my kids are calling it.)  Dottie has been a bit under the weather, so i decided that trying to get the whole crew to church by myself would be futile,  so here we are.  family bonding time.

sometimes i think i'm a little odd in the fact that i can be at home for long stretches and it doesn't seem to bother me too much.  of course, i get a little jumpy and short and testy with the kids, but for the most part i seem to be able to entertain myself pretty well.  i've got lots of bible study lessons to write, kids that always need something, a pantry full of ideas for cooking and baking, and facebook...what more could a girl need?

actually, i'm starting to realize that maybe its all part of how God made me.  maybe in a part of his grand scheme for my life, he equipped me with the temperament i was going to need for the purposes he has for me.  i am a teacher and writer - which requires a lot of time by myself studying.  i love it.  i am a musician and songwriter which requires more time by myself sitting at my piano.  love that too.  i am a mother of four which means that there are a significant amount of obstacles that i face it trying to get out the door.  so i stay home instead... and that's just  fine with me.

all i'm saying is that every once and a while you stumble on a part of your personality that seems to be custom fit for the direction God has for your life.  Granted, there are times that you feel like the direction God is leading is a huge stretch outside of yourself, but then there are the times when it feels natural and inborn... and i'm thankful for those times.  it's comforting to feel purpose in what you naturally gravitate towards.

i am learning more and more to embrace the way i am.  i used to feel weird about the fact that i like to stay home all the time... but now i realize that it is part of the grand design of my life.  people always ask me how i come up with creative ideas for things.  my answer: i think about stuff... alot.  i read... alot.  i imagine... alot.

so, what little gift did God place in you that custom fits his grand scheme for your life?  it can be easy to overlook sometimes.   maybe the fact that you to hang out with friends and always have a "coffee" scheduled just seems like habit.  but what if that social part of you was designed so that you could be an encouragement and influence in people's lives.  maybe that organizational side of you seems to be "just the way you are..."  but what if God made you able to administrate all kinds of things so that you could make a difference in the world by helping practically accomplish the dreams God has given you and others.  What about you guys that are fantastic in the workplace - you thrive in a business setting and love your careers.  I truly believe that God has given you the gifts you have to use for his great plan on the earth.

so - here's to embracing who you are.  here's to not comparing yourself to the way other people live and instead embracing who you were designed to be.  here's to you... in all your uniqueness.

ok - perhaps i should get out of these sweat pants...

Girls Night!

Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you! 

Thank you all so much for helping with our very first Girls Night!  I was totally blown away last night!  We had planned on about 200 girls... and had 400 show up!!!  Thank you to all who jumped in to help register, do hair, paint nails, run to the store to buy more of EVERYTHING, and help with crowd control.  (By the way - I'm not sure how the rumor that the Jonas Brothers were there got started... but it was pretty funny to hear them chanting outside the doors and see them all come running into the auditorium screaming!!!)

I was mostly blessed to see SO many visitors, neighbors and friends there who you all invited.  I spoke to so many parents who this was their first time at RVC - and because of your hard work, their girls had a fantastic night!

Ready for another one?!?!?  Hmmmm...maybe in the spring!

2 Important Events!

I wanted to let you know about 2 upcoming events you won't want to miss!  First of all, our Girls Night is just a week away!  This is a night for our young ladies age 6 - 12 (under 6 are welcome with a parent) where we will be having makeovers, munchies, crafts, photos, and a special service just for girls!  I will be speaking - encouraging those lovely ladies to accept the way God made them and know that they are all beautiful just the way they are!

You can sign up online at rivervalleychurch.org on the Children's Ministry page under Upcoming Events!  You can also pay at the door, but if you could help me by signing up online - that would be huge!  I want to make sure we have enough gift bags and cupcakes to go around!!

Secondly, there will be a benefit for one of our sweet ladies - Lacey Chambers - who is battling cancer on Sat, Oct 11.  It will be held at the Rosemount VFW from 4-8pm.  There will be a spaghetti dinner, silent auction, and raffle.  We will be selling tickets on Tuesday mornings, or you can contact me!  We also are looking for donations and help with the event - so let me know if you would like to help.  Let's support our girl!!!

100!

What a great start we had to Moms Group this week.  We had a total of 100 women come to connect with each other!  Can't wait to start our new study on marriage this week.  Be praying - and don't forget to invite your 2 friends!!

Top 10 Reasons You Should Be At Moms Group

1. Support:  Being a mom is hard stuff!  There are so many times that I am discouraged, frustrated, TIRED, or just needing to talk and the women at Moms Group always rally around me and cheer me on.  No matter how befrazzled I am when I walk in the door... I always leave refreshed and encouraged.  
2. Kids:  Our kids always have a fantastic time in their classes!  They make friends and our sweet workers love to make our time together fun and full of learning too!
3. Food:  Our moms have been known to lay out a spread that will make anyone's day better.  My favorites...chocolate cake.  For breakfast...mmmmmmmm.
4. Fun:  We do love to laugh at Moms Group!
5. Prayer:  It's so wonderful to know that you can share what's going on in your life with the ladies in your group, and know that they will be praying for you all during the week!  
6. Adult Conversation:  Many days my conversation is filled with words like "big girl underwear" and "kirby squeak squad" [which is a video game, by the way]  Sometimes it's just nice to talk about something other than assignment notebooks and Hannah Montana.  "Big girl conversation" if you will...
7. New Friends:  Who couldn't use a friend?  
8. Learning:  We spend time every week studying a topic to make us better wives, mothers, and people in general.  No outside prep required... just come, listen, and discuss!
9. Encourage Someone Else:  There's nothing better than being able to put your arm around someone's shoulder and say, "I've made it through that, and you can too."  There is a woman at Moms Group who is going to need encouragement... and you can be the one who gives it.
10. Why Not?  It's easy to make excuses why you can't be there.  Kids nap schedule.  You don't know anyone.  It's too hard to get out the door (this is my excuse of choice lately!)  But...why not give it a try?  Maybe you'll meet one person who will become an amazing friend to you.  Maybe you'll hear something that will help your marriage become stronger.  Maybe that hug or smile from a friend will make your day.  What have you got to lose?

You're Not My Mudder

Betty is bossy.  Her bossiness manifests itself in many ways, but usually it involves her big brother.  Yesterday, Jeff and I watched her stand in front of the TV where Charlie was immersed in an intense game of Super Smash Bros, and begin to tell him that he could no longer play games.  "It's time for you to turn off the games, Charlie.  I told you that you could have five more minutes to play, and now it's time to take a break."  The actual rhetoric is funny enough, but her body language is priceless; wide open eyes, slow turning of the head back and forth,  and hands on the hips.

She likes to boss Charlie around because it really gets him riled up.  The rest of us tend to ignore her, but she really gets under his skin.  His reply to her is almost always the same.  He'll say, "No I don't!" and she'll say, "Yes you do!"  This will escalate back and forth a few times before Charlie will yell out in frustration, "You're not my mudder!"

I've been trying to figure out why it bothers him so much.  Perhaps he is unsure if she really carries the authority she claims.  She sure acts like she is the boss - so she must be.

Once again, I am seeing a reflection of myself in my kiddos.  I am a bit of a people pleaser by nature, and I tend to find myself worrying more about what other people think about me than I should be.  I tend to let people's opinions and approval dictate my actions.  And, if I'm not careful, I can allow people's opinion of me to dictate my opinion of myself, which is a pretty precarious position to put yourself in.  They sure act like the boss - so they must be.

Every fall, I do some re-evaluating of my own life and spiritual walk and try and make some goals for myself.  This time around, the top of my list says one word: Confidence.

I am realizing that confidence has less to do with a strong self image or lack of personal insecurity.  My recent revelation has been that confidence is recognizing who is in charge of your life and who is not.  Confidence is fully embracing the fact that I am accountable to God for everything I do and everything I am.  When I keep my eyes fully fixed on Him, I can stand confident in His direction.  I can swim upstream if I know that He has called me to do it.  I can stop looking to other people to validate me or invalidate me, my validation is sealed in Him.

This summer we had a family reunion and Jeff's family were reminiscing about his grandfather, Howard Kerr.  Howard was a minister, missionary, and extraordinary man of faith.  One of his daughters was sharing with all of us about his incredible relationship with Jesus and his personal freedom in Christ.  She talked about the summers they would spend at the Bible Camp where they had a cottage.  This was in the very legalistic years of the church and the camp had a rule that no one was allowed to swim on Sundays.  Everyone seemed to think this was a pretty silly rule, because after all, they were on vacation and were on a lakefront - but nevertheless, that was the rule.  She said, "I have very vivid memories of my Dad walking back up from the lake on Sunday mornings with a towel over his shoulder, fresh from a dip in Lake Ontario."  He never said anything to anyone about it, but she said it absolutely demonstrated to her that his faith was his faith and it was not going to be dictated to him by anyone other than Jesus.  That was Howard Kerr's way of saying, "You're not my mudder."  Aunt Kath told us that whenever she was facing a decision in her life, her  Dad's response to her was always, "Well, Kath, what do you think the Lord would want you to do?" 

I supposed that you could look at Howard Kerr as a rebel.  You could imagine that he raised some eyebrows at Cobourg Pentecostal Camp in the 1950's.  But as I looked around at the 55 members of his family who were attending this family reunion, I couldn't help but notice that ALL of them were serving the Lord.  Most of them are in full time ministry all around the world.  Could it be that Howard passed on something way more tangible than just following the status quo?  I believe he passed on a sense that as believers, we are to nurture our walk with Jesus Christ and find confidence in His direction and leading.  That inner confidence only comes when we know who we're living for. 

The Bible makes it very clear that when our life on earth is over, we will each stand before God to give an account of how we lived.  I cannot say, "But so and so said that I should do this..." or "I know you wanted me to do that, but other people told me I couldn't..."

I have to recognize who's voice I'm listening to.  Who am I living for?  Who am I let dictate my worth or value or even the direction of my life?  If the answer is anything other than "Jesus Christ," I am on the wrong road.

I have a poem hanging over my kitchen sink called "Anyway."  Apparently, it was found hanging on the wall in Mother Theresa's orphanage in India.  The poem say:

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;

Forgive them anyway

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some friends and some true enemies;

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight:

Build anyway

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God

It was never between you and them anyway.

You're not my mudder, indeed. 

Our Sweet Lacey

I wanted to send an update on our dear friend Lacey who is battling cancer.  Here is her latest note:

Matt lost his job on Monday. It is silly really. He is a Veteran's Representative with the VFW. He helps veterans get their VA benefits and understand all the paperwork from the VA. Well, I guess his new boss just found out that he is not eligible to be a member of the VFW because he never actually set foot on foreign soil. There is a national rule that all Service Officers must be VFW members and so they had to let him go. His boss felt terrible, he tried everything he could to keep him and wrote him a really nice letter of recommendation but in the end he couldn't keep Matt. So it was a mad scramble on Monday and Tuesday trying to figure out where our money was going to come from but more importantly our INSURANCE! What a mess. I think I have it all settled out now but I was a crying wreck by last night.

THEN, last night I got some bad news from Mayo. I had started calling over there early this week because over our vacation last week I started to feel signs that my tumor is growing again. Well, if it is on the move I wanted to make sure that everything was set in place for the next step of my treatment. I got a call back at 4:40 Tuesday evening (of course, I was out and missed the call). The message was that there was a clinical study starting next week but the coordinator was only going to be in the office for another 20 minutes and wouldn't be back in till Monday. If I didn't make it into this study I would have to wait for the next one in a month or month and a half. WHAT!? Of course, it was after 5pm when I got home from the store. I tried to call anyway but the phone at Mayo just rang. My cancer is starting to push out on my chest. This baby can grow really fast when it wants to. I don't have a month and a half to wait for the next study. More crying.

This morning I talked to my doctor at Mayo (who called the coordinator on her cell on her vacation for me) and I am in. I will go down some time early next week to get started.

More good news. I have a couple of sweet girlfriends working on benefits for me. I wanted to get out some information on that. I will send out that information very soon.

Here is the info on the benefits.  If you have anything to donate - or can help in any way - please do!  And remember that we have all committed to pray for Lacey every morning at 9:05.  We believe that Jesus is her Healer!!!

Garage Sale

All proceeds going to Lacey’s medical needs

Given by Leesa Cachuela

9498 Hamlet Ave S

Cottage Grove, MN 55016

August 29th – 31st

Please stop by we will have lots of baby equipment, kid’s toys and clothes!

If you would like to donate any items to the sale or help out in any way call

Leesa at 651-768-3243

Benefit for Chambers Family

All proceeds going to Lacey’s medical needs

September 27th save the date!

More information to come.

If you would like to help out in any way call Dawn at

651-330-2511 or email ddmeyers@comcast.net

It's A Start!

I'm trying.  Really, I am.  It's not easy, mind you.  But I'm trying.

You see, I am a bit of a slob.  There, I said it.  I'm a messy girl.  I don't like to put my clothes away - it's so much more convenient to just leave them right on the floor where you take them off.  I don't like to put my toothbrush in the drawer after I use it.  And I hardly ever, ever, make my bed. 

This used to drive my mother C-R-A-Z-Y!  She's a neat one, that Mrs. Lane.  Thanks to her efforts and tireless prodding, I KNOW how to clean.  I KNOW how to be neat.  And I actually quite enjoy a tidy house.  

My problem is that there are just a whole lot of other things I would rather spend my time on.  It doesn't take a whole lot of lobbying to tear me away from my daily chores.  "Mom, can you stop doing those dishes and come play Mario Kart Wii with me?"  "Hmmmmmm, I really shouldn't, sweet child of mine, but what the heck!"  Yeah, that happens to me ALOT.

Anyway, like I said, I am trying.  It occurs to me that my children will someday actually need to know how to make a bed.  And so the maternal instinct in me that wants to raise outstanding human beings has decided that its time to teach these kids how to clean up.  (Well, the maternal instinct plus that fact that my daughter stared at me with disbelief and said, "You mean some people actually make their beds EVERYDAY?!?!?")

So, I am enlisting my little helpers to assist me in the cleaning.  Yesterday Betty and Lucy cleaned the bathrooms while Charlie emptied the garbage.  They all picked up and dusted their rooms and then we all folded and put away laundry.  I had all the laundry baskets on my bed and the kids marched back and forth (probably 50 times) taking one or two things at a time and putting away their mounds of clothes.  I smiled the whole time.

I smiled because I really want to be a good mom.  And  I want to teach them to take care of themselves.  But mostly, I was so excited to have some help!  I think I've stumbled onto something revolutionary!  

And when we had all finished and I went to inspect their rooms, I had to laugh when I saw their drawers.  They look just like mine.

It's Coming!!!

Serious lapse in blogging. Sorry ladies.

I am starting to get so excited for our fall semester of Moms Group. We have some exciting changes happening this year. For starters, we will be having 3 groups this year! Our Tuesday morning group, a Wednesday morning group in Fairbault, and a Wednesday evening group meeting during kids ministry at Apple Valley campus!

We are going to be talking about marriage this time around... and I am really looking forward to discussing how we can make our marriages more fun, exciting, and how to deal with the issues we all face from time to time.

Please be praying! Here are a few specific requests:

• For every lady that needs to be there. I'm praying for neighbors, moms from my kids school, and the ladies in the neighborhoods surrounding the church. I am praying that every woman who needs a friend, or encouragement in her marriage, or just a place where she can laugh, would come to Moms Group!

• For all the details to come together for all 3 of the groups. For childcare workers, greeters, decorators, registration workers, tableleaders, powerpoint operators, coffee makers, clean up people, and all the other helpers we need!

• For the leadership of Moms Group and specifically for the new leaders for the new groups!

We start September 16/17 ladies! Can't wait!!!

Moms Night Out!

Next Tuesday night, we are having our Moms Night Out!! We will be meeting at El Patio in Lakeville (on the corner of Dodd and Cedar) at 7pm for a night of good food and conversation. Mark it down! Treat yourself! Bring a friend!

If you are planning on joining us, comment here or you can email Amber Bertsch who is co-ordinating this event at amber.jeremy@gmail.com.

Hope to see you there!

Swimsuit Therapy

I made my first trip to the pool this week.  Jeff has Monday's off, so we loaded up everyone and headed out for a day of fun in the sun.

I am a little overwhelmed by the amount of gear it takes to get four kids and two grown ups adequately equipped for the pool.  The kids need swim diapers, extra swim diapers, sunscreen, hats, goggles, towels, coverups, toys, snacks, and juice boxes.  I need sunscreen, magazines, sunglasses, cell phone, wallet, and Peanut Butter M&Ms (my new fav!)  Jeff needs... Jeff.

Anyway, we got there, found a table in the shade, and everyone ran and jumped in.  Everyone but me.  I was having a little inner struggle.  I had taken a moment to gaze around at all the other women at the pool.  They were looking good - toned, tanned, and together.  

Me?  This was my first outing in a swimsuit since the baby was born.  A few extra pounds.  Ew.  A obvious lack of sun.  Ewww.  A swimsuit that did nothing to help my chest that has nursed four babies and has decided to head south.  Deep south.  Ewwwwwwwww.

So I stood there feeling a bit like I was 13 years old.  I couldn't bring myself to take off my cover up.  I tried to figure out how I could keep it on without being soggy the rest of the day. 

Why is it in those moments, I feel absolutely WRONG?  As if being thin and tanned and perky-chested is the right way - and anybody who doesn't fit those criteria is somehow a flawed.  I hate it when those waves of insecurity sweep over me.  I hate how I fall into the trap that we are all supposed to be shaped and colored and designed the same way.

It goes against everything we know about our CREATOR and the way he CREATED us.  With CREATIVITY!  Creativity implies expression and variety and uniqueness.  Creativity strives to break the mold and cause each and every design to have its own beauty and distinctiveness.   A million species of animals.  A billion shades of color.  And a limitless combination of features and form to create limitless beauty in the world.

I am so quick to allow our society to dictate what is beautiful and what is not.  It tries to place us all into one tiny little box of what is desirable.  And I buy into it!  Shame on me.  It's like saying the only pretty flower is a red rose.  How I would miss the daisy and the sunflower and even the dandelion that sits in a vase on my counter because my kids love to bring them to me.

So, my friends, I took a deep breath, took off my dress, and made my move into the pool to play with my kids.  Because I need to be ok with the way I am.  Because I need to realize that I am created just the way I am supposed to be.  And because I never want my girls to think that THEY are wrong.  They need to know that they are perfectly created beauties - just they way they are.

Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God's masterpiece.

Check It Out!

Hey ladies. We launched a fantastic new ministry this spring at RVC called "Sisterchicks." Diane Skoog is teaching some incredible lessons on running the race God has for us as women and coming alongside others to help them in their race as well. She just started a sisterchicks blog... so make sure you check it out at sisterchickinfo.blogspot.com! Have a great day!

And so it begins...

It took 36 hours, 5 minutes, and 3 seconds before I heard it.  Not a world record, perhaps, but close.  I was brushing my teeth, happy to have a minute to myself when a little person appeared before me and uttered the words, "Mom, I'm bored."

Bored?  Already?  COME ON!  I thought I was supposed to get at LEAST a week of summer vacation in before my kids came to me with the "There's nothing to do" pout.  So I did what all good mothers do, I started rattling off the list of OBVIOUS things that she could do to fill the vast void left by her lack of public school education.  "Read a book."  "Do a craft."  "Go outside."  "Play on the computer."  "Practice your piano lesson."  Each suggestion brought about both a groan and a roll of the eye as to say, "Yeah right, Mom, you're ideas are so laaaame." 

Now, I love having my kids home for summer vacation.  I miss my babies all year long.  Not to mention that the Kerr family naturally gravitates to a more laid back schedule.  Already, my kids are staying up late, sleeping in late, and Jeff and I have breathed a collective sigh of relief knowing that we don't have to remember all the details that school days accrue.

But, how to keep them entertained... that is a question for the ages isn't it?

So here are my top 3 ideas for summertime fun:

1. The Dollar Store:  I make frequent (if not weekly) trips with my kids to pick up summertime essentials from the dollar store.  Particular favorites are the extra large bubble wands, sidewalk chalk, balls, and water balloons.  I also picked up some math and reading workbooks and flash cards for those "indoor' days.  It's cheap enough to go in often for a fresh round of summer fun.
2. Friends:  I always wanted to be the house where all the kids could come and hang out and have fun, but I found it harder to do once I actually had kids.  I found myself not wanting to mess up my house, or my routine, or the ease that comes from just having your own kids around.  But I am learning that nothing breaks up the summertime blahs like a good friend.  My Charlie was just lamenting about not being able to play video games (we have some summertime rules to keep the boy from turning into a video-game-zombie), when a neighborhood friend stopped by to play.  Now, I'm watching my son run around the back yard shooting pretend lasers out of his fingers.  Lucy is wearing a path between the neighbors house and ours while the girls walk from one to the other... playing, conning snacks out of both mothers, and generally entertaining each other.  So, even though it means more runs to Sams Club for an extra large box of Cheez-Its and Freeze Pops, it's worth it to me to see my kids having fun.  Not to mention, I'm a huge believer in the power of influence.  I hope that every moment these kids spend in my home somehow plants a seed that could point them closer to Jesus.  So, you gotta have friends.

1. Create:  Kids are so naturally imaginative.  I love to give my kids a project and watch them use their gifts.  Lucy shows an interest in music and songwriting, so I've given her a challenge this summer to write five songs.  I gave her a lyric journal to write down her ideas, and  we've been spending time every day working on her songs and its been a blast.  If your kid likes to read, give them a challenge to read a certain amount of books.  If they like to write, have them come up with a character and let them write a book about them on the computer and then send it away to get it bound and printed.    If they like to cook, buy them a kids cookbook and put them in  charge of the grocery list and a meal or two a week.  If they like animals, have them research them on the internet and come up with a presentation to give the rest of the family.  My video game boy and I are planning a party based on his favorite video game character and we have been coming up with games, and costumes, and ideas for the party.  

Tap into what is interesting to them and find a way to make it a long term project.  It will not only entertain them, its a great way for you to enforce what's important to them and show them that you're interested in what interests them. 

So those are my ideas.  Now I want to hear yours.  How do you entertain your kids in the summer?

Easier Isn't Always Better

I am having a glorious day. Beautiful weather. Dirt under my fingernails. Nothing on the agenda. Four beautiful babes alternating naps, snacks, movies, and pool time. Lots of ice cream. Lots of laying around. Heaven.

I am also enjoying some leisurely reading. Most of the time, I am reading with a purpose. To learn something, to study for something, or preparing for an upcoming time of teaching. But today, it's all fluff. Magazines to be exact. A good old People. A new one my Mom signed me up for called life:beautiful. It's basically a Christian Martha Stewart Living. Very nice. And my new favorite: Family Fun. I'm not sure where I got signed up for it, but it comes every month and it's chocked full of great creative ideas for kids.

So, I'm reading this article about a woman who has eight kids who was exhausted with the amount of dishes she had to do every day. ( I can relate.) She was so tired of having to wash and clean up after all her kids that she decided to come up with a radical solution. She went to the dollar store and bought each person in the family one bowl and one cup. They each were allowed to decorate it with their name and then she packed away all the other dishes in the house. Each child was then responsible for their own dishes. In the morning, they would eat their cereal and then hand wash their dish so it would be ready for soup at lunch. At dinner, they would eat their salad, head to the sink and wash it out, and then fill it up with spaghetti. If a dish was left on the table, she instantly knew who was the culprit. In addition to that, the child would have to clean up their bowl before they could eat their next meal and she loved that they learned how hard dried out Mac and Cheese is to clean up.

I was impressed with her solution! What a great idea! No more piles of dishes in the sink. No more stacks of plates on the table for the dog to try and eat off of. No more sinking feeling when the dishwasher is still running from the last batch, and the counter is already full enough to do another load.

So, on my way the the cupboard with a box in hand to clean out the offending tableware I had a moment of pause. Eating off the same bowl for every meal? Washing out my plate in between courses? Certainly a practical solution - but is everything about "practical?" I have a bit of a "thing" for dishes, and have about five different color options and styles in my cupboard. I like to shake it up a bit. I like to pick a dish that is going to compliment my food. Really. Stop laughing!

My point is this. It would be easy to just have 3 shirts and 3 pairs of pants in everyone's closet. Less laundry! But what about personal expression? What about variety? What about going with the mood of the moment?

I could remove all photos, knick knacks, and decorations from my home. No more dusting! But what about memories? What about aesthetic value? What about pretty?

I recognize that as a mother with so many responsibilities it is easy for me to fall into the practical, routine, and utilitarian. And don't get me wrong, I love a good paper plate and a bag of instant mashed potatoes just as much as the next girl. But I have to be careful that I also remember that part of my job as a mom is to bring warmth. It's to welcome. It's to beautify.

Yes, I need to teach my children to clean and pick up and follow a routine. But I also need to teach them to take the time to make it special. I need them to learn to use their imagination to enhance their everyday responsibilities. I want to demonstrate to them that the duty of life can still be filled with joy and expression.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not judging this sweet woman who came up with a creative way to address a problem. Kudos to her. But for the Kerrs, variety is still the spice of life.

I don't want my children to ever feel like caring for them is a drudgery for me. If I was having friends over for dinner, I would put out my best setting. I would prepare and clean and create an inviting and warm environment so my guests would know I anticipated their visit. And although, I realize that family meals are much more frequent and less extraordinary, I still always want my kids to feel like I made an effort for them. Even if it just means that they get to use a new bowl.

My Healer

I am still kind of in a haze. This weekend at church, we had amazing services focusing on Jehovah Rophe - Jesus is my healer. It's been a while since I was in a service like that - so moving. As we prayed for healing for people at the end of service, because I was standing on stage, I got the rare privilege of seeing their faces as they were being prayed for. I saw people weeping and broken. I saw parents running to get their kids out of the nursery so that they could be prayed for. At that moment, I thought to myself, "This is what Jesus was all about." If you look at his entire ministry - it was reaching out to people at the point of their suffering. Touching those who were vulnerable with pain and loss. I would say that when we are praying for the sick and broken, we are closer to the mission and heart of Jesus than any other time.

All week, Jeff and I had been praying for the services. We both were so expectant and filled with faith that God wanted to do miraculous things in the hearts and bodies of people in our church. Then - as you all know! - Nancy shared so eloquently on the woman with the issue of blood last Tuesday at Bible Study. She talked about how the woman probably had anemia, no energy, and was risking so much by pushing her way through the crowd to touch Jesus. I pondered her story all week long - picturing a frail woman, at the end of hope, years of pain and suffering etched onto her weary face - laying her hand on Jesus, knowing that He was in fact God incarnate.

There weren't many people at that time who believed that Jesus was the Messiah. But she knew. I heard an interesting thing about this story. In the Old Testament, there is a reference to the Messiah - the one that God was going to send to save his people. In that prophecy, found in Malachi 4:2, it says, that "But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture."

In those days, the fringe in the bottom of their robes was actually called the "wings" of the robe. In Mark, when this sickly woman was trying to get to Jesus, it says "She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched the fringe of his robe. For she thought to herself, "If I can just touch his clothing, I will be healed."

She knew that because he was the Messiah, there would be "healing in his wings." Amazing faith! Not only did she have the determination to push through the crowd. This woman believed in Jesus. She knew the scriptures. She knew that He was indeed the promised one.

When Jesus replied to her, he said, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. You have been healed." I think the faith that Jesus was referring to was not only her belief that she could be healed, but the faith she had that HE was the one who could heal her. He was moved by her recognition of who He was.

I realize so often I am scared to pray for the sick. I don't know how and why God choses to heal some and not others. But I am inspired by this story. It wasn't about mustering up enough faith in the healing itself, it was about recognizing who the Healer was and reaching out to him.

This weekend, I was moved that so many people were reaching their hands out to touch the "wings" of Jesus. They were saying, 'I believe that YOU are my healer." "I believe that YOU are all I need to be free and whole."

Beautiful.

Gym Schwym

Yes. I have a membership to Lifetime Fitness. No. I never go there. I WANT to go there. But, alas, I never quite seem to make it happen.

I've tried going early in the morning, but my babe still isn't sleeping through the night, so I'm really not willing to sacrifice any fleeting amount of shut-eye that I might get. I've tried going at night, but I'm so tired by the time I get the kids to bed, that going to the gym is the LAST thing I want to do. In fact, I want to do the exact opposite of going to the gym - sit on the couch, watch TV, and eat potato chips and ice cream.

I've had a bit of guilt about this. Jeff has been working out a lot (until he messed up his foot) and the pressure is on to keep up. He keeps buffing up and pretty soon people are going to be looking at me saying, "Who's the jiggly girl with that ripped guy?" I actually had that thought one day when we were picking Charlie up from school. I was dressed in my out-of-date sweat pants and my hair was nasty and I had on white sneakers and no make up. My handsome hubby, on the other hand, had on cool ripped jeans, hair perfectly messy, and cool "Brad Pitt" aviator sunglasses. I seriously had the thought, "I bet everyone thinks I'm Jeff's mom."

Anyway, back to my original thought. Today, I had an epiphanal moment. I woke up this morning and walked my kids to school - pushing the stroller with about 40 pounds of kid in it and wrasseling my unruly beagle all the way up the HUGE hill to the school. Then I came home and carried four huge baskets of clean laundry that each had to have weighed at least 15 pounds up the stairs followed by carrying down the four baskets of dirty clothes that had accumulated over the weekend. Then I chased Betty around the street in her Barbie Jeep for about 45 minutes after I had ridden my bike down the street to pick her up from a friends house and towed her back in the Burley.

And then I mowed the lawn (because my ripped husband still can't walk.) This literally almost killed me. Half way through the back yard, I just stopped and laid down right in the grass next to the mower. It took me a while to get back up. (My husband doesn't believe in self-propelled mowers - which is his perogative since he always mows the lawn. But today, his stubborn refusal to make life easier for himself just it about did me in.)

Then I ran to the mall to get some flip flops for the girls since my unruly beagle has eaten all the flip flops in the house. I had to carry Betty in one arm all thorough the mall because she was weepy and tired while pushing the baby in the stroller with my other arm.

My point, fine readers, is that my day was enough of a workout - that I am no longer going to feel guilty about not getting to the gym. I'm sure, someday, I will be able to be on the cool elliptical machine with my i pod on and monitor my heart rate and keep track of the amount of calories I'm burning. Or go to the pilates class or work with a personal trainer who can design a custom plan to shrink my child bearing hips. But for now, I'm just going to be ok with my everyday exercise regimen...called MOM.

The Yellow Stool

I have a new favorite breakfast. Not the healthiest breakfast, mind you, but a fun one for the occasional weekend fare. Peanut Butter Pancakes with chocolate chips in them. YUM! I just make regular pancake batter and then heat up about a cup of peanut butter to thin it out a bit and add it and the chocolate chips to the mix. (I do have to set aside a bit of batter to make Jeff regular pancakes. He's not so big on the sweet stuff. He loves to snack on fruit for something sweet. Really.)

So, my girls were helping me out this morning. I'm a big fan of cooking with your kids. Yes, it takes twice as long. Yes, it's twice as messy. And yes, it is twice as stressful and trying on your patience. But it nevertheless is a Kerr family favorite activity.

It's so meaningful for me to cook with my kids, because I learned to cook with both of my grandmothers. I still can't make a pumpkin pie without mixing it by hand in a big plastic bowl just like my Grandma did. It just doesn't seem right to do it any other way. Both my Grandmas had one of those old fashioned vinyl stools that you can fold up the seat and it becomes a stepping stool. I would drag the stool across the kitchen and pull it up to the counter and watch them make homemade bread, or noodles, or cookies or whatever. What great memories!

Not only did they pass on a really handy skill (for I do a bit of cooking for these six hungry mouths in my charge!) but it was a wonderful time of connecting and spending quality time with these incredible women. We would chat about what was going on in my life. They would tell me stories about cooking with their mothers and grandmothers. It was in those sweet moments that their strength and character was woven into my heart and mind. I'm so thankful they took the time to let me cook with them.

So, a couple of years ago I came across a yellow vinyl stool at a flea market just like the ones my Grandmothers had and I snatched it up. Now, my kids drag the stool across the kitchen and pull it up to the counter and we cook and chat. I hope that the lessons I learned from my Grandmas are being infused into my sweet children too.

One is the Loneliest Number...Whatever!

Jeff's out tonight.  He's playing softball in this insanely cold weather.  When he left the house, he looked more like he was going skiing than playing softball.  We should have fun when Charlie starts soccer tomorrow.

So, I have a confession to make.  I kind of like a night here and there where he's out.   Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my husband, and more than that, I absolutely love his company.  And it doesn't really matter what we're doing - I just love hanging out with him.  Which is actually one of the reasons I married him.  I thought to myself, "I could hang out with this guy for the next 50 years." - so I reeled him in.  Or he reeled me in - depending on who's telling the story.

But on the occasional night when he has a commitment, I kind of enjoy the prospect of some time to myself.  Usually, on those nights, I don't really make dinner.  The kids get some mac and cheese or in the case of this evening, chicken nuggets and french fries on paper plates.  No dishes... no whining that they don't like what I've made... perfect.  Then when they're finished, I scrounge around and eat whatever sounds good to me.  Tonight it was a combination of (no kidding) french fries, cookies, and cake batter.  (I'm making cupcakes for tomorrow - so why not!)  I would never make a  habit of such a menu, but for tonight, I kind of enjoyed it!

(By the way - Jeff had a night to himself last week and he went to the store, bought a t-bone, grilled it with a side of baked potatoes and corn - hmmmmmmmm)

The next step will involve putting my kids to bed at a ridiculously early time for some "reading" knowing perfectly well that they will all crash and be asleep within 20 minutes.  I will then put on my pj's and climb into bed and watch "Dancing With the Stars."  When that's over, I'll probably read a little and be asleep by 9.  Love it!

So - time to fess up ladies... what do you do when you have a moment to yourself?

For me...and them.

I've been chewing on this verse for a couple of days:

Isaiah 44:3 - For I will give you abundant water to quench your thirst and to moisten your parched fields.  And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children.  They will thrive like watered grass, like willow on the riverbank.

When I first read it, I was thinking of how wonderful it was that God has promised that when I am dry and worn out and completely empty - that he will abundantly fill me up.  I need that kind of encouragement.  Strength when I'm exhausted.  Courage when I think I've reached my limit.  And hope when I'm overwhelmed.

But what stuck in my mind, was that not only does God speak to MY need - he takes it a step further and promises His Spirit and blessings on my children as well.  He tells me that they are going to thrive!  What a great thought - that my children will be strong and grounded and close to God.

This is one of those verses that makes me feel like God really "gets" me.  He speaks to my weakness - and then he addresses the very thing that causes me the most worry, apprehension, and quite honestly, EXHAUSTION!

It's like he's saying, "Kristie, you just keep on giving to those babes... cause I am always going to fill you up.  Oh, and by the way, I'm taking care of them too.  They aren't just going to make it... they're going to thrive - full of my Spirit and blessed."  There's nothing more I want than that!

Love it.

Ouch!

I have just returned from the grocery store and I am having heart palpatations at how high my bill was. It's not like I was going crazy or anything! I didn't buy any magazines. I didn't by prepackaged, precooked, or pre-prepared anything. Just the basics... produce, lunch stuff, and the ingredients for a few favorite recipes.

I used to be a coupon girl, but as the amount of children in our house increased, my coupon clipping became a luxury of time that I just didn't seem to get to. I still always shop the ads and make my list based on what's on sale. But it just doesn't seem to make that big of a difference any more.

So - here we go ladies. What is your best money saving tip for the grocery store? Do tell.

Seriously!

So seriously. I just cleaned up the second "poop explosion" of the day. The first one was with Betty (the 3 year old) about an hour ago when she came to me with something in her hand...which turned out to be...you guessed it! So it was off to the tub and a fresh set of clothes. I headed to the washer to add the offending outfit only to find the clothes that I had run through the washer two days ago and forgot about - so I had to run that load again to get rid of that "been in the washer 2 days smell." Then I got Betty down for a nap and raced to lay down myself for a couple of minutes (since I was up 5 times with the baby last night) only to be rudely awakened only 3 minutes into my respite by said baby once again.

So, back to my original point. i got the baby out of bed and into the swing to try and get to the dishes that were now spewing out of the sink and onto the counter, when I realized the baby needed to be changed. So, onto the floor she went - only to discover that I was too late and her little package was all the way up the back of her onesie. Of course I didn't notice this until I had stripped off her clothes so now the carpet is covered in the preciousness too. Off for bath number 2. (I want it noted that there is not a chance that I myself will get a bath today...)

It occurs to me that I have had a child in diapers for 8 years. i usually don't think about it until days like today where it seems to dominate my life.

Some days I really struggle with being at home with my kids. I am really no good at the housekeeping stuff... and I absolutely hate to do it. When we decided that I was going to stay home with the kids - I never really thought about the fact that I was signing up for full time house-cleaner and laundress. I envisioned lovely play time with my children and leisurely walks around the neighborhood. In no way, shape, or form did I think I was going to spend my day scrubbing poo out of the carpet.

But such is life. And I realize that this is my season. And I should embrace it and do it with excellence and grace.... oh whatever. I'm going to avoid it and blog instead.

Here we go!

Well, here goes. I have been wanting to start a way for our Moms Group to connect more, and so I've decided to start a web site for us gals. I will be writing some blogs, sharing my new favorite things, and hopefully providing some great ideas and resources for us all to become better wives, mothers, and followers of Christ. So - I'm sure it will evolve over the next few months - and as I figure out what I'm doing - but I'm excited!!