A Younger Brother's Love

My second favorite memory of the day (The first would be Cy opening the door to his first apartment).

Zander pounded on the front door, barged in and said, "Cy, every day I'm going to knock on your door and give you a present."


That's a lot from Zander - he doesn't share warm fuzzies often...and especially not with Cy.

©2008 D.R.G.

Totally Tuesday?

Early this morning Josiah began moving boxes.


Josiah, Zander, Jared and I made the first trip. Throughout the day Josiah continued to move things over and take various younger ones with him to see the new place.

I was going to make this Wordless Wednesday - but it isn't Wednesday and it's rather doubtful that I can be wordless. Jared suggested "Too emotional to talk Tuesday". ::snort:: But this photo is great and says it all.....pride and hope at a new phase of life, a bit of reluctance and moving on...someone in the background stalking with the camera....


He has a kitchen.


Zander's favorite thing about Cy's apartment.


Zander nabbed the camera;here are the things that caught his eye.






We waited while Cy did the checklist thing and signed papers. This was inevitable.


Then it was time to unload Cy's car.




Josiah rescued this antique table from my giveaway pile, Jamin rescued it from the S family when they moved to Dallas.....



At my baby shower for Josiah I was given a dresser. It was the nicest piece of furniture we had for YEARS. For some reason Josiah became very attached to this dresser. It is HIS dresser. It is moving with him.....19 years and still workable.

Ah - part of home goes with him - yummy beef and Mom's homemade organic frozen spaghetti sauce.


Arielle and Stacia accompanied us on the last trip of the day.


Predictably, Stacia "LUFS" everything in the apartment.

"I LUF this table". Cy bought it at CIA this a.m.

"I LUF this bed!"

She also "Luffed" the closet, the toilet, the bath tub.... ::snort::




Most of all Stacia "LUFS Cy!"

Josiah is working tonight. He has tomorrow off. In a strange twist of irony - so does MIKE...because something came up and he can't have the other day off or something....tomorrow we'll go to our storage unit and pick up a few things we're giving Cy...and he'll sleep in his new digs.

It really is amazing how very quickly children grow up these days. We are proud of the drive and ambition that Cy has. We are proud of his dedication and heart for God. He's bought a car. He's saved up for the remaining 3 years of college. We can't think of another reason that he should wait to move out....but we still have 24 hours to think on it. ::sniff::

©2008 D.R.G.

SUPER Size Saturdays!

Coming to a blog near me (or possibly you). Months ago I began toying with the idea of a large family meme or continuing the Big Family Myths on a more regular basis.

Most recently I wrote several articles for Home School Blog Awards under the label of "large family schooling". I am no longer writing for HSBA but plan to continue writing the planned articles for large families. As they are not all specifically about "schooling", I'm going to be calling this feature "Super Size Saturday". My prayer is that I'll be able to encourage large families - and smaller families too. Several have sent me ideas of things they'd like me to write about - I plan to do that here.

I am still learning HOW to set up a Meme and hope to see that by the end of summer...so that all can share THEIR tips and link to one spot. I've got a great idea of a graphic that I'm trying to create - wish me well.

Anyway, check back on Saturday to see if I manage to get an article posted. If not maybe we'll make Super Sized Sunday! ::snort::

©2008 D.R.G.

Choosing Joy in Seasons of Discontent

Warning - if you've got me on the pedastal, I'm about to be vulnerable again. ::snort::

I'm currently enjoying a Beth Moore Study on my own. At this point it's been an overview of the book of Galatians. Today I focused on God being my Abba Father. Daddy - MY DADDY.

Yesterday a simple question was asked. It would be a good question for us to ask ourselves periodically. "What, today, is hindering that free flow of fellowship?" First, I thought - NOTHING. I've been enjoying a season of sweet comfort and refreshing during my trysts with the Lord.

As I prayed about it the word "contentment" dropped into my spirit. "But Father - I am content. I AM. I love where you have us." The word refused to budge.

I realize that I've been discontent with the season we are in. I'm discontent with our older children growing up and leaving home while no new little ones are entering our family. In our 24 years of marriage I've been pregnant about every 9 - 12 months (I've miscarried often). Since I lost the babies over a year ago I have not gotten pregnant. This is rather alarming. Could it be that I'm entering a season where the arrival of children cannot be taken for granted? Honestly, the whole point of being Quiverful is that God is sovereign in this area. Who guaranteed me a pregnancy on a predictable schedule? ::snort::

I've struggled with this. I love our children. I am intellectually content with all that God has given us. I'm willing to leave it up to him. But my heart and arms scream for more babies. I couldn't tell you why. I'm shocked at myself, really. There have been glimpses in the last months where I've thought, "I could do such and such if I wasn't worrying about early or late pregnancies" (both seasons that cause me trouble).

It's good for children to grow up and fly on their own.

The bottom line is that I've not been consistenly choosing joy in this season. It ISN'T easy when children grow up and leave home. It isn't easy to be done having children....but if that IS the season that God has me in then I need to surrender in the season. I am learning to trust God with this season as much as I have trusted him with earlier seasons. Daddy wants my best. He's worthy of my trust. He is God. I am not.

I'm glad that question was asked in the study. I honestly didn't think anything was hindering my fellowship with the Lord....but yes...I've chosen discontent. I'm going to start looking for the good in this season.....Today it is very exciting for all the youngers to help Cy move into his apartment. ::snort::

What about you? Is there anything hindering the free flow of fellowship in your life? You know what to do if there is, right?

©2008 D.R.G.