*Saks & Violins by Mary Daheim*

I'm partial to this author. I love the setting of the Pacific NW. In fact....I have even been known to try to find some of the locations in the book in the Seattle area. LOL

This is another of the *Bed and Breakfast* series. I enjoy the antics of Judith and her cousin Renie. I enjoy the bed and breakfast aspect of the series. I'm not sure I like these ladies aging before my very eyes. LOL

I don't know if I'm more distracted than usual, or if this book had more subtleties than usual, but I was guessing until the end to figure out who committed the murders.

I always love to read the newest additions to old favorites.

TOYS FOR CHAPLAIN G

Here is what I put in the chapel bulletins for this week:

Chaplain G is leading a group of troops to (country removed) orphanages in December. He would like to provide small gifts that the troops can give to the children they meet. If you would like to participate, please bring small new or gently used toys to the chapel NEXT WEEK! Small dolls, matchbox cars, action figures, stuffed animals, balls - even Happy Meal Toys - will be a blessing to a child. "Small" is key - remember all must be mailed! Packages must be mailed the 27th to arrive in country on time.

OK - so if you want to do this - you can mail a box directly to Mike. If interested, please email me and I'll send Mike's address. It's an APO address and so you only pay American postage....but you will want to mail by the last week in November as the trip is 10 December. I have found priority flat rate boxes at $8.10 to be a deal....they usually arrive in 5 days.

This is cool. The (removed country name) native base commander got excited about this. Now the Minister of Orphanages (a government position) is excited and plans to meet the troops there....I think it would be GREAT if the troops had gifts to give the children...sort of break the ice type thing.

Mike is also collecting religous books for the base library and to pass out. Same details as above....email me if you want the address.

Thanks for spurring me on Kristine in SA...I've been meaning to post....Anyone can feel free to pass this info on.... Kristine....I miss you and AK, how about you?

PS we are having fun collecting toys. My children have brought up that english speaking toys won't be understood and some action figures may be offensive in their culture...but Mike and the guys can figure that out on that end. They know the culture better than I by this time. LOL

PARENTING/DISCIPLINE IN PROVERBS - Ch 15 - CONTROL YOUR TONGUE!!!

I had no idea there would be so MUCH in Proverbs on parenting. I suspect it was breaking out of the "find the rod, commands to children" box that opened my eyes to so many other verses that speak to my parenting/discipline/training of my children. There are so many today that I will take it in chunks.

THESE VERSES AREN'T ON PARENTING!!!! Sure they are. Why would I treat my children worse that any other person to whom I speak? They are HUMAN - they deserve my godly response as well as Sister Jones. Would you talk to your minister the way you address your children? There is more to controlling one's tongue than avoiding gossip.

15:1 - "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

15: 2 "The tongue of the wise makes knowledge ACCEPTABLE, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly."

~Does it seem that your children aren't accepting your teaching? How well have you been controlling your tongue? Are you teaching wisdom or folly? Do your words bring life or are you maiming with your bursts of angry words?

15:4 "A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit."

~What a great verse....such vivid words.....soothing, tree of life, crushes...

15:7 "The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of the fools are not so."

15:18 "A hot tempered man stirs up strife but the slow to anger calms a dispute."

15:23 "A man has joy in an apt (Very Appropriate) answer, and how delightful is a timely word."

~How often are the words I speak to my children very appropriate and timely? My goal is for this to be the characterization of my speech - with all whom I interact.

15:28 "The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things."

~Am I pondering or pouring????? I don't have to have a reply the minute my child asks....they learn to wait as I ponder...and they eventually realize that I take their questions seriously if I take the time to respond wisely. Now, I don't ponder EVERY little thing or I'd drive them to frustration....Three days later, "yes, I think it would be wise and encourage godliness in you to go play with Ashley." ::snort::

PARENTING/DISCIPLINE IN PROVERBS - Chapter 14

14:1 "The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands."


~I have learned (the hard way) to evaluate my choices, attitudes and activities with two questions, "Will this build up or tear down my house?" and "How will this affect my god-given priorities and goals for my home?"

14:12 "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death."

~Who cares what seems "right" to others around me or to the "experts"?? I must be in the Word and prayer for MY children. Others don't know my children. What does the Word say? What has God impressed on my heart for each of my children through prayer?

14:17 "A quick tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated."

~Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to control my actions?

~Am I walking by the Spirit (Gal 5)?

~Am I responding to the conviction of the Spirit on the temper issue?

14:23 "In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."

~Read, pray, study but ACT!

14:26 "In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence and his children will have refuge."

~My focus is relationship. I must mirror a reverential relationship with God for my children to inspect and imitate.

14:29 "He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.

~Only a fool responds consistently in anger.

~Show some grace and mercy in your dealings with your children if you really want to be "God natured" in your parenting.

14:30 "A tranquil heart is life to the body, but passion is rottenness to the bones."

~I used to be a person who thrived on chaos and turmoil (in surroundings, relationships...). If there were no chaos or turmoil, I would create it, so that I could solve the problem. I was always either offending or offended by someone else. ::snort::

~Great PEACE came from submitting this tendency to God and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform this area of my life.

~tranquility in my heart builds an atmosphere of trust where my children are comfortable approaching me with their hearts.

TUESDAY

I've run all day. The day has not been what I thought it would be - but it's been full of blessings.

I ran out to Walmart early this a.m. to buy Mandy some flowers - I give the PWOC ladies roses on their birthday month. I knew the day would be busy and wanted to do it early so I wouldn't forget.

We did a bit of school.

Charly called. She dropped by to pick up some co-op goodies....and we visited. We don't get to visit nearly enough lately. She and her family are going to be on TV. She will tape it for me - as I don't get TV....but basically they are going to interview a mom who runs her own business and follow her day and then follow stay-at-home, home-school Charly. We talked about her teaching her little ones Latin for the show. ::snort::

I ran to Heather's birthday party. This was FUN. I got to meet someone whose name I have heard constantly. The conversation was fun. The food was good and that chocolate cake that Heather likes at Johnny Carinnos (still don't know how to spell that) is AWESOME.

I left there a bit early to run home and go see *Facing the Giants*. I've heard so much about this movie. When it first came out I called our ONE theater and they said they wouldn't be bringing it to town. Grrrr.....a local Baptist church guaranteed to buy 700 tickets and they brought it for ONE WEEK. I didn't want us to miss this. We went. Stacia did NOT nap, when Stacia is rowdy...Zander sees no reason to sit still....so I missed 9/10th of the movie. The children told me it was a wonderful movie...that's its one I NEED and will WANT to see....I asked when their latest showing is: 9:30. They said they'll have it for another week....::snort:: I'm guessing way more than 700 tickets have sold....they were full today and I've never seen this theater full for anything at 1:30 p.m. They were sold out on Sunday. I'm thinking I could go see movies at 9:30 after I get the little one down....I could. I may sleep through it though. In AK I learned that I could go to movies with my friends and it was o.k. (Mike doesn't care for many movies). Here, I think I'm learning that I can go alone and it will be fine. LOL Maybe tomorrow night. Tonight Stacia is wide awake.

During the movie, Zander looked at me and said, "I miss my daddy". I said, "I miss your daddy too". To which he replied, "Actually you miss your Michael." Smart kid. I discovered the theater has booster seats for kids. Cool. Of course my two were more interested in carrying them up and down the halls than watching the movie.

I adapated Cindy's (QB) famous um....Cheese covered Pork Chops...or something like that. I'm not sure what the title is. I made it with chicken and butter and other than that was about the same. It was good. The picture above cracks me up. I've been seeing pictures of this posted and well.....there you go...my china....but well....confession time..... we ate on PAPER PLATES TONIGHT. ::Snort:: ::hiccup:: I also made garlic bread, garlic mashed potatoes, steamed carrots, fruit plate and salad.

Arielle took a look at dinner and started crying. That's not a good sign. It turns out she was not feeling well. She's sleeping - we'll see. Jared was also not feeling well but I think it had to do with his run.

I'm organizing some toys for Mike to have the troops take to an orphanage. I suppose I should post more about that. This is turning into a COOL project. Today I talked to our Wing Chaplain and he is going to let me announce it in both the Catholic and Protestant parishes. We'll collect toys on the 26th and I'll send them priority mail on Monday...I think they'll arive before the trip to the orphanage on the 10th of December. Anyway, I've been perplexed trying to come up with a catchy title for this for the chapel bulletins...,. Ch. G wants your toys doesn't seem right...toys for chaplain is how I termed it.....toys for troops...toys for ARGH....who knows....

Bible study tonight. I forgot to take Mandy's roses. Ah well...that's a blessing because I'll enjoy them this week and take her some more. Had a great conversation with Debbie after Bible Study. It feels like I've not seen her for a long time....I've really been home much of the past three weeks with sick babies.

I got home and MY PAMPERED CHEF ORDER WAS HERE!!! Wow. It was ordered the 10th. I'm totally impressed.

I love this tray. It won't work for turkey - it spins - but it will be great for tea or treats for sick kids in bed. Jared wasn't sure he wanted to "vanna" the tray but Stacia had no qualms.

Stacia was fascinated with the kitchen spritzer.....

BIG FAMILY MYTH #4 - Those with large families don't "know what causes THAT."


We know what causes children, and we enjoy it ~ thank you very much! Please do NOT feel free to make this comment in front of our children - this is rude! ::snort::

Please also do not call me a breeder in front of my children, this is also rude. Each of my children is a gift from God. This was probably the comment I hated most about my family.....it was years ago. LOL

*if you want a specific topic covered from MY PERSPECTIVE {vbg} on big families email me or click "big family myths" and scroll to the first post - comment in the comment section. I'm checking there for topics.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATHER!!!!!

See you at Johnny Carrinos in a few hours!