The Girl Turns 10

The Girl turns 10 today.  The Girl who isn't my oldest.  And I cannot believe that this girl, who was once a screaming, terribly unhappy baby, is in the double digits.  The Girl who has an unnaturally strong faith;  who hears God speak to her; who laughs and cries with everyone she loves; who hugs people she barely knows because she feels what they are saying; who talks.  and talks.  and talks;  Yes, this Girl, is turning 10.  And I think to myself, "How did this happen?!  How can she be 10?!"

 

 

 

The Girl who was prayed for incessantly when she was still in my tummy; who befuddled all the doctors and specialists, because they didn't know what was 'wrong' with her; the Girl who was born a pound and a half bigger than she was expected to (and hey, when you're only 4 lbs., that's a big deal!); the Girl who loves to serve others. Yes, this one. This Girl is turning 10. And I think to myself, "Where has the time gone?!"

This Girl, who I love to listen when she prays, because she has such...insight;  And I love to listen to her giggle, because it's a bit infectious - especially when her eyes start to water; and I (sometimes) love to listen to her talk.  and talk.  and talk.... because every once in a while, in the midst of all.  that.  talking....  I get to hear her faith.  This little Girl is turning 10.  Today.  And I think to myself, "Oh God, Thank you.  Thank you for the miracle of her little life, and how she has changed our lives."  And so, I say, Happy Birthday, Abigail Grace.

 

Not Much To Say

Those of you who know me "in real life" may find the title of this blog post to be a small miracle.... Me?  With not much to say?  Is that really possible?  Well friends, it's true.  I was talking with a girlfriend today, and she asked me what was new with us. 

 

"Not much..." was my reply.  And really, I find myself these days with not much to say.  We've settled in nicely to the fall routine.  I find that our days are full, but (not usually) too full.  Life is always going to be full during this season, with 4 Girls at home.  But it's all good.  I feel like I have some good balance going on these days.... I'm feeling happy with our routine, I'm in a good space with my mental stability (in the past, some days, it felt like I was on the edge of losing my sanity....), and all's quiet on the western front. 

 

Truth be told, this could all change in an instant, but for now?  Not much to say. 

 

And quite frankly....I like it!

 

Have a happy Monday, friends! 

A Hitchhiker

The other night, we had my cousin and her daughter, who were visiting from Winnipeg, over for dinner.  Along with them, we had a mutual friend and her husband and kids come as well.  We enjoyed a dinner and short visit before it was time for kids to go to bed.

 

About 20 minutes after they left, I got a phone call from them.  I immediately asked, "Oh no....what did you forget?"

 

My friends reply...."It's not what we forgot...it's what you forgot!"

 

"What?  What do you mean?" I asked.

 

It turns out, they were almost back into the city when my cousin felt something at her feet....playing with her feet.  She told the driver of the van, who I don't think really believed her, but pulled over anyway.  It turns out, our kitten had snuck into their van and tried to adopt a new family... he tried to hitchhike into the city with them.  I guess our lives aren't exciting enough, and he wanted to see the world a little bit....

 

I can certainly imagine that if it was me, sitting in the back of the van, feeling something playing with my feet, I would be screaming my head off! 

 

We all had a good chuckle, Art met them half way to pick up the crazy kitten, and they were off again.  I'm thankful they figured out the cat was with them before they got home, about 45 minutes away!

500

I noticed, when I went to post today, that this will be my 500th post.  I can hardly believe it! 

 

At times, I think to myself, "Why put all this useless drivel out there?!"  But on other days, I take a moment to look back over the last few years, and this little blog has served as a sort of diary.  And since I'm not really that diligent in keeping other records, I like that I have something to look back on.... something to watch how things have changed, and our Girls have grown over the last several years.

 

And so, the drivel will continue...

 

I first started this blog as a way for family and friends who we don't live close by to have regularly updated pictures of the Girls, and to hear what's going on in our lives.  And so, in that, it has served it's purpose well.  I know that a few of my family members regularly raid this blog of it's pictures... mission accomplished!

 

The unexpected has also happened:  I've made a few friends via this blog. 

 

And that, has been truly wonderful.

 

Here's to another 500 posts...

 

...and boring y'all of all the craziness that goes on in our home and in my head. 

The Weekend....Finally!

Well, I finished the day out yesterday and went to bed early.  I got my beauty rest in, so scary Mom didn't make an appearance this morning.  Yay for everyone! 

 

Hannah and Abby were babysitting (kinda) this morning, so I dropped them off at a friends house at about 8:30.  It's actually pretty great, what happened this morning.  Hannah will soon be 12, and we have numerous friends asking her when she's going to start babysitting.  I won't let her yet, nor is she quite confident enough to start, but this morning, while my girlfriend was out substitute teaching, the big Girls watched her little girls.  All the while, her husband works from home, so he is home in case the Girls needed something.  It's a great little way to introduce them to the world of babysitting, while building their confidence and making things seem not too overwhelming.  And, to boot, the Girls both got paid....which they were very excited and surprised about.

 

It's definitely times like these that I (once again) realize the importance of community.  I've said for ever and a day that it takes a village to raise a child... and I am so very thankful for the friends that God has put into our lives to help us bring up these Girls. 

 

While my older 2 were "babysitting", I dropped the little Girls off at Art's office to clean it for him, and I popped out to the barn to get a ride in.  It was a great little break for everyone, I'm thinking.  And now, here we sit, in our cozy warm house, everyone having some alone time, and I'm just waiting..... Waiting for the weekend to start.  It is Friday, you know.  And you know what that means at our house.... pizza and a movie!  Even though I'm not "at work" (oh wait.... I'm "at work"  all.  the.  time.), today I find myself watching the clock....waiting for Art to get home so that our weekend can begin. 

 

Happy Friday, y'all!

A Day Gone Awry

Do you ever have those days, that almost as soon as you open your eyes, you think to yourself, "Oh crap.... we're not off to a good start!"  Yah....me neither.  NOT!

 

That was this morning.  And all my fault.  Completely.  It started out with me staying up way, way, WAY too late last night.  And I even said before I went to sleep, "Tomorrow's gonna be rough!"  Now you may argue that I brought it on myself.  And I partially did.  But really?  On those days, don't you just wish that everything would run smoothly, you could put yourself on autopilot, until the afternoon (at least in our house), when you can then usually find a moment (or 6) to get yourself sorted out?  That definitely wasn't how things went down this morning in the Goerzen Household of Girls.  Art stopped in for lunch, took one look at me, and asked. "Rough morning?"....

 

Ummm...."YUP!"

 

However, in the midst of it all, when I have reason to pout and pitch a fit, I still have a choice.  Am I choosing to take the high road, and deal with things as they come up in a mature manner, or am I going to give in to my emotions and throw myself on the floor, weeping and wailing.  Truth be told, today I did a little bit of both. 

 

This all sounds so dramatic, and really, it wasn't too big of a deal.  Some issues arose this morning, but it's just a reminder of how constant parenting really is.  It's definitely a marathon, my friends, and there are times when I think, "I'm not cut out for running marathons!  I'm a sprinter!"  But God knows.  He knows how much I suck at some things.  And those are the things that He's refining in me, if I'll let Him.  And it's hard and uncomfortable and painful and exhausting.  But here's hoping that (one day), I'm the better for it.  So I submit.  And I apologize to my Girls for my crankiness.  And they apologize to me.  And we cry.  And we hug.  And we make waffles for dinner, complete with strawberries and whipped cream and waffle sauce and chocolate.  

Because it's been one of those days. 

I Have A Dream

I've been doing some dreaming lately....

 

I think I'd like to live here....

 



Welcome!

 



And sit and read a book here.....

 



 

Oh my.  I think I'm in love....

 

 

*sigh*  Maybe one day....

It's Done!

Well, Thanksgiving is long over, and with the little bit of snow this week, I'm starting to think about Christmas! 

 

We had a great Thanksgiving - lots of down time, relaxing, and just being together.  It was nice.  Dinner was fabulous (if I don't say so myself!), and I didn't have to cook for the rest of the week.  Yay for me!

 

Last week, we also spent a few days at the barn.  I was helping break some colts, and the Girls just came along for fun.  They helped with chores, hung out, rode, and got a roping lesson from the farrier that was there.  I should say, we ALL got a roping lesson.  He gave me lots of exercises to help them practice, and the Girls have been doing LOTS of that!  Abby and Molly have been entered in the Dummy Roping Competition at Farm Fair in a few weeks, so that will be a fun and new experience for them.  I told them that I wouldn't enter them unless they practiced at least 15 minutes a day.  I must admit, I'm fairly impressed with them.  They've been very diligent in their practicing - even with the snow and cold that we had last week. 

 

Now, another weekend is gone, and I'm thinking ahead to the week ahead.  It's amazing how full life sometimes feels, but most days, I wouldn't change it for the world!  I am thankful for Sunday, though...a day to rest and relax, have a nap.... It's all good.

Holidays Aren't What They Used to Be

When I was a girl, I loved holidays.  Loved them!  What's better thank spending time together with your family and friends, enjoying an extra few days together?!!

 

Now, as a Mom, I kind of find holidays to be, well, a LOT of work!  The work starts early in the week, making lists and checking them twice.... making sure I have my menu planned out and all my needed groceries on a list.  Then, we head off to the grocery store, braving the crowds to try and find all that we require.  2 days before the holiday, I always start with making bread crumbs for the stuffing.... letting them hang out in a bowl in the oven to get nice and crunchy.  The day before, I make my mashed potatoes, pies, buns, cranberry sauce, jello, cut up everything for salads and stuffing.  Finally, the big day arrives.  Thankfully, I've done most of my work before, so I can enjoy the day with family, and only have to put the stuffing in the crock pot in the morning, Art gets the turkey going, and the final foods to prepare are sweet potatoes and gravy. 

 

When the Girls were really little, it really kinda stunk to do all that work by myself when all they wanted was to eat the jello. Now that they are a little older, they are my helpers, and they enjoy the meal as much as I do.  They all helped me this morning with preparations, and are already talking about who's going to set the table, what dishes and decorations they're going to use and who's going to light the candles.

 

In the past, I had a hard time if I didn't make a big spread on Thanksgiving, because I am always thinking about what kind of memories my kids will have when they get older.  I didn't want them saying, "We never celebrated holidays because my Mom was too lazy to make a turkey dinner!".  That just sounds wrong!

 

So, alas, I work like a dog, preparing everything for my loved ones.  I guess the silver lining on this cloud is that I don't have to cook for the next several days because we're eating all the leftovers!  When you're a child, you're fairly oblivious (or at least I was) to the amount of work that goes into making the holidays special.  In my life, a huge part of the specialness is what food we are going to eat.  And so, I plan and prepare and get excited for the memories that we are making with our own children, and hopefully, they'll say, "Holidays?!  I loved the holidays as a girl....My mom would prepare for days to make the best meal, and we had to help too!"

 

Happy Thanksgiving, friends.  Enjoy working your butts off and eating way to much.  Enjoy being with family and friends.  Enjoy cleaning your floor once it's all done because your feet keep sticking to it.  Enjoy your husband eating "vegetables" for breakfast, which is actually pumpkin pie.  Enjoy the whole house smelling of turkey. Enjoy a walk after dinner, with leaves crunching under your feet. Enjoy having the ones you love sitting around your table, and being sad because some are missing.  Enjoy a whole holiday around the idea of being thankful.

Thanksgiving is Coming...

....and the turkeys got fat.  So we butchered them!

 

 

This morning, for school, I had the Girls journal about what they are thankful for.  It was interesting what their answers were: family, friends, chickens, turkeys, lots of room to run around outside...

 

And I was reminded, once again, at how my actions and attitude affect these little ladies.  They parrot what I do and say, my heart attitudes, things I am cranky about, dreams I have for our lives, and what I am thankful for.  It runs over onto them.  And I need to check myself constantly to see what I am putting on these Girls.  What am I teaching them to be thankful for.  I am content with where I am at?  Or am I always wanting something more.  Am I choosing to rejoice in all circumstances?  Or am I getting through the circumstances, grumbling and complaining along the way.  I know what I would like to say....that I am always thankful.  But I know, if I'm being honest, that I'm not always thankful.  That I do complain and grumble.  And I don't really want to be that woman.  Nor do I want my children to be those children, who are never content with what they do have, but are always wanting more.... And so, I fight.  I fight myself and my carnal, sinful nature of wanting more.  I choose to be content.  I choose to have joy.  I choose life.

 

In the past year, I read the book, "One Thousand Gifts", by Ann Voskamp, and I'm not gonna lie, it really challenged me.  Challenged me to not only have an attitude of gratitude, but also, to do something tangible about it.  So, I bought my Girls and I gratitude journals.  They are all in the middle of the kitchen, where they can easily reach them, and they write in them whenever they want.

 

 

 I help Ellie Mae by writing what she wants first, and then she copies it down underneath.  It's very cool and humbling to look back over the past year, and see what God has done, and how we have so very much to be thankful for!

 

Be joyful always. 

Pray continually;

GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, fir this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus

1 Thessolonians 5:16-18

 

Thanksgiving is coming.... but let's not only be thankful in this season, but always.  Continually.  Because thankfulness breeds joy.  And joy breeds life.  And I choose life.

A Goal Attained

The Girls have been saving up their egg money for just about a year now.  They've been biding their time, trying to figure out what they would like to purchase with their money.  All four of them finally decided on the same thing.  Here's what they wanted to use a portion of their money to purchase:

 

Carhartt overalls!  We stopped in at UFA the other day, and they got some kids/youth Carhartt's in (finally), and the Girls were thrilled to find them.  They've been wanting them for quite some time, but I told them that they had to save up for the overalls themselves and they did!  These overalls came in quite handy for haying....way fewer scratches this way!  I think that they look quite adorable!

 

After many people encouraged me, I sent a picture and story over to the folks at Carhartt.  Low and behold, they put the Girls on their website!  Now, they're famous....kinda!