Pottery and teatime

I signed myself up for a 6 week pottery class last year and I just finished it up last week. 

As much fun as it was, it proved to be a bit challenging also. I really enjoyed getting messy and trying with all my might to get that 1 lb. of clay centered and into something useful and/or beautiful! But it was also difficult to get out of the house and have a night away from my family. I do believe it is valuable to get away and especially to do something like learning something new, but as a mom of little ones still, I found it hard toward the end of the class to just get out that door and down the road. 

So, while I am glad to have taken the class and so thankful that Micheal is so cool - better that cool! - to allow time away, I can honestly say I'm glad the class is over too.

What can I say, it's a fine line to a balanced life. ;) 

The kids and Micheal were so surprised at how "real" they looked in the words of my 8 year old. "Whoa, Mom! They're like, real!"  I guess they expected "fake" pottery! In all honesty, these few bowls and teacups are the most expensive dishes we own, and the most loved. Totally worth it. 

Now on to the best part of all this pottery making........

This guy has decided he loves to drink chai with his mama while perusing over cookbooks. And he insists on using this special mug! I had thought about putting their names on some pieces but never did, but they have had no problem staking claim to them. 

I am so happy to have done something new. Lifelong learning is a good mantra if you're ever going to have one. 

It might turn out different than you were expecting, but isn't that the great part. You'll never know if you don't try! 

Next on the list: ZIPLINE!!

Cheers to life!

7,8/52

~ Sittin' on a honey bucket! ~

~Loading in the truck. Gotta have that hot cuppa. ~

I'm late on last weeks and who knows if I will take this weeks so this is two weeks in one. It's been a good one. Lots of yummy food and days home. Getting together with wonderful people.  Lots of playing outside and drinking tea. Dreaming. Trying to get things done. Wishing I could get some more things done but realizing that sometimes life just doesn't go the way you have planned. We have had mere hours of snow. Then the sun is out again!!

~ Oh, and naps. Did I mention naps? ~

This girl loves the outdoors. I loved reading this article and it left me thinking about my own daughter and what she will do with her life. I will be so surprised if she ends up behind a desk. 

A man’s heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

I am not enough

The feeling of inadequacy. Goodness, I feel it even now. I can't even spell 'inadequacy' without looking it up.

Sometimes I need to shut the rest of the world out. I didn't realize this about myself until recently but I feel stressed about hearing a problem and the need to fix it NOW. Maybe the fact that I am turning more into an introvert and am able to process some things about me better. I mean who says that "Once an extravert, always an extravert." People change. Isn't that *usually* a good thing. Growth that is.

But anyways. I read books. I read the Bible. I read blogs. I am on facebook. I hear needs and worries all the time and the inadequacy starts to bubble up and I feel a bit helpless, but more overwhelmed, and then I just shut down and don't help with any of it. A bit counter productive. I mean I read those blogs and want to connect with people so I can feel part of a community and offer my gift in some way, but, oh my lands! I can't do it all.

Then I remember. No I can't do it all and that is alright. The comparison of "Hey, look. They are serving in such an amazing way and touching so many lives. They are making a difference in this world. I am doing nothing like that." Oh there's that feeling again.

But here's the good news. This is where the peace comes to save the day!

No one else on this beautiful planet thinks about a certain 5 people the same as I do. Yes, there are others that love them but they don't serve them on a daily basis. They don't have that calling to go to them, ask them how they are doing, sit with them and share life with them. Snuggle them and teach them life. That's because that is my calling. Specifically for these 5 people for all of my life. 

 That is a HUGE and weighty ministry.

To neglect that ministry would be a huge mistake on my behalf.

I have been so encouraged by God to serve right where I am at. I am content here: right now. But I can honestly share with you that it has not always been that way. I dream of big adventures! I get sidetracked with dumb things. But right in this moment - praise God - I am fully here. 


We are all called to things in life and we must all answer to Christ. Not any other person. Christ alone. We live our own little (or BIG!) lives unto Him.

So what is He speaking to your heart about? What do you feel so passionate about?

Pray for God to reveal these things to you if you don't know right now. Pray for your own heart to not deceive you. Sometimes we want something but God doesn't have that for us.

But never feel inadequate. Well, maybe. We can't do things by ourselves. We need God to come and rescue us so we can then be filled with the Holy Spirit, so then we will not be inadequate.

Then, go in His Spirit and do what He calls you to, with reckless Jesus filled abandon!

6/52

Seriously....

how has it already been another week? 

What happened? 

Hmmm......

lots of reading, snuggling, cooking of soups, watching shows and drinking too much tea. 

It's been cold and we have been inside. 

Zade is hard to get a picture of. I always joke that he will turn 14 and move out. He likes his space. I sure hope I am wrong on him moving out so soon. I need more time with these kids. 

1. Daughter with her fake glasses. LOVE them on her!

2. Brothers having some breakfast. Or second breakfast. 

3. Auggie boy exploring with water molecules. 

4. Little brother in his usual state of being half clothed, holding onto something interesting. 

5/52

A friend gave this dress to G after she wore it all night at their house. This girl was born in the wrong century! She dreams of prairies, horses, tipis, and living outside constantly. 

He needs a little encouragement to get out in the cold but once he gets out there he enjoys it. 

He is the ice man. "No. Not Christoph. Just an ice man."

He likes to help Mama out with the laundry. 

These last couple of weeks, I find that I am exhausted. Just plain ol' tired. I don't want to do much but somehow I get things done. We are all clean, fed and learning. Maybe it's the fog and cold. Maybe it's just because it's winter and I stay home all. the. time. Either way, I'm glad I take these photos of the kids. There is so much more to be thankful for than to complain about. 

5 weeks in to this year. Blessed to be living in 2014 and not 1884. ;)