The Smallest Things

As I awakened this morning at 6am, there were no children in bed with me and I had slept through the night! I couldn't believe it. I got dressed, put my makeup on, read the Bible, did my yoga workout, and here I sit reporting on it all and still not a peep from the babies.

As I read Leviticus 24 and 25 today (it was the "reading of the day" for the "Bible in a Year" chart at the beginning of my Bible, so I thought, "Huh, I never read Leviticus, I'll check it out.")

I became more and more convinced that God is concerned over the smallest things in our lives as I read...our homes, how many years we grow grapes, what we eat, how we live...He gets pretty specific and nit picky in Leviticus. If we will listen to that still small voice as He whispers to us the detailed answers to our dilemmas, we will prosper too. If we will cry out past the noise in our lives, He will provide a way for our best.

Thank you for the reminders this morning Lord. And thank you for this morning with you. It was absolutely lovely.

Oh, I hear a baby boy awakening! This is going to be a great day.

In Search of Peaceful Mommy

Image from here.

So, I've been trying to figure something out. How do I achieve the peaceful mommy mindset that comes from a full night's sleep, arising one hour before the children to have quiet stretching/yoga/exercise/Bible study time, when I haven't had a full night's sleep in several weeks...and have a child who keeps waking up for the day at 4:45?

Mommy is not peaceful. Mommy feels like she might have a little rant at the drop of a hat, fall over asleep on the kitchen counter (where she would be stuck eternally to the PBJ remaining there from lunchtime), or melt into a puddle of silly ol' tears at any moment.

Surely Lord, you will bring me through this time, but help me see the light at the end of this tunnel! Mommy is sleepy and welcomes your peace. I have felt it many times today when I thought I might lose it and for that I am so thankful. Thank you for the "Mommy hold me" moments and the joyful laughter of a toddler. Thank you for the life that is this household. Your presence is evident and your love is wondrous.

And now I would like to get some sleep please...

Trend Alert! A Hairdo I Can Do!

This topknot 'do I can definitely get into--TREND ALERT! I hear you!!! Moms everywhere rejoice!

So You're Thinking About Getting a Trampoline?

In case you are considering getting a trampoline for your small children, this video may convince you it is a good...or bad...idea, depending on how you see it. I definitely pictured unending hours of reading on the patio while the children amused themselves. Not so much. There is a lot of up close supervision required, especially when they all three want to be on there--or when Caden (our fifteen month old) first learned how to unzip the net...yah, pretty much ever since then, it hasn't been fun...for me. And that's what matters, right? :)

If you are reading this on Facebook (which automatically imports my blog posts), and cannot view the video, go to http://hanerhome.blogspot.com to view.

Pastor Jim

Check out Pastor Jim at his site by clicking on his picture above. Mandee, I told you!!!!

My New Read

I am really excited to have a new beautiful hard back book to read from my sweet mother-in-law. One chapter is called, "Why are Doctors so Bad at Washing Their Hands?" Bahahahaha. I can't wait. As I struggle to "rest" today with two sick little boys and a very energetic little girl, a husband out of town for a basketball meeting, and a big pregnant belly, I think this book will help. :) Has anyone read it?

Canaan's Story

This story continues to inspire and move me. Please continue to lift my dear friend and her sweet little guy up in prayer. It is these moments when life, strength, love and spirit collide that make this journey of womanhood so...deep. Our hearts are so regularly torn into a billion pieces over our little ones. May God continue to be with and move through you Rossie!

Why we are choosing to homeschool...

Why we are choosing to homeschool...

1) We feel that we can best teach our own children according to the bent, personality and learning style/capability of each;

2) We feel that we have the best interests of our children in mind always, in education and all things;

3) We feel that our children are like plants, who will bear awesome fruit once trained, protected, girded up, and loved to maturity, at which time they will be able to handle the "elements" on their own; but, we do not want to expose them to the elements before they are properly trained and prepared...by us;

4) We feel that the social and spiritual well-being of our children will be best served by training in the home, in church, in extra curricular activities, and at their charter school enrichment classes; we feel that socialization by varying ages under our supervision is better for our children than socialization by twenty + other five (or six, or seven, or eight...) year olds whose backgrounds, lifestyles, influences and values are unknown to us;

5) We do NOT feel that everyone should homeschool or that those who choose not to homeschool are inferior in any way; we feel that our decision is very personal and very much directed by our own personal convictions and guidance from the holy spirit; we are open to future changes in these convictions;

6) We feel that the range and breadth of curriculum and homeschool support networks is an amazing blessing offered to this generation in a way that has never before been available, and we look forward to taking advantage of it all;

7) We are blessed to know many homeschooling families personally, some of whom have been very successful in raising well-adjusted, amazingly intelligent and charismatic homeschooled children, including Ivy Leage University grads; we will glean knowledge, inspiration and resources from them all!

8) We have known some families who have been unsuccessful in their homeschooling endeavors and we are blessed to glean from their experiences as well;

9) We look forward to a time when our children can be salt and light in the world, but they cannot do this without preparation and a solid foundation; when we feel they are ready, we will send them out, and prayerfully, we will have prepared them in a way that allows them to be the most salty bright little lights possible.

Finally, I just want to say to all those who are reading this and still question, criticize, or seek to disparage our decision, please do your own research. There are countless studies coming out these days about the success of homeschooled children academically, professionally, spiritually, and socially. They are, as a group, scoring higher on standardized tests, above grade level on average at every stage in every subject, getting and staying married and committed to their families, more often obtaining higher educations, generally much closer to their siblings for life, much less likely to be involved in gangs, drugs, pornography, or criminal activities...and the list goes on.

As a product of public education, I have nothing bad to say about it. As a child of public school educators, I know there are excellent teachers out there. As the wife of a public school educator, I know that there are teachers who care and are working their tails off to make a difference and teach effectively.

But, this knowledge also affords us the basis for a logical decision (I think) to provide our children with one on one (well, four) teaching (instead of one on 20 or 30.) It gives us insight into the challenges that exist in today's classrooms, which we can avoid at home.

For instance, if our children don't "get" something right away, we can review it until they get it. If they do get it right away, there is no reason to dwell on it, we can move on! There are not twenty something other students to consider.

And finally, one of the books I recently read mentioned this: the one constant complaint among teachers is that they wish parents were more involved in their students' education (and life in general). We are just taking that one step further and becoming the most involved parents there could possibly be. :)

Really?

I subscribe to many litle fashion newsletters because my job does not really allow me to stay abreast of the latest trends, and I like to see what's happening on the fashion scene, even though, really, I am SO not a part of it.

Most of it I look through quickly, some of it I dismiss due to my own modesty preferences, but it was nice to know green nails were the newest "in thing." That way I was not QUITE as astonished when the cutie pie clerk at Target had pistachio colored fingers. (I actually have a nice minty shade on my toes and fingers currently.) I'm surprised by how much I like it now.

Anyhoo, this dress popped up this morning as the latest sexy dress craze. Um, really? Have I been out of the fashion loop that long?

Green nails have grown on me; this dress...will not.

Diapers.com

Hi all!

If you haven't tried diapers.com for diapers, it is super cool. Free shipping over $49 and no sales tax. If you don't like the leaky brands, and prefer a nice dry baby in the morning, this is the way to go. There are often coupon codes and promotions that net you a great savings over even Costco. If you decide to try it, enter my email address at checkout and get $10 off your first order!! hanermom@hotmail.com

Thanks friends!

Rossie and Canaan

Rossie and Canaan are doing well. I am so thankful for all your continuing prayers for strength, growth, provision, healing and peace over mommy and son. Click here for Rossie's updated account.

A VERY Happy Valentine's Day!

My sweet hubby took me on an overnight date for Valentine's Day to the Four Points Sheraton, where we spent our wedding night.

We ate a delicious dinner at the Roadhouse and talked about all kinds of deep and not so deep things. It was so nice to be in each others' presence. It was nice to eat a great big dinner (although the baby didn't seem too pleased as she wiggled for every ounce of room remaining in there!) We had lofty plans of watching movies and eating treats back at the hotel, but when we got back, after I cut his hair (romantic, I know), we fell asleep..and slept for ten hours straight!!! LOL!

We awoke to a call from our babysitter, saying that Wyatt was throwing up, so we went home a few hours earlier than we had planned, and nursed our poor sick boy back to health. I felt like I had the patience of a saint, even with all the throwing up and chaos upon our return; must have been all that sleep and having reconnected with my love.

I am definitely a better mom (and person in general) when I have had good sleep and good connection with my sweet hubby.

Wyatt is feeling better today and we are on the road to Easter! I feel like my life revolves around the next holiday in so many ways, and I love it!

How did you celebrate Valentine's day?

Oh Happy Jewelry!

I don't know what it is lately but I have really got a thing for jewelry. I have returned to wearing bracelets and a watch and have even been wearing my silver hoop earrings again. It just feels so stylish to have some bling goin' on. Silly, I know, but sometimes fashion just makes me happy. It's a Proverbs 31 thang. :)

Anyhoo, I also wanted Kya to have a little something special to go with her Easter dress, so I ordered a custom necklace and bracelet from Beadiful Kids. And this is how it turned out! So cute, huh?

Can't wait to get my family all matchy matchy and take some pics! What a nerd, I know, but this is such a fun part of mommyhood and womanhood for me. :) Don't you love this set?

New Happy Healthy Pregnancy Menu!

My new happy healthy pregnancy menu is inspired by two things. One, I have gained way too much weight every pregnancy I have had and since this is my last, I would like to have that cute little pregnant body and healthy..ahem...digestive system...just ONCE!

I also read an interesting article about the missing nutrient in many pregnant women's diets, choline, which plays a critical role in neural tube development (along with folic acid) and other development (I know her neural tube is already developed at this point, but it can't hurt.)

In addition, I have just found myself a little yucky feeling lately eating too many carbs, too few veggies, and too much food in general, so I needed to make a change!

BREAKFAST: 1 hard-boiled egg, whole wheat toast, 2 Tbsp peanut butter, 1 orange;

LUNCH: 2 cups mixed greens w/ lowfat dressing, 3 oz. grilled chicken, 1 medium banana, 1 cup nonfat milk;

DINNER: 3 oz. salmon fillet, 1/2 cup edamame, 1 cup brown rice;

SNACKS: 1 cup lowfat vanilla yogurt, 1/4 cup slivered almonds.

Along with yoga and my daily walks with the Double Stroller of Delight, I am excited to feel a little more energetic, and...ahem...regular. :)

Rossie Update

Rossie asked our friend Raquel to update her blog with the latest news on baby Canaan. Thanks friends for your prayers and love. Click here for the latest. If you are reading this on Facebook and are unable to click the hyperlink, you can visit my blog at http://hanerhome.blogspot.com/

BLESSINGS!

Living a "Good" Life by Reaching Higher

Image from here.


On our date night last night (Ahhh, it is so nice to be having weekly date nights again. Thank you Debbie!!!!!!!), Scott and I had a really cool discussion about living well. We wondered when it was that we became focused continually on being "better" people.

It seems that the past few years (perhaps tracing back to the birth of our first child, perhaps even before that), we have become all about...becoming. Scott listens to the Thomas Jefferson hour, Radio Lab, and other intellectually stimulating and inspiring radio programs.

We go to a church that challenges us constantly to become better people, better parents and better spouses, and I, of course, have my little blog obsession, where I have found several blogs I routinely visit for inspiration on everything from homemaking, menu planning, homeschooling, and mothering to being a fashionably modest woman...spiritual growth to church history. In another post, I will list all my favorite blogs that really keep me motivated and excited about this stay at home mommy journey.

But, we're not sure when this process began in our lives or whether everyone eventually gets to a place where they are focused on self betterment for the good of others. (i.e., not just self improvement in career, status, appearance, etc., but bettering our souls and hearts so that we can be a blessing to our family, friends, community, world, and God's kingdom.)

Anyway, it was a great discussion and I came away thankful for a husband that is always striving to be better intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. What a blessing he is to our family.

Along these lines, this morning, a friend asked me about Psalm 128:5 and so I looked it up and read some commentaries about it (she just asked me whether it was in the Old Testament.)

Here is an interesting commentary I found on the Psalm, and it speaks to the living a "good" life.

From Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary:

128:1-6 The blessings of those who fear God. - Only those who are truly holy, are truly happy. In vain do we pretend to be of those that fear God, if we do not make conscience of keeping steadfastly to his ways. Blessed is every one that fears the Lord; whether he be high or low, rich or poor in the world.

If thou fear him and walk in his ways, all shall be well with thee while thou livest, better when thou diest, best of all in eternity. By the blessing of God, the godly shall get an honest livelihood. Here is a double promise; they shall have something to do, for an idle life is a miserable, uncomfortable life, and shall have health and strength, and power of mind to do it.

They shall not be forced to live upon the labours of other people. It is as much a mercy as a duty, with quietness to work and eat our own bread. They and theirs shall enjoy what they get. Such as fear the Lord and walk in his ways, are the only happy persons, whatever their station in life may be. They shall have abundant comfort in their family relations. And they shall have all the good things God has promised, and which they pray for.

A good man can have little comfort in seeing his children's children, unless he sees peace upon Israel. Every true believer rejoices in the prosperity of the church. Hereafter we shall see greater things, with the everlasting peace and rest that remain for the Israel of God.

As I read this commentary, I found two things at work in my mind. One, "happiness" does not necessarily equate to a "perfect" life by the world's measure. It is a peace that comes from knowing that you are living in a way that is good in God's eyes. It is from a peace of conscience. Oh, I believe there are material blessings that flow from this as well (and we have seen this material provision countless times in our own lives), but that's not the point really.

And two, I realized my knowledge of Jerusalem and Israel, and all that stuff, is sorely lacking and that I would like to know more, especially since it is referenced SO often in the Bible I claim to love so much.

Peace in Israel supreme above all my other wants and needs?... I don't think...no, I KNOW I have not got that priority because I simply don't know enough about Israel to even know what is going on there (sorry Dr. Cruikshanks, my International Relations professor in college). This requires some depth of study, and it is so much easier to focus on the other aspects of faith, rather than church history and support of our beliefs.

But I find myself wanting more lately, and I feel that perhaps I am being led to intellectual and scientific study of the Bible and its history, so this is a good topic of study for my next few weeks of study...

"Israel, What's the deal?"

Anyway, I realize more and more that the life I lead is FAR from perfect or "good," but I am enjoying trying to become better. Some days, I still feel like I'd really just like to settle for a materialistic surfacey life focused on being skinny and having a beautiful house, but that happens a little less these days than it used to, so I'm hopeful! :)

Thoughts?

Prayers for Rossie

Lord, I know you and I know your love for your children. But I also know that sometimes your plans are not ours. And that scares us Lord. Right now, I pray for my friend Rossie, for her about to be born child, and I ask you Lord, PLEEEEEEEASE, cover them with protection, love, peace, health, strength beyond measure. I love you Lord, but I am worried, even though you say not to be. Could you please be with my friend while I cannot?

 ¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

 ²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

 ³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

 ⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

 ⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

 ⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. (Psalm 23, King James Version)

Rossie is a wonderful amazing woman and friend, mom to five (soon to be six), and a wonderful follower of Christ. If you could please pray for her and her little baby, about to be born by c-section at 32 weeks, thank you!!!

It's a...

Well, I suppose by now, the cat's out of the bag. We know what gender Haner baby #4 is.

But, let me say this before I share the gender, I was surprised by my reaction. Armed with the conviction that it really didn't mattter what it was, no prior premonitions or preferences, I was startled by the tears that came on the way home from the blessed ultrasound that not only revealed the gender, but the apparent good health of this baby. My eggs are getting old after all, so it was nice to see all four limbs, ten fingers and ten toes, and a cute little face and intact spine.

Perhaps I was just tired from the night of no sleep. Bad dreams for Kya last night. I don't mind being awake to cuddle my girl through her fear, but it does make for a rough next morning.

Perhaps I had to mourn the loss of that other gendered child...the fact that I will never again have another of the opposite gender...

I don't know what it was, but I was really really sad.

UNTIL...


I started thinking...


ABOUT...


...all the bows and dresses and skirts and tutus I get to make!

IT'S A GIRL!!!