Savoring Christmas Memories

Singing for the King!

Tuesday night was the Christmas program for our 3 youngest girls. It was a first time performance for all three. I must say, I was nervous for the twins. They do not like a lot of attention drawn to themselves publicly. And obviously singing Christmas songs on stage in front of 1300 people is just asking for attention! I was actually quite pleased that Grace and Emmy even stood on stage. Gracie had a little trouble beforehand because her Daddy dropped her off and left without giving her the standard kiss and hug. Not good! Eventually she calmed down and made her first debut on stage with the rest of the preschoolers. I think the 3 yr olds were on stage maybe 15 minutes or so and the twins didn't open their mouths in song even once! It was actually quite amusing watching them stand there somewhat shell shocked :) I was just glad they didn't scream, puke, or run off stage. They stood there stiffly and silently through the whole performance. I was still so proud!

Hannah Boo, on the other hand, rocked out the house!!! This was, like I said, her first performance of any kind, and she did fabulously! She sang her little heart out and knew every motion and every word. Adam and I chuckled as we watched her bob and sway to every song. She had the beat! Hannah definitely enjoyed herself up there. My heart soared with pride.

But whether singing out loud, or not so loud (or not at all!), I knew that this was a time in which children were remembering who they were celebrating. The One that came and was born to save us from our sins. The One that came to give us hope. The One that came so we could have life more abundantly. And as we celebrate Jesus' birth we also need to remember that it's also because of His death and resurrection that we can have eternal life. Because of God's immense love for us, He gave His Son. How much love does that require? Love beyond my comprehension! But I am so grateful for it! Sadly, I sometimes take that love for granted all too often. But my Heavenly Father is still there, holding His outstretched arms to me, always welcoming me back. God, you're love, grace, forgiveness, and mercy are so wonderful beyond words! I need to remember that those gifts are mine every day....every season. So yes, the birth of that little baby gives me much reason to celebrate! Thank you Lord!

Thankful Heart

It is the season of thanks; the time of year people most often take into account all the blessings and goodness that is in their lives. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and cherished every bit of "goodness" on that special day.

This Thanksgiving was a big "first" for us. It was the first time that we didn't share our big meal with our extended family. I must admit that when we moved to Oregon back in June, I wondered what our Thanksgiving would be like. I knew we wouldn't be making a trip to Ohio or Wisconsin, and figured others wouldn't be coming here. (It's quite a costly trip coming from the Midwest!) So, as the weeks counted down until turkey day, I wondered what our plans would be. I eventually decided that we would just be eating turkey for months on end, because 2 adults and 4 children can only eat so much! We, however, did receive several invitations to join other families for the day. We were blessed by others thoughtfulness and concern~ thank you so much to all who invited us! It meant much to know you were willing to share your table and time with us.

We had one invitation in particular that we accepted. In the short time we have lived in Oregon, God has truly blessed me with a very fast friendship. It wasn't long before our families spent some time together and now I think the rest is history! Well, history in the making maybe :)

Joe and Missy, thanks so much for sharing your day with us! We couldn't have asked for a better time! You guys have quickly become family to us. Just for the record....Missy is the queen of Nerts (sp?). Actually, that doesn't really sound that flattering, does it??? Well, I'm sure she'll take it as a compliment :) The meal was incredible and the company was even better! Thanks for making this Thanksgiving a great one for us!

So for all of our family far away who might have missed us at their tables this year, we want you to know that we missed you too. But God has been faithful and loving in providing us a support of "family" here too.

My God is good all the time...for that I am forever thankful!

Just so you know, the kids' hair does not usually look like this. All of the children posted here are quite normal looking. They had fun with these little makeovers!

Hannah's 6th Birthday

Six and Counting

Our Hannah Brooke just celebrated her 6th birthday on Nov. 20. She wanted to spend the evening with her family at Chuck E. Cheese. I think she had a lot fun, to say the least! Hannah walked right up to Chuck E. Cheese and asked to have her picture taken with him (while her older sister tearfully tried to hide herself at the table!). Hannah has always been the brave one of her sisters, which scares her Mom a little bit. I was quite sure that by the time Hannah turned 3, she would have her first visit to the emergency room. Surprisingly, she hasn't made a visit yet in her six years. (Except for a trip made 2 years ago in the middle of the night with whooping cough.) But, so far, her injuries haven't been too serious.

Hannah has such an adventurous spirit about her. I love watching her get excited about new challenges and accomplishing new feats! And while she loves excitement and adventure, she also has a gentle, compassionate heart. She has a heart that is very aware of what others around her need. Just recently I have found her sweeping the floor for me, putting away toys, or helping her little sisters reach something that's out of their reach. She isn't asked to do any of these things; it's purely out of a desire to care for and help others. I am so thankful for her sensitivity to others.

Hannah is also our source for lots of laughs! I posted some "Hannahisms" a while ago that show what a sense of humor she has as well. She has a contagious smile that melts my heart and makes me smile too (sometimes when I don't want to smile because she is being talked to sternly. I don't know how many times I've had to turn away because I don't want her to see me smiling when I'm trying to discipline her on a certain issue. The expressions this kid makes are sometimes too much!).

Overall, this daughter of ours is just an unbelievable blessing from God. I am so glad she is mine. It's my honor to raise this little girl into a young lady who loves her Heavenly Father. I love you Hannah Boo!

I Love My Family!

Hair Do's....and Don'ts

Last night my husband and 4 daughters spent some wonderful quality time together...the results are as follows:

















Doesn't he look marvelous? One of my 3 year old twins looked at these pictures today and said "Aw, Daddy is so adorable!" The girls were quite proud of their creations :)

I am so thankful that I have a husband who is willing to spend this kind of time with his daughters. He has never once complained or shown any regret that we never had a son. He's totally willing to sit and have his hair (not to mention his manhood) completely adulterated if it means spending time with his girls :) It just warms my heart.

I know of some men that are all about being a "man's man," but I see my husband being more concerned about being "God's man" instead. For that, I am grateful beyond words. Being sensitive to who God wants him to be as a dad, as a husband, and as a friend is what makes him a real man, in my eyes. I have seen my husband grow in his sensitivity to his girls (all 5 of us) over the years, and again, it warms my heart. He continues to strive toward gentleness with his little ladies. Some day our girls will grow into young women, and I know how much they will appreciate his gentleness, patience, and sensitivity to their needs as girls. They (as I) need him to be "God's man." It's a great deal of responsibility that he has taken seriously. Thank you honey! Because you choose to honor God as my husband, and the father of my children, you are all the man I need....pretty bows and all!!!

Oh yes, and to those of you who are waiting for my pumpkin patch pictures, they are coming soon. I promise!

Battle of the Bed

Morning.... It's never been my best time of day. Rolling out of bed only when I absolutely have to, has been the start of my day for years; maybe my whole life. The idea of waking at the crack of dawn has never appealed to me. If I got up that early I would be so tired...and so crabby. I needed as much sleep as possible to successfully function throughout the day, right? Yep, the later my feet touched the floor, the better. Until now.

I have recently been inspired and encouraged by someone that I've always respected and admired. He reminded me (probably without even realizing that he was speaking to me personally) that my day is won (or lost) by when I choose to start and end my day. With 4 little girls I've always considered their bedtime to be "me time." Of course by evening, I'm feeling quite exhausted and run down. But I also feel the pressure to take advantage of that time to have some relaxing moments for myself and time to reconnect with my husband. So often that meant finishing the evening with a movie or something mindless. Soon I would find that it was really late at night and time for bed. I would climb the stairs extremely tired wishing I could sleep in the next morning. What a miserable rut I was in!

So...as of today I have chosen to stop that unhealthy routine. Last night I was in bed 1 to 2 hours earlier than usual and at 6:00 this morning I awoke to my husband nudging me, reminding me that it was time to start my new routine. (Okay, I actually didn't get up until about 6:10). My hubby and I came downstairs, started the coffee, grabbed our Bibles, and cozied up on the sofa in front of the fireplace. We spent about an hour doing our devotions, enjoying our coffee, and savoring the quiet moments before the kids came down. By the time I woke up my oldest daughter so she could get ready for school, I was feeling so refreshed and renewed. I was ready to start my day as a mother of 4. I wasn't running around half asleep, mumbling complaints under my breath, wanting only to return to the comfort of my bed. No! I was reflecting on what I read in Scripture. My heart was thankful, my mind clear. I would never have guessed I could feel that way before 7:00 in the morning! I have gotten up early many times before, but usually only out of obligation, or necessity; not by pure desire to take ownership of my day.

So many times before I would "fit" my quiet time with the Lord into my day. If I had a few spare minutes, I would do my devotions, not having a whole lot of time to reflect on what I had read. Sad, but true. I convinced myself that I needed that extra time to sleep every morning, because my days are so busy. It's just amazing how God has changed my view...and my desire. So often I had already lost many battles with impatience, quick-temper, and bad attitudes by the time I took time to really listen to God (my devotions). I often prayed throughout my days, always asking for His help and strength to get through the afternoon, but I didn't make "listening" a priority when I should have. I don't want to survive my day, I want to thrive in my day. I know that is what God wants for me. My flesh is strong (especially early in the morning) but I have the freedom not to give into it!

I don't think my days are going to be "a piece of cake" now, just because I've changed my priorities, but I know that how I act during my days will be more a reflection of my Heavenly Father than of a stressed out mom who's holding on by a thread.

So ask me in a month if I'm sticking to this commitment I've made. I hope I can honestly say that I am. My husband and I are taking on this challenge together, so I have his encouragement. I'm sure I will need it! Discipline is rarely easy, but always necessary. I need discipline in many areas of my life, but now I am choosing to be victorious in the Battle of the Bed!

Funnies from Hannah

Our 5 (almost 6) year old daughter has quite the sense of humor. On several occasions she has made her Dad and I laugh because of her unexpected comments, a silly face, or just because of her outlook on life in general. She has, in my opinion, always lived quite happily in "Hannah Land." She is by far the roughest and toughest of the Jackson girls, but at the same time, has such a sweet spirit and soft heart. So often I have wanted to write down some of the comments she's made, fearing that I someday will forget the funny things she says. I have forgotten too many of them already, so I thought I'd share a couple of her recent "funnies" now.

Last week I was driving Hannah and her little sisters to school, when Hannah asked me if I liked to drive. "Well," I replied, "I don't know if I like it or not, but I sure seem to do a lot of it!" She then told me that I should become a taxi driver. To my amusement, she went on to explain that "all we need to do is paint the van yellow, put a white sign on it, and you (Mom) need to grow a beard." I guess that's how she envisions taxi drivers! Oh, and of course this was all said quite matter-of-factly. She didn't see anything silly about it at all....just the things that needed to be done in order for me to make the transformation. Too funny Hannah!

And for funny #2.....today I overheard Hannah talking to her little sisters as they were playing on the living room floor. This is what I heard her saying..."Hey twins, do you know what bacon is made of? When pigs die, and they're cooked, it's bacon! And chicken comes from chickens! And fish comes from fish!". To that I said "What about cows?" "Yuck!" she said. "Nobody eats cows, that's disgusting!" This coming from the girl that always orders a cheeseburger whenever we go out to eat! Oh Hannah you really do make your Mom chuckle!



Maybe these things don't sound too funny, but hearing Hannah talk in her animated fashion, and saying things with such certainty, along with her vibrant facial expressions, just does my heart good. Hannah Banana, you have blessed my heart many times and I love you!

Leaving the Nest...Temporarily

It seems a lifetime ago that my husband and I started having children, although it was really only 8 years ago. And it seems also, that once the first one was born, the other 3 came along quite quickly. And because they pretty much came one right after the other (and by the pair) that there was always a baby in the house.

This past year has been a big one for me as a mom. For the first time in 8 years I was able to leave the house without a diaper bag, sippy cups, pacifiers, wipes (although I still use these things 'cause they're so darn handy!) and anything else affiliated with an infant. Oh how my definitions of "freedom" have changed over the years! When the twins were born, there was a stock pile of diapers, wipes, diaper cream, and formula. And it seemed that no matter how much I tried, I just was always in a state of sleep deprivation. There are very sweet memories that come from that time in my life, but I find myself in a new stage of "mommyhood" that is bound to have it's share of sweet memories too.

In two days I will be experiencing a new "first." Sometime Wednesday afternoon I will be found at home....BY MYSELF!!!! I'm sure to some, this may seem like no big deal, but to me, it's thrilling and kind of scary all at the same time. All 4 of my girls are attending school this year. We have a second grader, a Kindergartner, and the twins are in preschool. Our oldest is gone all day and our 5 year old is in school afternoons only, and the 2 youngest will be gone Monday and Wednesday afternoons. The 3 youngest girls are only gone 2 1/2 hours during the afternoon, but that's more "alone" time than I'm used to on a typical day. Between different pick-up and drop-off times, I'll actually be spending a lot of my "free time" driving, but I've decided I'm okay with that!

My girls are growing up. There were days in the past several years that I wasn't sure I'd make it through without losing complete sanity. For those of you who know me, I'm sure it seems I lost quite a bit of it :) But this new stage has me thinking. Now that my girls are "leaving the nest" for a good part of their day, are they ready? As their mother, have I prepared them? Did I nurture their "ouchies" and their hearts? Have I let them see enough of Jesus in me, so they can show Him to others? I realize they are actually still quite young, and it's not like they are going off to college tomorrow. But, I don't think that's any reason not to reflect on these things. I find myself losing patience with these little ones that need so much tenderness and care....and patience. I want to become a better mom to my children. Amazingly, it seems that my girls only ever love and forgive me, no matter how "short" I am with them, or how busy I can get sometimes.
So, I guess I still have time to learn from their examples of unconditional love and forgiveness.

I find myself wishing they could actually stay home with Mom a little bit longer. I love you my little princesses!

Last Minute Getaway!

Our family had an impromptu getaway this past weekend. We had been planning on visiting Depoe Bay, OR to do some whale watching on Monday. After thinking about a 2 1/2 (plus) drive there and back, we decided that was a bit too much "van time" for the kids...not to mention for Mom and Dad! So while having lunch Sunday afternoon we spontaneously decided to head out for the coast that afternoon and spend the night in the Newport area Sunday so we could have all day Monday to sight see. It proved to be a great idea! We had a wonderful time walking along the beach collecting shells, visiting the coastal towns, (and sampling the tastes of those towns!) and seeing breathtaking views of God's creation.

We saw 3 whales right off the coast. Wow! That was a first for all of us. One whale in particular was so close to the shore that you didn't even need binoculars to see it. It was just incredible! We also saw seals swimming around in the ocean. Another first for us. I think I was much more excited than the kids :)

Sunday night my husband and I sat outside our hotel room (it was right on the beach!) and just marveled at God's spectacular creation. There were thousands of stars in the sky and it seemed the ocean just stretched out forever in front of us. We listened to the waves hit the shore and stayed warm in each other's arms. Definitely a top memory for me.

We were totally worn out when we returned home late Monday night, but it was well worth it! We're thinking about making it a tradition every year before school starts up. We just can't get over how much stuff there is to see and do in this part of the country. We are lovin' it!

The Great Northwest

This morning I was taking a walk and thinking what a beautiful area of the country we are now living in. As I looked into the distance I saw massive mountains spanning across the horizon. Above the mountains I saw a vibrant blue sky speckled with white puffy clouds. The trees and grass around me were the greenest I've ever seen. All the colors and sights of this landscape had me in awe. It was a breathtaking view. Plus, the air just seems so sweet here in Oregon. I'm sure it's the lack of humidity that makes it such a pleasure to breathe in! The temperature (most days) is mild and the rain may make it's appearance some afternoons, but then often leads into a gorgeous evening. (Yes, I realize the rainy season is just around the corner!) I know everyone has trees, and clouds, and grass, but it just seems especially beautiful here.

I often wonder why God lead us out here, taking us so far away from family and friends. But, I am so grateful and content to be where we are. Yes, Thanksgiving and Christmas are going to be very difficult this year. No family get-togethers and no gift exchanges, but we still have our family of six. I wouldn't trade that for anything. And we have our God. Irreplaceable. I wonder if we aren't out here "by ourselves" so we can learn the importance and value of our family (the 6 of us.) I am quite sure we need the ongoing lesson of relying on and trusting God, especially when we don't have the support system we're used to. We want Him to be our Rock no matter where we are. And yes, we are enjoying getting to know our new family (BCC) very much! They have given us such a warm welcome. In a sense, it has felt like home from the beginning.

I guess this post has been more a time of "reflection," but in the end, I am left with feelings of gratitude, awe, and thankfulness for God's grace, unending love, and perfect timing. I am reminded of Psalm 136~ His faithful love endures forever!

Sweet, Sweet Music

Today this Mom's ears were blessed with some of the sweetest music I've ever heard. My morning had been particularly difficult. The twins were going at it for about the 5th round of yelling, fighting, and were refusing to share with each other. My 8 year old and I had a little "run-in" with each other about what outfit she would wear for the day. She wanted to wow the neighborhood with her new school clothes and I wanted her to wear her cut-offs and old t-shirt so she could run around and feel free to dirty up. (She's only 8 and it's starting already???)

So I started up the steps to begrudgingly fold 3 loads of laundry that I've been putting off for quite some time. As I was nearing the toppling pile of laundry, I was reminding myself of how "unfair" and "difficult" motherhood was. I was doing a pretty good job of making myself feel justified for my ever brooding bad attitude. So I folded all the laundry and proceeded to put it all into the correct closets and drawers. I was just about to open my 5 year old's bedroom door to put her stuff away, but stopped. On the other side of that door, my daughter was ministering to her Mom and didn't even know it. She was playing her sister's little pink guitar and singing such a sweet song. It didn't have a consistent melody, and would've been considered off key by most, but the words were heart-warming. Nothing rhymed and it didn't seem to have a verse or chorus, but these were the lyrics I heard being sung so heart felt:

Oh, I want to obey, Oh I want to obey
God loves me and I love Him
Sometimes I'm naughty and I get in trouble
But I want to obey
God loves me, God loves me
I love God, I love God
And I want to obey Him

The bitterness and "it's not fair!" attitude started to melt away as I listened to this song. It was the heart of my little girl being displayed in song! Yep, she certainly taught this lady a lesson! Instead of being so caught up in what wasn't fair in my world, I needed to be thinking about what was so great in my world. I have a God that loves me unconditionally (even when my attitude stinks!). He has given me hope through His son. And yes, sometimes I'm naughty, but I want to obey Him because I love Him!

So, thanks Hannah, for blessing your Mom with that beautiful song. You think I am the one that teaches you things, but you have taught me some very important things as well! God has used your sweet spirit and loving heart to remind me of His love and goodness. Your music did my soul some good so keep on singing Boo!

8 Already?

Our oldest daughter, Lyndsey, turned eight a few days ago. Wow! It just doesn't seem possible, and yet it is very true! On August 5, 1999, an absolute wonder of God's creation entered my life. I remember being amazed when I first laid eyes on my little girl. The first words out of my mouth when Lynds was born were "God is so good!" And now when I look at my beautiful 8 year old girl, my thoughts are still the same. God, you have given me a treasure in my Lyndsey! You are so good!

Lyndsey and her family spent the day at the Children's Museum in Portland and had a great time! It was fun watching Lyndsey and her sisters use their imagination all afternoon. She then had dinner at Chevy's, a mexican restaurant. After we were done eating, the Chevy's staff serenaded her with a song and gave her a sombrero to keep. She wore it quite proudly :) Then we spent time browsing in a local book store, which she liked, since reading is one of her favorite things to do. There are so many things I love about my oldest daughter:

• She loves her sisters and watches out for them
• She loves Jesus and desires to obey Him
• She is an excellent reader
• She is a huge help to her mom on a daily basis
• She shows concern for others
• She is already a planner (just like Mom)
• She gives great hugs
• She is a giggler
• She is always ready to forgive
• She has gorgeous blue eyes
• She is a sweetheart
• She loves me and her dad, even though we aren't perfect parents...thank you honey

I just can't express how much I love this little girl, that's growing up to be a young lady. All too soon she's going to be a teenager, making some very big decisions in life. Lord, I pray she chooses to follow you all of her life. And please help me to love her as you love her. Thank you for giving us Lyndsey. She's so special and I can't imagine my life without her. I love you Lyndsey Lu!

Chocolate Trifle Delight!

I just wanted to post a picture of the dessert I made the other day. It's based off of another recipe, but I made a few tweaks to it. I must say, it's sublime! I thought it was pretty to look at and others told me it tasted just as great. Now, I'm definitely not tooting my own horn, because it was super simple to make, and it probably could have been "prettied up" a little bit more. But I really enjoyed making it and certainly enjoyed eating it! I have decided to call it a chocolate pudding and toffee trifle. I'll be sharing the recipe in a future post, if anyone is interested. Oh, and this trifle is certainly not figure friendly, which is probably what makes it taste so good :)

Busy, But Good

Today, just as many days, has been a crazy, hectic and busy day. What have I accomplished today? Not a whole lot it seems, and yet I find myself preparing for my husband to come home from work already. Nothing special was on my agenda today; I made a quick trip to the grocery store, made the kids lunch, threw in a load of laundry, made a dessert for a get-together I'm attending tonight, played a few rounds of "squirt guns" with my girls, cleaned up several spills, did dishes, the list goes on and on with mundane things. And yet, I look back at my day with contentment and satisfaction. Oh yes, and with gratitude. Grateful for spilled juice and loads of laundry, you ask? Well, kind of!

Having a day like today reminds me that God has given me the desires of my heart. No I do not like juice stains on our white carpet, but I do love my little Gracie who put them there! Did I really appreciate the grass stains I scrubbed at on Hannah's new capris? No, not especially, but I love being Hannah's mom and doing her laundry so she can have clean clothes to wear every day (even if they don't stay clean very long!). As long as I can remember I've had a desire to simply be a mom and nothing else. Well, I wanted to be a wife too....first thing's first :) There are several days, I'm ashamed to say, that I would love to take a looong vacation from motherhood, but here I am with 4 fantastic daughters, a husband who loves me, even though I don't deserve it, and a house with a bathroom just for me and my husband....does it get any better than this? I think not!

So today, I just wanted to take time to say "thank you" Lord! Thank you for taking the ordinary and making it an extraordinary blessing for me. God you are so good and you know me well. For that, I am thankful.

Moving on up!....or not

This morning my four little girls were outside riding their bikes. I felt this was the perfect time for me to get some laundry/housework done, without too many interruptions. Every few minutes I would glance out the window just to make sure all was well . At one point, I looked outside and saw a woman talking to my 2 oldest daughters. I quickly put the laundry aside and went outside to join my children.

It was then that I met one of our new neighbors. She and I talked a while, asking the typical questions that new neighbors do. "Where are you from?" "What brought you to Oregon?" Things like that. She had already met my husband a week before and already knew what line of "work" we were in. I was telling her what a big move it was for us, packing everything up and hauling our entire lives all the way from Ohio to Oregon. To that she said sometimes that's what you have to do to work your way up in a profession.

My husband's profession is a youth pastor. Although we don't really look at it as a "profession," but as a ministry. After she talked about "moving our way up the career ladder" (becoming a senior pastor or executive pastor) I found myself wanting to explain that "moving up" is not what's important to us. If my husband is a youth pastor still when he is 50, I am confident that the Lord will still be using him to draw students to Himself. (If God ever does call my husband to be a senior pastor, my hope is that we would joyfully follow His leading.) God is not interested in my husband's title, rank, income, or what "rung of the ladder" he's on. God is only concerned that my husband (and I) are seeking Him constantly and sharing His love with others through how we live our lives. God wants our lives, every aspect of them, to glorify Him. Whoa, there's some heavy thinking :) I find it a great honor to say that I'm the wife of a youth pastor, because I know how the Lord has used my husband to change lives and hearts of countless students over the years. My husband's obedience to God's calling has eternal results. Not too many "professions" can say that! I don't mean to sound like my husband is "above" others just because he's a pastor. That's not what I'm saying at all. But I am proud to boast of the God that chooses to use us for His glory.

So, moving on up? Nah, I don't think so, and that's okay with me! My prayer is that God will continue to give us the wonderful privilege of ministering to students....and neighbors.

Here It Goes!

Well, I've finally done it! After much "nudging" from my husband, I have decided to start my own blog. I've given in to the pressures around me :) I have no idea how to "blog," but I'll give it my best shot! I tend to be computer illiterate, so it may take time for me to post pictures and stuff like that. I guess I'm using this blog as an outlet for thoughts, keeping in touch with family and friends miles away, and maybe even sharing some recipes at times. So welcome! Grab your favorite mug of coffee or tea (or drink of your choice) , get comfy and join me as I savor the mocha moments in life!