"Be careful!"

I was just lying in my bed last night thinking of all the things I didn't get done, all the things I did get done, just, you know, things, when my mind starting thinking about my children. Baby Kelly, cute as can be, Evan clinging to me with all the zeal a little two year old can knowing his days as my baby are pretty much over (although I still rock him every night...I/he just can't give that up quite yet). Then I thought of Luke, and, I don't know, something hit me. He's not even four and already we've been dealing with the sin starting to come out. It scares me. It scares me how I handle it (most of the time in a sinful way). It scares me how Evan copies everything he does. Everything I do. SIN. It's just plain nasty and I'm scared for my children growing up in this awful world. How on earth am I going to be able to do this? Parent these little cuties so they aren't sucked in to all the sin this world will throw at them every second? How?! Ahhh! God help me! How!?

So that's exactly how my thoughts spiraled downhill in no less than 2 seconds. It's amazing how much can go through your mind in such a short amount of time!
And then it came.
Immediately, I might add.
In the still. In the quiet. The only sound audible is husband's soft breathing.

 BE CAREFUL. 

Somewhere tucked away in memory from 20 years ago:
"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,  making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16

Does God meet us right where we are? YES! Does he speak to us when we cry out to him? Yes indeed! Those are his words to me: BE CAREFUL.

Then, words from the kids little cd of songs: 

"Stop! 

Christ is speaking.

 Stop! 

Children listen-

every boy and every girl in the corner of the world- 

you gotta stop! 

and listen to the Lord!"

So this is me sharing my challenge - no, Christ's challenge- of being careful, most careful, how I raise my children. Taking every opportunity to love them, cherish them. Yes, the world is evil. But I must take heart, because Jesus has already overcome the world! But it is so hard, and it will take everything I have to raise these children to love God. Everything I have. But Jesus has already showed me how to do it, I just got to be careful and obey him. Lead by example.

"Everywhere and every way, 

every minute of the day,

 you gotta stop

 and listen to the Lord."

 He'll always show me the way. 

 Plus I have an amazing husband to help me do the job! 

Time to go give Luke some one-on-one jumping on the couch cushions time...Thanks for taking time to hear how God is working in this mom's life...

Til next time~ God bless!

Of Hairs and Cuts

I've always thought my mom is beautiful (and I've always thought my dad is handsome, but that's another story =: )... Inside and out, my mom is one of the sweetest women I know. She is so often helping others (myself especially), that she often puts her own desires on hold to bless those around her. But it was high time she had something done for HER.

Last week our dear friend Nancy (who knows a thing or two about style and fashion) was visiting my mom, and in very blunt terms (for she had permission to lavish her experienced opinions on my very eager mother's ears) suggested what my mom could do to enhance her life. Lots of talk about home decorating, self expression, shopping, etc., but one of her comments, in her sweet southern accent,  went something like this: "Linda, you NEED to go to a hairdresser and get your hair done by a master stylist."

Now my mom has ALWAYS cut my dad's hair, her five children's hairs while we were in the house, and even has mostly cut her own hair. Dad has frosted her hair for years, so as far as frugalness goes, hair was one of the things that our family always saved money on because of her talents. But let me tell you, I cannot remember the last time she went to get her hair done. I mean, really DONE. Now she did tell me she would go get her hair done right before the birth of each child, but heck, that was 27 years ago then!

Her lifestyle in that way has passed down to me too, seeing as I have only gone to a hairdresser maybe, oh 4 times I think!

So last Saturday we did it: we went and got our hair done! Now I know many people go to the salon every month or two, but for us this was a real treat. A mother daughter date of going out without kids and husbands and getting our hair washed and blow-dried and brushed brushed brushed, cut, and in mom's case, colored.

When we walked in to the salon that neither of us had ever been to, I wondered what super spiky spunky hair lady was going to do to my dear mom's head. But after two hours, the results were amazing, and the stylist was so sweet and professional...The best part was seeing my mom's face when it was all finished- she was HAPPY with her new look!

So here she is Nancy! What do you think?

Pretty lady!

"I am...an accomplished maker of pancakes." Dan in Real Life

Pumpkin pancakes, apple cider, some fresh pears, and a cute kid...Welcome fall! I love you!

Do you want to have some pumpkin pancakes too? Yes? Well, roll up your sleeves, put on your apron (or not), and enjoy a brisk, beautiful morning flipping a few with your kids! Enjoy!

P.S. Just don't go publishing this, as I will definitely be putting this in my cookbook (that I'm compiling in my spare time... to be finished in oh, let's say, 5 years).

The Best Pumpkin Pancakes EVER:

Serves 4-6

1 1/4 cups buttermilk (or milk with 1 TB vinegar added, I do both and it doesn't make much difference)
2 Eggs
1/4 oil
1 cup pumpkin
~ Mix above together in a large bowl with a whisk, then add:
2 TB Brown sugar
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. salt

And whisk until thoroughly blended. Drop by 1/4 cupfuls onto a lightly greased skillet or griddle set on medium heat and cook for 3 minutes per side, or until deep golden and cooked through (don't cook too high or too fast because the inside will still be wet and the outside overdone!)

Gobble up!

Have a great morning!

I am a child of God...

Tis a rainy day where my kids are sleeping a little longer than usual (thank you God!)...
So here's a bit that's been on my mind. Notice how this blog will be made up of very short sentences. That's how I've been thinking as of late. The simpler the better.
God's been speaking to my heart these simple words here and there as I call out to him in even simpler, much more childlike cries:

i am exhausted

I AM EVER-STRONG

i am frustrated

I AM PATIENCE

i am not in control

I AM

i am failing (or so it seems)

I AM SUCCESS

i am anxious

I AM PEACE

i am tired

I AM HELP

 

i am a child

I AM YOUR GOD.

Father, you're all I need

 My soul's sufficiency

My strength when I am weak

 The love that carries me

Your arms enfold me

 til I am only

A child of God.

                                

                        Kathryn Scott

Kelly Grace

~ THANK YOU GOD FOR OUR BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER~

Kelly Grace

7.3 lbs. 19.5 inches

7/10/12

Today our little Kelly is 4 weeks old. To me she was born yesterday. Tomorrow she will be 15. So in the meantime, here's a few pictures and what I can piece together of her birth story at 6 in the morning. Lucky for me, this is the first morning that she's even been remotely awake at 6, but that could be due to the fact that I let her sleep from 8-11 last night. Silly me...

This labor was totally different than Luke and Evan's, which I was expecting, but I was not expecting to have false contractions for four nights leading up to her birth. Seriously, Thursday night 4 days before she was born I had 3 or 4  severe Braxton-Hicks. Between 1 and  5 in the morning. Friday night? 5 or 6. Saturday night? Every hour from 1-7. Finally by Sunday night I was thoroughly discouraged. Ed and I went to a movie and dinner for our anniversary and I had contractions every hour and all through the night. Monday? No contractions all day until 5 or 6. But still not 'it'. Ed came home and took the boys out and told me to go take a bath. He could see how discouraged I was. So promptly after he left I went out and weeded some of the garden, washed all the dishes, swept the floor, and took a shower. So much for resting =: )

By 11 pm finally I knew. But discouraged as ever because I had prayed so earnestly that for once I could have a day labor. But oh well! I called at 1:30 am to let the midwife know, and she told me to call her back in a few hours if the contractions continued to get worse and closer together. It's the weirdest thing that by that point I was just craving and praying for them to get worse and closer together!! I was ready to have her out. I just wanted her out! So when I called Robin back at 4:30 she thankfully said 'get here as fast as you can'...so I called my parents to come be with our sleeping boys and off we went in an hour!

Looking back, I had a very smooth labor that continued to progress very nicely so that by 8:30 I was 8 centimeters dilated and I knew it would be soon. My emotions were quite raw with having no sleep and knowing the real pain that was yet to come, but Ed never left me the whole time and was very encouraging and handsome as ever. I cannot imagine all the women in the world who have their babies without their husband around or a strong supporting friend. I could not have done it without him. I really felt like a wimp emotionally with this one, but he kept reminding me "you're not a wuss Charis, you CAN do this!"

My parents stopped by with some food and the boys at 9:30, and shortly after they left I started pushing. Not all the time, but by 10ish I was fully dilated and given the go-ahead by Robin to push whenever. So Kelly was born into this world at 10:47 in the morning on July 10th...a very sunny, beautiful day. Our little girl!

When the boys came I just melted with the look on their faces...they were ENAMORED with her! How precious! Even in the midst of sheer exhaustion, I think the 2nd and 3rd births are more special with other older siblings doting on the new member of the family. And these brothers continue to be doting even now.

Luke was very inquisitive about her umbilical cord/ belly button...and Evan couldn't take his eyes off her. Ed's parents, my parents, aunt Rachel and Seth, and uncle Mark all got to come see us at the very homey birthing room where Evan was born not even two years ago. The same midwife who delivered Evan also delivered Kelly too, so I was very comfortable with her, at least in that familiar way (one can not be too comfortable pushing out a baby!)

My mother with the task of dressing her for the first time:

That morning the whole birthing center was packed with their maximum of three labors going on at once, so Ed and I were alone most of the 5 hours I labored there. Which was fine with me. The only thing that I think the neglect hampered was giving birth sooner. The two midwifes that were going back and forth with me kept saying they were going to break my water once I started pushing, but they never did until 10:45. She was born 2 minutes later. Looking back Ed was annoyed they didn't break it sooner so I could have potentially had her a little sooner. But it is what it is. That's the only thing I could think of to complain about. So that's pretty darn good!


Praises:

I had a very healthy, normal, and all natural labor and delivery. No drugs, no tearing, no complications. Our baby girl is rosy and growing. She has a full head of hair and looks like Evan. As soon as she came out I just kept thanking God over and over again. That he permits us to experience these miracles is amazing. Painful, but amazing! And that I have had three of these miracles sometimes just brings tears to my eyes. Happiness! 

Organic, human and divine: there is true joy in bringing another human and soul into the world!

I went home only 4 hours after she was born. I love that about the birth center! I also really liked my nurses. I had two that were no more than my age, and totally laid back and kind and comforting.

After coming home, my mom came almost every day for a week straight! I couldn't have stayed sane without her help. Thanks a million times over Mom!!!

This sight below happens all the time. Evan runs to the couch and gets his pillow and pounds his hands into it and demands "Keyee! Keyee!" Too cute!!

Above is a very proud grammy with her first granddaughter and daughter of any sort! It is so special how having a baby can make my two mothers and families so happy!

I can't seem to keep the boys off her. They want to play with her, they want to play with her clothes, her blankets, her shoes, even her hair accessories!

One of the best parts about Kelly's coming in July was that my two sisters were able to come out and visit shortly after she was born. We had a wonderful time just relaxing and holding Kelly. Rebekah especially soaked in some very sweet auntie bonding time! Rachel got to hold her too before and after Rebekah's visit =: ) I wish my sisters lived closer though. I miss them already!

Thanks to all you who prayed, encouraged, babysat the boys, brought us meals, and helped to cloth Kelly. Having and raising children is truly a community effort, and I am in NO way lacking...So thank you again my dear family and friends!!

Life's little accomplishments...

 
 Anyone who has been or is a mother of young children will understand that some days are harder than others, especially as far as feeling like you accomplished anything in comparison to...anyone (or so it can so easily seem sometimes). And being two weeks or so away from bringing another baby into this world, my accomplishments each day are getting simpler and simpler. Which is good in some ways I guess. I'm really trying to rest and enjoy this time I have with just my boys and take care of little odds and ends here and there.

So here are a few accomplishments that have been made in this household this week that I can look back and smile on:

~ Fresh strawberry crepes...BY MYSELF! Thanks Mom and Dad for a little alone time, and the strawberries that I cannot pick this season!

~ Fresh picked flowers from my garden:

~Very likely the only fruit tart I will make this summer, but boy was it a good one! Sorry for not sharing!

~ Choosing a boy name (just in case) and narrowing down our girl list to some final contestants =: )

 ~ Teaching Luke how to spell his name.

 ~ Embracing imagination: Scrabble tiles as ice cubes and the holders as straws for wine! That's right, wine! So tasty...

~ Filling up Evan's love cup after Luke goes to bed. He loves his one on one mommy/daddy time!
~ Organizing pictures from Hawaii and finally getting around to making a photo book from our trip.
~ Mopping the floor...a rare but 'happy feet' feat!
~ Bringing the boys to the pool =: )

Also, after Luke, Daddy, cake, hot, juice, and duck, Evan finally says Mommy or something to that effect. I'm so glad I'm so high up on the list of important names to learn!!

Thanking God for these little joys and enjoying frozen pizza tonight so I had time to share with you...Until next time!

~Charis

Matt and Leah's Wedding

 On Saturday, my dear brother-in-law and his bride got MARRIED! From Thursday night to Sunday afternoon, we celebrated in Winchester VA with a whirlwind of parties, perfect weather, and organized, stress free preparation for the big day. (I say that for everyone that was not also taking care of two youngsters in the midst of the festivities...but actually, as exhausted as we were, stressed we were not!)
The only con in a family wedding that you and your husband are in is that you don't get very many pictures. But I assure you we had a great time and are so happy for Matt and Leah.

So here are a few of the memories we snapped when we could:

I got to contribute a cake to the cause...which turned out great even after a three hour drive =: )

 These little guys danced the night away until 10 pm! That dance floor could not contain such energy!

 Leah's whole concept for the wedding and reception was just gorgeous: Hanging lanterns, little vases of flowers and books decorated the tables with burlap napkin holders and lace accents, wonderful music, a candy and cookie bar, a signature Hawaiian drink (they're moving back there on Thursday so Matt can finish up his time there serving in the Navy), an absolutely delicious array of food...I really don't think I've been to a wedding that went more smoothly or was more thought out with such beautiful personal touches!

 Aside from family, we got to see a few friends too that made the drive... Fun fun!

Fun with Daddy:

We will all have such wonderful memories to talk of for years to come, that's for sure =: ) Congratulations Matt and Leah!

A good read...

I haven't read a good book lately (well, any book at all to tell you the truth!) but two weeks ago I finally got two books to read that I thought would be encouraging. Man was I right for once! One of them, called Sacred Parenting, I saw on my brother's coffee table in Dallas and since he probably has less time to read then I do I figured it was probably pretty good (besides him telling me so =: ). So thank you Gary Thomas for some very poignant, encouraging words...Even though I only get in a page or two at a time, there is always something that waters the roots of this parenting heart!

So here's one of my favorite quotes so far:

" What our children ask of us pales in comparison to what we ask of God. In our struggles and our weariness, may we never get to the place of self-righteousness, forgetting that God has forgiven us, is patient with us, and endures our own failings to an even greater extent than we do for our children. Most kids live with us for two, maybe two and a half, decades; God puts up with us for the full breadth of our lives. While our children may occasionally provoke us with offensive words, God sees every offensive inclination of our hearts. For every single offense for which we forgive our children, God forgives us many times over. He remains patient with us for many times longer than we must exercise patience with our children. He doesn't ask anything of us as parents that he hasn't delivered a hundred times over himself. 
We need to use the most wearisome aspects of parenting as the occasion for thanking God for putting up with us. When we look through this lens, we find that raising a demanding child can actually become motivation for worshiping and adoring God."

Wow is all I had to say/think when I read that. I hope you're are encouraged with these words as much as I was! My eyes are closing so I'm off to bed. Good night!

"I'm pregnant and I know it"

 Bam...there it is. But there are pros to having a huge 35 week round girl bulge protruding from one's front side.
Here are several I take advantage of on a regular basis:

1. Table top for folding laundry, eating ice cream (or anything), and driving toy cars on.

2. A great conversation starter amongst strangers. Hmm, the most common among men is "wow! did you swallow a watermelon?" Ed advised me to respond, "No, just the seed." 

3. Flattery of being stared at. I like to think it's my stunning good looks =; ), but the truth is that what they're really thinking is ' that poor haggard waddler' !!

4. But my favorite: A pillow for little sons' heads to lay on or stroke. 

5. And last but not least- being able to eat, eat, eat!

So besides resting as much as my kids will allow as we all  anxiously wait for (fingers crossed) a little girl to enter our lives, here are some of the happy things that make the days pass a little quicker:

~Hand in hand~

 Cape May B&B

with my best friend

 Latest consignment store find...A lovely wooden kitchen with all the wooden food 

and pots and pantry staples a little boy ( or girl) could want =: )

Thanks for stopping by!

Anger management

I hope you have those moments every now and then, like I just have, where God touches you with just a few challenging words that renew your spirit to persevere, to strive, to pursue godliness just that much more.

Here's my verse that hit me square in the face in last week's sermon. In fact it caught me so much that I have no idea what the rest of the sermon was about. My mind immediately began to think through all the reasons why I HAVE to change and all the positive effects this change would bring.

So the verse? James 1:19-20: "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."

Well, I'm the opposite of all that. The exact opposite.

According to my husband, I do NOT listen well. I know it. I just blab and interrupt to my heart's content. But it really bothers him when I don't really listen. He's been saying it for 5, well actually 9 years. So it's time I really put this listening thing to heart.

And According to my own self-awareness, I am way too quick to become angry. And at what? If I'm honest, it's not the big things that make me lash out. It's:

Spilled juice. Kids waking up earlier than they're 'supposed to'. Dirty feet. Piles of laundry. Whining. Oh the whining. Potty training failures. Little sinners (and big sinners too). Forgetfulness, especially when it involves stairs and bringing things to where they belong. Aching back. You know, the little frustrations of life.

I don't remember my mom EVER yelling at us. I'm serious. Five kids to raise and never yelling? I don't know how she did it. (Besides LOTS of God's grace and being naturally gifted with one of the kindest hearts I've ever known). But since being a mother I have definitely had my fair share of unrighteous yelling. And it's really got to stop. It sounds awful. Because it is. And you know what? Raising my voice never accomplishes anything! And worst of all, I'm realizing just how serious my humble little existence is in the exemplifying of Christ to my kids. I'm it most of the time. They see me pretty much all day, everyday. So when I lose my cool and lash out, even if not directed at them, they notice. Then, worst of all, they act like that too. Which makes me even more angry. A vicious cycle. "For man's anger does NOT bring about the righteous life that God desires."

I have by God's help though come upon a sure fire way of calming myself and them down anytime I feel anger quickly coming on. Such a simple thing if I put my mind to it.

Say God's Word out loud. To them. To me.

Breathe and simply count to ten.

Tell them I'm sorry. Mommy was wrong. Hugs.

I'm a blond, and it takes me a while to learn some things, but hopefully I can become a better example to my kids as I put God's word to heart.


I'd love to hear what God has been saying to your heart recently...

Until next time... Enjoy this wonderful spring weather (yes even the rain that saves me from watering my garden =: )

Spring is here!

And with it some sickness (ok, a lot of sickness that we're just now getting rid of), some flowers, some parties, some projects, some laughs, some sunshine...

So here's a taste of life in the O'Connell household this last month (besides the sickness part of course!)


~ Concert with the Lancaster Chorale: a big success! Accompanied the whole concert and did some solos. Lots of fun!

~ Bridal shower for future sister-in-law Leah -- what fun =: )

~ Philadelphia zoo on a beautifully cool yet sun-filled day with Dan, Rachel, and cousin Seth:

 (Notice the crazy peacock earrings Rachel got me from India??)

~ Phone calls from sisters and best friends =: )

~ Watching Castle (newest addiction) with hubby after kids are in bed...laughing and eating too!

~ Gardening: planted my peas, scallions, lettuce, and tomatoes, and some flower boxes before my back told me to stop!

~ Weekly swimming with the boys at the indoor pool at the intermediate school. They LOVE it!

~ Daily nap time (for me too! pregnancy is a great excuse to slow down)

~ Boys room painted and curtains dyed blue. A little more blue than what I was originally thinking, but hey, two little boys can handle it =: ) They love their 'new room'!

~ Bedtime stories...still warms my heart and makes me love both of these guys more every time I witness this =: ) I am blessed!

~ Almost 31 weeks! Hard to believe that we'll have a little girl here in 2 months! Luke asks me every day if the baby is coming out yet. So fun that he's so into it. Even Evan loves patting my belly:

For me, I'll be excited once the baby is OUT!

Hope springtime is putting a little spring in your step!