EKjourney Backup

 November is but a blur.  I have been slowly downloading pictures onto my computer, sorting, and then downloading them into blog posts and as I am finishing up November's blogs (at the end of December), I am really having to think back on what we did! Nate vinyl wrapped our black van into an "oil slick" gray that turns iridescent in the light.  It was a fun day for all the kids to run around and play in the shop while Phil and Nate worked on the van. Finishing up the last of the Fall Harvest.  I don't remember how many gallons of pumpkin that I froze but it was a lot!  The problem is the pumpkin pies have been so juicy, leaving standing juice/liquid in the bottom of the pie plates.  I tried to fix it by leaving the thawing pumpkin in a lined colander, hoping to drain off the liquid but it hardly helped.   I find it very satisfying to have a counter top lined with good foods!  Eating well is a huge investment and something I have really strugg...

 The Advent season can be challenging because there are so many things that take us away from a daily evening devotion.  Even though it completely sneaks up on me, I always love the start of the Advent season - putting up the tree, getting out the Advent candles (in this case glassy baby votives and Olight bulbs LOL), getting out the devotional books, and sitting down together after dinner as often as we can to read scripture and a one of our Advent story books.   It is such a beautiful time to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and to reflect on His great love for us in sending Jesus. 

My yearly lament on this here day, the birth of a child, as the reality of them growing up hits just a little harder each year. Raising teens is exhausting and being around the same people who have "turned into their own person" 7 days a week, all day, is not easy!  They have each grown into their own personalities, their own skills, their own struggles, and this can present a lot of "clashing" as we live together, work together, learn together.  And what is hard for me is the increasing "loss" of control as they grown up and learn what it means to be mature, responsible people.  What does personal faith look like, what do relationships look like, how do you manage the "emotionalism" and "impulsivity" of being a teen, how do you show respect for and submit to your parents when you want to make adult decisions...it is a hard time.  There are days when I so look forward to rest and time to invest in something other then homeschooling and ...

The girls got braces and Sawyer got his braces off this month!  I like our orthodontist.  He is not mask crazed, he is a father of 8, and he is very personable.    These pictures may be used for blackmail!