We went for our first ultrasound this morning. For some reason, my doctor seemed concerned about dates. This is the only pregnancy that the ultrasound came up with the exact same date as I already had! This little one is due November 22.

So what do you think? This one is a cutie, huh?!

Labels: children, pregnancy, Quiverfull

"Oh that God would give every mother a vision of the glory and splendor of the work that is given to her when a babe is placed in her bosom to be nursed and trained! Could she have but one glimpse into the future of that life as it reaches on into eternity; could she look into it's soul to see its possibilities; could she be made to understand her own personal responsibility for the training of this child, for the development of its life, and for its destiny,--she would see that in all God's world there is no other work so noble and so worthy of her best powers, and she would commit to no others hands the sacred and holy trust given to her."

---JR Miller, a preacher from the 19th century, from the book Homemaking

Labels: children, Encouragement, Quiverfull, Train Up a Child

1. Earlier this week when hubby and I were out and our older girls were babysitting our ten year old feel off of a ripstick.
2. She was not wearing a helmet.
3. She hit her head hard enough that she was unconscious.
4. She lost her sight.
5. She was answering questions posed to her but not remembering 2 minutes later that we asked her anything.
6. She was also nauseous.
7. We headed to the ER.
8. She vomited a few times and then her sight returned.
9. Two cat scans, an x-ray, and a lot of waiting time later we returned home.
10. She has a severe concussion.
11. She still has symptoms and can continue to for up to a month.
12. She now knows she must always wear a helmet!
13. I am so thankful for God's protecting hand over my children.

Labels: children, Give Thanks, Thursday Thirteen

It is that time once again to share more testimonies and stories from others. I pray that you are touched and blessed by those who are sharing the work of the Lord in their lives.

TF at Made from Scratch shares her journey. She says "I told J what I had been reading, and we read scriptures in the Bible together that concerned having children and trusting God completely, we talked about it and we both knew this was the way we wanted to live. We wanted to show God how much we loved him, We wanted to trust Him in every aspect of our life. Having children shouldn't be any different. I refuse to make excuses anymore. No matter if I have 2 children or 10, I will accept them joyfully, and I won't forget for one second how blessed we are." Read more of her article, Living a Quiverfull lifestyle.

Lisa shares, "One of our family's passions is letting others know about our conviction to let GOD plan our family. Of course our beliefs must always be Scripturally aligned with our convictions, which is why we seek out GOD’s opinion on the issues first and foremost." Take a moment and read the rest of her post, Obedience Results in Blessings of Children.

One of our newest blogroll members is Raani. She addresses several questions often asked of those who hold this conviction of God's sovereignty over the womb. Stop by and see what she has to say as a means of Answering the Questions.

Quiver Mamma shares, "Early in our Christian walk we also learned that walking in obedience to the word of God brings blessings. People often say that life does not come with an instruction manual, but it does, and it is called the Bible! And when we step out in obedience and apply the word of God to our lives, great things happen. When we trust in Gods promises for us and our lives he fulfills them. And this was the backdrop for what became our quiverfull conviction." Read the rest of her story, Yes, We are Quiverfull.

Labels: children, Christianity, Quiverfull, Quiverfull Carnival

Another occasion for cake! My son has turned 12! He has a cousin with same birthday and the two of them got together and went for a game of lazer tag with a few siblings and other cousins. I think they had a great time. Our families actually bought the same gift each other and that was rather funny!

Happy Birthday Micah! We love you!! Even if you are a little bit crazy!!

Labels: children, Family

This past Sunday evening there was much rejoicing. Two of our children were baptized!

Acts 2:38-39
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

They were asked several questions in front of a small congregation and gave their testimony in that way. I video taped the questions EXCEPT for the first two questions (I couldn't remember how to work my camera). The questions not on the video are:
1. What is the sign of baptism? Answer: Washing with water
2. What does the washing with water represent? Answer: that we are untied with Christ and cleansed from sin by his blood.
You can listen to the rest....


Here are a few pictures.....

The service was concluded with someone playing Amazing Grace on their trumpet, which of course, brought tears to my eyes.

Labels: Catechism, children, Christianity, Family, Sacraments

Today I was sitting and talking with my 6 year old and 4 year old. I was explaining how the baby in my tummy gets food, drink, and breathes. I continued to tell them how we need plants to live, you know the oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange. I continued by asking them, "Isn't it amazing how God made everything to work?" My 4 year old, shown in the photo, piped up and matter of factly said, "It's for God's honor!"

This is just a glimpse that the love of the Lord is growing within her and our teachings are being rooted in her heart. Even at 4 years old, she knows the chief end of man and of all creation; to glorify God!!

Thank you Lord for such a rich blessing!!

Labels: children, Christianity, Encouragement, Give Thanks, Homeschooling, Preschoolers, Train Up a Child

Psalm 139:13-16 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Scripture is clear that it is our Sovereign Lord who is the creator of life and when that life begins. Before we are even formed God knew us and had a plan for us. Who are we, the creation to try and take the place of God in this area of life. To determine who should be given life and who should not. These words of the Lord has had a major impact upon our own journey.

I am utterly amazed at how so many people have their eyes blinded to the truth. (2 Cor. 4:4, 1 John 2:11, John 12:40) Even after that child is in the womb and being knit together by the Lord; people deny life. I do not typically talk politics here on my blog even though I am a bit of a political junkie. I am one of those people who does take the issue of abortion into account when voting. I ran across a post today over at Reformed Chicks Blabbing that I want to share with you. It is such an unbelievable statement. It is in complete opposition to what the Word of God says about children. God calls them: a heritage unto the Lord, Olive plants, arrows, reward, blessing, gift, and more. He never calls them a punishment! Why can we not teach our children the truth and expect them to live accordingly? Why can we not offer support when they fail rather than adding grief upon grief?

Obama: "I don't want them punished with a baby"

So, pro-life Obamaicans, which is better for our pro-life position: a president who doesn't talk about abortion or pro-life issues but wouldn't promote it or be an advocate for it either, or someone who has such a low view of life that he calls a baby, "punishment" and would make an apologetic for it using his own daughters?

I think it's clear that Obama isn't post-partisan on the abortion issue, he is decidedly pro-choice.

For a vivid look at abortion take a moment and visit this site. Before doing so, please read this excerpt from their site. (note: I am NOT personaly endorsing the candidate shown on their site.)

Editors Note: Pro-Life means Pro-Life. I do not in any way shape or form, advocate, suggest or support violent action or vigilante justice against anyone in the American Holocaust business.

This site is designed to serve as a window into the depravity of men who would kill innocent humans whom they have deemed to be non-humans. There exists a frightening correlation between the American holocaust of abortion and the NAZI holocaust of World War II infamy. This site endeavors to uncover those correlation's in all their graphic horror.

---

Parental Warning!!!

This site contains graphic photos of the

abortion holocaust and the NAZI holocaust.

Please come back and share you comments. I always welcome comments as long as they are given in a spirit of respect for others with civility. Any slanderous comments, comments with foul language, or those showing disrespect to the Lord will be deleted.

Labels: abortion, children, Christianity, Conservative, Conviction, Family, grief, politics, Quiverfull

1. You take up a whole pew at church.
2. When you laugh and shake your head at so called "family-sized" products.
3. Cheaper by the Dozen is one of your favorite movies.
4. You buy milk 5 gallons at a time.
5. You need a minimum of 2 carts in the grocery store.
6. The children are lonely when there are only 4 of them home.
7. People ask "are they all yours?"
8. You leave half of the children home when you shop, and people still ask if they're all yours.
9. You own at least three sets of bunkbeds.
10. Your grocery budget resembles your house payment.
11. You just really wish people would not think they were clever for saying, "Don't you know what causes that?"
12. You have forgotten how many times you have been asked, "Are you Mormon or Catholic?"
13. When you see photos of castles and grand mansions, all you can think is how many bedrooms it has (YES!), and how much space all those other rooms provide for the kids to mess up (NO WAY!).

Labels: children, Laughter, Quiverfull, Thursday Thirteen

Wow, has it been a busy week! Some of you may have noticed I have been a bit behind in my posting lately. My mother came for a visit, we ended up with a flu bug, and celebrated Resurrection Sunday. Today is our number 5 child's birthday. She turns 10 years old today. This comes with many perks. She hits the double digits, gets her military id card, and a later bedtime! We celebrated by taking her to see Phantom of the Opera at the opera house. She loved it and was just beaming!! We all had a great time. Happy birthday sweetheart; we love you!

Labels: children, journal

Joy~ May my children be filled ‘with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 1:6)

Courage~ May my children always "be strong and courageous" in their character and in their actions. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Labels: children, Prayer

1. Contentment~ Father, teach my children "the secret of being content in any and every situation…through him who gives (them) strength." (Philippians 4:12-13)

2. Faith~ I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children’s hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them. (Luke 17:5-6, Hebrews 11:1-40)

3. Servant Heart~ Lord, please help my children develop servant hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly "as if (they) were serving the Lord, not men." (Ephesians 6:7)

4. Purity~ "Create in (them) a pure heart, O God," and let their purity of heart be shown in their actions. (Psalm 51:10)

5. A Willingness and Ability to Work Hard~ Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work hard at everything they do, "as working for the Lord, not for men." (Colossians 3:23)

6. Self-discipline~ Father, I pray that my children may develop self-discipline, that they may acquire "a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair." (Proverbs 1:3)

7. Heart for Missions~ Lord, please help my children to develop a heart for missions, a desire to see your glory declared among nations, your marvelous deeds among all peoples. (Psalms 96:3)

Labels: children, Christianity, Prayer, Train Up a Child

Labels: children, Family, Wordless Wednesday

Vanessa says, "In a recent forum discussion, I met a lady who was somewhat confused about the quiverfull lifestyle. It seems that others had led her to believe the possibility that being quiverfull was a salvation or a sanctification issue. I suppose I created this post in an effort to describe what being quiverfull means to my family." Pop on over to Creative Counterpart to read about her story.

There is an amazing post over at A Woman's Journey Home. Her story includes the diagnosis of never having children, the Lord opening her womb, a husband wanting no more children, a life and death event, loosing children, and being blessed. She writes, "We have learned, that being QF is more than just accepting the Lord’s will if a baby is coming every year. It is also trusting Him when they are only with us for a little while...or if the months go by and the womb remains empty."

This page is not a blog post but is written by a lady who has had 9 c-sections thus far. I have her permission to share this. Please read it and be reminded of how God can do all things even go against what the medical community will tell you.

Take a moment to visit Tapestries of Grace. She writes, "We had been Christians for only about 6 months and, never being one to swim against the current, this concept of allowing the Lord to plan our family seemed outright bizarre. We were already considered strange for home schooling but this was just more than his mind could comprehend."

Our last link for today is a wonderful one. It was written by Jennifer's (homekeepingheart) aunt.
She writes, "What do we say when we find out that some one is expecting a baby? Well, you might say, it depends? Have you ever thought about the message we are sending as Christians when we scorn life that God has created? Scorn life, you say. I would never do that. Well, I have heard it done over and over in my life, and sometimes I wonder whether Christians really think about what they are saying. We need to be so careful about accepting the world's view of children." Take a moment and finish reading her post, Embracing Life.

Labels: Carnival, children, Quiverfull, Quiverfull Carnival

1. Generosity~ Grant that my children may "be generous and willing to share (and so) lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age." (1 Timothy 6:18-19)

2. Peace, Peaceability~ Father, let my children "make every effort to do what leads to peace." (Romans 14:19)

3. Hope~ May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

4. Perseverance~ Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to "run with perseverance the race marked out for (them)." (Hebrews 12:1)

5. Humility~ Lord, please cultivate in my children the ability to "show true humility toward all." Titus 3:2)

6. Compassion~ Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion. (Colossians 3:12)

7. Prayerfulness~ Grant, Lord, that my children’s lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." (Ephesians 6:18)

Labels: children, Christianity, Prayer, Train Up a Child

How many monkeys does it take to have a party??

Labels: children, Family, Nature, PhotoHunt

1. Mercy~ May my children always "be merciful, as (their) Father is merciful." (Luke 6:36)

2. Respect~ (for Self, Others, Authority) Father, grant that my children may "show proper respect to everyone", as Your Word commands. (1 Peter 2:17)

3. Strong, Biblical Self-esteem~ Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are "God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:10)

4. Faithfulness~ "Let love and faithfulness never leave (my children)," but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts. (Proverbs 3:3)

5. A Passion for God~ Lord, please instill in my children a soul with a craving for You, a heart that clings passionately to You. (Psalm 63:8)

6. Responsibility~ Grant that my children may learn responsibility, "for each one should carry his own load." (Galatians 6:5)

7. Kindness~ Lord, may my children "always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." (1 Thessalonians 5:15)

Labels: children, Christianity, Prayer, Train Up a Child

1. Salvation~ Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. (Isaiah 45:8, 2 Timothy 2:10)

2. Growth in Grace~ I pray that they may "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18)

3. Love~ Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love through the Spirit who dwells in them. (Ephesians 5:2, Galatians 5:22)

4. Honesty and Integrity~ May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection.(Proverbs 25:21)

5. Self-Control~ Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be "alert and self-controlled" in all they do. (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

6. A Love for God’s Word~ May my children grow to find Your Word "more precious than gold, than much pure gold; (and) sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb." (Psalm 19:10)

7. Justice~ God, help my children to love justice as You do and to "act justly" in all they do. (Psalm 11:7, Micah 6:8)

Labels: children, Christianity, Prayer, Train Up a Child

Labels: children, Wordless Wednesday

1. Ask God to protect your children with His loving care, so that no evil can reach them and lead them into temptation. Pray that they will be safe from harm (Psalm 33:20).

2.Pray that your children would use Godly wisdom. Ask God to give each child a discernment about people, as well as knowing the difference between right and wrong in the actions of their friends.(Proverbs 18:24; Deuteronomy 13:6,8).

3.Pray that your children would stay pure in their thoughts and deeds, striving for God’s way of holiness for their lives (Psalm 24:4-5;Ephesians 1:4)

4.Pray that your children will accept responsibility quickly and with humility when they fall into sin. (Matthew 5: 23-24).

5. Pray that your children will be alert and thinking clearly as they study their schoolwork and in their extra curricular activities. Ask God to help them to be motivated to do the best they are capable of doing (Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

6. Pray that your children will have an appetite to live the spiritual truths they have learned at home. Pray also that they will set goals and a purpose for their lives in accordance with God’s design for them. (Deuteronomy 5:29).

7. Ask God to help your children live their lives for Him, and that He will use them as a testimony and witness for His glory. Pray that they will grow to full spiritual maturity (Psalms 78:1-8, 103:17-18; Isaiah 54:13; Ephesians 3:20-21).

Labels: children, Christianity, Prayer, Sunday Seven, Train Up a Child