Today has been better than yesterday. This mothering thing is a skill, eh? I have so often reassured moms-to-be or new first time moms who feel so overwhelmed with one 8 pound bundle saying that mothering is a skill, just like accounting or any other job we could have. You can’t expect to be an expert your very first months or even year! And so with taking care of babies; you gain the skills and get so much better with each baby. So now I tell myself with mothering in general, much of it is a matter of skill. Work at it and I will improve. I have much to learn, like how to disarm a 20 month old with a hug or a tickle instead of a short-tempered “stop-it!” and to make that my first reaction instead of last!

I gave my blog its name because I purpose and strive to apply myself as much to mothering as I would to being Intel CEO. This includes lots of learning, focus, long hours, sweat, tears, stress, prayer and loads of grace! I am finding God to be the best chairman of the board ever, giving loads of encouragement, reward, incentives and a few choice bonuses. He has even offered this heavenly stock purchase plan with great interest if I make the choice to invest in it.

Other random thoughts - I secretly desire to be the world’s best Karaoke singer. I’ve got to get one of those machines!

I have such renewed energy to blog. I really was not myself that last month of pregnancy. Blogging motivates and unifies the rest of my life and interests so well. I am inspired to cook again just so I can post more great recipes. I am inspired in my prayer life through reading some other faithful women’s blogs. I feel accountable in my life, because I want to post about it here and I want to be able to be truthful, yet I know such godly men and women ocassionally drop by. (I have been feeling guilty about my movie list all day! Anyone have any cleaner comedies I could watch?)

Since I can’t tele-blog straight from my mind, I have found keeping a notepad out to immediately jot down topics and thoughs as soon as I think of them helpful. I usually can’t blog until later in the evening and by then all thoughts are cleared out of my brain. This little list here help them find their way back!

As I sit here with little Ella curled in my crossed leg, so alert and beautful, every feature so tiny, perfect, soft and lovely, I am shocked and revolted to think that someday, in what is but a blink of eternity’s eye, her skin will be dull and scaly, too big for her face. Age and death will take its toll on her. Have you ever noticed how the motions and expressions of the newborn and the elderly can be so similar? Both have imperfect neruon connections between mind and body, one because they are developing and the other because they are degenerating. From dust we came, to dust we go.

When I cudle and adore my new little one, aging and death truly seem wrong and cruel in a powerful way that they had not before. It is strange to birth such a miraculous, beautiful new person at the same time in life when you begin to see your own parents start to fade away. It grieved me deeply to think of Ella aging and facing death’s cold door. Truly, if in this life only we hope, we are above all to be most pittied.

Upon these meditations, I yearned for the Word of God again. For various reasons, many months have past since I have felt a longing for the Word. But life an death have become more and more painfully vivid to me. I crave assurances of His promises. I pant for the truths of salvation to become more vibrant and real than this stench of sin and death that so permeates the world. I could not bear to love this little one so unless I had a hope to give her beyond death, unless I could promise her that the struggles of this life are not worthy to be compared to the future we have been given.

I got to the point tonight where I was so at wits end that I was going to start yelling and cursing. I just think I am going to explode when all three are yelling, crying, whinning or tantruming all at once several times in one day. We’ve had alot of changes and events happen in the last 3 weeks, so I am hoping that this will not be normal. Knowing that yelling and cursing would be really bad parenting, I let myself cry instead. I think that is a better, healthier option, eh? I am not someone who cries much, but I plan on doing more this year. Having three under the age of 4 is going to be tough, and I think my girls will be much better off to have momma cry in frustration rather than curse. All you moms who have more kids and are older can tell me that this is a phase and I will make it through without ruining my precious girls, k?

The lovely lady at Blest With Sons tagged me for a meme! I have been wanting to do the seven sevens one, and I like this one even better. Thanks BWS! BTW - her blog is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Be sure to check it out if you haven’t. A few of these I actually stole directly from her. I think we may be quite alike in a few ways.

This took me awhile and was harder than I thought, especially the movie section. I don’t know that I even saw 7 new movies last year. I don’t know if I even saw seven movies at all last year, not counting dozens of partial viewings of Mary Poppins and VeggieTales. I’m really not usually a movie person. Some of you might be shocked at my choices and begin a boycott of my blog, but I like to laugh and the previews of these looked funny . . . I haven’t seen them yet, so let me know if I have choosen anything too awful.

Speaking of Steve Carell, have y’all watched “The Office” TV shows? They are hysterical. My hubby and I die laughing and have tevo-copied all of them. Anyone who liked the movie “Office Space” will love ‘em. Carell is an amazing comedic actor.

7 things I want to do in 2006
Catch up the girls’ scrapbooks
Loose my baby weight
Execute first annual Crawford Sedar Supper
Read my Bible on a regular basis again (thanks for the new Bible, Love!)
Finally sew my valances (I’ve had the material 3 years!)
Blog better - i.e. improve my writing
Laugh and play more

7 things to do less of in 2006
Criticize others
Fear the unknown
Eat gi-normous amounts of syrup for breakfast
Lose my temper
sweating small stuff
expecting too much of myself and others
not expecting enough of God

7 ways I‘m going to be a better wife/mother/friend in 2006
Establish some kind of consistancy in prayer for my husband, kids, and friends
Communicate better with my husband
Encourage him in his goals and desires
Take me-breaks and us-dates when we need them
Read outloud more with children
Get the children outdoors more often
With friends - listen lots more, talk lots less!

7 Scripture Passages I want to memorize in 2006
Song of Solomon ch 1
Song of Solomon ch 2
Song of Solomon ch 3
Song of Solomon ch 4
Song of Solomon ch 5
Song of Solomon ch 6
Song of Solomon ch 7 & 8

7 Books I’ve Never Read that I‘m Going to Read in 2006
God is the Gospel by John Piper
A Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer
The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer
Lilith by George MacDonald
Till we have Faces by C.S. Lewis
Against Christianity by Peter Leithart
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

7 Movies I’ve Never Seen that I’m Going to Watch in 2006
Pride and Prejudice (new version)
Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story
Coach Carter
Harry Potter - the first one
Bewitched
Wedding Crashers
The 40 Year Old Virgin

7 people I want to join in too
Marla
Lexie
Jeannine
Anne
Chewymom
Tulip Girl
Gwen

Lydia at Choosing Home Blog posted about every woman’s struggle to keep up the house keep! Be sure to read Lydia’s mom’s comment. It is awesome and keeps things in perspective.

My parents just left from their holiday visit, and I face the New Year with a new baby. The hustle and celebration of the holidays are over. It is time to face the house and our family schedule for the new year. Keeping a clean and orderly house takes a plan and daily work, just as does keeping our bodies in shape and any other maintenance goal. We have to have a vision for what we want, some kind of system to work that vision and daily, daily, daily dedication to impliment the system daily. Did I say daily?

I am more of one to whom housekeeping comes a bit naturally. I have actually worked lately on letting some things go to focus more on projects, child’s play and reaching out to others. But I have a few principles I live by that I thought I would share as I remind myself of my own system to keep the house livable now that I have three kids and even less time!

1 - A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE! I think if any rule can cover it all, this one would Own nothing in your house that doesn’t have a specific place to go. My husband isn’t so good and keeping his stuff “in place” so I have made a few drawers where all his “unplaced” stuff gets placed in bulk.

2 - If you see something that is dirty or think of something that needs done, DO IT RIGHT THEN, if at all possible. This takes multitasking and involving our children in tasks in creative ways, but we don’t ever get around to things later, much do we, eh?

3 - Have guests over at least once a week so you will have motivation to clean the whole house once a week. Now I don’t do top to bottom every week, but more like general pick-up while rotating deep cleaning chores. Maybe I do downstairs bath but not the master one week. Maybe I dust one week but clean out the pantry another. That way, the whole house is cleaned top to bottom once a month, but not all at once.

4 - Every night, have the kitchen clean and all things picked up before going to bed. I may feel like a zombie but it is so routine that I fight through it. It is blessed to have all things in order at least once a day. I believe our houses and things are attatched to our minds subconsciously and when all things are in order, our minds are at greater peace. Picking up toys is as part of the girls’ bedtime routine as brushing teeth, even if they are only 1 and even if they only pick up 1 toy.

5 - I never talk on the phone without doing something. For this day-dreamer it actually also helps me concentrate on the conversation better.

6 - Work fast or not at all. Play music, sing and dance while getting work done to help keep up the pace. I consider each of my days as very long aerobic exercise sessions!

But after all the tips and ideas, I have to post what Lydia’s mom wrote because she expresses the most important principle of all - Loving and cherishing our family and others is the point of a tidy house. Housekeeping serves the people, not vice versa. It is a weakness of mine and other “cleanies” to remember this.

Dearest Lydia,
You are the greatest mom! I see you doing crafty creative things with your kids often. You let them cook, experiment with different ideas, make messes, build and dream. They know how to operate the washing machine properly and clean toliets. I never gave my kids the chance. You instruct and guide them in so many different areas. You talk to your children and stay connected in a way I wished I had with you and your siblings. I’ve seen you spend hours doing science experiments, reading outloud until your voice is gone, giving cooking, baking and voice lessons, teaching piano, violin, and base guitar. You are engaged with your children on so many levels. Now, you are serious about healthy eating and show it by the many delicious and beautiful meals you prepare. Your children love you, kiss and hug you often. Your 13 year old son confides in you, shares his heart and tells you how much he loves you several times a day. Your husband adores you. You have it all. The house doesn’t really matter all that much. You have love in your home. Your children will remember the time spent with them and very little about the order of the home. You have so many talents and now that my kids are grown I look back and wish I had done more of what you are doing. Your are giving my grandchildren a wonderful life with Godly instruction. I love you Lyd, you make me proud, Mom

My Mom sends me assorted joke emails and forwards all the time, most of which I just delete (sorry mom!). I keep everything cleaned out and minimal, even my inbox. However, this one she got by me, since she is here in my house and she read it out loud while I was doing dishes and couldn’t escape! Its pretty funny, and since one of my new years resolutions is to laugh more and to attempt to help others do the same, I thought I would share it here. And Mom, I may start reading more of those forwards you send . . . If you keep ‘em funny!

My Cajun friend’s theory is that Jesus was a Cajun:

1. He liked to serve fish to his friends.
2. He could make his own wine.
3. And he wasn’t afraid of water.

My black friend had 3 good arguments that Jesus was Black:

1. He called everyone “brother”.
2. He liked Gospel.
3. He couldn’t get a fair trial.

My Jewish friend had 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Jewish:

1. He went into His Father’s business.
2. He lived at home until he was 33.
3. He was sure his Mother was a virgin and his mother was sure he was God.

My Italian friend gave his 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Italian:

1. He talked with his hands.
2. He had wine with every meal.
3. He used olive oil.

My California friends also had 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was a Californian:

1. He never cut his hair.
2. He walked around barefoot all the time.
3. He started a new religion.

My Irish friend then gave his 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Irish:

1. He never got married.
2. He was always telling stories.
3. He loved green pastures.

But my lady friend had the most compelling evidence of all that Jesus was a woman:

1. He fed a crowd at a moment’s notice when there was no food.
2. He kept trying to get a message across to a bunch of men who just didn’t get it.
3. And even when he was dead, he had to get up because there was more work to do.

The last day my parents were here to help with our now 3 kiddlings, I pumped a bottle and we stole away to see The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. I haven’t been so excited to see a movie since . . . well, ever actually. Not only do I love the Narnia books, but I love to analyze how books compare to movies. I thoroughly enjoyed re-reading the book earlier this month, and I completely enjoyed the movie. For the most part, Disney and Narnia’s director created a wonderful piece, well worth what I paid to see it and I believe even worth owning in the future.

From what I saw of the trailers and what I see in most Hollywood movies, I anticipated a bit more blood and drama than I actually saw today. However I was pleased that the movie was indeed produced at a dramatic level appropriate for older children. I would take an older elementary child, assuming they were not a sensitive type child. The battle scenes were indeed magnificent and dramatic, without being too bloody, or really bloody at all. I am one of those very sensitive types. I closed my eyes for 95% of the Lord of the Rings battle scenes and I could watch all of Narnia’s with the perfect amount of entertaining tension.

As far as characters, the centuars are wonderful: lovely, strong, and noble. Mr. Tumnus was done nearly perfectly, though his acting in his first scene I thought needed a bit more development. Aslan satisfied my hopes and imaginations, though I don’t think any portrayal of a Christ figure will ever be able to wholly capture the divine spirit and pressence we all long to see. The children were wonderful, I truly enjoyed Lucy, Edmund and Peter. These three both looked the part perfectly and did a fine job of acting. I found Susan a bit more awkward, but neither am I able to picture Susan well in the books either. So although I didn’t find her character very dynamic, I don’t have any positive suggestions either. I absolutely loved the blond witch, especially her great dreads! I found her to be the first believable witch I have ever seen. When she killed Aslan, her eyes turned black as night and were as round as full moons, it was splendid. When she came up the hill to battle, she had turned Aslans shaved hair into a mane about her own neck with a gold, mane like metal crown atop her head. The movie has several thoughtful details such as these that made it full of depth and delight to the Lewis reader.

The scenery was picture perfect and the changes in plot were appropriate for the pace difference between a movie and a book; just enough increase in pace to keep the movie flowing while still being true to the storyline of the book.

Blest with sons first inspired my excitement to see the Narnia movie with her great review, however I have to differ in opinion with her just slightly. I was fully prepared to join in criticising the portrayal of Peter as a whimp, but actually feel that both director and actor did a superb job on King Peter the magnificient. It is human for a young teenage boy to feel uncertain in facing battle. Many of the times he hestitated to join the Narnia war seemed to be motivated out of a desire to protect his siblings as he promised his mother. Yes, he also showed fear at leading an army to batlle, but I didn’t feel that it was in an effeminate or cowardly way, but in a human way. He wouldn’t be a real character to me if he didn’t have fears to overcome. That is courage, facing the fear of life, but still choosing to work through it and move forward. As Peter was portrayed, I could thoroughly relate to him and found myself even inspired to face the fears of life. Of course, I am a bit of a whimp myself . . .

I appreciate and understand why the movie began with a bombing scene in London, as it helped to explain and develop the directors take on the actors further. However, it gave a seriousness to the story’s beginning that I didn’t read in Lewis’ book. It seems that everything produced in our generation must be overly dramatic with shades of foreboding. Can’t anything be cheerfully childlike and somewhat happy in overtones? For this reason, Anne of Green Gables is always my choice to watch when I am feeling blue. Optimistic innocence is good for the heart.

I also thought that Edmund’s own natural cantankerousness was downplayed in favor for making him the poor victim of bossy older siblings. However, I may have a bias as an older sibling and as a quasi-calvinist who always likes to see evidence of original sin in my characters.

Overall, I found Narnia worth even perhaps a second theater viewing. Great fun, wonderful characters and breathtaking scenery. My two thumbs up. As a side suggestion, read The Magicians Nephew as well before (or after) seeing the movie - it explais the lamp-post, witch, professor and even the wardrobe itself.

God has been gracious to my husband and I this Christmas. We seriously haven’t updated our wardrobe much since we were married four years ago. Tommy was down to literally two pairs of pants. My dad out of the blue sent us $500 for Christmas while my mom and step-dad were here visiting. The latter part of that sentance is significant, because they provide both free babysitting and taste in clothing. I have always had my mom pick out most of my clothes for me. She is just very gifted at it, so why should I stress out over it myself.

While at old navy picking up some great buys on layering t-shirts (mom says layering is all the rage right now - I like how the long tank tops under t-shirts makes them more modest and flattering to my hips) I found this supper cool and cute apron for $5! It makes me feel like a Swiss betty making chocolate cream puffs. I love it! Yes, that is fur as trim.