On Saturday morning, we left EI and headed for Va Beach for an extension to our vacation :) We just couldn't get enough! We met my family there because some of us had signed up for the Rock 'N Roll half marathon. On Saturday after lunch we went over to the huge expo and walked around for a few minutes after picking up our registration packet and new shirts.
We have just returned from our longest vacation EVER. We left last Saturday morning...that's 9 days!! What a blessing for our family. We are glad to be home and ready to get back to a regular routine, though!
These other kids in the picture were staying in a house close to ours and were always right beside us on the beach so they joined in a lot of our activities. Aaron called himself the recreation director.
The first day on the beach, Aaron and Jonathan helped them plant a garden. From left to right, as Vivian explained to me: corn, potatoes, tobacco, corn, and cabbage. So creative!
I read this article last week after seeing so many references to it on my favorite websites. I have thought about it at least once a day since then, so it seems like something I need to share. I hope you are just as encouraged by it! Here's an excerpt to entice you to click on over and read the whole thing:
A few years ago, when I just had four children and when the oldest was still three, I loaded them all up to go on a walk. After the final sippy cup had found a place and we were ready to go, my two-year-old turned to me and said, “Wow! You have your hands full!”
She could have just as well said, “Don’t you know what causes that?” or “Are they all yours?!”
Everywhere you go, people want to talk about your children. Why you shouldn’t have had them, how you could have prevented them, and why they would never do what you have done. They want to make sure you know that you won’t be smiling anymore when they are teenagers. All this at the grocery store, in line, while your children listen.
The truth is that years ago, before this generation of mothers was even born, our society decided where children rank in the list of important things. When abortion was legalized, we wrote it into law.
Children rank way below college. Below world travel for sure. Below the ability to go out at night at your leisure. Below honing your body at the gym. Below any job you may have or hope to get. In fact, children rate below your desire to sit around and pick your toes, if that is what you want to do. Below everything. Children are the last thing you should ever spend your time doing.
If you grew up in this culture, it is very hard to get a biblical perspective on motherhood, to think like a free Christian woman about your life, your children. How much have we listened to partial truths and half lies? Do we believe that we want children because there is some biological urge, or the phantom “baby itch”? Are we really in this because of cute little clothes and photo opportunities? Is motherhood a rock-bottom job for those who can’t do more, or those who are satisfied with drudgery? If so, what were we thinking?
Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.
Read more here.
I've read several other things by this mom since then. You can see more from her and the women in her family here.
