Tuesday, January 27, 2009

"Children of Caesar"

For those of you who didn't know, we are going to homeschool our children. Given the state of our Godless society and education system, we feel as if there is no other choice. We are constantly having to defend or explain our decision and encounter opposition by many.

W
hen I found this clip by Voddie Baucham tonight, I was compelled to share. It makes me want to jump up and shout "AMEN!" This sums up any explanation I could give anyone on the issue.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Happy Birthday, Luke!

His new pirate set...and yes, his shirt is tucked into his underwear. He was in a hurry to open his presents!

It seems unbelievable that only four short years ago we started this journey of parenthood. We found out we were expecting in May 2004. We had a positive pregnancy test in the bathroom of the movie theater at the Mall of Georgia. (Not very romantic!) We were so excited! I had had a previous miscarriage so my doctors wanted to check my hormone levels every couple of days to make sure they were increasing like they should. My parents were on a mission trip to the Philippines so we called them to tell them the good news and to be praying everything would turn out alright. Obviously, it did!

Just two days old!

January 21, 2005, Luke Austin was born at 9:57 p.m. He was delivered by cesarean after about ten hours of labor. And yes, I had an epidural during that time! He weighed in at 8 lbs. 12 oz. and was 21 inches long.

The only pacifier he would take....it was so big!

What a joy he has been! He has a tender heart, a great sense of humor, is cautious and very inquisitive. He adores anything John Deere. If you ask him what he's going to be when he grows up he'll say (rather loudly), "A doctor preacher!".

His "vampire" teeth!

We are blessed to have been given such a wonderful gift. It's my prayer that God will use him for His glory. Austin and I pray for wisdom and guidance as we strive to help Luke become all God wants him to be. Happy birthday Luke! We love you!!

I love Daddy!

The John Deere Tractor!

Chilling in the swing

Cruisin' on the Gator

Friday, January 16, 2009

Freebie Friday


Periodically, I hope to post some freebies I've ran across. We can all benefit from stretching our dollars! Here are a couple for this week. Enjoy!

You can download free online books at DesiringGod.org. There are over 40 to choose from. This is a great way to save some money and still get in some good reading. I have downloaded several myself and am looking forward to reading them.

Over at ChristianAudio.com, you can download one free audiobook each month. This month, their feature book is Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God. Go here to get your free download.

*Image taken from allposters.com

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Without End


Tuesdays are busier than normal here around the Harmon household. Our little friend, Weston, is here on Tuesdays. Weston's mom is a part-time teacher and we are happy to help her out any way we can. Weston is six days older than Jacob, so it's essentially like having a set of twins! (Sometimes I wonder if God is preparing me for something--twins do run in my family!) So the day is filled with the usual, just a little more of it. Diapers, feeding, napping, playing, breaking up fights, reading books, going to the potty, kissing boo-boos....you get the picture.

One Tuesday, right before Christmas break, Weston had just gotten up from his nap and I was changing his diaper in the living room floor. It was a doozie of a diaper that was going to require a clothes change. While trying to take his clothes off, I made a worse mess than was already there, which meant now he needed a bath. Then the doorbell rang.....and I was still in my pj's.

As I was getting up with a naked child, Luke was running to get the door and he and Weston bumped heads. I had to kiss boo-boos while trying to get the door. And wouldn't ya know it was our new neighbor (did I mention I was still in my pj's)?! He needed the key for the house because they were moving in. I'm sure they thought twice about it after seeing four toddlers under the age of three staring at him. Possibly even thought about calling DFACS on the crazy lady who has naked children and doesn't get dressed 'til noon!

Generally, that's what life is like here at our house. Lots of laughter and squeals, smiles and giggles, and sometimes tears. There's toys everywhere, crumbs on the floor, and loads of dirty dishes and laundry. And I wouldn't trade it for the world. Honestly.

There was a time when I often struggled with being a full-time mommy. Others would talk about promotions, raises, meetings, luncheons, etc. I couldn't relate any longer. I had left the workplace to take care of my family. I felt very insignificant when I compared myself to other women.

My perspective was wrong. Very wrong. I was looking at my self-worth through worldly eyes; not through God's eyes. The Bible has much to say about women, our roles, and our importance. It isn't popular. I don't expect it ever will be. But then again, God's Word is usually never popular.

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

God has worked a wondrous work of contentment in my heart. He has also brought to light many ugly attitudes and perspectives I carried that were contradictory to His Word and His plan. I am a work in progress, as we all should be.

So give me the diapers, feeding, napping, playing, breaking up fights, reading books, going to the potty, and kissing boo-boos. I'm okay with that. I'm on a mission. God's mission. And isn't His really the only one that matters?

I leave you with this excerpt from Ann Voskamp's post Strange Disappearance:


If I identify myself as the culture does, as a “stay at home Mom”, one who has no intellectual contribution, gross-national product contribution or status symbol contribution, I become just that: a woman who sees herself as one who has grunted and groaned out another human being and now stays behind her four walls, in self-imposed seclusion. Not much of a vision there---it actually sounds strangely psychotic.

If I deem myself as a woman employed by the Creator of everything ever created, as on work assignment in a sacred domain for the sculpting of souls that will exist forever and forever without end, I have a burning passion of purpose. And a paycheck that is said to be beyond what eye or ear can even comprehend!

This world is going to burn up, cinders for the universe….but your child is a soul without end, forever and ever existence. The world has pitifully, laughably little to offer in comparison to this holy opportunity to raise up a child.


*Image taken from allposters.com




Saturday, January 10, 2009

Drum Roll Please..........

Ta-Da! My first post on my new blog! Welcome to our little corner of the world. I am Jennifer, married to Austin, and we have three adorable kids: Luke (01-05), Chloe (06-06), and Jacob (04-08). Life is pretty crazy around here these days, but we are loving every minute of it.....okay, most of the time. :)

Six months ago, I didn't even know what a blog was. The term "blog" still sounds funny to me. One day, while doing some internet searching, I stumbled upon a blog about living frugally and now I'm hooked! I have been challenged, encouraged, and inspired through the few blogs I read.

O
ne night, through a few links from one site to the next, I clicked on a blog title that sounded good: Divine Calling. I found out our children were very close in age and we shared the same heart for our families. I was surprised to see we both lived in Georgia, so I decided to drop her a short email. Long story short, we live about 20 minutes from each other and get together often. I consider her one of my dearest friends. God used her blog to answer my prayer for a like-minded friend whose passion was God and family. Isn't God good?!

When Austin suggested I start a blog, I initially laughed it off. "I'm not a writer. I'm terrible at punctuation. What would I write about? No one wants to hear what I have to say." (I think he wants me to jump on my soapbox here rather than when he's trying to go to sleep.) But the more I thought about it, the more the idea intrigued me. I started playing around on Blogger and well- here I am!

Let me be the first to say, we are a normal family with normal struggles. I am a nothing more than a rotten sinner who has been miraculously saved by the marvelous grace of God. He has placed in me the desire to serve Him in all I do. I fall short daily and have to die to self daily, sometimes minute by minute. Sometimes I don't do so well at dying to self-other times, I don't die at all. I am continuously seeking His help and His grace.

Through this blog I hope to share a little about our personal lives, as well as make you smile, encourage you, and challenge you (In a good way!). It is my prayer that at least one life will be helped by something I might have to share. Until next time, here are a few family pictures for you to enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by!


Our little munchkins in their pj's while mommy tries to get pics for the Christmas card.

Jacob stuck under the couch!

Daddy, Luke, and Chloe eating popcorn on our first movie night

"I'd Rather be an Old Time Christian"