Sweetness and Sensitivity

Our daughter is 6 years old and the oldest of her siblings. She is very opinionated, outgoing, compassionate, creative, sensitive and stubborn. All of those are positive characteristics, even the opinionated and stubborn ones. Maybe I think they're positive because I have those in me as well. ;)

I think it's good to be opinionated because then you know what you believe. I have strong convictions in various things, what I feel is right for my children and family. My husband keeps me in line, I don't just have opinions that can be swayed unless my heart is in the wrong place. If I present my thoughts on any topic my husband always asked me "why do you think that?" or "why do you feel that way?" Almost always I can answer him logically with information or valid reasons to back my opinion. If he doesn't feel it's a strong argument, it's probably just me being overly emotional and like I said, my heart not being right.
So being opinionated is not a bad thing, unless it's mixed with being hard-headed. Then you're saying that even if I'm wrong and the other person is obviously right I'm still not going to change my opinion.

Kiera is definitely outgoing. We went to my friends house for a dinner party and Robert and I were the only one with kids (3 of them!). There were a couple women sitting on a couch and Kiera just climbed up on the couch right between them and started talking to them like nothing. She does holds her own with other kids too. It's funny that when she was younger (baby/toddler) she would give people the straight face, no expression look. Haha! Oh memories. :)

Compassionate. Very much so. Anything that is baby is cute, even baby flies. She'll speak up when a wrong doing has been done whether toward her or toward her brothers/friends. Even if she's in mid play or running by she'll stop and help someone up, "oh, are you ok?", she'll ask, and then take them to their mom or dad to check them. Compassion is such a wonderful gift. If Christ did not have compassion for us fallen, sinful people we would have no hope. It is a very powerful thing to show. In showing compassion toward others we are showing God's love.

Being creative with what you have. I remember we had a huge backyard when I was younger that was dirt and weeds when we first moved in. There were these weeds that would grow on the ground, kind of like a vine. I would pick them and make wreaths out of them. From my memory they were pretty good, not sure what I would think of them now. Kiera designed a playdough dress, made straps and buttons and a trim at the bottom. No picture to follow just something she thought up. Then she made the women to wear the dress and added a bump to make her pregnant. I was impressed! This is a little girl who was tying knots when she was 1 year old. She believes her mommy and daddy can make and build anything. I love that!

Kiera is such a sensitive little thing. There's still cartoons and shows that she hasn't seen or if she's seen part of it does not have a desire to watch anymore. Robert and I were always aware of her sensitivity and do not have any desire to desensitize her or her brothers. There's so much junk out there it's just craziness! We'd prefer to preserve her childhood of Strawberry Shortcake and Leap Frog and not push her to watch Tangled or any of the princess movies for that matter. We're not watching Dora anymore because we had to change it 4 different times (not exaggerating!) in 1 sitting because of a witch or something else that bothered her. I'm totally not into making them "tuff" or downplaying their emotions. They'll be able to handle more with maturity, which is not set at any age. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is good for you. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is beneficial. 1 Cor. 10:23
Sensitive is defined as, "aware of and responsive to the feelings of others." Those who are sensitive toward the welfare of others and have strong convictions/opinions will make a difference in the lives of many.


Being stubborn is not always a bad thing. It is when there's a battle of the wills and the child wants their way though the parents has said no. Fortunately God saw that I should be Kiera's mommy and up her one on stubbornness or standing firm. If she got her way when she stamped her foot or started crying because she wants her way I think it would be the beginnings teaching her manipulation. I think everyone has witness, been a victim to or a part of manipulation. Children/teenagers try with their parents (especially if their tears or whining has worked before), girlfriends pout or throw out the "nothing" when asked "what's wrong?" by their boyfriends. It's a nasty thing, manipulation. Stubbornness is not so nasty unless we're being stubborn to God's calling. If we're telling Him, "No Lord, I really want to do this instead." Sometimes we have to be stubborn (fixed or set in purpose or opinion) or persistent to see things get done.

Ending, Middle, Beginning

So our last softball game of the year was last night. I'm a little bummed that we're taking a break for next season because when my team starts back up I'll be a little too far along in my pregnancy to start a new season. I usually play until I'm about 6 months, I only stop because it gets too hard to swing the bat. 
But it's a good thing to take this break, lots of things are going on and I feel like it's just going to speed up. I still have to take care of my top priority, my family and then the house, homeschooling which also involves nature studies, co-op and some field trips. As it is already the middle of October it's Christmas photo time so I'm getting more photo jobs, which is wonderful! 
Next month in November, I'm going on a Mom's retreat for my very first time! I'm only going for the day but I'm really excited that I get to go.
Also in November, I'm hosting a boutique/fundraiser at our house. This is the first one and maybe the beginnings of an annual boutique, we'll see how it goes. I have more info about it on my website. Kiera and I will be handling the bake sale part of the fundraiser, she's my awesome little helper and I'm sure she'll love looking at all the great stuff the vendors will be bringing. Pumpkin bread will definitely be on the menu! We just got our gift catalog from World Vision in the mail and Kiera and I were looking through it and getting excited about what we'll be able to purchase for children and families with the funds that we earn through the bake sale and raffles. She was giving her input on what she thought would be good gifts. Pretty sweet!


We are still in October which means our little man Domenic just turned 2!

So with all that, God knows what's best for me and my family and He also knows if I am feeling overwhelmed I wont do my best job on anything. Which is the most disappointing to myself. I like being busy, just not so busy that I'm not sure what to work on first. I feel like I'm good right now, I know what my priorities are. I also do not want to teach my children that they'll only be content if we're always go, go, going. I want them to learn contentment in just being still.

Backyard nature

We had to pass on our weekly nature outing with our friends this week because of a cold we have going on right now. Fortunately it's just a cold, stuffy nose, residual cough and no fevers.
So I had the kids look for things in our backyard (leaves, rocks, bugs) and collect them in their new burlap sacks they just made the other day.
So they collected a few things and I had to figure out what it was/where it came from.

Basil leaf, watermelon leaf, tomato leaf, strawberry leaf, and a nice rock.

Pear tomato, tomato leaf, grass, strawberry leaf, grape leaf, another tomato leaf, rock and basil leaf.

Kiera stumped me on which leaf came from which tomato plant. :)

I like her title  :)

Such precision and concentration, love it!

While we were waiting for their paintings to dry we got our sandals on and went down stairs to the park. But not without getting dressed up first. ;)

So that's how you wear and eye patch! ;)

Collected a few pinecones, saw some butterflies, heard something in the bushes and discovered it was a bird. It wasn't a very long outing since the kids are on the mend so they got tired pretty quickly. But it was nice.

For those who might be interested, the burlap sacks were pretty simple. I had a roll of burlap so we cut a piece, folded it so the seam was at the opening and the kids sewed them together with yarn and a plastic knitting needle. I braided Nathan's strap but Kiera braided her's. I hot glued where they sewed just because I know the ends of the burlap will fray and I don't want the sack to fall apart when that happens. Kiera added beads to hers and Nathan plans to.

Aquarium of the Pacific

Last week we went to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach for one of their homeschool days. The last time I had been to that aquarium was when Kiera was 8 months old and it had been even longer since Robert had been.
One of the first things we checked out were the sharks and the touch tanks. Though right after we got there it was feeding time so we couldn't touch the sharks for about 15 minutes. So we headed down the walk to view the bigger sharks.

                              

                            

Up to the touch tanks one more time since feeding time was over and our fingers were no longer in danger.

                              

 Fun stuff!

It was starting to get a bit warm so we headed back inside to see the seals and sea lions.

Don't know who the kid is on the right but I think he was enjoying the seal lions just as much as my kids. :)

Kiera's favorite were the Puffin's. We hung out and watched them for quite a while.

We also got to touch moon jellies which are like jelly fish but I guess their sting isn't as strong as a jelly fish so they're safe(r) to touch. Nathan liked them, Kiera liked looking at them and did not want to touch them.

Nathan said touching the moon jellies was his favorite. 

They both agreed touching the sharks was a favorite thing, Nathan added in touching the "live" sting ray as "another favorite thing". :)

Our last stop before heading home was the Lorikeet Forest.

So pretty! So loud!

Nathan wanted one to sit on his hand so bad. One even nibbled on him, I think it was grumpy.

Robert pretended to have food for them so this one jumped on his arm though it didn't stay long since he really didn't have food. It did jump onto Nathan's arm for a quick second.

He was so happy! I was happy for him!

Chocolate Cake!

Yesterday was Robert's dad's birthday. So today (for school) we baked Papa Robert a cake!

The Bakers with their baking attire and the apron pockets filled with measuring and mixing spoons. "Does anyone have the teaspoon?" I asked. Kiera reaches in her pocket, "yes, here it is mom." :)

Our recipe. We used a little less sugar, about 1/2 a cup of butter (actually a butter substitute because it was soft), 1/3 cup of buttermilk and only 1 cup of milk and a big chunk of zucchini peeled and finely grated (to add moisture for using less butter).

Mixing the dry ingredients

Creaming the sugar

After whipping the eggs in one at a time we added the buttermilk/milk and the dry ingredients rotating back and forth until we put all the ingredients and mixed until it looked smooth.

After the cake cooled, time to decorate!

For the frosting we used butter (less than 1/2 cup), 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 1/2 tsp vanilla, maybe 1/4 cup of milk (I didn't measure) and 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder. We actually melted everything together, mixed it well and poured it just on top of the cake. Then Kiera sprinkled sweetened coconut on top because Papa likes coconut. :)

The tell tale sign of a baker, the flour on the arm. haha

She put more than this on top.

After the cake was finished it went in the fridge, we ate dinner (made a big pot of beans today), then with the cake and vanilla ice cream stopped by Papa and Grandma's house for a surprise happy birthday. We did forget the candles but fortunately most people have at least one birthday candle in their cupboard.

2 thumbs up for this one. It was yummy!

Pour out my heart

Here I am, once again. I pour out my heart for I know that You hear. Every cry, You are listening. No matter what state, my heart is in. You are faithful, to answer. With words that are true and a hope that is real. As I feel, Your touch. You bring a freedom to all that's within. In the safety of this place, I'm longing to...
Pour out my heart, to say that I love You
Pour out my heart, to say that I need You
Pour out my heart, to say that I'm thankful
Pour out my heart, to say that your wonderful.
                                Lord, You're wonderful!

Nature study story 9-17-11

I asked Kiera to tell me about our last nature outing at Peter's Canyon this past Thursday. Robert had the day off so he was able to join us, which was awesome because he helped with trail map reading and holding Domenic when he got tired. We walked 2 miles with the kids and they did awesome! There were a couple hilly parts along the way, but fortunately it was right after lunch so they were ready to go.

Story told by Kiera

On the way to Nature Studies I saw a crane. I saw scat on our nature studies. We also saw sunflowers kind of by the beginning.
And we also saw a frog, a flat frog. It looked like it was ran over by a bike or someone stepped on it.
Mom did you know that spiders have 8 eyes? Silas said spiders have 8 eyes and I looked in our book and I said, 'you're right Silas, spiders do have 8 eyes!'
And we also saw a red huckleberry and we also saw peppercorns when we sat down to eat our lunch.
We saw a road runner after lunch. We even got super close to it.
And we were walking towards a hill and we saw the biggest hill, we ran up it and we almost slid down it but we walked sideways so we didn't slip.
On the way back from nature studies, not on the road but on the trail, we heard a scratching sound, we thought it was a lizard in the bushes. And a little bit later we heard a sound like a beaver sound, but we didn't quite know what it was. We thought it was a beaver but we didn't know, like in k-n-o-w.

The end Mom