Mother of Seven + 2

Snowflake I tatted one year.  I went through a time when I felt jealous of those who had beautifully decorated Christmas trees.  You know -- those trees that were decorated meticulously, every ornament spaced just so, and the colors all coordinating.  The trees were so elegant and beautiful.  My little tree couldn't compare.  It was just filled with a variety of cheap little ornaments from here and there. Christmas mouse made by an adopted Grandma. Those were the first few years my husband and I were married.  As time went by, we gradually began collecting ornaments that were given to us by friends and family.  This year as I watched the children decorate the tree, I realized just how special it was.  The children would exclaim over and and discuss each of the ornaments as they hung them.  Such warm memories filled their hearts. Honduran ornament from Jim & Teri Riley, missionaries. Birdhouse from Grandma "Vada". N...

I love traditions.  That is probably why this time of year is one of my favorites.  Our family traditions leading up to Christmas Day start with the setting up of our Christmas tree.  The two oldest children drug the big box holding our seven foot after-Christmas bargain down from the attic.  After supper we turned on Christmas music and began the assembling process.  With seven children helping re-shape the branches, and Dad putting the branches on, it didn't take too long to get the large tree up. This year the putting on of the lights proved to be the challenge.  Two of our three strings were not working.  Being of a frugal nature my husband and I began checking each little bulb.  I gave up after about twenty minutes, and told my husband we should just go buy new lights.  He was convinced that would be too expensive.  So, we continued to check each little bulb for the next 30 minutes, but with no success.  By this time, the chi...

Mikey had a desperate need to feel like he was in control of his life.  So much had been out of his control.  He would be with a family one day and suddenly he would abruptly be moved.  Things were given to him only to be lost when yet another move was made.  He had no power to control these circumstances.  His reaction to this was a determination to run his own life. The experience we had in child rearing did not equip us to handle this type of determination.  I was used to telling my children to do something and if they didn't there was a consequence.  After a few times of this, they would soon comply to what they were told to do.  This did not work with Mikey.   If I told him to do something, there was an instant battle.  His posture was one of defiance.  The consequences never seemed to phase him no matter how severe.  We prayed and racked our brains.  I read lots of information and finally it dawned on me.  W...