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Busy hands are happy hands!

Ever heard that?! I actually hadn't, but it's so true. As a mother it is much easier for me to let my children play freely around the house while I get things done. It would be easier to pop in a video. It would be easier to just let them do their own things while I do mine. But is that what is best for my children, or yours? I have found that this way might be easier, but it is definitely not happier.

In the January 11, 1912, issue of the Review and Herald, it is put like this: "Mothers, keep your children occupied. If you fail to do this, somebody’s going to do it for you.” And we all know that Satan wants are children's hearts and minds so much.

It is important that I as mother, protector of their hearts, trainer, and teacher keep them busy doing things that help them learn the importance of neatness, self-government, helping happily, obedience, respect, etc. It is important that my children are taught to work along beside me, to do the everyday tasks that help to run a home smoothly. Especially small children do not need lots of time to themselves to play idly. All of us have a bent to wrong doing. We must keep our children occupied so that Satan has no access to their hearts.

We've always had somewhat of a schedule, but we are finding greater happiness and peace in a less flexible schedule these days. When my children are occupied and know what to expect, we find that things run more smoothly and things are more peaceful and happy. I challenge you to do the same.

"Parents cannot commit a greater sin than to neglect their God-given responsibilities in leaving their children with nothing to do; for these children will soon learn to love idleness and grow up to be shiftless, useless men and women....Allow them to help you in every way they can, and show them that you appreciate their help. Let them feel that they are a part of the family firm...Let us teach the little ones to help us while their hands are small and their strength is slight." (Child Guidance, Chap 21)

Green??

Do these smoothie pops look good to you?? :) Every once in a while we make what we call "green drink." Last night we had it again and made it more smoothie-like. And with the leftovers we made smoothie pops. What makes them green you ask?? Kale! My kids are eating kale and they love it! Really from tasting them you wouldn't even know it. There is also frozen banana, strawberry, and pineapple with a bit of soymilk and orange juice concentrate. You can really add whatever you want to them. When we add blueberries, it really isn't green, but it gets the same name. They are so yummy and oh so healthy!

Things that have made me happy this week....

1. It's fall and looking out my windows gives a beautiful view of mixed orange, red, yellow and green!

2. The smell of homemade rolls baking in the oven.

3. Reading all the children's books at Sam's today. It was just like going to the library!

4. Listening to my kids sing hymns around the house or randomly saying one of the memory verses for the week.

5. Having time to rest in the afternoon. It's been so busy lately with preserving food and whatnot, there has been no time for naps. It was sooo nice and much needed!

6. Making cookies together as a family.

7. Giving those cookies away to others.

8. Hot vegetable soup coursing through my chilled body.

9. Feeling baby "Chiquita" move inside me. :) This is the little fella's new nickname since I read last week that at this point he is the length and weight of a banana!

10. My new schedule.

Baby Names

Last time around, we had such a hard time coming up with and deciding on a boys name! So we need your suggestions! :) Do you have any boy names that you absolutely love?? We're really not into trendy names, but names that mean something nice. If you have any suggestions, send them our way. Either leave a comment or send it to my email at amyaaustin@gmail.com. Thanks!! :)

Ultrasound

Of all the tests, screenings, etc, you can have during a pregnancy, an ultrasound is the one thing that we do have. We're having this baby at home, like we did Dillon, so we aren't even pressured to have many of those other tests. But we love having an ultrasound! It's nice to know that the baby is growing and developing the way it should! And it's just fun to see the baby...it brings a sense of awe as we contemplate the creative power of God! And finally, we are thrilled to know the gender of the baby growing inside. It's a boy! We'll have two boys and a girl now. :) And truthfully, we would have been excited with either. Having one of each already, it didn't matter much to us which we ended up with. Chaeli is a bit disappointed that she won't be having a sister. In fact, she is already talking to me about having another so she can have a sister too! :) That is definitely not in the plans. :)

So that's our news. It's healthy. It's complete. It's just the right size for how far along I am. And it's a boy. We're happy!

Sabbath Nature Treasure Hunt

Here is a really fun treasure hunt that you can do this fall with your family. It's great for the Sabbath if you need a special activity!

1. Find 3 different leaves. Share together what their characteristics tell you about God.
2. Look for a bird. Consider God's care for all His creatures. Can you think of a Bible cerse that talks about birds?
3. Look for tree limbs or tree trunks that are shaped like a letter of the alphabet. Which Bible name (character or place) begins with that letter? (this was a favorite for us!)
4. Spend some time looking at the lake. What Bible story do you think of that speaks of water?
5. Find a nature object that looks like some type of animal. What "animal" texts can you find in the Bible?
6. Look for any kind of bug. What is the bug doing? How does that bug help its environment?
7. Look for an object lesson from something you see on your walk. Each person may see a different object lesson or you may have one per group. Share your object lesson(s).

Indiana Family Campmeeting

If you're at all familiar with the ministry Restoration International, then maybe you've heard of the family campmeetings they hold around the country. We were blessed to be able to attend one of them...the closest one to us is Indiana. It was held at the SDA Youth Camp there, Timber Ridge, so that's where we were for a long weekend.

I cannot begin to express what a blessing it was and will continue to be to our family. We were blessed and we were changed! We came back with a renewed focus and spiritual vitality. Jesus is coming sooooon, and as a family, we're going to be ready!

For anyone not familiar with their ministry, you can check it out at www.restoration-international.org. They have free sermons that you can listen to on the website and many more for purchase. Every message we heard, whether about marriage, parenting, our own christian walk or duties, was a tremendous blessing to us and we surely recommend them to you!

Besides canoeing, Chaeli's favorite part was watching the violins play during every song service. Then for church on Sabbath, they even all played together. She thought that was so grand!



This past weekend was wonderful for us. We enjoyed the time outdoors, the fellowship as a family, and the spiritual renewal and refocus that were all part of the weekend!