Our Little Life In A BIG World

Alive and Well!

2010-05-23T11:25:00.000-07:00

Hello all! Yes, contrary to popular belief we did survive the chicken pox outbreak in our home earlier this year... : ) We are all doing well, enjoying the way spring beauty is giving way to summer and the garden bounty that comes with that!

I found these footprints on our floor, they were so defined I had to get a picture.... Then I found the culprit in the bathroom washing her toes!!!!!! I love it!!!! (Couldn't get the footprints photo to flip upright.)

Our cat had 4 kittens on Easter and they have delighted us all more than Scot or I would care to admit... esp since we groaned when we found out she was expecting. So far we've given 3 of them away. I never would've guessed kittens to be in such high demand. There were some tears shed when the first one, named 'cuteface', was taken. I think we're recovering fine though from the trauma, we just hope they go to good homes!.....

Well, not to cut this too short but I'm not good at one way conversations and that's what I feel like I'm having!! I'll post a pic of the kitties!!

2010-02-09T16:27:00.000-08:00

Starting with chicken pox...!

2010-01-26T12:27:00.000-08:00

Yep, last night Hannah came down with a temp. and some suspicious looking blisters :-} None of the children have had them so here we go! I am glad to know we will be (hopefully) past this with all 5 peppers soon...
We've been staying pretty busy, hence the lack of posts :) This week is youth bible school at church and so Scot has been eating, drinking, sleeping bible school. Between helping to plan this for the youth, and leading discussions, it kinda takes alot of time and effort. Bless his heart. He's doing good with all he has on his plate! I am his minister. (Remember Debbie Pearl says this! And Mike calls her a mighty fine minister!) Although there are times he ministers to me :)
Last week a friend of mine (Rosalyn Byler) and I did a sweetheart banquet for all the couple's in our cell group... that was SO FUN!!!!! I loved it. She came over in the morning and we had already gotton our stuff together, so we cooked, decorated and transformed our dining room into a candlelit romantic getaway! The children were good for us too. What really made it fun was doing it with a friend!!
I must run!! I'll try not to let so much time go by between posts!!

2010-01-02T09:28:00.000-08:00

OK, So you have a new years resolution to. I'm just wondering what I do with the ones I didn't complete last year? Do I carry those through and add them to the ones I hope to accomplish this year? This year I Hope to: 1. more fully consecrate my will to God, more easily said than done for a hard head like me 2. run a marathon in under 4.15 3. Ace the NC electrical licensing exam.

Very fulfilling goals for 2010 if God prospers me. I love new beginnings, they usher in closure for the past, excitement for today and a new hope for tomorrow!!

God bless all,

Scot

2009-12-21T06:43:00.000-08:00

Hi to everyone! I've been wanting to post for awhile... but... have been busy! I'm going to make this a quickie cause I've tons I want to get done today! The children have been enjoying the snow tremendously. They've made several snowmen, Scot and I helped them make an igloo saturday, and we've thrown some snowballs. I'm trying to keep the snow outside, but my 35 yr old child surprised me yest. by dropping a snowball down my shirt while I was in the kitchen... which inspired my son to sneak snow in to me when his dad wasn't looking to 'get him back'. Which I did. (confession # 1) Hey, I clean, so if I make a mess it's my problem and no one complains! Which makes me remember, just about when I was going to start the dishes yest., I find my husband at the sink. Melt my heart. Maybe it was because I spanked him while standing in the kitchen earlier in the day and told him to make himself useful. (confession # 2) He loves it, don't ask me why, but I'll tell him such and such or I'll spank you. He always goes the route of the spanking. :) He's fun.

I now have my own business, which adds a bit to the busy-ness. Baking 1-2 days a week for the greenhouse down the road 1/4 mile. What is nice is that I can earn a little while still with my children, and Hannah is learning the ropes. I told Scot pretty soon I'll be making enough to send him back to school. Did I ever mention I tend to be unrealistically optimistic? (confession # 3) Enjoy the snow! Must go!

Where is fidelity?

2009-12-09T08:01:00.000-08:00

Alright I just have to speak a word here to all us men and by all means not as one who has been perfected but like you striving to finish the race! What ever happened to the shame of infidelity in a marriage? With the recent tryst of Mr. Woods Ive been appalled at the jokes and light hearted talk about his alleged affairs with many women. It seems there has been a flood of high profile men who have been brought to shame with infidelity in their marriage this past year. The world has so watered down the sanctity of marriage and the bonds forged in this Holy union between a man and a woman that some can now find humor in the shame and pain of adultery. Please tell me what is so funny about a wife weeping on her pillow at night feeling so alone and longing to be cherished by the one who gave her children and promised her to be the only one. What about the children who will grow up with the scars of a father who betrayed the trust of their mother? What about all the people who admire and respect a man like that and the likelihood of the erosion of purity in their own minds. I'm sure this man has his issues to deal with now, but what about a society that indulges in the news of all the different women that he indulged in? I mean where is the shame and disgust, not with the people involved necessarily, but with the infidelity that is wrecking our homes and our country? Men we our challenged by more sensual images all around us than ever was since the beginning of time. We cant deny the fact that there is pleasure in sin for a season but what after that? The glut of nudity around us yells at us to indulge in the animalistic passions and "live for the moment". There are images all around us portraying that loose living brings the most fulfilled sex life. Are we going to believe the lie that the devil offers or are we going to speak out and stand together against the depravity of such immoral behavior. This battle is not easy and any man who says it is is not being honest, maybe we haven't stooped to the level of Mr. Woods but we should never doubt the influence on the heart of roving eyes. We need to rise up as men of God together and be faithful to our wives! Remember how our wives gave themselves to us and how we promised we would take responsibility for their spiritual, emotional and physical needs. Men, the devil wants ultimately to destroy our marriages. He especially likes to use a God given drive in us to corrupt and lead us into infidelity. If our eye would be single then our whole body will be filled with light. Its high time we encourage one another to be that one woman man and to give our wives the security that comes from that because ultimately that's when we will find the most satisfying love, marriage and sex! Sex is Gods gift NOT the devils toy! I hope your marriages are blessed with lots of satisfying and fulfilling moments together and the bonds of love growing stronger! I'm praying for all our friends out there that we together can raise the standard of the sanctity of marriage while enjoying the God given gift of sexuality with our wives without shame and with a clear conscience.

To the women Id like to say, pray hard for your man and let him know you admire him ! You might be surprised to know how much a man wants his wife's admiration and confidence. ! Forgive even as Christ Jesus forgave you. Be attentive to your husbands needs emotionally and physically and give your man plenty of reasons to be pleasantly distracted with thoughts of YOU!

We as couples have to work as a team and be willing to grow in our marriages and face the challenges and failures of life with a commitment to the fidelity of our love for God and each other.

In humility and fear,

beseeching your prayers,

Brother Scot

Partners in training

2009-12-07T17:02:00.000-08:00

Today I took the two boys with me to work, they loved it. I'm trying to break them in early so they can run the buisness while Kristen and I vacation in the Islands and sip tropical juices and eat fresh pineapple on white sands watching the big moon rise on the horizon while falling asleep under the stars! Hey, when you have 5 small children you have to have vision or you are guaranteed insanity.

huh?

2009-12-04T13:56:00.000-08:00

My wife is all the sudden crazy about scrabble!?

The World is Mine

2009-12-03T06:50:00.000-08:00

Today upon a bus I saw a girl with golden hair;

She seemed so gay, I envied her, and wished that I were half so fair;

I watched her as she rose to leave, and saw her hobble down the aisle.

She had only one leg and wore a crutch, but as she passed - a smile.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;

I have two legs - the world is mine.

Later on I bought some sweets. The boy who sold them had such charm,

I thought I'd stop and talk awhile. If I were late, t'would do no harm.

And as we talked he said, "Thank you, sir, you've really been so kind.

It's nice to talk to folks like you because, you see, I'm blind".

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;

I have two eyes - the world is mine.

Later, walking down the street, I met a boy with eyes so blue.

But he stood and watched the others play; it seemed he knew not what to do.

I paused, and then I said, "Why don't you join the others, dear?"

But he looked straight ahead without a word, and then I knew, he couldn't hear.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;

I have two ears - the world is mine.

Two legs to take me where I go,

Two eyes to see the sunset's glow,

Two ears to hear all I should know,

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;

I'm blest indeed, the world is mine.

~Dr. Tennyson Guyer

This is not a 'serious' poem, but it's message is powerful.

My sister-in-law shared bits of this poem with me.... as we walked along the sand dunes at Jockey's Ridge. Thanks Karen!!

Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T14:46:00.000-08:00

OK so I wanted to write something incredibly wise and funny but I couldn't think of anything so ill just say here that I am amazingly blessed with such a wonderful family and life!

Scot

A batch of cookies and tears

2009-11-23T16:08:00.000-08:00

Saturday was an interesting day. Hannah and I were getting prepared for lunch guests sunday, plus a couple finger foods for a church event sunday eve... I had decided to take a run between preparing dishes, so after stretching and getting everyone settled into a routine here, I walked out the door for a much looked forward to, de-stressing run. It was perfect. 45 degrees or so and overcast. I loved the freedom of moving along the ground without a care in the world (for now!) and picking up dogs along the way eager for a human to run with. They are welcome companions, them, along with my pepper spray, should scare of any unwanted company. (I doubt I'll ever need the pepper spray, any fierce dog or troublesome person would be scared to death after one look at me as my face gets red as a beet when exercising) Even the cows along the way run along and kick up their heels! All I need is chickens and pigs and we could have a barnyard run, honestly! So after getting de-stressed for 3 1/2 miles I slow to a walk in front of our house. Hysteria meets my ears as the front door of our home opens and my 2 small girls walk out sobbing. (didn't I mention I look scary, poor things!) Nathan, looking exasperated, tells me hannah dropped a tray of unbaked cookie dough and thats why the girls were crying. Thankful that the girls aren't crying because of me, I walk into the house. My oldest is hysterically crying also. Hormones can be cruel, ask any woman or girl old enough to know. I'm just hoping it get better as she enters her teens. So anyway, we got it squared away and the batch made ALOT of cookies despite the unfortunate dump. "Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5 It amazed me how quickly the girls calmed down when the authority figure (being me) came upon the scene. Suddenly the burden shifted and everything was ok! A lesson for me here as I think of giving my burdens to God - I'm so glad He cares even when the cookies spill!.......Seems to me I just read a post on a peaceful, orderly home, a safe haven for our husbands to feel at rest..... which leads me to a question for you homeschooling mothers; why are all the covers of the homeschooling magazines lying to us???? Think of it. Nothing is out of place. The 1 child, possibly 2, are sitting at a table looking like heaven on earth doing their school. Are they whispering to each other? Oh, they wouldn't dream of it. In fact, they're enjoying they're work far too much for distraction. And Mother? Is she calling out spelling tests while doing kitchen work or the 5 loads of laundry, stopping now and then to respond to toddlers potty calls, or worse, cleaning the accident that happened before the potty was reached? If not, she must be scrubbing a bathroom somewhere, or at least nursing a baby! But no, mother dear is also sitting at the table, smiling as she points to the open page. House immaculate, children neatly groomed and dressed, hair combed, teeth brushed. As I stare at this picture open mouthed, temporarily I live in the heavenly moment of believing this is what homeschooling can be. Really though, we know better. Still, when it comes to curriculum, where is my magazine rack and the picture of what homeschooling would be for me if my children didn't interrupt my life continually!! Blessed interruptions!!! "Will the dust praise Thee? Will it declare Thy faithfulness??" Psalm 30:9 Of course not.

2009-11-12T06:12:00.000-08:00

I never would have imagined life could be so full. Being a wife and mother was always my #1 dream; back then when I had time to dream. The miracle of falling in love with a soldier, (my first experience with love - and last!) the privilege of moving in and starting a new life with him (after the wedding) the thrill of our first baby (I fell in love again), the cries of baby #2 (they need to find a cure for colic. I will be starting a colic calendar, as well as annual colic walk for the cure fundraiser, you can contact my second born Samuel to register.) Can you believe it I was actually jumping up and down and calling my husband (away for a seminar) after I discovered I was expecting our 3rd child, who my guy actually delivered. Yea. The midwife got stuck in a bad traffic jam and couldn't make it in time. (My husband does very well, but I'm not recommending him) Then there was the 22 day mission trip my man took overseas. Nothing compares to the homecoming; you think the honeymoon was good? He is convinced after traveling the world over that I am the most beautiful creature. Instead of arguing the point, I have discovered it is my blissful right to revel in his affection. Then came #4 baby and with the package a very spunky, and delightful child we all know as Abby. She is so fun for me to watch grow up!!!!! Something about her; is it the independence, the way she loves life, or her sweet but funny ways? I don't know, but she's a firecracker. After Abby, life took on a new dimension for me as I officially became a homeschool mom. I don't like the way that sounds. Why do we think of things like jumpers where you can't tell the front from the back, or women who have lost that fiery twist to their marriage... who knows. Anyway, so homeschooling began. Those first couple years were pretty difficult, not to say there are not stretching moments now (I'm typing this as I sit at the table and homeschool) maybe you learn to realize what you once thought was hard is not as hard as you thought. It's the new normal. So, next comes Erin, our 5th blessing. And blessing she is. Spreading joy and sunshine through our home. Being just 20 months apart, she and Abby are inseparable. I was thinking the other day how blessed I am to be surrounded by some amazing personalities. Rather than feeling 'stuck' at home, my whole attitude and perspective is broadened when I realize my job is incredibly important. I mean, who knows who I'm raising here. What they will grow up to do or be, or what they will go through later in life, needing the knowledge I am responsible to teach them now. I am incredibly grateful that my husband desires me to stay home and be here with his children.... so for now I have a spelling test to give.

Obama and the Ten Commandments

2009-11-09T15:30:00.000-08:00

The other day while working at my kitchen island Nathan (7) sat across from me reading his 2nd grade Rod and Staff reader. He is at the part where God gives Moses the commandments, so the chapter listed the commandments individually.... "Thou shalt not commit adultery," He looks up with big eyes. "Thats what Obama does." He is so serious I try not to let my amusement show. "Really?" I ask.

"Yea, you know..." He grapples with his words and tries to explain, "when they kill babies that aren't born."

Though he had the wrong word, I was impressed that he had listened enough to various conversations enough to know the President is pro-choice. I guess it's like they say, more is caught than taught.

Attacked by H1N1

2009-10-29T18:00:00.000-07:00

This past week has been quite a challenge here in the Westbrook's home! We had a brutal battle with the flu. I don't particularly like being sick and it is especially hard to see your children sick. I have to say if it wasn't for Kristen holding things together there would have been trouble. I was down for a good 3 days with fever, not including the other 3 I just felt yucky all over. I think all the children had nasty coughs, runny noses, and other bodily problems that you all can identify with. I'm just glad we are on the mend, although we still have barking coughs, laryngitis, runny noses, and a lot to catch up on. Well what can I say, what a boring life we would have without a few bumps in the road! You know, its not nice to be sick but on the bright side I have way to much to be thankful for to complain!

A Year at a Glance

2009-10-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

Scot turns... ummm... one year wiser... I (Kristen) will give you a snapshot view of what his year has been like....

2009-10-29T10:42:00.000-07:00

Awesome man

2009-10-29T10:35:00.000-07:00

Fishing in Kentucky. Isn't this a beautiful picture he took of the sunrise?

2009-10-29T10:33:00.000-07:00

Amazing Dad! Wearing the graduation hat Samuel made for him upon his return from fishing trip!

2009-10-29T10:30:00.000-07:00

He did it!!

2009-10-29T10:28:00.001-07:00

socializing

2009-10-29T10:20:00.000-07:00

This was a really big snowman by the way.

2009-10-29T10:13:00.000-07:00

Building a snowman... (isn't he strong?)

Nathan Turns 7!!!

2009-10-29T08:37:00.000-07:00

Waking up with the swine flu on your 7th birthday is not fun. Especially when you vomit dozens of times and can't keep anything down. But if you're a fortunate kid you get packages in the mail from nice people who love you! Here is Nathan with a couple of his gifts... and some curious siblings :-)

Caught snitching!

2009-10-29T08:29:00.000-07:00

Poor Erin. We keep publishing her candy raids.... she was found under scots desk and before correcting her I had to snap a couple pictures. She's quite the little character.

Time with Grandpa & Grandma...

2009-10-18T17:25:00.000-07:00

Dad and Mom made the time at OBX really special for the children. Just by being there, showing an interest, burying them in the sand time and time again (to their absolute delight!) catching them coming down the slide, making great big bowls of delicious popcorn (Mom!) taking a child shopping, etc. We love you Mom and Dad!!!!

Baby sunshine!!

2009-10-18T17:07:00.000-07:00

When Erin is quiet usually it's time to check out what she's up to (true of most children, I suppose)... there are several things she really enjoys doing; the pictures give you an idea. But besides holding her baby cousin, keeping her toenails polished and other meaningful activities, Erin also has a naughty side. For Nathan's b-day each child received a goody bag with treats. I am convinced Erin's favorite candy is a reese's peanut butter cup. That is what she was found snitching on three separate occasions from three different siblings... needless to say they are now careful to keep their treasures out of reach. :-)

OBX vacation

2009-10-17T09:21:00.000-07:00

We had SO much fun at the outer banks, nc this year! We had a house close to the beach and so spent alot of time in the sand, surfing the waves (I mostly watched!) collecting shells, and generally having a very good time! The weather couldn't have been more perfect at around 70 most of the week; we enjoyed quality time with Mom and Dad Robinson, Seth and Karen Robinson and 3 children, as well as a short pleasant visit with uncle Bill and Aunt Linda. (Dad's bro. & wife) I think we all wished it would go on another week - I know I did!! Some of my highlights were; a date with scot :-) which doubled as time with Seth and Karen (and baby michael who is still mommy - fed!), several early morning runs with Scot who was very patient and ended his runs a bit sooner than normal on account of me :-), watching the children have a Ball at a local park we walked to. I also enjoyed some talks with my mom and sister in law, Karen. The children loved being there and playing with their cousins every day for a week, plus time with grandma and grandpa! On our last day there, we played a very fun game of beach volleyball and found a curious looking creature - crablike and hiding in a snailshaped shell.... I will try to post a picture of it on here.

Race day for Daddy!!!

2009-10-17T09:11:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, Scot has been training for a race. September 19, 2009, he did run half marathon - an incredible 13.1 miles! We all had such a good time watching him and cheering. The training continues as Scot hopes to register for a marathon sometime next year...

A visit to the creation museum!

2009-10-17T08:43:00.000-07:00

In late may, our family, along with mom and dad Robinson, visited the creation museum. Is it in KY. or OH.? I don't know but at one point we went into 3 states within half an hour! We met up with my aunt & uncle & cousins from IL. which made it even more special.

2009-10-17T08:38:00.000-07:00

In the begining

2009-10-08T17:32:00.000-07:00

Ok so here we go on the extrodinary, fantastic, exciting, exilerating, excrutiating, hyperventalating and sometimes exasperating journey of blogging! I like the E words can you tell!