Provoked To Thought

Today Nathan read an article in The National Post reviewing a book. This is a quote that has provoked us to further thought:

"He leaves readers with more questions because he hasn’t really done his job as a teacher, which is what a minister is supposed to be. Instead, he has become a provocateur."

The origin of the word 'provocateur' is 'challenger'.

So a teacher is not a challenger? A teacher is not someone that provokes you to thought? I suppose then a teacher does not ask questions, or inspire and require you to ask them yourself. No, a true teacher will tell you just what you should think then.

It is possible, that if the questions posed make some uncomfortable, then the one responsible for composing them or stirring them must be trying to cause dissension.

Well, that may be true sometimes. So which is it then? Is the person in fact a teacher, wanting you to search for the answers to difficult questions, rather than giving them all to you on a spoon?

Or, is the person simply getting his kicks from causing trouble?

I don't know. But I hope that I have provoked you to think before you swallow.

Or at least think about what you are swallowing.

It's Not Just What You Say, But HOW You Say It

C'mon, haven't we all heard that from our Mothers?

It's not just what you say, but HOW you say it.

And don't we all find ourselves repeating the things our Mothers told us? We vow not to, but it's inevitable. And So I have found these words exiting my mouth on several occasions the past little while.

I can't deny the truth in it. I absolutely hate it when someone says my name in a heated discussion. I'm not sure I can explain it well, but something like, "No Paula, that is not what I said". Or "Don't you think you're blowing it a little out of proportin, PAULA". I feel a little roar welling up inside me just thinking about it. I hate it hate it hate it. (That and "relax".)

So now that you know how to really get me going (please don't!), I have had these same words come back to me. Another "ah-ha" moment.

I recently found myself getting very frustrated lately with the kids. The girls naturally have little squabbles and bouts of bickering. They instinctively rip breakables out of their little brother's hand and shout "NO" at him when he's getting into their stuff. And I have been reacting.

I was telling my friend that I was saying all the same things that used to "work" and now didn't. Or when she would offer gracious parenting advice she was suggesting things I was already saying.

And then it hit me. It wasn't WHAT I was saying, it was HOW I was saying it.

Duh. How could I be so ignorant? I'm the pot calling the kettle black. I felt so foolish. My error was obvious and I felt so embarrassed and guilty.

When I had just one, or even two I was much more patient.

But I also had a lot more "free time". The girls napped, allowing me at least 1 1/2 hours in the afternoon to do things. And don't forget that amazing little thing called a morning nap! They were in bed by 7pm. Meals weren't quite so large and eaters weren't quite so 'opinionated', shall we say. Clothes seemed to stay cleaner longer. And I wasn't so tired all the time.

Now, with 3 little ones I am always doing something. I am always busy and so it's become my norm to parent from across the room, or the other room sometimes. My attention is often divided. When I need to I stop and deal with the issues, but my attitude is not compassion, understanding, or gentle. Forgive me Lord. I've gotten too busy. I need to reposition my priorities and focus. Slow down Paula. It's not just what I say, but how I say it. Stop. Squat down. Look in their eyes. Be gentle.

Deep breath.

I am learning. I don't hold the guilt for long. That's not walking in the freedom of Christ that I know is mine. I am sorry, and I am grateful for this revelation and loving correction from my Father. Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord for loving me gently into a better way to love.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1

Look Who's FIVE!

I can barely bring myself to write this. How can I be putting together a birthday blessing for my baby.... Age FIVE?! Five is a milestone. A big one. It is HUGE.
When my little girl was born, I held her so close all night long. Every minute that passed I remember thinking: "She's one minute older. Wow, the seconds are just ticking away". Then 4am came and I remember thinking, "this is the first 4am of her life!" It was Friday, and I naturally thought, "wow, I am holding someone who has never experienced a Friday!" then Saturday. Then Sunday. I thought about the time passing, and all her first, and seconds, and thirds ALL the time!

Nothing had ever touched those little hands before! I would begin thinking about how new she was all over again. I was purely and simply awestruck. Have you ever thought about how many things your hands touch in an hour, or a day. Now think about your life so far and how many different things that your hands have touched. It's a lot. So to comprehend just how pure and perfect and new she was was beyond me and it awed me constantly. Not surprisingly, when she was hours old I tried to savor every minute of that newness. I knew it wouldn't last and I didn't want to take a second of it for granted. And I thought about the day that she would turn five. I wondered what she would be like. What would her personality be like? Would she love to dance and sing? What would her favorite color be? Would she be a Tom boy or girly girl? Would she love dresses or hate them? Would she keep her highlighted hair and blue eyes?

Well here we are. My little one is five. I have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.

Here she is.

More beautiful and wonderful than I could ever have imagined. She is creative and artsy, but doesn't like a mess, especially on her hands.

She is girly right to the core. Dresses must be fancy, "twirly" and worn everyday.

She is kind and caring. She has always shared well and taken care of others.
But she is the boss, and don't you forget it!

I can't believe all the memories that you can make in 5 years. I will never forget raspberry picking with her. 3 years old an already an addiction!

She has always loved the beach. This is her first time at the beach with her feet in the sand.

And her first Pumpkin Festival at the farm.
She's the cutest little pumpkin in the patch!

Ug, that ridiculous Dora hat that started it all! That hat was a gift from her Uncle Matt.
Before that, she didn't know who Dora was.
She quickly learned and fell in love.

And the unforgettable "TRIANGLE"!
Ask me about that sometime.

Five years. I can't believe it. I knew it would go by fast, but that was really fast.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl! The first five have been incredible. We have loved watching you grow and learn. We are excited to continue to experience life with you. And this is our prayer for you: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9)

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

*This is a catch-up blog post. Larissa turned 5 in November 2010

Art Lessons ...?

I am creative .... in my own way. I'm not that total right-brain thinker who thrives on visuals of symbols and colors. I like an order to things, I like to think logically through the math problem and understand the process.

However, I also LOVE to snap the camera, love the feel of fingerpaint on paper, dream about getting into pottery, could watch someone draw for hours, and culinary art is a passion. (I was also known to wear a lot of tie-dye and neon in the late 80's - 90's)

I wouldn't say that I am an artist though. I can draw if I have something to copy from. But to make it up in my head and make it come alive with a pencil - yeah, that's not me.

It may, however, be one of my children! Nate is more on that creative side than I am. I always journalled growing up, and I wrote plenty of songs. But they never had any music to them.

As I endeavor into the homeschool world, I am trying to be very aware of my strengths and weaknesses. I don't ever want to miss exposing or teaching my kids something that they might love, or in a way they might love, simply because I don't. (I realize I haven't been great at updating this blog in the school department - I got all insecure that it might seem like I was bragging about my kids)

I found this great learn-to-draw excerise online and tried it with the girls. They LOVED it! We did it a few months ago, and since then I have seen them drawing catapillars, snowmen and lollipops on several occasions. Pretty awesome. They felt so empowered to create with simple circles, that now they have the confidence to go with it.
I have since seen snails, balloons, apple trees and much more.

Thank you Lord for this idea!

Larissa's

Olivia's

Sorry if the picture isn't the greatest. Next time maybe I will let them use markers.
If you're interested in the website click here: Drawing for kids

Life Is Not A Series Of Tasks To Be Accomplished

Occasionally I come across something that is just for ME. It speaks right to my heart and awakens my Spirit so deep, so real, so alive.

I found this just now while prepping for some school things for tomorrow. But I feel paralyzed. Again, I needed this reminder.
I refuse to beat myself up about needing it. It's good. I welcome the reminder.

Here is the blog I am re-posting this from: http://a-pilgrims-heart.blogspot.com/

A golden note of misty light quietly slips through the velvet-black night; noisy birdsong dips and rolls through not-quite morning air. Into my slowly-waking heart, His whisper settles in me:


Life is not a series of tasks to be fulfilled.

It is to be lived and savoured, held close - filled with space and grace – space enough to respond to My call - no matter how inconvenient it may be when it comes.

Oh how well you know me, Father - even half awake you know my mind is already filled with things to do and achieve today, lists to check off. You know how easy it is for me to be structured, maybe even too rigid. How I feel happiest when my list all accomplished. Words that could almost define me - discipline, efficiency, focus...."Come on....time is ticking away", "Hurry up!".

But at the expense of what (or whom)? Are there feelings I have steam-rolled over, children I have nagged and harassed, precious moments I have failed to enjoy in order to finish the task?

Your words of encouragement flow through me - Life is for living:

When your son builds a fort and wants you to play even though you are in the middle of your devotions.

When your children need a snuggle just when you are desperately trying to answer all your long overdue emails.

To dance in the rain when you are supposed to be cooking dinner.

To watch a movie with the family even though they really should be in bed.

To take your time over a piece of work that you are all interested in even when the schedule tells us it's time to move on.

To lay on the floor and eat cookies, listening to music when the laundry needs doing.

Taking the day off to visit the museum or swim in the pool when there is still much to be done.

To sit and enjoy being with your husband, not rushing to put the kids to sleep.

To embrace life's bumps, surprises, mistakes and allow them to be fertiliser for learning and growth.


Life is for living not just for getting through or surviving.

Sometimes we just have to survive - I know that - I've lived it. But so much more is given to us; a life to embrace even with all its thorns and cut-glass edges. We may bleed but if we feel and live grateful and find peace in the small things, we'll find God: open-armed, smiling, delighting in us. In me. In you.

So today I pray -

" I surrender. I surrender my need to control, to have things run according to schedule, to count my worth by what I've achieved each day. I choose to live - not just survive. I want to learn to be."

As I open my eyes, I see a new day has dawned - brilliant blue streaked with fresh linen-white clouds, mellow golden morning-light dancing off the the tips of towering jade-green trees. I am reminded of this verse from His word:

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. Lamentations 3:22-24

Thankful for new mornings, I start today.

A secret

Did I draw you in with the hopes of hearing something juicey? Something personal? Something honest? Well, I will share two secrets with you. This is my first:

VegeGreens

That's right. My first secret is VegeGreens. I have been hiding it in a lot of things lately. The truth is that the Birtch Family has NOT been eating their vegetables. Fresh veggies have been rather intimidating to me lately. Washing, cutting, dicing, chopping. Don't get me wrong, I do it. Just not near as often as I once did, or should, or would like to. But enough "shoulding" on myself - I am grateful for VegeGreens!

My second secret: I can be kindof a control freak.

Phew, there I said it. It feels good to know the Truth though, doesn't it? It's an area I am working on and I will write more about that in the future (ie: flying on an airplane was TOTALLY uncomfortable for me because I was COMPLETELY out of control!)

One area that we are really working on is being careful to not over-parent. When good intentions go too far, you have a problem. I firmly believe that extremes of just about anything are not generally good for a person.

Like I said, more to come on this later, I promise! For now, let me show you
1) how too easy it is to be a control freak in the name of "common sense" and stifle your child's growth, creativity, imagination, enthusiasm and courage to try new things
2) how letting go is way more fun!

It was Thursday night, and I was alone with the kids for dinner (as per usual as Nathan works late twice a week). Sometimes I get in a funk with dinners. As of late, the kids have been a little more, hmmm, firm in their cuisine preferences (they've been a little picky lately).
I had planned to make souvlaki pitas - one of my hubby's favorites. I had picked up some 50% off pitas that I had put off making for two days. Needless to say, if I didn't use them that night, I was afraid that my good deal would turn into a bad, moldy, waste-of-a-deal. So I had to make them, but I knew they wouldn't go down little throats so well.

Then I looked at the pita and saw not a pita, but a PIZZA! "YES! I will let them make their own pizzas! They will love that!" I said to myself.

So I gathered various toppings into little jars for them to create with. Landon and I made the sauce (that's him in the above. Good technique, eh?)

I was right. They loved it. See...

Here are their creations:
Big one is for Olivia and Landon.
FINALLY - Olivia gets pizza with no sauce!
Little one, top right: Larissa's
Little one, bottom right: Daddy's (1/2 from 'Liv, 1/2 from Larissa)

Here's the crux of it all - did you notice what is on Larissa's? Can't tell? Look again.

Here.
It's strawberries.

Yes. Strawberries. You read that right.

She says to me, "MOMMY!" (with such intensity) "Can I put strawberries on my pizza?"

My initial response is of course, "What? You silly girl, did you just say strawberries?"
"Yes! Mmmmm that would be good" she tells me.
So I say, "I don't know if you'll like strawberries on pizza!"

Then catch myself. I'm doing it.
She wants to try something new and different. She wants to combine two of her favorite foods. Why would I stop her from that endeavor? Because I think it sounds disgusting? Seriously. I am the girl who loves to dip fries in frosties and eat cheese dorritos with cottage cheese and dill pickles (are we still friends? You think I'm sick now. That's ok).

"GO FOR IT!" I tell her. And then I change my song to be completely encouraging, supportive, excited for her new creation.

Guess what? She loved it.
And I didn't mind it.
And I loved watching her get excited about her idea and discovery.

Note to self reminder: Don't be afraid to try new things.
(but that's another story)

Family Day!

Family Day: a Sabbath for the Birtch Family. A much-needed day of rest and relaxation. Sure, we did some crafts, some painting, some fun cooking - but that's just part of life and what was relaxing to us that day! It wasn't a list of to-dos, but instead a list of to-want-to-dos!

The girls have been wanting to make new beds for their dollhouse with Daddy.
Here they are!

Olivia's design:

Larissa's creative touch:

I have had this shelf since I was a kid. It was natural wood, but I painted and stressed it for Olivia. She chose this special picture for it and her African lizard

When we got bunk beds, Olivia had a bit of a hard time saying goodbye to her old bed. I thought that painting a rainbow overhead might make it more fun and special to sleep under. I was right. She loves it!
(Notice the shelf and her letter O hanging?)

While I painted the bed, Nate distracted them with their own painting.
This is Landon's work of art.
He says it is a forest and animals.
Clever.

Then we pulled out the wii~ a good time had by all!
Bowling, tennis, running, climbing, kyaking. Even Landon was in on it!

Correction: Even the cat was in on it!

I love home-made pizza! Then everyone is happy.
Pinapple for Larissa, Landon, Daddy.

Loaded veggie for Mommy,
plain cheese and minor veggie for 'Liv.

And we made chocolate strawberries for dessert!
Mmmmmmmmmmmm

One thing is for sure. We love family day. And we love eachother!