Cobblestones

WFMW ~ Germ Prevention

2008-07-22T23:18:00.011-05:00

Having 5 children in 7 years leads to lots of germs. Lots and lots of germs. There was a period of 3 months after our fifth child was born that the stomach virus went through our family 5 times. FIVE. TIMES. We tried the vigilant handwashing, isolating the sick one, sterilizing the toys...and we kept getting it! We were missing something... We finally discovered one key thing that has been extremely helpful in preventing the spread from family member to family member. Toothbrushes.

First, each child has a different cup for their toothbrush.

Second, the toothbrushes get thrown in the dishwasher every night for sterilization.

So far, it has worked for us. When the virus does come into our house, it usually stays contained to just one person.

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ July 14

2008-07-14T07:30:00.003-05:00

Please stop by Peggy's at The Simple Woman

for all the links entered in this week's Daybook

FOR TODAY July 14

Outside My Window... our first peppers, it took awhile this year

I am thinking... that it is really hard to wake up sleeping children...really hard

I am thankful for... my husband, 10 years on Friday, it truly has been an amazing decade!

From the kitchen... a bare refridgerator, an ustocked pantry, and dry cereal for breakfast

I am wearing... blue jeans, brown t-shirt with gold writing, brown flip-flops, hair pulled up in a ponytail, and toenails painted red

I am creating... an alphabet book for my nephew, it has been a year in the making

I am going... to Vacation Bible School all week, we are priveleged to get to take our 2 year old neighbor with us as well

I am reading... Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, relationships, roles, & relevance by Bruce Ware

I am hoping... for answers concerning Noah when we meet with a new doctor in August

I am hearing... Chris getting ready for work, coffee maker grinding coffee beans, silence from 5 sleeping children

Around the house... laundry to be folded, stacks to be filed, rooms to be straightened

One of my favorite things... king size beds, lots of kids can fit in a king size bed

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: vbs every day and hopefully a date on Friday

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Ah, we look young...and thin

How Firm a Foundation

2008-07-13T03:30:00.001-05:00

How Firm A Foundation

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

~John Rippen 1787

You remember how we chose to have kids, right?

2008-07-11T00:17:00.007-05:00

In one week we will be celebrating our ten year anniversary. With this momentous occasion approaching, I have been doing some reflecting on our earlier years of marriage. I remember one specific phone call I received from Chris when he was in seminary.

A little set-up. My sister and I had a double wedding (another post or 10 by itseslf). Amy went on to become a physical therapist while I popped out 3 babies in those first five years. Her husband and my husband were both in seminary at the same time this particular semester.

Me: Hello?

Chris: Sweetie? I need to ask you something.

Me: Okaaaaay... (hesitant, because normally, he just asks)

Chris: You remember how we chose to have kids, right?

Me: Yeeeeessss (what is going on here)

Chris: Remember how it's hard sometimes but they are so worth it? Remember how much joy they bring us? What a blessing they are? How they like to giggle? Remember how they also cost a little bit of money to raise?

Me: Yes, why are you saying this? What's wrong? You are freaking me out.

Chris: Well, I just talked to Jonathan (brother-in-law) and he told me what they are doing for their fifth anniversary.

Me: Yeah....

Chris: Remember how cute Katie was this morning when she...

Me: Stop it! Tell me now!

Chris: They just booked a 2 week trip to Hawaii (fear, trembling)

Me: Awwwww, how sweet. I really do love our kids honey, I really do :)

And so Amy and Jonathan celebrated their fifth anniversary with a 2 week dream vacation and we got a babysitter and went to The Outback Steakhouse for dinner. Good times.

So, Amy, any plans for the tenth?!

Free Chick-fil-a!!

2008-07-09T20:30:00.002-05:00

((bump)) This Friday!!

FREE CHICK-FIL-A!!!

I must confess that I have a special fondness in my heart for chick-fil-a. I worked at our local establishment in Jackson, TN during high school. I never got tired of the taste of that *super-duper-secret-ingredient* breading that they put on their sandwiches and nuggets.

We have started going to chick-fil-a on "family nights" here in good 'ole Texas. For every adult value meal you purchase, you get a kids meal free. Because there are 7 of us, we buy 3 adult meals and get 3 free kids meals...mix it all together and share it! It's on Tuesday nights here but it varies from restaurant to restaurant. They also have something fun for the kids to do like animal balloons or face painting.

On Friday, July 1th, 2008,
chick-fil-a is giving away a free meal
to anyone who comes in dressed as a cow!
WOOHOO!!

Katie, Alan, and Lily with cousins Hannah and Sarah Joy who dressed them up for Cow Appreciation Day last year!

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ July 7

2008-07-07T09:45:00.002-05:00

Please stop by Peggy's at The Simple Woman

for all the links entered in this week's Daybook

FOR TODAY July 7

Outside My Window... my 6 year old son waters the gardens and the flower bed

I am thinking... that it wouldn't really hurt anything to continue this long weekend into Monday, right? Please say I'm right!

I am thankful for... my country, my independence, my grandfathers who fought in WWII, my father who fought in Vietnam, my cousin who fought in Desert Storm, and all the soldiers who are fighting for our continued freedom right at this very moment

From the kitchen... lots of leftovers including (but not limited to) mashed potatoes with fresh basil from the garden, fried chicken, and grilled vegetables (homemade by my husband, not me!)

If we are going with this whole extended weekend idea...what would it hurt if my kids had poptarts for breakfast? Don't answer that!

I am wearing... the same pajamas as last week; they have been washed though!

I am creating... schedules and plans and booklists, OH MY!

I am going... to attempt another picnic at the park tonight, our plans were foiled last week when we walked to the car and realized my husband had taken the van to work (at my suggestion to save gas)...and wouldn't be home until 10

I am reading... a variation on what I was reading last week; The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun by Carol Kranowitz

I am hoping... that this new, very detailed, very ambitious schedule will help Noah to function well during the day so that the other children can be schooled excellently as well

I am hearing... the air conditioner kicking on, the children chatter in their rooms, and the ever-present hum of the ceiling fans

Around the house... lots of straightening and maintaining left to do from the weekends festivities. The 2 and 3 year old boys are still deep asleep at 9:30 AM. That never happens! See, it just all points to a final day in the "long weekend" :)

One of my favorite things... books, reading books, reading books out loud to my children, watching my children read books

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Apparently we will start the very detailed, very ambitious schedule tomorrow. This means we will stay home all week so that we can get the routine in place. This will also be a plus since we will be close to 100* all week with the humidity at a level that takes your breath away!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

A photograph, taken by my sister, of Haddon (my nephew) and David engrossed in their deep, theological reading :)

WFMW~Mexican Casserole

2008-07-01T20:34:00.016-05:00

** edited to add Disclaimer Three via anonymous commenter...touche!

Shannon over at RocksInMyDryer is hosting a themed works-for-me Wednesday this week. Recipes with 5 ingredients or less! This has been a favorite of mine and Chris' since our first year of marriage.

*disclaimer*

If you are a vegetarian, do not eat anything out of aluminum cans, eat only healthy foods, or only cook from scratch...I am so very impressed with you and I APPLAUD you, however, this probably isn't a recipe you will enjoy!

**disclaimer two**

I added an optional 6th ingredient. That ingredient is cheese. You can choose not to top with cheese. I have never actually tried this because I add cheese to everything. I am a huge fan of cheese. Cheddar, Monterrey Jack, Colby, Mozzerella, Colby Jack, Provolone, Blue Cheese, etc. Any form, any kind. HUGE FAN

**disclaimer three**

If you are a Mexican or of hispanic descent, please know that this really should be called "What White People call Mexican Food - Casserole" ~ via anonymous commenter :)

Mexican Casserole

1 pound ground beef

1 can rotel

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

1 package taco seasoning

3-6 flour tortillas

optional ~ cheese

Brown ground beef and drain.

Combine beef, soup, taco seasoning, and rotel (do not drain).

Tear tortillas into bite size pieces and place 1/2 in bottom of greased 8x8 casserole dish.

Pour half of beef sauce over layer of tortillas.

Repeat tortilla layer and sauce.

optional ~ top with cheese

Bake at 350* for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly

*freezes well with or without cheese

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ June 30

2008-06-30T10:00:00.003-05:00

Please stop by Peggy's at The Simple Woman

for all the links entered in this week's Daybook

FOR TODAY June 30

Outside My Window... A surprise 12 ft Sunflower, at first we suspected it was an okra plant displaced by the wind. After it quickly surpassed the fence line, we realized one of the children had left a sunflower seed outside!

I am thinking... of ways I can make our daily routines and habits fit Noah's needs and pondering ways we can make our family less Noah centered and more Christ centered. I am praying for a doctor who will come beside us and advocate for Noah and for an accurate diagnosis.

I am thankful for... old friends, family vacations, ropes courses, the Ozarks, lakeside views, camp meals, late night card games, Missouri wildflowers, and breezy 70* days

From the kitchen... Chris' freshly brewed coffee, waffles with whipped cream and fresh raspberries for breakfast, simple sandwiches for lunch, a picnic at the park for dinner

I am wearing... soft Old Navy pajama pants and an old t-shirt, hair up in a ponytail

I am creating... an ordered home, a sanctuary for my family, an atmosphere of learning

I am going... to stay at home until our picnic tonight. Chris will come home and take Noah to speech therapy during his lunch break!

I am reading... The Out-of- Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz

I am hoping... that these Monday posts will be a catalyst for me to record our journey on this little piece of the world wide web. My hope is that my children will one day enjoy reading this. Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generaton to generation we will recount your praise ~ Psalm 79:13

I am hearing... the hum of ceiling fans, children stirring, a train speeding by outside, music coming from the girl's bedroom

Around the house... a guestroom to be cleaned and prepared for the next visitor, books to be read, a master bedroom that patiently waits for its turn to be cleaned (not this week!), laundry to be maintained

One of my favorite things... watching Chris capture our children's hearts by being a trustworthy protector... and proving it to Katie high up in the treetops of KAA

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: We are starting our summer term of school tomorrow, the first day of July. We are focusing on consistency in penmanship, math, reading, and Bible for the spine and then we will begin adding in science, history, art study, composer study, etc. I will finish spring cleaning the kitchen. Only two more cabinets, the top of the refridgerator and under the oven to go!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Y'all, I think God reads my blog!

2008-03-07T23:00:00.002-06:00

That's right! Less than a week after I wrote this: "I miss the four seasons in East Tennessee! I want my children to have memories of building snowmen...and I mean snowmen taller than six inches", Denton, TX was the recipient of SEVEN INCHES of snow! It has not snowed that much in the 10 years we have lived here. The children were ecstatic! I went and woke Noah from his nap just to see what his reaction would be. He did not disappoint! I wish you could have heard the sound that came from his mouth when I took him to the back door. Absolute GLEE. He was pointing and grinning, just in awe of the huge, beautiful snowflakes that were falling so quickly, we were squinting to see through them. He was not however, a fan of the snowflakes actually touching him. So, he went to finish his nap while the rest of the children had an absolute ball! I do believe that David loved the snow the best of all. I will let the pictures say the rest.

Thank you God for this sweet, unexpected gift!

Seven Things About Me

2008-03-02T09:52:00.001-06:00

Well, I've been tagged! My college roommate, Amy, tagged me to tell you seven things about me that you may not know. Since she endured sooooo much from me in college, I figure I'll oblige her request!

1. I attended an Elvis Presley Concert, live, in Memphis in 1974. I was actually in my mother's womb. She was pregnant with me but I'm sure I kicked along to the beat! My mom was a HUGE Elvis fan.

2. I met my husband the second day of college. (Amy introduced us in the courtyard) I actually remember looking him up and down and thinking to myself "I could marry him". I KNOW! Then I thought "oh my word, I'm one of those MRS degree people, just looking for a husband!" That all happened in my mind in a split second. Those thoughts were immediately followed by "Does he really talk like that or is he just being funny....surely no one REALLY talks like that" :) I love Chris! (thanks, Amy) By the way, he really talked like that.

3. In high school, my favorite place to have my quiet times was at cemetaries. Is that morbid? I found them peaceful. I also thought they were pretty. I guess that's what happens when you have no mountains in your area! Actually, it was a poignant reminder of the fleetingness of this life.

4. When we got married, Chris chose the pin number for our credit cards. (it's changed now, people!) 2204. Why? I wanted 22 kids, I was pregnant (honeymoon, people!) so the 04 was because I was hoping I was pregnant with quadruplets. Chris has declared our quiver to be full with five :)

5. I slept with a teddy bear until I got married. His name was Buster. I loved him very much. Now my daughters play with him.

6. I had a double wedding. My sister and I got engaged on the same weekend. We had 17 bridesmaids! None of our friends overlapped. Hers wore periwinkle and mine wore pale yellow. The most common question we got was "Are you taking your honeymoons together too?" Umm, let's see...no! They went to Jamaica and we went to Canada.

7. I miss the 4 seasons in East Tennessee! I want my children to have memories of building snowmen...and I mean snowmen taller than 6 inches (that's what we built last year...and used stick pins for the eyes and nose...it melted within a couple of hours)

Happy Birthday Chris

2007-12-12T23:01:00.001-06:00

Thirty-four things I love about my husband in celebration of his thirty-fourth birthday!

1. He loves Jesus

2. He loves me

3. He loves our kids

4. He cooks better than I do

5. He laughs really loud

6. He makes me laugh

7. He makes our kids laugh

8. He is passionate about training others to study their Bibles

9. He completed a seminiary degree while working full-time and procreating at a rapid pace (he started school with one 3 month old baby and finished with 4 kids ages 5 and under)

10. He loves me in spite of myself even if he only eats peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for 2 weeks straight.

11. He is content to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for 2 weeks straight

12. He has no fear of lizards in the house

13. He provides endless nights of entertainment through sleepwalking and sleeptalking

14. He knows all the lyrics to "How 'bout a Hand for the Hog"

15. He thinks it's cool that he grew up with a waterbed with black satin sheets on it

16. "The last thing I want is a 40 hour week and a mediocre marriage"

17. He dreams big

18. He loves people and assumes the best about them

19. He forgives with the blink of an eye

20. He coaches my little ones in tee ball

21. He takes the children on dates

22. He prefers to be with his family rather than out on the town

23. He submits to authority

24. He is unwavering in his faith

25. He wants his neighbors, the plumber, and the air conditioner man to know his Jesus, and he tells them so

26. He makes incredible castle bunkbeds with his bare hands

27. He is one hot water-skier

28. He has a great East Tennessee accent

29. He crawls in the closet with me when I hide there to cry

30. He loves me when I'm irrational

31. He takes me to hotels when there are little baby mice in my lingerie drawer

32. He makes sure there are never, ever, ever again baby mice in my lingerie drawer

33. He thinks I'm funny

34. He is the most tangible example of the love of Christ I have ever come across on this Earth

I love you Honey, Happy Birthday!

Farewell Fall

2007-12-05T09:33:00.001-06:00

We have had an exciting, activity-filled fall here in the WARM state of Texas! As native Tennesseans, we find it hard to reconcile the fact that temperatures continue to rise into the 80's this first week of December! Do you think that perhaps I can continue to keep this blog updated once a season? A pretty lofty goal, I know!

David, already trying to fill his big brother's shoes

Noah and his typical grin

Lily playing catcher in her first t-ball game

Alan proudly riding his bike around the neighborhood

Katie and her favorite outdoor activity, climbing trees

Katie and Alan goofing off on a hayride

We are looking forward to winter, who knows, perhaps it will even snow this year!!

Farewell Summer

2007-09-12T12:04:00.001-05:00

"There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven"

Ecclesiastes 3:1

It's time to say good-bye to a lovely, fun-filled summer.

Here are some of my favorite photos.

My cousin, Nick, took these. Isn't he great?

We are looking forward to an exciting fall!

A Buddy For Me

2007-06-06T21:09:00.001-05:00

Witness God’s Workmanship First Hand!

Be a helper in the Buddy for Me program.

See God at work in an extra special person’s life,

while being a special helper to a child with disabilities.

Assist them in participating in activities and worshiping

their creator with their peers in Sunday School.

You’ll not only minister to the child and their parents,

but you will definitly be blessed in return.

This plea appeared in our bulletin a few Sundays ago. I have seen this plea before. I have read it several times over the last 8 years. Each time my heart goes out to the family whose child needs a buddy. Each time I thank the Lord for the health of my children. Each time a passing thought sweeps across my mind "I couldn't do it, I just couldn't do it. God , you knew I couldn't have a child with special needs and that's why You have not given me one, right?" Many times I would place my hands on my swelling tummy as I prayed for the health of a baby growing there. This time I read the plea a little differently. This time the plea was for me. This time I knew that the announcement was in the bulletin because we needed a buddy for our Noah. I needed to be able to come back to church and worship with other believers. It had been a year. And this time I thanked God for the buddy who volunteered to love my little guy. The grandpa who committed to spend six months taking care of him so his mama could be fed spiritually. This time I thanked God for the molding He has done in my life, for the pruning He has done in my heart, for the love He has shown me through my "extra special" child. I cannot imagine life any differently.

Beginnings

2007-04-16T20:46:00.001-05:00

As I sat here pondering what a person should write for her first blog post, I heard a choking sound. I turned quickly to check on our 10 month old baby. And there he sat. With mud oozing out of his mouth. Thankfully, it was not poop. And so you have it. This is our life, our story, our great adventure, our journey that the Lord is leading us on. We are the Cobble's. We love the Lord. We have 5 children ages 7 and under. Chris works at a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church as a Missions Pastor and I stay at home with our children, learning right along with them. Sometimes mud happens at our house. We invite you in to laugh, learn, and love with us.