Rarely bored

I was recently reminded that it has been a while since I posted any pictures or had any random ramblings about the five of us Andersons. So today as I sat down to do just that, it took a moment to figure out what words my fingers would type as I glanced through the photos of the past week, and then some. In doing so, I got to thinking about a question I was asked during a conversation not that long ago. It deemed to enter into that arena of stay-at-home-mom vs. working-mom mentality. I was asked "Don't you ever get bored just staying at home?" My defenses shot up in my heart as I thought "how dare they!" but I think the puzzled look displayed, raised brow and all, gave a definitively clear and less-heated answer. "Uh. No." 

A little DQ with my favorites ;)

Now, before I begin my descent into the rolling file of pictures, let me clarify that I'm not about to take on that "hot topic" and dare to spit-fire out this claim or that claim, vamping up one side of the "argument" to the other. Goodness knows there are enough social media outlets, articles, sermons, blogs, etc. out there that can be easily Googled on this topic and I'm not about to add to that number. Most of you know me well enough by now anyway. ;) I'll just share why my answer to that particular question proceeded me to sum up that I am, or ever have been in the past 9 years, rarely bored.

Mason wins again...and legitimately!

              Cookie making time!       

Austin is playing basketball this year!!!

Rebound! Go #15!

looking to get open! (he's right in the middle)

team huddle after the game

Being home and available to my boys has afforded me to play with them on their days off from school on a beautiful afternoon...a little basketball anyone? 

And I mean, who can pass up fort-building and even a little side-walk-chalking on a 50 degree day in January?! Moments I'm thankful to be a part of and definitely keeping me far from hardly being "bored."

It's allowed me to bring a sick boy home from school at the drop of a hat; to go to the school in order to drop off forgotten items realized mid-morning (aka...lunches, library books). It's given me opportunities to pour into others' lives and build relationships I might have otherwise missed out on. And yes, we get to enjoy our coffee at the same time. ;) 

Elisha & KJ--love this gal!

I'm a relational person to begin with and as I continue to deepen my walk with the Lord, I'm reminded more and more that showing Christ to the world is all about relationships: discipleship, loving one another through HIS power, preaching His word to neighbors near and far, serving for His name sake, loving my husband, parenting my boys, etc. I get to do that more intently by "being home", hardly giving me opportunity to be bored. Sure, I do get to enjoy some rare solitude on some afternoons with my nose in a good book, but even better it allows me to spend more time in the Good Book. There's nothing like a soothing cup of creamy coffee while pouring over the pages of Scripture knowing you get to unpack it all with some fellow sisters-in-Christ.

Realizing that Mason will be in kindergarten in what seems like a blink of an eye, I'm so very thankful that Andy and I carried through with our commitment we made the day we found out our family was going to expand beyond the two of us. It hasn't been easy. But God's been faithful. It's a road sometimes wearily, and these days uncommonly, traveled. But so worth it. It's our faith story. And I'd say it's rarely boring.

A day of ice fishing

A must-do during the winter months with a houseful of four rambunctious boys is to bundle up and brave the frozen waters, ice fishing gear in tow. It requires a distant drive to find those frozen waters but Andy knows the 'hot spots'. Although on this particular day, it wasn't so hot. The weather or the fishing.

ready to go!!

gawking at a low-flying plane

But it's all about the experience, right? Not so much about how many fish you catch...or don't catch....or almost catch. I won't say how many got away.

clearing for some sliding on the ice!

Austin ready to fish...

...and Carson is ready too!

mama and CJ!

our spot for the day!

the boys having some fun on the ice

mr. cool ;)

hanging out with dad for a bit

the only fish we caught all day

and Carson caught it!!

hanging out in the ice house

After being in the ice house for so long during the lull of the afternoon, things can get pretty nutty...laughing is inescapable, at each other and at all those "almost catches."

 

Despite the lack of fish in the cooler, you know it was a good day when you're the last ones to leave the ice. And the four boys and the lone-lady are still smiling and laughing. 

Happy New Year 2014!

I'm pretty sure I've said this before but I'm not really one for New Year's resolutions. I'll break them. I'm more of a goal-setting kind of girl. Or maybe that's really just a less intimidating way of saying 'resolutions'! :) Whatever you want to call it, a new year always sparks new beginnings of some kind. As I thought about what goals I want to set and hopefully achieve this year (for myself and Andy & I as a couple), it required a little reflection on 2013 in learning from the mistakes I made and remembering the ways in which my faith was stretched and strengthened. That narrowed the pool down a bit. It helped with the specifics of certain goals.  Not that I make many, but the few I do have I want to at least be realistic.

my New Year's date ;)

Christmas continued with a new year's package from family! Thanks K&R &Co! ;)

As a family of five, our main goal (aka...family motto) for every day of every "new year" is simply stated at the top of our blog...to be a family that has "authentic faith lived in light of eternity." That stems into one of my main goals that is carried over from year to year: being more purposefully kingdom-minded, eternally-focused as I parent my boys, as I lovingly serve and live life alongside my best friend and husband, as I befriend others, and as I strive daily to remain Christ-centered. Realizing how quickly each day goes by and the greatness of society's pull on our children, more so than ever I'm valuing the importance of daily teaching Jesus to my boys. Making it a priority to live out Deuteronomy 6: 5-7 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." 

Whatever God has in store for this Anderson family in 2014, I pray that we will have the faith to take the necessary steps, the courage to take a stand when called for, and the words to speak when Truth needs to be spoken. Happy New Year! :)