Sometimes training is hard.

Today I can't seem to get motivated to get our homeschool room organized...this video reminds me sometimes you just have to spur yourself on and push forward in doing something even when you don't feel like it.

Take a Chance on Me

My Homeboy

Wes is smack dab in the middle of our fab five. Being the 'middle-middle' child (wedged between two other 'middles') can be a hard spot. It is a spot that can be easily overlooked and forgotten, especially when this middle-middle child is 'on the surface' seemingly quiet. But, just as you don't always instantly see what makes a picture art-worthy and you have to study it for a little while to see what makes it truly a treasure, so it goes with our Wes. He may seem shy and quiet, but you just have to dig a bit beneath the surface to see what is going on in there. And taking the time to do so always yields treasure.

Some things that make Wes so different from the rest of our children is the fact that he is our 'homeboy'. He loves to be at home and dragging him on an errand consists of just that--dragging. We can be out together as a family doing something completely exciting, and he will inevitably come up to me and ask, 'can we leave now?'

He is our artist, sitting at his desk drawing for hours. He is our builder, creating and building ships out of his legos for hours. Playing by himself is no problem and often he prefers this. He is also quite orderly. He loves to clean his room and folding his clothes is his favorite chore (seriously. I'm not kidding). Don't get me wrong. He also has a wild streak, and can get pretty crazy and out of control at times. His theme song is 'Wild, Wild West' which we have renamed 'Wild, Wild Wes.'

I also enjoy the fact that he is the one child people tell me looks like me :) .

All of these things make Wes who he is. However, the one thing that I love most about him is his unassuming, dry wit. Often when Wes chooses to talk about something, it has been thought upon and pondered; thus, it comes across unusually witty and is said in just enough of a 'dry way' to make it extra funny. He has a unique mix of being analytical and methodical, yet also a creative 'outside the box' streak. This results in some very thought out, bizarre statements. A few years ago we began calling many of these statements and thoughts 'Wes-isms'.

Here are a couple of recent Wes-isms:

the other night at the dinner table, Eric asked the question, 'What is the one job you consider, yucky, one that you would never want to have?' Our two eldest piped up first, always ready with their reply: Sophie said she would not want to be a trashman. Joshua said he did not enjoy, presently, picking up our dog's poop. Four year old Jeremiah piped in with his answer. As usual, he didn't really make any sense--he just wanted to say something. I said I would not enjoy being a plumber. Eric said he would not like to have to be the one to scrape dead animals off of the road.

'So, Wes, what job would you not want to ever have?'

'Well, I would say that I would definitely not want to be the coach of the Kentucky Wildcats.'

................Bah-da-bing. Bah-da-bung.....................

The other night, as I was tucking Wes in, he said:

'Mom, remember how when we were arguing over who got to be the first ones in the car and you said 'whoever is first will be last and whoever is last will be first'?

'Yes, Wes, I remember.'

'Remember how Sophie and Joshua then kept arguing over who got to be last?

'Yes, Wes, I remember.'

'Well, really they were arguing over who wanted to be first because you said 'whoever is first will be last and whoever is last will be first.'

........Yes, let that sink in for a moment. He is exactly right, you know.

John Piper - Mission Sending: America is Dying

I have been thinking upon this so much lately. Thinking about how I don't even know what it means to suffer. Thinking about how very 'soft' I am when it comes to suffering for the sake of the gospel.

Favorite Quote of the Week

This was my favorite quote I came across this week. Of course, it's by Oswald Chambers (as usual!):

'Once we get intimate with Jesus we are never lonely and we never lack for understanding or compassion. We can continually pour out our hearts to Him without beting perceived as overly emotional or pitiful. The Christain who is truly intimate with Jesus will never draw attention to himself but will only show the evidence of a life where Jesus is completely in control. This is the outcome of allowing Jesus to satisfy every area of life to its depth. The picture resulting from such a life is that of the strong, calm balance that our Lord gives to those who are intimate with Him.'
Oswald Chambers

I Get Down and He Lifts Me Up

I love this song so much. This is the song that spoke so very much to me during the extremely difficult mini marathon I ran last April, not long after my mom died. Here are the lyrics. I may have some of them wrong; I don't have the greatest ears for words in songs. (When I was little I thought 'Taking Care of Business' was 'Taking Care of Biscuits'.) Hope this song lifts you up today! Happy Friday!

I GET DOWN AND HE LIFTS ME UP:

Lavish me,
Lifes are wasted
Humbledness is left untasted
You can’t live your life to please yourself
That’s a tip from my mistake, exactly what it doesn’t say--
To win you have to come in last place. To live your life you’ve got to lose it, and all the losers get a crown.

I get down, He lifts me up,
I get down, He lifts me up,
I get down, He lifts me up,
I get down…

All I need is another day
where I can’t seem to get away
from the many things that drag me down.
I’m sure you’ve had a day like me
when nothing seems to set you free
from burdens you can’t carry all alone.
In your weakness He is stronger,
In your darkness He shines through,
when you’re crying He’s your comfort,
When you’re all alone, He’s carrying you.

I get down, He lifts me up,
I get down, He lifts me up,
I get down, He lifts me up,

I get down, He lifts me up,
I get down, He lifts me up,
I get down, He lifts me up,
Everytime I’m down the Lord lifts me up

This valley is so deep, I can barely see the sun,
I cry out for mercy Lord and You lift me up again!

I get down, and He lifts me up,
I get down, He lifts me up,
I get down, He lifts me up,
I get down

I get down, and He lifts me up,
I get down, He lifts me up,
I get down, He lifts me up,
I get down


Everytime I’m down the Lord lifts me up, Yeah!

Christmas with the Fuquay's

Okay, this is such old news, but I had meant to post about this two weeks ago, before all of our drama. We had Christmas with all of my brothers and sister and their families here at our house this year. It was so relaxing and fun! And I loved having it here! All the kids (cousins) exchanged names and opened a gift. I loved the fact that they opened one present and also loved the fact that they were so happy just opening one gift! Another reminder of not overdoing and that less is truly more. All us girls exchanged ornaments via the Chinese Christmas exchange and all the guys did gag gifts. My brother Brian gets the prize for being the most creative:

My dad had sent a gift for all of us to open--pizza makers:

Here are all the girlies:

And here are all the kids--so many that we have to have two kid's tables!

Other pics: