In the KNOW

I always say knowledge is power. When I am aware of it- I can change it, grow it, study for it, pray about it, seek Godly advise, wisdom from others...


I am blessed with friendships God has arranged that provide support, wisdom, encouragement and fun! I am always looking for new stuff to help me wife and mother the best I can. I want to know why I/we do things, how I/ we can do them better and keep growing and maturing into what God has called me to be.


I've always been interested in birth order, personalities, temperments, love languages. I feel I am tuned into my girls personalities, strengths/ weaknesses and am aware of the typical traits of birth order, but recently heard someone speak and took a couple new insights...


1st born:
strengths: highly motivated, leader, well organized
weakness: tends to be perfectionist, analytical, and can be critical in nature (critical spirit).
love language: words of affirmation, acts of service


Personal revelation: I didn't know that critical nature was a typical weakness for 1st born. I thought I was the only mother in the world.... we have always worked on this area. Lauren is sweet, tender hearted and a great kid- and I know her little brain organizes and analyses things to figure out how to make them better (much like her Daddy), but it comes across as critical- and is taxing-


one of the H's in our family motto addresses that: H~ have a good attitude
A joyful heart is good like medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22
Do all things w/0 grumbling, complaining and questioning. Philippians 2:14


Middle:
strength: mediator, avoid conflict, most independant , loyal, caring, free spirit, people oriented
weakness: can often get lost in the family and feel left out
love language: physical touch, QT: quality time alone with loved one


Personal revelation: I know the concerns of a middle child being lost- especially when they are easy and just fit into the mix. I have come to realize that Brooke prefers physical touch and needs more "dates". She is a sweet sister, a peacemaker- and I need to provide more opportunities to be the "designated leader."


Baby:
strength: outgoing, charming, carefree, uncomplicated,
weakness: manipulative, space cadet, messy, may feel left out/ forgotten
love language: acts of service, gifts


Personal revelation: I am blessed that Kate is an easy, fun kid- but need to follow through better on disipline- she is getting away with stuff- because it's really "not that bad"- but if not addressed- could be real bad. I also need to teach her about consequences for poor choices.


********
5 Love Languages:
Words of Affirmation
QT: quality time
Gifts
Acts of Service
Physical touch


Author Gary Chapman has some great books on the 5 Love Languages.
Dr. Kevin Leman - one of my favorites authors- Birth Order and some other great studies-

Happy Birthday Morgan!

My little, biggest brother just had his birthday! We are 17 months apart in a four kid family of which he is the tallest. I felt the closest to Morgan growing up. He has always held a special place in my heart- he is likable, lovable, gentle, unassuming, a good listener, loyal and incredibly trustworthy.

He was a special part of our wedding and Kate was named after him- Kate Morgan. To know him, is to love him. My girls adore him- I cherish that each of my brothers holds a special place with my girls. They love Uncle Morgan and had some signs and gifts to share with him- plus climbing time and some TLC.

We spent some time together on Saturday- swam with the girls, had some lunch and celebrated with cake and ice cream.

I love you Morgan- thank you for all the memories- thank you for always being there!
You are my brother and my friend! May this be your best year yet...

Home is Where OUR STORY begins...

I have some fond memories of being a kid and sharing my beginnings with my brothers. I remember we were always resourceful; making something from nothing, building, planning- working together... We fought, but we made up. We took turns being "best-buddies" where we would walk 6 or 7 blocks to take each other to McDonald's for some kind of "lunch" then Alpha Beta (the local grocery store-back then) for a toy out of the toy aisle. We also incorporated some video games at Appetitos-the pizza place next door.

We played freeze tag, mother may I, and other games with neighbors in our front yard. We rode bikes, made ramps, roller skated. We rotated assigned seats in our car, survived no air conditioning in the car, and managed to live without seat belts (they weren't the norm then). We watched TV, got into trouble, made a mess of the backyard and took things apart to see what was inside. . .

I can also remember feeling alone, afraid, not prepared, not worthy.. just feeling "NOT- "

What I dwell on is the good! What I celebrate is that God had a plan- he PLANNED my beginning, my family, my parents- and that is why I am who I am today. : )

I dabble in many books- one is "Unlocking the Secrets of Your Childhood Memories"

by Dr. Kevin Leman & Randy Carlson. It's interesting, insightful and helpful.

ANYWAY- I love family life! I love family gatherings, I love a house full of family fun and craziness- holidays, celebrations- bring on family! A few of my favorite movies are "Family Stone" and "Dan in Real Life". I love that they all gather- broken, dis functional, sinners- real people- but they gather in a safe place- family- in a home.

Nick and I work to build our family and our home. A soft place to fall, a home that is warm, safe, forgiving, healthy, happy. A family life that builds up, nurtures, grows in love, points to God, lives an example of his grace. I want my girls to follow after God, be seekers of his will and wisdom, whole, healthy, well rounded, sweet, fun, graceful, kind......

I watch them.. . I see it... all of these things... starting at home-

The girls and I made dinner together last night. I smiled at their interest in helping, the teamwork, the play, the laughing, getting along and them making memories for me.

Here's a picture of some cookie fun.

Before I was Mommy....

I was Aunt Mimi. I love my role as Aunt, of course it was easier when I didn't have little people of my own. I still love it- just don't get the quality time I'd like to be Aunt Mimi to the Strub side and Aunt Melissa to the Hinckley gang.

Let me tell you about the other little people in my life:

First, there was Skyla then came River. We used to get to spend quite a bit of time together. I loved to pick them up from school and have "Mimi Days". We used to go for treats, play, do crafts, have fun. We had a tradition for a couple years at the end of summer. We used to go school supply shopping. We would make it fun with "going on a mission and working with a budget." I treasure those memories and crave the time with them and wish I could have it back or at least more! Sky & Riv live in another state with their Mom- so it's only the occasional visit.

These are my most recent pictures. Aren't they gorgeous kids!! Oh, I just wanna hug'em! Time flies! I hope for the day when we live close again- or at least visit more regularly. I miss you guys!

Then there is the Hinckley Gang:
Jenna, Jake & Jadyn. I have always enjoyed our family gatherings. We travel for Christmas together and just hanging out in the craziness of all the cousins is a blast. It's fun to watch as the kids a growing how their relationships grow and change.

I haven't had the opportunity to have the one on one time with them that I would like- as they are in Oklahoma. I look forward to the possibility of having them come stay with us for some of the summer, as they get older- oooooh, wouldn't that be fun!! We've talked about gathering our clans together for a family cruise- I hope that will be soon!















Last, but certainly NOT least... Along came Jack!!

Nick and I had planned to name our son (who never came) Nicholas Jack Frederick. We wanted to call him Jack.

Jack had my heart even before I first held him. : ) I probably know most about Jack because I have had the sweet opportunity to care for him while my brother was away on a trip. We have also had a lot of family times where he is with us. I love that Mark and I are close and that he makes the effort and arrangements to visit often.

Jack is a sweet kid, full of personality. He is an entertainer- Brooke and Jack are quite the duo. They are the best of friends and very lively together- feeding off of each others energy. I called them "Dyno & mite" during the last visit. Mark is a super Papa (prefers Papa over Daddy) and it is always a fantastic time together. This last visit in August was the best yet!

He calls me Mimi, every time there is a package at his door he says "a package from Mimi"- oh, you gotta love that! : ) Brooke and I spent a weekend in Austin in April. We were there to celebrate his birthday & Big Boy pants rite of passage together. We brought a Buzz Lightyear costume for a gift and it was a favorite.

You can't know this kid and not LOVE him. I'd really like to keep him- he would fit in perfect! : ) I know I can't- it's OK... settling for Aunt Mimi- really isn't settling. I LOVE IT-

I LOVE them ALL. Oh boy, do I need a family fix! Bring on the Cousins!!

FREDERICK FAMILY FAVORITES

• Nick looks forward to date-nights, LOVES his GiRLs, his red car, going fly-fishing, spinning pens and spending time with his Dad.


• I LOVE my Nick, family time, easy dinners, GiRL outings, my Homemakers group, pajama days, good mail, HELP, FOLDapaloozas, eating out, and a clean house. (whew- there’s more too…)


• Lauren loves sugar, Webkins, Littlest PetShop, animals, any craft or hands-on project, pretending, running her own show, and selling stuff or her services.


• Brooke loves school days, “dates with Daddy in his red car”, being & doing anything outside; especially slides, riding bikes, and swimming.


• Kate loves to be held, likes to eat, loves to read Maisy & Barney books, enjoys phones & purses, sees and hears every airplane and wants to be included in whatever her sisters are doing.