The Chapman Life

Perseverance

I'm on my way!  In 27 days I will get to run my first ever race.  This first one is just a 5K (a little over 3 miles) but more than the distance, it's the step towards my goal to run a half marathon this year that I am looking forward to.  

I have been running consistently every night for the past week.  I take one day off to rest and the rest of the days, I take 60 minutes just for me.  I am enjoying so much the hour of taking care of my body and my mind. It's giving me time at the end of every day to reflect and dream for tomorrow.  I have to say that it could never be possible without Shannon's support.  He helps get me the hour just for me with kids in bed and things at a stand still so I can focus.

This week has given me a new view of perseverance.  I have worked really hard to keep motivated and beat personal records and the time clock on the elliptical all week.  I was reminded tonight as I was running what God's Word says about perseverance.  

Romans 5:3-4

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

I love how the message says it:

There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

Enough said.  I want to live my life every day carrying that incredible hope...

It's Time To Get Things Back Under Control!

Something that Shannon and I realized early in our marriage was that if our home was chaotic... our life was chaotic!  It seems to have slowly appeared once again in our home, chaos...a state of extreme confusion and disorder... hmm wonder how that happened... this house is FULL!  Let's see there's Shannon, Mande, Jacob, Jonah, Judah, Chloe, Uncle Brian, a fish named Goldie, a dog named Molly, and a multitude of stuff.  I feel like we clean out pretty often around and we don't have the amount of stuff that most American families might have, but we still have lots of people that have plenty of stuff and between the people and the stuff... the house feels quite overwhelming to me lately.

So, I had to choose an option:  let the status of life control me and leave effects all over my family OR take back control and get things back in order and under control around here.  With the help and encouragement of my wonderful husband, we are choosing option B and saying:  It's time to get things back under control!

I have plenty of talents and strengths organizing and scheduling so that the ship sails more smoothly, it's just a matter of laying things out and getting started.  So, with a newly dedicated heart and mind to FLYlady and a family weekly planner on the fridge we begin!  I'm not going to backtrack and fix everything in one day, but I am going to jump in right where we are and take back control of the helm to get us going back in the right direction.

Now with 4 kids under the age of 7 and one of them a brand new baby with no established routines, I have to be practical and realistic in all my approaches, but I feel that starting with some babysteps and lowering the stress level of things around here by putting everything back in the hands of the Creator we will get life back under control.

Reminded

Bringing Chloe home has given me so many reminders of all of our children.  I think back to each of their births and how the days followed with each addition to our home.  I think about the different times of the year that each of them were born and the people that called to check on us and bless us in so many different ways.  I think about their first Sundays at church and how proud their Daddy and Pop Pop were to show them off on stage and how I worried so much about everyone coming to see them and touch their tiny little hands that I was trying fervently to keep germ free.  LOL

This time has been a little different.  We've had a house full and we've also gotten a stomach bug that we are passing around and I am freaking out with germs and trying to keep everyone away from Chloe and me to be honest.  

So many reminders and yet I failed to remember some of the most important things I've learned and experienced throughout my whole life.  I read a verse this morning that has put many things back into perspective for me...even though I am still being a germ nut that is bossing around my family.

I will meditate on His words and try to bring the peace and love of His voice back to our growing family even in the midst of chaos.

Lamentations 3:21-23
²¹ Yet this I call to mind

       and therefore I have hope:

 ²² Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, 
       for his compassions never fail.

 ²³ They are new every morning; 
       great is your faithfulness.

My Baby Girl!

We have a beautiful baby girl!  Chloe Cate Chapman entered the bright, beautiful world at 4:46 this morning weighing 7 lbs. and 19 inches long.  She's petite, dark hair, pretty skin, and sweet as can be.  

It was well worth the wait and she really is a beautiful addition to our family.  The boys are loving her. They all want a chance to hold her and they are singing her songs and being perfect big brothers. Everyone seems to be making the transition beautifully!

It was our longest labor to date, but was oddly enough our most peaceful and relaxing time having a baby as well.  God has been amazing to us.  We have had the best nurses and experience possible.  

I can't wait to leave the hospital and get out into the real world again... just this time with 4 incredible ducklings in tow.  I know we are in for a lot of changes and a lot of adjustments to our home, family, and schedules but I also know that God has blessed us beyond measure and I am thankful for every moment that I am allowed to spend with my husband and children.  

Chloe doesn't know all that her life will include yet, but I'm sure she will see things as beautiful as we do and love the family that God has placed her in.

Phase 3... Redo on phases 1 & 2

Well, we hit a wall at the Chapman home... moving Judah to the boy's room proved to be a very frustrated, exhausting experiment for our entire family.  We have once again moved everyone around upstairs.  Uncle Brian is back on bottom bunk in the boys room, Judah has moved to his own sanctuary (when it is not being used as a playroom) and Shannon's office is being relocated to our bedroom which now feels Full of furniture and somewhat chaotic (should be interesting to prepare a weekly message in).

All of this for one little princess to come and live in our home.  Even if I did want more babies after this one, I think our house would cry out and beg me to reconsider.

Good news:  

• Chloe's room is beautiful!  There is one spot over her crib to finish up and then the little miss can join us at any time (hopefully soon).  

• The boys should sleep peacefully once again and Jacob should still have enough time to get adjusted to his new bedtime and morning routine before school begins.

• Judah should get back on a good (at least better than he has been for the last month) bedtime and morning routine as well very soon.

• Bless his heart, Jonah doesn't complain or get upset about any of these changes.  The kid totally goes with the flow and doesn't say a word (even though he is back on a pallet on the floor in his room).

• Shannon and I haven't killed each other even though I think both of us are ready for life to gain some calm and composure sometime again soon.

It is all worth it in the end, but this has been a stressful couple of months in our home.  I can't wait to hold my little girl and look into her eyes!  Everyone has always told me that boys are much easier and that girls cause a lot of trouble... I just thought we'd get a few years into her being here before all that started.  :)

All our phases are finally complete-- all that is left to do is have a baby!

He Did It... Phase 2 Complete

He did it!  Last night we made a quick decision and started moving Judah to the boy's room.  We took apart the bed and dresser and moved everything over.  Everyone was very excited and we talked it up quite a bit with it being the "big boy room".

We moved Uncle Brian out of Jonah's bunk and moved Jonah back in.  Everyone got clean sheets and Judah got his toddler bed in the corner of the room.  Things seemed to fit perfectly for that many boys, furniture, and stuffed animals all in one bedroom.  

All things considered, he did really well.  The fireworks from the next door neighbors didn't help with the initial bedtime ritual and first go at things, but after a little coaxing and about 10 rounds of our favorite bedtime song, he relaxed and slept all night.

The only drawback so far is that he and Jacob seem to be on the same alarm for morning time, they are both early risers and both in the same room have become partners in waking me for their chocolate milk... Jonah on the other hand can sleep through anything and got plenty of shut eye even with the other boys up and about.

Many more nights ahead, but our first was a definite success.  Phase 3 to come, Chloe's bedding is in and her furniture should be out of layaway in about two more weeks!  It's getting exciting for sure!

This May Be Considered Nesting...

Well, our due date is getting closer and closer.  Depending on which date you believe, we only have about 4-7 weeks left and our little girl will be here.  I can't believe it.  We still have so much to do, but I think I am starting to "nest" around here.  Don't get me wrong, I still have very little desire to clean things at home, but I definitely want us a little more organized.  The thought of four kids and all their stuff and necessities is a little unnerving in the constant chaos that summer time brings.

I have worked all afternoon on checklists for the different things we do on a regular basis.  I know it's a bit crazy and neurotic, but I hate rushing everyone out the door and realizing as we pull out of the garage that I have forgotten a minor necessity.  I have made different lists for the main events our family is involved in (MDO, Church, Grocery Shopping, Errands, Swimming, Fun Outings, and soon School).  I am going to have them copied on different colors of paper (8.5 x 5.5), laminated, and put on a ring to hang near the door.  This way I can check the list before I walk out the door and avoid last minute crying and rushing back up the stairs... that's the plan anyhow.

So, I think life will add another little blessing soon enough and maybe in the next few weeks I can get a little more organized.

Let me know if you have any good tips for keeping life as little chaotic as possible... especially when the mini van is filling up :)

Risking It All

I have many conversations with the boys about not just doing what others do and wanting to dream huge dreams... bigger than life kind of dreams.  The boys have lots of questions and I love hearing them and attempting to answer them all.  They ask things that I have either taken for granted and by answering them I allow myself to be revived or they ask things that I have never thought about and we have to search for their answers together.

Whatever the case, no matter how simple or tough the question or conversation seems, I like the idea of risk.  I know it contains fear, the unknown, change, and uncertainty, but I really am pushed and excited by the thought of risk.  I know that negative can outweigh positive and that the unknown can push someone out of the comfort they live in, but still I am so intrigued by the conversations we have around the idea of risking it all.

I want the boys to grow up and be adventurous (I think they are pretty adventurous kids now too).  I want them to still have the fear they sense when something comes their way, but I want the excitement the challenge to overcome the fear and them to take the risk at hand.

I know it's not the typical and practical "Mom" thing to aim them toward and to desire for my kids, but I don't want them to live every day entangled in the routines they become comfortable in.  I want them to be stretched, to be challenged, to go against what is the norm, to become what they dream... not just what they could be- but what they DREAM of being.  

To live your dreams, you have to be willing to sometimes risk it all.  I am encouraged in our family and in my own personal life, every time I see one of them taking a risk, to continue to risk it all for myself as well.  I don't want to coast, I want to live the dream every day.  I hope that I am their inspiration as they are mine and as a family we make a habit out of risking it all.

Seeing The Everyday...

There are moments of every day that are hidden by the tasks and routines we sometimes fall into.  As women, we have many duties and callings to fulfill and sometimes miss moments that are there for us to reflect and enjoy.

I would like to personally invite you to a night just for you.  Seeing The Everyday, will be a time to laugh, learn, and enjoy with the ladies of Ethos.  I hope that you will take a moment dedicated to you and come to celebrate and experience a night of refreshment as we begin

                Seeing The Everyday

           Join me in the East Auditorium on

                   Friday, June 19, at 7:00 pm

       Please bring something chocolate to share

        RSVP at www.ethoschattanooga.com

           or on your Q card at Ethos

        Childcare provided upon request.

                 Hope to see you there,

                            Mande

A Name For "Little Miss"

Well, we had narrowed it down to just a few and have made a final decision for a name for "little miss".   We always have a Bible name/Family name for our kids.  We love the idea of heritage and passing down something in each generation and so for our heritage of faith, we have chosen the name Chloe. Chloe was a prominent woman of Corinth.  She and her household told Paul of the divisions in the congregation of Corinth.  Her story is told in 1 Corinthians 1.   For our family heritage, we have chosen the name Cate, named after my grandmother- Catherine, someone who has always been very special and dear to my heart. 

Chloe Cate means "blooming and pure".  The boys love it and Shannon and I do as well.  So, we can officially call her by name now and get used to such a feminine name in this house full of boys!