Celebrating Remington

Our Remington turned 2 years old on Thursday.

It sounds cliche to say, "where did the time go?" But it is so true!

He ran right from snuggling babyhood into this boyland that is pretty wild and crazy at times.

As you would expect, he is very active and runs everywhere. 

His favorite place to be is outside, outside, and outside. Now that he can open doors, we have to extra vigilant as he has no problem exploring the world solo.... and without shoes.

He can transport dirt from one place to another for hours. This is such a boy thing!

Every time I look at our little man he is growing up. 

Also, showing his growing independence.... ie "mine!", throwing fits, being aggressive when he doesn't get his way, and being frustrated when he can't do things. Most of the time he would rather "do the crime and pay the fine," but with discipline he softens and says sorry -- eventually.

The look above is one he gives often when he's done something wrong. It says, "What? I wasn't aware that was unacceptable behavior." He is really smart though, and I have to remind myself that even though he doesn't talk much and gives me this innocent face, he knows exactly what he is doing.

His latest amazing trick is taking off his clothes, especially at nap time. One day last week I got him up from his nap to find him completely naked, his crib sheet off, and holes torn in his crib mattress. Perhaps we've been watching too many McGuyver reruns because I think Rem was trying to tunnel out. Not sure why he needed to take off his clothes, but the thought process doesn't need to be very deep for a 2 year old. 

I've finally found a combination of onesies and backwards cloth diapers that he can't get out of. And a tighter crib sheet. Unless he takes a Swiss Army tool to bed, we're safe for awhile.

His vocabulary is still slowly coming along.

We get a kick out of his excited exclamations about every truck ("truck"), tractor ("truck" or "papa"), train ("truck"), and air plane ("plane") that he sees.

"What's that?" and "I un know," are his only phrases.

"Daddy" is the word I hear most all day long as Remington sees things that remind him of Daddy from white pick-ups, the sound of diesel engines, tractors driving by the house, to dirt and lawn mowers. He is such a Daddy's boy. I like to get him up in the morning because it is the only time I'll get a hug from the little mover. Even then, he snuggles for about 3 seconds and then pops his head up and says, "Daddy?"

Our growing boy is now 34 1/2 inches tall, 6 inches in height in 6 months.

He is tall and skinny, making clothes hard to fit. His 2T one piece jammies are stretched to capacity, and I bought him 3T for his birthday -- they fit perfectly. Crazy!

All his 2T pants are also too short (suddenly). I'm still so thankful for the abundance of hand-me downs from my sister's boys, my cousin's son, and a few friends who also gave generously. I sort through the clothes often trying to find things that fit and are the right season. We keep him looking pretty handsome. :)

We celebrated Remington's birthday with a quick trip away as a family and I did a lot of staring at our funny boy and reflecting on how precious he is. How did we live without this addition to our family? His entertainment at the table, dancing with the girls, easy giggles, and excited zeal for life are just amazing to us. We are so, so, thankful for our Remington James.

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The New Camp Comfort!!

The end of September marked Camp Comfort's 3-year birthday! So, nearly 750 posts later, I thought it was about time we update the blog a little....

New site.
New design.
New fun!

The new Camp Comfort is already up and running, so I hope you'll go check it out! There are a couple "works in progress" (new features, sponsorship opportunities, etc.) - Lot's of exciting things to come. I would love to hear what you think of the new design.

Also! Don't forget to update your readers and RSS feeds with the new address... hellocampcomfort.com. You'll still be able to access the Blogger archives here, but there will be no new posts on Blogger.

Thank you to everyone for reading over the past few years... And here's to freshness!
xo,
Roberta Jane Read More.. Read More..

Trusting God With My Most Precious

Posted on Drops (Monday)




Like the scary part of a city, there are topics my brain avoids thinking about. Or maybe it is my heart avoiding things. Too scary, too many unwanted emotions.



Losing a child is one of those topics.As a devout Christian I know my children are a gift from the Lord. They belong to Him and are treasures to care for, but not to own. I can neither control the breaths that pass from their lungs or the beating of their hearts, God numbers our days (Job 14:5).

Since I do everything I can to not think about trusting God with the lives of my children, it took a sweet lady picking blueberries next to me to bring up the subject. I knew this woman from my former church. A decade had passed since I talked with her last, but she talked with ease and grace. Jesus' peace emanated from her and I found myself smiling as she chatted about her life and asking about mine. She delighted in my children and remembered fondly the days when her 5 children were young.



As we talked, she mentioned 3 children, not 5.



 "Where are your other 2 children?" I asked naively.



 "With the Lord dear. Our God is so good. He allowed us to have them for a time and those moments were so precious." She told me that one of her daughters died at age 17 from a terrible illness and another daughter died in middle-age from a painful disease.



I left the blueberry patch, the scary topic I avoided was swirling relentlessly through my mind.



 Could I trust God's goodness like that? Did I want to? I felt as though my vigilant worry over my children belonged to me -- the right of a mother. My heart argued with this new idea. How to trust God with my children's lives.



 I shared lunch with my husband the same day and I told him about my revelations, more like struggling thoughts. "I want to trust Him, but I just can't." I saw his eyes mist too. He shared my sentiments. These children, OUR children, were too dear to let go of. Even into the arms of an all-knowing, all-powerful, loving God.



 I got ready to leave and go to our home about 4 miles away from the main farm. I gathered the precious children who consumed my thoughts. One, two..... where is three? I searched the farm yard yelling my oldest, Emma's, name for a few minutes. My father-in-law joined the search, then I made frantic calls on my cell phone to everyone else working in the area. "Have you seen her? Where is she?"



 Absolute panic mounted as the minutes passed. Did she go on the road? Is she hurt? Did someone take her? The prayers whirled franticly. "Jesus no! Don't take her. Let us find her safe. I can't live without her. Jesus no. Jesus no. Jesus no." There were no thoughts about trust. No peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7). Just carnal fear that I was completely out of control and needed my little girl.



 It was less than 15 minutes until we found her. She was standing in our driveway, 4 miles away from where we last saw her, next to a stranger's car. A 6 year-old's impetuous decision to walk home led a mother of 2 girls to stop on the side of the road and offer Emma a ride.... just as the woman saw a man in a pick-up stopping from the other direction. The understanding woman said it just didn't seem right and she was frightened for my little girl's safety.




God was watching over my most precious.




 My hysteria took quite awhile to calm. My girl in my arms, our angel stranger thanked and hugged, I finally realized I was a million miles away from trusting God with the lives of my children.

 "How do I trust you?" I asked a benevolent Heavenly Father. Where was the peace and trust the older woman spoke of while picking blueberries? I didn't have it. I knew that for sure.



 Probably 40 or 50 decades older than me, this woman had not come to her resolutions in an instant. She probably had moments of doubt and panic and desperation as she saw not only one, but two of her children suffer and then die. Her doubts were comforted by the loving arms of a Savior. In her long life, God taught her, molded her, and guided.



 I realized many things on the day when my daughter was lost. First, that I am not in control, even when I've taken every step to lectured ad naseum about stranger-danger, given my children swimming lessons, bubble-wrapped the coffee table corners, provided carseats, and driven under the speed limit since they were born. My vigilance is useful, but not omniscient. And my endless worry is useless.



 And secondly, trusting in God for my children is a daily decision.



 I no longer avoid the tumulus topic of trusting God my most precious little ones. When my thoughts wander there, when my heart threatens to seize up in its normal controlling nature, I thank God for His goodness. I thank God for the treasured blessings He has given me to raise. I also pray for my lack of faith. I need help learning to trust. This is daily, moment to moment. Trust and growth, "Help me Lord. Help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24).

A friend just gave me Mary Beth Chapman's book, Choosing To See. On my journey to embracing God's goodness and trusting Him with everything, including the lives of my children, I know this book will be inspirational -- I'm on page 5!

 

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Just Another Day in Paradise

A day in pictures.

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A Birthday Girl

Dear Mandy,

Happy birthday sweet girl.

From the moment I felt the first bump from inside my belly, I knew you would add exuberance to our family. You never stopped moving, a crazy birth story, a demanding baby, crawling at 5 months, talking at 8 months. A whirlwind of absolute delight.

Active, enthusiastic, and expressive, we haven't caught our breath with how amazing you are!

As you grow in outward beauty every day,

I pray that out of his glorious riches God may strengthen you with power 

through his Spirit in your inner being, 

so that Christ may dwell in your heart through faith. 

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 

may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, 

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge

—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 

(Ephesians 3:16-19)

So sweet girl, 

I cherish your love of all things girly and pink,

your need for touch, hugs, and affirmation.

I adore your dimples on your sunshiny face.

I love your faded-favorite-blue-jean-colored eyes that crinkle closed for your ever-present smile.

You are so excited for your birthday and I hope it is just an awesome day for you.

On order for your special day on the 16th, friends (25 of them!) and pink cupcakes.

I told you there wouldn't be any presents, but just maybe there will be.

We are celebrating you.

You are so absolutely, fantastically precious to me.

I love you Mandy Rose.

Love, Mommy

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Desert Look

I've got a desert inspired look up over at Victoria's blog while she is off vacationing in Morocco - go check it out!

(image posted by Narelle via Vic) Read More.. Read More..

Doing Things Right

I don't know anyone harder on herself than a mom. I can't go a day without feeling like I failed at something. Even the devotions meant to encourage can lead me to one more conviction that I am doing something wrong.

Complaining too much, a bad attitude, anger, fatigue, fear, loneliness, self- control, temptations, impatience with God's timing, insecurities, and doubt.....

Is there anything I'm doing right in this long list?

We have high standards for ourselves. Those ideals were set long before we got the glorious gift of a first child. And then they came crashing down at the first mistake. It is sometimes an every day defeat. 

We knew what we would never do as moms and then we watch those lofty goals come falling off the knight's horse onto a dirty kitchen floor.

Mothering is the hardest job in the world, it's relentless. I remember night after night collapsing beside my daughter's bed in tears when she finally slept. She was two and I used the word "terrible" to describe her. She tried me at every turn. And every day I felt like I lost. In my defeated heart I used the same word to describe myself. Terrible.

Does the sun really come out tomorrow? It is easy to doubt that tomorrow is a new day. Will it be the same as yesterday? A failure?

I have to tell you something you are probably not telling yourself:

You are doing so many things right.

A favorite author of mine, Julie Ann Barnhill, says this in her book, "She's Gonna Blow, Real Help For Moms Dealing with Anger". The book confronts a tough subject, anger in moms (raise your hand if you've experienced this one!), yet there is good happening in our homes too.

"I think it's quite extraordinary that all my children are not only alive, 

but toilet trained, up-to-date on their vaccines, adequately clothed, 

and able to tie their shoes. Since that amazing day when Kristen 

[daughter] arrived, I've messed up, goofed up, and flat out done 

things wrong, but boy, have I done some things right. Like holding 

my babies when most everyone said, "Let them cry themselves to 

sleep." Or like playing big-band swing music way too loud, far too 

late in the evening, and dancing with my nine-year-old son while 

his four-year-old brother fell over laughing."

We can take a break from our long lists of regrets and think of the good. The smiles, laughter, "I love you Mommy," peaceful sleeps or mid-night snuggles, and sticky hugs. The good list goes on. We are doing so many things right.

Perfect mothering doesn't exist. For our failures, there is God's grace. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), "Though we were spiritually dead because of the things we did against God, he gave us new life with Christ. You have been saved by God's grace" (Ephesians 2:5, NCV).

We could go on being hard on ourselves, unforgiving of mistakes. Our lofty goals trampled like a lego tower in a room full of toddlers. Or we could be encouraged by successes. The things done right are blessings that should be counted.

Our daily devotions do not need to be a list of "things I'm doing wrong and need to change," but to help us grow and see God's grace in our lives. Time brings perspective, maybe the good isn't so hard to see after all.

Be encouraged today. You are doing so many things right.

This was posted on Drops today, minus the personal (unedited) pictures. Just doing double duty today!





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Fall, The Beginning

Starting to build my Fall wish list...





Colored Denim (JBrand, $176) and Alexander Wang (Eugene, $795). I am keen to try some colored denim for Fall... Might start with a "safe" color like this cobalt blue. And it's been years and years since I invested in an "It Bag" as I generally stick to totes and older leather bags, but I can't get this bag off my mind... Good way to spend a piece of the annual bonus? Questionable...





Pullover Sweaters (Madewell, $98) and Waxed Cotton (Lands End Canvas, $180). Just bought this sweater from Madewell... It's too warm to wear it now but I think it will be a Fall staple. Slightly cropped, boxy fit. And I love a good waxed cotton jacket. This one has a very traditional feel with the plaid lining.





Suede Ankle Boots (Madewell, $131) and Chukka Boots (Eastland, $89). Last year I purchased the Rachel Comey Mars boot in tan and I LOVE them, but this year I am thinking I might need a black version as well. I like these suede ankle boots - they are sort of a cross between Rachel Comey and Isabel Marant. And I've nearly worn my Chloe Sevigny x Opening Ceremony x Bass ranger boots to death, these Eastland chukkas could help carry the load this year. Read More.. Read More..

The busy post you've been waiting for...

You'll be happy to know I've done some self analysis.

A few months ago I made the broad statement that I don't like reading other people's blog posts about being busy.

I had no idea the public outcry would be so deafening.

Okay, I mildly offended two loyal followers (also frequent blog posters about being busy).

My self analysis uncovered some deep-seeded issues about my own lameness. You see, when I am reading someone's blog about how busy she is, I feel lame because 1) I haven't done nearly as many bloggable, cool, rad, things, 2) I haven't taken any pictures of lately, and 3) I am sitting there reading the blog, so I must not be busy and, i.e, lame.

Self doubt isn't a pretty attribute, especially when God's given me a purpose.

Feeling lame about what I lack, whether in coolness, radness, style, poeticism (thank you spell-check), and funniness, isn't productive.... or grateful. God's so good to me and my blessings abound.

My life is full, busy or not, with blessings.

Check out these two. A hoot and completely uncooperative during a recent photoshoot.

Mandy isn't thrilled with Emma's breath. I'm sure her own was fresh and perky.

The days fly by and these kids keep me hopping, laughing, doing laundry, preparing snacks and meals, running the dishwasher, and sweeping up endless crazy messes.

We spend a lot of time outside, tending the garden, watching zucchini grow before our very eyes. Last year our garden did poorly so I went a little crazy this year and planted way too much of everything. We have tomatoes, corn, potatoes, zucchini, crookneck, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, lettuce, cucumber, and herbs. Keep your door locked, I'm coming over with my surplus.

We planted about 40 feet of wildflowers from a seed packet.

It was a great idea because the girls ask me every day if they can make a bouquet. 

They pick flowers and create to their hearts content and I don't worry about them wrecking any of my plants -- there are plenty to choose from!

When I get a few minutes here and there,

I haven't been blogging. You might have noticed.

[Tap, tap, tap] Is this thing on?

It has fallen to the bottom of my priorities. Priorities being:

1) kids, house, finding hungry farmers (one in particular) to have meals with every day.

2) preparing for a wedding I am shooting in a few weeks and another one at the end of October. I recently bought a flash, stand, and umbrella and am setting up a home studio. Also, taking training courses from KelbyTraining.com, awesome fun stuff!

3) getting ready for homeschooling. The catch-all office needs some major reorganizing to make it functional for a first grader, preschooler, and mischievous toddler... oh, and me too. I got a bunch of the books I ordered in the mail and am excitedly planning the school year. We'll be doing a co-op once a week and have tons and tons to help us learn and have fun with My Father's World curriculum.

4) canning is in full swing. I'm currently working on jams. Along with a bunch of successful jars, I managed to scorch a batch and ruin it while multi-tasking. The plus side is that I completed the curtains for the basement in the process. Down side, 9 cups of berries on the compost pile. Next up are tomatoes, pears, and apple sauce. I really want to make salsa this year too.

5) Drops. I am constantly amazed at how having the accountability of writing for Drops is growing my faith. When it would be so easy to forget time with God, I'm prompted by this responsibility. Sharing my journey with other moms is convicting, compelling, encouraging, and frightfully humbling. 

Andrea and I are coming up on a year of writing for our Drops of Living Water blog. We have a loyal group of readers and God's goodness constantly amazes us. We are hoping to bring on regular contributors this year and are excited about where God will take this effort.

This is life as we know it. What a "busy" post, right? Thanks for baring with me through sporadic posting. I'll be back when I catch another few minutes of free time. :)

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