Define Normal

It's an ice day so we are all home enjoying the cold. Stephanie and Josh are sleeping and I'm stuck here thinking....the only way to get things out of my brain is to write....here goes:

I have heard it alot the past few months....."those kids aren't normal, that family isn't normal, It's not what normal people would do, look at that mom! It's just not normal!" and my favorite "You know, they never turn out normal". Hmmmm, so what is "normal"? I'm curious as to what standards these "not normal" people are being judged by. Do they need to live in a brick house, drive an suv, have cute clothes, carry normal jobs with normal hours, have elaborate parties, shop at the uppity stores.......what's normal?

Things which have made others tell me I'm not normal (and many other things):

• We don't have cable (seriously, I didn't think it was that big of a deal...man was I wrong!)
• I drive an old car....and LOVE it. She's seen my family through alot ;)
• We have crazy work hours and schedule "family days" at odd times (atleast we have family time though, right?)
• I use cloth diapers (once you try it you'll never go back)
• I LOVE to go to the grocery store and spend at least two hours looking at our list, comparing ingredients and prices (only when Stephanie is happily at home playing with Daddy )
• I'm becoming OCD about what foods we buy and I feed my family.
  
• We have a HUGE role reversal in our marriage (I am the one who was outside digging up tree stumps Monday and raking leaves....Josh was playing with Stephanie. )
• I never want to have alot of money.
• Our parenting style (we'll just leave it at that)
• and one that may be new to some of you ......we plan to homeschool our kiddos.

Now, I have many friends who are on the same page as we are in many of these areas...I thank God daily for their love and encouragement! It's hard not to get beaten down by the negative when all you are trying to do is what you know is right for YOUR family. Everyone has a different way....not that one is better than the other, just different. All people/families are different so it would make sense that we handle life, t's joys and it's struggles differently. I think normal depends on your perspective....your view point in life. Where are you standing and where do you want to go?

In the end here is what I want....as simple as I can put it: A loving, joyous home. Children who become adults that walk with Jesus. One day.... Sitting on the back porch with Josh, drinking coffee and talking about all the amazing things God did over our 50 years of marriage. No matter the circumstances, have overflowing gratitude for what God has done in our lives. That's my "normal".