At this moment I feel ready to take the next step in my life. If only I knew what it should be. I would love to start back to school or try my hand at making cloth diapers and selling them online. I am open to most things so whenever you want to, Lord, just open the doors. And open my eyes to see it!
Some awesome things are happening right now. I feel like God is going to really move in our youth group this year. Several of our teens could make such an impact on others. I am praying that they recognize that and try to be positive role models and not kids that tear everyone else apart.
Jaycee is about to lose her 1st tooth! It has been barely hanging on for almost 2 weeks. This has been a long time coming and she is so excited! Micah is entering the danger zone. It is everywhere he goes - he laughs in it's face - after he's done crying! Keri-lyn has a great teacher this year who loves reading as much as she does. And Layna is starting to learn how to control herself every once in a while.
My fabulous sister is back to "normal" after her brush with the death angels in the hospital. And by that I mean the poorly trained nurses who thought they knew more than they did. Welcome back Erin!
My nephews are rising stars in the FC drama dept. I expect they will soon only give me hugs via their agent. I will have to arrive 2 hours ahead of production time to get a seat close enough to see them b/c "you can't save them seats no mo!"
My children spend hours playing outside every day and love it. Much better than riding bikes in the parking lot at the apt.
And I would say a swear word right now, if I swore, b/c it just hit me that basketball sign ups were last night and we did not sign up. Completely forgot! There was no school today - It was Columbus day for crying out loud. What a dumb day to schedule sign ups! Top of to do list tomorrow will be calling park and rec and pleading my case I suppose...
I can't help laughing about our dear Ga Bulldogs. Everyone can't believe all the arrests that have been made this year on the football team. That's what happens when you give scholarships to people with less character just because they can play football.
Laughing a little at all the people who voted for Obama too. Maybe they should have looked more than skin deep at the candidate and his "Change".
Well, there you go. A random post/rant/rambling from me. That is about how my mind works. It jumps from topic to topic. My dad and husband look at me all the time like I'm an alien or something b/c I will randomly ask some out of the blue ? . Keeps them on their toes though!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Yay!! He's 1!
Yes, this is my 2nd post today. I just couldn't let the night pass without saying something about my baby turning one. Hard to believe that Micah is 1 already. Seems like just a few months ago when my sister was shouting "Get up! I will not let you have this baby in the toilet!" (I didn't by the way, in case anyone was wondering) One year ago I met my one and only son afraid that I wouldn't love him as much as I love my girls. Boy was I wrong! That mother-son bond everyone talked about that I thought was a little made up is definitely real. Not better or worse than my bond with the girls. Just different. And he is a BIG mama's boy!
Just a few things to remember about what he is doing now. He refuses to walk. If you try to make him walk alone he will just immediately sit down and look at you. He loves to play chase and squeals when you come after him and crawls fast as he can. He is mischevious and is already pushing buttons. He is opinionated and will let you know when he doesn't like something, when he wants something and when he is tired of something. He can say mama, dada, bite, bye bye, thank you, and papa. He has the prettiest eyes and longest lashes and he looks a lot like Jaycee. They smile and cry the same - both can really turn on the waterworks! One of his favorite things to do is empty out any cabinet or drawer he can reach. He has 4 teeth. He's a mess! I love him!
Just a few things to remember about what he is doing now. He refuses to walk. If you try to make him walk alone he will just immediately sit down and look at you. He loves to play chase and squeals when you come after him and crawls fast as he can. He is mischevious and is already pushing buttons. He is opinionated and will let you know when he doesn't like something, when he wants something and when he is tired of something. He can say mama, dada, bite, bye bye, thank you, and papa. He has the prettiest eyes and longest lashes and he looks a lot like Jaycee. They smile and cry the same - both can really turn on the waterworks! One of his favorite things to do is empty out any cabinet or drawer he can reach. He has 4 teeth. He's a mess! I love him!
A Rough Patch
So - I'm just going to lay it all out b/c I need to get it out! Today (and the last several days) have been extremely trying. Tempers have flared, tears have run, voices have shouted. You name it, it's happened here. Todd and I probably got into the worst fight we've ever had today. Seems like things just keep escalating and I don't have time to catch my breath before we are at it again. Now, true, I am am hormonal right now and could possibly be a tiny bit over sensitive, but things right now are just not good!!! I keep trying to stay positive and focus on the good things, but all the bad things seem to overtake my mind. I am just tired of trying to be okay with everything that's happening and I feel like I am about to snap. Oh no! I'll be one of those women on WE that everyone can totally sympathize with!
Seriously, I really am trying to see God's plan in all of this -really hard! But I just don't. It's like everytime I come to grips with a new season in my life everything drastically changes again. Imagine if you walked outside ready for the day in your shorts and tank top only to open the door to a snowstorm. The next day you don your snowsuit and walk outside to a sunny 80 degree day. This happens everyday and you never get it right. Should you happen to get ahead and wear the same thing planning for the opposite type weather, the weather would stay the same just to spite you. That is how I feel. Constantly behind, wrong, and compeletely taken by surprise. And I'll just say this : It sucks!
Living with my parents is weird. I kind of always feel like I am in the way or getting on someone's nerves - Erin, don't you dare tell mom I said that - And I know they can feel the tension between Todd and me. I just don't want to put our stress on someone else. I'm afraid that is exactly what we've done. And then, just to make me feel a little more awkward, dad tells me that our pastor (who is a wonderful man of God) asked him if we would want them to finish the old fellowship hall for us to live in. Very gracious and humbling, but a little embarassing too. I guess it's my pride that doesn't want to be the poor family in the church who lost 2 homes and does'nt even have gas $. That I can get over, though. It does feel good to know that our church family loves us that much.
I just wish I had an answer or some insight into what I should be learning from this and how I should handle things. Sounds like I just need God.
Seriously, I really am trying to see God's plan in all of this -really hard! But I just don't. It's like everytime I come to grips with a new season in my life everything drastically changes again. Imagine if you walked outside ready for the day in your shorts and tank top only to open the door to a snowstorm. The next day you don your snowsuit and walk outside to a sunny 80 degree day. This happens everyday and you never get it right. Should you happen to get ahead and wear the same thing planning for the opposite type weather, the weather would stay the same just to spite you. That is how I feel. Constantly behind, wrong, and compeletely taken by surprise. And I'll just say this : It sucks!
Living with my parents is weird. I kind of always feel like I am in the way or getting on someone's nerves - Erin, don't you dare tell mom I said that - And I know they can feel the tension between Todd and me. I just don't want to put our stress on someone else. I'm afraid that is exactly what we've done. And then, just to make me feel a little more awkward, dad tells me that our pastor (who is a wonderful man of God) asked him if we would want them to finish the old fellowship hall for us to live in. Very gracious and humbling, but a little embarassing too. I guess it's my pride that doesn't want to be the poor family in the church who lost 2 homes and does'nt even have gas $. That I can get over, though. It does feel good to know that our church family loves us that much.
I just wish I had an answer or some insight into what I should be learning from this and how I should handle things. Sounds like I just need God.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Another move
Believe it or not, I am writing this in my parents upstairs bedroom. Well, I guess it is my bedroom now, since my family of six have accepted their gracious offer to move in and get back on our feet. We are entering week 4 here and so far all has not been smooth sailing... But, I think that things will get better once the chaos has settled down (as much as it can in house with 8 people living in it)! Mom and Dad have decided to finish the attic room to add another bedroom for us and enclose the garage to add a family room. So, to sum it up, the 6 of us moved in during the midst of remodeling and the start of a new school with 2 housefuls of stuff! And we still have things that we haven't moved yet. This really makes me realize that we have to much stuff!!! Even after downsizing considerably we are still bursting at the seams. Yardsale here I come!
A big blessing since the move has been the big girls adjustment to their new school. This was something I worried and fretted over needlessly. Why can I not keep the faith that God IS in control and has everything UNDER control? Keri-lyn has a teacher that loves to read and Jaycee's parapro is a member of our church! Layna has been excited to "homeschool" with me and Micah is more spoiled than ever. All in all, I just want to thank the Lord that in the midst of our struggles he has provided over and over again for us in countless ways and continues to do so every day of our lives. Thank you Jesus!
A big blessing since the move has been the big girls adjustment to their new school. This was something I worried and fretted over needlessly. Why can I not keep the faith that God IS in control and has everything UNDER control? Keri-lyn has a teacher that loves to read and Jaycee's parapro is a member of our church! Layna has been excited to "homeschool" with me and Micah is more spoiled than ever. All in all, I just want to thank the Lord that in the midst of our struggles he has provided over and over again for us in countless ways and continues to do so every day of our lives. Thank you Jesus!
Monday, June 28, 2010
My how quickly they grow!
As I was sitting and watching Micah tonight I was amazed at how much he has grown and changed lately. He is definitely a sleep fighter - a night owl, like his mama. He constantly wants to be on the ground crawling, or as I have come to call it "scrawling", because he pulls himself with his left hand and pushes with his right foot. More or less scooting/crawling. Now this effectively and automatically ruins his clothes, as he is sliding around on his belly. I hear that is just a glimpse of the laundry mishaps boys get into. He can wave, patty cake, and peekaboo. Only wants real table food now and becomes increasingly angry if I still try to feed him baby food. He has 1 tooth and can say a few words (bye bye, mama, dada, and bite bite) sometimes - I think! He is just growing up. It always seems to hit me at once instead of over time when my babies are moving more toward toddlerhood and out of the baby stages. It is a little bittersweet at times.
I think back to Keri-lyn as a baby and sometimes it seem like such a long time ago. Other times it seems like a few days. Each of my children are constantly suprising me with little glimpses of the maturity they are gaining. Like when I woke up today to 3 year old Layna saying "Apparently it's morning. Get up!" Or when 5 year old Jaycee shows such concern and loyalty to a friend from pre-k that we have been worried about that she prays for her and her family every night. Keri-lyn is very much the little book worm. She can read for hours upon hours. She is the little mother hen for sure, but can still be goofy at times.
I have been worried a little about keeping my children to sheltered lately. As a parent, I want them to be well adjusted at school and not be culture shocked every time they leave the house. Well, as of yesterday, God has relieved me of that burden. Our current situation has put us around some different types of people and families, and I think that is helping the kids to realize that we should love the people around us but we don't have to act like them. I hope our time here helps my family to be more thankful of what we have and more aware of how we can help others. I want us to really start making more of an effort to reach out to those who don't have what we have. Not just physically, but spiritually. I hope that we will be good examples of God's love.
It's funny in a sad way, that the people I really struggle with are people like I used to be. Addicts, who really aren't bad people, but are so caught up in their addiction that everyone else sort of fades into the background. People like this used to be some of my best friends. I wonder when I started thinking of myself as so much better than them that I rarely try to find a way to reach out to them instead of putting them down in my mind. How easily I have forgotten that God's grace and mercy are the only things that pulled me out of some very dark places.
"Lord, please soften my heart to the needs of others you put in my life. Help me to be a comfort and a friend to those who need one. And give me a forgiving spirit, because I was forgiven."
I think back to Keri-lyn as a baby and sometimes it seem like such a long time ago. Other times it seems like a few days. Each of my children are constantly suprising me with little glimpses of the maturity they are gaining. Like when I woke up today to 3 year old Layna saying "Apparently it's morning. Get up!" Or when 5 year old Jaycee shows such concern and loyalty to a friend from pre-k that we have been worried about that she prays for her and her family every night. Keri-lyn is very much the little book worm. She can read for hours upon hours. She is the little mother hen for sure, but can still be goofy at times.
I have been worried a little about keeping my children to sheltered lately. As a parent, I want them to be well adjusted at school and not be culture shocked every time they leave the house. Well, as of yesterday, God has relieved me of that burden. Our current situation has put us around some different types of people and families, and I think that is helping the kids to realize that we should love the people around us but we don't have to act like them. I hope our time here helps my family to be more thankful of what we have and more aware of how we can help others. I want us to really start making more of an effort to reach out to those who don't have what we have. Not just physically, but spiritually. I hope that we will be good examples of God's love.
It's funny in a sad way, that the people I really struggle with are people like I used to be. Addicts, who really aren't bad people, but are so caught up in their addiction that everyone else sort of fades into the background. People like this used to be some of my best friends. I wonder when I started thinking of myself as so much better than them that I rarely try to find a way to reach out to them instead of putting them down in my mind. How easily I have forgotten that God's grace and mercy are the only things that pulled me out of some very dark places.
"Lord, please soften my heart to the needs of others you put in my life. Help me to be a comfort and a friend to those who need one. And give me a forgiving spirit, because I was forgiven."
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Sleepover!!!
So... As I type this post my girls are having their very 1st real sleepover (with someone other than family). When I came home from taking Micah to the Dr. for a check up, a little girl named Sandy was there to greet me. Now, I have seen this little girl several times at the pool with her grandmother, but I haven't seen her enough to know her name until tonight. Apparently, Todd had the girls out swimming this morning and Sandy came back with them to spend the day. The grandmother has met us and we've talked several times so we weren't complete strangers to her. And pretty much everyone in the senior citizen category who spends more than a minute with Todd just absolutely adores him. Something about him exudes trustworthiness I guess. So anyway, Sandy had lunch with us and hung out with the kiddos all afternoon. Then, after yet another thunderstorm passed they all went swimming again. Sandy's mom came home and was fine with her just going with us to the pool. At 9:00 the pool closed and we decided to invite Sandy and her family over for supper - I thought it would be a good time to meet her mother, since she had been with us all day. We all trekked up to their apt. and Sandy went in and told her mom we had invited them to supper. She quickly returned and said her mom couldn't come b/c she was doing the laundry. Did I mention that we have never met this woman and that she knew we were right outside her door and didn't want to meet her?
Sandy came on over by herself for supper. By this time it is nearing 10 pm and my dear children begin asking me if Sandy can spend the night. I said it was fine with me and we called her mom to see how she felt about it. I offered to walk Sandy over so she could get her things for the night (and for another chance for her mother to meet me, you know, since her daughter was spending the night at my house). The mom said no, she would just send Sandy's older brother with her stuff. So, needless to say, I have a little girl whose mother I have never met and never even seen staying the night with us.
This is just a new concept to me. My parents would not let me stay with anyone whose parents they did not know fairly well, so I am just a little shocked about this. Who knows? We could be some sicko family with no morals whatsoever. I just don't understand!
Well anyway, Sandy is a very sweet little girl. She has been great at paying attention to all the kids, even Layna! I am really glad that she came over today. I am hoping that maybe we will be able to reach out to her and her family. Maybe this is one of the reasons my family is where we are. I'm hoping to take her to church - and eventually meet her mother! I have been praying that God would use us here to show His love to others. Maybe this is the start!
Who knew that maybe God uses sleepovers to enable us to meet others who might need Him? So, here I am, at 2:30 am, very thankful that the little gigglers and chatter boxes are fast asleep. And also very prayerful that God is working here. In my life and others.
Sandy came on over by herself for supper. By this time it is nearing 10 pm and my dear children begin asking me if Sandy can spend the night. I said it was fine with me and we called her mom to see how she felt about it. I offered to walk Sandy over so she could get her things for the night (and for another chance for her mother to meet me, you know, since her daughter was spending the night at my house). The mom said no, she would just send Sandy's older brother with her stuff. So, needless to say, I have a little girl whose mother I have never met and never even seen staying the night with us.
This is just a new concept to me. My parents would not let me stay with anyone whose parents they did not know fairly well, so I am just a little shocked about this. Who knows? We could be some sicko family with no morals whatsoever. I just don't understand!
Well anyway, Sandy is a very sweet little girl. She has been great at paying attention to all the kids, even Layna! I am really glad that she came over today. I am hoping that maybe we will be able to reach out to her and her family. Maybe this is one of the reasons my family is where we are. I'm hoping to take her to church - and eventually meet her mother! I have been praying that God would use us here to show His love to others. Maybe this is the start!
Who knew that maybe God uses sleepovers to enable us to meet others who might need Him? So, here I am, at 2:30 am, very thankful that the little gigglers and chatter boxes are fast asleep. And also very prayerful that God is working here. In my life and others.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Sweet Salvation
Praise the Lord and hallelujia! On April 20, 2010 my little Keri-lyn asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior!!! She had been asking questions for quite a while, but never really seemed certain that she was under conviction. She would ask me what it felt like when God was dealing with you. I can remember asking my mom the same thing before I was saved! I must admit, though, that I have never felt more inept as a parent. How does one put into words a 7 year old can understand how it feels to be under conviction? Phrases like "your heart might feel heavy", "like God is knocking on your heart's door", and "your heart might be hurting" didn't really seem to help her understand either. So what did I do? I told her the same thing my mom told me. "You'll know when it is time to be saved. You'll just know." And you know what? She did.
We went to see the Easter play at my sister's church (Free Chapel) and part of the play showed when Jesus was being beaten. Pastor Franklin stood up then and talked to the congregation and asked us to say a prayer with him. Afterward, KL looked up at me and said, " I feel like I just maybe got saved." I asked if she was sure, and she said no. Once the play ended we went in a quiet hallway and talked some more and called one of her AWANA teachers from our church. I offered to pray with her, but she just wasn't sure she was under conviction yet.
A few days later the topic came up at supper - I think Jaycee started talking about the play and heaven and hell - and KL got really quiet. She came and told me she needed to talk to me alone. We went in my room and she snuggled in underthe covers. Bless her heart, she was so upset. It was just written all over her face that God was dealing with her. My heart was breaking because she was struggling so. We talked and she finally said she she needed to be saved. S he also said once that" I think I hear something. Like a knockin' on my heart". It was so sweet.
One thing you need to know about KL is that she is a perfectionist. Once she knew that she needed to be saved she started struggling with what to do next. I went over some scripture with her, we called my parents, Todd talked to her, and finally I talked her into letting me call our Preacher Steve. She said she was really shy talking to a man! I told her Preacher Steve had lots of practice helping little kids accept Jesus. Once we called him, something he said just made the light bulb go on! We told her that there was not a certain prayer she had to pray, that it just had to come from her. Steve offered to pray with her and so did we, but she wanted to say it alone.
She closed her little eyes - for what seemed like forever - and prayed.
And once she opened her eyes - it was like a new little girl! She was just shining and her eyes were sparkling. I asked her how she felt and she put her little hand out and lifted it up higher and higher and said "It feels like my heart is doing this!"
What a miracle to witness. Such a sweetness that I can't put into words and never want to forget. I heard Steve on the phone saying " hallelujia! Praise the Lord!" Todd and I didn't stop grinning for a long time. KL called everyone and told them. She told her friends and teachers at school the next day. Her teacher jumped up and down with her and shouted Hallelujia! It was truly amazing!
Thank you Lord for your goodness and mercy. Your love is amazing and awesome.
We went to see the Easter play at my sister's church (Free Chapel) and part of the play showed when Jesus was being beaten. Pastor Franklin stood up then and talked to the congregation and asked us to say a prayer with him. Afterward, KL looked up at me and said, " I feel like I just maybe got saved." I asked if she was sure, and she said no. Once the play ended we went in a quiet hallway and talked some more and called one of her AWANA teachers from our church. I offered to pray with her, but she just wasn't sure she was under conviction yet.
A few days later the topic came up at supper - I think Jaycee started talking about the play and heaven and hell - and KL got really quiet. She came and told me she needed to talk to me alone. We went in my room and she snuggled in underthe covers. Bless her heart, she was so upset. It was just written all over her face that God was dealing with her. My heart was breaking because she was struggling so. We talked and she finally said she she needed to be saved. S he also said once that" I think I hear something. Like a knockin' on my heart". It was so sweet.
One thing you need to know about KL is that she is a perfectionist. Once she knew that she needed to be saved she started struggling with what to do next. I went over some scripture with her, we called my parents, Todd talked to her, and finally I talked her into letting me call our Preacher Steve. She said she was really shy talking to a man! I told her Preacher Steve had lots of practice helping little kids accept Jesus. Once we called him, something he said just made the light bulb go on! We told her that there was not a certain prayer she had to pray, that it just had to come from her. Steve offered to pray with her and so did we, but she wanted to say it alone.
She closed her little eyes - for what seemed like forever - and prayed.
And once she opened her eyes - it was like a new little girl! She was just shining and her eyes were sparkling. I asked her how she felt and she put her little hand out and lifted it up higher and higher and said "It feels like my heart is doing this!"
What a miracle to witness. Such a sweetness that I can't put into words and never want to forget. I heard Steve on the phone saying " hallelujia! Praise the Lord!" Todd and I didn't stop grinning for a long time. KL called everyone and told them. She told her friends and teachers at school the next day. Her teacher jumped up and down with her and shouted Hallelujia! It was truly amazing!
Thank you Lord for your goodness and mercy. Your love is amazing and awesome.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Limbo
Well, here I am. In a position I never thought I would be in.
I am waiting to find out if my family is eligible for an apartment. There's no rush really... Our home is just going to be auctioned off in one month and three days. We just have to pack, get rid of a bunch of stuff, and decide where we are going to go! That's it. The end of our dreams for this house - our home. The end of watching my children play in the "Diamond Woods" for hours on end. Just a letter saying when to be out and basically that our mortgage company would like to help us, if only we made more money.
Lord, I am not questioning that you know what you are doing - I just wish I understood it a little better. Help me to know that you are in this. And guide us in where to go next.
We are trying to keep the girls in the same school district, but will only be able to do so if approved for the apartment. And honestly, even if we are approved, I am still not sure we could afford it. I am just scared. I don't know what to do. And I am afraid of what might happen next. I can see satan trying to take my focus off Jesus (when I have only begun to start hearing Him again). Little things - and big things - seem to be popping up all over the place. I just hope that God will show me the way out.
God's will scares me. I am always afraid of what He might use to mold me. I guess I need to remember that He has my best interest at heart, whereas satan just seeks to destroy me. The last couple of days I have been feeling the old depression demons dragging me down further and further. Lord, please pull me back up. I have been in this place before and I don't want to go back. Help me to focus on the things that I know come from You.
We will not be homeless.
We are all healthy.
My husband has a job (even though he made more on unemployment).
I have a great family.
I know that we will make it through this ok.
I know that God has a reason for all this and I hope that through this I can become closer to Him and my marriage will become stronger.
I pray that I can hold to these truths instead of satan's lies.
I am waiting to find out if my family is eligible for an apartment. There's no rush really... Our home is just going to be auctioned off in one month and three days. We just have to pack, get rid of a bunch of stuff, and decide where we are going to go! That's it. The end of our dreams for this house - our home. The end of watching my children play in the "Diamond Woods" for hours on end. Just a letter saying when to be out and basically that our mortgage company would like to help us, if only we made more money.
Lord, I am not questioning that you know what you are doing - I just wish I understood it a little better. Help me to know that you are in this. And guide us in where to go next.
We are trying to keep the girls in the same school district, but will only be able to do so if approved for the apartment. And honestly, even if we are approved, I am still not sure we could afford it. I am just scared. I don't know what to do. And I am afraid of what might happen next. I can see satan trying to take my focus off Jesus (when I have only begun to start hearing Him again). Little things - and big things - seem to be popping up all over the place. I just hope that God will show me the way out.
God's will scares me. I am always afraid of what He might use to mold me. I guess I need to remember that He has my best interest at heart, whereas satan just seeks to destroy me. The last couple of days I have been feeling the old depression demons dragging me down further and further. Lord, please pull me back up. I have been in this place before and I don't want to go back. Help me to focus on the things that I know come from You.
We will not be homeless.
We are all healthy.
My husband has a job (even though he made more on unemployment).
I have a great family.
I know that we will make it through this ok.
I know that God has a reason for all this and I hope that through this I can become closer to Him and my marriage will become stronger.
I pray that I can hold to these truths instead of satan's lies.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Barbecue, Broccoli, and Lies
A strange thing happened to me this morning after I dropped my two oldest children off at school. As I headed home with my remaining two kids I had a funny feeling hit me - I was missing my big girls! Now, some might think this makes me a horrible mother, but generally I drop the school girls off and head home with a somewhat peaceful sigh. For those few hours a day my house is several decibels quieter, and instead of keeping up with four kids I only have to manage two. I dearly love my children and gladly wait to pick up the school kids in the carpool line. Usually. But today for some reason, instead of feeling that brief reprieve I normally feel, I felt an emptiness when they hopped out of the car.
What brought this sudden change on I am not sure. Maybe my hormones are all out of whack. Or maybe it is that everyone stayed home last Friday sick and we had three solid days to spend together. Or maybe it is God letting me know that my family is complete. Maybe it is all of the above. I don't know. Maybe I just needed to realize how much they mean to me. That through all of the squabbles, tantrums, meltdowns, and fights that I am constantly refereeing, are the times (sometimes few and far between!) that I see all the girls playing together and making my heart melt. The times between feeding the baby and making supper for everyone else that I just look at my children in amazement. They are all so precious and unique.
They all have their quirks and missteps - so do I! And overwhelming as it is at times, I wouldn't trade any of it for anything.
Here are some of the funny happenings of today (with a few not-me mondays):
Earlier when Keri-lyn answered a question I asked her and I told her I didn't believe her, she told me this - "Quit not believing me! I almost never tell lies!"
When Jaycee was told that she could not have any ice cream until she had eaten her two pieces of broccoli, she most certainly did not move them to Layna's plate and come tell me straight faced that she had eaten it. None of my children would ever do such a thing as that.
And I did not inappropriately laugh out loud when my mother told me that she was going to Walmart to look for carpet cleaner to remove the crayon that Layna used to color the carpet at church. Not me.
And I did not more than likely miss Micah rolling over for the 1st time because I was stuck in the bathroom this morning. I would never attempt to use the bathroom alone and chance missing a major milestone like that. Not me.
Finally, I would never tell my children they must eat supper before they ate any ice cream when I secretly ate a Skinny Cow while they were out playing and while I was making supper. I would never do that.
Happy Monday!
What brought this sudden change on I am not sure. Maybe my hormones are all out of whack. Or maybe it is that everyone stayed home last Friday sick and we had three solid days to spend together. Or maybe it is God letting me know that my family is complete. Maybe it is all of the above. I don't know. Maybe I just needed to realize how much they mean to me. That through all of the squabbles, tantrums, meltdowns, and fights that I am constantly refereeing, are the times (sometimes few and far between!) that I see all the girls playing together and making my heart melt. The times between feeding the baby and making supper for everyone else that I just look at my children in amazement. They are all so precious and unique.
They all have their quirks and missteps - so do I! And overwhelming as it is at times, I wouldn't trade any of it for anything.
Here are some of the funny happenings of today (with a few not-me mondays):
Earlier when Keri-lyn answered a question I asked her and I told her I didn't believe her, she told me this - "Quit not believing me! I almost never tell lies!"
When Jaycee was told that she could not have any ice cream until she had eaten her two pieces of broccoli, she most certainly did not move them to Layna's plate and come tell me straight faced that she had eaten it. None of my children would ever do such a thing as that.
And I did not inappropriately laugh out loud when my mother told me that she was going to Walmart to look for carpet cleaner to remove the crayon that Layna used to color the carpet at church. Not me.
And I did not more than likely miss Micah rolling over for the 1st time because I was stuck in the bathroom this morning. I would never attempt to use the bathroom alone and chance missing a major milestone like that. Not me.
Finally, I would never tell my children they must eat supper before they ate any ice cream when I secretly ate a Skinny Cow while they were out playing and while I was making supper. I would never do that.
Happy Monday!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Changes
If you know me then you know I am usually running behind - for church, for school, ball games, bed times... just late for life in general. Now, in the past I have been ok with this. No real harm done. But lately things have been sneaking up on me and forcing me to take a good look at my life. If I had to sum up my life in just a few words, they would be "Just getting by." And I am tired of just getting by, just doing the bare minimum. If I want my life to matter, if I want to be a good example to my children, then I need to step up.
So I have decided that I need to be done with the excuses. My spiritual life is not growing because the most attention I give to it is a quick prayer of protection for my children, or a "Lord, help me know which choice to make". My excuse for that is that I don't have any more time in my day to devote to God. What a lie! I know that I am more than capable of cutting out time to spend with Him. All I would need to do is cut out a television show or leave a little earlier for carpool. Why do I put everything that is so mundane before what I know should be #1 in my life? Even when God gives me a gentle reminder I put Him off until the next day because I am just to tired. Now I probably get more sleep than anyone I know. And when the next day comes, I put him off again.
This is the 1st excuse I am getting rid of. There are several more areas of my life that I need to work on, but I feel that this is the most important. If I put my priorities where they need to be, then I think other things will start to fall into place. Things like my home, my disorganization, my laziness and bad habits. I know that God had more planned for me than what I am accomplishing. So, here I go. I am trying to reorganize my life the way God would want it - with Him first. And hopefully, at the day's end I can be proud of what I have accomplished, not be wishing I had done more.
So I have decided that I need to be done with the excuses. My spiritual life is not growing because the most attention I give to it is a quick prayer of protection for my children, or a "Lord, help me know which choice to make". My excuse for that is that I don't have any more time in my day to devote to God. What a lie! I know that I am more than capable of cutting out time to spend with Him. All I would need to do is cut out a television show or leave a little earlier for carpool. Why do I put everything that is so mundane before what I know should be #1 in my life? Even when God gives me a gentle reminder I put Him off until the next day because I am just to tired. Now I probably get more sleep than anyone I know. And when the next day comes, I put him off again.
This is the 1st excuse I am getting rid of. There are several more areas of my life that I need to work on, but I feel that this is the most important. If I put my priorities where they need to be, then I think other things will start to fall into place. Things like my home, my disorganization, my laziness and bad habits. I know that God had more planned for me than what I am accomplishing. So, here I go. I am trying to reorganize my life the way God would want it - with Him first. And hopefully, at the day's end I can be proud of what I have accomplished, not be wishing I had done more.
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