Saturday, September 22, 2012
Blessings
My parents graciously invited us to go on vacation with them in the blue mountains of Virginia. Boy, was is a wonderful place! We stayed at a resort where there was things for all people of all sizes. My children had a blast and loved spending time with their Granny Dee and Pops. There were many tears at their departure. Here are some fun pics of the experience:
Friday, August 24, 2012
He wants me
I did something terrible today. Something that required a 911 call...
I took my kiddos to the store. When we got home, I helped the two girls out of their seats. When I went to get Elliott out of his, the door was locked. Every door was locked. Don't ask me how, they just were. My phone was also locked in the car. I ran to the neighbors and used their phone. After calling Caleb a million times, there was only one thing I could do....
Soon the fire truck arrived, then the police, and then the ambulance. They smashed a window and retrieved my sobbing son. The EMT man checked him and he was ok. Praise Jesus it is a cool day. The police got a statement. I can't remember what I told her. I hope she doesn't call social services.
Now as the kids peacefully sleep, I ask why. God, do you want to humble me? Do you want me to see that I can't do this parenting thing without You? Do You want me to see the gifts that my kids are?
This event surely forced me to see all of this and meditate on it all. But I think He is telling me that He wants me. He wants a relationship with me. He wants me to talk with Him, for me to be in complete wonderment. I once heard someone say that if you're not praying, then God will give you something to pray about. He cares more about my heart then a passenger side car window.
If you think I'm flawed, you're totally right...
I took my kiddos to the store. When we got home, I helped the two girls out of their seats. When I went to get Elliott out of his, the door was locked. Every door was locked. Don't ask me how, they just were. My phone was also locked in the car. I ran to the neighbors and used their phone. After calling Caleb a million times, there was only one thing I could do....
Soon the fire truck arrived, then the police, and then the ambulance. They smashed a window and retrieved my sobbing son. The EMT man checked him and he was ok. Praise Jesus it is a cool day. The police got a statement. I can't remember what I told her. I hope she doesn't call social services.
Now as the kids peacefully sleep, I ask why. God, do you want to humble me? Do you want me to see that I can't do this parenting thing without You? Do You want me to see the gifts that my kids are?
This event surely forced me to see all of this and meditate on it all. But I think He is telling me that He wants me. He wants a relationship with me. He wants me to talk with Him, for me to be in complete wonderment. I once heard someone say that if you're not praying, then God will give you something to pray about. He cares more about my heart then a passenger side car window.
If you think I'm flawed, you're totally right...
Friday, August 3, 2012
Pics and stuff
We've been potty training my two-year-old Claire Bear these past few weeks. After cleaning several poops from her big-girl-under-paints, Caleb went to the chocolate store with Emarie and spent 30 bucks on fancy animal chocolates. He installed an Ikea wire curtain rod across the dinning room wall, and dangled all of these precious goodies for Claire to see. It worked.
I'm done canning all the garden stuff. Not a single tomato was lost. Elliott was my first mate helper through it all...
My little Elliott boy is just so wonderful...
We went to Vermont in June for my sista's wedding. My girls loved seeing their antie.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Just Serve!
Lately I have been working on serving without expecting anything in return. I really really am a selfish person...
The other day, my neighbor was telling me how he had so many tomatoes and how he didn't know how to can them. So I said that I would can his while I was canning mine. In the middle of canning all these tomatoes, while sauce spattered all over my kitchen, while sweat dripped from my head from the intense heat of the kitchen, and while trying to can it all before the children waked, I found myself saying "I can't believe I told him I would do this! IF HE ONLY KNEW WHAT THIS ENTAILS!"
The other night I really wanted my husband to give me some extra special attention. It was one of those days and I felt like I needed some "sweet lovin". I just wanted him to spend his whole evening doing what I wanted. I fell asleep very annoyed because the night didn't go as I planned.
The other day was laundry day and I had a schedule of stuff to get done. My mind was only on what needed to get done. When the kids began to holler and run all over the place, I snapped and told them to sit on their shapes (duct taped shapes on the kitchen floor) until I could think. Not realizing that they just needed some mom time.
These are just some of the selfish moments of my life and that I reflect on. I am challenged to die every day and see my need for a savior!
The other day, my neighbor was telling me how he had so many tomatoes and how he didn't know how to can them. So I said that I would can his while I was canning mine. In the middle of canning all these tomatoes, while sauce spattered all over my kitchen, while sweat dripped from my head from the intense heat of the kitchen, and while trying to can it all before the children waked, I found myself saying "I can't believe I told him I would do this! IF HE ONLY KNEW WHAT THIS ENTAILS!"
The other night I really wanted my husband to give me some extra special attention. It was one of those days and I felt like I needed some "sweet lovin". I just wanted him to spend his whole evening doing what I wanted. I fell asleep very annoyed because the night didn't go as I planned.
The other day was laundry day and I had a schedule of stuff to get done. My mind was only on what needed to get done. When the kids began to holler and run all over the place, I snapped and told them to sit on their shapes (duct taped shapes on the kitchen floor) until I could think. Not realizing that they just needed some mom time.
These are just some of the selfish moments of my life and that I reflect on. I am challenged to die every day and see my need for a savior!
Friday, July 27, 2012
Daily
I know it's been a long long time since I've posted and I really do desire to post more. I honestly haven't made it a priority as of late. Ever since I picked up my girls from NY, we've been on a schedule that has been working well for us but sadly, blogging hasn't been on it. So I shall make a goal. To blog 5 times each week. Please keep me accountable!
And for the record, I love not having facebook :)
And for the record, I love not having facebook :)
Monday, June 25, 2012
Friday, June 22, 2012
Leaving
I will leave in 90 minutes. From here, I will pick up my husband from work and then off we will go to Pennsylvania to pick up my first and second born children. They have been gone for three weeks with their grandparents. What a hard three weeks it has been. You may be wondering what I have been doing with my days while they've been gone. A bathroom has been completely gutted, tiled, painted, and replumbed, 75 quarts of applesauce have been canned, a house has been organized, a 8 month old baby has been played with a lot, and a husband and wife have had lots of one on one conversations. It has been a blessed week of production but I am reminded again of how exceedingly blessed I am by my children. As Caleb and I were working on the bathroom, he said "can you imagine how our house would look if we didn't have kids?" (obviously not implying that he wished we didn't) That statement got me thinking. This structure that we live in is always rotting, something will always need fixing, and something will always need cleaning. It is SO passing! My children are not. They are eternal. Their little souls are forever and priceless.
When I got laid off, I started my stay-at-home-mom venture full time for the first time. I knew that was what God wanted me to do, I knew it was important but I didn't really really know how important. We got rid of our second car, we erased our entertainment $ envelope from our budget, and become more happy about hand-me-downs. But I don't want to be all self righteous about our decision to raise our family like this and totally trust God with the number of children He gives us. There have been many times that I wished I had that thing or more $ for entertainment or maybe a bigger car as I pack all three car seats in the back. Thank goodness there is grace for those moments. And gentle reminders of His blessings for obedience.
As my family grows, the number of rude comments, ugly stares, and unspoken disapprovals will increase. But the reward is worth it.
When I got laid off, I started my stay-at-home-mom venture full time for the first time. I knew that was what God wanted me to do, I knew it was important but I didn't really really know how important. We got rid of our second car, we erased our entertainment $ envelope from our budget, and become more happy about hand-me-downs. But I don't want to be all self righteous about our decision to raise our family like this and totally trust God with the number of children He gives us. There have been many times that I wished I had that thing or more $ for entertainment or maybe a bigger car as I pack all three car seats in the back. Thank goodness there is grace for those moments. And gentle reminders of His blessings for obedience.
As my family grows, the number of rude comments, ugly stares, and unspoken disapprovals will increase. But the reward is worth it.
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