Thursday, March 17, 2011
Redirecting...
I clicked on a link recently, and the website took me to another page. Nothing unusual there, but I noticed in my browser that it said "redirecting"...It hit me. This is what I need. Sometimes. A lot of times. I get sidetracked. Stuck. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night...and then can't get my mind to stop. Other times I let things consume me...not good!
Throughout my life, there's been several circumstances that have caused me to spend many days and nights in turmoil. Not to blame the way I am on pregnancy at all, but it seems for me that things began to stress me MORE when I was pregnant with P. To the point of sleeplessness, etc. When I was a kid though, I know I stressed my Mom out with all of my "what-if's" and questions about what MIGHT happen. I was a worrier...even then.
It's not good, I know that. And it's not right. That is obvious. Proverbs 12:25 states, "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad." Philippians 4:6-7 says it well: 6 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." 7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." And 1 Peter 5:7 tells us what to do with worry, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
Often times I need to just give it over to God. Lay it down. Forget about it and focus on what it is that HE wants me to be focusing on. I believe He wants me to be encouraging others, teaching my children, spending time in the Word, and growing in Christ. There is a lot of GOOD things to be doing, and none of those things include being weighed down with worry.
The Lord has been redirecting me. Through prayer and time spent in His Word. Through the women's Bible study I've attended for 3 years now (love those ladies!) And through my husband. I'm so thankful for Joel. He helps me see what is valuable in life.
What does it feel like to have no worries? I believe Mckenzie knows...
It seems to me that getting to experience childlike wonder is like receiving tiny pieces of Heaven while here on Earth. :)
Throughout my life, there's been several circumstances that have caused me to spend many days and nights in turmoil. Not to blame the way I am on pregnancy at all, but it seems for me that things began to stress me MORE when I was pregnant with P. To the point of sleeplessness, etc. When I was a kid though, I know I stressed my Mom out with all of my "what-if's" and questions about what MIGHT happen. I was a worrier...even then.
It's not good, I know that. And it's not right. That is obvious. Proverbs 12:25 states, "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad." Philippians 4:6-7 says it well: 6 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." 7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." And 1 Peter 5:7 tells us what to do with worry, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
Often times I need to just give it over to God. Lay it down. Forget about it and focus on what it is that HE wants me to be focusing on. I believe He wants me to be encouraging others, teaching my children, spending time in the Word, and growing in Christ. There is a lot of GOOD things to be doing, and none of those things include being weighed down with worry.
The Lord has been redirecting me. Through prayer and time spent in His Word. Through the women's Bible study I've attended for 3 years now (love those ladies!) And through my husband. I'm so thankful for Joel. He helps me see what is valuable in life.
What does it feel like to have no worries? I believe Mckenzie knows...
It seems to me that getting to experience childlike wonder is like receiving tiny pieces of Heaven while here on Earth. :)
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Marching On
So far, March has been a busy month.
The 1st is my Mom's Birthday, so we had a party at our house in her honor. I picked up cupcakes from Cupcake Island (and used the rest of my Livingsocial coupon.) Anyone else on the daily deal site bandwagon? Groupon and Livingsocial are my favorites!
P is taking Kindermusik once again, so that provides us with weekly entertainment and an instrument to practice! The kids are learning to play glockenspiels, which are similar to xylophones. The teacher did inform us that these are not toys though...but musical instruments. She said that siblings are not to play with them. :) I'll make sure that P's little sister gets that memo, ha!
Babysitting has slowed down some. The little girl I've watched regularly (2-3 times per week) since the beginning of the year is going back to her Grandma's, who is back from CA. So now we'll only have one little guy, still each Thursday.
M has been rolling all over the place and is finally sitting really well. This took her longer than I thought it should, but it may be because she has such a long torso. She's got a lot to balance. People keep saying what a long baby she is...I guess she may get that from me. :) My baby will be 9 months on Friday!! I'm taking her in for her check-up on Friday morning. Time has definitely went faster with our second baby. P still loves her, although I've told him NOT to kiss her this week, because he's got a nasty cold. I'm so ready for Spring!
The 1st is my Mom's Birthday, so we had a party at our house in her honor. I picked up cupcakes from Cupcake Island (and used the rest of my Livingsocial coupon.) Anyone else on the daily deal site bandwagon? Groupon and Livingsocial are my favorites!
P is taking Kindermusik once again, so that provides us with weekly entertainment and an instrument to practice! The kids are learning to play glockenspiels, which are similar to xylophones. The teacher did inform us that these are not toys though...but musical instruments. She said that siblings are not to play with them. :) I'll make sure that P's little sister gets that memo, ha!
Babysitting has slowed down some. The little girl I've watched regularly (2-3 times per week) since the beginning of the year is going back to her Grandma's, who is back from CA. So now we'll only have one little guy, still each Thursday.
M has been rolling all over the place and is finally sitting really well. This took her longer than I thought it should, but it may be because she has such a long torso. She's got a lot to balance. People keep saying what a long baby she is...I guess she may get that from me. :) My baby will be 9 months on Friday!! I'm taking her in for her check-up on Friday morning. Time has definitely went faster with our second baby. P still loves her, although I've told him NOT to kiss her this week, because he's got a nasty cold. I'm so ready for Spring!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day!
My honey got me the most beautiful flowers! I love them. It had been a while since I got flowers...P was a little unsure of what to do with them. When I said I would put them in water, he said, "I'll get a bowl!" I told him we used a vase for flowers...and then I had to explain what a vase was, ha! Flowers are a rare but wonderful thing around here. I'm so blessed!
Today was gorgeous! We got to enjoy the sunshine. I put M in the stroller and P got to use the scooter and bike that he got for his Birthday. I built a mini-snowman and asked P what we should name it. His first answer was, "Moses!" Um...okay? An unusual name for a snowman, but that's okay!
Tonight, after the kids are in bed...Joel and I are going to watch a movie and enjoy our cheesecake that I picked up today from the Cheesecake Factory! I can't wait for bedtime!! :) I asked if we could watch a romantic movie, and Joel said something of the "shoot-em-up" variety? So...maybe we'll compromise. I'm thankful for my forever Valentine's today.
Today was gorgeous! We got to enjoy the sunshine. I put M in the stroller and P got to use the scooter and bike that he got for his Birthday. I built a mini-snowman and asked P what we should name it. His first answer was, "Moses!" Um...okay? An unusual name for a snowman, but that's okay!
Tonight, after the kids are in bed...Joel and I are going to watch a movie and enjoy our cheesecake that I picked up today from the Cheesecake Factory! I can't wait for bedtime!! :) I asked if we could watch a romantic movie, and Joel said something of the "shoot-em-up" variety? So...maybe we'll compromise. I'm thankful for my forever Valentine's today.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sunday Afternoon
I love Sunday afternoons. Once we're home from church, after a good lunch, the kids usually nap and Joel and I get some down-time. I love to cut coupons, watch a movie, or get a nap. It's like a mini-vacation from a hectic week, ha!
I feel like, between the kids and I...we were sick for almost the entire month of January. First, baby M got the croupy coughing nasty cold stuff (yes, that is my official medical diagnosis). It lasted for 10 days. Then, P got it. Next, P got staph infection. And M got pinkeye. Then I got pinkeye from M--both eyes for baby and Mommy!...Fun times. Then, I got the hacky cough/nasty cold & sinus misery...It lasted just over a week. I've decided that just having one more child, it's harder for us all to stay healthy around here. If M picks up something, P gets it...If P comes down with something, it's hard to keep him away from his little Sister...He loves to kiss her and be in her face, trying to make her laugh, etc. That is not an ideal way to stop the spread of germs, and so she gets sick. I am a self-proclaimed "germaphobe" so this is hard for my hand-sanitizer loving self to handle. :)
We also went to Iowa this month to meet our new niece...She is so sweet! M seemed like a giant next to her though, and she's only 6 months older than her new cousin. It's crazy how fast babies grow. My baby is no longer a scrunched-up newbie...She's a growing girl that rolls over, loves her baby food (and puffs), already has her first tooth (middle, bottom) and shakes her head back and forth at us, so funny!
Hope everyone has a fantastic Sunday afternoon (and a great week to follow too!)
M, trying out cantaloupe for the first time...yum!
I feel like, between the kids and I...we were sick for almost the entire month of January. First, baby M got the croupy coughing nasty cold stuff (yes, that is my official medical diagnosis). It lasted for 10 days. Then, P got it. Next, P got staph infection. And M got pinkeye. Then I got pinkeye from M--both eyes for baby and Mommy!...Fun times. Then, I got the hacky cough/nasty cold & sinus misery...It lasted just over a week. I've decided that just having one more child, it's harder for us all to stay healthy around here. If M picks up something, P gets it...If P comes down with something, it's hard to keep him away from his little Sister...He loves to kiss her and be in her face, trying to make her laugh, etc. That is not an ideal way to stop the spread of germs, and so she gets sick. I am a self-proclaimed "germaphobe" so this is hard for my hand-sanitizer loving self to handle. :)
We also went to Iowa this month to meet our new niece...She is so sweet! M seemed like a giant next to her though, and she's only 6 months older than her new cousin. It's crazy how fast babies grow. My baby is no longer a scrunched-up newbie...She's a growing girl that rolls over, loves her baby food (and puffs), already has her first tooth (middle, bottom) and shakes her head back and forth at us, so funny!
Hope everyone has a fantastic Sunday afternoon (and a great week to follow too!)
M, trying out cantaloupe for the first time...yum!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Catching Up
Still in my mind...is a Christmas post! I wanted to get this done before the end of January, so here goes! :)
We had family staying with us through Christmas. Nine different relatives stayed with us for 6 nights in a row! It was busy...but fun! P was sad when the last of our relatives had gone--he said, "Our house is more fun--with kids!" He enjoyed playing with the 3 kiddos that were here over Christmas.
Here's a few photos:
Daddy set up P's new Handy Manny Crane playset.
Big girl sitting in her Bumbo! I love how her little hand is over her mouth, like she's giggling. :)
Picture I took of the kids and I. M is wearing her "My First Christmas" outfit!
We had family staying with us through Christmas. Nine different relatives stayed with us for 6 nights in a row! It was busy...but fun! P was sad when the last of our relatives had gone--he said, "Our house is more fun--with kids!" He enjoyed playing with the 3 kiddos that were here over Christmas.
Here's a few photos:
Daddy set up P's new Handy Manny Crane playset.
Big girl sitting in her Bumbo! I love how her little hand is over her mouth, like she's giggling. :)
Picture I took of the kids and I. M is wearing her "My First Christmas" outfit!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Seven Years
So...I'm a little behind but on December 20th, Joel and I celebrated 7 years of marriage. I can't believe how fast 7 years has gone. I love him more now than I did the day we were married. I've heard that said before, that people were more in love after years of marriage, but didn't understand how it could be true. Then, I realized...that life happens. And with it, we experienced pregnancy woes, births, a miscarriage, financial difficulties, job changes, moves, stress, training children, growing in Christ, laughing at funny things our children do--kind of like a zillion inside jokes, all of those things bring us closer. And cause me to love this man more. This man who works so hard to provide for our family...He's such a smart, loving, devoted, loyal man. I'm proud of him. And I'm so glad to be his wife. :)
We celebrated our Anniversary by eating at a boatyard cafe down on the water. It was completely romantic. Our waitress even brought our bread arranged in the shape of a heart. With pecan butter. It was amazing. I had raspberry chicken and Joel and I shared a fantastic piece of chocolate cake--that the waitress brought us free of charge, because she knew we were celebrating. She earned a good tip. :) After dinner, we strolled around downtown. Everything was lit up in white Christmas lights. Breathtaking. We went in to a few shops to warm up. I tried on a gorgeous leather coat at a leather goods store. Realized it was over $2,000. Carefully unzipped it and hung it back up. Yikes! We also got to watch some ice-skaters. It was a great evening.
Our lovely bread basket. Sadly...there are no pictures of the chocolate cake. Perhaps it was devoured too quickly? :)
Indiana Joel?
We celebrated our Anniversary by eating at a boatyard cafe down on the water. It was completely romantic. Our waitress even brought our bread arranged in the shape of a heart. With pecan butter. It was amazing. I had raspberry chicken and Joel and I shared a fantastic piece of chocolate cake--that the waitress brought us free of charge, because she knew we were celebrating. She earned a good tip. :) After dinner, we strolled around downtown. Everything was lit up in white Christmas lights. Breathtaking. We went in to a few shops to warm up. I tried on a gorgeous leather coat at a leather goods store. Realized it was over $2,000. Carefully unzipped it and hung it back up. Yikes! We also got to watch some ice-skaters. It was a great evening.
Our lovely bread basket. Sadly...there are no pictures of the chocolate cake. Perhaps it was devoured too quickly? :)
Indiana Joel?
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