Letting Go

Sometimes, I just need to let go. This has been a recurring theme for me lately. Things the Lord has been teaching me. There are 3 areas where I need to let. go. Why is this so hard?

1. Social media. First, I deactivated my Facebook account. But then after a week and a half, I had to reboot my phone. Doing so made my Words With Friends require my login information to play the games I had going. So I tried to sign in, but since I'd first signed in with FB...it was going to lose all 7 games I had going, so I "reactivated" my FB account. Willing to stop using FB, but not really wanting to stop playing WWF at this time. ;-) Now I no longer have the FB app on my phone, and I only use the site on Mondays and Fridays, trying to limit my time to 10 minutes on each of those 2 days. It's just good for me. Facebook had become another thing on my "to do" list in a way. I was spending more time on there than I ever had intended to, logging on with my phone without even thinking about it, really! Minutes here...minutes there...wasted. Now I feel like I've broken the addiction. ;-) I can log on and check updates from friends, but overall I feel like that's a whole world of stuff that I don't have to be involved in anymore. Strange, but true.

2. What people think. This is a biggie for me. Why is it so hard to not be liked? Or feel like you're not liked/accepted? I honestly wish that I just wouldn't care so much. But since that isn't likely to happen, I'm just trying to not let it affect me/my disposition if someone makes a comment that sounds tacky or just plain rude. Overall, my confidence needs to come from the Lord. I know that. And I don't want my mood to alter with the circumstances around me. I've come to realize that the year after I have a baby can be a rough one for me...emotionally. I love the sweet baby snuggles...but the sleep deprivation of that first year does a number on my psyche. The anxiety/depression/exhaustion that can be a part of life seem so much more present and intense for the year or so after giving birth. In some ways, I wish a Mama wouldn't have to be responsible for her own actions towards others in that first year after having a child, ha. Except I know life doesn't work that way. Wow!! I'd hate to think what I'd be if I didn't try to incorporate Trim Healthy Mama principles into my everyday life. I've lost 24 pounds since May (and have 32 left to go!!) but more than the lost weight and feeling healthier...I long to feel more emotionally...stable. And sometimes I think this healthy lifestyle is helping. Maybe. I'll get there! ;-) I'm seeing some rays of sunshine (not literally, today is super gray and rainy, ha) and trying to choose happiness. I'm also trying to start my mornings with my Bible (and coffee) and reading a great book to encourage Moms : Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe. 

 The best way to start the day! But so much easier when baby doesn't give me her 4:30 a.m. wakeup call.

3. Forgiveness. There are just sometimes in life where I will be hurt/offended and most of the time, those are things I just need to let. go. of. Hanging on doesn't do anyone ANY good...and especially me. :-) Also in marriage...I need to let go. Not of my husband of course, but of past hurts/etc. Something I thought I'd forgiven from a few years back in our marriage recently came back to me. And there it was again : the hurt...the raw emotion...the wanting to know more about it...and good grief! The Lord had to remind me to let it go. He is so faithful. And it amazes me how He has been working on me in my life in 3 different areas and all with the same theme.

Letting go (or trying to)...and hoping with it I will feel freer, happier, and this smile will be less fake with time! ;-)

Now that I've put it out there...Wondering what things do you need to let go of? Anyone care to share? Message me if you like, so we can encourage each other! :-)

Pumpkin Patch

I think Fall is my favorite. I love pumpkin spiced coffee, pumpkin baked desserts, the sound of a Saturday football game playing in the living room, crisp air with the sound of crunchy falling leaves underfoot, apple cider, hay-rack rides, celebrating Thanksgiving, and the pumpkin patch! We try to hit up our local pumpkin patch every year. This time we went on a Saturday, and wow--it was crazy busy!! Lines for everything--and the parking lots were packed! I'm glad for the chance to go though before the weather got too cold. Here's a few pics of our time there. :)

I love this huge chair there! Sophia is not in the chair with us because she was resting happily in the stroller during these--

and we didn't want to mess with a good thing! ;-)

Posing in the bright sunlight...next to the beautiful mums!

Back to School!

We've officially started school. I was not in a hurry to begin. Since I have a 7-month-old and a VERY busy 3-year-old, I was extremely intimidated to start 2nd grade with P. But we had a really good first few days and even managed to sneak in a trip to the zoo with extended family. :) First field trip? Check!

Before we started back to school, we needed to have one last family fun night to squeeze a bit more out of our summer. We roasted hotdogs in the firepit outside and then Joel set up a little outdoor theater for us, so we could watch the Little Rascals! We have the original 1933 black & white version on DVD...so fun. I think we all had a good time.

The day after Labor Day was our day to begin school. Every year my Mom took pics of my Sister and I outside in front of the house, on our first day of school. I don't see why I can't carry on that tradition, just because we homeschool. ;-)

Big 2nd Grader and 3-year-old in Pre-K
(also known as lots of hands-on activities & playtime
that hopefully help her learn the basics.)

Zoo day!!

Working diligently :)

Stickers!!!

I know this year will not be without trials, but I'm thankful for God's grace to us as we begin our school year. It will be a busy time with challenges & learning so many new things (myself included!) I want to enjoy everyday. Before I know it, my little ones won't be little anymore.

And just because she's cute? Our youngest sunshine. ;-)

I just love her little grin! :)

Anticipated Arrival

Although I've all but abandoned this blog, I have not forgotten it. :) Many things have happened since my last post. The most exciting thing for our family of course, has been the birth of sweet Sophia. She arrived at 1:48 a.m. on January 25th. Labor was quick. And painful (of course!) My water broke at 12:15 a.m...we grabbed the kids out of bed and made a speedy drive to the hospital (which felt like it took FOREVER). My birth with Kenzie was quick...so we anticipated this delivery would be fast also. My Mom came to the hospital to meet Joel (I was already being wheeled upstairs to Labor & Delivery) and took the kids home with her. I was in my room and hooked up to an I.V. for my Strep B infection antibiotic by 12:45 a.m. They normally do 2 bags of antibiotic, but I'm thankful I at least got the 1 bag in me. My midwife kept telling me to "hold her in"...haha. Okay!! Once they got the first bag in, I was ready to push...so almost exactly an HOUR after I was checked into my room, Sophia arrived. I'm so thankful things went well. And very glad Sophia is here. She's a blessing!

Thankful

It's been a long time since I've updated. We had a nice & quiet Thanksgiving this year. My parents came over for lunch on Thanksgiving and we had a delicious Italian meal, followed by caramel apple cheesecake (one of my new favorites!) It was so great to have Joel home with us for 4 days!! We did a little Black Friday shopping, but we're not aggressive about it. We didn't even head out that morning until after 10 a.m.

 Last night, I made Pumpkin Crunch Cake for a treat to take to Bible Study. Yum! Unfortunately, only 1 1/2 pieces were eaten, so I'm left with a 9x13 pan of it. We're studying Romans and last night was Romans 8...as we learn more about the Holy Spirit. It's been a challenge and encouragement to me!

Tonight, we're hoping to decorate for Christmas! I'm excited for the kids to help decorate the tree. I bet Kenzie will be awed by it all...she probably doesn't remember last year's decor since she's only 2. :)

I'm 30 weeks now, and get to see my midwife again on Thursday. I just feel like my belly is HUGE compared to my other 2 babies. Last time I was measuring "right on" though, so we'll see how this time compares. Hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving!

Gender Reveal

We had a "gender reveal" party at my parent's house last night. Our ultrasound was yesterday morning. It was great to get a look at baby and see what's going on in there. :) Everything looked good and baby is in the 50-75th percentile for the most part, except the legs...which were in the 95th percentile. That's typical for our kids, but so cool to see the legs all stretched out, and ankles crossed. We got some neat pictures printed...a great one of the profile, and another of the feet. I loved how this ultrasound tech was so patient with us and explained everything, very informative! My good friend from Sweet Indulgence made the cupcakes...they tasted as good as they looked!

Here's a close-up of the frosting inside :

Yes...we're having a GIRL!! P discovered the "pink" inside and said, "It's a girl. Bummer." I'm thinking he'll get over it, haha! But he does randomly mutter, "Sisters!" Too funny.

Ponderings

Life has been busy, lately. Some of our busy-ness the past few weeks stems from : a family trip to Colorado, a garage sale, company coming to stay, a family wedding, home-schooling, trying to teach and train a 2-year-old, and just trying to keep up with household things. I feel worn out, but am sure my kids are tired too. Teaching and training a 6-year-old at home can be a challenge. I love having my son here, but at the same time...there are moments when I want to run away. ;-) Today he has been especially whiny. We were out doing errands earlier, and I had a coupon for an Arby's turkey sandwich (yum.) So, we went through the drive-thru. I decided I'd order both of the kids a kids' meal. And then P started whining about how he didn't want to eat "THAT". So, no kids' meals. And then we were doing math this afternoon, and I assigned him 1 more page to do. It's an easy concept for him...filling in missing numbers, counting to 20. He did a page but apparently one more was just TOO much. He whined and complained and sat there NOT doing his work. So, he got 5 more pages assigned. Yippee. This all lead me to think about things we may miss out on without even knowing it, because of our attitude. Maybe the Lord wished to bless me in some way today but because I was crabby or complaining, I didn't get my "kids' meal" that I didn't even know I had coming. Or maybe I had a bad attitude about the work load I had to do, so instead of just getting things done and enjoying time with my kids, my "punishment" is that the work isn't done and instead weighs heavy on me. Verse I need today : This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24