Rocking my babies

I have been blessed with the privilege of rocking all my babies.  It is so peaceful and such a wonderful end to any day.  Andy and I were talking the other night about how long we will rock Kat.  She was 2 in January and we still rock her every nap and every night before bed.  As much as she loves it I know I look forward to it just as much.  So for now we will keep rocking her until she no longer wants to be rocked, which I secretly hope is not anytime soon...  

Continue On

Deciding to be a stay at home mom was one of the tougher decisions in my life.  I had a great career at Illinois State University; I loved my job and I loved the people I worked with.  When we started tossing around the idea of me becoming a stay at home mom I was confused.  I counted myself as one of the few people I knew that actually enjoyed their job.

Looking back  it was the best decision ever.  God is showing us how to be good stewards of our finances and resources and He has blessed us immensely because of our decision.

Having said that there are still days that it is hard and on those days as I stand in front of the mirror at 2:00 in the afternoon realizing that I haven't even showered yet nor have I had the privilege of going to the bathroom without a single interruption I find myself going to the refrigerator and reading Continue On, something my sister-n-law sent me some time ago.

Continue On

by Roy Lessin

A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life.

She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother.

She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband

and children would make a difference.

At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did

seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated.

" Is it worth it?" she often wondered.

"Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?"

It was during one of these moments of questioning that she heard

the still small voice of her Heavenly Father speak to her heart.

" You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be.

Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye.

But I notice.

Most of what you give is done without remuneration.

But I am your reward.

Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be withour your support.

Your influence upon him is greater than you think

and more powerful than you will ever know.

I bless him through your service and honor him through your love.

Your children are precious to me.

Even more precious than they are to you.

I have entrusted them to your care to raise for me.

What you invest in them is an offering to me.

You may never be in the public spotlight.

But your obedience shines as a bright light before me.

Continue on.

Remember you are My servent.

So do all to please me."

Peanut Butter Playdough

So if you've never made homemade playdough you really should. The kids love it cause they can make little cookies and pizzas and eat it. I wouldn't recommend eating a lot as they might get a tummy ache from all the sweet but it is in now way toxic.

2 c Peanut Butter
2 c Powdered Sugar
1 c honey
Lots of Fun

The Butterfly

There's a story I heard years ago about a child who discovered a butterfly struggling mightily to escape its cocoon through a tiny opening at the top. The little boy became worried that the butterfly seemed to be struggling too much and was afraid that it would die so he enlarged the hole. On its next try, the butterfly was able to come out easily.

The little boy's excitement quickly turned to horror when he saw the wings were shriveled and useless. His well-intentioned help had interrupted a natural process. What the little boy didn't know is that the struggle to emerge from the cocoon is nature's way of drying and strengthening the butterflies wings. By removing the struggle he deprived the butterfly of strong wings.

Often our struggles in life are a lot like the butterflies. It is during those moments of struggling that God will teach us some of our greatest lessons and if we fail to see the lesson or look for the easy way out we will not gain the strength He intended for us.

From personal past struggles I've learned that I need to daily depend on God for my every need. I need to daily be filled with the Holy Spirit and the Word. Walking with God daily does not mean that struggles don't hit, but it does mean that when they do hit God is providing my every need. He is so faithful and good!!