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...
Monday, April 26, 2010
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...
Sunday, April 25, 2010
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.
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
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 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.
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."
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
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!!
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!!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Running on coffee
Today is going to be a day of running on coffee. Ms. Kathryn came down with a fever right before bed last night. Of course that meant she had a difficult time sleeping, so she slept most of the night with me holding her. I was really praying she would wake up fever free, instead she woke up with a fever higher than during the night.
She is so good natured, even when she is sick and not feeling well. The big challenge is just trying to homeschool the boys when I have a cling-on. It's a good thing she is still light enough that she can still fit in her sling which allows me free hands.
Hopefully we can get outside for some fresh air later. It is suppose to be in the 60's today. I am so ready for nice weather. Winters are getting harder and harder to get through each year.
She is so good natured, even when she is sick and not feeling well. The big challenge is just trying to homeschool the boys when I have a cling-on. It's a good thing she is still light enough that she can still fit in her sling which allows me free hands.
Hopefully we can get outside for some fresh air later. It is suppose to be in the 60's today. I am so ready for nice weather. Winters are getting harder and harder to get through each year.
Monday, March 8, 2010
It's not a circle it's an oval
As we were doing math this morning I was giving Tannin directions and I mistakingly said, "Draw your marks inside the circle." With a serious little face he looked at me and said, "It's not a circle, it's an oval". He was right, it wasn't a circle, it was an oval.
Tannin's correction this morning was minor and easy to accept. However, it isn't always so easy to accept a correction when we are wrong. Sometimes we let pride get in the way, rather than see our error and apologize if necessary, we become defensive and escalate the situation.
Learning humility is a difficult lesson but one that we will reap many benefits and blessings from, especially as role models to our children. It's ok and I believe even important that our children see we that are not perfect. Maybe even more important is they see their parents admit to their mistakes, seek forgiveness when needed, and strive to do better.
As parents we often find ourselves living the motto "Do what I say, not what I do." Maybe we should instead live by the motto "Seek what I seek, and strive for what I'm striving for".
Tannin's correction this morning was minor and easy to accept. However, it isn't always so easy to accept a correction when we are wrong. Sometimes we let pride get in the way, rather than see our error and apologize if necessary, we become defensive and escalate the situation.
Learning humility is a difficult lesson but one that we will reap many benefits and blessings from, especially as role models to our children. It's ok and I believe even important that our children see we that are not perfect. Maybe even more important is they see their parents admit to their mistakes, seek forgiveness when needed, and strive to do better.
As parents we often find ourselves living the motto "Do what I say, not what I do." Maybe we should instead live by the motto "Seek what I seek, and strive for what I'm striving for".
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Romans 8:28
So many times I've told others going through difficult circumstances that our God is an amazing and incredible God and that what Satan means for evil, if we allow Him, our God will use for His good. I have clung to Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose". With all the evil and bad things that happen in this world it is so incredible to have hope and faith in our Heavenly Father that He can work good through ALL things; not just some, but all.
I think the hardest part of believing in Romans 8:28 is we aren't always allowed a heavenly view of these circumstances while on this earth. Sometimes the answer is apparent and immediate, other times we may wait days, months or even years before see His plan and some of us may never see the plan until we get to Heaven. But beloved can you imagine seeing it for the first time without the blinders of this earth, but to see it from the Holy's eyes. While it may at times be difficult to wait and to suffer on this earth we have to remember that this life is temporary and His peace and strength will sustain us through the most unbearable of situations.
I'm often reminded of the story of a mission named George Smith. George had been in Africa for a brief time when due to violent circumstances was forced to return home. He left behind one saved woman and intended to return but died before he was able. Years later a group of missions discovered the area George Smith had been. They not only found a copy of the Scriptures George had left behind but they met the saved woman and through the providence of God they discovered more than 13,000 saved men and women. Imagine the view George had from the heavenly's as he saw what his circumstance produced. What he must have viewed as failure on this earth our Heavenly Father used to bring thousands into His arms.
Recently while working on homework from Esther, a Beth Moore study I'm currently involved in, I felt that God was showing me exactly how He has taken something that Satan meant for my destruction and is using it to further His kingdom. I've never been able to see any good come from the Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) that Drew suffered. I've trusted God and I've given it to Him and asked Him to use it for good, to glorify Him. I always assumed that someday I would speak to young parents about the dangers of SBS or work with families who have been victimized by SBS, and maybe someday I will, however I've recently seen just how God has used this to glorify Him. We are a Christian homeschooling family because of Drew's injury.
Due to the difficulty Drew has had in the public education system we felt after years of prayer that God was calling us as a family to homeschool. At first I thought I was hearing Him wrong, but before long it was undeniable that this crazy notion was not so crazy after all but a call from God. So we are not only educating our children in the basics of math, language arts, science and so on, but we are daily educating them about God. It is so incredible to watch them grow and to know that God is guiding us and is going to use this homeschool opportunity to raise up hearts for Him. Our God is an amazing and incredible God.
I think the hardest part of believing in Romans 8:28 is we aren't always allowed a heavenly view of these circumstances while on this earth. Sometimes the answer is apparent and immediate, other times we may wait days, months or even years before see His plan and some of us may never see the plan until we get to Heaven. But beloved can you imagine seeing it for the first time without the blinders of this earth, but to see it from the Holy's eyes. While it may at times be difficult to wait and to suffer on this earth we have to remember that this life is temporary and His peace and strength will sustain us through the most unbearable of situations.
I'm often reminded of the story of a mission named George Smith. George had been in Africa for a brief time when due to violent circumstances was forced to return home. He left behind one saved woman and intended to return but died before he was able. Years later a group of missions discovered the area George Smith had been. They not only found a copy of the Scriptures George had left behind but they met the saved woman and through the providence of God they discovered more than 13,000 saved men and women. Imagine the view George had from the heavenly's as he saw what his circumstance produced. What he must have viewed as failure on this earth our Heavenly Father used to bring thousands into His arms.
Recently while working on homework from Esther, a Beth Moore study I'm currently involved in, I felt that God was showing me exactly how He has taken something that Satan meant for my destruction and is using it to further His kingdom. I've never been able to see any good come from the Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) that Drew suffered. I've trusted God and I've given it to Him and asked Him to use it for good, to glorify Him. I always assumed that someday I would speak to young parents about the dangers of SBS or work with families who have been victimized by SBS, and maybe someday I will, however I've recently seen just how God has used this to glorify Him. We are a Christian homeschooling family because of Drew's injury.
Due to the difficulty Drew has had in the public education system we felt after years of prayer that God was calling us as a family to homeschool. At first I thought I was hearing Him wrong, but before long it was undeniable that this crazy notion was not so crazy after all but a call from God. So we are not only educating our children in the basics of math, language arts, science and so on, but we are daily educating them about God. It is so incredible to watch them grow and to know that God is guiding us and is going to use this homeschool opportunity to raise up hearts for Him. Our God is an amazing and incredible God.
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