tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71305445875289801332024-03-13T16:12:03.381-05:00Llama Mama...Daily DramaInspired by the story my sons love so much--I'm striving to live a life filled with patience and faith, not anxiety and fear.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-19067553489375994512014-01-29T17:44:00.001-06:002014-01-29T17:44:18.806-06:00Not Living Up to ExpectationsThe beginning of this year has been rough...and we hadn't even recovered from last year. Since June of last year we have lost two pregnancies, out cat was hit by a car, we downsized from a 1200sf 3 bedroom/3 bath duplex to a 900sf 2 bd/1ba apartment, and my husband started his masters program (for real...full time). It's been a lot to handle and I think we've done pretty well (all things considered). <br />
<br />
However, today as I look around at my house I realize how easy it is for me to feel overwhelmed. We have a lot going on. Not just in dealing with the last 7 months, but also in looking forward to the future. I know this is something that many people find overwhelming, which is probably why so many choose to just live today and worry about the future some other time (we were these people when we first got married). Unfortunately it doesn't get any easier to start really evaluating where your life is going and how you are going to get to the end or do all the things you want to do. Remember when that movie The Bucket List came out? And all of a sudden everyone started talking about all the crazy dreams they had for their life...the things they wanted to accomplish before they died? Maybe it wasn't as wide-spread as it seemed at our little college, but I remember thinking about all the cool things I wanted to do (visit Europe mostly). But I don't remember spending too much time thinking about how in the world I was going to finance all those cool things or when I would plan on doing them. As I've gotten older and become responsible for more lives than just mine, I realize that the time spent planning for those things is so incredibly important. But it's also important to be realistic in that planning. I can't just decide to go to Europe for 3 months next summer...it's not realistic. For one, my husband doesn't have that kind of time off work, nor would we be able to save up enough money for all of us to head over there next summer even if we could.<br /><br />This brings me to the title of my post..."not living up to expectations". While it can be difficult to feel you don't live up to the expectations place on you by society or your parents or your friends or your spouse, that isn't really what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the expectations that we place on ourselves...which can be so much harsher than anything anyone else could put on us--except maybe my kids because they expect me to be a princess and I can think of few ways I will live up to that everyday...pretty harsh stuff :). <br /><br />My expectations are pretty high. Here are a few things on the list:<br />- keep my house clean<br />
- keep the clothes washed<br />
- don't drown in dirty dishes (and don't resort to environment-killing paper/Styrofoam)<br />
- get my homework done and don't fall behind<br />
- limit my kids screen time<br />
- feed my kids healthy meals 3 times a day plus snacks (most should be homemade)<br />
- cook a nice meal each night for dinner<br />
- cook something decently nice for my husband at lunch<br />
- workout<br />
- do fun things with my kids each day<br />
- read a lot of books to my kids<br />
- do fun projects and crafts with my kids<br />
<br />
While those are some of the things I expect from myself I can easily be disappointed. Here is an example of my day today...a day where I feel VERY disappointed:<br />
- my kids ate peanut butter/cheese crackers and vanilla wafers for breakfast<br />
- we have eaten almost exclusively off paper plates for almost a week<br />
- the paper plates have NOT kept me away from a mountain of dishes that seem to be multiplying in my sink faster than bunnies!<br />
- my kids have spent the majority of the day watching tv or playing on their tablets<br />
- my house is dirty...not just a little unkempt but downright dirty :(<br />
- the craftiest thing I did with my kids today was let them color on their white boards<br />
- my husband got McDonald's for lunch today and we had hamburger helper yesterday<br />
- I have yet to workout again since recovering from my cold two weeks ago<br />
- I almost broke an ankle climbing over hot wheels and tiny trains to turn the light off in my kids room at nap time <br />
- I HAVE managed to get quite a bit of homework done...but the homework time is mostly to blame for the status of the rest of the things on this list<br />
<br />
It would easy right now to beat myself up about all the things I did wrong or haven't done at all today. But is it helpful? I'm not the kind of person that responds well to "harsh" treatment, so why is my first response to beat myself up? I know it won't help, it won't make me any more productive and, in fact, just might drive me to finish off the chocolate chips in the pantry. I have to learn a new way to respond to myself. I don't think the answer is to have no expectations or even ridiculously low ones, but rather to find peace with the compromises you are making and knowing that they are what is best...trying to see the big picture.<br />
<br />
For me, it's being ok with eating off of paper plates. It's trying to find balance between crafts and books and tv and still finding time for homework. It's limiting my exposure to things that cause me to compare myself and feel bad about where I am on my journey (I'm looking at you Pinterest and Facebook). Someone told me last weekend something that has really been a source of comfort and strength for me..."your story isn't the same as anyone else and their story isn't yours". I have to find ways to remind myself where I am (overwhelmed) and come up with a plan on how to get where I want to be...even prioritizing all the different things I want. Finishing school is a big motivator for me and my husband. If that means we eat off paper plates for a while or we eat more fast food than normal then maybe we need to find peace with that...it's not sacrificing one thing for another (health for school) but finding a middle ground that works.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-21346405012265873722014-01-07T23:15:00.001-06:002014-01-07T23:15:10.734-06:00Faith and Falling<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>**I'm turning back to writing as a release and way of dealing with feelings I'm having. I'm not editing or rereading these...just writing.**</i></span><br />
<br />
Days like today I am reminded of the need to live our religious life on faith not feelings. It's so easy to make our feelings into a reason to not do something...they become less of an excuse in our minds and a legitimate reason to do or not do something. I don't feel like God is there for me today. I don't feel like trusting His plan...to be honest...today...I think His plan is bullshit. I think it sucks. Today can easily turn in to tomorrow, to next week, or to 6 months from now. Maybe in 6 months I'll still feel like the plan...the path I'm on...is bullshit. But that's living based on how I feel.<br />
<br />
Faith is something different, isn't it. Faith is trusting that no matter how I feel, the plan is good. At least by some measure of the word "good"...even if to me even writing that hurts my heart and breaks it into a million pieces. After all, how could it be "good"? For a child to die...no matter how young or inconsequential it may seem to others...a fetus, a grouping of cells, a nothing. My child wasn't nothing. My child was perfect...innocent...very much loved and wanted. Both of my children were. Yet now when people look at our family they see a family of 4...but I see a family of 6 that has been separated. A family torn apart, splintered by death. Parents quietly grieving half of their children. Living children who won't, for years maybe, understand the other 1/2 of them that is missing. Living children who still need love, safety, affirmation, and attention.<br />
<br />
If I smile while I cry they don't see the pain. If I smile while I cry, they don't ask questions. If I smile while I cry I can grieve in the open without my living children seeing how much I am hurting on the inside. At least for a while.<br />
<br />
Faith, like my heart...like my family...has been shattered for me. I feel like I'm falling through the rabbit hole...grasping for anything to keep myself righted...yet finding nothing but blackness and emptiness around me. I'm just falling. Some days I fall slower than others, but I don't feel it stopping yet. I don't know if it ever will. I hope someday my faith will keep me upright, make the fall slower, or give me a way to not be afraid in the dark. But that is just wishful thinking today...hope for tomorrow. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-51357441911248346752012-07-18T09:09:00.001-05:002012-07-18T09:09:20.169-05:00Wood Pallets...Should We Use Them?There have been TONS of projects that I've seen lately using wood from pallets (those things that companies use for shipping). I have to say I've even been tempted myself. But about a year ago I read an article referencing the dangers and frustrations that can arise from the use of pallets for building projects. I can't find that article, though I'm still working on tracking it down. Anyway, here are some articles that I've found addressing some of these concerns. From bugs to chemical contact, these articles should be taken into consideration before you decide to go forward with this type of material.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.curbly.com/users/diy-maven/posts/11264-why-we-should-not-be-using-pallets-in-our-interiors">Why We Should Not be Using Pallets in our Interiors</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.naturallifemagazine.com/1206/reusing_wooden_pallets.htm">Do You Know Where Your Wood Pallet Has Been?</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cheaplikemeblog.com/environment/dont-reuse-wood-pallets/">Don't Reuse Wood Pallets</a><br />
<br />
One other concern, which I don't feel is well addressed in these articles, is that these pallets are NOT constructed for the long term. The nails are not always hammered in straight and it's common for these manufacturers to use spiral nails that are VERY hard to remove. These boards can splinter easily, contain knots in the wood, and can otherwise be unwieldy to work with. <br />
<br />
While you may still decide to use pallets in your construction projects, pleas heed these cautions. The generally safe way to use pallets would be to use them from a reputable place that doesn't re-use them for shipping purposes, that you inspect them VERY carefully for any signs of infestation (they can easily harbor termites and cockroaches and various other yucky bugs), and to use them for projects that will remain outside (or at least far away from food preparation purposes and bedding).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-63044267571748072382012-04-01T00:10:00.000-05:002012-04-01T00:10:03.423-05:00Journeys in Juicing and Beginner's RecipeOne bigger purchase my husband and I have been discussing for some time was getting a juicer. We talked about different options (Vitamix-type blender vs traditional juicer), how much produce would cost us, and whether we were really interested in drinking enough to justify the cost. About 2 weeks ago we took the plunge. We used some money that we'd been saving and purchased a Juiceman juicer from Target. We also then purchased a LOT of fruit and veggies to get started.<br />
<br />
So with a few recipes printed off, we started. And we actually did pretty well! We are only juicing for breakfast and the kids usually end up drinking most of mine, but we've been really good about sticking with it so far! We have learned a few things from the recipes we've tried and speaking with others.<br />
<br />
<ol><li><b>We don't like the all vegetable juices.</b> We don't eat a lot of veggies regularly and some of the flavors are just not good to us. We don't want to have to "choke down" our juice.</li>
<li><b>Pears and apples will cover the flavors in many veggies</b>...so we tend to load up on those.</li>
<li><b>My kids LOVE fresh juice!!!</b> They loved store-bought juice before so I guess I shouldn't really be surprised, but they often ask for seconds of juices I have trouble getting down. </li>
<li><b>There is a steep learning curve to juicing.</b> We've learned a lot about how to prep veggies and fruit for juicing and what things are just not worth juicing (like grapes...while yummy they produce surprising little juice for the money).</li>
</ol><div>Here is a picture I took tonight of our shopping trip today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdINJ8IBu5bhhcaEQltOqxynZq3Ivd90u6K39ViVlpQC_Dc1HYyfAyKA5E1xdZTIg-rC2-UUUvcDivKdnWLGYy7iYhjAI1XL2DLzFiViKZXzBJNo5fKqJ43UI-bansENT3e-lSxNnLPlsa/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdINJ8IBu5bhhcaEQltOqxynZq3Ivd90u6K39ViVlpQC_Dc1HYyfAyKA5E1xdZTIg-rC2-UUUvcDivKdnWLGYy7iYhjAI1XL2DLzFiViKZXzBJNo5fKqJ43UI-bansENT3e-lSxNnLPlsa/s320/photo+(3).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>All of this produce was purchased at Aldi's (except for the lemons, I think). We've found them to have some of the best prices on produce (though there's no organic fruit there, this is the best option for us right now) and it's usually in good condition!</div><div><br />
</div><div>So anyway, that will last us about a week. Because of the cost, we can't afford to juice all the time, but we are doing what we can and we have noticed a difference when we have to stop for a day or so. So I'm gonna give you our favorite juice recipe now....enjoy!</div><div><br />
</div><div><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Basic Beginner Juice</span></u></div><div><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 apples (any kind-stem and core removed)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 pears (remove stem and seeds)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 carrots (trim off end)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 large handfuls spinach leaves</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This makes about 12-16 ounces of juice and serves one adult (or two children who love juice). My kids LOVE this as do my husband and I. Hope you do too!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-14994023397821204462012-03-29T14:42:00.001-05:002012-03-29T16:07:11.015-05:00Parenting is a Marathon, not a Series of Sprints<i>I haven't written in quite some time. Today, I just wanted to take a chance to sit down and pour out some things I've been thinking about (and need to remember in the future).</i><br />
<br />
It's so much easier to "run" life like a sprint. <br />
<br />
Going from one new idea to another, well, that compliments my ADD perfectly! Looking at something and saying, "that would be great right now"...that's how I operate, but it's not always best. Some of my "sprint" ideas turn out pretty well...for instance I decided to do the Bible in 90 Days program...while it is definitely taking me longer than 90 days I did just go for it and I've done much better than I normally do with reading plans like this!<br />
<br />
However, sprinting encourages me to be nearsighted and not to pay attention to what the real finish line looks like. Most recently this has been with regards to parenting. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">***For the record, if I describe a way you are parenting as something that doesn't work for my "marathon" intentions, please don't think I dislike what you are doing. Not every situation or choice is good for all kids or all families. I have to do what is best for MY kids and MY family. No judgement toward your decisions is implied.***</span></div><br />
Parenting is far more difficult than you can ever fathom before you become a parent...at least that's been my experience. It's not that it's tough changing diapers, making sure they get fed, playing with your kids, etc. (well, sometimes it is). But being responsible for them...well that's the toughie for me! Not just responsible that they are still breathing at the end of the day, keep all their teeth, and don't break too many bones...but responsible for the kind of adult they turn out to be. Responsible for whether or not they turn out to be responsible, productive citizens. Yikes! That's enough to make me want to run in the other direction most days.<br />
<br />
Lots of things come up that sound like great experiences or opportunities... <br />
YMCA youth soccer starts at age 3...Carter will be 3 in August. <br />
Preschool starts at age 4 and can be done 1/2 days every day, two days a week, at home, or not at all. <br />
Language immersion schools, charter schools, moving to better public school districts, homeschooling, unschooling...<br />
Is your head spinning like mine? It's so easy for me to think about the benefits these can offer to my child(ren). <br />
<br />
Wow...they could be potty trained already! Yep I know a lady who's potty training an 11 month old yet my 1 and 2 year olds are no where near that. <br />
<br />
They could be fluent in two languages...awesome! Sign me up! <br />
<br />
They could get to run after a ball with no clue they are actually playing a game let alone a sport...sounds so cute and fun! <br />
<br />
They should know all their letters before they start school, be able to read chapter books by 1st grade, AND know how to tie their shoes! Why don't we start them younger than 4! Wait...isn't that the point of kindergarten? <br />
<br />
How many science projects should my child do in kindergarten? Did I even DO science in kindergarten?!?!?<br />
<br />
These are all thoughts that have swirled around in my head over the last few months. It's overwhelming, to say the least. But to put it all in perspective I have to remember that my children's lives aren't about ANY of this! It's not about who can sing their ABC's first, read the youngest, speak the most languages, or be a soccer star at 4. It's about the end result...the adults they grow up to be. It's about being conscious of the character traits I'm instilling in them now, the ones I will continue to work on as they understand more, and the entirety of their raising. That's what matters. Not how many new toys they have, clubs they join, or sports they play now. Not how many classic novels they read before 3rd grade. <br />
<br />
The marathon takes more training, more patience, more stamina. It takes all of my heart, brain, and so much grace from God. It takes me putting aside what I *think* my kids should be doing right now...because that's usually based on what others are telling me they should do or what I see other kids doing. I need to focus on what they *need* in the long term. My kids, in my opinion, need to see their parents in love, to see their parents worshiping God and studying His word, to learn what God wants for all of us. And they need some more practical things like to know how to handle money (and not just how to spend it like it's going out of style), to be gracious to others, to show compassion, to serve, to do basic math, to enjoy reading, and, yes, to tie their shoes (velcro seems hard to come by as an adult).<br />
<br />
The marathon is the difficult path to choose. The marathon requires patience--something many are in short supply of, including myself. The marathon requires commitment and taking time to see where the finish line really is and then to try to figure out the best way to move toward it. The sprint isn't easy, by any means, but it's over quickly. And then on to another, and another, and another. The marathon isn't short bursts of the next-best-thing, it's a prolonged sense of what is truly important.<br />
<br />
And...this is important...<span style="font-size: large;">it seems to be slightly different for each and every child and family. </span>Your marathon will look different than mine. Henry's might look different than Carter's. But it's still important to try and figure out what it looks like and then, the hard part, how to learn to be content with the path you've chosen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-84911441839255898892012-01-13T10:55:00.000-06:002012-01-13T10:55:28.736-06:00Sugar Free Baked OatmealOur family was finally able to sign the lease on our new place the Friday after Christmas. After signing we made a quick trip to Kansas City to see family over the weekend, drove home Monday evening, and the movers arrived at 9:30 Tuesday (Jan 3) to get us to the new house [it's actually a duplex]. We're finally feeling more settled in and have gotten a vast majority of our boxes unpacked. <div><br />
</div><div>All that to say that meal times have been a bit harried around here for the last few weeks. We're still occasionally eating off paper plates (when my day is too full to be able to get dishes done) and I'm just really starting to cook more than frozen pizzas. This morning was my first morning back to actually cooking...and it felt pretty good! Not only was I able to get some healthy food into my kiddos, but I also modified a recipe I've used for years and made it sugar free! I'd say that gives me license to take the rest of the day off...right? </div><div><br />
</div><div>Baked Oatmeal</div><div>1/2 c oil (I generally use coconut oil)</div><div>3/4 c maple syrup</div><div>2 eggs</div><div>slightly less than 1 c milk</div><div>3 c oats </div><div>2 t baking powder</div><div>1/4 t salt</div><div>1 t cinnamon</div><div>1 t vanilla (optional)</div><div><br />
</div><div>Mix all ingredients together and pour into 8x8 baking dish. Bake 30-40 minutes at 375.</div><div><br />
</div><div>**This is also really good with cinnamon/sugar apples mixed in or served on top, but we don't have any apples right now...this ended up tasting like maple oatmeal...yummy!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-61890341530867302792011-12-20T10:20:00.001-06:002011-12-20T10:20:47.031-06:00One way to honor your spouse for Christmas (or why there were mice in my fridge)Sometimes my husband feels like he takes a back seat to my kids...and a lot of time he's right. It's easy to do when you have little ones that require so much of your attention and assistance throughout the day. Lately my kids have been very mommy-needy. That coupled with all that we've gone through this year, has been leaving my husband feeling a little neglected lately. With Christmas right around the corner (which is usually focused more on our kids) I wanted to do something special for him.<br />
<br />
I read a blog, though now I can't remember which one, about doing a 12 days of Christmas for your spouse. I thought that sounded like a great idea! So I set off at the beginning of December to figure out how I could make this work on a VERY meager budget. So far it has been a HUGE hit with my husband and it's been lots of fun for me!<br />
<br />
I'll post after the holidays with the full 12 days, but wanted to share with you about what I did yesterday. Yesterday was day 7 (Christmas Eve will be day 12 as we open gifts on Christmas Eve). And here is what he got...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UGVwfP_gsRspeZDJDQUFuviIlx2DRsioq3YVjKIc_wjRFAr2aD_kQtHTGHb51t0qmhLaDubrbWCW2_nETamjYEJG6RcbyA_BYaevJ81Z7WPA00NLvkI3GWlQdveBD4oIefulIEDTMmOZ/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UGVwfP_gsRspeZDJDQUFuviIlx2DRsioq3YVjKIc_wjRFAr2aD_kQtHTGHb51t0qmhLaDubrbWCW2_nETamjYEJG6RcbyA_BYaevJ81Z7WPA00NLvkI3GWlQdveBD4oIefulIEDTMmOZ/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhF2pi7He2gZqPOrjNqlU_5HJ4SO74AzFdQF-5TjSTIpJ7Z9OBlwNWodOSaSYpSmc3gUz7CSi9xaPmhtEpy_kbdqbLX0cYO7IACqbuYA3cjXEMy-AKaPPTN_gAVDvzV3X2hVUE1ZS0LoZ/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhF2pi7He2gZqPOrjNqlU_5HJ4SO74AzFdQF-5TjSTIpJ7Z9OBlwNWodOSaSYpSmc3gUz7CSi9xaPmhtEpy_kbdqbLX0cYO7IACqbuYA3cjXEMy-AKaPPTN_gAVDvzV3X2hVUE1ZS0LoZ/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The card says, "7 mice (and no your wife didn't turn into a cat)".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He had no clue these cute little chocolate cherry mice were peering out from our refrigerator :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc4WXRrpmZN4N7YH9V4aAurAjL_JvNXvsY1cSlcEH5EewYiMcj9McWqPtkFjz7-G8gLVI3svYadX6KXSR5p3k34a5nKBmTyx9BvEw7veBmusMBNrZiWkbyFm3qrbilhP21yq_FCJArLzC/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc4WXRrpmZN4N7YH9V4aAurAjL_JvNXvsY1cSlcEH5EewYiMcj9McWqPtkFjz7-G8gLVI3svYadX6KXSR5p3k34a5nKBmTyx9BvEw7veBmusMBNrZiWkbyFm3qrbilhP21yq_FCJArLzC/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>It hasn't been the most elaborate thing I've ever done and most of the "gifts" have been token things (a toast with our wedding flutes and sparkling cider or a walk through the Rhema Christmas lights), but the thought behind it (according to the hubs) has been the cool part! We have gotten to take this chance to look back on some of the things we've done with one another since we started dating almost 7 years ago and it's been nice to have that time to reconnect during this busy season :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-12477992989769546882011-12-19T00:30:00.000-06:002011-12-19T00:30:09.663-06:00Pressing OnI feel like every time I get on here to write I think about how crazy our life is right now. Throughout the day I think, "things will slow down after xyz is over" or "after I finish xyz we can relax"...only to realize that after xyz comes abc and we start a crazy season all over again. I'm starting to come to terms with the fact that life is just that busy. There are things we could stop doing that would slow us down a little, but we feel that the things we're doing right now are exactly the things God wants us doing. That includes a pretty big change that will be taking place for our family within the next few weeks.<br />
<br />
We're moving.<br />
<br />
I don't have time or the energy to go into all the details leading up to this decision, not right now anyway. I am working on a longer post about the journey God has had us on the last 6-9 months, but for now we just wanted to let everyone know what's going on with us. And answer a few questions we've been getting lately :)<br />
<br />
No, we don't know exactly where we are moving yet or the exact dates of our move.<br />
<br />
We will be moving into a rental, but will still be in the Tulsa area.<br />
<br />
Hopefully tomorrow we will know more concrete details as we are hoping the application process for the duplex we're looking at will be complete. We are praying that God orchestrates this move for next week, but we know that we will be out of this house by the middle of January at the very latest. We would certainly appreciate any prayers you can send up for us as we make this transition. Also, our oldest has an appointment with the developmental pediatrician for more testing on January 4th and we'd love prayers for that also! Hope to be back soon to share more about this journey!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-28143407831732910842011-12-15T17:22:00.001-06:002011-12-15T17:23:47.093-06:00S'more Trail Mix...good enough for frazzled mommy's everywhereThings around here have been CRAZY busy the last week or so. I promise I'll update more on that soon, but I wanted to pop over and write a short post on how one frazzled mama was able to giver herself 15 minutes of quiet (to do dishes).<br />
<br />
My youngest is 13 months old and has been teething almost non-stop for the last 2 months. Normally he's a real trooper! Today, however, circumstances got the best of him. A morning running errands, an itchy rash on the back of his head, and a very late nap time all conspired against him today. It all added up to one super clingy baby who refused to take a nap. Did I mention that he has also hit that wonderful milestone where he wants to climb up and down and up and down on every.single.thing.in.sight? Oy. Unfortunately, I was in desperate need of getting some dishes done and working on a final assignment for school. What is that quote? "Necessity is the mother of invention?" And thus was born...drum roll please...indoor s'more trail mix :)<br />
<br />
Took out two bowls (one for each child), threw in a handful of honey nut cheerios, a few mini marshmallows, and some mini chocolate chips (though I would recommend regular size ones for this in the future). Mixed it up and...voila! My children were happily occupied for 20 minutes without a single peep! Quite the feat considering our issues today. The best was that I was able to quickly get some dishes done and get myself that much closer to "daddy home" time!<br />
<br />
**Note** This is not the kind of thing I would normally feed my children nor would I make this a constant source of snacks. The last two days have seen LOTS of car time and both of them have done amazingly well! We all needed a treat and some quiet.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-69604678582963034022011-11-29T16:51:00.000-06:002011-11-29T16:51:02.603-06:0030 Days of thankfulness...Day 29As this project draws to a close, my last two are two things that are thankfulness concepts God has been working in me for quite some time. It's really been quite amazing the journey he is taking us on with these issues and I'm so excited to see where He will lead us in the future!<br />
<br />
Day 29: I am so thankful that God has given our family a vision to reach out to those less fortunate. <br />
<br />
Now...I realize that might sound cliche as many people make efforts to reach out to others during the holiday season. What I'm thankful for is that God has given me a <i><b>passion</b></i> for this work. It's difficult and draining to serve meals on Friday nights (you can read more about that here), it's uncomfortable to drive around downtown and trying to figure out who is homeless to talk to them, and it's not popular to give your Christmas money to someone else. However, these are things that my husband and I have felt are very important for our family.<br />
<br />
That means, that this year we will take what we would have spent on gifts and use that to bless others through organizations like <a href="http://www.compassion.com/catalog.htm">Compassion International</a>, <a href="http://www.gfa.org/gift/home/">Gospel for Asia</a>, <a href="https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Giving/gift_catalog/">Samaritan's Purse</a>, and <a href="http://www.okfosterwishes.com/">OK Foster Wishes</a>. We will still get one gift for each child and we make gifts for one another. We buy presents for our 2 nieces and do a children's gift exchange with parts of our families, but we aren't buying for adults this year. I want to say right here that this doesn't mean that is what is right for your family or that you don't care about others if you don't do/feel led in this way. This is just what works for us and what we feel called to do with our family...and it has been such a blessing to change what Christmas looks like for us! [There is more to this story than I care to share on here, but if you are interested in the journey that got us here I'd be more than happy to talk to you about it!]Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-82538346091001449212011-11-22T14:24:00.000-06:002011-11-22T14:24:45.515-06:0030 Days of Thankfulness...day 19-21**Note: I couldn't bring myself to finish this post yesterday, but this has really been my "thankfulness" for the last few days. Sorry for the tardiness of the post, but it doesn't negate the amazingness :)**<br />
<br />
Today I am, as my friend Heidi said, "just thankful"!<br />
<br />
Last Friday my husband and I drove downtown to participate in outreach to our city's homeless community. We have gone several times (try to make it at least twice a month) and have begun to foster relationships with some of these people. We go down and feed them, worship with them, pray with them, and hand out needed items (clothes, toiletries, underwear, socks, etc). Every single time we drive home feeling like we don't deserve all that we have. <br />
<br />
It is so easy to dismiss these people and assume they all made bad choices, are habitual drug users, are lazy, or a myriad of other stereotypes that just don't pan out when you actually hear there stories. Yes, there are those that use drugs and those that have mental problems. Some of them might be lazy and have made bad choices. But they are people first and foremost. They have hearts and feelings and emotions and needs and desires just like the rest of us. <br />
<br />
Serving these men, women, and children (do you know how heartbreaking it is to serve babies and small children?) has been one of the most rewarding things I've ever done! To see the genuine gratitude in their faces over something as simple as potato soup and crackers. Or to see the smile when you actually shake their hand...you can't help but be touched by these souls.<br />
<br />
I've begun to see how close we all are (yes, even you) to being in the same position as these people. How the simplest of circumstances can alter someone's life forever. And it's an incredibly sobering experience. I am so thankful for the opportunity to get to know these people and I'm thankful that God is changing my heart because of it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-89556433414492716202011-11-17T23:22:00.000-06:002011-11-17T23:22:57.905-06:0030 Days of Thankfulness...Day 17Today I am so thankful for nap time :)<br />
<br />
I woke up this morning feeling just awful. Thanks to God's strength I made it to naptime and a surprise call from my father-in-law allowed me to extend nap time for myself beyond the time my son woke up! It was definitely needed and I am so thankful that I was able to take a nap today...as petty as that might sound.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-31384467284632008552011-11-16T21:40:00.000-06:002011-11-16T21:40:47.994-06:0030 Days of Thankfulness...Day 16Today I am thankful for rest. Today was a very crazy day, but I got to enjoy it with my husband and this evening we got to take a chance to just rest. No running around loading the dish washer (though it needed it), not doing laundry (though I have 3 loads waiting to be put away), and not madly working on homework (though I will need to make up for it tomorrow). We needed this! To be able to relax and spend time not worrying about anything else but having fun as a family and a couple :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-62455569671461952302011-11-15T08:50:00.000-06:002011-11-15T08:50:07.640-06:0030 Days of Thankfulness...Day 15<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Today I am thankful for all the encouraging words that have been poured into my life giving me the peace to realize that, during this crazy busy season of life,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I can let myself take it easy a little</span>. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I'm in school (and finishing end of the semester projects), working part time, and caring for our house full of boys (including one big boy who is also in school)...I can give myself a little breathing room in ways I wouldn't normally. Buying disposable items more often will save me when all the dishes still aren't done, using </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">paper towels</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> more often than dish rags will save an extra load of laundry, and planning simple meals will save me from meal planning every two weeks. I normally wouldn't allow myself some of these comforts (especially the disposable stuff) and I'm sure there will still be times when I feel guilty about it, but I'm going to remember that <b>it's only a season and it is </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>benefiting</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> our family in other ways and allowing us more time to spend as a family :)</b></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-43675482723349325782011-11-12T21:48:00.000-06:002011-11-12T21:48:36.385-06:0030 Days of Thankfulness...Day 12Today I returned from an overnight women's retreat with the amazing women of our church! Today I am so thankful for the women who went and even more so for our awesome God who (through the doubt and fears) brought us all together and then dug even deeper to allow us all the strength to open up to one another. God used each and every one of those women and their comments, prayers, stories, and singing to build me up! Something I really needed :)<br />
<br />
So today I'm thankful for these amazing women and our even more amazing Heavenly Father who orchestrates it all to His glory!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-46702458389921598012011-11-11T09:00:00.002-06:002011-11-11T09:05:06.652-06:0030 Days of Thankfulness...Day 11<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I start I just want to say that this project has been awesome at making me more aware of the things I am thankful for everyday! I'm not perfect <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(thankful for that!) </span>and haven't posted everyday, but letting myself have some slack has been necessary for this hectic time in our life.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That being said...I couldn't let today go by without expressing my thankfulness for my <b>father-in-law</b>!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZx-dbQwHYojytPz5BMWPW7l76Sifq6GLVbyX_wIlNJRBtlTSSnikTHGnErUmgaRzZ9SjxiOc3GJObkKhdCC8oOJkNZ4sd-8qsy3RajE80LKpfCd147ZKZIJk0IWE79kaoVALTgBjwNKfn/s1600/jim+and+c+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZx-dbQwHYojytPz5BMWPW7l76Sifq6GLVbyX_wIlNJRBtlTSSnikTHGnErUmgaRzZ9SjxiOc3GJObkKhdCC8oOJkNZ4sd-8qsy3RajE80LKpfCd147ZKZIJk0IWE79kaoVALTgBjwNKfn/s320/jim+and+c+1.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My father-in-law, Jim, has been like a dad to me since James and I started dating. Always there to help me keep James in line</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> (hehehe)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, be a good listener, and love on our kids whenever possible. He also served our country in Vietnam. Knowing that he served in THAT war makes me all the more thankful. He served at a time when it was extremely unpopular, he served without thanks or recognition, and he served his country...in two tours! He served so my husband wouldn't have to, so my kids could have the freedoms they have today, and he did it all without a big welcome party when he came home...in fact with a welcome that we should all be ashamed of! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>He is selfless and will always be a hero to me.</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQ3_6xdgOPxu1-DOdy8qZ9yH9zRpL6Wmd_uaKgxN8SUDqv7zuq9aw8sfR8mwWbD_EIBS7v0pwgvXvawrW0qPS2-Q12OMc6BKe8PEWwFFKW2qkAgyUFvDrgAl2qrAHJfsjYcFlbptt_Klv/s1600/jim+vietnam1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQ3_6xdgOPxu1-DOdy8qZ9yH9zRpL6Wmd_uaKgxN8SUDqv7zuq9aw8sfR8mwWbD_EIBS7v0pwgvXvawrW0qPS2-Q12OMc6BKe8PEWwFFKW2qkAgyUFvDrgAl2qrAHJfsjYcFlbptt_Klv/s1600/jim+vietnam1.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I am thankful for all of our veterans who have served our country, for those aren't "veterans" but who gave their time to our armed forces, and for the freedoms I enjoy because they fought. Thank you!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>[Special thanks also to our friends Ginger, David, Josh, and my granpas for their services to our country!]</i></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-90514029633639670052011-11-08T11:38:00.000-06:002011-11-08T11:38:32.406-06:0030 Days of Thankfulness...Day 8<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Today it is raining. Last night we had another earthquake and a tornado warning along with the crazy rain storm moving through. I've had only a handful of nights over the last week and a half that I have gotten 3 or more hours of consecutive sleep. I'm tired, cranky, and stressed. Finding something to be thankful for today was seeming impossible! Mounting to-do lists, upcoming deadlines, and a general feeling of uneasiness have left me depleted and on auto-pilot.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And then Carter hit me. This was NOT a good thing, he went directly to time out, but then something amazing happened...Carter started to cry and my little 1 year old Henry started to cheer him up. Henry crawled over to Carter, then back to the office, shut the door, opened it, and crawled back out to Carter. He did this over and over, playing peek a boo with his brother and both of them laughing hysterically! It brightened my heart on this gloomy day to see my boys playing together and to see the compassion starting to blossom in Henry. I can't think of something that would have been more touching or endearing to my heart this morning than hearing my boys playing together and laughing!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Today I am thankful, oh so thankful, for my children being so close in age and fostering such a beautiful friendship!</i></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-69507620627657865582011-11-07T10:30:00.002-06:002011-11-07T10:34:41.144-06:0030 Days of Thankfulness...Day 4-7<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm a little behind on my Thankfulness Project :) It's for a good reason, I promise!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 4:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>I'm thankful for technology!</i></b> Sounds weird, but without the advancements in technology I wouldn't have been able to see my brand new baby niece minutes after she was born (especially since we live 4 hour away)! The gift of life is so precious and amazing and it was such a blessing to see her sweet little face and know everyone was doing well.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 5:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Thankful for safe travels for our family!</i></b> We left late Friday night to drive up and see my sister and her new baby. We left late Saturday night to come home. So glad that the trip was safe for our family and we arrived home a little sleep deprived and weary, but in one piece!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 6:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Thankful for healthy babies!</i></b> We take for granted the thousands of women (maybe more) who lose babies every day or have babies with major medical problems. I firmly believe that God is in control of all situations, but I'm still thankful when he blesses our family with happy and healthy children. We haven't been immune from problems with our children's births or from long-term medical problems, but I'm so thankful that they were pretty healthy at birth and that we live in a place where there are doctors with adequate training and equipment to help the ones that are sick.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 7...finally!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>I am so thankful for my past.</b></i> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That might sound strange. No...I didn't have a great childhood or a perfect high school experience. However, all the pain and difficulties I endured during my formative years were knit together by God to make me the person I am today! I had some amazing friends in high school and college that were such a blessing to me and helped me in ways they may never know (thank you...Shannon, Christin, Kristina, Tiffany, Catherine, Diana, Ben, Luke, Lacey, and James). I owe a huge debt to these people (and I'm sure a few others who's names I can't remember right now) and I pray that God will bless their lives the way He has blessed mine through their friendships!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-37635755509702137512011-11-03T16:54:00.000-05:002011-11-03T16:54:35.560-05:0030 Days of Thankfulness...Day 3<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really needed the reminder to be thankful today, even when it isn't easy!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last 5 nights have been rough in our house. 4 out of the 5 have included my boys waking up throughout the night for various reasons (no water, wrong blankie, too cold, diarrhea, etc.) and last night was no different in that capacity. What <b>*WAS*</b> different is that we couldn't get our youngest to stay asleep. If we rubbed his back he would drift back to sleep only to immediately start crying if we stopped. Somewhere in the hour long tag game between my husband and I, I got the idea that my "hungry Henry hippo" might be just that...hungry. It was 1 am...we were tired...I was willing to try almost anything to figure out what was wrong. So I gave him a piece of Chex cereal (one of his favorite snacks). And he ate it...and then wanted more.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So here we were, both my husband and I (our oldest son woke up when we got Henry out of his crib as they share a room), sitting on the couch feeding banana to our kids. Carter ate a half a banana and a few pieces of cereal and headed back to bed. Henry finished 1 1/2 bananas and a bit of cereal and we put him back down also. Miracle of all miracles--they slept the rest of the night!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As funny as this story is, there were definitely points when I was not just a little irritated that I was up at 1 am feeding my kid banana. Points when I craved my bed (which I haven't seen much over the last few nights) and peace and quiet. But upon waking this morning (not in the best of moods I might add) God reminded me why it's all worth it.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FTRJqkYy7zG4SDVIaUFo7R14QvBLPs1dNyOhNhJ0t8YYg4M7yQqv4Nrc5ahmkMxEoDIb0BWV5zt-OXujDkbSKhhfT12aZg8pKNd3nUrBr8p1HnmYP-r0LrJNihYuC49ZVrtRIIfIEEby/s1600/Photo11030825+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FTRJqkYy7zG4SDVIaUFo7R14QvBLPs1dNyOhNhJ0t8YYg4M7yQqv4Nrc5ahmkMxEoDIb0BWV5zt-OXujDkbSKhhfT12aZg8pKNd3nUrBr8p1HnmYP-r0LrJNihYuC49ZVrtRIIfIEEby/s320/Photo11030825+%25281%2529.jpg" width="192" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carter found this hat of mine upon waking this morning and has been wearing it off and on all day :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So today, on day 3 of my project...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>I am thankful for God's grace and provision</b></span>. </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I am absolutely not sufficient on my own to raise my children. I am an imperfect human being at best, but by God's grace and provision I am equipped to do a much better job of raising up these little men. </i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-46847799192424774812011-11-02T16:55:00.000-05:002011-11-02T16:55:01.780-05:0030 Days of Thankfulness...Day 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Today I am so thankful that God has given me such an amazing job! I work one day a week at a local college doing what I LOVE...cooking :)<br />
<br />
My job has been so rewarding. Getting to know the students, hearing some amazing and touching stories about how God has worked amazing miracles in peoples lives, and being able to utilize what I feel is my one true gifting. It seemed like such a quick and fluke type of thing for me to even get this job and then for child care and transportation and everything to fall into place so perfectly! I know that God has me right where he wants me right now and is using this opportunity to grow me. For all of that I am so thankful!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-68892083487479271682011-11-01T16:49:00.000-05:002011-11-01T16:49:01.481-05:0030 Days of Thankfulness...Day 1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I can't believe it's already November! Where has the year gone! This time last year we were just getting used to our new family of 4 and now my sons are 1 and 2, amazing how fast they grow :). Someone on the radio today said that this was the official start of the holiday season and so I thought I would join my good friend <a href="http://mamalochiano.blogspot.com/2011/11/30-days-of-thankfulness-day-one.html">Leah</a> and everyone else participating with <a href="http://gimmesomeoven.com/thanks-squared/">Thanks {squared}</a> and do</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>30 Days of Thankfulness!</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So to kick it off, here is day 1...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am so thankful for my beautiful family! My wonderful husband who works so hard for us and my two beautiful boys!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPjjrxtFeX8dY0MstMUNnKbi49s0i-wfxRD9cwfhtB_S5Hc4Hbo0kub6Jk_UlbnEkG8zBFwWxOWtERytk3qJWU2qrQg4w28nygrZy6eL0X8NmdB39txDw-fyLL3Frx6MIrNUSwflZ2S5F/s1600/Photo10311718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPjjrxtFeX8dY0MstMUNnKbi49s0i-wfxRD9cwfhtB_S5Hc4Hbo0kub6Jk_UlbnEkG8zBFwWxOWtERytk3qJWU2qrQg4w28nygrZy6eL0X8NmdB39txDw-fyLL3Frx6MIrNUSwflZ2S5F/s320/Photo10311718.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cute little pirate!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUo1AFlSoH_7HZDrfqTcnUBdjKWrk60a7c4Jg2vu8LQp5w1lIzBHsJB7azJT-vDOyp0ZgTlE-UmNG84yohUp018Xit9BT-TV5qNuTT65L938AsM1W-o67Df23GFL2uudMrHuBkMAtj6fYP/s1600/Photo10312152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUo1AFlSoH_7HZDrfqTcnUBdjKWrk60a7c4Jg2vu8LQp5w1lIzBHsJB7azJT-vDOyp0ZgTlE-UmNG84yohUp018Xit9BT-TV5qNuTT65L938AsM1W-o67Df23GFL2uudMrHuBkMAtj6fYP/s320/Photo10312152.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a long night of trick-or-treating sometimes you just have to sit back and relax with your boots on :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsX-n7PEkdO3hwWPV5AtMULWG6H627gVrL62vQLwpA-mB8KaAkqIUN4mIMI7hdjCAbFgt2hKEJIwrS_AdbDmBjAERZ5TUlPk5MB5S1_Kxbqvfa756MbHXtRqBiASjKaMnAxFMMpm8u-vb/s1600/Photo10311717_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsX-n7PEkdO3hwWPV5AtMULWG6H627gVrL62vQLwpA-mB8KaAkqIUN4mIMI7hdjCAbFgt2hKEJIwrS_AdbDmBjAERZ5TUlPk5MB5S1_Kxbqvfa756MbHXtRqBiASjKaMnAxFMMpm8u-vb/s320/Photo10311717_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My happy little cow...had a great attitude all night!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Do you want to join us in giving thanks during the month of November? Put up one thing each day that you are thankful for. I'm going to try and post pictures as well, but if I miss a day I'm not going to stress! This is about being thankful...not perfect ;)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-76793655556799057442011-10-18T11:58:00.000-05:002011-10-18T11:58:40.680-05:00FrustrationI've been having a rough time these last few months. Our schedules have been crazy, yes, but that's not the cause this time. It's not the extra activities, commitments, or lack of time. It's food. More specifically it is trying to justify and convince myself that the way we are eating is right for our family. It's about seeing the need in the world, the millions who live without enough food, and the homeless in my own city who go hungry more nights than they are fed. It's about wrestling with all of these things when I look at how much money we now spend on groceries. Don't get me wrong, for the size family we have we spend very little on groceries compared to most (and even less when you consider our dietary restrictions--currently that means gluten and milk intollerance).<br />
<br />
It's becoming very difficult for me to reason spending so much money on our specialty diets since we don't have specific diagnoses from doctor's (we do on the milk, not gluten--though our doctor has noticed an improvement). It's hard for me to justify eating things that cost 2-3 times more than "normal" food and it has me second guessing the improvements we have seen in our families health. I will admit that, as a family, we cheat. My son...definitely not cheating (too much of a difference). However, my husband and I...well, we aren't the most devout to our new dietary restrictions. Maybe it's the frustration in having to explain it to people who think they know better what is healthy for us. Maybe it's the huge associations we have between food and good memories (or any memories in some cases). <br />
<br />
For me, I felt a few months ago that I could no longer tax our families meager food budget by continuing to eat gluten free (and I REALLY missed bread). So I began buying flour tortillas and bread for myself to make sandwiches quickly during the day. I eat off diet at least 2 meals almost every day (usually not dinner because I make it gluten free and I only cook 1 dinner). I know that it will make me sick...I will have more headaches than usual, be more tired, and sick to my stomach most of the day. But I can deal, or so I tell myself. "The symptoms aren't *that* bad for me," I say. But when I really think about it and analyze how I felt before I started cheating and how I feel now I do see a difference. And I wish that wasn't true.<br />
<br />
I guess I'm really just frustrated with myself...and God. Why does my body not work like "normal"? Why would God make us go through something that strains our budget even more and makes us increasingly suspect of our tithe? Why am I so tired all the time if I'm doing what you want me to do, God?<br />
<br />
Sounds silly, doesn't it? It does to me. I know that God doesn't bring anything upon us that He won't also help us walk through. Not by my own strength, but by His. He brings us through these situations not to bring glory to who we are and how strong I am, but to show how good He is. How strong He can be for us when we have no strength left. Having faith in this is something I struggle with every.single.day. Most days....I "win" and give in to the struggle, frustration, and cheating. No one is perfect, but in our imperfection God shines. So why do we choose over and over to deprive Him of this? Why do I choose over and over to put my own comfort/desires ahead of God's? Do I really think I can do such a better job at running my own life? If my past is any consideration I should have been assured of that a LONG time ago.<br />
<br />
But knowing this, knowing the physical tole gluten and sugar take on my body, and knowing how much my attitude changes with these things in my system...I am still frustrated. I still feel "better" eating sandwiches every day and saving money for those who really *need* the diet (my oldest son and husband). Boy, it's amazing what I can talk myself into. I wonder sometimes, like today, how long it will take me of being sick and frustrated, to truly lay these things down. To really allow God to help me walk through this new life and be successfully because of His power and provision.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-16288997269120090282011-08-25T05:00:00.002-05:002011-08-25T05:00:06.436-05:00I'm taking a break from posting about food to discuss something that has been weighing on me for the last few days. I'd love your input and advice if you care to share :)<br />
<br />
Is tithing ever considered irresponsible stewardship?<br />
<br />
Let me explain. In Luke 21 we read the story of the widow who gave her last two coins as a tithe to the temple. <br />
<br />
<blockquote>" As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 'Truly I tell you,' he said, 'this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on" Luke 21: 1-4</blockquote><br />
This verse, in my experience, is generally given as a message of how we should "give until it hurts" or how even the smallest gift, if given in the right spirit, it glorifying to God. I've always like this story because I feel it gives a nice picture of sacrificial love...we love God so much (and appreciate Him so much) that we are willing to give all we have. However, now that I feel like I'm closer to being in the widow's position...well, I don't know how to feel. Do I tithe more and depend on God to provide for things like bills, food, etc? Or is God already providing for these things through the money we receive from the job He brought to my husband?<br />
<br />
My inclination is to say that we should tithe and then God will provide for us, but is that being unwise? Is that ever possible? Malachi 3 gives us a story where God says that if the people will return to tithing he will bless them beyond measure. Does that mean the same is true of me? Was this specific to this group of people only who had made a covenant with God to tithe and then left their end unfulfilled?<br />
<br />
And then there is the question of how much we should tithe. Is it 10%? More? Do we give all we can or only a certain amount? Are we falling through on our commitment to give less than 10%?<br />
<br />
I know that much of this is personal. And as Americans and Christians we don't like to discuss money...especially what we are giving to the church. But the story of the widow comes to mind again. Everyone saw what she was giving (or at least that's the impression I always have)....are we supposed to be giving in a more public way? Should we be encouraging others to give without knowing their specific circumstance? Should we expect "blessings" from giving and, if so, by what yard stick to we measure blessing?<br />
<br />
I've never bought into the "prosperity gospel" hype. The thought that if I tithe the way I'm "supposed" to then God will bless me with things like BMW's, wealth, a nice house, college funds for my kids, etc. Where is that in the Bible? Like I said, I've never bought into this line of thinking. In Malachi God's blessings are considered extra food. And when the Israelites were wandering in the desert, God provided manna to eat. Does that mean I should live off rice and beans and give more money to my church? Do I measure blessings based on how our society does (which seems eerily similar to many prosperity gospel types like Joel Osteen, Creflo Dollar, and Joyce Meyer)...or based on the Bible? Jesus didn't guarantee housing, money, food, or possessions to his disciples. Should I expect more just because I live now and here (21st century America) or should we still evaluate our standing based on what these men were promised?<br />
<br />
I certainly don't expect answers on here, but hope that this will encourage us all to consider how we view tithing. I know that God is still working in me and my husband regarding this issue. It's something that I think we all need to re-examine from time to time to make sure we are still in line with what God is calling us to. I also think we need to all be more intentional about thinking about these issues and talking about them...especially with our church family. If we can't be open and honest with our church family...then who can we be honest with?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-87494819685066866712011-08-23T15:29:00.000-05:002011-08-23T15:29:01.155-05:00Milestones and Memories :)Yesterday my little monkey turned 2! It was amazing to think back on the last few years and what a whirlwind they have truly been. To see how much Carter has changed from the tiny NICU baby to the big boy he is now and especially with all of the things he has started doing in the last few weeks.<br />
<br />
In the last few weeks he has grown 2 shoe sizes, started climbing (on everything), discovered that he can swing on the shopping cart handles, and has discovered what seems like an ENTIRELY new vocabulary...it's amazing! We've gone through our share of struggles over the last two years and it was odd to think back over them. My mind kept returning to different issues throughout the day as we celebrated. Also, I kept looking back over the journey I have been on in my relationship with God over the last few years. <br />
<br />
God has brought me WAY out of what I felt my comfort zone was. Being raised in an environment where divorce was something that was common, men were absentee in their kids lives, and *knowing* that I never wanted to stay home with kids. From that God brought me to a wonderful husband who I trust completely, feeling now as if divorce shouldn't be an option except in the worst of situations, a wonderful husband who is an amazingly loving and present father to our children, and loving every minute of being able to spend every day with my beautiful boys! It's so amazing. And the work that God has been doing in me and my husband's hearts just in the last year has left us both feeling a bit raw yet renewed at the same time! Our priorities and values have shifted somewhere over the last four years and we both now feel like we are truly giving ourselves to God to use as He sees fit. I have to say that while so many people think Christianity is restrictive and full of rules, we have seen the opposite in our lives--truly feeling freedom! It's funny to look back at the things that were important and now see them as trivial. To be in a situation that you've been in before and have a completely different outlook and reaction. God has been so faithful to my prayers for peace and in giving me the knowledge that we are headed in the right direction.<br />
<br />
This peace has so seamlessly transferred into parenting that it shocks me sometimes. When I go out with the boys I get a lot of stares and comments about how full my hands must be, but what I think (and rarely say) is how there is no way I could accomplish this on my own. But through God's strength I can lead these little boys in the right path for them. It may not look like what other people do or what other people think is important. But I know that it is right and it gives me so much confidence as a mother! Not to say that there aren't struggles or times (almost daily) when I doubt my decisions. But when I offer those feelings up to God, He is always faithful to give me strength to know that I am doing His will and He is walking in it with me.<br />
<br />
It's funny because watching my son on his birthday...the joy on his face when he opened his present (yes one). It was like looking in a mirror at the joy I now feel with the gift that God has given me. I am so thankful to be one of His children. To know His love, kindness, faithfulness, and grace! With all the changes Carter has made in the last two years, I'm reminded still of the changes I've made in the last two years (or rather the changes God has made in my heart) and I feel that same sense of joy. I so look forward to seeing what changes will come in the next year in Carter. I look forward to seeing how much he grows and, deep down, I also look forward to seeing how God will chose to shape and mold me in the coming year and how He will step up to help me through the coming changes :)<br />
<br />
<br />
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MONKEY! You are such a blessing in my life and I am so excited to see what you'll do in the coming months and years :) I love you with all my heart and I hope you can always see that.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7130544587528980133.post-50882736812624616472011-08-04T11:38:00.000-05:002011-08-04T11:38:42.814-05:00Feelings vs. DutyOur family is going through a transition...and it's come upon us more quickly than I had anticipated. We are transitioning into a VERY busy time. Not that our life is anywhere near placid, but now it's starting to look almost frantic. My husband is applying for seminary for the spring, we are both taking classes this fall, I just got a part-time job one day a week, the Good News Club our church sponsors is beginning again, and our boys will be turning 2 and 1 in August and October (respectively). Add to the heavy load the fact that our classes, my job, and the Good News Club all start the same week (coincidentally the week of Monkey's 2nd birthday) and you have a recipe for disaster! Oh, and all this on top of our regular responsibilities to jobs/church groups.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>It has become clear to me in the last few days that this isn't just going to happen...at least the transition won't be anything but horrible without a little planning and change of attitude for me. I need to have a plan...a plan for how to accomplish my primary job as wife/mother/home manager without feeling too overwhelmed, plans for what we will eat on days I'm too tired to cook, and a plan on how to organize my days/weeks that will make this transition easier on my kids.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The other major change is something that needs to happen quickly, and I'm very lucky that God has already begun this work in my heart. I need to change how I approach life. Wow. Writing it out makes is sound impossible, but I'm thankful that I don't have to tackle the task alone!</div><div><br />
</div><div>As a woman (yes, I am saying that men and women are different...please don't hate me) I have fallen into the easy task of allowing my feelings to dictate much of my day/life. As a single lady, it didn't matter. I could do whatever I wanted as long as I still was able to pay my bills. As a married woman, there was a bit more accountability and responsibilities began increasing, but it wasn't a whole lot different. Becoming a mother...well that changed things much more significantly. I had a tiny person who depended on me for EVERYTHING..and that's a sobering reality. I couldn't just sleep in because I felt like it...no, I needed to get up or the baby couldn't eat. I couldn't just lay around all day eating ice cream or watching tv or forget to eat all day because there was a little one that I was a) needing to provide nourishment to via breastmilk and b) I needed to set an example for my kids. SO my life started to shift from being lived based on my feelings to being lived based on a sense of duty and responsibility.<br />
<br />
This point hit home the other day when James and I were watching Mark Gungor talking about the feminization of men in our society (check out <a href="http://www.laughyourway.com/blog/it%E2%80%99s-dangerous-for-men-to-%E2%80%9Cfollow-their-feelings%E2%80%9D/">this article</a> for his input and<a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2010/03/07/the-basement-boys.html"> this article</a> for more evidence). Now while this argument is aimed at men, I felt that this was important for me to remember also...not to such a high degree as a man (because, let's face it, many women are improved by being attentive to their feelings) but it's important for me to remember that I also have a responsibility. If I sat around all day online and didn't pick up after the kids, clean up messes, or go to the store and James came home and got upset that I had been home all day and hadn't accomplished anything...well it would be a little ridiculous for me to cry to him that I didn't feel like it and he shouldn't get upset about that. It would be like your boss getting upset that you didn't accomplish anything all day at work and then you getting upset with him for yelling at you. Don't you think you maybe deserved a little frustration on the part of your boss/spouse?<br />
<br />
So I need to be more honest with myself. While I may not *feel* like cleaning after I get off work, or cooking ahead when I have free time. Doing so will make my days and weeks run much more smoothly. Being aware that I have a duty to these commitments is paramount! I think that <i>feeling</i> like doing these things will come after a while, and all the better! But until that magic time comes...I'm heading into a time where I will be responsible because I have a duty...to plan ahead because that's what's best for my family...whether I <i>feel </i>like it or not.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0