Anyone for some Hide & Seek?

Hide & Seek is by far one of our favorite activities (at least when confined to indoors)! And once again, mom rules!! I actually had time to read a book while hidden-go figure! And yes, N is in the dryer -- the one that died 2 days ago and was waiting to be replaced!

Ramblings

Tonight I am weary and feel the need to just unload my thoughts. My precious husband offered me the opportunity to 'escape' tonight so here I sit at Panera next to the fireplace with a caramel latte. I think this is the warmest I have been in days!

With our schedule I am always wearing a little thin on Thursdays, so I should come to expect this and plan accordingly, but........ I like to stay up late and I hate getting up early! For 2 weeks straight I managed to get out of bed at 6am and have my quiet time and so many other things accomplished by breakfast. This week hit, and I sunk! So tomorrow I will start fresh, again.

As we have trodded this grad school path, God has been showing me the essentials for our family-- 1. Getting my time alone with Him (early!)
2. Working out 3 times a week (early)
3. Weekly date night (Oh, I love that one!)
4. Weekly family night (we all enjoy this one!)
5. Going to church together
6. Weekly time one on one with M (and now I need to focus this with A too)
7. Weekly breakfast/devo's for Rob and N
8. More discipline in my own life!

I have also been finding more practical ways to organize myself. I love the new 6 week menu schedule which saves ALL of us time. My kids no longer ask me what is for any meal! And I don't have to think anymore, because all decisions have already been made for me.

M doing her own laundry makes more of a difference than I ever thought! And the new chore charts still need some tweeking, but is working well.

God gives so much grace-- I wish it came so freely to me. I wish I wasn't so easily affected by the way I feel/by fatigue/by my need for occasional peace and quiet. I am still learning to let things go- things that aren't nearly important in the big scheme of life as I seem to make them.

I have realized that I have lived so much of my life based upon assumptions. Assumptions which were only that and nothing more. What a mess that can get one into. When you don't ask God and just assume what your life will look like, He will most likely show you reality. I am so glad He has not given up on me, but continues to mold me, set me straight, and give me second chances over and over again. I am so glad the Holy Spirit convicts and fills us, and leads us. As I grow, I only hope my heart will more clearly sense His leading. I may never live in the big house, I may never touch the lives of hundreds, I may never travel the world; but my greatest desire is that someday others will be able to look back and to see Jesus through me.

One year ago I never dreamed our life would look like this --- a husband in grad school and my heart aching to bring home two precious boys from the country of Haiti. But we are better for it! I don't know where the road will lead, but I pray it will lead us closer to Him.

"I press on to the mark of the high calling of Jesus Christ."

Hot Chocolate Anyone?

L is resourceful! Our five year old LOVES little things that she can put in her pockets or her her little bags. Recently she discovered these little 'mini' Bibles for $1.29 at the Christian Bookstore. Since she isn't one to save her money, she doesn't have enough to buy it, so she has been looking for ways to earn money. She is a bright little girl and decided that since it was so cold outside, that she could have a Hot Chocolate stand. Unfortunately, her mom isn't quite convinced as we live at then end of a culdesac, no children on our street, and it is very COLD! I love her creativity though!

A Very Bad Day and a Thankful Mom

I have heard a few people say they that when they are praying in the mornings, that one of the things they pray is "help me to see what I need to see today". My thinking about that has always been "and help me not to see the things I don't need to focus on today." Well, as I prayed that this morning I had no idea how ugly the scene would be that I would deal with.

My kids truly are great kids, I love and cherish them deeply. But they are sinners, just like me, who have many issues-- just like me. The last several months I have been telling Rob that I haven't been giving the little girls the time they need and deserve-- I have really struggled to be disciplined in every area of my life this past fall-- and now it really shows.

Needless to say, it was an ugly day that ended with them just going to bed early and myself disheartened at how badly I had let the standards slide. Fortunately, our God is a forgiving God who freely forgives us no matter how disappointed He might be with us, thus how can I not forgive my children. (I just wish I didn't get frustrated!) I know kids just need to know where the lines are and consistency in holding them to the line, but for me it is easy to let things go when there are so many other things on my plate.

So now, I recommit to training my children's hearts and loving them as God loves me. I am so thankful God chose me to love these kids for Him. And I will continue to ask God to "help me see what I need to see today. " In spite of the chaos, I am a thankful mom.

God at work in the heart of our Child

Tonight's sermon was another one of those 'really good' sermons. The ones that stop you in your tracks at how pertinent the scripture is to everyday life, at how Jesus responds to another's uncertainty, and such a challenge to me to trust Him completely, rest in His strength, and to respond gracefully to situations I don't like.

But it was also one of those sermon's that touched the heart of my daughter. There is no greater joy that seeing God at work in my children's lives. Check out her blog to hear it from her here.

January Days

The Holidays have come and gone! And we are so sad!!! Rob has gone back to work and school, we have begun school, the decorations are packed away for another year, and all the activities have begun! It was a great time together and everyone loved having such a laid back schedule. We watched lots of Gilligan's Island, went bowling, played games, saw the Bee movie, and accomplished things around home. I don't know who was dreading 'real life' more- the kids or I?

However, there is also something cleansing about starting fresh, and so that is now where I focus. I have started a Beth Moore study which I am already really enjoying -- Living Beyond Yourself. And the wonderful thing about it is that I can work at my own pace and watch her teaching online. Perfect!!

God's message for me this year has truly been-- 1. Seek Me ( Setting aside quality time for study has long been a battle for me) 2. My timing is perfect (oh how I struggle with this when it comes to our boys not being home or Rob being in school) 3. Surrender/Trust --- 4. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY.

I am so weak, but He is strong. It is only in His strength we press on.