:) I am smiling because you all think I am about to talk about the presidential vote. Maybe not. Maybe I just revealed a little too much about how big that was to me. Truth is it was too big of a deal to me. And God has had my attention and I am working on that!
No, the vote I am talking about is the vote we place EVERY TIME we make a purchase. When we go to the store and purchase something we are saying, I like this, give me more! Now that could be said about any purchase. Matt and I try hard to think about what we are voting for, or what we are telling the store, when we buy something. We try to buy things that are made in the USA. It's important to us that we support America and the economy here. Now I know there are LOTS of people who are very content to pay less for the item made in China, but honestly, I'd just rather support America, even if it means paying a little more, and yes, this is coming from me.....
Most of you know me and know I'll use coupons and sales and puppy eyes and whatever else it takes to get something cheap or free at the grocery store or drug store. I am all about a bargain. So much so that I went to CVS three times this week! Yes, three times. Did you see the ad? Everyone should have gone! I got free toilet paper and free paper towels! HOLLA! Anyway. When I got the ad yesterday (Wednesday) about the Thanksgiving day sales I started planning how I would do this. I wanted to go early so as to not disturb my Thanksgiving day and I wanted to make the purchases in such a way that I'd spend as little money out of pocket as possible. I was also preparing food for Thanksgiving day and so I didn't do as much planning as I wanted, but I kept thinking about it and how I wanted to get it in.
This morning Matt, the kids, and I were all watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (b/c it is a BIG part of Thanksgiving for me!) and I started talking to him about going. We then started talking about what I would be voting for if I went. Matt reminded me that I was a bit sad that he is to be at work on Thanksgiving day (today) at 8:30pm. Which means he has to sleep this afternoon to prepare (which is why I am typing this on Thanksgiving), which means that our Thanksgiving has been cut a little short. We talked about how it hasn't always been this way. Just a few short years ago "his store" didn't open till 4 or 5 am on Black Friday. The response was SO large that they begin opening at Midnight. People lined up SO early that they have now pushed it back to 9pm. The people cast their vote, the stores listened and they responded.
I am not saying this to complain. No, please don't hear that. We are THANKFUL that they open then, the extra money he will make is VERY much appreciated! We do wish that wasn't an option and would gladly give up the money to have to time here at home. However, the store will be open and they don't really give an option, so Matt will be there :) And we will praise God when that check comes that is slightly bigger ;).
I am writing this to remind you that what you purchase, and when you purchase it tells the stores what you want. I know that seems elementary, but really when I think about it I am quite surprised. I have told MANY, MANY stores I want them open on Sunday, yet I am bummed that my husband has to work on Sunday. I complain about MSG and HFCS in foods all the time, yet occasionally I'll buy something with those ingredients, telling the store I want this item, get us more.
Now I know that the truth of the matter is that my little vote doesn't really matter. My not shopping at CVS today isn't going to keep them from opening next year on Thanksgiving. However we need to remember that our voice is heard no matter how small it may seem!
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Limited Time
Hey Friends! I just found this on one of my favorite blogs! Happens to be e-books that I don't own, and worth the price any day of the week. But when you read about a precious family of 7 who just lost their daddy, it is all the more worth it. This is 9 ebooks (you don't have to have an e-reader, you can read them or print them on your computer, I did that for YEARS before we got our Kindle!) for $5. Each author donated the book, so this is 100% donation to the family! I have already bought mine, you can pay through pay pal! I encourage you to go get yours now!
Here is the link--http://life.yourway.net/barlow-family-benefit/
Here is the link--http://life.yourway.net/barlow-family-benefit/
Speechless
I don't know who actually said this first, but it is a good little saying that is floating around, "live like no one else lives, so you can give like no one else gives." In my down and out attitude these past few days I have been complaining to God about that a bit. We do live like no one else lives, and financially we STILL can't give like no one else gives. It's been kind of a bummer, for me.....some of you know me well and you know that I love to give, I LOVE IT! To me there is nothing greater than seeing the smile on someones face when you give them a small (or big) gift!
So anyway. At church Sunday, some friends were telling us about some new bunk beds they just got for their kids. They were really excited about some of their family buying the beds for the kids and just kinda mentioned in passing, that they were now just looking for some cheap mattresses for the beds. Now, for those of you who follow our other blog, you know that my kiddos are now sleeping in hammocks! (yeah, crazy, I KNOW) So on my back porch I had a STACK of mattresses, twin mattresses, four of them to be exact. Two were spoken for by some friends, but we still had two (well actually three) left. We were planning to keep two, but really didn't NEED to keep two, so we were able to tell them we had TWO mattresses that they could have!
I really didn't get it till later that day that b/c we live like no one else were were able to give! (seriously, how many people do you know that sleep in hammocks, and you can't count our family of 6!) I was SO thankful that despite or finances God was allowing us to give. I still am amazed that God can use us to give and meet the needs of others.
Now, flash forward to yesterday afternoon. Our friends come to pick up the mattresses and we begin to chat a little about different things. And he hit a sore spot for me. He started talking about an item that Matt has REALLY been wanting/needing since before we bought this house. It is an item that we CAN live without but really, we do kinda need it. Our friend, not knowing anything at all about our situation or our need, drove home the point to me that we really did NEED this item. (I am still not for sure it is a need, but regardless) I found myself VERY sad yesterday afternoon that even in all my frugality (is that a word?) I had done a few things to try to get this done for him, but I just could not make this happen for my hubby. NOTHING I could do would make it to where we could afford this. Since our friend was something of an expert on this issue, I decided to email and ask him what would be the cheapest, best way to get this item. I was determined to work toward this goal, eventually, I knew I could do it. LONG story short, by the end of the night he was talking to my husband telling him how he would give us one.
It still brings tears to my eyes to see how God uses the Church to encourage and love on us. He allowed my family to bless theirs (which just blessed me beyond measure to be able to help them). But then He allowed their family to bless us, which I think blesses them, from the sounds of it! Neither of us ASKED nor expected the other family to be able to just meet the need we had, but God, in His wisdom allowed it to happen.
My guess is, He wants me to know that even though this season of life is hard, He still cares. He loves me. He allowed me to do the things I wanted to do, and He gave my hubby the thing he wanted/needed most! All He wants from me is for me to get out of the way, stop trying to do it on my own and allow Him to show me how it can be done!
So anyway. At church Sunday, some friends were telling us about some new bunk beds they just got for their kids. They were really excited about some of their family buying the beds for the kids and just kinda mentioned in passing, that they were now just looking for some cheap mattresses for the beds. Now, for those of you who follow our other blog, you know that my kiddos are now sleeping in hammocks! (yeah, crazy, I KNOW) So on my back porch I had a STACK of mattresses, twin mattresses, four of them to be exact. Two were spoken for by some friends, but we still had two (well actually three) left. We were planning to keep two, but really didn't NEED to keep two, so we were able to tell them we had TWO mattresses that they could have!
I really didn't get it till later that day that b/c we live like no one else were were able to give! (seriously, how many people do you know that sleep in hammocks, and you can't count our family of 6!) I was SO thankful that despite or finances God was allowing us to give. I still am amazed that God can use us to give and meet the needs of others.
Now, flash forward to yesterday afternoon. Our friends come to pick up the mattresses and we begin to chat a little about different things. And he hit a sore spot for me. He started talking about an item that Matt has REALLY been wanting/needing since before we bought this house. It is an item that we CAN live without but really, we do kinda need it. Our friend, not knowing anything at all about our situation or our need, drove home the point to me that we really did NEED this item. (I am still not for sure it is a need, but regardless) I found myself VERY sad yesterday afternoon that even in all my frugality (is that a word?) I had done a few things to try to get this done for him, but I just could not make this happen for my hubby. NOTHING I could do would make it to where we could afford this. Since our friend was something of an expert on this issue, I decided to email and ask him what would be the cheapest, best way to get this item. I was determined to work toward this goal, eventually, I knew I could do it. LONG story short, by the end of the night he was talking to my husband telling him how he would give us one.
It still brings tears to my eyes to see how God uses the Church to encourage and love on us. He allowed my family to bless theirs (which just blessed me beyond measure to be able to help them). But then He allowed their family to bless us, which I think blesses them, from the sounds of it! Neither of us ASKED nor expected the other family to be able to just meet the need we had, but God, in His wisdom allowed it to happen.
My guess is, He wants me to know that even though this season of life is hard, He still cares. He loves me. He allowed me to do the things I wanted to do, and He gave my hubby the thing he wanted/needed most! All He wants from me is for me to get out of the way, stop trying to do it on my own and allow Him to show me how it can be done!
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Kinda Hard
I've been thinking a lot lately...and some of it has been good and some of it has been not so good. I hesitated to even start writing this b/c truth is I am TWO days behind on my Bible Study and really, that is probably why things are kinda hard for me....I just need to make time for what matters most and let everything else fall as it may.
But the truth is things are kinda hard. Even when they "look" okay, they are still hard. This morning found me sitting in the waiting room, with David, while the other three got their teeth cleaned. David was, as usual, the center of attention, smiling at all the mommies there. They were drooling over him, telling me what a fun age he is. I smiled, agreed and told them what a loveable child he really is....
Then one lady and I started being more real than just the surface, "Hi, how are ya?" and it was nice. We laughed about how hard motherhood is. We joked about the things we said we'd never do, and now find ourselves doing. We laughed about how we wished we'd listened as older/wiser moms gave us advice, how we now know that they were right. We even laughed about how we smile when we see a mom with an infant screaming in Target and we think that is a "sweet" cry but the mom can't stand it. You know what I'm talking about? That sweet newborn cry? It is sweet, esp when you have the fresh sound of that annoying 5 year old cry in your ears.
I really enjoyed chatting with the moms in the waiting room. They were fun. But it got me thinking about real life and how we are in life....you know, the "Hi, how are ya?" "Fine, thanks, and you?"....end of the story. This has been a HARD week in the Chilson house. The kids are more rebellious than ever and we've had a few surprises and curve balls that are just making life HARD. Yesterday was a little more than kinda hard and as I found myself driving to the Church for dinner and AWANA I wondered what I would say when people said, "Hey Jess, how are ya?" I also knew that people could look at me and tell that things weren't "right".....So as I thought about how to answer that question, I thought well, physically I am FINE, so I could answer with that.....My kids aren't in the hospital, my husband still has his job, we aren't hungry, we have a home, we have everything we need, really, I AM FINE....
but, really? Right now, life's kinda hard....I don't want to be whinny or complain. I want to do everything with out complaining and disputing, and I am trying, but these little things are just getting the best of me. That disposable diaper I found in the washing machine (AFTER THE CLOTHES HAD BEEN WASHED), yes, it made me cry...b/c that was after the morning we had where that loveable child SCREAMED for over an hour, on the stretch of time where my husband worked 8 or so straight days and in that time he worked 3 night shifts, and we discovered we have a small pest problem, and......you get the picture.
SO while I know that this issue of "I'm fine" has been beat to death, I do have to wonder when we are fine, but life is kinda hard, how do we answer that?? Sometimes I feel like there is a fine line between fake "fine" and whinny and complaining and just being real. Right now I'm fine, seriously, when I look around at things OTHERS are dealing with, I am fine. I am more than fine, I am blessed beyond measure, but sometimes I want/need to be real and tell ya that life is just kinda hard.....ya know?
But the truth is things are kinda hard. Even when they "look" okay, they are still hard. This morning found me sitting in the waiting room, with David, while the other three got their teeth cleaned. David was, as usual, the center of attention, smiling at all the mommies there. They were drooling over him, telling me what a fun age he is. I smiled, agreed and told them what a loveable child he really is....
Then one lady and I started being more real than just the surface, "Hi, how are ya?" and it was nice. We laughed about how hard motherhood is. We joked about the things we said we'd never do, and now find ourselves doing. We laughed about how we wished we'd listened as older/wiser moms gave us advice, how we now know that they were right. We even laughed about how we smile when we see a mom with an infant screaming in Target and we think that is a "sweet" cry but the mom can't stand it. You know what I'm talking about? That sweet newborn cry? It is sweet, esp when you have the fresh sound of that annoying 5 year old cry in your ears.
I really enjoyed chatting with the moms in the waiting room. They were fun. But it got me thinking about real life and how we are in life....you know, the "Hi, how are ya?" "Fine, thanks, and you?"....end of the story. This has been a HARD week in the Chilson house. The kids are more rebellious than ever and we've had a few surprises and curve balls that are just making life HARD. Yesterday was a little more than kinda hard and as I found myself driving to the Church for dinner and AWANA I wondered what I would say when people said, "Hey Jess, how are ya?" I also knew that people could look at me and tell that things weren't "right".....So as I thought about how to answer that question, I thought well, physically I am FINE, so I could answer with that.....My kids aren't in the hospital, my husband still has his job, we aren't hungry, we have a home, we have everything we need, really, I AM FINE....
but, really? Right now, life's kinda hard....I don't want to be whinny or complain. I want to do everything with out complaining and disputing, and I am trying, but these little things are just getting the best of me. That disposable diaper I found in the washing machine (AFTER THE CLOTHES HAD BEEN WASHED), yes, it made me cry...b/c that was after the morning we had where that loveable child SCREAMED for over an hour, on the stretch of time where my husband worked 8 or so straight days and in that time he worked 3 night shifts, and we discovered we have a small pest problem, and......you get the picture.
SO while I know that this issue of "I'm fine" has been beat to death, I do have to wonder when we are fine, but life is kinda hard, how do we answer that?? Sometimes I feel like there is a fine line between fake "fine" and whinny and complaining and just being real. Right now I'm fine, seriously, when I look around at things OTHERS are dealing with, I am fine. I am more than fine, I am blessed beyond measure, but sometimes I want/need to be real and tell ya that life is just kinda hard.....ya know?
Thursday, August 30, 2012
been a while
I know it has been a while since I posted. But this is why I like it here :) I can share when I want to and don't feel too bad when I don't! God has been doing some pretty cool things here in my little life. Maybe I'll get around to sharing them soon :) Or maybe I'll just forget again! (Forget to share, not forget what God's doing!!) Anyway, Rebekah Jenks shared this a week or so ago after a conversation on how bad mommies can be after bedtime. This was a HUGE blessing to me, but I admit, it hurt a bit to read it this morning, as my kids were waking up, groggily DEMANDING breakfast NOW. . .whew. I need to remember to be Grace Mommy during the day as well as at night! I hope this blesses you as much as it did me!!
http://momheart.org/losing-sle?fb_action_ids=10151154749285100&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map={%2210151154749285100%22%3A10152030145480597}&action_type_map={%2210151154749285100%22%3A%22og.likes%22}&action_ref_map
http://momheart.org/losing-sle?fb_action_ids=10151154749285100&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map={%2210151154749285100%22%3A10152030145480597}&action_type_map={%2210151154749285100%22%3A%22og.likes%22}&action_ref_map
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Wasting time....
Okay sisters, repeat after me. I will not waste my time on-line. I will not waste my time on-line. I will not waste my time on-line. I will not waste my time on-line....UGH. WHY is this such a hard lesson for me to learn?
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Potty Training
I often wonder what makes us (moms) ask other moms for advice....esp for things like potty training. I mean, seriously?!!? What makes a mom an expert at potty training? But you know I suppose there is always some advice to offer, something wise to pass along, but sometimes (ESP with the issue of potty training) I just want to beg God and ask Him why? Yes, that's right, I don't usually ask why God a lot, I understand that we live in a fallen world, a world full of sin and destruction and I get that bad things happen. I really think my favorite saying from my days on Facebook is "Things happen for a reason, and sometimes the reason is you made a dumb decision". LOVE IT! But for real. WHY did God have to send kids to us who weren't able to pee on the potty? I really feel like that would have been something nice to throw in with the blessing of motherhood.
SO, now you are wondering why I am posting about potty training. Well I told you I would and now I am. And the reason is, my precious little princess will be four on Friday and she STILL has issues. We were completely trained until about January of this year and we lost it. The details don't really matter, but it has made me wonder why we have "normals" what exactly is normal in the realm of potty training? I have (or have attempted to) potty train three kids now. And each time has been different and harder. My first one pretty much did it himself. Easy Peasy. DONE. No issues. My second on was um, a challenge, but we mastered it a little before his third birthday, b/c I felt sure that was what we were supposed to do. But my fourth is less than a week shy of her fourth birthday and I am hesistant to say this "out loud" but she has had dry panties for two days in a row now (thanks to a HORRID diaper rash that she got from wetting her panties SO much)!
So what makes normal? WHY do we feel the need to be normal? I am thinking about all my different experiences and can't help but think about my friend who has had her fair share of potty training drama, she now has an alarm to help her child learn to control things at night. I have another friend who successfully potty trained her child at 18 months (well as successfully as an 18 month old can be potty trained). There are all different ways and ages.....and I, for once, plan to just chill out with this number four of ours and let HIM decide when HE wants to pee in the potty. I can't handle another dramatic experience....so could you remind me of that when it is his time? PLEASE tell me to chill out and take my time and not worry about it! After all you can lead a child to the toilet, but you can't make him pee.
SO, now you are wondering why I am posting about potty training. Well I told you I would and now I am. And the reason is, my precious little princess will be four on Friday and she STILL has issues. We were completely trained until about January of this year and we lost it. The details don't really matter, but it has made me wonder why we have "normals" what exactly is normal in the realm of potty training? I have (or have attempted to) potty train three kids now. And each time has been different and harder. My first one pretty much did it himself. Easy Peasy. DONE. No issues. My second on was um, a challenge, but we mastered it a little before his third birthday, b/c I felt sure that was what we were supposed to do. But my fourth is less than a week shy of her fourth birthday and I am hesistant to say this "out loud" but she has had dry panties for two days in a row now (thanks to a HORRID diaper rash that she got from wetting her panties SO much)!
So what makes normal? WHY do we feel the need to be normal? I am thinking about all my different experiences and can't help but think about my friend who has had her fair share of potty training drama, she now has an alarm to help her child learn to control things at night. I have another friend who successfully potty trained her child at 18 months (well as successfully as an 18 month old can be potty trained). There are all different ways and ages.....and I, for once, plan to just chill out with this number four of ours and let HIM decide when HE wants to pee in the potty. I can't handle another dramatic experience....so could you remind me of that when it is his time? PLEASE tell me to chill out and take my time and not worry about it! After all you can lead a child to the toilet, but you can't make him pee.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Why I'll never be a good blogger
So, I am no longer on Facebook, I am two weeks into a new Bible study that truly digs into the Word of God and overall our days are much better. They run smoother and I am just plain happier! I also have to confess that we got to camp TWICE in May (which those who know me well, know that is where I am most "ME") and it is NOT my time of the month (which tends to make me a little grouchy). But I also must tell you that we (well I-really, but for the sake of the blog I'll say the whole family) are going through a bit of a transition here. My sweet hubby has worked crazy shifts our entire married life. But the past couple of years he has for the most part worked from 5am-1:30pm. Which meant that about the time of day where I was thinking about pulling my hair out and using it to tie the kids to the fans, my hero walked through the door! Yes, I was a spoiled rotten little brat and I knew it and loved it. But that has all changed. He now works mostly from 9am-5:30pm. I know most of you are laughing and saying so what? But that is new to us and hard for me. That's an extra 4 hours per day I get, ALONE, with my kids and without my husband. It's been a little rough, but we're dealing with it.
Yesterday we had our inflatable pool out in the yard ready for use! We (the kids and I) were REALLY looking forward to enjoying some time out there! We finally got the morning chores done and got out there and we all were really enjoying the time in the sun and water. I was beginning to think THIS is the life. I started thinking about enjoying some sun and water solo during nap time, but wasn't really sure I could swing it. I laughed to myself when I thought about a SWEET friend (you know who you are) and how she used to lay out in the pool, pre kids. I missed her and wanted her to come lay out with me. YES, those of you who know me well, I was thinking about laying out. No, in my entire 30 years I am not sure that I have ever had this desire before, it was strange...VERY STRANGE.
I finally got the kids on the back porch for lunch and I started to explain how this was going to go down. They would go to rest...no talking, no getting up and I would go outside to do my Bible Study with Joshua in charge. I didn't expect much, but thought it would be worth a shot. Everything went EXACTLY as planned. The younger three fell asleep and Joshua rested with his books. I enjoyed 45+ minutes outside in the sun and water with my Father. Sisters, this was SO close to heaven on earth. It had to be. I loved EVERY second. All 2,700 of them. BLISS. I thought about blogging to tell you about it, but I refused. I can't stand the whole "share your best moments - hide the monstrous ones". So I decided it was best just to not tell you.
Then today came. We were planning to go to the park this morning, mommy needed some exercise. I got some good workouts in this week and I am trying to keep up the momentum. Whew. It is HARD! Anywho, about the time we were getting ready to go the rain started. Strike one. (which was after the baby had SCREAMED through breakfast--still have no idea why). Anyway, so I decided I'd work out on the wii fit while the kids played or whatever and the baby napped. Good plan. Baby down for nap, mommy on wii. Yes, this will work. The kids were SUPER encouraging to me and pushed me to work harder and do better. It was good....and fun! I like this. Note to self, do this again. The baby woke up and I was EXHAUSTED after 50+ minutes of a HARD workout. I let the kids take over on the wii and I went to get the baby. I opened the door and I smelled it. I knew what had happened, I didn't need to see anything at all. STRIKE TWO (or is this three?) anyway....there I was, worn out, starving (b/c it is noon) and the baby has taken off his diaper and pooped and peed ALL in the pack-n-play. SERIOUSLY. I put the baby in the tub and started cleaning up. The girl peed in her pants, for the fourth time today-yes it is only noon (more on that in another post). I had promised her that if she peed in her pants again I would get out the XL happy heiny diapers and she would be wearing them again. I was TOTALLY serious. So I did that, finished cleaning up the baby and started lunch.
Sisters, let me tell you. That work out.....I still haven't quite gotten over that. Got lunch served and asked my oldest to get something out of the fridge. I seriously was just too worn out to go get it myself....and that precious child of mine.....he managed to spill an entire gallon of SWEET (sticky) tea on our kitchen floor. sigh.
This is just a small glimpse of the strikes that have happened in our little day (and I didn't even bother with the "little" things) and I still have THREE+ hours before my sweet husband gets home. I promised him last night that I wouldn't let the three biggest kids sleep today b/c we want them to go to bed early so we can have a little date night....so the marathon continues.....this should be fun.
And this is why I'll never be a great blogger. I can't just share the things that make my life look perfect. I want to be real, but then when I do.....it looks like this.....a small dissertation. It's okay. Really, I blog b/c it helps to tell someone. And, I can honestly say, this day would have been 10xs worse had I not started that new Bible study. God has given me the grace I needed to smile and keep going. After all these precious children are a gift from God. God is good and gives good gifts.....and I can't help but think that He is enjoying you laughing as you read (and likely picture) how our day has been.....truth is....I am sure He is happy that I am laughing! A few weeks ago this would NOT have been laughable at ALL!
Yesterday we had our inflatable pool out in the yard ready for use! We (the kids and I) were REALLY looking forward to enjoying some time out there! We finally got the morning chores done and got out there and we all were really enjoying the time in the sun and water. I was beginning to think THIS is the life. I started thinking about enjoying some sun and water solo during nap time, but wasn't really sure I could swing it. I laughed to myself when I thought about a SWEET friend (you know who you are) and how she used to lay out in the pool, pre kids. I missed her and wanted her to come lay out with me. YES, those of you who know me well, I was thinking about laying out. No, in my entire 30 years I am not sure that I have ever had this desire before, it was strange...VERY STRANGE.
I finally got the kids on the back porch for lunch and I started to explain how this was going to go down. They would go to rest...no talking, no getting up and I would go outside to do my Bible Study with Joshua in charge. I didn't expect much, but thought it would be worth a shot. Everything went EXACTLY as planned. The younger three fell asleep and Joshua rested with his books. I enjoyed 45+ minutes outside in the sun and water with my Father. Sisters, this was SO close to heaven on earth. It had to be. I loved EVERY second. All 2,700 of them. BLISS. I thought about blogging to tell you about it, but I refused. I can't stand the whole "share your best moments - hide the monstrous ones". So I decided it was best just to not tell you.
Then today came. We were planning to go to the park this morning, mommy needed some exercise. I got some good workouts in this week and I am trying to keep up the momentum. Whew. It is HARD! Anywho, about the time we were getting ready to go the rain started. Strike one. (which was after the baby had SCREAMED through breakfast--still have no idea why). Anyway, so I decided I'd work out on the wii fit while the kids played or whatever and the baby napped. Good plan. Baby down for nap, mommy on wii. Yes, this will work. The kids were SUPER encouraging to me and pushed me to work harder and do better. It was good....and fun! I like this. Note to self, do this again. The baby woke up and I was EXHAUSTED after 50+ minutes of a HARD workout. I let the kids take over on the wii and I went to get the baby. I opened the door and I smelled it. I knew what had happened, I didn't need to see anything at all. STRIKE TWO (or is this three?) anyway....there I was, worn out, starving (b/c it is noon) and the baby has taken off his diaper and pooped and peed ALL in the pack-n-play. SERIOUSLY. I put the baby in the tub and started cleaning up. The girl peed in her pants, for the fourth time today-yes it is only noon (more on that in another post). I had promised her that if she peed in her pants again I would get out the XL happy heiny diapers and she would be wearing them again. I was TOTALLY serious. So I did that, finished cleaning up the baby and started lunch.
Sisters, let me tell you. That work out.....I still haven't quite gotten over that. Got lunch served and asked my oldest to get something out of the fridge. I seriously was just too worn out to go get it myself....and that precious child of mine.....he managed to spill an entire gallon of SWEET (sticky) tea on our kitchen floor. sigh.
This is just a small glimpse of the strikes that have happened in our little day (and I didn't even bother with the "little" things) and I still have THREE+ hours before my sweet husband gets home. I promised him last night that I wouldn't let the three biggest kids sleep today b/c we want them to go to bed early so we can have a little date night....so the marathon continues.....this should be fun.
And this is why I'll never be a great blogger. I can't just share the things that make my life look perfect. I want to be real, but then when I do.....it looks like this.....a small dissertation. It's okay. Really, I blog b/c it helps to tell someone. And, I can honestly say, this day would have been 10xs worse had I not started that new Bible study. God has given me the grace I needed to smile and keep going. After all these precious children are a gift from God. God is good and gives good gifts.....and I can't help but think that He is enjoying you laughing as you read (and likely picture) how our day has been.....truth is....I am sure He is happy that I am laughing! A few weeks ago this would NOT have been laughable at ALL!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Radio
Now that I have scared you all off and I know you won't be reading anything else I write, I feel "safe" writing here. I'm not a great writer but sometimes it's just nice to have a place to get things off my mind.
I was coming home last night from a women's bible study I am doing and running a few childless errands (yes it was VERY NICE!) and I heard something that really struck me....actually it hit me square in the face. Kinda scared me a bit.
I don't know who said it, I was only half listening and then I heard something like this--many Christians today can't make a stand on scripture because they aren't reading the scriptures. They are simply reading what other people say about the scriptures, and not reading it for themselves. So they don't know what the Word of God actually says.
OUCH! That hit me square in the face. I have read a few things lately, and planned to read even more that wonderful people wrote. These books are NOT bad, and God has used them to many great things, but they are not scripture. I personally had sorta replaced scripture with these books...not that I thought the books were as important as scripture, but more that I thought since I was reading and learning from them it was good enough....how scarey. I am actually ashamed to admit that "out loud." But it makes me wonder how many of us are doing that?
I am really excited b/c just last night I started a new Bible study with a group of moms. I am really looking forward to it. And ironically as I sat in the room last night I was sorta confused b/c they didn't hand out a book...you know a Bible study book? I thought it kinda odd that we would begin a study without a book. Later they handed out a "plan" if you will, that showed what they study would look like. I was puzzled that we would be studying just a verse or two each day. Yes, we are getting a book sometime soon, but for starters they just want us studying the Word of God. How simple. How amazing. How just what I needed at the moment I needed it. God knew what his girl needs. He gave it to me, then He told me why.
I have started this "simple" study. WHEW. I think it's going to be really good. And you know what is even more exciting? I have "studied" two verses and now I can't WAIT to get to another one tomorrow! God is growing my desire for His word! Which is the very thing I have been asking Him to do for weeks! Maybe now I have gotten some of the distractions out of my way and I can truly love Him more!
Now, if I can just keep from comparing myself to the other moms in the study!
I was coming home last night from a women's bible study I am doing and running a few childless errands (yes it was VERY NICE!) and I heard something that really struck me....actually it hit me square in the face. Kinda scared me a bit.
I don't know who said it, I was only half listening and then I heard something like this--many Christians today can't make a stand on scripture because they aren't reading the scriptures. They are simply reading what other people say about the scriptures, and not reading it for themselves. So they don't know what the Word of God actually says.
OUCH! That hit me square in the face. I have read a few things lately, and planned to read even more that wonderful people wrote. These books are NOT bad, and God has used them to many great things, but they are not scripture. I personally had sorta replaced scripture with these books...not that I thought the books were as important as scripture, but more that I thought since I was reading and learning from them it was good enough....how scarey. I am actually ashamed to admit that "out loud." But it makes me wonder how many of us are doing that?
I am really excited b/c just last night I started a new Bible study with a group of moms. I am really looking forward to it. And ironically as I sat in the room last night I was sorta confused b/c they didn't hand out a book...you know a Bible study book? I thought it kinda odd that we would begin a study without a book. Later they handed out a "plan" if you will, that showed what they study would look like. I was puzzled that we would be studying just a verse or two each day. Yes, we are getting a book sometime soon, but for starters they just want us studying the Word of God. How simple. How amazing. How just what I needed at the moment I needed it. God knew what his girl needs. He gave it to me, then He told me why.
I have started this "simple" study. WHEW. I think it's going to be really good. And you know what is even more exciting? I have "studied" two verses and now I can't WAIT to get to another one tomorrow! God is growing my desire for His word! Which is the very thing I have been asking Him to do for weeks! Maybe now I have gotten some of the distractions out of my way and I can truly love Him more!
Now, if I can just keep from comparing myself to the other moms in the study!
WHY?
Why are you here? Haven't you given up on me yet? Seriously....in MARCH I told you I was making a comeback....here it is almost JUNE (three months later) and I am FINALLY making another post. Oh, no! I am glad you are here, I am just baffled that you would choose to read ANYTHING I might write.
Truth is, I have thought about MANY things I would LIKE to post on here, so many, I just decided to not. Due to lack of time...or maybe just plain laziness. Then I thought I would just post and say, goodbye. That I won't post anymore. Again, not because I didn't want to, but more b/c I just didn't have time. But I didn't want to....truth is, when I look at those of you who are following me here, many of you are some of my life long friends. There's one or two of you I don't know, (which by the way it amazes me that you would be here and stick with my randomness even though you haven't met me!!), two or so that I count as mentors, but the truth is, I really do care about the twelve of you that follow me here. I love you ladies and I love feelings somewhat connected to you :)
And so, now you are wondering why I chose to post....aren't you? Well, you see, Matt and I deleted our fb pages. No, we didn't deactivate them we deleted them. They are gone, well they will be in about a week. It will be like fb never even existed in our homes. Except it did. And, oh it kills me to say this, but....I miss it. GAH! I didn't want to miss it. . .but I do. I could go back.....I have one more week till it is completely gone. I could sign in right now and it would ALL be back, but I can't. See, this has been one of the BEST weeks my family has had in a LONG time. A LONG time. I have done much better keeping up with housework, and being nice to my kids, I have found time to post to our family blog and I have just been a happier mom. So I can't go back. I know for sure if I did things would head downhill FAST. I just don't have the self control to do it anymore. I would read all about everyone else's BEST days and compare them to my worst. I went to bed at night frustrated that my husband didn't do the things those men did, that my kids didn't do the things those kids did, that I didn't do the things that she did, that my friends didn't do the things that those friends did and so on....you get it, don't you?
I now realize that I am thankful that my _____ didn't do what so-and-so's _____ did b/c my ________ is mine. And this is my life. Not theirs....so I shouldn't compare. I don't know why I ever did....and I know I won't stop, but this is MY life that God has blessed ME with. And I love it. I love it even more now that I am not reading all about everyone elses!
And then....oh gosh, then I would JUDGE others based on what they posted.. SERIOUSLY?!? That was just NOT okay at all. I would see someone in person and suddenly be upset about something they posted or said on fb. WHAT in the world? SO, that settled it. I had to be done.
Now don't take that the wrong way, I LOVE to know what is going on in others lives, and I miss it terribly. But I just can't (for me and my life) spend my days reading all about everyone--and yeah, I mean everyone. I had over 500 friends. THAT my friends is a bit over the top for me!
So why am I telling you this? B/c my mind still works in fb world. There are things I want to tell people. Things that are going on in my world, things that are important to me, I want to share, but not with 500+ people! That is where all this comes in. I just want to get out of my mind a few things now and then. And, I like being able to share with you :)
This isn't my new fb. I promise that. It's just a way for me get some of my need to express myself out!! I promise I won't post everyday...probably not even every week, but I want to post some....here and there. It won't be regular, I don't think.....shucks it may even be three more months before I post again...but maybe not. ;)
whew. I am glad I got THAT out. OH! And one other thing...I don't think facebook is bad. I think it is AWESOME...for some people. Just not for me! Now...I am going to post something totally different...I think ;)
Truth is, I have thought about MANY things I would LIKE to post on here, so many, I just decided to not. Due to lack of time...or maybe just plain laziness. Then I thought I would just post and say, goodbye. That I won't post anymore. Again, not because I didn't want to, but more b/c I just didn't have time. But I didn't want to....truth is, when I look at those of you who are following me here, many of you are some of my life long friends. There's one or two of you I don't know, (which by the way it amazes me that you would be here and stick with my randomness even though you haven't met me!!), two or so that I count as mentors, but the truth is, I really do care about the twelve of you that follow me here. I love you ladies and I love feelings somewhat connected to you :)
And so, now you are wondering why I chose to post....aren't you? Well, you see, Matt and I deleted our fb pages. No, we didn't deactivate them we deleted them. They are gone, well they will be in about a week. It will be like fb never even existed in our homes. Except it did. And, oh it kills me to say this, but....I miss it. GAH! I didn't want to miss it. . .but I do. I could go back.....I have one more week till it is completely gone. I could sign in right now and it would ALL be back, but I can't. See, this has been one of the BEST weeks my family has had in a LONG time. A LONG time. I have done much better keeping up with housework, and being nice to my kids, I have found time to post to our family blog and I have just been a happier mom. So I can't go back. I know for sure if I did things would head downhill FAST. I just don't have the self control to do it anymore. I would read all about everyone else's BEST days and compare them to my worst. I went to bed at night frustrated that my husband didn't do the things those men did, that my kids didn't do the things those kids did, that I didn't do the things that she did, that my friends didn't do the things that those friends did and so on....you get it, don't you?
I now realize that I am thankful that my _____ didn't do what so-and-so's _____ did b/c my ________ is mine. And this is my life. Not theirs....so I shouldn't compare. I don't know why I ever did....and I know I won't stop, but this is MY life that God has blessed ME with. And I love it. I love it even more now that I am not reading all about everyone elses!
And then....oh gosh, then I would JUDGE others based on what they posted.. SERIOUSLY?!? That was just NOT okay at all. I would see someone in person and suddenly be upset about something they posted or said on fb. WHAT in the world? SO, that settled it. I had to be done.
Now don't take that the wrong way, I LOVE to know what is going on in others lives, and I miss it terribly. But I just can't (for me and my life) spend my days reading all about everyone--and yeah, I mean everyone. I had over 500 friends. THAT my friends is a bit over the top for me!
So why am I telling you this? B/c my mind still works in fb world. There are things I want to tell people. Things that are going on in my world, things that are important to me, I want to share, but not with 500+ people! That is where all this comes in. I just want to get out of my mind a few things now and then. And, I like being able to share with you :)
This isn't my new fb. I promise that. It's just a way for me get some of my need to express myself out!! I promise I won't post everyday...probably not even every week, but I want to post some....here and there. It won't be regular, I don't think.....shucks it may even be three more months before I post again...but maybe not. ;)
whew. I am glad I got THAT out. OH! And one other thing...I don't think facebook is bad. I think it is AWESOME...for some people. Just not for me! Now...I am going to post something totally different...I think ;)
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Making a comeback!
A friend of mine Sharmin has a blog and she has started a little challenge! She is challenging us all to take the next four weeks to clean out and clean up our homes! Since we moved, (I know you had NO idea) ;) Matt and I have really been striving to have a more simple lifestyle. This means REDUCING CLUTTER. Things that we don't need haven't needed are GONE. They are leaving our home. FOR GOOD. So far we have gotten rid of 8 boxes of clothing. About 5 boxes of toys and I don't know how many boxes of other stuff that we just don't need. Just STUFF! SO I am excited to join Sharmin on this little challenge! I'll be posting before and after pictures. This really should be fun! Now, off to sort through (and organize) MORE kids clothes!!
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