YUCK! I am at home with the flu. I have spent as much time as possible with my kids in front of the TV while I sleep, for the last two days. My bad mother guilt is beginning to kick in, but I am too tired and feel too crummy to care. On top of that, we never made it in to get all the kids vaccinated for the flu this year...I know, more bad mommy guilt. Aidan did get the vaccine, because they had it when he went in for a check up, but the other two kiddos did not ever get one. I am going to ask you to say a prayer of protection for Rebecca and especially for Andrew! I know the flu can be especially bad for babies and I don't know if I can handle watching my baby be as miserable as I feel.
I do have a few exciting things to blog about, but for now I want sleep so that will have to come later.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
A GLORIOUS START...
This has the makings of a glorious day! I am sitting at the computer, in my pj pants, typing away. We normally go to BSF on Wednesdays, but I noticed a rash on Andrew's legs last night and he has a cough and runny nose. I was leaning toward missing, so this morning I snuck into the boys room, flashlight in hand (so I wouldn't disturb the sleeping angels), and looked to confirm that yes it is still there and yes we will be missing. Rebecca woke up about 7:30 and quietly watched cartoons, Andrew woke up about 8:00 and I snuggled him in my lap while I fed him his bottle. Then Rebecca cuddled up with us and we rocked for about 20 wonderful minutes. Aidan finally stumbled out of his room about 9:00. The kids ate and I chopped up vegetables and threw our dinner in the crock pot (which is the best feeling in the world for me, to basically be finished cooking dinner by 10:00). This morning has been so laid back and casual that I was able to drink 2 cups of coffee, while they were still hot. You have no idea how rare this is...I usually do not even get to finish one before it is cold. So now, Andrew is napping and the other two are playing school in the living room ( I just heard Aidan reprimand his 2 year old sister for scribbling rather than coloring and for that she would not receive a sticker...after many tears and some intervention from mom he gave her a pink sticker and now life is better again). It brings so much joy to my heart to see or hear my kids enjoying one another, no matter how brief those times may be.
Sometimes God knows just what we need and rather than a morning full of bible study with other women He decides it is more fitting and needed for a mom of 3 to have a lazy morning at home, enjoying her kids, having some snuggle time, finishing a couple cups of coffee, and savoring the goodness of life. I absolutely have to share these two blog post (here and here) that I stumbled across this morning. They brought tears to my eyes as I read and was reminded of the joys that come from having little kids snuggled in your lap, reading books, singing songs, all the laughter that comes from a full home. I am so blessed to be in the middle of this season of my life. There are days that simply cannot go fast enough, there are struggles in having little kids, but there are many, many joys! Moments I wish I could store in a little box and revisit over and over again. Times I know I will miss when they are gone. So for today, I will try to be in the moment with my kids and treasure them.
And one final note...just because I want to brag on the baby who is changing daily!!! He started sort of scooting/crawling across the floor just a bit. I saw him doing this for the first time yesterday (when I came in the nursery to pick him up after working out at the gym...I swear I can't leave this kid for a second!!!). I am very saddened by this new development, I don't want my baby to grow up yet. Our world is about to change yet again. We will soon have 3 mobile kids...that can produce a little fear in a momma.
Sometimes God knows just what we need and rather than a morning full of bible study with other women He decides it is more fitting and needed for a mom of 3 to have a lazy morning at home, enjoying her kids, having some snuggle time, finishing a couple cups of coffee, and savoring the goodness of life. I absolutely have to share these two blog post (here and here) that I stumbled across this morning. They brought tears to my eyes as I read and was reminded of the joys that come from having little kids snuggled in your lap, reading books, singing songs, all the laughter that comes from a full home. I am so blessed to be in the middle of this season of my life. There are days that simply cannot go fast enough, there are struggles in having little kids, but there are many, many joys! Moments I wish I could store in a little box and revisit over and over again. Times I know I will miss when they are gone. So for today, I will try to be in the moment with my kids and treasure them.
And one final note...just because I want to brag on the baby who is changing daily!!! He started sort of scooting/crawling across the floor just a bit. I saw him doing this for the first time yesterday (when I came in the nursery to pick him up after working out at the gym...I swear I can't leave this kid for a second!!!). I am very saddened by this new development, I don't want my baby to grow up yet. Our world is about to change yet again. We will soon have 3 mobile kids...that can produce a little fear in a momma.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
The Little Things
OK, I am a bit trepidatious as I sit to write this...not because I am going to write some big deep thing that you don't already know, but because I am about to share with you one of the times that God spoke to me. These times get me at my core, they make me stop and ponder, they catch me with weight and slow me down. They are some of my most treasured times. Much of the time the things He says to me are things I already know on some level, but they are things that I do not practice well. So here goes...
I have written several times about resting in God and that He has been teaching me about this for the past several months. He has been at work on my heart in this area for quite some time. I love the scriptures about resting in Him, resting in my Father who I can trust and depend on, resting in the only one who can truly make me complete. I have been learning about this. I have been listening, but some times (really, most of the time) I need to be told over and over again before I get it.
So last week I was standing in the kitchen, making lunches and I was thinking about how much effort it feels like I expend at times and how worn out I am at times. I was thinking about how some days it just feels like I fight to get through them and I miss the joys of having 3 little kids around me. I was thinking about how I loose my patience and snap at my kids and I was thinking about the fact that Trace, Aidan, Rebecca, and Andrew are the 4 most important human beings in my life and that they are the ones who I hurt the most with my tongue and with the anger that gets stored up in my heart when I don't get my way. I was thinking about how this has seemed to be the case more since having baby number 3. So I am thinking these things and then all of the sudden I heard myself say ( yes, I realize this means I am admitting I was talking to myself and yes, I know that makes me crazy)"I am just stretched too thin." And you know what, when I said that I felt freedom. I told you this isn't some big deep mystery...having three little kids stretches you very thin. But when I said this I was truly admitting my weakness and when I am weak God is strong!!! I really cannot express how immediately God ministered to my soul in that moment. I felt a deep satisfaction in that moment! For that moment I drank and I was satisfied. My life circumstances did not change. I did not get time away alone to refresh, but in an instant I was weak, I was in need, and I knew exactly what I needed. It was not anything that "me time" would fix...I needed the Savior, I needed rest, I needed to be satisfied in Him.
So this is what I have learned...God desires for me to know how much I need Him. I told you these are things I know, but they just hit me in new ways from time to time and this time I realized how much I have been compartmentalizing my life. I have certain things that I believe are spiritual and I ask God for help with these things...things like praying with and for my kids, talking to my kids about who God is, studying scripture, and responding to scripture. I even ask for help in areas where I sin, because I know that these are things that separate me from Jesus. I pray about being a light for Him when I am around friends, family, and strangers alike, that I won't be a stumbling block for someone else, but I don't pray for the daily tasks because I seem to think I can do those on my own. I don't depend on God as strongly on the days when I plan to just be at home. I don't ask God to strengthen me to help me feed, bath, read to, and play with my kids. For some reason, these things just don't seem as unmanageable so I don't ask for help. But all the sudden I knew that when I am overwhelmed it isn't the big things that weigh me down, but it is the little things. Things like bath time, and laundry. Running the vacuum and dusting. And as much as I do enjoy some alone time, that does not fix the problem. I return home to life and to feeling stretched thin, believing that is just the way it is supposed to be. The reality is that I don't always feel like this so I know there is another way, I just HAVE to ask my Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer, to be my strength, to uphold me with His Righteous Right Hand. It isn't in the big things...it's in the little things.
So this is what I learned when God spoke to me, and in an instant I felt better. You would guess that in that moment I hit my knees and praised God for teaching me, for fulfilling me, and that I asked Him to carry me. That is exactly what you would expect, but it is not what I did. Rather I treasured that moment for a little bit and then I got distracted. I got busy and I went about my day in my own strength and power. So once again a few days later I felt the same way. And again, a few days later I felt worn out and beaten up. It finally hit me...I have to actually do the things Jesus shows me to do if I want to see any change. So now, I have prayed, I have confessed that I fall short, I have confessed that I am weak and I have confessed how bad I am at realizing I need Him in the little details. That yes, I am stretched too thin, but that is right where He wants me. Maybe I can finally begin to grasp that He is my every need. Every breath I breath I need Him...especially in the little things!
I have written several times about resting in God and that He has been teaching me about this for the past several months. He has been at work on my heart in this area for quite some time. I love the scriptures about resting in Him, resting in my Father who I can trust and depend on, resting in the only one who can truly make me complete. I have been learning about this. I have been listening, but some times (really, most of the time) I need to be told over and over again before I get it.
So last week I was standing in the kitchen, making lunches and I was thinking about how much effort it feels like I expend at times and how worn out I am at times. I was thinking about how some days it just feels like I fight to get through them and I miss the joys of having 3 little kids around me. I was thinking about how I loose my patience and snap at my kids and I was thinking about the fact that Trace, Aidan, Rebecca, and Andrew are the 4 most important human beings in my life and that they are the ones who I hurt the most with my tongue and with the anger that gets stored up in my heart when I don't get my way. I was thinking about how this has seemed to be the case more since having baby number 3. So I am thinking these things and then all of the sudden I heard myself say ( yes, I realize this means I am admitting I was talking to myself and yes, I know that makes me crazy)"I am just stretched too thin." And you know what, when I said that I felt freedom. I told you this isn't some big deep mystery...having three little kids stretches you very thin. But when I said this I was truly admitting my weakness and when I am weak God is strong!!! I really cannot express how immediately God ministered to my soul in that moment. I felt a deep satisfaction in that moment! For that moment I drank and I was satisfied. My life circumstances did not change. I did not get time away alone to refresh, but in an instant I was weak, I was in need, and I knew exactly what I needed. It was not anything that "me time" would fix...I needed the Savior, I needed rest, I needed to be satisfied in Him.
So this is what I have learned...God desires for me to know how much I need Him. I told you these are things I know, but they just hit me in new ways from time to time and this time I realized how much I have been compartmentalizing my life. I have certain things that I believe are spiritual and I ask God for help with these things...things like praying with and for my kids, talking to my kids about who God is, studying scripture, and responding to scripture. I even ask for help in areas where I sin, because I know that these are things that separate me from Jesus. I pray about being a light for Him when I am around friends, family, and strangers alike, that I won't be a stumbling block for someone else, but I don't pray for the daily tasks because I seem to think I can do those on my own. I don't depend on God as strongly on the days when I plan to just be at home. I don't ask God to strengthen me to help me feed, bath, read to, and play with my kids. For some reason, these things just don't seem as unmanageable so I don't ask for help. But all the sudden I knew that when I am overwhelmed it isn't the big things that weigh me down, but it is the little things. Things like bath time, and laundry. Running the vacuum and dusting. And as much as I do enjoy some alone time, that does not fix the problem. I return home to life and to feeling stretched thin, believing that is just the way it is supposed to be. The reality is that I don't always feel like this so I know there is another way, I just HAVE to ask my Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer, to be my strength, to uphold me with His Righteous Right Hand. It isn't in the big things...it's in the little things.
So this is what I learned when God spoke to me, and in an instant I felt better. You would guess that in that moment I hit my knees and praised God for teaching me, for fulfilling me, and that I asked Him to carry me. That is exactly what you would expect, but it is not what I did. Rather I treasured that moment for a little bit and then I got distracted. I got busy and I went about my day in my own strength and power. So once again a few days later I felt the same way. And again, a few days later I felt worn out and beaten up. It finally hit me...I have to actually do the things Jesus shows me to do if I want to see any change. So now, I have prayed, I have confessed that I fall short, I have confessed that I am weak and I have confessed how bad I am at realizing I need Him in the little details. That yes, I am stretched too thin, but that is right where He wants me. Maybe I can finally begin to grasp that He is my every need. Every breath I breath I need Him...especially in the little things!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
God's Gifts
I just need to brag on the Lord for a second...I have this thing that I have been praying about off and on for over a year. It is a desire of my heart that I know comes from God, because ultimately it is about Him being glorified. My desires tend to involve things really deep like going to Target or Hobby Lobby for stuff (which is what I did this morning) ...but I digress. He says Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. Psalm 37:4-5
Did you hear what he said? HE WILL DO IT!!! Not Christa, figure out how to make this happen and do it. No, He says He will do it! So now I get to stand back and Praise Him. I get to watch and see how he chooses to lead and I simply follow. I have mentioned before that I am doing BSF. I have a girl in my BSF group who is a mother of one of the girls on Aidan's class at school, so when we get a chance we usually end up talking because we have something in common. I have enjoyed having her in my group and have wanted to get to know her better. Well, I just found out that she is an author. She is an author of a book that talks specifically about the desire that God has put on my heart. You have no idea how excited I am. I have felt stuck and I have been waiting for things to change, to have some direction, and now it looks like God may have just opened a door and said walk here! I have already ordered the book and we are going to try to get together for coffee soon. I am so thankful for His goodness. I love those moments when I sit in awe of His goodness, His Sovereignty, and His attention to detail. Now is one of those times.
Did you hear what he said? HE WILL DO IT!!! Not Christa, figure out how to make this happen and do it. No, He says He will do it! So now I get to stand back and Praise Him. I get to watch and see how he chooses to lead and I simply follow. I have mentioned before that I am doing BSF. I have a girl in my BSF group who is a mother of one of the girls on Aidan's class at school, so when we get a chance we usually end up talking because we have something in common. I have enjoyed having her in my group and have wanted to get to know her better. Well, I just found out that she is an author. She is an author of a book that talks specifically about the desire that God has put on my heart. You have no idea how excited I am. I have felt stuck and I have been waiting for things to change, to have some direction, and now it looks like God may have just opened a door and said walk here! I have already ordered the book and we are going to try to get together for coffee soon. I am so thankful for His goodness. I love those moments when I sit in awe of His goodness, His Sovereignty, and His attention to detail. Now is one of those times.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Much Love
I just wanted to say thanks to my friend Brianna for the awesome photos on my title above. These are some of the wonderful pictures she took while we were visiting in Albuquerque over Christmas. The girl has talent and I am so thankful to be the lucky recipient of the pictures that will adorn my home and my blog...but most of all Trace and I are both thankful for the friendship from Lawrence and Bri! We love you guys and I love my new blog header. Your the Best! In case you didn't have time before, check out her work.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Tickled Pink
Last night was one if those family nights I wish we had all the time. We had dinner together and I made something that meets the kids approval, so we ate with no complaining and happy kids. Then all three of my kids proceeded to do things that I found simply adorable, or at least amusing. They are my kids so most of you will not get the same joy that I did, but I will share anyways.
First of all, I have enjoyed watching Andrew play now that he can sit up and sort of roll to get the things he wants to play with. In the last few days, every time I sit him down in arms reach of a mass of rattles and small baby toys he always seem to find these little plastic balls. I know it is such a small thing but it is adorable to me that may baby boy is already choosing to play ball.
Second was Ms. Becca. Last night she took a bunch of her baby dolls and stuffed animals and she lined them up, some in a chair and some on the floor in my room and she got out her little toy camera. She then took pictures of her babies. Any idea where she learned that???
And then there was sweet Aidan who is growing before my eyes. It shocks me to see him take on a boyish sense of humor rather than acting like a toddler. He is really developing his own style, and though it may be a little wacky it is all his and I love watching it happen. After bath last night the boy hiked up his boxer shorts all the way to his chest and he laughed and laughed. He even ran into the living room to show his daddy how funny he was. It is pretty cute when you get to watch you own kids amuse themselves. This was totally for his own pleasure because no one else found the Steve Erkel (you know you remember him) get up to be quite as entertaining as he did. Trace told me I could not post this picture because it is embarrassing...so if it soon disappears you know why. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Then about 15 minute after putting Andrew in bed I heard him crying. I went to get him and brought him in the living room. He immediately quit crying and started smiling. The little stinker was faking, but because he is my third baby and very likely my last I threw Babywise out the window and enjoyed him. I rocked him and smiled at him, he laughed at me, I laughed back. This went on for a while. I asked my husband at one point if he thought he was making fun of me already? It was such a sweet moment that I know I will treasure. He is changing so much lately, I want to hold on to every moment I can.
First of all, I have enjoyed watching Andrew play now that he can sit up and sort of roll to get the things he wants to play with. In the last few days, every time I sit him down in arms reach of a mass of rattles and small baby toys he always seem to find these little plastic balls. I know it is such a small thing but it is adorable to me that may baby boy is already choosing to play ball.
Second was Ms. Becca. Last night she took a bunch of her baby dolls and stuffed animals and she lined them up, some in a chair and some on the floor in my room and she got out her little toy camera. She then took pictures of her babies. Any idea where she learned that???
And then there was sweet Aidan who is growing before my eyes. It shocks me to see him take on a boyish sense of humor rather than acting like a toddler. He is really developing his own style, and though it may be a little wacky it is all his and I love watching it happen. After bath last night the boy hiked up his boxer shorts all the way to his chest and he laughed and laughed. He even ran into the living room to show his daddy how funny he was. It is pretty cute when you get to watch you own kids amuse themselves. This was totally for his own pleasure because no one else found the Steve Erkel (you know you remember him) get up to be quite as entertaining as he did. Trace told me I could not post this picture because it is embarrassing...so if it soon disappears you know why. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Then about 15 minute after putting Andrew in bed I heard him crying. I went to get him and brought him in the living room. He immediately quit crying and started smiling. The little stinker was faking, but because he is my third baby and very likely my last I threw Babywise out the window and enjoyed him. I rocked him and smiled at him, he laughed at me, I laughed back. This went on for a while. I asked my husband at one point if he thought he was making fun of me already? It was such a sweet moment that I know I will treasure. He is changing so much lately, I want to hold on to every moment I can.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
It's not just a workout, it's a lifestyle
That's the motto from the gym that I just got back from. It was the first trip in months and I am determined it won't be the last, that is why I am blogging it...I need accountability people. I guess you could say it is a new year resolution, although I don't really like to admit that I make those. For some reason they just seem silly to me and I guess they have a bad rap since most people don't really follow through. Trace and I discussed it during our car ride and we have made a plan. I think it is an attainable plan (just 3 times a week, two of which are together) we just need some discipline. So I am back, I am tired, and I am hungry...maybe I'll get really crazy and choose an apple rather than junk, that may just be pushing it though.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Cheers
Ahhh! We made it home. I may be weird but I think that my favorite part of a trip is how much I look forward to normal life at home after it. I mean don't get me wrong, we had a good time. We saw family and friends we don't see all that often. We had late nights visiting and my kids received too much attention and too many stories from their grandparents and their aunt.
Aidan had a few days to wrestle with some adorable and super sweet boys (I even caught Becca putting Aidan in the choke hold a few times) when we visited Trace's long time best friend and his family. We reconnected with this sweet couple over stories and laughs while the kids played and then while they slept. We took the kids sledding and survived a fit of hysteria after Becca was taken out by a fellow sledder on the mountain in Albuquerque.
We had a good time. We always do, but it is nice to get back to life as we know it. So for the next two days we will work to get the kids back in some sort of routine with nap time and decent bedtimes worked in. We will put away the tons of stuff we traveled with. We will take down the Christmas tree, decorations, and lights. We will go to the store and restock the fridge and pantry. We will get back to normal for our family and after the stresses of traveling with little kids, normal sounds fabulous to me! I always appreciate my life after the chaos of the holidays and travels. So for me, I will begin this new year thankful for the normal mundane life I live, filled with smiles and giggles from my kids, good conversation with my husband, and sweet friends and family to share it with.
***While we were in Albuquerque, we stayed with Laurence (Trace's best friend) and his wife Brianna. They are a fun and lively couple. Brianna is an amazing photographer who is pretty much self taught. She was so sweet to do a photo shoot for us while we were there. If you know anyone who lives in, around, or even travels through Albuquerque, NM you need to forward them her info so they can have her do some pictures for them. Check out some of the pictures of our family on her blog. They are on two separate posts.
Happy New Year! Here's to the everyday!
Aidan had a few days to wrestle with some adorable and super sweet boys (I even caught Becca putting Aidan in the choke hold a few times) when we visited Trace's long time best friend and his family. We reconnected with this sweet couple over stories and laughs while the kids played and then while they slept. We took the kids sledding and survived a fit of hysteria after Becca was taken out by a fellow sledder on the mountain in Albuquerque.
We had a good time. We always do, but it is nice to get back to life as we know it. So for the next two days we will work to get the kids back in some sort of routine with nap time and decent bedtimes worked in. We will put away the tons of stuff we traveled with. We will take down the Christmas tree, decorations, and lights. We will go to the store and restock the fridge and pantry. We will get back to normal for our family and after the stresses of traveling with little kids, normal sounds fabulous to me! I always appreciate my life after the chaos of the holidays and travels. So for me, I will begin this new year thankful for the normal mundane life I live, filled with smiles and giggles from my kids, good conversation with my husband, and sweet friends and family to share it with.
***While we were in Albuquerque, we stayed with Laurence (Trace's best friend) and his wife Brianna. They are a fun and lively couple. Brianna is an amazing photographer who is pretty much self taught. She was so sweet to do a photo shoot for us while we were there. If you know anyone who lives in, around, or even travels through Albuquerque, NM you need to forward them her info so they can have her do some pictures for them. Check out some of the pictures of our family on her blog. They are on two separate posts.
Happy New Year! Here's to the everyday!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)